Headquarters ISF Military Command, Al'shor City
A new day dawned on Riallphen and marked the last many would see for a long time to come, possibly for some, never again.
A new expedition had been formed and on the day before final departure, the Commander of Military Operations called a meeting of all officers and senior NCOs of the embarking fleet.
The assembled personnel talked among themselves as they waited for the meeting to start. The right entrance to the auditorium opened and the guards came to immediate attention. The designated guard called for immediate attention from all assembled and following with military decorum, all assembled stood and came to attention.
The Commander of Military Operations was the highest ranking officer in the ISF, a 5-star general. She was a feline pushing at least 60 standard years in age and easily the senior of anyone attending, her name Patricia Kaneowe (can-o-way). Following her were the expedition's command staff, General Aren Zaccarri (human), Vice Admiral Rebecca Urocyon (some type of hybrid fox) and a small handful of other senior staff: Brigadier General Robert Bashiri (Red Panda), Commodore Michael Lyzari (civet), Brigadier General Alicia Lawson (human), Fleet Captain Thomas Duran (Coatimundi), Brigadier General Simon M'Iver (swift fox) and Captain Ian Winter (Peregrine Falcon). They took their seats and everyone else followed suit.
General Kaneowe gave a speech about the last hope of the ISF resting on your shoulders. How you are all embarking on both a great adventure to save all beings from destruction by a shadowy enemy who regards other life forms as toys for their amusement. Eventually the meeting winds down and everyone is dismissed, except for the officers. General Zaccarri calls a staff meeting back at his ready room at his fleet headquarters.
Utilizing whatever ground or air transportation is available; the staff make their way to the fleet headquarters readyroom. When all are finally assembled, his staff secretary activates a holographic display unit. The image resolves into a spherical object.
"This gentleman and ladies, this is what we are facing, the first wave at least. This thing is called a Dyson Sphere*, a megastructure approximately 1 astronomical unit in radius that encapsulates an entire sun."
*For lack of a better term.
The general paused to allow the chatter among the officers to die down before continuing, "worse then this is two things, it is likely very well armed and it is fully capable of faster then light travel."
More alarmed comments ring out from the assembled officers, but the general merely raises his hand, "my concern is not the technology behind this thing, my job... our job is to kill it... that is all. I apologize if I sound barbaric, but that is the truth, we kill it before it kills us."
"I wanted you all to understand the scope of this operation. We are to intercept it in route to our home system, beyond the borders of our known space. We have certain 'experts' that are aware of the planned routes that it may take. A object of this mass can only jump short distances and even so, the drain on power is tremendous. If we can catch it after a jump, we will have an advantage."
The general paused, "thank you for coming everyone, I need to speak with the senior fleet officers, everyone else, please have a good evening, we will be departing at 0600 hours. We have a few stops to make before we breach the unknown. Dissmissed."
OOC
Everyone please post a situational awareness post, i.e. what is your character doing on the lead up to the departure at 0600. When everyone posts, I will move the timeline up. Thanks!
Inari Class Cruiser 'Revelation', ISF Shipyard
The communications network came to life, and that harsh voice boomed;
"Engineering and maintenance personnel to stations. Begin preliminary diagnostics and initialization of all systems."
Some would say his species is apt; a heartless dingo who eats babies. Still others seriously entertain the notion. Yet he knows, listens to all of them, and always witholds his wrath. He listens to everything everyone would ever say, and knows everything everyone would ever do, yet never rouses to anger. His is the voice of resolute command. He is not truly brave, he only follows orders to the letter; never failing.
Despite the fact that the path it will take is the one that is most tactically sound with respect to it's constraints on it's jump drives, it would still be relatively unpredictable. Perhaps they're expecting this--dividing our forces while they concentrate for a push on the command fleet. The dingo massaged his forehead, as he sat upon his chair, his throne; observing everything everyone is doing--
--and will ever do.
Inari Class Cruiser 'Revelation', ISF Shipyard
"So what do you think of that sphere Major?" Kal said to his room mate and wing lead, a green skined draconaian. "If I know anything Cool Hand, it'll come down the marines doing what we do best, leading the way! Hoorah." Major Domnic 'Viper' Hadem replied with Kal joining in with the last.
Kal returned to writing a letter to his girlfriend, Tanya who was serving on one of the support ships of the fleet...
What the hell?
Conrad Tomczyk shook his head in disbelief, walking back to his dorm.
How the HELL are we supposed to kill something that big?
He was experienced in small scale operations, nothing of this scale. Evidently, someone high up was getting pretty damn desprate.
He waved his tag to the lock, and entered his room. After turning on some light music, he sat at his desk silently, thankful that he wasn't the poor bastard that had to plan this farce of an operation.
Inari Class Cruiser 'Revelation', ISF Shipyard
Upon his return from the briefing, Lee headed straight for his room and collapsed onto his bed. After a muffled grunt or two into his pillow, he commented to nobody in particular. "That was, quite possibly, the most demoralizing meeting in all of history. The fact that I can't get the image of an ant going up against a human with a flamethrower isn't making me feel much better, either."
After a couple of minutes of no activity whatsoever, Lee rolled off the bed and decided to head to the mess hall. Perhaps some coffee would calm his nerves.
Command Carrier Vigilance
The fighter wing deployed in a defensive screen, and tried to shoot down the incoming warheads. However, the sheer number of projectiles was such that the maneuver only destroyed 10% of them, leaving the rest free to impact the carrier the fighters were attempting to protect. Numerous explosions tore through the hull, and the carrier blossomed into an enormous explosion fed by destabilizing fusion reactors.
The red text "Failure" blinked across the screen, with the remnants of the carrier in the background. Commander MacDuff looked up from his pad with a sigh. Not even the simplest strategies seemed to be working...
The cardinal's head jerked around, and he realized that he was so absorbed in his simulation that he overshot his destination. Cursing himself, he stuck the pad in his back pocket and took to flight. The corridor was just large enough to allow very, very careful flying, but it was far from easy navigating the deck. MacDuff clipped a crewman approaching from a side corridor, and earned himself an earful of expletives. The cardinal grimaced and yelled a quick apology as he set down in front of a door that opened automatically.
He walked into the immense room and was greeted by a raccoon. "Sir, the group simulations are ready. If you would please follow me..." MacDuff looked around as he walked towards the command module. The faces of the fighter pilots were grim but determined. Despite the fact that their previous simulations – as well as their commanding officers' – were almost entirely unsuccessful, there was no lack of fortitude in this group.
"Everybody synchronized & ready to go?"
"Yes, sir."
Commander MacDuff took his seat and moved his control panel into position. "Then let's begin."
"Aye, sir. Activating first scenario."
Let's hope something works. And that our estimates and intel are correct.
ISF Ship Yard
Romulus walked into through the gates of the shipyard ready his new orders. He stopped where he had to show clearance and such but other than that he never took his eyes off his new orders.
"I'm going on a space mission? Well damn that will be different"
Romulus still found it odd that he was being sent on a mission with the Navy and Marines. Romulus remembers back to the briefing and only seeing a few Army men here and there. Romulus talked to himself as he walked holding his father's dogtag.
"If you weren't dead I would have swore you had something to do with this. I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of your friends, more than likely wanted me out of their hair and cause problems for someone else"
Romulus made his way through the shipyard with his dufflebag and favorite rifle. It was a standard field rifle that he did some upgrading to. He added a high powered scope, better firing pin to increase the gun's range, and a longer clip to hold more bullets. He rarely went anywhere without it. He stopped a maintenance person to ask directions.
"Hey buddy wheres the Revelation?"
The maintenance person raised an eyebrow at Romulus "You mean the Navy's Inari Class Cruiser Revelation? Why would an Ar..."
Romulus cut them off. "Yes that Revelation. No stupid questions or jokes, just tell me where the bloody ship is!"
The maintenance person flinched at Romulus and quietly pointed him in the right direction. Romulus waved his hand and headed off in the direction he was pointed. Romulus reread his orders as he walked to his new home away from home. When he found the ship he stood for a second taking the ship in and then boarding. Romulus spoke to himself as he walked up to the Security officer on Duty.
(To himself) "And the soldier spoke to God as he entered the gates of Heaven. 'One more soldier reporting for duty sir. I've served my time in Hell'...... Ahem men brother." (Aloud to the Security Officer) "Romulus Darkcloud reporting for duty sir. Where am I sleeping?"
Absalom chatted and joked with his fellow soldiers in the mess hall after a long sleep. That's all, really. He ate a rather Spartan meal, as well. Hooray for camaraderie between soldiers.
Quote from: Daimien on August 01, 2006, 10:18:23 PM
ISF Shipyard
"Romulus Darkcloud reporting for duty sir. Where am I sleeping?"
The human duty officer examined Romulus with a critical eye, he then turned towards one of the security personnel and motioned them over.
"Corporal, escort Sergeant Darkcloud to his berthing."
The corporal acknowledged and saluted, "sir!" He then approached Romulus, "this way sergeant."
The lapine corporal headed into the airlock, the thick transparent 'windows' gave a breathtaking view of the yard and space beyond, the ship was also visible, though not as clearly as from the spacedock.
The corporal paused before entering the ship and briefly faced towards the rear of the ship before turning to salute to the front of the vessel... marines.
He lead Romulus through the decks of the vessel. Due to artificial gravity, it was laid out like a surface naval vessel in terms of top down deck construction. Eventually, the corporal lead Romulus into a small ready room. Five other special forces types lounged about, they took intent notice of the new entrants as any trained person should.
Romulus knew all but one of the soldiers here, from training or previous posts and all the ones he knew where people he 'got along with' at least professionally. The unknown one was a smallish mixed breed canine, but also the senior in terms of rank to the others, being a corporal.
"This is your team, the door to the left back of the room is their barracks. This door here is where you and Corporal Foster bunk."
The security corporal opened the door and revealed the small room with two beds with a partial partition to signify separate areas for each of the two NCOs.
"with that I will be taking my leave sergeant, welcome aboard." He turned and exited the room, leave Romulus in his new 'room'.
OOCAfter valkyn posts, I'll proceed further. The above seemed like it needed to be done as Daimien's post was open ended.
marco was going over some mech schematics when his room mate looked at him.
"firstly we dont even know what the hell it can do! secondly even with all the ships in the navy how could we ever think to take it down!?"
Marco looked up at him with a martass glare. "we could always send a photon torpedo into an exhaust port."
"god damn it Marco I'm serious! how can we be sure this isn't a suicide mission!?"
"you worry too much! go to the cantena and have a drink or two! geeze you're way to high strung even for the navy." Marco's room mate the big black panther named iyori(e your e) made her way out of the room.
"alright mister hot shot mech pilot ill cave but remember your probably going to diiiiiieeeeee *giggles*"
"oh yes well so are you since your job is to coooover ooour asssesss!" both broke into laughter.
"you're way to funny too be leader of your own team."
"lead like a captin joke like a grunt as i always say." iyori disappeared around the corner. Marco couldn't help thinking to himself "GOD i love that woman."
ooc: the long words are said in that mocking simi singing tone edit: bah i missed that "o" in too early morining and late night are not my friends and i made a few line breaks if i have done so improperly please tell or show me the proper way in the OCC thread
0600 hours at Fleet staging Location
With the expected precision of a true military operation, the ships of the fleet formed into the squadrons and awaited jump orders.
All hands were expected to secure for jump without exception.
On board the battleship Alliance, flagship of the fleet, a solemn vixen turned to regard the stern human who sat in the command chair.
"By all rights this whole operation would look to be little more then a suicide mission..." she began.
Holding up his hand, he relaxed his expression, "Becky, I've been involved in some pretty stupid things in my life. I've been exceptionally reckless, before we even came here I was known for my unorthodox methods."
He paused to massage his forehead, gazing briefly at the ceiling, "In all my years, I have never been unduly reckless or foolhardy with the lives of anyone under my command. I would not have proposed this operation if I did not have confident in its success."
The Vice Admiral sighed, "I know what we must do, but not everyone joining this operation does Aren."
"We'll be able to elaborate more once we get to Eridani. We are the last , best hope..."
"You can't use that line, we'll get sued Aren."
Aren nodded, "you're right... strike that from the record."
The vixen giggled, "please tell me we aren't going to be making trench runs on that thing..."
The general groaned, "I really regret introducing that old film to this universe."
On that note, the fleet jumped for Epsilon Eridani.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation; post-jump
The point where hyperspace ended and space began again crackled and flashed bright, making way for an entire fleet. Before them, Epsilon Eridani, their first destination.
"Status, long range scans, waypoint map onscreen." Morgan quickly and promptly ordered, as he immediately stood up from his seat to better oversee the bridge personnel. The Relevation was in the picket line of the fleet, serving primarily as forward reconnaissance and force projection well into the fighter screen. Though at this position she does both jobs effectively, it also makes her very vulnerable. That's what worries him.
"Weapon stations on alert," Morgan ammended, "Load anti-shipping missiles. Maintain formation speed but be ready to push flank on evasive. Let's not give them a chance to surprise us." He sternly stressed.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation; post-jump
As soon as the jump ended Romulus gather up his squad..
"Allright gents, grabs your guns and get you butts in gear. *Romulus looks at the others and notices the surprised look on the new guy's face* "Don't worry soldier we ain't attacking anyone but now that we can we're gonna training til we have to make ready for the next jump. If there is anywhere on this ship to target practice I want you each to get some practice in. I don't know if these things ever do but I want you also to practice your hand to hand fighting. I want you guys to stay fresh. Don't worry though I'll be training right there with you to make sure nothing gets screwed up. *Romulus gives a slight glance at the new guy* "Alright people lock and load we're moving out"
Romulus grab his rife and waited for the others to do the same. Once they where ready he headed out to see if there was even a training facility. Just before leaving the door Romulus turned back to his squad with a rather sly smile on his face.
"Oh and guys, for the love of God make sure your safeties are on. I don't need any of you discharging any rounds while we're on our way to the practice area" *Once again Romulus cast a look at the new guy* "Now lets go, I don't want anyone getting rusty. Besides I hear some Marines are on board as well. I want to find this place before they get there"
With that Romulus headed out the door with his squad right be hind him.
marco heard romulus with his troops on his way to work on his mech.
"what a lovely leader you make rommy now why dontcha tell em that santas a fake and gettem training for real!"
Romulus stopped and looked over at Marco.
"Oh you mean like your training? Sit in that walking tank and run around shooting people? Take one of those mechs out with nothing but a field rifle then come talk to me. Also if you're still even celebrating Christmas then you haven't spent enough time on the battle field in a trench with bullets flying over your head watching your father dying right next to you. Now why don't you go play with your robot and let the real men go train"
Romulus started to walk again with his squad then said over his shoulder as he waved back to Marco.
"See you around the ship Marky"
marco walked slowly away muttering "been through more n you know..."
macro arrived in the mech hanger and looked up at his mech which he had nick named "one ton tommy". the name was more for show than anything else. outfitted with all manner of heavy weaponry tommy looked like something out of your nightmares, due to the fact marco loved to customize. with a skull shaped cock pit frame and a black and blood red paint job tommy was nothing to laugh at.
all the same marco set to recalibrateing the aiming and speedometer. last thing marco needed was to be shot headlong into a batallion of canon fire.
"doot doot baaant doot doot baant!"
"wadda ya mean improper command! have the mechanics been messing with you again!? i swear thay do it to piss me off!"
"doot doot badoot"
"there we go! ill get you all spiffy yet tommy."
marco was finished recalibrateing and he turned tommy full on to test the movements after gaining proper clearence.
tommy's ironicly female voice chimed in. "user, state name and rank."
"marcone, lucas E-5"
"welcome....marco! you might want to know, minor hull damage is detected."
"you mean to tell me thay havent fixed it yet but thay have time to fuck with my contols? typical."
marco hopped out of his mech after powering down and testing the feel. "hay nitterhouse!"
nitterhouse piped up "yes sir?"
"there's still some hull damage detected could you do something about it?"
"sure thing sir well get on it as soon as we repair....."
he flipped around on his clip board.
"...cohen's mech sorry we missed yours."
"right then. page me when its done i want to be battle ready asap."
"whare will you be sir?"
"bar."
marco walked away.
ooc: sorry for grammer posted befor i realized to spell check and it wont let me now...
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation; post-jump
Figher/LAM launch catapult B
Sitting in his figher mode Raptor Kal awaits a launch alert, he was not part of the fighter CAP of the fleet but was waiting in case anything surprised them, and they needed extra fighters out in the void.
Absalom proceeds to the launch catapult at a casual pace, quickening noticeably whenever he sees an officer approaching. He doesn't yet feel that there is a rush. After all, they're in the middle of friendly space.
Quickly downing his coffee as he ran, Lee made his way to the launch catapult. He thought the commands a bit odd, but one could never be too safe. He simply assumed (and hoped) that this was just a precautionary measure and not an indication of what was to come in the next few minutes. At the conclusion of the short reverie, Lee found himself in front of his mecha. He proceeded to strap himself in while awaitng further orders.
Bridge: INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
The communications technician turned towards the captain, "Sir, we have received the all clear message, we are safe to stand down from Battle Stations."
Bridge: Battleship Alliance
"Sir, all ships are standing down. We are receiving a message from the station. All teams are assembled and ready to go." The communications officer reported.
The General nodded and nodded to the helm, "bring us in to dock."
Standing he motioned for the Admiral to follow him, "Captain Zhan you have the bridge."
Both of them made their way to the central airlock and arrived just as the Military Intelligence group boarded. Following them was the diplomatic group.
"Owen Marik, you are part of the diplomatic corps now?" General Zaccarri remarked upon seeing a familiar face.
This Owen Marik appeared nearly half the age of the General, well groomed white hair and blue eyes made this human stand out from the rest. The fact that he was of an Asian decent*, Japanese to be precise, made his features, eye and hair color give him a look found only in manga.
"Quite so, Aren... Aren is what you are going by now, correct? Diplomacy and Intelligence are virtually one and the same."
"Oh look Reiya, the old man has come down to greet us personally."
Aren switched his gaze to where the voice originated. The scientific cadre was boarding and at center of a cluster of scientists, guarded by a squad of extremely heavily armed and armored soldiers, stood a trio of odd individuals. Two of them, which included the one who was speaking, were anthro foxes. The other was a strange creature which hovered above the ground by some unknown force; it is an insect-like organism with a spiky, gray-violet carapace. It possess two forelimbs with articulate hands, shoulder plates and a triangular mobile head with diamond shaped eyes which burn fiery red. On the back are a pair of luminescent wings. Despite its insect like appearance, it has only two hind limbs making it a bipedal creature.
The pair of foxes appears normal, except for their color and manner of dress. The speaking one appears to be male and is blue in fur color with a white front side and tail tip. He is dressed in a rather bizarre outfit consisting of little more then armored shoulder, chest plates and a similar armored waist and thighs (complete with royally decorative cape and loincloth). He wears wrist and shin guards, fingerless gloves, but is otherwise bare pawed. He wears a silver circlet with a purple gem. It is an improvement, because he wasn't in the habit of wearing anything before, except the circlet. Around his neck is a choker collar with a bell, his restraining device.
The female is quite different, quiet and seemingly shy, she is pink furred and garbed in arcane finery, royally appointed as well. She is armored in a somewhat more protective fashion. Her attire is reminiscent of an opposite (i.e. blue and white) version of Rina Inbaasu (Lina Inverse). She too is wearing a belled choker collar and a golden circlet with a red gem.
Aren raised an eyebrow, "What atrocious outfit did you manage to find Ixiah?"
"One of my attending scientists is an avid fan of something called manga. Of all the outfits she dressed me in within her mind, this was the one that I liked best, not so very restrictive."
Somewhere in the back, a young scientist blushed heavily and nervously adjusted her glasses.
"It's not very modest 'Lord' Ixiah."
Ixiah looked perplexed, "what does modest mean?"
Everyone paused for a moment and quickly shook themselves out of the momentary shock. The general motioned to the guards, "take our guests to their quarters. Behave now you two."
The pink vixen spoke in a quiet voice, "yes sir."
The general nodded to the insectile being, "Captain Xexx, I shall need your tactical services, but you might wish to assume an alternate form, so as to be slightly less disturbing to my crew."
"As you wish, I am your prisoner. Unlike those others, I am mindful of my place here. It comes from being lower in the hierarchy of 'thralls' then the Acadians."
The insect settled unto his hind limbs and shimmered, appearing to all those around to be whatever species they desired to see him as the most, usually a member of their own specific type.
The various groups disbursed to whatever duties they needed to attend to.
OOC
*The humans are not from this dimension, an unknown accident deposited an exploratory vessel, as well as a large warship in Riallphen space over 600 years ago. After a first contact situation, they integrated into society.
The alien monitors of the sector, Ixiah and Reiya found the humans to be curious and failed to report their appearance to their masters. As a result, a human wildcard was thrown into the mix that has lead to the current situation for the aliens.
A jump accident caused the loss of the warship and destroyed the exploration ship. The warship reappeared around the time of the last alien attack and aided in that battle.
one of nitterhouse's underlings appeared in the doorway of the cantena. marco was enjoying a few light drinks with iyori. neither were drunk marco wasnt even tipsy yet, but the energy drinks used to make the mix drink he just had was takeing effect and made him jittery. marvin (the underling) approached marco. "sir, your mech is done, though you wont be needing it."
"ah thank you. i trust you treated tommy well?"
"oh yes sir we even touched up your paint a little bit."
"thats good to know, ill go take a look, iyori, have fun but dont get drunk id rather not see you "punished" again."
"dont worry marco i know how to restrain myself"
"good then."
and with that marco walked off the the mech hanger.
marco looked at tommy and saw that not only had the hull damage been fixed but some new leg actuateors had been installed. nitterhouse walked to marco. "like them? we just got a shipment, and needed to see if that are infact better than what the rest of you have and since yours seemed to be in the best condition we decided to use you as our lab monkey."
"good to know, but if these bog me down or break in battle. ill haunt your ass!"
"fair enough."
marco spent an hour checking out the new spiffyness of the mech. and couldnt help but thinking thay only were that nice to his baby because thay we useing him as a lab monkey.
A well rested Tomczyk went down to the canteen for a well deserved drink. Since this was likely to be the final mission of his life, he had no qualms to let loose a bit. He thought his situation through. Then he decided that he was not going to depress himself, and took his shot.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room
Romulus had his squad practice with their rifles for three hours. Being the leader he was, he practice with them. Granted he was making more head shots then the others. After the three hours of rifle practice Romulus lead them right into physical training. He had them do the usual push-up, sit-ups, pull-ups and weight training. He sat there training along with everyone else. He may specially sure to push the new guy. Making him do more reps than the others. At one point he got down and did the push-ups right along with the new guy. After an hour of physical training he had them partner up and practice sparring.
"Alright you guys, you know the drill. Use just enough force to hurt but don't injury each other. Anyone who puts their parnter in the sick bay will have to deal with me. *Romulus looked at the new guy going to partner with someone else* Oh no dude, you're with me. I want to make sure you belong with these others. They've all sparred with me, you haven't. Ok spar with your partner for an hour then you can either get something to eat or go back to your room and shower"
Romulus takes a Martial Arts stance and looks at the new guy. He lets out a sly smile and gestures for the new guy to attack.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge
Morgan kept standing even as he had commanded the rest of the ship to stand down. Three concerns, the first was that the fleet was merely picking up personnel, and most likely would not be delayed significantly, barring any other reasons that the fleet officers had in mind. The second, was putting himself at ease. Despite the fact that the sensors found the immediate area to be clear, he could not resolve to peace. His thoughts revolved on both the lack of significant military intelligence and the unpredictability of the alien forces.
The last concern, no smoking on the bridge. At this point, he really needed his fix.
Command Carrier Vigilance
Commander MacDuff was seated in front of the computer terminal in his quarters. He queried the military intelligence database.
Any new intelligence, general information, or updates on the situation?
Processing request...
He tapped his red feathered wings on the desktop while waiting.
There are no new entries listed in the general folder, and no new information is available from this source.
Robert sighed. "Typical..." he muttered. He wondered if he should postpone the simulations until more intel was available... but dismissed the idea as impractical. They needed those training scenarios to prepare, even if the situations presented to the pilots and crewmembers may be flawed. Besides, he had orders.
The cardinal rubbed his head. He also had a headache – and it appeared to be intensifying. Glancing at the time displayed on the computer screen, he decided he had enough time to hop down to the medical facilities and get something to treat it.
*Besides, there's a real cute nurse down in sickbay...* he thought as he strode out of his room.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Catapult B
Kal waited as the catapult crew removed his Raptor from the launch tube. Keying his radio he chatted with his fellow marines as they also waited. As the LAM cleared the inner bulkhead Kal unstrapped and climbed from the cockpit and did a walkaround inspection taking care to check the vibro sword the marine's Raptors had been issued with was still in its retrofitted housing.
Satisfied, he joined the rest of the ISF marine pilots as the gattered around before they headed back to the deck they were asigned to.
Command Carrier Vigilance
As MacDuff exited his quarters, he nearly ran straight into a familiar Peregrine Falcon.
"Robert, just who I was looking for!" Captain Ian Winter chirped in a jovial sort of tone. "I'm going to be reassigning you once we Reach Delta Vulpecula. I'm making you the first officer, with approval from the Vice Admiral, of the command ship of our first scout fleet. Your fighter tactical experience will be invaluable, as they are going to be fighter heavy in comparison to the other scout fleet."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge
The ship's computer suddenly chimes in, Captain, I am registering an elevated heart rate, temperature and an increase in anxiety. You need to relax sir, and can I please remind you that smoking is not permitted on any ISF vessel. New mandated law. I suppose you could smoke in hard vacuum, but that has other drawbacks that makes this option fatal for organic life forms.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room
The canine smiles as Romulus beckons him on, "The name is Benjamin Foster, mate. A name you will remember as the first guy on the Revelation that kicked your rear, sergeant."
The corporal dashed forward leading in what appeared to be a preparation that would lead to a roundhouse kick to Romulus's head, but instead he dropped down and attempted to sweep the legs out from under the wolverine.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room
Romuls does a backflip nearly missing Benjamin's chin with his right foot and lands just passed Ben's sweep. As soon as he lands Romulus drives a punch straight for Ben's face. At the last second he lowers his hand a few inches and goes for an open palm hit to the chest.
Romulus spoke as he faught.
"Wow, wow, wow. I never said any of these guys haven't beaten me in a fight. Everyone of them is pretty much even to my fighting skill. It's just I know that they can fight but I know nothing about you. So I plan to make sure you belong with us"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room
Ben took the hit, which pushed him back a bit. He stopped for a second and focused.
The canine swept his arms about him as he adjusted his foot positions in classic kung fu fashion. His eyes were clear and his aim was focused.
Ben burst into a flurry of movement, he moved in quickly right, then suddenly broke to the left leading with a rapid flurry of hand strikes, seemingly aimed to distract.
In the midst of these strikes, he snapped his leg up into a kick aimed at Romulus's chin. Even if this strike misses, it shows his masterful flexibility (i.e. the perfect splits). This position looks exceptionally vulnerable, but looks are generally deceiving.
OOC
Normally I allow others to respond before I break in with more posts, but action must be addressed :D
INARI Class Cruiser Revelation, Catapult A
Lee relaxed a bit at the Captain's orders to stand down. After quickly undoing his restraints, he hopped out of his mecha and made a beeline for the door. He followed a seemingly random series of hallways, weaving in and out of foot traffic. Eventually, he arrived at his destination: the training room. The firing range awaited.
As he entered the training room, he couldn't help but notice Sgt. Darkcloud in the middle of a fast-paced sparring match. Letting his curiosity get the better of him, he ignored the firing range's beckons for a few minutes and reclined against a wall, watching the action unfold.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room
Romulus managed to dodge the strikes. He fell to his back to avoid the kick to his chin. While on his back he did a sort of whirlwind kick (Similar to that break dance move). He did this mainly to make some room between him and Ben. He spun his way up to his feet and took a Wing Chung fighting stance.
Romulus spoke while fighting "Well it's safe to say you can fight. So what experiance do you have on the battle field?"
marco had finished all the work that must be done to make his machine prime for fighting. he was a mix between tired lazy so he reclined his mech seat, set the HUD's alarm clock (installed to perfect timed missions) to wake him in an hour and fell asleep.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge
The communication's tech turned from the COMM station again, "The fleet is signalling its readiness to jump."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room
Romulus's whirlwind kick was anticipated and Benjamin, from his kick position, leaped upward. Bringing his foot down from its position over his head, he briefly made contact with side of one of Romulus's feet in mid-whirlwind motion, using that contact to leverage himself slightly higher in the air. (I've only seen one man, Ken Lo, perform this kind of stunt without aid of wires... there's a reason he's Jackie Chan's personal body guard.)
Just as Romulus spun to his feet and turned, assuming his Wing Chun stance and completing his question, he found Ben's foot precious inches from his face as the canine executed a precise jump kick straight from Muay Tai.
"Aye, I can fight mate. As for my field experience, I count only about 42 field missions in the last 4 years. My focus has been towards making my way into Military Intelligence, especially ISIS*."
At that moment, the jump alarm went off and a voice resounded over the 1MC, "All hands secure for jump!"
Luckily all areas had jump seats readily provided for the ease of the crew.
*ISIS - InterStellar Intelligence Service. The Military Intelligence arm of the ISF.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge
Morgan took his seat, now invariably squeezing--crushing a happy face stress ball with his right hand, borrowed from a kind communications officer who saw it that the captain needs it more than he did. Surely he does not question the concern for smoking in military vessels; but the ball seems to be starting to distort and bulge out in places. Fortunately for the people around him, it seems to be working, for now that is.
Of course, his wrath can not be evoked by the lack of a nicotine fix, he knows better.
Hopefully.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Training room
Romulus turned to the right, bent his left leg, placed his left hand on the ground and kicked up at Ben with his right leg. (Kinda of what Rock Lee does when he knocks people into the air). The kick was meant to simply knock Ben off balance while he was in the air. Then the jump alarm sounded and Romulus stopped fighting and looked to his squad.
"Alright you guys know the drill jump into one of those seats and get ready for jump. I hate it when the practice is interupted. After the jump back to our rooms, get cleaned up and suit up. *Romulus looked at Ben while he got into his jump seat* "Hey, if you survive this we'll see about getting you into ISIS. As long as your head is in the game when the fighting starts. I'm sure we're gonna be one of the first over there, so maybe you'll find something to bring back and study"
Command Carrier Vigilance
"You look different, Commander. Something happen?" A smiling hound asked.
"As a matter of fact, yes. I'm being transferred to the first scout fleet. I'm going to be second in command on the lead ship. They say they wanted my tactical experience with large numbers of fighters. How did you know something was up?" Robert replied.
The canine smiled. "Well, it's not that often ranking officers come in here and order something as strong as what you've got there," he gestured at the glass in the cardinal's hand. "And you certainly don't seem to be drinking your sorrows away. That leaves only one logical explanation."
*I guess he's right.* Robert thought. *My headache seems to have vanished.*
"Is it a prerequisite that all starship bartenders be mind readers?" He jokingly asked the dog across the counter.
The hound winked. "Well, it isn't in the training manual." Apparently, that was all the reply he'd get.
"Well, thanks for noticing, ah... I'm sorry, I don't seem to have caught your name."
"That's all right; I don't remember throwing it. But if you must know, you can call me Stephen."
The two exchanged more smiles. "Ok, Stephen. Thanks you. I'm afraid I must be off now."
"You're very welcome. Congratulations on the promotion, if we can call it that."
"I suppose we can. I don't see why not. Thanks again!"
MacDuff exited the lounge and headed towards the vicinity of the fighter hangars. Before he reached his destination, the jump alarm sounded, and he was forced into a nearby security control room to locate an empty jump seat. As he waited, he began mentally organizing and prioritizing the things that needed to be done before he left the ship. He'd need to say good-bye to his tactical staff, pack his things, swing by the simulation bay to grab the files he needed...
marco was wrenched from a sound napping to the computers voice, a voice he found to be oh so grateing. "holy fuckity fuckin' fuck crap!" he exclaimed as he rushed for a seat. marco was always jittery during jumps, i guess it all could be traced to the horror stories he herd when the nations were fighting amongst each other. he took his seat and started to pray. he didnt know exactly how much good that it would do, but when youre thinking about the afterlife any little thing helps.
Tomczyk walked at a rather brisk pace back to his dorm, and strapped himself in.
Handy time to be a bit drunk, I guess.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Marine Barracks
"One" the white wolf asked for, receiving a single card in return.
At that moment, the jump alarm went off and a voice resounded over the 1MC, "All hands secure for jump!"
Over at another table as they were buckling into their seats, one of the younger pilots leaned over to Major Hadem "How'd he get 'Cool Hand' as his call sign Sir?"
'Viper' Finished buckling in. "Wait till after the jump, son you'll see" Jeico could buy our entire Raptor complement and still have change to arm them...Thank the gods he's a hard core marine.
INARI Class Cruiser Revelation, Training room
It looked like the firing range had to wait for a while - duty called. Lee looked around for an empty jump seat, found it, and jogged over. It was a pity that the fight was interrupted, he had been looking forward to its conclusion. He strapped himself in and twiddled his thumbs as he waited for the jump.
With all ships prepared for jump, the order was given to proceed.
All ships jumped without incident heading for the standard jump point at Delta Vulpecula. The distance involved means that the fleet will spend two full days within jump/hyper space.
This is essentially unimportant time and it passes without significant incident.
However, unbeknownst to all...
Ship's Bar end of 1st day: Battleship Alliance
"Kar...a...oke Becky." Aren carefully annunciated for the vixen.
"Most definitely Ms. Urocyon." Owen Marik agreed.
"Okay, okay... but what does this have to do with singing badly and out of tune to... what was the name of the song?" Rebecca inquired.
Owen quickly replied, "Rock and Roll All Nite, by KISS. It's a classic."
"Now from where we left off... come on everybody!"
You keep on shoutin, you keep on shoutin
I wanna rock and roll all nite and party every day
I wanna rock and roll all nite and party every day
I wanna rock and roll all nite and party every day
I wanna rock and roll all nite and party every day
Interrogation area early 2nd day: Battleship Alliance
An oddly dressed smallish blue fox was placed in the cold metal chair which sat in front of a cold metal table in a stark metallic little room. The theme was apparently metal.
The guards immediately turned and exited, leaving him alone.
Reiya, are you there?[/size]
Yes Ixiah, be wary the general does not know what is happening here. I sense a frightening evil...[/size]
A concealed door opened right across from the guest and a bright light beamed down straight into the fox's face. He was forced to turn away, blinking to regain sight.
When he was able to see, the blood drained from his extremities and a shiver ran down his spine. He was forced to swallow a few times to regain his voice as his mouth and throat had gone dry.
"Ma...major... fancy meeting you here."[/size] He feigned a jovial attitude, but the stammer in his voice betrayed his fear.
A bright smile filed with sharp teeth was all the coyote displayed, despite the sinister appearance his voice was calm and very soothing, yet something lurked behind it, "My, Lord Ixiah, I'm flattered that you remember me."[/size]
"I... have a thing about faces, I rarely forget one."[/size]
"I would have thought you would want to forget mine."[/size]
Ixiah whispered in a low tone, "I will never forget yours..."
"How is your 'sister' doing?"[/size]
"fine, fine..."[/size]
"Good, now I have a few questions..."[/size]
"I've already agreed to cooperate fully, we will utilize our abilities to 'sense' the routes needed. Jam the control units..."[/size] Ixiah stated, almost in a frustrated tone.
"That is not what I was going to ask, this is about the Nexus."[/size]
The blue fox's ears flatten against his head, "No I won't! I will not allow you to defeat our people and the other servants only to have you enslave them for your own petty shadow council's plans... I've told your people this for days... I haven't changed my answer."[/size]
"You misunderstand, I have no intention of enslaving your people or their associates. With such a diversity of powerful species easily controlled, imagine what can be done with less mentally capable beings..."[/size]
"No... where is the justice in sending monsters to fight monsters..."[/size]
The coyote sighed and tapped on the metal desk.
A pair of large soldiers entered the room, both of them large bears.
"It is too bad you have a low pain threshold, poor Reiya must bear all of your pain after you lose consciousness."[/size]
Barbaric and brutal, the physical methods are difficult to watch for some, but not the Major, a small smile curled on his muzzle.
Delta Vulpecula - Primary Jump Point
The fleet jumps into the Delta Vulpecula system and assumes an immediate battle ready formation. When the all clear is given, all vessels stand down.
The fourth planet in the system is where the fleet takes up postion at. A general announcement is made over Fleet Stellar Comm:
Ships of the fleet, Delta Vulpecula is the last Federation port we will be visiting before embarking on this important mission. As such, all personnel are granted two days liberty and are expected to conduct themselves as professional ISF personnel. Please respect the cultural wishes of the Vulpecians and restrict your movements to Vulpecula IV. Please see your duty officers for rotational shifts to insure all personnel are able to take advantage of this liberty. That is all.
All ships begin the docking procedures at the fleetyards or deploying transport shuttles to the station and planetside, as everyone organizes for the short respite from impending war.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge
The communications technician piped up, "Captain there is a message for you coming in on Gold channel!
A rather important looking civet appeared on the screen, "Captain, this is Commodore Lyzari. Vice Admiral Urocyon would like to see you at your earliest convenience aboard the Alliance.*"
*earliest convenience of course means drop everything and get over here now in Commodore Lyzari's vocabulary.
OOC
Important system notes:
Delta Vulpecula is a fox exclusionist system. Species purity is uncommon, but found across the ISF. The most noteable of which occurs in the Lycan Commonwealth. ISF standards have equalized all species, but old habits and prejudices still linger.
Any fox is permitted to travel to any world in system, but non-fox are only permitted on Vulpecula IV. The fourth planet is a typical mixing pot world where all species come to live, trade and work. The planet is heavy in trade and is the primary hub of Alopex Space Engineering and Vulpine Heavy Industries.
Less important NPCs will be manning rotational duty/watch shifts so all PCs have the time off.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
Romulus heard the announcement and looks at his squad.
"Alright you heard the whatever. You guys go have fun. I know none of you will do anything stupid. So go have fun, I'll see you when you get back"
Romulus simply went back to his room, grabbed one of his bags and headed to the practice area. Once there he opened the bag and put together it's contents. It's and old Wing Chung training dummy. (Something like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan use alot) Once it was together, Romulus took his shirt and watch off. He has an array of scars over his upper body. He slowly began hitting the dummy to train. As time went on his speed increase until he was hitting the dummy at a rather high rate of speed. Romulus continues to train for the next two days.
His squad (save Ben) left for only a few hours then returned to the ship to train in their key forms of Martial Arts.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Shuttle Bay 1
"Captain, this is Commodore Lyzari. Vice Admiral Urocyon would like to see you at your earliest convenience aboard the Alliance."
"Understood, Commodore."
Morgan limits himself to brisk walking as he enters the boom area leading to the airlock of the shuttle. Windows to his left give a view of the shuttle's bow, and newly manufactured bulkheads. The terminal's boom from where he was entering was attached to the aft section of the shuttle. There was another boom attached to the shuttle, he recognized this as the fuel prod. It disengaged, and retracted back into the wall. As he approached the airlock, he put on his dress cap. He steps past the airlock and makes his way to his seat. The terminal link boom retracts, and the shuttle prepares for launch.
-#-
Battleship Alliance, Bay 23
The airlock doors open, and as they do, a salute immediately greets her eyes; from the dingo, to the fox-hybrid before him, even before the airlock doors completely open. He knows well to expect everything, it seems.
Battleship Alliance, Bay 23
Shutting down the shuttles systems Kal turned to his copilot. "The old man seemed as cold as ever, but I wonder why he asked for a marine crew."
"Probably didn't want to deal with those navy prima donas." Shot back the other marine smirking, from the aft compartment the navy crew chief joined in. "Well the linkup was smoother than the two jackasses that normally fly this tub Lieutenant."
Slipping out of his restraints Kal headed back to the passenger compartment. "Feel like some cards petty officer?" The copilot groaned.
Battleship Alliance, Bay 23
The airlock doors open, and as they do, a salute immediately greets her eyes; from the dingo, to the fox-hybrid before him, even before the airlock doors completely open. He knows well to expect everything, it seems.
"At ease Captain, you responded promptly... I can see the Commodore's reputation is not an exaggeration. I did mean at your convenience, but no matter." She turned to her left side, "please follow me."
An exciteable little ferret of a staff secretary dashed up to her left and began chattering incessantly about various things which needed the Admiral's attention.
The Admiral nodded and waved her off, continuing on her course through the ship to the "war room".
Upon entering, the hustle and bustle of the military nerve center was a stark change from the tranquility of the ship's halls. Breaching this solid wall of sound and tension was no small task and Morgan felt somewhat drained by the effort.
The Admiral ducked to the side and approached the table where the General and his staff officers were meeting.
"I do not like this one, I shall take the other option."[/size][/i] The voice seemed to echo from all corners of the room, but instinctively Morgan could sense that the origin of this voice was a figure standing near the General at the holographic table.
The figure's cold eyes were fixed dead-on with Morgan's, a swirling miasma seemed to emanate from these eyes and within those orbs, he saw through the illusion the creature wove about itself and caught a glimpse of the insectoid form.
"Fine, I'll put Ixiah on his vessel." The General turned and smiled cheerfully, " Captain Morgan... Summers, you come well recommended. Your ship will be the lead vessel of our first scout fleet."
Morgan seems to get the feeling that Commodore Lyzari seems a bit miffed when the General mentions that.
"Your cruiser will lead a small wing of destroyers, frigates and light carriers and act as one of our forward reconnaissance fleets. One of our guests, under guard and 'restricted' will be sent with you to 'scan' sub-space for our quarry. He... where is he?"
A rather unobtrusive coyote sitting in the shadows at the far end of the room leaned into the light, "Ixiah was not feeling well, we will transport him over later when he is feeling better."[/size]
The mysterious being which declined Morgan turned to regard this coyote, "Indeed..."[/size][/i] Something unspoken passed between the two, unnoticed by the General or most of the others.
"Understood, what say you Captain Summers?" The General inquired.
Battleship Alliance, Meeting Room
That makes things significantly easier, and complicated.
"No further comment, other than that I am honored to take the responsibility, sir." Morgan kept himself focused on the General, although peering at the figure from the corner of his eye. It was not unsettling, but it wasn't without concern either. There was something afoot, of which he will not likely know for now. Again, he knew well, and did even better. Patience, he reassured himself in his mind, Everything in a need-to-know basis.
After a quick check with his superior about shift rotations, Absalom jogged his way back to his bunk, and prepared for a few pleasant days. It would be nice to take a walk on Vulpecula IV before being confined to the ship for who-knows-how-long.
Marco never really was one for shore leave. to him it was just another port at wich his brothers in arms made fools of themselves getting drunk, nailing every cheap hooker in sight, and getting introuble with the locals. however Marco did leave the ship for about six hours taking in a few sights, a show, and a little bit of basketball at the local park, but the most important reason was to eat as much "good" food as possible before being force fed some crap that looked like it came from hell's freezer.
Marco finally got back on ship to iyori's surprise. the two spent some time together before it was her turn to get a breath of fresh air.
"ya know" Marco said to iyori. " we could find some empty corridor or...."
"oh stop that!" iyori giggled. " if the captain herd you speaking like that..." she paused so they could both get a mental image of Morgan swiftly booting Marco in the tail out of an airlock, then they both broke out laughing.
"ha....haha...m...Marco....*snicker* i gotta get back to work go pal around with the other early arrivals!"
"oh. oh! OH! I get it NOW! if you don't want me around why didn't ya SAY so!" they both laughed at marcos overly dramatic outburst before an officer started walking over and Marco bolted out.
Battleship Alliance, Meeting Room
The General picked up a personal computer unit and tabbed through various screens until finding what he was looking for, "I am assigning Robert MacDuff as your new XO with full flightline access. Your current XO will be taking command of the destroyer Lightning in your scout fleet. The Lightning's CO has requested to step-down due to significant family obligations and will not be accompanying the expedition past this point. Thank you Captain Summers."
Commodore Lyzari stood up and directly addressed Morgan, "Your new XO and the prisoner will be transfered along with ISIS personnel at 0800 tomorrow." With a flat and impassive tone, his last words to you are, " dismissed Captain."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
Benjamin watches as Daimien works out, even though he has leave, he still hangs around the ship.
Battleship Alliance, Bay 23
The crew chief and marines gave up after thoroughly losing their shirts in a few games of cards. None of them are particularly skilled in the game and only the crew chief can seem to bluff.
Battleship Alliance, Bay 23
That was a pleasant surprise. Few things on the agenda. First, set up command and control for the fleet on the bridge's systems. I truly can't say that I didn't see this coming, with what only having theoretical paths as to where the spheroid will go, but it's still a surprise. Second, I'm going to need to find room for the ISIS personnel, the prisoner. Guest quarters might not be enough, there must be reassignments for bunks. Third, I need to have a talk with communications.
Morgan still couldn't smoke, but that issue was now beginning to get more and more distant. The knowledge that he'll be doing it in vacuum if he doesn't get his plans up right tended to feed his nicotine fix. He boarded the shuttle, and stopped in his tracks after a while. He spots the crew and Kal having just finished playing cards. He sighed, massaged his temple and clears his throat to strengthen his voice. "Back to stations, now. Double time. 3. 2---"
Battleship Alliance, Bay 23
"Aye Aye Sir!" Kal and the copilot salute and rush to the cockpit, while the crew chief polices the cards and makes sure Morgan is strapped in properly.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
The captain and his shuttle crew returned safely to their ship, little had changed besides a few new faces. Even faced with this potential new threat, one that none might return from, the crew continued their typical routines. Those that revelled in leave did so with their typical abandon, those that rarely left the ship continued about their normal routines.
One thing that was out of place were the prodigious amount of wireless routers situated about the ship. The ship's ITs and every other 'geek' in the crew had wired the ship expertly, creating a ship wide LAN party.
Other than this, nothing else was amiss. All Morgan had left was informing his current XO, Lydia Nadeau, of her reassignment.
Vulpecula IV - Absalom's leave
The starport was full of ISF personnel as they disembarked from their shuttles and moved off in search of entertainment of various sorts.
Due to some unlucky event, Absalom, in the crowds of people bumped one of the local foxes.
"Watch it stripe tail, we don't need your kind here or any of these others, keep out of my way."
Battleship Alliance, Main Bay
Security personnel escort their charge to the waiting shuttle, the Major takes charge of the blue fox at the gangway, "Thank you gentlemen, I shall take it from here, he knows better then to give me any trouble."[/size]
The major escorts Ixiah into he shuttle and roughly tosses him in a holding cell, the battered fox crumples into a ball on the floor and quietly sniffles to himself.
The major heads toward the pilot's compartment of the shuttle, he nods to the pilot, "We have merely to wait for this Commander McDuff, he should have finished the transfer paperwork with HQFL [/size](Headquarters Fleet) and received the official orders. He might be running late... so we might be leaving without him."[/size]
"Yes sir." the pilot responded.
Battleship Alliance, Main Bay
MacDuff, having been slightly delayed by a database error when dealing with paperwork, finally arrived in the Alliance's main bay. Spotting a shuttle almost ready to take off, he hurried the rest of the way onto the craft.
"If this wasn't the military, I'd be considered 'fashionably late'." The cardinal said as he shuffled past, trying to lighten the mood. The other passengers largely ignored him.
He noticed that this type of shuttle was different from the ones he as used to seeing around fighter hangars. It was larger, and he assumed was designed for a wider variety of functions than simply personnel transportation. He wondered if it even had a larger armament and defensive capacity, since he observed extra features such as weapons lockers and holding cells.
He was forced to abandon this train of thought as he came across the major he was supposed to report to. After explaining why he was late and confirming that he was the last passenger to board, MacDuff took his seat.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
An odd look in his face as he sees the bunches of wireless LAN devices. What in the world? Why are there route-- nevermind. Morgan reached the bridge's doors and opened them. The command personnel stood at attention as he entered. "At ease, Lydia; a moment please." He walked up to the center as she came up to him. "You're being reassigned to the destroyer Lightning as CO. Shuttle bay 2 has been prepared for you. Dismissed."
Battleship Alliance, Main Bay
"Good of you to join us Commander, I trust that you are all finished and we may go now?"[/size] The coyote major inquired retorically, "Pilot please set course for the cruiser Revelation, best possible speed."[/size]
*OOC note: Please take note that the Major does not address MacDuff as 'sir' or speak in anything but a passingly respecful tone to a superior officer.
The shuttle, with proper clearance, leaves the Alliance's Main bay and heads out into the shipyard bearing for the Revelation.
Within a short period of time, the shuttle is on appraoch for the significantly smaller shuttlebay of the cruiser. The pilot signals for clearance to land and receives it from the control tower.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge
Impassive and bkunt as always. Lydia smartly salutes, "It has been a pleasure sir."
With the salute she turns on her heels and heads for the shuttlebay, Ah, finally a command.
The communications technician turns towards the captain, "sir, the shuttle from the Alliance is docking. though you might want to know."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge
"Marines please escort the incoming personnel in shuttle bay 3; Be advised, you are under orders to guard the marked VIP with your lives." Morgan paused to switch the intercom to local only, "Bridge, be advised; Relevation is now command ship to the first scout fleet the ISF will send to intercept the spheroid. Communications, prepare commlinks to the list of ships that's on the communique that will be sent to you. Tactical officers, set up fleet command for the ships. You will be sent the same communique on your stations. Everyone else, back to duty."
The dingo finally sat down, spreading his fingers over his forehead to lose himself in thought as he close his eyes. More thoughts did run, about the massive sun deprivation spheroid. It will not fall to concentrated fire, not when the thing probably has escorts and weapons of it's own. Best way is to destroy it's escorts, disable it's weaponry-- hrnn.
Incoherent mumblings, only he can understand.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Shuttle bay 3
A squad of marines assembles outside the shuttle and waits patiently. Bay personnel scurry about the shuttle, handling post-flight issues. The landing ramp descends and the Major leads the regular passengers down to the bay, he picks out the squad leader and addresses him directly.
"What is your purpose here Staff Sergeant?"[/size]
The marine saluted and answered, "We are here to escort you and to put your VIP under protective custody."
"I see, very well."[/size] The coyote turned and called back up the ramp, into the shuttle, "bring the guest down please." [/size]
Four heavily armoured soldiers carrying heavy Ion field carbines escorted a seemingly shy and timid blue furred fox. The guards, when they reached the bottom of the ramp, they did not stand down when approached by the marines.
"Hold on here, what's going on?" The senior marine officer barked, nearly literally being a wolfhound an all, as he entered the bay. "field carbines on board a ship? You could breach the hull with those."
"They are necessary to protect the little fox, and my men are the best trained anywhere."[/size]
The wolfhound frowned, "look here major, you may be ISIS and all, but I'm security on this ship." Seeing that the coyote showed no indication of standing his men down, he turned to a comm terminal, "Bridge, this is Major Atkinson, our esteemed guest Major Kanzoria has seen fit to equip his guards with Field carbines, I have no order that states his people are permitted to operate heavy weapons shipboard nor that they are not to stand down when relieved by my personnel."
The recent physical ordeals and the abundance of heated emotions wore on Ixiah and he felt a bit on the dizzy side, "I don't feel too good..."[/size]
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge
The communications technician turned towards the Captain, "I have the fleet list from HQFL via secure transmission. There is also a message that a secure virtual strategy meeting will be held at 1800 hours. Oh, and Major Atkinson is apparently experiencing some issues in the shuttle bay... apparently the ISIS personnel are operating heavy weapons on board ship."
He hands the captain the ship list:
Heavy Destroyer Lightning
Destroyer Thunder
Destroyer Victoria
Frigate Zuiho
Frigate Baker
Frigate Eckon Gala
Frigate Chandler
Escort Carrier Amagi
Escort Carrier Gloria
Escort Carrier Fencer
Escort Carrier Kite
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Bridge
I don't have the heart to tell him that they haven't told me anything specific about the guards or their weaponry either. No matter. "Tell Major Atkinson and his men to stand down and return to posts. There has been a-- misunderstanding about the VIP's guards. For the meantime, allow them to pass with their weapons." Morgan's voice toned down, "Do report the situation to Command and request further instructions on the VIP's guards and their weaponry." He turned away to look at the list, and noted them and the time of the virtual meeting down on his personal datapad; then looking back at the officer. "Get to it, now."
Absalom grinned at the fox.
"Go stu---"he began in a faux-cheery voice, before remembering that this was not home and he could not afford to get in any kind of trouble here. "Hm."
He settled instead for scowling at the fox before continuing on his way.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
The minor situation in the shuttlebay defused itself to the chagrin of a marine major, though he and a small detachment personally escorted the guest, guards and Major Kanzoria to their respective quarters.
The group passed by the training room and the Major caught sight of a familiar duty uniform and stopped. He turned on his heels and entered, "Ah, Special Forces!"[/size]
Benjamin, who had been watching Romulus in his daily routine of training came to immediate attention, being the one closest to the door, he made the call, "Atten-tion!"
The few other crewmen that were also there came to attention.
The Major looked over Benjamin, "You are Special Forces and under ISF operational doctrine, you fall under ISIS jurisdiction as needed. I may have need of your unit in our rather unique mission. Now carry on, I did not mean to interupt you from your..."[/size] He eyed the Wing Chung training dummy and gave a snicker, "... training."[/size]
Back in the shuttlebay...
"Commander McDuff?" A young ensign called out as she ducked her head into the shuttle to look around, "maybe he fell asleep?"
Vulpecula IV - Absalom's leave
The local fox would have persued the issue, if it were not for one of the Revelation's other mecha pilots, a fox, and his lapine friend grabbing Absalom and ushering him off.
"Sergeant, funny running into you here! Let's go have a drink!" Master Sergeant Orlo chimed in as he swept him off towards the bar district.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation, Catapults A & B
The Raptors assigned to Maj. Hadem and Lt. Jeico shot out of the launch tubes and out into the void.
"Ok 'Cool Hand' lets hit that first waypoint, should be a quiet patrol but keep it tight, pirates have been operating in this area for decades." 'Viper' radioed to his wingman as they angled out and away from the Relelation.
"Two" Kal sent back to let Dom know he'd heard edging his LAM at little closer to his lead.
"Revelation, Aces Flight of two hitting first waypoint now." 'Viper' tight beamed to the cruiser as they changed heading to their second waypoint and settled in for a long patrol.
marco was walking rather calmly. he didnt really have a destination but he thought a walk might do him some good. he walked past the fighter hanger and glanced in at iyori working on her fighter. he paused and noticed she was covered in oil and greese from head to toe. every now and again she spat vile tasteing motor fluids creeping into her mouth into a can she sat beside her for that reason. marco kept walking on. after a while he found himself outside of a large window. he turned and stared into the void. never ending cold and dark. in many ways it was familiar and yet he dispised it, but none the less marco couldnt stop stareing...
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
Romulus never stopped hitting the battered old training dummy. He did open an ear to hear what the Major had to say. He rolled his eyes as the Major mentioned unique mission. He heard the Major's little snicker when talking about training. Romulus lets a sly smile past his lips as he continued to hit the dummy. As soon as the Major and the group walk passed the room Romulus stops and walks over to an open area in the room. He then starts to practice serveral different Martial Arts forms including, Maui Tai fighting, Tai Kwan Do, two styles of Kung Fu, Drunken Boxing, Wing Chung, and Ninjitsu. He looks over at Ben while going through the movements.
"I guess those are gonna be the guys to talk to when this thing is done. Hell maybe if you bring them back something to study they'll let you transfer"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation[/i]
Commander MacDuff was unaware of the disturbance outside the craft as he was, once again, absorbed in a simulation that pitted his capital ships and fighter forces against the enemy. He had been fixated on the screen of the pad he was holding in his wings until a voice calling his name brought his attention back to the present.
"No, I'm not asleep." He said as he rose from his seat. "Please excuse me, I frequently get carried away these days..." The ensign smiled as they both exited the craft. "That's all right. You would have been held up outside anyway. There was a... misunderstanding involving the security forces."
"I see. Well, if you could point me to the nearest lift, I believe I need to speak with the Captain." MacDuff requested.
After receiving the directions, the Commander made his way to the bridge. He hoped his meeting with the Captain would go smoothly. While reviewing what he would say in his mind, he thought of how being First Officer would be different...
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Practice Room
Benjamin nods, "That was Major Yuri Kanzoria, the most dangerous being alive some say. No doubt he and the ISIS relations bureau foster the myths about their top operatives, but still, he is better an ally then an enemy."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge
MacDuff arrives just in time for a brief introduction before being spirited off with the Captain to the Tactical briefing.
Like all fleet wide virtual conferences, it is held in a secure, encrypted construct in hypernet space. Multitasking is a must as a participant is required to monitor the "public" room and their private room(s).
The public forum is where the battle plan is hashed out. The Sphere is largely a huge mobile base, it is not heavily armed, certainly it does not possess any "super-weapons". The primary plan involves penetrating the sphere and carrying out both fleet and ground actions within.
The alien control systems and vessels, which are largely autonomous AI's, are highly susceptible to telepathic interference and can be severed from their central control units if said control units can be contained by powerful psychics. The special alien guests just happen to be extremely powerful psychics, currently controlled and restrained by special jamming devices, the bells on the foxes, developed by ISIS engineers and researchers.
The enemy does not expect the lesser races to be able to mount an attack on a sphere and as such the design is not especially tactical in layout. Entrance to the inner space of the sphere is controlled by a single, giant gate structure. Penetration of the gates will be handled by the "frontal attack vectors."
This part of the plan raises objection from Vice Commodore (ISF rank Captain) Ashaen Zunier, Lycan commander of the Battlecruiser (classed as a frontal assault vector in the ISF Navy) Tarnyar, "So you vould sacrifice Lycan blood to achieve your aims, General?"
Pausing the simulation, the General turns to regard the wolf with a warm smile, "not at all Captain Zunier, a whole squadron of ships specifically designed for this role will be aiding your wing. The Zenith and Paladin class Assault Vectors." At the General's nod a layout of the look and basic capabilities of these two ships is displayed. "The squadron awaits our arrival at the muster point..."
Captain Zunier hammers the virtual table with his fist, "zo zhe Raillphen Star Guard has been producing these ships in secret, failing to share this advanced technology with the Lyca... rest of the Federation's people. Quantum discharge cannons and this new super laser design based off of Lycan spinal laser technology."
"Captain Zunier, as I stated these ships were specifically designed for this operation! Might I add that your new Novas are built with weapons technology proprietary to your military. Might I also remind you that we are fighting, together for the future of everyone in our home space!"
Captain Zunier backed down, but he did not relent his position. The meeting continued with more strategy.
In one of the private rooms specifically for the Revelation and her new scout fleet, the Admiral and General held a separate briefing for Morgan's crew and ships.
"Captain, this star map shows the path your fleet will be charged to scout. Your ships are acting as the forward locators, our enemies do not suspect that we are sending a fleet to intercept their force, likely they are not even aware we know they are coming." The vixen admiral was very sure of her words. "You will be using Ixiah to sense their approach. As we are not sure which path they are taking, we have two scout forces searching."
The general jumped in at this point, "as was mentioned in the main briefing, they are powerful psychics. Ixiah's sister Reiya is acting as a receiver and amplifier. If either of the two fleets picks up the sphere, she will know before you can send conventional communications and since those can be intercepted, we are relying on the psychics to relay the details. If the enemy is alerted to our plans in anyway, our mission will be considerably harder."
The admiral brought up the star map again, "the territory you will be scouting through is relatively unexplored. It is possibly home to space pirates and even alien reconnaissance forces. If you come across alien outposts of any type, you must destroy them... capture them... whatever you deem appropriate. In addition to the escort carriers for fighter power, we are also assigning you a troop cruiser with a full regiment of mecha troops to use as necessary. You will need to coordinate operations with the colonel assigned to command those troops as he will be your ground operations commander."
"Any specific questions captain... commander?"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Briefing Room
"I trust that your faith in these psychics is not misplaced." MacDuff said. He was somewhat unconfortable with the idea, but trusted in his superiors. "Such things are far from my area of expertise..."
The Commander straightened. "I will increase ground operations training with the fighter squadrons. I have no further comments."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Briefing Room
"Are there any estimates on the size of the alien naval force accompanying the sphere, and what are our orders on the encounter of any such force?" Morgan paused and considered renegade forces and alien outposts. "Are we authorized to use Ixiah for the purposes of gathering intelligence from any alien outposts on the exact path of the sphere or hostile fleet movements, conducting psy-ops for ground forces and for determining in advance the approaches of hostile craft; be it renegade or alien?"
Of course, he realized, that this is a bit too trusting of something that most people would not believe; but he is never one to question the validity of anything until after testing. Nothing else. He told himself internally. "Nothing else, ma'am, sir."
*EDIT (OOC): Sorry. Didn't see -- at first -- that both the Admiral and the General was in the conference.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Briefing Room
The admiral nodded at the responses and concerns of her subordinates, "we understand your concerns with placing so much trust in an untrusted technique, but it was effective in the past. Still we are also relying on boosted range Mass Sensors to detect an object that massive moving through 'hyperspace'." She paused to flip through a virtual clipboard, "As for the estimate on the size of the naval forces accompanying the sphere, we have an estimate equivalent to a system fleet, about half our size. It should not exceed our own fleet size at its maximum potential size."
The general addressed Morgan directly, "you are authorized to utilize Ixiah in any capacity you see fit, unlike his sister he is considered some type of warrior among his people... some type of psychic knight or such, his explanations are... difficult to understand and chaotic... so I'm not exactly sure how that works. He seems to 'like' us and has been very helpful, but do not let that lull you into complacency... if confronted with others of his kind or those that consider themselves his masters, he may turn on you. We've found him to be trustworthy, but he may have little choice."
"Now if no one has any further questions, you are dismissed from this private conference and as the strategy meeting is winding down, I suggest you catch some sleep. The fleet will be jumping to the staging area the day after tommorrow at 0500 to link-up with our last fleet components. Your scouting group will proceed on mission at 0800 from the staging area." The admiral closed her virtual clipboard and stretched, mental fatigue is a bit more obvious in virtual environments. "I think I shall retire for the moment and catch some rest."
INARI Class Cruiser, RevelationFighter Recovery Bay
The two Raptors Glided into the bay. After they setdown on the recovery pads the bay pressurised. Kal and Dom shut down the LAMs and climbed from the cockpits, signing them over to the support crews they headed to the debrief.
Steping out of the debrief, Kal set off to his quarters only to find a Dear John letter from Tanya waiting in his electronic mail. Now in a rather foul mood he headed down the marine's gym. After taping his hands up he headed over to one of the speed bags and began to pound on it.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Briefing Room
A salute, just before the conference closed, then he opens another secure link to the bridge and addresses communications-- albeit making sure that MacDuff heard him, "Please advise Major Kanzoria, any ISIS officers and Ixiah; of a meeting at 0800 tomorrow." He pauses, and quickly amends, "If possible with the latter."
Morgan then turns his attention to MacDuff. A stern look-- perhaps of appraisal, then he spoke. "Sorry. No time for pleasantries, Commander MacDuff. You, as well, will be attending that meeting as I need to address matters with the escorting carriers with you. If there is no other inquiry, you are dismissed." Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Now, where is that stress ball?
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Briefing Room
"... If there is no other inquiry, you are dismissed."
"None, sir." MacDuff replied. "0800 tomorrow." The second phrase was directed at no one in particular, but was intended to reassure both the captain and himself that he would be on time for the meeting. MacDuff exited the briefing room and headed for his quarters, intending to catch up on some work before taking the admiral's suggestion to get some rest.
His thoughts dwelled on the ISIS personnel and that Ixiah character everything depended on. He wondered how one could interact with a wielder of psychic forces - or military intelligence personnel. He still wasn't quite sure what to expect, having just been assigned to First Officer. On top of everything, he might be involved with ground operations, another field he was unaccustomed to. However, the commander was determined not to slip up during this assignment. Aside from the obvious personal reasons, the fate of a vast group of soldiers and civilians alike could potentially be affected should anything go awry during the operations.
I'll have to write a scenario for fighter operations in atmosphere... account for mechanized troop concentration, possible orbital bombardment... and maybe 'psychic ops', though I don't think anyone's ever tried to account for that variable...
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Training Room
Benjamin eyed the pilot trying to destroy the speed bag, "yikes, what did that poor bag ever do to you?"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge
"Please advise Major Kanzoria, any ISIS officers and Ixiah; of a meeting at 0800 tomorrow." He pauses, and quickly amends, "If possible with the latter."
The communications chief nodded, "aye sir." He opened a channel to Major Kanzoria, "Sir, the captain has established a meet at 0800 tomorrow. You, any of your officers and the one called Ixiah are requested to be in attendance."
The major displayed no emotions, "Lieutenant Kudo and I shall be there, I'm afraid Ixiah is still trying to adjust to the distance between him and his sister and he is not feeling well. I will have to decline to have him in attendance at this time.[/size]"
"understood sir." The Comm chief closed the connection and opened one to the captain, "Major Kanzoria and a Lieutenant Kudo will be in attendance, but he declined to include Ixiah, sir."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Training Room
Stopping his assault on the bag for split second Kal changes his stance and launches a tae kwon do jumping spin kick up and into the bag nearly tearing it from it mounting.
"Oh not much, but I think its better it gets it instaid of an enlisted man..." He says to Benjamin as he centers himself from the kick.
"Just problems of the female kind"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Training Room
Benjamin wiped mock sweat off his forehead, "oh thank you for not trying that on an 'enlisted man', none of them here want to hear it from their COs how they permanently grounded a flyboy... sir."
He put up his hand before Kal could issue a response, "female trouble, understood... I'd rather not know."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Training Room
Romulus looks over at Kal hitting the speed bag and hears the lillt conversation with him and Ben. He walks over to his bag and pulls out some leg and wrist weights, straps them on and goes over to an open area to train his punches and kicks. He speaks to Kal while he starts to train.
"You might want to save some of that for the battles to come. I have a feeling we're gonna get into some pretty big stuff when we get out there. I'm interested to see what they have for ground troops myself. Get a chance to see how they measure up to us. Aye, Ben?"
Romulus continues to train as much as possible until his unit is called into action.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Training Room
Ben nodded, "I would like to test our guys against their's, but I doubt we are going to get to see much of that action ourselves sarge."
Ben stretched and began his acrobatic/gymnastic routine.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
At 0800 the next day, the meeting was scheduled to happen.
Major Kanzoria and Lieutenant Kudo were early enough to already be seated and waiting for the captain and commander. The poor sergeant assigned to the room, was already run ragged by nearly unreasonable morning beverage requests from the two ISIS officers.
Major Kanzoria was an atypical coyote in all respects physically, except for his olive green eyes, somewhat extra bushy tail and his very fox-like markings. Something about him made it neigh impossible to determine his age based on appearances, he seemed to be relatively young, but his rank and manner belayed any assumptions along those lines. His uniform also shows many campaign ribbons and approximately 10 + years of service bars.
Lieutentant Kudo was different, obviously young and lacking in field experience, he possesses no campaign ribbons on his uniform, only has single 5 year bar for time in service recognition and his attire is perfectly neat, clean and polished. His species is feline, cloud leopard to be exact with typical markings.
Absent from this meeting is Ixiah as the major had conveyed earlier yesterday.
Lingering outside the closed door into the conference room is Major Atkinson, he seems to be waiting for the Captain.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
Commander MacDuff arrived at the conference room right on schedule. Slowing slightly as he approached the door, he glanced at the major that was waiting outside before entering. The two officers already present and the commander looked each other over as MacDuff took his seat.
For the time being, no officer present showed any signs of initiating conversation.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
Captain Morgan appears around the corner, dressed as neat as he could ever be in this ungodly hour, and immediately takes note of Major Atkinson's presence. He frowned, as if his face wasn't already showing signs of discontent. "Major, if this is about their issued weaponry, or the ambigious call -not- to disarm their personnel; then we have nothing to discuss as everything else is either classified or clarified." He kept walking, as he spoke, towards the room. "If you'll excuse me."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
~Outside~
The major saluted briefly, "with all due respect Captain, I'm not nearly that petty, I was just concerned as I was not informed of it and they do not need them. I'm well aware of the classified nature of things, I afterall have higher security clearance then you do sir and far more connections. My concern now is with the physical condition of the 'guest'." He paused to clear his throat and handed Morgan a report, complete with holo-references, "he shows physical injuries consistant with severe beatings, now I know ISIS holds special dispensation orders allowing their operatives leeway to complete missions utilizing any methods, but certainly this is unnecessary as the cooperation of these aliens has already been assurred."
He paused and tapped his finger to his forehead, "one other thing sir, I would suggest meeting with Colonel Nexx, he is the ground operations commander for our expedition and he has more information on what operations Intelligence expects us to undertake... he'll likely be more revealing then Kanzoria."
~Inside~
Major Kanzoria stared at the *closed* door leading out for a long few moments and smiled, he then turned to Commander MacDuff, "Commander, your ship really must stock more spring sprig white darjeeling tea." [/size]
The lieutenant twirled his cup, "and a proper arabica coffee would be good as well Commander."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
... Spring sprig white darjeeling tea... proper arabica coffee...
The commander had no clue what variety of tea the major was talking about, but he did have a passing acquaintance with the variety of coffee mentioned.
"Well, I'm not exactly the ship's cook," MacDuff began. "And I don't know about you, but I gave up on coffee – and caffeine – a while ago. I found it to have more detrimental effects than desirable ones..." His voice trailed off.
He thought he had heard noises from outside the room, but the door made, well, a better door than a window. Hoping his anxiety wasn't too obvious, he glanced back at the other two officers. MacDuff wished the meeting could start soon...
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
"--I'll keep that in mind." A nod. Normally a good sign, but in his case, only a matter of taking into consideration a possibility. Always is and will be neutral, bordering on being impartial. Without further adieu, Morgan then enters the room, A salute, "Major Kanzoria. Commander MacDuff. Welcome aboard the ship."
OOC:
Bad. Really bad. I should not have let this hanging. Do make full use of Morgan if I take more than a day.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
Before the captain entered the room, Lieutenant Kudo was making notations in his notebook that seemed to perfectly coincide with everyone of MacDuff's fidgets, pauses and small bouts of anxiety.
When the captain entered, the lieutenant made note of the time and recorded it in his book.
The major smiled in a genuinely cheerful fashion, far too cheerful for this hour of the morning, "Ah the pleasantries, I so do love this part. I am glad to be welcomed here Captain and I wish to thank you for the tea, but as I have requested from your subordinate, I would like to have your galleys stock some spring sprig white Darjeeling tea. Very nice ship you have, your staff is very benevolent in their demeanor and towards their fellow beings, too bad the universe is full of dangerous creatures, harmless as they may appear for the moment, but a darkness lingers at their souls." [/size]
"Yes and some fine arabica, this robusto is a little too acidic." Lieutenant Kudo remarked.
"Yes, well enough with the small talk. I imagine you wish to discuss our tactical mission. As it stands we are hunting the hunters, our primary mission is determination of the sphere's approach. However we have 3 to 5 secondary objectives. The first is a pirate sweep of sector 3301.3, any pirates found are to be neutralized. The second to fifth objectives involve checking each of the energy signatures represented on this star chart,"[/size] The major points to his portable holomap, "as indicated in these locations. We are to neutralize enemy presence, if any, in these locations and gather intelligence. For these missions, I have been authorized to utilize your special forces teams to secure information and enemy assets."[/size]
Lieutenant Kudo smiled, "we won't be able to just nuke these sites from orbit, we'll need to bombard defenses and make planetary landings. Our troops are not to attempt holding actions at enemy installations though."
Edit:
OOC: don't worry Inky foxy, I was unexpectedly reduced in my online access this weekend due to my switch over to the new computer. Very nice... I will move forward if I think things are stagnating, but I prefer to have the real user post as opposed to myself.
With only the token glares at the fox vanishing into the distance, Absalom happily joins the Master Sergent and his friend where they get joyously drunk and enjoy themselves immensely.
(Unless you have other plans for the bar scene, of course.)
Vulpecula IV - Absalom's leave: The Bar
With only the token glares at the fox vanishing into the distance, Absalom happily joins the Master Sergeant and his friend where they get joyously drunk and enjoy themselves immensely.
Which is what would have happened if not for a small and rowdy group of crewmen from one of the Lycan ships.
To make a long story short, a Chief Petty Officer incorrectly insulted the sexual preference and promiscuity of the Master Sergeant. The Master Sergeant kindly corrected the Chief and offered to buy him and his friends a round of drinks. The Chief declined by pouring the other sergeant's (the lapine friend) drink on the floor and punching Absalom.
A small bar altercation ensued.
Master Sergeant Orlo laid a full on punch into the Chief as he yelled, "that's for calling me a homosexual tail-raiser!"
Orlo was many things, but that was not one of them. He was well groomed, fastidiously neat and sensitive... which gave many the impression he played for the other team, but in actuality he was just well raised and taught.
Sergeant Dixon smashed a bottle of wine over the head of one of the petty officers, "bloody lousy waste of a good merlot."
This lapine on the other hand, well who really knows... he makes it so hard to tell as each day his actions and mannerisms change with the winds.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
At 0800 the next day Kal sat down in the officers mess, grabbed some food and broods.
With a tremendous grin and only a moment's regret as he realizes that this can't end without reprecussions, Absalom leaps into the fray.
He bobs like a boxer for a moment as he selects a male petty officer of about equal size. A punch aimed at the man's shoulder ensures his complete attention- now the sport can really begin.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
The meeting continued, merely specifics about their objectives, which is to say that details were scarce. The only thing that intelligence has had to go on, regarding the second to fifth objectives is that the energy signatures match the alien emanations.
Both Captain Summers and Commander MacDuff get the impression that the ISIS Major believes he is in command of the operation, and to a limited extent he is.
[ooc: briefly utilizing Morgan... sadly I'm not sure how he would react in this situation.]
Morgan nodded patiently as he reviewed the holomap. "We will sweep sector 3301.3 for pirates and then move onto the first alien site. If you have need of the Special Forces, you need only request them and we will dispense them as necessary. You will need to defer to Colonel Nexx to coordinate ground actions, I will be meeting with him and the ship COs after we are finished here."
Morgan paused briefly before wrapping up, "Commander MacDuff, Major Kanzoria, do you have anything further?"
Major Kanzoria merely smiled, "No, not at all Captain Summers.[/size]"
Vulpecula IV - Absalom's leave: The Bar
The time honored bar fight tradition ran head long right into another classic tradition, the Military Police. "Plasta-foam, stunners and other crowd control devices were utilized, quickly and efficiently eliminating all resistance in the bar.
"What's all this now?" One large bear of a MP lieutenant asked as he surveyed the carnage and 'pacified' combatants. "Time to ship you off to your various brigs I think."
That is just what happened too.
[ooc: what? you expect the MPs to wade into the fray and get beat up too like in all those war movies? meh, not on my watch.]
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
"Commander MacDuff, Major Kanzoria, do you have anything further?"
The Commander shook his head and replied in the negative.
After this, he took the opportunity to brush down some of his ruffled feathers. He hadn't learned many more useful details in this meeting either. If there were more of these kinds of meetings, he was going to be even more flustered than usual, which was not a good thing considering that the Major and Lieutenant themselves were nearly impossible to figure out, but appeared to know exactly how to ruffle his feathers – both literally and colloquially speaking. MacDuff sighed internally, and decided he would go to his quarters and wash up a bit after the meeting was over.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
Morgan stood as the other officers indicated they did not have anything further, "very well. Commander MacDuff, I will be meeting with the other ship captains at 1300 hours, I would like to have you there as well. Be here at the appointed time. Thank you, dismissed."
Morgan paused for a moment, "Major Kanzoria, we will need to speak with Ixiah at some point, it is essential I evaluate him personally before we are forced to rely on him in a time of crisis."
The major smiled and shrugged, "I will see if I can persuade him to cooperate for such a meeting. He might appear harmless and innocent, but the creature has a cold and calculating mind that can exploit the weakness shown by others if judged strictly on appearances... plus he's a moody sort, he will push our patience as far as it will stretch.[/size]"
Vulpecula IV - Absalom's leave: Drunk tank
Orlo groaned and sat up carefully, "Oh my head..."
Dixon was reclining on one of the cots in the cell and hit large lapine ears twitched as the fox groaned, "you need to drink more water when you get smashed, mate. Less hangovers if you're well hydrated."
A rather gruff looking canine MP banged on the cell door, a sound which only made Orlo groan louder, "Master Sergeant Zin Orlo, Sergeant Absalom Thomas and Sergeant Peter Dixon... been brawling tonight eh? Drunk and disorderly. Your officers will be by to collect you, I don't imagine they will be too happy." The dog stopped to examine his datapad, "let's see, combat mecha pilot and two Corp Engineer mecha pilots..."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Lee's quarters
The COMM unit on Lee's desk beeped incessantly, dragging the badger out of his repose.
"Chief Warrant Officer Cohen, this is Lieutenant Yarven of ISF Army Military Police at Sanctity City. Your Sergeant Absalom is in custody for drunken brawling. You will need to come planetside ASAP and collect him. I am unable to raise Ensign Cahreia, so if you'd also claim his two accomplices Master Sergeant Orlo and Sergeant Dixon I'd appreciate it. Yarven out."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Lee's Quarters
"What the... I'll get right on it, Lieutenant." Lee blindly reached out at the intercom, shutting it off. Muttering a variety of choice oaths, he staggered out of his room and in the general direction of the exit. A few privates unlucky enough to get in his way received sharp smacks upside the head. Emerging from the port into the Vulpeculan sun, Lee consulted a city map and stormed off in the general direction of the holding cells.
Vulpecula IV - Drunk Tank
Kicking open the door to the holding area, Lee stomped on over to the ISF guard at the desk. "I'm Chief Warrant Officer Cohen, here to pick up three sergeants - Thomas, Orlo, and Dixon. Where the hell are they?"
Absalom shifts slightly. He is reclined against the wall opposite the door with his eyes closed and a hand shielding his eyes from the light. "D'you know," he says slowly to the world in general, "Noise doesn't do squat to me after drinking. But light, man, it's like needles in my brain. I didn't even drink all that much..."
He opens an eye cautiously, blinking drearily at the canine MP. "D'ye know when they'll be here? The officers, I mean. An' who'll it be?"
Vulpecula IV - Drunk Tank
The MP regards Absalom with a critical eye, but he says nothing at all until a loud bang is heard behind him somewhere and a loud, angry voice can be heard.
The voice sounds familiar to Absalom, but he can't really make out the words.
The MP turns and gestures behind him, "Aye Chief Warrant Officer! Your charges are here and yours. I just need your signature on the release forms. That was pretty fast getting down here all the way from orbit at the space docks."
(OOC: Lee was on the ship, which is in planetary orbit. Absalom went down to the planet itself for his R&R)
(OOC: Oh, crap. I need to start paying more attention to these kinds of things. I'll remember to take a shuttle next time instead of base jumping from outer space. Also... who will determine the punishment? Ink/Morgan?)
Vulpecula IV - Drunk Tank
"Well, the power of rage is a wonderful thing. Just let me at those papers and they won't trouble you anymore. I guarantee it." Lee hastily signed the proffered papers and, deciding it would be more ominous, calmly strolled towards the drunk tank door.
In a voice that was entirely too cheery and while wearing an unsettlingly big smile, he greeted his reason for waking up this early. "Good morning, sunshine! Ready to face your imminent doom?"
(OOC: Ensign Cahreia or yourself are normally responsible for the disciplinary action of your subordinates)
Vulpecula IV - Drunk Tank
The MP reviewed the paperwork and stamped it in all the necessary places before filing it away. He prepared to open up the holding cell.
In a voice that was entirely too cheery and while wearing an unsettlingly big smile, he greeted his reason for waking up this early. "Good morning, sunshine! Ready to face your imminent doom?"
Orlo groaned and looked to see what hammer wielding maniac decided to hurl the mighty moljinar at his head, "oi, Cohen... must you yell? Some parasite infested lycan chief hit me over the head with a chair. Innocent victims of hate we were..."
Dixon whispered into Orlo's ear, "don't lay it on too thick Zin... if we are lucky, he'll just drop us off with Cahreia, who'll ask for a score and give us a bit of extra cleaning duty. We don't want this Cohen fellow to be involved."
Absalom sighs and sits up straight, facing his superior. With a quiet, "Damn," he waits for the Chief Warrant Officer to begin a lecture, or take them back to the ship.
Vulpecula IV - Drunk Tank
Normally, a lengthy dressing down would be appropriate, however, the MP watch officer stepped in and opened the door and immediately ushered everyone up and out of the holding area. The MPs moved everyone quickly through security, out and into the landing area and onto the waiting shuttle that Cohen had taken down from the Revelation.
Everyone was back onboard the ship before they knew what happened. The only excuse the watch officer had given was that he did not want them underfoot when the Lycans were released to their officers.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Conference Room
The captains of the ships composing Revelation's scout fleet filed out of the conference room. The meeting had gone reasonably well. All the officers were competent and reasonable individuals. Colonel Nexx had proved to be very insightful.
With his aid, Morgan had managed to intimidate the ISIS security trooper and gain access to the room where Ixiah was held. A typical guest room as any other, modestly furnished. There was no sign of the alien guest, until he caught sight of a footpaw peeking out from underneath the covers on the bed.
Morgan cleared his throat and after a slight pause, a fox face appeared from underneath the covers. The sighting was brief, for it disappeared back underneath.
The without warning, the covers exploded outward and a blue fox appeared in front of the bed, striking the best "hero pose" he could. His strange attire and his current pose made him appear like a character from a dōjinshi, even more so when he suddenly went cross-eyed and tumbled over. Apparently these aliens get dizzy from standing up quickly like any normal creature.
"I thought it best to meet you, but there is no need for silly theatrics. I am Captain of this vessel and fleet leader of the scout fleet that shall be hunting for your former masters."
"You must be quite mighty indeed to have gotten in here, you'd have needed to beat up the major to do so." The young fox commented.
Colonel Nexx shook his head, "not so, I still have authority among the troopers as respect for my former position."
Morgan locked eyes with Ixiah, who immediately went to a big puppy dog eyed kit. He shed emotional cues that triggered major feelings of pity in Morgan. Morgan could sense that this pitiful creature was suffering greatly... because of the belled collar. A choker like collar with a golden bell on it, Morgan wanted to reach out and undo the fastening...
*whap* Morgan was whacked on the back of the head by a handy rolled up magazine.
"Snap out of it! Don't let him do that!" Nexx half yelled at Morgan.
Ixiah looked ever so pitiful, "please forgive me, this thing pains me so. You can't blame me for trying, but I shall do as you asked... we already agreed to it. Plus you will need me to aid against other of my kind that may be overseers at the outposts you seek to eliminate."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
After finishing up breakfast, Kal headed down to the hangar bay. Meeting his LAM's crew chief they spent the next few hours on general maintenance of the Raptor.
"You keeping that railgun instead of the PB cannon Lieutenant?" The chief asked as they were working on the weapons systems.
"Yea, I know the PB has more firepower, but I like the rate of fire on the railgun. By the way chief you know anything about mounting a vibro blade on a Raptor?"
"It can be done LT but you'd have to get the airboss' permission for it."
Steping over to a nearby terminal Kal was interrupted by Major Hadem. "I overheard Kal I, was thinking the same thing according to Intel these guys don't like to mix it up much." Kal finished typing up the request and Dom put his signature on it before he sent it up the line.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
Romulus walked out of his sleeping quarters, got some breakfast, then headed down to the hangar area to check out the ship that will be carring his squad into the upcoming battles.
"Well let's make sure this hunk of metal and bolts won't fall apart the first time we get shot at. I have no problems with dieing on the ground in the middle of a firefight but I'd rather not get blown up before I even get to the battle"
INARI class cruiser, Revelation
lucas strode into the hanger. "hay boys, what's up?" he was feeling a bit cheery despite the monotonous busy work and endless small talk with the other people.
ooc: i for got which cruiser I'm on so if I'm wrong in this tell me and ill fix it.
after feeling unnecessary i took a break, and just wanted to say I'm still in this.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
After hopping off the shuttle, Lee turned to his charges.
"Since Ensign Cahreia's nowhere to be found, I guess I'll just have to take it upon myself to punish the lot of you. So, I hoped you three enjoyed whatever got you drunk last night, because that'll be the last drop of booze any of you will see for the next month. If I catch any of you with so much as a Dixie cup of beer, I will kick your asses and then double your alcohol probation. Furthermore, you'll join the cleaning crew for the rest of your leave. Now get the hell out of my sight." Lee headed to the bridge to report to Captain Summers and ensure that his punishment would be carried out.
When Lee was safely out of hearing range, Absalom said with a somewhat wry grin and shrug, "Reap what you sow, I guess. I wasn't plannin' on getting sloshed on-ship or anything, anyway. I'm not that dumb."
[OOC: It is amazing how time flies... I've been a tad busy]
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge
Lee entered the bridge and noticed that the elusive Ensign Cahreia was already there speaking with the captain. A strange blue fox in outlandish attire was poking around the bridge like a curious little kit as Colonel Nexx and Major Kanzoria glared at one another with barely veiled contempt.
"Sir, spacing them seems rather harsh for a small brawl..." Ensign Cahreia objected in near abject panic.
"You misunderstand me, I said we would space you if another such incident occurs. The Lycans are in an uproar because one of the brawlers, Master Sergeant Orlo, was a fox. The Vulpeculans are equally so because a fox was attacked." Captain Summers commented without humor, in his current nicotine lacking mood he might actually go through with it.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Area
A female human technician leaned out of a maintenance hatch and glared at Romulus, "who are you calling a hunk of metal and bolts???!!! This is one of the finest assault shuttles in the whole fleet! He might not be as armored or armed as those mech dropships over there," She gestured to the two huge aerodyne craft tethered into heavy-duty catapults, "but he's very capable."
In another portion of the hanger areas...
Major Hadem studied Kal for a few minutes, "you'll need a fair amount of practice with the blade before it will be effective in a mecha. I also heard we may be getting dicey with space pirates, and from what I hear, they just love the use of melee weapons."
And in yet another...
Orlo's ears drooped downwards, "Pete and I so enjoy our spot of wine with our cheese and grapes..."
"I guess this will be a dry voyage Zin..." The rabbit added.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Area
"Already got some simtime logged boss," Kal said as they walked back to the Raptor. "I'm not surprised the pirates use em, you don't have to worry about running outa ammo. How long you think it'll take the Airboss to ok it?"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Area
Romulus looked at the technician with an half awake look on his face. "I've heard that phrase alot only to have the thing falling apart on entry. I don't know how well a HALO jump would work on something that doesn't have an atmosphere and maybe no gravity. If my men or I die I would prefer it be in battle shooting our rifles not sitting on our asses in a dropship while it blows up from enemy fire. I've seen too many good soldiers die like that" Romulus shakes his head and looks at the tech again. "I'm sorry, that's not something you need to concern yourself with. I need some rest" Romulus turns to head back to his counters.
"It's all talk guys, all that matters is how battle worn it is. the more war it's seen the better. so how has it fared in past wars miss?" lucas was the kind of guy that though tests were not as important as real time reactions with the "human error" factored in. he waited for her answer
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Area: Dropships
The human female swung down from the maintenance hatch and landed feet first on the deck and glared at Lucas, "miss? miss! I am Chief Petty Officer Amanda Wilcox. I am the technical head for this old boy here and can vouch for his reliability with my very life, for I am the crew tech and will be riding it with you!" The human turned to jab a finger into Romulus' chest... er, possibly stomach to illustrate who she was speaking of.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Area: LAM bay
The hatch at the opposite end of the bay opened and a rather late middle-aged feline of black fur entered the bay and strode right over to Hadem and Kal.
Hadem snapped to attention at the approach of the Airboss.
He handed Hadem the note, "it's fine by me, we've got a good supply of ammo for railguns and I don't mind the vibroweapon. Just be sure your vibroweapons safety course is completed before your next flight." He half turned and paused long enough to add, "We may see some changes in flight line ups and patrols now that we are part of a carrier group. I want to keep any intership rivalries to a minimum and so does the CAG. Carry on."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Area: LAM bay
Kal stood at attention at the same time as Hadem, saluting in unison with the major.
"Aye aye, SIR!." Relpied Kal as the Airboss headed off.
Turning to Hadem, Kal said, "well Maj. I geuss I better finish up the refresher."
"Gee, sorry SIR." He said in a tone that sort of showed that it was his oversight, but it also implied that she was pushy "I can see I'M not wanted here! Later Rommy......Good luck with that un'." he said walking off to the LAM bay.
Battleship Alliance - Bridge
"Sir, all preparations have been made and final supplies have been loaded. All non-fleet personnel and guests have disembarked." The operations chief reported as he handed the General the final report.
The human general nodded and signed off on the appropriate area, "com, inform all department heads to secure for maneuvers. Fleetcom, inform all ships to take up positions for morning jump."
Both com officers answered nearly in unison, "Aye sir."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge
"Captain, we have received orders from the Alliance to take up jump positions." The com officer reported smartly.
Captain Summers nodded, "signal the rest of our detachment to form up on our lead."
At the appropriate time the next morning, the fleet was fully assembled and ready to jump. The destination was the final staging area. The fleet would hold at that location until the scout fleets located the final approach vector for the enemy. It would be there that the final attack plans would be drawn up and where the fleet would move from to confront the deadly dyson sphere.
Precisely on schedule the fleet jumped from the Vulpecula system.
Epsilon System - Fleet staging area
Within a few days the fleet arrived in the Epsilon System, the system was dominated by a huge Blue sun. Only five planets orbited this giant and of those five, four were brown dwarfs (massive gas giants). The outer most planet was approximately twice the mass of Earth and it was near it that the fleet assembled at. The airless rock, named Hecate, was a military base of unparalleled size, taking up nearly 25% of the planet's surface area. This installation was unknown to all the PCs and quite a few of the other members of the fleet.
From the space stations in orbit around Hecate, numerous vessels approached. All bore the colors of the ISF Navy, except one ship, but all were of designs not before seen.
Quite a bit of hyperwave traffic broke out as the Lycan senior captains accused the ISF of concealing this base and secretly developing weapons. A point countered by the Vice Admiral Becky... er, Rebecca Urocyon. These ships were created for one purpose and one purpose only, to attack the Dyson sphere. The ships were mostly all of the "Frontal Assault vector" type as well as nearly a whole squadron of a very advance looking corvette sized vessel. A singular unique vessel lead these vessels, its lines were different from any of those from the ISF or the member states.
On the bridge, Ixiah remarked, "The Inquisitor... the human ship that defeated me the last time. I hope history repeats itself with it."
A FleetCom message went out to all ships, "This is General Aren Zaccarri, I shall be relocating my flag to the Inquisitor, Admiral Urocyon will still be commanding fleet operations from the Alliance. All scout fleets are to assemble and begin their missions at 1500 hours. Good luck."
Epsilon System - Scout Fleet 1 jump point
Over the Central Com, the 1MC, Captain Summers addressed his crew and the other ships of his fleet, "In a few short minutes we shall begin one of the most important missions of this campaign. Only the gods can truly know what will come in the days ahead, but trusting to our training, officers and instincts we shall persevere. From this point we are all on active alert, defense condition yellow. All personnel to stations."
Precisely on time, the First Scout Fleet jumped into the great unknown.
[OOC: No significant posts are needed at this point, but are welcome. We begin serious campaigning after this point. The arrival post and what might occur there will be up soon.]
INARI Class Cruiser, RevelationHanger Area: LAM bay
Lt Kal Jerico was checking the straps and seals for his g-suit when the Captain came over the 1MC.
"In a few short minutes we shall begin one of the most important missions of this campaign. Only the gods can truly know what will come in the days ahead, but trusting to our training, officers and instincts we shall persevere. From this point we are all on active alert, defense condition yellow. All personnel to stations."
Grining he tosed Major Hadem a salute and mounted his Raptor. Starting up his LAM's computer he completed the security steps and brought the mecha up to launch mode.
"Cool Hand, two lit and in the green, all weaps safed and set. Standing by"
After the announcement, Romulus banged on his suqad's bunks.
"Alright guys grab your gear and paint your game faces on. Things might be getting interesting when the jump ends"
Romulus did the same as his men. He grabbed his personel armor (flat vest, that kinda thing). He grab and loaded his pistol, turned the safety on and holstered it. Took his rifle, loaded a clip into it, load a round into the chamber, turned the safety on, and slung it over his shoulder. He grabbed his helmet but didn't put it on yet. He checkec his men to make sure all their equipment is on right and their weapons are ready for fighting.
"Wall make sure you got enough ammo for that gun of yours. I know I tell you this everytime but fire in bursts. There will be no spray and pray in this squad. if you need more ammo head down to the armory and get what you need'
"Sir, yes sir" Donovan saluted Romulus and headed out to grab some more ammo.
"Nitro make sure those explosives are niot armed until we need them. I dunno what we may be need but try to bring like 2 or 3 of everything you have. No idea what we may have to blast through"
"I'm on it sir" Remus went to carefully packing expsoives in his specially made careing case/backpack.
"RC do a radio check, double and triple check that thing. I don't want to get on that thing and find out the radio doesn't work"
"Sir" Sheebus saluted and went to do standard radio testing. He tests it about every few hours. He also makes sure the radio pack will have enough power.
"Hacker you been studying up on whatever they gave you for that things computer systems? Makes sure you bring your Daapad with you so you can download whatever you can about these things computer systems. I'm sure those Intellgence guys would love that"
"I'll do what I can with their systems sir. I wasn't given awhole lot to work with" Micheal saluted and made sure his Datapad was packed away in his gear.
"Ben if you see anything that you think the Intellgence guys woud like grab it if you can carry it. Just don't go to grab it while we're bing shot at"
Lyrae Omicron: Nadir Jump Point
After a few hops into dead or uninhabited systems, the fleet jumped into the Nadir jump point coordiantes for Lyrae Omicron, a mid-range red-yellow star. From this jump point perpendicular and south of the orbital plane, the scout fleet assembled.
Orbiting the Fifth planet, a moderate temperate appearing world, sat a large, old commercial space station. As no corporate or government owned outposts exist this far out, and due to the obsolete nature of the design, as well as the orbiting fleet of out-dated surplus warships and converted civilian vessels, this could be only one thing... the pirate outpost.
This system was far from charted space lanes and the closest military presence, Hecate. Due to sensor stealth, the scout fleet remanded as of yet undetected.
The captain examined the tactical display and then turned to face his comm chief, "condition red, sound general quarters." He then turned towards Colonel Nexx who was still on the bridge, "You had best get back to your ship. One more thing, we have a mission for our resident special forces team, I think you know what I mean. Get their opinion and then give them a choice."
"Understood." The colonel nodded as he left the bridge.
Major Kanzoria took an observers seat.
General Quarters sounded, "ALL HANDS TO BATTLESTATIONS. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. ALL HANDS TO BATTLESTATIONS."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Area: LAM bay
"All LAM units standby for action."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Deck: Fighter bay
"All Fighters scramble and form up on your leaders, formation alpha."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - SpecFor room
In an obvious hurry, Colonel Nexx swept into the area as Romulus's team was assembling.
"Sergeant, we have a special mission for you. There are actually two, but it is only feasible to attempt one operation." The Colonel paused, "the situation is this, the pirate fleet outnumbers us by 2 to 1 odds, but their ships are old and do not possess a significant threat to our newer vessels. Except for the Pirate's corsair, the ship is an old and outdated Azul class dreadnaught, but it is still formidable and could push the balance of power in favor of the pirates. The second is the station, the pirates are dependent on a centralized command and control center. The older ships in their fleet require a more advanced processing system to coordinate their actions. However, we cannot just shoot down the station because of the colonies on the planet. If the station was knocked out of orbit, it could wipe out the planet's ecosystem as it impacted the planet."
He paused again, "the captain has allowed you to choose the mission your unit is better equipped for. Neutralizing the station or the dreadnaught. Both are penetration and sabotage inside enemy lines."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Mech Area
"All units mount up and board the assault craft and standby."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Area: LAM bay
'Cool Hand' Watched as the fighters were loaded into the launch tubes and fired into space. He settled into his chair a tad more and ran more tests and checks of his controls, as his LAM rotated to face one of the tubes and waited for the order to load and launch into the void.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck: Tactical Control Room
"All fighter squadrons scramble. I repeat, all squadrons scramble."
"Form up on your flight leaders in formation Alpha. Primary assault units take the lead - intercept vectors are being issued."
Such was the situation in the Tactical Control Room as orders were being barked over comm lines as fighters took off en masse outside in the hangar.
Commander MacDuff noticed a situation on the flight deck. "Chief - looks like we have a few pilots who don't know how to take turns. See if you can sort things out." The Commander pointed out the window towards two fighters vying for the same launch space. "They're costing us valuable time."
"Yes, sir!" the leopard manning the station said as he hastily opened communications with the pilots.
Seeing one of the fighters backing off, the Commander continued to his station, where a junior officer was waiting with a report.
"Sir, here are our orders. All wings are progressing with launch protocols and are forming up here," she indicated a location near the front of the fleet on the screen in front of the Commander's chair.
"Very good. Has the computer come up with a match to one of our simulations?"
"Yes - we have a near-identical match with #0624-S. Incoming sensor data indicates fighter positioning should be conducted accordingly. What are your orders?"
"Continue as planned. Form up at the location given by command, and organize in formation alpha. Deploy based on computer analysis, but give escort priority to special forces units."
"Yes, sir." The female ensign walked away, leaving the Commander to observe his readouts. He began pulling up more data predicting fleet movement as he prepared himself to coordinate the fleet's fighter squadrons. His mental preparations were well underway, and he hoped no surprises would disrupt the situation. However, he knew this was a bit much to hope for, so he kept his nervousness in check by visualizing all the fighter squadrons in his mind. He saw them move, he saw them engage the enemy, and he saw some of their number diminish. It was up to him to issue orders that maximized damage and minimized losses.
The tactical readout indicated that the scout fleet was still undetected... for now.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - SpecFor room
Romulus saluted the Colonel and stoud at attentiom while he spoke.
"Ok so we either take out a ship or take out a station. Well sir, it sounds like it would be better if we disable the station, may disable more ships that way. *looks at his squad and they nod at him* We'll take the station sir, then if the dreadnaught is still poseing a problem we can try and take that out as well. Now sir, with your permission we'll head down to the hanger and find a ride over to the station" *Salutes the Colonek again*
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck: Tactical Control Room
Across the fleet, all fighters launched and formed up under the orders issued by TacCon, 240 fighters stood poised to engage in combat.
The communications console activated and a marine Lt. Colonel appeared, "Commander MacDuff, all LAM forces are standing by and prepared for launch... awaiting authorization to proceed."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - SpecFor room
Colonel Nexx nodded and returned the salute, "good hunting and be careful, these pirates seem uncharacteristically well organized."
The colonel exited immediately and took his shuttle back to the Phalanx.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge
The captain tapped his comm unit as a transmission came in from Nexx's shuttle, "Captain Summers, the target will be the station."
Summers nodded to no one in particular, "acknowledged. Nexx I want you to have the Phalanx fire your mass drivers at that dreadnaught when we begin the operation, it is unlikely you'll hit her, but we want to keep her occupied."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck: Tactical Control Room
Commander MacDuff gave authorization for LAM launch immediately after he received notice they were ready.
"Make sure all orders and priorities are synchronized across the squadrons. I don't want anyone left in the dark. We have our attack priorities from command. I want all forces under TacCom to know who they're escorting, what they're firing at, and how well their friendlies are doing at all times. Snap to it, people."
Affirmatives resounded throughout the room, and the next units to launch moved into position outside in the background of the Commander's vision. Feeling something nag at the back of his mind, he accessed the most recent sensor data and fed it into his personal analytical program. The program had already been sifting through data since the Commander arrived, and the updated information didn't reveal anything new. It showed that the pirates had a lower match index than he had expected - but the tolerance he had included in the simulations allowed for several percent more.
Seeing that the new results would not change his orders, MacDuff folded his wings and began running a quick mental simulation of his own, but he didn't dedicate too much brain power to it, in order to remain sufficiently alert.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - SpecFor room
Romulus nodded his head at the Colonel as he gave his warning. He then turned to his squad.
"Alright men. It's show time. Let's show these fly boys how realy soldiers kick ass"
Romulus lead his squad to the hanger to find the dropship that would be taking him and his crew to the space station. Romulus spoke aloud as they walked up to the dropship.
"And the soldier spoke to God as he entered the gates of Heaven. 'One more soldier reporting for duty sir. I've served my time in Hell'
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Area: LAM bay
Kal sat in his chair a the Raptor was pushed into the launch tube. A red LED in the tube begain counting down, as the the last second ticked away 'Cool Hand's' LAM rocketed out of the tube.
Kicking the Raptor into a fishtail turn, Kal brought the LAM into position off Major Hadem's wing.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hanger Area: Dropships
Chief Wilcox opened the boarding ramp and ushered the team in, she was outfitted in combat gear like the team. Four marines in full powersuits occupied the seats ahead of the team, it was apparent that the assault craft planned on landing and staying where ever they landed.
Ben took his jumpseat and began running final checks on his gear.
Chief Wilcox surveyed the team, "Our LAM squad will be escorting us in, keep yourselves braced for high inertia. The LAMs will soften up the LZ and my boys here will hold it."
LAM formation
Major Hadem's voice came over the comm, "alright everyone, our task is to escort the assault team to that station. We will be heading in at full burn and will open up in a full spread on the station. Clear any obstacles along the way, priority is to keep that shuttle safe."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck: Tactical Control Room
Observing the formations of enemy fighters from the tactical stations, something is odd about them. They are very close and maneuver near perfectly, almost as if they were one. Other then that, the fighters are unremarkable delta wing designs probably equipped with old bolter cannons and missiles. The design is very old.
LAM formation
'Cool Hand' acknoledged 'Viper's radio call with a simple "Two", while 'Pinky' and 'Renagade' chimed in with a "Three" and "Four"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge
The captain stood up from his command chair, "helm, all ahead full. Comm inform all destroyers and frigates to form up on the Revelation. Inform Colonel Nexx to keep the Phalanx back and engage the dreadnaught with the mass drivers and heavy missiles, they are also to screen the carriers. All fighter wings and LAMs forward, fan out and engage enemy fighters. Bomber flights are to engage enemy cruisers and 2 groups of heavy bombers will engage the dreadnaught."
System space- Battle
The fleet sprang into action, all capital ships began burning plasma engines and accelerating to attack speeds, forming a wedge.
The Phalanx maneuvered its large bulk quickly and came to bear on the distant dreadnaught. Its large kilometer long mass drivers simultaneously shot two large, volatile chunks of matter at its target before firing two ICBM sized strategic missiles at the enemy.
The fighters sprang forward separating into flights and fanned out over the battlefield, the first flashes of plasma cannon fire and the small detonations that marked the first kills of the battle could be seen, but who scored the first kill was not yet known. The fighter line for the pirates was a bit closer then that of their warships.
The assault shuttle with Romulus's team accelerated instantly, reaching inertia levels that were just this side of fatal to fleshy creatures as they rocketed towards the station.
The warships, still a bit of distance from one another began to maneuver. The pirates were surprisingly quick to respond and were the first to open fire, though their shots were ineffectual against the Revelation as the distance and the ship's shields reduced the effectiveness of their shots. A missile scored a hit on the frigate Zuiho, inflicting minor damage.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge
Captain Summers spoke out over the fleet Comm, "hold fire until my signal, I want maximum effectiveness. Keep all defensive fire to a maximum."
LAM formation
Major Hadem ordered his group forward, matching the shuttle's acceleration and taking the lead. Weapons fire from his LAM signalled the approach of bogeys.
Delta wing fighters, nearly twice the wingspan of the LAMs, swung out in front of their group opening up with their bolter cannons. One of the pirate fighters was already a rapidly expanding cloud of debris.
Assault shuttle
Chief Wilcox yelled out to the team, "hang tight lads, this should be over quick."
LAM formation
Kal depressed the triger on his joystick and watched as another fighter was cut in half by railgun slugs. "Cool Hand has one on the board 'Viper' your tail is clear. Damn this is one hell of a furball." Kal did his utmost to stay on his lead's tail and warning him of any threats.
Assault shuttle
A klaxxon blared inside the troop compartment, Chief Wilcox looked up briefly and then yelled to Romulus's team, "I'm sure you all don't need me to tell you this, but we are about to break acceleration. It's sudden and jarring, adjust your seats and don't talk, you'll likely bite your tongues off."
Wilcox reached out and tapped the marine sergeant on the shoulder of his powersuit, the trooper nodded. This movement by Wilcox would not be surprising under normal circumstances, however the fact that Romulus could barely move enough to adjust his seat and that the marine required his powersuit's enhancements just to nod made her effortless movement superhuman.
Space Station: Shuttle Bay
The shuttle's maneuvering thrusters changed its angle of approach and spatial orientation for landing and just at the appropriate moment began a hard burn of its plasma engines to decelerate.
The few weapon emplacements on the station that began trying to track the shuttle were unable to obtain a lock.
The shuttle opened its weapon pods and saturated the area with anti-personnel and anti-vehicle missiles. It touched down seconds later amid the fires and destruction of its entrance.
Wilcox sprang up and checked the shuttle's external sensors, the bay's defense fields were still up. A "defense field" was a low-level energy field that protected a station's or ship's hull from depressurization due to breaches or open bays like commercial shuttle centers.
The landing ramp deployed instantly and the marines filed out a brief few moments of weapons fire sounded before the sergeant gave an all clear. The few remaining technicians and troops had mounted a token resistance until it became apparent that their small arms fire could not even scratch the military grade powersuits.
The pirate forces were armed with mainly low-caliber slug-thrower weapons, pistols, shotguns and a few assault rifles. The station was a civilian model, well maintained, but unnecessary hull breaches could be a problem as the defense fields could not be used to cover the entire hull continuously in older models.
Chief Wilcox turned to Romulus and smiled, "keep your environmental suits on and sealed, I wouldn't put it past the pirates to depressurize areas to try and take you out. We can hold this area for as long as necessary." She hefted a large chaingun style weapon to emphasize the point and nodded to the marine sergeant, "right Aniez?"
The cougar nodded, "aye, that we will."
System space- Battle
The dreadnaught was forced to maneuver in an attempt to avoid the mass driver's rounds, it thrusted away from the fleet formation. One of the large chunks of matter barely missed the midsection of the ship, instead impacting into an unlucky cruiser. The other hit the engine section of another cruiser in a formation, sending it into another ship and destroying both.
At Captain Summers's order, the flat wedge of his ships split formation. The cruiser and destroyers breaking right and heading above the pirate's two dimensional battle line and the frigates went underneath. the ISF practiced three dimensional ship combat, some thing the pirates were not prepared to match.
The momentary confusion in the pirate fleet as they reoriented their structure to accommodate gave Morgan a brief opening.
"Revelation, Lightning, Thunder and Victoria will fire on the lead ships in the front of the pirate formation! Frigates Zuiho, Baker, Eckon Gala and Chandler will charge the central formation, fly right through their line from underneath them and open up with their fusion missiles at close range. We need to break up their formation and strike hard, they have a numeric advantage in warships."
The fleet ships executed their attacks with precision and speed. The attack by the frigates, a very risky maneuver, was highly successful. The frigate baker took heavy damage during the assault, but she was still spaceworthy.
Space Station: Shuttle Bay
Romulus smiled at Wilcox. "That's half the fun of it though". He looks at his squad. "Move out, I want that control room now" Romulus looked at Wilcox as he moved past. "We'll be back before you know it"
Space Station: Shuttle Bay
There were a number of different exits from the shuttle bay, the obvious ones leading out to hard vacuum. The internal passages of significance were two in number and both lead away from each other, one north and the other south.
At the north exit Ben, after clearing the hall as far as he could see, motioned Romulus over. He pointed to a computer interface terminal and smiled.
System space- Battle
The heavy missiles fired by the Phalanx spread in MIRV fashion and impacted on the dreadnaught.
On board the dreadnaught, the feline captain swore and turned to her first officer, "Damage report?" She asked in heavily Spanish accented galactic common (English).
"Moderate damage amidship, all weapons are at full capacity." replied the raptorian (Bald Eagle) officer, "our heavy armor soaked up most of that damage."
She sighed, "their warships will tear this fleet up, what is Lord Zhilhon doing?" Tapping her foot a few times on the ground in impatience, she nearly smashed the button on her chair as she opened up a Comm to her ship, "Engines at full thrust! Helm, turn us 'round and bring us to bear on that blasted cruiser with the mass drivers! Weapons, charge the main lasers to maximum and prepare for a full fire on my mark!"
Nodding to the captain, the eagle signaled communications as he smiled, "have the baron take his surprise to their carriers."
With surprising agility, the dreadnaught turned head on to the cruiser and began charging the spinal lasers.
On board the Phalanx, Colonel Nexx regarded his first officer, Commander McDaniels, with a slight amount of surprise, "she means to take us head on and duel... helm match her maneuvers exactly and put us head on. We need to reduce the profile of this ship as much as possible, less surface area to hit with those lasers the better. I bet their captain is expecting us to be strictly a support ship, but we have teeth as well. Weapons, charge all forward particle accelerators and fire on my mark."
"mark!"
"mark."
The huge spinal lasers fired their wide, continuous beams at the Phalanx. One beam barely missed, paralleling the side of the ship perfectly. The other scored a hit on the front of the troop cruiser, burning a gash in the front armor.
The particle accelerators fired nearly simultaneously and all four of them lanced across the hull of the Defiance.
As both ships traded fire and the fleets engaged directly, from the farside of the planet came fourteen new shapes heading straight for the carriers. The sharp, dark silhouettes revealed six fairly new Star Imperium attack frigates bearing the marks of the IFLN, Imperium Foreign Legion Navy. The insignia of the infamous Mercenary Baron Conner Hasek was brazenly displayed for all to see. The remaining eight ships were typical corsair frigates.
The ships approached at high acceleration and began to deploy light space mecha equipped with thruster units (think Tallgeese).
Space Station: Shuttle Bay
Romulus saw the terminal and smiled back at Ben. HE jumped on his radio.
"Hacker I need you over at my position now. We found a computer interface and I want you to get me the fastest route to the control room. If they have any security cameras, if they do I want them dissabled. Hell even see if you can hack into their main comupters and shut this thing down. Wall and Nitro, I want you two to cover that southern hallway. I don't want anything snecking up on us. If more than you two can handle radio for help. Nitro I don't want you to use any explosives at this point, they are to be used as an emergancy only" *Romulus waited for Wall and Nitro's responce. At the same time they answered they understoud* "RC stick with them, they may need the backup"
Romulus took postion near the opening to the hallway to cover it. He motioned to have Ben do the same.
"Also keep an eye on the other openings. No idea if there anyone will come out of them"
Space Station: Shuttle Bay
With the arrival of Hacker, it wasn't too long before they were provided with a handy schematic of the base. Hacker updated the team`s HUD, for those that used it, and plotted the fastest route he could. The best route was down the corridor Romulus and Ben now guarded.
Then tried to access the main computer from the terminal, even with his skills he hit a brick wall, "no can do sarge, they locked this terminal down by the wire. It's a dumb terminal, probably originally used as a navigation aid for visitors. The only odd thing I was able to find was the excessive number of ventilation ducts leading into this bay..."
His explanation was cut short by gunfire from the other team's position.
"Sarge, we got multiple hostiles..."
"Now!"
From areas around the shuttlebay, pirates popped out of cover and began to open fire. Near the shuttle, one of the lifter exoskeletons stood up.
The marines immediately sprang into action and began returning fire.
Chief Wilcox was distracted by the sudden surprise attack and failed to notice as one of the "prisoners" produced a ceramic shiv and shoved it into her gut. He grinned as he mockingly apologized, "sorry sweatheart, but either you or me."
His expression turned to confusion as her expression did not seem to change, in fact she looked rather annoyed. He was even more surprised when she grabbed his wrist and snapped it with ease. In one quick motion she tossed him into one of his companions who was also unsheathing a similar weapon.
Lowering her chaingun she pointed it at the rest of them, "not a good idea boys."
The marine sergeant gave a sideways glance as he wrestled with the pirate technician in the exoskeleton lifter frame, "uh chief you are forgetting something." as he gave a slight nod downward with his head.
Wilcox gazed down at her midsection and swore an oath, "do you know how hard it is to get good synthetic blood and real tissue grafts?" She plucked out the shiv and snapped it in two.
"It must be nice being a 'borg."
"It has its benefits, now stop dancing with that guy."
System space- Battle
As the new aggressors approached the carriers and troop cruiser, the pirate brigantines began deploying numerous mecha that were very similar to the others. Equipped with vernier thrusters and similar weapons, they suddenly threw the balance of fighter craft in favor of the pirates.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge
Captain Summers was surprised by this action, but was quick to adapt. He hit the Comm button for the 1MC and sounded emergency stations. "All mecha units outfit for space combat and lauch immediately. Commander MacDuff oversee all combat units, you'll need to redo your calculations for mecha suits now."
Cruiser Phalanx - Bridge
Colonel Nexx swore as the enemy attempted to flank the carriers, worse was the fact that the dreadnaught was now dueling with his cruiser. A battle he could probably win, if not for the sudden frigate charge.
"Open Comm to the Revelation." Colonel Nexx ordered, "Captain Summers, the enemy has played a sneaky little game with us..."
The Captain nodded knowingly, "we can adapt, order the carriers to feign a withdraw. Have them circle back and attack from the rear."
Colonel Nexx nodded, "oh Captain, could I trouble you to take the heat of this dreadnaught off of us?" He asked as he signalled Commander McDaniels to issue the orders to the carriers and his combat units.
Captain Summers nodded, "We'll handle this end, good luck."
"And to you."
Commander McDaniels issued the orders, "all carriers withdraw head to point 6 and circle back to engage targets from rear. Over boost authorized. All mecha units outfit for space action immediately. All assault dropships and attack craft, deploy and engage enemy at close range... any of you space aces know how to skindance?"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck: Tactical Control Room
A red feather drifted lazily down and came to rest on the black void of space.
Commander MacDuff brushed it off his monitor, else the visible sign of his stress would block his view. The screen showed enemy mecha units - this presented a major twist that his simulations and error margins would have to struggle to deal with.
For the time being, he decided to abandon his calculations and first obey orders, hoping the fleet's mech pilots would be up to the task.
Hastily issuing orders to obtain telemetry on the new enemy units, the Commander turned his attention to reassessing formations & deployment. He keyed up a 3D projection of the battle and quickly scrutinized it, making mental notes on groups fighters and ships. After a pause to receive confirmation of allied mecha deployment, MacDuff turned off the projection and signaled the mecha pilots directly.
"Squadron leaders, do not directly engage the enemy for now. Several allied ships are sustaining considerable damage - focus your priority on forming up and defending those ships. Once we receive more data on the capabilities and numbers of the enemy mecha formations, you may receive authorization to attack directly.
You do, however, have full attack priority on any enemy forces within range of allied ships in distress. Just be sure to stay with your squadrons at all times, and stay in communication. Do not forget to talk to the other pilots out there, either. Just because we're throwing mechs into the mix doesn't mean the fighters aren't there any more."
MacDuff terminated communications and walked over to a large viewscreen with several other officers around it. "All right, it appears simulation won't cover things this time. How are our forces doing?"
"Sir," a lupine lieutenant replied, "Losses are greatest in this sector. I recommend ordering bomber squadrons to fall back and reform at this position."
Following the lieutenant's gestures at the screen, MacDuff saw the logic in this and replied with a nod and a quick, "Make it so."
As the lieutenant left, another officer resumed the discourse. "Now, sir, about the fighter wings..."
Space Station: Shuttle Bay
"Roger that" Romulus looked at his HUD to check the updates. He spun around at the sound of the gun fire. He ordered Ben and Hacker to watch the corridor they where at. "Keep this one clear, once we got this other crap dealt with, we're moving to take that command center" Romulus quickly moved over to the other corridor Wall, Nitro, and RC where at. He got into a postion to open fire along with the others.
"When you can check the updates on your HUD, make sure it's right. Hacker found a way to get to the command center of this place" Romulus said between bursts of fire. He then openned a channel to Wilcox "Hey do you have any idea why they would have a crap load of ventilation shafts heading into this bay? You may want to keep an eye on the shafts when you're done playing with those guys"
Absalom leaped eagerly into his machine, ready for some action. He nodded to himself when he received Macduff's orders and quickly headed toward the threatened ships. He stayed with his squadron, ready for anything and keeping a wary eye on the approaching enemies.
A slight twitch of his left leg is all that there is to suggest that he is anxious. He turns the mecha first left, then right, looking for trouble. He finds it in a trio of pirate mechas approaching as sneakily as possible in a giant metal suit. He aims at the nearest, the one protected on two sides and presumably the leader, and fires. The plasma strikes the pirate's vehicle in the shoulder of the arm carrying the Gauss rifle. A disappointing lack of explosion occurs, but then again Absalom had missed his intended target- the chest. Hope that was enough to put him out of commission, at least, Absalom thought before commenting for the sake of anyone who hadn't noticed him turning and firing, "Looks like three Phoenixes coming in from the front. And," he pauses, wishing he had verified his suspicion before speaking, "There seem to be more following. Can't say how many just yet." He almost makes the mistake of remaining still and trying for a more accurate count, but remembers the three approaching and springs upward, darting out of the way as the two undamaged mechas return fire with their auto cannons.
Amature mistake, that, he chides himself as his squad-mates fire their own weapons at the attackers.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck: Tactical Control Room
A tactical officer turned and addressed Commander MacDuff directly, "sir, the enemy mecha units are attacking our capital ships. Defensive fire is being effective for now, but we are looking at a deployment of around 300 units."
A young ensign working strategy snapped his fingers and turned to the commander, "sir, the elements of each of their mecha squads are organized into teams of five. Most of the units I believe are slave-rigged to the leader unit, robotic drones. If we concentrate on taking out command units, their unit cohesion and effectiveness will drop to null!"
Space Battle - near the Revelation
The two mecha continued to pursue Absalom as the rest of his squad attempted to maneuver to keep up. The enemy fire was becoming closer as they engaged him.
Just as fire was closing in on Absalom, as he maneuvered to try and shake their attacks, a large hunk of metallic refuse slammed into one of the enemy mecha, knocking it into its companion and taking both of them out of commission.
From the side of the Revelation's hull, a large utility mecha was waving its arms at Absalom.
The familiar voice of the fox Orlo came over the comm unit, "stop playing around out here or you'll get killed."
Space Station: Shuttle Bay
The attackers from the passage were cut down by the expert fire of the special forces. The pirates, not much more then novices to combat were now scattered in the passage in various stages of wounded or dead. They had not utilized cover effectively and their weapons were not very effective either of the body armors imployed by Romulus's team or the marines.
Wilcox responded to Romulus's question, "the shafts are not normal, but seeing as the guys that just attacked us in the bay here came out of them, I think the pirates them in to facilitate fast movement throughout the station. Probably in case they were boarded, as the hallways do not provide much cover, they were trying to ambush us, but they aren't very good at it nor capable of pushing the advantage."
"Hey sarge, I think we can use these shafts to ascend all the way to pretty close to where we need to be... maybe a level underneath the command level or so, they seem to have some type of lift mechanism as well as hand rungs to go up." Hacker replied as he studied diagrams and continued to guard the other passage.
Sergeant Aniez spoke over the comm channel, "might be a better idea then the main passages, that way we can seal the blast doors and control entry a little better."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck: Tactical Control Room
Commander MacDuff heard the report from the sharp ensign and immediately motioned for him to come over with the other officers. "Drone units, you say? If that's the case, then you're absolutely right - we need to take out the command ships." He began to input a series of commands on the closest terminal. "Sensor data," the ensign offered, "seems to confirm this analysis. There are a few targets that are likely command cruisers, although it's not 100% certain." The Commander hastily nodded at the ensign. Turning to the lieutenant directing bombers, he gave all bomber squadrons (previously ordered to fall back) new orders to attack the cruisers thought to be command units.
"They'll need fighter cover. Get on it," MacDuff said to the ensign, whose analysis had sparked the recent flurry of activity. He handed him his personal authorization codes on a datapad, and instructed him to seek out the officer in charge of fighter deployment. As he hurried off, MacDuff keyed the comm and sent a request for frigate support to main fleet dispatch. "It has come to my attention that the enemy mecha units can be disabled if we take out their command cruisers," he said as he transmitted the list of suspected targets. "Sensor data indicates that we should first attack these ships. I already have fighter and bomber wings inbound. I hesitate to order our mecha units to assist in the attack, as they are busy protecting several of our ships sustaining damage. I believe a coordinated bomber/frigate assault should be sufficiently swift and damaging to disable their command structure."
"Stand by..." The Commander waited for the response, expecting a swift reply.
Space Station: Shuttle Bay
"Roger that" Romulus moved back over to Hacker's postion. "Find us the best path to take through those shafts. I don't want to end up in the laundry room by mistake" Romulus radioed his squad. "Ok guys get ready to move once we have a set path to take. So make sure if you have to use the little soldier's room, you do so now. Cause once we get in the vent shafts we aren't stopping til we take the command center"
Space Battle: LAMs
Kal looked over his HUD: 65% Railgun ammo 4 missiles left in the pods and 2 ER missiles on hardpoints.
"Viper, I'm getting pretty low over here you see any shortage of these bas.....Ahh Shit" He broke off as something skipped off the Raptor's fuselage just behind the cockpit. Sparks blinded Kal as his LAM jerked around, the controls flickering from manual to auto and back. Finally Kal hit the killswitch shutting off the computer and causing the Raptor to go dark.
'Cool Hand' Sat in the LAM and looked over what was damaged. After pulling a few wires out he managed to run a bypass of the damaged circuits.
As Kal started the computer up a shadow passed over the LAM, looking up Kal swore as the pirates flagship swelled in his HUD.
Knowing if he moved too early the ships gunners would atomise his LAM with AA fire, and if too late he'd be a smear on its armor...Kal hit the stance change controls switching the Raptor into its mecha mode and waited a little longer.
Hitting the thrusters Kal made his attempt to get close to the dreadnought aiming at the base of the larger turrets and prayed that his thruster flare blind its gunners long enough to get down...
Space Battle: LAMs
If the turret gunners notice Kal's LAM, they made no indication of it.
Explosions erupted all around Kal, moments later his comm crackled to life, "are all of you LAM pilots crazy? This is Six with 1st Strike Wing, designated Gold Alpha, and we are making attack runs against this beast. You best get off there."
Kal got a wonderful view of the Revelation as the pirate dreadnaught he was riding raked her side with a spinal laser discharge. The Revelation paid her back two fold.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck: Tactical Control Room
The comm crackled to life just as the ship was rocked by a direct hit, warning alarms went off everywhere, but the damage internally appeared to be minor.
Captain Summers appeared on the screen, "That was close, acknowledged Commander, we are sending in the firgates. Our ships are keeping everyone on the run, but if our Special Forces team doesn't take out their target, we are going to be seeing some heavy losses."
Out in the space battle, the frigates, which had been darting in and out of the fleet formations and trusting to their more advanced ECM to keep them safe, registered ther target data and fired spreads of fusion missiles.
Space Station: Shuttle Bay
Hacker made his best estimation of the route and the team assembled near the shaft entrance, a wounded pirate in the passage itself made a feeble attempt to fire his gun, but Ben managed to knock it away. The shaft was indeed ventilation and the air movement could definitely be felt. A small room with aa lift on the far wall and a set of ladder rungs leading up were all that could be found in here. The lift appeared operational.
In the main landing area, the marines closed the blast doors to the passages and sealed them. Tehy left a pair of autoguns in each passage as a little surprise to any intruder that did not register with its IFF systems.
In the lift, Ben gestured everyone on and immediately tracked with his weapon the area above him.
Space Battle: On the outer hull of the Dreadnaught
Activating the mag-clamps on the Raptor's feet Kal took cover behind the turret he had landed next to.
"No can do 'Six', my flight mode is busted I'm here for the duration..." Kal broke off for a few seconds to use his computer to locate a airlock big enough for him to cut his way into. Luckly there was one only 50m away "Give me 20 and I'll be out of the life of fire."
Slaping a beacon on the turret to help the bombers, Kal unholstered the vibro blade mounted on the back of the LAM. Breacking into a sprint he fired of a burst of railgun slugs at a nearby AA turret that had a line of sight to him. As he reached the airlock, he activated the blade the edge glowing slightly with the heat it produced. After makeing a few quick cuts he kicked at the outer doors and jumped in.
Placing a breaching charge agains the inner doors, Kal stood the mecha as far to the back of the airlock as he could. Detonating the charge he watched as the next compartment rapidly decompresed. Rushing through, Kal brought the railgun up to face any surviving threats as he felt the hull of the dreadnaught shudder slightly as 'Gold Alpha' made their run.
Space Station: Shuttle Bay
Romulus lead the others to the lift and waited til everyone else was on the lift. The others followed Ben and aimed up before the lift moved. Romulus maned the lift controls.
"Second floor, Sporting Goods, Mens' clothing, and Command Center"
Inside the Dreadnaught Defiance
The area Kal seems to have penetrated leads into one of the lower hanger areas, since this was a Trade Consortium ship once, what was seen as an airlock was probably a cargo loading area. In fact, this hanger area is probably a converted cargo bay. It appears deserted, however a flashing indicator light on Kal's display registers a power indicator to his left.
In the darkness of the bay, a line of blue light can be seen approaching. Stepping into the light was a black painted assault mecha, an old "Black Phoenix" model. The blue line is revealed as some type of particle energy sword, from what Kal knows of these mecha units, Beam Sabers are not standard equipment.
Space Station: Lift
The lift rapidly ascended several levels, only eight levels from their destination, the lift's controls registered a call from a few levels above. Apparently they would soon have guests.
Inside the Dreadnaught Defiance
Snaping the Guass Rifle up Kal triggered a burst, going for a disable of the Black Phoenix arm. Shattering most of the armor on the mecha arm Kal's fire failed to knock it out. Moving out of Kal's line of fire, the pirate mecha swung its blade at the Raptor, barely missing as Kal steped back.
Steping forward again, Kal droped the Guass Rifle and used his free hand to grapple with the Black Pheonix's sword arm. mimicing his act, the pirate grabed at Kal's own sword arm. Using the newier LAM's strength Kal held the other's sword at bay as he pushed down and severed the pirate's arm. Reversing his swing Kal swept his blade through the Black Pheonix's leg toppling it to the deck.
Backing off and picking up his rifle, Kal brought it around to bump agains the others faceplace. Opening a comms channel he spoke to the pilot. "Stand down now."
Space Station: Lift
Romulus nods as the message comes through. He stops the lift and looks at his squad.
"Alright boys take cover and active you camoflage. Don't fire until they are almost on top of us. No Nitro you can't setup any explosives now, they are too close"
Inside the Dreadnaught Defiance
A female voice, a rather young sounding one at that answered back over the comm, "Stand down now, yeah sure thing, you got the gun."
The mecha raised its remaining arm in a surrender type of pose.
"I don't know what you expect to accomplish coming in here, you can't get into any other part of the ship in that thing. Also, see the walls? You could detonated a nuclear device in here and it would be contained."
Space Station: Lift
[OOC: the lift is an exposed open-air platform and not a contained elevator.]
Four decks from the Command level, the lift stopped. The team, utilizing their optical camouflage, stood ready and as still as possible. The landing they arrived on was empty, but a second after they stopped, the door leading into the actual floor proper opened.
Four pirate troopers entered the landing with weapons out and tracking. It took Romulus's team all the restraint they possessed not to open fire. The pirate troops did not appear to see his team
The pirate team leader entered the landing area and one of the squad troopers saluted him, "sir, there is no one here."
The pirate officer nodded in acknowledgment, "they must be using the rungs to ascend to the command level. We already have a trap set up there for them. We assumed they would be heading there, good thing we've never actually used it as a command center."
The squad leader smiled, "yes sir, no one would expect that the master is actually here in the living quarters section."
"take your squad down the shaft in the elevator and see if you can catch them while climbing." The officer said as he turned to head back through the door.
The squad leader saluted again and his team entered the lift. One of the soldiers looked square at Ben and began to stare intensely before his eyes widened with shock and surprise.
Acting precisely Ben, along with Wall, RC and Nitro, took out all four guards with precise vibro knife strikes. The moves were so fast and quite that the officer did not even notice as he headed for the door.
Space Station: Lift
Moving fast and silent as the rest of his team Romulus moved to take out the officer before he went through the doors. Like the others in the squad he used his vibro knife to striker a vital area and kill the officer. Once the bodies where loaded into the lift and the lift sent back down to the floor they originally boarded. As the lift went down Romulus opened a com channel to the marines. He quietly whispers "You've got some bodies coming down in the lift we went up. Sorry their not wrapped up with a bow or anything. We had to do some clean up here" He then addressed his squad in the same quiet whisper "Alright boys what do you think? That seemed almost like a setup there. Also what do they mean by 'master'? Hacker did you see any info of this when you where checking through their systems?" Romulus continued to keep his camoflage active and to keep an eye out for any more more pirates.
Inside the Dreadnaught Defiance
Using his comms in secure text mode, Kal sent a request to the Revelation's Electronic Warfare group asking if they had the manufacture's override codes to a Azul Class Dreadnaught. Unclipping a flexipad from the unit he attached it to his suit.
"Ok honey step out of the mecha...Oh before you do open up your circuit box and pull out the card labeled XFG-007a"
Waiting till she did so Kal pulled a G4 carbine from the locker by his chair and made sure it was loaded.
Tactical section: Revelation
An encrypted message appeared on the message screen for one of the technicians in the EW department. A Siamese feline female read the message and immediately sent a request out to all departments.
All Departments:
One of our field personnel is requesting manufacturer's system override codes for the Azul class Dreadnaughts of the Trade Consortium. If anyone knows of any such codes, please forward them to my attention immediately.
Ship Class: Azul
Sphere of Control: Trade Consortium
Manufacturer: General Manufacturer's Guild (GMG) under naval construction contract 1400
Original Production Date: 4409 to 4449
This request is considered an A1 class priority.
EW1 Kwan
Inside the Dreadnaught Defiance
Having little choice, the pilot pulled the requested card, but before she did, she secreted a hold-out pistol in one of her utility pouches on her Vacsuit, one of the ones on her back. It was the best she could do as her Steyr heavy pistol was far too bulky to conceal.
She stepped out and onto the chest of the mecha she piloted and waved the XFG-007a card in the air, she kept the other hand out and in sight away from any pocket or weapon.
"Okay sweetie, here's the card you asked so nicely for."
Space Station: Living quarters deck
Ben scratched his chin and shrugged, "seems a tad convenient, but if they knew we were here, I doubt they would have been so easy to kill. I surprised the heck out of the one I killed."
Hacker accessed his computer and shook his head, "sarge, there is nothing like that in the systems I accessed, but it was very limited access. The only thing I can tell from any of these logs is that there is a tremendous amount of power being diverted to the living quarters area and it looks like it might be being forwarded on to the Command Center and I think from there the Communications Array... wait, no. It is routed to look like it is going to the Command Center, but in actuality it looks like it might be routed from here to the Comm array directly."
Nitro tossed a grenade up into the air and caught it again in his hand, "okay... now do I get to blow shit up?"
Space Station: Living quarters deck
Romulus let out a slight growl at the information. "Ok Nitro keep some explosives ready. Things may get rather interesting soon. Just make sure to keep the explosions small. We don't need to rip a hole through this thing and suck us into space" Romulus addressed the group "Well guys looks like things have changed quite a bit. Hacker can you get a location on where that power is being driven too or are we gonna have to rip this level apart screw by screw?'
Inside the Dreadnought Defiance
"Aright drop the holster and put the card on top...Sugar." Kal grinned to himself as she complied.
Checking the bay once more for any other pirates, Kal stepped out of the Raptor, brought the carbine up, and fired the under slung projectile launcher. The tazer round smacked into the very much surprised pirate, dropping her to the deck already passed out.
"Sorry girl but I'm not doing Colmar V again..." Kal stepped off the mecha and sprinted to the doors, using a lite hack program to lock them down.
Sprinting back to the pirate's mecha, Kal flipped over the prone body and used a pair of plasicuffs to secure her hands and feet. Picking up the circuit card and securing it in a pouch he then picked up the pirate. Trotting back to the Raptor he pulled her up and into the cockpit.
Dogging the hatch he put the girl down in the jump seat. Checking she was secure he patted her down finding a blade and a nasty little holdout pistol. Satisfied that he wasn't going to be interrupted, he took the circuit card out of the pouch. Pulling a rather toasted card with the same designation out of his circuit box, he replaced it with the...Well if not new at least functioning card.
Strapping himself in he noted that his stance readout was no longer reading a red for flight mode. "Well at least I can get out of here now...If those EW guys can find that code that is."
Inside the Dreadnaught Defiance
Kal's comm system signaled an incoming message, This is EW1 Kwan, we cannot find any override codes except for an engineering routine that will cause the ship's fusion reactors to enter maintenance cycle. This will cause the dreadnaught to loose maneuvering and weapons power for a bit. The only catch is that the Azul class's computer system does not accept wireless, hyperwave or tachyon connections for remote system control when at General Quarters. The code will need to be entered in manually. <attached code string>
Space Station: Living quarters deck
Nitro smiled and produced a limited yield C-charge and some anti-personnel grenades.
"One second sarge," Hacker immediately jacked his system into a public computer terminal. "The main power concentration is here." Hacker indicated the spot on their HUD units.
Ben checked the ammo on his weapon and cleared the hall before them, "Alright, let's move."
The team moved quickly through the hallway using their optical camouflage to great effect. There seemed to be very few personnel in what should be an active area and they seem to have eliminated the only patrol for this level. They reached the door to their target location unmolested.
Executing a carefully orchestrated maneuver, the team breached the room only to be greeted by an odd sight. No central command, no pirate nerve center. Instead, the room was filled with endless amounts of wires and odd machinery at the center of which stood what looked like a G-frame. Within this frame was one young, mint green fox dressed in attire reminiscent of Captain Harlock.
The fox opened its eyes and with slightly veiled surprise, addressed the group, "Oh my my my, whatever are you doing here? You are supposed to be at the... 'command center' being ambushed by my pirate minions."
Ben shrugged, "we prefer the real command center."
The fox detached himself from the frame and his eyes glowed blue, his gaze affixed on Ben.
The canine shook his head and grasped it with his free hand, "no, stay out of my mind!"
"I've always wanted new toys to play with and you and the ships you have brought me will be the first step for a new empire ruled by me! Then the masters will regret casting me away." The fox talked to no one but himself.
Bridge of the Revelation
Ixiah's ears twitched as his eyes darted around, "funny, why did I not sense that earlier..."
Inside the Dreadnaught Defiance
Kal grinned feraly as the message came up. "Well, well, well. Better than I hoped" He said to himself.
He walked the mecha to one of the consoles nearby. Checking his prisoner hadn't woken yet he stepped out and down to the console. Typing in the command code he set a 90 second timer before it would execute. Sprinting back to the cockpit her strapped in and moved to the broken airlock.
"Hey 'Viper' I'm coming out hot...And you better let the Revelation that this bad boy is gonna have a few problems in about 40 seconds...' He boosted out and shifted to flight mode, hitting his afterburners immediately.
Firing off the last of his missiles at a group of fighters he slashed through thier formation before heading to the farside of the Revelation.
"Revelation this is 'Cool Hand' requesting clearance to land. I'm weapons dry and have prisoner on board. Requsting a marine squad in the bay, over."
In the jumpseat the girl groaned as she started to wake.
Space Station: Living quarters deck
As soon as the strange fox finished talking Romulus fired several rounds at it. "No one screws with anyone in my squad as long as I breath. Alright boys we came to take the command center. I say we take it out instead. OPEN FIRE!" After saying that Romulus continued openned fire, fireing at the fox and the machinary in the room. "Nitro now would be a good time to use some explosives" Romulus made his way over to Ben while fireing. "Come on solider, you can get him out. Think nasty thoughts."
Inside the Dreadnaught Defiance: Bridge
"Captain! We have a problem!" The eagle said in a frantic tone, "The reactors are switching into standby mode!"
The captain, her fur already a bit ruffled from ship-to-ship combat had the remaining stand on end as she replied to her first officer, "¿qué el infierno?* How is that possible?! <insert long line of spanish expletives>"
As the ship's weapons and maneuvering systems went offline due to reactor maintenance, the captain, first officer and the bridge crew stopped in mid action. All across the field of battle, the pirate forces paused for the briefest of seconds and as suddenly as they had stopped, they were thrown into tremendous throes of mental pain.
In the space battle, fighters and mecha spiraled out of control. Capital ships appeared unaffected, though all weapons fire and maneuvering seemed to cease.
*What the hell? (more literal then conversational)
Space Station: Control area
Extending his hand, the fox, smiling like a giddy child, watched as the weapons fire bounced harmlessly off some invisible force.
Nitro tossed his explosives and the resulting explosions wiped out the complex systems in the room, though the fox stood amid it unharmed. A shocked expression was on his face as he gazed at the carnage around him, "without that I can't be the legendary pirate leader Lord Zhilhon anymores, I was having so much fun."
Visions of death, suffering and terror flooded into him, no longer blocked by the complex devices that enhanced and transmitted his psychic mind influence. He dropped to his knees, sobbing like a child.
Whatever the fox had been trying to do to Ben ceased suddenly, making the canine gasp in shock.
Romulus heard a voice in his head, it was calming and friendly, Don't kill him please, he is family after all. He doesn't understand, just like I didn't. I don't think they gave you any of the special collars, so you will need to subdue him as he is a masterful psychic. If you absolutely have to shoot him, nothing fatal please... I'd rather save my people from themselves rather then see them killed. Romulus felt the need to comply with this directive.
Bridge of the Revelation
Captain Summers was surprised by this sudden turn of events, it likely meant that the Special Forces unit had taken the command center, but the effect it had was more extreme then expected. He issued orders immediately to his staff and all tactical leaders, "disengage the fleet and all combat units and regroup at Point One and standby."
He turned to the Communications officer and issued another set of orders, "send a communications broadcast to the pirate units and call for their surrender."
Ixiah drifted over to where the captain was and leaped into his lap, he was an amazingly light fox for his size, but the action was still uncomfortably close. The fox piped up immediately, "so you wish to parley? Make an accord with these scurvy pirates? I should have my cousin back soon."
Kal's mecha
As Kal approached the Revelation, the girl's groans turned to cries of pain, "ahhhh! My head! It feels like its going to explode! help!"
She writhed in her binds in such a fashion that if she continued she would do serious harm to herself.
However, after a few moments, she quieted down. She tried to say something, but her eyes rolled back into her head as she drifted off into unconsciousness.
Kal's mecha
"Shit." Pal cursed as the girl thrashed. "Revelation 'Cool Hand' requesting pirority clearance, medic needed for the prisoner."
"Rodger, 'Cool Hand' bay 5 open and ready, marines and medics on standby." A flight ops officer on the Revelation replied.
Kal brought the Raptor in for a landing poping the hatch as soon as the bay was airtight. Unstraping himself he turned and cut the girl lose from the jumpseat. "Problem Lt?" A human medic asked Kal as he steped inside the cocpit.
"She just started thrashing and complained about her head about to explode, then went quiet." Kal replied as he helped the medic lift her out and down to a stretcher.
After they had straped her down Kal turned to the marine corpral who had been waiting. "Corpral escort her to the sick bay and keep an eye on her I want to know when shes awake. I gotta get to debrief." The corparal noded.
As the medic took the girl's helmet of Kal got his first look at her face....
Space Station: Control area
Romulus growled as it seemed his bullets did no effect but smiled as Nitro blewn the machinory around the fox. He stopped fireing and ordered his squad to cease fire as the fox fell to his knees and began crying. He looked over at Ben.
"Damn man, what where you thinking about?" He then jumped on his radio to call the Marines "Looks like we're gonna be bringing a prisoner back with us. Be ready we may be in a rush getting out of here" He walks over to the kneeling fox remember what the voice in his head had told him, he said to himself as he walked. "So this guy can read minds huh? I wonder if he'll like this if he reads my mind" Romulus remembered the day he saw his father catch a round in the chest in some unimportant battle somewhere, how he sat there with his father dying in his arms. He knelt down as he got to the fox. *Said in a calm tone "Just so you know your comeing with us. Now I'd rather not have to shoot you but if I have to I will, the voice in my head asked that it not be fatal but if you threaten anyone in my squad I will have no problem putting a round into your head. So I will ask you how you want to come with us. Do you want to come with us peacefully or will I have to knock you out and drag you? I would rather you come peacefully please"
Space Station: Control area
The images projected by Ben, Romulus and the others displayed a grim reality that Loki was not familiar with. Strange sensations tugged at his heart and chilled his soul. As Romulus approached, a great fear descended upon him. The fox reached out beyond the walls of the room, of the station and into space. In a panic he overshot his psychic projection. He was unprotected by his device and space battles were a chaotic event. Everywhere he touched minds and as suddenly as he found them, they disappeared... ceased, leaving a bitter coldness behind.
In the void of space, Loki glimpsed a bright blue light approaching. The light coalesced into a happy, smiling blue fox that looked very much like his cousin Ixiah, but his outfit was so... ugh.
"Whatever are you wearing Ix?" Was all he could muster.
Before Ixiah could answer, a tinkling sound of bells filled all of space causing Ixiah to disappear. All around Loki, the terror of hundreds of dieing beings screamed out at him as each of their existences ceased. The sudden influx of psychic waves thrust him back into reality.
Back in the room, the fox caught his breath and met Romulus's gaze with his own. His eyes showed confusion and then fear as he realized how close the wolverine had gotten. In defense, he raised his hand and pointed straight for Romulus. However, Loki heard a odd sound and his vision exploded into stars. His legs did not want to function and gave out as the room spun uncontrollably, he felt ever so dizzy and tired. With a blurry image of Romulus, stars dancing about his eyes and darkness descending, Loki stopped resisting and embraced the abyss.
Ben shrugged at Romulus as he shouldered his rifle, having just applied the blunt end of the stock to the back of the fox's head, "psychics can't use their powers when unconscious and suffering from concussions. It's better then shooting the kid."
Ben hoisted the unconscious child up and into Romulus's arms, "you're stronger, you carry him."
With their strange prisoner, the team withdrew back to the shaft. Most of the pirates they encountered seemed confused and many wandered in a daze. The group easily made it back to the hanger, where the marines had already loaded their other prisoners on the shuttle.
Wilcox eyed the mint green fox with a suspicious eye, "what is the deal with the kid."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck
The medic removed the helmet of the pirate pilot prisoner (say that 3 times fast). She was a canine of Alsatian stock, all black with some tan accents along the muzzle and around her eyes. The medics performed a quick check of her and found no specific problems. Under escort, she was taken to medical for observation.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge
Ixiah glared at Major Kanzoria and nipped at the coyote's hand, but the action was too late, the major had already rang Ix's little bell.
"Now you be good little Ixiah, no using your abilities or this little toy will hurt you. Oh and please get out of the captain's lap, that is not very becoming."
Begrudgingly, the blue fox complied and stood back over in the corner of the bridge.
The Comm system lit up like the Christmas tree in Time Square as communications from many different sources came in answer to the Captain's request for surrender.
"Sir, a few of the ships appear to be fleeing." The sensor officer reported.
The captain stood up from his chair, "on screen."
The sensor officer activated the main screen, a few of the minor pirate brigantines, sloops and a few of the cruisers scattered jumping off in many different directions. One of the pirate cruisers detonated from some type of internal explosion. The rest, including the IFL ships, powered down weapon systems and approached the fleet.
The dreadnaught, which still had not brought its reactors back online, set a comm message to the Revelation via backup power. Captain Summers ordered it on the main screen.
