Persistence is a Virtue

Part 1
The sun was overcast on a brisk, breezy Altronian winter day. If the sun and moon could speak, they would tell of this little land, and how it had come to be a wasteland, once a temperate island, now a large, snowy dust pit, only sufficient for the Chilas that inhabited its main canyon, which was named for them. The sun would also tell how it was nearly impossible to establish large settlements, but a fortress with lots of imports might. So Altronia Fortress came about. Lead by one of the most hardened and experienced Toa in the universe, and inhabited by some of the toughest, most mutated, and/or most rejected Toa as well, it grew to a state of completion and refinement over time, and soon became a force to be reckoned with.

However, it tried not to be reckoned with, preferring to remain secluded and somewhat hidden until its forces were required. The sun would also tell of the new recruits who just arrived recently, the most un-Toa band of newcomers yet, and how their skills were now being used to strengthen and diversify the fortress' military force. The sun might be a more observant kind of sun, and actually tell of some of the other random newcomers, as well, such as a black-green psychopath, a depowered Makuta megalomaniac, a Hordika strongman with an outgoing personality, and a weirdo who seemed to know the place too well.

However, as some, assuming the sun were a sentient being, would expect the sun to have an amount of dignity, so they would expect the sun to close its "eyes" and try not to watch the unfolding drama.

Zallirix was in thought. This seems strange to most who know Zallirix, but this time he had a good reason. There was something to steal. Zallirix had been running around and doing errands for Altronia Fortress operatives, as was his current job...or punishment...description, when he happened on the Altronia hangar. In there, he saw his nemesis, Levuku, and some others, including Rajal, Vohk, Ferrak, and some unknown engineer-type Toa, just standing around in the back discussing something. Zalirix could not hear them from his side of the hangar, of course, as the hangar was enormous, big enough to hold a few Metru Nui airships, lined up laterally. They were about a hundred or so feet from Zallirix (about 25 bio), and, conveniently, all facing away from the eavesdropper.

Zallirix decided to not look for any more errands to run for the time being and sneak up on the group. But how to do it? With Zallirix's abilities, he could do it several ways. Hmm, he thought. ''How to do it...Should I sneak across the floor, dart from shadow to shadow, leap through the air and land noiselessly, or scale the wall and scuttle across it like a bug? I've sneaked up on so many adversaries, rivals, and clients, and I hate to form a pattern.''

He decided to scale the wall and look like a dust scarab as best he could. These lowly bugs were green and black, like Zallirix, and were completely harmless and perfectly stable creatures, unlike Zallirix. Still, from a distance, if Zallirix kept his limbs tightly bent and close to his body, none could tell the difference. He did this, scaling the wall with little effort, his claws easily penetrating the stone deep enough to hold his weight. He even made his approach seem random, unhurried, and jerky, like a bug might move. Zallirix had been bored, so he had had plenty of time to watch bugs.

As the creep-a-zoid neared his targets, he began to hear parts of their conversation. Stuff about "rockets," "stabilizers," and "air flow." Sounds like they're designing an aircraft, Zallirix thought. Maybe, when I ride it, I'll escape with it, so it won't turn out like the last one I rode. As Zallirix neared the group, he dropped to the ground, glad no one noticed him, and determined to not let them notice an odd beetle with a kooky grin stalking them. As he neared them, he began to realize more what they were saying. The engineer was explaining the design and effectiveness of two craft, which, due to gestures, Zallirix could tell were on the floor in the middle of the group. Must be small craft, he decided. Oh, well, the other one was, too.

Zallirix was near enough to listen in now. He put his audio receptor almost in the open, and kept as silent as possible while still breathing heavily like a hyperactive Matoran. Finally he understood what was being discussed. Understanding came when Rajal spoke up. "Well, I'm sure you'll all be ready to help us test Nytrix's prototypes with us. After all, they're bound to be marketed everywhere! Imagine! Altronian-made, super-efficient, rocket-powered personal flying machines!" How very, very worth stealing, Zallirix thought. Maybe I'll let them keep their masks and weapons, if not their toys.