1:5:3 Alterations (Part 1)

Breathe. The immediate panic the quake had caused had been short lived but was soon replaced with curiosity and questioning. Sharr’Renn picked herself up from the floor then offered her services to Lore. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Lore dusted themselves off, their eyes still glued to The Destiny. “Better than fine actually.”
“Good to hear it. Now, what’s Destiny?” Her smile quickly inverted as her face grew strict.
“She’s my ship… That ship.” Lore pointed into the sky. “I have no idea how she got here but I’m glad she did.”
Sharr’Renn stepped closer. “And why is that then?”
“Because I’m not supposed to be here.” Lore rolled down their sleeve and held up their Breacher. “And because of what past me did with the time loop, I can’t even use this to get away.”
She stood back, her smile returned. “Have you got any way of contacting your ship?”
Lore patted themselves down, knowing they didn’t but hoping they did. “No.” They sounded defeated. “I really should start carrying a communicator.” Lore mumbled to themselves as they continued to inspect their clothing. “There’s a good spot...” They continued.
Sharr’Renn blinked around the settlement, checking on her citizens before ensuring the integrity of the cave. Content the damage had been minimal, she ended her tour in her tent; immediately, she could see that her terminal was abuzz with traffic. Messages of confusion from both East and West were pouring in with both sides blaming the other or occasionally, Crwydisch for the sudden and obvious arrival of the unknown ship in the sky. A flashing light appeared in the corner of her screen, indicating a call in progress. Apprehensively, she joined.
“Ah ha ha! So… The king of the Child snatchers joins us.” The Eastern Leader chuckled. “You know I kid Sharr. Though, seriously, is that thing yours?”
“Because we deserve to know.” Silus piped up.
Sharr’Renn shook her head. “It belongs to our guest. They weren’t expecting it either.”
“Guest?” East and West spoke as one.
“Who are they?” The Eastern representative started.
“And how did they get to you?” Silus and the representative cringed. “That was… Sorry.”
There was a long pause as Sharr’Renn decided what she could tell them. “It’s a little complicated.”
“Make it not complicated then or we’re coming over.” Silus’ remark impacted more than Sharr’Renn.
“And there we have it. Typical western arrogance.” The Easterner tutted. “Although it would definitely be to your benefit to tell us.”
Apprehensively, she responded. “You’re both welcome to join me and I’ll show you.” She regretted her words almost as soon as they left her mouth. Three people appeared around her. Two of them, she was expecting. “Hello?” Sharr’Renn recoiled from her guests. The two she had known about followed suit.
“Woah, woah, woah.” The gatecrasher held her hands in the air. “Sorry, it just seemed like the best time to join you. We had planned to contact you first but… Well, you should be proud of your encryption algorithms.”
“Definitely. We were lucky to hear the call let alone get co-ordinates for wherever we are.” Destiny’s mouth fell from Char’s pocket with a collection of her macrocomps before pooling and forming her humanoid body. She made sure to stand close to Char, extending a fine tendril around her body.
“Who the hel are you two?” Silus had their pistol firmly pressed into Char’s side.
“She’s one of us.” The Eastern representative smiled. “Aren’t you lass.” He looked her up and down. “I don’t think I’ve seen a port that old so clean since my last visit to The Wacwyr amguesum in Enwortsille.”
“Thank you?” Char wasn’t sure if he was complimenting her. “We’re really sorry for bursting in on you like this, honestly, we thought our entrance would be a lot less… Disruptive but… Nevermind! We’re here now.”
“I’m sorry, who are you?” Silus made sure to apply slightly more pressure with the barrel of their pistol. “And why are you here?”
“As I said, or rather was about to say, we’re here to collect our friend. Once we’ve got them, we’ll be on our way.” Char feigned a smile. “Now, please remove that Nut cracker you call a weapon from my side before you get hurt.” Silus scoffed but their laughter was short lived as their pistol began to move itself. Char watched as they struggled then looked to Destiny. “Thank you.”
“Your friend must be Sha’Tara.” Sharr’Renn turned to open the tent.
Silus’ eyes widened. “Sorry?”
“They’re over by the lake.” She paused. “After you.”

It was awkward but, eventually, they all made it out. Sharr’Renn led the group with Char and Destiny not too far behind; Silus angled themselves between them, equally interested in Sha’Tara. The lake came into view and with it, Lore. Char remained behind Sharr’Renn only just long enough to confirm it was them before she teleported ahead and into Lore’s arms.
Lore extended themselves for a hug only to feel the thin skin around their eye split apart as Char’s gloved hand crossed their face. “Don’t you ever do anything like that again!” She shouted before seeing what she had done. “Oh! I’m so sorry.”
Lore just stood there laughing, still ready to hug her. “It’s so good to see you too.” They wrapped themselves around her. “Bit of an entrance don’t you think?”
Char dug herself out of their shoulder. “Sorry. I… I’m just glad you’re alive.”
“I meant with the ship. Shook the whole bloody planet.” Lore pointed up through the skylight. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you nearly restarted the war.”
“About that…” She moved from their front to their side without fully releasing them from her hug.
Lore’s eye widened as it saw the party accompanying Sharr’Renn. “Silus?”
“Sha’Tara.” Their tone changed as quickly as they moved, charging Lore; from a normal speaking voice, they moved to a whisper. It was a strange combination of happiness, anger and confusion. “Mind telling us how the hel you got here? Especially since you’re supposed to be getting ready in the first city.”
Lore paused. Silus stepped back and looked them up and down.
“Hang on, what happened to your eye?” Silus moved in closer. “What? You…” Their voice became more of a muttering as they continued their examination. “That’s not right… You look younger but that… No.”
A slight smile grew across Lore’s face. “Trust me, it’s more complicated than you think.” They patted Silus on their shoulder. “It’s good to see you again though. Even though I technically barely know you and we’ve never met from your point of view.” Lore shook their head. “Sorry.”
“Who is this and why are they so pink?” The Easterner chuckled. “Unless you’re what happens when we dig even deeper?”
“Not quite.” Lore wasn’t quite sure what he meant. “I’m a human.”
“How fortuitous.” The Easterner glared at Silus. “I’ve heard many things about another of your kind. Perhaps you know one another?”
“The humans have built themselves a rather large empire Timm'Othay. It’s unlikely.” Silus covered for them.
Timm'Othay didn’t relent. “Still raises the question of how this one arrived here; especially since we know their ship has only just arrived.”
None of them had an answer that wouldn’t, potentially, disrupt the timeline. “Hold on.” Lore held up their hand. “Did you say ‘Timm'Othay’?”
“I did…” Silus wondered where Lore was going.
They wracked their memories of the war until they came to the last day. “And peace came on the last day, thanks to Time, Hardeen and Timm'Othay.” They recited. “You’re the Ymeriar.” Lore bent into an awkward curtsey.
Any suspicion faded instantly as an entitled grin beamed through. “Nice to see someone remembers.”
“This is perfect.” Lore began. “If we may, a short moment for me to catch up with my crew. I promise I will try to explain everything.”
“A short recess may be a good idea for everyone. You may have use of my private quarters while the rest of us take tea in the main area.” Sharr’Renn raised her wrist. “If everyone is in agreement?”
A wave of nods confirmed their readiness and, once they were all making physical contact, they vanished into her tent.