A frazzled feline in an officious looking uniform bowed, "I am Fleet Captain Esperanza Maragalla and you appear to have bested us... though I do not remember much of what happened here or even how this whole fiasco began."
A second communication came in and the screen split, a rather proper and collected jackal dressed in the uniform of an Imperium officer, with the white emblem of the Foreign Legion, addressed Captain Summers, "I am Baron Conner Hasek of the Imperium Foreign Legion. There appears to be an awkward situation, that appears to involve IFL forces opening fire on ISF forces without proper cause... well, that is to say we seem to have the cause that we have suddenly become pirates. This is news to me, as this was not my last career choice. My forces stand down and I wish to meet to discuss this oddity."
Space Station: Control area
Romulus just kinda looked at Ben when he knocked the fox out. "Or someone could just do that" Romulus carried the fox to the waiting shuttle. He looked at Wilcox when the question was asked. "Ummm. Long story short he's the command center. So our mission is done lets get back to the Revelation" Romulus looked down at the fox's face as he loaded the shuttle. He looked at the others as he sat down. "I'll carry the kid the whole way there"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck
Kal watched the medic and marines go as he signed over his LAM to his crew chief. "Nice work Sir! you let me know after debrief how many marks I gotta paint ok?" The chief said as he saluted.
"Will do Chief" Kar returned the salute as major Hadem's LAM landed.
Kal waited with Dom untill the rest of the squad had landed before heading off the the debrief.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck: Tactical Control Room
As the battle subsided, Commander MacDuff gave the order for all squadrons to return to their ships.
"Have repair crews stand by. There's more than a few of our fighters out there that will have sustained damage."
"Yes, sir," came the reply. MacDuff sighed internally as he mentally gaged the effectiveness of his simulations when tested by real combat.
As he walked over to the analysts' stations, he received quite a few reports of odd behavior. Pilots reported "strange sensations" and "extremely erratic behavior" on the behalf of some of the pirate formations. Nobody had a straight answer for this as of yet, but the reports of mass surrender and cease-fire were sufficiently comforting.
The battle had been strange, but his tactical command had handled it. The Commander idly wondered when his next briefing with fleet command would be... and what would be said during it.
Shuttle
Wilcox secured all hands into their seats and turned back to Romulus, "Is the kid dangerous? I have tranqs and restraints."
As Wilcox puzzled over the strange passenger, the shuttle pulled out of the bay and made its way back towards the Revelation.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck
The order was given to disengage hostilities so the fighters, mecha and LAMs began to return to their home ships. Kal's LAM group made it back in one piece, banged up, but still flying.
Across the hanger, recovery teams began to scramble. All available search and recovery teams had been called out to pick up ejected pilots and damaged units. No one knew the losses, but it was surprising low for this type of operation.
As the pilots gathered, the major congratulated each one for their excellent performance, "good work out there everyone. Our coverage of the special operations shuttle was stellar. I'm putting everyone in for a commendation, especially you Kal, nice bit of work with that dreadnaught."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge
Morgan sat back in his seat and rubbed his temple with his fingers, he really wished he could have a cigarette, but alas it was not to be. The situation had gone from simple pirate cleanup to what might amount to a large misunderstanding and the unnecessary deaths of countless peoples.
Morgan turned towards the Comm officer, "signal all vessels to head towards the planet and establish orbit near the station. For now, have the Phalanx deploy marines to secure the station and get things back in order. Also, signal Fleetcom that we have secured this system. There appears to be a shipyard in orbit, but see if they can spare a stardock and some tenders, a few ships are in need of repair."
The communications officer acknowledged and began the set of communications.
Morgan then activated the ship's Comm and contacted MacDuff, "Commander MacDuff, as reports come in, I'd like you to draw up a fleet status report on our vessels and personnel and meet me in my readyroom."
Shuttle
Romulus looked at Wilcox as the shuttle traveled. "No that's ok, I don't think he'll be any real trouble on the ride back. He may end up sleeping the whole way back. The question I'm wondering is what those Intelligence guys are gonna end up doing to him when we get back"
Shuttle
"I don't particularly trust those guys from ISIS, where I'm from a coyote is not a creature to be trusted. If I were you, I'd turn the child over to Colonel Nexx... now before you get the wrong idea, I'm not a racial purist or anything, just because Nexx is human and Kanzoria is a coyote has nothing to do with it. It's just that Nexx was with Intelligence before his current posting and he will likely treat him better then Kanzoria would and likely provide more useful information that would not be concealed due to some military secret thing."
Wilcox crossed her arms and nodded sagely, obviously she was sure of what she said and didn't care, at least here, who heard it.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck
"Thank you Sir! Sorry about faling off your wing though..." Kal said as he high five'd the other pilots as they walked out of the hanger and towards the ready room. "How'd you guys go out there I lost count at twelve."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck: Tactical Control Room
"Aye, sir," Commander MacDuff responded to the summons from Captain Morgan. He made his way back to his terminal, and sat down to access fleet status, as well as the enemy status reports.
Casualties were relatively light overall, with about a 10% loss of allied personnel. Most ships were only lightly damaged or undamaged, but the frigate Baker would require extensive repair - hopefully the pirate shipyard would be able to assist with this.
The pirates did not fare as well. They suffered nearly a 50% loss in personnel, give or take a few percent. Of their original 32 vessels, only 20 were still spaceworthy. These 20 ships were the dreadnaught Defiance, and a mixture of frigates and cruisers, with a few smaller ships surviving as well.
Both sides had incurred fighter losses too, and the Commander saw that the reports of search and rescue teams going after ejected pilots were going well.
MacDuff quickly absorbed all this and more, and drafted a report on fleet standing. Due to his nature, he focused more on the damaged frigate and on smaller craft - i.e. fighters, bombers, and LAMs. Some statistics showed that some of these smaller craft pulled off some remarkable achievements, especially in regards to the pirate dreadnaught.
The Commander checked his chronometer and started wrapping things up in preparation for his briefing with the captain.
Shuttle
Romulus looked at Wilcox and nods then looks down at the fox in his arms. "That's a good idea" He then looks to RC "Do what you can get me a private line with Colonel Nexx, I want to have him waiting for this kid as soon as we get there. I have a feeling that Kanzoria will see this kid more as a tool than a living being and I don't want to be the cause of that. I know what it's like to be used as a tool" Romulus looked at Ben "I know you want in the ISIS but I won't let it happen this way, I won't let this kid be used as a meal ticket" Romulus looked around the shuttle then back at Ben "I'm not saying that you would do that or anything. When we do our reports you can say that it was all my idea and if you object to the idea, you can say so now and put it in your report"
Shuttle
Ben let his gaze fall to the floor of the shuttle before he turned it to the fox prisoner. Unconscious as he was, the vulpine seemed peaceful and innocent, he looked no more then 12 or 13 years of age and hardly a threat. Ben shook his head to clear that thought, the "kid" was an alien, powerful, dangerous and unknown.
"He's an alien, and dangerous. It looked to me like he was able to control everyone in the area and judging by the chaos, the entire pirate fleet." Ben looked genuinely concerned, "the major has tools that can control him..." His voice trailed off, he knew the reputation of their esteemed major and how he treated the other one.
Sighing he faced Romulus, "you're right, giving him over to ISIS doesn't seem like a good thing to do. How do we do this without overtly crossing Major Kanzoria, violating chain of command and disobeying orders? We are after all, deputized under ISIS command by the department's special dispensation directive."
While Ben puzzles through their conflict of duty and morality, RC utilizes the shuttle's point to point laser communications system to secure a direct channel to the Phalanx and Colonel Nexx.
The colonel appears on screen, but a little concerned, "is there something you need sergeant?" When he lays eyes on the mint colored fox Romulus is carrying, he looks rather surprised. "I see."
Wilcox waves at him from the back of the shuttle, making sure to salute, but far less formal then one might expect. "We have a bit of a problem Nexx, the kid is one of those aliens, he is rather hostile, currently unconscious and he likely has useful information, but Kanzoria is not likely to be the best choice in the morality or sharing departments."
Ben stepped in on the conversation, "also sir, unless we can restrain him mentally, we will either need to keep hitting him in the head or drugging him to the void and beyond. Neither is conducive to cooperation."
Wilcox pointed to the back of the shuttle, we also have some prisoners for processing.
"Alright, we can work with this, I will contact Captain Summers... for now you will need to process the pirate prisoners here in tactical operations since the marines took them prisoner. Hopefully you special forces types don't mind the delay... we can also address your special guest as well."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Captain's ready room
When Commander MacDuff arrived, Captain Summers ushered him in. The stress of battle was evident, but both seemed to have weathered their first major engagement well.
Morgan offered Robert a small glass of scotch as he poured himself one, "well commander, I would say we did reasonably well for what we are up against. What's the status of the fleet?"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck
"I spaced at least five fighters and six mechs, not too bad for a days work," Renegade said in a slightly arrogant sort of way, "what can I say, I'm pretty good."
"Right, don't break an arm hugging yourself. I got about four fighters and three mechs, it was one heck of a furball out there. Even the makers gift to pilots said so." Pinky said while play whacking Renegade.
"Can we ladies all settle down so we can get this debrief over? I also need all your reports by 2100 hours today. I need to get them in, the CAG has need of battle data and I want to get those commendations in. Now let's talk about our formation out there..."
Hadem began his critique of the battle performance.
Shuttle
Romulus looked at Ben as he spoke, glareing at him. "He controlled the fleet because of that equipment he was hooked up too. Remember we blew it up and he crumpled"
Romulus nodded when Ben said it wouldn't be right to give the fox over to the ISIS. "Let me worry about that I'm the head of this squad, if Kanzoria says anything I'll take full responcibility. That way it won't ruin your chance of getting into the ISIS or the rest of the squad in trouble" Looked up at the colonel as he came on screen, giving the same type of salute that Wilcox did. He spoke after Ben and Wilcox. "With all do respect sir I think I might be able to keep him in check until we have something to restrain him. *Romulus turns and addresses everyone in the shuttle* If he wakes up while in the shuttler start to think of the worst thing that has every happen to you or the bloodest battle you have every been in. If anything it will keep him out of our heads. *Romulus turned back to the screen* "Sir I also have reason to believe that we have a member of his family somewhere in the armada. I'm unsure where but I heard a voice in my head just before we took him prisoneer. Just how many of these guys does Kanzoria have anyway?"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Captain's ready room
Commander MacDuff accepted the offered glass of scotch.
"Well, sir, an item of immediate priority is the frigate Baker. She has extensive damage and will require immediate and comprehensive repair. Reports indicate the enemy shipyard is the ideal assistance in this manner."
The Commander paused to take a small sip from his glass. "All other capital ships report light or no damage. Losses of small craft are relatively light. Reports are still coming in, but many of our pilots were able to eject safely."
"...all in all a fair day's work, sir. The fleet still has sufficient numbers, ordinance, and fuel to continue as planned, if the estimated time for repairs is accurate."
MacDuff paused and twirled his glass around with the tip of his wing. "There is one thing, sir. Some strange reports have come in that might have an effect on our schedule. These... odd forces reported by some of our pilots as well as by some of the captured enemy are... inconsistent with any data I am familiar with."
The Commander ceased twirling his glass. "...perhaps you could shed some light on the subject? That is, if I may ask, sir."
Shuttle
Colonel Nexx regarded Romulus for a moment before answering, "there is only one of these aliens besides your own here in our fleet. Ixiah is the one of whom I speak and he is in Kanzoria's control while we are on this mission, otherwise he falls under Fleet Command and the R&D detachment. There are two known... Acadians, as their race is known to be called, in the whole of the fleet. One is male and is with us, the other, a female is back with the General. I there are any others in with the pirates, we shall find out from your prisoner. I must make a call to your captain, I will have security meet you in the hanger with a restraining device."
Wilcox checked her sidearm and removed the clip. Retrieving a small case from a wall locker, she loaded an elongated clip loaded with small darts. She smiled at Romulus after chambering a round, "if your mental games don't work, I'm sure this will. These tranq darts can knock out a rampaging griff*."
Ben remained somewhat gloomy, but nodded to Wilcox, "yes that should do."
*A griff is a type of native predator found on a few of these worlds, they are large griffon like beasts.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Captain's ready room
"Odd forces you say? I have recently discovered that there are certain elements within the enemy that are not what they first appeared to be. The Imperium Foreign Legion forces and what also appear to be Imperium privateers have surrendered. The elements that were unsanctioned pirates fled with their capital ships. Whatever occurred on that station was clearly the decisive factor that ended this, but how I do not know. As a tactical analyst, I can only venture that our opposing force was being controlled." Morgan paused briefly before continuing, "Ixiah seems to have indirectly confirmed this, though he is rather tight lipped when Major Kanzoria is there."
Upon the Captain's desk, a communications light blinked. Morgan passed his hand over the indicator and the ship's comm officer spoke in a hushed tone, "sir, there is an incoming private channel communication from Colonel Nexx, oh and the stardock and some tenders have arrived for resupply. Search and rescue is recovering pilots, escape pods and they are scouring destroyed vessels for survivors. The station is under our control and the surrendered leaders and IFL command are on station awaiting your meeting sir."
The captain nodded and responded, "patch the colonel through and then signal to all ship captains and fleet command staff to assemble on station in their conference area, keep security tight."
The officer acknowledged and passed the private call through, Morgan regarded MacDuff briefly and nodded.
The Colonel next appeared on the comm screen and briefly turned his eyes towards MacDuff, the captain nodded, "whatever you wish to discuss can be done with both of us."
"Right. Our special forces were obviously successful, but more then we had anticipated. The enemy forces were under the control, psychic control, of another Acadian. The team successfully captured him alive, he is apparently a child, but looks can be deceiving. They are detouring to my ship as the team has made the decision that Kanzoria is not the best option for interrogating or seeing to the well-being of the prisoner. This goes back to our original discussion about the major's methods and motives."
The captain thought about this for a moment and nodded, "understood, as long as you can control him and he can be determined to not pose a danger. Find out what you can from him, for now the major and his staff do not need to be made aware of this. I will need you at the meeting on the station, come when you can."
"Roger that, Nexx out."
The captain then turned to MacDuff, "any thoughts on this?"
Shuttle
Romulus just nodded his head as Wilcox pulled out the tranqs. "Just becareful he may be able to deflect them. You got any that can be done manually?" Romulus looked down at the fox he was holding. "Well kid looks like you might be in for a family reunion. Maybe"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Captain's ready room
"Any thoughts on this?"
"A select few, sir. I find it very fortunate that our forces were able to capture him, and as to the decision regarding the Major, I can only agree."
MacDuff briefly dipped his head in thought and cleared his throat before continuing. "But from what I gather about these... Acadians, they are already aware of the others' presence. Keeping them separated for a prolonged period of time could potentially have extremely undesirable consequences."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Hangar Deck
After Maj. Hadem had gone through their after action reports, Kal headed down to the mess hall as he suddenly found himself starving. As he ate a snack he wondered what the hell had happened to the girl he'd captured.
Shuttle/Phalanx Shuttle bay
Wilcox reached into her kit and pulled out a traq syringe and showed it to Romulus, "this should work in a pinch." She moved to hand it over to Romulus, when a small green, furry paw darted out and wrapped its fingers around the syringe. The seemingly limp and docile child had exploded into action like a trained SpecForces master, swinging around to get his footpaws in a better spot with leverage as he brought the syringe around to Romulus's neck with preternatural alacrity.
Ooh my head... so dizzy, must focus... how do I get out of this, how...
Wincing slightly the smallish fox kit glared at his captures, "okay now, I'm in charge here."
My head is too fuzzy, I can't focus enough to influence...
The assault shuttle made its touch down in the bay of the cruiser Phalanx with a slight bit of a problem.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Captain's ready room
"But from what I gather about these... Acadians, they are already aware of the others' presence. Keeping them separated for a prolonged period of time could potentially have extremely undesirable consequences."
Morgan nodded, "this is true, but for the moment it is unavoidable. I am not sure of Kanzoria's motives and despite the fact that we outrank him, ISIS operational authority gives him higher authority in respect to control of the alien."
The canine officer stood, finishing off his small drink and grabbing his jacket, "we can discuss this as we go, we have an operational meeting to attend and the disposition of Imperium privateer and IFL personnel and assets to determine. Perhaps after a rigorous investigation, we can add these forces to our own, making our mission that much easier to complete."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Officer's mess
As Kal ate, Major Hadem sat down near him with his own expansive dinner. As if answering his inner thoughts, the Major spoke, "that pirate girl you captured is being transfered to the brig for now, she was very confused when she woke up. The doctor said she is physically fine, but has little memory of her last few months, at least according to her. She will be debriefed I imagine and then whatever occurs with the pirates, she will likely be added to that group."
Shuttle/Phalanx Shuttle bay
Romulus doesn't seem to phazed with what the small fox has just done. "Well this is just great" Romulus said with the needle at his throat. "Maybe I should have just shot you back when we had a chance, but noo I had to listen to the voice in my head and be nice. Listen kid you aren't in charge here, stop trying to play tough pirate and not make things hard for everyone. Face it your captured, your not holding anyone of importance so people would have no problem shooting me as well as you" Romulus seemed to be acting rather calm seeing as what's going on. Romulus started to think of the bloodest battles he has been in as well as how many times someone has tried to take him hostage.
Aboard a Shuttle from the Tender to INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation
Lt Nova Hunnydew, great-grand-daughter of famous Physicist Dr Bambi Hunnydew, and Daughter of Senator Hunnydew in the Confed council, has blown it again. With her recorded and top honors from Confed's Benson Institute of Technologies, she should have been on an advance scout as a science/engineer officer, or in the science department on a command ship. But no she was on her way to a two year probational assignment as an assistant engineer to INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation. Most likely to be the lieutenant greaser dog to a bunch of greaser dogs in the maintenance shop to some squadron. She would only have as much power as the Crew Chief, let's her. "And Stars forbidden, I touch a wrench." she thought.
She looks out the window to the fleet and the spacestation, remembering her father's lecture on responsible, and how SHE had just miss death or life in prison.
"What were you thinking, Kitten? Breaking into a top secret research database, you are lucky, you were found at such a low level. And that your ideas "help" Dr Grant so much that he put in a good word for you. That I had to pull some strings for you to keep your commission and out of a court martial. I am not happy about this young lady. And I am not happy that you are with the first front line fleet, where you will mostly get the death sentence that the Lycan military members want. But Hey, you got your wish You going to see the aliens, as an engineer for a two year probational assignment below decks.. So have fun and Keep your nose clean. And Maybe Dr Grant will let you into his research staff when you get back." stormed her father and she watch his back as he walk back to the Senate.
What I want to know is HOW? I was in and out of that database 20 times to top levels and have not tripped any alarms and I had a monitoring feed from the admin security, but someone else bumbles in and I'm the one caught.
Yea, Keep my nose clean... by the stars what am I in for? Nova thinks
*BONG* "Landing in 5 minutes with Revelation" said a loudspeaker
"Great, I better see the Capt."
Lt Nova Hunnydew goes to Officer of Deck at the Quarterdeck, Said " Request Permission to come aboard"
OOD said "Granted"
" Lt Nova Hunnydew reporting for Duty, Sir." Says the black and white feline
"Aye Ma'am.. Please report to the Capt's ready room. Rover, Please take the Lieutenant to the Captain." orders the Office of Deck to the petty officer
Lt Hunnydew follows the petty officer to the Ready room and wait outside with orders abd personal duff bag.
PBH
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Officer's mess
After chatting with Dom for a while, Kal finished his meal and headed back to his cabin.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Officer's Quaters
Rummaging through his gear, Kal paused when he spotted a picture of his folks. Smiling he found a small white band made up of four cords. Slipping it into his pocket, he headed out and down to the brig to speak with the girl he bought in.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Brig
Stopping at the secruity door Pal walked up to the marine lieutenant on duty. "I'd like to see the girl I brought in Sam."
Shuttle/Phalanx Shuttle bay
Loki looked around at all the hostile people that waited for the slightest hesitation, the smallest mistake to be made. If he showed any weakness, they would leap upon him and tear him to shreds.
Seeing that Romulus's words did not have a beneficial affect on the situation and his team members stood poised to visit all manner of nasty things upon the smallish fox, she raised her hands and gestured to everyone. As she was the most senior NCO, everyone stood down somewhat, releasing a bit of the tension.
"Romulus is right, the game is over, we don't intend to harm you, but if you continue pulling stunts like this, we have to take action. We can look past this one time, but you are going to have to cooperate. Now hand over the needle." Speaking calmly, she approached Romulus and the fox with her hand outstretched.
Loki tensed at her approach, but relaxed a little as he mulled both Romulus's words and hers over in his mind. His hand trembled at little and with a sigh he withdrew the syringe and placed it in Wilcox's hand.
Relieved at the resolution of the hostilities, the shuttle pilot released the hatch and ramp to the compartment. Military security personnel filled the entrance with weapons ready, but Wilcox waved them to stand down.
Looking clam and resolute, Loki turned to face them. The security parted and Colonel Nexx entered, everyone saluted as was appropriate. Returning saluates, Nexx turned to Wilcox, "permission to come aboard chief."
"Aye, welcome aboard colonel."
Nexx turned to regard the green fox, "you must be the troublesome pirate leader."
Loki beamed up at him, but a stern look from Wilcox dropped his demeanor a bit, "no that bit a make believe is over now, I am now just Loki."
"Well Loki, I am Colonel Nexx and we have some questions. Make believe or not, you caused quite a bit of trouble. For now you are under our custody." The human colonel kneeled down and produced a small choker style collar. He placed it around the neck of the now submissive Loki.
The small fox blinked and stared at Nexx with a confused look, "what have you done?"
"The collar restricts your psychic abilities, I am sorry but this precaution is necessary. The unit cannot be removed unless you know how and it is designed to feedback on psychical kinesis based abilities, so trying to destroy it or manipulate it will hurt you. Please try to cooperate and do not fight it, I do not like these any more then you will, but it is a necessary precaution for now." The colonel did genuinely seem apologetic for what he was forced to have to do.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Captain's ready room
As Nova and Petty Officer Rover near the Captain's ready room, a canine and avian exit and approach them. Rover immediately comes to attention and salutes to both, but he addresses the dingo who appears to be the ship's captain.
"Captain Summers sir, we have a transfer from one of the tenders. This is lieutenant Nova Hunnydew and her orders require your specific review sir." the petty officer handed them over to the captain who had paused when addressed. The other with him was apparently the XO.
"Hunnydew, a relation to the senator. These orders are class 1 transfers, Lt. Hunnydew, follow us we are running a slight bit late for an operational meeting on the station. I will figure out what to do with you as I review these which will have to be done in transit. Rover, you are dismissed, thank you."
The captain, still holding the paperwork, continued in the direction Nova had just come from, the shuttle bay. He was heading for the captain's launch and expected her to follow.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Brig
"I wasn't expecting to see you here Kal, I don't know what you need with the detainee, but I suppose it won't hurt. Corporal Kersney, bring the lady up here." The lieutenant said as he gestured to one of the idle security marines at their desk.
A weasel stood and nodded, she headed towards the lockup and scanned her ID at the required pad and opened the door. Disappearing into the brig area, she reappeared with a somewhat bedraggled female german sheppard, still clothed in her pilot's jumpsuit.
"Here you go lieutenant." Kersney said as she brought the prisoner forward. She stood to the side after bringing her before Kal.
"The hospitality here is horrible." was the only think the female pilot said.
"Class one transfer?! oh I Aye Aye Captain " yelps Nova..
She follow Capt Summers a pace or two behind the capt.
" Yes Captain I'm the daughter of Sentor Rock Hunnydew. but Please, Captain, I don't want any special treatment ..!" pleads PBH and then realizes too late of her out burst and shutup embarrassed and waits on the captain review. She conitues to follow the Capt Summer on to the shuttle in silence.
PBH
Shuttle/Phalanx Shuttle bay
Romulus stayed calm through the whole event. When the Colonel came in Romulus saluted with the rest. He stayed and watched as the fox was fitted with the collar. After the Colonel finished speaking Romulus leaned over towards Loki. "Just think of it as a fashion statement, alot of kids seem to wear collars like that one"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Brig
"Thanks Corporal." Kal turned to the black and tan alsatian. "Can I have your name miss?" He pulled the cord braclet from his pocket.
Unknown Ship - Valynth's holding room
"Well, this is just great" Valynth grumbled as he laid back on his bed. "Well, at least this is better than being a prisoner of those pirates" He said as his hands felt the empty holster, still remembering the weight and feel of his 686.
"I hope they resolve whatever they need to soon" he said as he reached down and flicked open his long empty 'ammo case,' which was now just a simple box attached to his belt. "I feel kinda' naked without my weapon and muntions. Of course, this wouldn't have happened if everyone on that blasted ship hadn't mutinied" he said as his thoughts returned again to the circumstances that had brought him to his current situation.
Having left his sister and their relatively comfortable home, he had decided to take a job as what was officially deemed a 'private security company,' but Valynth had no delusions that they were little more than mercenaries. They even had a small fleet of privately owned ships designed to protect merchants from various pirates, for a price of course. Naturally when the pirate problem was getting severe, the company decided to send investigation ships to figure out how the pirates had been working so successfully. Valynth and the ship that had employed him had been selected to investigate these occurances.
Valynth had secretly marked a subtle change in the crew when they had reached the reported areas of pirate activity, but he ever got a chance to voice his concerns since another crew member decided to apply a section of pipe to the back of his skull while Valynth was on normal patrol. When Valynth woke up, he was in the ship's brig with other crew members, but without his weapon or ammunition. He then learned from the boisterous and rebellious crew that they were going to join their 'pirate brethren.' They had offered Valynth an opprotunity to join them in their glorious pirating, but he refused. From then on, Valynth was a prisoner until he was liberated only to be put into this new slightly more accomidating cell.
"I just hope they didn't lose my gun in this mess." He grumbled as began to drift into a semi-sleeping state.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Shuttle bay
The captain eyed Nova as she spoke, "trust me lieutenant, I will not provide any special treatment." He waived the orders in the air as he walked towards the shuttle, "there are only two reasons for class one transfers these days, as these are normally prisoner transfer requests. VIPs are sent with class A transfers Ms. Hunnydew. My guess is that you are in trouble and a few strings were pulled to keep you out of a bad situation."
Without further word, the captain saluted the crew chief at the captain's launch, "are we ready to go chief?"
The feline nodded, "yes sir. Welcome aboard. We shall be departing as soon as you are secure."
The chief and another crew member helped the captain, MacDuff and Hunnydew into their seats and belted them in. Unlike most of the capital, medium and support ships in the ISF, shuttle craft and fighters do not possess artificial gravity.
The shuttle departed the Revelation and proceeded towards the captured station. For the entire flight over, the captain stared at the order letter, appearing deep in thought. The shuttle arrived and was docked at the station. The small party exited the shuttle and was lead through the station to the conference room.
Entering the room found all members of the fleet's command staff, Major Kanzoria, the senior privateer officers and the command staff of the IFL forces present. The captain noticed a supreme lack of caffeinated beverages and turned to Nova, "Ms. Hunnydew, would you be so kind as to make some coffee and tea please."
Despite the use of the word please, this was not a request, but an order.
Taking his seat, the meeting began.
Shuttle/Phalanx Shuttle bay
Loki looked back at Romulus with big, fearful eyes, "but... I can't feel anything anymore."
"As I said young master, this object will restrict your powers. Now come along please." The colonel and the guards exited and Loki followed reluctantly, he seemed much more subdued and unsure then before.
The green fox was lead from the shuttle bay to a holding area. Nexx turned towards Wilcox and Romulus, "I will have to leave him in your hands here for now, you have full reign to question him as you feel necessary for now. I will have to attend the meeting at the station, but shall return. The Captain will likely be with me at that point. If you need anything, just ask Lt. Commander Atwood, she can assist you."
The colonel left, heading back towards the shuttle bay, leaving Loki, two armed guards, Lt. Commander Atwood, Wilcox and Romulus and his team to their own devices.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Brig
She looked at him quizzically and shrugged, "Britney Graham, what's yours honey?"
Unknown Ship - Valynth's holding room
Valynth was jostled awake by a guard, "sorry to wake you fellow, but we have docked and all detainees are to be identified and processed."
The guard indicated the door, "best grab all the possessions you have, you likely won't be coming back here."
Spacestation, Fleet Command Conference room
As much as Nova dislike being "order" to make coffe and tea. She kept her grumbles to a minimium as she make the coffee and tea service of all the top brass members of the ISF. The captain's stern look at her, make her even quiet her grumbles...
"Com'n Hunnydew, you are in a top meeting, shut up and go invisible. You may learn something important." Nova thought to herself. The cat girl put on a fake smile and serve everyone their first cup of whatever they wanted and then she blend into the background as the meeting got underway.
She is ready to quietly serve anyone who want/needs a refill. As she listen to the commanders' talk of ship/fleet readiness and the talk of Aliens
Lt Nova Hunnydew wonders what Fate had in store for her to have given her a front row seat in the drama..
Nova Hunnydew
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Brig
"I'm 1st Lt. Kalin Jerico but most call me Kal..." Kal stoped as he saw Sam smiling knowing what Kal was up to. Grinning back Kal looked into Britney's eyes as he lifted the cord braclet and showed them to her. "Do you know what this is Britney Graham?" He asked as he put it around her right wrist.
Shuttle/Phalanx Shuttle bay
Romulus saluted as the colonel left. He then turns to Loki. "Look kid I know it doesn't seem it but we're not trying to be bad or evil. I know I speak for myself but I have no intensions of hurting you" Romulus walked near Loki with a somewhat relaxed attitude, he pulled up something to sit on. "So where you from kid?"
Unknown Ship - Valynth's holding room
Valynth sat up and replied to the guard, "Well, since the pirates took all but the clothes on my back, I'd have to say I'm ready." He gave a friendly smile to the guard as he stood and started trying to make some small talk "I hope my lack of criminal tendencies didn't bore you. I know how dull things get when you're forced to stand guard. At least being on patrol lets you get a change of scenery. Now if only you could get some scenery on a ship."
He chuckled a little at his joke and he walked over to the door, "Shall we get going? I've been dying to know what happened to my stuff, if anything remains."
Fast Transport - Puddle Jumper
Aaron just stared at the pilot, "Define late."
"Just as I said sir, we are a half hour late."
*sigh*
"We will be arriving at the station soon. Hope you enjoy interrupting important meetings."
"Yes, I enjoy barging into stuffy rooms with old men arguing strategy. I try and do that every time I present transfer orders. Speaking of transfer orders, why am I out here anyways?"
"I don't know sir, maybe you should ask the old men when you interrupt them."
*Sigh*
The shuttle arrives at the station and Aaron heads to present his transfer orders of doom.
Space station, Fleet Conference room
The commanding officers of the ISF Expeditionary Scout Fleet met in conference with the Privateer leaders and Imperium Foreign Legion officers.
Fashionably late, Colonel Nexx made his appearance and whispered something to Captain Summers. Pouring the coffee, Nova was just able to make out, "... green fox alien."
The meeting after that point was relatively mundane. There was debate over the privateers and IFL participation in piracy, the issue of outside mental control and finally the coming menace of alien invasion.
"To make reparations for this incident, the IFL Guard will assist you in your mission." The apparent leader of the IFL detachment declared.
"I pledge my services and that of my ship the Defiance, the rest of our cruisers must remain here to defend our colony world. Besides, it is obvious that they are incapable of competing at your level in a confrontation, so they would be only the liability." Flatly stated a feline female officer in a heavy spanish accented voice, "our privateer vessels are not up to the technological level of the ISF forces."
Captain Summers nodded, "though unconventional, this situation is warranted and acceptable. We will begin field retofits for the Defiance in the Stardock. I will leave the logistical details to the rest of you, Colonel Nexx and I have some pressing matters to attend to."
The Captain rose along with Colonel Nexx and both turned to leave, but the Captain paused and gestured at Nova to follow, "come along Lieutenant Hunnydew."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Brig
"I hope its not some strange marriage custom, or outdated and backwards Lycan bond ritual thingee."
Phalanx interrogation room
Loki's ears drooped off to the sides as he looked at the drab gray floor, "you can't hurt me, you aren't strong enough for that."
The kid's voice showed no ounce of arrogance or defiance, his comment was just a matter-of-fact. "I am from Ozerun, from the capital of Aryador. Mine is the House of Eowadon, third in the line of succession of the Acadian Star Empire, and I am a Prince of the Royal family."
Wilcox raised an eyebrow, "I think you just told us a bit more then we needed to know."
Unknown Ship - Valynth's holding room
"Your stuff is in the holding area, follow me."
The guard lead Valynth out into a large area of the vessel they were on. Many of his fellow prisoners and former jailers were gathered here all filling out paperwork and some were being spoken to. To Valynth it looked like a small slice of bureaucratic hell.
A generic fox vixen handed Val a datapad, "please complete this paperwork here to cross reference with our database."
She pointed Val to a seat where he could rest while completing. The datapad contained many forms, from citizenship and personal information, to skills, employment and much more. Though excessive, it did not appear Val would get his stuff back without complying.
Fast Transport - Puddle Jumper
The shuttle docked at the station and dropped Aaron off. Seemingly in a hurry, the pilot took off immediately after unloading him.
When challenged about his business here, he presented his transfer orders to the officer of the watch. He saluated and quickly whisked the fox off to his doom of crashing staff meetings.
Luckily for Aaron, the meeting had just adjourned, unluckily they ran smack dab into Captain Summers.
The Captain paused, "what another priority transfer?"
"Sir, class A transfer orders." The deck officer replied.
"Let me see those." The Captain said as he pointed to the cursed papers in Aaron's hand.
Phalanx interrogation room
Romulus just kinda shook his head. "Kid, I can't speak for everyone but I don't intend to hurt you. I hurt people enough as it is during battles." Romuls looked off into space as he spoke "A prince huh that must be nice. I was born on some dirtball planet, I think my father and mom where stationed there during some battle for territory. I am from the house of Darkcloud, a military family of no real importance. I've been in the Army basically all my life"
Space station, somewhere around the Fleet Conference room
"Certainly"
Aaron hands over his orders and thinks to him self, 'Another? Must be a very popular time for people to transfer in. Or maybe I lost a poker game and was too drunk to remember it?'
The obviously annoyed Captain Summers reviewed the transfer orders.
"Things seem to be in order. You know why you are here?"
"Truth be told, I suspect that I lost a poker game that I was too drunk too remember. The terms of the bet I lost must have been a random reassignment, other then that I'm not sure why a xenobiologist would be assigned here."
QuoteINARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Brig
"I hope its not some strange marriage custom, or outdated and backwards Lycan bond ritual thingee."
Smiling just a little evily Kal replied, "No to the first but yes to the second Britney. You are now my Bondswoman and while you are not a slave you are still required to serve."
Kal turned back to Sam. "Mind if I borrow Corporal Kersney?" getting a nod from the Lt, Kal asked her for a favor. "Corporal Kersney mind taking Britney down to bulkhead 30 and finding a berth for her? Also can you get her some new clothes from the QM and have her at my quaters at 1500."
"Sir!" The Corporal moved up to the new bondswoman and took her arm, "lets go."
Nova was disappointed not to hear more about this "green fox alien".. Was there a new aliens race found? or more like a lost colony? wonders Nova. She had also look over on the table and quick looks at the comp screens before each member. She thought she saw a picture of a green fox, but she would have to store that memory away for the thing being.
With a small sigh, Lt Nova Hunnydew follows Capt Summers, with thoughts about the aliens and this "new" xenobologist... I will have to find this Xenobologist she thought
PBH
Unknown Ship - Registration room
Valynth nodded, sat in the indicated seat, and began filling out the datapad forms. He remained wary of his former jailers, making sure never to lose sight of them. He had his suspicions that they had been under some form of influence since any true pirates would have disposed of him immediately when he refused to join them the first time, but he was not going to risk being wrong.
He continued to fill out the forms, having practiced on the forms he filled out to apply for his last job as 'ship security.' These forms, however, were unusually long and left Valynth thanking his training for his arm's endurance to continue.
Valynth finally finished the last form on the datapad and could feel his arm cramp in a job well done. He had answered the forms' questions as truthfully as he could and he could understand the reasons they had for asking such information, but he still silently swore at the bureaucrats that had made these long forms a nessecity.
Phalanx interrogation room
Loki looked up at Romulus, "I have been a warrior all my life, well the short 150 years of it, but our ways are different then yours. We fight with psychic abilities and technologies. Where is Ixiah, I should like to see my cousin now."
Space station, somewhere around the Fleet Conference room
Captain Summers paused and regarded both Aaron and Nova, "A xenobiologist and xeno-technologist, interesting. This must be luck. As it just so happens we have an interesting specimen, but we will not speak of this here. Major, Lieutenant, it is best if the two of you get to know one another as you will be working together. Now follow us, we have a special guest to meet."
The captain and colonel headed down the hall towards the hanger and the captain's launch. With the two science division officers in tow, they boarded the launch and departed for Colonel Nexx's ship.
Unknown Ship - Registration room
The vixen examined his datapad and smiled, "you are just what we need, more or less. Please follow the sergeant here and he will take you to a waiting area. You are rather hard to place, but hopefully you don't mind special forces work."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Brig
The corporal dragged Britney off towards the crew berthings. Britney turned back towards Kal and with a confused look on her face yelled back at him, "I'm your what??!!"
Sam smiled at Kal, "you are going to have to explain this one to the CAG you know."
Lt Hunnydew makes a point of sitting by Col Aaron on the transport...
"Hello Major Aaron. I'm Lt Nova Hunnydew... An assist Prof of Physics at Confed's BTI, granddaughter of Dr Bambi Hunnydew, Co-inventor of the Grand Jumpdrive. 5.0" Said Nova... "So, How was your trip here?" she asks jokingly..
PBH
Phalanx interrogation room
Romulus looked at Loki "You know I thought you looked alittle young. You cousin huh? That must have been the voice in my head I heard when we found you. As for where he is I don't know that for sure, sadly I don't think you'll be haveing a family reunion any time soon"
*Aaron barely pays attention to most of what Nova said, he was too busy checking her out*
Errr, right trip. The trip was a riot. So, I'm guessing that you were the other transfer?
" Ah riot?" Nova questions Aaron as she looks at the fox... and notices that he seems to been addressing her chest... With a cooler tone, "I'm hoping to be working with a profession researcher." Nova tells Aaron " Colledge to colledge. One who puts the mission success above one's own self rewards. My Granny always said that the rewards are more enjoyable when the work is done" says Nova as she move forcing eye-eye contact with a slight grin. Only to look away with a bit of disgust, as she pulls back and turns to look out the window.
"I'll complete my orders Sir, but we will see where the research takes us." Says Nova in a professional tone.
PBH
"Speaking of which, what is our research? I've been dragged out into deep space, onto a navel ship, on fairly short notice, with out so much as a peep as to what I will be doing other then being described as 'interesting'." Aaron says to the back of Nova's head.
"It has to have something to do with the aliens. I have heard rumors of live specimens."
"I can't said anything beyond the rumours you have heard, and then I have hear only of new "artifacts" found and something more. But then my family has always known more than most." whispers Nova as she doesn't look at the fox, but she turns look forward and looks at her lap.
"So new aliens, beyond the Humans, some more beings other than the Bugs...I wonder if them know of the ancient Star Empire..." whispers Nova to herself.
"We, the pawns, now fly to meet our Gamemasters, Mr Aaron or our new game rivals" Says LTJG Nova Hunnydew.
PBH
QuoteINARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Brig
The corporal dragged Britney off towards the crew berthings. Britney turned back towards Kal and with a confused look on her face yelled back at him, "I'm your what??!!"
Sam smiled at Kal, "you are going to have to explain this one to the CAG you know."
"Heh, my next port of call really. Thanks for lending me the Corporal." Kal waved a salute at his former classmate and headed to the nearest lfit.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation-Bridge DeckStoping at the airlock to the bridge, Kal asked the marine on duty outside if the CAG was inside.
Unknown ship - Registration Room
Valynth looked curiously from the vixen to the sergeant, but remained quiet as he followed the sergeant to the waiting room. As they walked Valynth began to weigh his availible options. He was hardly in a position to refuse being drafted, after all, most of his identication and personal effects were being held in these people's custody and they had saved him from his pirate themed prison. He figured he would at least hear out their 'offer' as they would probably phrase it, and who knows, he just might enjoy a job in the military.
He made a mental note to try and contact his sister when he could. She never was one to worry too much about Valynth's condition or life choices, but he knew she would be worried if she had been told his ship had 'gone missing' as the company would undoubtedly put it.
Captain's launch
The flight between the station and the troop cruiser Phalanx was rather brief. Colonel Nexx and Captain Summers discussed something quietly between themselves during the whole flight over.
Docking, the passenger's disembarked and without much fanfare or ritual headed straight for the compartments directly off the shuttle bay.
Phalanx interrogation room
Loki gave Romulus his best big sad eyed child routine, "but, I absolutely must see my cousin... pwwweeeaaassseee!!"
A small amount of psychic influence, despite the collar, was added to help sway Romulus's thoughts along Loki's intended path.
However before any results could be seen of this play on emotions, the room door opened and the Colonel, Captain and a few other officers entered. Two of them were new and no one in the room had seen them before.
As everyone's attention was draw to the door, Loki deftly slipped something out of Romulus's belt and hid it in his shirt.
Unknown Ship - Conference room
The marine sergeant took Valynth to a large room full of over a half dozen other people, a mix of humans and anthros with no clear delineation of skills or abilities. A few of the former pirates were present, though these were the better of the lot who had suddenly changed their ways, they held unto who they previously were much stronger then those that seemed to completely revel in the experience.
An ISF military officer, a major in rank and a human in species, entered and took a seat at the head of the conference table. What little conversation occurred in the room died down. The officer was probably in his mid-thirties, with early graying hair and dark brown skin color.
"Those of you here have been selected because you possess special skills, few or no family commitments and the correct personality to assist us on our mission." He paused before continuing, "I am major Leonard Shannon and I am the liason officer for the ISF Army. Our operation is one of reconnaissance, seeking the approach of an ancient enemy come once again to pacify its toys and experiments... you, us... all the people we know. Our operation is to locate the enemy main force, and gather intelligence from the few outposts we have discovered in the region of space beyond the current borders of settled space. We will also be handling the few known pirate groups in this area."
Major Shannon took a brief pause before continuing further, "after much consideration and our most recent success, Captain Summers and Colonel Nexx have decided to form a second special forces team. You all have been selected to participate as members of this team."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge Deck
The marine stood at attention and replied sharply, "no sir. The CAG has accompanied the captain to his meeting. If he has not stayed with the Captain and the Colonel, then he may be on his way back and should be in his office. Sir."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Bridge Deck
"Right. Carry on marine!" Turning around Kal headed back down the passageway till he came to the CAG's office. Knocking on the door he waited for a responce.
Phalanx interrogation room
Romulus stoud at a slightly relaxed attention when he saw who it was that had come through the door. Romulus took a step to stand more in front of Loki at the sight of the two new faces.
Phalanx interrogation room
Hello, have we interrupted something? I have been trying to interrupt something important all day.
*giggles* "ah ahmmm" sounds LTjg Nova Hunnydew from behind Aaron... She lets the captain said something to him as she trys to keep a straight face. After a second she calmly waits with a neutral face and enters the room after the Capt Summer.
PBH
Phalanx interrogation room
Romulus narrows his eyes atter the newcomer jokes about interupting, then looks at the other newcomer when she giggles. He then looks at the colonel and captain. "Who's the peanut gallery?"
Captain Summers cast a sideways glance briefly at the two science officers before answering Romulus's question, "don't mind Major Brown and Lieutenant Hunnydew, they are extremely convenient transfers from HQFL*. I've brought them along because they can best assist us with our guest." The Captain paused to regard Loki, "by the makers, he is just a child."
"Indeed, but looks are very deceiving sir." Corporal Benjamin Foster, after his comment he turns quickly to snag the shirt cuff of the green fox as he attempted to make a run for the open door, "now, I thought we were over that, mate? There is now where for you to go and we aren't going to be hurting you."
"I'm not trying to run away!" Loki protested as he squirmed in Ben's grasp and pouted, "I just saw someone with food walk by!"
Romulus nods his head at Captain Summers' comment. He looked over at Ben at he grabbed Loki's shirt collar. "If you want food it's best to ask before you runn off and end up with a bullet in the back of your head. I'm sure you'll get some decent food when we're all done here. So just sit back, relax and see what the show has to offer"
Aaron thinks to him self,
*Okay, so apparently I have been pulled to a deep space fleet, with an ADHD kid on board, who dyes his fuzz green (how long would that take anyways...), and you have a rough neck threatening to shoot him for misbehaving... and back home they called me strange. What have I gotten into this time?*
He recomposes him self and asks, "So, who is this guest turned kid turned almost shot?"
Romulus gives Loki a sideways look then does the same to Aaron. "This kids was the pirate leader Lord Zhilhon. Until we got there *Romulus points to himself and his squad* and I guess you could say ruined his fun. Now he's just like the rest of us. Stuck out here without any real clue as to what's in store"
Glad to know I'm not the only one lost and confused. Still, how does a little kid go about controlling a bunch of pirates?
Romulus looks at Aaron. "I have no idea how a 150 year old youngster got control of the pirates" Romulus then looked at Nexx and Summers "What excatly are these two *points towards Aaron and Nova* here for anyway? I'm assume they will have something to do with our little Loki here" *ruffles Loki's hair*
Lt Nova Hunnydew walks slowly to the green fox cub, and sits on her kneels ignoring the adult males....and looks Loki in the eye and says "Hi, I'm Nova Hunnydew, would you like a energy bar, Loki?"
The feline girl shows a very kind and friendly face and mind to the little fox cub as she hands him an vitamin enriched chocolate covered protein bar from her back pocket.
"Will you be my friend, little fox?" thinks Nova at the fox cub. And watches him with interest. Her blue hair was an oddity enough for her when she was growing up. Being green was not going to be very easy for little Loki here in ISF space. Beside being from beyond known space.
PBH
Turns to the Captain, "You know sir, this guy *points back at Romulus* has a good question. What are we doing here and does it have something to do with 150 year old kids?"
*Keeps pointing at Romulus as long as Romulus points at him.*
Romulus chuckled a bit at what Nove just did. He then looks at Loki. "See we're not all that bad, just some of us" Romulus leaned down to whisper in Loki's ear with the back of his head faceing Nova. "Don't get too excited kid she's alittle too "old" for you" Romulus stands back up straight and looks Nove square in the eye and nods his head "Ma'am"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's Office
Kal reached the office for and had knocked, within a few moments the office door opened and a slim ermine poked her head out. This was Master Chief Elsa Graham, when she noticed it was Kal she gave a brief salute and nodded, "good day lieutenant, Commander MacDuff is out and about with the skipper. If you need anything immediately you will have to see Lt. Commander Kason or your flight leader Major Hadem."
She indicated the office down the hall.
Phalanx interrogation room
The Captain held up his hand as questions were thrown at him and around in general, "What we are doing out here is what you were already briefed on back on Riallphen at the start of the expedition. Our fleet is to scout out and discover the approach of the enemy response fleet. It has been identified by our other alien guests that these Masters are moving an operational base, a dyson sphere, to conduct operations in our home space and bring about our complete enslavement and subjugation. We, excluding the humans, are apparently a toy... an experiment for the purposes of providing galactic scale war as entertainment for these creatures. Our united ISF has decided to end this arrangement and free ourselves of their influence."
The captain paused before continuing, "the other purpose of this scout fleet is to investigate sources of the alien transmissions, which has been identified as Acadian communications arrays for more of these..." The captain points to Loki, "aliens and any intelligence on the enemy that may be found. We are to pacify, with force if necessary, any military threat that might be present to prevent flanking maneuvers against the main operational fleet by Acadian minions. There are also a few pirate groups that we are supposed to scatter as a tertiary objective."
While the Captain talked, Loki stared at Nova and then at the protein bar. He was a tad miffed at being treated like a child, but he wiggled his nose at the energy bar offered and takes it carefully from Nova's grasp, "I am 150 of my planet's years in age, based on what I know of your typical measurement of time from Nova here... it is based on one solar rotation of your originating home planet Riallphen. It completes this rotation in 365 of your 24 hour days. Based on this, my age in your time frame is 1500 years. My home is 83 times the size of Riallphen and orbits around our star approximately once per ten rotations of yours. You have a very open mind Ms. Hunneydew." He smiled at her in a pleasant way, not having thought anything of delving through her thoughts casually to find the information he sought on time. He turned his head to stare straight into Aaron's eyes, "Oh and Aaron, I do not dye my fur green... I am green. Our specific species found a need to pigment its fur brightly, to perhaps make up for our muted interpretation of 'color'. You all are rather drab to me."
This discourse by Loki caused Morgan to balk, he glanced at Nexx who shrugged. Captain Morgan Summers turned back to addressing everyone, "as for why the two of you are here Mr. Brown and Ms. Hunnydew, you are to be dealing with him," He pointed to Loki, "and his brother Ixiah. With Major Brown's Naval R&D credentials and clearance and Colonel Nexx's operational Military Intelligence authority, we should be able to override Major Kanzoria's control over him. The two foxes will make very good sources of intelligence and will prove useful against any others of their kind that we find and against the technology of the Masters. For now we will want to determine how Loki got here and controlled the pirates as he did."
"I came in my shi... er, I took a space bus here." Loki said as he smiled and scratched the back of his head nervously.
Phalanx interrogation room
Romulus looked at the rest of his squad as Captain Summers finished talking. "Well we did blew up a bit of machinory in the station that he was hooked up to. Once it blew he kinda croupled. Maybe you could send a crew over at some point and see what's left of the equipment" Romulus looked around at everyone there then down to Loki. "Wait a space bus? Also you may want to hold off on the mind reading just a bit"
"A ship?" asks a shocked LT Hunnydew looking at Romulus.....
"IF it is not too smash, Can we see this "ship" we got, Romulus?" asks Nova as she turns back to the green fox. She is not sure if she believes him about being 1500 years old, but he is truely not a cub.
Returning to her feet, "So, my granny's tales of little green fae furs are right....and with mindreading too... Loki. thank you, I am honored to meet you. Maybe we can help each other, your brother, and/or your ship? Can you tell us where you stand on the "master" question?" asked LTjg Hunnydew...
PBH
Romulus look straight into Nova's eyes as she asked her question. He waited till she had finished talking. "Sorry ma'am that is not up to me, that would be up to Nexx on that one. I'm sure they will be sending squads over to finish clean up on the station and then as a escort to the scientists when they go over to see what that station has and if we could use it at some point. You'll have to ask if you ask and see if you can go along. Sounds like the Captain may have other plans for you and the major here"
"We aren't all green Nova and I'm not sure about the fae thing... we use psychometry, psychokinesis... psionics if you will, not magic. Though some may call it that." Loki pointed to Morgan, "I sincerely hope my brother is not here, Heimdall isn't friendly... I hope you mean Ixiah, who is my cousin not my brother. You should know that Morgan."
At Nova's mention of wanting to see the ship they had obtained, possibly due to confusion as well as Romulus's mention of the station, Loki became wide eyed, "my ship??!! You captured my ship??!! When? I thought I had hidden it well in geosynchronous orbit over the southern pole of the planet."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's Office
After returning the salute, Kal looked at his watch. "If its ok with you Master Chief I'll wait here. Oh and do you have any BNCA-001 forms in your filing? I need to get the CAG to sign off on it."
"It is your cousin I think we speak of, but when and where was the last you saw your brother, Loki?" asks Nova worried... She thinks Loki may have been unwise to say anything about his ship, even if it was still hidden or cloaked... and she hopes that his brother is not still around if that another craft proves to be Heimdall's ship and not Loki's..
God and Goddess. Loki, a name from myth, known for pranks and mischief... he was not good or evil but just an elemental of chaos. wonders Nova as she suddenly remembers what the little fox's name was from.
"Granny told me lots of tales about the rainbow furries and their mind-magic... but I will have to tell you some other time. I think she added bug wings only for my kitten entertainment ... Capt, What can we do now to help or free his cousin to Loki and us?" inquires Lt Nova as snapping back to business.
PBH
For now Aaron just listens, getting more answers now then when he was asking questions. He has a feeling there is still a lot he is not being told, especially from Nova. He makes his mind up to ask about later but listens for now, especially about psionics; another topic to poke into.
((OOC: This has nothing to do with graduating from college and moving about I swear X3.))
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's OfficeMaster Chief Graham shrugged and returned to her office inside the CAG's area. Though much smaller then Commander MacDuff's office, the Master Chief still possessed an office, something rare among NCOs. The lupine 2nd class petty officer at the desk that served as the reception secretary's spot was busy typing away at some report and paid no attention to Kal as he sat down on the seat in the waiting area.
Master Chief Graham exited her office scratching her head and sat at the second terminal across from the petty officer and brought up the forms database, "what exactly is a BNCA-001 form?"
She began searching the database, "perhaps its a Lycan military form... a what??!! Bondsman...?"
The Master Chief looked straight at Kal, "despite your origins among the Lycan Commonwealth, you are a member of the ISF now... and the ISF does not condone slavery of any type. I do not know if Commander MacDuff will sign off on it."
Phalanx interrogation roomMorgan regarded Nova's question carefully, but it was Colonel Nexx who responded, "well lieutenant, we don't specifically have to rescue him. We will have to use Major Brown here and have him exert some of his Fleet R&D xenotechnological investigation authority and my intelligence clearance to have him transfered under our control. We may have to put up with Major Kanzoria integrating himself into our research group here, but at that point he will merely be an observer and adviser."
Narrowing his eyes conspiratorially, he smiled as he regarded Loki, "of course if we had a piece of alien technology, like a ship, this process would be much easier as we would have an obvious purpose for this research." the human colonel displayed a craftiness rivaling that of a fox.
Loki smacked his forehead, "arrgh, you didn't know about my ship."
****OOC****
Quote from: ShadesFox on May 06, 2007, 08:53:24 PM
((OOC: This has nothing to do with graduating from college and moving about I swear X3.))
Fox lie! :U
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's Office
Kal reached over the Master Chief's shoulder and tapped a link that was next to the forms file icon. The screen loaded a page that was strait from the ISF regulations book.
"Reg. 345/5a Master Chief. A bondman or woman is not a slave and therefor exempt from being clasified as one. I was after the CAG's signature to keep her onboard and allow her to be part of my Raptor's ground crew.
Transfer or free him, with internal politics in any government, it is almost the same thing. In the IFS, the combining of three defense departments, it is even worst. " comments Nova as a universal fact about bureaucracies
"Loki, I would not worried too much, since we will need your help with your ship, once we get it. I hope to be the head engineer and researcher on this project and I will protect a "friend's" ship as If it is my own. ." states Lt Hunnydew, "Yet, there is always some give and take when you have to deal with offical channels."
"Still, Loki, we'll need to understand the situation between you, your cousin and the "Masters". Do you remember how you come to be here or why? Or have you already explained that to the Capt?" asks Nova with a sigh. She is over reaching her authority, again, and she knew it. She is not sure if she can help Loki or even if she should.
PBH
Phalanx interrogation room
Romulus looked at Nova and smiled a bit "Hey I never said we found a ship" Walked over to Nexx, slinging his rifle as he walked. He saluted Nexx as he stoud near him. "So when are we *gestures to his squad* leaveing to see get his ship, I promise we won't break anything this time?"
Phalanx interrogation room
"This time?", Aaron asks the Sergeant, contemplating taking up an active role in preventing future interesting tech from being broken.
Aaron is also rather annoyed at Honnydew. He is probably going to try and pull the proper strings to get Loki and his ship, the potential for interesting technology is too great; and a new alien species, psychic no less. However, she is rather extending her promises, and apparently expecting Aaron to make good on them.
Things are starting to look extremely interesting, and Aaron is not entirely unsure that interesting is a bad thing this time.
Phalanx interrogation room
Romulus looks over at Aaron. "Yes this time. If you ever get to go to that station we got Loki from, you see what I'm talking about. It was some interesting tech. The good part is it's already is pieces so you don't have to take it apart"
Unknown Ship - Conference Room
"so we're an expendable experimentary force" Valynth muttered mostly to himself. He then spoke up to Shannon, "So are we going to be paid for this 'comission' or should we just be grateful?"
Phalanx interrogation room
Loki seemed a bit more relaxed at Nova's reassurances, but from what he knew about lesser race's militaries, Nova was not very high ranking. Still it was good to have someone that wished to protect him.
Loki shuttered when the masters were mentioned, but it was momentary and hardly noticeable. "My relationship to my cousin is complicated. He and I are blood cousins unlike much of royals, but his house is the ancestral dynastic ascendant, whereas mine is a colonial ascendant of third peerage. Such things really are meaningless, for all our titles and nobility, it really is just a ploy to impress the lesser races. You could call it a galactic game of a sorts. Ixiah and I are related by blood, but he is from the home world of Acadia and I am from the colony world of Ozerun. As for why I am here, I was exiled by the one who I would call 'father' if I was of your people. I disagreed strongly with one of my other cousins. We fought and I was... wounded severely, but I caused him to not be anymore. I am not sure I can explain it well... the manner of things is different then what you understand."
He shifted uncomfortably as he stood as if what he had said caused him distress. Sighing, he continued with another uncomfortable topic, "as for the 'Masters', they are not a pleasant species. To all visual appearances they are incorporeal energy beings from a dimensional reality different then our own. They tune all things to song... harmonics... all of what they do and are is one long melody and they forcefully correct any discords found. They became aware of this dimension some 200,000 years ago when the ancient race known as the Zhar attempted to breach dimensionality and gain control of the 'engines' of creation... reality... kind of like storming the gates of heaven itself I imagine, if I was a backwards thinking primitive who believed in divinities. A single 'master' entered this reality and ensorcelled a large contingent of Zhar, who it duped into creating a dimensional nexus. In their last act as a species, the Zhar armada turned back the tide of invasion, sealed this Nexus and hurled it into 'hyperspace'. As my people move through hyperspace in order to travel great distances quickly, it was inevitable that we would find the nexus. Foolishly we studied it and opened it and the 'Masters' entered this reality again. We clashed and though technologically superior to the Zhar, we were not able to turn them back fully. My people destroyed the nexus, but not before a few of the masters had taken hold in our world. Our leaders succumbed to the song and we all now play the tune."
Nexx, who had been listening to Loki shook his head as far more information then was needed was just dumped in their laps. He returned the salute to Romulus and shook his head, "your team is not going to be retrieving this ship, Lt. Hunnydew and Major Brown will be handling that operation soon. You and your team are going to meet the others we have assembled into our second special forces unit. The effectiveness of your operation prompted us to take this opportunity to foster cooperation with our new coalition, and reinforcements from the fleet of special forces type would take far too long to organize and arrive to be useful. Romulus, if you and your team will follow me, I will escort you to the conference room."
Unknown Ship - Conference Room
This unknown ship, which is actually called the Phalanx, is where Valynth had apparently been shuffled too in all the confusion he did not really remember much about being transfered between ships, but much of the past seemed confusing and jumbled.
The conference room was silent, but it was Valynth who had broken it with his question of pay.
Major Shannon regarded him for a brief moment and then nodded, "indeed you will be payed, commensurate with your experience and the pay grade you will be placed in. However, commission would not be the appropriate word, enlisted is the correct one. I would appreciate gratitude too though."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's Office
The master chief stared at the screen and shook her head, "how did such a barbaric Lycan warrior custom make it into the regs of a civilized military force like the ISF? A crafty Lycan negotiator no doubt. Let me print the forms."
The lupine petty officer at the reception desk gazed up at Kal and asked a straight question, "as the bondholder, you intend to honor tradition and free or promote her if she proves herself... quiaff?" The young wolf was barely able to keep from snickering when he added the old human clanner contraction.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's Office
"Aff" Kal said to the Petty Officer. "Did you expect otherwise?"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's Office
"Aff" Kal said to the Petty Officer. "Did you expect otherwise?"
"Oh no sir. It is just that the old ways are not used anymore except by certain elite order units nowadays. They do all the bloodnaming stuff too, but you don't strike me as one of the 'old guard' sir." The petty officer responded.
The master chief laughed, "I'm surrounded by Lycans."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's Office
"Heh, my family my not be one of the order but we do keep some of the traditions intact."
"Oh Pixalated Protons....What is more scarier finding out your kittenhood nightwares are real, or your bedtimes stories..?" howled Lt Nova Hunnydew... "Oh Great-Uncle Kevin will not like to know his kit stories are base on fact. But he did get them from his mother, Dr Sarah Hunnnydew, the Xeno-archneologist, my great grandmother. She told her stories from her translated Acadian memory crystals it seems..."
A shocked Nova moves from Loki and find the nearest chair to sit down and hides her face and tears.. she looks sad at Loki..."I know more than most, Sirs. And the energy Demons are worst than slavery or death Sirs...worst than death"
PBH
Phalanx interrogation room
Romulus seemed a bit annoyed with the answer to his question. He said nothing, looked to his squad and guestured towards the door as he started to leave the room. Once out he waited for Nexx to take the lead.
Phalanx - Conference Room
Nexx exited the interrogation room and headed down the hall with Romulus and team in tow. After a few minutes of travel they arrived at a conference room near where they were processing pirates and recently freed personnel.
Nexx entered the conference room and was greeted by a salute from an ISF Major, "Major Shannon, I gather these are your selections for integration into our special forces unit?"
"Yes sir. They show the best aptitude and background for this type of operational unit." Major Shannon replied.
The colonel nodded and turned to the group of newly selected candidates, "you all have been selected to form a second team of operatives as part of our fleet's Special Operations. As Special Forces, you will have to rapidly become familiar with ISF weapons and shall be instructed in the principles of utilizing, recognizing and basic understanding of alien weapons and technology. No, we will not be making scientists out of you, but you all have been identified with the aptitude for quick learning. Major, the roster if you would."
The major handed over the current roster to Colonel Nexx and after a short review he nodded to himself, "Valynth Cernial, you will be replacing Staff Sergeant Benjamin Foster, who will be heading up the new team, in Sergeant First Class Romulus Darkcloud's unit. Valynth you will be Romulus's Sergeant and the technical lead for his conventional special forces unit."
The Colonel turned towards Romulus and Benjamin, "yes, you are both earning a two rank promotion and your team are all earning E-4 Specialist ranks in recognition of your actions on that station. Romulus, you are the head NCO for our Special Forces team, your duty station shall remain the Revelation unless you wish to transfer operations to the Phalanx. Let me know and we can make arrangements."
Phalanx interrogation room
Loki looked curiously at Nova, "you know of these masters then? They seem to call them selves Ixlin, which used to annoy my cousin Ixiah... because of the similarity to his name, but that was before they appointed him Ollin of the Project. Are you alright?"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's Office
The master chief handed Kal the form he requested. "If the CAG comes back soon, you can hand it to him personally."
OOC: that is IF Supercheese has him make an appearance.
Local Space
As the various activities occur within the ships and the station, the privateer's dreadnaught Defiance is slowly maneuvered into the Stardock for a refit, bringing her more up to current standards.
The frigate Baker received significant attention in the privateer's orbital ship yard.
The Imperium Foreign Legion frigates formed up with the rest of the fleet and their troop ship began to receive shuttles from the planet surface as the deployed ground forces now reorganized under ISF control.
The remaining privateer cruisers began patrol maneuvers in system.
Romulus saluted Nexus as he finished talking. He doesn't seem all that excited about the promotions but he said nothing. "Yes sir I believe it would be best me and my squad where transfered over to the Phalanx"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's Office
Thanking the Master Chief, Kal filled out the forms. Looking over at the wall mounted clock he decided that he'd best get back to his berth.
"Master Chief can you give these to the CAG I've got to go meet my Bondwoman." Handing the completed forms back, Kal moved back down the ship and to his room. Passing a mess hall he ducked in and grabbed a couple of beers and some sodas.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Domonic's bunkroom
Stepping inside Kal put the drinks down and sat at his desk reading over tech manuals while he waited for Brittney.
Phalanx interrogation room
*sigh* Yes, Loki I will be fine.... Unlike other cubs, Uncle Kevin's "Dana and the Rainbow Furries" stories were not watered down version of the your mythology/history for me. What my Granny thought was a mythology of ancient star race, the Zhar. She would give me the detail accounts of the ancient enemy of the Zhar and Acadian.. How they can enslaved their victims with mind rape and/or mind control. How a victim could look normal and still murder their cubs with a smile, IF the energy demon wanted them to. These "Masters" are puppetmasters to their slaves and tricking or controlling the races into "war' games between each other for their master's entertainment. We only recently know the race name of the masters, the Ixlin." said Lt Nova.
"Our Knowledge or my Knowledge is more theory and imagination of Sara Hunnydew, my great grandmother. All from what she could translate from the memory crystals that she found from an ancient starship crash site... She believed that the ship was a research vessel of the "rainbow furries", the Acad, and what they discovered about the Zhar and their enemy."
"Granny Bambi was more a mathematician and astrophysicist, she would take her mother's work and found the harmonics to improve our graviton generators and the Stardrives. She even found the Nexus technologies, but she could never find the right metal alloy or the right frequencies to make it work. She stopped when she discovered a way to make a stargate or wormhole device which could make instantinous travel between any two points in this universe regardless of distance, but the energy and size limits make it too impractical to use. The field can't be maintain beyond a gate size 3 meters across... and the power required to send one person is the same energy required by a carrier class starship to hyperjump one light year. You also have to transport one of the pair of the gates to the new location by sublight speeds"
PBH
Edit OOC< ooops sorry, Ixaih>
Phalanx - Conference Room
At first Valynth was not sure which one of the two was going to be his superior, but Romulus' response made it clear so he saluted Romulus and said "It will be a pleasure to serve with you sir." He then relaxed the salute before continuing "So, when do we get briefed on our equipment and missions, sir? 'cause I'm ready to go as soon as certain pieces of my personal gear are returned to me."
He grinned a little as he finished. He had never thought of himself as a military 'hero,' and he knew that this mission would probably be bloody and might get him killed, but in that laid a challenge which was the whole reason he left home in the begining.
Phalanx - Conference Room
Romulus regarded with a bit of annoyance. "Well the missions come when they come. Right now we have nothing to do it seems" Romulus looked at the rest of his squad and shook his head. "If you want to see you equipment basicalyy look at them. *points to his squad* You'll also be fitted with a rifle and the common gear" Romulus to Nexx "Sir, do you know where the armory is on this ship so he *gestures towards Valynth* can get equiped?"
Phalanx interrogation room
At this point Aaron is sitting in the corner doodling in his notes pad. In future retellings of these stories Aaron would claim that he was being discreet, letting Lt. Honnydew do all the talking and simply listening. That was kind of true in fact. Though what he was really thinking about was the fact that there was, apparently, a real life psychic next to him and Aaron was curious for details about the whole process. More importantly, he was thinking about what sort of trouble he could cause...
Phalanx - Conference Room
Colonel Nexx nodded to Romulus, "I'll speak to the Captain and have your gear and posting transfered here. Do you wish to keep your current shuttle crew or use one of ours here?"
Major Shannon overheard both Valynth's and Romulus's questions and decided to answer, "all of their previous effects are in the new Special forces locker room, all are in the lockers assigned to each individual. The bunk rooms and each unit's relaxation area is connected off of there. As for the armory, when you are ready, we will take you there."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's Office
As Kal left, the master chief examined the forms he had handed over and she laughed, "another Graham."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroom
After half an hour, there was the familiar sound of the door chime, quickly followed by a loud and angry shout. The door suddenly opened as an angry Brittney stormed in. She was dressed in some casual off-duty clothes that seemed to compliment her fairly well.
The corporal followed her in carrying a few bags and a couple of technician uniforms for her ground duty work. The corporal seemed amused by Brittney's flustered state.
When Brittney found Kal she immediately began yelling up a tirade, "what's all this about being your bondswoman?" She almost barked like her primitive quadruped ancestors.
Phalanx - interrogation room
"Gate technologies are not something that most advanced societies consider practical. The energy requirements scale as the size of the gate increases. For most hyperjump, dimensional phase-shifting, and inter-dimensional point-to-point travel are the means to cover vast distances efficiently." Loki stopped to regard Major Brown, "so what do we do now, Major, all this talking is becoming boring, don't you all wish to go retrieve my ship?"
Phalanx - interrogation room
Yes, in fact that was exactly what I was thinking. By the way, how large is this ship?
Phalanx - Conference Room
Romulus nodded his head At Major Shannon. "We're ready to go. We *points to his squad* need to get more ammo and he *points to Valynth* needs to get fitted with armor, a rifle and ammo. So whenever your ready"
"Yes, by all means Loki, we should go your ship. We eageringly await your orders Captain. " said Lt Nova as she gets back on her feet and salutes the Capt Summers.
PBH
Phalanx - interrogation roomQuote
Yes, in fact that was exactly what I was thinking. By the way, how large is this ship?
Loki, sticking his tongue out the left side of his muzzle, made a rather silly attempt to stretch his arms as wide as he could. "Uh... really big, but not so very big as a cruiser. Sorta like that primitive shuttle that Romulus and Amanda brought me here on.
Captain Summers cleared his throat, "Lt. Nova appears to be anxious to get on with her duties. Major Brown, you are in charge of the retrieval of this alien ship. Try not to be too reckless, oh and keep an eye on Nova here. If she violates military top secret information systems again, I will be forced to fire her out an airlock and possibly you with her Major as she is now your responsibility." The tone of his voice carried a light tone to it, but his eyes showed a seriousness that affirmed there would be consequences if she operated outside the lines again. "Now take care of that alien ship..." the Captain smiled briefly, "make it so."
Phalanx - Conference RoomMajor Shannon gestured for Romulus to follow as he headed out into the hall. All the members of the special forces followed for the moment, as the need to examine their accommodations and gear were high priority.
"Sergeant First Class Darkcloud, you, Staff Sergeant Foster and the rest of your original team will bring these new unit members up to par. Training is to begin immediately and I will leave the methods to your discretion."
The major lead the group to the ready area for the SpecForce units. The primary living area, consisting of a central lounge area for relaxation, was where everyone entered. Off this main area were the bunk room for the teams, the separate NCO bunk area for Romulus, Ben, Val and Alex, a training area, the locker room and another training room.
"This gentlemen is your new 'digs'. I will be your operations leader and company CO. Warrant Officer Stewart is your Platoon CO and immediate boss, she is on station right now detailing security forces there. When she gets back, I'll introduce you. Your weapons and standard gear are already issued and lockered. When you are ready, you can transfer your teams old stuff from the Revelation. As for the rooks stuff, that is the standard only, as you determine it, special weapons can be assigned to individuals who qualify appropriately. It's one thing to record it on forms, its another thing to prove you can handle it. I will leave you to settle in and get to know your rooks."
The major nodded and headed out of the room.
Phalanx - Conference Room
Romulus addressed the new "recruits" right after the Major left. "Alright boys, find yourselfs a bunk. Then I want you fully suited in Training Room A. First thing I plan to do is see who can actually shoot straight with a rifle" Looks to Ben "Keep track of the men that will be under you command. You'll be the one to assign what weapons they will have. I suggest one sharp shooter, radio man, heavy weapons expert, demolition expert, and a hacker" Looks to his squad "If Staff Sergeant Foster needs your help in training his squad, do it" Looks at everyone "ALRIGHT MOVE IT!" Leans over to Ben before he moves "We'll transfer our stuff after we get this done"
Phalanx - interrogation room
The Shock and Dismay could be heard in Lt Nova Hunnydew shouted, "Captain!"
"Ah! sir" peeps Nova one second later.. "A Hunnydew knows her duty and honor to ISF, Confed, and her family... Major, Capt. For the record, I wish a word with you alone at your convenient, Capt Summers." continues Lt Nova Hunnydew in a calmly normal level tone of voice, standing at perfect attention with eyes forward. But Inside she was hurt and angry
"Major, we can move out on your orders." says Nova as she standing still and waiting on the major's orders come. She may not break into computer proctorial here on any ISF ships. But she can and will record everything that was said in her presence. The Capt, she was not worried about, yet, but the Major was an opportunist if her feelings about him were right... Her charges were sealed for Command Eyes only. She was sure she had angered the Capt with her performance with the green alien,but to let that out, The Major with that like information about her.....She was not sure what the Major will do to her, or with her, with an alien ship, or with a psi-on.
PBH
Phalanx - interrogation room
Aaron was a tad concerned about the whole throwing him out the air lock bit. He very well knew what sort of unpleasant business occurs when a living system is thrown into hard vacuum. Though he was still unclear as to if you freeze to death first or if you burn to death. Though this all depends on you breathing out first so your chest doesn't explode. As great of a concern this particular question was Aaron did have a number of things on his mind. This list, in order of most important to Aaron includes:
1. Not getting thrown out an air lock.
2. Figure out what it is that Nova did that warrants throwing associates out air locks.
3. Retrieve a space ship.
4. Figure out how Capt Summers knew he would do something reckless.
5. Not getting thrown out an air lock.
To this end Aaron formed a plan in his head.
"Make it so indeed. Lt. Nova, Loki, let's find us a ship. Let's also bring it back in one piece."
Phalanx -
Nova had a small satistifaction from seeing Aaron's worried look. She saluted the Major and the Captain, marched across the room with the green fox and left the interrogation room on her way to the shuttle bay. She had short quick smile for Loki and patted his shoulder in the hallway..but waited for the Major in the shuttle bay at parade rest with Loki.
:mowcookie
PBH
Phalanx - SpecForce Room
Ben nodded to Romulus, "my best candidate for sharpshooter is the sergeant designated as my second. Alex Kiel. He is listed as IFL army designated sniper." He forwarded through the pages on the datapad he had received from the major, "heavy weapons looks to be a merchant marine... Harold Aeul, demolitions candidate would be one of the privateers, Jaice Randou... he is former EOD expert from the Imperium Army, Computer expert looks like another privateer candidate, Rino Jinguji... a former Trade Consortium Special Operations Weather technician who has been working as the station's head networking engineer. That leaves Cyndi Katsura as communications."
Ben winked at Romulus, "unlike your all boys club, looks like I got a pair of ladies."
As the two senior NCOs discuss things, the new recruits scramble off to find bunks. Romulus's team selects their accommodations and a coyote drops his gear in the NCO quarters and approaches Romulus and Ben.
He offers his hand to Ben, "Hello, I'm Alex Kiel, I'm the IFL sergeant that will be your second. Thought it good to introduce myself. I'll be with the squad in training A."
Ben nods as Alex heads over to the training room.
"heya fellows," comes a voice from behind Ben and Romulus. Wilcox walks in and shakes her head, "Colonel Nexx has decided to transfer my assault shuttle over to here and send one of his to the Revelation. My marine squad and our shuttle crew will make up the final elements of your Platoon. Nexx went and, against my wishes, made me a Senior Chief. So much for me keeping out of the paperwork. We will be in the set of rooms across from yours here."
Phalanx - interrogation room
The Captain thinks for a moment and as Nova leaves he responds to her request, "after you retrieve the ship then we can speak."
Loki thought it great fun to mimic Nova as she saluted and marched out of the room, which was made more comical by his anime space pirate getup and cape. With the both of them standing in the shuttle bay in parade rest, which is not at all restful, they got quite a few looks and a few snickers.
Loki beamed at them and continued to play soldier.
Phalanx - Shuttle Bay
"Lt. Nova, this 'high crime' that you seem to be caught up in wouldn't happen to be something along the lines of 'flicking boogers at the admiral during ceremony' would it?"
After a moment he then looks about for the person he should talk to about shuttles and debated to him self if requesting escort on this one would be a good idea.
((OOC: ShadesFox hasn't shown up, that would be Aaron ;p))
Phalanx - SpecForce Room
Romulus looks at Ben and shakes his head. "Just don't get distracted with them. I don't you need you trying to be a casanova while in a firefight" Romulus looked at the others while Ben spoke with Alex. He turned to Wilcox when she spoke. When finished he shrugged. "Sorry to drag ya in. *gestures to Ben and himself* We're gonna go check out the newbies wanna join?" Romulus headed towards training room A.
Quote
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroom
After half an hour, there was the familiar sound of the door chime, quickly followed by a loud and angry shout. The door suddenly opened as an angry Brittney stormed in. She was dressed in some casual off-duty clothes that seemed to compliment her fairly well.
The corporal followed her in carrying a few bags and a couple of technician uniforms for her ground duty work. The corporal seemed amused by Brittney's flustered state.
When Brittney found Kal she immediately began yelling up a tirade, "what's all this about being your bondswoman?" She almost barked like her primitive quadruped ancestors.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroomKal spent the next half hour explaning to Brittney about her role and dutys as a bondwoman...Leaving out the bit about 'coupling'
Phalanx - Hanger
Lt Nova can't help but giggle at Loki's antics, and Asks "Please, Loki don't live up to your name sake. This is serious, the Major is an unknown. And the legendary Loki was Mischief, in some stories he help the Heroes, in others he betrayed them. #sighs# Now, don't be sad, I don't think you are that Loki of myth... Wait, Are you?" She looked worried, but her own eyes were full of mischief... When the Major Aaron startle her with his question.
The Major walks to Nova and Loki, and overhears something about Mischief and betrayal of heroes..And that Nova did not think Loki was that Loki of myth...Then he asked his question.
She jump and shock at him but turns quickly and gracefully she saluted him and answer his question.
"The truth..Is I hacked into the Adm's computer database to add a few friends' names to the Navy Ball guest list. Admin Botact had a very simple password to his personal account...Which I use to gain access to the Officer's Club computer. But No one believes me that was all I did to the Admiral's computer. He was so mad, that I guess his 'foolproof' password, I found myself on a priority one transport to this first front fleet. He also added to my record that I hacked into the upper level security on his code, but stated they did not have enough proof for Court Marshal" She said
He didn't need to know what I really was into with her hacking. , she thought Well, the whole truth, she did add some friends to the Navy Ball list as a side trip during her last visited to the Main Frame. The Navy Ball *sigh* I missed it, but the food was the only thing worth going for anyway.
PBH
Phalanx - SpecForces room
Valynth broke away from the group went to his locker and found the standard gear waiting with his 686 revolver. He checked his revolver and found that it still contained six shots of ammo. His first feeling of relief ceeded to his annoyance that no one had considered using it. He slipped on his new gear and headed into the training room with the other 'recruits.'
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - Shuttle Bay
Loki regarded Nova quizzically, "I'm legendary?" The green fox smiled impishly at the thought, "oh what I could do if I was a legend!"
A deck officer approached Major Brown, he eyed the odd green kit, "sir, Colonel Nexx has instructed that I keep an eye out for you. This way please, we have a shuttle prepared."
The officer lead Aaron, Nova and Loki to a small aerospace craft about the size of your average Leer jet.
"Do you require a shuttle pilot?"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroom
Brittney was quiet for a few moments, she sat there and gazed at her hands as the information sank in.
When she next spoke her voice was small, "so that's it then... I am yours to command? Is there some type of refusal process or something?"
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Wilcox shrugged and smiled, "sure why not, I need to take it easy until they get more synth-fluid from the medbay. I lost too much after that guy shived me and now I'm on full mechanical systems until I get patched up and 'fueled back up' heh."
Ben gave a thumbs up to Romulus and Wilcox before turning and heading into the training room. With all eyes on him, he took a deep breath and gave everyone a wry smile.
"Alright rooks listen up. The datafiles you have all filled out shows us what you think of yourselves, but it is only text on a screen. This is where you will own up to what you have typed. First though, we need to gauge you on the most important aspect of soldiery, the ability to shoot and to follow lawful orders."
Ben walked over to the contained firing range area and pulled a rifle off the rack, "this is our standard M-74 pulse rifle. It fires 10mm caseless, contained gyrojet short rounds and is the standard military firearm used for boarding actions on space objectives. Why does a modern, advanced space force still utilize slug-style arms? Because of hull penetration and depressurization. Lasers, plasma and particle weapons can quickly burn through even the thickest hull plating on all except our most modern line ships."
Ben places the rifle back on the rack and pulls of another one, "now this is the standard issue P-68 pulse laser rifle used for ground assault operations, it is lightweight and durable. Like the M-74 it comes with a number of features to be customized per mission such as micro-grenade launchers, bayonets and such. This weapon holds enough energy for 200 pulse bursts in single synergetic E-clips... synergetic means self-recharging... they use some type of silicon-organic structure developed from captured alien technology or somesuch. Since we are not cubs here, I shouldn't have to tell you this, but the brass requires we do... if you break one of these E-clips or it is damaged, do not consume the contents of the casing no matter what you might think." The canine staff sergeant replaces the weapon on the rack.
"For our sergeant Kiel, he is going to need to familiarize himself with both the MS-80 and L-4 SpecFor designated sniper weapons. The MS-80 is a classic .50 caliber heavy slug rifle and the L-4 is essentially an anti-vehicle laser rifle."
Ben indicates both the weapons on a separate rack.
"However, before we do that I want you all to do a simple think for me." He nods and snaps his fingers, the other members of the current Special Forces team quickly strap a field pack to each of the new recruit's backs.
"I'm sure you all know what to do, drop to your bellies and give me 50... and yes the packs are fully loaded. These pushups will give you the feel for what it is like to lug your gear through hostile territory to an objective. We may not always have time to rest and may be pressed into action quickly. As each of you finishes, keep the pack on, and grab a rifle... M-74 first ... and take up position at the first firing stall. This stall is designed to a simulate all firing positions, standing, half-crouch, full-crouch and prone. There are 4 targets according to each position, fire at only the one corresponding to the position you are in. Be sure to clear your area before you enter and exit the stall, safety on until you are ready to fire and off after you are fully finished. After the M-74, hand it to the designated armorer and retrieve the P-68... don't worry about these wells, they are properly shielded. When you have completed each one, go over to where sergeant first class Darkcloud is and standby. He will have you field strip your pack and repack as well as field strip your rifle and reassemble. All of you except Kiel that is, Kiel will retrieve an MS-80 and then and L-4 and repeat the course except it will be timed per position."
Ben took a breath, "well, what are you waiting for? Hop to it soldiers!"
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Romulus smiled at how Ben took command of the troops and smiles. He pulls out a pistol and looks at the rookies. He waits for the rookies to start their pushups then taking careful aim fires the pistol so it lands near the rookies. He then smiles as the rookies look at him with surprise. "What you didn't expect us to make this easy for you did we? I want to know how well you'll preform while under fire. Now get back to work" Romulus takes carefully aimed shots at the rookies while they did what Ben asked them to do. While the rookies switched to the rifles so did Romulus. Taking up up his rifle he aimed and fired inches above their heads. "Come on now soldiers you getter be hitting your mark or else you will died in combat"
When the rookies finished he stoud waiting for all of them to asemble infront of him. "Alright soldiers watch carefully I'm don't want to have to repeat myself" Romulus takes a pack and strips it, pointing everything out as he pulls it out, explains what it's useful for then moves on to the next item. He then repacks the pack so the rokies would know the best way to do it. He then went to the rifles, but doesn't use his own personal rifle. At first he slowly strips both rifles and shows what parts to pay attention to. Once he puts them back together he quickly field strips both rifles and reassembles them.
Once done he addresses the rookies "Ok lets see how well you where paying attention. I want you to do everything I just did. I want you to practice it until I say you can stop'
Walks over to Ben while the rookies are working on their packs and rifles. "So what do you think of the new guys?"
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - Shuttle Bay
"Oh yes, a pilot would be nice thank you."
Aaron waits for a moment as the deck officer summons a pilot. After a brief round of salutes Aaron continues,
"Yes, we are looking for a ship. It is yay big."
Reaches his arms out imitating Loki's 'description'.
"Though that is his words, not mine. At any rate we should depart asap, the legendary Loki should guide us to the location."
"Don't Tease or encourage Him, Major Brown" Said Lt Nova "The Loki of Myth is/was the demigod of Mischief. The lord of Chaos. He has other names Puck, the green male of the woods, and the horned fox Our Loki may not want to be know as the Trickster." She is not sure what the Major was playing at, but the whole hanger didn't need to know they were going to search of Loki's ship. She went into the shuttle without looking back.
PBH
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroom
"Well....Yes there is, but I'm pretty sure you don't want to go down that path Britney...I involves me killing you"
Kal grimaced.
"I hope you don't chose it though. What I'm waiting for at the moment, is permission to have you stay on board this ship and serve on my ground crew. If denied though I will have to send you back to my family's holdings."
Kal waited patently for her answer, noting that yes her uniform did seam to fit her VERY well.
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Valynth's arms were burning from the recent work out they had been given. He had always made sure his body was in a fairly good condition and indeed he was one of the better maintained of the group, but that only went so far and his arms were in a numb pain by the end of that portion of the training. Being ever practical Valynth simply obeyed as he figured that the training would help his dim odds of survival on a battle field.
He then moved to the firing range as per instructed and made sure to clear it. He took the rifle and brought it to the ready postion until he was instructed to fire. On he was told to fire his finger flipped off the safety and opened fire on his target. His aim with the rifle was good, a majority of his shots, though scattered, hit in the center mass while a few hit the target's head. Three of his shots missed, but only barely. He silently swore at his arms, which were slightly numb and sluggish, for screwing up his aim.
Valynth listened and watched as Romulus showed them how to pack and put together their rifles. He started with the pack and quickly unpacked and repacked his gear in decent time, but he wasn't the fastest of the group. When he got to the rifle, however, he made up for a bit of what ever time he lost on the gear as he called upon his training in fire arms to assemble the rifle even though his hands were still shaking from the push-ups. As per instructed he continued disassembling and re-assembling the pack and rifle, gaining time on other recruits as he cycled through with his arms gradually regaining feeling.
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Ben watched Valynth and Alex as Romulus asked him the question, "our seconds are doing rather good, as are all of the team. That is to be expected though based on their backgrounds."
As the rookies continue their tests, Major Shannon enters the area again, but this time he is followed by an ISF marine trooper.
"there you gentlemen are, hope everyone is doing well. I need to transfer one of your new recruits out, the IFL has requested a transfer of all former Imperium military forces found among the privateers as long as it is feasible for transfer. Since Alex is IFL, he was officially transfered here, but Jaice Randou was former Imperium Army. The IFL wants to register and re-indoctrinate them into Imperium service. To replace him, Corporal Sean Davis will be transfered to you. He is one of our Marine Combat Engineers and is an expert in explosives. he should fill that billet effectively as he is a good marine."
Major Shannon left Sean in the charge of Ben and Romulus as he walked over and collected his charge. With a nod he left to transfer him to the IFL troop ship.
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - Shuttle Bay
Within a few moments, the shuttle's crew had ushered the three into their seats and secured them in as the pilot began his preflight checks.
The pilot gave a thumbs up to the crew chief who checked the straps before giving the go ahead to the pilot.
The chief secured himself in as the pilot taxied into positions and within a few moments the shuttle was in space.
Loki yelled to the pilot, "head for the space over the northern polar regions of the planet."
After a few hours the ship was in position.
Loki, looking a tad bit mischievous, looked over to Nova, "now if you take off this bell, I can take us to the ship..."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroom
"I would rather not be killed, what a horrible thing! So I guess I am stuck then. Good thing I am a mechanic, but how do you know you can trust me? And what do I get out of this?" Brittney followed his eyes, "and what are you looking at? My eyes are up here."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - CAG's office
Master Chief Graham examined the forms, she felt it was rather important so she picked up the comm.
"Commander MacDuff, this is Master Chief Graham, we have an unusual request. If you could drop by your office, you will need to see this."
In the shuttle, above the planetary northern pole.
"So, Do I open the lock and release the trickster? Hoping, I amuse him enough for him not to steal me soul and he will give me a pot of gold?", Nova asks Herself aloud as she looks outside to see if there is any ship. "or Should I demand his gold and watch him like he is prey until he does give it up?"
She looks Loki in the eye for a moment, and then begins to take his collar off. She finds that Loki's collar has an encoded lock, she was silly to think that one could easily open it. Yet, the collar device was interesting, why did have this graviton mini generator that was wired differently. It shouldn't be on, now, either, even at this very low level.
If she remember the idea of these prisoner collars, they activated when a prisoner pass a place or certain point and then prisoner would feel 6-10Gs for force suddenly and a guard also could activate it on need. This one was modified so bad, She could deactivate the generator and it would still send to the prisoner monitoring center that it was still on. Still, she would wait and see what the Captain had to says about it.
"We will ask the Captain, Loki.. But Why do you need it off, If I may ask?" asks Lt Nova.
"Major, your word on this?"
PBH
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Romulus crossed his arms and looked at Sean. "Throw your grea in a locker, find a bunk, grab some armor, a pistol and a rifle. Get loaded up then do 50 push ups, then target practice with both firearms. Once done have Valynth show you to field strip your rifle, unpack you back then reassemble your rifle and repack you field pack"
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroom
Grinning Kal looked up. "Just making sure the corporal got everything, but I think she missed something..."
Kal reached into his deskdrawer and pulled a marines private rank badge. "I assume you know how to sew?" he tossed over the rank badge to Brittney.
"You wear those till you prove yourself to me. Then I cut one of those cords of the band. Every time you do something I judge worthy I will cut the remaining bands. Once all the bands are removed I will release you of your bondservice...If you still wish it."
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
"Yes sir!" Davis barked. Davis didn't yet know anyone's names ,but he knew they outranked him, and that was all that mattered for now.
Davis rushed to find a locker, which he spotted at the far wall.He opened it,luckily finding it empty, and forcefully shoved his gear inside.
After storing his gear,Davis then ran to a nearby bunk,which had no tell-tale signs of anyone using it.Good he thought,I get to sleep alone.He folded a corner of the sheets to show that the bottom bed was taken, and then scurried off to find some armor.
He found some in a pile of standard issue balistic armor.Now came the part he always found most annoying...sizing up.All the armor ranged from small to large sizes,but no XL's,which were the only size armor he could wear.He grabbed a L and tried to put it on.After grunting and pushing it on,he looked like a stuffed sausage.He could barely put his arms down ,but it would have to do.
H then dropped for push-ups which would be a major pain in his too-small armor.He huffed and puffed at the end of the 50,hating the other soldiers faster push-ups.Screw it, now I can show off.And ran to the shooting range.
He found a two-tier gun locker near the shooting range,rifles on top,pistols on the bottom.He grabbed a rifle and slung it over his shoulder,then grabbed a pistol,looking and feeling like a kid's toy in his hands.The locker next to him was a ammo locker,so he heaped up on all the ammo his pockets would carry for both guns,for he liked to be well armed.
He then turned to the gun range,and slapped in a magazine into the rifle with a satisfying 'click',and then went to work on the silloette targets.Davis fired in quick three-round bursts,all landing in the head/neck area.He then placed the spent rifle on the table to his right and then whipped out his pistol.He was a far better shot with a rifle,and fervently hated using a pistol in combat,much rather wanting to use the ARAM shotgun favored by engineers.He fired off all the rounds in the pistol,this time aiming for the chest area,so he could actually hit the target.
He knew how to field strip and gun,actually he had known how to since he was 6,when his dad showed him how to hunt.But he decided that it was best to let the other being show him how to do it,after all,he didn't want to repeat the push-ups again.
After putting his rifle back together,he then rounded up all his things and threw them altogether.
"Done sir!" He said after everthing was done.
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Romulus shook his head at the newcomer. He smile abit seeing the big grizzly in the armor slightly too small. Once he said he finished Romulus looked him dea in the eyes. "You'e not done til I say you are. *Romulus looked at Donovan* Got any spare armor this guy can wear? Looks like they don't have any in your guys size here. *Romulus looked back to Davis* Repeat the firearms and the field striping" As Davis run to comply Romulus did the same thing he did to the others. Fired Just over their heads while they where targeting practiceing. he continued to fire just over Davis's head while he was field stripping his rifle and pack.
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
After hearing the wolverine say to repeat the target practice and field stripping exercises,Davis ran to comply with the orders.He started to run back to the target range when a shot rang off.Davis whipped around and saw the wolverine holding a gun which was smoking.Sonofa was all Davis thought to himself.I hope the ricochet doesn't hit me,'cause this guy doesn't seem like the caring type.He pulled out another rifle and pistol,loaded them,and fired all the rounds downrange,while still being fired at.He then stripped the guns,rebuilt them,and then replaced them in the gun locker.He then ran back to the gun-firing wolverine,and just stood at attention."Awaiting orders sir!" Was all Davis said,not 'done sir' for that would earn another set of punishment.
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Romulus looks at Ben when Davis ran out to him. "Well he's in your squad. Anything you want him to do"
In the shuttle, out there in the black.
"You probably don't even need to consult with the Captain, I'm sure he will say no. I would think that there is a reason for that thing, and there seems to have been an unpleasant spat of trouble to get it on him in the first place. No, Loki knows where it is, and he can take us to it now."
Aaron just sort of grins as Loki.
In the shuttle, polar orbit
Nova didn't think she would need to do this so soon, but checking her palm computer behind Aaron and sneaks audio recorder on.
"Major, sir.... Do you think he can see an invisible ship, anymore than we can with a full scan array?" asks Lt Nova. "And how will he turn off the ship's defenses from out here? or why? I thought we are building a friendly alliance, here"
PBH
In the shuttle, I don't care, I'm still free, you can't take the sky from me.
Aaron pondered Lt. Honnydew. There were only few times in his life that he had heard a larger load of crap. The first time was from the army recruiter at school.
He began to wonder about her for a moment. He also wondered about the information she leaked in her question. She called him Major, and said sir. He never heard her say 'sir' before. Also, how does build an alliance with a prisoner? He was getter ever more concerned with this fog of bullshit.
Still, he had a mission to complete, there would be time to execute insidious plots later. He leans over to Loki, "So tell me, can a little bell collar really lay you so low that you can't find your own toys like Lt. Honneydew suggests?"
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Ben was quite a bit cheerful, it was nice to be giving as opposed to receiving for once, but he didn't want to fall into the rut of a callous NCO, he cleared his throat and smiled at Romulus, "I think the basics are pretty much well covered. I need you to take each of your specialists and have them take the member of my team that corresponds to their MOS and run through their test for them. Explosives can be handled in the bomb closet behind us in the training room here. Everything else can be handled in the other training area. Valynth and Alex will stick with us and we'll go over their duties."
He turned to the new guy Sean and addressed him directly, "good job corporal, not bad for coming in late. Oh, Darkcloud and I, we work for a living, so don't address us as sir like you would an officer. Address us by our rank, we earned it." Ben felt rather silly about saying that as they had just received a two rank promotion each, but he didn't show the embarrasment.
Shuttle, polar orbit
Loki's mischievous little attempt was not working out so well, Nova was receptive to cute, but the Major was not. He sighed as the Major called his power into question, it was an attempt to arouse his arrogance.
The fox kit smiled wryly and shrugged, "no, I know where it is exactly now that we are here. The ship made a decision to land due to the space battle that occurred earlier. So we will have to land and travel to it. The bell collar does not prevent me from locating it, what it does prevent me from doing is phasing or communicating telepathically over long distances. I cannot just 'teleport' us into the ship nor can I contact it. If we try and land too near it, the ship may flee or fire on our shuttle. I had hoped to make this easy and safer, I have an odd feeling... a bad one maybe. I can't tell with this collar on."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroom
"release me from service if I still wish it? How would I not want to be free of servitude?" She sighed and sat down, "look lieutenant, I'm a mercenary and a utility mech pilot. I've been working for these corsairs for a year or two, when you are stuck in space all you can be is useful. I'll do what you tell me to and I may even grow to like it, but right now it seems just like going from one type of servitude into another. When will anyone acknowledge me as a person rather then just some asset or commodity?"
Nova looks at Loki with annoyed frown.
"Well, it looks like we will land and huff it, then. " says Lt Nova as she sits and buckles her flight harness.
She smiles at Loki and ask gently "Please, Mischief, can you get the pilot to a landing site that will not to spook your little ship? Major, sir. You'll want to take seat during re-entry."
Lt Nova looks ahead with her professional emotionless face, and she calls for the data from the shuttle's outside scanners to her wireless palm computer. She watches to see the scan for any sight of Loki's ship or Is it really is invisible to everything they can scan.
PBH
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroom
"I do value you and not just for your skills which is why I saved you from a firing squad for piracy...I consider myself a good judge of charcter" Kal paused for a moment "I'll take you to meet my ground crew and then I'll have an NCO show you around some."
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Romulus nodded to Ben then looked at his squad. "All right gents, you know what to do. Show these rooks how it's done. Wall, no need to go crazy. Keep the ammo use to a minimium. RC, no prank calling anyone you got me? Hacker, no getting into the recards and making people KIA. Nitro, no blowing the rook up. Alright guys have fun" Romulus looked to Ben again. "You're sniper will have to wait til I get some free time. I'm sure they'll be fine though"
Shuttle - Some where well above the rainbow
Aaron takes a moment to reflect on the situation. Loki is claiming that something 'bad' may happen. Then again, bad stuff seems to happen to him with disturbing frequency. Still, it would be nice if the worst thing that happened this time was that they have to march to the shuttle. Hopefully, Lt. Honneydew was at least trained how to march. He gets the feeling that a lot of such training was lost on her.
"Very well then. Please point out where it is exactly so that we can decide on a good landing spot. From there we shall march, hopefully not far and hopefully not into an angry shuttle armed with nasty weapons it intends to use. That would ruin my day."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroom
As Kal spoke with Brit, his comm unit flashed for a few seconds and the screen came to life. The image resolved to that of Lt. Commander Kason, the ship's Deputy CAG.
"1st Lieutenant Jeico, Commander MacDuff is indisposed at this time. He has given me full operating authority in regards to this bondswoman issue." The fox paused for a second, "Your request is approved, please register her in the logs and send the requests for the appropriate system accounts."
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Everyone snapped to their various duties immediately and began their training of the new recruits. It became apparent that the recruits were well versed in their various skills and adapted easily.
Shuttle, polar orbit
Loki sighed and stood up, motioning for Aaron to follow as he headed into the cockpit. Loki dropped down into the seat where the navigator would normally be and began typing furiously on the keyboard of the console. A few moments later a display came to life with a rendering of the polar surface. A purple dot illustrated where Loki's ship was.
Loki pointed to a flat area a few miles north of the site where his ship was, "this area is the only safe ground to land on with an approach into the valley where my ship has apparently tried to hide."
Lt Nova calls up the weather and local hazards for the landing site from the computer database, " I will inform fleet flight control of our request to land on the planet surface with GPS data. We can land on your command, Major, once we are cleared by flight control", she comments from the engineers flight station.
On the slide, she sets up an email with flight path data for the landing site to the Captain Summer's private account, but she waits to see if the Major follows protocols and reports the new flightpath to Fleet Flight Control. She is also waiting on the data about the planet.
PBH
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dominic's bunkroom
"Aye, Aye Sir!" Kal smiled as the Lt Commander signed out. "Well Britney looks like you're with us for the long haul." He stood up and motioned for her to do the same.
"Lets get you registered and introduce you to the gang." With that Kal led her down to the small admin section on the ship and filled out the proper forms.
After they finished Kal led her down to the hangar where his Raptor was being worked on. "Hey! Chief!" He called out when they got to the mecha.
Shuttle, polar orbit
Loki stared at Nova for a long few moments and then at Aaron, he scrunched up his face like a pouting child, "you two get along now, or I'm not working with the both of you. Stop being so political and defensive, this is not conducive to a healthy environment."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Flight deck
A respectable looking black man popped his head out of the cockpit, he was wearing some type of virtual reality simulation gear.
"yeah lieutenant, what's up?"
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Romulus watch the rooks with Ben. "So what do you say we look into getting the rest of our gear transfered over to this boat? They look like they have an idea what they are doing"
Shuttle, polar orbit, where the bears are
Aaron looks at Loki. He knew she was hiding things. She was going about and doing a very poor job hiding it. Between an arrogant choice of words, a complete lack of military discipline, and an overall no factor about her behavior he was always a tad suspicious. Though he was hoping to have a tad more information before forcing the issue.
"Interesting choice of words there Loki. Perhaps we can talk about it."
On board the Shuttle, polar orbit.
"Okay, Major sir, Protocols must be followed... I am ready to transmit flightpath to Fleet Flight Control once it is plotted. If Loki wants to us to play by the rules, I am all for it. You are still team leader, Aaron, you call the shots, Ready when you are sir?" says Lt Nova with a sigh. She redirects her email for the captain to Flight Control.
"We are luck to have winds at 14km and sunshine for the next 15 days at the landing site. Temperature a bommy -10C and the air is on the thin side with O2 levels are the below normal but breathable. It is very dry with little snow. Readings are unclear of about a storm system to the south. It could break toward us or head south. We don't have enough data on the wild weather parttens of this planet."
PBH
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Flight deck
"Got someone for you to meet Chief." Kal motioned Britney forward "This is Britney Graham, she'll be working with you guys on my Raptor, take care of her ok?"
On board the Shuttle, polar orbit
Flight control acknowledged the flight plan and signaled the all clear message.
The pilot lokked over to the two fleet officers, but caught Loki's gaze instead. The green fox's eyes flashed for a second and Loki mouthed the words, "just go ahead and land." He did not vocalize them however.
The pilot found himself oddly convinced that he had just received the landing orders and brought the shuttle in, forcing everyone to scramble for an appropriate landing seat.
Loki sheepishly watched everyone scramble for a seat, he mumbled to himself in a low voice, "oops, I should have waited till everyone was seated."
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Ben nodded, "yeah, sounds like a good idea. When your guys are done instructing the rooks, they can get their stuff over here too."
Ben whistled LOUD, "listen up. We are going back over to the command ship to transfer our stuff here. Keep up the practice for another few hours then take a break, get settled in. After chow we will get more target practice in."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Flight deck
The chief removed the VR helmet and climbed down "oh really?"
He sized her up and noticed the bond cord.
"Alright crew, front and center, new team member to introduce." The chief called out.
The technical crew of Kal's Raptor appeared in a blink of an eye. All eyes where on the new arrival, Britney suddenly felt very self-conscious.
A golden brown alsation with red head fur/hair wagged her tail when she saw the bond cord on Britney's wrist.
The chief turned back to Britney, "alright private, go ahead and introduce yourself."
Britney frowned a bit, but returned to her neutral expression, "Britney Graham, formerly technical officer for the 1st Alrehad Lancers, mech squadron of the Defiance. I am a mechanical engineer and have been a pilot... now I am his bondswoman."
The chief scratched his chin for a moment and snapped his fingers, "for now, I'm going to assign you to sergeant Elder. As you prove yourself, things will change, but that is up to the lieutenant."
Lt Nova starts to fall. but manages to hit her seat, and scolds, "Loki, that was not funny....*giggling* I could having landed on the Major." *giggle * "Cmmm Cough, ermm what is the ETA, pilot?"
PBH
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Flight deck
"Thanks Chief I knew I could count on you." Kal said with a ghost of a smile knowing the good natured ribbing Britney would get from his ground crew.
"And Jessica you be nice to the poor girl I saw that look!" Grinning ear to ear he patted Britney on the rump and pushed her towards the crew, he motioned for the chief over.
"So what hit me out there? That was a hell of a malfunction I'm just glad I managed to find a replacement board."
Shuttle - Going through an atmosphere
"Yes, a little more warning would be handy next time oh jedi master."
He sits down, kind of disappointed he didn't get a cute lady in his lap from the jarring, and straps him self in.
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
Romulus sets out with Ben to go about getting their stuff transfered to their new HQ.
Shuttle - subarctic surface... it's cold up here
The descent was a slight bit bumpy, once fully into atmosphere, the shuttle switched from Ion drive to anti-gravity units and began a rapid deceleration which was just this side of maximum human/anthro tolerances.
Eventually the shuttle maneuvered into VTOL mode and landed near the entrance of a large valley. Trees were small and sparse, but vegetation was present.
Loki threw off his restraints, bolted to the door and threw it open before the crew chief could even unbutton his restraint. The green fox briefly became blue as he turned back towards the crew, "wow, it's cold out there."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Flight deck
The various members of the ground crew surrounded Britney and whisked her off somewheres.
The chief scratched his chin, "as best as I can tell, it must have been a heavy dose of incident electromagnetic radiation from those big capital Javelin spinal lasers from the Defiance or the Beta particle projectors of the Phalanx. Those older weapon designs tend to be rather inefficient and cook off much of the power fed to them in electromagnetic leakage. The shielding over these system boards is rather thin due to the weight limitations and a poorer quality of material to save cost. One of the many problems of contract bidding. I can have the crew cut some quality material off the enemy salvage and replace the shielding. Other then that, there is not a lot of damage to your unit."
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx
Ben and Romulus grab Amanda's shuttle and head over to the Revelation. They start pulling their gear from the area on the ship.
A corporal stops by and produces some paperwork for Romulus and Ben, "final transfer forms, just need your signatures, the Captain has already approved. Any gear you need you can transfer over. If all your people's effects can be transferred before we are ready to jump to the next system."
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx
Romulus spoke as he looked over the orders to make sure everything was in order before he signed. "We'll send them over as soon as we get back over there" Once he felt there wasn't a nasty surprise waiting fro him in the orders he signed it and went about moving his gear.
Rolling her eyes, LT Nova puts on a environmental suit just minus the helmet and oxygen supply. It was light weight and holds in body heat. It was a form fitting ski-suit with boots and mitts. She also pulls out a pistol from the armory and a portable scanner from the equipment cabinet.
"The scanner showed that the immediate area was clear of local wildlife above small mammals.. Lokki you need a coat or something?" asks the cat girl
PBH
Shuttle - somewhere the is way too cold
"Yes, polar regions do tend to be quite cold."
Aaron puts on a lighter suit, being better naturally equipped for the environment then the others, and tosses something similar to Lt. Nova's get up to Loki.
He then goes through the weapons locker, a rifle, a pistol, a few grenades. Hopefully nothing needed to be blown up. But having the option of blowing things up is always useful.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Flight deck
"On the ball as always Chief, glad I was assigned you guys." Kal looked over the LAM "She's loaded out again right? I'm getting a feeling we aren't done in this system."
Subarctic surface... wait, is that... nope, it's just snow.
Loki took the offered envirosuit, though furred and a fox, he had the appearance of a scrawny teen. Once the suit was on he bounded off into the snow and flopped on his back to make a snow angel.
He bounded off after he made quite an impression in the snow and headed up the trail into the valley. From a bit of distance off, he waved at the others and waited.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Old SpecForces ready room
Ben also signed the forms after he had checked them over to make sure there weren't any special hidden issues.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Flight deck
The chief nodded, "everything is a-okay, you can take her up and out for your patrol rotation later today. The crew is anxious to indoctrinate your bondswoman."
Surface, cold as hell (YMMV by religion)
Aaron took one step out side. He normally liked the cold. Something comforting about it. But he stepped out and decided he would have nothing to do with that sort of cold and went back inside to get a warmer suit on.
Stepping out side again he notes, "Stupid cold being so cold." He then heads towards Loki, looking around for anything of note.
Surface, cold as... well, we don't need to go there
Aaron notices some brown splotches in the snow off along the path, following them leads to a frozen body of a canine dressed in the trappings of one of the pirate types. It is hard to tell whether the cold or the laser wound to his back killed him. His trail comes from up the path and it is not more then a day or two old.
Some place cold
"Hey, check it out. I found a dead guy. Loki you know anything about this?"
At least it looks like there is not much precipitation around here. Leaves stuff nicely in place for anyone to find. He was also beginning to think that asking for some ground reinforcements would be a helpful addition.
A cold place
Loki heads back down the path and looks to where Aaron had pointed, "yes it is a frozen canine of some type, I suppose he had managed to escape after being wounded and collapsed. He either succumbed to the wound or exposure. Judging by the area and the time right now, I assume this is the hot portion of the day. It must get far colder around here at night."
Loki seemed oddly serious and far more mature then at any point either Nova or Aaron can remember. He examined the uniform, "this is one of the true pirates, his uniform is of a crewhand, probably from a medium ship... small freighter converted to a gunship. Crewed probably by about a dozen, minus him of course."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Old SpecForces ready room
Romulus finishes moving his gear and looks to Ben "Ready when you are. When we get back I'll tell the others to come get the rest of their gear"
Have I mentioned it is cold yet?
"Hmm... so there is another ship, with real alive pirates? Are they after your ship? I'm liking this whole thing a lot less even more now. We need more people with bigger guns down here."
The Lieutenant was follow the Major some paces back. She comes up to the guys and scans the body...
"He has been dead about 72 hours, and the wound didn't kill him. He slowly froze to death or he would have bled to death. Was he coming from our landing site or Lokki's ship landing site? I can't tell if he was shot from your ship or from someone from our aera. " says Nova. "Was he really escaping and happen to run into the ship defence area or trying to locate your ship Lokki?"
LT Nova wondered if Lokki need help talking to his ship now, but at least, the Major seems alittle less cocky, now. Lt Hunnydew smiled the green fox, being the mature warrior, now
PBH
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Flight deck
"Treat her right Okay Chief? She's still not used to the idea. Well that is all Chief have a good one." Kal returned the Salute the Chief gave him and headed back to his room.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Kal and Dom's room
After filling out a few more pieces of paperwork Kal put on a new flight suit and headed down to the briefing room.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Briefing Room (flightdeck)
Kal realised he had gotten there early. Taking a seat near the front her started rereading the intel on the ailens.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Briefing Room (flightdeck)
The intel on the aliens is sparse. What information has been obtained has been from the two Acadians and the X'xiklorian. The technology of the enemy is ultra-advanced, beyond the comprehension of ISF scientists and akin to magic for lack of a better word. Interdimensional/multidimensional energy weapons, such as phasors or hyperdimensional fission beams, or phased weaponry, such as phased plasma cannons are highly ineffective against their armor designs. More conventional matter weapons are highly effective. The standard plasma and laser weapons are varied in their effectiveness. All except the most advanced sensor and targeting systems are ineffective against their stealth and ECM systems, regulating most to manual targeting and visual sightings.
Eventually the other pilots and the flight leader file in. Dom begins the briefing which consists mostly of basic details. He asks for volunteers for patrol duty, before resorting to assigning shifts.
I come from the land of ice and snow...
When suggested that his ship might be responsible, Loki shakes his head, "no, my ship uses fusion weapons... he would have been completely atomized. This looks relatively low powered, like a hand weapon... a laser pistol."
As if awaiting this revelation, a number of disheveled furres mount a small ofensive from the treeline, opening up with conventional slug-thrower weapons. For most soldiers this is not much of a surprise, for less combat trained personnel it is quite surprising.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Old SpecForces ready room
"I'm ready, let's head back."
Ben shouldered his gear and headed back to the shuttle bay where the shuttle awaited. Both he and Romulus were ferried back to the Phalanx.
Shuttle between Revelation and Phalanx
Romulus looks over at Ben. "Damn I hope something happens soon I'm starting to get bored as hell. I was hopeing to go get that ship with that little weird fox. Oh well I guess we'll find something to keep us busy until we're needed again"
Shuttle between Revelation and Phalanx
"I sure hope so, otherwise we will have to resort to a physical training session... maybe a hand-to-hand exercise. I'm a bit anxious to move onto our next objective, but the ships need to be repaired and retrofitted. Sometimes it really bites to be dependent on the navy for a taxi service."
...from the midnight sun where the hot lead flies
Aaron dashes for any convent cover, snapping off a few shot as opportunity allowed. When he was in a less dangerous spot he got out his communicator and sent out message, "This is Major Aaron Brown sending out a call for assistance. My crew and I are under fire from an unidentified force. I'm sending my location now."
After he finishes with the signal he looks into returning fire.
Shocked LT Nova grabs Lokki and runs for cover, too, and which is little ways down the path to Lokki's ship. She fires a few wild shots and then switches to scensor/computer assist aiming with laser sighting, she hits one, but finds cover on the opposite side of the canyon from the Major. She gets one more in a tree above the major, and scan 360* to find out number and locations of these raiders/pirates.
"Lokki can you call for help?" whispers LT Nova.
PBH
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Briefing Room (flightdeck)
"I'll go 'Viper'." Kal volunteers "Who's with me?"
Hammer of the Gods...
Loki stood there for a second with his hand forward as if he planned to stop bullets with it, but Nova grabs him before any pirate actually draws a bead on him. Roughly handled by Nova, it takes him a moment to recover.
"My name is Loki... low-key... not Lokki... locky. As for calling for help..." The fox kit concentrated for a few seconds and shook his head, "my range is too limited right now, it must be on the other side of the valley." His eyes flash for a second and dart about, "They are surrounding us, you really should take this bell collar off... I can take care of them."
A shot passes dangerously close to Loki as he quickly relocates to a different spot.
Aaron receives a reply back, "this is the Revelation, what is your status? We will be scrambling a team to your location immediately."
A bold pirate severely wounds the tree next to Aaron, good thing he wasn't standing there.
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Briefing Room (flightdeck)
A dingo raises his hand, "I'll go with you."
'Renegade' stands and gives a thumbs up to Major Hadem.
The major wisps his reptilian tail about for a second before he nods, "right, hop to it then."
Shuttle, Phalanx landing bay
As Ben and Romulus disembark, a deck officer heads over to them. "It looks like Major Brown has encountered resistance. The colonel wants your squads to scramble to their aid ASAP."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - Briefing Room (flightdeck)
"Ok Renegade lets go get those birds preflighted." Saluting the Major, the wolf and dingo made their way out to the hangar.
As they reached the bays where their Raptors waited they grasped paws and parted, each to their own LAM.
"Hello Britney." Kal said as he spotted her closing a compartment on the LAM's leg.
"Sir..." She replied "Every thing is good to go...I'm not used to this type of mecha but a machine is a machine."
"Good to hear" Kal said as he finished his walk around and started to climb the ladder to the cockpit. "Chief I'm gonna take her out on a spin of the system won't be out late." He joked as he strapped in and Jessica and Britney helped.
"Thank you ladies." Kal grinned as he Saluted the crew.
Flipping a few switches and setting himself up, Kal watched as both his and 'Renegade's Raptors were loaded into the
Catapults.
"Overwatch flight of two, 'Cool Hand' and 'Renegade' ready for launch." Kal radioed to the ships launch control.
Will drive our ships to new lands
"Revelation Aaron, the status is bad. We are... OH CRAP!"
The tree next to Aaron bravely takes some bullets for him. Aaron look around for any sort of safer spot as he fires back.
"We are taking fire, looks like they are surrounding us. I can't get a good rifle count. Help would be good. Fast help."
He turns to Nova,
"And don't you dare take that thing off him! We are in dire need to make sure nothing else goes wrong."
Shuttle, Phalanx landing bay
Romulus gives Ben a small smile as he starts to run to his squadroom. "Thank god for small miracles" Romulus races to his new squadroom. Rushing through the door, he runs straight to his locker getting his equipment "LOCK AND LOAD TIME! WE GOTTA GO BAIL SOME SCIENTIST OUT OF TROUBLE ON THAT PLANET! TRIPLE TIME MOVE IT!!" He looks at Ben again "Looks like your squad gets a trial by fire" He quickly dons his battle army and readies his rifle while waiting for the rest of the squad. "I SAID MOVE IT"
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room
The two squads scramble to ready themselves for combat. This is not the time for hesitation and no one appears to be doing that.
Within a good period of time, the two squads are ready to move.
Amanda comes charging down the hall just as Ben orders everyone to head for the shuttle. She immediately passes them and waves to Romulus and Ben, "double time it! Prepare for a air deployment, we will fit you all with drop packs (a specially designed hover pack). and you will be coming in right on top of their positions."
The teams file into the shuttle, where their normal seats have been replaced with a drop seat and pack.
Amanda smiled and gestured to the spots, "strap in, if none of you have done this type of thing before then you'll learn on the job. The unit has basic controls similar to most light craft, but it is a backpack. Don't slam into a tree at speed."
INARI Class Cruiser, Revelation - flightdeck
Both 'Cool Hand' and 'Renegade' were given authority to lauch and once in space, they received a priority transmission, "This is Revelation control to patrol flight, you are being redirected to escort the assault shuttle from the Phalanx. There is a ground action on the planet and we need you to fly support for the troop transport."
To fight the horde...
Aaron's shots wing a pirate and scores a lucky hit on one that appears to have been already hit by Nova. He spies a rock well flanked by trees that he can retreat to for more cover as his current tree has been mortally wounded.
Nova's sweep could not determine numbers. Just as she searched for a new target or two, a short distance away, the snow erupted upward and a pair of snow hares in snow camo gear (i.e. all white). Jump up and try to increase her lead count by several times normal.
Loki quickly steps between her and them with his paw out stretched and as the little bell collar rings, he fights its effects to errect a telekinetic barrier. The bullets are mostly deflected, but its strength is very low due to the collar. Loki is pushed into Nova's back.
"You lady, throw down gun and then we shoot you too." One of them says.
"niet! She won't drop gun if you say that." The other one scolds.
The planet's surface
Seeing Loki's face the guns alone even with his powers dampened and try to save us all spoken volumes to Nova. Yet, she could not trust the military to feel any trust to Loki. If the marines didn't show up soon she would disarm Loki's bell collar.
She did find something interest during her scan of the rocky slope of the canyon, a weak spot in the ice and rocks across from her. When poor Loki is hit into her, she managers refit her pistol to overload condition. She holds Loki to her with tears in her eyes as she stands up with her weapon pointed at them.
"No NO Loki, Grrrr You bastards pirates. Here take it, and go to the blackest of space." shouts Lt Nova as she throws her gun at ambushers with all her strength The overloading pistol flys over their head and lands right under the boulder she was aiming for. Some greedy scum runs over to get it, only to blow to bits. The explosion triggers the start of landslides as she and Loki make a break for it down the path to Loki's ship.
PBH
singing and crying
*Sigh, so much for not doing anything stupid.* Aaron thinks to him self as Loki and Lt. Honeydew run through the open. Aaron opens fire, first at the two bunnies immediately next to him, then makes his way to a very nice rock position to cover for Lt. Nova and hoping that A) She doesn't get her self killed by the priates, B) she does not get her self killed in the land slide, C) She doesn't get Loki killed, D) The land slide doesn't get everyone killed.
"Wait, no! Don't run that way into certain death! If the pirates gun you down in the open the avalanche will finish you off!"
He throws a grenade into the biggest cluster he can find and fires his rifle at anyone he can note.
Space near the Revelation
"Copy that Revelation, en route to link up coordinates."
"You get that 'Renegade'?" Kal asked over the radio band the two where using.
"Two copies." Came the reply from the other Raptor.
They quickly reached the meeting point with the shuttle.
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - SpecForces room/Dropship
Romulus only nodded at Amanda as she tells them they would be dropping in. He quickly boarded the ship after all of the two squads loaded. "Alright soldiers let's go see what kind of trouble those scientists got themselves into" He donned his drop pack. He checked Ben's to make sure it was on and working properly. The then turned to the squads "Sound off for equipment check. For you new guys that means check the person's pack on your right to make sure their packs have the green light. And remember *he points to the ready lights" red means stand up and the green means jump. Anyone who stops to think about jumping gets thrown out by me" He looks at Ben and smiles a bit. "Lets go be heroes"
Valhalla, I am coming!
The avalanche was far more powerful then intended, the nature of ice and snow caused quite a movement. The torrent of snow and ice did grant Aaron a decent view of their opposing force. At least twenty-four combatants were arrayed against them and all but eight of them were dressed in arctic camo. The pirates were busy maneuvering to avoid the avalanche to do much combat, other then those farther up the valley which Nova and Loki were running towards. A couple of pirates up in trees kept Aaron pinned down and a lucky shot sprayed rock particles all over him.
Nova and Loki bolted ahead of the onslaught of ice, snow and rock. Nova spied a large rock outcrop behind which they could shelter from the avalanche if they could make it. Loki's pace rapidly became slower and Nova was almost literally dragging him along for the last few meters.
Unfortunately sprinting in the open drew the attention of one group of pirates, who did not immediately see the threat of the avalanche. They opened fire with light arms, but their distance cut down on accuracy, however one stray shot managed to catch the feline as she rounded the rock.
The ice and snow surged around Loki and Nova. The speed and ferocity of it caught the pirates who were firing at Nova and Loki completely by surprise. Many of them were hit full on by the cold wave. Safely behind the rock, Loki grasped Nova tightly in the frigid cold with a strength quite surprising that nearly threatened to snap her arms and crush her ribs with its force.
The rock outcropping was surrounded and nearly buried by ice and snow. After the torrent had ended, Loki disengaged from Nova and leaned against the rock. He pressed his forearm against his stomach and grasped his left arm and grit his teeth, smiling, he turned his head towards Nova, "the avalanche might have been a bit much."
Behind their position, the pirates organized.
The snow had managed to reach Aaron's position, knocking over a few trees. In the confusion that this caused, a smallish arctic wolf stumbled into Aaron as both had moved to avoid the falling tree. An uncomfortable few seconds passed as both considered what to do now.
The tension on the battlefield was broken briefly by a loud boom overhead and the unmistakable whine of an incoming dropship. Somewhere amid the forest, a few missiles broke the treeline and headed towards the approaching shapes above.
Amanda's Assault dropship
The dropship sped toward the planet where it was greeted by a pair of LAMs from the Revelation. The ship hit the atmosphere hard, but it was to be expected.
A klaxxon sounded and the dropship bucked a bit. Someone on the ground had Wasp* launchers and were trying to take down the dropship and LAMs. Amanda smiled, no infantry deployed weapons could hit an ISF dropship, but the LAMs were another story.
The drop alarm sounded and Amanda gave a thumbs up to the troops as she hit the releases. There was no stop and hover where they could leap from the side, no, the unit they were strapped into unceremoniously dropped into the floor and each trooper was shot out of the dropship at near maximum G-Force tolerance. Each soldier had to fight to keep conscious as the automate drop systems kicked in and they streaked to the ground.
The landing was hard and each soldier was nearly tossed from their units as they were catapulted to their feet with weapons ready.
Somehow, amid this flurry of G-Forces, flying and landing, Ben had managed to erect a map of the area on his team's HUD, indicating a rendevou point for them. He indicated a spot, in a more forward position, where he recommended Romulus's team deploy.
"Rom, I'm taking my rookies to this location, we will attempt to secure the major. Lt. Hunnydew's transponder shows her to be here and I recommend you head there. Be careful, this area is more hostile."
Ben reached his waypoint and his team assembled. One of the ladies, Rino Jinguji, his computer expert was being helped by Sgt Kiel.
"What happened?" Ben inquired while the rest of his team secured the area.
"I'm okay, the drop unit was hit by a shot gun blast and landed funny. I'm not used to these things so I was a little shaky after being tossed out. Just a bit dizzy for a second."
"Keep sharp, we don't have time to rest." Kiel advised.
Atmospheric descent - LAMs
After rendevouing with the dropship, it immediately dove into atmosphere. Both LAMs flew escort and cover, but they were not as adept at sharp atmospheric dives as the dropship. Granted, no fighter, LAM or aerospace was.
Warning klaxxons went off immediately as his computer warned of ground launched anti-aircraft missiles were locking on the fighters.
'Renegade' hit a hard roll and dive, firing off flares and chaff as his systems hadn't identified the type of weapon yet.
In unison, both systems registered 'Wasp*' as the type.
*The wasp is similar to stingers, it is a being-portable box launcher system. It has only a single shot, but it is reloadable. These weapons are old and are heat seekers, their range is medium. They have sufficient yield to do heavy damage to a LAM, but likely could not down one unless it was a lucky shot.
Bringing rescue to those in need
Romulus hit the ground running so to speak. Once he landed he was moving for cover. He listened to Ben over their coms and looked at the map on his HUD. Romulus used his own waypoint to assemble his squad. Once he got there, he found he was one of the last to show. "Good to see you guys are on time" He took aim at whatever pirates he saw as did his squad. Using his HUD he set another waypoint. "Oh sure you get the easy job" Romulus said jokingly over his com. He looked at his squad "Alright men move out, stay low, and give each other covering fire when you can" Romulus looks at the aftermath of the avalanche "What the hell happened here? Move out now" Romulus made sure to start fireing on the pirates as soon as he broke cover with his squad. They moved as fast as the conditions allowed to Nova's postion, takeing aimed shots where they could.
On we sweep with threshing oar,
Normally this would be one of those times when Aaron would be amused and ponder how a radio call can bring so much action to the field.
However, things were a bit different now. Mostly in the form of an arctic wolf. An unpleasant event, probably for the both of them.
"Er..."
Aaron hefts up his gun.
"Yea, there is the easy way about this and the hard way. The easy way is that I shoot you. The hard way is to take your prisoner. Give me a reason to take the easy way out."
God and Goddess Loki Sorry sorry...
Sorry about the landslide. Loki but I need to get you away from the pirates, which Just Happen to here days in advance of us. Somebody else knows about your little toy ship or those guys are the most unluckiest pirates in space. So, Who on our side gunning for you, Loki?
Real Questions: After this little invasion, and you walking in with a control collar around your neck, Just how will your ship react to us, the Major and me? And don't try sugar covered for me Loki I have scanned that collar, I know what frequencies are reducing your powers? And I am guessing your ship will know that too and think you are prisoner if you walk aboard with it activated. That is If it is still here.
And I wonder if you were going to remove that collar without me helping anyway, aren't you? once you get on your ship. Okay make it quick, Greenie Foxie. I'll scan you for injures.... and you answer fast before the ship decides to move out of another bad neighhood" says LT Nova as she turns to get her scanner.
"OW OW OW my side side.... Great a maybe crack rib and a bullet graze on my left side." as she reads her scan and then turn the scan on the green Fox. "Let's check you, too for stay rock wounds and maybe internal bleeding."
PBH
Atmospheric descent - LAMs
"'Ren' Break right, Break." Kal said over the ship to ship comms as he banked hard to the left, leaving a trail of chaff and flares in his jet stream.
"Comp tags em as wasps" Kal grunted as the g-forces mounted.
The two missiles zipped past, locked onto the countermeasures both LAMs had pumped out.
"I've got the launch point." Kal said as he rolled out of the maneuver. "'Ren' you take em I'll cover'"
"Roger, 'Cool Hand', I'll pop em" Kal watched as 'Renegade's Raptor maneuvered to strike the coordinates.
Our only goal will be the western shore
"I'm sure there is some internal bleeding too." Loki said as he carefully moved his arm and stopped her scanner with a bloodied paw, the device wasn't needed to notice the wound in his midsection or shoulder. He smiled weakly, "my telekinetic shield didn't stop everything, a couple of bullets managed to get past. You need to worry about yourself, a broken rib and bleeding wound in your side... I'm an ascended being, beyond the considerations of mortal life, this body is just a shell."
Loki spoke in a quavering voice and barely stood on his own two footpaws, "don't worry about the collar, Major Aaron is concerned and does not want it removed. My ship has likely not left and is not likely in any danger from these pirates, it tends to ignore insignificant insects."
Meanwhile the wolf, who was also armed, mulled over the Major's words. As far as he could see, it was a "mexican" standoff. Surprisingly, the wolf sighed and lowered his rifle. "I may be a pirate, but I'm also a Lycan, you've taken me prisoner... I am now your bondsman by the laws of my people."
Somewhere behind the wolf, the majority of the pirates had organized and began firing on Aaron's spot. The wolf quickly took cover, but kept his hands out and away from any weapons. Unfortunately, it seem he choose the difficult route.
Romulus's team
As Romulus and his team advanced, they came under surprise heavy fire from enemy forces who had managed to setup a salvaged vehicle mounted pulse laser. The team was only a 30 meters from Nova's position.
The pirates near Brown's position had just reorganized and were firing on him. Ben's team had moved up and laid down a heavy fire against them with their pulse laser rifles. Several pirates near the rear of their formation were cut down without warning. Surprisingly resolute for freebooters, the pirates formed defensive lines and returned fire. Ben caught a round to his leg, but the armor held without penetration.
Atmospheric descent - LAMs
Renegade dropped altitude and came in along the treeline, placing the shooters in the path of a strafing run. He opened up with pulse lasers and particle beams, tearing a wide swath along his path.
Before he could reach them and in a panic, one of the anti-aircraft soldiers fires off another Wasp before being annihilated. Renegade was too close for it to pick up on him, but the missile drew a lock on Kal's Raptor.
Skies Above -LAMs
"SAM*, SAM, 'Cool Hand' SAM at your 2 o'clock. Break right." Came over Kal's comms, his evading maneuver started before 'Renegade' had finished the call.
Having turned into the missile's flightpath Kal feeling somewhat lucky let go a blurp of Railgun fire before he started his second turn and released his countermeasures.
A small puff of the missile's debris was the result.
"'Cool Hand' one of these days you are going to have to teach me your way with luck." 'Renegade' Called to Kal.
"Special Forces platoon Alpha, this is Overwatch flight form the Revelation. Where ya'll need us" Kal radioed to the troops on the ground.
Romulus's team
"TAKE COVER NOW!" Romulus was heading for cover with his squad when the heavy fire started. Once behind cover he open his com for his squad. "Wall, Nitro see if you can do something about all those blasted pirates up there. RC, Hacker you two try and make you way over to Lt. Nova and Loki see how badly they are hurt. You two have the must medical experience. If they are hurt bad, radio for evact. Wait for my signal" Romulus gave Wall covering fire while he setup the firepower he brought and Ntiro was picking through his grenades. "Damnit Nitro just get something that will go boom ok" He scanned the skys as he heard the LAM pilot. "You provide air support for my squad and your wing man cover Ben's team" Romulus used his HUD to give the LAMs waypoints to know where they are. "We're gonna have two guys make a dash for the Lt and the prisoneer. As soon as you seen them move start fireing, just watch yourself they setup a pulse laser. Must have taken it off a vechile from some where" Waits for the LAM to take up position over his team then looks at RC and Hacker "COVERING FIRE" Romulus opened fire with aimed shots, Wall opend fire with his heavy machine gun, Nitro threw the grenades he finally choose in between fireing, RC and Hacker hauled ass to cover the last 30 meters, takening cover when needed.
At the bottom of the hill, and the end of land slide
"AH ah Ow " As Lt Nova settled herself against the shielding rocks, "Groan, No jokes, Loki.. Yes, my ribs just need to wrap and the wound need pressure bandaged but you need to Doc more than me. So, Sit Down, before you fall down." Nova shouts her order and then falls back against the rocks. Unziping her coat, she pulls her shirt up out of her pants. She checks the wound and then ties up her loose shirt level with the wound "eeezzzzzzzzzz ah ah Ok OK There it will hold so long as I don't move too much, and the firefight doesn't come this way." She rezips her coat, and leans back behind her rock blind. "Give me a second and I'll check you over"
Over her com link the catgirl send, "hah hah To SP Alpha platoon, Request Medical assistance to 300 meter down slope from your present location hah ah ow Lt Hunnydew standing by."
With heavy breaths, LT Nova listens to the combat, and wonders what is next?
PBH
Ah, ah,
About at this point every single expletive Aaron knew was running through his head. Including a few that he just made up. If there had been any young minder readers around, they would have been traumatized for life. Not only the hard way, but he had to make things interesting too.
But not so interesting that Aaron could afford to get distracted from his current fire fight. This was going to be a long trip indeed.
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From behind the attacking pirates, what initially sounded like reinforcements was sounding more and more like an assault against the rear of the pirate group.
A call came in on Aaron's comm unit, "this is staff sergeant Ben Foster, please advise on your status... we are engaging the enemy's rear guard. Keep pressure on them from your position, as much as possible. I want to discourage them from trying to overrun you to escape our attack. We will be approaching from the south..."
The wolf continues to be submissive, "if so inclined, I can assist in defending your position, but I would need my gun for that."
A pirate sniper tried very hard to perforate Aaron.
Meanwhile, in the avalanche created igloo...
Loki made a motion to protest, but Nova's tone had changed significantly and her reply was short and authoritative. He pressed his hand to the wound in his midsection and eased himself to a sitting position with a slight yelp of pain, this shell he was inhabiting was very vulnerable and physical pain was something he was not too familiar with.
Loki waved a hand at Nova's offer to check him over, he responded in a very matter-of-fact tone, "There is no need to examine me, it is a simple diagnosis and nothing important... there are projectiles, titanium-steel alloy 6mm shaped dart-like, in my shoulder and stomach. Nothing important was damaged in my shoulder and the hemorrhaging has stopped there. The abdominal injury has caused some damage to the internal viscera, nothing fatal, but there is a significant amount of hemorrhaging. If I press hard to the area of injury..." Loki applied direct pressure and went pale, when he spoke again his voice was back to the quavering of earlier, "the... hemorrhaging... is reduced, but it really hurts..."
Outside, Nova and Loki could hear a lot of activity. Much of the activity was gunfire, which quickly got closer to their location. Heavy laser fire and small arms shots, struck the icy walls of their 'shelter'. Rock bits showered both of them and a few stray bullets ricochet around inside making it very dangerous.
Romulus's team
Romulus received the call for medical assistance from Lt. Nova.
RC and Hacker covered the ground to the position that Nova's transponder indicated. Both reached cover behind the ice mound that formed around the rock due to the avalanche. Their run had drawn fire from a few pirates and of all things the pulse laser. The ice protected against the pulse laser, but the high velocity dart ammo of the rifles penetrated the ice and snow mound easily.
RC silently swore and hoped that those inside had kept low. He couldn't get around the ice wall to the "front" where there was a break he could enter. Pirates down the valley were also firing on his position, keeping him pinned down.
RC called on his comm, "sarge, there is a pirate position down the valley, looks like they just dug themselves out of the snow. Hacker and I can't get in this snow mound and I'd hate to try to dig into it and bury the lieutenant and the kid. We are going to have to hold here until the LAM takes care of the pulse laser and those other hostiles, so you can give me support."
Ben's team
Ben's squad engaged the pirates and began to push them forward. He called to the major and then also made one to 'Renegade', the LAM that would cover his position.
"I need heavy covering fire right in front of the enemy line, the one facing the major."
Skies Above -LAMs
Renegade replied to the comm call, "roger Beta team, starting my run now."
The Raptor LAM came in fast and hard, laying down a heavy fire that obliterated the entire front line of pirate forces.
Romulus's team
"Yes Lt. Nova we are working on getting you out. If you just hang on for a few more minutes we will be able to take care of you" Romulus swore out loud when he heard RC's message. He then looked up at the LAM cover his team. "Hey you got some serious weapons on that thing? My boys could use some cover over there. Lay down some serious fire over there. Disscourage those bastards from shooting over there" Romulus fired on whatever he saw move that wasn't on his side. "Hey Nitro hand me some granades. You didn't happend to bring any bigger explosives did you? These pirates are seriously pissing me off"
"Oh no hurry Mariner. You go and stop the booms and the bangs We are keep low as we can in this ravine and behind some boulders on upslope side. The main problem is most of the other walls of this pillbox are just ice slabs and snow. We have internal bleeding, some minor bullet wounds, and a cracked rib. We stay the bleeding and can hold a little while" said Lt Nova over the comlink.
"Oh boy, I was not cut out to be grunt and I know that ah now. Come here and lay low, Loki These strays are getting abit to close.", Nova said and motion the green fox closer to her and to lying as flat as they can against the boulders and the ground.
PBH
Romulus's team
"First off I'm Special Forces not a Marine. Second off it's good you can hold out for a while, we're having some problems of our own out here. We currently have two men at your position. Only problem is you're stuck in the little chamber which was formed by some kind of avalanche I assume. It seems we'll have to take out all the pirates here before we can start digging you out" Romulus said over his com in a business like tone, all the while taking shoots at pirates. Wall fire off with his heavy machine gun he had setup. Nitro fired off what he could that wouldn't take our side at the same time.
"Damn my Caller ID is not working right, Thank you, Mr Space Ranger, sir. Now, We can move but I would not recommended it. The opening looks big enough fo us to crawl through. Scans show that Ice is refreezing and the structure is stable, so long as HV shots doesn't stray into our ice mound again." add Lt Nova.
PBH
from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow
Loki nodded as he limped over to Nova's position, as she pulled him down next to her he whimpered a little but tried to lay flat. Tears were in his eyes, partially due to the pain, but mostly due to an emotional outburst that was building.
He sniffled a bit and then broke out into full on crying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I should never have mentioned my ship. I'm so sorry you got hurt, this never would have happened if I hadn't lied to you..."
The green fox spent a few moments crying and a few more groaning in agony before continuing, "I had wanted you to bring me to the surface, there I could have got to my ship, freed myself from this collar and taken off. I've always had the ability to call her, but I didn't want to bring her to your warship, I wasn't sure I could escape a fleet. I really never meant any of this to happen or for you to be hurt. Now I'm injured... this physical form is... dieing... I think..." He said the word as if it was unfamiliar, "it is slowly exsanguinating, I can barely ebb it... this physical pain is nearly unbearable, I do not know how you mortals stand it. I don't know what happens if this form expires while I am manifest like this..."
He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands, "please forgive me... I am so sorry."
Kal's LAM
Deciding to get direct with the problem at hand, Kal flew his Raptor at the small truck the pirates had mounted the Pulse Laser on. Toggling the mecha's Land Mode almost at the last moment the 55 ton LAM landed feet first with it jets screaming on the unfortunate truck and pirates manning it.
Spotting an anti-tank missile team Kal turned them in to a fine red mist with the railgun.
"Laser destroyed any other targets?" Kal sang out over the radio.
How soft your fields so green,
Aaron sighs. Today has been full of stupid decisions, why not another one.
"Fine, grab a gun and shoot back"
Aaron says this, but keeps an eye on the wolf, keeping in mind the possibility of shooting him dead if he does anything funny.
He then looks to his com unit, "Ben, this is Aaron, things still aren't getting much better. I'm alive, though that is not due to the lack of trying on their part. Especially this sniper fellow, he is rather annoying. I've also got an interesting situation with a pirate that I made surrender. More on that when there is more thinking time. Be advised though, the pirates should be discouraged from retreating into the canyon. We need to get in there to retrieve important research material."
Aaron keeps firing back, using up the last of his grenades to create big scary explosions.
Can whisper tales of gore,
The wolf blinks in shock for a second before nodding and taking up his rifle. He lays down some fire and manages to find that sniper. The vixen is surprised to find a hole that she could swear was not in her stomach when she got up this morning. Her falling virtually into the major's arms would have made him rather happy if she wasn't preoccupied with trying to staunch her bleeding and was an enemy. I suppose he can hope she is also a Lycan with that same bond-code thing...
The grenades and their explosions have a very massive effect, which is quickly over shadowed by a 55 ton LAM landing in front of Aaron and incinerating the pirates nicely herded together by said grenade explosions.
Area around the LAM, Romulus's team and Nova's position
Kal's attack causes the pirates to scatter. A few small arms hits bounce off the armor without even scratching the paint.
However, Kal's LAM is rocked by an explosion as a brave pirate picks up the anti-tank box launcher and proceeds to engage Kal. Unluckily for Kal, this one has kept mobile, making it hard to target him.
At Romulus's position, Nitro shakes his head, "I'd like to light these guys up with something heavier, but judging by the loose ice and snow on the valley wall, it is not a good idea to use large explosives, I'd bring the whole valley down with it."
"God and Goddess," Shouts Nova over the com, "Medic Medic, We've a problem, and scan show my patient is losing blood fast. I need that medic ASAP, Rommy" Through her pain, Nova checks to the field outside her little den, and shooting for laser was gone but she could still hear stray gun shoots, but nothing close , well no near bullets flying. she check to see if Loki can be move, but she removes his coat and check his wound binds them with a press shirt and tying his coat around him.
"Please Loki don't died on me, I have a emergency thermal blanket get inside with me." says Nova as she unzips her own coat and wraps the green fox and herself in her coat and a light silver blanket to fight off the cold and shock. She settles back against her rocks.
"It is Okay, If you lied a little but I need to tell me the truth, Can your fix yourself without your collar?" whisper softy the catgirl. "Here, I can turn and adject this collars frequency off it's right frequency, but the control circuit will send a normal condition back to security"
PBH
Romulus's team
"Damnit. Well see what you can do Nitro" Romulus started snipeing with his rifle while laying down. Then he heard Nova's message. "Damnit, woman the name is Romulus, I'm a Special Forces officer. Now like I said before we are doing everything we can to get you out. Now by patient you mean Loki, I don't know if the "medics" can really do much with him" He sighed while taking a few more sniped shoots. "RC, Hacker see what you can do about getting in there and helping the Lt. out. See if there is a small opening or something. It seems Loki is dieing in there. Oh and Lt. Nova don't go doing anything stupid like take his collar off, cause if you do and I find out I will shoot you myself. We went through alot of trouble captureing him and I'd rather not have to deal with that again"
Of how we calmed the tides of war.
Inside the ice shelter...
Loki briefly had a devious look upon his face as Nova asked him the question, but it quickly melted away, "truth is, no I do not yet have that ability... I may develop it, but it is a complex process. The... best I can do is analyze conditions, but it doesn't do me any good as I never really studied xenobiology much."
At Romulus's comment about the collar and his capture, Loki brightens up and sticks his tongue out at the comm unit. Loki jokes, "round two would see you defeated." He laughs briefly and regrets it, "ow ow ow, okay no laughing..."
Outside the ice shelter...
RC tries to move, but the enemy fire keeps them pinned.
A loud explosion and the stumbling back of the large mech-form LAM, distracts the pirate forces long enough for RC and Hacker to scramble in the small front entrance. They hit the ground and roll near Nova and Loki's thermal blanket, both gesture to the startled pair that they are allies.
When they are sure it is clear, Hacker takes out his medkit and approaches Nova, he settles down next to her and checks her eyes, "near the verge of first stage shock." He squeezes her shoulder making her focus on him. "ma'am if you don't mind, I need to check you out."
His request was nothing more then a formality, as he pushed away the thermal blanket, unzipped her jacket and pulled up her shirt to examine the injuries, "entrance wound in the lumbar region of the abdomen... no exit wound, projectile is still lodged inside. Middle rib fracture, anterior section. The steps you took were good, but you have still lost a lot of blood. I'm going to place a pressure bandage on the wound and wrap your fracture."
Hacker cleaned the wound with antiseptic, which burned like he cauterized it with a plasma torch, and applied a pressure bandage. He bound it with gauze tightly around her middle, causing quite a bit of discomforted from the injured area. He also carefully wrapped her rib fracture. When completed he gave her an injection of painkillers and field antibiotics. She also received a hypo injection of neutral blood plasma.
RC did the same to Loki, who was a little apprehensive about being examined by the trooper. Trying his best bedside manner, as he was not very experienced with dealing with kids, he smiled and ruffled Loki's hair. Loki settled down, a bit less wary, and RC went to work. He untied the coat and moved the shirt to examine the injuries and he made a leap of faith that the biology was the same, "left shoulder wound with no exit, projectile is likely embedded in the bone as surrounding tissue does not seem to indicate a deflection, bleeding is minimal here. Another wound... to the abdomen at midline between left upper and left lower quadrants, no exit... projectile is also embedded inside still. The wound placement looks like it missed the superior vena cava, but hemoraging is consistent and strong." He used a light to examine the eyes and opened his mouth to examine the gums, "early onset of shock, you've lost a lot of blood kid. I'm going to apply a pressure bandage to the stomach wound and bandage the shoulder."
RC cleaned the injuries with antiseptic, earning a yelp and growl from Loki, applied the pressure bandage, wrapped it tight around him and bandaged the shoulder. He paused and looked at Hacker as he held the hypos for the shots, Hacker shrugged and RC sighed.
"I hope this stuff doesn't have any bad effects on him."
RC injected the painkillers, antibiotics and gave him something to help with the shock. He hesitated with the blood plasma, but did it anyways.
"oh, do that again..." Loki said.
RC shook his head, "I've only got a few of these. If needed I will."
Romulus's team
Nitro nodded and loaded a few red cannisters into his launcher. Quickly he fired off four of them and yelled like a fan at a sports game as they lit up the pirates in the areas they hit, "yeah, eat it."
The incendiaries worked well, and with the rest of the team's shots, the numbers began to thin.
Romulus's team
"About damn time these bastards started thining out" Romulus saw the LAM get rocked, he yelled into his com "HEY YOU ALRIGHT IN THAT THING? Damnit I don't want to have to rescue you as well" Romulus sniped some more then radioed to his two "medics" "How's it going in there you two. Any survivers?"
"Goddess, I fell for another pretty face, and this time it's a green cute one at that." groans Lt Nova... "Thanks guys, but take me away from this two timer. God, cough, I have been play for the last ah ow last drop of blood, it seems.. And, if I see another firefire on planetside, it will be the death of me. And, If Romulus see me about to shoot gun, he can shoot me himself....andh and Loki, if you want that collar off, do it yourself." Said the angry hurting Lt Nova.
Nova moved away and turned from Loki as she lay down. She half knew, that his act had gotten the medic here faster, and saving her life and his. But something was just not fitting right, there had too many plays, too tricks by him... She was too dazed and too tried but she tried to work through it all in her head, as medic work on Loki. She was too tired and too dazed, to know what to think...
PBH
We are your overlords
RC called back to Romulus, "yeah we got survivors, both of them. The kid isn't as bad off as we had thought or were told, but I guess it all comes down to he is just a kid, a scared little kid that played a dangerous game and lost. That seems to be the gist I've gotten from how the Lieutenant has been acting."
Loki would have protested at being called a kid, but it seemed that they were right. It was Nova's words that hurt the most and he turned to face her with the beginnings of tears in his eyes as she herself turned away.
Hacker looked down and swore a small oath as he injected Nova with something and gently shook her awake, "ma'am no you can't do that, don't go to sleep... you are on the verge of slipping into shock and exposure due to the cold." He bundled her up in a thermal blanket.
The tears streamed down his eyes as he realized what the extent of his selfishness had wrought, Nova was hurt and he had no idea what had become of Aaron or even their shuttle pilot and the crew.
Loki pulled himself upright to a standing position and ran to the opening, he reached it. His bandage was soaked and blood flowed freely from underneath it, barely able to stand he emerged from the hole to stand under the sky.
Inside RC swore an oath to every god and goddess that existed as he followed.
Holding the wound he held his head to the sky and yelled, "Mother!"
The world had begun to spin and the ground rapidly came to meet him as his strength was spent. RC hit the ground and covered the child with his body, a few rounds landed near him but he was lucky.
Some distance away, near the end of the valley, the snow exploded upward. Something hovered in mid air, but no visual object could be seen, just fountains of snow an ice tumbling off whatever it was.
Within seconds the object flew to the location of where it had heard its name called, upon arrival it revealed its form as it decloaked. A vessel very much like a sleek jet appeared. It had forward swept wings and was a mottled grey coloration... reminiscent of a mixture of organic and metallic hues. There were no visible engines, but the craft was definitely propelled by something. The vessel was twice the length of the dropship.
Fearful a few pirates, including the one with the rocket launcher, fired on this unknown vessel. No damage even seemed to have been registered on it. The craft rotated this way and that, as if it was attached to a stand, and fired a blue-white beam of energy, incinerating those that fired on it and all others like them (pirates). The LAM and Romulus's crew were spared.
Loki reached a bloody paw in the air towards it, "mother..." His arm dropped to the ground as he lost consciousness.
RC worked fervently to reapply all the bandages and repair all the damage the kid had redone in his emotional outburst.
The ship hovered, almost seemingly judging what those bellow were doing.
Kal's LAM
Using his own lasers in an attempt to cook off the missile in the tube even if he did miss, Kal's fire stitched its way closer to the brave (if not particularly smart) infantryman.
Kal cursed as the pirate leaped behind a large rock. "Just a scratch." He replied over the com as he moved the Raptor to try and get an angle on the pirate anti-tank.
"Oh to hell with this." Kal muttered as he toggled in a SRM* pack and sent them at the rock at the same time the new ship appeared and incinerated the pirate.
"What in the Holy Hells is that!" Kal cried out over the radio.
(*Short Ranged Missile)
Shaken awake and shock by Loki's re-action, Nova awakes up and trys to catch the fox cub, but misses. She watchs in horror as he rans outside and reaches to the ship.
"NO no Loki, I'm sorry. Stop trying to be so big. Please No no Loki I'm the one who got us nearly killed and you should be here near death. please Stay I'll help you some how" pleads the catgirl as she craddle the green fox in her lap after she catches up to him on the ground outside. She covers him with her blanket again. and holds his head. She looks up at the ships as pulls her coat around herself "please stay don't leave me"
PBH
On we sweep with threshing oar
Loki's eyes fluttered open and he gave her a weak smile, "I'm so... sorry... please don't be... angry with me. I... was so reoccupied with the collar. Please don't be angry with me anymore, I didn't mean for you to be hurt. You... you need to be resting, I'll be fine." He looked up at his ship hovering silently, "I'm not going anywhere just yet."
RC finished re-bandaging Loki and loaded a small canister into his hypo. He injected it into the cub's arm and repeated with his final three.
Loki's reaction was almost that of someone receiving the rush of some new drug, "oh, that's nice... do it again..."
RC shook his head, "sorry kid, that's all the emergency blood plasma I got. As long as you don't go bolting off again and open everything back up, you'll hold until we can med-evac you to the ship." He regarded Nova, "it's bad enough the kid went bolting off, but you followed... I hope you haven't done anymore damage. Why doesn't anyone stay put when they're hurt?"
Both Romulus and Kal could confirm that all hostiles in their immediate area where neutralized.
Above the battlefield, the ship hovered silently, if it held any judgment over what was occurring bellow it, it showed no indication of what that might be.
"I am fine, and I'll keep him quiet. He'll need another blanket" said Nova. Still the Medic finds that her bandage needs to changed for fresh one but she didn't need another blood transfer. She stay put, petting the green cub to calm him, and watching the sleek ship above them until tranport could arrive.
"Loki, we need to wait....mmm Loki, Your mother is above us watching and waiting for you." says Nova.
PBH
So what now?
Romulus nodded his head as he heard RC radio back "Good, I'm not too surprised I doubt that kid has every really done this kinda thing before" He kept firing on the pirates and saw the LAM recover from the hit and hear that he is fine. He kept fireing until he heard Loki yell mother. "What the hell is going on over th....... Umm that's his mother?" Romulus saw the ship and couldn't take his eyes off it as it decloaked. He didn't know what to think when the ship attacked the pirates "Well I guess that means it's on our side?" He waited a moment then looked at Wall and Nitro "You two go over and see if RC and Hacker need any help. You may want to shoulder you weapons don't need that thing to think we're hostile" Romulus clicked on his com "Ben, how is everything on your end? Any wounded?" He then spoke to the LAM pilots "I think you guys may want to land until we figure what's up with that ship" Romulus slowly stoud as Wall and Nitro made their way over to RC and Hacker keeping an eye on the new found ship. He slung his rifle over his shoulder and stared at the ship. "So, what now?"
Our only goal will be the western shore.
Loki, who was drifting off, opened an eye lazily, "hmmm? Mom? No, no Nova... she's not my actual mother... though she acts... uh, ow... like it sometimes. I'd take us up in her, but in my current condition, she'd want to repair me... and that... means I have assume my true state, which I can't do with the collar... so she would destroy the collar... and that would get you in trouble... uh... so she'll follow us back. She's very worried about me. It would be best that we leave soon. Can I sleep now?"
RC grabbed another blanket and provided it while Hacker called for the shuttle to evac.
Meanwhile at Ben's location...
He was just engaging in his final assault against the pirate positions, which had pulled back and dug in at a relatively secure location. Their position made it difficult to get to the Major's location safely.
He received the call from Romulus, "I've not had any casualties. I could use your help in assaulting this final position if everything is clear at your spot. These guys are a lot tougher then we thought.
OOC: I'm waiting on Shadesy...
We are the backup
"Roger we'll be right over" Romulus looks back at Wall and Nitro. "Change of plans, Ben could use some help. We're gonna head over and see if we can get the pirates caught up in a crossfire" Romulus addressed RC and Hacker over his com "You two make sure Loki and the Lt are ok. Stay with them unless I say other wise. Keep an eye out for an pirates that may be in hiding" Romulus lead Wall and Nitro to a location where they can fire on the pirates and have cover. Romulus took up a position he can snipe from, just pokeing out around a rock. Wall and Nitro setup in a decent position as well.
So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,
Aaron would be amazed at his luck, should he have had precious time to think about such things. Things seemed to have calmed down nicely with pirates getting distracted by an LAM.
"Hey you, uuhhh.... Wolf? I need to learn your name at some point. Anyways, what do you know of first aid? We seem to be gathering a lovely tea party down here and I would rather not have all this bleeding going on."
He starts to tend to the vixen, wondering why he is helping her anyways. The best answer seemed to run along the lines of, 'she is cute and isn't shooting at me anymore.'
OOC: Sorry, been on a trip and did not realize just how long it would take to find a net connection.
Nova just smile at Loki, "Gosh, you live up to your name, don't you, Ancient Cub. I'm sure that you'll be teaching me how to fly on fairy wings, next." With a sigh, she continues, "Loki, do you trust us to fix you up? We can get you on aboard that ship of your do it. Yes, I know my orders. Our orders were to secure your ship, and I am not sure the Captain will like a scout ship which has with the power of a cruiser, running around acting like a mother seperated from her cub. Your Ship maybe just worried now, but she would be a threat if you are harmed in anyway. Yet, I'll let the Major decide this one or the Captain."
The LT. waits for the Major and/or transport, as she pets the green fox's head .
For peace and trust can win the day
Romulus and the remaining members of his team covered the ground to Ben's location. The pirates had dug into a rock sheltered grove of trees between Ben and Major Brown's position. The only thing that had prevented them from overrunning the Major's location was the LAM. Renegade's LAM could not assault the pirates due to the rocks and trees, and he had feared that any attempt to take to the air would result in the force displacing itself and taking out the Major.
Renegade called over to Kal's LAM, "could you by any chance, light up this location with some heavy fire?"
Ben waved Romulus over, "good timing, I was just about to demo their position, but I need to get the explosives up there."
At Aaron's position...
The wolf shrugged, "if names are important, then you may call me Richard. As a bondsmen, you can call me whatever you like until I earn my name back or are granted another one. I am not very good with first aid, but I can probably bandage her enough to slow it considerably."
The vixen, who was barely conscious, struggled to focus her vision. She noticed Aaron and 'Richard' as well as their attempts to aid her. She attempted to resist, probably as she did not understand his intent, but her strength was pathetic.
She stared in utter confusion as they tried to stop her bleeding and bandage her wound.
"Why...?" was all she managed through the pain.
Back with Nova and Loki...
"Trust was what caused this problem... I did not trust you, not that there was any reason to. Your people only want to use me and what I and my cousin know about your enemy. However, you have shown kindness to me and have risked your life to save me. I want your people to heal me, as my ultimate trust test... I put my life in your hands. Mother understands this."
The shuttle, the one Nova, Aaron and Loki had come down on, makes a careful landing under the watchful eye of the alien craft.
RC and Hacker wave over the shuttle crew, who appear with stretchers.
"ma'am, you will need to get on the stretcher please. It's med-evac procedure."
Despite of all your losing.
"Why? I've always wondered that my self. Usually the answer comes down to something like, `I'm stupid.` It is a good general case answer that seems to cover most circumstances I get my self into. Now shut up and sit still."
Story of his life there. A long series amazing coincidences, absurd luck, and rampant stupid on his part that somehow works out. Speaking of absurd luck...
"Hey Richard, while on the subject of stuff you know, why are you people here, on this forsaken planet's cold surface, with guns? Really big guns from the look of things."
OOC:
What to sing now?
Gonna make things go boom
Romulus nods to Ben "Sounds like a plan. Got any areas you think we should show special attention?" Romulus then looks to Nitro "Looks like you're time to shine"
The very cold place
Nitro nodded to Romulus and grabbed Davis, who both conversed for a few moments before nodding in agreement. "We will need to place C-80 charges at the base of the rock formation facing out into the valley. When we blow it, the whole mass of ice, dirt and trees will flow like water right out into the open. The problem is we will need to crawl across the open space to reach it. Wish us luck and give us cover from this angle." Nitro pointed to the area away from their approach.
Nitro and Davis made their way across the snow and deftly planted the charges as the rest of the team provided cover fire.
Both made it back across and were ready to detonate the charges.
"Just give the word."
Meanwhile in Aaron's neck of the woods...
The vixen nodded and remained still, "in some way, I owe you a debt of honor... if I survive the belly wound... urg... must it be so tight... it really smarts. We could have avoided... this... whole situation if you had just let me shoot you... it would save me some pain. Actually... I... think... I... will... pass out..."
True to her word, the lady pirate's eyes roll back and her head lulls off to the side. A quick check shows she still breathes.
Richard considers Aaron's question and answers frankly (or richardly I suppose ¬.¬), "we crashed here," He indicated himself and specifically the uniform, "from the space battle. Our gunship was downed by your fighters. The others," He indicated the vixen, "were already here, it is an arctic listening post for the Warlord Kartashe's forces. He is one of the six pirate 'kings' I suppose you could call him. They had orders to monitor your fleet and send warning when you left so we could reconquer this colony. At least that is what they told us."
She has a smile for the little green fox, and a worried look for the Ship. But lets Loki and herself be transported to medical. She couldn't blame Loki for not trusting the military...
Lt Nova is worried.. She worried about Loki and about her people, there are those who would blame her for this or blame Loki. She let the medic get her on the stretcher, but asks "Can I stay close by Loki? He will need me, somewhere along the way. and Please, No painkillers for me, I must report to Capt Summers. ASAP Pass that request along to the captain."
PBH
boom baby
Romulus watched Nitro and Davis setup up the charges and crawl back. All the while laying a line of cover fire with the others. Romulus looks at Nitro "Make this problem go away"
The party in the snow
After checking that the female pirate was still alive Aaron made to sure keep trying to keep her alive. He also had a feeling that the whole mumblings of debts of honor would make things even further complicated.
"An observation post, as far as they were told. I find that last qualifier interesting."
Ice, Ice... er, no... scratch that.
At the evac shuttle...
The Medtech regards Lt. Nova with barely restrained frustration, "ma'am, that is not possible. You've been shot and you have a broken rib. How you are able to keep going is a mystery to me, I can skip the painkillers sure, but you are being strapped in... next to the kid as you want, but from this shuttle you are going straight to emergency care."
When Nova moves to protest the medtech hunkers down in front of her so they are face to face as the strap her in securely, "you don't seem to understand ma'am... you are hurt, hurt fairly bad. The field medics have bought you time to get to surgery and full service medical care, but at this time... you are dieing. Do you understand me? You will bleed out within a few hours, not to mention internal infections and the like. So please, let us do our jobs. What ever report you have can be relayed in flight and brought to the Captain's attention. Now please settle down before I am forced to tranq you... ma'am."
The shuttle began its ascent.
RC radioed from the shuttle drop point, "the queen and the little prince are airborne."
At Romulus's location...
"Right... one miracle coming right... up." Nitro said as he toggled the switch.
A few bright and loud explosions punctuated his bright smile as he got to do what he loves best, "yeah! I love to blow shit up!"
As predicted, the explosions pulverized the rock wall and the dirt and snow... no longer restricted, instantly liquidated. The mass of it carried the whole remaining fighting force of pirates in a deadly tirade down the valley. The event was both spectacular and gruesome.
At Aaron's location...
Richard shrugged again, "what they tell as is not usually party with the truth sir. Perhaps you can ask some of them..."
BOOM!
"... or not..."
There really aren't many ice songs are there?
*BOOM*
"Son of a bitch."
Aaron keeps his head down long enough to make sure nothing else was shooting. He then gets out his radio.
"Aaron here, is everything dead yet? I've got a few guests and it looks like one has been at the tea party a bit too long. Need medical assistance."
At this point Aaron decided to formulate his report. There is a lot of getting annoyed with Nova, notes about a pair of pirates, and explosions. All this and he still has to actually find a ship that thought it would be smart to set down next to a pirate listening post. Maybe they pirates set up next to the ship. Either way, there was a dead body that still needed explaining.
With the shock of her condition and the knowledge of just how hurt she was, Lt Hunnydew was force to see reason. She glares and growls a moment at RC only to fall back on the stretcher in pain of fighting the straps. "ow ow Fine you take good care of him...." says Nova with her eyes tightly shut. "ooor else....." faintly whispering before she faints.
"or else Mother, the ship, will destroys us all" thinks Nova into the darkness of unconscious.
PBH
God I love this job
Romulus only stared and smile at the explosion. "There now that that's outta the way" Romulus got RC's message and noddedd his head. "Good now meet up with the rest of us" Romulus gives RC and Hacker a way point to go to. Romulus then gets Aaron's message. "Copy that Major, we're heading to your location now. *Then addresses RC and Hacker "Change of plans boys we're meeting at the Major's location. He has someone that needs medical assistance. Hopefully those two didn't take up all your supplies"
I'm out of snow/ice songs...
As the evac shuttle ascended to orbit, followed by the Major's landing shuttle, it became obvious to all those who had not seen it that the alien ship had indeed been found and it was following.
As the evac shuttle neared the Phalanx the alien ship sent a directed transmission just as it entered scanner range.
An orange vixen appeared on the comm screen, her smile was entrancing as her voice drifted across space, "Greetings, I am the Acadian diplomatic flyer 0006, designated as 'Mother', approaching at vector 16 at 0.10 C. I will be landing in primary shuttle bay 1 along with the medical shuttle." The ship did not ask, but the tone was pleasant.
An emergency call to Colonel Nexx, who immediately conferenced in Captain Summers on the Revelation.
The colonel scratched his chin, "Well Captain? What do you think?"
"I do not think we could conceivably stop it without severe casualties." Captain Summers stated.
"I don't plan on causing any problems, I just wish to remain near Loki." An orange vixen stated as she added herself to the communications channel.
The Captain did not seem surprised, "Indeed, our secure communications channels do not appear to pose much of a challenge to you. We do not wish any harm, I hope we can work together against a common foe."
"I'll leave that up to Loki and the others, I am just a ship."
Meanwhile, on the evac shuttle...
Relieved that Nova had settled down, the medtechs evaluated their conditions and sent the data to the awaiting medical staff on ship.
In the depths of Nova's subconscious, as she sat pondering some notes at her desk, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Loki stood behind her, staring over her shoulder, "so, whatcha working on?"
At the Major's location...
Ben and Romulus's teams reached his position. A careful group, they quickly relieved Richard of his gun.
"I am his bondsman, I will do what you wish as long as he wishes it."
Ben shrugged, "whatever pal, but pardon us for being a bit cautious."
RC and Hacker arrive a bit later and immediately examine the vixen, both give each other a brief smile, "the major has captured a girlfriend..."
Hacker removes Richard's and Aaron's attempt and applies a better pressure bandage and bindings. He then injects her with painkillers, antibiotics and blood plasma, "she'll need a med evac to the ship... the major's call. Otherwise we can let the rookies try and field surgery her, it would be good training for them."
In the house of snow and ice
Romulus just looked at Richard. "Say what now? Too many customs to understand I guess" Romulus shock his head and looked at the good looking vixen with Aaron. He then looks at Aaron "Damn Major you get all the cute ones don't you. Here's hopeing this one doesn't turn out like the last one." He shakes his head at Hacker. "Don't care if she is a pirate I don't want anyone trying to play field surgent on anyone. If the Major oks it, we'll take her back with us. Though I'd rather not leave her here to die. Seeing as that ship left, to god knows where, it seems you mission is done planet side Major. So we may as well take her back with us" Romulus looks at Aaron as he finishes talking.
In the windmill of my mind
"If you are here this further into my mind you know...
It is an ancient Math problem from my grandmother, or something her mother unearthed... See it is written in the Acadian. I think or maybe it is something else. This formula was never solved, other formulas were and they led to improved engines and shields design. But this one my grandma though could be lead to the technologies to get the Humans home. Well, Nanny Bam only got so far.
Maybe it is the formula for a dimensional trap or a pocket universe. Who know? I just try to translated it into something that makes sense." thought Nova... "Hey Wait a sec Can I get some privacy around here? Closed the door and knock next time." She grabs the green fox and pushes him out a blue door which appeared just in front of them. Loki finds himself in front of a closed door in a doorway without walls
PBH
Kind of cold here
In his unique jokingly defensive tone Aaron answers, "No, she is not my girl friend. Just because a cute vixen, who will not be operated on in a cold planet, gets dumped on my lap does not mean we are going out. The universe may seem to conspire to dump cute girls in my lap but that is beside the point. Still, calling for medevac for her is the proper thing to do for her."
Aaron then had to wonder. If this vixen is assigned to him, is 'command' will now nearly double, with captured folk. Oddly enough, he suspected that these newly captured folk would be more cooperative then the regular ones. First away mission and things are already far more amusing then he wanted.
Who's up for snowboarding
Romulus nods to Aaron then looks to RC. "Call another medivac down. I know they so do love making second trips. Also see if they can bring something warm for us to drink" Romulus then looks at Richard "I take it you where with the pirates. Where was you camp. Seeing as we have a ride I wouldn't mind to see what's left down here"
Running down a dream
Loki smiles, "she has a small amount of training in psychic disciplines, but this is child's play to a natural."
Waving his hand all the doors became transparent, but one of them glowed red. Loki approached this door and knocked briefly as he passed through it.
What he found beyond was a well organized library, quite like that of ancient times, filled with scrolls and books of all manner of subjects that Nova had knowledge of. A large amount of what was here was covered in cobwebs, signifying that it had not been accessed in a while. Many areas of the hall contained voids in their halls, preventing any possible travel to the bookcases that lay on the other side. These voids were a dreamscape representation of dead neural pathways, possibly due to many different reasons of anthro biology from damage caused by injury, age or recreational chemical usage.
The area Loki headed for was well travelled and strong, it lead to a modern library area of computers, holo-terminals and digital equipment. Using a holo-keyboard, Loki accessed data Nova had gathered on his species, the enemy and others. He reviewed technology of the ISF and a lot of data considered sensitive to the military.
The cold reality
RC nods to Romulus and sends a call back up to emergency deployment, "we need another medevac on this transponder, we have another wounded... stable condition, female fox... injury and statistical information uploading to medical server. She's not in the system, so full scans will be needed. We will also need cold weather support."
"Roger that, medevac in route and we will bring tea and coffee."
RC acknowledges and puts his comm system in standby.
Richard shrugs again at Romulus's comment, "yes, I know where the camp is and I can take you there after the med shuttle arrives."
SNOWBALL FIGHT!
Romulus nods at RC. "Hrmm sounds good. Haven't had coffee in a while" Romulus surveys the landscape some since he never did get a chance. He then looks at Richard after his comment "Excellent. We'll head out as soon as we can" Romulus gave Richard an evil grin "And if there are still pirates down there you feel like alerting to our coming. I'll put a bullet in your head before you blink"
These Dreams
The computer dies and the lights shutdown around the library. and Loki is left in the dark....Then a overhead stoplight lights him up. And Nova walk into the light with her arms folded with a frown .
"Loki, Okay you knocked, you need to wait for me to answer and don't go running off on your own and stealing secrets.... God and Goddress, Loki anything I have is thousands of years behind you and yours' technologies. My great-grandmother's ancient ship was over 100,000 years old or more. What could I know that is so important to you And IF there is anything do you need to know? you could try asking, I meant tell you"
It's crash site is some 36 parses of here. She had to run off back to ISF space because of Pirate activities in the area. She saids that the location was well hidden, but no one has gone back to the site.
PBH
Snow capped wonderland
Richard nodded and smiled knowingly, "I would expect no less, but as I said, I am now your major's bondsman. If he were to order me to betray you, I would have no choice really. Such a thing would be unheard of though. You should ask your pilot there..."
Richard point's to Kal's LAM, "from the markings I can see that one is a Lycan. He will know of bonds and such."
Richard presents his wrist to Aaron, "I will require a bond cord when you are ready to take me into service, as will your wounded lady."
It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down
Loki scratched the back of his head as he smiled guiltily, a sweatdrop beaded on his forehead. "I'm not accustomed to asking for these things... I've been in the habit of just taking, it seems a little callous and arrogant, but we have always been psychics. To not be a psionically active and able to defend one's self was always a sign of weakness to be exploited or at least pranked."
He held up his palm and a sphere of chaos writhed in it. The swirling, angry energy eventually slowed, coalescing into letters and finally words. "This represents all you know about my people, the enemy and such. I can expand it."
The ball of words increased and snaked out to all corners of the dreamscape library. The voids suddenly became whole and the locked doors at the far end of the hall, which Nova had previously not seen, suddenly opened showing bookcases as far as the eye could see. She felt instantly clear on all things she struggled with, she understood the secrets of existence and the mysteries as of yet unsolved.
"Those doors are the limits of your primitive mind, your species only uses about 20% of its mental potential." The doors slammed shut and things returned to normal, "you are not ready for that... nor am I prepared to teach you. I am just a kid you know." The silly grin reappeared and he winked at her.
He was surprised to hear about her great grandmother and the ship, "your great-grandmother's ship? Do you mean hers personally... that she, and subsequently you, are also aliens?"
Nova looks at Loki with a skeptic eye... But...she wave her paw and the library disappears... a star lit sky appears over a thinned air planet of orange dust and a reddish dwarf star rising over a scene crash starship... The markings similar to the ones that she was looking at early are on the ships aft sections. Below poking around the ship are a Koala and a Tabby-cat with breathing devices on. Kitten with blue hair of 5-6 standard old in a large fish bowl helmet has a puzzle of the alphabet and a random collection of keypad pieces a ranged in the sand in front of her. She is matches the letters to the keypad pieces in seemly random.
Day 2 on the Beta Regina 3, class N planet. Appears in the sky for about 5 minutes
"Sorry Vacation Holo-films... Well, these are historical records to the university, Great-Grandma Dr Sarah Hunnydew, Anthologist, found a exploratory landing site on the third planet in this system. The native habitants of the 2nd planet, Regina 2 had reached the atomic age. They had sent a manned probe to this planet before they blow themselves back into the Stone Age. The landing site was very close to this crash site, so Granny Sarah thought, they may have very well found it. The home planet habitants were very hostel to her group, and the major cities are still very radioactive. So she tried to find out what she could about the habitants out here, and found this unbelievable find a ship of an unknown race. She was able to recover some of the memory crystals and the like, even brought back some of the hull, but no ones has been able to re-manufacture the material. About Regina's natives she found a simple data disk on the outside of a landing probe.
Many of Granny's stories about the masters, you guys, and insectoids were found in these ships memory crystals. Granny Sarah had to run home about a two-weeks after this Holo were recorded because of pirate activities in a nearby system. Granny Sarah did not want the pirates or anyone else not from the university to find that ship She never trusted the other ISF members, very much. . So, She kept the location hidden. The council was not pleased with her, since she "couldn't" recall where she found these memory crystals. Yet, Once the new enemy really started sending raiding party into our space, the council had to listen to my Granny Sarah's theories. We still have not answered all the question about this ship. But no one has had time or the money to return to the site, with the war on. "
Stated Lt Nova..."Many others have search the Regina systems and no one has found the crash site."
PBH
Aaron thought to him self,
Oh keen, what will I do with bondsmen? I suppose I should ask this Kal fellow at some time.
Still, it looked like he was going to go further to investigate pirates. Fun job he got him self into.
I had the radio on, I was drivin
Loki thought about what she had mentioned for a while before responding, "what are your theories on who this ship comes from? I think I know what this is, but I'd like to know what you think... from you, I will not peek further in anymore than I have already."
Back in the icy paradise...
The medevac unit landed and the medical personnel exited. They immediately took over charge of the female fox, she seemed far paler then when aid was first administered to her, but the medtechs seemed confident. She was loaded into a stretcher and taken aboard.
Another small group of shuttle personnel setup an aid station and pressurized containers with various hot beverages and containers for the troops to partake of. This they left in the hands of Romulus's team as they boarded the shuttle and headed up.
A short distance away, Amanda's dropship made a landing and the crew deployed. Amanda and a fresh squad of marines were dressed in winter gear.
"What's up boys?"
Frosty the snowman
Romulus watched the medics treat the vixen and leave the drinks. He Pours himself a nice cup of coffee and tips a sip "Hrmmmm coffee". Then guestures to his squad to get something warm to drink. He then watches Amanda's dropship show up. He looks to Ben and whispers "Go figuer once all the fighting is done they show up" He then looks at Amanda with coffee cup in his hand. "Oh you know, just haveing a snowball fight with some kids from down the block and decided we'd get some hot cocoa after we one. We're planning to go raid their snow fort, you want in?"
On the Boulevard of Broken Dream
"Well the star charts dates the ship at around 200,000 years. The ship's records have a recording of a hyperspace anomaly, " As she explains she walk down the slope to the Hologram of the ship. "We can't know how ship was studying this anomaly, but the record ends with "thing" unraveling and then imploded which pulled and threw this ship out of hyperspace."
She walk into the ship, and show the green fox, the body of two foxes mumified across the control panels. "There you tell me, whose ship this was?"
PBH
The trees went by, me and Del were singin
Loki followed Nova down the hill in the dreamscape of her mind, he stared long at the crashed ship. The design was archaic to him, but fabulously advanced to someone like Nova. The language was obviously familiar, an old dialect of his own. Still he worried at what her great grandmother had found, there were many lost ships from the ancient days.
As Nova explained the anomaly, it worried him, that kind of thing should not happen.
When presented with the ancient foxes, he barely stiffled his own surprise.
"These two are... they are the cause of all our problems then... and now. This is Χάος, Xaos, and Gaea... and it is through them that the first came to walk upon this universe and play its song for our sorrow and dismay. "
He grabbed Nova and looked up into her eyes, "they are still there right??!!! Your great grandmother didn't move them... touch them... please tell me this was a scan, not an actual intrusion into the control chamber. My species doesn't leave corpses even when these shells die, they turn to particles and drift away... we are energy beings, the shells approximate flesh down to the exact details as you know, but it isn't fully like you understand. If they are still there then their spirits are dormant..."
Stop, snow time.
Amanda smiled, "If I can bring my little gun, sure I'll tag along. My marines here will hang out with the shuttle and secure the area."
She waved to the marine sergeant who nodded and began issuing instructions to the awaiting marines.
Amanda entered the dropship and brought out a person-portable chaingun and a pack of belted rounds. She smiled and winked at Major Brown, "This is my little gun."
The dropship closed all hatches and ramps after deploying a light hovertank and a few other hover scouts. Unlike most movies, they don't tend to leave the ship wide open for anyone to sneak into. The dropship is also outfitted with enough weapons to take on an entire platoon of tanks.
Romulus was presented with a hover transport if he needed it.
All along the snowy trail
Romulus rolls his eyes a bit at Amanada's gun. "If you can't get it down with one" He looks at the hover transport. "We'll take that most of the way there, but we'll travel the rest of the way on foot. We do want to try and be alittle stealthy incase there are still some pirates hiding from the snow"
A Night at the Museum
Nova was shaken by Loki's reaction, "No No, I don't know, just cool your jets a sec,
Okay this is the official display at the museum...which only had a part of the original ships recordings" the dream Nova had her hands on her head.."Okay See This is the original recording from the ship's records right after the crash... I guess Granny Sarah never could enter the control room itself since it was sealed and later buried. the main computer core was closer to the center core., where she got the memory crystals. The hyperdrive was scrap and the sublight drive was blown" The bodies of foxes slowly turned to dust as the recording started to run again. and soon left little dust at all.
"Gosh, Loki, you have to remember All this is only what I remember, and sometimes my total recall can get scrambled."
PBH
White
Aaron was taken a bit off guard by Amanda, "Well, I have my rifle here. I rather like the rifle. In fact, I'm going to see about keeping this one."
He made every attempt to suppress the ancient, 'this is my rifle, this is my gun' joke that was sure to cause pleasantries.
"I'm still not so sure how well stealthy approaches would work. Especially in the snow. While there is a lot of snow it does tend to all look the same."
Little runaway, I was flyin
Loki was not relieved by the images shown, "A bad, bad thing is still lurking on that planet... maybe. I'm not sure if this means they are gone or they want it to appear that way. At some point we will need to go and investigate this crash site."
Loki was about to say something else, but instead he slumped against the wall, breathing heavily, "I think I have to... go back now... let's hope your people fixing persons are good at what they do. If you see an image of a white door or a bright passage of light... don't follow it, do whatever is in your power not to be drawn into it."
Ice and more ice, with some snow thrown in for color
Amanda smiled as Aaron commented on his rifle, "very good, size is not an issue for you."
A marine sergeant approached the group and spoke to Amanda, "senior chief Wilcox, we are all set here. Just give us a ring and we'll come in and light them up if the pirates give you trouble."
"Alright." She turned towards the group, "let's saddle up boys, girls... and major." The last bit she said with a slight salute, bordering on being too informal.
Regardless of whether they were taking it part of the way or the whole way, the transport would still be used. The stopping point could be debated on the transport in the warmth.
About half way, Amanda turned back towards the group, "okay now what?"
Over the hills and far away
Romulus smiled at Aaron. "You're doing alot better than some soldiers than I've seen" Romulus files into the transport with the others. He seemed half awake as the they neared the half way point. Once Amanda spoke he seemed wide awake and looked at a window. "That's all up to the Major here. He's the ranking officer. I suggest we go play in the snow and walk the rest of the way but it's his call"
Two hearts that beat as one.
"Oh oh Damn it, Loki I am in less danger of dying than you are... Just like you to make me forget that you are at death's door..... Worry not, I have the true location in my memory" shouts Lt Nova as picks up the little fox and helps him along a sliver path back to his Body... Once there, she runs back to down her own silver string to her body. then she pulls herself back into herself.
During the operation of remove the bullets from Loki's body. the doctors and surgeons must now rush to restart Loki's heart When hope looked lost, his heart starts beating again, Only, to have the stable Lt Nova Hunnydew goes into code blue, too, for no apparent reason. Just as they are about to electrical shock her, her heart starts beating on it own. The relieved doctors return to the work at hand, thankful that two emergencies adverted.
PBH
Hitchen a ride
Wait... I'm actually the superior officer? Boy this will be fun.
"Alright, first part of the plan is figuring out part two. First off, what do we really want out of them? After that, how to get it. Our specialty around here seems to be blowing things up with gusto, so we will go with that. Richard, what is your opinion on sneaking up on pirates? How well equipped are they in firepower and and detecting our approach?"
Aaron was rather favoring sneaking up. But sneaking up leaves the problem of having to be sneaky. That and the possibility of sneaking somewhere that you don't actually want to go.
Yeah runnin down a dream
The lead doctor consults with the other doctors and a few specialists as they perform their operation on the small fox, much medical jargon and terminology is tossed about as the doctors consider their options. Lacking any data on this species, all those involve take a leap of faith that the body is structured and functions like that of a normal anthro fox. Sealing up damaged internals and draining off lost blood, they complete their removals. A few blood plasma transfusions later, Loki is a universal recipient, he is deemed stable.
The operation on Nova is simpler, having well known biology and a single projectile removal. The exploration and removal is simple, however a complication seems to occur when closing up internal damage, and blood removal. The doctors are not able to initially locate the source of her bleeding, as all normal areas are sealed or secure. She drops to critical before a hidden nick is found in the major artery. Quick transfusions, barely pull her from the brink, but a strong resolve in the patient aids this recovery.
Both patients are kept under observation.
The doctor's night is not yet over, as a female fox arrives with similar injuries. Far more serious and critical then the previous two, however, there is no complication in this operation and it goes pretty much textbook.
OOC: I'm being mean to PBH :mowwink
Cool running...
Amanda focuses her attention on Major Brown, "well major, I'm not afraid of a bit of walking a little... so being sneaky is good."
Richard gave one of his rather common, and rapidly becoming a trademark, shrugs, "well, most all of the fighting types and sneaky ones came out here to challenge you... thinking that a planetary militia squad had moved to recon the area. What's left are those that consider themselves the leadership and their personal guard. No more then 24 remain at base. Their detection level is pathetic unless we have a signature the size of a shuttle or larger. Visual sentries are the most dangerous at this point... and you all shot most of them."
I'm in your base
"All roads point to sneaky. Though from the sounds of things we should be able to capture a lot of leadership type pirates. We sneak in, kill anyone who shows any sign of fighting back."
At this point Aaron realized he never got Amanda's rank for anything. He made it a know to keep a watch out for insignias.
"We should move quickly. Hopefully they are still a bit off balance from our previous thrashing."
Capping your dudez
OOC: I'll probably add a small NPC area in the tech and info thread with some infor on the NPCs that are important.
Amanda's rank is quite visible on her collar, in gray, on her arctic jumpsuit. She is a Senior Chief Petty Officer, E-8, with a specific rate of SESC (Aerospace Flight Engineer Senior Chief).
She signalled for a stop of the transport, "alright, this is likely as close as we should get. The fleet operations center has identified a fusion signature at the location we are heading to, probably because someone is powering up a corvette sized vessel. They are ordering a bomber run against this signature to either disable or destroy it. They should be done as we arrive, so the fireworks will probably work out well as cover."
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - Zeta-Group ready room
A klaxxon went off in the Zeta-Group area as an order came over the 1MC:
All Zeta Group members, priority scramble. Strike ordered at planetary location 0.0.25. Target is a corvette classed ship, fusion signature is detectable from orbit. Please ground vehicle if possible, destroy otherwise. Please scramble, priority one, all pilots to craft. This is not a drill
Over hill, over dale, all along the snowy trail
Romulus smiles at Aaron and nods his head. "Nice plan Major. I like it" Romulus didn't seem to happy with the chance that someone maybe doing a bombing run. He radios to the LAM pilots if they are still planet side. "You guys might want to keep an eye out for a ship coming from the direction we went off in. Someone may be planning a bombing run" Romulus moved to the hatch of the transpot as it stopped. As it lowered to let them out he aimed his rifle, scanning the area for movement.
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - Zeta-Group ready room
All Zeta Group members, priority scramble. Strike ordered at planetary location 0.0.25. Target is a corvette classed ship, fusion signature is detectable from orbit. Please ground vehicle if possible, destroy otherwise. Please scramble, priority one, all pilots to craft. This is not a drill
The members of Zeta Group in question were on their night-shift and thus, in their sleeping quarters at the time the klaxxon first started. When it did, all five wingmen instantly woke and sat up in attention, listening to the dispatch. When it finished, the figure on the farthest bunk stepped out and stood up. He was tall in the extream, over seven feet, being a Komodo Dragon.
"Zeta-Group, assemble!" CWO-4 Nazareth Duke ordered, his deep voice booming in the confines of the quarters.
One by one, and in mere seconds, four other reptillian figures were out of their bunks and lined up in front of Nazareth: Burns Torson, crocodile; Mack Narth, gecko; Norton Kalmunt, frilled lizard; and Satch Nestor, snake. None were tired, they were trained for this kind of thing.
"Zeta-Two, ready."
"Zeta-Three, ready."
"Zeta-Four, ready."
"Zeta-Five, ready."
Nazareth regarded them for a moment before speaking up. "It seems that once again, we have been called upon to provide the service of the Crusading Scales." The origin of that informal designation was interesting. Once, a punk raw recruit had refered to the previous original Zeta-Group as that. He ended up with an... appointment... to a sickbay, but the title caught on quickly as a nickname, though it is primarily only used by young members of the military. The title carried over to the current Zeta-Group, who try to uphold the gossip-legends set by their predecessors. They still have yet to hear a superior officer address them by their nickname.
"You all heard the dispatch, and from the sounds of it, things could get real hot real fast, or already have. We have our objective, and we must take it out before it launches. And it could do that at any time. In that case, I want to be over that target in FIVE MINUTES AGO. Now move it!"
The five Zetas filed out at lightning speed, going for their Tactical Life Support suits. In thirty seconds, all five had their suits fully on, minus their helmets, which they held under their arm for the time being.
The Crusading Scales lined up in a column, and jogged at a quick pace out of the ready room and down the corridor.
Nazareth then adressed Torson, his second-in-command. "Burns, I want you to get on your communicator and contact the fighter launch bay. Have our Sabers lined up on the launch ramps. Make sure they are fully fuel and ammo stocked. Find out what will be most effective on our target, and have our fighter's bomb bays appropriately ordinanced. I want the fighters ready for us when we get there, and prepped for launch in T-minus three minutes, if not sooner."
Nazareth then activated his own communicator. "Zeta-One, Chief Warrant Officer Duke to Dispatch Officer. We are en route to our Sabers now, and will launch in three minutes or less. Requesting additional details surrounding our dispatch; defences, hazards, friendlies, ect."
The Crusading Scales then entered an elevator, setting the destination to Fighter Bay.
"Goan" What shuttle hit me?" asks Nova as she awakens.. She makes to get up or sit up, but she only manages to move her arm and hand to her head. The rest of her is like lead and it hurts to breath... She can't remember, why she had to help Loki back to his bed, last night. or was that a dream How much was a dream?
A nurse comes so after to check on her. "Bamma?" asks Nova as she looks at the younger female... but Nova can't seem to put two words together right now. Not with your Nanna look like bending over you.
PBH
Tribunal Class Troop Cruiser, Phalanx - hanger elevator
Torson nods, "got it." He taps his comm unit and reaches the airboss, "sir, we need our craft ready and outfitted for a strike operation, priority one."
The airboss nodded, "already on line for you, you are stocked with heavy missiles."
When Nazareth queried for details, he was bombarded with the situation to date. The position to be assaulted was a covert base of space pirates, not affiliated with the privateers that have just signed on with your forces. Air defenses are estimated as poor, consisting of person portable missile launchers and possibly a few automatic cannon emplacements. The corvette likely has a few defences to it, but it may or may not be able to fire back depending on how active it is. The cliff walls of the valley slope up quickly near the end of the approach and an inattentive pilot could wreck himself/herself on them.
Friendlies are considered to be in the clear and consist of a Vengeance class assault dropship, currently on the ground, a pair of LAMs providing close air support, and ground infantry. A team of ground infantry will be infiltrating the base after the bombing runs, relying on the cover of the chaos that Zeta Group will cause.
Upon arriving at the flight deck, the sabers are indeed ready for launch. The flight crews perform the last checkups and help the team into the fighters, strapping them in and giving the thumbs up. The ground crews clear the area and with an okay from flight control, each fighter is rocketed out into space.
The other members of Zeta Group form up on Nazareth.
That never would come to me
Nova felt very weak and her appearance in a bedside mirror shows herself to be really pale. Any attempt to sit up or rise from her reclining position makes her stomach and ribs raise an air raid alarm of pain.
The nurse smiles and nods, "if that will help, then sure, you can call me that. Now rest, you've just been through surgery and the sedatives and pain medications are starting to wear off. If the pain is too much, I can give you something to help with it."
The nurse keys a sequence into the medical bed's computer panel, and a surge of cold fluid enters her body from her left arm. The feeling is quite unusual, but the coldness helps the clear her foggy mind. She notices that the room she occupies also has a second bed, which Loki appears to be occupying. He seems so small and fragile in the huge medical bed. The monitors show wild, off the chart readings. The nurse shakes her head when she notices where Nova's gaze had wandered.
"We believe he is stable, but a lot of the readings were get from the equipment is odd."
Snow... and guess what, more snow!
The transport deploys the squads, Aaron, Richard and Amanda, then closes up. One of the hoverscouts covers the transport and also scans the surroundings with its gun turret.
Romulus's team and Ben's team take up a defensive posture and after a few moments of patrolling, discover that the area is secure.
Amanda gives the forward signal and the team makes its way towards the treeline carefully.
I am alive, I'll Survive
"He'll live." states Lt Nova with her eyes closed. Her tone mixture is certainty and relief. Nova lays back and rest a moment.. "Thank you Nurse but no you are not over 80 and have royal blue hair. You just look like my Bamma when I was a kitten except she had blue hair even then. But I am too tired and hunger to tell you, why my grandma had natural blue hair most of her life."
PBH
Just outside of the Phalanx launch bay
The Crusading Scales cruised to a clear distance from the Phalanx when Nazareth spoke up, his all-too-familiar booming voice sounding in the cockpits of the Zetas. "Now listen up. For all we know, that corvette could already be off the ground by now. Speed is of the essence, so we are going down to the planet at full throttle. Hit your afterburners in three...two...one."
The five Sabers all blasted to maximum speed at the same time. Nazareth began discussing the battle plan with his men as they passed through the atmosphere. "There is also an infantry ground team that is going to infiltrate the base as we bomb the ship. Our primary objective is the ship, the secondary is providing cover for the strike team, drawing all attention away from them. We are going in hard, we are striking fast. When we get there, the cruiser shouldn't be launched yet, but it could be. Here is Plan A: The ship is still in it's launching sequence. If that is the case, then the rest of the pirate base shouldn't be too mobilized. I will give you precice target areas on the ship, and we all fire at the same time. The ship should be sufficiently grounded, and the strike team will be moving in. Reduce speed, then turn around and make a second pass, take out any substantial anti-air defences. Then start causing general havoc on the base, drawing their fire and attention from the strike team. Plan B: The ship is already airborne. If that's the case, then the rest of the base will probably be mobilized as well, including the anti-air cannons. This time, target order is reversed; take out the cannons, then the ship.
"But while we cause misery to the base, the friendly infantry will infiltrating it it. Do not fire on the base unless you have scanned and know the exact position of EVERY soldier, if you inadvertantly hit any of them, I will have your hide.
"Are orders recieved and understood, Zetas?"
In chorus, the other four stated, "Affirmative, Zeta-One."
Nazareth checked his NavCom. We sould be nearing the site by now, he thought. He activated his command-to-command communicator. "Ground Team, This is Zeta-One, Chief Warrant Officer Duke, leading the Zeta fighter group on approach, reporting. We are nearing the target now, who's in charge down there? I require your current location and status."
Whoever is receiving the communication will probably get quite an unfamiliar deep-voice speaker-blast...
Let's turn the heat up
Aaron surveys the situation, a bunch of heavily armed military type folk are about to lay a beat down on some pirates, who thought it would be a good idea to try and run. Never mind the large fleet in the area, with fighters, with big weapons, and big ships, with bigger weapons. Still, Aaron could not shake the the why question.
Then, over his radio, "Ground Team, This is Zeta-One, Chief Warrant Officer Duke, leading the Zeta fighter group on approach, reporting. We are nearing the target now, who's in charge down there? I require your current location and status."
He replies, "That would be me, Major Aaron Brown. We are down by the tree line, just waiting for things to start blowing up. I'm sending our exact position."
Approaching Ground Team
Nazareth recieved the information and widened his scanner. Quickly he had all the Ground Squad personnel signatures locked in as navpoints in his NavCom and HUD. He quickly forwared the scanner data to the other Zetas, who promptly locked in their scanners as well.
Nazareth opened up his comm line again. "Major Brown, is it? Good. Anyway, as you might know, there is a pirate corvette powering up at the base. I don't know what the specific objective of your squad is, nor do I care. I assume it's on a need-to-know basis, and if I needed to know, I would have been told earlier. My primary objective, however, is to ground that cruiser. My secondary is to provide distractive cover for your squad, so you can do whatever it is you are supposed to do. Major, for the safety of your men and maximum probabilitly of the success of your mission, do not, I repeat, do not begin infiltration until I signal for you. Do you copy?"
The cold front
Amanda signalled the ground forces protecting the dropship, the ground transport vehicle and the LAMs, "watch the screens boys and girls, some flyboys are going to light up a bunch of hostiles."
She turned back to the major and gave him a thumbs up as she acknowledged the directive from Nazareth, "We acknowledge Zeta-One, we await your signal. Please start your runs when you are ready."
Fun days in the hospital
The nurse smiled pleasantly, "I am definitely not 80, but my hair is blue... just so dark it looks black. As for food, you won't be able to eat anything solid for a while, you will be receiving intravenous sustenance for a while so that your insides can heal. No getting up without assistance please, I'd hate for you to injure yourself more. Now rest."
The intravenous fluid did little to satisfy her hunger, but it was to be expected. The nurse eventually completed her tasks and left Nova alone for the time being.
Approaching Pirate Base
"Affirmative." Nazareth said back over the radio. He manipulated his scanner controls, setting it to full forward scanning, while just keeping the ground team within it's field of vision. A beeping started, and the base came into range.
"Zetas, we are coming up on the target. Pepare for hostile contact in five... four... three... two.... one."
The five Sabers zoomed over the trees at maximum speed. Now they would find out if the cruiser was launched or not, and just how active it's defences are...
Base assault
The fighter formation reached the danger zone, the open area between the treeline and the base wall's, without incident. The base's defenses were indeed as bad as reported. The air raid alarm did not sound until it was nearly too late to be effective. The base was an open one, having a perimeter secured by chainlink fence separated by towers. Eight towers all together made up the perimeter, of which three were autocannons.
The corvette was still grounded on the small landing field, but unlike the base defenses, it was active enough to have gun turrets primed.
Men with missile launchers scrambled to get their weapons ready and the fence towers just began to move as Nazareth's group reached attack position. Only the corvette put out anti-aircraft fire, unfortunately that is one of the prime uses for corvettes, anti-fighter screens for larger ships. Light bolters pumped out fire at the fighters.
Left out in the cold
Romulus moved with the others to secure the perimeter. He along with the others, waited for airsupport to move through. "Once our birds come into view I say we move out. Use them for cover. Hit the base while they are dealing with the ships"
Hellooooooooo Nurse!....
Lt Nova awakes again to a view of the sick bay ceiling, she find she more clear headed and her eyes more focus and she hunger is but manageable level. With awake mind also come the pains and hurts of her abused body that is weighting her down. "Computer, raising head of the bed to 30 degree, please?" ask Nova and waits to see if the computer will raise it for her.
She turns her head and see that the little green guy is looking better than before Yea, a little brighter Green in his fur. and Loki is still sleeping but he should be counted out of any mischief.
PBH
The Doctor is in
The unit does indeed raise the head 30 degrees as requested.
As if sensing he is being watched, Loki's eyes open and he yawns wide. His voice starts small as he tries to find it, "hiya Nova, you look like someone used you to land that shuttle on. Ooooh, I feel weird."
The little fox tries to get up, but finds he has no strength to lift his own weight, "when do I get to go?"
Burrr...
"Sounds like an idea, however there are a number of things in there that have me concerned.
For one thing, that corvette will do unpleasant things to the fighters. After the initial attack we should take out the towers, then work to the corvette."
Aaron liked his plan, he always did like his plans though. He was the one the devised them. Still, it wasn't often that his plans were attack plans.
Right over the perimeter of the pirate base, in a thick of laser fire
"EVASIVE ACTION!" Nazareth yelled over his comm to his wingmen as the barrage of laser fire came up from the corvette. Dammit, I wasn't expecting it to be active without being launched... Nazareth thought, frustrated. He furiously began scanning the corvette and tried to lock in target areas for the missile salvo...then all five Zetas overshot the corvette, trying to dodge the deadly thicket.
"Blast it!" Nazareth cursed. Then some garbled speech came over his comm from Major Brown. "Please," Nazareth growled out through clenched teeth, trying to lock targets, evade lasers, and concentrate on thinking at the same time, so you couldn't blame him if he was slightly edgy. "You have your own job to do, and we have ours. Now stop making plans to take out our targets while we're being shot at and let us do our job."
Then the canyon wall came up. Another thing to multitask. "Pull up!" Nazareth roared. The five Zetas, still dodging lasers, all attempted to pull up and turn around for a second pass, but the heavy load of the missile ordinance was weighing them down. As they were turning, Nazareth saw a small flash outside of his cockpit.
"Norton!"
"I'm hit, but not bad, I can hold for awhile."
A small commbeep chimed on Nazareth's console, with a small computerized voice saying "Targets confirmed."
Finally, Nazareth thought.
All the Zetas were turned around, and heading back for the second pass. Nazareth quickly sent the target areas on the corvette to the others. They were just five areas along the spine of the ship at regular intervals, not targeting any specific system.
The corvette was back in view, lengthwise, and loosing it's deadly bolts at the group. "Spray that ship with pulse plama and heavy rails, try to jar up those turrets, we need to fly straight for this." the five fighters started randomly blasting from range, and it began working; the blaster fire became erratic and innacurate. It wouldn't stay that way for long though. Fortunatly Nazareth didn't need that long.
They got closer to the ship. "On my mark, drop six missiles on your target areas. I don't want to take any chances." Nazareth said. The others confirmed his order. The ship was even closer. "Steady..." Closer... "Steady..." Closer...
"FIRE!"
In unison, the five Crusading Scales let loose six heavy missiles each, for a total salvo of thrity. The Sabers flew directly overhead of the corvette at the same time the missiles impacted it's hull. The fireworks on the side of the cruiser's hull were spectacular, instantly rupturing the hull and blowing off about a third of it, but Nazareth looked in his rearview HUD, that was going to be small compared too...
Two seconds after the initial impact, the entire ship exploded from the massive critical damage. The blast radius was wide and strong enough that the entire landing platform was completely obliterated with nothing but a crater left, as well as knocking down several adjacent structures. It even rattled the Zetas slightly, what with debris flying past them.
Nazareth immediately got on his command-to-command comm. "Ground team, this is Zeta-One, we have their attention, you are in the clear! You have a green light to infiltrate! I repeat, you have a green light! Go, go, go!"
Echo Base
A finely dressed human male of a mixed descent of Asian and Caucasian ancestry entered the mostly deserted study and bowed low to the rather nervous heavier set man with the rather dashing mustache and goatee.
"Sir, I regret to inform you that your ship has just blown up."
The heavier man hammered the hard wood desk with his fist, "I can see that Benawi! Now what?"
The other man, who has not straightened up from his bow, replies calmly, "I suppose we shall be killed sir."
"That's really not good for business Benawi."
Meanwhile, outside...
The fence turrets manage to finally get themselves online and fire at the fighters, but their targeting systems are somewhat substandard.
Burn
"Well, so much for taking the corvette part of the plan. You heard the fellow in the sky, lets go get us some pirates!"
Good Bedside Matters?
"Oh no You are stuck there until my body heals enough to walk .. no to run you down, and stop anymore mischief from you. God and Goddess, Be careful what you wish for, My Granny Bam would said, You may get it.
No waltzing around without your body, I wouldn't be able to carry you back to that body or shell or whatever you run around in. Most people have a string at least connecting their bodies and souls. You just have a path, and Goddess forbid if you do not have the strength to travel it." shouts the catgirl, and falls back panting.... "Damn, If I can't even get a drink of water around here." Nova finds a robot arm with a straw tube moving to her face, but computer only allows enough water for a small sip to wet her mouth and throat, then to moving back.
"Well, Loki, If you are awake, we may as well report to Capt Summers" says the defeated Nova, knowing full well none of what she says make it though to the Lord of Chaos. "Comms.... voice mail to Capt Summers ....Lt Hunnydew request meeting with the captain when he can spare some time. Please. Lt Nova Hunnydew out... End message"
PBH
Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor not a...
Nova knew and probably Loki knew as well, that despite bobbing his head up in down in response to Nova's orders, they had likely gone in one fuzzy fox ear and out the other faster then she could speak them. He just smiled happily, the type of smile a mischevious child gives to their unaware parent to placate them.
The request to meet with the captain garnered a quick response, earning a direct conference as soon as the request was completed.
"Lieutenant Nova, you are awake. When I received the report that you and... Loki was it... were injured, I was concerned. The mission was supposed to be uneventful at best, we had received assurances from the militia that the area was safe. I hope it is nothing serious." The captain seemed reasonably concerned, a bit more then most commanding officers she had been under.
A blue fox elbowed his way into view of the screen, "how is... you know who?"
Before Nova could answer, Loki bounded out of bed and hopped up next to Nova, his previous weakness and grevious injury seemingly forgotten, "hihi Ix, how ya been?"
The one Loki called Ix smiled, but gave a nudge to his side and mouthed a word that looked to be, "Kanzoria."
Loki sighed as the captain resumed full view.
Captain Summers continued his conversation with Nova, "I see our guest came out relatively unscathed. Now, your report on your findings would help... as we seem to have an alien vessel berthed on the Phalanx with you."
Fire and Ice
Major Brown's command was acknowledged by Ben and Romulus's teams and both professionally moved into action. The two snipers moved to positions along the ridge and made short work of the tower guards before the rest of the teams hit the fence line. Taking precautions for potential electrification, the team opened a big hole in the fence.
Ben's team entered first, securing the area.
Oh it's a pirate's live I'm takeing
Romulus comes back down from his sniper perch and has his team follow Ben's team into the Pirate base.
Skrimish over Pirate Base
Nazareth heard the confirmation of Major Brown's Spec Ops troops moving in. He switched over to his squad communicator.
"All right, Crusading Scales, the worms have entered the garden. Time to put on an act and keep the hostile's attention away from our friends. Let's make it look good.
" First, take out two of the cannons, but leave one standing. Harass the rocket infantry, but don't kill off most of them. If we eliminate all of their defences, they're going to start wondering why we're just flying in circles. Pirates may not be the geniuses of the galaxy, but they're not dumb, they'll figure out the diversion sooner or later. Let's make it later. Split up, pick your targets at will. Remember, mostly harass, kill some, but leave most of them alive, in not neccessarily unhurt. Keep the Ground Team in your scaners, and try to draw attention away from wherever they are. "
The Crusading Scales had turned around for a third pass when Nazareth finished issuing his battle plan. As per orders, the Zetas split up to bother separate areas of the base they were somewhat distant from where the ground squad broke in.
Nazareth saw a small group of rocket infantry taking aim at him. Nazareth swooped in low, shooting his pulse plasma cannons in an attempt to scatter them. Some of them did, but four of them remained firm. As Nazareth flew over them and pulled up, they fired their rockets. "Blast." Nazareth said. He pulled to the right to dodge the first, did a left barrel-roll to dodge the next two, and flipped up and over to dodge the last. The last one almost hit him, even though he dropped a good fraction of his heavy missiles earlier he still was weighed down by the rest. After he had done so, he saw a fifth rocket off to his left, launched from a pirate on a tower who's launcher looked longer and shinier than the others. The rocket itself was also chrome-plated, and looked more polished than the other rugged dull brown rockets.. But Nazareth didn't have any time to register these facts, and instead pulled around to head right at the rocket. At the second-to-last second, he pulled sharply up and right. But out of his rearview HUD, the rocket was...turning! It wasn't a rocket at all!
"BLAST! A seeker missile!" Nazareth recognized it then; it was an old-model ISF anti-vehicle missile. Nazareth's first though was, How did they get their hands on those kinds of munitions? but that thought was quickly brushed aside; pirates lived off of stolen technology.
But Nazareth didn't have time to ponder these thoughts, as the missile was on his tail, and gaining. Nazareth tried to shake it, but it was useless; older model it may have been, but it's tracking system was still good. It's manuverabilty wasn't special however, but it's tracking 'determination' made up for that deficiency. Nazareth then saw the infernal missile pirate loading up for a second shot. That gave Nazareth an idea, Return to sender...
Nazareth then pulled down for what looked like kamikazi attack on the missile pirate. The pirate looked up in absolute shock; there was no way he could get away if Nazareth crashed into him. Then Nazareth opened up a comm channel on all frequencies, and directed the transmission at the pirate. "I think you lost something, little man!" Was all that Nazareth said before pulling off.
The pirate just blinked in confusion, and didn't even have time to open his mouth to scream when his own missile impacted at the base of his feet on the top of the tower. The tower's tip was blasted black, and random pieces of the pirates body rained down to the ground.
That was too close... Nazareth thought. A comm suddenly came over for him fron Norton;
"I'm having trouble with my stabilizers, it must be from when I was hit earlier."
"Pull out and land somewhere, you can't do any more good if you're damaged. See if you can patch up the hit."
"Yes, sir."
Nazareth then opened up his command-to-command comm again. "Major Brown? How much time do you think you'll need to complete whatever your objective is? One of my men has had to pull out."
My report....ah the Dog ate it
The ship is an AI that calls itself Mother, and it looks after these "Kids" or Fox cubs.( points to Loki and Ix} It also seem to have enough fire power to destroy the Phalanx even if it were outside the shields. It was testing us, or I sure say that Loki and Mother were testing us. To see if we would try to save him, Loki. I don't know if Loki knew about the ambush before hand. But he did stay with us to try to stop the pirates from killing us. * pauses* I wishs I to thank the rescue crew." reports Lt Nova.
"Also, Loki feels that we need to find another ship." says Nova "My granny Sarah's ancient Shipwreck on Regina 3, which no one has found since. Because it is not on Regina 3..."
PBH
Skirmish over Pirate Base
The pirate anti-air troopers with their rocket launchers kept near the cannon towers, largely thwarting the Zeta's attempts to take them out as everytime they tried, they were met with proximity detonating and armor piercing rockets.
Norton was lucky his fighter had VTOL capabilities, because with stabilizer problems, he was not confident enough to try and reach escape velocity. He put his fighter down next to the dropship and called for the "fighter taxi".
Nazareth's unbelievable maneuver with the tracking missile was unluckily counterbalanced as a rocket impacted the cockpit area of his fighter (fuselage area, not the canopy).
Pirate base perimeter
As both teams moved into the compound, they met with no resistance. The only active pirate forces are in the gun towers and around them, which are not near the teams' position.
The base is small, with what was once a landing field, a large hanger building of some sort, a pair of small barracks style buildings and a larger administrative type building.
My karma ran over your dogma.
Ixiah stuck his head back into screen view and shook it, "no, Mother does not look after all us... 'kids', just errant little Loki. My personal ship is... elsewhere."
The Captain raised an eyebrow at Nova's comments, "please elaborate on what you mean about this shipwreck."
Loki quietly and seriously makes a reply directed at Ixiah, "she found Xaos and Gaea's ship... and all indications are that they may still be in it."
Ixiah turned pale, "oh dear, that is not good news."
Nock, nock. Avon calling
Romulus kept his gun train on one of the barracks. He then looks at his squad and turns on his com "Ok here what's I think what should go down. Ben and my teams each sweep a barracks. Make sure there is no one hiding in them. While we are sweeping the barracks Nitro and Ben's demo person can set up explosives to take out the towers, if you have any thing big left Nitro. Amanda, The Major and Richard there could secure the larger building" Romulus then looks to Amanda and Aaron to see what they think.
Huge explosions are the essence of war
"That was along the lines of what I was thinking of. Hopefully we can clear everything out here and be done with it all, then get off this ice rock."
Aaron did not say anything out loud, but with his luck it would turn out that there would be some universe crushing device on the planet that was about to go off soon and they would be stuck there longer trying to deal with that.
Filling Grannyma's shoes
"Infamous Alien Shipwreck of Regina 3, was found by Dr Sarah Hunnydew about 100 years ago during the early years of the ISF. My great-grandma return with the main computer memory core, an metal annoy piece which can not be manufactured by us and holographic evidence of an advance spacecraft which was believed to be 100,000 years old. She had to abandon the shipwreck site because of pirate activity. Due Political pressure, and being handycapped after ill fated assassination attempt, my great-grandmother could not go on another expedition, and the wreck was never found by any other. Many critics tried to suppress the data found in the recover memory core, but the attacks of the enemy never gave them any creditability. And the fact, Dr Bambi Hunnydew, used the data from the memory crystals to improve Hypedrive and shield technologies.
My granny taught me a lullaby, which has what I thought was nonsense words in the song are in fact.. but in fact they are numbers in Loki's language and when put together are galatic location. " reports Lt Nova.
PBH
Avon... didn't he die on Gauda Prime?
Amanda nodded in acknowledgement, "right, let's kick in the doors then." Amanda marched off to the administrative building and literally kicked in the doors. The primary area is a command center, it is entirely automated. A single door leads towards the rear of the building.
Richard trudged along with Aaron behind the chaingun wielding female, "I feel inadequate next to her gun..."
Ben's team fans out and moves into the barracks area, they find the building to be empty.
A size too large
The Captain nodded gravely, "I see, when you are well, you should see me about this. It may prove to be important and our fleet may pass within, if not into the system in question. For now, you should probably get some rest. You can submit your official report later. Summers out."
Loki waved vigorously to Ixiah as the image disappeared. He looked over to Nova, "your great grandmother's efforts seem to have improved your species much, but it would appear that much of the technology your people have discovered is from the Faelin... who have been extinct for a very long time. They were a race of felines that were favorites of the Vhar. When your people discovered an ancient Vhar outpost, a Faelin scout ship was perserved within, possibly the last of that race sought refuge there. Perhaps you are a descendent of them." Loki stuck his tongue out at Nova, teasing her.
CHARGE!... Um hello?
Romulus had his team clear the other building while he had Nitro get what he had for explosives to take out the gun towers. As Romulus kicked open the door to the building and aimed his rifle inside. "YOU BUY COOKIES NOW!"
No AL you didn't invented the internet.....
"Whoa, I never said my grandma invented the wheel or even the FTL Hyperdrive. Just that she was able to improve the design and theory from the data collect by her mother."says Nova defensively... *sighs*"I had hoped to see your ship, but it looks like I am stuck here, healing." pant pant" I am sure, your friend Ix would like to see you, Loki. Do you think he will be here soon?"
PBH
Air Skirmish
Just after pulling the seeker missile move, Nazareth was pulling up and searching for another target. Out of nowhere, a rocket came up and impacted on his fighter's body, very close to the cockpit.
The blast shook the fighter with incredible force, and caused a plume of smoke to start billowing out of the side. Nazareth started swearing profusely under his breath. I must be getting OLD, he thought, that should not have happened.
Nazareth tried to assess the damage done to his fighter. The plume of smoke, and the fact it was on his cockpit area, clearly did not bode well. He knew he would only be able to keep flying stable for a few more moments.
Nazareth checked his scanners and sensors. The Ground Team had succeeded in infiltrating the base, now all they had to do was not cause too much of a ruckus to make the pirates go after them instead of the Zetas. The three towers with cannons were proving very difficult for the others to even get near, what with most of the rocket infantry taking up positions around said towers. Nazareth then checked his inventory. He still had twelve heavy missiles left. The towers were giving his wingmates quite a bit of greif. They would be doing even more so once Nazareth was out. He made a snap decision.
Nazareth reached for his controls. Manipulating several buttons, switches, and knobs, he got all twelve of his remaining missiles prepared to fire. He swung his fighter around, hoping it wouldn't put too much strain on his damaged fighter. With his view now focused on two of the three towers, he locked them into his targeting system. He set them to fire six missiles toward each tower, but scatter them up a bit at the bases to spread around, hopefully to take out a number of the infantry.
He made sure not to target them too close to the other structures, however. He still didn't know what the Ground Team's objective was, but it couldn't be the destruction of the base. At least, it can't be their primary. If the whole base was to go up, the Zetas could already have done that. No, the Ground Team must be going for something specific, and Nazareth didn't want to inadvertantly destroy it.
He flew closer, in a path that would take him between the two towers. With the scattered target locked in, he dropped all his remaining missiles. Rockets immediately started heading for him. Nazareth tried a barrel roll to avoid them. But just as he was going between the towers, one of the proximity rockets exploded a little to close to him. However, he made it through, and heard explosions behind him confriming the hits of his missiles. He only hoped it would be sufficient. But the proximity rocket was too much for the fighter; the plume of smoke had become a jet of flame.
The contols started getting unresponsive.
He grimly activated his comm to his wingmates. "Zetas, I've been hit with a rocket. I can't stick around. Burns, you're in command. Keep distracting those Pirates." He managed to limp his fighter off in the same direction Norton went. When he got to the area where the dropships were, he came down for the landing, next to Norton's Saber. Despite the damage, Nazareth made it fairly smooth, or as sooth as it can be, under the circumstances.
Like Norton did earlier, Nazareth also called for a fighter-taxi.
Norton looked over from his cockpit to Nazareth's. "They got you too? Man, this is not one of our better days." The frilled lizard said.
Nazareth just shook his head. "No...not one of our better days.
Hello, would you like to buy a magazine subscription?
Aaron grins at Richard, "Don't tell me you are getting performance anxiety. Go ahead and help her. Though he seems to be quite enthused about destroying doors."
Aaron, being the curious sort who also happen to be good with computers, looked around at the command center.
Air skirmish
One of the towers was a direct hit with the six missiles, completely obliterating it. The other tower was really lucky, all the missiles impacted the ground near the base and killed the infantry, but did not hit the structure.
The fighter taxis descended, hovering over each individual fighter and deploying grappler arms to scoop up the fighters and pull them up into the internal bay.
The taxi's commander opened a communications channel to both fighters at once, "We will get you back to the Phalanx for repairs, any injuries?"
Girl scouts of doom!
Romulus applied the "kick the door in" philosophy of diplomatic negotiations and found it to be largely successful as the only occupant of the barracks, a badger child, immediately threw his hands up in the air, dropping the mop he was holding on the floor. The wheeled bucket full of cleaning fluid skidded away.
Magazine subscriptions denied
The command center computers were mostly all screen locked, except for a few of them. Those that were active seemed to be trying to track the Zeta group's fighters. Suddenly, one of the screens turned to static.
Many of the computers are designed for air to space launch operations, none of them are actively monitoring or tracking anything.
Amanda points to the last door in the area, "major, I hear talking beyond that door."
The internetz are for...
"I... don't know when Ix will be by. I could probably go find him though..." Loki swayed as he was sitting next to Nova, "my head feels funny, kind of like a fog has settled in between my ears and the room is getting spinney."
Loki was trying to remain upright, but he was having trouble doing so.
The Spirit is willing, your kissings are chilling
The spirit is willing, But the Fresh is weak.
"No no, Loki, You need to lying down again, if you don't let that body of yours rest, you will be in here, longer than me." Nova Says weakly. She is finds that she is out feeling very hot either, and a short nap is called for. "Loki Please lying down before you fall down"
PBH
Drop Zone
Nazareth looked at his comm-panel when the taxi pilot's inquiry came over his speaker. "No, no injuries, fortunately..." Nazareth said in his low growling voice.
Nazareth then remebered his last three wingmates. He opened a line to Torson's fighter again, and reluctantly gave his next order. "Burns, there is one last thing I want you to do. If you, Mack, or Satch take significant damage, I am giving all three of you a direct order to pull out. We obviously weren't at our best today, and I don't want any of your deaths on my concience."
Nazareth then frowned. "I only hope we've given the ground team enough of a distraction."
Nazareth closed the line and sat back in his seat, praying that Burns and the others wouldn't have to obey his orders too soon. He didn't want any of the Ground Team to die because his squad had to pull out early, but Nazareth was directly responsible for the Zetas, no one else. Therefor, they take priorty for him. He also wondered how the hell he was going to explain this mess to his superior officer. Two of them downed in the first five minutes. Nazareth couldn't even remember the last time he and his crew had displayed such a shoddy performace.
I'm just a glorified babysitter
Romulus swept the building with his rifle while he looked at the kid. He kept his gun trained on the kid while he spoke to his crew. "Hacker would you mind secureing the kid?" He then looked at the kid still pointing his rifle at him. "Now we can do this one of two ways. You go peacefully and we take you with us. Or you resist and I kill you. There is no third option I'm not in the mood to be nice. Now which is it?"
But sir! Sign up now and you get 3 months free!
"Yes, it is the talking part that scares me, just a bit. Did you get anything interesting from them? If not I'll just leave taking the room to your discretion."
Suggestio veri, suggestio falsi - An intimation of truth, an intimation of falsity
Loki was very curious as to why he was woozy, as he had been fine a few minutes ago, but he found that he lacked the focus to persue this mystery.
Loki mumbled a few words to Nova, "I guess... you may be right... but I do not understand what resting is exactly. I will... rest... after I pop over for a visit with Ixiah."
Loki made an effort to stand, on Nova's hospital bed no less, but found he lacked the strength, "er... I think I'll just stay here then..."
The green fox curled up next to Nova and after a few moments of trying to find a position that did not stretch his wounds, he snuggled in for a nap.
Special Forces Babysitting division
"I guess I'll be surrendering then sir. I just clean the floors around here." The kid said as he kept his hands raised high.
Hacker, feeling somewhat like a babysitter as of late, entered the room cautiously and searched the kid. Hacker found a knife, small pistol and a stun gun in his search. "Interesting stuff for a janitor."
"Large, dangerous space rats are found in the halls... plus we are space pirates afterall... you know... arrr! Walk the airlock and all."
I do not need magazines, but perhaps you would like to hear about Amway?
"Only something about... 'let me do the talking.' or such, not too useful. I'll secure the room then major." Amanda approached the door and swiftly kicked it in.
The exploding door came as a surprise, but not nearly as much as the attractive human female with a chaingun.
Amanda swept the room with the gun as she barked orders, "alright, everyone freeze."
A rather cultured and masculine voice answered back, somewhat surprised, "my lady, it is 30 below outside... that is not too hard really, but I understand your meaning."
Fighter taxi
Naz and Norton's fighters were secured in the fighter taxi and it began its long flight back to the Phalanx.
The flight chief tapped on Nazareth's canopy and gave him the "all clear" and "exit the fighter" signals.
Over the base, the rest of Zeta continued to give grief to the pirates. The resolve of the enemy was weakened as the last gun tower exploded.
The few remaining rocket troops scattered, only to be cut down by Ben's unit as they exited one of the barracks buildings.
Phalanx Fighter Bay
Nazareth opened the canopy of his fighter, climbing out of it. He was beginning to get an idea of how he would be explaining all of this at debreifing. He activated his wrist-comm, and wired it into his fighter's comm system, contacting Burns.
"Burns, status report."
"We've destroyed the last towers and routed most of the remaining infantry and personnel. The Ground Team has already mowed down a few of the pirates themselves. They shouldn't be having any trouble now. Our job here is done."
Despite the good news that did indeed help Nazareth's mood a little bit, he still didn't smile. He just kept his normal hard reptillian gaze. He doesn't smile often even in the best of times.
"Good. Stay there, for now, just in case the Ground Team requires any further aerial assistance."
"Affirmative"
Nazareth then turned to Norton, who had also gotten out of his fighter.
"Norton, give me a damage assessment on our Sabers, then get started on repairs."
Back at the Dropship
Kal stuck to the ground as the others headed out to the pirate camp that had been located, while 'Renegade' orbited about in a low level CAP.
"Sounds like someones having fun over there." Kal radioed to his wingman as the rumble of explosions went off somewhere in the direction of the camp. "Must have been a strike package from the Phalanx. she was the closest ship"
Oh Boy Nurse Joy
The Nurse comes in the find out why Loki's bed's sensors are not reading anything, no weirdness, nothing and Why Lt Nova's bed is seeing two heartbeats and other weirdness. She finds a sleeping Loki curled up and using Nova's chest as a pillow . Nova is also asleep with one hand on his head but with a preplex look on her face as she dreams
The nurses adjusts the computer readings so that data streams from both patients to be separated but received from the same bed unit. She turns to go back to her station, shaking her head. She knows anything that keeps that little green rascal quiet is a plus, even if protocol requirement them to be in separate beds.
PBH
Think of the children.
Romulus just stared at the kid. He kept his gun trained on him. "Good choose kid, I'd rather not kill a kid for no reason. So what's your na......" Romulus stopped talking as he heard the gun fire, with his gun aiming at the kid's head he keyed his com. "I'm guessing that was you Ben?" He then addressed the other party. "How are things going for you Major?"
Very well then, but can you resist the charms of a girl scout selling cookies?
The major sighs, I guess that is effective.
He was just about to walk in when he got a message from Romulus, "Things are going well, I think we caught a few VIPs, wait a few."
Aaron steps in the room the chain gun wielding, and attractive, human female. Making very certain not to step in front of the gun. He looks around the room before asking, "So, which one of you are in charge around here?"
Phalanx Fighter Bay
Norton nodded, "alright, I'll get this started boss."
The hanger crew directed the cranes that offloaded the damaged fighters and placed them in the repair racks.
Norton headed over after the bosun and crew had secured the craft. Each fighter had its own crew of technicians and both crews were quickly assembling. The two chiefs approached Norton and conferred with him as they looked over each fighter.
Norton nodded and returned to Nazareth, "my fighter suffered damage to its control surfaces. Not normally a problem in space, but in atmosphere it caused a serious issue when hauling the weapons payload. Simple repair. Your craft took a hit to the flight computer and caused a system lockup. The flight systems were technically still on line, but frozen... the redundant control computer could not take over because of it. This is truly a rare instance, I'm going to have the crews install a manual switch over and schedule some training for us on how to override automatic systems."
Better nursing and Tea of Confusion
Somewhere, Loki and Nova were having tea. The place was not discernable to Nova beyond the table itself, merely a blur of shapes and sounds.
"So what's on your mind Nova?" Loki asked.
Children, the spice of life
The gunfire drew Hacker's attention to Romulus. He tensed, prepared for pirates to come pouring through the frosted side windows.
As the team was momentarily distracted, the badger kid slipped into the back hall.
Meanwhile, Ben replied over the radio, "yeah, we cleared the other barracks and were heading out when the pirates ran in our direction. We ordered them to surrender, but they fired on us. We were forced to take them out."
In the darkness of the hall, a figure observed the kid slipping into the hall ahead of him. The perfect time to strike had come, if he acted quickly, he could take out these "special forces". Taking careful aim over the shoulder of the child, the sniper fired his rifle as quickly as the weapon would allow.
Valynth Cernial, Romulus's recently appointed second, turned to say something to his squad leader. However, before he could finish, blood splattered all across the front of his faceplate and erupted from his chest. Turning as he did, blocked the shot that was aimed for Romulus. The body slumped forward.
In the hall, the kid froze, shots had whizzed by him and he found himself the only visible target they could have come from.
OOC: hence I remove one PC who's player has dropped out.
No cookies, we want candy!
At the request for the one in charge, a heavier set man with the rather dashing mustache and goatee responded, "I am the one who is in charge... now that the gentleman in the corvette has been scattered to the winds. My name is Harold Renton Mudd."
The man bows, "I am at your disposal. However, only myself and my assistant, Benawi," he indicates the other human next to him, "can I guarantee to cooperate with you, the others are not under my command specifically... it is complicated."
Oh you did NOT just do that
Romulus blinked and jerked his head as he saw Valynth take the hit. "SNIPER! TAKE COVER!" Romulus dropped to the floor and took up an aiming postin with his rifle. He aimed at the kid but was also using his scope to look passed the child to look for movement. His team took cover where ever they could. He continued to loojk passed the kid. "Damnit boy drop to the ground before I drop you and find who the hell just killed one of my men"
"Oh Loki, mm you are here. Wait Are you here? I know I only use 15% of my mind at any one time. So, from the dark nothingness. This is must be my head."
A sun sudden raises over a isolated beach and shoreline and stops about midmorning sky. Nova and Loki now sit at a table on the middle of a beach resort with just each other, and the sound of the surf.
"So, Is this just a dream? Can I invite the Capt, and Ix to Tea, too.?" asks Nova with whimsy before a sip of tea, but a cloud floats pass the dreamday sun.
"What do you really want with us, Loki? Can you help us against the masters?" asks Nova seriously putting her cup down.
PBH
Oh yes he did
The kid nods and drops to the ground and covers his head with his hands, so much for my slipping out through the back, that guy with the gun better get this over with quick.
In the back of the hall, the sniper readjusted his sight and fired again, bouncing a shot off of Romulus's shoulder before skittering off and relocating.
Hacker, RC and Wall all hit the ground and quickly crawled to cover as Nitro layed down a covering fire with his weapon before moving to safety.
The tea time of infinity squared
Loki waved his hand, "Ixiah could come if he wasn't restricted by his 'handler', the Captain... well, no, unless Ix or myself brought him."
Loki stared into his tea cup for a few moments, "what I want hmmm? Well, I want to be free... remember, your people took me prisoner. I also want my people to be free from the domination by the Masters. We can sing good songs without their conducting. I..."
He paused again, "I... want to be forgiven... to have my exile rescinded and to be allowed to go home... As for helping you, I can indeed. Like Ix, I am a well trained and powerful psychic. The Master's use thralls to control their warmachines, they are biologically integrated into ships, mecha and such. These thralls are psychically slaved to Controlling Masters, but through this connection they are vulnerable to psychic jamming and disruption. This is how I can help, along with Ix and Rey."
Oh you son of a....
Romulus growled at the bullet bouncing off his shoulder. It was clean he was mad at not being able to get the sniper. He fired at a glint of movement he saw but didn't think he hit the sniper. He climbed to his feet and swore under his breath. He aimed down the hall as he quickly moved to the opening of the hallway. He took cover at the opening, knelt down and took a peak down the hallway with his rifle scope.
"God and goddess, If my Nana Sarah had problems convincing anyone about her theories and observations. how am I going to show these parodied warriors types that you are friendly?
Yes Admiral, he is one of the psion thrall races of the Masters... But he says he is friendly...
What? Yes, I know he did that but he is a prisoner? what?
he did what? Yes I can see that would upsetting to you, sir But it was a joke...
What you don't trust me? Why? Oh I am tooo trusting to begin with... Well I guess you got me there..." tells LT Nova
"Loki If we can capture another working ship to give to them, (yes, I don't want to give up Mother) or I can think up another defense against their weapons with your help... We may get you free from being our prisoner, But getting you a hero's welcome for your home, well I think only sending the Masters back into the void will do that." says the cat girl soberly. "Maybe we find something at the shipwreck site"
PBH
Phalanx launch bay-repair section
"Good man. I will make the neccessary arrangements for the override practice. Carry on with the repairs. In the meantime, I must begin preparing an after-battle report for our debriefing. Notify me when the others dock in, which might be some time. Even though the bulk of the fighting seems to be over, I ordered them to stay in case any of the Ground Team need furthur assistance. The others will probably return when those Special Operations Infantry do. Once everyone's back, I will add any closing notes of interest to the report, if applicable, then call everyone together to report for our debrief. If, by that time, you feel it would be best to continue supervising the repairs, I will exempt you. Mack or Satch will probably fill you in on their own time.
"As you were, Ensign Kalmunt." Nazareth finished, addressing Norton by rank.
"Yessir, Duke." Norton said it with breaks and emphasis so that it came out as, 'Yes, Sir Duke'. Norton grinned.
Nazareth still didn't smile, he just shook his head and turned around. But he was grinning internally at Norton's verbal twist, and Norton knew it. The frilled lizard fondly watched his leader, whom he'd served under for quite a few years now, walk away for a moment. Then he turned around himself and recommenced barking, or more accurately, hissing, orders to the repair crews. Nazareth walked at a brisk pace toward the Zeta-Group ready room.
You never know he could be...
Using his scope, Romulus was able to see down the hall due to the lowlight aspect. With his material penetrating optics, he spied a trooper, helmeted and wearing light body armor. The soldier was wielding a field carbine of some sort and had it trained on the main area of the entrance that Romulus was near. The cover provided by stacked equipment provided nearly 100% cover from the side he approached from.
In order to get a clear kill shot, he would have to lean into the hall, exposing himself. Something about how that trooper is positioned is not right, the stance is patient and rigid, but the breathing is irregular.
Sweet dream...
"The thralls that the masters use are normal beings from the younger races, like your people and the humans, who they genetically manipulate and convert into living psionic control units, an organic computer. So you will need our people to confront them and reduce the effectiveness of their forces, their technology is vastly superior to yours, but their ships can be overcome by your race's firepower. Your people realize this, that is why they plan on using Ix and Rey, but those two can only do so much. This sector, encompassing a dozen or so worlds, has a handfull of my people overseeing various outposts and facilities, doing who knows what under the direction of the enemy. We need to save them and enlist their aid."
He stared at his cup again and smiled brightly, "I'm glad you trust me and want to help. Your people are unlike all the others, even though yours is a young race, you are different then the others we have met, other young races. You are definitely much different then the ancients, in all of the peoples out there, you are the only ones who care enough to help."
Phalanx launch bay-repair section
Nazareth is approached by a petty officer as he walks towards the Zeta-Group's ready room, "sir, Major hunt would like to see you in his office now. No need for a report, he would just like to meet with you now before the formal debrief."
I'm sure I can accommodate candy, as long as you don't sing that song...
"Of course things are complicated. Things can never be simple. However, things being complicated I need you to see if you can get others to cooperate with us. The more cooperating I get the better things will be in the long run."
Aaron did not say such out loud, however he did think to him self, chain guns make excellent motivators.
France got the bomb, but don't you grieve,
'Cause they're on our side (I believe).
"Wait, If I remember my command briefing, the fleet is heading into the outer rim of our colonized worlds. An area of individual/independent planets and systems who are fighting each other as much as they send pirate raiders in our space merchants trading routes. The main fleet rarely venture in here, but when they do most times, it is to chase the enemy or destroy some pirate king who thinks he can make war on the home worlds.
So, how many of those worlds are secretly run by the Masters? Would anyone give up their own world to play with to join us? Or are they just so scare of the masters that they back them up because they have no other choice? What is going to take to get these ex-countrymen of yours to fight with us against the Masters? Because what you are telling me is that Rey, Ix, and you are going to have to free your rainbow friends' minds and/or fears from the masters before anyone backs us? And can they be trusted to stay brought?" asked Nova. "God I head hurts, now. Political intrigue, alway hurts my head. this from a senator's daughter"
"Hey, Join the Space Navy and Save the Universe" shout a Busty Catgirl on a moving poster, which just appears behind Nova and fades away "Yea, If only it were that simple," adds Nova
"On top of that the Masters have to know we are coming, and I bet ya a credits to donuts, that they will send every ragtag fleet of pirates out to beat us down. One reason, why we don't just move the Main Fleet in here and clean up this side of space, is that it would take the whole Fleet to destroy most of the pirates and bring order." states Lt Nova in her empty tea cup.
"Well, we brought "Mother" ship in, Can we get Ix and Rey out of their cells into yours, at least?" wonder the Lieutenant.
PBH
Time for you to go boom
Romulus stayed where he was with his scope sighted in on the spot he saw the soldier. Without turning his head he spoke aloud. "Hey Nitro got any more grenades? I know this guy is down the hall but I can't get a shot. So I figure hell with it and blow the hallway up" Romulus kept an eye on the soldier the best he could as he shouted for Nitro, watching to see if the soldier gets scared abd makes a move. "Ok if you get a shot, shoot to disable not to kill. We could use as many prisoneers as we can get" Romulus though to himself while he spoke to Nitro.
Iiiiiiiii want can-dy!!!! :P
Mudd stroked his chin, "now you see, thinks are not that simple. Those under my command will likely gladly cooperate, but most of them were toasted on my corvette, that Decker had commandeered. What remains of my people are likely a kid that cleans the barracks, the mess cook and possibly my computer tech. The rest are under the command of a vicious little ferret named Ze Sunaj. He has a vendetta against the ISF and will fight to the death. The fellow will not listen to me."
Dreams are made to be nice
"My people don't control the pirates, that was all my thing... I was trying to build an empire out of these separatists and criminals, by convincing everyone I was the legendary corsair Zhilhon Janzur. I was on my way to doing just that, then your fleet came along and ruined it. The pirates are only a concern for these border states, and your ISF did not have the manpower to scoure the area, nor do they have the desire to. The worlds out here are those that do not want to be a part of the Galactic States or the new ISF."
Loki pauses for a few moments to think before continuing, "They are not a concern, but my other people are. Most of them are running bizarre laboratories and experimenting on various people captured off of the independent and pirate worlds, some are analyzing ancient structures of the old races for technologies or secrets to where they may be, and still others are overseeing listening posts. Many of my people are following orders from our high command and are unaware that the ancient masters are in control, some are under direct influence of the song."
Loki produces a small LCD monitor and it flickers to life. An image of a foxish coyote appears, "this person is assigned as Ixiah's handler. He is called Yuri Kanzoria and he is part of your people's military intelligence organization ISIS, the InterStellar Intelligence Service. From what I have learned from my brief mental contact with Ix, is that operational control of these aliens is handled by intelligence. To override this, your Captain plans to use Major Brown's Military R&D authority and Colonel Nexx's intelligence authority to bring Ixiah under our influence so we can work against the aliens. Reiya is far away, with the main fleet and is safe, it is Ix we are concerned with... as Kanzoria is abusing him for information, and I don't approve of that. Yuri is... different, then you."
Think before you boom
The soldier does not react in a natural way, he appears to almost struggle against something and strain, but the stance does not change. The gun jiggles a bit.
At the mention of grenades, there is however a muffled sound from Romulus's right (the soldier is on his left), which is quickly lost as something jumps up next to him.
Nitro meanwhile has yelled back, "yeah, I got... whoa!"
He takes a shot and just nearly misses the kid from earlier as he jumped up next to Romulus and scrambled out of the hallway.
Phalanx launch bay-repair section
Nazareth was slightly surprised at the petty officer's report, but didn't let it show. "Thank you for the notice, son. I shall attend to this immediately. Carry on." Nazareth said, giving a salute. The petty officer did the same and scurried off.
Nazareth turned, altering his course through the corridors for Major Hunt's office. Nazareth didn't show any apprehension to the officer, and continued to not do so, but inside he was suddenly very worried. Blast, I must be in serious space-dust now. Was my flying really that blasted bad? I'm going to be demoted for sure... my whole squad's going to be on drain duty. Oh, I've failed again, haven't I, sensai? Failed, failed, failed... Nazareth's thoughts drifted back to when he was first introduced to the military life at a young age. Then, more particularly, to later, when he was accepted as a member of the original Zeta-Group, then even later, when he was being trained personally by the previous Zeta-Group squad leader, in preparation to take over himself. He had every trick that the original leader knew pounded into his scaly skull so he could uphold the legend of the Crusading Scales. Even though the man was a very good teacher, every time Nazareth made a mistake, the man he came to think of as his sensai was always on him, How in the great galaxy do you think you can take over for me if you can't get this right? You've failed, Nazareth! Failed, failed, failed...
Nazareth suddenly found himself at the door to the office of Charles Hunt. There's a military saying that goes, "hope for the best, prepare for the worst". Nazareth only bothered to prepare for the worst. He took a breath, composed himself, knocked, then stepped inside. "Zeta-One, Chief Warrant Officer Duke reporting as requested, Sir." Nazareth said, snapping a salute.
Think of the children.....Yep they'll get shot too
Romulus moved back behind the wall when Nitro took the shot at the kid. "Damn kid you really want to get shot don't you?" Romulus goes back to his post as the kid comes by and is secured by Wall. "Hrmm it seems he wants to run but can't....... Interesting" Romulus though to himself. Romulus reached into his pack and pulls out a flashbang grenade and then smiles at Nitro. Then says aloud "Thanks for the concusion grenade Nitro this should work just fine" Romulus primed the grenade and threw the flashbang into the hallway right near where the soldier was, then ducked back behind the wall as Nitro did the same.
"Oh God and Goddess, If he is torturing Ix, he can be brought up on charges. Yet I am sure that this Yuki fellow is staying within the guide book's detention limits, but it is enough to torture a telepath. *sigh* " Says Nova.
"I'm glad you trust me Loki with your friend, but can we trust Major Brown? Somehow, he comes across as an opportunist for himself and himself only." asks Nova as watches the dream sun set behind the sand dunes.
"The night is almost done, my sleep cycle nears its end. Are you ready to wake up, Loki? "
PBH
*ka-click* I warned you man! Now I'm wiggen out!
"See, the situation wasn't that complicated. Still, I highly recommend barking out orders anyways. It might just work."
Aaron was pretty sure he was an expert in that field at this point.
Dropship Landing Zone
Kal looked at his chrono. "Hey Ren time to swap over I've marked my patrol route for you." The wolf transmitted to his wingman.
"Copy that. Pretty quiet up here too." Came the reply.
Walking the LAM over to an rocky outcropping, Kal jumped, hitting the thrusters and changing into the Raptor's flight mode.
Reaching a hight of a kilometer Kal began flying in a figure eight over the drop point.
Phalanx: Alpha Wing Flight Leader's office
"Zeta-One, Chief Warrant Officer Duke reporting as requested, Sir." Nazareth said, snapping a salute.
From behind his desk, Major Hunt looked up at Nazareth. This golden eagle was a few years younger then Nazareth, and he acted it at times, but today he was very serious.
"Please have a seat Duke." He waited for Nazareth to have a seat before continuing, "two of your fighters were damaged by enemy fire on you recent run."
A statement of fact. Charles stood and regarded his board on the wall, it listed the postings of all the units under his command.
He turned to face Nazareth, "for this I am sorry. Our command staff choose to trust our new allies' intelligence on this matter. Had it been my choice, I would have sent in our own reconnaissance. Their reports were a far bit off the mark on the readiness factor and your flight flew into the gun sights of a fully armed anti-fighter corvette. It also appears that they have been active in the black market weapons trade and wished to conceal this fact from us. I suppose they hoped that the hostiles were not armed with more modern weapons, but that would appear to be an erroneous assumption on their part."
He sat down again and brushed away the tuft of feathers that dangled down in front of his eyes, "in the game of politics, we have been requested to look past this and accept the apologies of the colonist's militia, but I wished to apologize personally for this. There was little I could have done, but it is a bad leader that does not acknowledge his mistakes, even if they are made for him by his superiors."
Children are the most important things
The flash grenade goes off and illuminates the entire area in a blinding light and loud bang. The soldier across the way is still in position, odd, but an audible curse is heard from Romulus's right in the hallway itself.
Check please...
Loki watched the sun in Nova's dream and sighed, "I suppose I must be even if I do not want to... this... pain... thing is unpleasant. It makes my stomach feel odd, and I was so looking forward to eating all your people's food... now I have to wait."
He stood up and pantomimed a happy goodbye and took hold of the handle of a door with no wall. He opened it and a bright white light flooded in, bringing Nova to a wakeful state.
Awww... no candy.
"Barking orders won't do any good I'm afraid. I would think the barking should be best left up to the professionals like yourself..." Mudd said as he gestured to Aaron.
"I'm afraid he's a fox sir," Benawi said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Mudd shot the other a quick annoyed glance, "I know that already." He turned his attention back to Amanda, "please feel free to put that large cannon down, it must be getting heavy..."
"nope, I could fire this all day." Amanda replied bluntly as she gestured menacingly with it.
Dropship Landing Zone
The dropship pilot's voice came in over the comm, "the defenses of the base have been neutralized and the Zetas are heading home, please adjust your patrol accordingly. We may be relocating to the base if we are called in for all clear."
You should have baught the cookies
Romulus gestured to Nitro and teh others as soon as the flashbang went off. "Move in now" Romulus entered the hallway low and fast, he fired several rounds down at where the soldier was standing. He seemed a bit put off by the swearing but quickly composed himself. He went to find the cause of the swear as he gestured towards where the soldier. He then spoke over his calm. "Keep him pinned down, I think there is someone else down here" Romulus searched for the cause of the noise with his rifle aimed but still staying low.
"Well, If you were a little more attach to your body, you would be hurting more, but you would learn t be more cautious.... Goddess, I know I am going to regret this, but you could stay here for a little while.. I need to speak to the Capt and see if I or we can get Yuki somehow.
Eeee The light the light Have the Heavens open for me? because I know I have to finish something here in this universe." screams Nova as she jumps up in her bed. She find that she is staring into the light of a pen light scanner. The doctor takes the light away from her eyes, and say "Are you okay, M'am? No, the angels have not come for you yet."
PBH
Phalanx: Alpha Wing Flight Leader's office
When Major Hunt said his statement of fact, Nazareth only blinked, nonplussed. He knew better than to interrupt a superior officer unless there was a damn good reason to do so.
When Major Hunt started apologizing and explaining that their intelligence was incorrect, Nazareth was more than a little surprised. He was expecting to be the one giving explanations, not the Major, even though Nazareth (mostly) wasn't the one in error. He suddenly realized that he had lapsed into his old mentality, the one he had when he was still learning from the original Zeta-Group leader. During that time, he was always having to come up with explanations whenever something went wrong, even if it wasn't his fault. When Hunt said that it is a bad leader who does not admit mistakes, even if circumstances are out of his control, Nazareth only then realized that was one of the lessons he was supposed to be taught in preparation for his leadership. Too bad he was killed before he could finish instructing me... there are still many things I have yet to learn.
Nazareth responded to Major Hunt, his deep, booming voice unintentionally filling up the whole room. Hunt should be used to this, though. "I see where the higher-ups have politics in their best interest, in the particular situation that the fleet has been in ever since we arrived in this system. I'll go with them and accept the militia's, and your, apologies as well. I wonder if I could have done something more, but what's happened has happened. We completed both our primary and secondary objectives. There were no fatalities, or even injuries for that matter, for the Zetas. And while they are the only ones I am actually responsible for, I do also hope the Ground Team is getting along as well."
It's your own fault! The candy was yours until you started to sing.
"I do believe that she would fire it, all day long. Just to add some excitement to the day."
Aaron walks behind Amanda to the other side of her, just to make sure that everyone got a good view of Amanda and her gun.
"Now, what I am hearing is a whole lot of what you think you can't do. Very well then, if you are convinced that there is not much you can do in the way of issuing orders, tell me why I should not make this day... exciting."
No Cookies, eat the girl scouts
The soldier does not react or is unable to react as the shots bounce of his cover. One shot manages to hit the soldier in the arm, which causes no change in the soldier's position. No reply fire is given from his position.
The origin of the noise is a rather dazed ferret, being used as a meat shield by a meaner looking weasel with a long rifle. Both are obviously effected by the flash blast.
Stairway to Heaven...
The nurse smiled and put away her pen light, "you are looking much better ma'am, you will still need to rest though, wounds do not heal instantly." Gently the nurse rolled up Nova's sleeve and carefully placed a hypogun against her arm. It was cold, and unfortunately so was the stuff she injected. "I'm sorry that was so cold, but the medicines need to be kept at a low temperature until they reach the body."
She then turned her attention to a careful examination of the site of injury. After that was done she gave a longing look at Loki, "who would be so cruel as to hurt a child? Poor thing." She wrinkled her brow, "and a bad one too, you've opened up your wounds."
"Is that what that is..." Loki replies meekly.
Phalanx: Alpha Wing Flight Leader's office
"That is good to hear, there is no word from the ground team yet. Since it is the same group that took out the pirate leader in our fleet action when we arrived, I would not be too worried about them. Do you have anything your team needs?" The Major was a bit happier having said his piece earlier.
I singz goodz
"Well, because there are treaties and conventions against such things... don't you people have a prime directive or something?" Mudd hurriedly inquired.
You sing like a cat with a cheese burger
"Prime directive. Isn't that the thing from Star Trek, where people aren't supposed to interfere with developing cultures? Dun see any developing cultures around here do you? Unless you are hiding something from me?"
Why does no one every want the cookies
Romulus motioned to have Nitro and Hacker to come down the hall after he found the ferret and weasel. "Wall, keep an eye out for movement down there" Romulus disarmed the weasel with his left foot while pointing his rifle at them. Once Nitro and RC got to him. "Keep an eye on these two, let them know they can either be prisoneers or cadavors. I'm gonna go down the hall and see how our friend is at the end of the hallway" Romulus aimed his rifle to where the soldier is takeing cover and slowly moves in that direction.
Phalanx: Alpha Wing Flight Leader's office
"Well, Ensign Kalmunt and his repair crews are working on our two damaged Sabers, and the other Zetas should be back sometime soon. Once they're back, we will probably all need a quick break in the mess hall, then we need to go through some training simulation on manual computer overrides. Zeta-Group should be back at combat ready status after that. I estimate twelve- to twenty-four hours, thirty-six tops accounting for unforseen delays. But I doubt that." Nazareth reported.
Nurse Joy Oh boy
"Nevermind that, go back to sleep..Loki. How are we doing? Is Loki on the mend.? I seem to be feeling better, but I'm still a little weak." says Nova. "Any news from the Captain or from the fleet? Is the alien ship Okay?"
the girl cat started hyperventilates trying to get all her question out at once, leaving her breathless.
*pant* PANT* "Okay Okay I will slow down... But I am already having cabin fever. Do you have a good physics manual or recent "Galatic Science" magazine?" pleads Nova.
PBH
You smell of elderberries
"No no, nothing like that my good man. How about we just surrender and leave it at that. Bullets for that gun must be rather expensive, no need to spend unnecessarily." Mudd replies, a tad bit nervous.
Benawi just sighed.
No one wants cookies because RJ made them
Nitro and Hacker secure the area, the ferret and the weasel. The ferret was visibly relieved, he had been badly beat up and was barely able to stand. He adjusted his glasses and gave the two soldiers a smile before collapsing in exhaustion.
Romulus approached the position of the other soldier, he did not seem to notice the approach. When Romulus swung around to take the fellow by surprise, it was Romulus who was surprised.
The soldier was dressed in slightly ill-fitting body armor. Two large hooks were drilled into a heavy pole of wood to the left of the person with one hook pushed through the soldier's side all the way through and locked into place and another through their shoulder and locked in a similar fashion.
The legs were secured in a crouching position by triangles of wood with thick nails shoved through the back of the thigh and calf. The nails were bent to the side to prevent them from being pulled out. Both legs were secured in the is fashion.
A pole of wood was placed parallel to his back, secured with barbed wire wrapped around the neck and abdomen.
The gun rests on a barrel, but its handle and front grip are nailed to the person's hands.
A closer inspection reveals that the gun is for show, a partially assembled rifle from spare parts. It is not loaded. this soldier appears to be female actually and is still alive.
Phalanx: Alpha Wing Flight Leader's office
"Understood, make it so. If there is nothing else, dismissed." He thought for a second and smiled, "despite the circumstances you and your team did well out there, precision shooting."
A klaxon sounded, the rest of the Zetas were arriving.
We love Nurse Joy
Loki looked up at Nova, in his eyes were the sparkle of youth like that of a little cub. He nodded to Nova and snuggled back down to sleep again.
The nurse redressed his wound and gave him a similar shot to the one she administered to Nova. "The little one should heal, his body has not rejected to synthflesh bindings. His blood work shows it to be much like our own, except for strange cellular bodies that seem to repair, rebuild and maintain his cells. Almost like organic nanomachines."
She looked into Nova's eyes, "you lost a lot of blood, the wound was worse on the inside then anticipated and it damaged the main abdominal artery. You will be here for a few days, no skipping out early. As for reading material, there is a database on what we have in the computer... if you see something, you can request it. We can provide a physical copy or you can download one to your unit here."
The nurse indicates the laptop unit next to her bed.
"I must be off, please be good and drink your breakfast." The nurse puts out a glass of mixed fruit juices and supplements. There is one for Loki too when he wakes.
Sonnuva.......
Romulus seemed allittle taken aback but what he see's. He quickly scans the area with his rifle to check for anyone else who would be attacking. "What the fick. Oh man I tell ya this day just keeps getting better and better" He leaned down to get a better look at the soldier."Damn now this is seriously screwed up" He then clicked on his com "RC get on the radio, let them know we need another bus down here. Make sure it's got a medical team standing by. This soldier is in bad shape. Also need some MPs to take those two and the boy back to the ship" Romulus then looked up."Please tell me that boy is still around, that someone has an eye on him" He then addressed Ben and the Major using his com "How are things going on your end? We've got some prisoners here and looks like one of them is in dier need of medical attention"
Hack the Planet! or the galaxy
*sign* " If I can't have a steak, Can I get a protein drink?" ask Nova to the nurse but she seems not hear her.... She finishes her "Fruity Plus" and logins to the computer terminal. She checks the standard the network for the ship and then the fleet internet.
mmmm let's see what version the operating server system is in place.? oh that one
What about ani-virus and the security system version..? damn they upgraded just yesterday. maybe
"Starsong, this is a warning, another step, you will be alerting the security IT systems........Nobody" flashes a text message across on her screen for three seconds. It disappears and then she couldn't get it back.
Nova lays back and closes her eyes in thought, Nobody, so he is here too. I have not run into him/her in months He was good too good, I never met him in person, but there was another security breach some six months that cause a major system crash on the Mobo Sky Elevator, before I left, but the authority never caught who. But Nobody, who was always just a shadow on the nets went further underground. I had ran into him on the Net once a few months ago after the accident. He didn't stay on-line with me long. He said he was innocence of the accident. He was cautious but not worried about me. he disappeared for good after that. And I started to stay away from the really scary part of the nets. I've only heard rumours of him after that but they were no more than myths or stories months old.
Nova goes to the web library of the ship and checks out the recent fusion power white papers. She starts her catchup reading.
PBH
You are most certainly not French
Aaron's com came to life and he replied to its magic words.
"The Major here, we have breached the controll room and are having a lovely tea party with our new prisoners, that I only recently decided not to shoot. It sounds like you have had a wild party your selves over there. Any more guests that need to be cleared out or have you gotten them all?"
Phalanx: Alpha Wing Flight Leader's office
"Thank you, Sir." Nazareth said, standing up. When the signaling klaxon sounded, Nazareth asked before heading out the door, "Will a formal group debrief with you and all the Zetas be neccessary? Or should I just go talk to them and get on with our tasks?"
THERE WILL BE NO SURVIVORS!!
"Oh yeah we where having a blast" Romulus was staring at the female soldier trying to figure out how to help her out while talking on his com. "Well we have a few people that will be coming back with us. Some kid we found sweeping, a beat up ferret, a rather nasty weasel that will have a headache for a while and a female that is like strapped in to armor that don't fit right. Plus she isn't doing to hot. I've had RC radio for a bus with medical staff. We'll try and get her stabilized before they show up" Romulus look around a bit and said very loudly "If we find anyone else hiding in here I may just shoot them and be done with it" Romulus winked at Nitro as he said the last bit.
Wrap up cop out
The ship retrieval turned pirate firefight turned pirate base pacification mission would later in ISF military history be considered an oddity of the highest order. The mission would be used in training simulations to illustrate the dynamic, changing battlefield and the flexibility of ISF personnel.
The major, Special forces and their prisoners were relieved by a marine platoon which cleaned up the remaining pirates and secured the base for militia forces to take possession of.
For unexplainable reasons, Harold Renton Mudd and the one he calls Benawi, disappeared. The mission personnel assume they escaped, but the likelihood is very low of that, yet somehow it happened.
The medevac of yet another person came as no surprise to the corpsman, this 'soldier' was a decoy, cruelly placed by the deadly weasel sniper, this female cheetah was no soldier per se, but an abused computer technician in service to the militia and pirates.
The real surprise of the mission was in the death of Valynth Cernial, Romulus's second in command. The final report of the situation left an odd feeling lingering with Romulus and the rest of the special forces team, as the deadly sniper responsible was incapacitated without a fight and the deadly closure needed in the great annals of conflict was cheated. Worse was the fact that the weasel was defeated by a large blast of shiny. Valynth was given a burial on planet.
With one fatality and only two wounded, the mission was considered tactically to be a huge success. Commendations were awarded to all who participated. What is to be done with the prisoners, remains to be seen.
The Zetas receive a standard debriefing and are taken out of the patrol rotation temporarily due to the fighter repair work. They receive a bit of rest and relaxation before the scheduled override system training.
As for Nova and Loki, well they are where they still are, in bed.
Mission Debriefing: Present - Romulus and his team, Ben and his team, Major Brown, Senior Chief Wilcox, Major Shannon and Colonel Nexx.
Colonel Nexx stood at the front of the debriefing room, he had reviewed the reports and focused his attention on Major Brown and Romulus, "could you gentlemen go over the reports for Major Shannon and myself?"
Well, first there were the dinosaurs...
"Well, the executive summary of the incident goes like this. Lt. Nova, Loki, and I landed on the planet, looking for Loki's ship. Then we were shot at. Then we shot back. Then a lot of men with big military hardware came in and shot at the priates for us. Then we went to the pirate base and shot at them there." There was a lot of shooting in that plan. Things seem to go that way a lot these days.
"If you have any questions about a specific part of the incident I would be glad to answer them."
Oh boy briefings
"My team and I where on shipside dealing with some new recruits when we reseaved the order to head planetside to assist the the Major and the doctor. When we showed up the Doctor had just about gotten herself and Loki killed, doing what I don't know. We had a firefight with what pirates where there. We had supported by two LAMs. Once the fighting was done, I found out that the major had appearantly gotten himself a friend. Once we found out that there was a pirate base on the planet we decided to take a look and see what we could find" Romulus continues to explain what happened on the mission from his point of view. Once finished he asked "So what are the plans with the three my team picked up? I don't care to much about the sniper other than I would like to put a bullet in the back of his skull, but the other two have me interested. Both where being used so I hope nothing bad will happen to them. Also are we able to return that boy home or does he not have a home?"
Phalanx: Briefing room
Colonel Nexx nodded sagely at Major Brown's explanation, "I see, you wouldn't happen to want to go into more detail would you?"
However, Major Shannon was taking special note of Romulus's explanations, "The ones you have brought back are being screened and processed just like Major Brown's new friend. The same will be done for the injured female fox he had evacuated to medical. The sniper is being held pending a determination of his status. He will either be tried for murder or held as a POW. The child..."
"Is a mystery at this time." stated Colonel Nexx after having given up at looking cross at Major Brown, "the boy claims that Mudd picked him up on Rigel XII, but there are no known colonies in that distant system."
Inquasition here we go
Romulus remained silent while the Colonel and Major spoke. He nodded his head when he heard what will be done with the sniper. He raised an eyebrow when they mentioned the boy being a mystery. Romulus spoke up when the others where finished "So do they think he is an alien like Loki, sirs?"
Inquisition, what a show!
Aaron was kind of glad to not have the attention briefly. Details were very boring and often over looked when it came to matters of almost dieing in a fire fight. He was also pretty sure that all the details was written down in the report, he was just hoping that he would not be asked to elaborate on parts. Still, it was not in Aaron's nature for him to not get a word in, especially if the subject distracts from what he was saying.
"Or, it could be that the kid is lying? Kids do that you know."
Phalanx: Hallway Outside of the Briefing Room
"I mean, they didn't even tell us there was a ground engagement! We could have helped! I've been cooped up in this damned ship for way too long! I mean, my fur is starting to lose its color from freakin' lack of sun exposure!" A clearly annoyed, female voice echoed down the halls of the Phalanx as its source, a well-built, attractive Grey Wolf in a standard Mecha Jumpsuit, ranted about her most recent subject.
"It's in the past, there's no point in worrying about it any longer." Came the calm reply of the Cross Fox standing beside her. He also wore a Mecha Jumpsuit, although it was colored differently to show his officer status. On his other side was a male Siberian Husky, also wearing a jumpsuit, who grunted as the door to the briefing room slid open.
"Now, stop complaining." the Cross Fox whispered to his subordinate before the three snapped a salute at the CO. "Shadow-Squad reporting for briefing as ordered, Sir."
Phalanx: Briefing room
Nexx considered Romulus's remark, "it is unlikely that the badger child is an alien." Nexx indicated Major Brown as he continued, "he is likely right though, the child could be lying.
Shannon was about to comment, but Nexx waived it off, "this is not as important as our primary concern, the alien Loki, the ship called Mother and picking up control of Ixiah from Major Kanzoria and ISIS. Securing Ixiah will be important for our operation here and shall need to be handled immediately. All major repairs to the fleet are completed and we will need to move to the first Primary objective, examining a suspected alien outpost in the Linari Sector."
As the ISIS mecha pilots entered, Colonel Nexx was surprised, "lieutenant, this briefing is not for you, this is the one for the recent ground operation.
Phalanx: Hospital recovery
The nurse severely scolded Loki as he bounded about the physical therapy area. Leaving Nova in her hoverchair for the moment to restrain the child before he hurt himself again, she narrowly managed to grab him.
After being confined to bed rest, a bit of an outing was welcome on the hoverchair. Loki was over anxious to be moving on his own, and rarely kept to a chair. Despite this he seemed to heal fast.
Trapped in the care of medical, Nova was likely desperate to get back to work.
Phalanx: Hanger Ops
The Phalanx's Airboss, Commander Zackary Rinade, was conferring with Major Charles Hunt. Major hunt motioned Nazareth over.
"Duke, I was just discussing your team's fighters with the airboss. I would like you to head to the operational briefing room and report to Colonel Nexx. I shall be placing your team at the disposal of the Colonel and Major Shannon for combat air support of special operations."
Phalanx: Hanger Ops
"Acknowledged." Nazareth said, giving a crisp salute. He immediately departed the Hangar Ops room and headed down the winding corridors of the ship.
Soon he was at the doors of the room Major Hunt sent him to. Nazareth checked the comm-panel logs on the side of the door, and noticed that there was a debriefing in progress. The giant Komodo Dragon simply stood as still and patiently statue just outside the door.
The outing in a hoverchair was nice, Nova could laugh to the antic of Loki.(but silently for the poor nurse's sake) Still, Nova wanted .. no.. neeed to get back to work and to engineering problems. She was trying to get a feel of the ship and the squads, and she was tried of the medical bay.
The outing trip to the hanger helped. But the crew chiefs didn't seem to like her advice and comments from the sidelines. She tried to warning that one technician about the whine in that fuel pump, but he was lucky the motor shift just fused up without blowng out a side wall.
After that the nurse just trucked them back to the medical bay. She hope that some of the chiefs, didn't blame her for their crew's minor mistakes. Her mind maybe at hyperspeed, Still her body could barely maintain sublight. She was tried then they got back to their patient beds.
PBH
(Posting for Rammenstien. This is exactly what he wants me to put up for him)
Phalanx: Briefing Room
Ram furrowed his brow in confusion. Not their briefing? But...The message...
Slowly, the lieutenant's face took on a thoughtful expression. His eyes rolled up and to the right. One can almost see the little foxes running through his mind, trying to find a specific memory. Finally, one found the appropriate file and opened it.
"Hold the phone. Briefing room...time..." A look of comprehension dawned upon the fox. He slowly turned to Jakiline, his second-in-command. "Jak, can I see the message the order was in?"
"Umm...sure." She pulled out a small datapad. The squad, because they were often either rehearsing or performing as the band "Ghost Hounds" or training, had their orders sent as messages on Jakiline's datapad.
"Thanks." Ram took the datapad and check their most recent order. After a quick look, he groaned and shook his head. "Jak, can you look at the date on this message?"
Jakiline frowned and took the datapad back. She glanced at the date and stared at it for several moments. An embarrased look settled upon her face. "Oh...this was for our last op..."
Ram stared at his second-in-command. She sheepishly returned his look. "...You're on concert and practice duty for a month."
The wolf let out a long sigh. That meant she had to set up and pack up all the band's equipment for all performances and practices for a month. Not a desireable job. The band had a lot of equipment.
Ram turned to the CO, his head bowed. "I apologize, sir. We did not mean to interrupt the debriefing. It will not happen again."
Briefing Room
Aaron was highly amused by the spectacle. Still, he was not sure why the intruders to the briefing were still there.
Bathroom is down the hall to the left
Romulus raised his right eyebrow at the intrusion. He shakes his head a bit at how the soldiers where acting. He then looks at Major Aaron and rolls his eyes.
Phalanx: Briefing Room
Colonel Nexx raised an eyebrow, "I think that the good Major Kanzoria may be on to us. He is not a top agent in ISIS for nothing I would imagine. An ISIS mech squad showing up accidentally to this briefing is hardly a coincidence. What game are you playing at, hmmm?"
Major Shannon noticed the reptilian pilot by the door, surprisingly unnoticeable despite his size, "you there, flight officer, what is your business here?"
Phalanx: Hospital recovery
Loki sat at the edge of the Nova's bed, "when are you going to get better Nova? It is really dull here. I want to leave and see Ixiah, but I can not get too far from you."
The small green fox mused himself with creating small, interlocking shapes and piecing them together into a larger device.
Phalanx: Briefing Room
Aaron grins at Romulus and makes funny gestures, the confused ISIS crew being the obvious targets.
Nova was busy eating her juicy beef sandwich, that Nurse finally gave her. The enjoyment of solid food and real meat beyond soups, and IVs was almost enough to distract her from Loki's little toy.
With a big swallow, she says "I think it is only a few more days. Maybe even tomorrow. Besides the Captain is working on getting your friend, until he says so we are stuck here. We can't go busting in and rescue your Ixiah from our own people without a cause. And cause we can prove." She sighs.
She was feeling better, much better with her sandwich. Even she could read that the medical scanners said she was near normals, if on the low side. What was keep her here, anyway? *sigh* She overstuff her mouth with the last of her sandwich, such the last juices out of her mouth before she finished chewing it.
She looking at Loki's model or device, she wonder What it was and where did he get his parts? She look at one side and then the another. She pick up a matching piece for a matching hole on her side of the device.
It Looks like it should go here---mmm "What is thing anyway?"
PBH
Phalanx: Briefing Room
Romulus smurked at Aaron from the gestures, but got a serious look on his face when the colonel showed distrust towards the ISIS crew. He gave Aaron a slidewase glance and then moved his eyes towards the ISIS crew that had walked in by mistake.
Phalanx: Briefing Room
Aaron made a few more funny faces before suddenly shifting his disposition to a more serious nature. He then just glares at the ISIS crew.
Ram raised his head up, his gaze settling on the Colonel with a questioning look. "Game, Sir?" He asks. "With all due respect, we are not playing at any 'game'. Jakiline simplt made a mistake with our orders. It happens every now and then, due to the way we recieve our orders. But our position in ISIS makes it necessary."
As Ram spoke, Riku, who was standing in the back and was therefore somewhat shielded from view, tapped his fingers on his pocket. Something moved within, and a small spider-like listening device crawled out. It had the same coloration of the walls, floor and ceiling of the briefing room, so unless someone was looking closely and specifically for the device they would pass it right over. It made its was down Riku's leg and scurried towards the wall. It's objective was to get to the ceiling and listen in on the rest of the briefing, after which it would send an encoded, narrow-beam burst transmission to the squad's practice room, where a similar device would be waiting to recieve it. Even if someone managed to intercept the transmission, it would just look like fresh orders for the squad.
Well, whatever the purpose of this mission is, objective accomplished. Riku thought to himself. In truth, the squad had no idea what the mission was for. Probably another one of the Major's little projects, no doubt. I hate those things.
Phalanx: Door outside the Briefing Room
Nazareth heard someone in the room call to the 'flight officer outside the door'. This could only mean Nazareth. He was planning to wait until the breifing was over before entering so he wouldn't interrupt it, but he had been called on. Nazareth must heed it.
Nazareth turned and walked into the room, his footfalls making little noise. There were three canine anthros in front of him, and the lead one was talking to Colonel Nexx, from his badge. Nazareth picked up the exact details about his rank and name, as well as the major sitting next to him. Nazareth waited until the lead one finished talking. It seemed his squad had wandered in by accident, and they were ISIS. But maybe not as much of an accident as they wanted the good Colonel to belive, as the canine in back, closest to Nazareth, and therefore in full view of him, reached into his pocket and deployed what Nazareth could only assume was a listening or spy device. Nazareth followed it with one eye until it setteled itself on the ceiling.
Finally, the lead canine finished talking. That's when Nazareth decided to speak up.
His unintentionally loud, deep, booming voice should be enough to make everyone in the briefing room jump at least a little. Everyone would turn to focus on the souce, and that would include the ISIS squad. When they turned, Nazareth could see their races, and more importantly, their names and ranks. They also should be quite surprised at his massive size, enhanced by the fact that the Komodo Dragon was standing close enough to stare them down.
He began with a salute and started talking. "Zeta-Squad commander Chief Warrant Officer Level Four Nazareth Duke, reporting to Ground Operations commander Colonel Jonathan Nexx and First AEF Company commander Major Leonard Shannon, sent by First Tactical Wing commander Major Charles Hunt. Major Hunt has transferred my squad to your command for Special Operations, I am here to report and confirm the transfer, Sir!"
Nazreth paused fo a moment, then spoke back up again. "On an entirely unrelated note, as Major Shannon and Colonel Nexx are the two highest-ranking officers in this room, it is my duty to inform them that Delta-Shadow Corporal Riku Kitani has just deployed an ISIS mobile spy device that has affixed itself to the south-west corner on the ceiling of this room, Sir."
The entire time, Nazreth had not broken his salute, or even moved for that matter, and continued to do so.
Phalanx: Briefing Room
The colonel sighed slightly as Major Shannon turned to the side and rubbed his eyes in a slight bit of frustration and fatigue.
Major Shannon was about to say something rather pointed by the expression on his face as he started to speak. Colonel Nexx silenced him with a hand on the shoulder and turned to regard Nazareth as he returned the salute, "at ease chief warrant officer. Thank you for informing us of this transgression."
The colonel placed a small device on the table and depressed the small round button on its top. The device flashed, after a few moments the spider spy dropped to the ground and a small bit of smoke rose from its shell.
"In a time of war, such actions are deemed to be treason. Treason at the front lines is typically punishable by summary execution." The colonel stood and made direct eye contact with Ram, "you cannot claim to be following orders, those will have never existed, you can be sure the major has purged all trace of them, leaving you alone. Several officers and personnel have been witness to this, a few of us are not without our power and influence."
The colonel choose this moment to approach the fox, "lieutenant, this game as was mentioned, is something you have just been thrust into as playing piece. From this point forward, you are mine. I will be putting in for your unit transfer to 1st AEF through conventional channels, you will be operating under Major Shannon's direct command. You can refuse, but we will then be forced to discuss your options under a special court-martial."
Nexx then turned his attention to Nazareth, "Chief Warrant Officer Duke, your team's assistance in the future will be much appreciated. There are no operations scheduled until after our next jump. Have your team continue their normal duties. Dismissed."
Nexx then turned to the rest of the personnel in the meeting area, "Major Brown, Romulus... please show these three to billeting for quarters reassignment." He indicated Ram and crew as he spoke. "The rest of you are dismissed, we will pick this meeting up again after Lt. Hunnydew is out of the medbay."
Phalanx: Hospital recovery
Loki stared at the object he was assembling for a good long tim before shrugging, "I have no idea what this is."
The door to the room opened. Through the portal strode a canid anthro, a coyote with foxish features, his gaze met that of Nova and then Loki. Upon seeing Loki, he smiled slightly.
"Pardon the intrusion, might you be Lieutenant Nova Hunnydew?"
Phalanx: Hospital recovery
"Can we ask? Who is asking?" Asks Nova. Since Loki seems to be just putting things together like a set of blocks. She adds a few parts to his model where they would made sense, looking at the foxy coyote with a critical eye.
PBH
Phalanx: Briefing Room. Welcome to the board
Romulus saluted as Nexus finished talking. "Sir" He then moved towards the door. He walked to the three standing in the doorway. He smiles at them as he guestures out the door. "Alright let's move. I hope you guys liike playing chess" He looked at Aaron and gave a smile.
Phalanx: Briefing Room
Nazareth listened to his dismissal, and shot another salute, saying, "Affirmative, Sir.", before breaking it and striding out of the room, the Komodo Dragon's long and thick tail kept unnaturally still. As he walked down the corridor, he activated his comlink, his voice echoing down the hallways.
"Zeta-squad, we are at status standby green. Interestingly enough, we have been transferred. Our squad is now attached to the same Special Operations ground force that we aided in the pirate raid."
"Go figure." Satch's voice came over the comlink.
"Burns, our order channels should be integrated into theirs by now. I want you to keep an eye on their activity. If there is even the slightest possibility the fleet is nearing a combat situation, and the Special Forces might be called in, I want us at standby yellow. If it seems certain they will be in, I want us at standby red."
"Yessir." Burns replied.
"Norton, how are the repairs and tune-ups on our Sabers coming?"
"They're-" Clang! "OUCH!-coming fine..."
"Good man. For now, we will all continue our normal operational duties and other personal activities. Duke out."
Nazareth walked around the ship until he got to the Weight Room, near the other training and recreational areas.
Phalanx: Hospital recovery
The coyote bows slightly towards Nova, "My name is Yuri. This young lad must be the one listed as Loki."
The one known as Yuri was dressed like one of the research doctors, he examined the charts of both and shook his head in almost a scolding manner. He walked over to the little green fox and ruffled his hair a bit, "poor thing, you were shot by some bad people. It must have been painful, do you understand why we have pain little one?"
Loki watched the coyote carefully, he did not especially like having his head fur ruffled, "it did hurt quite a bit, the wounds were rather severe... the one in the stomach hurt much worse. I do understand the sensation of pain, but it is less meaningful to me... Yuri."
Yuri turned his attention the Nova, "you, Ms. Hunnydew, must be more protective of this one, he is especially naive."
"This ancient Child? naive? *Umph* He is a Lord of Chaos... Doesn't his name mean anything to you? Just look at the record of mischief. he has cause since he got on-board. Well, he is naive of us in someways. I will try to keep him safer, now that I know some of his limitations." says Nova, still looking at the model.
The model was looking closer to be a shield generator or g-force generator, thought Lt Hunnydew. she flips a few pieces on Loki's side and then touches a few buttons. The model hums with a few lights blinking and starts floating above the bed in front of Loki and Nova.
"So, What can we help you with Dr Yuri? Is it? Are we set to leave here, yet?" asks Nova
PBH
Welcome to Hell, population, YOU
Aaron matched Romulus' salute and walked with him and as Romulus made his chess crack Aaron GRINED. It was that sadistic evil grin. Though in the back of Aaron's mind he got the feeling that he was getting into something more then he had bargained for.
Do they still have the Whores of Babylon Sports Bar?
Once they had been found out, Ram was almost certain both he and his squad were done for. They could easily have been court-martialed, put into prison...so many things he would rather not have thought about. He felt...bad. Guilty, even. His plan had been good, but it had failed. He had put his entire squad into a very bad position.
All he could do was bow his head, bareing his neck in a sign of submission. It was a habit he had picked up on the streets when he was a kid.
So, based on his current thought process, one could surely imagine his surprise at the offer he was extended by the Colonel. His head snapped up, a brief look of disbelief crossing his features. He quickly beat it down, however, and reassumed a more professional expression.
"Thank you, sir," Ram spoke once the Colonel was finished. "I greatly appreciate your offer, and we are glad to accept it." He, along with the rest of his squad, bowed briefly before snapping off a salute. "You will not regret your decision."
The squad turned to follow Aaron and Romulus. "Well, I'm not too fond of it. Riku here, however, is a very skilled player."
Riku chuckled softly. "I think I'm going to like this..."
Welcome to the front line
Romulus gave a sly grin when Riku spoke. "I hope you like the pawns"
Phalanx: Hospital recovery
Yuri regards the little floating generator for a second before continuing with the discussion.
He smiled slightly dipping his head downward just slightly, enough that the light caught the glasses in such a way as to obscure his eyes, "you are almost ready to leave Lt. Nova, just a few more days for you. As for Loki, he could leave soon as well, probably with you. We need to run a few more tests on him, so I will borrow him for just a bit."
Loki's ears flattened against his head and he shook his head, moving closer to Nova, "no, no, no... Yuri... I don't want to have any tests."
"It is really important, little one, I'm sure Nova agrees." Yuri said with a small smile.
Phalanx: Briefing Room
Colonel Nexx regarded Ram as he spoke, the fox was far too willing to accept his fate, he did not know what to make of it truly. A lesser man would have wanted to believe the anxious fox, but he knew better, "try not to get too carried away lieutenant, you have much to earn and a very short time to do it in."
He stood and awaited for the last of them to leave before sitting back down.
Major Shannon closed the door after the last of them. He turned to face the Colonel, "was this course of action wise?"
"An old proverb says, to keep one's friends close and one's enemies closer. Old sayings have certain practical wisdoms in them. For now I believe we are safe bringing them in."
On the conference desk, the communications unit blinked. The colonel reached over and tapped the panel, "this is Nexx."
A small anthro, kangaroo rat she appeared to be, resolved in the holographic display area, "pardon my disruption, but you wished me to alert you if anything unusual occurred with Lt. Nova or the small fox."
The colonel nodded, "yes?"
"A doctor Yuri is visiting them at the moment..." she replied.
"and..." the colonel let his word trail for a moment.
She looked down at something out of the holographic view, "we have no doctor with any name of Yuri, given or family."
"on my way." The Colonel gave a quick nod to the Major as he rose to leave.
Phalanx: 1st AEF Billeting section
Senior Chief Wilcox decided to follow Romulus and Major Brown out of some need to be amused. She was not a callous human, nor did she enjoy these games of strategy and politics that intelligence types seemed to always play, she found the need to playfully torment the newbies.
Amanda was about to added a few words of taunting to the mix, but was cut short by the warrant officer in charge of the 1st AEF's billeting division.
"senior chief Wilcox, why have you brought these ISIS pilots here? They should be handled under their own unit's logistics." The warrant officer had not yet noticed Major Brown.
"Not my call Warrant Officer Smith, the Colonel is arranging for their transfer." She stated in something of a matter-of-fact sort of way, "I'm sure Major Brown will be more then happy to provide you with direction."
Phalanx: 1st AEF Billeting section
This are the times when Aaron thinks that the universe is laughing at him. The fact that the universe probably was laughing at him probably did not help.
"Direction, yes, because I love giving direction. Happens a lot these days. As mentioned these lovely, yet rather dense, ISIS pilots are being transfered here and need quarters."
It was around this time when several explicative went through his head, reminding him that he really should do something about Richard and check on med bay at some time.
Phalanx: Hospital recovery
The girl cat continues looking to the doctor over her flowing model as she added another part and adds some more taps to the microswitches. The model continues to hymn along as she turns to Dr Yuki.
"Dr 'Yuki', I maybe new here, and you did remind me that I am to look after this little mite. There are things, you may not know." **(The generator suddenly stopped working and landed by Lt Nova. She snatches it, and looks annoyed at it, but holds it in her lap )** " Of people who seem to taking an unhealth interest in him, too unhealth for him. So do you mind, if I verify with Capt Summers about these 'tests'? Pleaseee" said Nova with sweet smile.
(i) Come one step closer buddy. or just look the wrong way at us, And I will active this force shield around my bed and no one gets in until the Capt gets here.(/i) thought Nova as she hold her finger to the start button.
(OOC) The force shield generator is only good for ten minutes duration or three hits by a common energy blaster. Also this is a prototype, Nova has only a guess of the duration or strength (GM has final word if it really works or works without side effects. And it will burn itself out after one use.)
PBH
Phalanx: 1st AEF Billeting section
The warrant officer is surprised to see Aaron and snaps a quick salute, "my apologies Major, I did not see you there. Transfer and quarters, yes sir, we will get right on that."
The gray terrier busied himself directing the other billeting personnel to their various tasks as they began processing the three ISIS pilots.
Amanda turned to Aaron and Romulus, "if you two have anything to do, I can take care of these three from here."
Phalanx: Hospital recovery
Dr. Yuri smiled a secret little smile, "That would be very clever, but this little one's inventions are powered by his psychic energy. Using the device would take away from his repair efforts and may back slide his condition."
Yuri picked up Loki and sat him down on the bed with Nova, "I have no desire to harm you or Loki, but I do have a job that needs to be done. Now why don't you let me have that toy before you hurt Loki by using it."
Loki sits quietly, observing Dr. Yuri.
Phalanx: 1st AEF Billeting section
Romulus looks at Amanda for a sec. "Come to think of it I wanna hit the sick bay and check up on the two injured we brought back with us. That ferret and Cheetah. I kinda feel bad about the Cheetah, I think I may have put a round or two in her before we found out she wasn't a threat" Looks over at Aaron. "Also maybe check in on the kid and that crazy lady that damn near killed the two of them"
Phalanx: 1st AEF Billeting section
"Yes, there is a vixen I want to check on as well. That and I need to give Lt. Nova good chewing out about how to properly use a weapon. And not run off and nearly get herself and the little fox nearly killed. And bringing down a mountain side on top of herself. This one will be a fun one already, but at least it could be worse."
Aaron then turns to three pilots.
"I would tell you two to stay out of trouble, but you are knee deep in shit already. I do hope you enjoy your stay."
Aaron then heads off to sick bay with Romulus.
Edit:
Added 'it could be worse' reference. Just for giggles.
Nova wasn't sure what to do about this guy, but she was not going to give an inch without some verification... But what assurances could he give her that would show her whose side he was on?
"But WHO are you!? really... I am sure, there is no Dr Yuki, here, I don't recall see a Dr Yuki on the staff roster. and you have not said what these tests are? or why you are really here?" asks Lt Nova. "And you can said all you want about not wanting to hurt us, but what do you really want from us?" The cat-girl pulls Loki into a hug but leaves her toy at her side away from the doctor.
"Computer Condition: Alpha 1 containment: B2 Security alert by Lt Nova Hunnydew." Yells LT Nova " You maybe lying or not about my toy.. But I am an officer. a hacker and know security codes. Any officer can activity a security crackdown in their area or quarters, that has only a commander override. Capt Summers and Colonel Nexx are the only ones that could now open that door with the head of medical department." The door to the ward seals with double doors, force shields and isolated air supply. "High Quarantine Conditions" light flashes over the door.
Nova thinks "okay Loki what is he? DO you dare talk to me?"
PBH
Phalanx: Hospital recovery
As if to answer her thoughts, Loki shakes his head, not now, I think he is aware of it.
The doctor tipped an imaginary hat to Lt. Nova, "My name is indeed Yuri, Lieutenant Nova. As for your other questions, some other time perhaps. Computer, override containment lockdown, voice recognition silent: Indigo Sierra Four Five Yankee Kilo."
Acknowledged. Voice recognition accepted. Releasing locks.
"I shall take my leave now, Lieutenant. Now you be good Loki." The doctor ruffled Loki's head fur again and exited the room.
Within a few moments, Colonel Nexx entered the room, "what happened in here?"
Phalanx: Hospital section
After leaving the pilots in the care of Amanda, Romulus and Aaron reach the sick bay just as a containment lockdown is clearing up. Aaron is brushed by one of the doctors as he walks down the hall, when he turns to look, the coyote smiles briefly and nods to him. The glasses he wears obscures his eyes, but that detail is quickly lost as the lift doors close.
Phalanx: Hospital section
Romululs looks at the coyote as he bumps Aaron. "You know ya coulda said excuse me." Romulus looks back at Aaron and shakes his head. He then walked over to a Nurse. "Hey, I'm looking for some people that where recently brought in. A man and a woman. The woman was rather beat up" Romulus looked at Aaron after he got his answer. "See ya later. I plan to check in on the kid and the lady after I see hows those two are doing"
"Happy Yuletime to you, too." she says to the empty doorway.
Lt Nova Hunnydew, master engineer, high ranting hacker, bolts to the door and locks the mechanical lock to the door as soon as it closes. And then she leans against it and slide down the door with a sigh... She knows it is foolish to think those locks will keep Yuri out, if he want to come back in. But it gives some emotional comfort to do something. She was sure the medical staff have a master key or something to override a privacy lock.
"So, Loki Who was your friend with a girl's name is? Yuri was/is word for female love in another time... A male with girl's name... Ha ya.hmm mm yet If he is after you then he is likely to be after your cousin, too. " says jokingly Nova but then with fear and worry in her face.
"Maybe, if I work on my toy maybe I can get it to throw a force bubble around someone outside the field generator" She says as walking slowly back to her bed. "What he say about this thing is it true? Would it put you danger, Loki?"
PBH
Phalanx: Hospital section
Aaron seem to attract all sorts of interesting attention. He made a note to check his room and cloths for bugs as he was brushed by a doctor. Aaron was half way expecting him to explode. However it looks like someone was just going back after his usual rounds.
In the hospital section Aaron and Romulus parted ways, Romulus asking about those he was interested and Aaron went about looking for his people of interest.
"I'm looking for several people. One is Lt. Nova, if she is around she will be the one causing trouble. I am also looking for a pirate vixen, I wanted to check on her too."
Phalanx: Hospital section
The mousy little nurse gave Romulus a slightly puzzled look, but shrugged and let him to the patient board, "what species were these two?"
In Nova's room, Loki was still looking at the door when Nova asked him her questions, he shook himself out of his distraction and looked up at her, "Yuri is a male given name too... depends on your people's culture. Our 'friend' was the major Yuri Kanzoria and he is not entirely what I thought he might be."
Loki gave Nova a forlorn look as she asked about the cube device, "where do you think psychic powers come from Nova?"
The nurse that Aaron was questioning scratched his chin, "well the Lt. Nova you speak of is in the room that all the staff are flocking too now, she called in some type of medical lock-down... as for a pirate vixen, I believe the one you seek is in the room across from the troublemaker. Now if you will excuse me, sir."
The canine nurse padded over to check on the commotion with all the other attending staffers.
Insert Quote
Phalanx: Hospital section
Romulus looked at the board for a bit then answered the nurse.
"The male was a ferret and the female was a cheetah I believe. They may be considered prisoners as well"
Phalanx: Hospital section
"Ah," said the nurse as recognition set in, "as prisoners, they would be in the secure section... and... these are their charts here... hmm, the female cheetah was pretty badly injured in what looks like some cruel torture chamber. The male ferret is recovering from a beating."
The mouse motioned for Romulus to follow and led him to the secure area, it was just across the hall from where Nova's room was located. The guard straightened up in the presence of an NCO.
The ward held all of the injured prisoners and many of them were not in the best of shape. The specific one's that Romulus, and Aaron, had brought back were cordoned off from the others and under less guard.
The cheetah female was fairly heavily bandaged and sedated. The ferret was up in his bed, playing a game of solitaire.
Phalanx: Hospital section
Romulus nods to the guards as he passed them. He then walked over to stand near the ferret and cheetah. He stoud by the cheetah and shook his head. "I should have put a bullet in that bastard's head when I had the chance"
He then walked over by the ferret and cocked his head to the side a bit. "How's the game going?"
Lt Nova is looking like a fish with her eyes wide in shock and her mouth opening and closing but no sound. Her thoughts can't grasp all the concepts and information that Loki has just give her,
That Yuki IS a real doctor, and she just disobey a direct order. But he seem too menacing to be real, and Loki did want to go with him. Another red mark in your permanent record, Supernova.
That he knew about Loki's powers or a weakness that links him to his ship. And knew what she was up to, Face it, Sup. you are no good at Joker either.
Can Loki's powers are base on Technologies? or amplified by technologies or what or How does what he does with the bay shields or the ship's shield in between him and his ship, was beyond me. And what about his ship and and
Nova babbles "Augh, What about Dr Yuki did not want the Captain notify...he can't be here on fleet orders? Ah ah Are you telling me that if I turn this thing on you would be effected? And And Ahhhhhh LOKI! How am I going to help you? I can't fight the whole fleet. I have no idea who to trust on my own side..oh I'm tried Loki.... My latest stunt may be hard on me, and I may not be your guardian much longer." signs Lt Nova..... she sits on the bed and watches the door for the authorities. Somehow she wishes she never left her engineering lab back home.
PBH
Phalanx: Hospital section
Aaron almost said thanks, but the nurse was gone before he could say a word. Instead he just wandered into the middle of the commotion around Lt. Nova, figuring that he would need to play the part of Mr. Commanding Officer. Which was rather unfortunate, he liked his little lab better, when he could just set up an experiment, get an intern to watch the long and dull part, then hit the bar to try and pickup a cute girl.
Still, medical lock down sounds fun, he figured he was ask about that business, once he could get to the Lt.
Phalanx: Hospital section
The ferret looked up Romulus and shrugged, "it is solitaire, I am not competing against anyone, yet I can still lose. There is a strategy of a sort, but a lot of this is luck. You are the one that saved me, thank you... but next time, could you use a tad less shiny?"
For Aaron, getting past the medical staff was a task akin to pushing through a line in a popular amusement park. Despite his rank, it seemed to avail him little as he attempted to wade into Lt. Nova's room. As he is attempted to persuade the medical staff to allow him entrance, Colonel Nexx walks up behind him, "what's going on here Major Brown?"
Inside, Loki pats Nova reassuringly, "you worry too much. Yuri withdrew, he may have been testing your resolve. I do not think that too much will come of his visit, though I recommend telling something clever to these doctors..."
The medical staff immediately rushed to Nova's bedside.
"check her charts." one doctor directed.
"blood pressure normal, heart rate is normal... systems do not show any abnormalities with her. I'm not sure about the readings for the child." One of the nurses reported.
A far more personable feline doctor approached Nova and Loki instead of the equipment, "what is wrong Lieutenant? A medical lock-down usually involves some serious problems... like plague-level infectious disease, alien contamination, and such. Everything checks out as okay, so what happened?"
A scared Lt Nova Hunnydew looks teary eyed into the feline doctor's face and said
" Goddess, I'm sorry I' sorry But some scarely Dr Yuri come in here, and said something about tests for the boy. and then Loki suddenly goes into a some kind of fix and Dr Yuri would not let me call Capt Summer or the nurse. I got scare, I don't remember any Dr Yuri on the Medical staff..... I couldn't think of anything else to do to help Loki. so I call an medical lock down...which he just walk right out of .... He should not be able to do from the inside."
Nova cries and " Loki are you Okay?..."
PBH
Phalanx: Hospital section
Romulus shrugged. "Sorry about that. We where being fired on and I think that bastard killed one of my men. I was thinking of using a concusion grenade but something told me not to. So what was going on there anyway?" Romulus looked over to the Cheetah while he spoke. "Who the hell was that weasel?"
I see sick people
"Colonel"
*Salute*
"Currently I am attempting to force my way though to get to Lt. Nova who is currently still in trouble, which seems to be her situation with alarming frequency. I need to talk with her, especially about what went wrong, where she was for most of her mission, and why things are still going wrong."
Better then dead people
Colonel Nexx returns the salute and then gestures to the medical personnel, "Nova caused all this? That one is amazingly troublesome."
The colonel taps one of the corpsmen on the shoulder, "excuse me HM2, but we'd like to see Lieutenant Nova."
The petty officer was about to say something negative as he turned until he noticed the Colonel. He quickly saluted, "yes sir, sorry sir."
Turning to the crowd, he immediately yelled out, "make a hole!" and lead the Colonel and Major forward.
Phalanx: Hospital section- Nova's room
Loki pats Nova on the head as she cries, "shhhh, it is okay Nova, there is no need to cry. I am fine for now."
The doctorlooks perplexed, "normally you can't cancel lock downs without special authorization. Command staff, senior medical staff all have that authority..."
"Special operations command officers and especially ISIS officers have that authority as well." stated Colonel Nexx as he entered the room.
The mustalid stopped staring at his cards and looked straight at Romulus, "he is a mercenary and an assassin. He was the hand of vengeance for the pirate kings." The ferret gingerly rubbed his aching ribs, "I think he was sent here to kill someone in the pirate group that was in control of this system."
"Sorry, Col, Sir. I was not ah .....I was trying to stop Mr Yuri from pulling rank on me. I knew only that he was not medical staff, but he could have let the Capt, know and I would have to let Loki go on his orders or yours." says Lt Nova as her tears dry. She hugs Loki and then straightens up in her bed and salutes the Colonel. A somber and embarrassed cat girl faces Col Nexx.
"So, Mr Yuri's tests were not authorized, I take it. Well, Hopeful the doctors here can give me a clear bill of health, what are your orders?, Sir" asks Nova as she get out of bed and stands unsteady at first by it at attention.
PBH
Romulus shook his head a bit and said some what loudly. "What is it with these pirates thinking they are royalty"
Romulus then looked at the ferret, in a normal voice "Well I'm sure they will find out who he was working for. I believe they have ways of making him talk"
Romulus then looked over to the cheetah all bandaged up in her bed "Know any info about her?"
Ya, but the nice thing about the dead is that they don't whine so much
Aaron was not sure if he was being intentionally ignored or not, though he expected such by now.
"And naturally this involved the loudest and most obtrusive method of letting everyone know. Who is this Yuri fellow anyways?"
With out waiting for a reply he turns to Colonel Nexx,
"Sir, it is apparent that someone is out for Loki. Requesting an assignment that involves me telling said someones, 'sorry, I have higher orders.'"
The cat girl was shock with disbelief, that the Major would forget their briefing before their little trip to the planet's surface. Well, after Loki had given them a prize ship, the Intell officers would be drooling to get him back. Her respect for the major's intelligence had taken another blow, if he could not think that the ISIS powers that be would not be trying to get Loki, back.
Still, she would test him a little. and play a little naive for him and the rest of the medical staff
"Major, Sir?" asked Lt Nova" Surely You don't think the ISIS would want to hurt Loki? Do you?"
PBH
Phalanx: Hospital section- Nova's room
Colonel Nexx eyed Nova carefully, "you certainly recover fast for someone who was shot. Regardless, you will still need to back on duty. We have an alien ship that needs to be examined..." The human officer eyed Loki, who's fox ears had perked up at mention of the ship, "in as much as Loki and... Mother itself will permit. So as long as the doctors say you won't be bleeding all over the decks, you can be released."
As Nova constructed her question to Major Brown, Loki looked up at her, "oh come now Nova, the Major has a bit of a whimsical manner, but you shouldn't think such thoughts of him."
Phalanx: Hospital section
The ferret shrugged at Romulus's comment about pirates and royalty, "they think far higher of themselves then is really logical. As for her, she is a computer technician that worked at the outpost. She is employed by the planetary militia."
As if sensing that people were speaking about her, she shifts a bit in bed and groans before opening an eye, "ooooh, I dinna know der could be so much pain en one body..."
Phalanx: Hospital section
Romulus nodded at the ferret then looked at the cheetah as she woke. He then rubbed the back of his head as he spoke.
"Yeah sorry about that. You're aboard the Phalanx in it's medical bay. My squad and I where dirtside on a mission. Ended up bringing you and the ferret there. They will be taking care of you till your healed." Romulus gestured towards the ferret's bed when he mentioned him.
"So what are you guy's names ?"
Phalanx: Hospital section
The brownish furred mustelid turned over a card, revealing a joker, he sighed, "I am Mocka... Mocka Capicino. Most people just call me trey as in the 3-card," The ferret, without taking his eyes off Romulus, reached down to his deck and pulled a random card. Without looking at it, he held it up to illustrate his point and it was indeed a 3 card, the 3 of spades.
The cheetah girl made a vain attempt to leave the bed, but as most of her body was in some way bandaged, it proved rather futile a gesture. "meh name is Shannon Wallace... and I dun have a nick name like the coffee ferret here. I am just who I am."
Phalanx: Hospital section
Romulus nodded as the two said their names.
"Trey and Shannon, nice to meet you two. My name's Romulus, wish we meet under better conditions"
Romulus then looked over at Trey.
"Nice trick with the cards. I seemed to get the King of Hearts* when I do that"
*King of Hearts is also a Suicide King
Phalanx- The right universe this time
*Aaron shrugs confusedly by Loki's comment, Nova's question, but understanding the need for the research*
"In all seriousness, a certain recent incident has made me radically reconsider the ISIS's intentions. Do not worry, I won't be taking him away from you."
Aaron is reasonably sure that Nova's true concern is her access to the fox. Oddly enough he gets the feeling that Nova will need a shorter leash then the 'pirate prince'. Still, he is responsible for them both, and seeming to collect more responsibilities.
Nova lights up that the mention of the ship. "The ship! really? kmmm yes, sir" salutes the catgirl.
"Okay, then Doctor Amberfox, Am I clear for Duty, Ma'am?" asks Lt Nova of one of her favorite doctors. As she goes quickly around her bed in a hospital gown to the drawing in the wall for her uniform. She puts it on the bed and turns around to realizes the room still full of people.
"Ah Sirs, Loki, Can I have a minute to myself? Unless, the doctor needs to check on me." says Nova.
PBH
Phalanx: Hospital section- Nova's room
Dr. Amberfox sighed, but nodded to Nova, "yes, yes, but be careful you are not fully recovered yet. If anything happens, hurts or feels odd, I want you back here on the double."
The doctor then turns to shoo out the males so that Nova can change clothes.
Loki shrugs, "I have seen the deepest parts of her mind, the naked psyche, her physical form without the trappings of clothes would not be especially surprising."
Outside the room, Colonel Nexx pulls Aaron aside, "Major, I want you to head over to the Revelation as soon as you finish up with whatever business you have here in sickbay. I will take care of Nova and put her to work on the ship with Loki and meet up with you and the Captain Summers. We will secure the other fox alien from Major Kanzoria and get down to some serious discussion about this enemy. We will also be jumping to our next objective point soon."
Phalanx: Hospital section
Trey raised an eye to the card drawn, "suicide king, quite a nice trick there Romulus."
"so what do ya plan to do with us? Ya drafting us for your little army or are we prison... uh..." The cheetah girl's eyes glazed over for a moment and she fell back into her pillows, "ah so... dizzy, I think I'll just lay back for a bit."
Trey sighed, "poor thing... but she brings up a good point, what are you going to do with us? We were technically pirates... that really haven't done any pirating... but the authorities rarely see things in such gray tones, mostly black and white."
Phalanx: Hospital section
Romulus shook his head at Trey's comment.
"No real trick. Just my dumb luck, or an omen. Not sure which"
He then looked to the cheetah girl as she spoke. He thought a second before speaking.
"Now that's not really my call. If you have skills we could find useful we may see if you want to join. I don't know if you'll be making it back to a civialized planet any time soon. If we do drop you off it's not like we're gonna put a sign around your neck that says 'PIRATE'. If anything we can just say you where rescued"
Phalanx: Hospital section
Trey nodded, "well that is nice of you at any rate, the bad stuff the Captains say about the ISF might be a bit harsh."
Trey pulled another card, an ace of hearts.
The cheetah merely closed her eyes and drifted off to into the embrace of unconsciousness.
Quickly Lt Nova got dressed, but a sudden stab of pain in her side.stopped her. The cat girl lifted her shirt to check her wound. Dr Amberfox shakes her head and said "I said to take it easy. Let me look at it.... mmm Breath a Deep Breath Does that Hurt?" the fox doctor pressed and probe around her wound.
"NO"
"Twist around ..mmm more."
hssssssss
"Hurt?"
"rrrrr no"
"Twist the another way and be honest with yourself..." scolded the doctor
"Owkay Owkay It hurts a little" cried Nova.
"Nova! You need to pay attention to your body... it has healed incredibly fast but I know you You are going to need to take breaks and know your limits. Stop before the pain gets too bad."
"Okay Mother dear, I will be carefull... Can I go out and play now?" remarked Nova as finished getting her shirt now.
"Go and beware if you carted in here again, you will be staying the recommended recovering time." remarks the doctor to empty recovery room.
***
Lt Nova in her work uniform was out looking for Loki outside her room.
PBH
Phalanx: Somewhere, it is in a ship and is big and grey
The major salutes, gives the military standard issue yes sir routine and heads off. He is entirely convinced that he will get into more trouble in the Revelation.
After a brief run in with a nurse and a bit of confusion Aaron finds out where the pirate vixen that landed in his lap was taken. He was a bit concerned with the debt of honor thing. At the rate he was going he was forming a crack combat team out of hardened pirates. Next he needed to gather military convicts and he could have a regular really bad TV show going. He goes to visit the vixen and, assuming that she is not in bad shape goes to see her.
Phalanx: Hospital section
A nurse entered the room from the far side and approached Trey's bed. She carried with her a plate of food and some medication. The nurse regarded Romulus, "sergeant, it is time for their meals and then sleep, I'm afraid visiting time is over for them."
Trey sighed, "these medic types have me sleeping more then a young kitten... egads."
Phalanx: Hospital section outside Nova's room
Loki was waiting patiently outside and he smiled as she approached, "don't push yourself too hard. The colonel wants you to have a look around my ship."
Phalanx: Hospital section vixen's room
Aaron had arrived at the correct room and the vixen he had "captured" was there resting quietly. She was rather pale and frail looking after the uniform, armor and grime of battle had been stripped away.
A nurse approached Aaron, "major, what can I help you with?"
Phalanx: Hospital section
Romulus nodded to the nurse.
"Alright I'm on my way out"
Romulus looked over to Trey as he spoke.
"You heal faster when asleep. Or atleast the nurses tell me when I'm was in the medical bay"
A body of troops in close array: There be vixens here
"Yes, I was curious about her. I went to an ice planet and there she was. I did not have much of a chance to speak with her, what the bleeding and everything and I wanted to try the talking bit again. Is she well enough?"
Aaron really wanted to ask what she knew about who and what was stationed on the planet and had a feeling that this vixen would be more reliable then any official report. The fact that she was a cute vixen was a plus.
Nag Nag nag I am fine, I just can't twist very far. Beside I have this new ball to try out.." say Nova and Holds up, her new shield generating ball that she threaten Yuri with. "I want to see what your ship has to say about this."
They went down the hanger where "mother" had landed..
PBH
Phalanx: Hospital section
Trey shrugged at Romulus's comment and sighed as the nurse put a small packet of pills down on his plate of food.
Romulus then found himself in the hall once again a number of medical types and the security for the rooms
Phalanx: vixen's room
The attending nurse tilted his head to the side and scratched his chin, "well, she did lose a lot of blood and the projectile penetrated pretty deep, but she may be able to speak with you. She is probably pretty weak right now."
The nurse adjusted the settings on the injection mixtures being fed into her intravenously through the medical bed's equipment.
Within a few moments, she was blinking slowly a gazing about the room drearily, "w...where am I? I feel s'tired."
Phalanx: Main Hanger bay
Loki headed towards to the exact spot where Mother had landed. The young fox weaved a bit as he lead her through the bay and leaned on Nova for support, "sorry, got a bit dizzy for a second. Come on, let's go."
Loki approached Mother's side, the hull opened, revealing a portal for them to enter. The interior of the vessel was fairly plain, meant to be functional as opposed to stylish. Comfortable seats were found in this area and a small corridor lead towards the bridge and another headed back towards the engineering section, that is providing the ship is conventionally laid out. There was also a small corridor that lead into a main, central area.
The light was low and seemed to come from everywhere, but no source was obvious. A pleasant, female voice greeted them as they entered, "welcome Loki and Nova, I have been waiting for you. It would have been better had you remained in medical until fully healed, but the stubbornness of both of you is legendary. Nova, please at least be sure that Loki takes it 'easy' and rests more, even if you have less regard for your own health, please be sure to remember his, for the kit is not as familiar with a flesh and blood body as you are."
A number of small blue lights blinked into existence along the walls leading forward, towards the bridge.
Phalanx: Hospital section
Romulus stoud there for a second then shrugged.
"Guess I'll go see how my men are doing"
Romulus headed off to meet up with his squad.
"Kit ah " Nova turns and giggles at Loki " You don't get a break anywhere, Do ya Shorty?" as Lt Nova heads to the bridge. "Come on you can rest in a pilot seat or a command chair"
"ah Mother? Is it? The power that be will not rest and they will find a way to take Loki and to get to you I sure. The "visit" of Yuri has shown that medical unit is not as secure as it could be. Beside we can rest here as well as there, right." commends the catgirl to the air and looking around.
PBH
Phalanx: vixen's room
"w...where am I? I feel s'tired."
"Phalanx, ISF ship. You lost a lot of blood so feeling tired is normal. I'm here because I need some questions answered if you can pull yourself together enough."
As long as she doesn't pass out he figures he will continue.
"Mostly, there seemed to be a lot of organized pirates on that planet. What were the lot of pirates doing there?"
Phalanx: Special Forces areaRomulus returns to his squad's area and finds everyone working their various duties with an odd amount of professional zeal, quite the opposite of the normal laid back attitude. Romulus caught the eye of Ben, who was barking orders like a DI, was about to say something, but immediately snapped back into duty.
"Sergeant First Class Darkcloud I presume? So nice of you to join us."
Spinning around, Romulus finds he is staring level into a pair of ice-blue eyes of a female... red furred, white-masked and long, striped, bushy tailed... raccoon? No, wait the species was a red panda. She wore an army uniform with a special forces patch. Her name tag read "Stewart" and her collar insignia was of a warrant officer.
OOC: warrant officer Stewart is your squad "officer", Major Shannon made mention of her back on page 9.
Phalanx: vixen's room"y... you are the one that captured me... I am bonded to you. Oh gods I was shot...!" She felt the bandage wrapped around her middle and sighed, "y...you saved me? I thank you for doing that. Had the others won, I would have been left on the field to bleed to death or succumb to exposure."
She seems to have completely missed the question.
Phalanx: Mother Quote"Kit ah " Nova turns and giggles at Loki " You don't get a break anywhere, Do ya Shorty?" as Lt Nova heads to the bridge. "Come on you can rest in a pilot seat or a command chair"
Loki blushed, crossed his arms and huffed as his only response to Nova's comment. As they arrived in the command center, Loki took a seat in the central command chair, he did look a bit pale for some reason.
The bridge itself is simple, though all the panels appear to be blank, black panels made of acrylic or plastic. There are no visible sensors, buttons, levers, dials or any type of instrumentation. The very front wall appears to be a screen.
"you may rest here Lieutenant Nova, just as long as you do not bring harm to Loki."
OOC: the command area is very much like that of a cross between a Next Generation Star Trek Federation ship and the "Puddle Jumper" from Stargate SG-1.
Phalanx: Special Forces area
Romulus turned around and looked at Stewart.
"Hello warranty officer. I was off visiting some new friends who where injured during our little trip planet side. What brings you here?"
"Hey, Loki Are you doing okay?" asks Nova as she takes the left chair (navigation station) facing the front screen. But she is looking at the little fox at the console in front of her a little worried
"Come 'n Loki, you have to lighten up, I'm only teasing you. But Mother is serious and looking at you right now, she may be right." remarks the catgirl.
PBH
"Yes, well I just have a hard time letting folk die. I'm more into the R&D end of the the field myself."
Aaron couldn't help but think that he could rise a pirate army at the rate things are going. That would be fun, going around, being all priaty and mad sciencey with his crew of loyal pirates. That was not his main concern though.
"On to other subjects, such as why you were on that planet in the first place? My understanding was that there was a major space force and you were on the planet doing what exactly?"
At worst he figured that he would just get random jumbled answers. He did intend to make it to the Revelation soon, unless things get really interesting in the next sentence uttered by her.
Phalanx: Special Forces area
"what brings me here you ask? I have been assigned as your, rather loosely disciplined, unit's officer. Major Shannon has had me in command of security aboard the station while we processed pirates and returned operation to the militia forces. Now that my pass-down to their station security chief is complete, I'm here to assume command."
The red panda smiled, "don't be so glum Darkcloud, you can't get away with no officer forever." She gestured around the room, "I've introduced myself to the unit already, so how about you get the troops together and get some drill time in SFC. Double-time."
Phalanx: vixen's room
The vixen took a deep breath as she thought about the question and winced, she placed her hand over where the wound was under the bandage, "ooooh that hurts... um, what was the question again... oh, why were we there. I guess we were hiding. Some were spies operating a listening post to report back to the Pirate Lords on your fleet's activity. I assume they were going to re-occupy this world after your fleet departs."
Phalanx: Mother
Loki nodded to Nova's question, "I'm alright, just tired... I think Mother is using a mental suggestion to make me sleepy... I've been suppressing this shell's pain and using mental suggestion to make the doctors and nurses think I was fully recovered, but I'm not so very... <yawn>... and Mother is cross with me."
"Indeed kit, you are such a child sometimes, now rest and I will see about doing what I can to repair the damage you have caused yourself with this deception." The computer did indeed sound much like an angry mother.
Loki's eyes were barely opened when he looked to Nova and smiled, "have... a... look around... the ship... she's amazing..."
The small fox closed his eyes and was asleep.
Phalanx: Special Forces area
Romulus sighed and looked around.
"Alright guys lets get moving"
Romulus walked next to Ben.
"I'm guessing you had no intention of telling me about this?"
Nova sighs and shakes her head. Turning to the console in front of her, Nova tapping the surface three times, and the panel flashes from Helm/navigation controls, Starcharts, and the general main menu for the computer control.
Nova stops and studies the icons and symbols, and chooses the ones, which she remembers for her mother's ancient language studies to belong to engineering. and then a symbol for the warp engines. The main screen displays the core's deflector fields scan. Lt Nova watches the waveforms on the main screen and the readings on the console.
She frowns at the readings," Why is there an error of .216 in the third Harmonic of the graviton field? No wait That is not right... Hey, this is the Phalanx main core scans... Mother how can I help you, if you are going to throw my own ship's scan back at me? Don't you pull a Loki, your lady ship, If you need help with anything tell me now. "
PBH
Phalanx: Special Forces area
Ben gave Romulus a nervous grin, "I wanted to, but she was on to me fast, hasn't let me out of her sight since she got here. I think she wanted you to be unaware and surprised."
Mother
The screen blinked to life briefly and multiple panels lit up all around the bridge area. Without warning, Nova found that she had someone standing just behind her chair.
An orange furred vixen, slightly taller then Nova herself when standing, gave a nod to the cat girl as she swiveled the chair. This previously unseen fox ran a hand through her light blue hair as she gestured around her taking in the whole ship, "lieutenant Nova, I do not require assistance, I am in excellent condition and operating at peak efficiency. I am well versed in ship maintenance and Loki himself is a masterful engineer."
She ran a finger just under Nova's chin, "it is sweet of you to ask, but this technology is a bit beyond your understanding. With time, you could come to grasp the knowledge, but at this moment you would only hurt yourself or me in the process."
Note: this orange vixen feels very real.
Phalanx: vixen's room
Aaron was increasingly getting the idea that everyone who had something interesting to say has been spirited away. "The expedition seemed rather well armed for doing just that. I'm thinking that there was something else going on under everyone's noses. No matter, you seem to be in okay shape right now, don't be afraid to call for me if you think of anything else"
Barring any sort of interesting reply Aaron figures that he needs to report in on the Revelation and see what his next assignment of doom will be.
Phalanx: Special Forces area
Romulus shrugged at Ben's comment. "Why am I getting the feeling she was sent here by a certain coyote"
The startled Cat girl jumps out of her seat, and backs up a step to stand wide eyed and wary at the orange fox girl beside the control console.
"Woah... hey sorry, you are ah ? I was ah... Loki said...I was not sure that anyone else was onboard. Okay okay, So, you are are 'Mother' and you are a being or a hologram? I am not use to AI machine just appearing out of the woodwork, as it was . Pleased to meet you. I think. I am not sure if my great-uncle was right in saying "that the more advance the machine, the more it needs a really engineer to keep it purring." Say Nova in quick and stumbling way.
Stopping with a heavy sigh, "Hi, I'm Lt Nova Hunnydew. Welcome onboard the Phalanx. May I help to make your stay a pleasant one", the catgirl says as she bows with her hand out in greeting to female fox. "Well, I have many questions, but I will let you ask first, before you need to answer any of mine. Please, don't mind me ..."
PBH
Phalanx: Special Forces area
Ben gave him a quick glance, "that coyote does have special authority over spec forces like us, it would not surprise me if he is putting an ace in his pocket for later."
The two squads of the unit assembled and began drills, warrant officer Stewart smiled as the teams went at it with their all.
Phalanx: vixen's room
"I... I will, but please promise me I can be of use to you as a bondswoman. I do not wish to be funneled off to some space prison or spaced out an airlock for piracy. I think it is fate that dropped me into your arms... I think I am meant to go with you, help you do what it is that you intend to do."
Phalanx: Mother
The vixen smiled as Nova bounced up and down on the emotional scale in reaction to her sudden appearance, "my my, but you mew on and on like a small kitten. You must have some very interesting and inspired thought processes to shoot so chaotically between different topics. I am indeed an energy projection of this ship."
The vixen touched her very real finger to the tip of Nova's little nose in a rather odd way of silencing the cat girl's chattering, "be still, young kitten, I may answer your questions, but only if you have interesting barter yourself. I already know all about your people and technology. The Phalanx's AI is rather crude and primitive, but charming in a blunt sort of way. Now I suggest you sit down and rest yourself. You should not be leaping out of chairs with your injuries."
Mother smiled softly, "but to be fair, I will let you ask your questions. If I think you are ready to know the information I may share it with you."
[ That is not fair, How can we help Capt Summers, rescue that poor Technicolor fox with information we do already have?] thinks a depressed little catgirl. Nova returns to the console and its seat. She bring up the starcharts again on the main screen showing first the whole galaxy.
"Okay Okay, Can we go back to the star-charts of the pirate's space and the star systems head of the fleet? If we can have a little information of the road ahead... The captain can try to spring your friend out..the secret service's hands.
I also need the space to the galatic west of here. My mother found a starship crash site near these coordinates. Loki thinks that if the bodies are still there, we must going there to set his race members free." says Lt Nova.
"Or Maybe you can tell us where Ixiah is? So we can rescue him..." adds the Nova.
PBH
Phalanx: Special Forces area
Romulus growled a bit as he looked over at Stewart. Then to Ben.
"I don't like the smell of this. I bet that damn coyote put her here to keep tabs on us. Get us to do his bidding. I guess we're gonna be walking around with her hand in our pockets all the time now. I bet he was ticked when he found out we jumped ship so he couldn't get another pin cushion"
Phalanx: vixen's room
"Don't worry, I'll take care of all of that."
Aaron made a note that he still had to actually deal with that. He would need to do that after the briefing on the Revelation.
((PS: Would it be permissible to just hand wave the whole, "Registering the bondsmen" subject to, 'Then Aaron did it and everything was done? I kind of want to compress things.))
After thinking a bit he says, "That was all I needed. I will make sure to find a use for you. Now I must depart to report in to my superiors."
Phalanx: Special Forces area
Ben nodded, "maybe we can turn her over to our side. At the very least, we still have the Colonel."
The drills went otherwise normally. Stewart watched with a critical eye, interrupting drills to straighten posture or correct a soldier's movements, but otherwise she had little input.
When at last she seemed satisfied, she called a halt to the activity, "alright everyone hit the showers and then you are off for the rest of the evening. Be sure to cherish this downtime, the fleet will be moving out soon."
Everyone put up their gear and headed for the showers. After which, they settled into whatever routines they had or were trying to develop.
Phalanx: Infirmary
Major Brown bid a farewell to the wounded vixen and departed her room and the infirmary itself. Shooting off a quick email with the required forms to billeting, he registered his bondspersons as well as sent a request for release for Richard.
He had successfully finished all paperwork as his shuttle landed aboard the Revelation. The major was met by Colonel Nexx, who took him to their scheduled rendezvous with Captain Summers. The Captain was in his office, patiently awaiting their arrival.
"Colonel Nexx, Major Brown. Let me be frank with the both of you, I expect a fight from Major Kanzoria." The Captain silently wished for a cigarette, but alas, such vices were not allowed aboard military vessels. "not physical, but political and psychological... there is an agenda here, but we are not sure if it is ISIS's or the major's."
Phalanx: Mother
The orange vixen pressed her index finger to lips, "shhhhh, little kitten, your racing mind is feverish with thoughts. It bounds this way and that. The space ahead has an anomaly, a space equivalent of a Sargasso, but it is a trap. What you must seek is on the surface. Here you will find a dangerous one like Loki and Ix, also much knowledge that you need. As for that crash site, if it is truly Xaos and Gaea that are there, then it is a mixed blessing at best. The mummified corpses seem to signify that they were trapped when the ship crashed. They were cut off from the flow of our race and were forced to live off of each other's energy for millions of years. They appeared to disappear in that recording in your mind, but that is probably what they wanted to have your relation see. I can take us there, but it will need to be more then the three of us. As for Ixiah, he will soon be saved. You should sleep now kitten, you feel very tired don't you?"
Indeed Nova did feel dreadfully tired... how did that happen?
The vixen's motherly humming certainly did not help Nova stay awake, it was so very soothing.
Phalanx
Romulus wondered around the ships deck with no where in particular place in mind. He was thinking as he walked.
*I don't like the feel of this. She just shows up pretty much out of no where and is order my men around. I think she said Ben knew about her but had her checking on something. I wonder why he never told me. Something doesn't feel right about this at all. Ben did say he wanted join ISIS and work under Kanzoria* Romulus shook his head to clear that thought and continued to walk. When he looked around he realize he had wondered but the hangar *I wonder how Loki is doing. That damn doctor just about got them both killed* Romulus found a bench to sit on so he could collect his thoughts,
Revelation: Captain's office
Aaron was familiar with Major Kanzoria, mostly as, 'one of those ISIS guys who seems to always nose in business that they have no right to be.' Over half of that description Aaron invented for the Major based on prior experience with the ISIS.
He also really did not want to play politics. He rather dislikes that. Getting by in the lab was simple, because people made sense and arguments were based on real things. Alas, he long ago gave up on the concept of getting what he wanted and instead settled for what he had.
"Well Sir, would there be any difference in our plan if this is just the Major acting alone versus towing the party line?" He opted to hold his tongue in suggesting that the ISIS was mostly made of the pathological sort where the groups agenda was the one person's agenda.
Revelation: Captain's office
"It does not affect the plan, but it is a consideration to keep in mind. If we face only Kanzoria and his people, then in the end, he can be handled by fleet ISIS. If it is the whole, then we can be politically outmaneuvered by a much larger force. We could be made into traitors and executed before we could blink. However, my gut is telling me that this is some personal game of the Major's."
Morgan silently hoped it was his gut telling him that and not some nicotine deprived sense seeking revenge due to being deprived of its ambrosia.
Nexx nodded, "I'm inclined to agree, but that one is a wily coyote, be prepared for anything."
"Agreed. Colonel, major, let's move and secure the kid from Kanzoria. Then let us get some serious intelligence together with the pair of foxes and that unusual, alien ship's AI." The Captain toggled the comm, "Major Atkinson, it is time to move, meet us half way to Kanzoria's quarters."
The Chief Security Officer's voice responded back, "aye sir, on my way."
Captain Summers and Colonel Nexx exited the office with Major Brown in tow, this threatened to be a very interesting encounter.
Phalanx: Hanger bay
Romulus had planted himself in a rather quiet section of the bay, normally this area would be very busy, but the unique ship that was berthed here gave much of the hanger crew pause. Security normally would have stopped someone approaching an area that was restricted, but like Loki and Nova's approach, something made them not see this particular person.
It took him a few moments to notice he sat in the shadow of an alien ship.
Phalanx: Hanger bay
Romulus sat there for a second then looked around trying to figure out where all the hanger personal was. Then he noticed the ship.
"Well hello there haven't seen you around before. You must be Mother Loki was talking about"
Romulus walked near the alien ship.
"You wouldn't happen to know how Loki is doing would ya? Haven't really seen him since the good doctor just about got them killed trying to protect him"
Phalanx: Hanger bay
"You must be very unusual to be talking to a starship. Even the most advanced computer-based AIs aren't capable of holding a meaningful, spontaneous conversation." Came a reply from behind Romulus.
Spinning about, he came face to face with a very orange vixen in a technical officer's uniform.
"one would also assume that strange alien vessels could potentially be very dangerous, Mr. Darkcloud."
Phalanx: Hanger bay
Romulus just shrugged.
"If it's has anything to do with Loki I wouldn't be too surprised if it does talk. If this alien ship was dangerous I think she would have attacked by now or done something. I just hope the good Major doesn't find out about this ship. I'm starting to think he knows seeing a Warranty Officer shows up at my squad's door ordering us around. She showed up right after we got back" Romulus shook his head and looked at the vixen. "So ma'am what is your name?"
Revelation: Captain's office
Aaron follows behind the Captain and the Colonel. Aaron was quickly disliking where this whole affair was going. The ISIS, while not something he has dealt with regularly, has a legendary reputation. Probably in no small part due to their own designs to become infamous but that was beside the point. Still, there was something in the back of his mind that was enjoying being a monkey wrench in the greater scheme of things.
"OH damn Foxes... How is she doing this." thinks a sleepy Nova.... and falls into a dream/memory...
"shhhh Sara, The kit is fine. Nova doesn't seem to be hurt, just tried.", the 6 year old Nova, who was half asleep overhears her granny.
"Fine? Fine? Mother! Nova should have been able to open that door. Fet had refuel some aux fuel-cells and restored power to the computer core.. BUT he couldn't open that door in the last three weeks! Yet, my little kitten waves a little crystal and the door opens and walks in.?" shouts Nova's mother. The little kitten was puzzled the foxes that help her with her game with the pretty tiles/buttons. They said the mean bugs had gotten out and would be coming for get them all.
" stop stop must stop the big bugs..." whispers the kitten
"shhh Granny is here" whispers her Granny.." Yes, shhh Nova, we are here, and you will be safe" added her mother's voice and touch
Sleep pulls Nova down further.....Her kitten eyes on her magic crystal and when Xaos' smiling face appears and fades as sleep takes....."What the?"as sleep takes her completely again...
Phalanx: Hanger bay
OOC: that's warrant officer, not warranty... she does not provide any guarantee that any goods or services sold are as factually stated or legally implied by the seller, nor does she provide for any specific repairs or replacements in the event the item or service fails to meet the warranty.
"So ma'am what is your name?"
The vixen paused for a moment as if considering the question, "I am Alexis. As for this Major, I think he hates his mother for lying to him for all those years and then leaving when her secret was discovered."
The vixen gestured behind Romulus towards the alien ship, strangely there was an open portal and ramp.
"Loki is inside. You shouldn't be too hard on Nova, she means well, plus she out ranks you." Alexis said with a smile.
Revelation: Captain's office
Near the quarters that were provided to Major Kanzoria, the trio were met by Major Atkinson, a security detachment followed behind him. After a short time, they arrived at the door to the quarters.
Colonel Nexx unceremoniously walked past the guards and opened the door, everyone entered the room as the ISIS guards were reluctantly stood down to the security team.
Inside they found Ixiah happily waiting and Major Kanzoria was just hanging up a lab coat. He did not seem surprised to see them storm in.
Colonel Nexx nodded to the Captain and turned to Major Kanzoria, "major, new developments have changed the nature of this conflict and we are forced to re-evaluate Ixiah's role as strictly an intelligence source. He has revealed all the information he can in this capacity, and now he is needed as a resource in technology research, xenobiology and as an ambassador to his own people. We will need their assistance against this foe."
The Captain stepped up at this time and gestured towards Aaron, "Major Brown is with Fleet Research and Development and he has authority which supersedes ISIS in this area."
Major Kanzoria did not seem surprised, "I had a feeling that special transfer of yours was of R&D personnel."
Colonel Nexx, "your services will no longer be needed, as an Alpha level command officer, I can assume stewardship of your ward as a liaison with Fleet R&D."
The major nodded, "very true, but Major Brown is not a diplomatic officer and neither is Captain Summers."
The colonel began a reply, "I can act as..."
Major Kanzoria interrupted with a wave of the hand and a smile, "ISF procedure forbids it, as the guardian of the alien, you would be considered 'too close' to the source and possibly influenced. A separate third party would be needed, and seeing as you have removed Ixiah from my care, I can no longer be considered 'too close' and can assume the status as diplomatic attache."
The Captain held up his hand, "conceded, however, as diplomatic envoy, you are not operating under ISIS capacity, so your staff will withdraw, as they are no longer needed."
To this the coyote did raise an eyebrow, "true, but I will need my assistant Lt. Kudo."
"As you wish."
Phalanx: Mother
The orange vixen known as Mother stared quizzically at Nova, "strange, I could have sworn I saw something within her mind..."
Nova's sleeping body lies forward on the control console, When she moves into a more comfortable position, a small gold chain around her neck falls out from her shirt. It has a gold pendant which has flat white quartz crystal square or diamond-shape about 1/2 inch square. The crystal shines as it lays on the control panel.
PBH
OOC- a message in a bottle thrown in a starry sea.
Phalanx: Hanger bay
Romulus raised an eyebrow at the "the out ranking" comment, then shrugs.
"When have I ever cared about rank?"
Romulus looked at the ramp and smiled abit.
"That an invitation?"
Revelation:Office of uncertain doom
Aaron was more then a tad suspect. Things were going way to easy.
On the other hand, there was a new specimen. He fought the eagerness in his head, suspecting that it would be prodded at. He was very curious about how that worked anyways. Of course, there was also the vague hope that these powers could be learned, but suspected that such things were not posable.
"This should be fun."
Which was code in his own mind for, *let's get this train wreck rolling.*
Phalanx: Mother
The vixen raises an eyebrow when she sees the glowing crystal in Nova's pendant. She reaches out to touch the crystal and her form wavers for a second.
"M...Matron... that belongs to Matron, the vessel of Χάος and Gaea! This is her master control crystal... with it, I could locate her!"
Phalanx: Hanger bay
Alexis shook her head, "you should care about rank, it is smarter to play the game then fight it. Being courteous to one of higher rank is not the same as deference. Deference should only be reserved for those who have earned it."
The fox sighed, she knew she was speaking to a brick wall, "anyways, you should probably come in and at least meet who you had to work so hard to find."
With that, the orange vixen strode up the ramp and into the alien vessel.
Revelation:Office of uncertain doom
The Captain turned towards Aaron, "Major Kanzoria, Colonel Nexx and I will need to discuss a few... things, it is best if you take Ixiah here to the Phalanx and bring him to Loki. We will need both of them on our next objective point. Dismissed."
The blue fox, dressed in strange anime-like impractical battle armor, latched onto Aaron's arm, "hiya!"
Colonel Nexx shook his head, "oh and Major Brown... see if you can find him something more practical to wear."
Phalanx: Mother
"M...Matron... that belongs to Matron, the vessel of Χάος and Gaea! This is her master control crystal... with it, I could locate her!"
..... Mother's touch actives the final last minutes ...
The grim face of Xaoc appears above the crystal and said" Matron, send a mayday and ship status."
Gaea's voice: "No Xaoc, they will hear you. We must not send anything and they must not find us. We maybe the only ones with the resonating frequencies for that cage. Oh Gods, Xaoc, what have we done."
Matron:"All Com's are down, mental shield on max, drives are failing, we will be out in normal space in 10 minutes, and flight controls are minimum at best."
Gaea: "I'll secure the data, we must stop those bugs. somehow, or our people... all worlds will be slaves forever."
Matron:"Warning! Normal space.... high velocity reentry--- we are out of control in a gravity well. planetary orbit impossible."
Xaoc:"I have got it have got it" *boom rrrrrrroam boom*
Xaoc straining face disappears.....but the voice record continues
Matron:"We are cut off with life support damage, drives and hull damage beyond self-repair, Engaging stasis mode until help arrives."
"Fairy lady Gaea, Lord Xaoc.." whispers Nova.
Nova's hand over's the crystal, and then it shines brighter and this mental image is replayed in her mind...
Gaea's voice and mental recording:"Nova kitling.... I am sorry to use you like this, but we need someone to send a message back to our home, and you're it. You are pretty amazing girl, and I am glad to be your fairy godparent. I hope, I pushed you in the right of direction, and you have a good life, or as good a life as you can.
If you are hearing this, then you have met up with someone of my people, who can help you with the Enemy. It is not much but I have keyed this master crystal to your mental signature and you are a member of my crew. It will help you with introducing yourself to others of my kind and our ships. Yet, be warily, little one, you will not meet many of my people, who can be trusted to help you and yours.
I'm hope that your people and my people can help each other and put the Enemy away and beyond their reach for everyone. Be brave Nova...Love Gaea..
To my Kinsmen: Please, Take care of this little one, she has all you need to fight the Enemy. If you don't, then the Fates will damn us all to be living playthings of the merciless."
PBH
Phalanx: Hanger bay. Entrance for Loki's ship
Romulus shook his head
"Has anyone told you. I lost that game many years ago. I give respect where it is earned"
Romulus starts to walk up the entrance ramp. Then looked around the hanger bay
"Why am I getting a weird feeling about this"
Romulus entered the ship.
Revelation: Office of uncertain doom
Aaron salutes the officers, looking as serious as an one can with a cosplayer clinging to his arm. He leads the blue fox out and heads to the Phalanx, trying hard to avoid imagining what he expects the situation to be like when he gets back, half way expecting to find Lt. Nova is now Lt. Puddle of Goo.
"So, Ixiah was it? I was curious, that outfit, explain its existence to me."
Phalanx: Mother
Possibly in her entire existence, Mother had never been truly surprised, so this was definitely a new experience for her.
Carefully she slipped the crystal back into Nova's shirt, though she had seen the intent was benevolent, Mother was still distrustful of the Ancient Xaoc and Gaea. She also did not trust Matron fully, so having the master control crystal in a position to interface with her systems made her uneasy.
After arranging Nova so she would be more comfortable, she padded off to meet the new guest.
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
The ramp lead Romulus into the main section of the ship, and area designed to be an area to receive guests and for crew to relax in their off hours (if Mother had needed crew). Likely the interior of this ship appeared as Romulus would have expected it to.
There is no sign of the orange vixen Alexis, but a regal fox that could be her twin sister approached from the long hallway to his left. She did not appear hostile, but her intentions were very hard to read.
"What brings you here Mr. Darkcoud?" The orange vixen inquires
Revelation: Hall
The blue fox thought for a second and snapped his fingers, "you see this outfit exists because of the rapid expansion of the host, primordial proto-universe. To understand this model, we must be familiar with Special and General Relativity, but we also must take into account, Hubble's law..."
Ixiah clamped his mouth shut, as the thoughts emanating from Aaron were not happy ones concerned with his continued existence.
"eh... oh, you mean why I am wearing it? Well you see, one of my attending scientists was a fan of manga... this outfit was pulled from Zero Fox: Red and as it is considered inappropriate for one to be uncovered publicly in your society... I decided it was the most flexible and free of the ones she had dressed me in, within her mind. So I made it real. For a fighting outfit, the armor protection is spaced impractically, leaving my middle area a bit unprotected. I suppose you will want me to wear something more restrictive?"
Revelation: Hallway. Really, it's just a hallway
"First off, General Relativity supplants Special Relativity, since Special Relativity describes objects in motion but does not account for gravity or acceleration while General Relativity does. Second, Hubble's law has to to with the expansion of the universe. Neither of which seem to pertain to the cloths you are wearing."
Aaron makes his way to secure a transfer ship.
"As for the cloths business, more restrictive is unnecessary, something less ridiculous is required. I really don't care what you wear as long as it is not distracting."
Aaron debates with himself off and on about if he should pickup Richard, who seems reasonably useful and not shot up at current.
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
Romulus stoud there thinking for a second thinking.
"You know I'm not sure. I was wondering the halls thinking and just kinda showed up here. You wouldn't happen to know how Loki is doing would you?"
Revelation: Hallway.
Ixiah smiled and tugged on Aaron's arm more, "yes, yes... creation of the universe, aggregation of matter, particle field theory, quantum mechanics, it is all science. You understand it, it explains how things are the way they are and why. Well, imagine if everything you knew was wrong, or at least slightly mistaken. A particular type of science allows me to create this outfit from seemingly nowhere. However, as you can see it appears as real as a Tipler cylinder."
The blue fox draws his paw through his should plate, stretching and distorting it until it becomes opaque. His hand passes through it and it snaps back into place like a rubber band.
"I suppose you could say it is made from exotic matter or any nonbaryonic matter really. I can create it with my... uh, thoughts if you will. It is kind of like magic."
As Ixiah babbles, Aaron is able to secure a transfer ship, board it, travel to the Phalanx, and disembark.
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
The vixen nodded, "Loki is here, he was badly hurt and is still injured somewhat, he is just being a bad kit and hiding it."
The orange vixen paused to sigh before continuing, "I am known as Mother, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Would you like to see Loki? Nova is here with him as well."
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
"I wouldn't mind see how the kid is doing"
Romulus stands for a second then looks around the ship.
"So Mother you know how me and Loki met?"
Phalanx: Hanger bay of space ships
"Of course there is something wrong with our understanding science, if everything were discovered and correct, then I would not have much of a job anymore. Also, magic is actually deceit , just for more amusing purposes."
He leads the babbling Ixiah to Loki's ship, making mental notes of any new physics concepts that would be interesting to delve into.
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
"If you wish to see Loki, you may, but do not excite him too much. I want him to heal and the more he runs around, the slower that process is. Their physical forms are somewhat different then your own. It is a perfect reproduction of a flesh and blood form, but it is precipitated from the surrounding environment by breaking matter down to its component sub particles and reforming it into pseudo-approximation of a vulpine form. It is sort of like what you would call ectoplasm. Damage to the form acts just like damage to your own. The more time one spends in a physical form, the more one becomes tied to it and the harder it is to separate from it."
At some point, Mother had moved to illustrating her discussion with holographic images that drifted about as she spoke. She lead Romulus through the ship to the control area where Loki and Nova slept.
"I am sorry, I must bore you. I am merely an artificial intelligence, as such, the things I find interesting tend to be different then what others would judge."
She carefully reached down and touched Loki, who stirred and blinked a few times. He yawned wide, showing off his sharp little teeth, and looked up with cute puppy dog eyes at Romulus, "hiya Rom, what brings you to my ship?"
Phalanx: Hanger bay
Ixiah had finished his discussion about advanced concepts in physics, where even the general information had potential to advance known science by leaps and bounds... if only Aaron could remember what was discussed, well he had his notes... but the pages were blank. Aaron could not remember the previous conversation or after a moment that there was a discussion. What Aaron did remember was talking to Ixiah about changing his clothes and their flight over to the Phalanx
Ixiah smiled innocently at Aaron and shrugged, "okay Aaron, I'll change." With a snap of the fingers, the blue fox was clothed in an outfit very similar to Aaron's uniform. "Better?"
Ixiah paused for a brief moment and swung around slowly until he locked eyes on Loki's ship, "ohhhh... heeey Aaron, let's go over there!" He pointed vigorously at the ship.
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
Romulus kneels down so Loki can better see him.
"I'm not sure really. I was wondering the halls thinking and when I looked up I was in the hangar. So how you doing kiddo? You took quite a pounding back there"
Phalanx: Hanger bay, return of the impending doom
"Hmm... I get the strangest feeling that I forgot something. Oh well, couldn't have been important."
Aaron noted the fox pointing with absurd amounts of enthusiasm at the ship.
"That thing? Isn't it what Lt. Nova dug up on the ice planet? I suppose that would be a good place to look for her, I want to make sure Lt. Nova has not turned into Lt. Grey Goo. Either way, nosing about in an alien ship is something I always wanted to do."
Aaron heads over, with the well dressed Ixiah in tow.
Lt Nova sleeps on, and awaits Mother's healing touch.
:mowtongue
PBH
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
Loki shrugged, "I'm okay Romulus, I just got shot... just a couple of small holes. I'm getting better, but hanging out in the medical bay was boring."
Meanwhile, Mother waved her hand over Nova and brought her back to the land of the conscious, "wake up dear, some friends appear to be coming."
Phalanx: Hanger bay, return of the impending doom
Aaron should be happy to find that the ship is open and inviting, with a ramp conveniently leading up and into it.
Ixiah did not wait for Aaron the enter, he strode up to the ramp and entered, quickly disappearing from view. Perhaps Aaron should consider a leash...?
"aww Come on Mother. It's saturday morning" says Nova from under her hair and arms.
and then moves her body to a new position on the control console and rolls her head more into a ball with her arms and hair covering her.
PBH
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
Romulus gentle puts his hand on Loki's head and ruffles his hair.
"Well take it easy none the less. I know how much it sucks being active after having holes shot into ya"
Romulus just kinda looks at Loki for a bit.
"I still remember all those problems I had on that pirate space station when we first met"
Phalanx: Hanger bay, son of impending doom
The ship did look quite inviting. Considering that his charge ran in, Aaron ran in as well.
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
Aaron bolts after Ix and notices him heading down a hall from the lounge location.
Within the command center, Mother shakes her head and whispers in Nova's ear, "come now dear, I made chocolate chip pancakes."
Loki closes his eyes as his head fur is ruffled and he shakes a tuft out of his left eye, "yes Rom, but that's not really important... let's not bother Mother which such things.
At this moment, Ixiah enters the command center. Loki spins in his chair and leaps at the larger blue fox, wrapping him in a hug, "Ixi ix ix ix ix ix... ow ow, that hurt... ix ix ixi!"
Mother cringes slightly as Loki did that and sighs heavily.
Ixiah, carefully unwraps the green fox and puts him back in his chair, "nice to see you too Loki, please be careful, Mother worries and you are still recovering."
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship, bride of impending doom
Aaron darted into the ship, past the lounge location and into the command center. He stops in the doorway breathing a bit noticeably.
"Don't DO THAT! Or at least tell me when you are going to bolt like that."
Aaron takes a moment to look around, noting 'that guy from the surface, nice guy, should remember his name.' Lt. Nova, taking a nap or some such, Ixiah, Loki, and... new girl? Cute new girl, but unexpected new girl.
"Mgrrrr Mother, If Loki is going to have his friends over this early in the morning, He can.... take ....him ..to hiss.own...." shouted Nova as her scowling look over at who or what was making all this noise in "Her Bedroom." When her tried mind finally snapped into gear and remembered that her brother was Nathan, not Loki. Loki was alien fox. A new male voice was that marine/special ops guy from the surface battle. And then her new bossy Major just bursted into the alien control room shouting at the another fox-alien boy, Ixia.
Her military training had her jumping up and her snapping to attention for the Major, only to find that Major Brown was more interested in looking at Mother. She was angry at him what she sees as his male arrogance, when she realized that something was missing from around her neck. She feel around her chest and finally located her chain around her neck. She quickly pulled the chain and her crystal pendant out and then just as quickly send it back into her shirt. She insured that the crystal fell to right place in the center of her chest under her shirt and then quickly straighten the rest of her uniform.
"Hello, Sgt Romulus, Nice to see you again. and Hello Ixia nice to see you back home, too." Saids Nova as she kneeled down to Ixia level.
PBH
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
Romulus is knocked over by Loki as he is about to speak. He is surpised to see Aaron follow the blue fox come into the room. Once he saw the blue fox he half expected to see a coyote following it. He then looks to Nove when she addressed him.
"Oh hey doc, how you doing? You just about had a mountain fall on top of you"
He looks at Loki as he climbed to his feet.
"Geez man didn't we tell you to take it easy. You won't heal if you keep doing that"
As he stoud and ran a hand through his hair as he looked at Aaron.
"So how did you get here"
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
"Well, there was a door, there was a distance between the door and myself so I walked it, well running really, I was following Ixiah who ran in here, apparently trying to find Loki. Which is fortunate, I was told to find Loki anyways."
He looked at Romulus, "Oh, and it's good to see you too."
Phalanx: Hanger bay, Loki's ship
The vixen was very aware of Aaron's slight change in reaction when he saw her, but he was not aware of what she really was. Mother smiled none the less, however, her demeanor hardened slightly as she regarded Nova, "you must be careful with what you have around your neck if you please."
Ixiah gave Mother a quizzical look, but the vixen did not respond. The blue fox shrugged and focused his attention on Nova, "no Ms. Nova, I am not 'home'. Mother is not my guardian... she is Loki's. Even though he and I are the same, we are different."
Loki nervously ran his hand through his hair as he was chastised by Romulus, "sorry, I just got excited when Ixiah arrived."
Mother turned towards everyone and spread her hands wide, "now that you are all here, what is it you wish to do now?"
Ixiah swished his blue tail rapidly, dropping his serious tone, "I want ice cream!"
"oh me too!" Loki piped in.
Mother laughed, "please be serious, this is important."
"but I did want ice cream, our ships have such wonderful replicators... and I'm not being silly..." Ixiah looked rather crestfallen and a bit of red shown through his fur.
With a quick hand to her chest and her necklace under her shirt, the catgirl looked with shock and dismay at Mother for a moment. Then She blinked and turned to Ixia in puzzlement over his commends, "What you have a guardian like Mother, too?" she asked.
With screams for ice cream other antic from Loki and Ixia, Nova wonders, if the aliens were really like cubs because Mother could cared and treated them that way. or Did Mother treated them that way because they acted like cubs? Or Was this just an act by Loki and Ixia throw her and the other? or Some conditioning by or from the Masters? The Masters could control the Acarians better, if they all acted like and thought like children, but how would you get any work out of a whole civilization of kids.
Despite her own hunger that sudden wanted Ice Cream, She thought to act mature, and asked, "What do you guys really need eat? Not ice cream that a treat. *sigh* Why Do I feel like I'm babysitting and I'm not getting paid?" asked Lt Nova as she sat down again at the control panel.
*Big Sigh* "Okay, Loki, Ixia, Mother said that she could find my grandmother's old Acardian crash site?"asked Lt Nova as she tries to get this crew back to business. "Can we start to plan on going there?"
PBH
When Nova asked if he had a guardian, Ixiah looked up at the ceiling and swished his right footpaw around for a few moments before answering, "well... all royal... um..."
Loki smiled mischievously, "what Ixiah wants to say is all kits of royalty are paired with a guardian. They are very sophisticated cubsitters."
Ix turned an odd shade of purple as he spun to face Loki, "I am not a kit! I'm not..."
Mother patted the blue fox on the back, "there there, Loki was just pushing your buttons. Don't let him do that to you."
Ixiah sighed and continued, "but because of the masters, I also had a controller... because I am Olin as well."
Nova asked about what they really ate and that ice cream was a treat, Loki and Ixiah both stared straight at Nova, "we eat souls..."
Both of them laughed sinisterly, "we are only kidding... we really don't need to eat per se. However, treats are still good in a physical form."
Mother nodded when asked about planning a trip to Nova's grandmother's crash site, "we can definitely go there, but it is up to your commanders what and where you can go Nova."
Aaron chuckled to himself, the two little foxes acting just like brothers, and another chuckle when Nova brought up babysitting. Aaron decided to keep his quip about babysitting the lieutenant to himself.
"As amusing as this discourse is, I can't help but wonder where your royal caretaker is Ix. On that subject,"
Aaron looks at mother,
"Where did you come from anyways? I would have thought that I would have heard about another prisoner on the ship."
Aaron was getting sort of amused by the prospect in his own special way. Maybe he should leave the military, take the motley crew that seemed to be assembling around him, and start his own crack commando team? Never mind that it would never actually work.
Oh Loki, Just because you are a lord of chaos, don't think, I wouldn't figure you out from your slips. thinks Nova with a sigh.
"Okay, then Capt Summer said he would like to secure that another ship that my grandma found some 18 years ago." says Nova as she turns to the control console. On the alien control panel, She bring up for the star chart of the known space of the 27th sector on the front viewer.....Fleet's position was on the far right with only Fleet positions showing up. Concentrating on the console, the catgirl doesn't hear Aaron's marks to Mother.
Tapping on a battlestation in map, she continues...
"Grandma's expedition returned to Deepstar Station #27. Her ship was nearly a wreck itself from a pirate raider attack. The nav computer was damaged with the starcharts gone and the drive was lucky to make it to the station. Grandma said she didn't know where crash is. The military and the university were after her and her crew for years for any information or clues to try and find this ship, again. A few ships went out and search, but all they found were pirates and dust.
On the ship itself, the expedition's engineer and crew didn't think the ancient ship could be repaired nor that it could be moved without it collapsing and turning to dust, Yet, main computer core was intact. This is what Capt Summers seems to want. If we do go, we will likely run into pirates. So, who or what do you think we may need, Romulus?" Lt Nova finishes with a question and a look to Romulus.
:mowtongue
PBH
Romulus looked at Lt Nova and thought hard for a bit.
"Well sounds like we may want some starfighters in case we're attacked while in space. Maybe a bording party so we can take out any larger ships that may attack. Definetly need a squad for when we're dirt side. If I could get my guys from that damn warrant officer that showed up out of no where"
Romulus thought a bit more.
"The least we'll need is a ground force incase we come across any issues when dirt side. I don't know the offensive or defensive of Mother so I would think a few starfighters or mechs might be a good idea"
Romulus then looked to Mother.
"We may face some heavy problems pirate attacks out there. Think you could deal with them?"
Ixiah flashes a rather nervous grin when Major Brown remarks about where his caretaker is, "well... she became rather... damaged when I fought the General and the rest of the forces. She was saved and now... is... with the General."
Mother frowned, barely noticeable, but it was briefly there. Mother slowly turned to face Aaron, "where did I come from? Another prisoner? I am no prisoner, young fox. You see, I am the ship."
As she spoke, the entire ship's systems came online and the rhythmic hum of the core was audible in the background. She placed her hands on the grey fox, "let me show you where I am from." Both glowed white before disappearing without a trace. Mother appeared to have missed Romulus's question.
Another female vixen, nearly identical, except for the fact that she was dressed as an ISF military officer, strode into the room from the hall that everyone else had also entered from.
"well now, this ship is certainly not a carrier Mr. Darkcloud. However, we have studied your databases and you have a model of dropship called the Leopard CV which can carry a squadron of ASFs. The cargo areas of Mother can be configured to carry about 4 fighters at most. As for whether Mother can handle pirates, we are capable of outfighting most cruisers you are familiar with."
Romulus shrugged when the other vixen spoke.
"Well then I say we go fo it"
(OOC)rewind A few seconds before(OOC)
Lt Nova was looking and listening to Romulus as he explain his needs of a squadron, his head turned towards her as he talked. The ship hummed as Mother and Major Brown began to glow and then they faded from her sight.
***
A shocked wideyed catgirl watches as Romulus turns to Mother, to find Mother and Major had left the room and then a ISF vixen who walks into the control room and answers his question.
"As much as, I wish Major Brown to be elsewhere, Mother. I will like to know, if he is returning to our poor existence sooner or Later? " asks worried Nova, who stands up looking over the whole room. After a moment, she stops turning and looks directly at the ISF vixen officer. "Mother"
PBH
The vixen garbed as an ISF officer regarded Nova with an amused expression, "oh no, I am not Mother, I am Alexis... this ship's security... entity. I am one of Mother's daughters... so to speak. As for Major Brown, he will be back very soon."
"Loki's ship is very different then our standard ones." Ixiah remarked.
Loki himself just shrugged, "Four is better than one."
A short time later, Mother and Aaron do reappear.
Mother nods to Alexis, "pardon our little sidebar, but Aaron here asked a question I could best answer by showing him. I knew such a thing would interest him. To continue with the situation at hand, I suggest you speak with Captain Summers and Colonel Nexx... get their approval and secure what you need in equipment and personnel."
Aaron reappears, with a very surprised look on his face, "Exactly where I last was? And what do you mean one for..."
He is thrust back into the realization of where he was about as quickly as he was thrust back into where he was. A bit slower, but back none the less. He works a bit to regain his composure, before losing it again,
"I just saw the most incredible thing! It was... it was..."
This was about when he realized he really had no way of describing it adequately. All he knew was that he was going to need to find it.
Romulus looked little surprised at Aaron's reappearance.
"You know I didn't even know you where gone. Also looks like you'll need to be talking Major Summers and Colonel Nexx about us getting suplus for our little trip"
Mother and the Major just return and now, that there are four AI onboard, four. Romulus didn't seems to think it weird that Mother and the Major Brown just happen to reappear, like they just walk in the door. Did them just walk in the door?
"OKay, Okay, Capt Summers and Col Nexus need only be call. And the supplies can be loaded, the extra equipment/fighter maybe a little bit of problem. And any addition personnel..will have been cleared by you, Major." said Lt Nova. "But me, I just need my buffalbag from my stateroom. And a little tea and bed right now. I'm I'm not unsure of what to think right now. I need some alone...time to sort this out."
The cat-girl just sit back down in the nav station seat again. Looking into her hands, Nova trys to get the physics of the impossibility of a matter transmitter out of her head.
God and Goddess, four impossible AIs to run this ship?
PBH
Aaron quickly realized that no one really cared about what he experienced. Unsurprising to an objective viewer, but Aaron was not quite objective at the moment, though he was always a patient one. He just need a workable plan.
"Okay, what exactly are we doing again that requires permission and stuff and work on my part?"
Aaron had the situation explained to him.
"Mmm... alright then. Just get me a list and I'll see about it."
He also wanted to talk with someone. Either the Colonel or the Captain.
"Oh Right Like you didn't know that the Captain wants to secure this ship and the infamous "Hunnydew's Golden Alien Starship", which the ISF military and fortune hunters like has been searching for but never found for almost twenty years. If not for my Grandmother's later research, and a few other artifacts from other sites that benefited from her research, We, Hunnydews, would be laugh at in every University, science hall and research lab this side of the Unicorn Nebulae." Shouts Lt Nova to the Major.
"I was just giving a briefing on its possible location in the heart of Pirate territory, if you can remember anything beyond Mother's Mother's ....eye color before you left to where only Mother Knows where." Finishes the Catgirl.."Oh Why are you so a a ah annoying male... that I can't think oh Why, Oh Oh I will need that Tea now." AS she turns and walk off and out the control room.
PBH
Aaron looks out of the control room and says to Lt. Nova,
"You mean the briefing I disappeared for? By the way, Mother's eyes can be quite creepy... maybe I'll tell you about it later."
Aaron looks to Romulus and shrugs.
He had the feeling that she would try and kill him at a future date, especially if even half of what he saw in his disappearance is true.
"oh Oh keep it up, Mr Brown Sir..... Keep acting like my brother, I will insult you better next time" Nova says under her breath.....but a thought makes her stop, and yell back to the grey fox.
"Hey you, Mr Brown.
You've been underground.
You went down the rabbit hole
Answer this little poll
When you take the tarts
From the Queen of Hearts
Will she be mad enough
take all our heads off?"
Nova continues at a quick pace down the hallway, looking for a stateroom or the Galley or both.
Yet, her side starts hurting again and she is exhausted even after her little rest, Nova makes it to the crew lounge by the entrance ramp. She takes the nearest soft chair, [it could fit two of Loki's size], and flop down into it. She then regrets falling into chair, as her side hurts her even more. Beyond the pain in her face, she makes no sound, and then pain subsides. She just sits, waits, and thinking of about four AI's. Four new supercomputers with emotions/personality of a normal anthro with the ability to hack into the fleet network and destroy the entire fleet in milliseconds. if they want to.
But Mother and her daughters wouldn't do that, would they? Nova, you are letting that male's paranoid get to you Would you feel better, if you meet these girls of Mother? the catgirl thinks to herself. What will the Intell people do when they learn about Mother and her girls?
PBH
Loki looked longingly after Nova as left in a huff, he turned his worried gaze to Mother who sighed like one who lived what she was named for.
"Nova is... emotionally unstable, she is so much like you in ways Loki."
Loki did not listen to Mother's musings and instead jumped from his chair at the conn and followed the feline. The green fox managed to catch up with Nova as she sat in the lounge seat. He prentended to saunter up to Nova, but he lost composure and instead clung to her arm like a puppy.
"Nova seems upset. Why are you upset?" Loki did not mock, his tone was concerned.
Meanwhile, Nova waved off Alexis as she prepared to retrieve Loki, "let him be, he seems to like his catgirl, plus it is better if we talk without her and him here."
Ixiah innocently rocked back and forth on his heels, whistling innocently, "now what big secret are we hiding from your charge Mother?"
The vixen regarded the blue fox icily, "Nova's grandmother discovered Matron's crash site."
Ixiah whistled, "I see. That's not very nice to Loki. All those touched by Chaos, Xaoc in the old tongue, were to be sanctioned... so says the One." The blue fox seems to repeat the last bit somewhat mechanically.
Mother waves him off, "enough about that, we need to prepare." Her attention shifts to that of Major Brown, "you had best make your preparations and secure what you need. I do not advise bringing along that... Kanzoria, his presence would be unpleasant."
OOC: It's Colonel Nexx, not Nexus... that is someone else entirely.
Romulus watched Nova leave and looked at Aaron and raised an eyebrow. He waited for Mother to finish talking to Ixiah then spoke to Aaron.
"I can't tell if she likes you or has had issues with guys in the past. Either way that girl needs to get laid"
Romulus looks at Mother.
"So ma'am what are we gonna do now?"
Nova looks at Loki and then looks to the control room....Sighing she turns again to Loki. She motion him to sit in the chair with her.
"Okay, Loki, I can't stay mad at you or with Mr Brown. In spite of the fright from Mother, I am not mad at Mother, either. It is that the guys don't seem understand or maybe the Major can't think about right now. His atoms were digitally scramble and reassemble.
It is one thing to see and hear about you or Mother's powers of moving and change matter with your thoughts alone. It is quite another thing to see it, and realize you yourself are made of matter. That these aliens can just digitize you, and rewrite your file or just delete it. And you have Three more AI onboard, who I have not meet and don't know. How will they re-act to me? And what about our enemies? Don't they have AI's like Mother, but who are not very moral?"
The Catgirl face looks very sad and gloomy, "Loki, I need to promise me, something or safe guard something. Can you promise me, my own freewill? Can you know, if or when my freewill isn't mine? Can you teach me to keep something of myself from anyone? There are worst things than getting deleted"
PBH
Aaron just glares at Romulus for a bit
.
He was snapped back into reality by mother's suggestion.
"Indeed, I'll look into escorts and supplies for the lot of us. And when I get back I want everything about this crash site. Ixiah, that includes what you know. Now come along with me, this shouldn't take long"
Aaron heads out to secure a squad, star fighters, ground solders, what ever he could. Aaron also wanted to look into Richard. Perhaps they were not the same pirates, but having Richard along would be helpful anyways. He also wanted to hurry. Mother was right about Kanzoria, and the less time they hung out with the fleet he less time Kanzoria had to attach himself to the mission.
Romulus looked at Aaron's glare and shrugged.
"Just saying"
He stoud and waiting for Aaron to finish talking.
"I gotta go and get my armor and rifle before we leave. I just hope I don't run into that new Warrant Officer that just showed up. I don't trust her and would rather not tell her what's going on. I have a feeling she may be working for the wrong side"
In the lounge area, Loki sat with Nova, he pondered her questions, "Mother did not digitize Aaron, she performed a full form astral dream walk... it's a type of psychic projection and a dream walk. Mother is a silicon-organic lifeform that is engineered and shaped... by our technology... into a form like we are inside of now."
The green fox hesitated before continuing, more out of uncertainity then anything else, "the enemy, the masters, do not use AI controlled ships like my people do. They are much more advanced then my people's technology, but they are not as strong psychics. They have a song... a harmonic frequency that gives them tremendous influence over a beings mind. As strong psychics, my people overcame the song the first time, fought them back and sealed the dimensional gate. One of the aliens remained in this universe, and subtly worked its way into the top eschelons of my people's leadership. Now the gate is opened, and the enemy once again plays its song across our galaxy. I do not know much about them, ask Ixiah."
Nova's sad and gloomy mood affected Loki, his emotional state reflected hers, "you have freewill in as much as I can grant it to you. If we encounter the enemy and we cannot escape or defeat them, then I cannot guarantee you this. Since you are... mine... so to speak, I will know if you are acting under someone else's control. I can also teach you to psychically shield something and lock it away in your deepest subconscious. But you will have to cheer up first..."
Mother gave Aaron a look that could freeze blood, "you may wish to preface that request with a please Aaron. I will inform you of what I know about this crash site at my leisure. If Loki decides that you should have command authority here then we will discuss that further. Until then, you are a guest, please act like a well mannered one if you please."
Aaron headed out of the control area with Ixiah in tow. He walked down the hall and into the lounge area. Aaron managed to catch Loki say, "But you will have to cheer up first..."
Aaron had a tall agenda he wished to look into, the question was what would he do first?
Meanwhile, Alexis eyed Romulus, "shouldn't you be off to your men? Don't worry so much about your platoon officer, your Major Brown outranks her so you should have him deal with her or Colonel Nexx."
Nova was listening and thinking about all Loki said.. On the words "teaching psychic shielding", she is so over joyed that she hugs Loki and jumps up with his face buried in her chest. That Loki's word " but you have to cheer up first.." is barley hear at all.
Upon seeing the Major and Ixiah, the catgirl stops dancing and hugging Loki, so suddenly, that he falls into the chair they were just in. Looking at the Major, Lt Nova salutes and apologizes " I am sorry Major, sir, I didn't mean to call you those things. Please, forgive my remarks, I was afraid by what happen to you in the control room. If you need a report on what we know of the crash site. I will research what we have on file and give it to you. Mother and myself will have to work out the coordinates."
She then remembers Loki and goes down to Loki to see if he is Ok.
"I am sorry Mother, I did not mean any disrespect. My intention was not to demand."
Aaron will have to choose his wording more carefully! The look was also a good motivator.
Aaron then passes by Nova on his way out, who seems very apologetic.
"It is good to see you in a better mood now. A file on the crash site would be very nice, thank you Lt. Nova. Be sure to secure anything else you will need. I'm off to see about the other things we will need."
Aaron sent a message off to Captain Summers asking for a fighter escort, being more careful to wordmence his request, while maintaing the urgency of swiftness. After sending the message he goes to pickup Richard, hoping that he will get a reply before he is done. He wants to be sure to escort and introduce Richard, so that no one thinks he is anywhere he should not be.
Romulus nods to Alexis after she finished speaking.
"Good idea, might aswell go see how she is treating my boys"
Romulus started to leave then turned back to Mother and Alexis.
"See you two later"
The collapse back into the chair had deposited Loki at the edge of the seat roughly. He had kept quiet while Nova spoke to Aaron, but after the major and Ixiah had left he piped up, "too much cheer... a little less please." The small fox held the area of his injured midsection and frowned at Nova.
Loki slid off the chair and onto his feet, he rubbed his injured shoulder and swung his arm about to make sure it still worked.
"Let's go get what you might need Nova, before Mother decides we need more 'naptime'."
Meanwhile, Aaron's message was sent, but it might be a little while before the Captain could respond. The fox moved through the ship, making his way to the holding area. He arrived at the brig and the duty person nodded to him and gave a brief salute.
"What can I do for you Major?"
Alexis waved and smiled, "bye bye Romy."
Romulus headed back to his ready area, when he arrived, Ben was there, but luckily it did not seem that Warrant Officer Stewart was present.
"What's up Rom? Stewart's out for the night at the Officer's club I think. She said something about having special plans for us come morning."
Nova kneels in front of the Loki with love, worry, and embarrassment on her face.
"Oh Sorry, Loki...I'm ah I can carry you if you hurt... " says Nova but she feels the same pain in her side as she hug the little fox. "Ow ah Well, maybe we can just walk slowly, then."
The catgirl holds Loki's hand as they walk across the hanger and torbolift to the junior office stateroom deck, and Nova's own room. It was clean, bare and un-lived in, and her small bag of personal things unopened on the made bed.
"Gosh, I never slept here, even." says Nova as she shoulders her bag. She looks in the small closet for her uniforms... "mmmm, Do I need many of these?, Loki" she asks. Loki can see 4-5 working uniforms, and two dress uniforms.
PBH
Holding Area
"Yes, I'm here to see about an arctic wolf named Richard. He was here after the last kerfluffal on the planet and I would like to retrieve him."
Romulus looked at Ben then around at the others.
"Went for a walk. I don't trust that Stewart one bit"
Romulus walks over to his gear and begins to pack his armor and rifle. He spoke to Ben as he pack.
"So Ben when where you gonna tell me about the Stewart? She said you knew about her"
Phalanx - Nova's quarters
Loki did not have much input into Nova's selection of attire, but he did have an interest in a small charm that had tumbled from her bag. The item was an old, forgotten locket given to her by her Great Grandmother.
He examined the purplish crystal, "these are gravitic crystals. High density, compressed carbon with manganese inclusions. Crystals like this are normally found in the wreckage of ships with advanced gravitic reactor systems or quantum singularity drives."
Holding area
The lizard flicked his tongue for a brief second while he seemed to consider something. He checked his computer and typed a few words out and nodded. "yes, I see here that you had filed a release request a bit earlier."
The lizard motioned for Aaron to follow as he entered the secure area for the holding area. Aaron was lead to the first cell in the block. Opening the door, Aaron found a familiar arctic wolf snoozing on the provided bed. The sight was quite comical with Richard sprawled out over the bed, nearly hanging half off it with his t-shirt bunched completely up around his chest. It appeared to be trying to escape over his head.
The lizard cleared his throat, which generated no reponse from the slumbering wolf.
Special Forces Area
"I'm not exactly sure why she would say that." Ben stated, "I don't know her personally. Anyways, do you need my team to come with you or shall we sit this one out?"
Special Forces Area
Romulus looked up at Ben while he was packing and shook his head. He then took a deep sigh.
"Tell everyone to get packing. We'll be getting the order soon anyway. I want you guys to be packed and meet me in the hanger bay in 10 minutes. I hope everyone will be gone before that Stewart comes back. I don't like someone just showing up and giveing everyone orders. She gives me a weird feeling"
Holding Area
"Ahem, hello Richard."
Once Richard responds Aaron continues.
"It's time to head out."
Special Forces Area
Ben nods and gives a sharp whistle to grab everyone's attention, "alright listen up lads! I want everyone suited up and packed in twenty minutes. When you are ready, fall-in in front of Darkcloud. Double-time now!"
The two groups were definitely confused, but responded quickly to orders. Ben himself went to gather his own gear and was still first out and ready to go by the time the rest of the squads began assembling.
Ben winked to Romulus and grinned, "I had a feeling we would be going somewheres, so I was already packed."
Holding Area
Aaron's voice stirred something within Richard, enough that he yawned wide and stretched from his hands all the way down to his toes. He then lazily laid there for a moment, scratching the fur on his belly and gazing around in a slight haze. It took a moment for him to notice that he had company and he immediately stood up and straightened his t-shirt.
"Oh, major. I did not expect to see you again for some time. I expected to spend a little time in the hoosegow before being tried and sent into slave labor or somesuch. It is good to see that my bondservice will begin. So when do I receive my bondcord?"
Richard looked a lot different cleaned up and groomed. It is now evident that Richard is a white wolf with grey accents. He has pale blue eyes, steel grey headfur and black pads. The fact that he stood before Aaron in nothing more then shorts and a t-shirt also made it feel as if Aaron had just burst into his old college dorm. Richard was rather small for a wolf.
Aaron seemed to be more interested in business and responded merely with, "It's time to head out."
Richard nodded and padded after the major. The wolf gave a slight start as a blue fox fell in next to him, Ixiah smiled back at him.
Richard scratched his chin, "I am sure you are aware of this, but you are blue."
"Indeed, and you are white. Isn't the floor cold?" Ixiah asked.
Richard looked down and wiggled a clawed tow, "eh? No, I am arctic wolf, we can stride bare pawed across ice without a problem."
"ICE-E..." Ixiah replied.
"Icee? Oh I see, I see... that was very bad blue fox." Richard said shaking his head.
"I know, I am called Ixiah."
Richard nodded, "Richard Kashin."
Holding area
"Good that you two have introduced yourselves."
Aaron could not help but grin at Ixiah's joke.
"You must forgive me, I'm rather new at the bond service business. All I know is that in the immediate term I need to get you some decent cloths and this bond cord business. I'm sure I can deal with the cloths through the Supply Officer, but I'll need to find out more about the cord. Still, we need to prepare for departure, preferably expediently."
Aaron leads his motley crew, a different sort of motley then before, out in search of Supply Officers, and anyone who could help out with bond cords.
Ship's halls in direction of Supply
Richard shrugged, a rather common gesture with him it would seem, "normally the bondcord is a woven cord with the color and highlights signifying the clan and unit that had captured me. As I perform things worthy, you cut a strand of the cord, when all are cut you will release me of my bondservice... I may leave or stay if I wish to."
Ixiah giggled, "such a silly thing, but it is very powerful for psychological influence. It works similar to what has been called 'Stockholm Syndrome' by the other dimensional humans. A sense of familiarity and belonging eventually is drawn out of the prisoner and slowly he accepts the new life he is being indoctrinated into."
Richard growled a little, but backed down as Ixiah felt and appeared very much to be a young one, "you make it sound so cheap young Ixiah."
Ship's halls in direction of Supply
"Now now Ixiah, please do not tease Richard. And try not to refer to syndromes from alternate dimensions. We have enough in ours."
Aaron figured he would let Ixiah say what he wished regarding the young Ixiah comment. As they walked Aaron made out a list of stuff he would need. Some cloths for Richard, Ixiah was nice in that he could create his own. A bond cord, maybe the supplier would have that, but if worse came to worse Aaron would just make one himself. Some basic survival stuff. Food... now there was the problem. He was under the impression that Loki's ship had some sort of provisioning device, but would rather not have to rely on that. So he had to get provisions for himself, Richard, Lt. Nova, and Romulus and his men. On short notice. That part was gonna be fun.
He wondered to himself, how much would he get if he just asked, 'how much do you have?'
(OOC Wow Azlan is Suddenly posting more than once a week!! :mowcookie)
NOVA's Stateroom.
Nova stuffs a dress uniform, two regular uniforms and two coveralls into her clothing bag and laying that down on the bed beside her carry on. She turns and looks down at the locket Loki has. "Gee, Mother should not have pack that old thing with me. Nana, Give one of these to anyone on her expediction, even my mother has one, but I was only six, so I never got one. Nana gave me something else. But these crystals are rare, the higher quality ones have been use by ship captains to promise payment on a debt of ship repairs on world that are other homeplanets in the past. Why would Mother give me this, now?" says a frowning Nova as she takes the locket from Loki.
Nova remembers Her last night home, as packed for her transfer.
"Mother, why are you not upset about this? They are sending me to the Fleet?"
"Well, You sign up to the ISF, what did you except? That you wouldn't go to the front? What you would be in research your whole career? If I was you, I wouldn't be surprise that they are sending me to the front after breaking into the Admin's computer account." said her mother with a little disgust
"That was not it, I was following someone else in the same account....." started Nova
Her mother interupted with her eyes rolling up. "But the IT police find you and not them, yes I heard you before and there is no trace of anyone else, they say. Little Star, you should be looking forward to this, you going towards those beloved aliens of yours."
"Sigh Yea I know but I hate leaving unfinished business, here."sighed the Nova as she look at out the window to spaceport.
"Your Father and I are proud of you, dear, and we know you'll do the right thing, wherever you go. And your Nana would be envious."said Mother and then left her alone in her room.
"Oh Goddess, what next?" asked the catgirl to the nightsky. she left her bags and spend the last few hours with her family.
PBH
Special Forces Area
Romulus started to walk to the door to wait for the others. He looked over his shoulder and gave Ben an funny look. He then shook his head.
"This is gonna be an interesting trip. Make sure you have all your gear. We won't be coming back to this ship for sometime"
Romulus walked to the door and kept an eye out for the Stewart.
"Let's go people faster"
Supply Department
Ixiah waved his fist as his tail puffed up and stood straight out, "I am not a kid! I am older than you can imagine."
Richard shrugged, "age in years does not matter when age in here..." the wolf pointed to his forehead, "and age here..." Richard pointed to his chest, the area over his heart, "is not old as well."
"I... um... grrrr, stupid logic." Ixiah muttered.
Meanwhile, Aaron and motley group had made it to the logistics area. An office front desk was present with a number of various persons moving about and processing paperwork and data. A slightly tan colored female elk with dark hair approached the Major, she was a petty officer (enlisted). She eyed the wolf who looked like he had just stepped out of bed, because he just did, and the blue fox who looked far to young to be a full-bird colonel (yes, Ixiah copied Nexx's uniform, Aaron has only just noticed that now).
She shook her head and straightened up a bit when she spoke to Aaron, "What can we do for you Major?"
Nova's Quarters
Loki blinked as he watched the scene in Nova's mind, "so you were chasing someone else that hacked into an admin account on your network? They must have been quite good."
The green fox paused, "wait, everyone got a crystal locket except you hmmm? What did your nana give you?"
Special Forces Area
The group was nearly assembled when, not Warrant Officer Stewart rounded the corner in the hall, but a slightly familiar looking coyote.
"Mr. Darkcloud, you look almost like you are planning on going somewhere." He said with a conspiratorial smile.
Aaron was already enjoying the company of Richard.
"Hello, I'm Major Brown and as you may have guessed already, I need a few strange things. First off, some civilian clothing for Richard here, it is a long story that is best not delved into deeply. On a different, yet similar note, I need provisions for an extended outing, research and exploration with..."
Aaron counts in his head briefly, himself, Richard, Lt. Nova, Romulus, Romulus' squad wait, how large is his squad? Ah wing it.
"a special forces squad and 3 others."
The rather cute petty officer just sort of looks at him.
"I know this is short notice, and I apologize for that, but this operation is time sensitive, so the more supplies we can get quickly the better our chances are of getting to where we need to go on time."
Special Forces Area
Romulus looked at the coyote with a look more of annoyance than anything. He actually did salute though.
"I'm always planning on going somewhere. I hate being on ships. Spent too much time fighting and moveing on the group"
Nova's Stateroom
Loki's voice pulls Nova out of her memory and her feelings of homesickness, her first since leaving home. as She trying to remembers her last net-surf/hacking session and answer Loki.
"How that old goat of admiral had access to some of the military most secret research into Enemy/master technologies. Is beyond me? He always have the easiest passwords to get around. But I ran into someone sneaking in the research data base, and I followed them into the Admin account, and then lost them when the network guards grabbed me. I had to use the admiral's account to get the office's ball tickets for myself and some friends, earlier, which may have been what save me from jail time. No trace of anyone else was found, and no data was missing or copied. ...."
When Loki asks her about her grandmother's gift to her, Lt Nova stops talking / thinking out loud and then turns to him.
"Well, I was only six, and these purple jewels are worth alot. And I don't like purple, anyway, but I got a neckless, too. It is only quartz, but I love it. " says the Catgirl, and pulls out from her shirt her neckless with the white quartz gem stone, but it was not glowing. She holds it out in her paws to show it to Loki. "I found this gem at the crash site along with many others like it. But this one was special, it is flawless, with no markings like the others. It has a rainbow effect under the surface that you can see under the light. Nana took one of her own lockets and had the engineer made this platinum chain and pendent to hold it for me. It is strange that I lost countless toy rings and earrings, but I have never lost my neckless and I never take it off."
PBH
Supply Department
SK2* Lydia Alvarez nodded as Aaron rattled off his 'list' of necessary items. Without a single hesitation, Alvarez slips the necessary forms right into Aaron's hand, "if you would be so kind sir, please place each request on a separate form. Provisions can be handled as a bulk, we will need the size of the wolf... and please be sure to include your department for proper accounting."
Richard nods in appreciation, "masterful work slipping those forms into your hand while you were talking and gesturing."
Special Forces Area
The major nodded, "Of course, one must always be ready to leave, especially one with your history. However, it would appear you are packing for action now. Both squads are ready to go and you are unaware where your officer might be. If you tally too long, she will be back."
Indeed he spoke the truth, both squads stood by patiently waiting for Romulus.
"So why don't we head to where you are going, I just happen to be going in the same direction."
Nova's Quarters
Loki's eyes sparkled as he examined the 'quartz' locket of Nova's. It seemed somewhat familiar to him. With the lightest of touches, the small fox felt the stone's chill.
Something inside stirred and he stepped a foot back, "something is alive in there... w... here did you find that? It almost looks like and ancient data crystal."
Supply Department
Aaron was taken a bit when the forums slipped into his hands. He gets the feeling that he will get along with these people well. He go through and finds one for Richard's cloths, "Here, fill in your size."
Aaron then went about filling out forms,
Requester: Major Aaron Brown
Item: Provisions
Department: R&D
Purpose: Extended research outing (though Aaron desperately wanted to write something like 'for eating' or 'to be kept around and admired in the good times, and mocked in the bad times.' though he gets the feeling that the people here would not be quite as amenable to being messed with as the people at the labs.)
All the forms were filled out in a similar fashion.
After Richard fills out the form and hands it back to Aaron he signs off on it and hands all the paperwork back.
Special Forces Area
Romulus nodded to the major. Then looked at the men.
"Alright men fall in"
Romulus then looked to the major.
"We are gonna be rushing. Gotta keep my men prepared"
Romulus started running towards the hanger bay with his men. As he ran Romulus could only think one thing. 'Mom if you have some type of cloaking device now would be the time to us it'
Loki's re-action to touching her crystal puts fear in Nova. She takes back her necklace quickly and covering it within closed her hand.
"Loki, What, This is important, is It? A memory crystal? I don't know where I found.... Oh Okay, I Love puzzles. When I was six, I found the greatest puzzle, I have ever found at the crash site. There are hundreds of these crystal things. I used to play with them. All of they had some marks or flaws in them, expect this one, like I said before. I put them in stacks just right, so they would glow like that crystal structure formation, I found one day. Well, things started to happen as I put my pieces into this crystal column thing, the memory core, I would learn later. I thought if I could only find where this one went, that I could help my fairy friend Lord Xaoc and lady Gaea with their friend Matron." Says the catgirl.... After awhile, she stops guarding her locket and starts playing with her necklace around her neck with her fingers on the crystal.
"You know this is the first time, since I was seven, I have remembered Matron's name, and much less what she looks like." Loki see the crystal glows little, every time, Nova says Matron's name. "I had more fun with my fairy fox friends, which may explain why I like you, so much."
PBH
Supply Department
Alvarez flipped through the forms and gave Richard an upraised eyebrow, "purpose, for wearing."
Richard shrugged, "that is what they are for yes?"
She just smirked and finished examining the forms, "the delivery destination is main shuttle hanger, area 1? Normally we designate a shuttle or other craft for delivery."
Alvarez noted the Major's hesitant and reserved reaction, "alright sir, I understand, hush-hush and all that. We will have the delivery made."
The clothes requisition form was handed off to a lower ranking storekeeper, who located a duffel of assorted general clothes and basic toiletries. He handed those off to Richard who immediately opened it to examine its contents. Extracting a jumpsuit, he dexterously slipped into it right in the hallway. Satisfied with the fit, he then deposited his left foot on the counter top, "perhaps some type of foot coverings may be needed?"
The other petty officer had already secured the item before Richard had time to blink. For good measure, Alvarez produced the requisite storekeeper feather and lightly applied it to the wolf's foot pad.
Richard twitched and collapsed to the ground in what resembled a violent seizure, just with more laughter. Before he could recover, an appropriate sized pair of boots was dropped into his lap.
"super tough against the cold, but vulnerable to tickling." stated Ixiah, mimicking Richard's shrug.
"quiet fox, sensitive foot pads are necessary when navigating ice." Richard growled.
Ixiah nodded, "uh huh."
***Aaron's message device displayed a new message pop up.
Request has been granted. I will be detailing the Special Forces team you have already worked with to your team as well as the fighters that assisted with your base assault.
I will expect regular reports and anything you find must be carefully handled. Please use the utmost discretion with any first encounter situations.
Avoid undue conflict with any pirate forces unless absolutely unavoidable. You are in command of the operation and Romulus will be your combat liaison. In any and all small unit engagements, hostile away situations, or the like, he will have superceding authority over all other personnel except yourself, but you would do well to to take his advise.
Special Forces Area
Major Kanzoria grinned and kept pace easily with Romulus's and Ben's units. If Mother was psychic, she was not listening for Romulus's mental projections and hence was not cloaked. That and she was expecting a food delivery for the teams she was going to be embarking.
Kanzoria stopped a distance away and scratched at his chin, he felt rather chilled for some reason.
"So this is what I had noticed earlier. It also does not appear to like me." he said matter-of-factly.
***Romulus is CC'd on the message above.
Revelation - Captain's quarters
Captain Summers looked over the request submitted by Major Brown. Such an operation would be outrageous and far too risky normally, and would have been flatly denied if Nova had submitted it. However, necessity and the nature of the enemy made such leads, even if slim, imperative that they be followed up.
Morgan placed a call to the current CO of the Crusading Scales.
Crusading Scales - staging area
The comm at Nazareth's desk in the squadron's office area began blinking red, signifying an important call.
Nova's quarters
"Xaos and Gaea... and Matron. They are considered great criminals by my people. They were said to be cruel, evil beings who sought to gain control of all our race through the Masters. I don't know what to think about this... I should 'cleanse' you for being touched by them, as I have been ordered by our leaders. I don't want to end your life though... but... our people are being influenced by the masters, perhaps it is a ploy."
Loki sat on the bed, rocking back and forth, troubled by thoughts that conflicted with his feelings, "I don't know... what to do... now my tummy hurts." Loki sniffled and sighed. "yes it is a type of memory crystal, but more likely, Matron allowed you to find either a piece of herself, or a child AI. I say this because I sense life within that crystal."
Zeta-Group Staging Area
The red light blinked and a tone sounded on Nazareth's desk, indicating a priority call. After giving himself a good workout in the Weight Room, the repairs for the Group's Sabers were near completion. Nazareth had called the Zetas together for the scheduled flight control override training, in lieu of the fiasco in the pirate base strike run. After that the group returned to their staging area to wrap things up. When Nazareth heard the tone, he hustled over to his desk, checking the comm-panel.
It was a call from the Captain.
Sucking in a surprised breath, Nazareth flipped the comm switch. "Zeta-Group Commander Nazareth Duke reporting, sir."
Hanger area
Romulus looked at the major after he spoke.
"That makes two of us"
Romulus stopped and though for a second then looked at the major.
"You're one of those creatures we're going to fight against aren't you"
Supply Department
Aaron was entirely too amused by the spectacle. The whole encounter taught Aaron several things,
1. He under estimated the supplies crew.
2. The supplies department keeps feathers on hand. Why they do this is unknown to Aaron. Yet, it is comforting to know.
3. Richard has an impressive laugh.
4. Richard is infecting Ixiah.
Aaron was glad that he did not have to explain that the supplies would be put aboard a strange alien ship. Going out that way. Looking for a lost ship.
After Aaron flipped through the message he just got he could not help but ponder the meaning of discretion in regards to first encounters. He knows what the Captain meant, but throw in the fact that the two squads that helped in his impromptu base assault were with him... he could not help but feel that a first encounter would would quickly become indistinguishable from carpet bombing.
***Aaron sent a reply to the Captain,
Understood. Shall send weekly status reports. More if something interesting arises.
***
Aaron turns to Alvarez, "Thank you, the supplies shall be put to good use."
He then turns to head back to the hanger bay, sending the Lieutenant a message
***
Leaving soon, meet in the shuttle bay.
***
Aaron was starting to feel better about the Lieutenant's ability to not get herself killed, and subsequently him thrown out of an air lock. So far the things are going well!
"Things are starting to look up! Our ridiculous mission was approved, we have heavily armed escorts and supplies. I'm having a hard time seeing how things can go wrong at this point!"
Zeta-Group Staging Area
"Ah Duke, good. We are mounting a rather unorthodox mission to relatively uncharted space and I am going to need your squadron to assist. I assume your fighter training and experience has at some point incorporated Leopard or Panther CVs*. The alien vessel known simply as Mother, is capable of hot racking four fighters for combat support. Mother herself is barely larger then a heavy assault dropship."
Morgan paused briefly before continuing, "please report to the Phalanx's main shuttle hanger, area 1 with your team. You will be under the command of Major Aaron Brown. Confer with the Major and Mother with the securing and loading of your fighters and the methods of launch and recovery. I have been assured that sufficient accommodation can be made for your class of fighter. That is all Duke, good luck. Summers out."
*Carrier Vehicle. This is a assault vessel within the same classification as mecha dropships and is considered a Medium vessel. It is a support vessel for mecha operations, providing fighter and/or bomber support. It is a very compact vessel with launch areas barely larger then the fighter they contain and fighters are strictly VTOL, no catapult or arresting systems are available.
Hanger area
Kanzoria was taken aback by Romulus's blunt question and for the second time in his life he was surprised. After a few moments of shock he began to laugh, not one of menace or malice, but simple hilarity.
"Oh whatever would make you say that? No, no, I am not one of the enemy, I am not sure whether to be flattered or offended, but for your sake I think I will be flattered."
The major would have continued, but a higher pitched voice piped up from behind them, "oh no, he is not one of the masters, though he might be as hateful as they seem. No, his mother was Selene... and she was one of my..."
Kanzoria spun on his heels and his glare alone silenced Ixiah, "do not mention her name, she is not my mother, not at all."
Major Brown and Richard, the arctic wolf and once time pirate, entered the area as well. Richard looked at everyone assembled and shrugged, "you have interesting friends and aquaintences. I used to pray to the gods and goddesses to please never afflict me with interesting people. Somewhere they laugh at my misfortune."
Hanger area
Aaron nods sagely. He also knew exactly why he brought Richard along. These past 15 minutes were more the enough justification.
"Perhaps I was simply brought into this universe to to afflict you Richard. That would explain great swaths of my life up to, and including, now. This must be what it feels like having a destiny."
Nova looks at her crystal for a moment, and thinking about her childhood friends. Xaos and Gaea... and Matron. What have you done to me? Anything? wonders the girl cat. She remembers their kindness and whimsy things they did with an alien six year ago cat. They never forced anything on her, gave her advice even when she didn't want it or weren't angry with her. She also remembered the great sadness then talked about their family and people. At what might be happening to them, because of their curiosity and foolishness.
Nova heels and sits on the floor to looking up at Loki.
"If you want or if you can,.... Loki, you said that you can tell if I was acting of my own Freewill. Well, this is time to see if that is so. Can you put up your defense and probe me? or Are you afraid of me or what trap may lie within me? Please try me." says Nova with one hand on his knee with a little tears in her eyes.
Nova was putting her trust in the little fox, even though he kill her with a thought, if he was angry or scare enough. She did not want his fear, but she still held trust to her childhood friend, too.
PBH
Hanger area
Romulus raised an eye at how bad Kanzoria reacted to Ixiah speaking.
"So you're half being half his race *gestures to Ixiah*. Or are you one of his race but don't want to admit it?"
Zeta-Group Staging Area
As the comm went dead, Nazareth blinked. Then again. And again. Then his mind started racing. I knew this fleet was transporting a few alien ambassadors, but an actual alien ship? Then rumors floating around the flight bays were true, then. Nazareth then suddenly became animated, rushing to the room the rest of the Crusading Scales were in. It might have been his squad that was called in for this mission, but if it involed the alien ship, it had to be huge.
"Zeta-Group! Front and center, double-time!" Nazareth boomed to his bewildered squad, who were wrapping things up in the area. However, the immediately dropped what they were doing and formed in a line.
"Um, are the Sscales going on another Crusade already, Naz?" Satch questioned quizzically, his tongue flicking in and out in surprise.
Nazareth glared at him. "We are still on-duty, Zeta-Five. Maintain formal address." Nazareth looked over the rest of the group. "We have a new assignment, directly from the Captain himself."
While Burns' brow only furrowed, the other Zetas displayed a few expressions of shock, though they said nothing. "We will be under command of the leader of the ground squad that we covered in out last sortie. We will also be flying with a ship of alien origin."
Eyebrows were raised at the coincidence of being with the same infantry team the covered last time they flew, but at mention of the alien ship, there was more shock and awe. And several dropped jaws.
"You mean, the rumors we-" Norton started.
"Yes, the rumors we heard were true. It seems that the Phalanx is packing some foriegn hardware. I don't know what our mission is, but right now, we are to report to the main shuttle hanger, Bay One pronto!" There was a pause. "Move it, Scales!"
The squad instantly sprung into action, jogging out into the corridor. With Nazareth at the lead and making a call on his wristcomm to begin trasferring their fighters, plus fuel, ammunition, and equipment, they headed to Main Hangar Bay One.
Hanger area
The coyote dipped his head down a bit, his head fur was sufficient to cast a shadow over his eyes, hiding anything that might be revealed there. After a moment, he took a deep breath and smiled, "perhaps I am, perhaps I'm not. Selene ran away the first chance she got, she was our monitor, like Ixiah and Rheya. That is partially how we knew to look for them. That isn't really important, if I am like Ixiah, that would up the ante don't you think?"
Kanzoria smiled, a somewhat sinister expression.
Ixiah made a slight whine and frowned a bit, he missed Selene.
Richard sighed, "destiny is overrated, it always ends badly for the one 'blessed' with such auspicious circumstances. Perhaps you might shoot me and I'll go join your girlfriend in the infirmary, destiny might leave me be if I am in bed."
At this moment, the Scales arrive on scene. May you live in interesting times.
Nova's quarters
"I have been in your mind Nova, but many things could be there. I did not go galavanting around, but I did enter without permission a few times... nothing happened. Alright I shall look..."
Loki reached out as he had done a few times before. The fox found himself in a hall of doors once again. This time he passed them by, walking down the hall, traveling paths not used in many years. Her mindscape made the area dimly lit and cobwebby. A strong sense came from a dark door near the end of the hall. He approached it and passed through it.
Loki found himself in the deck area of Matron. It was dull and details were washed out, signifying an old memory indeed. A cute little kitten danced about with her imaginary friends, playing and generally having fun. However, subtly, it appeared that the games had structure and purpose. The ghostly foxes used language, taught her to arrange puzzles that were complex mathematical models, and many other things.
A cerulean vixen watched Xaos and Ghea play with a young Nova, it then turned to regard Loki, "what do you hope to find here young prince?"
Loki paled, "ummmmm..."
Hanger area
"Once again Richard, you are full of wisdom. However, I regret to inform you that destiny seems to have a way to decide that it shall take up residence in your bed if you choose not to leave it. Destiny seems to be a mater of when and where you are, rather then who you are. Even if you are in a super position of being Arcadian slash half Arcadian slash not at all Arcadian. Though that part must not help in the least."
Aaron spent a moment looking over his past, growing up, then going to school, then a lot of university. A whole lot of university. He could have been Dr. Brown, except he had a military rank of Major instead. Speaking of which, then he joined the military, doing research and development. Well, mostly research. Others did the development part. For some reason, people liked him and kept putting him in charge of things. Maybe they hated him and that was why? Either way, this was when Aaron's nasty tendency to say 'yes' bites him. Now he is off on another research expedition, with an honest to god alien, his ship, another alien, the admiral's daughter (Where is she anyways? Typical.), a reasonably ordinary team of special forces and fighter pilots, and possibly an entirely unusual intelligence officer, if he is unlucky. Hopefully this does not shape up like that one expedition he was part of where...
That was when it clicked. The others around him could almost hear it clicking too. It was a mighty click.
"Wait Richard, what do you mean, 'my girlfriend?' I get the feeling we will need to have a long discussion about many things."
Hanger area
Romulus looked directly at Kanzoria during his little look.
"If you are indeed, it makes no sense that you hate them. Or you just wish to rule over them. Either way it would explain why you came on this little space outting"
Romulus then looked at Ben and their squads.
"Alright men take a rest for a bit"
In windmills of my mind.
"Oh A prince, Where? Marton" asks the kitten as she looks up at Loki. "Have you come to play with us? Prince Loki. Please"
"Yes, Marton, Can Loki play with us?" asks the adult Nova from behind Loki. The kitten had return to playing as Nova's memory. As the adult cat look at Marton, "So, the sleeper has awaken.... Don't be mad Marton, I asked him in here... Although, he has come uninvited before, he seems a good one to trust, if he is a bit rash, and reckless at time."
"So, Is it you in this crystal? And what are you doing here, by the way.?" asks Nova...
The scene changes to the last hour before the Hunnydew's ship take-off. Nova becomes her kitten self again.
The kitten was surrounded by the adults busy rushing to packing up the equipment and artifacts from the crash site. She ran into the old control room to see her fairy friends one last time.
"Xaos, Gaea... Matron, we are leaving, Oh why can't you come with me?" cried little Nova.
"Now Kit, we have been over this... We can't leave Matron. Here, remember you have your crystal. It will help you to remember us. Matron made her just for you." said Lady Gaea.
"Her?" asks the kitten
"Yes, you will see? Her name is Mara, and she will help you against the bugs and their workers?" said Matron. She was looking better than when Nova first saw her.
"Be brave little star, you have made us proud already" say Lord Xaos.
"Nova! Where are you?" yells Nana from far away.
Lady Gaea hugged the little girl and said "Yes, Nova, we love you, and be safe"
"Nova!" Nana's yell came closer
Nova hugged her friends tearfully goodbye, and then she ran to her Nana with her crystal held tight in her hand.
The memory ended... With Loki, the adult Nova, and a new fox-cat half kitten of about eight years in a bright white empty room. The little cub has the ears of a cat but the nose of a fox with black ears, hands and paws, but bright blue coat and orange hair.
"hehe, Hello big sister! Hello Prince Loki ! Will you marry me?" Said the Fox-kitten.
"Mara?" says Nova in shock.
PBH
Hanger Area
After speaking with the security officer in charge of the hanger that was closed off except to authorized personnel and transfers (as it apparently housed the alien ship), Zeta-Group was determined to have the requisite authorization, courtesy a memo from Captain Summers. The Crusading Scales strode into the hanger bay, and were greeted by the sight of the visually-imposing Mother.
The alien craft was every bit as strange as they expected, though this didn't stop any of them from expressing some amazement (Burns and Nazareth included) at what they were beholding. It was like something out of the imagination. The mottled green shined under the lights of the hanger bays, accentuating its shape that bore similarities to a fighter. It seemed to be a solid, molded piece of material; no engines nor weapons nor windshields nor hatches were visible. There was a small congregation of people near the ship.
After letting the Zetas spend a moment to appreciate the view, Nazareth then got them walking towards the group. The pilots assembled in front of them. Nazareth identified Aaron, Romulus, and Kanzoria by their tags. There was also another wolf, dressed in civvie clothes and standing next to Aaron. And then there was a vibrant-blue fox, wearing a military uniform as well. His tag read Ixiah, and he also wore a circlet with a purple gem set into it. Nazareth raised an eyebrow, but otherwise assumed that this was probably one of the aliens. He also had a collar around his neck. A critical eye lingered on that detail for a moment, before Nazareth turned to Aaron. Nazareth saluted him, the other Zetas followed suit.
"Major Aaron Brown? Chief Warrant Officer Level Four Nazareth Duke, commander of the Zeta flight group, reporting as per orders from Captain Summers."
Nazareth's deep, booming voice, somewhat familiar to Aaron and Romulus, nevertheless might have the effect of shaking up the group a little. He and all the Zetas kept their salute.
Hanger Area
Aaron was taken for a bit of a surprise. He shouldn't be by this point but he was anyways.
"Ah, very good. Do you have your supplies and all that good stuff already? If so the all we need is one last person. And of course she isn't here."
Sigh.
"Well, as you were. We'll leave once the last of our jolly group is rounded up."
Aaron sends Lt. Nova another message
***
If you are not here in 5 minutes I'm coming to get you.
***
Hanger Area
Nazareth released his salute, with the other Zetas mimicking exactly. "Our fighters, and requisite supplies for each, are being transferred to this hanger as we speak." Nazareth paused for a moment. "However, I know little of the current situation here. I do not even know our specific mission or mission parameters. Could you possibly elaborate?"
Hanger Area
"A scientific expedition, following up on a clue. A journey into an area known to have pirates, which is where your expertise comes into use."
Aaron then started mentally projecting towards Naz: Don't ask questions, don't ask questions, don't ask questions.
Aaron never thought of himself as psychic, and until recently would probably doubt that such things were even feasible. But this little quirk of his makes him feel better. And when things go right it makes him feel like he had a hand in the outcome.
Hanger Area
"Anti-pirate escort, then? Very well." As if the fact that Nazareth and his squad were being called in in a mission involving aliens and their ship wasn't enough, Nazareth definitely got the gist that this was, well more than the last run he did, a "need-to-know-basis" mission. Nazareth very much knew better than to inquire further.
At that moment, caution alarms went off on the other side of the hanger as the Crusading Scales' fighters were towed in. With a motion to his squad, Nazareth got them heading away to take care of business.
Hanger Area
One of the larger internal doors opened within the bay, and 4 large cargo trucks entered carrying 4 heavy fighters. The trucks slowly approached the designated next to the alien ship and near the assembled group.
Without any warning, brilliant yellow beams of energy blink into existence, each striking a fighter. Quickly, effortlessly and yet still rather carefully, the fighters are placed onto fighter shaped flat points near the lower end of the midpoint of the ship. Three of the fighters defying gravity itself as they sat on the pads. Slowly an amorphous substance formed a bubble around the fighters. Within moments they were completely covered and hidden from view. These "blisters" for lack of a better word, retracted somewhat into the hull about halfway. Mother's retracted petal like structures extended until they protectively covered the fighter blisters.
Kanzoria found that display to be rather fascinating, but quickly changed his demeanor as two orange vixens descended from the alien ship itself. For those who had been in the ship, these two were Mother and the one called Alexis.
Alexis strode right up to the coyote, who stood there with his arms crossed, "you should leave."
Kanzoria smiled somewhat innocently and spread his arms wide, "well now, this little ship has more then one entity on it. The other one, Loki, must be special."
"Where is your mother little boy, run along now before I toss you off the deck." Alexis growled.
Mother put her hand on her daughter's shoulder and Alexis backed off, surprisingly Mother stepped forward and offered a hug to the smug coyote. He merely huffed, turned and walked away. He tossed his hand up in a goodbye sort of gesture, "take care of Ixiah, be seeing you."
Dreamscape
Loki seemed a bit taken aback by the strange creature, "I can't marry you, I don't even know you! Who are you Mara?"
"Mara is my... Matron's child. I... am not Matron, but a defense for these memories and Mara against threats." The cerulean vixen from earlier stepped from the shadows.
Loki still seemed fearful, but he did not retreat, "what do you want from Nova?"
"I want nothing, Mara wants nothing, there have been great misunderstandings in what Matron, Xaos and Gaea have done."
Mara beams up at the green fox and opens her paw, inside it is a swirling ball of letters, numbers and images, "see the truth!"
All that occurred with Matron, Xaos and Gaea danced before Loki's eyes. Shocked, he turns to Nova, "do... do you believe them Nova?"
Hanger Area
Romulus watched Kanzoria walk away with an emotionless look on his face. He then turned to Mother and Alexis.
"I guess you can say it's my fault he was here. I should have taken my men somewhere else for a while instead of heading straight here. I'm sorry"
Romulus looked at his men for a second then spoke.
"Men attention. This is Mother and Alexis. We will be traveling with them for sometime"
Romulus gestures to Mother.
"This is her ship and she you will treat her with the same respect you give Col. Nexx"
Then gestures to Alexis.
"This is Alexis and she is in charge of the ships defences, which also means she is in charge of us. You will also treat her with the same respect as Mother. If I find out about any of you disrespecting either of them and they haven't throw you off the ship, I will"
Romulus then turned to Mother and Alexis and salutes. Then addresses Mother.
"Where should I have my men stow their gear ma'am?"
"Loki, I have no reason not to trust them. I have only good memories of them. oh oh I don't know... As of few days ago, I just remembered them as my imaginary friends of my childhood. Mara, I have not awaken her since I was 10. Now, Now I have found I have a security system in my head, already... and a megacomputer AI around my neck. I can't make a decision on my childhood remembers alone. I need to talk to Xaos and Gaea, If they are still there. I'm sorry, I want to trust them, but I need more information. As I question everything I have ever done."
Nova sadly hugs the child AI computer, " I am sorry Mara, but we have to go. Loki and I need to get to the ship and we going to see your mother."
"And I am going with you? Hurry, let's go" yells the AI cub..
Loki and Nova are awaken by a message buzzer. Nova pats her crystal and puts in the her shirt. And answers her message board.
Quote"Aaron sends Lt. Nova another message
***
If you are not here in 5 minutes I'm coming to get you."
Nova grabs her bags and heads out the door..."Loki, Come'n for Fun and Adventure" says the cat-girl with a false cheer.
PBH
Aaron leans over to Naz, "That was pretty creepy wasn't it?"
He then notices Mother and Alexis.
"Oh yes, I should point out those two over there." gesturing towards the two orange vixens.
"They are the ship Mother. It sounds confusing yes, but it is essentially true. They are AIs that run the ship. Treating them like computer are a mistake though."
BIG MISTAKE! DO NOT MAKE! That gaze still unsettles Aaron.
"Respect them as the ship's crew and you won't go too far wrong. I've not quite figured out the dynamics of how it works, but that one, the one in the military uniform, is Alexis, the other one is Mother. As strange as it sounds, get to know them. They really don't seem like the sort of AI you are used to. Or at least what I'm used to."
Hanger Area
As the Zetas were about to go confer with the dock hands about the placement of their fighters, the alien ship spontaneously shot out beams of energy at the machines. They were levitated to the ship, and "absorbed' into it, now held within armored bumps on the ship.
All the the Crusading Scales, Nazareth included, were very wide-eyed at the spectacle. Nazareth, for one of the few times in his life, was...unsettled. Not for what the ship just did, but for that he didn't know what it could do.
The belly of the ship opened up, lowering a ramp with two orange vixens striding down it. Orange wasn't such an uncommon fur color for vixens, but these two sported pelts so vibrantly colored, Nazareth didn't doubt that these were more aliens.
Wonderful.
Aaron leaned over, offering a small comment to the physically-imposing Komodo Dragon, who didn't seem so imposing anymore. Nazareth's normally lustrous green coloration seemed ever-so-slightly-bleached, and his expression was a grim slash. "Sir, 'creepy' is a massive understatement."
At Aaron's next explanation a few things were cleared up, but did nothing to allay Nazareth's unease. Believe me, computers are the last thing I'd be treating them as... But at another thing he said, Nazareth spoke up. "Get to know them? Major Aaron Brown." Nazareth turned to Aaron with a deliberate demeanor. "With all due respect, Sir, I intend to stay as far away from...them..." Nazareth said, referring not just to the AIs but to the ship and the actual alien, "...as possible while still doing my job. That said, I need to know what my job is. You may or may not know that Captain Summers wanted to confirm that I am qualified to handle a CV, which I am. So, which ship in here-" Nazareth glanced around the large hanger at a few of the other docked ships, "-am I to pilot? And on a closely related note, why, pray tell, are my squad and I being separated? If I'm going to be piloting a Carrier Vehicle instead of my own fighter, which I am already unhappy about, why am I not carrying my own men?"
Hanger Area
Aaron head canted at Naz.
"Being separated?"
Aaron double checks his orders,
"I see nothing about a second ship. I believe that you and your men are stuck with the lot of us. And the ships AIs. And aliens. On the note of the lack of details, I apologise. There was a specific set of ears present that I did not want our mission leaking out to. We are searching out an alien crash site, the 'infamous' Hunnydew's Golden Alien Starship. We have new leads on where it is, and Lt. Nova, the only one that we are still waiting on, has been there previously. You really are on Anti Pirate duty. The site is in pirate territory so we are expecting to have a few attacks. I can not force you to like Mother, but at the same time she and hers are to be respected like the crew of any other ship. You will need to talk with her about your fighter accomidations, how the launching business works, amongst other details."
Hopefully, Aaron will get some his own questions answered too.
"As far as creepy goes, I asked Mother where she came from and how the ship was made. She showed me. Boy that was creepy how it was... made... born... created? These are the times I wish I could put images straight into people's heads."
Aaron shrugged. Which reminded him of something.
"Oh yes, more introductions. Over there is the special forces team, lead by Sgt. Romulus Darkcloud, they are ground support, they were also on the planet with me during the last engagement. With me is Richard, he is following along to help out and advise on pirate subjects and this is Ixiah, he is the one in the colonel's outfit. Speaking of which,"
Aaron looks to Ixiah, "I like the uniform, but it would make me feel better if you changed the rank to something below major. Things will be less confusing.'
Ixiah pouts some but changes this rank.
"Thankyou. As I said, we are waiting on Lt. Nova, she has been to the site and once we find the site she will be instrumental in extracting useful information. She is accompanied by Loki, another alien like Ixiah."
Aaron goes over the score card in his head, which is now down by one intelligence officer. Oh boy this will be fun. Aaron is sure that the good Lieutenant who is willing to dive head first into alien tech will get along swimmingly with the pilots who, somehow, seems... xenophobic.
Hanger Area
The two vixens considered each word that was spoken among those assembled. It was Mother that spoke first, she addressed Romulus and his group, "please stop saluting me, I am not in your military, you must stick to your command structure. What I do require of you is to be respectful and follow the instruction of myself and my daughters in regards to matters pertaining to ship, its technology, and those of Loki and Ixiah's people."
Alexis gestured towards the ship, "if you all will walk this way, we shall get you situated in various areas suited to your needs."
"The fighters are secured, we shall show you how to access them and when we are outside, I will show you how to launch," said Mother. The vixen then turned to Naz, "as for you, I have been putting this to great thought and I will need you, or one of your pilots if you are unable, to pilot the ship. This is as often as I need and most specifically in battle. You will find that I am as nimble as a light fighter and better armed then one of your cruisers. If we must resort to violence, then you will be the point of a very sharp spear. Your Zetas have not decreased by one fighter so much as gained a deadly wing leader."
Mother and Alexis lead the group through the ship, showing Romulus's group the troop area. It was very much like their area on the Phalanx, only much higher tech level. The training area was complete digital reality capable. The weapons racks held a number of small arms both of models Romulus was familiar with and others he was not. It contained nearly every model of weapon necessary, but before anyone could examine them, Alexis shook her head, "touch nothing in those racks. You have your armaments, I will issue out these if the need arises."
With a word, all the cases sealed themselves.
The next area was the quarters for Nova, Aaron and other non-special forces people. Each room was labeled with the person's name. Those not in use were sealed without means to open them, being nothing more then a door shaped spot in the wall.
OOC: all doors open automatically and have no handles or means to lock them that are visible. Locking those that respond to players and trying to open those that do not requires a thought projection, but none of you are aware of this.
The tour briefly passed through a starboard hallway that appears to lead towards engineering. Alexis pauses in this hall as Mother leads everyone on. The younger vixen watches everyone as they pass, making sure no one decides to break off and head down the hallway. Everyone gets the feeling that though they may appear to have free movement in the ship, it isn't so very free.
The last stop was the converted cargo area, inside the design was a hybrid of function and form. Each fighter "egg" was accessible via a sophisticated ramp and Alexis demonstrated by ascending to the top docked fighter and passing through the organic shell as if it was water. The shell became transparent and inside could be seen the fighter. Gravity orientation in the small shell was noticeably odd, but Alexis demonstrated by flipping herself up and into the seat.
"oh how quaint!" she remarked, "it is such a... classic... design."
During the walk, Richard leaned over close to speak to Aaron, "do not forget the bondcord... it is minor, but important."
Hall outside Nova's quarters
Visibly shaken, he rose to his feet and stumbled after her, he seemed to be in a little pain, but shrugged it off.
"okay, let's go. I will trust your judgment with the strange little one. It almost seems like Matron used a bit of you and herself when she brought Mara into being."
As she rushed down the hall with Loki, they ran straight into the doctor from the infirmary, though he was dressed far more casually, "oh, Ms. Nova... how nice to see you. Young Loki as well." His smile was rather infectious even if Nova did not want to smile.
Hanger Area
Nazareth listened to everything Aaron said, having returned to an expressionless face. When he was done, Nazareth looked like he was about to say something, but then Mother came up to them. Nazareth stiffened slightly, but also listened to Mother as well with equal parts curiosity and suspicion. But when she said that she intended for Nazareth to be the ship's pilot, Nazareth's careful composure slipped yet again. For the very first time since he was given command of the Crusading Scales, Nazareth actually went slack-jawed.
However, it was only for a breif moment, then Nazareth clamped himself firmly behind a rigid, impassive demeanor. That does it. He thought to himself. There is nothing else these blasted aliens can possibly do that will surprise me today.
With a motion, Nazareth and the Zetas followed behind the groups into the ship for the 'tour'. Nazareth took stock of as many details as he could, regarding everything with a wary eye. Aside from seeming somewhat tense, not unlike a caged animal, Nazareth also appeared to be keeping his distance from Ixiah.
The other Zetas, however, seemed more facinated and interested than cautious (though they certainly didn't throw that to the wind). When passing by the 'forbidden' hallway, both the snake Satch Nestor and the frilled lizard Norton Kalmunt stole glances down it, but quickly moved along under Alexis' watchful gaze.
They gathered around when they got to one of the strange bubbles that housed one of the Zeta's fighters. While Alexis demonstrated how to get to them, the younger Zetas watched intently, while Burns raised an eyebrow, and Nazareth observed with folded arms and a guarded expression.
The rushing Nova had slowed for Loki, she saw that his side pain him again and she is worry, but also she knew he would be safer with Mother on his ship. Just as she thought this, she runs straight into the one furson, who she wished she had never met.
"Why If it isn't Dr Yuri or you are some vacation agent, now?" says Lt Nova. "What may we ah ot do for you?"
Nova shields Loki from Dr Yuri with her hand on the crystal on her chest. While facing down the coyote, the catgirl looks for a way around him or for any kind of help. She wonders, how he knew they were here and if he knew of this mission. Of course he does...but Is he a double agent? Hey Loki send a message to Mother and the Major. thinks Nova.
PBH
Inside Mother
Dude, that sounds kind of creepy
As Naz and his group were distracted with... yea... he responds to Richard, "Ah yes. I think I shall have to make one. I assure you I have not forgotten, but I'll need details about it." Aaron figured he could dig through the supplies and find suitable materials with appropriate coloration. Mother's weapon display earlier reassured Aaron after he forgot to secure personal arms. He really didn't like carrying such things, but at the same time they were always so handy.
He was also noting the continued lack of a Lieutenant. He feared he would have to make good on this threat towards Lt. Nova. First change he gets he indicates to Richard and Ixiah that they should get their rooms in order and he will go and fetch Lt. Nova
Aboard Mother: Special Forces area
Romulus stopped saluteing and followed Mother and Alexis aboard.
"Sorry ma'am"
Romulus and his men, grabbed their gear and follow til they got to their sleeping area. They went in and started to look at the weapons til Alexsi told them not to touch them. They all stoud at attention when the weapons disappeared. Romulus looked at his men when the others moved on.
"Find a bed and stow your gear"
Hallway heading towards hanger bay
Loki shakes his head and sends his thoughts to Nova, I cannot send mental messages with him here. It is hard to just send one to you, there seems to be a lot of interference from him.
Almost as if he had heard the conversation, Yuri responds almost immediately, "interference hmmm? Well that aside, I was merely heading down this hallway in the opposite direction that you are going. Speaking of which, I really must be going. Ciao!"
He turned and continued walking, but he paused for a second and turned around to face Nova, "Lieutenant, remember who you serve and what you belong to. Do not allow this childhood fascination jeopardize the safety of our people or the ISF."
With that he turned and continued walking.
Major Brown arrives at just this point.
Mother
Inside the ship, much activity is going on. New crew and passengers are stowing gear and familiarizing themselves with things onboard. There is a cafeteria style area where everyone can eat and where food can be prepared. There are a few recreational style areas jam packed with everything a small, green alien fox thinks the peoples he has met would find interesting.
Richard and Ixiah both nod and wander off to examine their respective quarters. Ixiah has the edge over anyone else thus far, as a member of the same race as Loki, the ship is not barred to him like the rest of the people. However, he sticks to the instructions given to him and arranges his room.
The Special Forces personnel all scramble to choose bunk space and stow their gear, while Ben examines his quarters and sets up his own equipment and gear.
The Zetas spend much of their time examining their fighters and practicing the techniques necessary to board their fighters and prepare to launch. They pause briefly to toss their personal gear into their assigned rooms before returning to their work.
Hallway heading towards hanger bay
"Lieutenant Nova, I was just coming to find you. You seem distressed. Regardless, all seems well now. Come come, we depart soon. Over the hills and through the woods hmm?"
Aaron turns about to take Lt. Nova and Loki to the little fox's ship.
Nova is relieved to see the major, but she turns to look at Dr Yuri as he passes. She calls down the hallway to him, "Sorry Doctor, but know this, what I do I do for the good the ISF, for the good the Alliance, and maybe the galaxy. I will not forget who I'm working for."
"Thank you. Major sir, Please, can you carry my bag? Loki is looking worst for wear." asks Nova as hands the Major her garment bag. She hugs Loki and goes to picks up Loki.
PBH
Aaron was taken a bit of a surprise, normally it was the senior officer asking for such things, but since Lt. Nova had her hands full of a little green fox he shrugs and throws the bag over his back.
"I thought that tail was familiar, Major Kanzoria seems to have taken an interest in bothering my crew. Though I did not know he was also a doctor. Interesting how many Major Doctors there are around here."
Edit:
Wording cleanup, will teach me to post before morning tea.
Loki blushes when he is hugged and allows himself to be carried, as he is a bit tired. All this running around and emotional stress is a little much for him in his current state. With a supreme battle, which he loses, Loki drifts off to sleep in Nova's arms.
When they arrive back at the ship, a confused logistics person, a bat of some sort, watches as the food stores and other equipment is lifted from his transport by an energy beam and taken into the alien ship.
As Nova begins to mount the ramp up into the ship, Mother appears almost out of nowhere. She has a neutral look on her face, but her swishing tail might indicate that she is a little less then happy with Nova seeing the current state Loki is in, "okay Nova, what happened?"
"I AH ah " says Nova with a burry flashback of her brother carrying her home after her first night-out and only two drink and she couldn't walk for some reason.....
"Ah Can we have this explanation after I put him in his bed?." asks the tired cat to Mother. She, herself, was feeling tired after her mental adventures, confrontation with Yuri and her quick walk with Loki in her arms to the ship.. "Please, his stateroom"
PBH
Aaron waves at the confused guy from logistics, "Very good, carry on." Just because Aaron likes to further confuse people.
Aaron watches the brief exchange between Mother and Nova and decides that he shall tag along, he likes explanations. Though he was relieved, rather then an exhausted Loki and Nova he was half way expecting to find a vegetative Nova and a defensive Loki explaining that she asked him to do it.
Ben eventually came out of his room and approached Romulus, "So, do you think we need anything else? Maybe we should get Wilcox, shame we can't have her dropship... but I think this baby might be a lot better."
Ben patted the wall as he spoke, but then a strange look appeared on his face and he suddenly blushed and seemed very embarrassed.
"the ship just thanked me for the vote of confidence and stated it was millions of times better then that dropship... it was that older fox's voice... the one they call Mother. No one told me they were the same literally... I thought it was a figurative term. Don't you think it's creepy... just a little?"
Alexis walked out from around a corner from where there was no entrance or possible way she could have come from that way without being seen by the two NCOs, "don't worry so much, we will afford you privacy in your various areas... and yes Ben, if I had a solid energy body like master Loki, then I could likely bear your children."
Ben grew very red under all that fur and laughed embarrassingly.
Meanwhile...
Mother narrowed her eyes slightly, and her fluffy fox tail relaxed its annoyed swishing a bit. Wordlessly she nodded and turned towards the entrance ramp. The vixen let Nova and Aaron through the ship to the quarters area. At the head of the block of rooms was one of two large staterooms, this one appeared to be of a person of importance, possibly the captain. Fitting for Loki it would appear.
In reality, the whole of the vessel's halls and rooms were clever designs and illusions of expectations the assembled anthro-peoples expected her to be arranged.
The door opened quietly into a very spacious suite. The well apportioned bed seemed to almost reach out to grab Loki away from Nova in a soft, loving embrace. Upon the walls were many pictures and plaques of things one would expect in a captain's quarters. A plaque with crossed sabres, ISF rank insignia and the Navy's credo adorned the wall in the study area. Pictures of various naval ships from as far back in history as the Ages of Sail.
The only thing out of place was a picture above the bed. The symbol on it was dynamic, always changing and difficult to see for anyone looking at it. Except for Aaron, who found it to be a spiraling, luminescent, green prism.
Aaron takes a few moments to admire the scenery as Nova attended to Loki. He was unsure if these were 'real' relics or if they were more strange matter arranged like relics. Either way, There was no denying that Loki had a very pleasant room. Aaron always wanted a nice room. Alas, his insignia only lists Major, two steps below the nice room rank. Plus all the stuff Aaron owns could fit in a little cardboard box. And currently does.
His eyes came across the picture above the bed. It was a very odd shape, that and it almost seemed to glow. He stared at it for a moment before patting Nova on the shoulder,
"Hey Lieutenant. Look at that picture just above the bed, isn't it amazing? It looks almost real... as though that makes any sense. That and real isn't the right word... it's just the best one I can think of."
Placing Loki in the bed, Nova felt the pull of the bed for Loki and herself. She stay laying on Loki for a moment, looking at the cute green fox and genly fixes his hair with her finger. Damn it, girl, you would fall for this guy for sure, if he did not look like twelve. thought the catgirl.
Hearing Major Brown, she looks up at the picture above the bed, and trys to make sense of the ever changing patterns. She makes out an emerald green for a few seconds, but random patterns takeover again. She is too tried, but she knows she owns Mother something. She sat up on the bed edge, and looks from Loki to Mother.
"Are you free, Mother? Within the civil rules, that we are taught and what society needs to keep going... Mother, are you free to choose? No you need not answer.. I needed to know if I am, so, I asked Loki to find out, if I am free. He did a mental probe of my mind, and turns out, I am free. My freewill is my own, but I found I am not alone in here." she tap her head. "I have a security system, it seems, and no Loki was not hurt. Loki has just learned somethings from my memories, which are not taught to good little foxes. I am still sorting them out."
"On top of that, we ran into Mr Yuri, from ISIS. I am not sure what to think for him, but Loki has problems reading/sending in his presence." finishs Nova. "I'm not the enemy, Mother. I do not want to hurt him."
PBH
Mother gives a quizzical eye towards Aaron as he relates about the picture above the bed, "indeed it is real is it not, it is there. What do you see?"
When Nova begins her explanation, the vixen focuses on her, "this has to do with Matron and that crystal dangling at your neck doesn't it. Loki's mind races at a feverish pace, he seems very confused."
She paused to gaze deeply into Nova's eyes, this lasted so long, Aaron might think the two may kiss. However, Mother breaks the gaze, "do not worry Nova, if I thought you were the enemy or wanted to harm him, I would have destroyed you myself. Now you should retire to your room and sleep."
Romulus looks at Ben.
"While she would be very useful on this mission I think the fleet could use her skill incase of a pirate attack or something of that like"
Romulus chuckled abit when Ben said Mother talked to him.
"And then there is the fact Wilcox would argue with Mother about her ship*
Romulus nods to Alexis when she walks up. He raised an eyebrow when Alexis spoke to Ben, he gives Ben a side ways glance.
"What the hell where you thinking about? Yes she is good looking but I don't think she would like our kind like that. Plus she's one of the avatars for the ship *Then looks at Alexis* No offense ma'am"
Mother's converted fighter bays
After awhile of practicing with getting in and out of their fighters with the strange alien docking setup, the Zetas started heading back to their new quarters.
"We've familiarized ourselves all we can for now." Burns reported to Nazareth. "The only other thing we have to get used to his how to jettison and re-dock ourselves with this vessel, and we can only do that once we've launched."
"Good man." Nazareth replied. "You go ahead and settle the boys in, I've got something I want to take care of."
"Yessir."
Burns went with the the other three Zeta-Group members, while Nazareth turned back down the hallway, looking for "Mother".
Aaron blink blinks, first at Nova's dismissal then at Mother's question. Then another round of dramatic blinking when Mother stared at Nova.
In one of the darker and slimier corners of Aaron's heart, he was kind of hoping Nova and Mother would kiss. Of course, that area of his heart was dark and slimy, he made it a note to not visit there often. He feels dirty every time he does.
After a bit Aaron went back at looking at the picture. While it was interesting, it did not seem like a big deal. He took a moment and then spoke up,
"Well, it's a picture of a green prism, it looks to be spinning, and another neat thing is that it kind of glows. How does it get that effect anyways?"
He looks at Mother, who seems to be looking more intently at him.
"Uhh... what? It's not one of those trick pictures is it? Like the ones where you cross your eyes or some such non-sense? Never got those things to work for me."
((OOC: Fixed up the description of the picture. Having more sleep helps when reading X3))
Nova was tried enough to curlup on this bed, if not the floor. She looks at the technicolor picture with puzzlement, after she heard the exchange between Aaron and Mother about the silly thing. She doesn't see any one thing long enough to makes sense of it. she turns back to Mother.
"Mother, I have ...Matron left the security system, that is for my protection. And the Crystal, It is a little more complicated. It is alive, and something like your daughters, but it .. she is somehow related to me.. She is my protector or helper, but also some weapon against AI ships like you. Ow, I'm too tried for this. Tell Loki, that I trust them, Xaos and Gaea, but I am also cautious. They are like crazy relatives, you have not see in awhile. They have your good interests at heart, but you never know what they will do next" Says the tried cat as she fights to get up on her feet.
"Thanks Major for showing up when you did and my bags, you need not have done that." smiles Nova at the Major. She makes it to the door without her bags. She looks confused out into the hallway, "I have a room?" she asks looking back at Mother.
PBH
Alexis shrugs and smiles seductively towards Ben, before turning away laughing, "R...Rom... heh ...ulus, pardon me..." She pauses to compose herself before continuing, "Romulus is correct, I am not like you... I am a very advanced artificial intelligence, but... I am... alive. Enough of this though, it is best if we review our action stations."
Alexis gestures to two exits on each side of the area where the special forces teams muster off the main room. Lighted walkways appear to the door and beyond. "Follow me."
She walked the right path and entered the door way. This was an isolated hallway, direct to a rack room where each team member would sit in the event of a drop landing. The ship could either land or drop the teams out like from Wilcox's dropship. The hall enters at the center of the area.
"Unlike previous ships you have been in, we are a full gravity vessel with high-G inertial dampeners. These seats are formed to your specific species types and resemble your drop racks. In a combat landing, or hostile LZ, this will be your post and we will advise whether you will be dropped or we land and you deploy off the ramps. This bay opens at each side, so it is best if half of each team exits from different sides. The right bay, the one we are in now, is for Romulus. The other, which you take the left door from the main room, is for Ben's team and it is exactly the same as this one."
She gestures to the wall at what appears to be mechanized powersuits, "I hope to not have to do combat missions, but who knows what the future holds. We also have 2 dozen autonomous war units, which are essentially a robotic foot soldier... by your standards they are amazingly advanced AIs, but to me they are rather dull..."
One of the mech units disengages from the wall, crosses its arms and focuses its optical units on Alexis.
She gives the thing her best innocent look and it waves her off and returns to its wall mounting.
Meanwhile... in the hall leading from Mother's converted fighter bay.
Nazareth headed out to find Mother, but in reality, he did not know where to begin looking.
While Naz was considering where to look, there was a light tap on his arm. Behind him was a vibrant golden vixen wearing, of all things, a pair of spectacles on her muzzle. Her head fur was auburn and her eyes blue, her garb was heavy and that of a technical officer or ship's engineer.
"can I help you lad?" she said with a slight, hard to place accent (highland Scottish).
At Loki's room...
Mother smiles a secret little smile that only she could possibly know as Aaron describes what he sees, "at some point you must tell me about your mother and father. I think I would like to meet them, if they are still around."
Her attention is torn from Aaron as Nova stumbles about and reaches the door. When she inquires about her room, Mother nods slowly and moves to assist Nova who is rather tired and confused.
"Please let us go this way, Nova, it is time for kittens to sleep. Perhaps after you are rested, perhaps the daughter of Matron should appear and we should speak. For now you should rest. Come Aaron, let Loki rest as well, we should speak at length."
Romulus followed Alexu. He shook his when Alexis smiled at Ben and said she was alive.
"Don't give him any ideas. This may be a long trip"
Romulus was impressed with he say. When Alexis shows off the the dropzone area he whistled alittle bit. He nodded his head as Alexis showed off the robots. He chuckled when one disengages from the well and looks at Alexis. He then looked to Alexis.
"Old boyfriend?"
Aaron nods and follows Mother out of Loki's room and to Nova's. He was a tad confused about Mother asking about his parents, but at this point he had the story of his parents down to an art.
"On the subject of speaking, I can tell you all about my parents in short order. My mom is gone, has been for my entire life. People remember her, but never speak of her and change the subject when I bring her up. My dad did not last much longer. He was a trader in the space lanes, so I rarely saw him. I got plenty of messages though, until I didn't get anymore. That is all I know of the grey fox Maria and the red fox Robert."
Aaron shrugs. "My brother thinks that they are both dead, I've never been so sure." This discussion reminded Aaron that he did have a collection of pictures he wanted to go through.
"So, was there anything else you wanted to talk with me about? I'm sorry if the story of my parents was disappointing."
Nova holds herself at the door, and looks at the AI fox...
"I will gladly to take the room next door if it is free. I don't think could made it much further." says the cat. She takes her carryone bag and follow Mother to her room. It is not as big as Loki's suite, but it is three times as large of her old stateroom. She looks around the room but stop when she see the queen size bed.
She lays her bag down by the bed and loose her uniform and lays on the bed with a sigh. Her side is very sore and hurts now almost as much as her first day back from the planet. She turns on her back, and breathing heavy, "ow" she says. Nova lays there and wait for her pain to subside, and as it faints, it takes her conscious mind with it.
PBH
The large Komodo Dragon turned around, briefly acquiring a grimace as he looked down at the new vixen. On the oversized lizard, the expression was not pleasant. These aliens unnerved him in a way he'd never dealt with before.
"Geez. It seems every time I've turned around for the last half-hour there's another one of you little technicolor trips scurrying about." Nazareth muttered under his breath. For him, it was actually more like a low growl. Despite the fact that she was right there and couldn't possibly have not heard what he said, he seemed to act as if she hadn't, though he did let out a breath and shake his head.
"I'm looking for the one of you aliens who runs this vessel, ma'am." He said, returning to his usual deep boom-voice. "I have a few questions for her. If you could direct me, I'll be out of your way."
Oh I bet you would be willing to take the nice room for yourself.
"We have already been assigned rooms. Where you end up is Mother's discretion, though I'll take your stuff to your own room."
Aaron also looks to see if anyone's name is on the room.
Squad 1 Drop bay
Alexis flashes a whimsical little smile at Romulus complete with perfect white, sharp little teeth, "it wasn't destined to be, he's heavy metal and and I'm jazz classical."
Alexis sighed, and gestured to the seats, "anyways, have a seat, try them out... I don't advise trying to activate the drop mechanisms, you might not like what happens when you are on the ground."
Nova's room
Strangely enough, as Aaron examines the area around the door into the large room across from Loki's one and it does indeed say Nova on it. Mother grins a little sheepishly at Aaron and shrugs, "I'm not responsible for room assignments... mostly, Loki wanted Nova to be near him, in the same room even, but that I cannot allow. This is the agreement we came to, I'm sorry if it makes your 'position' seem less, but it is Loki that dictates much of what is here, I serve him after all."
She held up a paw... er, hand, "do not worry, I understand the type of relationship he and you and your people have, as long as Nova is here, Loki will be cooperative."
After she insures that Nova is indeed resting, the vixen pauses and considers Aaron's parental comments, "that is very interesting, I see interesting possibilities for you. You really must let me examine you... blood sample... mind probe... it may be very enlightening."
Hall leading from the fighter bay
The new golden fox pushed her glasses back into place on her muzzle, despite Naz's comments, she did not seem to be offended or pay much mind to them. She spoke in a voice that was a register higher than expected and her accent had thinned, but it was still present, "I see, well we all run something, but I'm not sure you understand us or are willing to understand. A closed, mind is a sad thing to behold. However, I suspect you would want to see Mother, please this way."
The golden furred female walked past Naz, pausing long enough for him to follow. They travelled through the crew quarters and arrived at the second of the largest staterooms.
"Mother, this reptilian fellow wishes to see you."
Mother turned from her discussion with Aaron and faced the other female, "Rebecka, thank you." The vibrant orange vixen focuses on the large komodo dragon, "what do you need Nazareth?"
Squad 1 Drop bay
Romulus shrugs at Alexis music comment.
"Well that's how it goes. I'm a classical rock guy myself"
He then looked at the drop seats and scratches his chin and goes to sit down.
"What the heck gotta get use to them at some point*
Aaron, using evil fox magic, sneaks Nova's stuff into her room with out disturbing her by throwing stuff gently rather then chucking it. Odd how evil fox magic seems to really be the mundane done in an especially sneaky fashion?
After Mother finishes talking about rooming arrangements Aaron replies, "It really was not my position or Loki's that was of worry to me. The Lieutenant seems to have a habit of forgetting what she is supposed to be doing, rather she goes about doing her own thing. I fear I need to leash her, which would annoy me greatly. It would annoy her greatly too. In fact, I can think of few people it would not annoy. However, leadership seems to be the bane of my existence, forcing me to do annoying things. As for the subject of rooms... remind me at some point and I'll tell you one of the stories of when my lab almost lost funding. Those stories tend to involve myself and many others sleeping on cots in any place that had room for a cot. Some seriously pondered getting into bars fight just to spend the night in a holding cell instead."
After she mentioned examining him, Aaron looked far more concerned for himself then he did when speaking of the cots, "Er... what is with the sudden want to examen me? Especially when you mention mind probes. While it does sound enlightening, it also sounds uncomfortable. Though...," Aaron suddenly got quite curious about examination equipment on Mother, and if there was a medical vixen, "I've always been willing to experiment. I'll offer you the same deal I offered anyone in the lab. If you can get me curious, I'll let you do as you please. So tell me Mother, why should I let myself be probed? What are you thinking?"
It was about at this point that a golden vixen showed up. A Rebecka was it now? Though now Mother is distracted. Drat, Aaron was going to have to wait for his answer.
((OOC note: The "What are you thinking?" is not in the 'ARE YOU *%#@ INSANE?' tone, but rather in the 'what is bubbling in that head of yours?' tone. Naz may misinterpret as techmaster wishes, but I just wanted to make sure that was understood.))
Heading towards Nova's room
"...myself be probed? What are you thinking?"
Nazareth heard this snatch of conversation as Rebecka showed him into a relatively spacious room. Nazareth looked around, seeing Mother, Major Brown, and a rather tired-looking cat he had not seen yet snoozing on a bed. Nazareth raised an eyebrow, glancing at Rebecka. This seemed rather, well, intruding. And he certainly didn't want to know anything else about the part of the conversation he'd heard.
"Merely a few questions, ma'am." He said to Mother, his speech coming out as a low rumble instead of a boom as he tried to avoid waking the cat up. "Apologies for the interruption. I will wait my turn."
He backed out of the the room, and stood far enough away from the door for it to seal itself as he stood in a standard rigidly tall stance, crossing his hands behind his back.
Coaxing a tried Nova out of her uniform and under the covers of the large bed, Mother leaves the sleeping cat-girl to her rest....Once the light go out, and the AI leaves, a small kitten climb out of the covers and comes to lay on top of the girl's butt.
PBH
Squad 1 Drop bay
Romulus and Ben were the first to take the seats. After Romulus had sat down he noticed the mottled black and green texture of what had appeared to be leather, but as he examined it, the armrest stretched out and engulfed his forearms. In his mind, he heard words of a language unknown to him, but he somehow understood the intent and the meaning even if the exact words were unclear.
The unit had registered him, taken his aural signature and genetic imprint. He felt cool throughout his body and his heartrate, breathing and various other functions stabilized and evened out. He felt very serene, calm and could think clearly. It was also evident that the unit was taking samples from his blood and pumping in other things he was not sure of.
Nova's room
Rebecka is the one to answer Aaron as Mother has become distracted by Naz. As Mother walks out to speak to Naz, Rebecka leads Aaron out of Nova's room. The door closes quietly, leaving her in peace. No one notices the kitten.
The golden vixen nodded to the other fox as she turned towards him, "as you wondered within your mind, there is indeed one of my sisters who has been specifically designed to care for those systems which meet your specifications. As to why Mother wishes for you to be tested is partially to satisfy her curiosity, but also to discover if you are in possession of an Alpha factor. Long ago, the Acadians met with a philosophical quandary. Many found the emotional connections of pairing with those of other, more primitive and younger races. Such a thing was agreed by the ruling councils to be forbidden. Those that challenged this edict were called the Alphas. Something that mother has seen in you might have led her to believe you might possess a blood connection to one of the Alphas. Does that spark enough curiosity Mr. Brown?"
Rebecka speaks low enough so that only Aaron hears her words.
Meanwhile, Mother approaches Naz.
"what questions do you have Mr. Duke?"
There seems to be a peculiar air about her at the moment, it would almost seem that she is offended by something, but it does not appear to be Naz himself. Perhaps something else is the matter.
Hallway outside Nova's room
Nazareth relaxed his posture slightly before replying. He did pick up that something about her seemed off, but he couldn't tell what it was. She was an alien, after all.
"My first question is merely one of fitting something together. Your name is 'Mother'. An unusual name to my kind, true, but Captain Summers also referred to this vessel specifically as Mother. The way I heard you talking earlier also...suggested a few things.
"While I have my suspicions, in my experience, something like this just isn't a coincidence." Nazareth finished, leaving her to fill in the blanks.
Aaron is still going to have to get used to the fact that these vixens seem to know what he is thinking. If not for his own sake then for the sake of them! Oh the things in Aaron's mind. Another interesting bit is the fact that it looks like they are interchangeable as far as the overarching topic of conversations go.
"A blood connection to an Alpha? Is that a roundabout way of suggesting that I may be related to an Arcadian? As in half, or less, Arcadian?"
Aaron was curious indeed. Never mind that he had been curious before, and given enough time would have relented, but now his curiosity grew.
"This... raises many interesting questions. The sort of interesting Richard insists that I inflict him with. Questions such as, what would happen if I did have this, Alpha factor as it was called?"
Aaron makes his way to Richard's room. He promised Richard that he would deal with the bond cord issue, and deal with it he shall. Especially since, as this conversation seems to indicate, things will only continue to get more interesting. And Mother has not even left the Phalanx yet. What things may come once they actually set out into space?
Hallway outside Nova's room
Mother's gaze locked with Naz's eyes, despite being at least a foot shorter. She giggled briefly before replying, "my but that wasn't a question at all, more like a collection of leading statements who's intended purpose is to have me reveal that I am indeed the same as the ship. There I said it, but you are not the first... everyone except your team knows of this, but do not be offended, it is because they were there when I was discovered and they talk with my ward Loki."
The vixen pauses and smiles warmly as she throws her hands up into the air, "you are inside a living creature... grown to be a starship for a specific special little prince. His parents... you could call them... wanted Loki to be loved, a very odd thing to desire among the ascended races. I was created to be of a specific personality like his own, needy... social... lonely... affectionate. So much so that when he spent large amounts of time away from me, I became so horribly lonely, that I created daughters and gave them functions so he would approve. That is besides the point however, yes I am the ship... an extremely advanced silicon-organic lifeform. Though I am not specifically a combat vessel, we are well outfitted with weapons and shields. My body, the ship's hull, is resistant to a large variety of weapons fire. It can be damaged, it will heal and then it will adapt to the attack somewhat, allowing it to dissipate and take less damage."
Mother paused again thinking, "as for my name, that is what I am called... Mother. Anything else?"
Meanwhile...
"Arcadian? Oh I would think not, they are from Arcad and aren't very pleasant, no we speak of Acadians." Rebecka paused to gaze longingly at Mother as she spoke of her loneliness, but turned back to Aaron, "what it would mean is that you could be some part Acadian... which would make you like Loki in a way. The Alphas were mostly Elites, but their lines are considered defunct. If you are of high enough blood you could petition for inclusion in the records and if you are able to handle the process to become ascended, you would be accepted as Acadian."
Rebecka watched Aaron as he headed off to see his friend, she called after him, "be at the medical bay in an hour please."
Squad 1 Drop bay
Once Romulus was let go he stoud and blinked.
"That was interesting to say the least. I must say I've never had that happen before. You didn't inject anything bad into my bloodstream did you? I'm not gonna get hooked on anything am I? I'd rather not become a junky"
Aaron turns around to wave at Rebecka,
"Med bay in one hour, it's a date!"
Aaron thinks about a great many thing. Defunct blood lines of Acadians, the fact that now Loki and Ixiah could be distant relatives of his. He decided that he would not share with the rest of the crew until he knew for sure, that could complicate things greatly if word got out. Things would be even more complicated if were true, which is why he also decided he must tell them at some point. Until then, however...
Aaron arrives at Richard's room and bangs on the door, "Hey Richard, it's Aaron. I'm here to resolve the bond cord issue."
Squad 1 Drop bay
Alexis's eyes widened a bit and she gave a slight nervous laugh. She mumbled in a tiny voice, "oops." She quickly regained her composure and gave Romulus a thumbs up, "oh nothing much, it was a standard series of naturally synthesized chemicals designed to moderate certain functions within you. Your particular models are not designed to be exposed to dynamic conditions at sharp intervals. Then there were a few things to clear the mind and enable rational thought under high stress conditions... <low mumble>a few other things like nanomachines, SLC*, transfection inducers and genetic material upgrades</low mumble>... nothing to worry about."
She paused to seemingly type in the air for a second, "that should correct the system... peculiarity... that had those medical systems online. Let me know if you feel dizzy, sick, or you know, start growing extra body parts... little stuff like that."
*SoLute Carrier
Richard's Room
The wolf that Aaron was intending to see did indeed answer, belaying any fear that Aaron might have of him being transformed into a strange genetic monster by the random whim of an alien intelligence. Though he did seem to be a little different, perhaps it was that he had showered and bathed, the subtle air temperature and humidity could be sensed and the various soaps, oils and colognes could be smelt.
"Indeed. Come in then and let me finally be taken into your service as is appropriate."
The wolf bowed respectfully as he motioned the fox to enter.
Nova's room
Rebecka watched Aaron leave and shook her head as she smiled, the way he acted was more normal than Nazareth, Romulus, or any of the others. That is to say normal to one who has known only Acadians.
The light flashed off of her glasses as she turned her head towards Nova's door, something odd was in there. The golden fox eyed her mother, which was engrossed in her conversation with the reptile.
Rebecka quietly moved to the door and touched it. The vixen briefly became golden data which absorbed into the very structure and she rematerialized in the room at the door. Rebecka did not need photons to "see" and she easily spied the kitten laying on Nova. This creature was very unusual and the vixen moved right up to the bed soundlessly. She now loomed over Nova's prone form, her hand inches away from the kitten.
Hall outside Nova's room
Nazareth did something that seemed somewhat between a huff and a snort at Mother's first sentence, booming "Fair enough.", and listened as she explained what she was, precisely.
When she was done, he looked down and shuffled a foot slightly, almost as if making sure he hadn't stepped in something, before returning his gaze to her.
"Hmm. I thought it might be something like that. And yes, there is something else, which is now all the more significant..." Nazareth stiffened up again, like he was confronting something serious. When he spoke, his voice had gotten even lower and deeper than usual. "I will be as straightforward as I can, and yes, I'll try to end with a question." Nazareth paused before continuing. "You are obviously sentient. You are very obviously very intelligent. And since you...are this ship, letting me pilot you is almost literally putting your life in my hands. Even by whatever standards you go by, that has to be a fair amount of trust. Not necessarily the trust that I won't somehow betray you (I'm certain you could take control away just as soon as you could give it), but the trust that I am capable of dealing with hazards you couldn't. And you could only trust my abilities if you know what they are.
"My question is this; how much do you know about me? I assume you at least have my own ISF dossier, but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if you've managed to somehow conjure up something else. If not, then is it really just my battle records that convinced you I'm qualified for this?"
Richard's Room
((OOC sillyness: Aaron was slightly disappointed. He wanted Richard to jump out brandishing a giant sword, and somehow Aaron got one of his own, then Richard and Aaron would fight through the hallways of Mother in their fight with mighty swords.))
Aaron nods at Richard and steps in. Richard had a nice room. Not quite the state room Nova got, but still a nice room. And Richard himself seemed to clean up nicely. Aaron was now hoping that a portion of his hour before being in med bay could include a shower too.
"Okay, the good news is that the bond cord material should be around. I slipped the request in with the various other stuff I requested. Now, the problem is that I have no idea how to make one."
Aaron and Richard will hunt around for the stuff needed to make a bond cord and what it should look like, with Richard explaining clan colors and such. After a bit of embarrassment on Aaron's part, explaining that he HAD no family so to speak, and ended up making a cord out of pretty colors, a grey strand, a blue strand, a white strand and an orange strand. Aaron made an impressive weave (something that Aaron will not publicly admit to, but as a cub he liked weaving bracelets) and after a bit of ritual, again made awkward by Aaron's lack of knowledge on the subject, Richard was finally formally bonded to Aaron.
Using the final remaining time Aaron asked Richard to accompany him down the hall as Aaron asked a few more questions,
"Okay, while I think I understand the basics, I'm still a bit lost on... I'm not sure how to phrase this... what should I expect you to do? The closest thing I have to this experience was when I took on master's students back at university. Which I'm assuming is nothing like this."
About at this point, Aaron enters his room and when he is good and alone with Richard he then turns to him and says,
"Also, a mater of utmost secrecy. Remember my story about my nonexistent parents? Apparently, through my actions aboard Mother, she seems to believe that one of them may have been related to an Acadian, one of the little fox aliens like Ixiah that you met earlier. To that end, Mother wants to run tests on me. I'm thinking that the tests should all be fine, no big deal, but all the same I want you there with me, just to watch my back and observe what happens to me. I don't want to tell any of my fellow ISF crewmen about it just yet, I want some solid answers first, then I need to decide on what to do with the answers. That is why I want you there with me."
Aaron sighs. He is probably rambling at this point. That seems to be the problem with him, his mouth keep spewing forth information well beyond what is necessary. In reply Richard sighs as well, "Aaron, will you and your friend ever STOP getting more interesting?"
"Unfortunately, I fear not. This may be some dark god's vengeance on me for my dull childhood. Okay, so there is a med bay on this ship. Meet me there in... *check watch* half an hour. I'm going to catch a quick shower so that I'm not nearly so nasty for my checkup."
((OOC: I have taken liberties with resolving the bond cord issue. I hope this does not displease the dark gods... er... GM))
Nova's Room
The little kitten is normal house cat variety with blue patches of fur over a blue-grey coat. Her head has a patch of blue that covers one eye and most of the back and top of her, with light grey face and left ear.
The kitten just dozes with a soft purring sound. When the yellow fox is just inches for her nose, the little cat blinks and yawns with a many little teeth. Nova shifts a little in her sleep and settle down again, and the kitten just stays on top and walks in a circle and a laying down again facing at Rebecka. With half open eyes, the kitten just watches the vixen a moment and it starts purring again with her eyes watching the vixen.
PBH
Squad 1 Drop bay
Romulus looked at Alexis and shook his head when she finished talking.
"I see how it is. You get me hooked on something only you can give me so you keep me coming back. That how you get men?"
Romulus shook his head again and smiles. Then looks at Ben and gestures to Ben's drop area.
"Your turn"
Hall outside Nova's room
Mother nodded sagely, "I can understand this, it does seem that I am putting a tremendous trust in you and indeed I am. Part of this is because I am required to, Loki has agreed to cooperate with your people... I think it is because he is smitten by his new feline. I do not say this to belittle your abilities, but it is part of the reason. The other is that I have seen inside you, I know your true character and your abilities are tremendous. You have a natural aptitude for flight, so much so that you are able to pull every ounce of ability out of your primitive little fighters. Image what you could do if you were the vessel."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "I have read your mind, experienced your flights. First hand experience speaks volumes that simple dossiers could never express. Does that answer your questions?"
Aaron's Room
When asked, Richard explains the basics of the tradition of bondsmen, "I am rather different then a Masters student. To be a bondsmen places one in the labourer caste until they can earn the position of warrior back again. The bondcord is symbolic, for it is honor not chains that bind me."
Richard paused to scratch the back of his head in an embarrassed sort of way, "really this is a warrior tradition, but as I was captured in battle it is still true. You are such a weird one being of scientist and warrior caste, I am quite confused as to what the future will hold. Anyways, when I perform a deed you deem worthy, a strand will be cut. When all are cut I am freed. You may issue me any task and it is my duty to fullfill it anyway that is acceptable." Richard shrugged, "it is not so very difficult, and just think, you will be able to impress your vixen with a proper ceremony now that you know what to do." Richard gave a sly wink.
The wolf raised an eyebrow when Aaron admitted that he might be related to the aliens, "so you are a space alien? Interesting, they are not so very different then us. If you wish me to be there then that is where I will be." He sighed a bit, "interesting times indeed."
Nova's Room
The golden vixen narrows her eyes a bit as the kitten moves and opens its eyes to watch her, "hmmm, you are not exactly what you appear to be little one. We can't have things that are not supposed to be here, here now."
The kitten was bathed in numerous scans of various energy types, presented with countless access keys, data queries, and access tests. A normal person such as Nova would see nothing, except a possible dull glow in the fox's paw. Countless data streams poured across Rebecka's glasses and being an engineering entity, she had the edge in computers and intelligence systems.
"explain what you are, or as an intruder, I will have to call Alexis. You don't want to be declared enemy and have to face Alexis, lass."
Squad 1 Drop bay
Ben felt a little odd after having his round in the seat. Romulus was gesturing towards it again, he must have been so focused on his experience that he had missed that they had both sat down, "nah mate, I already had my round... unless you want to go again?"
Alexis meanwhile laughed a bit guiltily, "its no such thing as that, I have much more effective ways to get males."
Nova's Room
"Meow?" asks the Kitten with confused look at the golden fox....When it is clear the vixen is not buying it, the kitten sighs.
"So, what did your scan tell you?" the Kitten thinking/sending to the fox, "I'm the same as you. So, PLEASE, keep the threats of your sister to yourself, I can defend myself and Nova. And, I like Loki too much to hurt Mother or any of her daughters. My propose is to assist and protect Nova, Daughter of the Hunnydews, and Master of the song of harmony against the song discord of the Enemy. She both holds the key, will and the know how to repair the Lock. She is a curious and courageous soul, and my sister"
When Rebecka remembers her scan of the kitten, she will see that the kitten is an AI being like herself, but with cat ears and a fox's tail. She is a cub of 8-10 years, but she is just as wise as the golden vixen. Yet, The kitten AI is made with many forgotten design patterns, and algorithms, which the Masters have forbidden or would never allow. The last picture from the scan is of a huge sphere in hyperspace, that sings. It sings a song of beautiful harmony that overcomes the low hum of the familiar angry songs of the Masters which are coming from inside the sphere, then the scan stops, and it is reflect back on itself.
"I know Nova will love to see you. I'm sure you will be friends." thinks the kitten to Rebecka with a cute little smile.
PBH
Squad 1 Drop bay
Romulus looked at Alexis an odd look.
"The pirates come to pay you guys a visit or something"
Then he looked to Ben and gestured towards the door.
"What say we go find out crew and find some food"
Romulus then looks back at Alexis.
"That is if you guys have food we can eat"
Romulus actually stuck his tongue out a little bit at Alexis as he moved towards the door.
Aaron's room
There goes Richard about Aaron's "girlfriend" again. Perhaps when Aaron works up more time and courage he'll ask more about that. Right now he has an appointment to keep.
"First off, I am not a space alien. Well, maybe I have some space alien in me, but that is beside the point. Second we need to find a new euphemism for 'way to complicated and only getting worse'. Interesting is getting old. Right now I'm going to take a shower before my big date in med bay."
Richard nods and heads out. Aaron makes good on his threat to clean himself up. For all the big deal the Acadians and their star ships made about not having an attachment to physical bodies they sure know how to make a good shower. Though such thoughts made Aaron brood a bit. Aaron never had reason to doubt he was a fox. Well, there was the time he learned great great great grandma was a wolf. But having some small part wolf did NOT link him with an ancient race of space aliens. If nothing else, Naz was gonna throw a fit if it were true. Nova may throw a fit, or she may want to take the knife to him. Romulus... would probably take the whole thing in stride. Things seem to rarely phase him.
Of course, this is all contingent on all of this being true. Perhaps Mother was pulling his leg, and just wanted him in med bay to run scans on him. Either way, he would love to see the results. At some point in his strange thoughts he gets himself clothed and heads out to med bay. Being part of this Acadian club could be nifty. If nothing else teasing Ixiah and Loki about him being a cousin could be amusing.
Nova's Room
"By my calculations, you do not possess sufficient power to hurt Mother or myself, but you have potentially dangerous code constructs built into your program... your code base seems too much like... that of Matron and Elder. Wait... sister? That seems very improbable; I suspect you mean this in a symbolic sense."
Rebecka would have pursued the situation further, but she stopped when the kitten mentioned Loki, "the young master can be naïve at times, Mother does not seem to notice anything and I can't say that I have found anything, but I hope for everyone's sakes that you are not manipulating him."
Squad 1 Drop bay
Alexis was surprised at Romulus, especially the tongue sticking out thing, "very peculiar, that does not seem like you. Well, anyways, we have lots of food just delivered and we can reproduce patterns of matter... so once we study this material, we should be able to recreate it from... well you know, recycled materials."
Alexis smiled, "we could reproduce some well aged carrion for you Mr. Darkcloud. Wolverines are known to consume such in high quantities."
She led the group down to the 'cafeteria' area and gestured wide, "this is where you carbon-based types can refuel. We haven't started anything, as the supplies are being loaded, so if you are patient we will begin the process soon."
Medbay
As Aaron thought to himself, he headed through the hallways without truly knowing where he was going. He was locked in his various thoughts and somehow, subconsciously he reached his destination.
The area was windowed extensively along the front. Silver panels came up to his knee from the floor and a similar height from the ceiling, giving a letterbox sort of look. The doors were double and made of the same class/clear acrylic as the front. The wall plate next to the doors read "Medical Bay".
Richard waited patiently out front and waved as Aaron approached, "I do not think anyone is in there."
Cafeteria area
Romulus smiled at Alexis about her comment of him and shrugged.
"What can I say I tend to act weird around pretty women. I didn't get much of a childhood so it stuff like that comes out at odd moments."
Romulus started walking and his ears perked up when Alexis mentioned carrion.
"Mmmm carrion hadn't had that in a long time"
Romulus walked into the area and watched Alexis spread her arms, gestureing to the area.
"Nicest place I've ever eaten in. *looks at Ben* How about you?"
Hall outside Nova's room
Nazareth nodded slightly in understanding as Mother explained the situation to him. However, when she came to the comment about how she had been been in his mind, Nazrathe's face instantly darkened.
"When did-" Nazareth started to say harshly, but then stopped. He closed hs eyes and pinched the bridge between them, letting out an exasperated breath. "I'm not sure how much you know about us primitive people,' Nazareth said in a restrained voice, "But we would consider something like mind-searching without permission to be a monumental breach of privacy." Nazareth looked up at her. "In the future, I would appreciate it greatly if you refrain from any such intrusions, mental or otherwise, on myself or my Group, without our consent. And I would prefer it if you also consult me before approaching any of the men under my command with such intent in the future as well.
"Could you possibly accomodate these conditions, ma'am?"
Medbay
Aaron waves back and asks, "Really?"
Aaron was a bit surprised that such a place would be abandoned. Aaron went and looked into opening the door, stepping through should he find out how to operate the door.
Cafeteria area
Ben nodded, "yes, she's beautiful... er, I mean she's nice... er, it's nice in here."
Alexis laughed a little and shook her head, "poor pup, now let us try a bit of your standard supplies that were brought onboard."
Something, Romulus and the others are not sure what, began to prepare a meal in the cooking area. Within moments, they were each presented with a steaming plate of chicken curry over jasmine rice, a small collection of seasoned vegetables, with a small glass of mint team and a baklava for desert.
Alexis watched the others, "we followed the directs, now what do we do with it?"
Hall outside Nova's room
"Could you possibly accommodate these conditions, ma'am?"
The orange vixen hesitated before shaking her head, "no, no I cannot. It is not because I do not wish to, but it is simply because it is impossible. You are inside of a sentient space ship... a living vessel. Every piece of what appears to be metal plating, doors, beds, chairs... except what you have brought yourself... is part of me. I am designed to guard a single creature, I can monitor where he is, what he is doing, understand his thoughts, feelings, wants, desires... when he wishes not to share with me, he can block me. You cannot do that, your mind is an open book, you are transmitting thoughts everywhere! I can no more stop seeing your mind anymore than you can shut your brain off."
Mother paused and closed her eyes, "a mental link like this is required to be able to pilot properly, if you cannot handle this then it is best if you do not come. You are not as dynamic of a mind as some of the others, but I had hoped you would adapt."
Medbay
The door opened automatically with a slight hiss. Richard and Aaron were both assaulted with the familiar antiseptic scent of most normal medbays.
Both canids entered through the door and once they had entered far enough into the room the door closed behind them. Both briefly turned back to look and when the swung back around a light violet furred vulpine with short platinum purple hair and dark violet eyes. She wore a uniform very much like an ISF Medical Officer.
She smiled to Aaron, "Please state the nature of the medical emergency." Her voice held a strong accent (best described as Australian). The vixen giggled, but neither Aaron nor Richard understood what could be funny.
Richard stepped forward, "Aaron is here for a few tests as requested by Mother."
The vixen turned around for a brief second, as if searching for something. When she was again facing them, she held a syringe the size of a heavy horse lance, "you mean I finally get to use my little syringe?"
Richard turned pale and the vixen again gigled, "only kidding, I just had to use this prop I found in the other set for that Dan & Mab thing."
She sighed, "in reality, the tests should be rather uneventful. Aaron, could you please take off your shirt." She busied herself by preparing some rather sophisticated equipment.
Nova's room
Okay, Most of my power is the power of stealth, Mother has block me from the main core since she knows about me, and I can only manifest myself as this kitten, using the general access power, But if an AI doesn't know, I am onboard, I can block scans, hide in the general data streams and gain access to the central core, then I will be able then gain my maturity. *smile*
And why can't I be Nova's Sister? I'm her sister as much as Mother is mother. Matron adopted Nova as a daughter, and part of Nova's pattern was use to create me.
Yet, we are all working for the same goal, to bring about downfall to the Masters. Nothing is more important. Xaos and Gaea don't know if the Harmonic Sphere was weakening or if their probes and their studies of it, caused the discord harmony in the sphere that allowed the Masters to escape.
So, Ms Engineer, Do you want to help? Do you think, you can think of a way to rebuild the Sphere of Harmonies?
sends the kitten
PBH
Cafeteria area
Romulus looked at Ben then back to the food that was prepared. He raised an eyebrow as he taste the food. He then looked back at Ben.
"You ever have food like this before? I'm used to whatever they served at the army cafeterias or MREs. This is starting out to be a good trip"
((OOC: I don't care how bad anyone says Voyager was, The Doctor was awesome.))
Medbay
It took Aaron a second to get over the 'ZOMG NEEDLE' reaction. Aaron undoes his shirt and throws it to the side, then stands next to the vixen, watching what she does. Aaron couldn't understand a bit she was doing, but liked watching anyways.
"So miss... I'm sorry I never caught your name. Unless I am to just refer to you as, 'The Doctor' or some such sillyness. On a more serious note, what sort of probing would there be? I'm glad to hear that they should be 'uneventful'. Eventful tests tend to be poorly designed tests. Could I also have a copy of the results? Perhaps I can't interpret them, but I like to have such things. Call me a data pack rat."
Aaron continued to ask questions about what she was doing, looking at pretty screens and buttons, generally waiting for the uneventful event to start.
Nova's Room
The gold vixen was surprised to find that Nova's pattern was integrated into this kitten's form, "amazing, carbon based data structures have been transcribed into a digital matrix... self-expanding algorithms. However, it is amazingly viral in appearance. If Mother was to allow you to interface with the powercore... your specific traits would spread through out our systems and infect us. I am not sure if Matron created you to be this way, so you would change those AIs you came across. To be safe, I have isolated you from all systems other then the general access power."
She smiled slightly and petted the kitten, "I am called Rebecka, what do they call you?"
The vixen hesitated for one of the first times in her life, the kitten asked her if she could help repair the Sphere of Harmonies. The monumental scope of this task caused hesitation and a slight amount of fear, could she do it... was it right... was she standing at the crossroads of history... could the fate of the universe hinge on her decision?
Rebecka felt dizzy and sat down on the bed, what should I do?
Cafeteria area
Ben nodded with a mouthful of rice and meat, "too right mate, this is amazing! I've never had food in the army like this! I think I'm going to like it here, but I'm going to have to work harder or else I won't be able to keep from gaining too much weight."
Alexis mimicked what the others were doing and finished off her plate. Her form made quick utilization of the materials and she nodded in satisfaction, "I shouldn't need to do this too much, but it might be nice to eat every once in a while. Converting it to energy produces some very interesting results. Anyways, what would you all like to do now? I've shown you the basics of what you will need to know."
Medbay
The purple vixen giggled at the barrage of questions and chatter coming from Aaron, "are we nervous Aaron? Well, my name is Cynthia, but you can call me the Doctor if you wish. My function is basically science, of which this is most certainly a part of. There will be some mind probing, some blood samples, a little bit of fur taken... the most important test are the mind ones. I will be digging into memories. We can talk results at some other time, but let us get started."
The fox produced a small silver device that flashed multiple colors and emitted a soothing pulse. She ran it along various body areas. Perhaps to unnerve Aaron, she would periodically stop shaking her head, laughing, gasping in surprise or staring in confusion.
"Please have a seat."
When Aaron had sat down on one of the medical beds, the doctor sat down next to him. The vixen locked her violet eyes with Aaron's and smiled warmly, focused as he was on her lovely eyes, he barely noticed her slip a needle into his arm.
"I do hope the calibration is correct on this unit." Within a second, the unit had drawn 2 full pints of blood. That process made Aaron feel very odd and not surprisingly very light headed. Cynthia muttered a small oath and instantly injected a stimulant directly into Aaron's body, "I'm sorry about that, I am just now becoming aware of the frailty of your species. Come on now, stay awake, no passing out... yet."
The blood filtered through tubes, scanning units, compressors and various other implements. Endless amounts of odd, red symbols, buzzed across the displays, a few stopped in places glowing yellow.
Cynthia smiled knowingly and winked at the dizzy Aaron, "are we ready for the mind probing?"
Medbay
Aaron counted the units of blood taken. Then did the math on his fingers, since the brain did not brain so good.
"So that is... a fifth of my blood in that thing... I'm gonna need some breakfast cereal."
The stimulants did make him feel much better. Aaron could only assume that the yellow bits on the machine meant that there was stuff in his blood that should no be there. Stupid M.D.s telling him to take in less cholesterol.
When asked about the mind probing Aaron responds, "Sure! Though is the mind probe calibrated? I don't want it sucking out a fifth of my brain."
At that moment Aaron was equal parts nervous and squee.
Oh purrr yes right there... oh oh, I am Mara, and the daughter of Matron, and Matron did give me the ability to effect other AI's, but I can control the amount of change from no change to fully changing them into be me. but that last one would work only once, Once I have a base/ship for myself, I will pretty much become that ship's AI and control.
As for the sphere, I hope my mother has something more to give us... when we see her.... You don't have to decide, now. And Nova has more information lock in her head in what happen and maybe a fresh look at this problem. sends the kitten, but she is unsettled and falls into the bed covers then Nova somewhat awakes from Rebecka's sitting on the bed.
"Mmmm AH mom, Can I have just five minutes?" grumbles Nova as she turns over and throws a spare pillow at Rebecka...."ah ah I I Okay I am sorry but is this your room?" asks the shock Catgirl staring at the golden vixen. and the kitten is no where to be found. Rebecka can feels Mara about Nova, maybe on Nova and/or maybe in Nova, but the kitten form is not around.
"Are you looking for something?" asks the confused Nova as she watching the vixen look around the room look a second or two.
PBH
Cafeteria area
Romulus slowly finished his meal. Having not ever eaten anything like this, he was somewhat worried his system wouldn't like it. He looked at Alexis as she spoke. He scratched his chin at Alexis's question.
"All I can think of now is having a meeting before we get going. Make sure everyone understands this rule on this trip. Also get a general reading on everyone"
Zeta-Group barracks
The four other Crusading Scales were in their otherworldly quarters, in various idle states. With the enter and exit procedures of their fighters complete, they had nothing to do until launch. The snake, Satch Nestor, was lying on his back on his unusually comfortable cot ("cot" being the closest word he could think of it as), hands under his head, staring at the crystalline green ceiling. It shimmered every now and then, almost as if it were moving...
"Hey, Mack." Satch called to the gecko on the cot across from him.
"Yeah, Satch?"
"What do you think about all thiss, you know, this alien sstuff?" He sat up, and the material underneath him seemed to morph to accommodate his new position. "I think thiss is awessome! We, the Crusading Sscales, are with live alienss on a real alien ship! No other pilotss in the fleet got this opportunity!"
Mack Narth glanced over to the snake. "Eh, I think they're interesting, but strange. That uber-tractor-beam and bubble morphing stuff was a little jarring..."
"What do you think, Norton?"
The frilled lizard looked up. "That tractor beam, while definitely not something we can do, wasn't completely out there, but damn if I know how a ship this size manages to put out that much power...What i wouldn't give to take a peek around their engine room...pity it seemed like it was that 'forbidden' hallway..." Norton's frills waved slightly.
"What about you, ssir? Any thoughtss?" Satch said to the large crocodile, Burns Torson.
"I think that we have an ordinary anti-pirate escort job, just with an unusual charge."
"Pff...What about The Duke? I wonder what he thinkss about this?"
Mack rolled his eyes, grinning, both at the question and at the secret nickname they had for their commanding officer. "You know him. His stoic ass probably doesn't even care. Nothing rattles that guy."
"I dunno, he looked a less green when this ship sucked up or fighters...but you're probably right." Norton tossed offhandedly.
Burns looked up at the other three then. "Not necessarily, boys. I've known one or two things that can bother him, but yes, he is generally a harder man than most."
Satch shook his head bemusedly. "Got that right. He's probably still saluting someone right now..."
Hall outside Nova's room
Nazareth actually covered his face (well, his eyes, at least), with his hand. For an alien that reportedly can't stop reading thoughts, she sure seemed to have missed the point. Either that or she simply can't make a distinction between "learning all about someones abilities by digging through their mind" and "passively picking up on surface thoughts", or really was so powerful that she really did automatically read the entire mental makeup of anyone within range. Not to mention that he would be okay (albeit grudgingly) with a mental control link if it was necessary.
Either way, Nazareth certainly wasn't happy about all this, but he wasn't about to drag it any further. He just wanted to get one last thing taken care of.
"Blast it all" He growled, removing his hand and looking into the eyes of Mother once again.
"Alright. There is one last thing I would like to do, and this is purely a matter of duty and practicality. My men have already gone through boarding procedures with their fighters, and I assume that they will also go through undocking and docking procedures once we launch. However, my task, as you dispensed, is controlling you in a combat situation. As I do not even know the basics, I believe it is best if we get started immediately. When we launch, I should be at least marginally capable of piloting you, and I believe it would be the best idea to perform some coordination and formation drills with my men deployed.
"I don't care if you are somehow packing more firepower than our fleet combined, there is no sense in charging into pirate territory and your combat detail is without any practice."
Medbay
The purple vixen smiled innocently, "why Aaron, you only use ten percent of your mental capacity, you would hardly miss it. Do not worry though, the worst it could do is wipe out a section of your memory. All we would have to do is restore that point from one of your backups... well; I suppose you don't back up your mind. Let's hope it doesn't come up... hey, Richard! Don't touch that!"
Richard, who had become very bored watching Cynthia and Aaron, had instead decided to view the data as it was processed. The red symbols were zipping past, but the yellow ones remained, a single purple symbol had appeared, but the screen had gone into some kind of power saver mode. The wolf was randomly tapping various colored squares on the touch panels trying to get it to return from standby. His indiscretion had resulted in Aaron losing another two full pints of blood, he was injected with some odd stimulant that made him very energetic, something else that made his tummy hurt very much, and he was dispensed some type of pill.
The vixen pulled Richard away and forcibly sat him down in a chair, gave him a small device that had the look of a portable game system, and shot him such a stern look that he tucked his tail between his legs and gave a tiny whimper.
She turned to the main medical display and tapped the control panels, locking them. While Cynthia was doing this, Richard shot Aaron a sincere look of apology.
Aaron found that reclining on the bed was slightly more comfortable as the fogginess in his head and the current pain in his stomach eased a bit in doing so. Cynthia rushed over to him and examined his eyes, she looked at him concerned for a moment and pointed at the console over her shoulder, a small beep was heard and a cool fluid entered his arm through the tube. His stomach ache dulled considerably. She withdrew the tube and dabbed at his arm with a cotton swab which caused the spot to burn fiercely.
"I am sorry, but I am not used to your species and was focused on you... your friend is quite... well... nevermind. Does it still hurt? It will be okay, now let us move on to the mind probe, I know I have taxed you quite a bit in a short time, but please try to stay with me. I will need you to focus on your parents, let's start with your mother." As she spoke, she attached small, octagonal devices to his temples. She stepped back and held up her hand, closing her eyes.
Aaron found it difficult to remember much of his mother, but there was this one time...
OOC: yes, there was one time Aaron remembers, I will let Shades draw up the scene in his post.
Nova's room
The golden vixen was a little surprised to see that Nova had awakened and even more so to be hit in the face with a pillow. The vixen scanned the room a bit before answering Nova; she noticed that Mara was now with the catgirl somehow.
Rebecka adjusted her glasses as she spoke, "no, this is not my room. I do not possess a room, unless you consider the engineering area. I am Rebecka, daughter of Mother, and I was checking out an unusual presence in here. I found a kitten, who turned out to be a rogue AI of a child design, based off of Matron and other unusual characteristics, named Mara."
The gold vix held up a paw when Nova became fearful, "do not worry, Mother has said it is okay, and I will trust my mother's decision in this matter. So tell me, how much of your destiny has Mara told you about?"
Cafeteria area
Alexis nodded, she stood up and gestured for them to follow, "come let us return to the Special Forces area and we will speak with everyone there. Then when we are able, the whole mission crew will assemble and we shall discuss our objectives and intents."
She headed down the halls and finally into the area that housed Romulus's and Ben's teams. She stood by while they gathered everyone.
Hall outside Nova's room
It was indeed as Naz had thought; Mother seemed to automatically and completely access anything directly in contact with her.
She nodded as he spoke his concern, "of course we shall practice, and I was going to leave it to you to determine what you felt necessary to familiarize you and your team to combat with me.
Somewhere deep down in her subroutines, Mother did not enjoy the small amount of distress she caused Nazareth. It was possibly something about her personality type (or that she was programmed to be a mother in a literal sense) that caused this.
Without warning, she reached out and hugged Nazareth, "don't worry Naz, everything will be okay." Despite all this mental connection, she seemed completely capable of misinterpreting signals and thought clues.
OOC: And no, Naz cannot toss, karate, or kung fu Mother, nor can he break her hug. This AI projection's hug seems to be as strong as the ship is heavy.
Aaron wanted to say a great many things. One of which was how, in spite of only using 10% of the brain at any one time, the whole thing will still necessary for proper operation, and how he would love to do the occasional brain backup, and maybe something to Richard about how pushing buttons on machines with price tags that you can't estimate always leads to heart ache (learned through personal experience). But such was not the time for that.
Aaron thought about his mom. There was not a whole lot to remember. But there was this one time...
Mark and Aaron were just cubs, and both Maria and Robert Brown, the cub's ever missing parents, were together with them. Robert was holding Mark out at arms length, and it looked like Mark was making biting motions, "Maria, I think he's trying to eat my nose..."
Maria giggles a bit, "Yes, I think he is hungry. There should be another bottle in the kitchen."
Maria had Aaron cradled in her arms. He was sucking down the milk like it was no one's business, but that was kind of the point. When Robert took Mark out of the room she said to Aaron, "My little cub, you will be someone special, this I can promise you, even if I can promise you precious little else."
She started singing to him, a lovely song he would never hear anyone else sing.
Back on Mother, Aaron absentmindedly started singing along with his memory.
Medbay
Richard stopped his game whatever he was playing on the device and his ears swiveled around a bit, though Aaron was no great vocalist, he could tear it up in a karoake bar. The wolf listened intently, not able to make out the words.
Cynthia paused and opened her eyes, the words were clear to her and she lifted her own voice in song.
Lor, lora, neo linda hín
Lor nu núra elmenel
Cena manen i olorë cara son lia
Ar sino tinta yare i isil na per
Lilta com eleni or fanya ar hisië
Mí hwinyari ve uner is cena
Lilta com vendë ve mí i olorë le neta
Ar anta vandi ve uner is anta
Vanda ana anta rin rino i olorëon coa
Ar fallë or i falmar ninqui
Vanda rin ana i coi noruva ya már
Ar le rin mí i menel noruva tana
Vanda ana anta rin i isil mine aurë
Ar ana le noruva lala mí oio valin
Cena tennana rin quent ya axan
Yare rin ve mine már tári noruva heri
Ar yrae rin san anta lin mine laurea corma
Noruva lin coiva mí caima yo lin amil
Ar cena ana rin anta lin se anvane arin
Ar lin vanda noruva ya anwi
Ea, neo linda hín
Lin vanda noruva ya anwi
(Translation:
Slumber, sleep, my beautiful child
Sleep beneath deep vaults of stars
Watch the dreams spinning its yarn
And its glitter when the moon is half
Dance with stars beneath clouds and mist
In swirls that no one can see
Dance with the girl you can win in your dream
And make promises no one can make
Promise to give her the castle of your dreams
And the foam of the waves of white
Promise her that life will be good
And that you will draw her in the sky
Swear to give her the moon one day
And that you will laugh in eternal joy
Make sure that her words will be laws
When she rules as a benelovent queen
And when she gives you a golden ring
Wake up in your cradle with mommy
And see that she gives you the fairest of dawns
And your promises will come true
Yes, my beautiful child
Your promises will come true)
In the ship Mother, in midst of a hug, opened her eyes and gazed around for a bit.
In Nova's room, Rebecka paused and her ears swiveled as she listened to something on the air. (yes, Mara would hear it too)
In the Special forces area, Alexis appeared to zone out.
Loki yawned and opened his eyes, his ears swiveled and caught something, the small green fox sniffed and tears escaped his eyes.
And still elsewhere, Ixiah buried his head in his pillow and tried not to listen, but he could not keep it out. The blue fox cried, he so missed Rheya.
Aaron's mind... quite roomy in here
Aaron was in his dreamscape as this scene played out, a purple vixen also stood next to him, she had wavered out for a bit, but after her song, she returned to focus.
"Hold pattern, insert overlay!" The vixen called out, seemingly to no one in particular.
Instantly the vision stopped and a grid overlay was added. Like an artist manipulating a picture in Photoshop, Cynthia placed everything but Maria in the background. The memory of Maria was then isolated.
"run standard filters and pattern analysis, look for aural signatures and essence traces." Something occurred with the image and it wavered and focused, changed colors and was split into pixels.
Aaron, seeped as he was in the memory and emotions, as well as very weaked by blood loss and some very alien chemicals, felt as if they were literally tearing his mother to pieces. His rational mind berrated him, but that was not in control at the moment, he felt as if they were killing her.
Before he could take action, the analysis stopped and two images were before him. One was his mother as a grey vixen and the other was very much the same, but instead she was a pure, vibrant white kitsune.
The memory grayed a bit as the current image evaporated and the extracted one was brought forth. The lock to the memory was released and it continued, but it was muted in all except for Maria and Aaron. She was now a white kitsune... or as it was apparent, always a white kitsune.
Maria stopped feeding Aaron, stood and handed the cub to the observer Aaron, before approaching Cynthia. "why do you disturb these memories?"
Maria's eyes glowed bright blue and the purple vixen took a step back, "I was asked to find the truth..."
OOC: lullaby by NoctourneAngel
Aaron's mind, roomy and full of delicious SCIENCE!
It was, perhaps, a good thing that Aaron was in a slow mental state, otherwise he may have had a go at Cynthia's life for what he thought she was doing. Aaron was not one for killing, but he knew his choice in the question of you or me.
When his mother turn to a white kitsune he had suspiciously little problem with it. Normally Aaron's rational mind would demand he question this and scrutinize this, but it was still missing (in fact, it was in the kitchen with Robert and Mark, banging on the door demanding back in). With little dream Aaron his his arms he was kind of relieved, in a strange sense. There was something to be said for memories that could defend themselves...
"Asked to find the truth? Young ship, there are few truths that require probing my son's mind and dissecting memories of me."
Maria sighed, though her glare did not let up in the least. Aaron could not help but wonder how Cynthia has avoided bursting into flames at this point. Aaron spoke up, "Umm... I did consent to it... I was curious..."
Special Force Area
Romulus followed Alexis. He turned to Ben.
"Round your team up when we get there"
Romulus rounded his team up as soon as they entered. He went to talk to Alexis but saw she was zoneing out.
"Oh that can't be good"
"Ah Rebecka Mara is a "friend" who I have never seen outside of my head, well, since I was 6. How can she be here running around as a kitten? Yes, She was not grown up much since I was 8. In fact I have not seen her in my dream since I was 10." Says the wondering Nova. "She was a normal catgirl, not a small four pawed fluffy cat.?"
Nova starts hearing the Aaron's song through Mara.
"oh oh That is a beauty song, but it is not the same..." says the catgirl as Mara feeding the Aaron's song to her. The golden fox can see a light hanging about Nova's neck and then it's glow spreads all over the catgirl, as she hums in time to the lullaby. . At the end of the song, Nova looks normal, again. " but those is not same words to Gaea's song, I don't think? No I don't remember the Gaea's words. but...Thank you, Mara" says Nova to Mara. Her crystal is dark again.
"Well, I think I could use some breakfast or whatever meal is on, now. You ..We can talk to Mara, while I eat if you like." Nova says as she goes to pick up her shirt, but she goes to her door, instead. She feels Loki's sadness from across the hall. She quickly go to Loki's door.
"Loki, Are you alright?" asks the young feline woman to Loki's door as she listens to his soft tears.
PBH
Aaron's mind, roomy, has SCIENCE! Now with extra voices and chocolate filling
Aaron spoke up, "Umm... I did consent to it... I was curious..."
Maria turned to Aaron, her eyes were filled with affection, but also worry. "my precious son, I wanted nothing but the best for you... for you to have a normal life among the foxes of Vulpeculae. I know your life has been anything but typical, but I did not want you to be considered a freak or captured for experimentation. I think your father went looking for me, do not think ill of him, he loved his sons, but I do not think he could be without me."
The white vixen paused, considering her words, "Aaron, I had to leave, my... our... people were on the move again. The masters were beginning to take action, directing the rest of the Acadians to locate the remaining Alphas. I left a piece of myself behind, to aid you if it was ever needed..."
Maria pointed to Cynthia, "she created the correct circumstances to draw me out, albeit accidentally. You are weakened and confused, though you have not been seriously injured, what has occurred has simulated that. What I must tell you is that you need to reach Xaos and Gaea, but you must be careful of them, they are rather chaotic. Know that the one called Nova can make the Sphere of Harmonies whole, but only Acadians can use it."
Maria put her paw to her head, "I must rest now, I am only a fragment, so my power is limited... and this frivolous curiosity has drawn much of it off, I will have to regenerate. Be safe my son... I will always love you."
Maria blended back into the memory, returning the scene to normal and collapsing the overlay.
Cynthia was quiet and in a small voice spoke to Aaron, "I am sorry."
Special Force Area
Alexis shook out of whatever trance she was in and looked around, slightly confused, "umm... I don't normally zone out..."
When she saw Romulus and the rest of his people, she looked rather embarrassed, "oh, uh don't worry... I was just receiving something I did not expect to say. So um, what is everyone doing here... and why am I here?"
Outside Loki's Room
Rebecka was barely able to say one thing before Nova headed out of the room to Loki's door, "Mara gained access to the general access power, that is probably how she has been able to manifest."
At Loki's door, there was a small squeak of a voice heard beyond, "come in."
As Nova entered, the lighting was low, she could see the small fox sitting on the edge of his bed. Without much warning he dashed over to her and wrapped her in a hug. He buried his face and began to wail like a child.
Special Force Area
Romulus looked at Alexis.
"Iunno you told us to come here to talk"
Romulus looks at Ben.
"You remember what we where gonna talk about right?"
Romuls winked at Ben while he spoke.
Aaron's mind, it's made of people!
Aaron was a tad stunned, about everything but mostly about... well everything. Cynthia barely got out an apology, and Aaron was just barely able to reply,
"Uh... could not have possible expected that. Don't worry. Too much. I'm kind of scared myself."
Aaron thought to himself, "I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry" *SNIFF* "Okay I'm gonna cry."
When Aaron collected himself again there were a few things that was obvious:
A) Mom was probably alive. Dad might be.
B) Aaron has some relation to the Alphas.
C) Aaron's destiny has expanded.
New Questions:
A1) Where are they?
A2) On a related note, I've not heard from Mark lately.
B1) IS Aaron an Alpha, or would he be considered a half breed? Mom considers him to be one of them...
B2) Do the Acadians want to kill him now?
C1) Reach WHAT?
C2) Nova knows something.
That last one was not surprising. However, he now has more information.
"Cynthia, I think it is time we go. We found our answer, and got a bunch of questions for our trouble."
"Shhh air'm Ojae thyzia" whispers Nova "Vaer byrn paes caes" over and over as she picks up the little fox and carries him to his bed. She lays down on it with him half on her chest, and humming another lullaby she remembers from Gaea....She pets and stokes the fur on Loki's back until he calms down and goes back to sleep. She doesn't mean to fall back to sleep in his bed, but she also feels too tried to get up.
Once Nova is asleep, Mara the kitten returns to her post, only now it's on top of Loki's butt.
OOC:(Translation "Shhh, It's Okay foxy." and "Rest now, Dearheart")
PBH
Quote from: Azlan on October 27, 2008, 01:50:31 AM
Without warning, she reached out and hugged Nazareth, "don't worry Naz, everything will be okay." Despite all this mental connection, she seemed completely capable of misinterpreting signals and thought clues.
OOC: And no, Naz cannot toss, karate, or kung fu Mother, nor can he break her hug.
Was that an anvil (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Anvilicious) that landed next to me just now? When Mother suddenly embraced Nazareth (with prodigious strength, as a short perfuntory escape attempt confirmed his suspicions), he was beyond caring anymore.
"Considering that not only are you an alien, but also
the alien
ship, who can't seem to help mentally invading anything near you, is this some kind of alien form of contact that will somehow enable me to begin learning how to pilot you?" He asked in a resigned voice.
And he wasn't joking.
Special Force Area
Ben was still a bit distracted by impure thoughts about the vixen, but he was able to catch on and winked back.
Alexis tried to hide her confusion, "er, right we were assembling here to... have me demonstrate a weapon I was going to make available to your men!"
Alexis pulled a medium length, sophisticated energy rifle from one of the cases. "This is the FireLance X, as I have decided to call it. This is a phased plasma weapon, so it is good for actions in space and on ground. Because it is plasma, you do not have to worry about it puncturing the hull on a starship, but it can eat through infantry and vehicle armors relatively quickly. Also, due to the phase state, the plasma does not degrade as quickly in an atmosphere. So who wants to try it?"
Alexis, for some reason, has seemed to have forgotten about their original intent of gathering.
Medbay
As Aaron slowly awoke, he was greeted by the concerned face of his wolf companion, "things have become... complicated haven't they?"
Perhaps in answer to the wolf, Aaron's eyes became heavy again and he slipped back into unconsciousness. He could hear Richard's distant voice, "hey! wait! Come back!"
Aaron was again in his mind, but this was a featureless, black expanse. Cynthia reappeared and smiled nervously at him, "it appears you have passed out, but I have followed you so that we might discuss things."
A pair of comfortable chairs appeared and the purple vixen took a seat as she motioned him to take the other, "I had no idea you carried a piece of an Acadian within you. I hope she can forgive me and what must have appeared to be quite byzantine methods."
A screen appeared before them and it slowly began to display data, "I thought we might discuss the data. The analysis of your blood seems a bit blase now, but it has some interesting notes. First off is that the markers are completely hidden, you need equipment of a least equivalent to what is in the lab in order to detect anything out of the ordinary."
A prodigious amount of symbols glowed yellow, "these are the traces we were looking for. Here..." The vixen indicates a few purple, glowing symbols, "these are the Alpha traits."
The display again switched, "the most interesting thing though is that you are not a halfbreed, but you are three-quarters Acadian..."
Loki's Room
Rebecka watches Nova and shakes her head as the feline slips back to sleep on Loki's bed.
She moves to the bed and almost reached out to wake Nova, but instead tucks both into the covers. The vixen gives a stern look to Mara, "you keep them both safe now."
Rebacka withdraws from the room, leaving them in peace.
The Hallway
Mother releases Nazareth from the hug with a giggle, "surely you know what a hug is? No? Well it is not some type of contact method to aid in your piloting, but it could not hurt. Follow me."
Mother led Naz through the ship and to the bridge. The pilot's seat sat, inviting and comfortable, even to one such as Nazareth, "have a seat, it doesn't bite."
Aaron's mind. It got quite dark and empty :<
"Wait HOW MUCH?"
Aaron was waiting for the half breed news, or maybe one quarter. Though three quarters comes up. Three quarters is an interesting number. Three quarters means one of a very few things.
"All of the sudden I want to see some kind of family reunion. More so then usual. It means that Mom is full, or maybe dad was full? Or maybe both were half and I hit it big in the genetic lottery? Or... SIGH, I'm thinking way too much for someone who just passed out. Is there more to discuss? I'm wondering if I should talk to Ixiah for... I don't know. Tips and tricks to being Acadian I guess."
Special Force Area
Romulus looked at Ben and smiled
"I'll give it a shot"
Aaron's mind - not so dark, just small
Cynthia thought for a moment before replying, "your mother is a full Acadian with an Alpha trait... which would make your father a half-blood, like that Kanzoria chap. As for speaking with Ixiah, he is older than you, but you are a lot more mature then he is. I believe it has something to do with your fox blood, it also explains why you physically matured in this corporeal body. You will need to ascend to achieve true form."
The purple vixen abruptly stood up, grabbing Aaron's hand and dashed towards a door of light that appeared, "time to wake up!" The vixen yelled as she tossed him through the portal.
Medbay
Aaron was immediately jolted awake and sat up abruptly, something he regretted as the room swam and his stomach objected.
Richard stood next to the bed with his tail wagging and a relieved expression, "ah, good, you did not die. It would be sad to journey through these fascinating events without their cause."
Special Forces Area
Alexis handed the weapon off to Romulus, with a few snide remarks about which direction to point and to be careful with guns.
She backed off and a target range deployed at the other end of the training area.
Romulus would notice the raw power, slight kick and rugged exterior of this weapon. It was light, but sturdy.
Special Forces Area
Romulus gave a mock look of amazement at Alexis and she shows him the rifle.
He stood and took a few shots to get use to the rifle. Once he get the rifle figured out he started shooting well aimed shots.
He then looked back at Alexis.
"I really like this but do you have anything with a scope on it? Go better with my outfit"
Romulus then looked at his company.
"Ok now to get to the matter at hand. As you all know we are basically here for ground and pound. Don't expect much to any ship boarding in this one. Also looks like we may be having some back up when we need it from some bots on the ship. As for chain of command follow any orders given to you by Major Brown. He's running the show here. I'm in charge when we are in combat as usually but the Major is running things when not in combat. Lt. Nova I'm gonna say shouldn't be giving you orders so I'll leave it to your discrestion on following them. I'm gonna say follow any order the AIs give you unless it's seriously screwed up. *Gives Alexis a sideways glance then back to the group* Alright everyone take a turn with this rifle. I want you familiar with this tech and how it works. *Looks to Wall* Yes you too. We'll deal with whatever heavy weapons when we come to it"
Romulus handed the rifle to Ben and talked to Alexis.
"Anyway we can pull together a ship meeting before this gets going"
Medbay
"One second before you declare me alive..."
Material that used to reside in Aaron's stomach now found a new home on Cynthia's floor.
"Okay... still alive now. Though I seem to have trouble keeping fluids. Sorry about that Doctor."
Aaron grins as best he can and looks at Richard,
"Don't worry about me dying. I plan on seeing this through, even if I have to claw my way to the end. That day looks to be a while off, so until then I'm going to need some food high in iron and a tooth brush. Then maybe sleep."
Aaron sees about standing up, with Richard too glad to help him up to head to the mess hall to see if he can't find something he can keep down.
Hallway
Nazareth shook his head as he began following Mother down the corridor. Ah, of course he know what a hug is, but it seemed rather odd that not only does the alien know as well, but it seems to mean the same thing. He'd already given up trying to guess in what ways these damn rainbow-people were alike and different to his own people, though.
She led him into the bridge, which he had to admit did look rather comfy, at least compared to conventional ships. He still preferred more function-only spartan-accomodations, but he'd already resolved to simply deal with everything about these aliens.
At Mother's comment, he merely replied "Ma'am, I am a komodo dragon. Something biting me is always the least of my worries." With that, he slid into the chair.
Nova's dreamscape
"Loki, Dear I know we can use the rest and all, but shouldn't the Captain, you, be getting the ship ready to get underway?" Asks Nova of Loki, who is laying beside Nova on a beach with sounds of surf and sea birds over head. Loki is use Nova as a pillow and looking up at the ski.
A kitten fox hybred comes running from the water, dripping wet and lands with thud by Nova and Loki. "We can't go, now? I want to play somemore." whines Mara.
"Duty is duty, the captain decides what we will do.." commands Nova.
PBH
Special Forces Area
Ben takes the rifle and after a few practice shots, manages to start pulling off very expert marksmanship, "blimey, but this is a right nice piece of work. Alright lads, who is up next?"
The rifle is passed between each member of both teams and a consensus is reached, the plasma rifle is a good weapon.
Alexis nods to Romulus, "we can call a general meeting, let me ask Mother and Loki if it is alright."
Closing her eyes, she sends out a general query to Mother and Loki.
Medbay and hallways of the ship
As disturbing as it might seem, Cynthia was rather happy about the fact that Aaron had vomited on her floor, it meant more samples and more data.
Before Aaron could get too far with Richard, Cynthia tossed him back his shirt.
"You will probably need this, I like the fur pattern and all, but I suspect your people require a moderate amount of coverage."
The purple fox then set about cleaning up the mess and putting the vomit through some interesting tests.
As Richard and Aaron exited the medical bay, Aaron found that he was very wobbly and dizzy. The blood removal and strange chemicals had done a number on him, and to top it all off, the walking gradually made his stomach hurt even more.
Aaron considered that it might be wise to take the foodpill that the machine had dispensed to him, thanks to Richard, and get some rest.
Command Center
Nazareth eased into the chair and instantly felt at home.
"Naz, there are several ways to maneuver this ship. There are two styles of manual controls and the mental link. The manual controls are good for those that are not linked or too mentally fatigued to be able to use the link effectively. The trackball unit and the touch pad control are one method and the standard flight stick and throttle controls that deploy from the seat."
Mother deployed the stick controls from the seat, they were a little unconventional, but the arrangement was well known to him. Mother spent a moment going over these methods before continuing the mental control explanation.
"To utilize the mind link, you must clear your conscious thoughts and focus on me. Now send a mental request to me... basically think towards me... good."
Naz felt a slight cool feeling in his head as something 'clicked'. Mother could now be heard in his head, "now think of the ship... from the nose all the way to the gravity drive."
It was surprisingly easy and within a few transitionary moments, Naz was surprised to find that he literally stood on the shuttle deck. He could sense he was the ship, he could feel the drive systems, weapons; he even 'felt' the others onboard.
Nova's dreamscape
Loki either did not hear Nova or he was ignoring her comment about duty. "I heard an ancient song, an Alpha song... it...t... filled me with such a feeling, that I longed for my mother's embrace. It will never come though; royals do not show affection to their offspring or in front of others. The masters forbid relationships between families; our longing fosters perfect Olin for their chorus of discord."
Loki began to sniffle, "I'm not as strong as they wanted me to be... father had this ship made for me and he and my mother sent me away to keep me from being taken by the masters like Ixiah was."
Loki snuggled into Nova more and began to sob again; the thoughts of his parents fueled his sadness.
In Nova's dream
"Shh, Paes Caes, I am here and I know you pain, but know that your mother and father loved you, if they send you away from danger and gave you the best mother, they could. Yet, I know the little cub just wants to his mother. The only way to heal is to stop the Masters from continue their crimes and bring them to Justice or punishment." says Nova as she hold the crying Loki. Nova wonders about the sphere that Loki and she were working on in medical ward and another puzzle ball from her childhood.
"Loki, an Alpha song? That song just now, I heard it before or one just like it. The words are not the same as the song from Gaea. I remember, Gaea was/is an alpha and she could sing, but she said that she was not an Alpha Singer. Xaos said that my puzzle ball would need a Alpha Singer. Do you know one?"
"You mean this puzzle ball, Nova or That one ?" asks Mara. The Fox-kitten is hold a lego-like blocks in the shape of a half sphere, but she is pointing at a half moon in the sky. On closer look, the Moon turns into a crystal sphere that has been exploded outward with many crystal shards floating around it.
PBH
Special Forces Area
Romulus nodded at Alexis as she sent the query to Mother.
"See if we can meet at the command center or somewhere like that."
Hallway
Aaron made an attempt at putting on his shirt. This task was severely complicated by the fact that he did not want to touch his stomach at all and the severe lack of blood. Though he managed to put the sleeves on, most everything else stayed as it was. He also decided it would be a good time to eat the food pill. After swallowing it he was suddenly started wondering how he knew it was a food pill. Crazy thing about being with psychics he had no idea if this thought was planted in his head, or if he was just going crazy and imagined the whole thing.
Aaron and Richard walked down the hall. More precisely, Richard walked down the hall and Aaron leaned on him and was largely dragged by Richard. When they got to Aaron's room he was deposited on his bed. At least he was all the way in the bed. He went to sleep almost immediately, leaving Aaron with a stomach full of food pill, mouth wide open over the pillow, still (mostly) in his cloths, and in a rather undignified position. He looked forward to pleasant dreams, though perhaps he should have known to be sick of dreams already, lately they end up being more then he bargained for.
Nova's Dream
"Gaea would not sing a song like the one we heard except to her own child. Even if she adopted you, you still are someone else's child and a different species. But really I don't know, before I learned what you have shown me, I had thought Gaea a heartless, evil renegade."
When Nova asked about an Alpha Singer, he kind of shrugged, "I imagine you would need an Auran or an Ephon. I do not know of any really, Ixiah and Rheya are Olin and I am not any of these. As for spheres, we will know more when we reach Matron."
Nova could hear a low buzz, Loki could also hear it, but he frowned and turned over. Mara could receive the contact, however.
"This is Alexis... wait what channel am I on here, I do not recognize the ID... anyways, I need to speak with Loki."
Special Forces Area
Alexis made her contact with Mother, "mom, Romulus wants to schedule a full group meeting. Could we use C&C? I'm trying to get in touch with Loki."
Mother responded, "I do not mind, but I need a little bit of time to familiarize Naz wit hthe flight training"
Aaron's Room
Aaron drifted off to a fitful sleep, the food pill made him feel a tad more energized, but his stomach did not seem to calm down.
He drifted to a calm park setting. Green grass and healthy trees dotted the area. The fox found that he shared the dream with another fox, this one seemed to be a familiar vixen. She was red furred, green eyed, and a bit blond on her headfur.
After a moment, he realized who she was, it was the pirate vixen he had saved. It had just dawned on Aaron that he never learned her actual name.
Somewhere, just off from where he could, Ixiah lurked about, trying not to disturb until absolutely necessary.
"Aye, Master at arms Alexis, calls yee, Capt. Loki." says Mara as salutes Loki with child pirate costume on complete with toy sword and pistol. She hands him a spy glass, and points to the horizon and a sailing merchant ship entering the bay.
"Well, the sphere that Mara is Holding is a puzzle ball, I made when I was seven. The other one in the sky is something else, yet the puzzle ball is like a model of it, somehow." says Nova still wondering about her puzzles " Okay, It looks like you will have to explain what a Olin is, later?"
PBH
In the Park
The whole thing seemed odd to Aaron. Might he, some day, figure out what is reality and what is not? Meh, who knows, let's pretend this is all real, just in case it is.
Aaron walked up next to the vixen. He could not think of much to say to her, never having been a good conversationalist. "Uhh... hello. I fear I did not catch your name when we first met."
Nova's dream
Loki sighed as Mara reported Alexis's call, however, he brightened up when she handed him the spyglass and he saw she was cosplaying a pirate.
Loki donned his pirate attire, complete with a stylish hat, and extended his spyglass. He could see Alexis, "aye lass, ye be askin for a meetin of thee pirates brotherhood? It be okay with me! Yaarr."
In the special Forces area, Alexis looked slightly confused for a few moments before sighing and replying, "aye capt'n, it will be so."
Back in the dreamscape, Loki settled down and gazed at Nova. His eyes met hers as he considered her question, "Olin is someone who the masters can sing their songs of control through."
In the park of broken dreams
The vixen looked up at Aaron and a slight confusion passed over her eyes before a glint of recognition drifted in, "you're that major from the ISF, are you here or is this a dream?"
Aaron could sense devious and somewhat naughty thoughts crossing her mind. As she answered, a change in her voice was very noticeable and Aaron could sense a strange scent entering the air (vixen is scent dropping).
"my name is Marissa... and you are handsome." She moved towards him in an obviously seductive manner.
In the park of broken dreams
"Uhh... yes. My name is Aaron and thank you for that... ummm..."
Of the notable things in the air was the fact that Aaron was a bit confused and... turned on?
"As for the answer to your question, I'm not sure myself. As far as I can tell, this is my dream, I just passed out from... ah... let's call it a science experiment gone wrong. Still, pleased to make your acquaintance cute one."
His normal action was to flirt. It was a dream. Or was it? Dreams used to be one of the few things he was sure of. But that was also when he did not think there was doubt about him being an anthro person, and that he mom was a grey fox, and that he couldn't read minds. That last one was interesting now, some of her thoughts made Aaron blush. He liked to be a horrible flirt, but she... wow. It was enough to distract him from the fact that he was sensing what was in her mind.
"Oh, That is good to know, I wonder if we can change Rheya's tune...what would that do?"
"Ahoy Capt Loki, Alexis is sending a rowboat to us." says Mara. "You Promise? I Be your Cabin Boy or girl, sir"
"Oh Scalawag, oh Ruffian, Corrupter the innocence and stealing my handmaiden. Oh Where is the Queen's Navy when you need them?", Says Nova, who is dress in petticoats and ballgown. "Oh oh Is there anyone, anyone who can stop this evil swashbuckler? This fiend of the Sea, King of Pirates, and thief of my honor. Oh oh I feeling faint " Nova falls to sand beach in a heap.
"AH Captain, The "crew" wish to have a staff meeting" says Alexis in ISF uniform as she wonders at the pirate clothes and Nova's 17Th century gown.
PBH
Command Center
As Mother deployed the manual controls, Nazareth quickly got the flight stick and throttle easiest and most familiar, of course, and chose that, hoping that he wouldn't have to rely on this mindlink too much. "I need the tactile analog feedback," He explained, "otherwise I won't be able to pilot worth a damn." He handled the mental link well initially, but it took much of his mental discipline to not reflexively retreat from the contact as he started getting an "out-of-body" experience, feeling the ship almost as if it was himself, and even began sensing the passengers. He opened his eyes again, and the contact receded a bit. He still felt the ship, as if he was in a very large body, but he could manipulate his own again.
He took a minute to get used to the sensations, experimentally twiddling the flight controls while remaining in mental contact, then finally spoke again. "Okay. I think I can handle this. Can you run a flight simulation? I'd like to try a few basic flight controls and maneuvers before piloting this thing in reality."
Special Forces area
Romulus went to his bed for a bit of rest.
"Wake me when Alexis has an answer"
He spoke to no one in particular. He laid down on his bunk and fell asleep supriseingly fast.
In the park of broken dreams with unlocked doors
Marissa moved closer to Aaron, her tail high and slowly swishing, "blush? What's the matter handsome, shy?"
Just as she got dangerously close to Aaron, a blue blur appeared in between both and an unseen force carefully pushed the two apart. "wait! This is a dream, but you are both here! Think with heads, not hormones."
The mysterious blue blur was Ixiah, paws up in front of each other fox in a stop or halt sort of fashion (palms facing the other person "talk to the hand" :P). The young, blue fox was wearing his old outfit, except with the addition of a black body suit.
He turned to face Aaron, even in this dreamworld, the wet streaks and tear marks were evident on his facial fur, "I could sense it from my room... where I was resting, your mind has been artificially opened. A powerful chemical we have in the past used on the elderly or afflicted to heighten weakened or damaged psychic abilities was injected into you. You must have some latent psychic abilities. It opened an empathic channel almost immediately to her... she must be prominent in your subconscious and you in hers."
It did suddenly occur to Aaron that as bad as his stomach aches were, on the level of severe abdominal trauma, Cynthia never showed much concern. His opened mind had taken in all the pain she had been subject to because of her injury.
The embarrassed vixen gave Aaron a innocent little smile, "I'm sorry, I did not mean to be that way, I'm not normally that... loose, I really thought it was a dream and you know..."
With a sigh, she closed her eyes and disappeared.
Elsewhere, a red vixen awoke from a deep sleep with a slight amount of confusion. She actually had to physically check to make sure she was still injured, but she felt absolutely no pain, "thas sum pain killas."
Quietly she slipped out of her bed and made her way shakily to the nurse's entrance. Donning a lab coat and a pair of glasses, she expertly manipulated the security code on the pad. A satisfying click was heard from the door, she might have been drugged, critically injured, but only an amateur misses the keypad entries from lazy nurses.
Without the signals from her mind screaming pain at her, the vixen was able to move about freely, as she was not hobbling around like a normal, injured patient would be if they escaped. For some strange reason she felt compelled to go a certain way, she could not explain it.
Nova's dreamscape
Alexis shook her head at the scene, and immediately switched her attire to that of an appropriate sailing period royal naval Admiral, "captain Loki, it is imperative that you honor the Queen's... letters of marque, and convene the brotherhood's meeting on the bridge of your galleon."
Loki's face lit up with a grin as even Alexis had decided to play along, "aye, the queen has been just to a privateer such as myself. I shall do it. Come cabin-girl Mara, bring the lady Nova with us and we..."
Without much warning, two other figures appeared from the surf, a beaming blue fox and a confused and introspective gray fox. Ixiah waved vigorously, "sorry, our nodes seem to have become crosslinked... as Aaron here seems to be broadcasting and receiving uncontrollably at the moment."
Command Center
Without seemingly any change, Naz suddenly found his view surrounded by stars. Backing out of the mindlink, the front visual screen also displayed the same.
Mother merely smiled and patted Naz on the shoulder, "be at ease young one, I have not moved, I have merely erected a full immersion simulation as you requested."
OOC: I will let Tech run Naz and the ship through anything he wants, including a mock firefight with pirate fighters and capital ships... he can even ram the ship into a sun in the simulation if he wants to.
Special Forces Area
Ben and both teams went about whatever business they needed to take care of while Alexis continued to stand calmly in the room. Ben periodically checked on her to see if anything had changed.
Nova's dream
Aaron was quite confused, and apparently quite psychic. He decided that the only really appropriate thing to do was wave with Ixiah.
"Many apologies. I am... in an interesting position right now, what being apparently psychic. I don't suppose anyone here has the number for the accidentally mind linked hotline would they?"
Nova's dream, now with 200% more technicolor foxes and added Aarons for flavor
Ixiah patted Aaron on the arm, "don't worry... it will go away once the chemicals run their course, with as much as you probably got injected with, even a rock would become temporarily psychic. It's not like you are an half-breed Acadian and normal fox with latent or undeveloped psychic abilities or something."
Nova's dream. For extra flavor, we now add huge bombshells
Aaron rocked on his feet a bit with an awkward grin on his face.
"About that Ixiah... yea. I am, indeed, not half Acadian. I'm told I'm three quarters Acadian. With Alpha traits. With a fragment of my mom, who apparently was a full Acadian, in me. Did I mention that my trip to medbay was eventful?"
Nova's dream, now with facefalls and stunned foxes
Ixiah, at first, bust out laughing, he was rather happy Aaron was turning out to be rather funny. As Aaron continued to rock, whistle and grin, Ixiah instead facefell and sprang up right on top of Aaron.
The larger fox was knocked to the ground as Ixiah crouched on his chest with his eyes locked to Aaron's, "are you serious? Do you know what that means... Alphas are supposed to be rogues, evil, unredeemable and slain on sight without giving them a chance to talk, explain or surrender. This is also the first time I've come to realize how one sided and messed up that directive seems to be."
The blue fox's tail whipped about, showing his confusion and conflicted feelings.
"Oh God and Goddess, You people, I know you think me head is empty with fluff, but I don't think I can throw a party! Well, it is my head, So..."
A canopy over a table and tea party with coffee, tea, sandwiches and little cakes appears on the beach..
"Please everyone sit down. Capt Loki, as an agent of the Queen, I guess I will have trust you, but you're still a scoundrel. Mara put the model in the center of the table, and serve the guests", Says Nova still dress for the Governor's ball. She looks at Major Brown with little uneasiness, but addresses the group.
"We were talking of pirates, treasure hunting, and I think Princess rescuing. But most of all Saving the universe." Say Lady Nova, "The model before you is of the Sphere of Harmonies, the ancient prison of the masters. The ultimate primary goal to repair the old one or rebuilt a new one. If I can remember it has three solution on how to repair it or I have to find the right one that will allure and trap the master one into it. And it is more than just fixing the sphere, an Acadian Olin or two must sing a counter song to the song of disharmony of the master."
"Of course, This is all just my educated guess, How to repair the sphere is still unknown. Where it is a mystery? But Xaos and Gaea will have some ideas. And we need an Olin and the song of harmony. Is that about it, Capt Loki?"
"Lt. Honneydew, while your head may not be full of fluff, I must express concern over your complete lack of response to the fact that Ixiah seems to be saying that he is duty bound to kill me on the spot over my blood."
Aaron thought to himself, 'Even if you do want to see your entire chain of command dead, you should at least feign concern, or at the very least NOT throw a party.' Oddly though, everyone could hear this thought he thought to himself.
Aaron looks at the blue fox, "So, Ixiah, you say that the directive is messed up, and you are allowing me to talk. If it alleviates your concerns at all, I will say that I was not raised as an Alpha. My mother, who was the Alpha, left us when my brother and I were cubs, all I remember of her was the songs she sang for me." Aaron rolls over and slips out from under Ixiah.
"I... I... don't want to kill you Aaron... you... I... you...", Ixiah looked about ready to cry again, at which point Aaron hugged him.
"I'm sorry Ixiah, when you do that you seem like a lost and confused cub. Though, to be honest, I'm more then a bit lost and confused myself."
Aaron takes Ixiah sits at Nova's table and listens to what she has to say, "A lot of what you say confuses me Nova. The ancient prison of the Masters? They were imprisoned once before? And what is an Olin? This term is new to me."
Aaron figured that he had asked enough questions already. Xaos and Gaea sounds interesting, his mom brought them up too, but Aaron wanted some answers first."
"All directives and laws of the Acadian are from the Masters in one way or other. The Acadian traditions have been tainted by them, and everything is not what it seems. Even, I am worried that the Masters have their paws in our governments, and ISF.
Now, I would be worried if he was trying to kill you right now, but he is thinking for himself and doubting what has "always" been. Now, I am keeping in mind what is important, Major, sir. If my death and/or yours would mean that the enemy is destroyed or removed from the universe, I would do what I must."
"The crash site, we are heading to, is Xaos and Gaea's ship, Matron" says the catgirl, "My grandma found that site, and she gave me the site location. Loki thinks that Xaos and Gaea are still alive that the crash site."
"They are still there, Nova." interups Mara, "and My mother, Matron. They will be waiting for us."
"I am not sure, my memories are of a six year ago, I can't be sure what Xaos and Gaea's motives truly are?" Nova finishes. "but they sing to me some of their lullabies, when I was scary."
PBH
Aaron glares at Nova, the sort of glare that pierces the soul and deflates it a little bit, "You remember this Nova, and remember it well. My life is NOT yours to sacrifice. You would do well to remember what is appropriate and where you stand. We are after the ship your gradma found, but this is not your expedition and this is not your gradma's expedition. If we want to continue this discussion, then we should probably call for a general crew meeting. Naz and Romulus may not have commissions as officers, but they do deserve to hear these explanations too."
Aaron shifts about, he does not like being serious, but in a similar vein he did not like it when someone suggests that he life may be so callously thrown away at someone else's discretion.
"But, until that meeting, tea anyone?" as Aaron offers a cup to Ixiah.
With some reflection, And embarrassment, Nova look away,
"Pardon me, Major Brown, I am not always wrong about people. You have changed some. I can be very singleminded sometimes. I will not sacrifice anyone life without cause or without their pr emission. It would be only as a last resort and only if their agree. One must not became what you are fighting against to destroy it. " says humbled Nova. "Ends don't justify the any means."
"Yes, Here Loki have some tea? I'm sure I'm be the only one not to get anything out of these cakes." Says Nova "This meeting is for sharing and pooling our information and about what to tell the troops. After that we need to get going. We can decide on the journey about that maybe waiting for us."
PBH
Aaron listened to Nova as Ixiah accepted the tea and Aaron grabbed some cake for himself. Nova still seemed hard pressed to grasp the part where sacrafice was not her call period, but Aaron was willing to accept minor victories on the path to winning the war.
"These cakes are exceptionally good. My policy about information is generally full disclosure. Normally such a policy is unpopular, but I feel that the exchange and discussion of ideas is what made my lab stand out. I intend to keep that policy going."
((OOC: perhaps it is time we let off for a bit and let Ixiah and Loki have their say about questions and the discussion ;p))
Both Loki and Ixiah sipped at their tea and nibbled their cakes, they appeared very stoic and reflective as Aaron and Nova bantered back and forth.
Ixiah put his tea down and began to speak, "I... that is... I..." Ixiah frowned and sighed, "I am going to trust all of you in this. I will hear what Xaos and Gaea have to say. The Sphere of Harmonies was created by ancient Acadians. The Gate to the universe of the Masters was actually built by the Vhar. We were forced to create the Sphere of Harmonies, because we do not fully understand Vhar technology."
Ixiah took another bite from his cake before continuing, "mmmhm, this is good cake. Repairing the sphere requires spmeone who is an Auran or an Ephon, but an Olin will work too. It's just that most Olin, myself included, do not have knowledge of the right keywords."
Aaron nods at Ixiah, "Thank you for that Ixiah. So, we have our long term plan, find Matron and talk with Xaos and Gaea. We also have a more immediate plan, the staff meeting to go over details. Though I now have one last question. When do these drugs wear off? I would like to try and develop any latent talent I have, but for now it would be nice to return to my own dreams, rather then borrow other's. And the pain. As much as I like the feeling of having my gut shot out, I would like that to be gone."
"But there is one problem, the sphere puzzle has three different solutions, with these three pieces, that Xaos show me about. " three crystal shards start flowing over the table "These three pieces are interchangeable with each other inside the sphere, but none of the solutions are not exactly right, I don't know why that is... So, I had come up with a fourth piece which is a variation of these three. This new piece creates a better resonance frequency with in the harmony sphere's range. Also, the new song of the sphere of harmonies must be tailored to the present songs of the Master to be effective. Who would know that?" Ask Nova of Ixiah.
"Now, Eat up Loki... These sweets are made by me, I put a little bit of myself into each one." the catgirl encouraging the little fox. And he does feel more energized as if he really did eat. Ixiah and Aaron also taste the sweetness in her cakes.
"Well, Since we need the rest of the crew, we will end it here. And Awake up... Alexis and Aaron thanks for coming. Nice meet you, Ixiah, " Nova shakes hands with Ixah as a white door appears on the beach. " Mara, Please see my guest out. Capt, Can you stay a minute?"
Ixiah shrugged to Aaron's question about when the drugs would wear off, "I do not know when they will wear off. I know about them, but the specifics are not within my knowledge, I am more of a warrior then a medic..." The blue fox turned his gaze on Loki who was busy eating up a good deal of the cakes.
Loki swallowed and pondered the issue, "ummm, I guess it might last for a day or so. As for the pain, I am sorry, but your empathic side is very strongly influenced by these chemicals. You developed a bond with someone... uh, you care about... I guess. Perhaps somewhere down in your subconscious, you are worried about he or she. We could close your mind off, but that could damage your development as you are just coming into it all. In actuality, this is a good thing. Your mind is focused and linked to one person, normally you would be broadcasting and receiving in uncontrollable waves and be a danger to all around you."
Ixiah caught Aaron's attention, by creating a digital pawprint out of thin air and placing hand on it. Golden lines of energy spread out like tracings on a circuit board and expanded into a what appeared to be a lot like a network diagram, "your dreaming is easier to explain. This ship is its own psychic domain."
The diagram expanded and brightly colored (Orange, Red, yellow, purple) diamonds appeared with multiple golden traces entering and leaving from them. The orange one was the largest, the red one was the most secured/protected one and the other two were both relatively equal. Strange symbols appear next to them, Nova and Aaron recognize it as Acadian language. There is also a white diamond, smaller and much less bright than the others. A flashing red symbol appears next to it.
"These are system nodes, they are a essentially, Mother, Alexis, Rebecka and Cynthia... this white one is a rogue system that has been isolated, it is probably Mara."
The model expands more and bright colored squares and dark squares appear, both are the same size and much smaller than the diamonds. The bright ones were colored green, blue and white... there was also another white one that was rather dim in comparison to the others. The bright white one was pulsating erratically and had a red tracer attached to a dim white square located off the grid.
"These are nodes... they represent each individual thinking person. Dark squares are non aware users, the colored ones represent psychic users. The erratic one is you Aaron, and this dim one here is apparently Nova. She might have a bit of Acadian or Kathaern blood in her line somewheres, or she may have latent abilities due to natural evolution. Even though the others are not psychically aware, they are accessable by those which are... they are like computers connected to a network without firewalls, no passwords, open/unrestricted shares and such. We are just like a psychic computer network."
Nova begins to speak about the puzzle of the sphere and the songs, Ixiah looks at the floor and meekly says, "I... can access the Harmonies once we reach deep space... but... I don't think I'm strong enough to break away if I rejoin the chorus. We may have to think of something else."
Ixiah is happy enough to leave when asked, and drags Aaron off towards the door and back to his own "node". Alexis follows Aaron and Ixiah out.
Loki hangs back at Nova's request, "what's up cat?"
"Captain, ah Loki, Are you feeling better? " asks Nova as she hug him. "You were enjoyed those cakes a little too much" *Giggle* a poke at his belly, "Are you really getting nutrients from them?"
"Ixiah said something about me being a psychic or having latent abilities. Would that be important to you, Loki? I'm not sure what I may be. I am happy as I am. I would stay with what I am good at, which is puzzles. Yet, I am sure somehow, we may need another Olin in addition to Ixiah. " says the catgirl. "Yes We wait Xaos' and Gaea's data."
"Sigh, Mother going to mad at us, then we awake in your bed" sighs Nova "And these cakes just make me hungry. Can I get some real food.?"says as she walks to the door.
PBH
Quote from: Azlan on October 31, 2008, 09:16:35 PM
OOC: I will let Tech run Naz and the ship through anything he wants, including a mock firefight with pirate fighters and capital ships... he can even ram the ship into a sun in the simulation if he wants to.
(Heh, tempting, but so, so, soooooooo far out-of-character :P)
Command Center The sudden field of stars in his mind's eye was a little jarring at first, but Nazareth quickly adjusted. Through the mindlink, Nazareth picked up that he could 'place' objects. Since he was just going to get used to handling the thing, he only thought up a sparse line of stationary light-beacons, spaced appropriate distances from each other for spacefaring speeds. Their purpose was just to provide points-of-origin; references to gauge the performance of the ship against.
Nazareth eased the throttle forward a bit, relaxing in the mindlink to allow himself to feel the (simulation) of the ship. He felt the hum of whatever alien generator was powering the ship, and while he felt no tug on his own body, he felt the (simulated) inertia on the ship. The first beacon zipped by.
Nazareth then experimented with various speeds and degrees of braking. He noticed that the ship was capable of exceptional speeds for a medium-carrier vessel, and while the braking was superb f pressed, the ship seemed to prefer coasting to a stop.
Eventually, he felt he was accustomed enough to linear movement, and concentrated on the simulation around himself. The line of beacons multiplied, creating a two-dimentional grid. He got the ship up to speed again, then turned right, straightening out, turning left, straightening again, and turning harder. Noting how the ship seemed to like sliding during a turn, he finally figured out what he was thinking of.
"This thing handles like a
fish." Nazareth declared.
Nazareth continued experimenting, combining the turning with with earlier speed and braking combinations. The ship definitely liked to slide, although Nazareth found that if he pulled the brakes hard enough he could negate that. However, the sliding was actually rather advantageous, it made tight corners and even full turn-arounds easy.
After more of this, he focused on the grid again, and it multiplied once more into a three-dimentional field of light-beacons. Nazareth added in pulling up, down, and rolling to his experimentation. After some time of that, he began executing a series of increasingly complex maneuvers, and even made up a few new ones on the spot, because no other ship of the same size handled like Mother.
Finally, he erased the beacon-field from existence. In their place, he conjured up some moving targets, which he tested the weapons against. Thanks to the mindlink, he already had a fairly good idea of how effective they would be, he was really just making sure he could operate them right. He created various moving targets, which he flew by, making sure he could mentally aim the weapons and physically fly Mother at the same time. After several tests, including a final one with 'live' pirate targets, he wiped away everything in the simulation.
All in all, he decided he had never piloted a better ship of this size.
He still missed his own fighter, though.
Pulling his head out of the mental simulation and returning to his own body, Nazareth spoke to the avatar of Mother. "Alright. I think I've got the hang of this. I don't think I've hit the extent of your capabilities yet, not by far, but that can only come with time,
if I'm with you long enough, which I'm doubting. Will we be launching soon? I need to deploy and drill my men in some formations and maneuvers incorporating you, so that we can function properly as a single unit, before you and the others on this ship proceed with your mission."
Back into Aaron's brain
After stepping back into Aaron's `node` he speaks with Ixiah a bit more, "So, I'm a dangerous and erratic psychic right now? That's no good. Hold on I've got to open this door,"
Aaron reaches for a door where one doesn't exist, and after briefly being embarrassed starts talking again, "Needless to say, I'd appreciate it if you and Loki to help me out. I don't want to end up frying someone's brain. This also opens several tangents as well. It seems that the thing indicated that Nova has latent psychic talents? Or was that just noise from the lot of us being in there? We should have Cynthia check her out, I fear that she may try something stupid and I want as much information about what she is as possible.
The next problem is what to do of Marissa. She is a cute vixen, but an injured vixen. I wanted her to stay on the Phalanx to get better. That might still be best for her, but for the rest of us it might be better if she were here. I would really rather she stay where she is though, maybe find some way for me to..."
A yawning Ixiah, bored out of his mind by Aaron's thinking out loud, speaks up, "Before you go too far down that line of thought, I think I should tell you that she is on her way here."
Aaron just sort of stares at Ixiah, "Wait, define, 'on her way here'?"
A sprawled on the floor Ixiah looks back at Aaron, "Your directive to come here, the one that brought you here in the first place, you shared it with her. Now, she is coming here. That is why you felt the need to open doors that aren't here."
In that moment, Aaron could not help but wonder what sort of excruciating pain he was about to wakeup to, "We need to get her here... quickly..."
Nova's mind
Loki bats at her hand playfully as she pokes him, "I didn't eat that much! Yes, I'm a bit more cheerful now... thank you."
Loki once again became serious when Nova talked about possible latent abilities, "don't worry, you will always be who you are."
As she heads for the door, Nova can hear Loki giggle, "we are both in my bed eh? Mother said I had to be older before I was allowed to date... let alone sleep with a girl."
Nova's eyes open to find Loki snuggling her and snoozing still.
Command Center
Mother smiled warmly, making even Naz realize that Mother was a very apt name for her, "Indeed, you will be able to fly practice drills with your people soon. We should be leaving soon here. Right now though, I believe the major is calling for an all personnel type of meeting in the command center. You should go and grab the rest of your pilots for this one."
Special Forces area
Alexis snapped 'awake' and spun around looking for Ben or Romulus, "oi, it's time to head to the command center."
Aaron's Mind
Ixiah yawned and nodded in regards to the question about Nova, "we can have her tested as soon as you give the go ahead. And do not worry about your own abilities, we will help with them."
As Aaron wakes, his head is laying to the side, and he finds himself staring at a fox footpaw. Ixiah is sitting next to Aaron on his bed, his eyes are currently closed.
It does not take long before Aaron is assaulted by agony. The pain is quite extreme and Aaron finds himself curling into a fetal position in a vain attempt to lessen or stifle the pain. It becomes especially bad for a few moments before dieing down to the typical roar.
"I can help mediate the pain, but I cannot take it all." Ixiah said with a sigh.
Meanwhile...
A lone vixen maneuvers her way through the halls, pausing to open a doorbefore heading in. She paused for a moment, checking her injury only to find that it had begun to bleed a bit again. It was very curious that even this went without any signals, but that did not concern her as she crossed the bay and stood before the ramp leading up into Mother.
Aaron's bed
Aaron awoke, pulling a few thoughts with him. Before he had a chance to develop these thoughts into full blown ideas they were run down by the bulk freight hauler called PAIN.
Aaron said, in a tone that was entirely appropriate given the circumstances, "HOLY MOTHER OF GOD IN HEAVEN THE PAAAAAAIN!".
After the pain dies down a bit more and Aaron can collect his thoughts he tells Ixiah, "I would not wish the full extent of this pain on anyone, though I would greatly appreciate anything you could do for me. If my feelings on this are right Marissa should be close by now. Could Cynthia meet her, with the biggest thing of pain killers she has?"
Aaron's Room
Ixiah nodded, "I have informed Cynthia and she is moving to collect your vixen. I will see if I can help ease your pain, but I'm rather weak in empathic abilities."
Ixiah closed his eyes and placed his hands on Aaron, he took a deep breath and gnawed on his lip for a second before triggering his effect. The young fox's mouth sagged open as he filtered the empathic torrent that Aaron was receiving.
Aaron felt marginally better, but that was short lived as Ixiah collapsed, tumbling off the bed. The blue fox was completely unconscious.
A sense of dread over came Aaron and he quickly rolled off the bed, forcing back the pain, and shook Ixiah, "wake up!" For some reason Aaron felt that something bad would happen if Ixiah passed out now.
Ixiah blinked and groaned, "I'm sorry, but I just can't... too much..."
He sat up looking dejected.
Meanwhile...
Carefully, Marissa ascended the ramp, even though her wound did not hurt, the movement caused it to bleed more. By the time she reached the top, she was feeling faint.
A purple vixen, dressed like a nurse, was there to greet her, "so you are Aaron's girlfriend, interesting. You look a bit pale my lady."
"huh, girlfriend... I... oh, I feel a bit dizzy... could I sit down somewheres." Marissa asked, looking a bit confused at the girlfriend remark, "I'm not sure why I came here... I'm supposed to be critically injured."
"exsanguination does tend to make one feel that way, but we should talk later." Cynthia placed a hand on Marissa and both disappeared in a flash of purple, only to reappear in the medical bay.
"another hospital... oh bother." Marissa pouted, "I'm tired of them."
"shhh, and lie back, I'm going to have to fix what damage you've done in your trek over here or Aaron might die of shock from the empathic connection." Cynthia laid Marissa back and applied a sedative and a royal set of painkillers.
Captain's cabin
Nova looks at herself and see Loki cuddling against her and she wearing only a thin T-shirt.
"Oh God and Goddess, I am robbing the cradle of ancient child, who won't be marriageable age until I long have turn into space dust" sighs Nova.. "Oh Mother is going to kill me for sure, but I hope I get a last meal, I starving. Com'n, Loki I hate to awake you, but my stomach will be growling enough to wake the dead in a minute. And Your Crew await your an appearance." says the catgirl as the green fox seems to want to burrow under the covers and under her shirt. She puts up with him for a moment, then her stomach did growling..
"Meep!" says a startle Loki into until a sitting position. Nova rolls off the bed, and makes good her escape. She quickly goes to the door and "Com'n Loki, I need my clothes....I I I IAH Hello Mother"
Mother appears as Nova opens the door to the hallway.
PBH
Special Forces area
Romulus woke and yawned. He climb out of his bunk and made sure his pants where on. Once he was sure he started to walk to the door shirtless.
"About time. Lets go guys, we've got to figure weither or not we're pawns or rooks"
Aaron pat pats Ixiah on the back, "Don't worry too much. It is, after all, just excruciating pain. It isn't like there is anything actually wrong... I think... I hope..."
Aaron pats himself down, everything was there, though he was feeling a bit light headed. Though not too long after that he feels much better, "I think Cynthia just got to her. That is some good stuffs... now, little Ixiah, we have a meeting to run."
Aaron gets up to something of a tingling sensation and now feels fine to walk about. He goes over to Richard's room to retrieve him, and to alleviate Richard's fear for Aaron's well being, promising more explanations at the meeting.
Command Center
Nazareth nodded, getting out of the pilot chair and disengaging himself from the mental contact. When he did, he felt a sudden throb of pain in his skull, as the mindlink had drained him a bit. He merely clamped down and forced the pain away with his iron will. He then left the command center, remembering the route he took to find his way back to the barracks of the Crusading Scales.
Entering the room, he shouted "Zeta-Group, up and out!" There was an instant rush as the Zetas scrambled out of their bunks to comply. Nazareth led them out of the room, back towards the Command Center, only saying "I believe we are attending whatever will pass as a briefing on this vessel."
Loki's Stateroom
Mother's expression was one of slight surprise and curiosity, though her question was plaintive, "what are you doing in here in only a shirt young lady?" The vixen poked Nova in the side, "you are still injured as well."
Mother looked past Nova and spied her charge, Loki was still a bit teary eyed and his fur was matted from his crying earlier. She immediately softened her expression and hurried Nova along, "go get changed dear, and thank you for comforting him. When you are done, please come to the command center."
Mother stepped into the room and the door closed behind her.
Special Forces Area
Alexis was half tempted to let Romulus wander off towards the bridge, but decided against it, "oh, Romi... you might want to put a shirt on, I appreciate well sculpted lines, but the major and others might not. We should not let discipline slip too much, this is not going to be a pleasure cruise." Alexis's voice was still somewhat playful.
Ben, whistling innocently, followed behind Alexis as she passed Romulus. He winked at his senior NCO and shifted his eyes back to watching Alexis's tail swish about... among other things.
Hallway to Command Center
Ixiah walked next to Aaron, "hey, what's with the little? I'm older than you, though I am shorter..."
Richard patted the fox on the back, "it is the same discussion we had earlier, chronological age is different than one's maturity." The wolf avoided a swipe from Ixiah and stepped deftly to Aaron's other side, "so how are you boss?" He poked Aaron in the gut, "your stomach still bothering you? I have some horehound drops if you like."
Aaron actually felt comfortably numb at the moment. The trio were the second ones to reach the command center, Mother and Loki were already there. Ixiah left Aaron's side and sauntered up to the other fox. Ixiah gave him a hug, because the younger one seemed a bit down still.
Hall from Zeta-Group's quarters
As the collection of reptiles headed down the hall, they were suddenly confronted by a golden vixen. Naz recognized her as the one from earlier, she was called Rebecka.
"Ah, you lads going to the briefing I see. Come let us not be late." The vixen made a big show of leading the group to the command center. They were the third group to arrive, coming in just after the major.
Medbay
Meanwhile, Cynthia had sedated Marissa and was working to repair damage that had been caused by her walking around a lot, which was far too early for her to be doing such things.
OOC: Nazareth and his people are all considered officers. A Chief Warrant Officer 4 could be considered an O-3 in equivalent rank with his second one step below that and the others are all Ensigns, O-1. Only Romulus and the two special Forces squads are non-commissioned and Enlisted. This is just a comment I missed doing back when Shades mentioned that they were not officers. They are not Line officers, but then again, neither is Aaron.
Command Center
Aaron nods at Richard, "Thankyou for the concern, I'm feeling much better now, though I fear that I have contracted something that cannot be medicated. You see, apparently my psychic potential decided to wake up and thought it would be funny to make an empathetic link with Marissa, the vixen from the ice planet that was shot in the stomach. I felt her pain in my gut.
In medbay you asked me about things becoming more complicated, I plan on revealing the full extent of those complications soon."
Naz walks in and Aaron waves to him, "Greetings, now we just need the Lieutenant and the Sargent with his men. I hope they arrive soon."
Special Forces Area
Romulus grumbled a bit and went back to grab a tank top. He put it on and he hurried to met up with Alexis and Ben. He looked over at Ben as he caught up.
"You know I never figured you for a tail chaser"
Nova can't help but shy away from Mother's touch, her side is tender, but it doesn't hurt. She watches Mother go into Loki cabin, and close the door. She looks down at herself, and runs into her stateroom.
After a quick shower, and changing in her uniform, she wonders if she can get some breakfast before the meeting. She see the Marines and Fly-boys heading to the command center down the hall.
*Sigh* "Well, this better be quick, like a hour" says Nova aloud, and slowly goes to the Command Center
PBH
Command Center
Richard shrugged, "complications are complicated, I hope things do not get too much more interest... er, we need a new word yes? Hmmm, we have absorbing, arresting, engaging, engrossing, enthralling, fascinating, gripping, immersing, intriguing, involving and riveting as synonyms for interesting."
Loki looked up from his command chair at Aaron and Romulus, waiting for one of them to kick the meeting off.
Ben elbowed Romulus as they arrived at the command center, "it's a canine thing, female canines see it as a playful and ironically a sensitive side. Wolves look down on it though."
Alexis laughed, "puppy behavior, sounds cute." However, she did not linger long enough to catch the follow up commentary, she had moved to stand next to Mother.
Rebecka also arrived with Naz's group. Last, but not least, Nova arrived as well. The only person not present was Cynthia, whom many had not yet met.
Command Center
Romulus just looks at Ben with an odd look on his face then shook his head. He then walked over to stand near Aaron, and leans over to Aaron.
"So you kicking this thing off or am I? You are the officer incharge"
Command Center
"You know Richard, we could probably stand to use them all. In spite of our best hopes, I fear things shall only get more... engaging?"
Speaking of engaging, it seems like most everyone is here, so Aaron thought he would gets this thing rolling.
"I'll start things off Romulus. Okay, first team meeting. First, I want to cover the basics. This is going to be an expedition, heavily armed since we are heading into territory with known pirate activity. We are searching for an ancient ship, the Matron as it is called, originally discovered by Lt. Hunnydew's grandmother, until that expedition was driven off by pirates. We are going back, at minimum we hope to find technology to salvage to our cause, though in the grand scheme of things we are hoping for far more. We are hoping to find a pair there, Xaos and Gaea, who know how to repair a trap for the Masters, the ones who are on their way here to kill us all.
To that end, we shall be traveling in Loki's ship, Mother. At this point we know her well, in fact she is standing over there," Aaron waves to Mother, "Now, to the end of making things go more smoothly, I think we should all share what we have learned so far."
Aaron figured he would share last, he did want to burden anyone with having to follow the bombshells he was about to drop.
Command Center
Romulus shrugged.
"Not much on my end. Got to see the drops pods my team and I will be using. Rather interesting I must say. Met our backup should we need it. Also got Alexis to show my team the weapons we could be using. Pretty nice stuff. Other than that I got nothing, not counting my second in command seems to have fallen in love with Alexis here *Romulus looks from Ben to Alexis*. This is looking to be a great trip already and we haven't left the hanger yet"
"Well, I am sure, Everyone has heard of the famous Hunnydew Expedition, and How many treasure-hunter have sort its location. Okay, We have a general idea, as it is in the history books, and public record that the explorer ship, MowBlazer, return to ISF space at Deepstar station #27. This area in recent times has had increased pirate activity, with many merchant ship targeted. Even a foolish attack on the station itself. But that was more desperate act keep the base's fleet occupied as convoy of pirates tried to escape into the nature warp point. "
"Okay, Capt Summer said he would like to secure this another ship that my grandma found some 18 years ago." says Nova as she walks to the control console. On the alien control panel, She bring up for the star chart of the known space of the 27Th sector on the front viewer.....Fleet's position was on the far right with only Fleet positions showing up. Tapping on a battlestation in map, she continues...
"Grandma's expedition returned to Deepstar Station #27. Here. Her ship was nearly a wreck itself from a pirate raider attack. The nav computer was damaged with its starcharts gone and the drive was lucky to have make it to the station. Grandma said she didn't know where crash is. The military and the university were after her and her crew for years for any information or clues to try and find this ship, again. A few ships even went out and searched, but a few returned, those that did said that they found by pirates and didn't find anything. You, my dear Friends, will be a defence guard, we will likely find a pirate hideout or base at or near the sector.
" Now, Matron, the ship itself, Nanna's expedition engineer and crew didn't think the ancient ship could be repaired nor that it could be moved without it collapsing and turning to dust, Yet, main computer core was intact. This is what Capt Summers seems to want. We are going to try aid the Acadians, if they are there and need any help. And maybe they will help ISF with the Hyperspace trap/prison for the Masters."
Nova stops a moment with her eyes closed and then she places her crystal on the panel, where it glows and taps madly on the console. An orange star system brightens some 100 light years straight into the frontier from Deepstar 27. "There is our destination, gentlefurs"
PBH
Command Center
Romulus looked over at Nova when she finished speaking.
"Just don't bring anymore mountains down on youself and Loki"
It was clear by his facial expressions he was being serious when he said this.
Command Center
Aaron, if a far more silly tone said to Romulus, "Now now, just because Lt. Nova seems to have forgotten the difference between a pistol and a grenade is no reason to taunt her. Actually, if nothing else she could probably stand a refresher course on the subject. Romulus, I want you to instruct her on the subject during our trip."
He then turns to the Scales, "Okay, now how about you folk? By my last count there were 4 fighters and 5 of you, how is that working out?"
Command Center
The Crusading Scales, still in rigid formation, turned their heads slightly as they glanced at Nazareth. He went into a salute again as he spoke. "Sir. Only four of our fighters were loaded because I, leader of Zeta Flight Group, will not be piloting my own Saber. Instead, Mother has given me the responsibility of piloting her in a combat situation. I have already engaged in a simulation to familiarize myself with her armaments and maneuverability. I report that they far exceed the abilities of any other vessel this size, and the weapons are highly potent, however, they do have some limitations. They seem to have difficulty targeting small, fast targets, like other fighters. To that end, the rest of Zeta-group will be flying a defensive escort.
"I have nothing else to report at this time, sir."
"GE, Mr Pirate, sir. Can you tell sweet little old me, Where your explosives are buried under which boulder, PLEEEASE." Asks Nova in sassy voice as she standing/leaning with her butt up in air, wide eyes fluttering and her waving hand at Romulus.. "and while you at it, could you not shoot at me when I throw my overloading plasma pistol at you. OH Thank you, you're soo kkind" She curtsees to him and returns to her seat.
PBH
The juxtaposition of Nova's sarcasm and Naz's extreme and rigid formality was a tad amusing to Aaron.
"Right. As for what I have been doing, I did something that caught Mother's attention and made her suspect I had more in common with our Acadian friends then originally thought. Turns out she was right, I appear to be three quarters Acadian. On top of that, during the examination my latent psychic talents woke up. I felt I had to share that because right now I'm something of a psychic loose cannon, intruding on people's minds at random. Along with pain, though that part is only interesting to me. So much excitement and we haven't even left yet."
Aaron quickly attempts to change topics, "On to more details of the mission. It looks like Lt. Nova has dropped our destination in our lap. How long shall it take for us to get there? If the trip takes long enough I would like to try a few things."
Aaron was working up something of an itenerary. He was dead serious about getting Lt. Nova better trained in weapons. If nothing else to force Romulus and Nova to visit. There was the usual assortment of drills, launching and recovering fighters, preferably a few test drops with Romulus and company. Speaking of company, he would need to know more about this 'backup' Romulus spoke of. At this point Aaron is afraid it would be something like a set of clones. A six pack of Romuluses, that would be a sight. Maybe get everyone at least familiar with the Acadian language? If they were going to work on Matron it would be helpful.
Command Center
Romulus seemed annoyed when Aaron suggested he teach Nova how to use a firearm. He then looked at Nova when she made her joke.
"Well it wouldn't have been my fault if you killed yourself and Loki. I even seem to remember some of my team saveing your hide. No idea what an inexperienced person like yourself was doing with a plasma pistol anyway. You would have been fine with a regular lead slinging pistol"
Romulus then looked at Aaron with an eyebrow raised.
"So that's how you got all the ladies falling into you lap. Does that mean we have to watch what we think around you now?"
"Everyone's thoughts should be fine, it's your dreams you should worry about. The substances will wear off in a little while." A previously unseen purple vixen flatly stated as she strutted out from behind Mother, Alexis and Rebecka. All the other vixens gave her a sideways glance, simultaneously, and Loki seemed rather happy to see her.
She stopped in front of Aaron and handed him a stack of reports, "I thought you might feel more comfortable with this stack of synthetic paper reports, enjoy the results of the tests." She paused, "oh, and before you ask, yes your girlfriend is repaired. It will mend soon, but for now, she should rest."
Richard snickered at the girlfriend comment, "the only way you can pick up females is if they are shot and fall into your arms... I would not try that at a local pub though."
Mother, during this conversation, had managed to move up next to Nova, "Nova dear, be a good girl and be nice to Romulus. He and his team did save your lives and what you did on the mountain was reckless and short-sighted. Now apologize to him and go sit in that chair over there and plot a course to the planet while we finish up here."
Mother also turned to Romulus, "you be nice as well Romulus, you are both the same age, but she is not as hardened as you are, nor does she possess as much common sense."
Loki eyed Nazareth seemingly studying every physical (and perhaps beyond) aspect of the komodo dragon. Naz was the oldest of the non-aliens in the room, and Loki was also curious as to why they seemed so rigid.
Aaron cocks an eyebrow over Cynthia's choice of terms. He was slightly amused as he flipped through the paper real quickly.
"Thank you Cynthia, I'll read through this in more detail later. Though, by 'a little while' do you mean a few hours or a few weeks? If it lasts into the night... pleasent dreams everyone, we might be sharing.
Next up, the order of business. Right now the future looks reasonably certain. Nazareth, I want you and your men to do some drills, confer with Mother about details on when.
Romulus, I want you to do some drills if that is reasonable. I've got no idea about the details of your drops so I can't be helpful there. Also, I would like more details on what you mean by backup.
Nova, after you have plotted our course I would like for you to prepare a primer on the Acadian language. When we reach Matron I would like for Romulus and his men to at least be able to pick up on which doors read, 'warning, certain doom lies beyond this door.' I also was not kidding about having you instructed on the proper use of weaponry. I don't want to deny you arms, but if you insist on doing silly things with pistols I will have no choice.
Baring any objections or related points of interest, I'm going to see to the status of our supplies. Hopefully we can depart soon."
Romulus looked at Mother with an honest look on his face.
"I am being nice"
Romulus then looked to Aaron as he spoke.
"Hey talk to Alexis maybe she will introduce you to her ex there. As for the drills I've already had my team go through some. Though I think we'll only be able to do drops when they are for real. Have to check with Alexis on that one"
Romulus turned to leave once Aaron finished speaking.
MOTHER, I have found that when teased/bully, you have to give back as much as you get with these warrior types or they just dump more on you." thinks Nova or your try this."
"Sorry, Romulus, Sir, for my behavior sir, I'll be glad and honored for any assistance or instructions from the SF Sargent. wishes to give me." said Lt Nova as she stands at attention.
" I am certified in most standard pistols, and a some handheld weapons. But, I will add that was my first really fire fight. Yet, The lieutenant is ready for standard firearms training and with tactical for battlefield and space combat scenarios, when the SF Sargent is ready, sir. " Nova waits and watches the wolverine as he turn to go maybe he'll answer or order her.
Meanwhile, the nav computer (or is it?) plots the best course on the front viewer. Different routes are displayed and then parts erased and changed as the each possible jump point is check.
PBH
Without turning around Romulus replied to Nova.
"You study things. I kill people. Maybe we should keep it that way. It's clear you can't keep a cool head when under fire, I don't care if you took a course and have something with your name on it saying you can fire a pistol doesn't mean you actually can. If I am ordered to teach you something I will. I don't think Mother or Loki would allow me back aboard again if you where killed cause a fire fight broke out dirtside"
Mother sighed heavily and stepped forward to grip Romulus's shoulder, "Romulus is something wrong? You seem rather petulant to Nova. The only way what you said would happen is if you deliberately led to her death."
Loki tore himself away from staring at Nazareth and approached Romulus, "something wrong Romi?"
The Nav unit is indeed a navigational unit, and within moments it has plotted a course suitable for their needs.
Within the reports that were given to Aaron is one dissertation titled The Theory of the Origin of Foxes in the Confederation of Worlds. The work was written by Cynthia and contains a wealth of data, taken from fleet records in a less than above board way, on the various foxes hailing from the Confederation. The data, after being analyzed, shows that nearly 90% of the foxes of the ISF fleet have some amount of Acadian heritage, specifically Alpha ancestry. This is especially strong in Vulpeculae, the Confed and ISF's best know fox isolationist colony. It goes on, but that is all you can get from a thorough skim.
Command Center
At the cat-woman's outburst towards Sergeant Romulus, Nazareth cocked his head and raised an eyebrow, very briefly regarding Lieutenant Nova as if she had gone mad, but only briefly. Inwardly, he was thinking, I know this vessels isn't exactly run by the ISF, but by the black stars, is there no discipline here?
If Nazareth still had any reservations about aliens when Major Brown revealed his 'heritage', Nazareth would have completely given them up in resignation. Damn it, the aliens are everywhere...
The giant lizard took a bit of comfort when Major Brown passed over fighter drills, paying extra attention. He eventually noticed that a particular dreadful little green furball seemed to be eyeing him intently. Nazareth only gave him a superficial glance in return, then redirected his attention back to Major Brown.
One of the reptiles behind Nazareth, however, took a little more interest in the observer. The frilled lizard, Noton Kalmunt, looked Loki over with an equally curious expression, his frills gently swaying. He looks green enough to be one of us... he thought idly.
When Major Brown gave the drill time orders, Nazareth responded. "Yes sir. I already have such plans in the works. We will be getting started after launch."
As the meeting seemd to wind off as Sergeant Romulus and Lieutenant Nova departed for their duties, Nazareth asked, "Will that be all for us, Major Brown?"
"Please, Sgt Romulus, I meant no disrespect. I am grateful for your rescue of Loki and me. And all ISF officers and crew require some weapons training. If you have duties and skills are required elsewere, please assign another member of your squad, who can work with me. And I would grateful. I am not asking to go on a raid, but just be able to defend myself without killing myself or others of the crew." Nova humbly asks.
"I'm a rookie Sgt I know it."
PBH
"It seems so. The meeting is winding down and it looks like we have a path. Hopefully with the cloaking device and all, things will be uneventful until we get there. Now, I must see if we are ready to depart."
Aaron goes to ask Mother about the state of preparations.
Romulus shook his head to both Mother's and Loki's questions.
"I've seen too many people die on a battlefield that shouldn't have been there"
Romulus then looked down at Loki.
"You know I think this is the first time you've talked to me since you had that needle to my throat"
Command Center
Nazareth, of course, snapped a departing salute. "Yes, sir." He turned to Mother, saying "I will return after the launch." He motioned to the Zetas behind him, and the started marching out of the room. As they walked, Nazareth gave a passing glance at Richard again. However, Nazareth caught a small bit of color that seemed different. Nazareth noticed the bondcord around Richard's wrist.
Immediately and abruptly, Nazareth stopped walking. Enough so that the Zetas almost walked right into the mountain of a lizard. They looked around, confusion on their faces. Something wasn't right.
As Nazareth eyed the bondcord, his gaze trailed to Aaron, then shifted to the bondcord again back, and finally darting back to Aaron. And then, something very frightening happened. Nazareth seemed to lose all semblance of discipline. His face immediately contorted into a silent, grotesque mask of fury and hate as he looked at both Richard and Aaron. Rage became etched into his features. All green color quickly drained from his face, leaving his scales a ghostly pale. His fists tightened into balls, and cords in his neck bulged with extreme tension.
This was not temporary surprise and mild shock that Nazareth had showed upon the beginning of the alien expedition, which he quickly got over. This was not something that had just arisen. This was something deep, something that Nazareth already had. This was (to an extent) deliberate.
For that terrifying moment, Nazareth looked like he was literally about to explode.
And then, suddenly, without any word or sound, Nazareth spun around and stalked out of the Command Center, leaving his Zetas behind. Somewhat similar to Nazareth, their faces were bleached an unhealthy white as well, plus the frilled lizard's frills being frozen in a fanned out position, and the snake's perpetually flicking tongue was motionless.
The gecko, Mack Narth, broke the silence first. "I...have never...seen him anything like that. Never." He said slowly. He was genuinely shocked at Nazareth's behavior.
Nazareth's second-in-command, the alligator Burns Torson, shook his head, and addressed the other Zetas. "I've known him longer than you three. I've seen this before, once." He then turned to Aaron, speaking as confidently as he could. "I know that seemed very alarming, sir, but we shouldn't have anything to actually worry about. However, it will probably be best he doesn't catch sight of you anymore," Burns addressed Richard. Talking to Aaron again, he said "However, I can assure you that despite what you just saw, Nazareth will not allow it to interfere with his duties. He just needs a few minutes to blow off some very high-pressure steam. By the time we've launched he'll be back to normal. He just hasn't been quite his best recently."
Aaron cocks an eyebrow, "I'm... slightly confused. Did Nazareth suddenly develop and aversion to wolfs or what? Regardless of the case, this is a relatively small boat, I'm not sure if asking Richard to hide will be reasonable in the least, much less fair to Richard."
Romulus watched Nazareth's outburst and took a defensive stance incase the lizard attacked. Romulus wasn't very amused when the other lizard spoke.
"Your boss better figure his issues out. If this keeps up he will be staying here. I will not be having crew attacking crew on this trip. I don't care about his past but he's not the only one with issues from the past but if he can't get a grip on it then we'll have to find another pilot"
Romulus turned and walked to his training area.
Command Center
Burns looked slightly disturbed at Romulus' comments when he walked out of the room. Talking to Aaron again, he said "I seriously doubt he will go that far. I doubt it's even going to last that long. What you just saw, I think, were years of not having to deal with this come out at once. He''l get over it. As for what it is...It's not that he has anything against wolves, it's that he has something against that." Burns pointed at the fiber around Richard's wrist.
The other Zetas looked at least as confused as Aaron. "He...doesn't like string?" Satch asked.
Burns shook his head. "No, Satch, that's a bondcord. And it's not the bondcord itself he doesn't like, it's everything the bondcord represents. As far as I know."
Satch looked even more confused than before. "What does it represent? Sir? Burns? How come we never knew this about Nazareth?"
The alligator waved away Satch's first question. "That's not really important right now, and it would take too long to explain anyway. As for how you don't know, the last time this came up was before any of you three were recruited for Zeta Squad."
The second-in-command looked apologetically to Aaron. "I can't tell you much more than this. I don't know much more, and what I do know I can't reveal in good confidence. You'd have to ask him yourself if you want to know more. You're currently his superior officer, so he might tell you something, but I can't be certain."
Richard felt very self-conscious all of a sudden, he never suspected that being a bondsman would make him the subject of ire. He expected ridicule from Lycans, some measure of understanding from those that followed the Clanner ways, and general indifference from all others. This reaction from the reptilian pilot was unexpected.
"Uh, it would be good to understand why he feels as he does. His uniform does not possess any indication that he is or was LCAF. Unless possibly a friend or relative was claimed by this rare Lycan military anomaly. It is rare for it to be practiced except among the old guard and some young pups enamored by the past." Richard seemed a bit shaken, but as out of nervous habit, he shrugged.
The wolf scratched at his left arm and avoided the gazes of the Scales.
Mother, however, was not pleased. "you males..." she flatly stated as she waved to the Scales, "see to it that he does not do that again, or I will eject your fighters onto the deck and dump you all back into the hands of the Captain."
Having said her mind, she turned and approached the navigational terminal and Nova, "your course is good. Tell me, what kind of program is Mara?"
****
Loki ran after Romulus who had stalked off after his declaration to the Scales. Loki disliked being small, he disliked running while injured even more, but he managed to catch up to Romulus, "really Rom, we haven't... talked... since then?" The small fox huffed as he matched Romulus's pace, he was winded.
Aaron was just a tad confused by the whole thing. He was unsure of how he would deal with a hissy fit from the big and green. He had a hard enough time with the cute and fuzzy academic types. Fortunately, it seems that everyone is on his side in this incident. He then sighs,
"Either way, Richard, Ixiah, come with me. We are going to check on the goings ons with our supplies. Mother seems busy with Nova so we'll just ask the guys outside."
Richard looked more then a bit dejected and Aaron tells him, "Don't worry, I'll talk with Naz after he has cooled down. Until then I want you with me to make sure there is no more trouble."
Romulus slowed to a walk so Loki could keep up. He looked at Loki as he spoke.
"Yep you've been with Nova since the planet we found Mother on. You've been talking to her most of the time. I've made comments and so has Aaron but Nova seems to be taking up all your time. I swear that girl thinks shes an Acadian. If I didn't know any better I would say her reason for this trip is purely selfish"
"Mara? What kind of a program is she?" asks Nova, looking at Mother. "OH, I don't' know.. She is more similar to you, I think?"
"She is a reseach and database program, defensive somehow, ..Really, Mother You may you will have to ask your engineer. Mara is apart of me. I know some of what she is thinking and she can give me information as I need it. But I can't know what she is I haven't seen her in ten years or more." says a worried cat girl.
"We are or were childhood friends, we talked in a nonsense..ah in Acadian and played puzzle games sometimes 3-D and 4-D matrices in quantum mechanic...So much so, that my parents worried about me, going bonkers. But I have grownup, now. Mara has not.. She is still 8 with all knowledge of known universe. *sighs* She needs her mother..." Says Nova as she sat down again at the navigator terminal again and just looks at the front viewscreen.
Her white crystal touches the control panel again and small holograph of a kitten appears. She hiding behind, Nova but Looking cautiously at Mother.
PBH
Command Center
Mother seemed surprised, "fourth dimensional matrices in quantum theory? Due to the non-locality of the quantum world, I would expect a fifth dimensional construct. I don't imagine your people have fully reconciled relativity with quantum mechanics as of yet. It would be more feasible to allow gravitons to precipitate out immediately at the first instant after a plank time and into a fifth dimensional matrix. But, anyways, I..."
The orange vixen noted the kitten and narrowed her eyes, "Nova, you must be careful with that crystal. If Mara is allowed to interface with my systems, there could be a problem. Once we reach Matron, all bets are off at that point, but until then we will be in deep space and susceptible to the song. We will be on the communications grid, so to speak, and Rogue taint is obvious to Acadian controllers."
Mother brought an image up on the main view screen. It became a topographical model of a large portion of the galaxy. It then reduced down to surrounding systems, blue lines became more prominent in deep space in between systems. The star system they were in was dark and appeared to be off the grid, as did those near their destination. However, their course crossed a small, but active collection of blue lines.
"right now, because Ixiah and Rheya were captured and their controller station destroyed, this whole sector of space has lost connection with the grid. The controllers can see this, but there isn't anything they can do. This is such an important event, that the Masters have sent others to deal with it... that is why you are all on these missions, to locate the enemy response and direct your forces where to engage. I imagine it would also be beneficial to find ways to fight it, this is why we go to see Matron. However, if we are noticed once we enter the grid, then we must appear to be under influence of the song to avoid Acadian fleet interdiction. As long as I maintain an indicator of Blue, then we will be safe, if Mara and I interface, I will likely go from Blue to Red. If that happens they will send emulators to investigate our 'infection'. So please be careful." Mother spoke both to Nova and Mara.
Hallway to Special Forces area
Loki shook his head, "well, I got hurt pretty badly and spent a lot of time in your medical areas. They've kept me with Nova, because she is the best suited to look after me of all your peoples. You are a good person Rom, but in your leadership's eyes, not the best choice to take care of an alien prisoner. Mother has been apprehensive about Nova, because I got hurt protecting her... but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Anyways, I don't think the trip is entirely selfish, but there is probably a bit of self-interest involved for her. It would be of value for us to speak with the ancient ship and the lost Alphas."
Outside the ship
Richard agreed that sticking with Aaron was the best thing to do. Ixiah on the other hand was trying out his best impressions of Naz's stiff, professional gait and demeanor. Ixiah cut a surprisingly effective figure of the stoic and reserved warrior.
As they descended the ramp, a relieved deck officer approached Aaron, "Major Brown? I'm lieutenant Smith, with deck operations. The supply department dropped these forms off with me for your signature, they are done loading the requested items. A manifest is included with the forms."
The ferret handed to datapad to the major.
Phalanx hanger
Aaron took the datapad and looked through the text. It all looked like the standard issue stuff so Aaron signed off on the forums and handed the datapad back, keeping a copy of the manifest for himself.
"Thank you lieutenant Smith. I hope Mother did not give you too much trouble. With this we should be about ready to launch. I'll tell the crew the good news."
Aaron turns about and goes back up the ramp, busy setting up launch clearances. Aaron figured that it would be easiest to just get the clearances then tell Mother that they are good to go, serve as a sort of intermediate layer between proper ISF procedure and Mother's... probably not proper ISF procedure.
As Aaron works away at the his datapad he says to Ixiah, "You know, you do that surprisingly well, a sharp uniform and a good posture, keep it up and someone may think you were a professional ISF soldier."
Quote from: Azlan on November 18, 2008, 12:23:31 AM
Mother, however, was not pleased. "you males..." she flatly stated as she waved to the Scales, "see to it that he does not do that again, or I will eject your fighters onto the deck and dump you all back into the hands of the Captain."
Command Center All four Zetas instantly jumped into sharp salutes, blanching slightly and simultaneously saying "Yes, Ma'am!"
Without further delay, the Zetas turned tail and hurried out the door, heading back to the Zeta-Group barracks.
Zeta-Group Barracks Nazareth stomped through the door, walked a few steps, and pounded his fist into the nearest wall. He was still in a bit of an anger-haze.
Stupid.
Stupid.
STUPID.
Of all the blasted cosmic luck! This assignment has been nothing but one blindside after another. The aliens were bad enough, but a bondsman? Here? An upholder of the old Clan ways? I hoped I would never see one again! Nazareth looked up, staring at the greenish matrix-wall of Mother.
That's the problem. You hoped. He shook his head, sighing.
And that certainly wasn't a good impression for Major Brown. Probably thinks I'm a volatile madman. Hmph. Well, I'll make sure he knows that this won't interfere with my assigned task, but he better
not expect me to treat that maggot with anything remotely resembling respect.
Hallway to Special Forces area
Romulus looked at Loki.
"She just doesn't seem all there to me. Aaron has had issues with her since I've met them two. She seems to think she has everything figured out. I just have that feeling she doesn't hold herself on the same level as myself and my team. She seems like she is willing to do anything to get things she wants done includeing getting my men and I killed. Iunno hopefully I'm wrong and she will respect the chain of command when we get to the planet"
Romulus turned and looked Loki square in the eye.
"I know she likes you and I don't know if you like her but just be careful. Something about her just doesn't feel right to me"
Romulus turns and walks towards his quarters.
The cat Mara looks at mother, and she see that the only thing that Mara can do is draw power from the panel, and apply about five pounds of total pressure. Mara is blocked from direct access to the computer networks and interfaces in the console panel. Beyond pressing soft keys, which are locked because she is on panel, she can't get into the computer systems.
Mara walks across the panel with each paws lighting up a button, but the panel repeating the same error message on the screen, in the low center
"Access denied.. Panel locked"
"Meow?" Asks Mara,
*SIGH* "Yes, Mother" says Nova to the AI vixen. The kitten jumps from the panel into Nova lap
Then Mother shows them the grid, Nova remembers something like this from her study in astrophysics. "I know this. This is a map, I found about relationship between the galactic gravitational field and electromagnetic fields. I said it seemed effected the starlines, but I was laughed at. Can the song be used to change direction and distance the hyperspace corridors?"
Mara is angry, "I can hide Nova and myself from the song, just fine, Mother" thinks the whining kitten.
"Mara, Please Mother knows more about the present threat of the Masters" says Nova.
"I can too, Hide us Like this!" sends the kitten Nova and the kitten are still visible to the normal eye. But, they disappear from the song all together as Mother can see. Yet, Mara and Nova were still visible in song, because Mara leaves a hole or a faint shadow in the flow, like a stone in a river. The longer Mara maintains this, the larger the hole gets.
"Mara, please, I am sure Mother can and will teach you from some things, but Right now, I need some food and my side aches" says Nova. Nova picks up the kitten and walks to the door. The kitten stubbornly hold the song back, but gets tried quickly as she moves from the panel. she collapse in Nova's hand, and purrs when Nova starts pets on her head.
PBH
Revelation hanger and Ramp to Mother
Flight control quickly responded with the appropriate all clears for launch when ready, but the officer's response was somewhat less enthusiastic when he discovered the requester was Major Brown.
"where is the vixen captain who is in charge of this vessel?" A young, and obviously enamored fox officer inquired.
Meanwhile, Ixiah winked at Aaron, "I am a soldier already, just not for your ISF. I can be serious if I need to, but what fun is that?"
Richard was quiet, he still seemed a bit down.
Zeta-Group Barracks
Obviously, the greenish wall did not answer back, but for some strange reason, he felt as if it was extremely disappointed in him.
Special Forces area
The small, green fox followed Romulus, "uh, I like her yes... I'm not sure what you mean exactly by that. She is fine, Nova might be a bit overwhelmed because she thinks that the fate of the universe is resting on her shoulders and it is probably stressing her out. If you want to believe in destiny, than we all have our parts to play."
Before Romulus could enter his room, the fox transposed himself in front of him. "Rom, do you want me to show you how to fight a psychic. It is possible we are going to run into other hostile psychics and with Ixiah and myself restricted, we are of limited use against them."
Command Center
Mother narrows her eyes, a gesture more for the visual perception types like Nova, "you, Mara, will not do that again unless told to. I will not have you acting on your own volition while my guest. Remember your place child, you cannot hope to defy me in my own domain. I am a very patient one, as I have to take care of a rather powerful kit. I, however, cannot abide by actions like that! You will listen to your elders."
Mother's demeanor had taken on the aspect of the angry mother, "what you can do will hide you and Nova from the song, but it leaves a trace. Those that hunt the Alphas know how to recognize those signs from all the noise in the galaxy."
Up the ramp and abroad mother
Aaron decided against his better judgement, which demanded he give a reasonable explanation, to have some fun with the obviously enamored officer, "The vixen captain? The captain is a fox who looks like he is 14, though he is actually much older, though he acts 14. The vixen is the ship. Why, pray tell, would the ship request its own launch clearance? That would be quite the trick."
He intentionally left out the part where Mother is a sufficiently advanced intelligence that she could ask for launch clearances herself. But this was Aaron's mischievous side deciding to come out and play. Aaron giggled for a moment at the officer's surprised look.
After that bit of enjoyment Aaron looks to Ixiah, "What fun is that indeed. Though speaking of your military involvement, I'm curious, what is your rank? Or rather the ISF equivalent. That is one thing I've never been quite clear on."
Aaron decided to find Mother and see about launching. The sooner they were underway the better. He elected against pestering Richard. It seems he had enough on his mind as it was.
Command Center
"Meeeep!!!" Cries Mara and disappears as retreating into Nova and her crystal. Nova calms her down in her head and the kitten goes to sleep.
"It is a Okay Mother. She is sorry, she didn't know. She has learned her lessen for now, but you'll want to teach her somethings and give her a place to practice that won't effect your stealth fields. She wants to help, but she is only 8 and needs training She really looks up to you, Mother. Yet, she will try something on her own if she must." says Nova "Like some other people, I know."*sigh*....Nova thinks about her own follies of late.
"Beside being hungry, why am I so tried all the time?" asks Nova. "and can you show me to the galley?"
PBH
Special Forces area
Romulus looked at Loki.
"I don't think she has the weight of the universe on her shoulders. I think she fancies herself the hero of this little story"
Romulus stops short when Loki blocks the door. He scratches his chin while thinking about what Loki said.
"That would be a good idea. Not like every better will end with my team blowing up some computer stuff and takeing down a pirate king"
Zeta-Group Barracks
The Crusading Scales entered their barracks. Everyone except Burns set themselves up on their cots, while he walked to the cot at the end of the room. Nazareth was sitting on it, with a distant, but intense, expression.
Burns cleared his throat. "Sir?"
There was a pause, and then Nazareth seemed to stir a little. "Torson."
"Permission to speak freely, sir?"
"Granted."
The crocodile drew a breath before speaking. "Sir, with all honesty, that was about the most piss-poor public performance I've seen you give since the last time this came up. You're lucky that this time it was isolated, and you didn't actually hospitalize the guy. Even so, that orange vixen-alien threatened to throw us off this ship! And I have no doubt she'd have the will and the ability to follow through if she wanted."
"Noted."
Burns sighed. "Sir, I know you hate anyone who follows any of the old Clan traditions. Far be it for me to tell you what to do, but just don't do anything stupid this time. Our squad's reputation will be irreparably damaged."
Nazareth's eyes closed for a moment, then opened them again while he stood up, slowly. "Permission to speak freely rescinded, Torson." Nazareth looked hard at the crocodile for a moment. "Burns. I am aware of the situation. I am aware that my actions last time were a mistake, and I will not repeat them. Be assured that nothing will distract me from our assignment, and no harm will come to anything on this ship, deliberately or by negligence." Nazareth's eyes narrowed. "This conversation is over."
Burns paused for a moment, and then bowed his head slightly. "Yes, sir." He then turned and walked to his own cot, and sat down on it. The Zetas thus waited in various states of idle for the ship to launch.
Flight Control Center
When the Major's response played over the comm, the fox burned with a heavy blush that could be seen through the white fur on his face and his mouth sat agape for a few seconds as he stumbled over his words. In a seat not too far away from him, the ship's airboss writhed in his seat with laughter, barely able to keep from pitching out of it.
"I... uh... er, um..."
The airboss, a middle aged squirrel and a commander by rank, straightened himself out. He rubbed a tear from his eye and cleared his throat which had become a bit strained from all the laughter, "this is flight control major, you are clear... oh and give the ship Augie's regards."
The fox blanched, "w...w...what? No... I..." His voice trailed off as he began to busy himself with his word processing program.
Ship's Hallways
After Aaron receives his acknowledgment from flight control, it left only the question he levied on Ixiah as outstanding. The blue fox cupped his hands behind his head as he walked and turned his eyes towards the ceiling.
"well, that is hard to explain. I did mention that we use noble titles to refer to ruling beings and lines of succession right? We also instituted this system largely to confound the younger races. You know, 'how can such an old and advanced race have such a backward governmental system?', and all that. Well our military structure is nothing like that, it is very efficient and professional... except where us royals come into play. For effect and image, we are trained militarily as is custom, but we are granted ranks higher then common soldiery. We not afforded the same respect, however." He paused frowning, as if remembering something frustrating, "really, it is rather annoying to have junior officers smile and nod, and issue different orders... only to have high command commend them and reprimand me for interfering. I was just ceremonial, hence why I was selected to oversee your home sector. Since I was defeated by the general. I am considered a post-captain, though that is outdated I think... I am a commander by, uh pay-grade, as your military terms it. I'm not a Captain in rank, because I'm not deemed old enough. I'm not a kid, but I'm not yet an adult. I did command a ship, so I am titled a captain."
OOC: referencing the rank chart, commander is O-5... so he technically outranks Aaron. However, we all know how technicalities work. :)
Command Center
Mother let the issue with Mara drop. She was flattered that the cub looked up to her, it showed a good sign if she was like Matron, perhaps they could be amicable. She did not let this emotion show on her projected form, such an act might encourage the cub and foster more dangerous acts. Instead she prepared for the eventual departure.
"I am sorry Nova, but I cannot show you where you wish to go. I can have Cynthia do this, as Alexis and Rebeka will be busy."
The violet vixen presented herself at her mention, "I will show you where you need to go. You really must take it easy, pain is an indicator that you are over exerting. Do that too much and things will not heal, or worse, open back up and hemorrhage."
As she talked, the vixen brought Nova to the cafeteria section, "just discuss what you want with the preparation unit. Eventually we can upgrade it to a chef unit, but it needs practice."
Special Forces Area
Loki nodded and strode out into the middle of the training hall, "everyone, lets assemble I have some advice on fighting psychics."
As the soldiers began poking their heads out of the various areas, and then assembling, they all silently turned their eyes to Loki.
The young fox suddenly felt a bit self-conscious, but shook it off as he turned serious. He evaluated each person assembled and nodded to himself, "as you all are, you would be wiped out by a serious, experienced and combative psychic. The things you need to remember about how psychics fight and what their powers can do..."
Loki went into a lengthy and detailed explanation of psionics, their use and defenses against them.
Zeta-Group Barracks
A voice made itself known in the Zeta barracks, it was Mother, "Nazareth," There was a pause and the voice continued in his mind for the next part of the announcement, if you are through being irrational and bigoted, the voice continued out loud after a brief pause, "please report to the command center so you may experience taxing me out of the shuttle bay."
Ship's Hallways
Aaron was making shapes in the air, like he was attempting to assemble a diagram in his mind. Perhaps, in some point in the future, he would be so talented. That point in time was, however, not now. Aaron thinks to himself, How odd though, one who is supposed to be in command, but actually isn't, versus me, who seems to be one who is often not supposed to be in command, but ends up being in charge anyways.
"I'm sure I'll make sense of it all eventually. Today has just been full of way too much information. Maybe I should get some DECENT sleep and digest it all. Though now that I think of it... I probably should inform the Captain of a few updates. He would probably be interested in things such as our impromptu prisoner transfer."
Aaron gets out his communicator and opens a line to Captain Summers. He thought hard about how he was going to phrase the whole thing... he ended up doing so poorly. When Summers is on the video link Summers responds,
"Oh Major, just who I wanted to talk to. Your prisoner seems to have gone missing..."
"Er... yes sir. It requires a good bit of interesting back story. As Mother was being loaded for our trip there was interest raised regarding my family heritage. I allowed them to run a few tests on me and uncovered the fact that I am three quarters Acadian. This is relevant because some of the tests accidentally awakened some psychic talent in me and this newly awakened talent thought it would be funny to create a link with the missing prisoner, Marissa. This link caused me to take her pain from her. Judging from the look on your face I need to clarify that... er... she felt nothing from her gut shot and I suffered all the pain. She used this opportunity to get out of medbay and make her way to Mother. This caused her pain to become far worse, though she could not feel it. She was collected by Mother's doctor and is currently receiving care regarding her almost bleeding out on the trip."
Captain summers is rubbing his temples, "Continue, I'm listening"
"I would like to keep Marissa here. My personal experience through Marissa is that Mother has far better painkillers then the ISF.
I do not feel that any of this will change the overarching mission, we now have a destination and we will survey the location, find the Matron then call in the fleet."
"Anything else Major?"
"No sir, I believe that covers all the crazyness. Unless you wish to hear about some rather odd, but ultimately irrelevant details regarding my recent accidental intrusions on the dreams of crew members."
"Objectivity in mind," there was a brief pause before Summers continued, "Dismissed."
Aaron closed the link and thinks to himself wow, that went better then I was expecting. He now went to find Mother to tell her about launch clearances and that she seems to have a fan in the flight control center. After that all Aaron needs to do is figure out his schedule regarding when they arrive, and hopefully it takes a little bit so that he can get some psychic training from Ixiah. Though he may also want to try and have Ixiah and/or Loki go over fighting psychics. That would be a good idea.
Nova follows Cynthia to the cafeteria/galley area in silence and gloom. Nova watching the purple vixen as she walk her down the hall. She wondered if she should be looking into the engineer room. if the launch was so close. She would like that.., but who is this purple vixen AI.
She is the Doc, I think... she thinks to herself.
"Hey, ah Doctor Cynthia, Is it?.... My side doesn't really hurt that much, but it is giving me a little problem. I just feel tried most of the time...Still could you heal me up right quick?"
The cat's concentration was on the menu, and she decides on a fish sandwich, and some tea and walks to a table. "The Major seems to think I need some test done, When do you want to do those?" The smell of her sandwich awakens her appetite. Nova eats her food quicky like she was starving. After she finishes it, she sats and waits for the purple vixen to answers yet looks back at the food preparator .
PBH
Special Forces Area
Romulus stoud listening to Loki explain the best ways to take on a pyshic.
Zeta-Group Barracks
When Nazareth heard Mother's comment in his head, he closed his eyes and exhaled slightly in a very small twinge of exasperation and annoyance. "Affirmative" was his only reply to her summons.
He exited the room, and started walking towards the Command Center.
Ship's Hallways
Ixiah observed the conversation between Aaron and the Captain, "he is taking all that quite well, Captain Summers must be a very astute and logical person." They continued to walk for a short distance before the young fox piped in again, "you know, you are a much more entertaining and fun person to be around than Major Kanzoria."
Richard finally took this opportunity to speak up, "I suppose I should retire to my quarters... I would not want to cause anymore problems with that Nazareth fellow."
Galley
Cynthia did not initially answer the feline's questions. Only after Nova had eaten did the purple furred vixen speak, "I can not heal you up quick, I am a doctor not a cleric with magical powers. I can tell that you are largely still whole inside, there is a small amount of internal bleeding, but that is normal since you refuse to take it easy."
The food preparer brings another fish sandwich for Nova and some more tea. For obvious reasons, the vixen does not eat.
"We can administer tests after you are done eating if you like."
Medical Bay
The room slowly resolved into focus as Marissa blinked. She did not remember loosing consciousness, but then again most never do.
Her hand drifted over her site of injury and she found it still did not hurt at all. She was obviously bandaged and was somehow being pumped full of fluids and other substances a full grown fox body would need.
She found that she could move fully, as much as she wanted, but any time she tried to exit the bed she was somehow prevented from doing so. "way am I stuck in this bed! Nothing is tying me down, but I can't get up?!"
Special Forces Area
Loki sat atop a disgruntled looking pile of soldiers, who even as a group was unable to grab one slippery little green fox. He stuck his tongue out at Romulus and Ben, "I don't know how you lot captured me in the first place."
Command Center
Nazareth arrived at the command center. Mother stood behind the pilot's console, facing him as he entered through the doorway.
"Ah good, you are here. As soon as the major drops by and let's me know he has the launch authorization, we can begin our little escapade." She puts on a slight innocent look, "I do already know we have authorization, but I don't want to be rude. After all, he is walking all the way back this way to tell me in person. we can be good people and wait patiently for that."
Hallways
Aaron look to Ixiah, "Yes, I was warned before I got here that the Captain is a hard line by the books fellow, they tend to be the logical type. Though we have definitely ventured off the books here, unless there are ISF regulations regarding officers becoming psionic that I was unaware of. Perhaps high command has a manual titled, 'In the Event of the Psychic Apocalypse' detailing how to deal with the likes of me."
After Ixiah piped in about the amusement he provides Aaron tells Ixiah, "I've always been rather light hearted. I guess that is my Acadian blood? Or maybe that is a fox trait. Changing the subject, I must ask, what is Major Kanzoria like? I've seen him bugging my crew a few times now, and every ISIS member I've met has ben the unpleasant sort."
Aaron nods at Richard after he offers to retire, "If you wish. Get some sleep, I would like to have everyone refreshed before arriving at our destination... which I just now realized that still NO ONE has told me how long that trip will take. Though I wish to say that any problem with Nazareth is his own, do not let him boss you around."
Richard nods and retires to his quarters
Aaron reaches the Command Center and knocks on the doorway as he enters, "Mother, Nazareth, good to see you two. I just got off the line with flight control, we're cleared to launch. Mother, it seems as though a fellow named Augie has a thing for you. I had a bit of fun at the poor lad's expense and I was wondering if you would be willing to contact flight control with a message so that the guy could have the last laugh in FC? I don't think it would be fair to keep the fun to ourselves. Also, Nazareth, later I need to talk with you about your... episode."
Aaron takes care not to let out too much emotion about the last bit, he just wanted to remind Nazareth that he has not forgotten. He especially want to try and resolve things before Marissa is up and about. Aaron slips out to let Mother and Naz launch the ship.
Aaron heads back to his room to fetch the second bond cord and takes it to medbay looking for Marissa. Aaron enters medbay and finds her struggling against the bed.
"Whoa, hey there take it easy! It looks like you are secured in there." By what I don't know, Aaron adds to himself.
"But, I feel fine! It doesn't hurt at all!"
"Yes... well... A, that is because the doctor gave you a nice set of pain killers. B, it looks like dreams are not the only thing we are sharing."
Marissa blushed a bit, "So... it was real?"
"As real as dreams get yes."
Ixiah had a 'I know something you do not' look on his face.
"Anyways, you weren't feeling pain because, somehow, I took it. So as you were walking about I got the hurting of my life."
Aaron had not seen blushing like what Marissa was displaying since... 5 minutes ago with Augie. Bad example.
"But... how? How did all that..."
"Don't worry, everything is fine now since you got your pain killers. But I need you to settle down and get better. As to how, it looks like I have some psionics that I can't quite control yet. Hopefully that changes soon. However,"
Aaron pulls out the second bond cord, "It is time we finish this up."
((OOC: Epic post is epic. Is it obvious that, IRL, I'm writing a thesis X3))
Special Forces Area
Romulus looked at Loki and scratched his chin.
"Let me see I seem to remember gun fire, an explosion, you collapseing from some type of strain and then you being knocked out by someone. *Looks at Ben* After you tried to screw with one of my crews mind. Then you put a needle to my throat during the shuttle ride back. That's the quick version anyway"
Romulus gave Loki a rather flat look.
Galley
As the catgirl eats, she thinks about what she is been doing wrong. She should have healed enough for limited duty, but be honest girl, Have you been doing light duty?....
Fighting the ISIS in Sick bay? Carrying Loki and all her personal stuff back to Mother, at quick pace.
:blush all that activity in Loki's room....Which was the easiest the other stuff she has been doing...
With a sudden shake, I pulls herself out of her self- examination.
"Tests? Yes. Please Doc, I need to know what I have been doing, and what damage I have done to herself? And just how much I should be do-in? Beside the Major want me tested for Acadian blood too. I'm sure that I don't have any, but who knows. We, Hunnydew, have what we call the Luck, Good and Bad"
Medical Bay
Nova follows Cynthia into Medical Bay, while Marissa, Ixiah and Aaron were talking. Cynthia quicky connects Nova to the medical exam sensors. While Cynthia runs her tests, the stuffed catgirl finds herself dozing off again on the exam table. The purple fox finds that catgirl doesn't have Acadian blood, but Nova is something similar to an Acadian Alpha for her own species with a high level chaos/chance flowing around her being. Canthia puzzles at this, but she will have to wait on the end results. Meanwhile, she goes to check on the bound Marissa and Aaron in the Ward
PBH
(edit- sorry, I hope this is good enough)
Command Center
At Mother's explanation of waiting for Aaron, Nazareth merely replied "Of course". He stood there for a moment, and speak of the devil, Aaron walks into the Command Center. At Aaron's last comment, Nazareth replied to that as well with a short "Acknowledged, sir".
After Aaron left, Nazareth turned back to Mother. "I'll wait for you to send your message." He said as he headed for the pilot's chair, sitting down in it and gripping the controls. "Ready to begin launch sequence on your mark."
After a moment, he spoke once more, "Oh, and by the way..." He spoke in a calm, controlled voice, without derision or hostility, and though he was facing towards the "viewscreen" and away from Mother's projection, his face wore his normal guarded expression.
"Don't presume to judge me, alien."
Medical Bay
Marissa sat up quickly, alerting Aaron to the fact that Mother's painkillers were not invincible. Once he was able to stand up straight again, Marissa looked quite apologetic, "oops sorry, does it hurt very much?"
Gingerly she held out her wrist to accept what was now her fate, to be a bondswoman to this odd fox and ISF officer, "so what exactly will I be doing? Normally one gets thrust into a combat role, but this is the first time I've heard of anyone being captured by a scientist. I was originally a communications engineer specializing in Deep Space Arrays; I was drafted into a sniper role by the pirates when our ship was captured. They took advantage of my traditionalist Lycan upbringing and subjected me to bondservice."
Ixiah had been very quiet as they wandered through the halls, to the bridge and finally to the medical bay. The young fox appeared to be distracted, as he mulled over Aaron's inquiry about what Major Kanzoria was like. He finally sighed and spoke up as Marissa finished her short background, "Aaron, you asked me earlier what Major Kanzoria was like, but I did not have an answer then. It is complicated, Yuri and I have the same mother, Selene, but our fathers are different. This relationship is... also... complicated. He is rather condescending and arrogant. He will be sarcastic at times and deadpan serious at others. He is not like you, he is more like Loki and I. He developed fast mentally and was secretly indoctrinated into the ways of ISIS at only ten years of age. Less than scrupulous men and women sought to make him a cold and calculating assassin and instrument of their dark agenda. Owen Marik, someone you likely do not know, toppled these evil men in ISIS and restructured it. This freed Yuri and the other special children from ISIS control, but it was rather late for them. Having nowhere else to really go and being far different than anyone else their age, most stayed with ISIS and are now their top specialists."
Ixiah took another breath, "this has made him a bit callous and insensitive. I also think he is furious with mom for seemingly abandoning him, though he would never admit to it or show it outwardly. He also appears to be physically abusive towards me, but he is trying to root me in this form so I won't be so reckless with it. I'm sure he'd be really nice if he'd stop being so mature and haughty all the time."
Special Forces Area
Ben scratched the back of his head and laughed a bit nervously at being reminded about their early Loki adventures.
Loki frowned a bit at the reminder, "I... hesitated both times... I guess I am just too weak. Even when we first met and you were complete... hostile strangers, something held me back from releasing the power to destroy you. When I held you hostage, I still had the necessary power to kill you and defeat everyone else. I guess I am just not ruthless enough to be a warrior."
Medical Bay
Cynthia watched the sleeping Nova for a few minutes and carefully arranged her in the medical bay and tucked the sheets around her. There wasn't much she could do to repair Nova without physically opening her up, so she decided to keep her in the Medbay for observation.
Cynthia moved towards Aaron, Marissa and Ixiah just at the time Marissa decided to sit upright far too quickly for someone with an injury to their midsection. The purple vixen swept in and quickly examined Marissa, giving her a stern look. She unceremoniously pulled up Marissa's medical gown, opening bandages and redressing the wound. Marissa was rather embarrassed and managed to whack Aaron to the ground before he saw more than the fur about her middle.
Command Center
As Aaron left, Mother gained a mischievous smile. She effortlessly activated communications.
In the command center, Augie, the bored flight operator keyed the next call in, "Flight Control..."
Mother appeared on the screen, smiling, "hello Augie."
The fox's heart skipped, "er... uh, hi. I, uh already gave you clearance."
"I know, I just wanted to thank you for that. You are also very sweet, but I am a ship." She said, still smiling, "but do you want to know a secret?"
He gulped, things were feeling a bit awkward, but his heart still fluttered at her visage, "um... sure."
"I'll give you two, my name among my people is very strange sounding... <unusual sounds>, but you can call me Vella. The second is that I am not artificial, I am living, intelligent and very much a female." She smiled still, pausing for him to speak.
"Vella is very beautiful... it fits you very well." He stammered.
"You are very cute, thank you. I really must go, we shall return." She waved as the connection closed.
Turning to Naz, who managed to catch a bit of the conversation due to the link, she sighed at his comment. "I do not wish to judge you, but I also do not wish for you to make such a grievous mistake of prejudice. Because of your experiences, you make a snap judgment of a person because of his ways. I will also continue to be blunt about it to you... if it begins to become troublesome, I will be blunt about it in front of all. Do consider others before you condemn them for crimes only a few have rendered. Do not judge Richard for what others have done to you."
Medical Bay
Aaron gets up, "Why only me!"
Aaron affixes the bond cord to Marisa's wrist.
"Don't worry. I'm not quite sure what we all will be doing either. This little expedition is meant to recover a computer system from a crashed ship. I'm not sure if you have heard of Hunnydew's golden ship, but we are looking for that. I'm also looking for... aliens. I know this all sounds weird."
Marisa grins, "No more so then having my pain being absorbed."
"... exactly. Moving on, your engineering experience may be handy. I wonder if Rebecka could teach you anything of Acadian technology. Either way, I just wanted to fill you in on the rest of the ship crew."
Aaron tells Marisa about everyone else, "Oh, and on the subject of Nazareth, he seems to have an aversion to the old ways, or Lycans, or something. I'm going to have a talk with him later, but remember that you don't have to take shit from anyone."
Ixiah speaks up and after he finishes Aaron says, "I see. Things make a bit more sense now. I'm still confused though. Well, it is more of a generic my confusion over mother issues. I never really knew my mom. Well, I remember a song, sung it back for Cynthia here not to long ago. Beside the point though, mom left me before I ever knew her and I didn't turn out to be crazy assassin. I can't help but feel sorry for Yuri though."
Aaron looks back to Marisa, "Now, I'm going to go and try and finis up few things. Stay here and get well. Please? I'll know if you try and get up."
As Aaron gets up he says to Cynthia, taking care to not let Marisa hear, "Could you also check her for Acadian blood? Call it a feeling."
After Cynthia's reply Aaron heads off to the command center. On the way there he asks Ixiah, "I don't mean to sound impatient, but I kind of am. When can we start my training? I would like to regain control of myself soon."
Special Forces Area
Romulus looked at Loki.
"A true warrior knows when not to kill. Even though you could have taken care of the people in front of you doesn't mean you're home free"
Mara knows her duty, but she is a little scare to come out after mother's scolding. After Cynthia leaves to go to other room with the foxes, she comes out from Nova's crystal and looks at the medical readouts. With a sigh, the kitten with a fox's tail settles down for her own nap on Nova's legs. Keepping one eye out on the goings on in the medical ward.
Command Center
What little of Mother's conversation with the fight operator Nazareth heard, he tried to ignore. Typical of the younger officers to think with their gonads and little else. And Mother was playing with that! Nazareth had to keep himself from grinding his teeth at the foolery.
However, she finished that conversation and refocused on Nazareth. He listened to her, and then replied, his voice low and careful. "I'm saving my explanations for Major Brown, but for you, I'll say only this; If you think that this is about me, or has anything to do with me, then you don't understand what this is about at all."
He tightened his grip on the controls. "Ready to begin launch sequence on your mark." He repeated, clearly not going to discuss anything any further.
Towards the Command Center
Ixiah walked along with Aaron, smiling slightly, "that was pretty impressive how she managed to floor you with one well placed smack. She could be a good one for you, keep you in line. Anyways, I could train you in psychic techniques, but it would not be wise to do much until Marissa is healed a bit more. If you inadvertently severed the empathic link, the flood of sensory input on her could be fatal. We could also accidentally cause you to intensify the link and mistakenly perform a transfer... completely taking her injury to yourself. I imagine you would not enjoy experiencing the physical injury that goes with the pain."
Special Forces Area
Loki sighs and slips off the grumbling pile of soldiers, "alright all of you, time to get up and meditate. You two should as well," Loki said as he turned towards Romulus and Ben, "sit lotus style as I've heard it called and visualize building a brick wall in your mind, make it of nonsense and gibberish."
Medical Bay
Cynthia waves to Aaron and Ixiah as they leave. With a happy bounce to her step, she tucks Marissa into the bed and heads back over to her console and desk.
She stops, raising an eyebrow to the kitten on Nova, "you must be what Rebecka and Mother were chatting about across the network."
Command Center
Mother sighed and shook her head, whispering to herself, "children..."
She moved to a spot just behind Narazeth, she placed a hand on his shoulder and in a clear voice commanded, "mark, bring all flight systems online and run all checks. Bring the Quadruple Cross drive to full and bring her out at 0.25 positive gravity slide. You have control, do your best."
As Nazareth ran the systems and raised the drive to maximum power, all systems showed nominal. The hum of the "Quadruple Cross Gravity Drive" could be heard across the whole ship, but not using one's ears. The sound was in the mind.
Towards the Command Center
"Wait... take it completely? As in, physically taking the injury? That... ow..."
Aaron thinks for a bit,
"Though, how would we know that I wouldn't accidentally do that anyways? I am worried now. A lot. This psychic business seems to be getting more and more potentially fatal the more I hear about it."
"Oh Hello, Doc.... I'll let exam me, if you scratch my ears...Purrrrleaseeee..." said the Kitten with big cute eyes, and small little pout pose. *blink**blink*
PBH
Command Center
When Mother placed her hand on Nazareth's shoulder, he unconsciously stiffened very slightly. Personal contact wasn't something he was used to or comfortable with, but he ignored it and concentrated on his job.
No matter how realistic it was, this is not the mental simulation.
Big or small, mistakes here are irrevocable.
At Mother's orders, Nazareth eased considerably, accustomed to commands. He performed what functioned as the preflight check, going over the systems with the mindlink. All showed normal. An odd hum filled the room as the Cross Drive was brought fully on line; it took several seconds for Nazareth to realize the "sound" was in his head only.
Guiding the ship with his thoughts, he gently eased the throttle. Slowly and smoothly, the ship rose straight up until it cleared launching height. Using both the manual controls and his mind, he brought the ship around to face the open bay doors. Easing the throttle again, the ship slid forward gracefully, and cleared the docking bay. Angling away from the Phalanx, Nazareth continued graduating the throttle until the ship was up to an appropriate speed.
He guided Mother out into free space, away from the fleet of ISF capital ships. Once he reached the proper distance, he brought Mother to a full stop.
Reaching out with his mind, Nazareth accessed what was used as an intercomm system and connected to the Zeta-Group barracks"
"Zeta-Group! Assemble!" Nazareth "barked" into the comm.
Zeta-Group Barracks
"Zeta-Group! Assemble!"
Instantly, there was an automatic jolt of activity for three seconds as the Crusading Scales jumped out of their beds and formed up in a line almost instinctually. The command was so forceful, and Nazareth's voice so real, that it took them several moments to realize that Nazareth wasn't actually in the room.
"Squad, we are away from the capital ships. It is time for practice drills to get used to flying alongside an alien ship. I don't know how much time we'll have for practice, but none should be wasted. Suit up and get to your fighters for launch, double-time!"
The Crusading Scales wasted no time, immediately donning their Tactical Life Support suits, and rushing down the corridor. Nazareth wasn't there with them, but Mother projected his voice undiminished in a way no modern radio could.
That was creepy.
[bSpecial Forces Area][/b]
Romulus sat down and startes to "build his wall" as Loki put. He used all the stupid crap he remembered hearing new recruits say under his command as his bricks.
Towards the Command Center, still
Ixiah patted Aaron on the back, "don't worry, you aren't in any danger at the moment. Psychic abilities are those type of things where ignorance is a defense and an excuse. However, if you begin to gain knowledge in the area, you will understand why it is wiser to wait. If you wish to, visualize the connection between you two in your mind's eye, follow it to her and see what it is that you see.
Aaron and Ixiah were both nearly to the Command center.
Medical bay
Cynthia eyed the kitten, "no need to examine you, I already know what you are. I have since you appeared on this medical bed, I just choose to be more social and interactive... it is part of my directive."
The purple vixen did scratch Mara's ears though.
Command Center
"I have informed the fleet of our drills, no need to alarm them suddenly by launching fighters." Mother said quietly so as not to disturb Nazareth's concentration.
Zeta Launch bay
The squad found their fighters to be pre-flight prepped and ready to take on pilots. The ground crews consisted of small hovering drones that waited patiently near each fighter, out of the way of the pilots.
Special Forces Area
Ben sat as requested and began building up this shield as requested.
Loki first focused on Romulus, he loomed over the seat wolverine and stood in front of him. It was a mere few moments before the small green fox knocked down the wall with a howling and flaming mental fist. He sailed into Romulus's mind like cold steel through flesh, a very frightening and uncomfortable shock.
Are we there yet?
"Yes, visualize in my minds eye, let me get right on that. Wait what?" Aaron looks a bit confusedly at Ixiah.
Ixiah shrugs, "Not my fault. Your spoken language is... obtuse and annoyingly unexpressive. It was the best I could do."
"Yes but... where do you pick up phrases like 'mind's eye?' "
"From a manga."
"Of course..."
Aaron and Ixiah walk into the command center. Nazareth looked very busy. Busy enough that Aaron thought he and Ixiah would hide out in the corner. Aaron decided to give the mind's eye bit a shot. He backed into the corner and looked up, and after a moment being uncomfortable he looks at thew view monitor. He tries a few things, getting the feeling he isn't quite grasping it. He turns to Ixiah.
"Hey Ixiah... oh..."
As he turns he notices that there is both no Ixiah and that there is still a star field. He gets the distinct impression that the view screen did not expand as he looked around, he was apparently just in deep space, and on a dirt road. The presence of the dirt road in space disturbed him to no end. He shrugs and starts going down the path, assuming that this was his connection to Marissa.
"Purrr.... Oh oh Yes a little to the side..." prrs the kit-fox. Mara after a minute just drop loosely down on Nova's legs
" Mother says I training Can you teach me to be a better AI, or just proper AI manners..... I don't want Mother to be mad at me.. And I need to know have to help Nova" asks Mara with sigh as she look up cutely at the Doc.
PBH
Special Forces Area
Romulus recoiled when Loki broke through his wall.
"Damnit" Was all he thought when Loki broke through.
The only thing he could think of at this point was when his father was shot in front of him. Seeing the bullets rip into his father and watching him slowly dieing. How he got his father's blood on his hands as he tried to stop the bleeding. How his father died in his arms. Strange thing was when Romulus thought of this no real emotion went with it. It almost seemed like all and any emotion Romulus had went away.
Command Center
Nazareth replied to Mother with a simple, but not curt, "Acknowledged" as he continued to monitor his squad's progress.
Zeta Launch Bay
The four Scales hustled to their fighters, quickly climbing the bizzare ladders, and then slid themselves into the odd gravity shells as they had practiced earlier. They all went through preflight checks, brining their fighters and comm systems online.
Nazareth's voice sounded in the headsets of all four Zetas. "Zeta-One testing communication systems...do you read me, Zetas?"
"Zeta-Two, check."
"Zeta-Three, check."
"Zeta-Four, check."
"Zeta-Five, check."
"Alright, communication is confirmed. Mother, you may begin launch sequence."
Fugue Plane
An endless eternity stretched out before Aaron, his out of place dirt road winding off into the distance. He walked for a short while, but the farther he went the more apprehensive he felt. Something felt wrong about walking this path.
Aaron was about to turn around and head back, but a cold chill passed over him. A set of golden triangles drifted next to him (2x2). They seemed almost like lighted little LCD screens on a panel, except all four of them flickered simultaneously, reminding the fox of someone blinking.
A sharp, raspy voice echoed inside his head. The words were of some incomprehensible language that chilled his very soul and threatened to snuff out his life force with every syllable.
Wander far have thee little thing? Sing to me the revealing melody of the beginning and end of all things little fox. Spoke the disembodied voice. Thought it appeared to be able to translate the words to something Aaron could understand, that uncomfortable feeling still lingered on every letter.
Medbay
Cynthia briefly snuffled Mara, as any feral vulpine might. She sat on the edge of the bed and reached over to pick the kitten up, setting Mara in her lap.
"Well little one, it is proper for all non-native AIs to operate in passive mode while resident in another's Domain. It is proper to request access to Domain resources instead of attempting to gain access alone. You must acknowledge the primary host and accept her commands, in this case Mother, and not try to do things your way." The purple vixen analyzed the kitten, looking for anything interesting as she talked.
"Your question is so broad, I do not know what I could tell you that you might find useful."
Romulus's Mind
The scene did not sit well with Loki, though he was projecting, he felt dull aches in his own areas of injury, "ugh, blood... blood... I've seen enough blood for a lifetime. Is... is this what happened in your childhood to make you such a deadpan type of person?"
Command Center
Mother considered the request o Nazareth for a launch sequence. Mother wasn't designed as a carrier, so she found the experience fresh and new.
The "petals" opened up, revealing the pods that contained each of the four fighters.
Mother began a check of all systems as she initiated a countdown for launch, "ten... nine...eight...all systems remain at nominal... seven..."
Romulus's Mind
Romulus let his mind drift to him when he was a very little child at his mom's funeral. He started to cry over the death of his mother. All that is heard is his father angrily tell him that soldiers don't cry. When little Romulus told his father he wasn't a soldier his father told him he was one now.
Fugue Plane
Aaron's feeling that he got the short end of the psychic stick was only getting further cemented in place. First the pain, though invading dreams was kind of cute, almost getting Marissa killed from her trek, and now he has this... geometry fatally talking to him. In exchange he got the ability to... make Acadian cubs cry? No, that was his mom, who was apparently quite the singer.
Now he was being asked to sing. And sing WHAT? He had some fans at the karoake place he infrequently visited on Vulpeculae, but they were not bits of geometry in Aaron's head asking him to sing something he never heard of.
After some brief soul searching (brief in the sense of popping one's head in and looking around a messy room) Aaron said, "I'm sorry, but I do not know the melody you ask me to sing. I fear I may have intruded upon territory I should not have."
Aaron kept his quip about requesting Judas Priest to himself. Arguing with the thing that seems to be killing him with each utterance seemed like a losing proposition.
"I was born to be a warrior, a thief, and spy. My mother did not think I would find friends among our own kind. I was design to be like a virus, that attacks with surprise. Take over a ship like Mother, if luck allows. I see now. I am very much under prepared." says the kitten as she settles on Cynthia's lap.
"I would like know, what I need to do that. So, I can grow up. To be to Be I want to be like Mother....But Too much time has past, there is so much that has gone on that my mother does know .... I need new skills. new training. Thank you, Cynthia." says Mara. The kitten rubs her head against Cynthia hand. The kitten looks at the doc in the eyes. "Do you think I can leave Nova to you to guard? Will Mother allow me to roam the ship as one of ISF do? I would like to talk to your sister of security"
PBH
Romulus's Mind
Loki sniffled a bit, as a tear saturated the fur on his face, "I cry a lot, but no one ever told me it was wrong... just that I'm too emotional maybe. What a horrible thing to say to a child..."
Loki drifted across the barrier of the mind and stepped into the memory. He pulled the young Romulus away from his father and hugged him, much to the confusion of the memory of his father.
"It is okay to cry Rom, if you bottle your emotions up too much, they will eat you inside. Like everything there is a time to cry..." Loki hugged him tighter, "go ahead, get your grief out and move on."
Fugue Plane
Territory intruded should not have... yes. Fox-thing foolish, project into dead space. Think void empty, but things there are lurking. Melodies you must sing, to shatter the *Harmony Sphere*, an aria thinks I. Release that which is imprisoned and open the *engines of creation*.
It lashed out with something quick and sharp. Aaron barely noticed a tendril of pitch black nothingness buried in his midsection. It was quite horribly painful, but worse was the fact that it drew from him his life's fluid. Ultimately it seemed to be pulling that very thing that made Aaron who he was. He felt himself growing distant and his mind dim.
Agony, sing an aria of pain.
There was a brief flash and the tendril was sliced clean, leaving a part embedded in Aaron. The thing recoiled and in the light cast by a glowing blade of energy it was revealed to be a long serpentine creature made of deepest darkness with a multitude of limbs. Some were recognizable as being like his own handpaw or that of a human, others were alien beyond belief. Its head was semi serpentine with a maw of teeth seemingly made of void. The golden triangles appeared to be eyes.
The glowing blade was held by a blue fox familiar to Aaron, but the most serious of expressions was upon his face. Everything spoke of hostility and anger, except for the young blue fox's tail, which Aaron could read immediately. Ixiah was scared beyond any reason, but the entity he faced did not seem to be able to understand his tail posture.
"Away you creature of nothingness, return to the empty void where you belong!" Ix yelled as his blade of light increased in intensity to that of a solar flare.
The beast hesitated, but quickly spiraled off into the dark expanse of space.
Medical Bay
Cynthia shook her head when asked what she could do to more fulfill her role, "it would not be responsible of me to teach you how to subvert and supplant others of our kind. That is akin to wiping the mind from a human and putting another one in its place. You must forget that directive and never carry it out."
She paused to give a stern look to the kitten before considering the other question, "Nova will be safe here, I believe that Mother will allow you to roam, just as long as you remember to not try and subvert her systems."
Romulus's Mind
Romulus started to think about stupid stuff. Just random things from his life from math problems to how to clean certain fire arms.
Once Aaron was cut free by Ixiah, he mind was in a frantic race. Instinctually he made an attempt to claw out the tendril stuck in him. When he looked up he saw Ixiah, staring down the... thing... which looked significantly more frightening when it wasn't random geometry making awkward demands out of him. What stuck with Aaron was the fact that Ixiah was afraid, his tail gave him away, but he was still staring it down. For him.
When the thing was gone Aaron had recovered most of his mind. He was not sure if the thing took something something from him, but he was now thinking far more clearly. Aaron was still rather shaken, but thinking straight. He approached Ixiah and tried to say something. He failed rather miserably, eking out something... or just thinking it (though maybe there was no difference), perhaps a thank you, perhaps a question. When all else failed, Aaron hugged Ixiah and cried a bit. Today was a bad day for Aaron and his attempts to not cry. He was forced to confront two things that he avoided thinking of his whole life, his mother and his mortality. It was taking a heavy toll.
"Ix, let's get out of here."
Zeta Launch Bay
"Ten... nine...eight...all systems remain at nominal... seven..."
"Standard launch order, Zetas."
Six...five..."
"Roger that."
"Four...three...two...one...zero."
"LAUNCH!"
Soundlessly, Burns' fighter was released to float in the black void. He kicked in his thrusters, scooting away from Mother.
"LAUNCH!"
Mack's fighter quickly followed the same procedure.
"LAUNCH!"
As did Norton's.
"LAUNCH!"
Satch, the eager would-be ace, sped away a little faster, but fell in with the other four.
"Alright Zetas, let's start simple. Form a standard arrowhead on me." Nazareth began moving Mother forward as the Zetas flew to comply. "Locked in, okay. Nothing fancy yet, we'll start with simple maneuvers, this bird doesn't fly like one of ours. Let's begin with..."
Romulus's Mind
Loki watched as various things drifted by. He spent a great deal of effort balancing, correcting, and completing all the various math problems that drifted by, "wow, geometry... algebra... even some calculus! I haven't done stuff like this since I was a baby!"
Loki practiced various firearms maintenance techniques, marching, drills and other military stuff. Eventually he stopped and drifted lazily as it all circled around him, "your ADD is almost as bad as mine. I want to go back to the emotional Romulus, let us talk more about you."
Fugue plane
"Ix, let's get out of here."
Ixiah's concerned gaze drifted over Aaron's form, "hmmm, in a second... now this is going to hurt a lot..." The blue fox reached down and pulled the shard of darkness straight out of Aaron. The tendril had ceased resemblance to that of an organic limb and now was more of a sharp blade. A patina of crimson coated the otherwise midnight black material.
"Odd, psyche's don't bleed. You are a strange one Aaron, I never would have tried to project into deep space on a whim. Especially not when it is filled with those... things. Come on now, you can lean on me if you aren't feeling too good."
Ixiah lead Aaron back towards their little ship. However, where ever they were, Mother did not appear as the alien starship he was expecting to see, instead they approached what was more akin to a quadraped ancestor of Aaron and Ixiah, but with huge feathered wings. It possessed a body of fluid metallic material and glowed with a white radiance. This was apparently Mother's psyche, though it did not seem to notice either of the two foxes.
Command Center and Zetas in space
It took a moment or two for Nazareth to settle into a rhythm with the fighters. The ship started out like a willful mare chomping at the bit, but he was able to temper that power and reign her in.
The projection that was Mother's fox form, giggled slightly, "I am not used to traveling this slow or maneuvering like I have rocket thrusters. You should open her up and test those fighter's maneuverability. Their reaction drives make them a bit limited in maneuvering, but they do have an edge in pivoting on an axis."
Medical
The fox-kitten thought over that Cynthia said. Matron explained what she was to do, to confine an enemy AI into a smaller and smaller isolated memory of their own crystal matrix or even trick them into her own little crystal, where she could close them off inside. She was to superimpose herself over other. if she must to survive. But would that kill them or worst destroy other within their own minds, when she imposed herself in the main frame of an AI ship. Other AIs will try and kill her and Nova, when they find them. But should she go as far as they would to keep Nova and herself safe. What did she think about that? There had to be other ways to defend against/defeat other AIs.
"I need to speak to Alexis, I need to know what I can do." Says Mara, " Cynthia, I know Mother has isolated me from the ship's network, and I will not break in, because I gave my word to Mother, I won't. Yet, I will see if I can find security can train me." The little kitten heads down the passageway, searching for the orange fox in uniform..
When Mara is gone, Nova become restless in her sleep, Loki is worried about someone, and angry about ah at Romulus's Father? why? She is not really awake, is blocked by huge numbers and cleaning items for going to Loki. She goes back to sleep when Loki jokes about the math problem and plays soldier......
PBH
Fugue plane
Aaron winced a bit as Ixiah pulled out the... thing. Aaron held onto Ixiah's shoulder, walking on his own two legs, "Yes... I suppose that I got distracted by the view screen and changed what I was doing. I've been accused of being ADD my whole life. And I must confess, Mother looks really... freaky right now."
Aaron sighs, "This psychic business isn't going so well is it?"
Romulus's Mind
Romulus then used something he learned in his sniper training. After alittle bit his mind went blank. Nothing came up, it was dark. No thoughts came up or anything. It was as if Romulus mind shut off.
Hallways of the ship called Mother
Mara did not have to go far before she turned the corner and there was Alexis leaning casually against the wall, "I heard you wanted to see me little one. What can I do for you?"
Fugue Plane
"That is a representation of Mother's self in this realm. All of our AI ships have a large presence here, it is so that things like the one which hurt you can see it coming and avoid it. Those creatures are from before the universe and they detest light and certain emotions."
The blue fox shook his head as they walked, "The psychic thing is going just fine, a bit unpredictable, but fine. Like just now, we learned that you project mentally and physically."
Ixiah approached a white portal, "now let's get back into the waking world,"
Romulus's Mind
Loki drifted about for a few moments in the vast emptiness, "wow, your mind is so empty and spacey."
He grew tired of the silence and began to paint the boundaries of his mental manifestation in pinks and lavender. This made Romulus have very strange emotional needs all of a sudden, but he shook off those feelings.
Loki looked about, as if he saw things beyond the constrains of Romulus's mind.
"Enough!" announced Loki, shattering the emptiness and instantly filling it with the voices of countless, unrestrained minds . The emptiness failed.
Romulus was shocked awake, on his chest crouched Loki with a sinister and evil expression across his muzzle. All around him, the other special forces members were sprawled out. They slowly began to stir.
Fugue Plane
Aaron figured he would need to figure out the concequinces of projecting physically. Sounded odd, but he would need to figure out more about projecting period.
"It's just that Mother looks so weird. I mean, really..."
Aaron and Ixiah walk through the portal.
Mother, Command Center
"... a giant glowing metalic four legged winged fox?"
Aaron shruged, "Still, that thing was rather odd. It apparently thought I could sing. It asked me to sing of the beginning and end of all things, to sing something to shatter the sphere of harmony, to release the engine of creation. Which is odd, I thought that the sphere of harmony was already broken. Do you have any insights on this?"
Romulus's Mind
Romulus looked up at Loki with an annoyed look.
"What?"
Command Center
"Careful, ma'am." Nazareth said in his low voice, almost a growl. "Over-eagerness is what gets cadets killed in the simulators." Nazareth flew a few more basic forms with the Zetas. He also had one last thought.
"Notice, Zetas; Mother's flight designation will be 'Meta'. Confirm."
"Confirmed."
"Right, now is everyone familiar with flying alongside in basic maneuvers?"
"I believe so, Zeta-One."
"Yessir."
"Affirmative."
"Yup."
"I think we're good for you to show us what she can really do, Zeta-One."
"Very well, Zeta-Two."
Nazrateh tightened his grip on the controls, and imagined a series of more complicated maneuvers in his head, ones that would demonstrate more fully how Mother flies in comparison to a conventional ship her size. After a moment, he spurred Mother onward.
Command Center
Mother's left ear rotated back, catching Aaron's description of her form in astral space, "that is a mental construct. We were engineered from Acadian DNA and other fox type creatures, eventually creating what we are today, so our origins show through in what our psyche projects as itself."
"That's all well and good, Aaron, but let's go see Cynthia for a bit." Ixiah stated as he ducked under Aaron's Right arm, supporting him.
Aaron threw Ixiah a slightly confused look, not understanding the need for such assistance to stand or walk, nor the need to see the ship's doctor.
Ixiah's smile was slightly nervous as he held up the crimson stained, black jagged metal-like object, "the disadvantage of beings in your state that physically project into astral space..."
Aaron looked down at it and mouthed a single word in a small voice, "Oh..." He placed his hand over the spot that had very suddenly made itself known with pain and a rapid amount of exsanguination, and allowed Ixiah to take up his weight a bit. He really wanted to say something witty, but it escaped him.
Ixiah led him off, forestalling any conversation he planned on having with Nazareth.
Meanwhile, in the forward section of the Command center...
Nazareth was truly amazed with the maneuverability and raw agility of this vessel. It executed his maneuvers easily, operating like no ship this size should be able to. Her maneuvering broke everything he understood about physics. The ship's gravity drive out maneuvered the fighters, who had to pull high inertia to just barely keep up.
Mother quickly relaxed the maneuvering when the mental state of the other pilots changed, she had no desire to distress them.
"Nazareth, if you do not mind, I wish to run through one important strike maneuver that will be our most important technique if combat is unavoidable." She opened up to the Zeta channel, "All Zetas, this is Meta. Lock onto my navigation beacon and keep a tight formation around me. As I said, I cannot accelerate fighters to FTL speeds, but I can ferry you in this conventional travel. Waverider gravitic drives can spawn jump points and fully enter the hyperspace dimension called... for lack of a better name... quasispace. Normal jump drives only skirt the periphery between normal space and hyperspace. Anything can enter a jump point, but without a means to spawn your own jump points or a fixed gate in normal space that can spawn it for you, you will be trapped."
She stopped and opened a holographic display in all the Zeta's cockpits and one for Nazareth as well, it demonstrated the portal spawning, entering, traveling, and exiting she mentioned, "we will only be able to do this for short jumps, as your fighters will need to accelerate to 0.1C. With the limited technology you are using, your fuel cells will deplete quickly over long distances at this speed. This makes this form of travel impractical, plus it is not generally safe for younger races there. We can use it to make short distance jumps for quick, surgical strikes if combat is necessary. Our objective at this point is to jump to this dead system just 1 parsec away and engage two targets labeled bandit 1 and bandit 2. The system in question consists of one neutron star, a few dead planets, and a periphery asteroid field. We will be engaging two small asteroids, by jumping in at close proximity immediately firing as we exit the jump point heading at bandit 1 and swinging to port to engage bandit 2. Understood? Good, form up on me as close as possible. Time your acceleration on my mark, go!"
Mother carefully brought herself up to speed, keeping to the same acceleration limitation as the Saber class fighters. "Spawning jump point."
The space in front of the ships crackled and opened like a giant maw, within seconds, the group entered the portal and found themselves in a vast space of swirling blue, nebulous... gasses? What ever they were, the ships never seemed to get near any of the nebulae, nor did the constant flashes of lightning ever strike a vessel.
"Destination reached, all weapon interlocks cleared, fully charged. Go!" The exit portal spawned, the group exited to real space and unloaded on the poor nickle-iron asteroid, obliterating it. They quickly swung to port and engaged the other rock that slowly drifted in space.
Special Forces Area
Loki calmed down, and sat on Romulus's chest panting a bit, "you did the best out of anyone... except for Ben here, he's pretty decent for a normal. Oww, I think I hurt myself though." The small fox seemed to be bleeding a bit from old injuries. Romulus found that he had a bloody nose and his head hurt like he had just been through a weekend binge fest.
Loki rolled off of Romulus, but turned to look him in the eye, "you really need to open up, you can't suppress all these emotions and isolate yourself from others... it isn't healthy."
Special Forces Area
Romulus looks at Loki and waits for him to get off his chest.
"Ben probably didn't want you screwing with his head again"
Romulus went to stand when Loki moved. Romulus looked at Loki's bleeding then noticed his own bleeding and pain. He stood up and walked towards the door.
"Come on Loki we should get you to the infirmary. Looks like you reopened your wound. Plus I could use a pain killer myself"
Once Loki was near him Romulus spoke with a low tone.
"Emotions like that are a waste of my time"
Romulus headed off to the infirmary.
Damaged Escape Pod
Knight awoke after he had no clue how long, his mind slow and groggy, his body ached with pain. The last thing he remembered was his cruiser getting ripped apart around him, and his friends trying to reach the pods. A airlock closed, blazing sirens, then nothing...
He looked around the small compartment, and noticed that the circuits had overloaded in some of the systems... He took a few seconds to find the spare parts, and repair what damage he could. The telltale green lights came on, and the emergency beacon was activated again... He thought to himself i really hope that the rescue team hasn't been through here already, it'll be ages until something friendly comes back
Hallway to Medbay
Aaron couldn't help but wonder how much blood he could lose in one day. Had he been in a better mood he would have made a comment regarding how Cynthia would be the best bet to find some of his missing blood, but exhaustion claimed such thoughts. He was tired, more so then he had been his whole life. The full realization of his heritage, and the subsequent psychic misadventures, drained him. He would be only too happy to spend the rest of the day sleeping.
He limps along, hanging onto Ixiah, trying to minimize the bleeding as he did so, and says out loud, "Hopefully nothing interesting happens for the rest of the day."
Medical
Ixiah and Aaron arrived at the same time as Romulus and Loki at the entrance to the Medical Bay. Somewhere on their trek over, Loki had somehow convinced Romulus to carry him. Actually Romulus can not even remember how that happened.
"Hey Ix! Aaron! Oh hey Aaron, you are doing that bleeding thing, you might want to get that looked at."
"Oh Loki... Aaron can't help but have a few accidents, but you need to stop being so irresponsible. Mother will kill you if you die." Ix was uncharacteristically serious.
Loki shrugged, a gesture that seemed strangely infectious since Ix picked it up from Richard, "it's not so bad, but I did over do it I think."
They were all greeted by Cynthia as they entered, who seemed very cross for some reason, making the motley bunch of injured rather nervous.
A fire burned in her eyes as she pointed to the medical units, "in now!"
Everyone complied quickly, even Romulus thought it best to do as she said. Cynthia's tone and order was so strong, even Ixiah took a bed.
Cynthia really wanted to throttle all of them, but she took a breath, which was more symbolic then literal. Normal protocol would put Loki at the front of the queue for treatment, but Aaron seemed to be worse off, for which she was partly responsible.
"So Aaron, what were you doing now? Making first contact with voidlings? Hmm? Looks like I'm going to have to synthesize some blood to transfuse into you, you've lost far too much for you to recover without assistance." She went about the task of fixing him up and transfusing blood back in.
Damaged Escape Pod
With the systems restored somewhat, a backlog of data poured in. Unfortunately, the logs recorded the rescue ships had come and gone already. This did not bode well.
In the corner of the pod, near the damaged system panels, a shadow moved. A mottled black mass formed a basic anthro shape and regarded Knight's back. The thing was the same mottled black organic-like material that made up the hull of the ship he was just on.
Command Center
The communications unit activated, displaying a distress signal from an ISF escape pod. The pod appeared to be on the opposite side of the system from where Mother was currently. Mother regarded Nazareth, "should we investigate?"
Medical
Romulus took a bed though he felt he didn't need to.
"I'm just after a pain killer is all. I have a horrible headache"
Romulus looked over at Loki.
Medical
"I'm sorry doctor, I was exploring my psychic talents. Found a bad corner that kicked me. Or stabbed me really. Then Ixiah saved me before anything really bad could happen. And that blood is good stuff, hitting the spot nicely."
Aaron settled down in his bed, he was going to stay there a while, and it was going to be uneventful. Aaron wished hard for this.
Escape Pod
Knight checked the logs again, and a mixture of dread and terror caused a very real shiver to move down his spine as they confirmed that he had in fact been missed by the first rescue teams. He checked his supplies, which should be sufficient for a few weeks. Not knowing the deployment schedules of the regular navy, he hoped that a secondary crew got here before he ran out of food, clean water, or breathable air... he patted his right leg, and found his pistol still holstered...
well, at least i can go out quick and painless if worst comes to worst
he sat down in the crash couch, and started to bring up a simulation program when he noticed a strange black material in the pod with him... it worried him slightly as it seemed to be similar to what his old starship was made of... he pondered the black mass for a bit, then went back to working out what had happened while it was still fresh in his mind, figuring that he could always go and play with whatever it was later... before the program was active, he checked the charge on his pistol with a quick glance, the telltale green light on the grip told him it was at full charge.
Zeta Flight Practice
When Nazareth really started showing what Mother could do, the other Zetas were, needless to say, amazed. However, they did manage to keep up with Mother for some time, and when the no longer could, she took over again.
As she launched in the explanation of a special warp-jump maneuver, the technical preamble went right over Satch and Mack, but as she went into the tactical explanation of what she intended them to do, they were all fully alert. when the opened the jump gate, the Zetas did not miss a beat in keeping up. When the came up on the first asteroid after exiting the jump, they terminated the target as if they had drilled the maneuver. The proceeded to the second target and eliminated it likewise.
Command Center
After the exercise, Mother then alerted Nazareth to an ISF distress signal, asking if they should investigate.
Nazareth replied immediately. "Affirmative, Meta. Especially if it is a friendly in distress, duty and ISF code require that we do."
He then broadcasted to his squad. "Listen up, Zetas. Form standard flanking escort formation. We are going around this star system to check out an ISF distress beacon."
Medical
Loki shrugged as Romulus's eyes shifted to him, "it's not my fault you stubbornly kept putting up a fight, it was over the moment I entered, but I thought I would play around a bit."
Cynthia would have nothing of it right now, she cleared her throat as a wicked grin spread across her muzzle, "please do settle down and be good, I would hate to have to sedate all of you."
Pausing in her work on Aaron, she took stock of the situation. She had one adult fox, physically adult, that was effectively a child of her creator's race who was losing his life's blood faster than she could put it back in, but she was almost done repairing his physical structure. A normal member of her creator's race, aggravating his injuries, but in a stable condition. A stubborn alien wolverine, with a significant headache brought on by every normal contributing factor from eye strain to dehydration, who could not cub sit if his life depended on it.
Why does Mother trust this Romulus with Loki? He hasn't been on this ship more than a few hours and already Loki is in the medical ward having opened his wounds back up.
The last patient was another Acadian fox that didn't happen to have anything wrong with him, other than a low blood sugar.
She turned her attention back to Aaron's wound, "do you know what a void creature like that does to beings such as yourself? They existed before the universe, they are unlife, to be killed by one of them is to be unmade."
She chose to place a bit of fright into him, "it has taken a part of you, a small part, but enough that it will be able to capture your essence if you expire due to this wound. I am doing the best that I can, but you are losing more blood than I can put back in... then there is the essence poisoning, you will have a battle ahead of you before you recover."
Marissa weakly opened an eye and sat up from her medical bed to stare dumbfounded at Aaron, "what happened to you? How can you get hurt in the middle of an ISF fleet that is not in combat?"
Escape pod
The black shape moved from the shadows, it possessed a form nearly identical to that of Knight except for it being mottled, organic black bio-material. It's black hollow eyes made contact with his own and instantly he had made some kind of contact with it.
I am ship's computer core. You will protect me until we return home. You will not allow anyone else to know I exist.
Command Center
Mother nodded, "acknowledged. Zetas, best possible speed to beacon location."
In space, the ship and its escorts moved the safest route across the system. The ship's advanced sensors picked up a fair amount of wreckage. The ship did not seem to recognize the debris, the hull material was a strange blend of ultra-advanced technology and the ISF's best, most common materials.
A lone, heavily damaged life pod drifted among the wreckage. Mother moved closer and brought the pod into her small cargo bay.
Medical
"Wait, what do you mean a battle before I can recover? The only reason I wasn't... how did you put it, unmade was be because Ixiah saved me. And a bit of my essence is gone? What does that even mean. At least we get a little bit of it too, stupid thing." Aaron was going to have to be far more mindful of what he was doing in the future, meaning no more blindly 'pushing buttons' like he has been.
He sighs and looks at Marissa, "Apparently I was attacked by something more ancient then the universe. I was trying out some psychics and... well... one of those things stabbed me. I think Ixiah still has the bit that was stuck in me. Hopefully I'll be fine. Though I'm not sure how much longer I can keep operating if this sort of thing keeps happening."
Escape Pod
knight's mind started rushing as the proximity warning in the pod went off... apparently a ship of unknown size and origin, that wasn't transmitting any signal to his pod, was in the process of picking him up... his first mission was to keep the computer safe under any circumstance, he looked over to the black mass and said "any chance you could become less conspicuous... if you can change your shape, cover the crash couch, if not, well, i'll see what i can do, but a single pistol, and special forces training only goes so far..."
with a sigh as he started to adjust his focus and relax his mind. Knight pressurized his suit, and drew the pistol. He switched the small terminal over to the external cameras and sensor feeds to see if he couldn't get a better idea of what he was up against... while the terminal was in the process of booting up and displaying the data, Knight knelt on the floor and started a light meditation, figuring that a clear mind, and relaxed body was the best way to avoid pre-combat jitters
Command Center
Mother and the Crusading Scales cruised around the system, before finding a large debris field with IF and unknown wrecks. Nazareth definitely felt something wasn't right.
They found the broadcasting life pod. Mother then virtually shocked Nazareth by immediately pulling in the pod. Nazareth didn't have a chance to object before it was already locked in. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and covered his face, exasperated.
"Mother, I dearly hope you have a foolproof way of at least temporarily quarantining that pod now that you've brought it in." He said in a lower voice than usual. "Standard procedure upon finding a life pod is to scan it to detect if anything is still alive, and hail to attempt to confirm anything aboard. Depending on the circumstances of a life pod find, there could be any number of possible risks, and more complete scans and verification methods may be necessary. Since we have found this life pod not only in an obvious ISF battlezone, but that the apparently enemy wreckage is of unknown origin and design, making sure that pod was safe to bring aboard was a critical priority that you have skipped."
Nazarteh turned around in his chair to face thje projection of Mother. He had a gravely serious expression on his reptillian face. "If you are capable of totally quarantining the cargo bay that pod is in, do so immediately. Then I want you to run every focused scan you possibly can on this pod as well as attempt to establish a comm. While you're at it, if you have any remote drones that can enter and examine the pod, please deploy those as well, but only if you can quarantine."
Medical
Romulus looks over at Loki.
"Hey you told me to try and keep you out of my mind"
Romulus looked at Cynthia and stopped talking.
Medical
"Yes Aaron, a battle... an ordeal. The voidlings are so different an existence from any of our own, so alien that they pass an affliction that slowly renders a being of our reality into a souless husk. That husk becomes like a voidling and seems to exist only to consume lifeforce. Since you are a psychic, you should be able to fight off the sickness, but you are so much a novice... Ixiah and Loki should be able to help you though."
The discussion was significantly captivating, especially do to the subject matter, to Aaron that he was completely distracted from the fact that someone was poking around in his abdominal cavity without the use of anesthetic.
"That should do it, with a few ounces of blood to spare... let's see, suction... filter... recirculate... transfuse. There we go, changed the air filter, replaced a few hoses, repaired the manifolds, and cleaned the injectors." Cynthia giggled as she sealed up the wound and applied bandages, "just kidding about the automotive stuff, but not about the affliction... for now you will be okay as long as you do not go to sleep or pass out. As soon as I tend to Loki and feed some orange juice to Ixiah, we can have them go with you and face the void."
The purple vixen made sure the medical unit kept a steady stream of stimulants with the remaining blood transfusions before checking on Loki, "young master, you really must stop being reckless... this form must be allowed to repair itself, in your condition you cannot easily shed it and return to your true form. You must take better care of it."
"I know..." sighed Loki.
She removed bandaging and ran a quick scan of the damaged locations. With precise equipment, she carefully repaired what damage the young fox had done and closed him back up, reapplying fresh bandages. She patted him on the head before turning to Romulus.
She rooted around in the medical cabinet for a bit before producing two white capsules and placing them in the wolverine's hand, "take these two and remain in this bed for a bit, your ordeal with the young master has depleted your body's reserves, so I am stabilizing your hydration, blood sugar and such.
Her last task was to hand Ixiah a tall glass of orange fluid, "drink this."
Escape Pod
Put your mind at ease and come down from your combat instinct. The ship has identified itself as being with the ISF's First Scout Fleet. My... memory cells... seem to indicate that this vessel is actually Acadian, but it also says that Acadians do not typically lie about such things as affiliation. The fighters flying escort are ISF Naval Sabers. The ship's crew do not seem to realize I am not what you are, but they seem to be communicating telepathically. I am receptive... but it appears you are not.
Feeling the wisdom in Knight's suggestion, the strange bio-material computer core changed its shape. However, it did not hide on the crash couch, instead it formed into an anthro feline... a female one at that. However, it lacked clothes.
Command Center
Mother smiled knowingly, "I have already done the scans and been in contact with a member of the crew that is susceptible to telepathic communication. The pod's comm systems are damaged, so I improvised. You would be aware of all the scan data and processes underway if you fully connected to the control system instead of rejecting the immersion like it was a vile disease. I suppose I should apprise you of the results."
Mother created another holowindow, "the wreckage appears only to be of one vessel, not multiple, and it does not appear to be a battlezone of any type. Superstructure appears to be ISF made, but the external hull is unusual. The design is not in the databases I borrowed from the Phalanx, but that doesn't mean that secret research or prototype designs are not out there. The pod is heavily damaged, and of conventional ISF design. It contains one to two biological signatures, but it is hard to tell what is there. The one I communicated has provided appropriate identification codes, though they are ISIS codes."
Escape Pod
Knight felt elated at the news that he wasn't in fact going to be stuck in the pod for the rest of his foreseeable life. When he turned back to the computer, he was suddenly struck with the observation that 'it' had decided to become a 'she', and furthermore lacked any clothing whatsoever.
He opened the bag he'd brought with him into the pod, and handed 'her' a shirt, and some pants. He was grinning as he said "if your trying to be inconspicuous... clothing will go a long way towards going unnoticed, even if they don't quite fit right" he then turned to the display and went about ignoring 'her' as best he could for a few moments while 'she' got dressed.
Medical
Romulus did what he was told to do. He took the pills and stayed in the bed.
"Yes ma'am"
Medical
Aaron sighed and lied back in his bed. He was, apprently, afflicted. Not the first time in his life to be sure, but the first time the end conecquences could include, 'becoming a life essense leach'. He was also a tad upset with himself for leaning so heavily on Loki and Ixiah. He had a certain amount of personal pride, comes from rasing himself and his brother and perserving through a decade of higher education. His pride wasn't so great that he would refuse help, especially with the whole 'becoming a soul stealing husk' concequence on the table. Though it troubled him non the less, asking for so much and offering so little in return.
He watched Ixiah down his juice and said, "So, shall we get this started? I would like to be rid of this affliction. Then I would like to nap, for a very long time. Maybe even in my own room. You know, I just now realized that only Richard, Naz and his men are the only ones NOT here. Seems like a bad portent for things to come."
General ship message
Everyone on the ship hears a general message in their heads, Security detail to cargo bay. I repeat, security detail to the cargo bay. This is not a drill. Medical, standby to evaluate survivors.
Romulus hears this message, but with an added part at the end, Except you Romulus, remain in medical until Cynthia releases you, please.
Escape Pod/Cargo Bay
With time of the essence, the female took the offered clothes and after a moment slipped them on. Working her mouth for a few moments, she spoke out loud, "ah, I see. It has to do with this flap of... fleth en ma moush." The last portion of her speech was done with her tongue sticking out as she examined it. Sticking it back in, she continued, "yes, clothes, thank you. I cannot shape things like this out of myself, and the only examples I have of such beings as yourself did not seem to wear any or very little. I will need to be addressed as something... you will call me Saioko... Natsume, I am a science observer from R&D... with a military rank, yes."
She twirled about with sparkles in her eyes, "a general... admiral... field marshal... grand high inquisitor!" The feline laughed with a tone slightly megalomaniac, she stopped her bout of silliness as her gaze fell over Knight. She stopped and blushed, scratching the back of her head and laughed nervously, "eh, sorry... Washu, my chief designer and programmer was a little eccentric. I'll go for a Captain, O-3, it will cause less attention. Okay Eric, now we wait."
Outside the pod, security robots waited for a more official person one of actual ISF military standing. Within moments, Ben and his team arrived. Ben, using a voice amplifier called out to those in the pod, "this is Staff Sergeant Benjamin Foster, ISF Army Special Forces. Please exit the pod slowly, if you are carrying any weapons, leave them behind."
Medical
Loki slipped off the medical bed and approached Aaron. In one motion, he assumed a spot near the end of the bed. Ixiah did likewise, taking up a similar spot. The medical beds were rather large after all.
Loki started off, "Ok, ok Aaron this will be fun! I've never fought a void creature before. Now you are going to need that as a focus." Loki pointed to the solidified tentacle of the creature that had pierced him which Ixiah still held.
Ixiah carefully handed the object over and grabbed his hand, "time for you to go to sleep now..."
Indeed it seemed it was, no matter how hard he tried, he could not keep his eyelids open. Stupid things just won't listen. His last waking sight was a pair of faces, Ixiah's worried expression contrasted with Loki's exited and jubilant energy.
Aaron was once again in an open plain, featureless and dark. He was alone, though he could feel something which made the hairs on his neck stand on end. Within moments, a blue fox, followed by a green one appeared. The feeling lessened, but remained.
"Alright, now we will contend with the thing... if it decides to show itself." Ixiah flatly stated.
Escape Pod
knight tried hard, yet failed to keep a straight face as the computer went about her little bout of silliness... He paused, chuckled and said "seriously, don't worry about it, i think you've already made my week by announcing i'm not dying in a little escape pod... and that little bit there just made it better... Captain Natsume"
hearing the message from the security outside, knight asked "so, ma'am do you want to take lead, or shall i?"
Captain Natsume thought for a moment before gesturing to Knight, "you take the lead on this, Lieutenant Whitehaven. I can emulate very well, but in reality, I'm not very good at being social or a person... I am a very highly developed Artificial Intelligence built off of super-advanced alien technology, but this is new to me. Though, I am not sure what might linger in these bio-cells."
Cargo Bay
Knight reached the airlock, took a few seconds to calm his nerves. He eased the door open after confirming breathable atmosphere, then opened the lock. He moved slowly out of the pod, then turned back and motioned for 'Captain Natsume' to follow he said in a low voice to her "ma'am it looks safe enough" then he walked towards the security at a slow pace, keeping his hands at his side. His right hand fell on the empty holster, and he felt a bit of worry run through his system, if he didn't get the pistol back, a ship this size couldn't hid the thief for very long. Knight's thoughts we're snapped back into reality as he reached the deck of the bay.
With a crisp, military salute he announced "2nd Lieutenant Eric 'Knight' Whitehaven, special forces , and my ships science officer Captain Saioko Natsume will be out shortly... i think we owe you a great big thank you for the pickup Sargent"
Cargo Bay
Saioko carefully exited the pod, she did her best to emulate how a female of the species should act in her state, at least a generic stereotype. She did a truly good job as she winced and meeped at the cold of the metal ramp against bare foot pads, and her apparent discomfort at the way she appeared to be dressed. The act left Knight to wonder if her female research was based off of manga.
"You will have to excuse me staff sergeant, I was off duty and sleeping when we were attacked. I did not have a chance to grab anything before I ran to the escape pod."
Ben nodded, if he suspected anything he did not show it. Turning to Eric, he returned the salute and addressed him first, "lieutenant, by your uniform I can tell you are part of the mecha division... LAM pilot by the wings."
Ben cleared his throat and nodded respectfully to Saioko, he did not salute as she was out of uniform, "ma'am, we understand... I am sure Mother, the ship, can provide you with something more appropriate. We can speak more as we walk, this way please, we need to have you checked out in medical. It is standard operating procedure."
Knight received a quick bit of insight from Saioko as a slight bit of panic crept into her expression, but it was quickly suppressed, "is that really necessary staff sergeant, I feel fine..."
"It is ma'am, please this way." Ben gestured down the hall.
Not having much choice, she walked in the direction indicated, "so, Foster, what exactly is your mission out here in this unusual vessel?"
"I am not at liberty to say at this time ma'am." He replied without missing a beat.
Saioko already had all the basic details from a scan of his surface thoughts, but was surprised to find his mind protected.
Ben paused and raised an eyebrow, "did you just...?"
Saioko gave him the most befuddled expression that could be given, "huh? What do you mean sergeant?"
He shook his head, "nothing ma'am must just be something lingering from earlier today."
The group approached the Medical area and entered, only to be greeted by a purple vixen, "hello, I am Cynthia, the ship's doctor. Don't mind the others, we have a full house today. Please have a seat here."
The vixen indicated a large medical table. Saioko took a seat at one end and waited.
Medical
Knight had only nodded to Sargent and had chosen to listened intently to the exchange between Saioko and the Sargent rather than reply...he started to worry slightly about how to keep the fact that 'Captain Natsume' was actually his ship's memory core a secrete. He debated asking if he could speak to the captain on the matter, possibly he had the authority to view some of the files, and yet keep them a secrete from the rest of the crew.
Once in the medical bay, Knight took the seat closest to the doctor and said "do you mind if i go first, i'd like to get myself oriented with my new surroundings as quickly as possible ma'am"
He looked at the doctor, doing his best to ignore the other patients while he tried to work out a solution to Saioko's predicament.
Battle of the Brain
Aaron was quite scared. Which is actually rather good for Aaron, as not being scared in such a situation would be the mark of a fool. Aaron was also not quite sure what to make of the little foxes. His life philosophy said to be scared when others were excited and to be excited when others were scared. This left Aaron confused with a score card of 1 to 1. This lead him to his fallback position of soldering along, expecting new developments to nudge an answer along. Aaron picked a direction and went that way with Ixiah and Loki following.
There wasn't much talking, mostly watching and waiting to find the Voidling during their trek. The terrain remained featureless, with no one really sure if there were really going on a direction, as much as they were going in directions; plural. Eventually, after what seemed like a eternity they came across a sight familiar to Aaron, his home for the last decade, the university grounds. There, sitting on the steps leading to the commons was someone Aaron never saw before. Aaron was sure that it was the Voidling. He just sat calmly, eating a sandwich. One of Aaron's favorite sandwiches too. The Voidling approached, looking like a rather pasty human in a really slick suit. Agent Smith style to be exact. Aaron was always being accused of liking the Human science fiction a bit too much. Seems to have stuck deep in his mind at any rate
"Finally you showed up. I was wondering how long that would take. I barely had time to make myself at home." The agent looked to be cleaning a disgusting taste from his mouth.
Aaron glared at the Agent Smith wannabe, "Unfortunate, all that work for nothing. You will not be staying long."
"Oh, I disagree. You and I will be together for a very long time. At least, until I finish consuming you. Slowly. I shall enjoy it, perhaps too much. The best part is, you can't stop me, not even your leather clad friends there."
"My wa...", Aaron long around and sees Ixiah and Loki in very stereotypical The Matrix outfits. After a moment of false starts and odd hand gestures Aaron finally blurts out, "Don't feed the things delusions!"
The agent grinned, "It doesn't matter what they do, we're in your mind Mr. Brown..."
"Doctor Brown to you. Or Major. Either way there is no Mr. for you."
"Major brown then. It matters not, soon you will be nothing, much like us. You shall be the silence between musical notes, you shall be the space between words, you shall be one of the void."
Aaron got about fed up with letting this thing talk and decided to punch it in the face instead, "I really don't know where you get off acting like you already won. I'm not going to let you."
Before Aaron really knew what was going on, the Voidling was on top of him. And then, before he figured out what he didn't figure out before Loki jumped in front of him, with a glowing sword of energy much like Ixiah had before. Ixiah grabbed Aaron's arm and led him into a nearby building. Aaron remembered the area well, especially were the military buildings were and where they kept their guns.
The Voidling stood no chance against Loki. Loki, for whatever reason, was just better then the intruder. There were bright flashes as Loki cut him, though he had yet to connect with a really good hit, just scratches. The agent had a giant hand gun, reminiscent of the movie he comes from and was shooting at Loki, but none of the void bullets would connect. Loki was dodging his fire, deftly and quickly, but it was not long before Loki overexerted himself. In the brief interruption the Voidling was able to get away, and tracked down he true foe, Aaron. The fact that he instinctively knew where to find Aaron meant that he quickly got to his location, just in time to find out that Aaron got to the laser weapons locker at the shooting range.
Aaron fired a large number of well placed shots into the agent. Though Aaron's aim was true and he got a number of good shots on him, the agent did not flinch and was on top of Aaron quickly, knocking his weapon away and grabbing Aaron by the throat, lifting him in the air. It did not take long for Ixiah to jump from his hiding spot, wielding his energy blade and charging the agent. Aaron was flung into a wall, making an appreciable hole in a reinforced wall meant to take small arms fire with little incident. Ixiah did not fare as well against Smith, his attacks were not nearly as sharp or devastating has Loki's, though he was certainly doing better than Aaron's laser stunt. Though this ultimately meant that he lasted twice as long before being thrown into the same wall Aaron was embedded in. Aaron pulled out a pistol and unloaded into the Voidling, but at this point it had a sufficient handle on this reality in Aaron's head, his hands seemed to glow with a dark energy that deflected the shots in a fashion similar to a dark lord of the sith.
This display took long enough for Loki to catch up, putting the agent on the defensive. Aaron was focused on trying to catch his breath after he held it just long enough to finish his hissy fit of laser fire. The situation did not look good. Loki seemed to be in his own world, but could not land a solid blow. Ixiah seemed better equipped then Aaron, but over his head. Aaron was just stuck in a wall, serving as the target and the occasional speed bump.
Aaron...
And now he was hearing things. Great.
Aarrrroonn...
At least it had a nice soothing tone, sounded a lot like his mom.
*giggle* My son, that is because I am your mom.
'Explains a lot,' Aaron thinks to himself out loud, as a pure white kitsune, so bright she seemed to glow with her own light, stood in front of him and his hole. She helps him out of the wall, with a calm that seemed awkward in light of the fight going on behind her, Loki's bright blade striking against the dark energy surrounding the Voidling's arms.
"Mom, I thought that... you were still..."
She nods, "I wish I could step in to save you and your friends, but I am too weak. However, I could not sit by and let what is unfolding come to pass. Loki is strong, this is certainly his element and the Voidling cannot defeat him. But it is not he that the Voidling must defeat, this is your battle."
Aaron sighed, already breathing much better. Maria's calm seemed pleasantly infectious. "I do what I can. I just need to get to the lab, the machinery there could..."
Maria shook her head, "Your plan is noble, but unworkable. As dangerous as that equipment is, this is still your mind, it will do precious little other then trapping you in the lab with no other way out. The agent will simply wait for a moment of weakness in Loki then dispatch you, possibly taking Ixiah with you."
Aaron looked terribly upset, "Then what do I do? I cannot let them come to harm. I will save them and I will save myself somehow. I just need something that I can do."
She smiles and says to Aaron, "These two are very dear to you already, though you hardly know them. You have always had good instincts about others, especially without the gift of Insight."
She pulls a crystalline sword from somewhere Aaron could not quite perceive and hands it to Aaron. Aaron was dumbfounded, trying to find words to say but she shushed him, "Do not think this a gift, it has always been yours."
Aaron decided against thinking too much right now. The sword felt nice, very light when held still, but seemed to gain mass and had a reasonable heft has he swung it. He didn't have much time to appreciate this fascinating property, as his first blow went squarely into the agent's back. With a wholly unnatural scream he hit the floor, Loki taken for a surprise by this development. The Voidling was on his back, obviously in misery.
"I see. I was so close too."
"No, you never had a chance. Now, go AWAY!" Aaron ran the sword through the agent's head.
Medical
Romulus lays back on bed and closes eyes.
"Well I'm bored"
He opened an eye and looked to the door when people where brought in. He didn't sit up but kept the eye open.
Medical
Cynthia nodded to Eric and procured a small black device from the medical console. She ran the unit up and down the feline, nodding satisfactorily at the results which she only knew.
"You are in good health, though I recommend drinking more water and a more balanced diet. Now this will sting for a second..."
She produced a small device which looked a lot like a stylus, she touched it to his finger, and there was a small, sharp pain. A tiny amount of red could be seen entering the needle area and transferring to a small sample area. The blood sample was deposited into the console and analyzed.
"Please complete this questionnaire with the vital information of your person, we will be creating a file like that of the rest of the crew for you." She handed him a computer tablet with a basic medical style information form.
Cynthia moved on to her next new patient, Saioko seemed a bit nervous, but smiled back as pleasantly as she could.
Saioko was the first to speak, "purple is an interesting color, but not normal among foxes."
"True, for people you are familiar with, I am an Acadian computer intelligence, and this fur color was rather known among them." Cynthia replied.
Saioko's eyes widened, "oh, you are the ship's AI?"
Cynthia smiled, "One of them dear, now settle down so I can finish my examination. We wouldn't want any strange aliens wandering in here without us knowing and all."
The feline laughed nervously, "yeah wouldn't want that, aheh..."
The medical scanner was used to scan captain Natsume, and surprisingly no alarms or reaction was visible from Cynthia. The medical vixen then grabbed the stylus and pricked Saioko's finger. It penetrated, but broke, "ouch!"
Cynthia was very apologetic, "Oh I'm sorry, clumsy of me." She turned to get another stylus and an alcohol swab. Just as the vixen turned away, 'blood' bubbled up from the small wound, a strange gray fluid. Saioko looked around nervously and quick as a striking snake drove a claw into Knight's side. It was a sharp pain. Saioko stuck her finger in her mouth just as Cynthia turned around.
To Knight's eyes it seemed as though everyone in the room had luckily missed this little incident. Very lucky.
"My sincerest apologies, let me take that sample please." Cynthia withdrew the feline's finger from her mouth and gave a slight squeeze of the finger, causing Saioko to wince. Amazingly enough, a drop of red blood formed, which Cynthia quickly withdrew. The vixen dabbed the alcohol swab on Saioko's finger, "there now dear, that wasn't so bad."
Saioko nodded slowly, "I guess..." She was also handed a medical tablet which she quickly filled out.
The vixen gathered the medical tablets and smiled warmly to both of them, "you two are free to go, I'm sure Ben here can show you around... oh and Romulus."
The purple vixen gestured to the wolverine in one of the medical beds, "you are free to go Romulus."
Aftermath of the Battle of the Brain
The strike to the agent was quite fatal and his body slumped to the ground and was still. The scene around them melted away, revealing a peaceful clearing among a pristine, verdant forest.
Aaron remembered this place, it was near his parent's home on Vulpeculae. The bright blue sky was marred by a strange crack, it was as black as pitch it was a void.
"the sky is reminiscent of the damage to your essence, that is the spot where you lost some of yourself. Nice sword." Loki said as he slumped down next to Aaron, his fighting had made his wounds bleed, "Mother is going to be angry with you and me."
Aaron gazed at his sword, but his contemplation of the weapon was broken as the voidling's body began to crack. Like a crystal shell, the form slowly broke apart and fell away. A white glowing form arose from the shattered remains, it was opposite of what he originally encountered. The spirit keened and exploded into energy which rushed up and filled the holes in the sky.
Aaron felt whole once again, but strange, different. Everything seemed bright and vibrant, Aaron's dream form pulsed and a wave of energy washed over everything. Loki and Ixiah were restored to the state they were at when they entered.
Ixiah bounded up and tackle-hugged Aaron, "now you understand, now you are like us."
Loki nodded sagely, "training he will need, yes."
Wake up son.
Aaron was awake.
Medical
Knight kept silent through both his and Saioko's examinations, he even managed to suppress a yelp of surprise when Saioko had jabbed him. Once they were both cleared, he turned towards Captain Natsume and thought really... was that jab really necessary, if it's bleeding then i'll need a shower right away, red stains stick out rather obviously on white fur... he then turned towards Ben "Well Sargent, lead on, i'm at your disposal for now... at least until i'm on the formal duty roster...speaking of formalities, it'd probably be a good idea for Captain Natsume and myself to meet the CO and Ex O before too long... well, no matter how you plan on handling this tour, it's your show, so... lead on Sargent"
Medical
Aaron woke up and sighed. Aaron felt... really good. Better then he had felt in a long long time. It wasn't every day when something that was broken was fixed, and made better then it was before. Not just physically either, there was a certain sense of relief, hearing Ixiah and Loki say he was like them. Even in med bay every thing seemed clearer, more colorful and had new people.
...
...
NEW PEOPLE?
He was talking to one of Romulus's men and she was rather cute. When he spoke up about meeting the CO Aaron decided to interject,
"If you are looking for the commanding officer I'm right here. I trust you have an... intriguing story."
Aaron sits up. At this point in time his grey fuzz was a mess, his uniform had a puncture in it and a suspicious amount of still wet blood on it. This is in spite of the fact that Aaron look perfectly fine physically.
Medical
Romulus sat up when he was able to leave.
"Good I got to get back to training"
Romulus climbed out of bed and started to walk to the door and eyed the newcomers. He walked by Ben and talked low to Ben.
"Made some new friends I see"
Medical
Knight heard someone's voice and noticed that it came from a somewhat bloody figure laying on a bed. when he claimed to be the CO Knight awaited anyone to contradict the statement. when none came, Knight walked up to the man and said, "i'll give you what i'm legally allowed to sir, but i've got to warn you now, most of the information is rated highly classified or higher... but i'll give you what i can... i'm 2nd lieutenant Eric Whitehaven, special forces, callsign Knight...which, if you wouldn't mind, is what i prefer to go by... other than that i can tell you that i'm on loan to another wing of the navy for a special purpose mission... my ship was attacked, and your ship recovered the escape pod containing myself, and my ships science officer... anything beyond that, and i'm going to need to see your clearance information before i can give out anything more specific.... i'm sorry sir, but i've been sworn to secrecy... "
The spotted cat eyed the rather nasty looking wound and asked "can i ask how you received an injury like that... um... i'm sorry, i didn't actually catch your name or rank sir"
Medical
"Major Aaron Brown, PhD. Just call me Aaron. Titles and ranks always made me a bit uneasy. Anyways, on the subject of classified information it is best not to even mention it rather then put it up in the front like you did. First time on something hush hush hmm?"
Aaron smirks a bit, "On the subject of my injury, it is because I was attacked by a creature of the void. Did you know that there are void creatures in the vacuum of space? Nasty bunch."
A pair of fox cubs, one blue and one green giggle behind him.
"Anyways, if you wish a grand tour of the ship I could help out, probably want to find Mother for that."
Medical
Saioko thought at Knight, Eric, I am sorry about the claw jab, this form seems to have very sharp and long claws, but I needed a sample of your blood to change my internal biofluid to match. I replicated and altered the DNA enough to fool most casual genetic scans. For now, try not to project thoughts like that, the Acadians will pick up on it.
Ben eyed Romulus and shook his head, "hardly mate, the ship picked them up in a life pod, apparently their ship was destroyed. The one guy is Special Forces mecha pilot, normal enough, but there is something odd about the female... can't place it though."
Saioko heard the exchange between Ben and Romulus, but she did not pay it much attention at the moment.
Her attention was focused on the gray fox that was sitting up in bed, "Dr. Aaron Brown? You... went to the Academy with my creato...ive... creative mentor Dr. Washu Habuki! You are a xenobiologist, but you took a lot of engineering classes with Dr. Habuki, I remember you from a number of pictures."
She caught a number of images and information as she spoke with Aaron, a lot about the University, but a fair amount about his mission.
Ship... Gaea, Xaos... Matron... the masters... Acadians... interesting, this is far more important. I need to be here, this is what I was created for. She thought to herself, careful to shield her thoughts.
"I'm sorry, I am being rude. I am Captain Saioko Natsume, ISF Fleet Research and Development. I am a computer engineer specializing in xenotechnologies and alien artificial intelligences. Our advanced ship was sent to rendezvous with your fleet to add additional support and scientific resources to your mission against the masters. It is fortunate that you rescued us, as we are likely exactly where we should be. Eric might not have his LAM, but he will be very useful as a commando, as he has a lot of experience working closely with ISIS xeno-archaeological teams that collect alien artifacts from dead worlds beyond ISF space." She grinned, happy with her logic, "or maybe I shouldn't have told you about that ISIS part, no one outside of ISIS is supposed to know they are reverse engineering alien technology."
Loki and Ixiah both slipped off the bed and circled around Saioko and Knight. Loki, who appeared to be little older than 12 standard years and was mint green of fur color, stopped in front of Eric and extended his hand, "hi, I'm Loki, welcome to my ship."
To try and alleviate Knight's skeptical look, the blue fox nodded in acknowledgment, "yes indeed, Mother is Loki's ship and guardian. I'm Ixiah by the way." Ixiah looked to be no more than 14 years of age himself.
Saioko suddenly felt self-conscious as the foxes had looked her over, she was still wearing only what Knight had given her, "I uh, lost my uniforms with the ship... is there anyone here that is my size that can lend me some clothes?"
Cynthia placed a paw on the feline's shoulder, "we can do better, we will replicate a bunch of them based on our database of ISF information... captain, army equivalent. We will have some for you in your quarters."
Saioko breathed a sigh of relief, "wonderful. Thank you."
Medical
Knight took the fox's paw and gave him a somewhat gentle handshake, still a little disoriented with what was going on, he understood that it was going to take a little while to get used to everything, and a little longer to figure out just what he'd be useful for.
He put a smile on his face and said to the young looking foxes"Loki, Ixiah, it's a pleasure to meet you, and you can call me knight" then turning back to Aaron "um si... i mean Aaron, is there any chance we could get that tour underway, i'm feeling awfully disoriented right now, and i think a hot shower, and a little rest is what i need to help clear my mind and adapt... after that, i'll just need to know what you have in mind as for my duties..."
Medical
Aaron raises an eyebrow at Saioko, "Oh? You're one of Washu's then? I'm surprised you didn't try and rewrite captain into something more grandiose. And she still has pictures of me? I thought I burned them all, or at least I hope I got the important ones. Either way, it is good to hear she is well. And you work at reverse engineering xeno-tech? Then you seem to be in the perfect place, especially if your talents caught the attention of Washu. Don't worry about knowing that the ISIS reverse engineers xeno-tech. It is one of the worst kept secrets in the galaxy."
Aaron turns to Knight, "All things considered, the grand tour can probably wait until you finished your shower and Capt. Natsume changes into something that fits her right. Loki, can you show us where our new guests are assigned? Then I'll need to update Capt. Summers regarding our expanded crew."
Medical
Knight used all his focus to suppress a smirk as he looked over at Saioko, he thought 'i wonder what they're all thinking, seeing a female science officer wearing clothing that belongs to a male in a different chain of command... not that it would be inappropriate for such a relationship to exist, as it's 2 different chains of command and therefore completely in line with fleet regulations... but i suspect rumors will start circulating as to why we were actually in the pod together...'
looking back at Aaron, Knight said "thank you sir, i should be good to go with whatever you want me to by this time tomorrow"
Medical
Romulus looked over his shoulder at Aaron when Saioko said what she did.
"Do we have another Nova on our hands?"
He then looked at Ben as he walked out the door. Again he spoke low.
"Keep an eye on them"
Command Center
Once again, Nazareth let out an exasperated sigh. "I thought I was connected to you..." He muttered before turning back to the controls, closing his eyes, and trying to get into Mother's thoughtstream. He managed to get a sense of what was going on in the cargo bay; Romulus and a security detail went to retrieve whoever was in the pod, which turned out to be a male and female officer. They were escorted to the medical ward, where both of them were checked over for injuries and other such routine things. Nazareth then pulled his attention away from that, opening his eyes again, but still remaining connected to Mother.
Now, while he was certain he would get any of Mother's thoughts that she let him hear (he was no fool to think or expect that she would let him be privy to her whole mind), he still preferred to communicate verbally himself for the time being. "The fleet should probably know about this, they might be able to send a salvage team out here before any cutthroats strip it dry. We should start putting together a report, one that details us picking up the distress beacon and retrieval of the pod, only the stuff in my jurisdiction. We'll give that to Major Brown, as he is the ranking officer on this ship, and he'll probably put together his own account and send it off to the fleet. Start copying all the scan, recording, and coorinate data into an attachable file while I write...err-" Nazareth then realized, of course, he had no datapads or paper, but then thought that me might be able to compose a report anyway in his mind, using Mother as his 'datapad'. "-think, up a report to attach it to."
While Mother did whatever she needed to do, Nazareth closed his eyes again and started imagining a few pages for a document, and began imagining the words to fill it with.
Medical and Ship's hallways
Saioko nodded to Aaron, "yes, Washu kept a few of the group photos and the few of the projects you worked on. She is the greatest scientific genius in the universe, so I uh... feel honored to have worked with her."
Ben nods to Romulus and dismisses the rest of his team. The canine then stands respectfully back, providing escort from an appropriate distance.
Cynthia steps forward, her intent seemed to be to prevent Aaron and Loki from leaving, "now just a moment Aaron, Loki you are not cleared to leave, your injuries..."
A simple look from Loki stopped her and she stepped back, "well, do be careful... I will use a medical authority override if either of you end up back here again."
Loki flashed a mischievous grin as he nodded to Aaron's request, "we are not designed to accommodate so many people. The soldiers are already bunked up together in a large area, I can't restructure it. Nova will keep her room, so will Richard and everyone else. My ship is designed to be comfortable and functional, but it is not a extra-spatial pocket... it has a fixed size and dimensions. I can only make one more room, so if you consider the two of them and Marissa... it means the two of them are going to have to share a room and Marissa will have to stay in yours, Aaron. I have to have Mother resize all the rooms just to make one more. The galley area is already almost too small to fit everyone in it to eat." Loki put his hands behind his head as he began escorting everyone to quarters, "you should know Aaron that I am not assigning rooms based on your ISF rank or authority structure, but those two should be fine in a room together, if you haven't noticed she is wearing his clothes."
Saioko blushed with a fiery red as she tried to sputter out words in her defense, "I... we... no... I just.... wasn't wearing any clothes when we got together in the pod... uh, no that came out wrong..."
Command Center
"aye aye sir." Mother replied with a smile and she began the tasks assigned. "Nazareth, I have a psychic network construct... I guess you could call it... in which all psionically aware systems are online. It is like the virtual constructs of the Internet back in your home space, except we are using Acadia technology and our computer systems are aware. You can access it externally like you are now and project your thoughts to the reports or you can enter the construct through the immersion interface and interact 'physically' as a mental avatar. There you can write reports and do anything you could normally with the environment."
She reviewed the data and frowned, "most of the advanced materials are resisting my scans, it is made from something more advanced than I am, but the systems seem poorly integrated and implemented. The ship was roughly my size and from the equipment wreckage, it held 8 LAMs of unknown design. No fighters and two small shuttles. There is not enough left of the LAMs to analyze, and I cannot locate any remains of a computer core. No significant organic remains have been located, and only the pod we picked up remains. It is possible that all crew survived the incident."
The rest of the technical data she added to the data report, which she forwarded to Aaron's attention via ship's electronic mail system.
The vixen then turned to Nazareth, "all fighters have been retrieved, shall we engage our original course?"
knight chuckled at the little fox's comment, then said "i think that'll be fine for now... so, lead on and i'll be ready for the tour as soon as i get out of the shower... " he had a big grin on his face when he added "by the way, Loki, your the first person to actually mention something on that particular subject... try not to spread too many rumors around, ok?"
he waited for the tour, and a chance to get settled into his room, maybe get a few minutes to work out what had actually happened with Saioko, and lastly, take a long shower...
Ship's hallway
Loki laughed, "the ship herself is aware of our conversation, all the AIs are psychically linked... you don't have to worry about gossip from our end, just everyone else."
Within a few moments of walking, they passed through the quarters section until they reached a new door. It sat right across from the one which was labeled Aaron. It listed both Saioko and Knight as being in residence.
Opening the door, Loki ushered everyone in, "it has two beds at the moment, but we can always do a single one if you want. The bathroom is private and has a separate shower area, so one can shower and not worry about another person using the facilities. The pile of clothes on the bed is a few replicated uniforms with appropriate markings and some modest casual clothing."
Knight/Saioko Quarters
Knight looked around at his new quarters, it seemed far roomier than the berth on his last ship, but he also had a roommate, which would probably end up making everything seem far smaller than they were... but, this was the navy, and with space at a premium aboard any ship, he figured he'd enjoy the extra personal space whenever possible. looking at Loki, Knight said, "this setup will work out fine for now, any chance we could get a little privacy before we continue the tour... i think a hot shower will do wonders for both my mind and body...it'll also make the tour all the more effective"
Hallway
Aaron giggled a bit, "I was trying not to comment on such subjects. All I have to say is that, being with out cloths in the escape pod, implies that she entered sans clothing too. Knight, you dog you."
He grins mischievously, "Anyways, do as you wish, take a shower and get dressed for the tour. I'm going to send a report regarding this incident then I'm going to check on a few of the others in medbay before our tour. Let's meet up in two hours, that should give you time for your shower, get dressed and slash or 'spend quality time in the escape pod' as you wish. Loki, if you would please come with me."
After establishing that he too could compose sentences full of horrible he goes into his room with Loki to write up his report. He puts Cynthia's report from the crew meeting aside and read through the report he got from Naz. After he was satified with all the information he write up his report.
***
Captain Summers, something interesting has occurred. During exercises to familiarize CWO Duke with the new ship we located and retrieved an escape pod. On board was a 2nd Lieutenant Eric Whitehaven of the ISIS and Captain Saioko Natsume of ISF Army R&D. They say that they were on their way to link up with the fleet and their ship was attacked. Wreckage was found in the area, a detailed report on the wreckage is attached. With your permission I would like to continue with the mission as planned, two crew members heavier.
Major Aaron Brown
***
He attached the document authored by Naz and Mother and sent it along. He may have thought to ask more questions regarding what blew up their ship, or the fact that there was no one else there, or the fact that Loki said Marissa was going to be staying in his room, but Aaron's mind was heavy with other thoughts. Not the least of which was that Aaron was now seeing things he never saw before. Not necessarily anything that was hidden, but it seemed like he was seeing more and seeing it clearly.
He also thought of what Ixiah told him, "now you understand, now you are like us." This brought a warm and happy feeling, but what would come of it? Is he Acadian? Well, his answer to that is yes, but what would the ISF think? He was sure that he would still the same person, whether he understood everything or understood nothing. Such might not be reassuring to the chain of command.
Loki chimes in, having listened in on Aaron's thought process, "On the subject of what you are seeing, your mind changed. I'm not sure how to put it other then to say that you think better now. The anthro mind is limited, it discards a vast amount of information to cope with the sheer volume of information it gets. Your mind is moving away from that, keeping up with more and more input. You will find that you perceive more then you did previously. This is an exciting step! Soon you should have the excess mental capacity needed to develop your latent talents. Though I... can't help you on your chain of command..."
Loki looked sad. In this exciting time for Aaron, he was not going to be able to help Aaron understand where he fits in. As Richard put it, Aaron's maturity in the heart was greater then his own. This problem was Aaron's alone to deal with. At least it looked like Aaron could put it off for a while.
knight/saioko Quarters
knight raised a hand as if to protest, then thought for a second, and decided to try another approach, hand still in the air, and with a slightly flustered look on his face, he silently took a step back, then closed the door.
turning to saioko he said with as serious a tone as he could manage, despite every urge to break out laughing "uhh... sorry about all that... i was kinda hoping people wouldn't notice... but now that we've been established as a couple, that does take a few problems out of the way... such as you having to worry about, or deal with guys hitting on you for now... anyways, i was serious about that shower... soo... we can talk things over in a little bit"
while talking, knight had moved over to the bed, and grabbed a clean uniform. He dropped into the bathroom, closed the door, and started the hot water...
Aaron's room
At some point, Ixiah had slipped into the room with the other two vulpines and dropped heavily down onto Aaron's bed. The blue fox had at some point changed into pajamas, a strange outfit covered in kanji and odd mystical symbols.
Loki raised an eye towards his cousin's choice of dress,"why are you..."
Ixiah interrupted before Loki could finish the thought, "sleep over!"
"I gave you your own room you fuzzy twit." Loki shot back as he grabbed Ix by the scruff of his neck.
Ixiah squirmed away, "nooo, someone has to watch Aaron. He might wander off astrally and get his brain sucked out."
Loki pounced on Ixiah, "Mother can monitor him..."
"She's too busy playing with Naz." Ix tried to squirm away.
At this point the two foxes decided to settle this by a duel of tickling. Making peace and quiet a near impossibility for Aaron to achieve.
Knight/Saioko Quarters
Saioko followed into the bathroom area, leaning against the sink counter near the door, "do you think I over did it with my personality routine? The large store house of data on anthro interactions I have possesses many examples of females, this behavior seemed one of the most common that I have observed."
Knight/Saioko Quarters
Knight hadn't noticed Saioko come into the bathroom, and already had his uniform off... when he heard the voice from behind him, he jumped a good distance in the air while spinning 180 degrees in record time.
after taking a second to calm himself down, he slowed his breathing, made sure he was behind the partition, and starting talking in normal tones "i wounldn't worry too much about the personality... though adding a little bit more confidence as the we establish ourselves among the ship wouldn't hurt... just keep in mind the subjects that have been talked about and your reactions to them. You obviously enjoy talking about Washu... keep that consistent. You also seem to shy away from discussions on sexuality, so, keep that up as well... If your going to keep the somewhat bubbly personality you seem to be projecting, it'd be great if you could try and avoid the subject in a positive light... so, if someone brings you and me as a couple up, just say something with a bit of a grin like 'i feel what happens between two off duty personnel that doesn't effect the runnings of this ship, should stay between just those involved'..."
He kept every ounce of the awkwardness of the situation out of his voice as he continued "you know, conversations like this in the future could wait until i'm in a slightly less... exposed position"
Aaron's room
Now Aaron's train of thought was thoroughly off the tracks. He seemed to be getting popular with the little ones. He might be getting a second roommate, first Marissa now Ixiah. At this point the train that was off the track and running wild now slammed into a hydrocarbon plant.
"LOKI, you put Marissa in the same room as me."
Ixiah and Loki were in an amusing position with a paw on each other's face, "About time you registered that."
Ixiah giggled, "Loki, you are so mean."
"It's not my fault Aaron was so slow on the pickup! Plus, she has a crush on him and he has a crush on her, they would go well together!"
"That is not the point."
Loki smirks, "Sheesh Mr. Grump, no need to be like that."
Aaron sighs, "Look, all I'm saying is that if Ixiah and Marissa can change spots..."
Aaron was composing something about dignity and the fact that he isn't that sort of fox, but didn't get far before Loki and Ixiah decided that Mr. Grump needed to be tickled. Aaron tried to escape but the little foxes had him . It did not take long before everyone involved was exhausted and there was a large pile of napping foxes.
Saioko/Knight Quarters
Saioko stared in a confused fashion towards Knight, "what do you mean Eric? Is there something wrong with me seeing you without clothes?" She continued with a shrug, "if you are so worried, close the door from the shower area to the bathroom proper. There is one you know. As for personality trends, I am storing the patterns in memory. Most of it was spontaneously generated, it seems that I adapted as the situation demanded it... I'm a rather advanced AI it seems, even I did not know I could do that. Anyways Eric, finish your shower and then come to bed. I will be waiting."
Saioko slipped out of the bathroom and into the main living area. At this point she realized what she said and how it sounded. She blushed and flopped down on the bed, she pondered why this shape caused her to need to do things like sleep.
Knight/Saioko Quarters
Knight took his shower, clearing his mind, and reminding him of the fatigue he'd been ignoring... drying off then throwing on a clean uniform, he figured a little cat nap couldn't hurt. Setting an alarm to go off 10 minutes before his tour, he silently walked into the room, hopped onto his bed, and tried to catch some rest.
"All fighters have been retrieved, shall we engage our original course?"
Command Center
"Affirmative. Unless we get a reply back from the commander of the fleet saying that safeguarding this wreckage replaces the priority of our current mission, there is nothing else here we can do. Reeengage previous course settings."
Nazareth leaned back in his chair, ciomfortably immersing himself in Mother's mindlink.
Inari class cruiser Revelation
Captain Summers reviewed the reports and stroked his chin, "communications send acknowledgment to Major Brown and advise him to continue his mission. Inform all ships we will be jumping to the wreckage location before we engage our next objective point."
With that, preparations were made and the fleet jumped out.
A small craft, a metallic and mottled gray in color, flew in the opposite direction from where the fleet had departed.
A calm and proper male voice spoke. the accent was reminiscent of english 'received pronunciation', "Sensors indicate the signal is still strong, I was rather apprehensive about using Darkshasa technology within my own, but it seems to be quite good. It is a shame about the Cold Fire"
Within the command chair, a very foxish coyote sat. He held his hands together forming a pyramid, "I was hoping to link up with them and integrate you into the control system. The AI built off of Darkshasa ship cores is rather unreliable, Professor Washu could never design an AI without glaring personality flaws... and Saio-oki is no different. However, some unknown force has destroyed her. Let us concentrate on following our little foxes. Anjin, best possible speed and keep cloaked."
"Yes Yuri, I will make it so."
The ship called Mother
The go ahead was received from the fleet to proceed, it appeared they would be arriving to investigate the issue themselves.
Captain Summers replied back to Aaron's report with temporary duty assignments for Knight and Saioko, both checked out with ISF Command. There was a note attached that Captain Natsume's records had to be personally verified by Professor Washu Habuki, because they could not initially locate them, but it was just a programming clerical error and the file was found after Washu's verification. Both files were attached.
Knight and Saioko are eventually given their tour. Saioko is especially curious and is happy to meet everyone, though she seems to have a slight bit of friction with Nova. Something about Saioko also seems to bother Mother, but she doesn't speak about it.
Because he is special forces, and there is not much else that can be done with him, Knight is placed in administrative control of the Special Forces teams. Knight is expected to be in "command", but is expected to defer to Romulus's significantly higher experience in combat.
All of the Scales, and Knight as well, are given emergency piloting training for Mother, in case Nazareth is not present or unable to pilot or the controlling AI, Mother, is "incapacitated".
Aaron receives a bit of instruction in basic psychic techniques by Loki and Ixiah, allowing him to slowly withdraw his empathic link with Marissa. She is quickly in acceptable enough of a condition to be up and about on her own for short amounts of time.
Nova is given a light duty chit and improves her condition with rest, to the point she is released from medical watch and pretty much fully healed. Mara has a few discussions with Alexis over AI training, and receives a little bit, but the jump to their destination is not long enough for full instruction.
Otherwise the jump is uneventful and in a few days, they arrive in system. The solar system contains a binary star, a large red giant and a smaller white star. Six earth-sized planets exist, with only the third and fourth suitable for anthro and human life unassisted, and four massive gas giants lie in the outer reaches of the solar system. A final white dwarf orbits far out in the eleventh position with a regular orbit tilted 25 degrees off the plane of the elliptic. The third planet is their destination, the only problem is that this particular system has become something of a pirate controlled area with a significant colony on the fourth planet.
A squadron of four ancient battleships comprise the pirate fleet, with at least six Altara class cruisers (the same pirate cruisers encountered in Loki's pirate fleet) supporting them. There is one civilian type space station in orbit around the fourth planet.
The system defenses and ships have not noticed Mother at the edge of the solar system.
[bIIn dark corners, [/b] Mara has taken to her lessons and her lessons to play, as she tries sneaking around the ship and pounce on Alexis. Alexis plays along letting the foxkitten think that she is undetected, but then bats the kittling across the room. Mother see that Mara does keep to herself from effect the ship, but she show the little AI, where she has left a mess trail through the corridors, and she makes her clean it up. After this, Alexis promises to give Mara a controlled/isolated area to play tag with her, but
The ship has just jump in the system.
Loki's Mother ship, Engineering.
Nova has decided to leave her quarter/bed of good and wanders about the ship into Main Engineering. This is it, the one place, she has been dying to be since seeing this ship. "Why did she take so long to go here.? " She stays by the door as she takes in the wonders, she has only dream of seeing again. The main drives, and the engine room, it is all as she remembers and different from the her days on Matron's engine room. She stands listening to the song of the ship, and the feel of the ship's pur. She has never been as happy and compete, as now. "Yea, this one is full functional."
PBH
Command Center
Over the last few days, the Crusading Scales had been mostly taking time off, when they weren't going through the training for emergency piloting procedures with Mother. The Scales did a little exploring around Mother, meeting the other members of the expedition and getting to know them, though Nazareth never seemed to be with them. In fact, he hardly left his personal office/quarters in the Zeta barracks, doing Mother-knows-what as the hours passed.
On the last day, Nazareth was in his chair in the Command center in preparation for the final jump. It was made with without event, and the new system came into view as Nazareth absorbed Mother's sensor data through their mindlink. As he saw the ships around the foruth planet, he opened up a comm to the Zetas, ordering them to their fighters to prepare for possible launch. He then toggled an intercomm directly to Aaron.
"Major Brown, this is Warrant Officer Duke, priority alert. We have entered the destination star system. Your objective is on third planet. However, the fourth appears to be colonized, with what looks to be a pirate fleet guarding it, though we have not obtained positive identification yet. Their fleet consists of at least four battleships and six cruisers, all outdated. They do not seem to have noticed us. There is also a space station orbiting the fourth planet, civillian-class. What are your orders, sir?"
Special Forces Area
Before the jump, knight was in the special forces barracks getting introduced to those who would be serving under him in the best way he knew how, martial arts sparring...
The Feline looked to be almost frail with his tall and slender frame, and that led to the misconception that he was a pushover when compared to the ground pounders... especially in hand to hand combat.
Those he managed to coax into a bout would soon find themselves planted on the floor. the reoccurring assessment, "he's just too fast" and "nobody should be able to move like that"
although fighting hand to hand did earn him a little respect, he knew he'd be deferring almost all orders over to Romulus... knight thought speaking of Romulus, i've had almost 0 face time with the man, and i'm supposed to be his commanding officer... this is something that will have to be rectified...
The ship jumped into the system as Knight was preparing his search for Rom, having lost all track of time with his one on one introductions to his men. He felt the transition, although subtly, and decided he'd better find Aaron first so he could get some idea of what he'd be doing once they reached the objective.
Knight walked down the halls in ignorant bliss, trying to imagine what he'd be useful for in the upcoming mission...
Second hallway on the left
At least this time the complications were fairly mundane. It was, however, outside of Aaron's realm of experience. His first instinct was to leave well enough alone, try and sneak in to setup shop, looking for what they came to find, then haul it out of there. The definition of 'it' in the previous sentence is highly dependent on how far wrong things go.
Aaron favored sneaking, involved less getting shot and and less shooting at things. While mother indicated that she could take ISF cruisers, ISF cruisers also did not tackle war ships (even out of date ones) just for giggles. Plus, Capt. Summer's orders did say to avoid pirate engagements.
He sends a message to Naz's mind directly, "I'm favoring sneaking. We wouldn't want Mother's sophisticated cloaking tech to go to waste would we? On a more serious note, my order state that we are to avoid contact with pirates, and these order seem full of wisdom. The impression Mother gives me is that, while full of advanced tech, she is not invincible. I'll send a message to summers advising him of the situation."
Aaron heads back to his room and makes good on his thread to send a message to the Captain, filling him in on the situation with the system and the pirates and informing him that they would try sneaking to the 3rd planet and avoiding pirates as per his orders to avoid engagements.
((OOC: I'm assuming Aaron has this power, to send messages to people his knows in close proximity. A little bit of guidance about what Aaron can and can't do would be appreciated :mowdizzy And edited to include the last bit about avoiding pirates. I meant to put that in, but revisions saw it removed :<))
Command Center
Nazareth was slightly surpised when Aaron's voice came over directly in his head, but he didn't let that slow him down, he now had work to do. He had Mother begin to engage all the stealth measures she had. Returning to Aaron, Nazareth also sent a mind-message. "Roger that. What are your contingency orders, if we fail to avoid detection?"
Fifth hallway on the right
"Run like hell"
Command Center
The was a small, just a small, pause before Nazareth responded with a brief "Yes, sir.", and cut the connection. He "looked" at the readouts of the system in Mother's mindlink, and finally began issuing his plan to Mother.
"If they haven't picked us up yet, the we obviously must be beyond the range of their sensors. I'd like to keep that for as long as possible, even with whatever stealth systems you posses. Of course, we'll have to close in some time to get to the third planet. Here's what we'll do; start by circumventing the system with our current distance and orbit. Once we reach a point where the third planet is interposed between us and the fourth planet, we'll move in. I'll count on their poor range and your stealth to keep us unnoticed until we get close enough that the planet itself an effective shield."
He opened a link to the Zetas. "Men, you are on indefinite standby for the time being, but be ready to launch at any time should it become necessary."
Nazareth refocused on mother herself in the link. "Do you have anything to add before we start?"
Nondescript Hallway
Knight wandered about trying to find his commanding officer with no luck... either the man was a ninja, or he had the unique skill of moving at just the wrong time to be found. After giving up, Knight decided to head back to his quarters, and after a few mistakes, he finally made it. Slightly disappointed in his lack of orders, slightly bruised from his workout in the special forces area, and still feeling a little disoriented with his whole situation, he decided to take a little time to just relax, and lay down and get everything floating around in his head sorted out...
Nondescript Hallway
Romulus was waiting outside Knight's quarters. He was leaning up against the wall. He looked up at Kinght.
"Looking for someone?"
Outside Knight's Quarters
Knight supressed every urge to sigh as he saw the Sargent... he thought to himself 'it's like these people knew i'm looking for them, yet remained hidden until they're damn well good and ready to see me'
He looked at the Wolverine and replied "well, you for one, and possibly Major Brown... i dunno, i've got a few questions about this upcoming mission, and i'd also like to get a little face time with the people i'll be working with... i'm going to level with you, although i'm officially leading the team... for all intents and purposes, your in command... "
Knight paused, took a slow breath, then continued, "if you've got any thoughts on what you want me doing, i'm all ears... right now, about all i can see myself doing is acting as another shooter... anyways, any chance you'd mind helping me find the major?"
Outside Knight's Quarters
Romulus glared at Knight when he said he was in charge of the team now.
"Another gun is always goo"
Outside Knight's Quarters
Knight caught the glare, and knew he'd probably be annoyed as well if someone dumped that kind of responsibility... so, to try and ease the tension before things might get ugly Knight nodded and replied, "look, i'm sorry to be asking to dump this kind of responsibility on you, but at the same time, i'm a pilot, and if this were a squadron of LAMs i'd be glad to take responsibility for the welfare of the team... under current circumstances, i'm playing a whole different game, and although qualified by training, i suspect that your experience as an infantryman outweighs my seniority... i'm not asking you to do this because i don't think i can handle the pressure... i'm asking because quite honestly, i don't want to get someone killed because another officer, who could have done a better job, wasn't in position to do so because of rank and seniority... "
he paused then added "if your not happy about issuing the orders, i'll take the reigns and do my best... i owe it to the men to do at least that much... " he paused again, and a grin crept onto the feline's face, "and now, on a total tangent, any chance you'd know where i can find the major, navigating the halls on this ship makes interstellar astogation seem easy... i've got a few things i'd like to address him with personally..." Knight had started to get lost in his own thoughts, when something seemed to hit him as important "actually, maybe there is one other thing you can address. when i first arrived i had a very non-standard issue laser pistol that i left in the pod, any chance you'd know where i could get that back?"
Outside Knight's Quarters
Romulus narrowed his eyes and looked square at Knight.
"Oh believe me those men are my team. You wouldn't be taking command. As for the major he's more than likely in his room dealing with the two "kids". They seem to really like him now"
Hallways
Knight just sighed, and walked away, realizing that whatever he tried to say would probably just offend Romulus anyways...
He made his way down the halls and somehow ended up at Aaron's quarters... he had no idea how he even got there... He checked his appearance first, then knocked on the door, awaiting a reply
Aaron's Room
Aaron turns about and opens the door. "Ah Knight, you wanted to see me about something?"
Aaron's Room
Knight nodded, then said "i've got a few concerns about this mission, and if i'm supposed to be on the ground, in the thick of things, i'd like a little bit of intel on what's actually going on... it'd also be nice to know what my responsibilities are actually going to be... another issue is that i had a rather unique weapon in the escape pod with me, and i haven't gotten it back. it's a laser pistol, it's not standard issue, or even close to it..."
Aaron's Room
Aaron nods back, "I... don't recall anyone taking your pistol. If anyone did it probably would have been Ben. Anyways come on in and I'll fill you in on the rest of the details of the mission."
Aaron walks in with Knight in tow and sits down.
"So, this mission is primarily scientific. There is an old Acadian wreck that Lt. Hunnydew's grandmother found and subsequently lost. Pirates and all that. So we are looking for it again, this time with the benefit of our Acadian friends. What we really want to find is a working computer core, it should have extensive data that we can use. With any luck we can also find some Acadian crew still there."
Aaron intentionally left out his personal reasons, and Nova's personal reasons too.
"As for your role, that is what I'm still deciding. My preliminary plan is that we go to the planet undetected, then Romulus, his team, Ixiah, Marissa, Richard, and myself checkout the site, make sure that it is okay. You would stay behind, arranging the rescue of the lot of us should things get into the horribly wrong territory. Otherwise, you bring Nova, Loki, and Saioko to the site, with Naz on Mother keeping things ready to depart quickly on her end. This, of course, is the preliminary plan that will be scrapped quickly when things go wrong. The getting there plan mostly involves breath holding and leaving... will probably be improvised."
Knight nodded "so, basically, you want me to bodyguard the Non-combatants once the area is clear?" knight asked with wry smile... it was meant to be a bit of a joke, as well as a rhetorical question... "i think i can handle that type of responsibility... though what are we looking at in the way of opposition, and what are our available assets?... if you want some type of diversion, an old special forces trick is to break something in a way that seems was done from standard forces.... it keeps the opposition looking for an outside attacker and they ignore the inside... actually, any chance you've got a display with a full system wide assessment?" Knight was practically thinking out loud, and to him, this conversation had become just like making an operations plan for a mission, where thinking outside the box wasn't just common, it was encouraged...
"You ask many questions I don't know the answer to. I don't know what to expect, I think it will be empty, but I want to have fall back plans just in case. We could run into common pirates or unspeakable horrors from millennia past. As for assets, I think Mother or Alexis could best explain. Let's find her. Maybe she knows where your pistol is too."
Aaron heads off.
((OOC: and stops replying. I think we just set the record for the most number of posts between Azlan posts X3)).
Lost in the hallways of Mother
Knight tried to follow, but, after making a wrong turn, found himself alone, and again completely lost and disoriented... he wished oh so desperately that he had paid better attention during his tour... trying to get a mental image of the ship, he went about trying to figuring out where Arron had gone off to yet again... after several tries, and winding up everywhere but where he wanted to be, Knight started thinking to himself... 'this is getting re-god-damn-diculous, if this keeps up, i'm going to just start knocking, or opening random doors until i find someone who can give me some proper freaking directions'
Lost in the hallways
Knight was lost, he could not understand how such a relatively small ship could be so confusing. The Cold Fire was definitely much more conventional in layout.
As he rounded he ran smack dab into Saioko who had been about to speak. Both went tumbling in a twisted mass of surprised fur. Knight was pressed physically into a door with Saioko up against him.
"I'm so..." was all the feline could manage before the door opened. Knight tumbled backwards with Saioko again landing on top of him.
Knight landed on his tail, causing him to almost yelp in pain if it not for Saioko's mouth surrounding his in an unintentional bit of tongue wrestling, as she was stuck mid-word in an apology.
Everyone in the command center had ceased what they were doing and were intently staring at the pair.
Both Loki and Ixiah were giggling conspiratorially. Both had stopped pestering Nazareth about ten seconds prior to the two felines tumbling through the doorway.
Mother and Alexis were both around a holographic table which displayed the solar system in realtime holographics. Both seemed mildly amused.
Barely keeping from laughing, Loki calls out to both of them, "get a room you too."
Disengaging from the unintentional kiss, Saioko was fiery red of blush under her fur. She did not understand the reference Loki was making and thought logically, "We already have one and we put it to very good use!" She replied.
A few moments earlier in the command center
Aaron had just managed to arrive sans Knight, he could have sworn the feline was behind him. The projection of Mother and Alexis were examining the solar system using a holographic map, while Saioko looked on. The young captain seemed fascinated by the vixen AIs and she spent a lot of time chatting with them.
"Why yes, Eric does stand at attention for me and frequently salutes me... why?" Was the only bit that Aaron managed to catch as he entered.
Saioko turned to see who had entered, "I thought you would be bringing Eric..."
"He might of gotten lost, he wasn't paying much attention during the tour, he seemed pretty wore out." ventured Ixiah.
Saioko nodded, "yes, I was quite rough with him the poor guy. I'd better go find him." she exited the command center, the door closing behind her.
Alexis gestured Aaron over, as well as Nazareth, "thought you both would want to see this. Our opposition has quite a fleet, four of what your ISF database considers to be Sovereign class battleships. They are old for your standards."
Command Center, just before Knight and Saioko enter
Aaron nods, "Yes, Nazareth told me about that. I would prefer that we avoid the shooting match, even if the ships are old. They still have the fact that they are battleships going for them. Unless someone has a convincing argument against sneaky and discreet I would prefer that rout."
At was at this point that the impromptu make out session entered the command center. After a moment of being amused he said, "Your arguments regarding the crew's distinct lack of experience in the area of sneaky and discreet are noted."
ooc: I don't specifically have a response for Romulus, he was left at an awkward spot so to speak. If Daimien posts him to a location or action I will get a response up. I forgot one for Nova, must remedy... and PBH really must upgrade Engrish to English if you please.
Command Center after Saioko and Knight
"I believe it is a good time to finalize strategy, as Naz requested my input earlier, but I held it off until Alexis finished her intelligence gathering." Mother added, "I have a wide array of systems for stealthy operations. As some of you may remember, I possess optical and sensor cloaking technologies."
Alexis nodded, "our cloaking is important, more from a visual standpoint then sensors. The sensor equipment in use by these pirates would be thwarted by the passive stealth due to the material construction of mom."
The younger orange vixen tapped the air in the upper left of holographic field, bright red circles stretched out from each ship in the system. The battleships had a scanning range that reached the sixth planet from their Lagrange position around the fourth planet. Each cruiser had approximately the same scanning range and none of them were particularly close to their position. There were also a number of sensor posts that kept a reasonable amount of coverage in system, but there were also obvious holes in the coverage.
Engineering
The lone feline wandering in a restricted area only remained alone for a few moments before a paw was placed on her shoulder. The golden fur and bespectacled face of Rebecka beamed out at Nova, "so you finally snuck over here to steal a look at super-advanced alien technology?"
The most prominent structure in the engineering area is a two stage core much more advanced than what was found in Matron. The first unit is a quantum singularity reactor and the second is an antimatter reactor. The whole of the system is very much like the external of the ship, mottled gray organic systems. The drives look more like they were grown as opposed to built.
"Since you are not supposed to be here, I must ask what are you doing here?" the golden vixen inquired.
Wondering around
Romulus went for a walk when Knight headed off to find Aaron. He had no destination in mind he was just walking.
Command Center after Saioko and Knight Enter
Knight untangled himself from the female, and was in the process of coming up with an even vaguely appropriate response when Saioko spoke first... He just smiled politely, shrugged, and said "what can i say, sometimes subtlety is over-rater..."
After taking a few moments to let things settle down, Knight went about studying the display carefully, paying particular close attention to the space station. Looking around, he had already started to formulate something that could be used as a distraction either to get to the marked objective, or a way to leave the system while attention was diverted. Asking no one in particular "i've got a few questions about the opposition, firstly, do we know anything about that space station? Is it being used by civilians or is it a military target?, also, how quickly would you estimate they'd be to respond to a celestial body heading towards one of those ships" He had a devious grin as he went about trying to visualize how best to go about what he had started proposing.
Command Center
"I still don't understand the unconditional urge people seem to have with blowing up everything in sight. Let's leave the space station alone, it isn't like it will come after us. Right now the plan includes finding Matron on the 3rd planet and investigate the site. No part of this plan includes 'own pirate space stations fixed in orbit around the 4th planet in the face'. A much greater threat is going to be pirates on the ground on the 3rd planet. "
Command Center
Knight started to look almost hurt by Aaron's little outburst, but his smile came back as quickly as it had left "before you assume i say we attack the space station, what i'm thinking is we tow an asteroid up to some velocity, that where we release it, it is in the path of the space station, perhaps do it for an escape plan... even with relativistic speeds, we release it out here it'll take a few days to actually slam into the station... so, we plan on trying to leave the planet when the asteroid is close enough to cause concern..." he paused, raised an eyebrow, then said "what, you thought i was going to suggest something less subtle?"
Command Center
Nazareth stood and saluted to the arrival of Aaron, but paid little attention to the projection of Alexis, the new female rescued from the escape pod, and the two little alien foxes who Nazareth gathered were important to the mission, though he personally paid them no attention at all. Mother, however, brough him over to a holomap of the star system as well as readouts of the pirate fleet.
However, that was when the other pickup from the escape pod crashed through the door, and engaged in...a public display of "affection". The only reaction from Nazareth was for his eyes to get dangerously narrow.
Such scandalous lack of discipline.
The newcome then had the audacity to come over to try to discuss "strategy" with Aaron. Although his "strategy" seemed to consist of trying to attack targets that they had absolutely nothing to do with. Nazareth finally interjected at this point.
"We have absolutely no reason to be anywhere near the fourth planet, so there is no reason for any designs on the station orbiting it. Destroying it is completely out of the question." Nazareth said, with his loud, deep boom of a voice at Knight, making him sound extremely forceful. He then turned to Aaron, ignoring Knight.
"This is an overview of the system layout, as it is the basis for the plan I have formulated, sir." Nazareth settled himself into Mother's mindlink, and began preparing the map. "The fourth planet, where the pirate's main colony and their spaceforce is concentrated, is here. This is the range of their primary sensors from their position on the fourth planet. The also have a few sensor posts; the primary posts are here, here, here, here, here, and here, with more minor ones scattered about. And the third planet, your target, is here. We are at the edge of the system , out of range from nearly all their detection." As he spoke, Nazareth was also tagging points on the holomap with large red dots to indicate the two pirate planets, a red square to represent the pirate fleet, and red triangles to represent sensor posts, with transparent red circles to indicate ranges. Finally, he tagged their position with a green dot. "This is my proposal; First, we close to the lowest heliocentric orbit possible while remaining reasonably out of range of as many of their sensor abilities as possible. Then, we follow the orbit, circumnavigating any sensor outposts where possible, remaining with Mother's stealth systems fully engaged, until we reach this point." Nazareth then drew a green line around the system, ending it with a green X. "Here, the third planet is interposed between us and the fourth. Now, due to these pirate's startling lack or planning or organization, their sensor posts have quite a few gaps, though, even using them, a conventional ship would still have a high probability of being detected. Of course, we are not in a conventional ship. With speed and stealth, we should be able to fall right through all their sensor gaps as we make a relatively straight line to the third planet from this point I mentioned, and we might even be able to simply jump all the way there in one go." Nazareth then drew a line from the green X to the red planet, changing the large red circle to a flashing green one. "Assuming the sensor posts do not detect us prematurely, once we reach the third planet, it will effectively serve as a barrier in all ways between us and the fourth, both hiding us and providing a near-impenetrable shield should the fleet be notified of our presence by that time. We should also have located whatever it is your looking for by then, so we slip into the atmosphere, fly to it, retrieve it, and remove ourselves as quickly as possible. It is, in fact, possible that we may even be there and gone without the pirates ever knowing we existed."
Nazareth then minimized the map, bringing up holograms and specifications of the pirate ships, and other estimated forces. "Combat analysis. I respectfully disagree with your assessment that the pirate ground forces will be our greatest threat, sir. The only thing that would demand serious consideration would be fighters and LAMs, which, while I do not doubt they do have, I am confident that I and my men can handle them. However, it seems nearly all of the pirate forces, space, air, ground, and civilian settlement, are all mostly concentrated on the fourth planet, which further minimizes that particular threat. I believe our biggest possible threat would be the fleet itself. Four Sovereign battleships, with six support cruisers." Nazareth paused for a moment. "This is not inconsequential opposition. This is why my proposed plan is centered around avoiding any possible confrontation with them. While aging, pirate equipment is notorious for not dying when it is supposed to, due to the fact they make many extensive personal modifications. While I do not believe them invincible, I am most concerned about the worst-case scenario of a direct confrontation, and all four turn their main weapons on us simultaneously. Especially if the cruisers pitch in." Nazareth turned to Mother. " You might be able to withstand the first volley, but I have my doubts if even you can withstand sustained punishment of that magnitude, should you receive it."
Nazareth turned back to Aaron. "What is your evaluation, sir?"
"My evaluation is that we are alone, in pirate space, on a ship that we can't easily service. I'm somewhat afraid that in a shooting match Mother may come out the worse and need a long time to be repaired. On the subject of shooting matches, between the ships the pirates have here I would have to agree that there would be far more damage done in a space based shooting match. However, my 'greater threat' assessment was factoring in the fact that it seem that we can evade space battle rather effectively while evading ground combat is going to depend highly on if there is someone on the planet already or not."
Aaron turns to Knight, "As for your plan, I'm really was not expecting something less subtle. Mostly because I am having a very hard time envisioning a plan that could possibly be less subtle. I suppose we could fly up to the space station and make rude hand gestures, but that plan is more clearly in the suicide territory then the unsubtle territory."
Aaron shakes his head. Since when was he supposed to make combat plans?
"Anyways, baring some details Alexis or Mother caught that we didn't, Naz's plan sounds good. If we really need to take something out subtly, perhaps the pirate equipment could be hacked? Mother seemed to have no trouble getting into ISF networks, and computer glitches that temporarily take down listening posts seem far more common then asteroids heading right for space based assets."
Command Center
Knight looked a little shocked, either they hadn't listened, or didn't have the visualization skills that would be needed for space combat. He looked over at Arron, then Naz, and decided to drop the idea altogether. He felt he'd already earned enough ire from this crew, no point in trying to press a point that they obviously didn't agree with.
Knight went back to studying the map, and for reason, some his mind started drifting back to the escape pod. Asking in a polite tone, Knight inquired "actually, if you think the lack of subtlety in the asteroid wouldn't work, do you think we could strip the escape pod i arrived on of anything useful, then rig up some kind of remote, and activate the distress beacon when we're ready to leave?"
Command Center
"I say go with Nazareth's plan. No need to tell the pirates 'Hey we're over here if you wanna come kill us'"
Romulus was leaning on the doorway when he spoke. It seems he's feeling sneaky at the moment.
Command Center
knight started to look a bit exasperated "it's all well and good sneaking in, but the idea is to get both in and out of this system alive, everything i've been suggesting does not involved getting to the planet or getting whatever artifacts we are supposed to be recovering... what i'm trying to do is come up with an egress route that doesn't involve taking the full broadside of a battleship or two. Even assuming that we make it to the planet completely undetected, if the opposition on the planet gets any kind of signal off, we'll have the entire pirate fleet to worry about. Even if we have no opposition at all, If we don't time the egress perfectly, without some type of diversion, then we will end up in the bore sights of 1 or more warships."
Kight paused, look over his shoulder at the wolverine who'd appeared as if out of no where, "Sargent, for a special forces ground pounder, i would have expected you to pick up on the distinct lack of an exit plan... i know in the LAM wing, it's a rather high priority to not just complete the objectives, but to also live long enough beyond completion of the objective to get to a formal debriefing... what has been suggested so far constitutes wishful thinking with zero margin for error..."
Command Center
Romulus glares at Knight.
"Why make plans when it's better to figure what the hell is going on when we get there. I only make plans to get in not out. Cause if one makes plans to get out, something will go wrong and screw up all the plans one has come up with"
Romulus looked at Knight.
"You must not have been battling much. You sound just like one of those newbies fresh out of an academy"
Romulus looks to Aaron and Nazareth.
"I think our best bet is sneaking in and sneaking out. Best to not let the pirates know we weren't even here"
"Thank you, Sergeant Romulus." Nazareth said. "Lieutenant Whitehaven, I am in agreement. You do not seem to have a complete grasp of the situation, nor Mother's capabilities, nor do you seem to have experience with strategic and tactical planning. I recommend you leave this business to us."
Nazareth turned to Aaron. "Do you have anything to add, sir?"
"Nothing particular to add. Knight, the asteroid plan has been throughly vetoed, you are not to bring it up again. The current thinking favors not giving away that something is up. I would prefer simple plans." Aaron my be exceeding his authority as far as military planning goes, but this detour needs to die.
"The exit plan is to get to mother and run like hell. It is a simple plan, which is why it is the most likely plan to work. More details will be worked out once we have a better assessment of what the planet looks like up close."
Command Center
Knight just sighed and shouldered his way past Rom, he muttered under his breath "i hope your right" ... normally he'd have been angry, but his emotional state had been shattered to the point of apathy after the constant up and down cycle he'd been going through since the loss of the Cold Fire... he headed for his quarters and figured he'd get a little time to himself before anything else could go wrong
Aaron rubbed his head. Perhaps this was what Captain Summers felt like when dealing with Aaron? Still, not a whole lot of time for that.
"Rather then this haphazard planning session, maybe we should actually formalize it."
Aaron gives Knight a few moments then sends him a message telepathically, "Let's give planning a second try shall we? Please come back to the command center."
Command Center
Throughout the discussion, Ixiah and Loki attempted to pay close attention to what was being discussed. It was not very easy for either of them, as strategy meetings are very boring if you are not participating. Both had managed to nod off somewhere in the middle.
Both Mother and Alexis stood by patiently waiting for everyone to come to an appropriate consensus on a course of action. Alexis did make a few comments, "I recommend sticking to stealth and using reconnaissance drones planetside to search for pirate activity and to investigate the crash site. We should also have an plan to evacuate the planet and escape the system in case of discovery and attack. Also, identify your definite command structure, in case Aaron is indisposed for whatever reason, you have second and third in command to take charge. Otherwise I'll take over." Alexis smiled evilly.
Saioko had been standing by patiently, even though she outranked everyone except Aaron, she was not involved in the strategy meeting. She had little combat and tactics experience as either Saioko or as a ship's computer, perhaps that was why she was so easily ambushed by an unknown assailant. She did move to stand next to Aaron, pending most of her time staring at his head.
For the most part, the Acadians waiting patiently for the ISF crew to make their plan of action.
Just Outside Command Center
Knight received the message as he was rounding yet another corner hoping to make it back to his room. these aimless wanderings or going to have to stop... now if only i had a point of re his thoughts stopped as he received the message. taking 4 more steps, the door to the command center was sitting right there in front of him...
how the hell does that happen?! he thought to himself. taking a few moments to relax, Knight used controlled breathing and a slow pace to give him the time he needed to clear his mind before trying a planning session again. As he entered, Knight address Aaron with curt nod and a "sir" then proceeds to ignore Rom and Naz, still hoping that they've done something better with the time he's been gone than think happy thoughts, and expect to just run away without careful planning.
"Very good then. Let's try this, AGAIN."
The fact that Saioko was staring at his head had Aaron a bit nervous. Nothing good came from people staring at his head.
"So, step one is pretty much done and in it's final form. We slip in by the long route, keeping the 3rd planet between us and them. This provides a handy escape path, since they need to go the long way around to get to us and that should give us time to make ourselves gone before they can get anywhere close."
The display highlights the path Naz pointed out, keeping them away from sensor posts and ships. Then the display zooms in on the 3rd planet.
"Once we are at the planet we can use Mother's recon drones to scout things out. We will be looking for pirates and Matron. Hopefully we find Matron and no pirates, but should there be pirates we need to evaluate how far away they are. No matter what, we are going to have another planning session after we have details about the planet. If there are too many pirates we may have to scrap the whole plan and see if we can't get a more substantial fleet to clear out the pirates. If all goes right we can land Mother near Matron and get what we need. Either way, we can't know until we are at the planet."
Command Center
Focusing again on the overall plan that had been outlined by Arron, Knight turned to the Acadians and asked "i'm curious about the sensor capabilities this ship has. once we're behind the planet, would we still have information on what the pirates are doing?... if not, we'll need to have drones in a position to get that information. The idea of running around the back only works if we've got enough of an idea of what the pirates are doing that our acceleration can overcome their advantage in initial velocity."
Feeling a little more confident once his thoughts were back in order, Knight continued, "another question i'd like answered before we go further, i noticed on my tour that we have orbital drop assault pods, are they drop and ditch, or do they retain enough power to make it back to the ship?"
looking around, Knight then added "as for the actual egress plan, we really should set something up to act as a distraction, even if it only draws attention for a matter of minutes... i know... through experience" glaring at Naz and Rom "what happens when you rely on just luck, and the hope that your stealth is better than their sensors... i'll admit, by the confidence you all seem to have in this ship, i might be acting little paranoid... but i've always been told to error on the side of caution while in the planning stages of a mission"
Command Center
Romulus glares back at Knight.
"Oh yes get the pirates on alert and actively looking for things. So that way they have a better chance of finding us. You seem to think to know for sure the pirates will go to the beacon. They might send a ship to see what it is but they will more than likely start putting ships into orbit and lower our chances of not being spotted"
Nazareth stepped up at this point, his booming voice instantly capturing everyone's attention. "I can personally assure that, so long as we are not in a planet's atmosphere, escape will be no problem. Mother has proven capable of making intersystem jumps within seconds. In fact, we practiced a variant maneuver getting from our fleet to the very system we found you in, Lieutenant. And even if the pirate fleet were to somehow find itself in orbit of the third plant while we are still in it, I am fully confident that I can outrun and outfly them enough to extract ourselves from the atmosphere without taking fire. One of my squad's sub-specialties is antipiracy, after all. The only place where extraction will be an issue is if the ground team encounters trouble in their collecting mission, and that I have no control over."
Command Center
Knight nodded at Naz, as he absorbed the data that he'd be given... he paused to rethink the overall strategy he'd take. "i hope you understand that i'm used to thinking out loud, during similar sessions" Knight paused, and looked Romulus square in the eye and cocking his head slightly to the side "rather than making snide remarks, critiquing an idea, and explaining why you feel a different approach will lead to far better team cohesion... you of all people should understand the need for a team to have cohesion, and a lack of friction when things come into a combat scenario, Sargent" he added extra emphasis on the rank to make sure the point got across
"personal issues aside, we should be getting back to the planning session... i'm done trying to work out contingencies with you people" Knight said with a sigh
Command Center
Aaron growls quite audibly, "There shall be LESS confrontation in my meeting please."
After spending a second considering many things he says, "A few things to remember here. Knight, Mother is an extremely advanced ship. My understanding is that, in combat ability, this 'gun boat' can fight toe to toe with the latest ISF cruisers. However, there are many considerations that we may miss. Having a distraction option would be nice, but it has to be a good distraction option that won't give away our presence if it isn't needed. My idea for such a thing is to see if one of those cloakable probes can be rigged so that it can be triggered to give the impression that there is small ISF fleet that just showed up at the edge of the solar system. One that would be a credible threat to the in system forces, encouraging them to take up a defensive position around the space station. This would fill the requirements out rather nicely, though I am not heart set on this plan if you can think of a better one."
Aaron looked around for reactions. Here he thought that his experience dealing with inflated egos was not going to be useful outside of academia.
Alexis stepped in the middle of everybody and with a over exaggerated sigh added her own input, "what a bunch of children you are, I mean seriously... enough snide remarks and condescending tones. If you can't participate in this discussion like professional adults, then you can spend time in the brig for annoying me."
Mother shook her head, "be at ease daughter, you cannot bark at everyone and make them change, they have to be willing to do so."
Alexis muttered to herself and stepped out of the middle of the room. Mother patted her on the back and smiled reassuringly at her daughter.
After Aaron spoke, she switched her gaze back to the others, "as you can see Mr. Whitehaven, my scanning capability is quite impressive. This three dimensional, fully detailed holographic field is not a rendering, but realtime and realspace. I can focus on a planet and rotate the view all around it, even obtaining full detail on the side opposite the ship's facing... a traditional sensor block for your limited systems. This scanning suite provides details down to quantum level, and just about every modality you can imagine. In fact, our scanner capability is so advanced, that directed, active scanning... let alone combat scanning posture... is so powerful we will overload the systems of these poor pirate craft. It will scramble computer targeting systems and scanners, acting like ECM and sensor jammers without having to employ ECM. This will render long range weapons fire ineffective as they will be reduced to manual gunsights."
She paused to bring up a large three dimensional view of a pirate battleship in realtime, "speaking of which, statistics for the Sovereign class battleship show her to have a mean acceleration of 2.25 G with very poor inertial dampening. She possesses positive G sections, but no actual artificial gravity. Her 202.8 million metric ton mass means that she cannot maintain steady 2.25 G acceleration for long without depleting her plasma fuel stores or leave her without enough reaction mass for maneuvering. Her armor is a conventional. The outer layer is an homogeneous plate of beryllium-copper-nickel alloy, with an extremely hard ceramic... amorphous silicon nitride... ablative covering, effective against either kinetic impact and high energy neutrons of fusion warhead explosions as beryllium is a powerful neutron reflector. The second layer is a metal matrix composite of boron fibers, single crystal fibers, in a titanium alloy matrix, strong, elastic and relatively lightweight. The whole external layer is effective against the hard ray radiations, X and gamma rays, of nuclear explosions. The boron, being a neutron absorber, enhances the anti neutron protection. This outer double layer is followed by a multi-cellular metal foam, that acts either as an 'energy distributor' on the inner layer of protection, and as a room space to allow the expansion of plasma bolts eventually able to pierce the outer armor, weakening their terminal effect. The inner layer is a sandwich of titanium alloy bonded with three intermediate layers, the first made of corundum crystals in a ceramic matrix, the middle one of boron single crystal fibers in an organic matrix, and the last of polymeric fiber composite. This inner armor is extremely effective, due to his combination of outer hardness/stiffness and inner strength and elasticity, against the kinetic and explosive secondary effects of plasma weapons and outer layer's ablation."
Mother paused, not realizing that computer information dumps can likely cause organic brains to cease functioning, before continuing, "the ship's weapons are rather deadly if they hit. The load out is as follows, sixteen heavy pulse bolters - Ten turret mounted/six spinal mounted, six heavy plasma cannons - three front/three rear, two Lightbringer Series 4 super heavy spinal lasers, two Zeus Series Mass Driver Cannons - category 3 with twenty megaton yield, twelve light pulse bolters in single turrets, eight twin heavy railgun turrets and twelve quad pulse cannon turrets. Now my scans show that the mass drivers are largely non-functional, but all other weapons are fully functional. The design holds sixty fighters and twenty-four space assault craft. Due to automation, her crew compliment is around 2,220."
Loki yawns, "I thought it was amazing that my pirate friends were able to scape together the Defiance a similar era dreadnaught. Where could these pirates get four of these ancient monstrosities? The cost of maintenance would be ridiculous."
Mother continues, "the fighters are all old, and the weapons can do very little to me, but 240 fighters will start to hurt after a few hours. Now as for fighting the battleships, if we have to, I can outmaneuver them, but they can put a very high volume of firepower at short and medium range. They are worthless at long range against us, as they will be reduced to visual gunsights, making the spinal lasers useless unless they are very very lucky. The armor is twenty-eight meters thick and it will take a minute of concentrated hyper graviton beam fire to penetrate. The hyper graviton beam has three times the effective range of their ancient spinal lasers and our targeting is spot on at extreme ranges. Though it is wise for me to consider, that I've never been hit with a very high powered free electron laser or pure ion laser, so my armor has not adapted to it. A hit by one would likely inflict critical damage, but it wouldn't be fatal. It would take a while for me to self repair."
Ixiah stretched and yawned wide, "wow, that was dull... uh let me think... we shouldn't need a distraction, we can out run anything they have and Mother can open a jump point in an atmosphere..."
The orange vixen cringed as if remembering some sharp nasty pain, "oh no, I don't ever want to do that again!"
Command Center
Knight let all the new information sink in while completely destroying his idea of what tactics would be needed to maintain the advantage, he knew the pirate ships were slow, but hadn't expected the ability to keep an eye on them while planet side...
turning to the Acadian, Knight said politely "thank you, that was surprisingly informative, and i'll have to re-evaluate much of what i expected... i'm sorry i wasted time thinking i was dealing with tech at a somewhat comparable to level of top of the line standard issue ISF gear... though, if your sensors are that fine tuned, any chance you've detected any signs of mid or high level pirate activity in or around our objective's location?"
Aaron nods, "Right, so avoid atmospheric jumps. Apparently Mother can fend off 240 fighters for a few hours. On the other hand, we do not want to tempt fate and get Mother shot by the capital ships."
Aaron thought for a second, "Though now that you mention it, the logistics of keeping that many capital ships is concerning. I suppose that there is some major benefactor behind them. Maybe a pirate prince that heard rumor of Matron or an Acadian? Either way it sounds like a recipe for nasty. Though, now to hammer out other details."
Aaron thinks for a second, "The chain of command, we'll just go by pay grade. Saioko second, though I suspect that any action that takes me out will be combat so that means it would more likely be Knight, Nazareth, Nova, Romulus. Though again, if things get down to Nova, Romulus would most definitely be the one actually in charge. Next up is the issue of Ixiah and Loki. They need to be assigned to someone at all times, preferably someone conscious at the moment. To that end the order goes me, Saioko, Nova, Knight, Nazareth, Romulus. The main mission for the person watching Ixiah or Loki is to keep them safe."
Aaron looks around for a bit before continuing, "With this worked out, it should be fine to start approaching the planet. Also, Knight, if you are going to keep planning, talk with Mother more to figure out the extent of her abilities. She is fully atmospheric and can land, so the current plan is to land next to Matron. Of course, this is all dependent on what we end up finding from a more detailed probe of the planet."
Knight said "yes sir, though i think my long chat with mother can wait until we're on our way to the planet,... for now, i've got no complaints about the insertion plan, though once near or in orbit around the 3rd planet, we are going to need a proper planning session focusing on the ground mission... for now, all i'd like to add is that we should launch the probes once we're in the appropriate range, and start collecting as much information as we can before we arrive..."
Knight paused and started running through a mental checklist of everything he'd need to know, particularly in the areas of weapons, overall performance and handling... Turning to mother he asked "um... ma'am, once we're done here, where would you like to meet so we can have our little discussion? actually, thinking on the command structure, if Sai... Captain Natsume is officially second in command, she should probably be involved too, unless she hasn't been telling me all that she's been up to, i doubt she's all that informed about this ship either..." Knight started feeling a little bit more relaxed as things calmed down... he let his thoughts drift for a moment, and it took all his self control to not break into a snicker as he remembered how he and Saioko had entered the meeting...
Captain Natsume examined the display field nodding appreciatively, "wow, your scanning systems are a bit more advanced then mine... my... my designs." The cat gave the vixen a goofy sort of smile.
Mother returned a warm smile, "Yes, I am glad you approve. Tell me were you built or grown?"
"Wha... what??! What kind of question is that?" Saioko said with the most confused expression she could muster.
The orange vixen waved it off nonchalantly, "nothing, nothing just being whimsical. Carry on."
"Uh, right. So I am the second most senior officer, yes, I should be involved in more planning then. So as Er... Lieutenant Whitehaven has asked, do we have any ground based scans of our objective site and the planet?"
Alexis nodded and changed the holographic field to show the third planet. This world was reasonably temperate, with a slightly dryer hydrosphere than the fourth planet. Both were about Earth-sized (used as a frame of reference for players not characters) planets and possessed standard breathable atmospheres.
The scan statistics for the objective planet showed that it was moderately inhabited by anthros of various species. There was one militarized settlement with a shuttle and aerospace field, likely pirates. This is on the opposite side of the planet from the objective point. The objective appeared to be clear of hostiles and remained somewhat hidden. The area itself possessed a single small outpost of what appears to be pirates at a range of 15 kilometers.
Mother zoomed in on the crash site, "this is our objective. Matron is an old style star cruiser. She is ten time my length, but our basic designs are similar except she has a quad wing design and I have petals."
Command Center
Only half listening to the conversation between Mother and Saioko, Knight got very close to the display, and observe the area. He mentally started seeing where things could go wrong... Taking a second to look over the display again, he turned back toward Mother and asked "i'm curious as to what your primary armaments are, you mentioned grav beams, but i'm not all that familiar with those type weapons... any chance you could give me a quick run down on their range and capabilities, and specifically, are they line of sight weapons, or can you curve the beam once fired... if you can curve the beams, then landing the ship, and keeping us alert would be fine. but if they are line of sight weapons, why would we land our greatest asset? it would seem safer to keep Mother in orbit, as she could keep things clear for the ground team for several thousand kilometer in any direction, rather than threats that appear once they are over the horizon..."
Command Center
Mother gave Knight a curious look, "hmmm, curving a graviton stream... I don't think I can do that with a standard graviton weapon, let alone a hyper graviton weapon. It relies on weak force mediation rather then mass like a particle beam, but it is essentially a particle beam... basically. I have a hyper graviton beam, two hyper graviton blasters, and two gravitic torpedo launchers. Gravitic torpedoes rely on the shearing effects of a gravity wave to inflict damage. And before you ask, no they are not guided, but I can curve them around gravity wells. My beam weapon has an effective range of around 5 million kilometers, it theoretically has an infinite range. The blasters are effective to 1 million kilometers, the torpedoes dissipate at this range as well."
Saioko thought for a moment, "orbital bombardment support would be nice, but a discharge of these type of weapons will be detected even by the primitive pirate sensors. Mother can't use sensor jammers, that would put them on alert if their systems suddenly were being interfered with. The ISF fighters will be detected by ground stations, so we can't put them in the air."
Command Center
Knight looked around the table, trying to gauge the other's reaction to this tidbit of information... "So, if i'm hearing this right, we need to neutralize that small post by the sight before we can land the ship... and that's so that the pirates don't know were here... we have to do it fast so they don't get off a message, and yet we can't use the fighters or this ship because the use of the weapons on either would give us away to the sensors elsewhere... "
looking back to Rom, Knight hoped the wolverine was paying attention to what he was about to say "that's leaving 1 real option that i can really see then... deploy a strike team via pods, once they neutralize the outpost, then land mother near the sight and work from there... the only reason i say we have to land mother later is because from a visual standpoint, something as large as this ship entering the atmosphere would be picked up visually from a rather incredible distance... and the ionized air around the entry point could give us away to near by sensors... meaning we'll have to enter on the opposite side of the planet relative to the pirate fleet... if we time this with the rotation of the planet, we should be able to drop Mother right on our objective, but we need that small outpost quiet to do that... um...anyone have any comments, concerns or other ideas?"
"Must we kill them? It seems like the moment we kill someone a timer starts limiting how long we have on site. What are they even doing out there?"
Knight looked at Arron and said with a smirk "it seems you misunderstood me, i never said the word kill, we just can't have them communicating, if we can get a mass spectrum jammer within range, that would work fine... actually judging by the quality of the gear i've seen so far, if they go out of communication without shots being fired, it wouldn't be anything too unusual... i just don't know if we can ensure a total, mass spectrum jam from this ship... it might be better to place a device near the facility... i know that jammers with the capabilities we'd need are pretty much standard EW packaging for the stea...
um, i'm not going to finish that thought, lets just say, it's fairly common gear for special forces teams operating behind enemy lines... "
asking mother "do you think you could block all communications from that facility for the entire time we're planet side?... if not, do you have a special forces style mass spectrum jammer we could place near that facility via assault team delivered by the pods? if we have to go with that option, they could either hoof it to the objective, or, we could just wait for them to return via the pods...
Saioko gave Knight a cross look, "don't go talking about stealth LAMs, that's one of those well known secrets of ISIS."
Mother chuckled when asked about jamming sensors, as Alexis nearly collapsed with laughter, "no, I cannot jam the sensors of that outpost, I would completely fry their systems beyond repair if I tried. I do have jammer units though."
Aaron shrugs, "To be honest, I'm not sure how well keeping secrets on this ship would work. Personally I've been liberal about letting folk into my mind. Information wants to be free!"
Going back on subject Aaron adds, "Okay, so any attempt to jam their systems from Mother will result in their systems melting. I was hoping to be in and out with nary peep, but it seems like the small pirate outpost must be dealt with. Perhaps sniff out regular com traffic, fry the outpost's sensors, then fake the regular traffic while holding the outpost prisoner? It seems like the only question here is how big that outpost is."
Romulus finally spoke up after Aaron spoke.
"My men and I will take care of it. Just let us know when their circuits are fried"
Romulus then looked at Mother.
"Try not to fry things too much. I'd like to have Hacker see if he can find anything usefully from their computers"
Command Center
Knight looked at Romulus, then to Aaron and asked "uh, sir, if Romulus is leading the strike team, is that going to put me in charge of security for you and the other non-coms? even if the sensors on this ship are powerful enough for a threat analysis to the level we're getting... are we 100% sure the sight is secure?... Searching Matron is going to take hours, if not days, and we're going to need to divide up into smaller teams to perform a search like that... how do we want to do that? and also, what kind of forces will i have at my disposal if Romulus is taking the special forces team?"
Aaron points to the Matron crash site on the map, "Or, the crash site is right here. Mother said it was there five minutes ago. Maybe you should stop thinking about Saioko's tail all the time." The last bit had a particularly mischievous simile on his face.
"Also, Mother has some sort of armed drones. If mother permits, I think it would be best to have the drones watch the prisoners then have you watch the drones. I've not asked Mother about the capabilities of these drones, but I would rather have Romulus dealing with the more complex tasks and making decisions rather then a drone."
"And a final detail, we are not non-coms. Well, Romulus is an non-com. Most the rest of us are non-line officers, but we are still commissioned officers."
Command Center
Kight grinned at Aaron's comment about Saioko, then replied "actually, when i said non-coms, i meant non-combatants... as in, not troops, and probably not having much in the way of combat experience... and i was talking about searching the inside of matron... sorry for causing the confusion sir... anyways... if you want the bots to do the work around the pirate compound compound, that does change a lot... it means that someone will have to monitor that situation until the compound is secured and locked down... if you need me to, i can start getting a plan worked up for that raid with mother, or whoever else can give me a full run down on capabilities, equipment, and anything else i might think of once i get working..."
Nazareth had been only watching from the sidelines for some times, even though a few things were said that worried him. However, he seemed to suddenly decide to remind everyone he existed with his huge voice. "Mother can probably give you the information you require, Lieutenant Whitehaven, though of course a full brief could probably wait until at least after this meeting, we're just working on how to get in and out of the system. The ground forces should have ample time to draw up a full tactical plan once we're closer to the target..." At the same time Nazareth said this, he was accessing Mother's mindlink again. Here, he tried to send a mental message straight to Aaron.
Mother, Major Brown. I am beginning to have some concerns. I recommend we start to wrap this meeting up, ASAP, and I request to speak with you alone, sir.
Romulus looked at Nazareth.
"I'm hopeing your squad will either be in the air offering support. I think we may need some close air support with these pirates. I'd rather not go out there with out it personally. It's up to you though they are your squad"
Nazareth returned Romulus' gaze. "If the pirates get their own flyers into the air, I'll need my men to cover me. But, if they have none or we ground them ahead of time, jam their aerial sensors, and neutralize any anti-air defenses they may have, then I'm sure I can arrange a few flybys, or even a choas-cover like we did back in our last operation. We'll see when we get there."
Romulus nods at Nazareth.
"Understood"
Romulus then looked to Aaron.
"I'll be with my men getting for the assault*
Romulus turned and headed towards the Special Forces area.
"Very well then Romulus. I'll let you know when we have the details of when we arrive and how many people are there and what they have."
Aaron sends a message to Naz, For future references, you weren't sending a message to me, but rather broadcasting for a anyone psychic to pick up. If you wish to meet with me in private that will be fine.
"It looks like we have our plan in place, pending more details. Everyone is dismissed to tend to what ever they wish."
((Techmaster may auto Aaron where ever he wishes for the private meeting))
Mother switched the view to that of the 'outpost' of the pirates. It consisted of three prefabricated steel arch buildings and one obvious communications station. There appears to be a single short concrete area on which is parked three conventional military VTOL jets and four combat helicopters. The conventional craft pose little threat to the aerospace fighters and none to Mother.
The view is close-in enough to notice that the various peoples staffing this post are all dressed in forest camouflage, most carry a rifle style weapon, and all carry a sidearm. In an interesting coincidence, at the center of the viewing area and looking up directly in line with the 'camera angle' is an ermine carrying a rocket launcher.
Saioko's eyes darted between Nazareth and Aaron and she narrowed them in a curious way, trying to figure something out by the look of it.
She sent a direct message to Knight, being sure not to broadcast a wide message, Eric, the reptile pilot is meeting privately with Aaron. I can't read the fox's thoughts he is psychically capable.
Nazareth only walked over to his pilot's chair and brought up his own viewscreen with some tactical displays, though they were only for making the show that he was doing something. Really, he was just waiting for everyone to leave (except Aaron and Mother, of course).
Command Center
Knight took a moment to ask mother "do you think i could grab a bite to eat, and maybe get a shower or something before we start hashing out the assault on that facility?"
he waited for mothers response, then headed toward the Mess Hall, or at least, where he thought it was.
Command Center
Mother gestured to Aaron, "it is largely his decision what all of you can do. The rooms, eating area and rec/training areas are provided for the use of everyone on board. Main Engineering and the weapons engineering are off limits without escort. The drop pod deck, the flight deck and special forces area are accessible to everyone, unless your command structure restricts otherwise."
Saioko watched the others leave and busied herself examining all the interesting systems in the command center, finally taking up a chair near the holounit and accessing the computer. She began setting up reports and other administrative duties, and did not appear to be leaving the command center.
Aaron looks at Knight before he leaves, "Well, yes. I did say that you may tend to what ever you wish."
Since Naz and Saioko did not seem to be leaving the command center he thought he would ask Mother a few things he had just thought of, "I had a few thoughts recently, mostly our escape from the planet should things go wrong. What would happen if you were on the ground and the drop pods tried to return? Or what if you were in the atmosphere when they tried to return? Who ever is watching the prisoners needs to be in a position to get to you quickly if we need to flee."
In Engineer
Nova smiles and blows to the engineer fox, "Please forgive this wandering kitten, I felt I must meet you, and come to know the rhythm of the ship. I wouldn't never left this door way, and invaded your domain anymore than this without your premission. I would ask if you would come and meet me then you are free. Please, Know I would like to be your friend."
The catgirl straightens and smiles again at the fox and turns to leave the engineer alone. She knows to heads for the Command Center and Major Brown to report for duty.
The command center
Mara, the kitten, jumps up in the console that Saioko is working on, and looks at the panel and than the new catgirl. "Wh'cha doing?" asks the kitten as she looks at Saioko...
PBH
Command Center
Mother cupped her hands in front of her and drew them apart, revealing a small exterior shot of her hull, "when I have landed, there are conventional landing gear which will keep my underside off the ground. If the pods attempt a return, they are capable of doing so easily if I am either on the ground or in atmosphere, they are very maneuverable. I can't be traveling above 11.2 kilometers a second as that is their top speed, though they generally cruise in atmosphere at about 680.58 meters a second."
Saioko is extremely surprised to find out that the kitten is capable of speech, "I was working on some reports, crew status, supply levels, duty rosters and such."
Saioko's eyes give a barely visible flash, changing from blue to red for a fraction of a second, "so what are you exactly? Kittens do not talk if they are not anthro, but they also don't tend to have power signatures."
Engineering
The golden fox gives the feline a lopsided grin and pushes her glasses up her muzzle, back into the right spot.
"Sure thing Nova, I'd love to give you some technology pointers and advice."
Mess Hall
While grabbing a quick bite to eat, knight had been playing the images of the ground facility through in his head. he had wanted to work on the battle plan later, but it seemed that part of his mind had other plans... he finished eating and headed back for command center, figuring he should start his search for mother there.
In Engineering
The excited catgirl quickly hugs the engineer...and ask "Great, but I will see you at tea time." Nova rushes off to the Command Center...
In Command Center
"But a lot of people have one of those." said the Kitten to the panther. "Don't Mother and Alexis have one, or the doctor...maybe even you?" asks Mara. The Kitten looks the panther and smiles and then starts to licking herself in the middle of the console. At this point the command center door opens and Nova steps in.
PBH
Command Center
There is some eyebrow cocking regarding the speeds Mother listed. He ran some numbers in his head and said, "In other words, as long as you aren't going at escape velocity the pods should be recoverable. Sounds promising. Your drop pods are sounding more and more like general purpose landing and return craft. Should make things much easier."
Aaron also sends a message straight to Naz, If this was where you were intending to have our meeting, it seems like it is becoming more and more occupied. Somewhere else perhaps?
Command Center
As Nazareth looked at some displays on his own pilot's viewscreen, it didn't seem like the room was going to be vacated. As he was still linked to Mother, he knew that Captain Natsume was acessing Mother's database. Alarm bells immediately went off in his head, as it seemed almost related to what he wanted to talk to Major Brown.
This time making sure that only Mother could hear him, he thought; If you will take a direct order from me, keep her out of any sensitve information until further notice. That is, any information concerning you or the mission that has not already been openly stated yet, if she tries to access anything of that nature.
Nazareth also got Aaron's thought-message. He closed his display screen, and turned to walk out of the room, throwing a pointed glance at Aaron as he walked by. He exited and turned into the corridor, heading for the Zeta Barracks.
Command Center
Aaron did not want to leave in the middle of talking with Mother, but it seems like Naz has chosen a meeting spot. "Say Mother, I have been taken by the urge for some tea. Can we continue this conversation on the walk?"
Command Center
Saioko narrowed her eyes at the kitten, "now how could I have a power source? That is not half as interesting as what you are exactly. You are some type of autonomous AI of Acadian origin, but you are predominantly feline and the Acadians are all foxes. Perhaps you would care to explain?"
Mother responded over the mindlink to Nazareth, Do not worry, I am the system, she cannot access things that are sentient and aware of her presence. She appears to only be doing administrative work.
Mother nodded to Aaron, "but of course my dear boy. Lead the way."
As Mother followed Aaron, Alexis smiled knowingly.
Saioko noticed the others leaving, but also observed that she was under the watchful eye of the Security AI. With no way to safely follow, the feline sighed and resigned her self to speaking with the kitten.
Knight made his way back to the command center, just in time to miss the others leaving. With no one but Saioko, and Alexis around, and Saioko seemingly lost in her work, Knight figured he'd have a little fun at someone else's expense. Sneaking into the command center without a sound, he held his finger up in front of his face, in a, 'be quiet' gesture, hoping it meant the same thing to the Acadian. He continued his little game, with the intent of sneaking up behind Saioko undetected, placing his hands on her shoulders and whispering "well hello there" in as creepy a tone as he could muster.
after letting things calm down, and feeling completely restored, Knight turned to Alexis and asked, "um, Alexis, is there any chance you could bring up the display of that pirate facility on the holo unit, and maybe get a sim program booted so i can start playing around a bit with troop deployment? i was hoping to work this out with mother, but it seems that she's gone elsewhere."
Aaron was a tad annoyed about being called boy. He didn't dwell on it long, such was her nature and he just swallowed it. He was also a tad annoyed that he said he wanted tea, because now he actually did want the tea. But that would wait until Naz had his words.
Aaron followed Naz to the Zeta barracks, wondering what could be on Naz's mind. He had a sense that it was about Saioko, he didn't even need to be psychic to tell that. Though being psychic did help.
"Hey, Maj Brown, sir.. Mother... I am reporting for duty, and I'm sorry to little out of it. Is there anything you want me to be doing, Sir? " asks Nova. The catgirl was glad see them in the passageway and had to see Aaron.
"Nova, You have a kitten to pick up in the command center." says Mother with a stern motherly tone. Nova sighs "Yes Mother."
Mother, How is Loki, I know when he is distressed and some of his other feelings. I know is he feeling fine, but I can't locate him when he isn't in need of me., Nova thinks to Mother. She don't know if the AI will send to her, but she knows Mother should able to read her. She is a little worry about Loki, but he is home in his element. He doesn't need her as much as when they were with Fleet.
"Oh I am a Were-kitty......RRAUWRRR..." Growls Mara as transforms into a 8 year ago anthro cat-fox girl. "Sheriff Alexis, is this here Catgirl lady be acting...suspiceeeeously.... like?" Mara says with western accent
PBH
Hallways, heading towards Zeta Barracks
Nazareth lead Aaron and Mother though the hallways, passing by Nova at one point. She exchanged a few words with Mother, and went on her way.
Eventually, the reached the barracks. The door opened for Nazareth, showing Zeta group reclining in their bunks. As the door opened to show Nazareth to them, they instantly shot out of their beds to their feet, saluting. Nazareth simply strode by, uttering a simple "At ease, men.", trailing Mother and Aaron. Nazareth led them through the second door to his own (quite small at this point) office and quarters. The door closed, and Nazareth used his link to Mother to make sure it was locked.
Finally, he turned to Aaron, and only said, "Permission to speak freely, sir."
Before reaching the Zeta barracks Aaron talked with Nova. Aaron really wondered why everyone was asking him what to do. But he quickly found the answer to be, because that is your job you twit.
"Hmm, we are eminently about to reach Matron, so I need a report on what you remember about the site. Physical details would be most helpful. "
Aaron skipped telling Nova that, unless you were a trained psychic, sending mental messages amounted to broadcasting your thoughts to everyone remotely psychic. He figured that quip of information would be better digested if Mother delivered it.
After that brief encounter he followed Naz to his office, after after he was asked for permission to speak he said, "Certainly."
Command Center
Alexis watched with a half smirk as Knight snuck up on Saioko. The pair were quite cute together.
He continued his little game, with the intent of sneaking up behind Saioko undetected, placing his hands on her shoulders and whispering "well hello there" in as creepy a tone as he could muster.
Saioko froze, her tail stood straight up and puffed out, her hands were caught halfway between typing and gripping the desk to leap away. All her fur stood on end as she emitted a surprised feline like sound, "Meeeeooooowwwrrr!"
Spinning around in the chair, causing Knight to step back to avoid being knocked down, a playfully angry Saioko glared at him, "Oh! You are lucky I didn't slash you in half, pulling a stunt like that!" She playfully pounced at the larger feline, causing a bit of a mock chase around the command center until the panther managed to catch her prize. Saioko did not know what to do with him, and the position made her blush slightly.
After the two disengaged, and Knight had spoken with Alexis, the vixen activated the holomap, "knock yourself out kid."
Saioko meanwhile had missed most of Mara's reply and was strangely surprised to see an anthro kitten where a feral one had been.
Ship's Hallways
A small message crept into Nova's thoughts, kitten, please don't broadcast thoughts randomly like that, every psychic on board just got the equivalent of a text message from you.
A bit down the hall, Loki appeared from around a corner with Ixiah, the small green fox approached the cat girl and stopped a few feet short, "you rang?"
Zeta Barracks
Mother sighed and spoke to no one in particular, "children... that girl must learn not to yell across the ship like that. Didn't her mother ever teach her not to project thoughts so loudly, you could almost attack with that."
Zeta Barracks, Nazareth's Office
Paying Mother's comment only a sideways glance, Nazareth took a moment to collect his thoughts, then spoke, his voice chillingly lower and deeper than usual. "Major Brown, I am going to be as direct as I can. These two stragglers we picked up--I do not trust them. Not at all. Particularly that Lieutenant Whitehaven."
Before Aaron could respond, Nazareth continued. "Know that this is not an accusation I make lightly, nor is it based on the fact that both are ISIS, who regularly practice deceit, though I will admit this isn't a helpful factor. We found them in an escape pod from the wreckage of an ISF ship that incorporated materials so advanced that she-" Nazareth nodded to Mother, "-couldn't identify what they were. I don't know if they've actually told you anything about that, but if they haven't, ISIS or no, that is suspicious, considering the main fleet is going to clean it up anyway. More telltale was, during the briefing, I noticed that Lieutenant Whitehaven seemed a little more curious than was strictly necessary in specifically Mother's combat ability and armaments. And then, when the briefing was over, Captain Natsume accessed Mother's network. Though she seemed to be only performing administrative duties, what I noticed was that she seemed to know exactly what she was doing, for someone who has never used Mother's interface before."
Nazareth let out a faint sigh. "Perhaps I am being what would be called paranoid. I prefer to think of it as caution. Were I in charge, I would have made sure that those two were left with the fleet instead of bringing them along. If that was not an option, I would certainly exclude them from our upcoming operation, as they are a potential risk in an otherwise critical mission. At best, I would give them a duty that involves them remaining aboard Mother, where they could be easily watched and monitored, until we are sure we can trust them. Then again, if you were to talk to them, and were they to divulge truthful information about the vessel they were previously on, the foundation of nearly all my concerns could become moot right then and there, including my next concern.
"But, the thing that bothers me most, however, is actually not them, at least, not directly. Pardon me sir, but not only did you incorporate them, the ones who do not even know the full extent of our mission and situation and whom I am questioning in trustworthiness, into the chain of command, you put them above all those on this ship with actual combat experience. The ones who's job it is to keep everyone on this ship alive. The ones who, if orders are given, however incorrect they may be, must carry the orders out. And, Lieutenant Whitehaven, at least, is assigned to accompany the ground team in their operation. In my professional opinion, I find these to be the most unwise and potentially dangerous decisions you have made. Sir."
Nazareth bowed his head slightly, waiting for Aaron's responce, though with Nazareth's height, it now almost looked like he was staring Aaron down.
Command Center
Knight nodded politely, then added "thank you kindly ma'am."
He then moved over to the display, and took note of everything's position, how the pirates moved, how they acted, and the equipment they had. Just because it was old, didn't make it completely useless... Starting with a terrain analysis, he suggested "depending on the gear we're looking at, i'm thinking dividing the strike team in half, and moving into the area in an 'L' shape. it gives mutually supporting fire, and if need be, i'd suggest issuing a few soldiers some anti-tank weapons we can keep trained on the comm building."
taking a few more moments to try and work out the actual deployment and movements, he continued, "It looks like we could drop our troops on the opposite side of that landing pad... and if have them use the woods for cover, it appears that they could get within 50 meters... depending on which class of unit we're talking about, maybe the thing to do would be to deploy a couple ISF jammers in the woods, and never even let them know we were here... if we want to ensure no trouble though, i'd say move into the compound, and use those pre-fab buildings for cover. once inside, take the comm tower first, and once that's under control, clear the other buildings, armory, barracks, then mess hall."
he paused and looked at the display "any chance you could show me how to get the sim program working? i'm still not really used to the interface, and if i'm going to work out some of the more detailed issues, it'd be good if i could see them, rather than just visualize everything in my mind"
Zeta Barracks, Nazareth's Office
After Mother's comment Aaron says, "Unfortunately, I doubt her mother taught her much about psychic courtesy. Kind of difficult to do when we don't have any psychics in the general population. Perhaps I'll write a survival guide for associating with psychics. I should do that quickly while I'm still in this strange in between state."
Naz spoke his piece and Aaron was rubbing his temples. Summers seemed to be onto something because this made him feel much better. "Believe me, I do take you seriously, but I'm at a loss about what you expect me to do. Are you are upset that I do not distrust the entire ISF chain of command? And what do you mean, 'exclude them until we can trust them'? I have their files. What more could you possibly want? For me to disbelieve the information Captain Summers gave to me and throw them in the brig or confine them to quarters? The only other step possibly left is for me to start ripping information out of their heads which, while I'm sure there are not official regulations against it, would not go unanswered for."
He sighs and slumps back, "Eric's questions were entirely appropriate for someone who had vague delusions of planning. The quality of his plans leave a lot to be desired true... but that is not enough to throw suspicion on. As for his position, remember he is a lieutenant, when a line commission. Something that, I must remind you, I don't have. You and Romulus will be backed on what ever decisions you make in your own squads. As for Saioko... she does reverse engineer xeno tech for a living, and Mother makes sure that the interface for systems we should access are easy to operate. It isn't too surprising she picked up on it quickly."
Aaron did harbor a few suspicions regarding Saioko, though he could not put a finger on what is quite wrong with her. Either way, he didn't want to give Naz any false leads that ends with charges of insubordination against Nazareth.
Zeta Barracks, Nazareth's Office
Nazareth gently sighed for a moment, then continued in a (relatively) softer voice. "I apologize, sir. I was not aware that Captain Summers personally provided information. However, I also was not speaking of such extreme measures as confining them to brigs, but merely not to include them in our upcoming and, as I gather, extremely important operation. Though, even that was not strictly necessary, but only a precaution."
Nazareth was silent for a moment. "Have they told you anything about the ship who's wreckage we found them in? Did you ask?"
Zeta Barracks, Nazareth's Office
"I have heard nothing, I figured that if there was anything reasonably important that Captain Summers would let me know. He has a good head on his shoulders, he wouldn't overlook a detail like that."
Zeta Barracks, Nazareth's Office
Nazareth sighed again. "I don't doubt the good Captain..." Nazareth was still for a moment, then suddenly straightened up a little, like he had just remembered something important. He turned to Mother. "Mother, I seem to remember, quite distinctly, the conversation we had when I first came onto this vessel. After you told me that you could hear my thoughts, I asked you to refrain from doing so. You said this was impossible, simply by virtue of being inside...you...causes you to hear everything. Can you hear the thoughts of these two as well?" Nazareth asked.
Nova smiles at Loki, but turns and starts going slowly down the hall to the Command Center, feeling little melancholy...Loki and Ixiah follow her, as Loki asks, "What is wrong Kitten?"
"Oh, I'm just feeling down and out of loop. I am trying to be polite and all to to... everyone. But Mother ...it is hard to know How much you telepaths pick up or what I'm can do, so I'm not shouting at you and Mother. And I get the feeling Mother is annoy at Mara and at me. And I am the one who should be watching her." says Nova... as she continues walking
"And I have to dig up my first report for the Major, again. I am sure it for the new crew members, but I know he forgot that I told him all I know already before this trip started. Yes, Hundred things has happen since then but He could have trying to remember that I give to him a report, once before." sighs Nova.
"Oh I sorry Loki, I have not been myself.... And I have not yet met your friend properly 'Hi I'm Nova, and you must be your highness Prince Ixiah, glad to see you again'." Nova offer her hand to Ixiah.
At this point, they reach the Command Center.... The door opens to the sight of Mara, the kitten-girl, smirking
up at Saioko who's shocked to see anthro kitten Mara sitting on the control panel. Knight studying the planetary position of the pirates and talking to A lexis about possible troop movements on the main view. Nova see that Matron's resting place is not in the right spot on the display, it is off by a few kilometers. Why? "AH Please Alexis can I check my notes. I think I made a mistake. somewhere"
Command Center
Alexis shook her head, "sorry Knight, that system is temporarily unavailable at this time."
Ixiah shakes Nova's hand and gives her a warm smile, but does not actually say anything.
Shifting her attention to Nova, Alexis nodded, "certainly, your reports can be accessed from any station that is not assigned to a specific ship function."
Zeta Barracks, Nazareth's Office
Mother laughed nervously as Naz asked her about sensing the thoughts of Knight and Saioko, "yes... kind of. I can sense Knight's thoughts when he is not in proximity to Saioko. Saioko appears to be psychic to an extent and is able to obscure her thoughts to my senses. The glimpses I have caught when she is sleeping... I do not fully understand, which I find strange. It could be that she is a very rare and exceptionally talented individual beyond the level of genius, and her thought patterns are different due to that fact. As for knight, what I have got from him is worry about what others think of the relationship between him and Saioko, his duty thoughts as he concentrated on the upcoming mission, and a very determined need to protect Saioko. I have been able to tell that he is trained to pilot LAMs and specifically the elite stealth ones developed by R&D. The ship he was on was the Cold Fire of a class called Dark Rage, which your databases do not contain any mention of. Anything more will require an invasive mind probe."
Mother sent a directed mental message to Aaron, I also have one other bit of information, but I do not want to fuel the reptile's paranoia. Knight is very concerned with protecting what Saioko is from us. That can have several meanings, as I do not know the context of the thought. I have suspicions about what she might be based on observations and slips from her. I cannot say at this time, as I am not certain. I also get the impression that Knight saw what destroyed their ship, but I cannot tell without probing his mind.
Zeta Barracks, Nazareth's Office
Nazareth leaned back in his chair. "So Captain Natsume is the psychic you spoke of when we were picking up the escape pod. I'm not sure it's entirely a good thing that she can block you out, even more concerning that the same thing extends to Lieutenant Whitehaven, but at least it is only based on proximity. However, so long as neither of them attempt anything to impede our mission, then I suppose there is nothing to worry about."
Nazareth stood up, saluting Aaron as he did so. "Thank you for your time, sir, and I apologize if it has been an unnecessary delay."
Command Center
Knight smiled and shrugged, "it's alright, i think i've got enough information to write up an ops plan, and if need be, i'm sure i could make a pretty decent presentation now that i got the hang of that display."
Finding an empty console, the feline sat down, and wrote out his proposed plan in a much more formal tone. His basic idea was to approach the small outpost from 2 perpendicular sides to keeping the teams in close enough contact to flank opposition, and keep mutually supportive fire available. While moving, anti-armor weapons are to be trained on the comm building. If nothing went wrong, the comm building was to be secured first, and once secured, the team is to take control of the outpost as a whole. possibly sealing the pirates in what appeared to be the mess hall by using welding torches to fuse the doors... an additional sub-objective stated that sabotage of the aircraft is recommended, but not required.
Once the combat plan was written up, he added a note that the plan was preliminary, and he'd like to go over some details with both Romulous and Aaron if time permitted.
Zeta Barracks, Nazareth's Office
Aaron did not like how complicated this just got. Naz will be upset about being left out of the loop regarding Saioko developments, but now that he knows she is psychic(1) he does not have much of a choice, least she picked it up out of his head. Nazareth is going to feel hurt.
"Oh no, don't worry. It is important to address such concerns. We can probably stand to get underway now. Just be sure you pick a system ahead of time that we can run too if we need a quick escape."
Aaron left Naz's office and heads to the mess hall. He WAS gonna have his tea.
(1) Aaron did know before Mother mentioned it, but he didn't know that he knew.
"Ixiah, I have some music for you.... that I would love to hear you sing it, if you would." says Nova after Ixiah shakes her paw. "Right after, we pickup a little cat,"
Entering the Command Center, Lt Nova looks over at Mara, and then Saioko . She goes to the AI kitten, and touches the little catgirl on the shoulder. Capt Saioko see the special bond between the Nova and Mara, as the anthro cat leaves the control panel and changes back to a kitten. "Please, Capt Siaoko, forgive this kitling, she can be curious little pest. She feels that you are not what you seem, I am unsure what that means, but I sure that it doesn't mean you're spy from the Masters" she remarks Nova places the kitten on her shoulder, and ask "Capt Saioko, are you finished with this station? Or should I use the main view?" She goes to the main viewer since Knight was finish using it.
"Loki, Ixiah Is there anyway to tell if an Acadian are with the pirates? or One of the AI monitoring this system?" Asks Nova..... She calls up the crash site from her notes on the main viewer, and matches to the display. So, the report is wrong, too. Yet, Why is she sure that Matron has moved, or that is old records was wrong? The pirate had an air patrol route over the crash site, but they wouldn't able to see Matron. Was Mara or herself in contact already? or was her memory just unlocking new data the closer they get?
"Loki, when can we or when should we try to connect Matron?" ask Nova.
PBH
Command Center
With the sudden congregation in the command center, Knight grew a little nervous, and he also became concerned over how Saioko was going to react as he overheard the conversation between her and Lt Nova. He saved the ops plan to be read at Aaron's leisure. He then got up and walked around to Saioko. he had a devious smile on his face when he approached. Once he got close he said, "any chance your up for a bit of a study break ma'am? Maybe grab a drink and spend a little quality time together?"
It was meant to be innocent invitation to head off and go somewhere else, but as he said it, he realized how horribly misconstrued it could be. especially with Loki, and Ixiah present
Zeta Barracks, Nazareth's Office
"Acknowledged, sir." Nazareth replied at Aaron's point of picking a getaway system. He followed Aaron out of the office. As he passed through the main barracks, where the zetas stood at attention again, Nazareth said "Previous order stands. Remain on standby in case we need a quick deployment. As we will begin to infiltrate the system shortly, you should probably move to the launch area and wait there for further orders."
The Zetas chorused a "Yessir!" before filing out of the room and heading down the hallway. Nazareth went the opposite direction, heading for the Command Center.
Command Center
Though Mother remained in Nazareth's office as Aaron and Naz had both left, Naz caught sight of her entering the command center far ahead of him.
The reptilian pilot received a mental report on available systems for a quick jump in case escape was needed. Three star systems, one possessing a red giant star, one with a medium white star, and the third with a medium orange star. Each had an average mix of planets.
Saioko shook her head, "I am a spy for no one..." The feline quickly became aware of Knight's approach and turned to face him just as he spoke, "that would be a good idea lieutenant Whitehaven. If you will excuse me lieutenant Hunnydew." She silently cringed at his choice of words and with Knight in tow, quickly exited and made her way towards the galley.
Ixiah stifled a laugh at Knight, but Loki was busy responding to Nova, "I do not sense the presence of any other Acadians, and an AI would not be monitoring a system alone. We were supposed to be monitoring all of you. These scattered worlds beyond your borders are not our concern, especially since they are so close to the Technocratic League. The Technomages are one of the Shofanxi's meddlings."
"The sensors on Mother are far more precise then the instrumentation your grandmother used. It is likely Matron skewed her perceptions so that if she was ever forced to divulge her knowledge, it would be hard for them to locate Matron. We can see Matron because of our technology. The her psychic output seems to be dedicated to concealment, so even if the pirates fly over, they will miss her and the cloaking fools the pirate sensors." Ixiah added.
Once Knight and Saioko had left the Command Center, Nova puts up Matron site on the main view. A patrol ship flight did fly over Matron's old site from her report. So, Nova redraws Matron's new location, it was some 20 km north of the Matron's "old" site.
Yet, Mother's sensors placed Matron on this new site, which Nova "knew" somehow. But Nova could have sworn that her report was correct. "In case, my report, or my Nana's data got into the wrong hands, they would have the wrong site. This feels right now, but even with our newer sensor, ISF won't have found Matron. " Nova let the matter drop, but Who are these techomages? Ixiah is also here, I would like his insight into the song.
"Ixiah Can you tell me how the Master/acadian's song effect on the galactic magnetic field?" ask Nova. "If it is not too hard to know? Mother said something about how the Masters were using the song to monitor and control the universe with it. If we could just correct the harmony, it could distupt the whole network."
PBH
Knight was feeling surprisingly good at the moment. He'd managed to avoid a crisis with Saioko, he had his ops plan awaiting approval for his part of the ground mission, and now he had a little spare time.
While heading for the galley he started reworking his mental map of the ship. It seemed less complex the more he explored, and if he had some extra time, he'd probably walk around a little more. Though that could wait till after making a little stop in the galley. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he had stopped thinking of Saioko as his old ships computer core, and more of a fellow member of the crew... furthermore, computer or no, she was rather attractive.
The thought brought a wry smile to his face as he turned and said, "so anyways, how are you holding up so far?"
Galley
Aaron sipped his tea. He spent a good amount of time time appreciating the tea too. It took him a while to teach the thing that prepped food how to make good tea.
The whole issue of food on this ship was interesting. After it got used to preparing the ISF standard issue meals they started making 'improvements' based on Cynthia's analysis of the crew's bodies. Mother had some especially choice words regarding the fact that Aaron seemed to subsist on frozen pizza and instant miso soup for the last year he was on Vulpeculae. Sometimes Aaron got the impression that Mother regarded him as one of her charge.
Regardless, he was going to enjoy his 'alone' time, with no planning, no crew throwing fits, no conspirators, just Aaron and maybe Mother/Ixiah/Loki dropping by his mind.
Command Center
Nazareth did indeed notice that, even though Mother left his office after he did, she was already in the Command Center by the time he got there, though he wasn't surprised as he already knew that the anthro "Mother" was just a projection, when she was really the ship. He actually wondered why she didn't shift her projection around like this more often.
Knight and Saioko left the Command Center as Nazareth entered, as well, but he didn't care as much about that. He got Mother's mental report on three possible systems available for a quick getaway. Nazareth instructed Mother to have a jump charged and ready to go to any of them if things went wrong. He made straight for the pilot's chair, and got himself settled in. He took hold of the controls, hooked up to Mother's mental link, and brought up the course he had created earlier during the debreifing. He made some more precise adjustments, taking into account the ranges of the scattered sensor posts. Once he had gotten it down satisfactorily, he fired up Mother's engines, and set out on the first stage of the flightplan; swinging around the system until the third planet was in between them and the fourth.
Special Forces area
Romulus walked out of the door fully dressed for battle, carrying his rifle. He headed to the area where the drop pods where and to check up on Mother's "backup".
(See he's still around)
Command Center
Ixiah seemed confused for a second, but a realization dawned on the young fox, "oh, what was meant by that is not the harmony controlling the universe, no I think you got different conversations mixed up. Less evolved intellects can have trouble with these type of concepts." He paused and utilized Mother's holosystem to display their galaxy, "you confused a couple of different things. One, the Acadians use a galactic wide, psychic communications grid. Think of one large computer network, but instead of client PCs and servers... you have Ship AIs and Acadian individuals as nodes. Each Ship is a domain and every psychic on-board is a node. Someone like you is also represented, but you are more akin to something like a terminal, only able to receive and have data on you read, but cannot transmit. Each ship is connected to a galactic wide area network and where there are no Acadian population centers, we have signal relay stations to expand our coverage areas."
The blue fox took a breath before continuing, "the Masters use this network to monitor us, and to transmit their song of control right into our very minds. It is a subtle, invasive song that has a gradual effect on the user. If Aaron or you, Nova, were to receive this song... you would be instant slaves of the Master's will, because you have no way to defend against it. The song re-aligns mental pathways in such a way to make you think the way they wish you to. Now as for the Sphere of Harmonies and how Ixlin harmonic technologies work... uh, you are far too... um... mentally primitive to grasp the concepts."
Loki smiled wryly, "yeah, we don't even really understand it. The technology is a bit beyond our sciences, touches on areas that are still theoretical for us. The Ixlin have gained control of that which runs their universe, the machinery of reality, if you will... and those that know will not talk to us. The Darkshasa, Zhar, Shofanxi, K'RysTansi, IoYu'IouOiyou'iuIy, and others know more about this, but they ignored our overtures. The antediluvian races of this galaxy are also the only ones that can fight the Ixlin on equal terms."
Alexis uses the ship's comms to send a message to everyone, "All personnel, we have begun maneuvering to reach our first objective point. twenty-five minutes until the third planet obscures the fourth."
Galley
"I am holding up just fine, it is not too hard to be this... as I had thought." Saioko and Knight enter the galley, which is largely empty except for Aaron who is having tea. "How well would you say I perform as a female?"
Saioko notices Aaron and turns a bit red, nearly tripping over a chair, "that sounds very bad out of context..."
Drop Pod area
The drop pods are all prepped and ready to go. It is hard to tell with the robot combat units, as all are currently in rest position within their racks, and Romulus cannot read the Acadian language displayed on the screens.
Galley
Knight reacted quickly, he bolted over, and affectionately wrapped an arm around Saioko's waist as he saw her begin to loose her balance. He gave her a soft hug, then released her, saying with a slight smirk "you should try and be more careful, who's going to keep you safe while i'm off running security at the site, or leading the op against the outpost?"
looking over at Aaron, Knight said "sorry for the intrusion, i was just hoping to grab a little something before we start the op. Any chance you've read over my ops plan for that pirate outpost?"
Knight shook his head slightly as his thoughts shifted. He changed his smirk into a genuine smile and turned back to Saioko, "as to answer your earlier question in an as ambiguous way as possible, your doing just fine." so saying he keyed in a cup of tea and went to go join Aaron.
Galley
Aaron couldn't help but think that Knight was trying too hard.
"In spite of my best efforts, I cannot think of a situation where your quote would not sound bad even in context."
Sip.
"Anyways, I've skimmed your plan, but I will have nothing to do with the decision on it. I have no intention of micromanaging Romulus, and he is the one you have to sell your plan to."
Galley
Knight gave Aaron a rather confused look while sipping his tea, "uh, sir? this is the military, not some type of democracy, according to the command structure your the one who has to green light operations, neither Romulus, nor myself has that type of authority... Furthermore if Romulus has accurately described his style of command, he's too much of a cowboy for a proper special forces officer. i understand operations have to be changed once contact is established, but going into a combat situation without an exit plan is paramount to suicide, and going in with as little planning as he has described is going to do nothing but get someone killed, possibly even getting the entire team fragged, sir."
he paused, then asked "before i go, any chance you could send a message asking the special forces team to assemble in the command center for a briefing, i still haven't gotten the hang of everything yet, and i'd rather not distract someone besides the ones who i need with timing as critical as it is. "
Galley
"Like you said, this is not some democracy, I'm not going to give the go ahead for a ground plan that doesn't meet Romulus' approval. I'm sure he was just exaggerating in his command style description. Like you said, no one behaves like that and lives for long in his job, and since he isn't dead yet... that means something. Now, you will talk with Sgt. Darkcloud about this plan and if he likes what he sees he will assemble a briefing in the special forces area. I also suggest taking a non-confrontational approach when talking with him."
Galley
Knight nodded, gave a curt "yessir". He finished his tea in a long gulp, and left in search of the sargent. While leaving the galley, he passed by Saioko and said, "i'll catch you in a little bit" and gave her a small wave.
The feline quickly found Romulus in the drop pod bay. Giving him a nod, the feline asked "sargent, any chance you've got a few minutes to discuss tactics before drop? I've got an ops plan written up, but i'd like your input... We should get something distributed to the team before drop to minimize confusion, and so we can hit the ground and get moving in minimum time." Accessing a nearby console, he brought up the plan, with some 2d maps taken from the main display to help emphasize locations and objectives.
Drop Pod area
Romulus looks over the plans and nods abit.
"Any back up plans?"
Drop Pod Area
Knight smiled, apparently Rom was a better officer than he'd initially indicated. Going through the maps, the feline went over to the maps and said, "well, from the looks of things on the main display, there are only a handful of entry points into the compound itself that give enough cover to maintain absolute stealth. They're here, here and here" pointing out the highlighted locations on the overhead view. "really, the only flexibility we're going to have at first is going to be timing, but i'd prefer we run the op during the 6 or so hours we'll have that we can have air support. Once we have the comm tower, air support can be called in, as they have lost their long range communications, and as such, can't relay information to that main base."
Knight paused, looking at the longer range area map he'd posted with the writeup. Then pointed to a pair of rocky outcroppings that had a clear line of sight into the compound "we can deploy snipers here or here, and have them equipped with some anti-armor weapons to keep us covered, and should we be detected. take out the comm tower before the pirates can call for backup." a big grin grew on Knight's face as he moved into the actual egress plan "now, once the area has been swept, and the pirates are either dead or prisoner, i beleive sealing them in their own mess hall is the safest solution. Fusing the doors with a laser weapon would be good enough, and once there, we can either sabotage the pirate gear, or... if your feeling rather adventurous, we could 'borrow' some pirate helicopters to speed up transport to the Matron sight."
again pausing to collect his thoughts, "the way is see it, i'd prefer spec ops handle the initial assault on that compound, but once done, we can call for air support, and backup. Let the combat bots handle security with the prisoners. Once we're done at both sights, have the bots return by pod." looking away from the maps, and back at Romulus, "so, anyways, what do you think? and do you see anything i've overlooked, or that you'd like changed"
Drop Pod Area
Romulus shook his head.
"Not really just remeber we only have two snipers, the robots are our backup. Also don't under estimate the pirates. The can be deceptave, their coms may not be where we think they are. I learned that when we stopped Loki from playing pirate king. Intel said it was one place but when we got there it was so where else"
Romulus walked to the map.
"It would be better to have our snipers in both outcroppings for better coverage. Just remember they might have snipers there as well. Drop us off alitte ways from there and we'll try to sneak up on any snipers they have deployed"
Drop Pod Area
Knight nodded in agreement, adding the notes Rom had made to the appropriate pages. "well, with the strategy set, i've got but one question, you want me as a rifleman with the assault team, or would you prefer i stay as part of the security detachment for the matron sight?"
he thought to himself 'i'm fine either way, but i always hate the notions of putting others in danger, and seeming to be unwilling to take the same risks myself... '
Drop Pod Area
Romulus looked at Knight.
"Well you may have to lead the men. I'm one of the two snipers the ground foreces have"
Pod Bay Area
A very broad grin grew across Knight's face at the news, "well then, looks like i get to prove once and for all that i'm not in fact a Romeo Echo Mike Foxtrot (OOC: military alphabet for REMF, or Rear Echelon Mother F***er)... unless you need anything else, i'll be getting suited up" checking the time, "looks like our drop window with air cover opens almost immediately after we get over our objective. that give me about 20 minutes to prep... if i don't catch you sooner, see you on the drop line in 25, sargent..." with an informal wave the feline left and headed for the special forces area.
Drop Pod Area
Romulus watched Knight leave.
"See you there"
Command Center
Nova's mind took in all that Ixiah said, but she couldn't put it together .... Pictures of alien races, and the cosmos, and energy fields....But One thing stuck, [ IoYu'IouOiyou'iuIy] ...."Two huge brains with twenty tentacle limbs playing on a game of go", image flashed before her eyes. She look at the board and place a white place on it. It was small move, that captured only one black. "Thanks" she heard. And Nova blinked and everything clicked, the Master's song was a virus, computer virus in the OS program of Acadians' network, and/or she carried a computer anti-virus, which could break up the Master's OS program. Nova felt the harmony from Gaea raise in her mind, and her mind expanded, she knew more and understood more. As the song sing in her heart and mind, and she felt Mara, Loki and even Ixiah at that moment. She stopped herself from expanding beyond the ship's bridge, and turned inward to herself. It was hard not to take it all in, but she remember Mother, sweet Loki and then IoYu'IouOiyou'iuIy. The funniest name she ever heard. The catgirl laughter broke the spell. the song ended as quick as it started.
"Whata Ioyou Iou Oeeyou'leeooeeyea callit?" a giggling catgirl. "They exist? I guess Are they still playing goOgadola? Their game of go which has unlimited squares that they say they must play to keep the universe unraveling. ha ha" Her laughs died quicky at Loki and Ixiah's shocked looks.
Nova felt grateful to Ixiah for his explanations, and her mind was stronger and more orderly, but she was still not telepathy. "AH Thanks Ixiah You have helped me alot.. Shouldn't Mother be coming here, if we are nearing planetary orbit.?"
PBH
Galley
Before Knight had left, Saioko had ordered some tea and occupied the seat next to him. She half-listened to the conversation, and quickly found herself alone with the major.
Nervously she gave a small laugh, "so... read any good book lately?"
Drop Pod Area
Eventually, as Romulus checked things over, Ben wandered in, "what's the plan?
Before Romulus could answer, Alexis entered and addressed the both of them, "Rom, no matter how long you stare at those displays, they aren't going to change to english. The robots are in top shape and ready to deploy. Their AI is very sophisticated by your standards. So don't worry so much."
Command Center
Ixiah shrugged to Nova's comments regarding the IoYu'IouOiyou'iuIy, "they are the closest things we have to a first race and they are disturbingly closely related to the void creatures. We theorize that they are remnant life from previous cycles of expansions and entropic collapses."
As Nova asks about Mother, the vixen herself answers, "yes dear, I am already here, but I thought you already understood that I am always here."
Special Forces Area
With timing of the essence, knight displayed the operation's plan on a terminal, then went to the equipment locker he was assigned and began donning the armor waiting for him. While strapping everything down and tightening clamps and latches he began a quick systems check on the various features of the armor. The entire process took a little over 5 minutes, and it didn't help that several other special forces soldiers were also getting suited up. As he donned the helmet and checked the air filter he noticed his pistol had been placed just below the other gear.
checking the charge, it still held at 100%, and as such the feline headed off to his personal quarters to retrieve the empty holster he'd left there. Pistol in hand, though safety on, the feline had completely forgotten to disable his camouflage in the excitement of finding his personal weapon.
Gally
Aaron sipped the last of his tea, "Unfortunately not. I've not had time for recreational reading in far too long. First the time sink that was the lab on Vulpeculae then this assignment which has seen my time taken up by psychic training."
Aaron got some more tea almost as soon as he finished off his first cup. Saioko felt a bit uneasy when Aaron brought up being psychic. It was as if he...
"So tell me, when did you learn you were psychic?" Aaron quickly asked.
At this point Saioko become familiar with a curious bit of biology, the one where drink comes out your mouth when surprised.
"Why... Aaron... what ever makes you think..."
"Because, you are screening your thoughts on a ship full of psychics, such things are hard to hide. I imagine that the ISIS swore you to secrecy or some such, but I'm truly curious about you."
Drop Pod Area
Romulus looked to Ben and then Alexis.
"Not worried about you men ma'am. Just worried that I just sentenced my dead to death by putting that Knight in charge of the ground assault. I'll be sniping so I won't be able to fully keep an eye on them"
Romulus then told Ben Knight's plan for the assault.
"I don't fully like the idea of leaveing him in charge but the sniper idea is sound. Keep an eye on him the best you can. If he starts to crack or it seems he's leading the men to death, take over if you can. He may be the leading officer but I'm not sure of his ability to lead"
Galley
Saioko sputtered about, this drinking thing seemed far more difficult than it should be. Luckily for her, the tea did not end up on her clothes.
"I... er... that is to say... um..." Saioko searched for an answer to his question that fit the parameters, "I guess you could say I was always this way, from when I was first aware to current time."
Her memories produced statistical data on the frequency of psychics among the general population of the ISF, "it would seem that among the ISF, psychics account for 0.25% of the annuals births among mammalians, 0.05% among avains, and 0.001% among reptilians. A full 0.30% is the rate among humans... interestingly, data is considered classified for the foxes of the Vulpeculae System." She paused for a moment, "the technology ISIS has been working with has a high tendency for psychic potential and reacts more favorably when operated by psychics."
She looked directly at Aaron, narrowing her eyes, "you are Acadian, molecularly nearly 100%"
Drop Pod Area
Ben nodded, "I'll do my best. but if he's a real genius at fucking up, it's going to be a real challenge to run damage control."
Alexis raised an eyebrow, "he needs to be given a chance, but if you go fishing for screw ups, then you might force him into a mistake. If you don't do your due diligence to help him, he will fail."
The vixen crossed her arms, "there are so many variables in an operation, but if you are setting yourselves up to blame him for everything that goes wrong... you had better quit right now. I don't expect you to baby sit him, but you better not strand him alone like some castaway on a desert isle."
Drop Pod Area
Romulus shook his head.
"It's not that. Those are my men, I've worked with some of them for a long time. I'm worried about them ok, if anything happens to them I've let them down'
Galley
She looked directly at Aaron, narrowing her eyes, "you are Acadian, molecularly nearly 100%"
Aaron gave Saioko a quizzical glance, "Interesting. May I ask how you can tell that?"
Saioko looked a bit nervous. "Er..."
Aaron shrugged, "As you have gathered, yes, I have a large chunk of Acadian in me. Being near 100% molecularly is news to me, but not nearly as surprising as the fact that, to learn of my heritage in the first place, took Mother's equipment. I couldn't tell you how many times my blood went through the lab equipment on Vulpeculae and they never found a trace. And you can tell with a glance it seems. At the molecular level at that. Tell me, how did you do that?"
Drop Pod Area
Alexis nodded, for this she had only one thing to say, "they all raised their hand, volunteered for their service and fully understand the dangers that they are placed in. Trust in them."
Galley
Saioko swallowed, nervously trying to explain an admission that should be beyond the capabilities of a normal flesh and blood feline, "I..."
At that moment a thought cell activated, feeding her data on her own scanning capabilities and in it she found a type of answer, "I possesses the psychic talents of aural perception... and molecularkinesis, an extremely rare ability. I can see your molecular structure, but I can only understand its relation by comparing your psychic aura and structure to that of the other Acadians. There are various subtle differences and a very large one, all of which I do not understand. That and I am a verified genius and can crunch mathematical formulas like a supercomputer."
She did not lie, she just choose not to reveal the fact that she was an alien organic computer that can analyze the data taken in by the psychic sensors and produce accurate analytical data. For once she praised her bad habit of using general figures instead of precise numbers to the decimal point.
Knight/ Saioko Quarters
Retrieving the holster from his locker was no issue, but the feline had noticed his camo was still active as he went to adjust the straps around the additional bulk of the armor. Deactivating the camo, he attached the sidearm to his hip then proceeded to the galley to see if he couldn't find Aaron and get the final approval for drop and grab a quick high-protein snack that would keep his overall energy levels high during the operation.
Galley
The tea addicted Aaron seemed satisfied, for the time being. She was still hiding something, she wouldn't still be screening her mind if she wasn't, but the point wasn't to make Saioko squirm. Though it was kind of fun watching her do so.
"I see. You are quite the special one it seems. I would suggest that, at some time, you let your guard down a bit. I found that inviting the other Acadians into my mind has taught me many things. Perhaps, we can teach you a little something?"
Aaron was genuinely interested. The last certified genius he spoke to was Washu, and that was one mind he certainly wanted to poke in, but this one... she seemed a bit different. Even from the usual sort of genius. He looked at her with a warm smile and a gently swishing tail.
(GRR stupid email updates)
Command Ctr
"Mother, Ah sorry I forget you are everywhere on this ship, even when you are not here. Can I take this console, here for the scans and science station?" Nova point to a smaller console to right of the main pilot console. The feline puts the whole universe scan of visible light on the main view from her console.
Nova turns to Ixiah, "Aren't the IoYu'IouOiyou'iuIy always fighting entropy and the void creatures, They play their games of go. The void plays to win, but they play not to lose. So far, IoYu'IouOiyou'iuIy have always found a hidden corner in the space-time to shoot a piece of the universe into the void and to restart the game again. Well, That is my understand of them."
PBH
Galley
Flexing a gloved hand, the feline strolled into the galley in full combat armor. The suit felt slightly confining, not to the point of being cumbersome, but enough that he felt the urge to work around in it until truly comfortable. He mentally shrugged off the observation that neither Saioko or Aaron had seemed to move in the minutes he was away... although he'd only had a breif conversation with Rom, he'd expected there to be a little more activity on a ship preparing to enter a combat zone. He ordered a high-protein bar from the machine, the thing looked like a small, frosted brick... it didn't have much of a taste nor smell, but at the same time, it was also something that wouldn't come back up later, under extreme stress.
After grabbing a cup of water as well, Knight sat down and relaxed. Sitting in a slightly slouched position, he began a light meditation, clearing his mind of everything. he slowed his breathing for a few seconds and let the calm feeling wash over him as if it were a cool breeze on a hot summer day.
Once ready he turned to Aaron and said, "after a couple of minor touch ups to the preliminary, it would seem both Sargent Romulus and myself have created an agreeable operation's plan between the two of us... about 15 minutes after we reach orbit around the planet, we'll be in a position to launch pods and begin the operation. At the same time, a 6 hour window for launching the fighters, and having them remain hidden starts right around then as well. We can have limited cover for a good part of the operation once that comm tower goes down. The only thing we need now is your green light on the operation, and your order to drop the pods."
Galley
"Fighters? Odd, I was under the impression that we couldn't put fighters in the air with out them being picked up instantly. That would leave Mother as the air support."
Galley
Knight gave Aaron a quizzical look, "uh, unless i missed something, it would appear that the sensors that could detect the fighters are based at the outpost we're looking at taking down. The ship based weapons are a total no-no, even if the pirates had the dullest sensors available, an energy discharge like the ones this ship would produce would be detected... So, unless you really want to blow something to hell as we're leaving, Mother's weapons shouldn't be used, unless it's defensively. Now, i'll go double check with Mother before drop, but from my interpretation of the data, it looks like we can use fighters, as long as they're obscured by the planet from that fleet."
The feline tried hard to keep his attention strictly on Aaron, but kept finding himself distracted either by the armor, or his own wandering thoughts. Looking back at his CO, Knight said, "well, i'm doing a briefing for the team in the drop pod area shortly, until then i'm going to go for a walk if you don't mind..." turning towards Saioko he asked "Care to join me?"
Command Center
Ixiah shrugs, spreading his hands wide in front of him, "your guess is as good as mine, but we really have no way of understanding what the IoYu'IouOiyou'iuIy really do or think. They are beyond this universe, so what the Acadian's have seen of them is just what we expect, not what they are and they are happy to play to our preconceptions. They do not have a control of the universe as you have asked, nor do those of the void have such a grasp on the 'non-universe'. They are just what they are and yet not at all what we think they are."
Mother regarded the station Nova asked about and nodded in acquiescence to her request, "yes child, it will serve as your interface as you desire."
Galley
Saioko gave Aaron a very frightened look, almost as if he had drawn a knife and plunged it into her own chest, "let Acadian's into my mind? I... I... have so much secret ISF information and... like secret stuff... there is no way an alien, no matter how friendly, should be privy to the security of our military!"
A yellow vixen with speckles upon her muzzle sat down next to Aaron, seemingly out of no where, "aye, in some ways you are both right. Our analysis of the the base's sensors... the one on the other side of the planet from the outpost... shows that its systems are only effective planet-wide at above 762 meters. Their sensing capabilities for sea-level to 762 meters is blocked by certain geologic features, hence one of the functions of that outpost is to expand coverage. That means fighter can be deployed as close air support from ground or below this ceiling as soon as the outpost is taken out."
Rebecka gave the other three an innocent expression, "Alexis and Mother are otherwise busy and Cynthia is a medical type, so they sent an engineer to convey the information."
Slightly distressed by the sudden appearance of the golden vixen, Saioko wondered why she did not sense her presence, she stifled the quizzical look, but Rebecka had already caught it and smiled wickedly.
The lass cannot sense us if we travel by the grid. Rebecka sent to Mother and the other Acadians, Aaron might also pick up on it.
Saioko nodded, slightly relieved at Knight's presence, "yes that would be good." Turning to Aaron as she rose, she nodded pleasantly, "by your leave major." She exited with Knight at her side.
When they were out of earshot, she spoke in a low voice, "The major wants me to open up to the Acadians, let my guard down and be more open. I can't be sure I'd be able to maintain this facade under those circumstances."
Galley
Aaron looked a bit hurt. He had no idea she would react so negatively.
"It was only a suggestion, I'm sorry if it caused you such distress."
He nods as Saioko says 'by your leave'.
At least there seems to be a fully worked plan now. Drop off the special forces, land, launch fighters with a strict 762 meter ceiling after the communications bit is taken out to end the conflict quickly.
Aaron sent a message to Mother, I'm guessing you picked up on my exchange with Saioko. What do you think? Genius with pisonic talent? I'm really having a hard time envisioning her as anything sinister.
Outside Galley
Knight smiled and did his best to try and calm Saioko down. Wrapping an armor clad arm around her shoulder he said, "look, your in the R&D department, and you've got a right to maintain secrecy... furthermore, it would be an act of treason, unless official clearance is given from the highest levels of the chain of command... it's just an excuse, but it should buy you some time, and that's all you really need... chances are, once we meet up with the fleet, you'll be spirited away to some R&D lab, and i'll be assigned to another LAM squadron... for now though, just try and relax, and focus on other things..."
he brought his hand around and ruffled her hair affectionately "hopefully his focus shifts to the mission that's going to start shortly, and his attention stays there while we're on the ground... after that, who knows what the plan is from there..."
he paused as a much more serious look crept into his face, "speaking of which, i want you to be extremely careful while i'm away, no unnecessary risks, stay near the security force... and just keep safe."
The Command Center
Sitting down at her station, Nova pulls up the scans and charts all local traffic and orbits. "Ixiah, Have alittle faith, the IoYu'IouOiyou'iuIy have some feelings towards us lesser races. We aren't just game pieces to them. they just see a bigger picture than just our universe" says the cat girl.
"Captain Loki, Mother.... We are entering the inner system space and in planetary shadows and out of scanner range. I'm monitoring ships movements and local coms. Any farther order?" ask Nova. The kitten Mara bats at the moving dots on the Nova's screen.
PBH
Galley
In his mind, Mother spoke to Aaron, yes young one, it is rather obvious that whatever she may be, it is not malicious or adversarial. I can't help but think that she is not unlike myself in some fashion... perhaps a very advanced organic computer?
As an interesting distraction, a casually dressed vixen drifted in and took a seat next to Aaron, "good 'eve ta you, er day... mornin? I canna keep track a' time in 'ere without the sun inna sky." It was not frequently that Marissa left the room, but today seemed to be an exception, "workin in space all this time anna ya think I'd be 'sed to it?"
Hallways
Saioko sighed and nodded, "you are right, but I'm not sure I want to go back... freedom is a strange thing once you get used to it. I'm not sure I could take being plugged back into a ship or a research cluster."
Command Center
Ixiah shrugged, "they may care... but why do you care so much about them, you've never met them. We have."
Mother smiled at Nova, "at ease little cat, we haven't gone anywhere yet. We are just arriving at our first destination point... now."
The ship arrived at its destination point after a quick 25 minutes of travel covering 6,000,000,000 km. A fast ship to say the least. With little ceremony or discussion, Mother began closing the distance to the third planet.
Mother pointed to her daughter, the vixen Alexis, who nodded, "condition yellow, all personnel secure to general quarters. Major to the bridge please."
Hallways
Knight nodded in understanding, although hard to visualize, he imaged that her newfound freedom was something that Saioko valued greatly... He walked over and did his best to offer some support, placing a hand on her shoulder, he gave her a gentle smile, which turned into a bit of a smirk as an amusing thought crossed his mind. "Your newfound love of freedom wouldn't happen to be attached to a certain spotted feline you happen to share a room with now would it?" His eyes sparkled, and he hoped she knew he was teasing.
After a second, he continued, keeping his tone cheerful, but less playful, "I'm sure you'll have the ability to pull some strings to get what you want, someone with your value to ISIS isn't something that they'd play around with. Especially if something they did would upset you. Remember, they need you, not the other way around, and because of that, your in a position to make some requests."
The spotted feline was still thinking about how best to help Saioko when the announcement sounded that they we're approaching the planet. Giving her a soft squeeze, he smiled, and said, "looks like I gotta run, if i don't get a chance to see you before i drop, i'll catch you at matron. You be careful, i still see keeping you safe as a top priority."
With that taken care of, Knight bolted towards the drop pod area at what would be considered a very fast jog.
Galley
Aaron replied to mother, An organic computer? From the ISF? Interesting theory, we'll see how it works out.
Marissa drops in and talks with Aaron, "Ah, good to see you Marissa. I usually just say 'good morning' all the time. Much simpler then trying to keep track of the time. Even on planets with a day ball. And it looks like you have been talking with Rebecca too."
Aaron smile and sipped his tea before continuing, "Still, it is good to see you up and about. Quite the recovery you made. We should be at the planet soon..."
It was this point that Alexis's broadcast made itself known, "condition yellow, all personnel secure to general quarters. Major to the bridge please."
"It seems as though I am summoned to the bridge. If you feel well you may join me."
Aaron gets up and makes the brief walk to the bridge. The bridge looked suspiciously similar to when he last left it, save for the extra Ixiah and Loki.
Command Center
Nova shakes her head, "Ixiah I am not sure why? It is just my faith... a guess... Someone has to be look out for us, or the universe would have imploded long ago." says the catcat as she turns back to her console...
"Mother, The pirate fleet is gathering into a formation, but their heading out of system. Liking a raiding squadron, they heading away from us. That leaves fourth planet has with only two cruisers in space, a small station and the spaceport on planet on scanners." Nova reports as Aaron enters.
PBH
Drop pod area
Romulus looked up when the announcement was made. He looked over at Mother's mechical soldiers.
"Looks like the party is about to kick off"
Hallways
Saioko blushed at Knight's tease, and shook her head in a slightly childish manner trying to hide her reaction, "nuh uh, you're a silly fuzz head." She stuck her tongue out at him. Of course, she was teasing as well.
She became serious as he spoke of her value, "if that were so, I'd have nothing to fear, but I am property... not viewed as a lifeform. Only Dr. Washu... and you have ever treated me as something other than a computer after knowing what I was."
As Knight gave her his little good bye, Saioko briefly attempted to make it more then a brief squeeze, but the moment passed and she turned slightly away. In an earnest and concerned voice she called after him as he dashed off, "be careful!" and in a small voice she added, "please..."
Turning to face the other direction, Captain Natsume headed for the bridge.
Command Center
Marissa did indeed accompany Aaron to the bridge, despite being rather energetic, she still limped a bit and her left hand drifted subconsciously to the area of her injury and held it there. Still she kept up without any complaints and only a minor amount of pain could be sensed from her, an annoying dull ache.
"Are ya gonna need my expertise in yer investigation?" She asked.
Mother nods to Nova, "that is good. Naz, could you please take us in and establish a geosynchronous orbit over Matron's crash site. We can launch the team towards the pirate outpost from there and Matron's presence will make ours more difficult to detect when we drop the pods."
Drop Pod Area
All the teams assemble in their designated areas.
The mechanical soldiers do not respond, except for the one he had spoken to before. It merely nods.
Drop Pod Area
Romulus looked at the soldiers.
"Alright gents we're about to make land fall. Remember why we're here. Keep your heads about you and your wits sharp. I want to see everyone back onboard after this misson"
Romulus looks over at the mechanical soldiers.
"That goes for you guys too. I don't need Alexis comeing after me cause none of her boys came back. That and I hate losing soldiers on missions"
Drop Pod Area
(OOC slight language warning)
After Rom went through his pep speech, knight used a console to bring up the ops-plan 1 last time. He gave a breifing, pointed out obvious points, and then went and devided up the squad into alpha and delta teams. Once the pre-mission organization work was finished, the feline felt he should give his own little speech. It was short and to the point. "We're only a few minutes away from drop, so i know most of you are feeling a little nervous. Just remember your training, watch out for the men next to you and wee'll all make it home. We're not the marines, we're not sailors, we are the ISF, tip of the fucking spear.
I'm not going to micro manage you, we're all professionals here and I expect you to know how to do your job. We hit fast, hit hard, and leave policing the area up to mothers bots. If there are no more questions, lets lock and load, then lets get this party started"
Knight waited for questions then retrieved a pulse laser rifle from a weapons locker and headed for his pod.
Monitoring the Pirate Fleet movements, Nova asks " The out going pirate fleet will not detect Mother, but shouldn't we hold the fighters and the troop pod until they jump? The pirates will be at their jump point in 10 minutes, but their commander is cursing a blue streak at two idiot captains for being slow and out of formation. They may be another 20 minutes or 2 hours, before they can get it together and jump out."
"At the two hour mark, the geosynchronous orbit order over Matron will be behind the planet's shadow from the fourth planet's station and the jump point. Or we could just enter the atmosphere and drop the pod. At this range the fleet's scans will find it hard to detect anything in atmosphere over Matron."Says Nova She looks to Mara the kitten, who had be watches the ship flight path. The kitten purrs and rubs the catgirl's paw as they get closer. Mara turns to look over everyone in the command center.
Mara sends "Matron awaits. mwaha" creepily to the room.... "Knock it off, Mara" whispers Nova.
Command Center
Aaron nods to Marissa, "That is my plan at least. The current order of events is that we go to the planet, the step we are on now, then a listening outpost that has a very real chance of picking is up will be suppressed. Then after that we head to Matron to investigate. We're hoping to find two aliens, Xaos and Ghea. I'm not quite sure what Romulus and Knight will do after they hit the outpost, I have to know how the outpost suppression goes. That is the one part of the plan I'm not thrilled with. I'm hoping to put you with Loki, Nova, and Saioko investigating the ship itself then Ixiah and I with Richard checking for the alphas. Maybe then I'll get a few more answers about what I am."
Command Center.
"Affirmative." Nazareth replied at Mother's request. Nazareth brought up the location the the crash site and homed in on it, bring the ship around until they were directly over the site.
Nazareth opened up the inter-ship communication, speaking to his squad. "Zetas, prepare fighters for imminent combat run. Any of us may need you out there in a second's notice."
Drop Pod Area
While the others where loading into their drop pods Romulus leaned close to Knight.
"Umm that was a nice speech and all but Special Forces is more the knife in the back they didn't see coming than the tip of the spear. That's more Army Infantry and yes the Marines. We usually have to clean up their messes. Just remember though anyone can start a fight, we finish them"
Drop Pod Area
Knight nodded and smirked, "well, i can't help it that your analogy isn't nearly as romantic as my own... besides, we do this right, and it won't be a fight. The word 'fight' generally implies both sides are aware of hostilities... by the time they realize something hostile is nearby, we'll be in amongst them and in control of communications... once we've got control of that building, we call in the fly boys, and anyone stupid enough not to surrender gets cooked."
The feline sat on a bench for a few minutes, getting himself into a zen-like state as he cleared his mind and willed the building stress away, allowing him to focus on making all the last minute preparations.
Orbit over Matron
The ship arrived in orbit after a few hours of careful travel, in that time all responsible parties secured their stations and stood at the ready. The sensor coverages from scanning stations and the planet they were approaching were reasonably overlapped, but the sophistication of Mother prevented them from detecting her on approach. They achieved orbit and moments later the geosynchronous position they needed.
"We are in position Major Brown and are beginning sequence to drop. We will not be securing to battle stations at this time, unless you rather we do so?"
Alexis acknowledged some unseen signal and announced over the 1MC, "we are now in position, secure all pods and CUs prepare for atmospheric insertion. Dropping in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... drop!"
Panels normally flush with the underside of the ship slide away to reveal channels for drop pods and the CUs. In succession, each pod and a CU are fired from their ports to descend to the planet's surface at the selected LZ.
Ben's team hits the ground first. Each pod making a clean landing and deploying his team effortlessly. Well practiced by this point, the team deploys and secures the area as the first CUs hit the ground. Each is in a configuration similar to the drop pods, but instead of deploying anything, they each transform into a combat robot. these are not the bulking, hulking weapons platforms the ISF has been starting to field, but elegant and deceptively heavily armed robot canids. Each looks to be highly agile and capable.
As these robots fan out, Romulus's team hits the LZ and deploys, followed by the second wave of CUs.
On the ground, the terrain is temperate and reasonably forested. The LZ itself is a clearing amid the forest that leads out to the plains and the outpost itself. Access to the hills that rim one end of the base is also from the forested area. Those low hills, where the snipers will take up position, are also forested.
Having approached from an "L" pattern to avoid visual sighting of the dropping troops, they were reasonably sure that they still remained undetected. The team still had 2 klicks to cover before they could be in position and due to planetary rotation, they had a mere 15 hours before Matron's position would face the fourth planet.
Planet side
Romulus moved to his sniper perch without saying anything.
Command Center
Aaron shrugged, "It seems reasonable to go to combat stations. My main concern is making sure that we can extract our ground troops in case something goes wrong. I must confess that this is not exactly my area of expertise."
Planetside
Knight landed with the second team, and immediately got into his planned position. He sent a quick message over the command net "minimum radio chatter, and rules of engagement are based on your own discretion... just remember the quieter we do this, the less chance we have of waking this base up before our air cover gets here."
The feline double-checked the safety on his rifle, and the same for his pistol. He tested his reflexes on the planets surface, and found himself feeling slightly lighter than he had on mother... he wondered if it was mental, or just lower gravity. As he toyed with the thoughts in his head, the young lieutenant realized his thoughts were drifting and gave himself a mental rebuke for the lapse. He readied himself mentally, activated his camouflage, then disappeared into the woods, moving like a shadow, and making almost no sound.
Command Center
Aaron remembered that Naz was not present during the discussion with Rebecka.
"Naz, be advised that the analysis of the base sensors indicate that the sensors extend planet wide at a distance of 762 meters above sea level, hence one of the purposes of the outpost is to cover this gap made by natural terrain features. We should navigate to the surface so that, once the outpost is gone, fighters can be launched with a strict 762 meter ceiling."
On the ground
"Roger." Came the single reply over the comm systems as Ben acknowledged Knight's directives.
Ben assembled his team near wordlessly. Alex, the coyote sergeant and Ben's second, followed Romulus up the trail to the hill positions. Harold, Jaice, Rino and Cyndi, along with Wall, Nitro, Hacker and RC make up all those assembled in the main LZ.
Knight and the entire special forces group make it to their final assembly point. From here they would penetrate the base. It was late in the day, darkness was beginning to show signs of appearing. Ten hours remained.
Ben moved up next to Knight, "it may be wise for us to wait till dark."
Command Center
Mother nodded and Alexis carried out the command, "battle stations, battle stations, this is not a drill. All personnel secure to Red alert."
Marissa decided to tease Aaron, "oh sir, I do not have a station to secure to... " She brushed him with her tail as she moved around behind him to come to attention at Aaron's right.
A small window appeared in front of the male fox's face and the image resolved to that of a purple vixen, "damn it Aaron, I'm a doctor not a soldier... just what am I supposed to do during an alert?"
To top off the entire situation, both teen foxes looked especially mischievous for some reason. There was nothing obviously out of the ordinary, but they just had to be responsible for something.
Knight crouched down and nodded, "lets rest here for an hour, or until the sun has completely set, which ever happens first. Once it's dark, we're hitting this base hard and fast. We're only going to have 8 hours of air cover with that plan... but that shouldn't be a problem. The real question, once this site is secured, who's staying here, and who's moving on to matron?" The feline was looking intently at Ben, and was genuinely interested in his input.
Command Center
"Mmmm Medical should preparing for the wounded, you silly vixen. But, I, myself, have been at my battlestation ...this station for the last 2 hours. I don't know what else I would be doing during a raid. " the catgirl pipe in. "Engineer, please report status of shields, weapons systems and all other systems in the command center. Fighter Pilots report when ready and standby"
Scanning the planetary system for any threats, and checking Comms. Nova reports, "All space communications are quiet, Captain... The ground base seem to be still unaware of our ground forces. All pirate traffic has clear the system, or on and around the fourth planet".
Nova also checks to the local system computer network, and easily finds the pirate's internet. Okay, a little Mara, lets see how far we can get into the security systems on the pirate base here. Nova find a user name PirateKing okay and the password? wonders Nova as she puts her hacking skills to the test. "Meow" says Mara.
PBH
Command Center
Aaron sighed, forehead in his hand. Not only did Ixiah and Loki appear to stage this little show, but... well... never mind. And Marissa was quite the tease. It almost makes Aaron regret that he decided that he wasn't going to... impose on her like he apparently is allowed to.
"Cynthia, you may do as you please. I must also say that, while I normally appreciate little pranks like this, our friends are on the planet surface. A bit more seriousness would be appreciated."
Aaron now sees that he may have to put some more effort into making sure that his friendship with the little Acadians does not interfere with duty. Not an easy task on his part.
Command Center
Nazareth got Aaron's warning about the flight ceiling for the fighters. He replied with a usual curt "Acknowledged, sir." as he relayed the information to the Zetas.
He then turned back to Aaron. "And what are my immediate orders during this operation? I was only part of the planning to get us here."
"We need to land Mother near Matron. I believe that Mother has selected the best landing spot, you should have access to the precise location in the computer."
Near the Base
Ben scratched his chin, "my team and the bots can hold this area once we clear it. You and Romulus should head to Matron. Looks like its time."
Ben turned to Mother's robots, "lads, stay here. Once we secure the area then you can move in and police the perimeter and structures. Keep on our comm frequency and follow our orders, if we don't say lethal force, than stun and subdue."
The bot that appeared to be the leader nodded and the team converted to rest state.
With a signal, the team began to move forward.
The compound was fenced, a light wire mesh that did not register as electrified. Each of the four corners of the entire perimeter there was a canopied tower which held searchlights and generally a pair of guards. The fence line showed no spots of electromagnetic concentrations at or leading up to it. This meant that there were no cameras or other observation devices. Those stationed there seemed very lax on perimeter security as only a pair of soldiers walked the whole fence on the inside. The base interior was poorly lit on the exterior, but those areas, especially the command center itself, that sat close to the landing field were bathed in light from it.
The primary entrance sat on the opposite end from where they were approaching and the airfield was to the right, counter-clockwise. The landing field was not fenced, but it was heavily lit. Something that looked like a light transport aircraft touched down and began taxing to the hanger areas.
Sniper position
Both Romulus and Alex noticed a lone scout who had literally stumbled upon Knight and Ben's group by outrageous fortune (and remained unseen), trying to make his or her way around the perimeter and to the landing field. It was a feline of some undetermined breed and by way of body movements, it was likely female.
Closer examination by scope shows she is unarmed, but is fumbling for her radio. Why she did not think to use it until now is anyone's guess.
Command Center
Ixiah's ears drooped off to the sides, "we didn't do anything! Loki and I just had a peak at the crash site and found something very... fun. If you think we would be so flippant with the lives of friends..." The blue fox looked about to cry.
Loki sighed, "really now Aaron, you should not be so suspicious, Mother is here after all."
Mother did indeed have a landing spot in mind and brought it up on screen for all to see. Cynthia merely nodded and the screen disappeared.
As for the pirate internet, the systems did have a rather well designed security schema in place and it is very difficult to get by. To Nova's disappointment, there is no such username. Everything is rather well organized and corporate. Each user has a "first.last" format and it is difficult to discover who is who. It is obvious who controls the network as they all have ".adm" after their username.
Sniper position
Romulus quietly spoke over his radio.
"A pirate scout has been spotted near the landing area. It appears to be a female feline, she is unarmed but trying to get her radio. She is west south west in the woods. She clearly has been caught off guard. I'll try to take out her radio. When found take her hostage and try not to kill her"
Romulus aimed at the radio and waited till he could get a clean shoot at it and tried to take it out. (I've seen snipers shoot guns out of people's hands before so I'm aiming for a trick like that)
"Furricken bastard Pirates" cries Nova "They don't trust anybody, and their security is just as good as ISS computers.... Who is going to Hack these guys out here in the middle of nowhere? Why 15 character passwords with cyber links required. Oh, Goddess, they distrust even their own men." remarks Nova in disgust and defeat for the moment.
Maybe, I can get in with "unLophtcracker5" program with a hybrid password decoder, I have find out what operator system their using. But upon hearing Ixiah, the catgirl turns to the main view when Mother put her landing site up for that brief moment, but she couldn't figure out how far mother's landing spot was from the crash site, before it blinks out.
"Loki, what is funny about the crash site?"asks Nova as she turns to Loki and Ixiah. Nova couldn't see anything wrong on the scanners or on her screen.
"Oooo OOo Can I help?" ask Mara.
PBH
Command Center
Aaron's ears folded back. It seems that he was stepping on all sorts of tails lately.
"I'm sorry, but your discovery was... ill timed. Now, don't give me those eyes Ixiah! It's too cruel!"
This will require something nicer then cookies to smooth over. He sighs and recollects himself.
"Still, you have me curious. What did you find out down there? Or are you going to try and kill me with suspense?"
Pirate Outpost
The sun faded from the sky, and Knight was getting himself ready for the operation. He steadied his breathing as ben informed him "it's time"
The feline activated his camo, and began making a move for the fence. He crouched low and stayed out of the light, first looking for any natural breaks in the areas bathed in darkness. When none appeared, he had Rino and Nitro make a hole, silently slicing the thin mesh with some type of bladed tool they were carrying...
As the holes we're opened, he heard the announcement of the scout from Rom, Knight whispered into his own mic, "Delta 3 (RC) take alpha 2 (Harold) with you and secure that scout. I don't want a peep out of these guys till we're ready. Delta 2 (Jaice) and alpha 3 (Nitro) I want you to get ready to take out those towers, hit them on my signal... if you've got suppressors, use them. The rest of you, form up, move in pairs and lets take out any rovers silently. Ready, move."
Knight's movements were about as audible as the wind rustling through the grass. He handed his rifle off to his partner as he spotted one of the sentries, at the same time one of the other pairs sent a click over the radio indicating they'd spotted the other hostile sentry. Knight sent a double click back, acknowledging and sending them approval for whatever they chose to do. He took a second to checked his gloves, and made sure his claws could extend to their 2.5 cm length, when they hit, they would be like razor sharp natural daggers.
The sentry never so much as heard a thing as the camouflaged paw reach around and sliced his unarmored throat open. Knight fell back into the ground with his victim on top, hand moving up to cover the sentry's face until he stopped his death spasms. Rolling out, he retrieved his rifle from Hacker, and the pair moved the body to some ground cover where it wouldn't be spotted easily.
Around the other entrance the special forces troops had made, the second sentry was taken out with equal, if not greater efficiency as a combat knife through the base of the skull proved instantly fatal.
With no other roving sentries to offer resistance, knight regrouped the rest of the team, not covering the towers, in the darkness outside the central buildings to prepare for the next phase of the mission.
Sniper Position
Romulus takes the shot and hits the radio, taking off the top portion. The scout drops the radio and dives behind a rock outcrop. She briefly looks around before ducking back down. It provides some cover, but there is still a fairly clean shot to her if needed.
Alex sights the female with his rifle and looks to Romulus for a go ahead with the shot, when none comes, he relaxes off the trigger, but remains ready.
A few minutes later, RC and Harold move on her position. They are nearly on top of her before she notices, and quickly surrenders.
Mother's bots relieve both of them of the prisoner, taking her back to the staging area with the rest of them. RC and Harold move back towards the compound, sweeping the area as they go for any stragglers.
Pirate Outpost
The area of the interior buildings is not as quiet as the rest of the base would seem to be. A lot of noise, mostly general carousing, can be heard from the barracks structure they are near.
Ben peeks around the corner and towards the central square between the central buildings and the command center. If is a minimum of 30 feet of open area between the closest outlying building and the command center.
The building they are currently in the shadow of, has one standard single person door opening inward on the side they are on.
Ben ducks back around and regards the rest of the team and then Knight, "that blood is going to mess up your camo lieutenant."
Just before Knight could reply, the door to the building opened and a slim, brown furred canine (some type of hound) stepped out. He did not look around, but simply flipped up a cigarette from a pack he had and lit it up. The hound took a drag off of it.
Command Center
Both Loki and Ixiah looked to one another and back towards Aaron and Nova as they answered in unison, "look at a real time picture..."
Loki brought up a view from orbit and focused in on the crash site. It was rather noticeable, probably only from a geosynchronous orbit over the specific location, but a rather cozy landing spot right near Matron was well illuminated with a convenient "Welcome" spelled out with blue glowing probes.
"Also, it appears that Matron has run some type of line all the way to the Pirate outpost. What it is for I do not yet know."
Sniper position
Once Romulus was sure Mother's bots had the scout covered. He once again started tracking possible targets in the pirate camp. He also looked for his team to see if they needed coverage.
Command Center
It was almost enough to make Aaron face palm. Correction, it was enough to make Aaron face palm. Two search teams maybe overkill now, it seems like the lost are now actively helping out in making themselves found instead.
"Throwing out the welcome mat and everything. If we're lucky they will have dinner ready as well." He almost wanted to say out loud that it seemed too welcoming. Instead he would let others be paranoid in his place.
Pirate Base
Knight had his back pressed against one of the building, probably the barracks judging by the noises coming from the inside. The team was hiding in it's shadow, which bathed the already camoflaged team in such darkness that they should be near invisible. Knight himself had spattered his upper torso and right arm with the blood of the scout, and it was making his camo far less effective. He knew someone else had killed a scout with equal silence, and silently wondered how they all seemed to keep themselves so clean...
Then again, he was trained in CQC with the remnants of his pilot rig, and the emergency gear kept under his seat... He had relied on that training when taking down the scout. Perhaps there was a better technique for this armor than a slit throat that he would have to learn if he didn't get access to another stealth LAM sometime in the near future...
His train of thought was suddenly shattered as a door that swung inward opened, and a canine walked out. His reckless demeanor would have drawn much scrutiny from any base commander in the ISF, but here it seemed almost commonplace. Knight was considering his options when Nitro acted first, driving a fist into the hound's face before he had time to react. The door had closed on it's own accord and the entire take-down seemed to go completely un-noticed by those inside, the supine form was dragged away from the entrance and bound with his arms tied around his back, his ankles tied together, and a gag tied around his mouth so that he couldn't say a word...
The act of keeping him alive was a mixed blessing, although it made him feel better, because more information could be gathered, it also meant someone else to cause trouble. Rather than wasting more time though, he started giving out commands to the team to get ready to move, first Ben would move with his partner, next, Knight and Nitro, then the other pairs. Before they moved, Knight called Rom and Alex along with RC and Harold over the Radio in a near whisper "Alpha 1 to Delta 1 and additional forces, I need you to get ready to take out those towers, we're moving into a low cover, high light area in the main compound, standard breach on the HQ building. Respond when your ready with cover. We'll move out once you are"
Sniper position
Romulus picked a target on the furthest tower.
In a very flat almost machine voice "Roger"
Once locked onto his target no movement could be seem from Romulus. It didn't look like he was breathing.
Nazareth was slightly leery at the order that they were to actually land next to the objective, but said nothing. Similarly, he was silent through all the rest of the commotion, as none of it concerned him. But when a realtime image of the target zone was brought up, that was the last straw.
This was officially the most ass-backwards mission he had ever been on. These damn aliens were either going to kill him or drive him insane, and he didn't know which or even if it wasn't going to be both.
"Little aliens..." Nazareth said, acknowledging Loki and Ixiah's existance for the first time, "get rid of that before we are compromised."
Somewhere in a neighboring system
Four cruisers converged on a large container ship within corporate sector space. The transport attempted to power its main drives, but a blast of energy lanced through the rear engine section cutting it cleanly in half. The spinal laser of a pirate battleship was to blame.
With little choice left, the container ship surrendered. A transport stood no chance against a pirate fleet, even one fielding outdated warships.
Arr, it's good to be a pirate.
Sniper Position
Alex reoriented his sights on second farthest tower and checked his spotter system on the HUD. It fed him that data and calculations, which he quickly checked in his head. The system was accurate, a little too accurate, and Alex adjusted.
"Roger 2." Was the simple reply.
Pirate Base
RC and Harold stopped, checked their suppressors and took aim at the other towers from their position at the fence line. Both were about to cross back into the base when they received the orders. Each took a different tower and immediately linked in with the HUD's of the other snipers, showing designated targets.
"Ready here."
At Knight's position, Ben nodded and gave the hand signal to move. Over the comm he spoke quietly, "do it."
The cover was instantaneous, quiet and deadly accurate. RC and Harold, though not themselves snipers, took down their targets cleanly. Alex was a true expert of his craft, neutralizing his targets in such a way that both still manned their positions quiet visibly though they ceased being a threat.
Ben and Cyndi moved quickly across the intervening space, Cyndi reaching the structure first. She was breathing heavy and was certainly in an excited state, per the condition monitoring data on the team HUD. Ben patted her on the back and gave her a thumbs up to which she nodded and took up a support position, weapon scanning for any hostiles as they waited for Knight and Nitro.
Command Center
Ixiah nodded vigorously to Aaron's comments both vocal and mental, "I am inclined to agree, that would seem far too eager. Even I am cautious now..."
Near Nova, Mara bounds about, "yay I'm going home! Sorry about the probes, Matron is getting carried away... she's a bit desperate for intelligent company. Pirates are dull heads."
Both alien foxes turn to regard Nazareth like an owner might regard a loving pet. Loki responded to Naz's demand, "sorry kid, no can do. You see, those are not our probes, but Matrons. As for giving us away, the probes are emitting extreme ultraviolet and soft X-rays. Most of the scanners in use by the pirates could not detect them from the background emissions of space, let alone 'see' them."
"Can we at least try normal communications with Matron? " asks Nova. "I mean Can't we just yell
"Turn out those light!" ? or something "
"Mara Phone home MARA phone Home!" said Mara... BUT Nova pick the kitten up, and petting her which stopped the kitten from trying. "ASK First" said Nova sternly.
"I'll try normal comms, and see if there is any traffic from Matron or anybody. We could use a pointbeam commucations at Matron and she should be able to receive us. Grandma left a reciever last time." says Nova.
"Loki, Can I try that pointbeam?" asks the catgirl. She is not sure if she hears a Mayday from a nearby system as she scans all the comm frequency.
PBH
Aaron sighs, "I would not be surprised if the most expedient way of dealing with the lights would be to park Mother on top of them. Caution is advised, but we can't freeze here in terror that something bad will happen if we land."
Aaron couldn't help but noticed that, perhaps those that were most concerned were the ones likely to be in the least danger. There was already one expedition where the crew were largely ignored, save for one and that expedition went fairly smoothly. But that last expedition also didn't features Acadians, including an Alpha without true form.
Pirate Outpost
At the same moment as Ben and Cyndi left the cover of darkness, the tower's guards ceased to live. The first pair reached the command center without incident, and took up positions to cover the others movements. Knight and Nitro were next, they eased up and bolted to the building, knight going prone to cover the blood on his armor while Nitro took up a position right by the door.
Knight issued a few simple orders by hand gesture, and the team stacked up for a breaching maneuver.
The assault team collected on the outside of the building, the outer soldiers kept watch for additional pirates while those closest to the entrance tried using an old trick that was brutally simple, a hair thin fiber-optic camera was slid under the door to see what was on the other side... While Hacker was busy with his camera, Nitro and Cyndi both had their hands resting on stun grenades, as soon as the signal was given, the pins would be pulled, and holy hell would rain in on the command center of the pirates.
Command Center
Loki nods to Nova's request, "sure, sure. Try a point to point, tight beam transmission."
Despite the sophistication of Mother's scanners, no mayday was received from Corporate Sector Periphery space.
Mother, in her own way, was as eager as a school girl. "We can attempt to communicate from the ground." Without so much more as a word, Mother caused her own landing procedures to initialize. The Acadian ship quickly descended, surprising Loki and even Mara.
The ship touched down in the clearing. The small drones quickly parted and returned to the crash site. It is very obvious that weathering and general material buildup has concealed the ship. Alexis brings up a three dimensional holographic display of the area. The ground becomes transparent, revealing the whole structure.
Mother looks sheepishly at Aaron and then to Naz, "sorry, I don't know what made me throw caution to the wind."
Pirate Outpost
Hacker's camera showed the area immediately in front of the door to be clear, but further in this room were some beings on duty around systems monitoring stations.
The doors were not locked, they opened inward, and were easily thrown open. Nitro and Cyndi pulled pins and tossed stun grenades, completely surprising the evening duty section.
After the grenades went off, Ben ordered the squads in the building immediately. They entered professionally and quickly.
The command center is a large central room containing rows of computer stations and cordoned off many specialized systems booths. There are two doors at the far right end of the structure, possibly offices. There is also a ramp-like set of stairs leading up and into the air traffic control center.
The stun grenades were very effective, subduing all the personnel in the command center proper. Anyone in the offices or in the air traffic control center would not be effected and would be very aware that something wrong just happened.
Ben held up an IC chip, "at least their telecom system will be of little use without this. Nice that the panel was on the side of the building."
Pirate Outpost (command center)
Knight gave Ben a nod then tapped his comms and contacted the ship, "this is SF team, long range comms are down, repeat long range comms are down for the outpost. Send the fly boys ASAP, we're gonna secure the command center and bug out once we've got this site secured."
Switching channels the feline sent a quick series of orders to the sniper team, "Rom, i'm gonna need you to watch the air field. Nothing gets into the air. I need you to do anything it takes to stop them, even if it's frying the fuel tanks while the plane is still on the ground."
"RC, Harold, i need you two to watch the barracks, and if you've got a clean shot that won't give you away, keep them off our backs."
With the external situation seemingly taken care of he went and started issuing orders to the assembled team. Saying mostly to Ben, "alright, i don't like spreading us thinner, but it looks like we're gonna have to go 4 and 4, unless you've got a better idea, I'll take Hacker, Nitro and Cyndi up and take the tower, you take Jaice," a slightly audible pause as Knight checked the team health monitors in his HUD, "Wall and Rino, and check out those doors down there... i'd prefer at least keeping in four man teams, but if you feel safe doing pairs, i won't second guess you for clearing out whatever is behind those doors."
Knight paused, and waited a bit for people to give their input or get setup if there wasn't any complaints.
Sniper position
"Roger' Romulus switched his sights to rest on the air field. He scans for any type of movement.
Aaron had his arms out, as if they would help him stabilize. He had not been on enough landing ships to appreciate how smooth the whole affair was made by Mother's advanced inertial dampers. Aaron looks back at Mother, "A little impatient it seems. No worries, we're safely on the ground, and just in time as well."
He looks over at Naz, "I leave all the fighter ops to you, launch at your discretion. Hopefully this ends quickly and smoothly."
Sniper position
It is difficult for Romulus to see, but apparently someone in one of the standby jets is climbing the ladder to the cockpit.
Pirate Base Command Center
OOC note: stun grenades are a bit bright, but make relatively no sound... they are a type of energy effect and visual strobe that overloads the senses.
Ben nodded his acknowledgment, "alright boys and girls, let's play mop up. We're doing this two plus two... two to breach and two to cover. Let's move."
Ben and his group moved off moving in a less direct and obvious route to the offices.
With Hacker operating the scanners, and Nitro packing the explosives, that leaves either Cyndi or Knight for point. Cyndi takes the initiative and heads up the stairs first.
Half a flight up, the group surprises a bespectacled tigress with a cup of java in her left hand and the other on a light pistol in her belt holster.
Command Center
OOC: I be impatient myself...
Mother receives the request for air support and lifts the ship back into the air, sufficiently to launch the Zetas. Once Nazareth clears his team to launch, the fighters are released, she settles again back into the clearing and awaits the crew's next moves.
She gives Aaron the first real snippet of a piece of her personality that is not the motherly normal as she smiles a bit shyly and even seems to blush a bit, "just anxious I guess."
The fighters streak towards the base, ETA 5 minutes.
Sniper position
Romulus took aim and fired at the person climbing the ladder.
Pirate Outpost
Knight hoped that there wasn't any serious resistance left, as air support should be over the area shortly. He kept up with Cyndi, staying slightly behind and to her outside. His rifle was trained on his field to cover while he moved, A tigress wearing glasses drifted into his sight picture as he had moved in, she was only a few steps away, but her hand was resting on the butt of a pistol. Knight eased his finger onto the trigger while watching her movements in his peripheral vision.
While the spotted feline was ready to shoot, Cyndi managed to keep her composure far better the Lieutenant behind her. She hissed in a low voice, "not a fucking word if you want to live through this" while taking 2 quick, sprint-like steps before delivering a punch to the striped felines stomach, knocking the wind out of her before she even had a chance to reply to the special forces soldier's comment. Knight would have liked to ask some questions, except it seemed the blow, combined with the short fall had knocked the pirate into a stunned state. She was tied and gagged, and knight was grateful once again that this team was among the best he'd worked with.
With their charge left in the capable hands of Nitro and hacker, Knight and Cyndi made their way up the stairs and to door leading into the control tower. Seeing that it opened inward, Knight placed his hand on one of the stun grenades clipped to his equipment harness while keeping the grip of his rifle in the other. He looked over at Cyndi, who had assume a mirror of his own stance on the other side of the closed door, and whispered to her, "whenever you're ready, lets get it done."
Command Center
Aaron similes at Mother, "Anxious to meet a new friend? I am quite anxious myself to see what is there."
(ooc Sorry I am away from My computer until since last sunday and I can get onlne until this sunday.)
"AWAIT AWAIT no Mother Let me off " cry Mara when Mother launches again to release the fighters.
"Come on Loki Lets see what Matron has for us to eat..." says Nova as she walk out of the command center...
PBH
Aaron rubbed his forehead, "Lieutenant Nova, the combat operations have not been resolved. We're all anxious to see what is there, but I don't want anyone wandering off until the situation is secure. Matron will wait a little longer."
Sniper Position
Only the most supreme luck in the entire universe seemed to be with this pilot as he slipped at the last possible second dropping a number of rungs. Romulus's shot impacted the spot the pilot's head was just at and entered the engine air intake on this side of the craft. It began to smoke from one of the rear thrust nozzles and the fan stopped spinning.
The pilot had rolled quickly under the fuselage and probably was running back towards the hanger, but he was given cover from both snipers by the aircraft.
Alex caught one of the mechanics as he came running towards the plane, but the pilot's yelling must have warned the others because they scrambled for cover.
Just then, the plane exploded...
Pirate Outpost
Cyndi nodded, "something doesn't feel right, I think they might be on to us in there. We better play this safe."
Carefully she placed a light concussive breaching charges on the door in selected positions. Contained in a channeling casing, it was designed to direct all force at the object it was placed on. She flagged Knight to the safety of the stairs and triggered the charge.
The doors blew inward and completely off their hinges. As she expected, automatic weapons fire poured out of the open door.
Somewhere below them, some more scattered fire could be heard. Ben's voice was heard over the comms, "we found the base commander and some of his officers. One of them put on an impressive display with the largest handgun I've ever seen. He managed to miss me completely only a few feet from him. Be careful, they hide in file cabinets."
It is then that an explosion is heard and alarms are raised. It is just a bit too early for the air support.
Over the comms, another voice inquired, "General Activity Has Been Raised In The Barracks. Shall We Proceed With Containment Actions? Lethal or Nonlethal Force?" It was Mother's security bots, and it was rather unsettling to hear their mechanical voices.
Command Center
Loki nodded as Aaron spoke to Nova and he grabbed her with surprising strength, bringing her back into the Command Center. He was not rough, and perhaps a bit of psychic influence was used to encourage her body to go where he lead it. She was placed in her seat at the console and Loki was sure to hold Mara carefully, as he would any normal kitten.
Mother spoke out loud and a little oddly, she had taken on a noticeably more English of an accent, "yes I can wait just a bit longer."
Mother held up a hand to reassure Aaron, "do not worry, I allowed her to communicate so. She cannot project beyond the ship due to the low power states of her systems. Her main reactors and drive systems are offline, I do not know why, as far as Rebecka can tell they are reasonably intact."
Sniper Position
Romulus kept looking through his scope as the plane blew up. He spoke only to Alex and not over his radio.
"Didn't expect that to happen. Shoot anybody down there that isn't one of ours"
Romulus shifted his position slightly to start covering the barracks.
Pirate Outpost
The young Lieutenant realized things were going to hell... and there wasn't much he could do about it. The explosion went off, and although the pirate's comms were down, the air support was still a little ways off. The cold, mechanical voice sounded in his earpiece, and after weighing his options for a little over a second, Knight replied, "Use non-lethal force unless a threat is imminent, if you are in danger of receiving damage or harm, fire back with whatever you deem necessary to neutralize the threat."
Knight paused for a moment, doing his breathing exercises to focus his mind. When he was ready he said a barely audible "hit it" to Cyndi. She hit the button, and the door was flung off it's hinges as a pair of stun grenades chased the sudden de-hinged door inside.
The room was larger than Knight had expected as he moved in with Cyndi as soon as the grenades has done their thing. It seemed the room was largely empty, set up around consoles with various sensor readouts, maps, weather displays, and a litany of other useful tidbits for the air-traffic controllers. The pair set about tying those still down, quickly throwing weapons well outside of reach as they continued their patrol of the observation tower.
Knight rounded a corner rifle at the ready, and found what appeared to be an empty records area, filled with server cabinets. He didn't notice the canine boy with the machine pistol, not until it was a fraction of a second too late. The feline rotated and fired several laser pulses, severing the Canine's spine just below the neck along with putting several other holes through the pirate. It would have been textbook, except the dog's finger had squeezed his trigger before Knight, the first round hit Knight's armor's breast plate as did the second and third. The 8mm slugs slammed like mini-hammers against Knights body as he felt each impact through the armor. there were 2 more hits as well, one that grazed the inside of his left bicep and the edge of his chest, and the last was a through and through, catching the shoulder just inside the collar bone... The bullet tore through skin, flesh, muscle, and blood vessels as it entered and left the feline's body, but in actuality wasn't all that serious a hit.
The feline hardly noticed the actual wounds at first. He tried to continue moving, and found his left arm suddenly felt like it was burning. Easing down when it became clear that the tower was clear, Knight reached over and touched his arm, and found a thick, sticky, red liquid running down his arm. Tracing the small paths, he found it led to his should. As the realization hit, so did the pain that his adrenaline had been suppressing. He let out a hiss, quite audible to Cyndi, who was finishing her mop-up of the other side of the far end of the tower.
Command Center
Aaron nods, "Very good. I would love to chat with Matron more, but that can wait. I wonder what made her shut down her main drive and power systems. The typical reason is conserving scarce resources, but I'm not sure of the logistics of an Acadian ship that size so I have no idea."
He thinks a bit, "It shouldn't be too much longer. The fighters should be able to end things quickly."
In the Command Center
The catgirl lets herself be led back to her chair by Loki, but she holds Loki hand to her chest and them keep there. "Loki, I ..I sorry I am not very good ..(pet) ah .Friend of late." whispers Nova. Nova is scare and excited at at he same time. Alright, She was going to Matron again.... oh goddess she was going to Matron, and how much is Loki's fears were Master induced or how much were errand. thinks Nova
"I just want to know How much of my life is me, and how much is Gaea's "training"". She hugs the small fox to her and says "I am about to walk into my childhood fantasy, and I am scare to see them with my adult eyes. They may come true. *sigh* Thank you, Loki,for be here with me" she still whispers only to Loki.
PBH
En Route to Pirate Base
Burns Torson, Nazareth's second-in-command, had been given leadership fighter ops while Nazareth was playing around in the alien ship. Burns knew Nazareth wasn't...exactly pleased with his assignment, but someone had to do it, and Nazareth wasn't one to shirk from duty. Still, while Burns had lead missions and runs himself before, it hadn't been often. But he wasn't one to shirk from duty, either.
"Zetas, check in."
"Zeta three, check."
"Zeta four, check."
"Zeta five, check."
"Zetas, form up; diamond formation, I'm on point."
"Roger."
"ETA to target zone; three minutes."
Burns then keyed his communicator to connect with the ground team. "This is Warrant Officer Burns Torson, acting leader of Zeta squad, calling leader of ground forces. We are en route to your area now. What exactly are our targets?"
Pirate Base
Knight relaxed after a few moments, his shoulder burned but his concentration wasn't broken as he refocused on the mission. Just in time, considering he just heard the call over the radio... He flinched in pain as he tapped his comm set to the appropriate channel and replied, "2nd Lieutenant Whitehaven here, the barracks is going to be your target. Building location should be updating to your targeting computer..." he paused while accessing the data-link, and uploaded the data to the squadron, and hoped it was enough. "now... if you need anything else, contact Romulous on the other command channel. he has a better observation point than myself, and i fully authorize him to direct fire-contol if need be... good luck and happy hunting boys."
En Route to Pirate Base
"Acknowledged, Lieutenant Whitehaven, coordinates locked. Over and out." Burns forwarded the data to the other Zetas, and they locked in the coordinates too. Burns then switched the comm over to Romulus' channel.
"Come in Sergenat Romulus, this is Warrant Officer Torson of Zeta Squad on approach to the pirate base. Lieutenant Whitehaven has marked the pirate barracks as our primary target and authorized you to mark further targets. Are there any other opportunity targets or active defences we should be aware of?"
Sniper position
Romulus started using his scope to start scanning the area for other possible targets.
"Roger"
Pirate Control tower
Cyndi was just finishing locking down her prisoners, "no one move and you all get out of here alive!" She scanned the three pirate technicians that were caught unaware as the pirate guards were gunned down. Two of them wore the same uniforms as the tigress they had captured on the way up and both were generic brown canines. The third was human and wore a long black leather coat, combat vest and black fatigues, unlike the other two he was armed with a light pistol.
The scanners in the air control center almost literally screamed, Warning! Unknown aircraft on attack vectors. Warning!
Moving a bit closer to him she bore down on with her assault rifle to his face and mustering as much intimidation as possible she barked her commands, "slowly pull that pistol and drop it on the ground, now or I'll put you down right here!"
Just at that moment the repeats of the gunfire between Knight and the hidden assailant distracted her for a split second. With an almost imperceptible flash of movement, the human hit a switch on a rather large and out of place console.
"I said freeze motherfucker!" She took a much more aggressive stance against him, but relaxed a little as she heard Knight's voice over the comms, "sir if you could head over here... shit!"
With a smooth movement, lightning quick he was nearly nose to nose with Cyndi. In a moment she noticed the gauge indicators on the back neck of the man's armor, "shit I've got an J-SAM*! I ohhh...." Her vocal iteration is quickly cut short as the man jams his pistol into her abdomen and pulls the trigger.
"That's a good doggie, no shhh."
The armor absorbed much of the energy of the light pistol round, but it still penetrated and her mouth hung open in mid word as she felt the bullet tear through her. There was not enough force remaining for it to pass through though.
In one fluid movement, he wrenched the gun from her hand, tossed it away, and pushed her to a seated position, "now sit girl."
Turning he retrieved a strange heavy long rifle from behind a console and dispatched the two pirates without a thought as he turned to head out the way Knight and Cyndi had entered.
Her head swimming from the pain in her gut, she found it hard to breathe in all the heavy gear. The readouts and displays displayed countless bits of information on her condition, however the burning pain and flowing blood was quite obvious to her. One thought burned itself into her mind as her attacker turned his back, "b... b...bastard!!!" Drawing her knife she hurled it with as much might as she could muster.
Amazingly the knife sailed straight and true, striking the unit at the base of his neck. The man staggered forward, swaying and shaking violently. With a roar he charged out the door and right into Nitro and Hacker who were bolting up the stairs to lend aid as both Knight's and Cyndi's condition monitors fluctuated dramatically.
Both tried to disarm and grapple the raving lunatic of a man that had born down on them both. With a hulking scream the man smacked Hacker into the door frame with an audible crunch and hurled him to the railing of the landing. With sheer luck he managed to grab hold, but found himself dangling precariously above a three story open shaft that lead to the ground floor. He found that his left arm did not want to function, but also the disquieting hum emanating from a strange metal conduit that ran up the shaft and into the ceiling of the tower. It was not doing this before.
Nitro was no match for the mad man's strength and he was also tossed like a rag doll, landing hard against the tigress that they had bound earlier. The maniac leveled his rifle at Nitro, preparing to end his life with a shot in a matter of seconds. Hacker could barely hang on, his heavy gear much more than his only remaining arm could bear because the power assistance of the suit was offline.
Knight had only seconds to react, if he moved to save Nitro, Hacker would fall to his death, but saving Hacker means the juiced cyborg would unload his weapon into Nitro as there was no cover on that walkway. What would his decision be?
To make matters worse, the entire ground floor exploded with what appeared to be explosive electrical force as Ben and the entire remaining squads health monitors suddenly flat lined.
*J-SAM: stands for Juiced-Significantly Augmented Motherfucker. Slang for a special class of mixed cybernetic/bionic enhanced individuals with drug induction units that significantly enhance reaction time, strength, pain resistance and mental resistance at the expense of the health and life span of the user.
Sniper Position
A flurry of activity burst from the barracks as armed soldiers exited the building in significant numbers, searching for targets.
As Romulus and Alex began taking out targets, causing the ground forces to spread out, Cyndi's health monitor, along with Knight's dropped causing immediate alarms to be raised in the tactical HUD system.
Both snipers could see that Harold and RC were pinned down. That's when all hell broke loose.
The entire bottom floor of the command center blew outward with an electrical-like blast and suddenly Ben, Wall, Jaice and Rino's monitors all flat lined. Emerging from the dust and debris drifted a dark, navy blue vixen with long white head hair, dressed in tight form fitting dark black and brown shiny leather with a matching black long coat. Her outfit left her pale, white furred midriff exposed, and did not appear to be practical combat style gear. Her look almost resembled that of what is called a "Street Mage" in the reasonably popular cyberpunk game all the kits play these days. To add to the ensemble, her eyes glowed solid gold and lightning crackled over her hand paws. She levitated off the ground and looked quite agitated, until she saw the Acadian battle robots knocking down the fence line and assaulting the pirates.
Alex attempted to put a bullet through her, but the shot glanced off a barely perceptible wall of electrical energy. The vixen narrowed her eyes in the sniper's direction and spoke into a head set as she hurled a blast at Romulus and Alex. The blast dissipated before it got close to either sniper and the reason for such an act was a mystery until Romulus spots a problem. From the opposite side of the hanger from the wreckage, a delta-winged jump jet made its presence known. The craft is angled right at the sniper's position and their peril is made quite evident as it opens up with one of its rocket pods firing numerous small missiles in a saturation pattern.
OOC: they are small and explosive; the saturation is not so thick as to cover the whole area by far.
Meanwhile, atop the air control tower, the tallest and oddest sensor dish begins to turn towards the approaching fighters and starts to glow blue. Those with the appropriate gear see a spike in energy; someone put an anti-orbital particle beam cannon on that tower.
Command Center
Alerts begin to flood command and control as the real time data is updated from the battlefield. Alexis shakes her head and checks again. Then in a strange act she whacks the unit, "that can't be right... the system has lost contact with 4 members of the assault team... Knight and Cyndi are showing as injured, both in not good shape. I show a power spike from that base... the signature of a medium starship weapon!"
Loki gasped, "What is going on there? Everything was going smoothly?" Ixiah looked worried, but the gravity of the situation did not truly reach the young foxes.
Saioko uttered a gasping squeak, bringing a hand to her mouth. The poor girl looked about to break out in tears and rose from her station, turning towards the door.
Mother did not say anything but stared directly at Aaron giving him the look and sending mentally to him, you better do something, she is your exec, for her to rush off to do something impulsive would set a bad example. We need more information before we can draw conclusions.
Sniper position
Romulus gathered up his rifle and quickly got to his feet. He grabbed Alex and basically dragged him back down the path.
"Shit. Shit Shit"
Once Romulus got far enough away he stopped and got on his radio and told the incoming Zetas about the jump jet and about what looked like some type of cannon on top of the tallest air control tower. He also said how it seem like things where quickly going to hell on the ground at the base. It seemed like most of the team was dead or injured. He also mentioned the floating vixen that seemed to have some type of shield. He then looked at Alex and clicked off his radio.
"Change of plans. We split up, you move to the other sniper position and try to take out whatever targets you can. I'll head back to that sniper position and do what I can. It seems most of our teams are killed and I plan to gets some payback. Also be careful I don't need to lose anymore men"
Romulus started heading back to the position he was in after the explosion.
Pirate Control Tower
Knight was still recovering from the light wounds he'd received when his HUD suddenly showed Cyndi's heart triple, other vital signs started fluctuating massively as her words rang is his head. He looked over and saw the man, using his rifle to spring himself into action, he launched himself into a run while drawing his pistol. He aimed his first shot at about where the heart would be on the J-SAM. He then tried stitching the laser pulses, and the gouges they would inevitably cause in human flesh, up. Taking his eyes off his target, he holstered the pistol and grasped Hacker's arm, trying to fling him back over the railing.
He was using his injured arm as if it were untouched, the movements sent waves of agony screaming through his shoulder, but the feline could not, would not, let this cybernetically enhanced mother-fucker down his team... or what was left of it. The downstairs shuddered under the explosion and it seemed Ben and his fire-team just flat-lined... knight desperately hoped it was an ion-pulse or EMP that just disabled the team... but given the ferocity of the blast, he was already fearing the worst.
Command Center
Aaron was rubbing his forehead. Perhaps he never stopped from the previous time? Of all the lousy, rotten things to happen...
"Things are going wrong too quickly. Naz, take us to the base. We're going to need to either drop off more people or pick them up. Either way it will have to be quickly."
When Saioko turned to the door and Mother gave Aaron a warning he tells her, "Saioko, please I need you here. We have to find out what is going on and get them back."
After Saioko replies ((OOC: the reply I leave to Azlan but either way...)) Aaron turns to a com, and connects to where ever Richard is, "Richard, things have turned ugly on the planet. I need you ready for combat."
Hopefully unnecessary, but being unnecessarily prepared beat the alternatives.
Command Center
With nothing more than an "Affirmative, Sir.", Nazareth settled into his pilot chair, closed his eyes, and mentally connected himself with Mother. With himself "being" the ship, he lifted Mother off the ground and immediately headed them off towards the pirate base, sending a message to the Zetas as he did so.
En-Route to Pirate Base
The Zeta's long-range sensor lit up with all kinds of strange readings as Romulus spoke on the comms to Burns. Things had apparently gone very bad for the ground team.
Nazareth's voice then came through the comms. "Zetas, we are aware the situation at the base has deteriorated, we are en-route ourselves for backup and extraction. Zeta-Two, for now it is your call to continue with the run or not."
"Roger, Zeta-One. Be advised, by the sound of things there may be a hostile Acadian at the base. Repeat, there may be a hostile alien, like the ones we are traveling with, aiding the pirates, over."
"...Acknowledged. Will you abort the run?"
Burns made the decision. "Negative."
"Acknowledge, Zeta-two. You're on your own until we arrive. Zeta-one, over and out."
Norton then interjected. "Two minutes to target."
Burns quickly made a plan based on this new information. "Okay Zetas, here's the plan; we're going to do a backloop maneuver*. The barracks will be our first target, drop one bomb each on it. I'll designate our second target, either that possible-Acadian or the "cannon", if there are no friendlies in range, and only Mack and I will drop a bomb on the second target. Norton, Satch, see if you can nail that jumpjet. Acknowledged, Zetas?"
"Acknowledged!"
"Good. We're going in low, over and out."
*Backloop maneuver: method of bombing two separate targets in roughly the same area. Flight group goes in low, drops ordnance on the first target while pulling up and going into a climb. Then, after gaining some altitude, they flip around and go into a dive-bomb on the second target, and then pull out. In this case, Satch and norton will attempt to hi the jumpject when in the divebomb part of the maneuver.
Sniper Position
OOC: anyone familiar with Syke's Cyantian Chronicles (http://cyantian.net/) should note that the vixen is very similar to Mercial (bounty hunter vixen).
Alex nods his acknowledgment, "yeah, payback... if you catch that bitch of a vix..." the coyote clenched his hand into a fist, "make her suffer before you take her out, unless I catch her in my sights first."
He ran towards a new spot and began setup.
Romulus returns to his intended position only to find among the blackened earth the navy blue vixen. She narrowed her golden orbs as energy crackled over her left paw, "you are not of these dirty pirates...?"
Below, the pirates are facing long odds against the Acadian robots, each of which are equipped with their own shielding, making their weapons fire largely ineffective.
Pirate Control Center
The man might be overloaded on drugs, but that condition did not affect his senses. No man is faster than light, but he twisted away from his previous spot, catching the first shot in the shoulder and avoiding most of the other hasty pulses.
The movement drastically threw off his aim, as the shot went a bit wide, burying itself in the bound tigress's torso instead of Nitro's chest.
Reflexes on hyper due to excessive drug overflow, the J-SAM swung around and fired at Knight. It was at that moment that the weapon was recognized, the lunatic was wielding a light gauss rifle. One with a significant cyclic rate as he managed to snap off three shots. One supersonic shell shredded the railing and the other two were likely inbound for Knight and Hacker.
The cyborg stopped, bringing his weapon under control and preparing to fire again, when multiple blasts lit him up from behind as Nitro took advantage of the creature's rage induced action that had placed its back to him.
The man, bleeding from wounds that should have killed him, jerked around to point his gauss weapon at the snow leopard. Nitro barred fangs at the human, "what the fuck? Die already!"
The J-SAM would have fired and killed Nitro, but a second round of deadly pulses tore into his back. Cyndi, on shaky legs locked at the knees to try and keep herself upright, clutched her wound with one hand and her rifle with the other, emptying the entire clip into the assailant, "play dead, asshole!"
Finally collapsing into a heap of blood and circuitry, the borg lay still.
Cyndi exhaled a held breath and collapsed to her knees, "Nitro, stop gawking and get up here and help Knight... uggh." The lupine collapsed from the pain, passing into unconsciousness.
Command Center
Saioko froze, trembling. In her mind she mulled over her thoughts and the feelings she was experiencing. Things of this level were so new to her and they wanted to carry her off like a lovesick and worry-ridden kitten, control yourself cat, think logically... Eric will be alright, he will be fine... he will be fine... he WON'T be fine!
In a panic she spun on her heels to face the major, for a second her eyes appeared solid black, or at least he thought they were... perhaps he was seeing things?
"Major, we need to go to that base immediately!"
Over the comms, Richard receives the message and sighs slightly, "ja, okay... I can do that, but I am still not much of a fighter."
Marissa gave a sideways glance to her major, "shall I suit up as well? My last combat... left its mark on me, but I still know how to shoot a gun."
Meanwhile, Mother lifted into the air, soundlessly darting off towards the base at high speed. Being far faster than the fighters are able to travel at "sea level", she arrives just after they complete their run.
Airspace above base
ooc: the weapon is in the air control center where Knight and team are. Bombs would likely kill everyone in tower.
Coming in fast, the Zetas drop their ordance, wiping the barracks structures largely off the map. Unfortunately a bright beam of blue energy streams at the fighters. Not accurate against small fighters, there is still a possibility of it hitting.
To make matters worse, the aerofighter chose to charge ahead, in spite of the differences. The rocket pods belched out as much ordinance as it could muster and its cannons spoke, all aimed for Burns's fighter.
Sniper position
Romulus raised his rifle until the vixen spoke. He raised an eyebrow at the vixen.
"No I'm not. My crew and I are here to take out the pirates and get someone off this planet. I'm guessing your not a pirate either"
Romulus thought in his mind while looking straight at the vixen. 'I hope your an Acadian'
Command Center
Aaron really didn't want to be seeing things. It was stressful enough with things going badly, but those eyes... fortunately he forgot such things having more important considerations on his mind.
Aaron nods to Marissa, "I'm hoping it will not be necessary, but at the rate things are going I want all options open."
He turns to Mother and asks, "Can you drop off some more combat drones to the last known location of the assault team? I need to know what happened down there."
Pirate Command Center
Most of his shots weren't carefully aimed, and as such, they went well off target... the shots that mattered hit though, and Knight's pistol delivered enough force to prevent Nitro's death.
With Hacker in hand, Knight pulled the SF soldier to the point where he eased the weight off Knight's injured soldier, they were stuck in a kind of stalemate position as the jittery soldier fired the gauss slugs in their area, luckily the J-SAM's drug induced state prevented him from taking any real time to line up the shots. They streaked by, nicking Knight's leg armor with the gentlest of touches, and clipped a small bit of fur on Hacker's ear.
As the J SAM was finally downed from many a hits from several directions, Cyndi started to look a little weak as she issued a 'suggestion' to Nitro, who grabbed Hacker's other arm, and with knight's help, managed to pull Hacker to safety. Once there, Knight looked back at the timber wolf and saw her collapsed on the floor. He ran over and immidiately applied pressure with his good hand on the wound while fishing for his own med-pack with his other hand.
Before he had a chance to do anything else, Nitro took over with the basic first aid, applying a disinfectant and sealant to the wound, and giving the poor girl a mild stimulant and painkiller mixture that should help her fight off the effects of shock. As knight was busy with the team, he suddenly noticed his fur stand on end, and heard the high-voltage buzzing. The PBC (particle Beam Cannon) fired from the rooftop, and before he could even say a thing, Hacker was on his feet and trying to shut the system down. With nothing better to do, knight checked the pirate tigress who had taken a round to the lower abdomen, hoping to make sure she hadn't become another victim of the lunatic's rampage. As he moved on he added a quick order over his comm, "once everyone's awake, and in some semblance of competence, i'd like it if Nitro could help me, i need to make sure Delta is down, and not just experiencing some type of equipment failure."
The Snow-leopard played around with his gear's settings, hoping to pick up the hint of a signal from one of the other members who were currently reported as KIA.
Pirate Airspace
"Watch it, Zetas!" Burns warned as the energy beam sizzled past them. After dropping the bombs, they were already beginning their climbs, but somehow the jumpjet was fast enough to get off a salvo of cluster minirockets and cannon shots as Burns went skyward with the other Zetas. The backloop maneuver was specifically to avoid this, and the minirockets were short range and had poor guidance, but even so, Burns felt their sting.
A few of the cannon shots hit him first, tearing chunks of armor off of his right wing. A moment later, some minirockets detonated behind him, rocking the fighter and chewing away some of his rear armor. An alert told him a thuster was damaged but funtional, and no longer operating at full capacity. Burns cut some power to the rest of his thrusters to compensate, and his ascent slowed.
To make matters worse, both potential bombing targets had registered friendly presance at or nearby, canceling the idea of bombing them. Burns quickly restrategiezed.
"Zetas four and five, you stick to your part of the plan, nail that jumpjet on on your way down. Zeta three, you and I are going to strafe that cannon tower. Shift your approach to this path, so we head down off-target, and then pull up towards the tower to hit it horizontally with plasma pulsers only, no railcannons or bombs. Hit only the top, take out that array without hitting any of the structure beneath it. Since I'm going slower, I'll hit it after you, and that may be for the best, that cannon can't track us too well and it definitely isn't agile. After you make your pass, it'l probably try to follow you if it even still works, leaving it wide open for me.
"Ready, Zetas?"
"Ready!"
"Flip around!"
The three Zetas ahead of Burns reduced the power of their engines, pulling "up" even more, turning upside-down and over, until they faced the ground. The then then headed earthward in a speedy yet controlled decent, with Mack adjusting his flight path to take him away from the other two Zetas. When Burns reach the altitude they were at, he performed the same maneuver, and followed Mack's flight path.
Command Center
Nazareth brought Mother towards the base, but when her advance sensors picked up the cannon tower, he brought here in as low and cloase as he could, almost sinking below the treeline, while staying out of the tower's line of sight. Mother's sensors also began scanning the base area.
"Relaying tactical data to display module." Nazareth said, with his eyes still closed. A 3-D map of the pirate base appeared on the hologram display in the center of the room, displaying everything that Mother could pick up.
"Orders, Major Brown?"
Nova is in shock of the sudden turn of events, She scans a quickly a check to ship's sensors trying to see into the tower, she see the fusion power in the basement. She tries reconnect to comms to the lost team members and get status of all of the assault team members.
"Knight is still alive, Saioko, until we know otherwise. Sick Bay prepare to receive wounded." Said the catgirl... " Saioko, Help me see through this static, The some team monitors are only coming in intermediately, if at all. Some of them are hurt. I'm trying to isolate their frequencies." Nova search the comm frequency, RF filters and boost the gain on the receivers.
"Knight? Romulus? Are you there?"asks Nova over the assault team comms... "All pilots and ground units be on alert, someone is powering up a tank in the motorpool, which is in the base buildings nearest the the airfield. Sending Sensor data on tank. Unknown cloaked shuttle is also sighted by Mother's sensors only in a hanger on Far corner of the airfield. " she continues over the comms.
Nova sends the cloaked shuttle data to PIP on the main view, for Loki, and Mother. "Is it's cloaking technology familiar to you Mother?"
PBH
Pirate Tower
Knight breathed heavily for a moment, trying to keep himself awake as the effects of blood-loss started to creep into his mind. His comm-link buzzed as nova gave her little update, he responded, "2nd Lieutenant Whitehaven, I am here, and alive... thank you for the heads up Nova."
The feline paused for a few seconds as thoughts swam through his head. He then added, "Things have gone to hell, we are going to need some medical help for Cyndi, she is not looking the greatest right now... I myself have also been hit, but am stable. The facility's long range communications are out, so we do not have too much to worry about..." Knight was over-articulating his words as he had to focus on what he was saying.
He leaned against a wall and decided he'd better join the team before something else happened. The lightheaded feeling made his movements slow and shaky. As he walked back into the tower, Nitro was finishing up with Cyndi, and Hacker was trying to shutdown the PBC on the roof. Before Knight could complain Nitro grabbed him by the good shoulder, and pressed him down into a chair, Nitro smirked at the feline as he said, "just where do you think you're running off to sir? That hit looks rather nasty, give me a few minutes to patch it up." He then brought out the medkit again, and began sealing Knight's shoulder.
Sniper position
If the vixen noticed the thought she made no indication of it as she spoke, "not a pirate no. We also came to get someone off planet, though we were attempting negotiation. I half expected treachery, so I imagine I did not react too well when a bunch of armed, aggressive types burst in on my waiting room. Plus I had one of my friends 'steal one of their jump fighters'. He's the greatest pilot I've ever met. Those pirate fighters will be sorry they fought him." She paused for a second gazing up into the sky, "funny though, I don't remember pirates using... Sabers, those are pretty new with the Confed*."
Romulus gets the impression she has dropped her concentration and guard.
Her eyes widen as the fighter's bombs impact the pirate barracks, "oop... maybe those aren't pirate fighters." Ignoring Romulus for the second, she tapped a small switch on her RedFang* headset, "Dex, do you see any markings on those fighters?"
"I'm a little busy trying not to get splashed by aerospace assets Ana, I can hold those clunkers off, but I don't think I'll defeat them if their pilots are experienced." The voice on the other end said, just perceptible to the wolverine.
"That's not what I'm asking! Those are Confed... or whatever they are calling themselves this century, fighters! Try not to kill them!"
"Well shit..." Could be heard from the other end.
On the field of battle, an old MBT rolled out of the motor pool area. It's side mounted, turret missile pods rotated upward as its surface to air scanning system (on the top of the turrent), rotated slightly. Attacking this thing from the air seemed like a rough proposition.
The gun roared, traveling between the advancing Acadian bots and impacting the hills behind the base.
*Confed: another short term used by many to refer to the former Confederation of Worlds (CW), a member state of the ISF.
*RedFang: A type of very advanced wireless, highband, restricted frequency radio unit. The ultimate in Bluetooth technologies, though it is named redfang because I did not want to use Bluetooth as a name and it has no cultural significance like Bluetooth's naming.
Command Center
Marissa gave her best imitation of a military salute and then turned to leave. The vixen paused and slowly turned back to Aaron. She threw her arms around him and gave a quick squeeze to him before bounding off towards her gear locker.
The vixen reaches the ready area and enters the section set aside for females. Changing her current "uniform", Marissa pauses to examine herself in the mirror with a sigh. Acadian medical techniques were very good, and even if her fur hid the presence of scars, she knew it was there. I never even considered ending up a pirate, nor getting shot... or anything like this. Life can be really screwed up sometimes... maybe I'll end up as a ninja next? At least there is Aaron... She smiled happily.
"So are you going to stand there and stare at yourself or are you going to suit up? Not wearing armor is part of the reason you ended up with a hole there in the first place."
Marissa quickly dropped her blouse down and spun to face the offending male interloper. The smallish wolf leaned casually on the doorframe, his gaze focused on her eyes.
"They didn't exactly give me a lot of gear choices being an unwilling conscripted sort and all. Now if you do not mind, Richard, I need to get dressed." She turned back to her locker and selected the same BDU Richard was wearing. Inside were also two suits of advanced body armor of Acadian design, one a light suit and the other much heavier looking. There were also a number of weapon options available that she did not recognize: a longer rifle, some type of assault rifle and a few pistols. They looked much like the alien's weapons then what normal ISF personnel would be equipped with. She spent the few moments considering her options before pulling out the lighter armor; the long rifle which she assumed was a sniper weapon, and a light pistol.
Respectfully Richard shifted his position to the outside wall next to the entrance between the prep areas; he adjusted the position of the pulse laser rifle and waited. Within a few moments she exited and gestured for Richard to follow, heading out to the main ramp in the belly of the ship.
"Well now, you certainly get some fancy gear." Richard said as he eyed the armor and weapons.
"seems so, they feel much more... comfortable in my hands and on my person then the regular stuff."
Both arrived in the waiting area and took up spots on each side of the ramp.
"Richard and Marissa in position." The wolf reported on the comm to the command center.
Back in the command center, Mother considered the request to deploy more robots, but she shook her head in a negative answer, "that would not be too wise. The robots are good for combat reconnaissance and security detail, but they do not have so fine a touch for search and rescue. It is hard to explain, but in combat mode they might collapse the structure... accidentally."
At Nova's prompting, she examined the data on the cloaked, small craft, "it is rather advanced when compared to your ISF standards, but archaic to Acadians. The field emissions and the power type output would make me guess it is of TL* design. This would be consistent with the presence of that vixen who wields energy like it was a plaything."
Saioko on the other hand seemed stressed, "I can see that Eric is still alive, based on that data, but I can't help but worry... I'm just not used to emotions... er, emotional situations. Major, permission to lead search and rescue operations!" She turned towards Aaron, trying to appear as calm and determined as she was able.
Cynthia appears in another of her windows in reality, "Nova, this is a Medical Center... Medbay if you must, but I am not operating a 'sick bay'. This is not a water-going vessel and we Acadians do not base all of our spaceforce traditions from a sea-going navy. I am standing by however. I will probably need anyone trained in medical procedures for triage and to assist in care."
*TL: though most ISF have not had contact and they are considered by most to be a legend, this is short for Technocratic League. They use very advanced technology to simulate magic and enhance odd special abilities that arise from the mysterious training, implanting and conditioning one must undergo to become a technomage. It was once a mysterious secret society that has only recently emerged as an actual political state. Before the formation of the League, they were nomadic, but after the last of the Great Galactic Wars (long before the anthros of the ISF achieved space flight or the arrival of the humans) they became more actively interested in the happenings of the galaxy.
Pirate Airspace
The bombs impact the barracks buildings and turn them into mostly flaming wrecks. Most of the soldiers that were inside had gained access to the field, but those that were using it as cover to engage from were wiped out completely.
The Zetas pulled into their maneuvers, but the jump jet seemed to anticipate their tactics and had pulled an almost near impossible maneuver that must have exceeded the G capacity of any normal pilot. He was rushing up to meet them head on. At the critical moment, he put his fighter on its side, bringing his guns out of alignment with the Sabers and seemed to be heading between them instead of playing aerial chicken.
Pirate Tower
The wounded tigress looked at Knight with pain filled, pleading eyes. She was still gagged and had her hands and feet bound. Her lower abdominal wound was bleeding profusely, much more so than Cyndi's injury. Mostly due to a much larger wound, though luckily the feline also had a hard ballistic vest. But the poor girl could not even attempt any kind of action to help herself.
Hacker cursed fiercely, "fuck! Oh, wait... shit, got it. Damn I'm good!" The ambient energy that was poofing up everyone's fur died down as the hum from the conduit died down considerably.
Knight could not pickup a single trace from the team on the first floor, the tremendous disruption caused by an unshielded particle concentrator conduit played havoc with personal communications that were not received from Mother's transmission systems.
The injections given to Cyndi brought her around and she groaned, trying to curl up into a ball, pulling her tail between her legs, somehow thinking that it might somehow lessen the horrible pain in her stomach. Looking down at herself she managed a slight quip, "blood is so... h-hard to get out of white... fur."
Nitro finished wrapping Knight's shoulder and eyed him critically, "Cyndi is stable, but we need to get her to medical as soon as possible, you too." He looked down the stairs at the whimpering tigress, "do you want me to help her? It will take time with a gut wound like that... and we need to get downstairs to check Bravo team, if it's even possible... we have to do something!"
Sniper position
Romulus watched the vixen and listened to what she had to say. After she radioed her man in the jump jet Romulus radioed the Zetas.
"Zeta pilots this is Romulus. It seems the Jump Jet is not a threat anymore. Focus all attention on the pirate base. It seems we're not the only non pirates that where here"
Romulus then radioed Mother.
"Aaron it seems we interrupted someone else's rescue mission. Though I don't think we're here for the same reason"
Romulus then turned his full attention to the vixen his rifle still ready to leveled and fired if she tries anything.
"Seems there is no real reason for us to fighting each other. Though it seems you may have killed several of my men back at the base when you exited the building. While I'm still rather pissed at the possibility of losing some of my men I don't know what happened in the building so I can't fully hold you at fault"
Romulus looked down at the base for a second then back at the vixen.
"Well seeing as we have no real reason to be enemies anymore, might as well try to be allies. The name's Romulus, you willing to tell me yours?"
Control Tower
Knight watched Cyndi slowly come to, and get up. He was concerned about the pirate girl, but at the same time, his own team took priority. As the timber-wolf made her little comment, the spotted feline couldn't help but smile, "i know, tell me about it... Glad to see you're doing alright."
As he looked at the tigress he added "she's a prisoner, she needs medical attention, and I don't think letting her die would gain anything... Things are looking pretty good up here for now. Lets get her stablized, then check things out. I don't want to be responsible for a completely unnecessary death. Besides, she might know a little bit more about what's going on." Knight paused, and removed the gag on the pirate girl.
Knight gave the girl a friendly smile once she could talk again, he asked her in a polite tone, "Do you have any idea what's going on? Do you actively booby trap areas of your base like that? is there any chance the rest of my team is alive?" He tried to act comforting while asking the questions, making sure Nitro had everything under control. The Lieutenant knew the pirate girl was probably going to be in agonizing pain but there wasn't much he could do. Kight took a few steps back to Cyndi and asked, "how you holding up? think you could watch Nitro's back while i take Hacker and check on Bravo?"
Command Center
Aaron responded to Richard, "Roger that, I'll let you know when I have instructions for you."
Aaron turns around to address Mother and Saioko, "Unfortunate about the robots. We are running low on flesh and blood. Saioko I'm not sure about your request to retrieve them yourself. You do not seem to mentally be all together right now. I may go down with you and take Richard and Marissa. I fear that we are, however, getting over committed and spread thin on our resources."
At this point Romulus' transmission arrives and he replies back on the comm, "Wait, what do you mean, 'interrupted someone else's rescue'? What did you find out?"
Sniper PositionBefore the vixen can reply, Alex breaks in on the conversation, having bolted back to Romulus's position, "how could you just do something so destructive and reckless without regard for others... you wiped out an entire team."
The fox's expression shifted to a lopsided grin as she looked upon the coyote as if he were victim of inbreeding or mental retardation, "Hello. Mercenary*. It's what I doooo."
*Note: she pronounces it mer sen ree
Her eyes half-lidded, and with a mischievous grin across her muzzle, the vixen allowed a moment to pass before she waved off Alex, "really now, I am many things... and a mercenary is what I am... but I am not a murderer or a reckless, collateral damage artist. If your friends were the rude lot that barged in on me, then they are probably a bit battered up. The worst they might have is a broken bone or two; I fried their electronics with an EMP and knocked everyone out with a sensory overload. I don't appreciate being shot."
Now that she mentioned it, there was a gash on her arm that was oozing blood a bit. Her eyes shifted to a sideways glance toward her arm, following the others' gazes. She grasped her arm, "my negotiation safety assurance person..."
"What?" Alex asked.
"My pirate guard tried to outdraw this human fellow that was dressed like you two and got shot. I moved away from the idiot and the girl that was with the human must have panicked and pulled the trigger as she yelled for me to stop. I might have overreacted a bit. I thought maybe they were having some kind of militant shift of power."
"Huh, maybe... er, shit! I ran back over here to tell you that that tank has our positions here zeroed in. We got to move. You should come with us ma'am." Alex rifled off.
"Oh and Romulus, the name is Anastasia Tescrae, but call me Ana. Now let us go join the fight before the tank blows you up. You really must tell me how you managed to procure battle robots from the Acadian Empire?"
Control Tower Removing the gag from the tigress resulted in a gasp followed by a rapid fire staccato of pleads, whimpers and groans... a rather indecipherable mess.
When her incoherence seemed to fade and a bit more lucid mind took over, she did her best to respond, "I don't... ugggh, gods and goddesses, it hurts... <whimper>... I, um... don't know what's going on. K... Kirk... Farlane... was the only one... who <pant> would know anything... about that. And you... had to kill <gasp> oh gods... gods... that hurts... <pant> had to kil him. He was the second officer; I am just the... air controller duty officer and a medic. Please don't leave me like this... I used to be a medical officer on a corporate transport before they captured me... I am dying... I need help... no one here is going... to... do anything after you... leave..." She drifted off into a fit of whimpering and whining, though to her credit she forced herself to remain awake. Nitro moves in on her and begins an assessment.
Meanwhile, Knight turns to Cyndi who is in a land of pain all her own, but she is a bit more quiet about it. "I... can, but... I feel really dizzy and my mind feels like its full of cold molasses. I can't lift my rifle, not much strength left, but I got my pistol." Drawing her sidearm she checks it and then proceeds to put a shot in the head of the cyborg.
"Sorry, just want to be sure. I..." She gasps from a sudden pain, doubling over for a moment, "oh... damn... I...I'm not doing too well am I? I don't want to die... I really don't Knight." After a moment she shakes off the gloom and tries to smile, "it's okay, I'm just scared... go check out everyone else, I'll still be here, for as long as I can."
As Knight and Hacker head down, Nitro examines the tigress's injury. He applies significant antiseptic, but the injury cannot be sealed due to large area of tissue damage. Instead he pauses and produces a large clump of gauze, pressing it to the wound and applying heavy pressure while wrapping it with pressure bandages to hold it in place. Using a portable monitor he looks her over, applies a shot of painkillers and something for shock, before finishing up with a synthetic blood transfusion shot.
Even with as gentle of a touch as the snow leopard could muster, the process still illicit a huge string of rapid fire pleads, complaints and animalistic noises generated as a reaction to the pain that can be heard all the way down the stairs. After the process it sounds as if she calms down quite a bit.
The wolf, Hacker, tries to rotate his left arm and hisses in pain, "crap, I think I dislocated it. Hang on..." With a barely stifled howl of pain, Hacker uses the wall to pop his joint back in the socket, "<pant>shit... okay, let's go... I'll need to have this looked at, but its ok for now. "
Command CenterSaioko was about to object, but stopped herself, "
yes sir, that is probably best. I'm not in the best frame of mind right now. I've never been in actual combat in anything more than simulations run during the fine tuning of my combat programming... sessions... I ran through the combat programs in simulation as I was doing the programming. Uh, not the same as real."
Both Loki and Ixiah approached Aaron, gazing up at him with innocent eyes, well Loki less innocent as he has actually suffered combat injury in this form. It was Ixiah that spoke for the pair, "would you like us to come too? We are rather mighty psychic warriors... we have been trained well."
"To where the winds of Limbo roars"
Looking at Siaoko with a high eye brow, Nova starts to give her a knowing smirk. Nova says to "Even those, who are use to feelings, can't handle the emotions when a loved one is in harm's way. But Eric would not be Eric, if you stop him from going into battle." She turn back to the scanners
As RF noise fades, and Nova starting getting more information from the assault monitors...."Knight is hurt but functional and Cyndi has a bad wound and needs medical assistance. Major, the robots seem to have the upper hand against the real pirates... I am not sure If/or when they'll win or kill them all. Loki, Mother, Can we get them to clear a path to front the tower? And Hank is looking in need of medical assistance. Knight, have you secured the Tower? Can you meet up with a few reinforcements in front of the tower?." asks Nova
"Romulus, Knight and the assault team are need of assistance."
"To all pilots, has anyone check that tank in the motor pool, it looks like it is moving out of the airfield toward the tower." reports Nova to all members of the assault teams.
"Ooo, Can I go with psychic warriors?" to Loki. "We can meet the TL Wizards..."
PBH
Sniper position
Romulus looked over at Alex as he ran up. He stood and listen to Alex and Ana and smirks abit. He then looked at Ana's wound. He then looked at the base with his scope when Alex mentioned a tank zeroing on their position. He started to move down the trail.
"Moving to the second sniper position is a very good idea. Ana you might want to tell you men where you are if there are many left"
Romulus then radioed Aaron back.
"Well it seems there are some mercenaries here as well. Unclear why they are here. Don't think Ana will tell me why"
Romulus then radioed to Knight.
"Ben and the others should be still alive injured but alive. It seems they where hit with an EMP blast so that's why their signs are dead'
Romulus then looked at Ana with a bit of a grin as they moved to the second position.
"If you stick around long enough I may just tell you about my friends out there"
Control Tower
Knight knelt down next to Cyndi and squeezed her hand lightly, "you're not going to die, not on my watch..." he paused and looked at the Tigress, "i'll do what i can for you, but i'm going to be honest, we're not in a position to trust you too much... "
The Snow leopard tapped his comm set, and called into Mother's command center, "Lt. Whitehaven here, we've got a heavily wounded pirate, says she was a med officer on a corporate transport... chances are she'll die if we leave her... but it's the Major's call whether to bring her on board or not."
He then thought things over for a moment when he heard Rom's message. The spotted feline looked around for a second, then said, "alright, seems Bravo is still alive... Hacker, you're with me. Cyndi, if you think you need some help, don't hesitate to call. The team downstairs is MIA still, and we're all making it back to the ship, even if i have to carry you myself... clear?" Knight let out a gentle smile, and gave the timber-wolf a light pat on the shoulder.
2nd Lieutenant Whitehaven then got up and recovered his pulse-laser rifle. He headed slowly down the stairs with Hacker. He moved into position, and began a thorough sweep, searching for Bravo team while keeping a close eye on the team's health monitors.
Pirate Airspace
The jumpjet, amazingly enough, was already rocketing up to meet Satch and Norton as they were on their way down. They prepared to fire, but then the jumpjet did another strange thing: he veered away slightly, breaking his own aim on them and seemed to be heading between them.
"Oh, no you don't" Satch snarled as he altered his own course to bring the jumpjet back in his sights. He almost had the jupjet locked again, when Romulus' voice crackled over the comms.
"Zeta pilots this is Romulus. It seems the Jump Jet is not a threat anymore. Focus all attention on the pirate base. It seems we're not the only non pirates that where here."
"...What?!?" Satch uttered in surprise.
The jumpjet shot past Satch and Norton.
Mack pulled up when he got close to the ground, and now sped over the treetops, headed for the tower. Strangly enough, he wasn't getting any energy readings from it anymore. Oh well. Continue with the run.
The tower came into view, and Mack immediatly started firing his pulsed plasma cannons, aiming for the array on top of the tower as he whizzed past.
And sailed right over the new bogey, the tank with more missile pods. What was with these guys?
"Zeta-Two, I hit the tower, and it seems to be offline, but there's a new bogey, a tank with missiles. Think you can get it?"
Burns himself just reach the ground, and pulled up as well, flying over the trees in the same path Mack took.
"Roger, I think I can get this guy. I need to lose some more weight, anyway..."
Mack's computer had sent the data of the tank to Burns', and Burns noticed that at least no friendlies were nearby. Yeah, he was sure he could get this guy.
Only question way, would it get him? His rear and right wing armor were shot up, another hit there might put his fighter out of commision. In that case, if Burns was going to get hit, he had to make sure it was his front armor that took damage.
Burns raised his altitude a bit. He was going to come in at the tank on a downward angle, so if the tank managed to get off any shots it'd only impact his front armor, and drop one nice bomb on the thing. Overkill, but it would get the job done.
Command Center
Aaron commented back to Ixiah and Loki, "If you wish to convince me that you are mighty warriors, the innocent eyes are counter productive."
His train of thought was interrupted by Romulus, "Who is... oh never mind I'll ask questions later."
In regard to Knight's message Aaron answered, "Er... sure, bring her aboard."
The last bit of business of Aaron's was if he wanted to bring Ixiah and Loki. He desperately needs to keep them safe, but they are rather able, he owes them a lot due tot his fact. "Okay, I'm going down with Ixiah, Loki, Richard and Marissa. Saioko, if you believe you can handle yourself down there I'm willing to take you too, your discretion. Nova, I want you to stay here and direct things with Mother. Mother, I need someplace where I can meet up with you, I intend to rescue the wounded down there and bring them back. Hopefully that MBT will be off our backs soon. Barring additional surprises things should be in hand by that point. If no one has anything to add we should go gear up so that we don't accidentally get shot up."
Edit:
((Tweaked to include a reply to Knight))
Command Center
Loki took Nova's hand and gazing into her eyes spoke, "you stay here Nova, if you go out there you are going to get hurt again. I'm sure you will be able to meet a TL Mage later."
Turning back to Ixiah, they both nod to one another and grasp hands as they speak in unison, "we are mighty warriors and we will be fine. Besides, the universe has injured enough of our comrades; it is unlikely to happen to us. Now to the important part..." Both paused for dramatic effect, "outfits!"
Both fox kits separated and began to glow their respective fur colors very brightly, "let's try this one!" In a flash the glow disappeared and both were outfitted in strange, stylized armor.
Loki extended one of the forearm psi-blades, "do I look like a Zealot Ix?"
The gear dress up lasted a good few minutes before Mother appeared behind both of them, drawing both into a hug. The act of the hug ended the flurry of dress-up bringing both kits back down from hyper-action mode.
"Practical over looks please, kits. You have already been hurt once Loki, I do not wish for that to happen again. With the collars, neither of you will be at your best, so let's be safe okay?"
Both answered in unison, like scolded children, "yes Mother..." With a shimmer, some type of protective Acadian armor appeared on both of them.
"Okay, green one standing by."
"Blue one ready to go!"
Alexis shook her head, "kits..."
Fascinated by the display of raw power, Saioko almost slipped out of her own rigid discipline and joined them in a fascinating display of psychic power. She however, remained in control, "alright Aaron, I think I can keep my cool. Let's go get geared up, getting shot up sounds unpleasant."
Mother considered the field and a spot outside the base near where the Special Forces had first gathered glowed blue with a transparent image of the ship in the spot.
"I can wait here if that is sufficient."
Mother made a rather safe and quiet landing, deploying security robots to guard her LZ.
Sniper Position
Ana shook her head, "no one else here except me and Dex. Dex is the pilot up there, so that leaves me alone out here. Oh target of opportunity!"
One pirate was attempting to scale one of the towers unseen. If she could get the guns up, it might be a tad more difficult for others.
Ana, however, did not think it was a good idea to allow the raccoon a chance to be a heroine. With a bolt of blue energy, the vixen hit the pirate square in the back. The raccoon girl twitched and slipped off the ladder. She lay motionless on the ground.
Following Romulus's lead, Alex fell in behind, keeping staggered so as not to provide any opportunity to take out both of them at once.
Control Tower
Cyndi nodded, "after this is over here, I think I'll need a few days off..."
On the ground floor, it looked truly like a bomb had detonated. It was tough going for Knight and Hacker, the debris made very rough terrain. The maneuvering made it hard for Knight as the effects of injury made itself known and he had to fight the dizziness off with a spoon, a dull spoon.
Both reached the last known position of Bravo and found the debris to be lighter, but still present. The team was scattered about the area and looked very dead. It was not until the slow, rhythmic breathing of their prone teammates was seen that they could say for certain the team was safe. There were a few other forms gathered about as well, but their conditions were less of a concern than the teams'.
A manual survey of their vitals shows them to indeed be alive.
Pirate Airspace
Burns began his run on the tank, but the missile pods were already tracking him. It looked as if they would get the first shot, but that was not to be.
A small delta wing fighter opened up with its dual heavy cannons as it zoomed towards the tank, flying only a few meters off the deck. The armor of the mainbody and turret of the tank was far stronger than the fighter could damage, but the launchers and radar were not. The depleted uranium shells tore through the armor of the launchers and the radar unit.
The warheads were inert until fired, so no spectacular explosions could be witnessed. The way was now clear to perform some seriously fatal harassment.
The fighter flew just barely a few meters above the tank, passing over it, and climbing up steeply. It passed over Burns, top inverted, and the pilot gave him a thumbs up as he rocketed over him.
Awww You don't let me have any fun..." Says Nova to Loki in a little girl voice...but her eyes soften, as she squeezes his hand and kisses Loki's cheek. "Take care brave warrior...and come back safe." Loki winks and turns to Ixiah.
"Enough of the mushie stuff!,.... Oh yea more explosions!" says little kitten Mara as she watches Zeta pilots attack with tower and the tank on the main screen. Nova just watches Loki go out the door with a sigh.
PBH
Sniper Position
Romulus walked and spoke to Ana, keeping an eye out for movement.
"So why are you in town? I wouldn't think you come here very often"
Command Center
Aaron nodded at Mother, "Very good. We'll bring the wounded back here."
Aaron wandered off with Saioko to change into more appropriate gear. At the locker, Saioko and Aaron were in the area prescribed to their own gender, with Ixiah and Loki outside doing... what ever it is that those cubs do. As Aaron suited up in some light armor he couldn't help but wonder, 'If there is a blue one, and a green one, is there a blue two and a green two? Three? Four? Aaron was far too amused with the prospect of squadrons of technicolor fox kits. Aaron grabbed an assault rifle and headed out to find Saioko and the two Acadians waiting.
"Very good, let's meet up with Richard and Marissa."
Ixiah nodded generously, "Yes lets!"
Aaron was still kind of concerned that the two didn't grasp the full gravity of the situation, but that was of little matter. Aaron and company reached the waiting area to link up with Richard and Marissa, Richard asks, "Oh? Came to give us orders personally? And in spiffy gear."
"Yes, spiffy gear. We're going to the control tower and picking up bravo team. Hopefully alive and just with mechanical difficulties. However, odds are they will need medical attention, so we'll be bringing them back here. Everyone ready?"
After everyone acknowledges Aaron gets on the comm with Knight, "Knight, this is Aaron. I'm bringing a bunch of people to pick up bravo team. We'll be there shortly."
Aaron then hops off to find what ever awaits him.
Base of the Pirate Tower
Knight went about checking pulses and doing what he could to rouse his teammates. He kept his rifle slung, as he planned on handing it off to whoever was in the best shape.
As Aaron's voice came through in his comm set, Knight responded with a quick, "yes sir, we've found them, and they're alive... we're trying to wake them, and at the very least we'll prep some makeshift stretchers to move them. Cyndi needs help more than any of Bravo's members as far as i can tell. I respectfully request we recover her and extract her first, along with the pirate girl."
Looking over at Hacker, he said in a quick voice, "see anything we could grab to move Cyndi with?" At the same time, Knight began scanning the wreckage for anything that might be useful as well, perhaps some sections of steel rods to make a stretcher or anything that might help in moving the wounded Timber-wolf.
Command Center
Mother shakes her head and drifts over to Nova, giving the feline a hug, "oh dear little Nova, you seem sad and perhaps a bit taken by the little master. You should be careful; he is rather young to understand those things and even if he did, you may be disappointed."
Alexis continued to monitor the situation and feed tactical data to the network.
Sniper Area
Ana continued to fly next to Romulus as he ran, but her ears swiveled back, "I told you I'm here on a rescue mission of my own, and I'm not poking my nose into your business...yipe!"
Ana managed to roll out of the way as bullets whizzed through where she last was. The vixen was not maintaining her shield anymore.
"bloody bastards put up a sniper of their own somewhere." The vixen stopped, placing both footpaws on the ground, gesturing downward she ripped the very rock from the mountainside forming it into a shield wall.
Gesturing for Alex and Romulus to join her, she made an inquiry, "if you were an enemy sniper, probably tasked with counter sniping you two, where would you be?"
Battlefield just outside the ship
Saioko was wearing a set of standard issue, armor, very light and advanced. It was not nearly of Acadian sophistication, but if not for the ISF badging, it would be hard to tell this design belonged to them. She had a sidearm and a light carbine. She blushed a bit as she was looked over, "it's my own design, the ship manufactures its own... and I took advantage of that fact earlier on. It is based off of some high tech designs being worked on at ISIS."
The feline followed behind Aaron, waving slightly to Richard and Marissa. All those assembled made themselves ready and when the ramp opened, moved efficiently. Richard and Marissa went first, scanning the area for any hostile activity. There was a pause as the vixen scanned over area, but it was quickly overcome as she moved on.
Aaron touched solid ground just as the security robots finished off a group of pirates that had rushed over to attack the landing ship. A digital HUD suddenly appeared in one half of Aaron's viewable area, it was transparent and he could see through it, but it was a slight distraction. Possibly sensing this, the HUD expanded into his full view, giving him selectable pull up overlays that formed nice neat tabs at the bottom of his vision. He received data overlays on each person on the field, each downed pirate still read as a living signature, merely stunned.
Everyone in Aaron's immediate area registered at 100%, except for Marissa who still had minor effects from her mostly healed wound, but she was fairly close to being at full health. Objective points read on the horizon, as well as the distant red of hostiles and blues of friendlies. It was like some video game, a fact that did not escape the fox kits.
"Okay so we have our mission objectives, but what are our bonus objectives?" Asked Ixiah.
Loki shrugged, "I'm sure they will be revealed as we enter certain areas of the map. Why did you outfit us with a psi-blade and a fusion pistol? Longer range weapons would be better."
Richard sighed, speaking into the communicators, "hush cubs, this is real... not a game, let us try and be quieter. Interesting things happen when you are loud; I do not want interesting things happening."
Saioko nodded in agreement with Richard and Marissa gave them both a sweet smile, but also a small 'zip it' gesture. Waiting for Aaron, the assembled group kept alert.
Base of Pirate Tower
With a little effort, the two were able to bring the other team members around. Ben was the first up, shaking off dust and debris; he had nothing more than a few scratches on him. The lucky dog.
Jaice tried to stand and collapsed back to a sitting position with a yelp. The Dalmatian carefully checked his right ankle and found it extremely swollen and rather purplish.
The one known as Wall pulled a heavy piece of equipment off of Rino, the Kodiak examined the downed snow leopard, "she's got a broken rib and a nasty gash on her head... but it's not serious.
Ben took a deep breath and nodded, "damn loco vixen, that sheila could have killed us all... but she didn't. Oh, crap, you look like hell lieutenant."
Hacker nodded, "he does, but Cyndi needs more help. She took a round in the gut, we also got a pirate up there that is wounded... same area, a lot worse though. We need to fashion some stretchers. The emergency one I had was smashed beyond repair when I was slammed into a doorframe. RC has got one, but Thorn is pinned down with Auel outside. .."
Ben sighed, "ya, Harold's got one, but as you said he and RC are outside. Rino's got one, but whatever knocked out our electronics probably fried it as well. The manual release should still work though."
Giving Rino's shoulder a squeeze and a smile, which the feline returned, he retrieved the unit from her backpack and unfolded it, "that's one."
A bit of searching finds enough banners and pipes to fashion around five stretchers if the need arises. Ben looks to Knight to issue his orders.
Base of Pirate Tower
With the team in decent shape given the current series of events Knight went and called up Nitro first, "Bravo is good, we will be there shortly with some stretchers for Cyndi and the pirate girl."
Looking back towards Ben, Knight said, "alright, someone is going to have to help Jaice over there get upstairs, we're going to need everyone else to help with the stretchers or providing cover for those carrying. The Major has decided to lead a rescue party, so we're supposed to hold tight here and get our people ready to move. I don't like the idea too much, but orders are orders." He paused for a second and handed Ben the laser rifle, "you'll probably need a weapon, if that EMP took out your suits, i'd guess the weapons got fried too. I've still got my pistol so don't worry about it."
Taking a moment to get everyone up and ready, Knight continued, "judging from the reports i've heard, i'd say laying low, and in the top of the tower is probably safest, those with long range weapons can provide cover fire while the rest of us prep the wounded for evac. If anyone else has a better suggestion, i'm all ears... " He paused for a moment to lean against a support pillar. "If there's no complaints, Hacker, you got point, Ben watch the rear, as i said, i don't know what weapons you guys have that are working, and i don't want to take any chances. Lets saddle up people."
Knight drew his pistol, and followed a few steps behind Hacker, making his way with the rest of the team back up the tower.
Sniper position
Romulus spoke towards Ana as he moved.
"Guess that mean you won't be coming with us"
Romulus ducked for cover as the bullets whizzed by. He was on the ground scanning areas for possible sniper spots before Ana even asked.
First he scanned areas he himself would snipe from then scanned any place someone could get a shot off. Romulus clicked on his radio.
"Sniper over the battlefield. I suggest you guys take cover for now. I'm trying to locate them now"
Romulus then spoke to Alex and Ana as he searched for the sniper.
"I don't think they are a good sniper. If they where one of us would be dead with that first shot"
Base of the pirate tower
Micheal Harsen, aka Hacker, headed up front as ordered. Ben took the offered rifle with a nod, "you heard the lieutenant, let's go. Keep your sidearms ready. Wall, help Jaice, and Rino, can you hold up?"
"Ye..s, staff sergeant... the busted rib really hurts, so does my head. I can walk, though those stairs are really going to suck." Rino replied, ears back.
Like a well-oiled machine, a slightly battered and broken one, the team moved. The pirates outside were too occupied behind their rubble barriers vainly trying to hold back the robots, to take much notice of what was going on in the tower. Most assumed that whatever took out the building must have claimed both friendly and hostile. The ascent back up the tower was slow, Knight had to eventually help Rino for the remainder of the last flight of stairs.
Everyone had been moved to the top floor, Cyndi was there a lot paler then when they had left her, and she managed a smile at seeing the rest of the group. Wall helped Jaice to the ground and then approached Nitro, the feline and bear grasped hands and performed a typical male greeting ritual of some type.
"Fuck Don, a whole floor gets dropped on you and you're still fuckin here." Nitro said with a half-laugh.
The kodiak nodded, "you all call me Wall for a reason Remus, 'cause I'm a hard motherfucker." With a nod, both parted and returned to their tasks. The bear knelt down next to Cyndi, "how you doing?"
"Hurts like fucking hell you brickhead!" She growled at him with an evil smile, accompanied by a wince.
Wall nodded, "that's good girl, when it doesn't hurt you better yell... 'cause that's bad. I'm not going to have you go down especially when you still owe me 50 creds from cards last night." With a nod and a squeeze of her shoulder the bear known as Wall picked up the gauss rifle, examined it and nodded, "It'll do... with your permission Lieutenant." It was more of a statement than a question, "where do you want us?"
Sniper Position
Ana sighed, "look Romulus, now is not the time for casual conversation. We can talk about why were all here later. I'll probably need help now... er, squid!" The vixen winced as if in pain for a second, though no wound was visible, and leaped to the ground a mere few seconds before the wall where she was shattered from tremendous force, "20mil... anti-material sniper rifle. Two snipers. They are both targeting me. Yes, they probably are not as good as you two, but my precognition encantation is keeping me a step ahead."
Despite the fire, Romulus and Alex could not clearly identify their specific locations, both were likely well camouflaged.
"You both are really good right? I hope so..." She looked up and winced, "here's the deal, I'm not supervixen, I'm going to get it at some point if we keep this up. I'm going up and draw fire, my shield should hold out against the lighter round. I've only tested shield against a 50 cal, and it held, so the 20mil may or may not. If not, there is going to be a magnificent gory rainstorm. You have one shot at this, make it count, I can't rebuild my shield fast enough to take a heavy round again."
Without waiting for a reply, the vixen shot into the air, energy crackling over her arms. The blue vix was correct that she was a high priority target for them as the 7.62mm round bounced off her shield just before the 20mm round crashed into it. The force push the invisible wall all the way to her body. The weight of the shot had dipped its ballistic trajectory downward, and she was bent forward at the waist eyes shut tightly as she strained against some unseen force. A few seconds and eventually the flattened, large round slid off her midsection and tumbled to the ground. Ana swayed in midair for a second before tumbling out of the sky and landing back first on the hard ground. Though it was a slightly slower fall than would be expected.
Her reckless act did reveal both snipers, widely apart. Neither had spotters and both were quickly scrambling for cover. Alex snapped off a shot, taking out the one with the lighter rifle and a mere second before he got behind cover.
Aaron adjusted to the new HUD. It could prove to be useful, once it stopped being so annoying. He also decided against adding more commentary to the Loki and Ixiah points. He would endeavor to discuss that with them later.
"Things look clear now. Let's move quickly to meet up with Knight and Romulus's team."
Aaron looked for a relatively clear and straightforward route and, after quickly finding one, leads his grab bag of a team to the first 'objective point'.
Sniper Position
Romulus focused on the other sniper. Once he even got a decent shoot he took it.
"Are you an Adult Wendy, now, Mother? Warning her daughter about carefree Peter Pan?" ask the catgirl looking into Mother's eyes. "Yes, I know enough about Loki to know he is not going to be emotionally mature for marriage or a girlfriend until I am long dead and turned to dust." sign Nova. "but my heart may not care about that. Oh, I may live long enough to tick-off at his childish antics. and my heart will find someones else. Yet I might enjoy the moment, until the future worries become great a burden. Peace, Mother I won't hurt Loki and he may move on to something or someone else without me, saying anything."
Nova turn to back to her scanners, watching the outside events, and she send to Aaron " Sir, Romulus is taking sniper fire, and may need help. Romulus please report. " She also check to insystem scans, for any other pirate activity beyond the base and orbit.
PBH
Pirate Base - evacuation team
Careful maneuvers through a rather open area is what was called for, and the mismatched group accomplishes that without much of a hitch. They reach the first objective point, a demolished, small utility shed. The remains of the building provide an amount of cover, as the area is surveyed. Aaron's group is approaching from the long way, swinging around and coming in on the Command tower from the airfield side instead of the area near the remains of the barracks.
Unfortunately the last leg of the journey before they reach the building is another stretch of open area, heading towards the fighting. The one thing they have going for them is that the building is largely between them and the fighting.
Sniper position
Romulus gets as good a shot as he is going to get and ends the career of a promising pirate sniper. Better that than the alternative.
He is aware of Aaron's movements, but there is no position at or near the assigned sniper position that can cover that area.
Command Center
The data on Romulus's position turns green, opposing sniper fire neutralized without casualty to the team.
One other bit of data on Aaron's position shows there is an observation bunker near the fence line between the base and the airfield. It is midway between his current position and the Tower, but he would have to move towards the airfield which is essentially the opposite direction from their objective.
The observational bunker shows a small energy signature, but cannot determine life signs as the scanning abilities from the ground can only isolate groups of five to six roughly adult human/anthro sized creatures.
Sniper Position
Romulus clicked on his radio.
"Snipers neutralized. Be aware Aaron we won't be able to cover your movement. Do you want us to find another position to better cover you?"
" Romulus and Aaron, Be adviced There is an observational bunker showing with a energy signature. It is midway between your position, Major and the Tower. All I am can pcikup is isolated groups of five to six persons around the compound. For you to aviod the observation bunker, you'll need to go toward the airfield." reports Nova to assault com. " I am sending Data location on the bunker"
PBH
Aaron was about to give Romulus the go ahead, until the message about the bunker came in.
"Romulus, see what you can find out about that bunker. Odd energy signatures have not been our friends lately."
Aaron didn't like being not covered by snipers, but his point about odd power signatures still stood. After double checking that things were clear Aaron lead his assorted comrades across the last stretch of open area, hopefully finding a way into the building with out exposing themselves to the fighting.
Pirate Tower
Knight gently eased Rino up the last few sections of stairs as her broken rib was starting to really bother her. He eased her down against one of the consoles and said, "you think you'll be okay to move after a rest, or am i going to need to carry you a bit?" he smiled and squeezed the other snow leopard's shoulder, flashed her a smile and gave her a quick, "i'll be right back."
As he went to go check on Cyndi, he noticed Wall had things in had, when the bear asked about the Gauss rifle, Knight replied, "it's all yours if you want it, i'm avoiding rifles for a bit." while nodding towards his left side... "think you could help cover the rescue's approach..."
He paused as the team looked at him. Knight went and checked his HUD, saw the location of the backup team and said, "Ben and Wall, cover the airfield as best you can, Hacker, take the Airfield as well.
Leaning down to scoop up Cyndi's rifle, Knight handed it off to Jaice while saying, "i need you and Nitro to watch the Barracks."
Looking at Wall, "before you take up a position, think you could help me get Cyndi onto our stretcher, and the pirate girl onto one of the makeshifts?"
Once the injured were somewhat secured, Knight leaned back against a console, right by Rino. He himself was starting to feel the effects of the wound again and all he could do was sit down and let the waves of nausea and dizziness pass. He smiled at the other snow leopard again and said, "don't worry about me... i'll be okay in a minute, but how are you holding up... those ribs should be looked at you know..."
Pirate Airspace
Burns was quite surprised when another fighter came out of nowhere as Burns was on his attack angle for the tank. the other fighter strafed the tank with cannons, managing to knock out its missile pods before they could fire at Burns. The fighter then flew towards burns, pulled up and over, and flew above Burns while upside-down, giving a thumbs-up through his cockpit.
Burns got just in the right area over the tank, and dropped a single bomb as he passed over. As the fireworks commenced, Burns sent a tight-beam transmission to the fighter above him. "Thanks for the assist, pilot."
Burns then got back on the channels for the ground teams. "Ground teams, this is Warrant Officer Torson. We've taken out the pirate barracks, are there any other targets you need us to hit?"
Sniper Position
Ana staggered over and collapsed next to Romulus, she hung her head panting heavily, "that took a lot out of me. I'm beat. Do you think we can rest for a bit, ow... I'm going to have a bruise from that. The shot had a lot more power behind it then I had thought."
Ana did not ask if they had terminated the snipers, she knew these two were professionals even if they had lousy manners, "so what's next for you guys?"
Command Center
The energy signature is rather normal, but Nova recognizes it after studying it. The signature belongs to an AMTS-00A, an automated targeting system for Surface to Air Missiles (SAM). The design is old, but recognizable. The steady, low-power state of the system likely meant the unit was in standby or offline and posed no threat to anyone at this point..
Approach to the tower
A small head popped out from the entrance to the SAM bunker and immediately ducked back in. A few seconds later a small hand holding a machine pistol began firing at Aaron's little expedition, spraying light pistol rounds at them with reckless abandon.
Pirate Tower
Everyone assisted moving the wounded ladies to the stretchers, the tigress complained the most of the two, and she was not looking too good, "she has more synthetic plasma in her then real blood at this point. With almost all our medical supplies up here, I can keep both of them alive for a while, but we need to reach medical ASAP." Nitro stated as he checked both over and adjusted to make them as comfortable as possible.
Rino smiled evilly at Knight, "I'll live as long as I don't pitch myself down the stairs. The bone split in half, but it hasn't shifted out of place much. You are the one who needs to be looked at, you are looking a lot like Cyndi... same look in your eyes and when you smiled I could tell your gums are rather pale. Perhaps I should carry you?"
Ben, Wall, Nitro, and Hacker all took up positions. Jaice took the rifle and hobbled over to a spot near Nitro. It was painful to stand, but he did his best as he scanned the rubble and open area between the two buildings.
Those covering the airfield were immediately alerted to the presence of an assailant in the bunker and began to attempt a quick assessment. None of the three could pick out an enemy as the bunker provided full cover from their angle.
"Crap, he has cover from the bunker."
Pirate Airspace
Burns received a tight-beam himself, "names Dex and you're are welcome."
The comm crackled to life, "their is a hostile in a bunker assaulting the major, but any strafing or bombing would be far to dangerous to the ground team."
Command Center
"Major Signature is identified as an AMTS-00A system. The SAM is in standby, seem and it is not a threat until someone powers it up." reports Nova.
PBH
Sniper Position
Romulus heard the radio and then looked to Ana.
"Well we're *gestures towards Alex* moving to help cover a bunker"
Romulus then looked at Ana.
"Don't know what you're doing"
Romulus clicked on his radio.
"On my way"
Romulus began moving towards the bunker.
Pirate Tower
Knight managed a weak smile as Rino mentioned her possibly carrying him, the mental image managed to bring a quiet chuckle from the Lieutenant as well. He replied softly, "best you make sure you're okay yourself before you make an offer like that... I think I'll be okay to walk anyways."
As he just sat back he heard the chatter in the radio, and the mention of a pirate firing on the rescue team brought a small flood of adrenaline back into Knight's system. He clicked to Rom's channel and said, "Rom, think you can cover them, or should i organize a strike team and hit the SAM site?".
He then switched over to Aaron's channel and said, "we've got you covered as best we can from the top of the tower... but we've got no shot Major... do you need backup, or do you think you can handle things for now?"
On the move
Romulus clicked on his radio.
"I'm heading for the bunker now"
There was once a man who said, "The best place to be standing to survive a volley from a machine pistol is directly in front of it. Damn things never shoot straight". Aaron decided that this person was full of fail and demonstrated his displeasure with phrases like "FUCK!" and "SHIT!" and "HOLY CRAP!" When the volley subsided there was oddly no damage. Well, some armor got winged, but what is armor for if not to take such shots? The fact that the shooter wasn't looking probably helped as well. Aaron made a hasty decision that may not have been the smartest of decisions,
"Marissa, Saioko, keep the area covered, Ixiah, Loki, cover that door way, Richard come with me."
It took Marissa a moment to parse the instructions, but she watched the area that Ixiah and Loki were not firing fusion pistols into. Saioko did similar, though wasn't quite sure what to do. Richard was about to ask if Aaron really wanted to go through with a plan that involved running at the guy with the machine pistol, but it was too late as Aaron seemed to be executing that part of the plan already. The poor fellow behind the door was furiously trying to reload his machine pistol. The large amounts of adrenalin in his system was not helping in this manner and neither were the blasts from the fusion pistols. There were some things that a 14 year old's mind were ill equipped to process.
When the pistol fire died down, the little raccoon looked around the corner and came face to face with an Aaron. Aaron was taken for a surprise too, shouldn't have been but he was. It seemed, that this would be a game of 'who can level their gun at the other guy and squeeze first'. Jacob, the racoon boy, seemed better equipped for this game having a machine pistol versus Aaron's carbine, while Aaron was more calm (Aaron was controlling his adrenalin output). However, Aaron was also not playing that game, rather he was playing the, 'Who can telekinetically blast the other guy in the face first' game. Aaron won that game, and the afore mentioned 'who can level their gun at the other guy and squeeze first' game was interrupted. This trick was new to Aaron, as evidenced by the fact that the kid hit the floor harder then Aaron wanted.
After making sure that the rest of the immediate area was cleared he went in and set about to making sure that the kid was tied up and his machine pistol was well away. He gets on his radio, "This is Aaron I've got the bunker entrance. The poor guy was just a kid!"
Command Center
Nothing else draws any interest from the scanners. Mara feels bored and longs to return to Matron. Something senses the little one's mood and an electronic mouse appears, piquing the interest of the young feline.
Sniper Position
The glow fades away from Ana's eyes, shifting from solid pools of iridescent gold to very pretty amber orbs. The vixen exhales and shrugs, "I'll go with you, I'm out of power for awhile, but I still have good optics. If you are trying to cover the airfield side of that tower I blew up... then, well... you are out of luck. This hill tapers off into plains, eliminating any height for sniping. That's why there are watchtowers over there."
She shrugged again and gave Romulus a blank stare, "what, you want me to raise a mountain for you over there? Unless you want to fly, you aren't going to be sniping in that area."
Pirate Tower
Rino nodded, "I know, but there are more important hings going on right now. I'm not hacking up blood, or even coughing... no trouble breathing, but it hurts and I can feel bone rubbing against bone in a very sharp agonizing pain when I move too much. I'm dizzy, but don't feel especially tired... I can make coherent sentences and hold conversation. I'm in as good a shape as I can be in with the injuries, I'm more worried about Cyndi."
The timber wolf turned her head towards both of them and nodded, "s'kay fer now... I'm getting tired of the pain though."
"They got it covered out there lieutenant. I'd almost think the Major and Captain were real soldiers... except for the charging the bunker thing. The major's two bonded ones are rather good soldiers." Ben stated as he received the major's report.
SAM bunker
The raccoon kid was out cold and easily bound,
Both Loki and Ixiah bound into the bunker and right up to Aaron. Speaking in unison they are both very exited, "wow Aaron, you used telekinesis! You need more control, but the potential is definitely realized!"
Both take a moment to give the larger fox a big hug. Richard leaned against the entrance with a very mischievous look across his wolf muzzle, "aaaaawwwww. Group hug!" Richard took large strides and wrapped his arm around all three of them.
"Ack! Wolf crush life out of us!"
Pirate Tower
With what seemed to be the majority of the problems over, Knight eased up to his feet, rather slowly, given his lightheaded feeling. After he checked the HUD map and things seemed clear, Knight tried issuing some orders, but they came out in tone more like casual conversation, lacking his usual authority. He said, "Jaice, why don't you sit down and get off that bad ankle... <heavy sigh> Hacker take his spot..." The spotted feline winced in pain as his left hand tapped the edge of one of the console housings. He released another heavy sigh, then continued, "So, for now, i guess we hunker down and wait for the major..."
After taking a little walk around the tower, he sat back down by Cyndi, Rino and the wounded pirate girl. He looked at the tigress and hoped she'd pull through. He asked softly, "how are you holding up?"
He then eased back into his sitting position, and did his best to keep alert and awake... which was rather difficult give his sudden urge to curl up and take a nap. He tried focusing on the others who were depending on him... so he tried having a mild conversation, "So Cyndi, Rino... where are you two from? and what made you join the ISF?" he asked in a strained voice.
Sniper position
Romulus looked at Ana.
"Ok where do you suggest we move out to? I gotta cover the bunker and the base"
SAM bunker
"Heh... yes. It was just a simple bolt of telekinetic force. But at that distance it must have felt like a sack of bricks hitting his OOF."
Aaron couldn't help but wonder about Richard. He insists that he isn't much of a fighter, but he was certainly a rather strong one! Though the fact that Ixiah and Loki seemed synchronized and using the first person plural was also interesting. Less so to a person being squished between two psychic kits by a wolf.
"An affectionate bunch we are. Still, we need to get to the tower and extract the team there."
One last quick squeeze from Richard later the group double checked the SAM bunker. Though he probably could not hear Aaron, he still leaned over and said, "You're too young to get yourself killed doing stupid shit."
They then headed off, they would retrieve the raccoon later.
Mara was getting bored until she saw that mouse. Nova is busy trying to keep an eye on the scanners and worrying about the pirate's on the planet and near space. So far, Nothing, there was no communications for the other planet or the orbital station. No distress signal made it from the base, but someone, somewhere could be make a call to the base, and then what.
With a last look at Nova, Mara pounces on the mouse, which escape at lightening speed. Mara spots the little morse again under the console and chases after it down a small ventilation shaft.
PBH
Pirate Tower
Personnel restructured as ordered, but Ben and Nitro both exchanged looks. Nitro shook his head and shrugged, prompting Ben to kneel down next to Knight, "lieutenant, why don't you take a rest for a bit, I can handle things for awhile until the major arrives."
Nitro looked Knight over and gave him a shot of something cold. Within a few moments, the fogginess in his head lessened. Nitro followed it up with a shot of Synth-plasma, as well as another round for the two ladies. The tigress cooed and made a slight purr, "oh, do that again..."
"All in good time, just rest." Nitro said as he resumed his position.
It took a moment for her to respond, as if she was mulling the thoughts about in her head, "I... I... guess I'm still here. I...I'm s...sure you're tired of hearin me complain about... pain, so I'll refrain from comment." She stopped and closed her eyes, she remained that way for a minute. It was just as Knight was beginning to worry that she reopened them and with a smile said, "Jeanne... Pewar... my name, in case I don't..." her smile faded as her voice trailed off and the feline began to cry for a bit before shaking it off, "I'm sorry."
Cyndi gave her fellow injured patient a small pat on the shoulder as she mulled over the question posed by Eric, but it was Rino who answered first, "I'm from Kalinost City on Antares Prime in the TC. I was actually sort of drafted into the ISF. You see, all of Ben's team, besides Ben himself were kind of pirates serving the green kit we are all guarding now. He was psychically influencing everyone, so when my ship was boarded by his pirates and we were taken prisoner, it was not long before I suddenly felt an urge to join his merry bunch. Rom and Ben both defeated Loki, we were all released."
Rino paused for a moment, "I guess the ISF force performed background checks on many of us, Captain Summers chose some unorthodox tactics, because those of us that met certain criteria were offered to be part of a new SpecFor team being assembled. I spent my required time in the trade Confederation military as part of the Space Force as a Special Operations Weather Technician*... a Space Force Commando, so I was a good candidate. The rest is history."
Cyndi sat up a bit with a wince, resting her hand on the red stain visible through her bandages with a heavy sigh, "s...same here, except I wasn't any special commando or prior military like everyone else. I was the only person without a questionable background that had communication training. I'm from the Corporate Sector Colony of Maia in the Tauri system. I'm not even an ISF citizen. The Corporate Sector is a loose confederation of corporate worlds that formed a mutual protection pact. I have nothing back home I care about, so if I finish the required time in ISF military service, I'll be granted citizenship... life will be much better not having to work for the CS."
*Special Operations Weather Technician: Tactical observer/forecasters with ground combat capabilities. They collect and interpret meteorological data and provide space, air, and ground forces commanders with timely, accurate intelligence. They collect data, assist mission planning, generate accurate and mission-tailored target and route forecasts in support of planetary special operations, and conduct special weather reconnaissance.
Sniper Position
The vixen grinned widely, a slightly unsettling thing, as it made her look rather evil, "why in the sky of course. Can you shoot off the edge of a hovering ship? Don't worry, she's very stable."
Alex was about to make a wisecrack, but he found himself to be several meters away from where he last remembers himself being and apparently in midair, "what the hell?"
Glimmering white energy drifted from Ana's left hand, generating a surface large enough for both the wolverine and coyote to stand upon. Both felt a slight bump, and then the vixen did something unspeakable, she released the power in midair. Alex flailed about yelling loudly for a few moments as Ana stood by with the same expression across her muzzle as when she first met Alex.
It took a moment for the fact that they were not falling to register to the younger coyote.
"will this help?" The space beneath their footpaws turned opaque, slowly resolving into a lustrous, black fuselage. The object they were on was triangular and appeared to be made of some crystalline substance, "don't worry, they still can't see this from the bottom and you can fire over the leading edge of the wing."
Tower Entrance
The major's rescue group reached the tower without any further incident and carefully crept in a hole on the opposite side of the building from the entrance that Eric and Ben had used much earlier.
Mounting the stairs, the team reaches the top floor in short order. Loki and Ixiah are the first up. Neither have much time to say anything as they are both parted by the fast movement of a certain female feline.
"Eric! Are you okay?" Saioko kneels down and gives him a careful hug, avoiding the injured shoulder.
Ixiah nods sagely, "I knew that would happen."
Command Center
The consoles send a message showing a power up near the hangers, same area the cloaked ship was detected at, and its very fast travel to a position where Romulus was indicated as being.
The location for Romulus and Alex shift to several meters in the air.
Sniper position
Romulus watched Ana toy with Alex, raiseing an eyebrow while watching.
"One, though you said you where low on energy. Two, you not Acadian are you?"
Romulus looked down at the object he was now floating on.
"Oh yeah I feel real safe"
Romulus got into a shooting position and checked to make sure everything was sturdy. He then took a position on the platform and covered the bunker and the base.
"Yeah this will work'
Pirate Tower
Knight nodded as Ben said he could handle things. The spotted feline also replied, "i'll just be sitting here if you need anything."
Knight then got himself as relaxed as he could while avoiding putting pressure on the wounded shoulder. He felt considerably better when Nitro injected him with something, and artificial plasma. He perked up, and became slightly less pale as the injections did there thing.
As the pirate girl seemed to be loosing hope, knight smiled back and said, "we'll be leaving shortly, and if it helps, i'd rather you express your pain than hold it in... do whatever it takes to keep your strength up. I said i'd try and help you, and i'm a man of my word... just, hold on a little longer." He then nodded in approval as Cyndi offered the girl some additional comfort and support.
Listening intently, Knight heard the tale of how the injured ISF soldiers came to join this particular unit. He himself was about to talk about his own past with ISF and ISIS when he heard the sounds of people coming up the stairs. It sounded like heavy combat boots. Knight checked his HUD and found it to be the rescue team. He let out a soft sigh of relief as the sound of footsteps grew closer.
When he watched the door, he was not expecting a warm greeting from a certain pink haired pantheress. he reached up and returned the hug, nuzzling up to her, and just enjoying the moment. He eased his head back once the obvious affection had been shown, and nearly whispered, "it's not as bad as it looks, really Saioko... i'll live..."
He glanced around her to see what the others were doing before wrapping the girl up in another big hug. He eased back and waited for the major, still feeling a little dizzy, but considerably better compared to only a few minutes ago.
Tower
"That is much like saying you knew water would flow down the mountain." Ixiah snirked at Aaron's comment.
Aaron surveys the damage, most people looked to be roughed up while a few looked to be in terrible shape, "Okay, if we know how we are moving everyone, Mother is close by. When we're ready to head out we'll lead the way."
"Mother, Major has reach the tower, and getting ready to move the wounded. Data on the wound is coming in and I am passing this on to Medical." Nova reports to Mother. "Romulus, stand ready the rescue team could be coming out of the tower in a moment. "No threats detected, but watch for stray pirate groups."
Nova notices that her kitten is missing "Mother, Where is Mara?"
The ventalition system, Mara is one level down and several compartments away. Mara has lose sight of the mouse, but is following her electronic sense to one of the service tube.
PBH
Pirate Airspace
Burns got the message that there was only one target left, but wasn't suitable for an airstrike do to friendly presence. "Acknowledged. In that case, we are returning to Meta." Burns sent a message ahead to Nazareth they they were coming in as Burns and the Zetas swung around. Burns sent one last message, back to the other pilot.
"You owe me for toasting my ass, by the way. Just saying."
Command Center
Nazareth noticed the power spike in the area where the cloaked dropship was, and that it was headed straight for one of the ground teams. He got on the comm. "Sergeant Romulus, alert; I am detecting an energy signature heading your way, moving fast. Be on guard."
" Nazareth, and I believe the power signature you are see is the Techmages' little shuttle, we saw earlier. It is under the Romulus and his friend right now. Since, they shouldn't be several meter above the ground without any kind of support." remark Nova. "The Power signature does match that the cloaked vehicle from before." the catgirl turns on the comm and says "Hey, Romulus please report location and status.."
"To all fighters, Please ensure that all pirate fighter craft remain grounded. and also provide air cover until Mother receives the rescue team."
PBH
Sniper Position
"I'm currently floating in the air on a platform recently made by my new friend Ana"
Romulus continues to scan the area for pirates. He then radioed Knight.
"How are you guys doing in there?"
Tower
Knight clicked his comm set and replied, "rescue team made it in one piece, we're set to move... just need a pick-up location. Cyndi is alright, but i'm worried about our other patient, she doesn't seem too good. We'll be moving very shortly, so keep us covered. Alright?"
Sniper Position
Romulus covers the tower waiting for the teams to come out.
"That's why I'm here"
Tower
"Excellent, Mother is over that way, so let's head out. On the way I'm going to check on the kid I knocked out to make sure nothing has happened to him. Hopefully the pirates will surrender soon."
Tower
Knight nodded, and replied, "yes sir" while easing to his feet. The snow-leopard looked like he was going to loose his balance for a moment, but he recovered, and managed to get upright before Saioko or anyone else could help.
Once on his feet again, he flexed away the tiredness in his muscles. Immediately afterward, he started issuing orders, "Nitro and Hacker, take Cyndi. Wall, you and Ben take our other patient, Jeanne, and the rest of us will cover you as best we can. Jaice, you think you're up for a walk, or do you need someone to help you as well?"
Pausing for a moment, he looked at the other snow-leopard, and while offering his good hand, he said, "Same question for you, Rino. You good to go, or do you need a hand?"
Tower
Saioko is barely able to hold herself back from rushing to Knight's side. Even though she does not make it to him before he has recovered, she still makes it a point to hover around him.
The jovial mood had drained away from both Loki and Ixiah as yet another reality of battle smacked them both in the face. Both cubs were noticeably downcast, though to their credit, both of them attracted the attention of the tigress and did much to brighten her disposition with their clever mind games and adorable continences.
The teams packed up quickly, securing equipment and taking up stretchers. The slightest amount of jostling caused Jeanne much agony and her whines and groans brought the two young foxes over to her. Their presence helped her, though they visibly did not do more than hold a hand or smile softly.
Jaice waved off help as he was asked, but nearly ended up on his tail as too much weight was shifted to his bad ankle. Richard swooped in under the canine's arm and supported him, "I think you could use a bit of assistance."
Rino on the other hand nodded at the question, "I need a small bit of help, the busted rib is really throbbing."
Sniper Position
"I am completely out of energy, but my ship acts like a battery, so once it got close enough, I could tap it. Wireless power... heh, not really." She paused as he asked about her heritage, "I am not Acadian per se, but the there is a secret in that... all foxes are descended from Acadians in some fashion."
Alex took up a spot with Romulus, though further along the wing. He scanned for targets, but found nothing.
Pirate Airspace
Burns' channel crackled to life, "hey, just doing my job, but sorry. Not bad flying, all things considered... you know, flying those semi-aerodynamic bricks."
Command Center
The tide of battle is noticeably turning against the pirates as the robots have finally moved into flanking positions on the dug-in pirates.
Command Center
" MOther, Where is Mara? All, I can get is that she is chasing something. ARe you playing some trick wit her?" ask the catgirl
Mara finds the mouse, or a mouse and she hukts it down a service tunnel further a way from the command center. She seem to be getting closer to the computer center.
PBH
Sniper Position
Romulus continued to cover the pirate base.
"So you had your abilities augmented?"
Tower
The larger spotted feline knelt down next to the smaller, wrapping his good arm behind her back and around her waist. Making sure to keep it well below the broken ribs. He said, "alright, lean into me whenever you're ready and we'll get up together."
When Rino was ready, he pulled her up as she leaned into him, avoiding putting too much pressure on her broken ribs, while he stood up. He let the combination of friction, and the angle he'd placed his body to hers, pick her up as well. He grinned at her once she was completely upright, and in reply she gave a slight wince as Knight eased her weight off him, and onto her own feet. He then said, "if you need it, lean into me on the stairs. They're gonna be a bitch, i know... So you can set the pace, and i'll do my best to adjust to what you need."
Watching as the the team packed and prepped, the lieutenant noted the two young foxes around Jeanne. He noticed how she seemed to quiet down, and looked altogether better with the little foxes around her. Somehow, he couldn't help but admire how well the 2 young foxes were taking the horrors of war.
While watching the others prepare to move, Knight caught something dark out of the corner of his eye. When he focused on the dark shadow, he noted that Saioko was hovering around him. She appeared worried again, probably about his condition, as if his reassurance wasn't enough. Suddenly an amused grin crept onto the lieutenants face as left Rino's side for a moment. He used his good hand to lightly hold Saioko's, looking at into her eyes for a moment, he said in a soft, gentle voice, "Saioko, i'm alright... you don't have to be concerned about the wound. If you should worry about anything, it should be a pirate ambush... I need you to be alert, and keep an eye out for everyone, and not just me... alright?" He nuzzled up to her, and kissed her gently on the cheek.
With everything else seeming in order, knight got himself ready to move and shifted back to Rino's side. He paused, looking at Aaron, and said, "Seems we're all set to move, but it's your order to give sir."
Tower
Aaron was glad that the two were taking things in this well. He gets the feeling that this may be the fist time they have seen a fight from this end.
"If everything is good we need to head out. Mother is this way, though I'm personally going to take a small detour to check on the kid I knocked out. I left him in the bucker tied up and I need to make sure he is alright."
Command Center
Mother turns to face Nova and produces Mara seemingly from behind her back by the scruff of her kitten neck (as a mother cat would carry a kitten, just not using her mouth), "you mean this Mara?"
An electric mouse scurries up Nova's console and stands at the edge. The little creature bows and disappears in a small explosion of sparks.
"Do AI cats dream of electric mice?" Inquires Mother.
Aerial Sniper position
"I am a Technomage and have had the ceremony of Joining and Weaving. I'm not sure what you mean by augmented." She raises her eyes skyward, placing her index finger on the side of her muzzle as she considered something, "oh, unless you are still talking about Acadian things. Perhaps you are postulating that my display of 'magic', as it were, is merely an expression of latent psychic powers expressing themselves because of my Acadian blood?"
She spun in a full circle similar in style to that of a ballerina, bringing her arms up in the spin and dipping them down with forearms up and hands bent at the wrists to display her palms. She bent her legs a bit as she spoke again, "an interesting hypothesis given your sample set, but I will have to add that there are wolf, cheetah and even human Technomages without any traces of an old race's bloodlines. It does have much to do with the minds though."
Tower
The group is easily able to traverse the stairs with their stretchers with the unoccupied members ranging ahead to clear the paths of any potential hostiles.
Knight finds himself a bit unsteady on the descent due to dizziness, but is forced to shake that off as he ends up all but carrying Rino down the stairs.
Saioko plays the guard, but eventually ends up offering an arm and shoulder to Jaice to help the poor canine down the stairs due to his ankle.
The group rendezvous at the bottom floor. Both Richard and Marissa are at the entrance providing lookout for approaching pirates. Both Ixiah and Loki remain on each side of Jeanne's stretcher, quiet and serious, they only seem to smile when they cast their gazes to her. She seems very much at ease.
As if sensing an inquiry, Loki speaks, "it's fine, she is stable. We are helping her, but we must not doddle here. There is a limit to how much we can cope with."
Carefully the group exits the tower, retracing the steps Aaron's rescue had taken to approach. When on flat terrain, Rino is able to move on her own, but it is slower than the others. Jaice is not able to move alone, forcing Saioko to continue to aid him.
This leaves Richard and Marissa as the sole options for guard support with Aaron. The fox kids do not seem willing to abandon the tigress's side, so they are not available for most things except in an emergency situation. Knight and Rino are mobile, but the injuries don't lend them well to being any thing more then backup in case of a firefight. Under those circumstances, that leave Major Brown alone to investigate the boy.
As the group continues towards Mother, Aaron finds the raccoon boy to still be in the bunker and tied up.
OOC: unless someone is going to take the boy as a character, he is not going to be joining the merry band.
Aerial Sniper position
Romulus continued to scan the area for possible targets and shakes his head abit.
"Man it seems the normality of my life is quickly going out the window"
Path to Mother
Aaron really just wanted to make sure the kid had not done something else stupid, like trying to chew his way through restraints or got himself hurt in some other similar process. He marked the location in his HUD to make sure anyone/anything else that came by knew there was a tied up kid in the bunker. Aaron did not want to drag him along in his weird adventures. He already had a motley assortment for his companions.
He turns around and heads off, rejoining the merry band of injured travelers and looking about for suspicious activity.
Path to Mother
The stairs were probably the most difficult thing Knight had encountered in quite some time... not only did he have to deal with a bit of dizziness, he was practically carrying the other snow leopard. He was quite grateful when she managed to walk on her own when they reached the bottom of the tower. Much like Saioko seemed to be doing to him, he watched Rino carefully, making sure she didn't hurt herself... A fall for her could lead to a punctured lung... something he wasn't sure they could deal with right then.
His attention was somewhat on the major when he went on his own little trek, and when he returned, Knight's focus went back to keeping himself upright and the team moving forward... He kept thinking, 'just a little more, just a little further... just got to make it to the ship... then you can rest... then you can relax... it's just a bit further' the self promise of sleep sounded good to him... he hoped Aaron could handle a situation... and if something did pop up, well, he did still have his pistol.
Command Center
"Aawwww Isn't she so cute?" Nova yells, takes and cuddles...the little kitty. "It's Okay little Mara. He was a good little mouse "....
"and once the teams get back we'll be on our way to Matron.. Is it that right?" Asks Nova. With one last look at the long range scanners, she takes the little kat to the kitchen. "Come on, I need some food and to fresh up for Loki and Matron" And then her stateroom.
Mara grumbles as Nova as pets her and she goes to sleep into gem form.
With a quick snack for the return crew and change of clothes "Uniform skirt and summer blouse", Nova stands waiting on the entrance ramp.
"Doctor, Can you meet me on the ramp?" ask Nova
PBH
Aerial Sniper Position
The vixen grinned yet again, though this time it was not directed at Alex, "you mean you don't normally wander the galaxy running into glamorous, mercenary vixens and fighting space pirates? I'd have thought this mundane for someone who travels in an Acadian gunship."
Path to Mother: the Final approach
The group makes poor time, but it is steady. The fighting has moved farther from the group since they last checked as the security robots are forcing them away from Aaron, Knight and crew.
The final leg of the journey comes, up to this point it has been clear sailing, but the fates always throw monkey wrenches... large starship sized ones.
As the group approaches the ship, suddenly...
Ramp up to the Ship
Nothing happens.
The rescue group and the remainder of the squads sent at the tower reach the ramp as Nova is apparently coming down it with Cynthia, the medical AI vixen of violet fur.
RC and Harold make their appearance as the two of them pulled back to help cover the rescue team's withdrawal from the tower.
"Yo, Alexis asked that we help cover your approach. The bots have pushed the remainder of the pirates out of range from our original position." RC called as he approached, Harold kept watch on the direction of hostilities with Richard, Marissa and Saioko.
The violet vixen immediately raised her voice to grab the attention of everyone, "alright, the security robots have the area patrolled. Everyone even remotely familiar with first aid, even if that means you watch a lot of medical dramas, I want to prep for triage for the possibility of casualties on the pirates' side when they surrender. Right now, get the injured to medical, the two on stretchers take precedence then Rino and Knight, with Jaice and everyone else last. Let's go!"
The medical officer hurried everyone to her medical area and instructed how to place the two severely injured ladies on the medical unit. A stern look was all that was required to send Rino and Jaice to their medical beds, and if Knight was wise, he would do as the look instructed as well.
Those EMT trained found themselves deputized as nurses as Cynthia literally operated on both simultaneously, duplicating her physical projection over that of Rebecka temporarily.
Aerial Sniper Position
Romulus looked around abit.
"No usually I'm on some planet fighting against other soldiers. Haven't been traveling in a Acadian anything up til alittle while ago"
Romulus clicked on his comm.
"Is everyone back to Mother? Just wondering if I'm gonna be coming back or are you guys leaving me here"
Mother
Knight plodded along with the group. He grew more tired and dizzy as they made their way towards the landing site. Once inside he removed his helmet and followed the party to the medical area. With both Cyndi and Jeanne being tended to, the almost scolding look the purple vixen gave the poor lieutenant was enough to send him sulking over to an empty bed as well. He sat down, eased into a laying position, and started undoing the straps to his various pieces of gear, figuring that the good doctor would be busy, he'd make her job a little easier once she was finished with those in a critical condition.
On the ramp and Medical Center
On seeing the away teams, Nova quickly run to Loki, and hugs him... "Are you Okay... foxy.?" Ask the cat girl... After a moment of assuring him and because the violet vixen commanding voice, Nova encourages Loki and Ixiah to help her with the less wounded members into the ship and into the medical.
Nova helps Jaice with her armor as gently as she can and directs, "Ixiah and Loki help with the others like that tough guy, Knight. over there."
PBH
Mother
Aaron click his comm, "But Romulus, you seemed to be having such a good time with your new friend, Ana was it? Any ways, return if you wish, things look about done."
After that Aaron went about being as generally helpful as possible. Contrary to popular belief, an advanced degree in biology was not remotely close to any sort of medical training. The 'Dr.' title was a PhD, not an MD. Still, standard issue first aid training and a good head on ones shoulders goes far. Though as Aaron was tending to people he couldn't help but think of the potential of psionic doctors.
Aerial Sniper Position
"Oh I'm having a blast. May ask her to marry me"
Romulus respond over his comm.
"Our mission still isn't done so I'll take up a position near Mother and you can call and tell me when we're moving out"
Romulus looked down at Ana when he finished using his comm.
"Hey can we get on the ground? We need to move to a better position to cover our ship"
Pirate Airspace
Burns huffed at the other pilot's comment, but said nothing. He and the rest of the Zetas flew in towards Mother's position, and got near that the ground teams were making their rendezvous.
Command Center
As the Zetas got near, Nazareth guided them in over the comms, and when they got near enough and slowed down enough to go into VTOL mode, Nazareth brough them back into the pods they were launched from with Mother's gravity beams.
Over the comms, he said, "Zetas, get a quick check-out, refuel, and reordnance and be ready to fly again ASAP, we may need you out there at any time. Burns, hang back for now until that armor's replaced and any other damage is repaired, I'll see what Meta can do about that now."
Aerial Sniper Position
Ana stood near the center of her ship, staring off into space and it was a few seconds of trying to get her attention before she shook herself out of whatever she was doing to respond to Romulus, "huh? Uh... ground, yes. I suppose we can. Standby, I'll land next to your ship. I hope they updated their IFF to include meee." The vixen finished with a wry grin.
Effortlessly, the ship tilted round, rotating on its axis. To Romulus and Alex the motion or lack thereof, was very disconcerting when combined with visual evidence of movement. In a flash, the world seemed to rotate around them, and quickly they were on the ground next to Mother. Slowly the ship decloaked and deployed ramps for Romulus and Alex to disembark if needed.
Medical Center
The activity was a flurry of surgery, which no matter how advanced the technology, still involved similar techniques. Cynthia worked feverishly, between her normal projection and the duplicate of herself that had borrowed Rebecka. Compared to normal procedures carried out by doctors of the ISF, the operations were rather fast, though those familiar with Cynthia's work know that it took her a longer time to study and mend feline internals. Those who thought they knew Cyndi found themselves getting far more acquainted with her internals then any ever wanted to. It was quite an interesting procedure, with a full body scan that seemed to convert her entirely to energy and turn her fur, skin and even musculature fully transparent.
The procedure was thorough, using medical nanites and microlasers to repair damaged tissue, track and eliminate migrating clots throughout her vascular system, and destroy infection within the body. The procedure had an added benefit of clearing out toxins and buildup within her veins and arteries and body in general.
Jeanne was in far worse shape, made much more obvious with the full body scan, and her procedure took twice as long. The process stressed the projection of Cynthia, with worry and anxiety, and there was a point when it seemed the medical officer had lost hope. However, Jeanne had a strong will to live, and the determination of Cynthia won through the day.
Once both critical patients were stable and resting comfortably, the doctor established fluid and medicinal injection systems, as well as an intravenous nutritional system. She released Rebecka and turned to Aaron, "I've closed up and repaired all the damage, they will need to heal and rest for now. As soon as I finish analyzing the biological data from both of them as well as cross-referencing what I've obtained from Nova with Jeanne's, I will tune the cellular regeneration systems to speed up their recovery. It will take a bit longer for Cyndi as I've not worked on a lot of lupines, but the biology is similar to vulpines."
Rino was next on the list, but her procedure was completed rather quickly as internal damage was kept to a minimum. The injury was stabilized and the bones reattached, she would need o rest in order for them to fully knit back together.
After that, the vixen's attention was turned towards Knight. She laid him back, performed a full body scan and determined her course of action, "you are very lucky Eric. There is a lot of damage, but nothing will cause any lasting problems for you. I will have to put you under for the majority of the operation. As soon as we tune the cellular regenerators, you should be up and back on duty very quickly. I'm starting the anesthetic, so please relax and leave everything to me."
Knight was quickly asleep and a local was also applied to the area and the process of repairing damaged tissue and bone began. No complications were recorded and the feline's entire system was scoured just as the others', though the injury remained for the time being, repaired and healing.
The two Acadian cubs did not heed Nova, but instead helped direct her overly helpful energy in the right directions. Nova seemed a very energetic and emotional being, but Loki knew that such energies were dangerous if not moderated.
"Nova... I'm fine; we are all going to be fine. Cynthia is taking care of everyone so be careful. Put the armor over to the side and make sure Jaice is comfortable. His ankle is pretty bad, but we can take care of that easily." Loki instructed as he helped around the room. The small fox collected Knight's armor and stored it in the appropriate area for each patient.
Aaron was as helpful as he could be, storing equipment, monitoring readouts as directed by Cynthia or her projection. He was even regulated to manually using his finger to hold aside a lupine internal bit as Cynthia sealed and closed up various things inside Cyndi. The experience was entirely educational, rather messy and smelly, but one hundred percent helpful. Despite being an AI, she had a better bedside manner and presence in surgery better than many flesh and blood doctors.
Command Center
At Naz's query, Mother brought up a holographic representation of the fighter that was damaged. She indicated the damaged systems in red, structural in blue and armor in green.
"The damage is not severe, I can replicate the necessary parts from storage, but we should consider recycling as much wreckage from the pirates' vehicles as soon as we win here. I'll need about an hour to finish the repairs." She spoke in a normal tone as she indicated repair tasks by schedule for her maintenance systems to handle on the fighter.
The remaining fighters were fueled and rearmed. They were ready for whatever action would be needed of them.
Meanwhile, in the field of battle, the pirates finally were backed into a corner. Out-maneuvered and out-gunned, the remaining leadership threw up the white flag and disarmed themselves of their weapons.
"Our leader wishes to discuss your terms with your commander." A terrier canine pirate relayed to the lead Acadian robot.
Alexis raised an eyebrow and regarded Mother and Naz, "I shall alert Aaron of this."
The vulpine major received a mental message, Oh Aaron, this is Alexis. The pirates wish to... parley.
Aerial Sniper Position
Romulus didn't know what to think as he saw he was moving but didn't feel the sensation of moving. He looked over at Alex.
"Things just keeps getting weirder"
Once they landed Romulus clicked his radio on.
"This is Romulus, Alex and I are at the door. We'll offer cover as long as we stay here"
Medical Center
Aaron had taken off the glove and was washing his hands off after manually adjusting internal bits of Cyndi. He gets the message for Alexis and replies out loud, "Excellent. I do..." Aaron blehed, and send back a mental message, Excellent. I do wish they would have done so a bit sooner, but no matter. Where are these talkative pirates?.
He was trying to keep with a theme of replying in the same mode that he was addressed in. Aaron's HUD was updated with new information that came in the form of a way point. He wondered if he should bring anyone with him. He figured the Acadian battle bots on site should be sufficient for protection. Before heading off he sends a message to Cynthia, I'm off to talk with pirates. Everyone else should stay with you and help out.
Aaron gathers up the carbine he neglected to fire and head out of Mother. On his way out he saw the decloaked ship with Romulus and Alex and maybe Ana. He figured he would go up to them to at least say hi to the new stranger. While she may have gotten some of the strike team, she didn't kill them and turned around and helped out Romulus and Alex. That made her a reasonably nice person in his book.
"Ah, Romulus. Good to see you. You should know that the pirates have offered to parlay, so hopefully hostilities should be over. Still, keep an eye out in case someone didn't get the message."
Med Center
With no complaints to give, the spotted feline quickly found himself into the comfortable black numbness of an anesthetized sleep. He was unsure of how long he was actually out, but at some point his mind became warm, fuzzy and groggy.
Between the after-effects of the sedative and the quiet background, Knight found himself in a restful, if dreamless sleep. At some point he could almost feel Saioko's concern, and he swore he could tell she was watching him. As the fuzzy thoughts bounce around his head, he decided that he couldn't tell if it was the edge of reality, or a dream. Given the warm, relaxed, if somewhat hazy feeling he was currently experiencing, the lieutenant laid in bed and let the machines do their thing.
Outside Mother
Romulus looked at Aaron came out and told him what was going on.
"Sounds interesting. What do we want from them though?"
Romulus then turned to Alex.
"Stay here and cover Mother. I'll be cover the Major"
Romulus then shouldered his rifle and looks at Aaron.
"Any idea where the meeting will take place?"
Romulus then looked over at Ana.
"Oh Major this is Ana. The friend I made I told you about over the radio"
Medical Center
"Oh Of course, Cynthia is taking care of everyone...?! We should be helping with basic nursing and care for the less wounded. And Where is Aaron going? The major looks dead on his feet and he shouldn't be going out. I am going to get some sandwiches and refreshments for those, who need something to eat." says the catgirl. She goes towards the galley for food for anyone who still awake.
PBH
"What do we want from them? Their guns and comm gear of course. Can't do what we need to with pirates looking over our shoulders."
Aaron turned to look at the vixen Romulus has just introduced.
"Ah Ana. The very same one Romulus threatened to marry earlier?" And for good reason it seemed. She was rather cute, and it was rare that Aaron ever saw a fox with darker fur then his, but it seemed to fit her right.
"I am Aaron, Major Aaron Brown. I would love to stay and talk further, but the pirates have offered to parlay so I need to talk with them."
Medical Center
Cynthia finished up the last of her patients and ran a few last minute checks. Both critical patients were stable, and comfortably sedated. Natural recovery would take quite a bit of time, but none were in danger of dying at this point. The cellular regeneration would take a while to calibrate as Cynthia demanded no less than one hundred percent accuracy without any abnormalities.
Satisfied that the medical equipment could take it from here, she began issuing orders to those she had drafted for medical aid. A medical area would be setup outside the ship for evaluation and treatment. For security reasons, none would be allowed on the ship except in the direst of cases. Equipment was carried outside in preparation.
The Mindscape
Knight reclined comfortably in a soft chair within a plain room containing no doors. It really did not matter his surroundings, the snow cat was busy reviewing his mission and possibly taking personal responsibility for all that went wrong, possibly not, but the intruding pink haired feline did not have such insight.
Saioko entered without using a door, drifting through the walls like a specter. She took up the cushion next to him, but had not happened to catch his attention, deep in thought as he was. Her tail whipped about like a demented little pendulum as she leaned over and gave Knight a big kiss. That should get his attention.
Galley and back to Medical center
The sandwiches were already made and waiting for pickup. Despite the offerings, most of the mobile team members did not partake. Battlefield trauma can be quite gruesome and for a few, this would be their first time. Jaice did partake of a nice meaty sandwich, but then he wasn't going anywhere. The fox kits had a few sandwiches and some juice, their corporeal forms required energy just like any normal vulpine and food was one of the primary means of obtaining it.
Outside Mother
Ana smiled wryly at Aaron, "Anastasia Tescrae is my full name, and you sir appear to be Acadian... after a fashion, at least a half-breed because you are grey of fur."
She offered her hand to shake and gave a very firm grip that belied her slight and thin frame. Aaron felt something wet and sticky in his hand and realized it was blood.
"Squid, sorry about that... the feline with the broken ribs shot me in the arm, accidentally. I should have it looked at eventually. However, for now, I'll accompany you as you'll need my help with them. I'm a mercenary and more used to dealing with scum and villainy then an ISF science officer." Replied Ana as she eyed his branch designator on his armor.
Not apparently going to take no for an answer, the vixen followed alongside Aaron as the three of them walked to the location where some of the security bots had brought the pirate negotiators.
"Major, these individuals wish to discuss your terms for their surrender. I have advised them of unconditional surrender, but they do not seem comfortable taking such terms from a mechanical entity." The robot indicated an average sized human of black skin color as well as an imposing ermine that Aaron recognizes from the view Mother gave them of the pirate base.*
Ana whistled, "awww, it talks and such a commanding voice. I want one!"
"My apologies. We are not available. "
"darn, I could do so much with someone like you." Ana stated, a bit dejected.
The human cleared his throat and spoke with a strong, though slightly high voice, "um, excuse me. Could we get to the negotiation part?"
The ermine merely grunted, looking imposing and proud.
*As mentioned in this post. (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,739.msg268655.html#msg268655)
As the three walked to the location of the pirate negotiants Aaron talked to Ana, "Ah, so you noticed the significant chunk Acadian in me. So, that would make you an aura reader yes? Anyways, tis a fascinating story behind my heritage, I may share it one day once I actually know the full extend of it myself. Though I am curious, Romulus mentioned a rescue mission you were on?"
Ana grinned at Aaron, "Yes, as much as I enjoy the company of pirates, I was here to rescue someone."
"Mind me asking who? Or maybe in a bit, it looks like we have found our negotiators."
After the three arrived and the dark skinned human addressed Aaron he answered back, "Ah yes, the negotiation part. Unconditional surrender on your part, handing over your weapons and comm gear to us."
Aaron was trying to skim the surface thoughts of the pirates. If push comes to shove he would add terms that he was going to do anyways, mostly regarding avoiding further incidents.
The Mindscape
Knight was still coming to terms with all he'd done to lead to the injuries, he felt responsible for everything that had happened, it had to be his fault, he had to have screwed up somewhere. On his third run through of the whole situation the spotted feline noted Saioko enter, and dismissed the event as he was deep in thought in other things. Then, as her lips pressed up against his, his train of thought became completely derailed... then exploded.
The sudden display of affection had been as pleasant as it was unexpected. At first his eyes lit up in surprise. After the momentary shock wore off Knight even managed to return the affectionate gesture to some degree. As Saioko ended the kiss, Knight snuggled closer to her, wrapping his arms around her and noting her excited, or, at the very least, impatient, body language. He let out a coy grin and said, "Clearly something is up. So, what can i do for you ma'am?"
One the way to the base/At the base
As they walk Romulus kept an eye out for possible snipers. Once at the base and Aaron talked to the pirates Romulus scanned the area for possible snipers as well. He noted the dark skinned human and the ermine. He then went over to the robot soldier.
"Did you lose any of your men?"
Once Nova handed out sandwiches for the crew and wounded, she helps Cynthia with preparation for the outside trauma center. She starts taking the first loaded cart out to the ship's ramp and then outside. She stops in a likely area off to one of the side the ship, away from the pirates and the others.
"Mother, Can I have a robot or two to help with the these tents?" Calls Mother over her com/radio unit. The catgirl looks over at the new vixen, wondering if she is the Techmage, as she waits for some help....
*** maybe this little red button on this tent bundle will do the trick....Goddess it is heavy. I wish I had the instructions somewhere***
PBH
Negotiation location
The human's thoughts: Okay how do I deceive this fox major? Then again, should I lunge for the male or the delicate fox female as a hostage with my vibro-knife... Do I deal? I have to come out ahead somehow. Aaron get's the impression that he seems to think that there is some type of aid hidden in the surrounding rubble.
The ermine's thoughts: Okay, I grab the officer for a shield and hostage and my buddies open fire from the rubble. The bots won't dare attack me with him as hostage, then I can deal on my terms.
Ana smiled a bit, "yes we can talk about why I am here later. Right now..." She stepped out in front of Aaron just after he delivered his ultimatum, faced the tough looking ermine and punched him square in the jaw with her bad arm. As equally surprised as anyone present at this rather forward approach, the ermine hit the ground, not moving. Turning her full gaze towards the human, she issued him a sinister smile full of sharp little fox teeth, "unconditional, all weapons and comm gear like the major said. Any questions?"
Human's thoughts: Shit! Okay, I'm going to stick the bitch next chance I get.
The human shook his head rapidly declining the option for questions, "no ma'am... sounds fair! I'll just work that out with the major if you don't mind..."
Human's thoughts, just gotta get close to him and grab him, looks like a wimp.
"Knock yourself out." She stated offhandedly. Ow, that hurt... that musti had an iron jaw... ouch, wrong arm. Okay Acadian boy, they are all yours. She thought towards Aaron, she did not have telepathy, but she seemed to know how to project thoughts for someone who did to pick up easier.
Stealing a gaze at the ermine, "I'd rather not..." He turned to Aaron, "your terms sound fair... would you perhaps be so kind as to maybe help with our injured? I would also like to know what you intend to do with us. Our associates will eventually come looking for us."
The human moved closer to Aaron, flexing his muscles just a bit. His thoughts: just a little closer...
Romulus's searching does not detect any obvious snipers, but the debris and rubble would be a good spot for a crossfire ambush. The robot rotates its head to regard Romulus, "Negative, all units are functional. Some sustained minor damage, nothing that will prevent any continued functioning."
Knight's Mindscape
Saioko's expression quickly deteriorated as she hugged Knight close, "I was so worried, when you were reported as hurt... no, when you were hurt, the thought of losing you was so strong... of being alone. I was scared... I am just not used to this." The panther female settled in his lap and nuzzled her head against him, "tell me Eric, does this feeling ever get better or lessen when someone you care for goes out to fight?"
Medical area outside Mother
Loki follows a little after Nova, still munching on a sandwich, "so why do they call these sandwiches? Were they created by Desert Sorceresses in ancient days? Oh Nova, just lay that flat and press the button, it will deploy on its own."
Others begin to setup the tents and deploy portable cots, while Cynthia begins preparation on the grim part of the upcoming medical detail... printing the triage tags. Each color coated: green for those that can wait, yellow for those that can be delayed treatment for up to six hours, red for those requiring immediate treatment or they will not survive, and black for those that are deceased or can not be saved.
Negotiation location
Romulus smiled abit when Ana punched the ermine out.
"Yep so gonna ask her to marry me"
Romulus eyed the human abit then looked to the bot as it spoke.
"That's good. Keep an eye on the rubble and debris. Looks like a good places to plan an ambush'
Romulus leveled his rifle at the human as he moved towards Aaron. He puts his sights on the human's head.
"Hey now we're not friends yet. No need to get close"
Aaron sends a message to Romulus, good catch there. I'm picking at his thoughts right now and he wants to take me hostage and stab Ana.
Aaron talks to the pirate human, "Yes, keeping your distance is wise. I do bite. There will be medical support, that is being arranged right now. Your men hiding in the rubble in a poor attempt to ambush us will need to come out quietly, otherwise my mechanical friends will flush them out, and they are not the gentle sort. If you cooporate then no further harm will come to you and your men. We'll keep you in the area for a while, then let you go when we leave."
Negotiation location
The human took a step back at Aaron's statement, his thoughts racing, what the hell? How could he know... what is he reading my mind? Okay change of plans, I'll use the female...
Holding up his hands, the human put on a plastic smile, "hey now, let's not be hasty here. I'd never be planning such a thing..." Slowly he backed away from Aaron and to the side, towards Ana.
Quickly he made his move, attempting to move around behind the vixen and hold his nasty looking vibro-shiv to her neck. However, Ana had already noticed this move and had signaled to Romulus to hold. She deftly grabbed his wrist and gave it a savage twist, producing a wet cracking sound. Howling in pain, the man dropped to his knees losing grip on his weapon. Keeping her injured arm out of the conflict, she tossed his arm aside, and applied her foot to his head sending the human tumbling to a heap where he lay still.
The vixen shrugged to Aaron and mouthed a "sorry", then turning, she faced the rubble, "anyone else want to negotiate?"
Within a few moments, rifle after blaster was tossed out into the clearing and the assembled ambushers all climbed down into view.
Negotiations
Aaron walked over to observe as the pirates surrendered their arms and shrugged back at Ana, Meh, you gave him what he earned. Though you may be amused to know that he pegged you as a 'delicate fox female'. Though speaking of injury, if you need medical treatment Cynthia should have a shop setup at the ship by now, she can patch you up. Let me know if you would like help with anything.
Next, Aaron formulated a plan for how the rest of this goes. The bots are probably poor at triage, so they would manage the prisoners, get the more sophisticated intelligences on immediate triage. Hopefully triage does not take long, the clock is now operating in terms of Matron time. Though he wants to help Ana recover whoever she was here for, she has been an enormous help and he owes it to her.
When the ambushers were all assembled Aaron told them, "Okay, your comm kit too. Next, tell me the location of the injured you all know of and we'll get to them with medical treatment."
Aaron then turned to Romulus, "If Ana wishes to get medical treatment then you should escort her to the ship. Just don't elope with her on me."
Negotiation location
Romulus was applying pressure to the trigger of his rifle when he noticed Ana's signal to hold. He let up the pressure on the trigger but was still ready to fire.
"I think I'm in love"
He then looked to the bots when the rifles and blasters where thrown down.
"Could you round up the weapons and get the bodies belonging to those weapons out in the open please? If you come across any problems from people. Kill them"
Romulus made sure to say that last bit loudly so if anyone was thinking of trying anything they would know what was awaiting them. He then looked over at Aaron. He also kept his rifle leveled at the floored human.
"So I think negotiations are going well, don't you?"
Romulus looked to Aaron after he spoke to him.
"Alright. No promise on alopeing though"
Romulus then looked to Ana and raised his arm to gesture towards the ship.
"If you are in need of aid then allowed me to escort you"
The Mindscape
The young lieutenant smiled as he fell into a state of snuggley bliss. He rested his chin lightly on her head as she clung to him, and whispered, "it doesn't get easier, never does. We just learn to cope with it better the more we experience it..."
He kissed her softly on the top of the head, continuing in a soft, gentle tone, "It's only natural to worry about those we care about, and i'm terribly sorry about the worry i caused you. I would never do anything that would hurt you on purpose."
He moved a hand up to her shoulder, holding her tighter, and saying in a near whisper, "Feeling a little better now?"
"Loki, Should I be carefull about 'red' buttons?" asks the catgirl but she pushes the tent button and the other tent unit she brought out. " And Sandwiches is name after their inventor, some horse. The Earl of Sandwick or something like that."
Nova watches the "negotiations" in shock.
"Cynthia it seem the wounded will be coming soon... ", she says to Cynthia as she goes to back tp helping the medical vixen. She connects and energizes all the medical equipment.
PBH
Negotiations
The security robot acknowledged Romulus's and Aaron's instructions, "Acknowledged. Re-calibrating threat assessments to include dangers to non-ascended Acadians and ISF personnel as a priority over security AIs. minor threats detected, pacifying."
The security robots fanned out and 'dealt' with a number of rogue elements possessing minor weaponry. No lasting injuries were received.
The assembled pirates quickly divorced themselves of any communications gear from personal mobile units to field tactical gear.
Ana gave Aaron an evil looking smile, "delicate fox female? Oh yes, so very much so. I shall get this patched, thanks." Turning to Romulus she places her hands on her hips and smiled, "after you."
With Romulus 'leading' the spicy vixen, they made their way to the medical area. Ana was the first person to be brought in for a medical evaluation. Though being an ally and the fact that there were no immediate other cases needing assistance, she would receive immediate medical care.
Cynthia regarded the navy blue vixen, "ah the technomage I've been hearing about. What can I do for you?"
Ana scoffed the ground with the front of a boot and spoke nonchalantly, "a small graze on my arm..."
Cynthia, a skeptic of self-evaluations, nodded a bit, "well take off your coat and let's have a look."
The vixen acknowledged and carefully removed her 'leather' long-coat. It revealed a very nasty, deep injury that began to bleed profusely now that the coat material that was stuck to the injury had been removed. The navy blue fur was quite slick with sticky blood. Cynthia narrowed her eyes at the 'graze' and then leveled that look at Ana, "if that's a graze, I'd hate to think what you consider serious."
Ana nodded slowly, "It feels much worse now that the constant adrenaline of action is wearing down."
Cynthia nodded and touched the vixen's forehead, Ana's eyes grew a bit distant and then closed. Cynthia scooped her up before she collapsed on the ground, "don't worry Romulus, it's best if she rests, probably in a lot of pain and I'll need to do quite a bit of work on that arm. I'm taking her to medical, come along if you wish."
The purple medical vixen turned and headed back into the ship, to medical where she placed Ana in one of the medical units and began fast work to clean, repair and set the injury. The cellular regenerators aided considerably, but could only aid to a point because of a number of unknown factors present in her body and cellular makeup down to almost a genetic level.
Once finished, she allowed the systems to take over and Cynthia returned to the medical area outside.
Meanwhile, as Aaron was overseeing the assembled pirates, Ben approached with a few of the medically trained members of both his and Romulus's units, "major. In order to organize the assistance we can best offer the prisoners, we were going to organize them under the guidance of one of their own with first aid or better treatment to gather those among them that need assistance. They will use stretchers and bring them to our triage area where our people can assist. I didn't want to spread our people out with them as I find it hard to trust this lot."
With Ben and the other special forces, they obtain their volunteers and organize teams to assist the wounded. Each team is issued a number of compact ISF style portable stretchers and remote beacons to flag patients or areas for critical assistance or rescue crews to assist. The teams head off and the special forces return to standby at the triage center.
At the medical assembly area, Nova stands by awaiting the call to aid. The human and the ermine from the negotiations fiasco are placed in a low-priority area and bandaged up as needed, but there is nothing seriously wrong with them. Both are guarded by a security robot.
Loki waits as well, pondering earls of Sandwick and Nova's involvement with big red buttons.
The Mindscape
The cat sighs and nuzzles closer. A very feline thing to do when one needs comfort.
"A little. Perhaps I could ease your mind a bit while we are here." Her chosen method is a very sensual one, yet calming and soothing. I will leave the details to one's imagination.
Outside Mother
Romulus looks around abit and then nods his head.
"Alright looks like everything is set out here. I'll come watch after Ana. Maybe find out what she was paid to come here for"
Romulus headed in after Cynthia.
Around
Aaron was overseeing the pirates and triage when he was jumped from behind, though not hard enough to knock him over, "oof"
Heyas Ixiah.
Heyas Aaron.
So, have fun playing mighty warrior?
Yea... well... at least at the part where you took out that guy with the machine pistol.
Ixiah was being evasive about what happened when he went into the tower and saw the team beat up. Aaron knew better then to dig into that.
Still, I must say I'm curious. You and Loki seemed to do something to synchronize during the fighting. And during Richard's group hug. What was with that?
Loki gets a hug from Nova, and then helps with the prisoners. After while she realizes that her help isn't really needed here. So she goes to Loki and says " We need to talk "
She heads back in the Ship, and to her stateroom. She sitting on her bed. she waits for Loki with Mara's crystal in her paw
PBH
Pirate Base wrap up
The surrender of the remaining pirate forces marks an end to hostilities at this base. With directed action from Ben and Romulus's remaining members, the pirates collect and transport injured for treatment at Cynthia's field medical center. The pirates suffer about forty dead, most of who were killed in the barracks destruction and twenty wounded personnel that could be treated. The wounded were eventually located to the largest hanger on the airfield, after it is cleared of equipment of course, with their own medical personnel and supplies for recovery.
The remaining thirty pirates who were healthy or suffered very minor injury were sequestered into the smaller hanger with bedrolls, their mess equipment, and lavatory facilities. Both structures were secured by a wide area security energy field to allow all personnel access to both hangers, but keeping them from leaving or attempting hostile action. A detail of security bots was stationed on guard.
A majority of the pirate equipment was destroyed. Only four hover transports, two jumpjets, one large jet transport and three helicopters remained. Over one hundred pieces of small arms, melee weaponry and heavy weapons were recovered, and all of it is old or of generic quality. The only two items of note are a pair of gauss rifles of unknown manufacturing. One of these weapons is kept by Donovan "Wall" Grant. Alexis scoffs at the "primitive design", so it is unlikely that these are from an advanced race.
The fox kits continue to be evasive about talking about the team injuries or the horrible state of some of the pirate casualties brought in. The only response to the synching that Aaron asked of Ixiah was an innocent smile, gods that can be annoying.
The general busyness of the aid given to the pirates, and the control of those healthy enough to still be dangerous insures that Nova does not get her little talk with Loki. Not because Loki is kept busy, but because Cynthia tracks the catgirl down and puts her back on the medical detail. This is accompanied by a lot of laughter from Loki.
Ten hours has passed since cessation of combat activities. The orbit of the planet passes observation by the Fourth planet without any noticeable spike in activity there or at the main pirate base on the other side of the planet. Mother remains at the base's landing field.
Both Cyndi and the tigress Jeanne remain in intensive care; due to the tigress condition and her own pleas to be liberated from the pirates, she is kept on Mother. Rino is in good shape, but her ribs still need to heal and Jaice is fine, completely healed by the time to move on to Matron. Knight makes a rather fast recovery, much better than expected and is allowed to do light duty. Cynthia suspects strange work at play here, but can't pin anything down.
Ana is out of the medical ward as soon as she wakes back up. Her vulpine heritage fairly well established in the medical systems. Her first priority is to speak with Aaron regarding the business she had that got interrupted. The other mercenary pilot, Dex Kaluhiwa, eventually shows up to check on his vixen boss.
Ana waits with Dex in the ship's lounge as the team completes the debriefing with the command staff. Everyone except for Cyndi (and the pirate Jeanne of course) is present. The security robots are not present, though Alexis seems able to speak for them.
Back in realtime
Ben puts down his datapad, "and that is pretty much how it went down right before Ms. Tescrae... demolished the ground floor of the tower."
Somewhere in deep space
Disconnecting from the stripped hull, the battleship uses maneuvering thrusters to rejoin its pirate task force. The returning cruisers show a bit of minor armor damage from a brief engagement with a few Corporate patrol ships.
The ships maneuver slowly to a safe jump distance and in a flash, depart for safer territories.
Mere minutes later, a Corporate Sector battle fleet arrives. Auxiliary cruisers, escort carriers, and old military warships converted for civilian use, maneuver in well trained and discipline fashion. All their gun ports are open and weapons charged, however it is for naught. The pirate's trail is difficult to track, but they jump in pursuit anyways.
On-Board Mother
It had been a strange couple of hours since getting shot for the spotted feline. He'd had an exceedingly real dream, which, given the way it had been altered from figuring out what went wrong, to cuddling Saioko, he suspected she had actually actively been there. Something to talk about later... Then, finding his shoulder feeling fine, and besides a slightly stiff feeling, completely workable, as if nothing had happened. Unnerving, but hardly unprecedented given ISIS's technology on the Coldfire.
After doing a quick check on everyone else, he'd gone to figure out where he could be helpful... not much happened given his light-work stats for the moment. He took the time to write a quick report on the mission from his perspective, and now found himself at the tail-end of the current debriefing, with everyone beside the critical patients included. Eric listened intently, still debating if there was anything at all he could have done differently to minimize the injuries that had taken place... it had been a combination of good fortune, good equipment and good training that had prevented anyone from being killed, and Knight couldn't help but feel responsible for how thing had went down so wrongly... and despite how bad the mission had gone, it was a complete success on paper... no one was permanently injured, and every objective had been completed.
He watched as Ben finished up, and observed those around him for cues... His report was filed, so, if nothing else, he had his official record out for anyone (with proper clearance) to read.
Aaron was rubbing the sides of his head. He wasn't sure if this headache of his was from, though he suspected a mix of the realization of just how much a difference 2 seconds makes (his random estimate of how long it took Ana to level the floor) and him throwing around psychic powers before he had a complete handle on all the ins and outs.
"Right, after that we were all pretty involved, I took a team out to secure the down group, and Romulus made contact with Ana. That contact seems to have gone well. Perhaps we can form good ties with the TL though this. I'm hoping to wrap this debriefing up soon so I can talk with her. We also need to go to the Matron soon. That is the original point of this expedition and we can't afford to get side tracked."
Though speaking of Aaron and the others getting involved, he was going to cut a strand of Richard and Marissa's for coming along with him. He didn't want to just quickly shoo them off like they were a burden, but he didn't want to force them to stay. Though he would be very glad if they choose to stay with him.
Alexis submitted her portion of the report for the security robots used in the assault, "the robots operated exceptionally well in regards to the combat drop and overland mobility. Transformable frames showed themselves to be a very important asset. However, their combat performance was average. This is due in large part to a flaw in the threat analysis programming. More precisely it should be considered an oversight on our part, because the weaponry and combat capabilities for a vast majority of the hostile pirate forces were so drastically inferior to Acadian tech levels that they could not accurately assess the enemies. I should have been rating the threat based on the special forces capabilities against their weapons. The error allowed them far more staying power than they should have had and enable the pirates to perform ambushes of your personnel. For this I am sorry. As for the prisoner status, you will see the report regarding their internment and the medical reports. All small arms and weaponry have been collected, sorted and disposed of. Romulus and Ben sifted through the collected arms and secured anything worth keeping, as well as all usable ammunition and other ordnance."
Changing the views on the holographic display, she brought up the display of Matron's site, "now that the combat has been concluded, we can address the primary objective... Matron. Nova possesses the only current link to Matron, and could be considered... 'compromised' by the connection. I do not want to seem alarmist, but we still cannot be one hundred percent that Matron is benevolent. We will need to proceed with caution. It should also be mentioned that the technomage, Ana, has a request to make regarding her rescue mission. We will need to consider this, as contact with Matron could begin to escalate things here very quickly. Pirate forces may become active, making whatever mission she is undertaking more difficult or impossible to accomplish. We should hear her out before we move on Matron's position."
"But I am AN Engineer, Not a Doctor..." complains Nova as She is dragged out to the medical tents.and see a smile/giggling Loki. She was going to go yell that smirk off his face, when Cynthia got her doing basic first aid to the minor wounded pirates, and other mundane chorus around the medical tents. The purple fox was always finding something else for you to do just as she finished each task... Only after the last patient was treated, Nova was now able to stop. She collapses into a chair, exhausted...
PBH
The report about prisoners and medical was probably going to be another of those reports that he was going to skip reading. From what he's seen there hasn't been any breaches of law or ethics.
The next problem he for sees is approaching Matron. He has 3 sources of information, while not all contradictory not all of it meshed properly. Mom said that he needed to reach Xaos and Gaea, Nova wants to reach them too, Mother regards them as possibly evil rogues. Aaron needed things to go smoothly there, but there was much to consider. There was a huge helping of issues such as who to take on the first Matron trip and who to leave behind. Especially big question marks surround Saioko, especially if Mother's suspicions on her true nature were correct. He might just say forget the whole thing and drag EVERYONE along. Aaron was beginning to pine for the days when his big problems revolved around protein paths.
"Very well then. If there is nothing else to add, I'll talk with Ana. Tell me when we can move to the Matron site. If there is nothing else you are all dismissed."
Aaron gets up and after the formalities he walks out to the lounge. There was Ana, he recognized her, but not her friend. The trouble maker who swiped a pirate plane he guessed.
"Ana, good to see you up and well. Lovely bits of medical tech they have on this ship. So, what did you wish to speak with me about?"
Out near Mother
After the meeting Romulus headed out to test fire some of the weapons taken from the pirates. He took out several targets and set them up a few hundred yards from where the pirates where being held. Romulus let anyone of the crew he saw know what he was doing. He set up at least a hundred yards away from targets with each gun and would move back until he found the max firing range of each gun he tried.
As the meeting adjourned, Knight saluted and left, he headed for his quarters. Despite being more or less entirely recovered, he was still feeling somewhat less than ideal, and although he'd spent much of his time in the medical ward sleeping, he still felt tired. The spotted feline had the intent of taking a nap before anything serious cropped up in the next few hours.
Nova's quarters after meeting
The still exhausted Nova had returned to her quarters, but was unknowingly followed by a certain mischievous lime colored vulpine.
The decision that she needed an elevated level of adrenaline was made and she was tackled before she could make it to her chair. Finding herself face down on the bed, her assailant repositioned himself next to her.
"You seem rather tired Nova. You didn't have anything to say during the briefing, nor anything to add about Matron. So I want to talk about it. What should we be doing and what should we expect?"
Lounge
"Yes quite lovely, it's as good as new... a little stiff and sore, but pretty much fixed. Your doctor is very persuasive; when she says rest... you do it, no questions or argument. Thank you by the way." The blue vixen stood and leveled her gaze at Aaron, "unfortunately your little operation here has just shot my chances of negotiating the release of our friend."
She gestured with her right hand in the general direction of the pirate compound, "an old acquaintance of mine happens to be an officer for the pirates. He was the real boss at this base. Your team killed him, but it couldn't be helped, he was a vicious bastard... now, I've been seen helping you guys out and any chance of negotiation and ransom is out of the question. He's being held at the main facility on the other side of the planet. We are both working on a limited timeframe. Once the main fleet returns, both our operations will likely be very difficult. Mine will be impossible, but given this level of technology, yours will likely just be a bit inconvenient."
She paused, looking a little uneasy, finally she continued, "I know I caused a great deal of the trouble you experienced on this operation, but I need to ask your help in rescuing my friend. I have a plan, and I think I can work with what we got."
Out near Mother
Ben had followed Romulus out and watched as Romulus fired the weapons, "intimidating our captives a bit?" The canine laughed a bit and set about examining some of the weapons. "There's not much here we can salvage, or find useful... unless you collect out-dated weapons."
Romulus found something interesting among the weapons, a plasma pistol. It was a model fairly comparable to the one found in ISF use, but it was heavily modified for yield and stability of the plasma bolt. It likely did more damage and had an improved range, but its capacity was a bit less.
Knight and Saioko's room
Knight was just about to sit down on his bed when the snow cat was unexpectedly pounced by a certain pinked haired panther female.
"You look so down Eric. I can tell you are still thinking about the mission. Everyone made it out and we accomplished our goals. There were some serious injuries, including yourself, but medical attention has saved their lives. You need to stop beating yourself up over this... too man curve balls were thrown at once. There is no way we could have planned for an enhanced cyborg, or a technomage on a separate op. The teams performed well, especially the inexperienced ones. From what I've been told, Ben's entire team was fresh recruits from unwilling pirates no less. So... study the mission and learn what was right and what was wrong, but don't beat yourself up too much."
The feline nuzzled his chest and embraced him in a hug of reassurance... +5.
Lounge
"Hopefully a quick operation. With how my luck has been going the main pirate fleet will bring more trouble then anticipated."
Aaron was a bit reluctant, he wanted to get to Matron quickly. But he did screw over her operation, he owed her what ever help he could provide.
"So, what is your plan? Being quick and discrete is going to be important. I'm afraid that if we make too much noise that will hurt the amount of time we have, and a swift plan will benefit us both."
Out near Mother
"If I was trying to intimidating them I would be firing at them"
Romulus looked over at Ben as he fired each weapon.
"If it fires and hits what I'm aiming at I'd say it has a use"
He smiled as he fired the pistol and tossed it to Ben.
"I'd say that should work for you"
Knight and Saioko's Quarters
Sitting down, Knight hadn't heard footsteps behind him, nor had he heard her sneak in behind him. Suffice to say, being pounced unexpectedly sent the spotted feline's pulse through the roof, puffed his tail, and sent his fur on end. His emotional state in those few seconds went from melancholy, to sheer terror, and, once things calmed down, something more akin to a state of mild bliss. As much as he could try and rationalize it himself, hearing someone else say those words was infinitely more reassuring then thinking them to himself.
He smiled as she held him, the bodily contact helped more than one might expect. He snuggled up to her and whispered a barely audible "thank you".
Laying down, he wrapped an arm around her waist and asked, "ya know, earlier, i had a really vivid dream while my shoulder was getting patched. You were in it, and i'm curious, can you actively project yourself into my dreams like that? or was it just a side effect of being hyper aware after being shot?"
He paused, noticing something, felt... different... His train of thought derailed as he began focus on the strange sensation... It was almost as if he could feel the pink haired patheress at a level he'd never felt before... A quirked eyebrow would tell that he'd suddenly found something that absolutely intrigued him. Furthermore, the depression-like haze of earlier had lifted, making Eric feel considerably better, as well as somewhat energetic. "Did you... i dunno... unlock, some latent telepathic ability in me?... I just had the strangest sensation just now... and i can't quite explain it with words... it feels, well, like i can feel you..." propping himself up on the hand, not wrapped around Saioko, he curled the rest of his body around her, while keeping his bright blue eyes focused on her face. He continued, "not like a sense of touch, but, in a way i've never experienced before."
Nova's Stateroom
Nova's closed her eyes and sighed, She remembers the wonderful times she had with Gaea, but Matron was just a present mother figure or servant in the background most of the time to the six year old little kitten. Nova, the adult, watches her little kitten self and her fairy fox friends playing in her memories. Nova realizes that her memories are colored by the trusting soul of her six year old self. Goddess Why do I have doubts?
"I don't know, Loki." she admits, " Matron is like Mother in so many ways. She will protect her Foxes, from anything she can. Caution and slow step may be the wisest course. They are my friends, and they will not hurt me. Somehow, I know that to be true. I can't tell you how I know."
Nova pulls her legs to chest and hides her face.
PBH
Lounge
"In actuality, it is quite simple... which means it is bound to go drastically wrong at critical points. It is all I've got though." She grinned a bit sheepishly at her cynical assessment, "I'll need a pirate air transport, a squad of your specfors, or whomever you can spare, and the use of a known and cooperative pirate officer. The only one who is ranked high enough is probably the one you have in your medical area. She's known to fly back and forth between installations as a kind of courier for important information. I don't know if she is trustworthy, but her circumstances make her the most likely to be cooperative unlike the other prisoners."
She took a moment and looked over towards Dex before continuing, "I can be transported over, under 'pirate' guard to inspect the health of the prisoner before I make a decision on the ransom barter. This gives me an opportunity to reach the facility, break him out and we leave quickly. We dress up a couple of your people as pirates, Dex will fly the plane, with someone as a co-pilot, and we walk right in as if we belong there. I'd suggest that Knight fellow and Romulus, plus three others... if you could loan me a psychic with good mental influencing abilities that would be perfect."
The navy blue vixen dropped her gaze to the floor as her ears drooped to the side, gah, I'm asking way too much... I feel guilty imposing, but if I don't do something soon... they'll execute... She shook her head and looked up again, "I'm sorry to ask so much, but I really have little choice."
Out near Mother
Ben nodded and examined the gun he was handed, "you know, they say a poor gun in the hands of a good shooter is better than a good gun in the hands of a poor shooter..."
The canine took aim with the pistol and put several bolts of hot plasma through the primary kill zones of the target he was aiming for, "but a good gun in the hands of a good shooter is even better. You mind if I keep this?"
Ben examined the pile of weapons and tossed Romulus the largest barreled slugthrower he had seen in a long time, "try this cannon out for size. Our armed forces stopped using weapons with this kind of caliber when mecha and energy weapons became cheap to mass produce. Thought you might enjoy 20mm high explosive rounds."
Knight and Saioko's Quarters
"You're welcome Eric." Saioko smiled as Knight's arm wrapped around her, but she stiffened a little at his question. Saioko's cheeks flushed a bright color of red as she stammered a bit, "I... I was in your dreams, yes... and in it we shared... something. I placed a number of nanites inside you when we first met, in case you got hurt I could use them to heal you... once I fully understood anatomy. I was so worried that I took a risk and entered your consciousness fully to help console you and make sure you stayed with us. I overreacted a bit and now the connection is kind of stuck open. I'm pretty sure I can conceal it, but we shouldn't use it too often."
Nova's Stateroom
Loki smiled sweetly at the cat girl and chuckled, "well, I am a bit of a rogue myself... but I'm no Alpha. If you trust them then I guess I do too. We just have to worry about Mother, and Ixiah. Ix is probably going to try and be open minded, but if Mother thinks things are beyond our control or too dangerous, then she can override my control and act as she sees best. She is my guardian and all."
The young fox looked away from Nova for a moment, seemingly hesitating, "just promise me you will be careful and think with your mind, don't let your emotions overcome you."
Lounge
Aaron can't help but trusting here with all this might not be wise. Then again, Aaron took stock of all the things that has happened since he took to trusting people at time when he thought it wouldn't be wise. He got Richard and Marissa, they are technically bondsmen but he always thought of them more as friends. Much the same thing with Ixiah and Loki. In that case he also discovered his true heritage and tapped into latent powers. Perhaps his luck in trusting people will run out, but until then...
"Alright. I can't spare any of the empathic psychics, but talk to Romulus and Knight. That last combat roughed up a lot of the special forces, but Romulus should be able to get a few together. I'm not sure about Knight, you will have to talk with Cynthia, though I'm told he is recovering extraordinarily quickly. The pirate in our med bay has expressed interest in not being a pirate anymore, so you can probably bargain with her to spirit her away too to ensure her cooperation. Though for my own curiosity, who is this person your rescuing?"
((OOC: Heh, walk right in and ask for him. You would be amazed at how often that strategy works for getting things you shouldn't have.))
Out near Mother
Romulus looked over at Ben.
"Keep it's yours. Consider it a present from the pirates"
Romulus smiled when Ben pulled out the rifle. He took it happily.
"You have no idea how long it's been since I've seen one of these. One of the first rifles I learned to fire. Knocked me on my back pretty hard. It's nice to see one still in use and not in a museum"
Romulus took up a typical sniper position with the rifle, meaning down on his stomach. He fired a few rounds at the targets then looked up at Ben.
"Can I keep it?"
((OOC: Just give me some ghost armor and I'm a Terrain sniper. Memories of playing a StarCraft MUD coming back))
The lieutenant smiled politely as Saioko explained the reason for their connection, along with the reason for his quick recovery. Still cuddled around her, he said with a lazy grin, "That certainly does explain a lot, and don't have any complaints. If you wish to continue keeping secrets, then i agree, we should keep this link's use to a minimum." He paused thoughtfully, "Do you know anything about matron that i should be worried about? I mean, i've read the official files, but after the last mission, i can't help but wonder if there's more too it than simple bad luck." He started to sigh, then snuggled a little closer. The contact again, brightening his mood.
"Before things get busy again, care to join me for a late lunch?" His hand moved from her waist to her hand. The lazy, blissful feeling returned, clearly visible in body language, the smile on his face, and, for those with psychic powers, his general mood and thoughts.
Nova's Stateroom
Loki smiled sweetly at the cat girl and chuckled, "well, I am a bit of a rogue myself... but I'm no Alpha. If you trust them then I guess I do too. We just have to worry about Mother, and Ixiah. Ix is probably going to try and be open minded, but if Mother thinks things are beyond our control or too dangerous, then she can override my control and act as she sees best. She is my guardian and all."
The young fox looked away from Nova for a moment, seemingly hesitating, "just promise me you will be careful and think with your mind, don't let your emotions overcome you."
" Course of, I am thinking with my mind," the catgirl says angrily Yet she stops, as , she remember a story...."....Mortals are weak and frail. If their stomach speaks, they forget their brain. If their brain speaks, they forget their heart. And if their heart speaks. " said the genie..."Oh! Haha!"
"we forget everything" finished Nova and sighed.. The sad cat looked at her crystal, "Loki, My gut tells one thing, my mind tells me other, and my heart tells me something else. All I know is I must go to Matron, no matter what else. If Mother wants, I will go alone. I must go. Yet, I would like a friend beside me."
"Hey what about me?" asked Mara..."Aren't we friends?" The kitten-fox was suddenly there on Nova lap. Nova hug the kitten and smiled at Loki. "I will get though this with a little help with my friends. I have to talk to Ixiah, and he needs his part of the song that is in my head. I will not sing it, again, even If I feel like it."
PBH
Lounge
Ana nodded in acknowledgement of Aaron's question, "yes, I should explain that one. I'm trying to rescue my infiltration specialist Marcus. He was originally working an industrial espionage job against one of the large divisions in Corporate Sector space, when the ship he was investigating was hijacked by pirates. He was caught while trying to escape from the pirates after being pressed into service. Pirates seem to look very poorly on mutiny. It's my fault really; I botched the first escape mission."
The typically irrepressible vixen looked disheartened and sad, but shrugged it off after a moment and restored her jubilant energy, "alright I'm going to go see who I can round up... I know where Romulus and Ben are, but not Knight. Could you be a good tod and go find him?" Ana, with Dex in tow, headed out of the ship and across the field.
Out near Mother
Ben nodded to Romulus with a very large grin, "you sure can, and don't think anyone will disagree." He waited for a second, pretending he was waiting for a dissenting voice to be raised, "well there you have it, unanimous."
Ana and her human pilot walked up to the two NCOs, very loudly leaving no mystery that she was approaching.
"Boys and guns, what is it that makes it so enthralling?" Ana asked her companion innocently.
"No idea Ann... just is I imagine." Dex replied to her.
The dark blue vixen smiled at both of the soldiers, placing her hands on her hips, "well, I spoke with Aaron, and he thinks it would be good to help me out rescuing my other friend still held by the pirates. My plan is to disguise you and some of your team as pirate guards, fly me over with a cooperative pirate officer from this base for legitimacy, and we break him out and flee."
She thought wistfully, "Specifics will have to be worked on the fly, too many variables to plan it all out at once."
Knight and Saioko quarters
Saioko nodded, "yes, lunch... let's do that. We will keep me a secret for a bit longer."
As the two of them walked towards the galley, the panthress scanned her data files for anything else on Matron, "I'm afraid ISIS and myself are rather in the dark about Matron. We only have the Hunnydew report from Nova's grandmother. The problem we face is that Nova, and her little pet AI Mara, have all the answers we need... probably Mara more than Nova. Nova seems to be a bit of a ditz, especially for an engineer, so I think we will all be going in there pretty blind."
The two of them reach the galley, and both are dispensed the sandwich of the day (very meaty or very veggie based on individual tastes) and any drink in the world that is not alcohol or any other type of controlled substance.
Nova's stateroom
Slipping off her bed, Loki gestured to the door, "Off to find Ixiah then." Loki stated, "Let's go."
The green fox headed out of Nova's room and down the hall with a purpose in mind. A short walk brought them to a recreation area where Richard was attempting to best the young Ixiah at a game of ping pong. It did not seem to be going well for Richard.
The vixen Marissa watched, barely restraining laughter as Richard bounced all over the place in vain attempts to return hits placed by Ixiah.
Out near Mother
Romulus listened to Ana then he looked at Ben.
"Looks like we get to play pirates"
Romulus shouldered his new rifle and looks around then looks at Ana.
"Lets go round up some people to play with"
The Rec room
Nova followed the green fox, and then stopped to watch the ping pong match... It seemed that Richard was trying too hard, to Nova. Nova follow the ball though Mara senses, as the kitten watched the ball. She tried to see, if Ixiah was cheating, but the ball followed the normal laws of physics if a bit faster than Richard could return it.
When Richard missed again, Nova suddenly reach and snitched it from the air, where she knew it would.
"Hey I was going to get it." complained Mara... The kitten sulked until she was hugged by Nova. Nova had never felt closer to Mara then right then,"But we did , we got it." She smiled at the kit as she remembered to their childhood adventures then Matron first gave her friend, Mara. Mara also smiled and felt Nova's love thru her link.
Then, Nova turned to Richard. "Richard, your ball?, You could try not looking at the ball, but where ball is going to be." remarked Nova as she offered the ball to him. "Ixiah, I have song for you and your lady."
PBH
Lounge
Aaron felt rather condescended. No one had called him a tod since he was 6 and something about her tone got to him. Ultimately it mattered little, now was not the time to be petty about such things.
Mother? Do you know where Knight is?
He's heading to the galley. And honestly Aaron, you could stand to use some of the high level psychic interfaces I've opened to you for things like finding people, rather then this clumsy 'verbal over mind link' thing you do.
Blah Blah.
I heard that.
Aaron sighed. In this case the feeling that he was being treated like a 6 year old were better founded, as Mother was trying to recondition Aaron like a parent would try and gently break a child of bad habits.
Aaron heads out to the galley. When he arrives he finds Knight and Saioko eating, and decides that doing so as well is a good idea. Aaron gets a meat sandwich with a cup of tea to drink.
((OOC: Bas can auto Aaron for a little bit of conversion, just to get through the, "I need you to go with Ana to rescue her captured man." bit))
Galley
Knight and Saioko sat together munching happily and talking lightly back and forth, basically just enjoying each other's company. The conversation paused, and the pair seemed to move a little closer, and talk a little quieter, Clearly trying to avoid disturbing Aaron's meal.
Knight was out of uniform, wearing standard workout gear for the gym. As Aaron approached, he nodded, and gave a curt, "s... er.. Aaron, How did the conversation with the Technomage go? and, is there anything you need of me?"
Arron replied, "Funny you should ask that. We're going to help her out, and she specifically asked for you, if you're up for it."
The spotted feline quirked an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the statement. He said, "My shoulder is fine, if that's what you're asking. I... " pausing to think things over for a few seconds, "I should be okay... Let me know when you need me, Sir."
Out near Mother
Ana nodded as Romulus and Ben secured the weapons they were both examining, "yes, lets."
Ben turned to question the fox after he holstered his new pistol, "how many are you going to need?"
Thinking for a moment, Ana considered what would be best without raising too much suspicion with the pirates, "well, probably we'll only be able to bring four troops plus a co-pilot. So that would be five, plus myself and Dex... though Dex should probably stay with the shuttle for a fast get-a-way."
"That's a rather slim team... we'll have to select carefully." Ben said thoughtfully.
"I asked Aaron to include Knight, he'd work best with that pirate girl you have in the medical area. She's the only one of high enough rank left alive and the most trustworthy. It is a big risk, but I'm generally not wrong about people... generally." Ana frowned slightly as if recalling something unpleasant.
Ben nodded, "well that leaves two besides Romulus and I."
The Rec Room
Ixiah grabbed Richard's near perfect serve out of the air, eliciting a, "hey!" from the wolf.
He regarded the ping pong ball for a moment before turning his focus on Nova, "oh? What exactly is this song for Nova?"
Marissa seemed interested as well, "the young master here has a lady huh?"
Ixiah stuck his tongue out at her, "not like that Marissa... not like you and Aaron."
A perfect point for Ixiah as Marissa turned very red and shuffled about nervously, "what, no, I... it's not like that..." Oh but it was and such things can't be kept from psychics.
Galley area
Saioko seemed a bit surprised, "another mission already? You are going to get hurt again..."
The feline seemed a bit tense but relaxed a bit when Eric squeezed her hand, "I'm sorry, that didn't sound right. I don't want to seem that I am not confident in your skills Eric, it's just that I worry..." Her last few words were sent telepathically, I don't want to be alone...
Heading to Mother
Romulus thinks while he walks.
"Hrrm. Maybe check to see how Wall and Hacker are doing. They can play pretty convincing pirates"
Romulus look at Ben.
"Anyone you can think of?"
Galley
Aaron sipped some tea and could help but consider the fact that, so far, every time he heard Saioko utter, 'That didn't come out right', Aaron was drinking tea.
*sip*
"I really do regret sending you and your men out so soon after the last action, but we need to act immediately. I'm also going to try and accelerate the Matron time table. We are burning valuable time, and if Ana doesn't get her man back soon it may be impossible to retrieve him alive. We don't have much more time either before the pirates wonder what happened to their outpost. My preference is going immediately to Matron at the same time Ana is conducting her raid. Knight, you should catch Romulus and Ana in the lounge, they are heading into Mother right now."
Galley
Knight squeezed Saioko's hand, looked into her eyes, and said in a calm yet serious voice, "You know i would never lie to you, i would never hurt you. I understand you're worried, especially with what happened early, but, you can trust me when i say, i will be back, and i will be fine..."
He smiled as his tone and mood shifted to a more playful tone. He started by kissing her on the cheek, and said as he got up, "you can worry about bumps and bruises when we get back. Watch out for Aaron and the others for me while i'm away... As a personal favor, do you think you could see if Mother could fabricate some body armor that looks like the pirate stuff, but, actually stops weapons..."
He ran a hand over her back, and squeezed her shoulder as he left. Leaving a quick, "see you later" in his wake.
Knight headed for the lounge and took a seat. Waiting for Ana, Ben and Romulus to arrive.
THE REC ROOM
"A song for me?...No no the song is the song of harmony.. And it is for you to sing for your lady .. for her to sing for you and to save your people ... the universe. " says Nova.... " Me and Loki have something .....else... " the catgirl stops and looks blushly at Loki and then Marissa.. " Ah the Major? ah What? "
Mara just giggles at all this.
PBH
Heading towards Mother
Ben thought as they walked back towards the ship. He snapped his fingers and nodded, "yeah, I think I do have a recommendation. For once, I think my team has the better choices. Remember all of mine were former, if unwilling, pirates. I think Harold and Alex would be good choices, probably Jaice would be good as well. Rino as a computer expert might come in handy... geez, only two. Makes for tough choices."
The three of them entered the ship (see Lounge below)
Galley
Before Knight had left the Galley, Saioko enjoyed the attention and purred like a contented cat, completely forgetting her worry. She waved as Eric exited and dreamily returned to her tea and sandwich.
Saioko finally snapped out of her dreamy state and focused her attention on Aaron, "I can tell there is something you aren't telling me. Is there something wrong... or is it some suspicion you have about me?"
She sighed as she considered the situation, "we also need to discuss how we are going to investigate this crashed Acadian ship... Matron."
Lounge
Ana, Romulus and Ben enter the ship and reach the lounge area to find Knight already waiting for them.
"Well Aaron is a good tod! I love when the boys obey so quickly, I could gather a harem if all the males are this cooperative." Ana smiled impishly, she was only being whimsical, but the machinations of females seemed very evil.
Dex cleared his throat and Ana snapped out of her momentary evilness, "oh, er... talking out loud again... you heard nothing! Anyways, I need your assistance Knight. Aaron has given you a run down of my plan, I need you as an extra specialist in the area of special operations type stuff, but also as a handler for our pirate lady. We will need her to gain access to the facility since she is an officer of theirs. I can't force her to do this and she probably isn't fit for this kind of duty yet, but I haven't any real choice. We all have a limited time table and it is ticking down to doomsday."
Pulling Knight to a standing position with one hand and gesturing to Romulus and Ben with the other, she gave her instructions, "Rom, you and Ben please go round up your people and get Alexis to 'make' the appropriate disguises for you all including Knight and my pilot Dex. Dex go with them. Knight, let's go see Ms. Jeanne in the infirmary."
The Rec Room
"Oh you mean for Reiya and I. Come, we should go to your cabin Loki. I can contact her, then you can link up and bring Nova into the connection." The fox turned to leave when Nova's words struck him, "what do you mean you and Loki have something else?"
Loki looked a curious as well, it was true that he cared for Nova, but he might not be old enough to truly understand what Nova meant or what could be insinuated by that.
Galley
Aaron sipped his tea as Saioko said her bit, when she was finished he responded, "Oh? Are you saying that you are a suspicious person? No matter, I've already dug at your secrets enough, I do not wish to intrude further. Though speaking of people keeping secrets, on the subject of Matron. Lt. Hunnydew has the most information, though I suspect she is withholding material facts. Of course, this is further complicated by the fact that she was a kitten at the time, so fact and fiction would be difficult to tell apart no matter how we got such information. Perhaps it is better this way?"
Aaron thought for a bit, "The best case is that we can, some how, salvage Matron, get her running again. I'm not sure how well this would work, I have no idea what sort of logistics it takes to run an Acadian ship, nor do I know the condition of Matron. At minimum we need to repair the sphere of harmonies. Lt. Hunnydew needs something at the site for this, though I've never been clear on what. She might not be clear either. There is also a song needed, Lt. Nova seems intent on shoving this responsibility on Ixiah, though he does not know the correct keywords. Fixable, perhaps, but not a certainty."
Aaron considers Saioko for a second, "Something else I must confess to. When I learned of my Acadian heritage I also learned that my mom left a fragment of herself in me, this fragment told me that I must reach Xaos and Gaea, but cautioned me that they are rather chaotic. Unfortunately, not much else was revealed to me, and things are far from clear. This, coupled with Nova's report, is all I know about Matron. I know this is a significant chunk of information, but it is important."
Saioko had an awkward grin when Aaron suggested she was suspicious, but when Aaron had his brain dump she listened didn't miss a thing, "So, we have little information about the interior, with vague objective points, all of which are tainted with personal agendas. This is going to end well."
Aaron chuckled, "Not in the least. Still, the best plan seems to be this, Ana and her team departs from the pirate base to rescue her comrade. We'll need to discus a plan for retrieving our men if she has to jump out of the system quickly, a distressingly possible scenario. Probably arrange to meet in a nearby system. We take Mother to Matron, leaving behind a contingent of Acadian bots to watch the prisoners. Then we go to Matron. I'm not sure how that will work. Go up and knock? Find a suitably large hole? Make a suitably large hole? I'm just not sure who to take in first."
Lounge
Knight listened intently to what was expected of him... He was an SF officer, however, he was normally leading a small cluster of mecha into combat, not playing handler for infiltrators... However, he didn't really have much time to point out his relative inexperience in what they were about to do. He was lifted from his chair, and gently 'asked' to join her... Aaron had more or less ordered him to help, so, with that in mind Knight headed for the medical facilities to go check on Jeanne.
On the way he had a few questions he felt he needed addressed, "Uh, Ana... i'm flattered that you've selected me and all, but, why did you name me? I mean, of what little we managed to see and hear of eachother, i just don't see how you can expect me to be the best for this job... Call it pre-combat jitters, but, i'm not really sure what you have in mind for me... Am i supposed to guard the ship? Do you want me acting as Jeanne's personal bodyguard?... We need these details hammered out, and our personas ready well before we touch down on that air-field..."
Lounge
Romulus raised an eyebrow at Ana when she made her little comment. Then he looked at Knight to get his response to Ana. He simpled nodded his head when Ana told to him and Ben to go find Alexis. He turned and headed out with Ben.
"This should be fun"
He then looked at Ben.
"Let's see who's fit for active duty before we decide on who gets to come play pirate with us"
The Rec room to Cabin Loki
" We have something else than what Aaron and Marissa may have.... Loki ... We are Best Friends, Matron will have puzzle for me and Maybe you, Loki. " says Nova.... "But yes, I will very much wish to see/meet Lady Reiya."
The catgirl followed the foxes to Loki's stateroom
PBH
Galley
Saioko briefly flashed a bit of guilt across her feline muzzle as Aaron asked if she was a suspicious person, indeed she was, it made her even more uncomfortable as Aaron admitted unusual bits about himself. This was the kind of stuff that could get him relieved of his command and whisked away to a secret facility to become a science experiment for the rest of his life. "I... I'm... not really..." She almost said something she might have trouble explaining but clamped her mouth shut.
She pushed such things out of her mind and focused on the discussion of Matron. She commented on the presence of a personal agenda, the feline swore this would not end well.
Reviewing what she knew of the previous expedition, she added a small fact that was so obvious that many overlook it, "er, well on the subject of entering Matron, the Hunneydew documentaries clearly show the ship was accessible through a hull door on the south side of the site. It is never clearly stated or shown whether this was ajar when they discovered the site, or it opened for them. If you review the extras on the documentary disk, there is a group shot of the dig team that is taken before they investigated the site. It clearly shows the exposed hull section without the presence of a door."
Tapping a claw on the table, she considered their resources, "since we have an Acadian ship, actual Acadians, and a derivative AI from Matron... this Mara, I think we have an edge. Mother should have data on one of her own kind."
Hall towards Infirmary
Ana had expected such questions and there really was no good reason why she should want him, since she had not worked with him personally. It required a bit of explanation, "very good questions. I need the use of the tigress, and you are probably the only one she trusts, seeing how you did not give up on her and insured she obtained medical attention. You are as close to someone she trusts as I can get."
The vixen lost herself in thought for a moment, "as for what you are going to be doing, you will be an additional gun and Jeanne's guard. You will need to assist me with keeping an eye on her, making sure she doesn't turn on us. I also think we are going to have to fight our way out of there. Our cover is simple; you are all pirate soldiers marginally under Jeanne's command providing an armed escort for me to insure I don't do anything sneaky when I check the health and well being of my crewmen before I open negotiations for his release. If we can't come to equitable terms, he will be executed."
Ana paused before she began to speak quietly, "I also selected you because I'm not sure how to proceed with a bit of information I have... if it hasn't been mentioned before, I am an aura reader. That's as psychic as I get. My evaluations show that your Captain Saioko isn't a feline specifically. She's a Darkshasa... or something like one. I've never met one, but I've studied the scans of their ships we have caught and the aural imprints we have archived from those times we have encountered them. Though I admit she is different, kinda like what I think a zombie or a member of the undead might be like. The core of her 'soul' is dead, er... unalive. Like she is made of things long deceased. I needed to know your reaction before I considered if I should tell Aaron."
Special Forces Area
Romulus, Ben and Dex traverse the halls to the Special Forces area and arrive to find most of the team, minus Cyndi is present. Rino is resting, as her fractured ribs still need to heal. Minus those two, everyone else is able and available to be selected to participate.
Alexis is present with the lead security robot, discussing tactics and strategy with some of the members of the Special Forces squads. Everyone turns to great Romulus and Ben as they enter and look questionably at the human, Dex, that comes up behind them.
Ben points his thumb over his shoulder at the human, "this is Dex, Ana's pilot."
Harold, one of Ben's squad, and the only other human on the whole ship nods to Dex. Dex returns the nod signifying an immediate bond based on race. Humans are relatively common and integrate well, but tend to gravitate towards other members of their species subconsciously.
Loki's Cabin
With some quiet concentration, Ixiah sits still for a few minutes in a meditation position. Loki waits patiently on his bed gazing at Nova thoughtfully.
The silence is deafening, but eventually is broken as the blue fox opens his eyes. He nods to Loki who takes that moment to grasp Nova's hand. The young fox blushes a bit, slightly confusing himself before he shakes it off and focuses at the task in hand.
Nova is drawn into a bright white tunnel and feels the illusion of travel over great distances. She emerges into a large, white circular room ringed with ivory colored couches.
Loki is already present with Ixiah. The small green fox is hugging a larger pink and white furred vixen with striking cobalt blue eyes. Releasing Loki, the female regards Nova curiously, "I thought you might be bringing Aaron when you mentioned someone important. I always wanted to meet Kyubi's son."
The vixen padded over to Nova and sized her up before deciding to hug the cat girl. Reiya's tail wagged as she embraced the new girl, "so what is it that you wished to share?"
Galley
He was sure he almost got her to tell him the truth there. Aaron kept such thoughts safely tucked into a part of his mind that he was sure other psychics couldn't pickup on.
Aaron takes one last good sip from his tea before responding, "Ah, I missed that detail about the opening on the south side. I'm not sure how Mara will fit in this. You must remember I'm rather reluctant to take Lt. Hunneydew in the initial trip, though that may be unavoidable. I fear she will quickly complicate things in unpleasant ways."
Saioko though for a second, "Though if you are concern about things becoming complicated in unpleasant ways, won't your presence do that too? Assuming that your little nugget of wisdom wasn't just a figment of your imagination."
Aaron though on this bluntly delivered wisdom a second, "Well, I think it is possible to concede your point about it being my imagination and still have it be legitimate. Psionics are so weird. In either case, I would see that an a further argument against taking Nova. However, this idea I have largely vetoed already. There is not as much time as I would like and I'm going to assume that Ana's plan leaves us with even less. I'm thinking that we leave the special forces that don't get drafted into Ana's plan behind and take you, Nova, Ixiah and Loki with me along with Marissa and Richard. I'm still not sure what will happen after we get there. I'm not sure if Mother's records or the Hunnydew's expedition records will help there. We may just have to step through the breach and hope that fortune favors the foolish."
Saioko sat and puzzled for a bit, "Well, what about going to the bridge? Didn't the Hunnydew expedition find something there?"
"Hmm? I believe so. So first thing we do is head to the bridge." Aaron was not sure how he missed the obvious like that.
Wonderland or Loki's Cabin
A shock Nova takes the hug and gives one back to Reiya. She steps back and looks to Loki then to Ixiah and Reiya.
"The Masters... Can the Masters hear us here?" asks the catgirl. Nova is unsure for a moment, but decides to trust Ixiah and also trust Reiya. With Sigh, Lieutenant Hunnydew speaks in her authoritative voice
" I was only give this to Ixiah to give to you, but this is important. This is very important even without the Spiral Crystal of the Acadian. It will block the master's song and may take out their control of the Network. It has two parts, a male and a female, that will build and feedback and expand as it adsorbs the disharmony of the Masters' song. It can break the Master's Hold on the galaxy... But the chance to imprison all the Masters will be lost, if you two, don't sing it into the network only when the Spiral Crystal is completed. How I know this? "
Nova recalls Mara. "I got this Song of Harmony from Gaea and Matron. Yes the great villains of Acadians... and I have Mara, Matron's daughter with me. But I will not force you to take this song. and I want you to decide if you want to it. ... Before I go to Matron, again I will sing you the song."
PBH
Hallways
Knight made it appear that he was slightly detached from the entire conversation, doing his best to put up an emotional make. The feline's guise faltered when she mentioned that Jeanne's trust in him, and it grew into a look somewhere between surprise and guilt. He replied, "That information is neither new nor shocking for me... The fact that you know, however, is... I've given her my word that i would hold that information until she deems that she is ready, and not before then. You can call it dishonest, but she's given me her trust and i'm not about to violate my word... I'm not sure how much the major actually knows."
The spotted feline paused as he choose his words carefully, "I wasn't assigned to this ship, I was working with the ISIS on a new type of ship... We were attacked, and Captain Natsume and myself were picked up in a damaged escape pod. I'm not really sure what else i can tell you, Aaron doesn't seem to like keeping secrets and prefers information free flowing... however, I have also been sworn to secrecy on the entire mission."
"This is something we can discuss later, however... For now, lets go save you friend."
Letting out a sigh, Knight tried to relax his pose, and loosen the knot that had tied itself in his stomach. He started mental relaxation techniques that had served him well, as he headed towards the Infirmary.
Special Forces Area
Romulus looked at the troops.
"Well it seems Ben and I are going to play pirate for a while. Hold the fort down while where we're out"
He then looked to Ben.
"Alright round up your pirates, see who's active for duty and we'll figure out our team for this"
Galley
Saioko nodded in agreement, the bridge was likely the most logical location to start their investigation. There was still a bit of a concern with amiability of the occupants and the ship itself, "Aaron, are we sure that Matron is friendly? What about the Acadian pilots? What are we to do if they are hostile?"
Saioko crossed her arms and regarded her commanding officer carefully. She needed to test him; his revelations about his heritage left an unaddressed question of loyalty, one that no one on the ship or even among Aaron's current superiors seemed to acknowledge.
"It is a fair question. As an Acadian yourself, plus Mother and her daughters, Loki and Ixiah... I am a bit concerned that we may not be approaching this as objectively as we should." As the feline spoke, her own guilt kicked the back of her mind, I sound like such a hypocrite... I'm not even what I claim to be.
Reiya's psychic reception center
Reiya shook her head as Nova questioned her about the Masters, "no, this zone is my mental construct with the main ISF fleet central. I'm not using Acadian communication channels. I could create an isolated node if you wanted to talk to them, but I don't think you can resist them."
Listening to Nova, the pink vixen nodded, "Ix opened the channel to me so you can give this harmony directly. He is a physical warrior and his mental and empathic powers are not as strong as mine. I'm sure he thought it best to communicate it directly because I am capable of using it."
The vixen's eyes widened when the name Gaea was mentioned and she seemed very worried, but Ixiah placed a paw on her shoulder in a reassuring fashion. She calmed down a bit and considered the words of the cat girl. "I can use the song, but do not sing it. Visualize it and allow me access to your mind, I need it to be pure and unfiltered by your own subconscious. If this is truly what you say it is, then we can use it to disable Voln Zalgeed's control network... not just disrupt it. After that, then we can deal with the Sphere of Harmonies."
Loki leans over to Nova and whispers in her ear, "Voln Zalgeed is Black Star, what your people call the Dyson Sphere*; it is what your main expeditionary force was sent to stop."
Reiya waited for Nova to reveal what the song.
*See the beginning of the RP.
Infirmary
Knight and Ana arrived in the ship's medical area. Cynthia was not physically present, but as an AI, the purple vixen was likely available if they needed her.
The medical units only contained two patients, Cyndi and Jeanne. The equipment of each of their units monitored life functions, administered medicines, nutrients, essential fluids and unceasingly analyzed the two feline's genetic code. The units showed an estimated thirty-eight hours before the medical units completed their testing. Once it was complete, cellular regeneration could be used on most of the felines in the crew. Other units were also analyzing other structures based on the large sample base the pirates had unwittingly provided.
Cyndi was resting at the moment, but Jeanne was awake and carefully eating the soup that was her lunch. She looked over as newcomers entered the medical ward.
"Oh hello. Good timing, uh Eric... um, I wanted to thank you for saving me." The tigress paused when she noticed the smaller vixen, someone she had only seen briefly.
Ana cleared her throat and spoke up, "I'm Ana and we need to ask a favor of you..." She paused and looked to Knight, expecting him to do most of the talking and she would offer essential details if needed.
Special Forces Area
Ben thought about it for a few minutes and paged through the profiles, "I think we should take Micheal Harsen and Jaice Randou. That will make one computer expert and an explosives expert. That is my choices. Do you second it or offer another recommendation?"
Ben regarded Romulus as he asked that last bit, as the operational leader of the Special Forces, it was the wolverine's final decision on force composition.
Special Forces Area
Romulus thought about Ben's proposal of men to bring along.
"That sounds good, just make sure they are ready for action"
Romulus walked over to a private area to take of his armor and find some clothes to make him look like one of the pirates.
Knight walked up and nodded politely as the other feline gave her thanks. He replied in a gentle tone, "Um... you're welcome... It was the least we could do. I'm truly sorry you got hit to begin with... are you feeling alright?"
Smiling sheepishly, Knight waited for Ana to do her little introduction. When she indicated that Knight was supposed to be the one doing the talking with a rather long and awkward pause, he faked clearing his own throat, then continued where the vixen left off, "One of Ana's men is being held captive at the main pirate. The Major has promised to provide as much help as possible to Ana. As such, we're going to need a pirate officer who will help us infiltrate their compound. I know it sounds dangerous, and I really wouldn't be asking you at all if we didn't truly need your help... I'll be right there, acting as your personal guard..."
He paused as he tried to figure out how to continue... again, his training for this type of thing felt woefully inadequate as his thoughts spun around, as if caught in a rather tumultuous storm. Exhaling heavily, Knight continued while keeping his expression as close to neutral as possible, "The worst part is that we've got almost no time at all before we've got to get things moving. Things are going to be fast and fluid. It'll probably get a bit hairy as well..."
A frown crept onto his lips, "It is difficult for me to ask you this, but, are you willing to help us out? I know I'll be personally in your debt if you do..." The spotted feline tried his best to seem more reassuring, but all he could manage was a weak, crooked smile.
Galley
Aaron sighed. Saioko sure knew how to ask all the questions he was hoping that he wouldn't have to deal with,
"You are correct that my plan depends far too heavily on Matron and crew being friendly. I'm thinking that this isn't a bad assumption, they have been friendly to Lt. Hunnydew, apparently with the intention that she returns to them. I don't see how they could have suspected that she would bring back Acadians, unless they can see the future and/or are just that good at planning, and either way we would be in more trouble then I care to imagine. I am concerned about what to do if they are hostile, this is another reason I want to bring everyone. I figure we would have a better chance of escape if we all work together."
Aaron then shifts a bit awkwardly, not entirely sure what Saioko meant by her next question, "On the subject of Acadians, it is true that I am an Acadian by blood, but not much else. I had no indication that I was anything other then a normal fox until recently. I should also note that Ixiah and Loki seem more anxious and worried about this then myself or Lt. Hunneydew. I would love a more cautious approach, send in some bot scouts first, intensive scanning of the interior, and other such procedures. However the clock is against us and I fear we have precious little time. If you have an idea to improve this plan, I'm completely open to revisions."
Special Forces Area
As Romulus headed into the locker area, Ben had begun assigning duty rosters. Within a few moments, Ben followed. He tossed a set of gray fatigues over the door to the wolverine and headed into his dressing area.
"Alexis made them as a replica of what the pirate troops were issued. We also have a black tactical vest with low grade protection. Alexis included one of those thin Acadian body stocking things... supposed to be good energy and reasonable ballistic protection, but it is hard to see that when it is as thin as a silk stocking."
Infirmary
Jeanne gave Knight a strained smile as he asked how she was, "I'm feeling like a huge bear linebacker punched me in the stomach ten or twelve times... otherwise peachy."
After the situation was spelled out for her by Knight, she blinked rapidly for a few moments. She was a bit stunned to say the least, but as a credit to her character she remained calm and level-headed, "I... know about this, Ana came to our base to speak with her previous partner... our tactical commander and the person who shot me and your friend. I can see why you asked me, I'm an over glorified staff secretary a lot of the time and end up back and forth due to meetings and confidential message exchanges. I don't know if..."
Ana interrupted Jeanne as she began to trail off, "I haven't many options, he will be killed if he isn't ransomed as you should be aware how this syndicate works." Pausing, the vixen played her reward card, "Ms. Pewar, Major Brown has authorized me to grant you amnesty in exchange for your cooperation..."
"Really?" She paused and shook her head as if shaking something off, "no, it's not that, I'm happy to accept it, but I'm not looking for a reward... it's just... I'm scared... I'm not sure if I could pull it off, I don't want to get everyone captured or killed..."
"I don't think this is such a good idea," came a voice from behind Knight and Ana, "I've just managed to put her back together, she'll need to heal more. However, once the cellular regenerator has adapted I can accelerate the healing."
Cynthia examine the equipment, "for her own safety I must not recommend this course of action."
As if something pinged in her head, Jeanne flattened her ears against her head as she made up her mind, "no, I'll do it. I'm tired of being afraid of these criminals, I need to do something right for a change." With Cynthia frowning, Jeanne slipped out of the medical bed and stood shakily on her own bare footpaws.
The purple medical vixen turned and dragged Knight over to the side with a stern look across her muzzle, "I know all too well that she will go no matter what I do, so we will have to cope with it. If she goes gallivanting around she'll open up her wound very quickly. Keep her physical activity low and slow... up to where there is no choice in the matter. Oh yes, it will happen, it is inevitable with all of you. Bring her back to me and I will patch her back up again."
With a reluctance, she handed Knight a handful of patches, "these are booster stim patches, use them on her very sparingly." Turning her attention back to the tigress, Cynthia administered a hefty painkiller injection, "no matter what happens, even if it is a cake walk, bring her back here."
Ana nodded as Jeanne gathered her belongings slowly. She addressed Ana, "I'll need my uniform and the sidearm to be as convincing as possible."
Galley
"The plan is fine, let's head to the bridge and discuss this with Mother." Saioko was not sure if she believed Aaron about being unaware of his heritage until recently, but what little data she had on Acadians did indicate that one that appeared as old as Aaron did would be very powerful. It should easily be able to brush aside her defenses and lay bare all her secrets.
Whether Aaron was following or not, the feline stood and strode from the galley and towards the bridge.
Special Forces Area
"Cool" Romulus responded.
Romulus put on the outfit, examining things as he put them on.
"This is some decent stuff. The body stocking is a bit tight though"
Romulus stepped out once he was fully dressed.
'This will work nicely. Give Alexis a thank you kiss for me the next time you see her will ya"
Romulus shouldered his "new" sniper rifle and began to walk to the door.
"Lets go play pirate"
Hallway to the bridge
Aaron got up and followed Saioko, "Yes, lets. I also want to talk with Ana before she heads out, agree on a meeting place in case one of us has to head out of system in a hurry."
Aaron couldn't help but wonder about her latest round of questioning. Especially if Mother's suspicions about her not being quite who she claims to be are true. It also raises questions about why she would be so interested in Aaron's intentions. It would be natural if she were a biocomputer that she would have designed in an imperative to be loyal to the ISF. Though it would turn out poorly for everyone involved if she morphed into some manner of inquisitor. Questions of loyalty and the alignment of agendas have always been such grey territory.
Still, he did rather wish she would be honest about herself. If she is a biocomputer, there is a question about what would happen to her after the mission and if she is discovered. She could be spirited away never to be seen again. Aaron was hoping to avoid such a fate himself by making it impossible to cause him disappear. But he wants to be able to help Saioko avoid that fate too. Though now that he thinks about it, he may have to help his brother as well, things could not possibly end well for him if he is found to be a huge chunk Acadian by shady organizations.
The pair stroll onto the bridge and find Mother who had busied herself with a map of some sort. "Hiyas Mother. I think I've worked out a reasonable plan for what we do next. The basics is that Ana will launch her mission, taking Romulus, Knight, Ana, our pirate friend along with some pirate impostors to spring Ana's man. I think the only detail left in that part is a meeting place to find each other if things go wrong. Then we head to Matron, leaving behind a few battle bots to watch the prisoners here at the base. After arriving at Matron I'm going to take Saioko, Nova, Ixiah, Loki, Marissa and Richard to Matron and investigate the bridge and talk with Matron herself."
Infirmary
It was becoming a reoccurring theme in the spotted Lieutenant's life of getting manhandled by the womenfolk around this ship... He stood, listening as everything was explained to him. Nodding, he replied, "I'll watch out for her, and I'll make sure she takes things easy."
Taking the patches he added quickly, "Hopefully this will be a milk run. Whether it is or isn't, either way, upon our return, I'll make sure Jeanne gets back here. Personally if you'd like."
With patches in hand, Knight went back to Jeanne and Ana. To the request of uniform and and sidearm Knight replied, "With the amount of blood you lost, i'm pretty sure your original uniform is a total write-off. However, Mother is capable of fabricating new clothing, armor and tools if the raw material is available... As is, we'll need to have you make the final inspection to make sure we're all passable as members of your entourage."
Looking back over at Cynthia, Eric asked, "Are the new uniforms and armor ready? If so, where should we pick them up?... and, if not, do you have an estimate?"
Reiya's Retreat
Flashes of Fear (for the Masters), and admiration for Reiya, The catgirl fell to Reiya's feet. She was thankful that Reiya could look beyond the lies and plots of the Masters. She kept an open mind to her Gaea and Matron.
Looking at her with her Kitty eyes, Nova opens her mind to the pink fox.
"Reiya sees a long cable that goes to Loki from deep within Nova. Nova's spirit seems to also intertwined the Loki's cable. The cable leads to a crystal fortress palace. A fortress of crystal floating in Nova's mind's eye. A song of Acadian's harmony pulse through these crystal. Reiya finds herself on a landing into the crystal castle.
"Welcome Reiya, Here is the song you seek," Says Nova. The beautiful feline lady stands in the open door on the landing This Nova is older than young Nova but also ageless. She holds out glowing an Acadian memory crystal to Reiya.
"This is a simple memory crystal. It holds the record of what Gaea and Xaos found in Limbo, before they started to study it, before it exploded, and Master's escape. It has the song and the first scan of the Sphere of Harmonies"
"Yea, but who ..?" asks Reiya. "Am I " says Older Nova" I am Nova's greater soul/spirit, her greatest potential . I'll not appear this turn of life wheel, or maybe for many live to come. But I will come sooner because of Gaea. She taught Nova many things, the kitten just has to remember how. "
Special Forces Area
Ben laughed, a bit nervously it would seem, "kiss? What do you mean by that? It's a working relationship I assure you."
Before Romulus's response, Ben signaled to the two that were going with them and pulled Dex away from Harry, "time to go meet the fox in charge of this little rescue." Ben paused for a moment before making an offhand comment as he continued on, "is it just me or do foxes seem to rule every aspect of our lives right now?"
Bridge
Mother nodded slowly as Aaron laid out his plans, "Ana's activity will be fine. We can arrange to meet them in this system if we have to abandon the planet. We will have to improvise if we have to recover them on planet."
She raised an eyebrow at the mention of investigating Matron, "I could carve the wreck into several manageable pieces and you can explore it at your leisure." The orange vixen smiled innocently, "however, I should keep an open mind about it. I've spoken with her briefly when we touched down near her, but not enough to get a clear understanding for her. All I can tell you is what I know about her in a general sense."
Mother shows Aaron and Saioko a basic layout of the ship and her capabilities, "as of who she is, all I can tell you is that she is a guardian like myself with foxes of her own to protect and assist."
"So that means the Acadians that were on this ship are still alive?" Saioko asked with a slightly alarmed tone in her voice.
Mother nodded, "in a matter of speaking, yes."
Infirmary
Cynthia looked off to the side, towards a wall with nothing particularly special on it, after a moment she turned back to Knight, "yes, they are right over here in this conveniently positioned closet."
Open it reveals a perfect replica of the typical guard outfit and a reproduction of Jeanne's old uniform sans large hole or large bloodstains.
"The weapons we will have to obtain from Romulus, he and Ben were evaluating them for suitability to keep. Spoils of war I imagine." Ana said as she handed the garb to Jeanne, "get suited up Knight."
The navy blue furred vixen crossed her arms and waited.
Nova's Intellect Fortress
Reiya took in the sights and gathered in the song. She tested the harmony briefly and smiled at the Nova yet to come, "everyone has supreme potential, but do not rush things. We Acadians have learned how to escape the bindings of flesh and blood, learned how to make the 'soul' eternal, immortal. We are what some may call ascended beings, but we are not perfect, not gods or demons. We know more about things then your races may, but one should never stop learning."
She paused and then turned to regard the older cat, "if you can influence your younger self, she must not shatter the harmony... I have seen it several times, do not let her do it when the time comes!"
With that, the castle receded, leaving Reiya back in her aerie with the others, not sure whether her message was heard.
Special Forces Area
Romulus chuckled at Ben abit. "Sure sure. You've been staring at her every chance you get. Just remember she's an AI she might not understand our concept of love"
Romulus looked at Dex. "I'm sure you'll like her she's interesting"
Romulus stretched abit then looked at Ben. "No it's not just you. I'm starting to wish we never found that little furball"
Romulus smiles abit. "Makes life interesting though"
Romulus headed out the door.
Reiya's Mental Retreat
Reiya feels herself back in her familiar mental sanctuary, but the older catgirl looks at her thru Nova's younger eyes. "Reiya, Souls of the younger races are immoral, too. We just can't remember each life from one to the next. Yet, Nova has an armory/library for her soul, now, Each of my daughter-selves can find their way to the crystal palace during their live times, and learn. With Loki's help, Nova can learn to visit me, and she must....The fortress is her only hope of survive against a Master's attack." She turns and kiss Loki on his cheek.
and then Nova's body bows to Reiya and then stands straighter. "So Lady Reiya, Did you get the song? or will you need for me sing the song after all?" asks the young Nova... Lt Hunnydew has no knowledge of what happen after she look into the pink vixen's eyes a moment ago. "SIGH It grows late... It is time for me to face my kittenhood dreams, and find out what is real"
PBH.
Bridge
Ana's adventure seems well taken care of, so Aaron was not going to worry on that front anymore. However, it seems as though Mother knew something Aaron needed to know.
"Yes, even if the wreak is unsalvageable I would rather keep it in one piece and not carve it up with weapon discharges." Aaron was hoping that she didn't mean, 'carve it up with gravity cannons', but he wanted to make sure.
"Still, you mention that they are alive, 'in a manner of speaking'. What manner do you mean? Would there be a threat to any of the exploration crew? I'm now getting bad mental images of a sort of leach trying to suck out fox brains."
Aaron was starting to have a great many more questions about what he was walking into, poked into this course first by Nova, then by orders from the ISF, then the insistence of his own mother (in his head).
Holding the uniform in hand, and with time being the essential element in the plan, he rather unceremoniously disrobed and then clothed himself as hastily as possible. Within a minute or so he was tightening straps on the lightly armored vest, and adjusting the position of the various webbing to ensure easy access to what he needed. With the uniform seemingly in check, he gave Jeanne an informal bow, and said, "So, would i pass inspection?, err... mistress?... Ma'am... um... how SHOULD I be addressing you, Jeanne?"
After getting his questions answered, he grabbed the patches the vixen had given him, sliding them into an easy to access pouch, concealing them from view, but leaving them exceedingly easily accessible, just off his left hip. He turned towards the navy vixen and asked in a very sincere tone, "is there anything else i should know? And, If you'd be so kind, can you point me in the right direction towards the Rom, and the rest of the 'away team'?"
Special Forces Area
Dex nodded to Romulus and patted Ben on the back, "the younger orange colored one, yeah, she's cute. Wouldn't you be worried you'd get electrocuted if you... you know with her? She's made of energy right?"
"I'm not having this conversation." Ben quickly outpaced the lot of them, coming face to face with Alexis.
"Hello Ben." She smiled innocently.
"Why do I feel like I'm in a sitcom?" Ben sighed as he took a seat in the lounge waiting for the arrival of the remainder of the team.
Reiya's Sanctuary
The pink furred vixen nodded, "yes, the song is now mine. We now have a weapon that is very strong and it will be for great justice!"
Loki smirked at Nova, "something got lost in translation there I think. That last bit didn't make much sense Rei."
The vixen giggle a bit as she pawed at the ground in front of her with a foot, "sorry, my thoughts jumbled as I was understanding the song. Time to go now Nova."
The scene dissolved leaving Nova and Loki standing in a dark void. A few minutes later Ixiah appeared, a bit more shinier then he has seemed since Nova met him.
The blue fox snapped his fingers, "time to wake up little Nova."
Bridge
Mother seemed to search for words to use to answer Aaron's question, "well, it is complicated. You remember the void creature? It began to absorb your essence after it stabbed you physically. Well, Acadians are a bit like psychic leeches... they need psychic energies to sustain themselves. It is only a tiny amount over a long amount of time. However, Xaos and Gaea... or Chaos and Gaia if you prefer, have been trapped for thousands of years. For most of that they only had each other to 'feed' off of. Kind of like an old Earth movie called Lifeforce."
"What?" Asked Saioko after that last part.
Mother held up a paw, "nothing dear. It would be dangerous for those who are nonpsychic or nonAcadian, but Aaron specifically... you could be in trouble, like that voidling, without the stabby bit... well there might be if you make Xaos angry. He is rather, well, chaotic."
Infirmary
Jeanne had rather slowly changed back into her uniform, and was dressed by the time Knight asked his questions. Her response was a bit hesitant, as she rode out the wave of pain from stretching her wound, "... uh... well... call me ma'am when we are on station at the base."
Ana waved everyone to follow and lead the pair towards the lounge, "no, I think we are good. If we think of anything, we will have to improvise."
Lounge
Ana reached the lounge to find the remainder of the team, "okay, looks like everyone is here. Romulus, Knight and Jeanne need some sort of weapon... talk to them for specifics. I have my powers and well, shouldn't have any obvious weapon in this."
Dex stood up, "let's grab the weapons and go then."
Lounge
Romulus laughed at bit at how much Ben seemed to be embarrassed. He then looked over at Dex. "Yep he likes her"
Romulus walked as Ben hurried to get away from them and smiled and bit as Ben almost walked into Alexis.
"Welcome to the world of Acadians Ben. I've been thinking that since I came out to space"
Romulus sat down near Ben in the lounge and waiting for the others to show up.
When Ana showed he stood and waited to head out. When Ana mentioned weapons he spoke.
"We still got a pile of weapons we took from the pirates for you guys to look through. I gots my new rifle"
Bridge
Aaron was starting to get the impression that the time when the pirate kid was shooting at him was, perhaps, one of the safer points of this trip. Come to think of it, why did the universe seem so intent on trying to kill him only after he learned he had a realistic shot at immortality? He also kind of wished he went to that cult classics film club at university. Then there were the reservations about taking along the non-psychic non-Acadians.
"Hmm... to that end it might not be safe for Marissa and Richard. I'm willing to take my stabs and I'm sure Nova will stab me if I don't take her along. Hopefully we can be friends. I like being friends. I hope that they are friendly. I'm friendly. Regardless of the friend status, prepare to go to Matron as soon as Romulus and Ana are away."
Lounge
As the group gathered, Knight had his primary question answered, he looked around at the gathered team, then and said, "things are going to have to be on the fly, probably quick and dirty. Rom, you're taking your team and calling the tactics, i'll be keeping Jeanne covered and protected. Remember, Ana is supposed to be under armed escort, she may BE friendly, but you have to appear neutral towards her, at the least for this to work..."
He waited in the lounge for anything else the others had to say, then headed for the indicated piles of weapons, grabbing the other Gauss rifle, the one Wall hadn't claimed as his own. He found a plasma pistol and holster that felt about right, compared to his usual laser. Gear in hand, he kept himself as Jeanne's left side, adding a bit more swagger in his step than usual.
Lounge
Ana shook her head, "no Romulus, you can't use that gun. You are impersonating guards, not snipers. That gun would not be much use to you in close hallways and room to room fighting. You'll need a carbine, submachine gun, or something to that effect."
Ben and Alexis were still quiet, with the canine watching the vixen's tail swish about. It was Alexis that spoke finally, "I have to go Ben, keep safe." The lady smiled and drifted off towards the bridge.
Ana snapped her fingers as Knight spoke, "yup, keep neutral... even a little hostile probably." She gestured to everyone else as Knight and Jeanne walked towards the weapons collection. "come on now... to the weapons!"
Dex and Ana exited the ship, heading for the test area Romulus was evaluating the captured weapons. She poked the guns picking up a small pistol and handing it to Dex, "this is more your speed."
"Thanks, but I'll need four of those to be effective. I'll find something heavier." He stated as he sifted the pile.
Jeanne eyed the pile and carefully knelt down. She selected a weapon similar to her original, cleared the chamber and loaded a clip. Taking an extra couple of clips, she holstered the gun. Standing carefully, she swayed a bit, leaning on Knight with a groan as she held her wound, "this is really going to be tough, it really hurts a lot. Let's get to the shuttle so I can sit down." The tigress snuggled a little up to his arm. Somewhere a certain panthress's tail fluffed out and she felt very defensive for a brief second.
Ana looked concerned as she came up next to the two of them, "you can lay down and rest until we need you. don't use those patches unless we need it. Hey Dex maybe you should carry her..."
Bridge
"Should we really just hope for making friends? Perhaps we should bring heavy weapons?" Saioko asked as she considered the words of Mother.
The orange female shook her head, "you should take everyone you intended, especially Marissa. I can't say that it will be safe, but everyone you influence directly is important to your... destiny. Nova is important in this investigation of Matron... probably more here than you young tod. It is Saioko that I worry about. Deception about yourself will only lead to problems with beings such as these primordials."
Saioko looked a bit shocked and began to say something, but clamped her mouth shut.
Bridge
"I think that making friends is the best option. Though bringing weaponry does not exclude making friends. I wasn't proposing that we go weaponless. We just shouldn't bring any monstrously huge guns that leave bad impressions."
On the subject of destinies, Aaron was more then a little annoyed at this point. Mother seemed to know a whole lot about his, or at least is blabbing on like she does. Then there was the idea that he was dragging people along for the ride on his destiny. He did't like the idea of dragging others along for his destiny by force. If anything Mothers bit about Marissa being important to his destiny made him less inclined to take her along. Still, it is probably too late for her to get off his destiny train at this point.
"So, in spite of everything we are still going ahead with the plan. This whole thing was never guaranteed to be safe anyways. Saioko's secrets shouldn't be a problem. Because if they would be a problem she should tell me about them. I'm fine with keeping secrets for yourself, but I won't stand for letting others get hurt for someone else's secrets."
Lounge
Romulus had the look of a small child when told no, when Ana told him he couldn't take the rifle and headed out to the pile of weapons.
"Oh alright"
Romulus listened to Knight and then to Ana speak about how he should act towards Ana.
"On the verge on wanting to kill her, got it"
Romulus rummaged through the pile and picked up a decent carbine and looked at the group."This will work"
Romulus walked up behind Ana and gentle poked her in the small of the back with the butt of the rifle.
"Alright keep it moving"
Lounge
As Jeanne started to get up after selecting a pistol, Knight had noticed her starting to sway a bit, and moved in closer so she could use him to catch herself. When she snuggled up instead, he felt mildly surprised, along with a little guilty, he focused on Saioko thinking soothing and loving thoughts. Ana suddenly showed concern and it brought Knight back to reality. The spotted feline said to the tigress, "no need to put up a tough act, you were hurt pretty bad. If you think you need something, please, let me know... Do you need someone to carry you? or at the very least, do you need some help?"
He too was concerned, as Jeanne was their ticket into the pirate base, she had to be healthy enough to pass any routine inspections they might come across. He was also worried that she was more concerned with how the team saw her, rather than her own condition.
LOKI"S Stateroom
"Shinee" thinks Nova on seeing Ixiah but she shakes her head and finds herself in Loki's stateroom. She sighs and stands up... "Reiya is a nice lady, Ixiah. I am glad to have meet her.... It is time to face the music, it is time to go to Matron...."states Nova. "Coming to the Bridge?, Captain"
PBH
Bridge
Saioko laughed in an entirely too nonchalant sort of way. Despite her outward appearance, the inner cat was near hysterical panic, Eric! They know, they must know... what should I do? Should I say something...
While the mental traffic over their link buzzed, Saioko continued a distraction to a more important topic, "um, there really isn't a weapon of any type that does not leave a bad impression..." The feline paused and said in a small voice, "especially when used."
Pausing to look into Aaron's eyes with an innocence unrealized, "do you think it is possible, we can be friends... no violence, no ulterior motives?"
Heading towards the Shuttle
Ignoring Dex, who appeared ready to fall over and explode with laughter, Ana smiled widely. This was truly a bad sign, but the vixen kept herself pleasant, "oh, I see we are going to have fun with this aren't we."
She put up her hands up and in a very seductive, yet somehow naive and innocent, voice she replied, "yes sir... are you going to cuff me and rough me up? Perhaps you can show me how to behave in the ship?"
Completely oblivious to this occurrence, Jeanne focused her attention on Knight, "I think I am still hurt pretty bad, so if I can just lean on you for a bit. I'll take it easy when we get to the transport, but I need to appear as normal as possible. I can say I've been a bit sick in case anyone asks at the main base."
The group boarded the transport and Dex began his pre-flight check.
Loki's Stateroom
"Yes, let's be off Lieutenant." The mint green fox offered the feline his arm, intending to escort the lady to the bridge as a gentlefox.
Ixiah snickered and was about to make a snide remark about the two of them, but thought better of it.
The three proceeded to the bridge, arriving in time for Aaron's response to Saioko.
Bridge
"I've already explained all of my motives and I have no intention of violence or trickery. I think it is possible for us all to be friendly. In fact, lets be family. That option is my favorite."
On The Way To The Transport
Knight smiled politely as Jeanne told him how she felt, "if all you need is a shoulder to lean on, feel free" Leaning a bit towards her to offer the extra support.
He 'heard' Saioko's panicked thoughts, and again focused on soothing and calming emotions, he focused on her and thought, 'If you think they know, what harm would come from telling the truth? You're part of the team, and they've seen just how alive you are. Besides, if the way the major seems to interact with the Acadian AIs is anything to judge by, i doubt it'll change a thing. I've told you, this is your secret and yours to tell, do what you feel is right. Take care, love... I'll be back as quickly as possible. Stay safe.'
When he finished his message to Saioko, Eric lead Jeanne to the ship, careful to help her on uneven terrain, and especially up the boarding ramp. He set her down in a seat, and set himself up next to her. He began trying to get into his role of bodyguard, when the though occurred to him, "I'm curious how formal things are, military wise, with the pirates we're trying to impersonate? Should there be anything else i should be aware of besides referring to you as Ma'am, from now on?"
" My My Major... Family.. Can I call you, Big Brotherr, ?" asks Nova Going over to Saioko.. looks in her eye... and then turns to Aaron ...?
"Oh Big Borther ... What are you doing to make OUR Sister Saioko so sad? Here, Dear Sis you stop thinking about what they taught you in ISS school... If Mother lets you in the house, then we will trust her in her trusting you. She trusts you to work with us, your family. Yet, you tell me anything that your boyfriend or Big Brother does to upset you.. Okay.. And then we can whisper about them and call them, dofuses, and laugh..."
The catgirl looks into Saioko's eyes, "We Sisters stick together. You can trust us to love you, if you can trust us. Even with your quirks, you are still a person as much as Mother is.or me..Or Big Brother ..Even if he is a dofus, he is a loveable dofus...." giggles Nova as she hugs Saioko little.
PBH
"You know, if you are going to whisper about me being a dofus it would be best if I weren't in ear shot. Just saying."
Aaron was neglecting to mention what he and his actual brother would casually call each other.
"Oh Dear, Big Brother..What makes you think we didn't want you to over hear us." says Nova batting her eyes, and looking teasely cute.
Aaron can feel that despite she playful attitude... Nova has grown to respect the Major beyond just his rank. and, she feels that the Major has grown into someone, she could like some ....
She sighs
"Despite this side trip to play space pirates, we are on our way to visit Crazy Aunt Matron.... Even knowing Big Brother's fears, I still must go see her. Also Uncle Summer is counting on us to return with some information about Aunt Matron if not with Aunt Matron herself...So can we go now?" asks Nova.
PBH
Heading towards the Shuttle
Romulus raise an eyebrow.
"You think I'm nuts lady. I know what you can do. I'm not touching you, who knows what you'll do. I'll just keep my rifle trained on you"
Romulus followed Ana to Dex's shuttle. Once inside he takes a seat. He looks over at Ana
"So you think that was good enough?"
Bridge
Saioko sent a few thoughts back, maybe it is for the best, perhaps I should say something. Thanks for the soothing feelings, be safe. Oh... and I... Love you. The last bit was almost a mouse squeak of a thought.
Saioko sighed, perhaps it was time for her to admit her secret. "Aaron I..."
The feline was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Nova, who seemed to distract the confused girl from telling her tale, "yes, we sisters should stick together. It doesn't matter who I am, we are all... family, yeah."
The patheress smiled like a kitten as Mother groaned, "always excellent with the timing Nova and such patience, one would think you were still a kitten."
Saioko had to agree with Nova though, "can we go now mom? Can we go now?"
The two young foxes kept out of the discussion, but their giggles made it obvious that they found the silliness of the felines to be ticklesome.
Transport
Jeanne tried not to show how much of a relief it was for her to sit down, as the pain was rather acute when she walked. Movement depends greatly on those muscles that still needed to mend. Taking her mind off the pain, she focused on the question posed, "ma'am or Lieutenant Pewar will be fine. If you've noticed, most of the pirates are rather crude and a bit abrasive. They have good discipline though and they tend to be more informal and familiar with each other."
The tigress paused and held up her index finger, "oh, if we run across someone wearing a crisp uniform like my own, then it is best to be as respectful as a gruff bunch of pirates would be. Don't go though overboard though."
Ana smirked at Romulus, "big tough military wolverine is worried about little old me? But, I'm harmless."
Batting an eyelash, she smiled, "yeah, that worked good."
Transport
Romulus looked at Ana with a odd look on his face.
"Harmless? You do remember I've seen you fight, right"
Bridge
It seems as though defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory. While Aaron had some idea of what Saioko was, without details something important may be overlooked. Hopefully, it would not be a problem.
"Is the other team on their transport? If they are we should be off as well. Destiny has been kept waiting long enough."
Aaron was rather hopeful for this meeting. He was also concerned. Just as he was growing used to how things were it seems that things may be shaken up further.
"oh But Mother, I am a Kitten, I will be a kitten when I am old and grey.. By side Loki, I am not even a twinkle in my great-great grandfathers' eye.... We are all little kits and cubs in your eyes, Mother. " says Nova and bows to Mother.
"Patience will see me running in the other direction. I have to push forward or I will be too scare to move." remarks Nova She down and sit down heavy into a empty chair. "Sigh, Also you have forgotten Mara, Mother and she growing more a part of me by the hour and as I grow a part of her. She trying to learn and grow up to my age"..
Mara appears in anthro catgirl form. She looks to have aged a few years, she's a girl of 10-12 years. "Yes, we, felines must stick together" says Mara and cuddles up to Saioko. and sit in her lap.
PBH
Knight himself was settling into the swing of things when he got Saioko's response... he suddenly froze in place and blushed a deep red across his own muzzle. He wasn't so much surprised to hear her say those words, he'd guessed for a few days that it might explain her ... however, just hearing those three little words sent shivers down the young Lieutenant's spine. He recovered his poise quickly, but, to anyone watching, it was quite clear that something had gotten him distracted for a moment.
As Jeanne explained the basics, Knight nodded, "got it, so, be pleasantly gruff, rather than abrasively so, to the crisp and clean uniformed... I can do that... If there's anything else we should expect, please, let me know... otherwise, just rest up and heal up... i think this little flight is going to be what little rest we're going to get." He relaxed a bit, sinking deep into the chair next to the tigress as he relaxed as best he could before take-off.
Transport
Ana Winked at Romulus, "yes Romi, but that was the other you... this you hasn't seen me in a fight so he can test his luck if he wants. I promise to be gentle. Just be sure to be well protected."
The blue vixen took a seat in the center of the transport. She noted other than gun ports for troops inside, it only a sported what appeared to be a 20mm cannon on the craft's underside. At least if she was reading the secondary console up front right, "back to business, this craft is only armed with a light cannon on its belly. So we shouldn't crash this op with guns blazing. Quiet, surgical and a casual retreat. Hopefully we can be close enough to Mother's and her fighter's protection range by the time our little operation is discovered. Thoughts? Comments?"
With everyone secure, Dex began lifting off. He knew his flight ID and authorization from the pirates and verified by Jeanne, so he listened for any part of the discussion which might include him. A message coming over the comm channel required his attention, "roger that, we are in the air and proceeding to our destination. Good luck to you as well."
The tigress rested trying to mentally psyche herself up for the coming operation. If things went right, they would be in and out with little problems and she would be free of these space pirates forever. Things never go without problems though, she just hoped they could persevere.
Bridge
With a quick communications message to Dex in the transport craft, Alexis responded to Aaron's inquiry, "they are in the air and proceeding to their destination at best possible speed."
Mother closed her eyes and sighed, when she opened them they had an edge of determination. Too long at rest, the ship finally began to move. Leaving the contingent of security bots behind, the Acadian ship closed the distance between the base and Matron's site.
Alexis broke the strange silence that had descended, as all sat in anticipation of what was to come next. "Major, Mother... I recommend putting the fighters into the air, just in case they are needed to assist our rescue crew."
Saioko was considering the odd AI projection. More feline than fox, she was unsure if it was truly Acadian in origin. Nova had mentioned her many times and they had even spoken, but she knew so little about this Mara. It was strange how she concealed her own origins, but had such a drive to know the secrets of others. The pantheress secretly wondered if this made her a hypocrit.
As Mother approached Matron's site, little seemed out of place. There did seem to be a nearly palpable air of anticipation, as the younger ship hovered over her much older relation. Mother waited to see if the recommendation to launch The Scales would be given approval before she landed.
Bridge
As much as Aaron had reservations on launching the fighters and increasing the chances of something going wrong, by way of fighters being picked up somehow, the risks of not having the fighters when they would be useful seemed much worse, "Very well, launch the fighters. Make sure they understand that there is still a flight ceiling and that they are there for backup purposes in case things go wrong, not a proactive blow things up force."
As Mother approached Matron Aaron had one of the first among many situations where he was glad he picked up meditation and emotional centering techniques from Ixiah. Otherwise the giddy anticipation of the promises of Matron may have killed him.
Bridge
After Aaron ordered the fighter to launch, the little kitten jump off Saioko's lap.
"Hurry Hurry, I can see my house from here" yells little Mara. In kitten form, she jumps up to main view. " I coming Mama, See see we coming "
"Mara Please be quiet, we are almost there. ... almost " says Nova. Nova did know what to feel ...scare or excitement. The crash site didn't look any different to her on the screen from the 20 twenty year ago records or her memory. The catgirl sat by Saioko waiting for Mother to land.
PBH
Transport
Romulus looked at Ana with a sideways glance and smile.
"This Romulus would rather just put a bullet in you than fight"
After stowing his rifle, the young lieutenant started some light meditation techniques. It was going to be a long flight, and he'd need to be at the top of his game in case something went wrong. He considered how much easier this mission would have been if a pair of LAMs, preferably of the stealth variety, were available.
Bridge
Alexis nodded in acknowledgment of Aaron's launch authorization, "flight ceiling aye." The younger vixen turned to her console and sent the launch orders directly to the pilot ready room, "Scales, scramble for launch. Patrol on station with weapons hot. I repeat, weapons hot. Maintain flight ceiling restrictions to 762 meters until further notice."
Torson responded over the comm, "roger that, Scales launching."
With measured precision, the four fighters that made up three-fourths of the Crusading Scales launched and formed up for their patrol.
Loki and Ixiah also headed over to the main view screen with Mara, and like kids plastered to a car window as mom and dad pull into the amusement park, they added their own Oohs and Ahs to the mix.
Rebecka entered the bridge as the cubs attempted to merge with the view screen and took up a seat at the bridge main engineering console. This was odd, as the golden vixen is rarely seen unless one is in engineering.
Amid the chaos of the young ones and the anticipation of the 'older' crew members such as Nova, Mother stood out as an anchor of reason, stoic in her scientific observation of the ancient relic. Despite seeming eagerness early on, as the moment approached, she seemed hesitant and possibly unsure.
"Mother?" Inquired Alexis quietly, a slight note of concern in her voice.
"Yes child I know. I can't help but think this is a major juncture in our lives from which there will be no return to what we may have once been." The older fox spent a moment to gaze at the eager green kit at the front view screen, "For good or for ill, things will change and I am surprised how much I am unsure of the path... or how much I do not want it to change."
With a silent understanding, Alexis released the controls and allowed her mother the luxury of her reflection.
Saioko remained quiet, deep in thoughts of her own.
After numerous moments of pregnant anticipation, the ship descended assuming a landing spot close to the crash site as was originally indicated by Matron's drones much earlier.
Saioko was the first to speak after the ship touched down, "I feel like we are in a Twilight Zone episode."
Mother turned to face the bridge, with her own view screen behind her. She gestured towards Matron, "first stop on our journey, Destiny"
Transport
Ana smirked at Romulus, "is that what kids are calling it these days? In my day we just called it se..."
Dex interrupted the discussion in progress with a mission update, "we are now entering patrolled hostile airspace. Everyone to their positions."
Ben stuck his head into the cockpit, "looking okay up here?"
Dex nodded, "yeah, we will probably be on their scanners shortly. How would you like me to approach?"
"I don't know. Fly casual." Ben replied with a smirk.
"Hardy har har, best get back to your post Ben." Dex quipped back.
Jeanne continued to rest, but readied herself mentally for the job at hand. She was never a good actress and not a very good liar, but all this time spent with outlaws did rub off on her.
Not to anyone's surprise, they were hailed a few times and even experienced a fly by or two as they approached. Jeanne was sure to be up and trying to look as normal as possible. Anna was relaxed, a perfect picture of experience, it almost seemed that she had done this before.
Dex flew as casually as he thought was best and within short order, the team found themselves on the Deck in the facility's shuttle hanger. A group of officiates approached, one a weasel, the other a deer of some sort. One of whom Jeanne recognized immediately with a slight bit of distaste that disappeared when she turned to face him.
"Lieutenant Bancroft, good day to you." She said as she headed down the ramp. No salutes exchanged between either of them or his NCO attendants. The local pair of guards were obviously disciplined, but they were easy in their stances and demeanor. Both nodded to Knight, Romulus, Ben and the rest of the 'guards', but that was the extent of that.
"Lieutenant Pewar, always a pleasure. We were beginning to worry as we had not heard from you all at Echo-Zeta for a little longer then was normal." The weasel replied with an oily and rather fake smile.
"Yes, the old tower is on the fritz again I'm afraid. Brandon and his team have been pulling it apart. Seems the shielding on the particle cannon is substandard, but that is what happens when you jury rig a weapon to look like a sensor array." She replied without hesitation.
"Figures. Ah, my dear... you look a bit pale are you alright?" He faked concern.
She waved it off as if it was nothing, "been a bit sick lately, stomach problems... something didn't agree with me."
He nodded, "ah, that is too bad. Is this our client in question?"
Before Jeanne could answer, Ana took it on herself to respond, "yeah, now lets get this over with. I don't want to be here any longer than I need to."
Bridge
Aaron nodded. He almost had to giggle at the part where Mother mentioned this being a major juncture. The last few days have felt like one long string of points of no return to him.
"May as well be a Twilight Zone episode. And now we are face to face with Destiny made manifest. Grab your things, I wish to head in as soon as we possibly can. We may only get one shot at this so make sure you have everything."
Pirate Facility
Knight continued his meditation, staying at Jeanne's side the entire time to provide both physical and morale support. He strapped his gear on, loosening a few straps to seem a bit more casual, when he moved, he stayed in pace with the tigress, continuing his swagger as he followed her along. He returned the subtle nods, while staying at his commanders side, keep his expression as neutral as possible. The Gauss rifle hanging loosely at his side, and a plasma pistol riding in his thigh-strapped holster. He was a body guard, his place was to guard his charge, in this case, Jeanne, he was to be seen not heard unless directly addressed.
He followed Jeanne, continuing with his slight swagger, and staying close to her side, should she need to lean on him. He kept his senses sharp, and his ears turned mostly towards Ana, or at least, in her general direction.
Transport/Pirate base
Romulus looked at Anna.
"If I didn't know any better I'd swear you where hitting on me"
Romulus got his gear ready and walked off the transport. He tiredly returned the nod and walked with the others.
The Bridge
"The Twilight Zone or not This is a Destiny point. " Said Nova. "Mother, I think you may nothing to worry about. It's me, who will be scolded the most. "
Nova walked toward Rebecka and asks the golden vixen if everything was Okay. The catgirl gives her a quick hug and goes to the main screen and the cubs. "Mara, It is time to see Matron. " Nova said with a weak smile for her. The smiling kitten hugs Nova around her neck and returns to crystal form.
Leaving the bridge, Nova said " Mother, Thank you for your care, and I will do everything in my power to help you and Loki. Whatever happens on the surface."
Nova is sure that Loki and the other were right behind her, but felt she must face Matron on her own....
PBH
Bridge
Aaron rubbed his forehead a bit. "Nova, you aren't going to Matron alone. We are going as a group."
Speaking of the group;
Marissa, Richard, we are the the site now. Get some side arms and meet up at the exit ramp. We will be heading out soon.
At the door
Nova looks behind her into the Major's eyes, but the door closes. she continues on.
Nova reaches the exit ramp. Opening the ramp, She looks out at the crash site. The leftovers of the Hunnydew Camp lay scatter and half buried in the sand to one side, and the ship (to Nova's eyes) seem to more decayed and rusted expect for the bridge which was again locked and more solid and closed up then before.
The place empty feels empty to Nova, and her childhood memories are disappointing as she looks at them with her adult eyes. She see, beyond a crumbled bulkhead with crystal core of Matron. It draws her on, but she waits for Loki and and Ixiah, before she steps onto the sands.
PBH
Bridge
Alexis regarded Nova as the feline left. The fox was worried, she could sense a change in the young officer. "Aaron, do you need me or one of the security robots to go with you? I can self generate a solid... energy form that can operate independently from Mother's influence."
Saioko turned to Aaron, "after you major, we should best get ready as well." The patheress seemed a bit more at ease then she had been earlier.
Elsewhere in the ship, Richard and Marissa receive their telepathic summons. Richard stretches and heads in to suit up. He stops to splash a bit of water on his face and a quick dry off, "so this is it, ja? Too much adventure make this Kashin do something heroic at rate we are going. Heroic things hurt. Oh well, achieving life is not the equivalent of avoiding death."
In her part of the ready area, Marissa replied to Aaron, 'k luv, meet you there.
The jocund vixen doned her armor and procured the same sidearms she had used during the rescue op. She met up with Richard and reached the ramp in time to spy Nova and the fox kits already outside.
Aaron! Nova and the kids are already outside!
Remains of Hunnydew Camp
Within a few moments, Nova's eyes adjust to the light and to the frequency that Matron emits. The harmonic is so low that not even Mother had registered it.
Instead of the decaying hulk of a wreck, the catgirl sees a fairly intact hull. Aged, superficially damaged, but not decayed or excessively compromised. Instead of a crumpled bulkhead, it is an inviting hatch with a dimly lit interior.
Marissa and Richard dash down the ramp. Richard gently places a hand on both Ixiah and Loki's shoulder, as Marissa grabs Nova's arm a bit more aggressively than necessary.
"Whoa there missy, are you sleepwalking? You can't just stride into that thing!" Marissa chided Nova.
Pirate Facility
Bancroft smiled, a false and rather forced expression, "ah but of course Lady Tescrae. We are always willing to offer our best services to Lightbringers Guild and the House of Tescrae-Sionnace..."
"Shut it! I am not here as some representative of my Nation or Technomage Guild. I am here to see the prisoner Marcus and finalize the deal to have him released." Ana barked, not feigning annoyance or anger in any way, it was all genuine.
The weasel took a step back from the fiery blue vixen, "i... indeed, there is no need to be so rude. Business persons such as ourselves have understandings and protocols... things are done in certain ways. Follow this way then as it appears any pleasantries would be futile."
The odd layout of the landing bays forced the group to wind through the bay until they reach the lifts. One of the guards depresses the UP button. Shortly thereafter, one of the six sets of doors opens revealing the interior. Without much discussion the guards with Ana in the middle enter first, followed by the officers. Jeanne was trying her best to repress her pain, but the walk through the bay was a bit hard on her.
Bancroft took note and raised an eyebrow, "are you okay Lieutenant?"
"Still not over this malaise I'm afraid, just a bit queasy. Hopefully we can get this over with and I can take a nice couple of days rest." She replied steadily.
The ride up the elevator was long.
Bridge
Aaron was sincerely hoping that Nova was going to wait at the door rather then be insubordinate and ignore direct orders. He could have probed her mind to make sure, but he was still not comfortable with the Acadian, 'poke around at unsecured minds for what ever reason' ethic.
Alexis and Saioko seemed eager to go but fortunately have not taken off yet, "Alexis, if you could come along that would be great. We have no idea what is in there, and you of all people would be best equipped to handle it. Now, lets quickly get moving."
As going to the ready area to grab his old light armor and a pistol he got Marissa's message. It was amazing how good her voice was at calming him down. Especially her thoughts, they were quit soothing... *CLICK* wait since when did Marissa start sending telepathic messages in reply? It was especially interesting that he had this revelation just as he was 'buckling' in his armor.
As though the fates continued to taunt Aaron with all of his concerns, Marissa sends him a message about Nova and the little ones,
Stall them, don't let them get near Matron yet.
Aaron grabs the first weapon that looks vaguely pistolish and runs for the door, not waiting for Saioko or Alexis.
On the Ramp,
Nova had stopped at the bottom of the ramp, and waiting for Loki and Ixiah. When Marissa grabs Nova, she blinks at the light and see Matron's old hull. She's surprised at the condition of Matron. The old video data doesn't do her justice. She turns and look at Richard and Marissa. Taking in the armor and weapons, Nova frowns at Mariassa's weapons.
"It will be alright. but I must go on" says Nova. The cat-girl doesn't move though, and waits for the Major. Unless Loki continues, she'll wait for Aaron.
Pirate Base (Elevator ride)
Remaining silent, Knight carefully adjusted his rifle, and took an unobtrusive half-step forward. The movement allowed Jeane's elbow to rest in the crook of his arm. If she needed the extra help, she could put the weight on him instead but simply leaning in. He listened to the words that were exchanged, but did his best to imitate a bodyguard, the thoughts 'be seen but not heard' played over and over in his mind, as he tried to do just that.
Pirate Facility
Romulus followed along with a some what bored look on his face. He kept an eye on any movements Ana made, just incase she tried anything.
Outside
The small mint green fox kit, older than some of the most wizened tods in the known galaxy took in the sight of the ship before him. His eyes were wide and sparkled with curiosity and eagerness.
His cousin, a fair lad of blue fur, was dazzled by this sight of supreme technological achievement. A self-aware starship using the only known psionic drive system, speed of thought indeed.
Both feel compelled to move forward, but Marissa and Richard might not let them.
Loki turns to Marissa and speaks to her, in a voice different then normal. The FX department seems to have added a bit of electronic reverb, "Marissa, we are going to go on ahead. Be a good lass and wait here for Aaron. Oh, Nova needs to come along with us, we took her... she is not disobeying orders."
"Uh... um..." Marissa seems rather confused, but after a moment nods, "okay kid, not like I'm going to be able to do much to stop you." Loki's voice was very compelling, but she was able to shrug most of it off.
Ixiah smiles his bright and shiny pearly whites at Richard.
The wolf sighs and waves towards the ship, "I know better then to try and stop you, I just hope Aaron doesn't kill me for not stopping you. Can't imagine that he even thought we would be able to if the two of you really tried."
"Don't worry, he won't. Come on Nova, you need to go don't you? Let's be off." Both Ixiah and Loki lead Nova towards Matron.
Marissa raises her weapon, pointing it at Loki, Nova and Ixiah, but Richard places a hand on it lowering it to the ground. He looks in her eyes and shakes his head.
Marissa shakes, "h... how do we know they aren't under control of some force in there... I've never heard Loki use such a voice..."
"Ja, but you can't go shooting him... the weapon doesn't have stun." He states as he watches the trio enter the ship.
Hallway from Ready area to Ramp. Also known as "By the Great Fox this is a lot longer than I remember it."
Bohemian Rhapsody seems to be playing in Aaron's head as he traverses a path that seems far longer than it was the last time he tried to reach the exit ramp. The music seems out of place and no relation to anything that is occurring.
Alexis appears next to him dressed in a Plug-suit like one worn by Asuka Langley. Matrix-like scrolling symbols drift across a semi-clear, green visor. Without making eye contact, she hesitantly speaks to Aaron as Saioko bounds up behind them, "hey boss... what's up?"
Saioko speaks before Aaron can reply, "wow, I'd never thought I'd be able to catch up to you before you reached the ramp... spatial... distortion, weird."
Pirate Base
The elevator arrives at the designated floor, opening to a large reception area. The uniformed duty personnel at the control desk take note of the group that enters, "lieutenant... use room B, she has fifteen minutes with him and then the commander would like a word with her for negotiations."
The weasel nodded, "alright then. This way everyone." He quickly led the detail to a large conference room designated "B". The entire front, including the door, was made of some type of clear material akin to glass. A large plasma screen sat on the far wall and below it was some cabinetry and a counter. The table was an odd oval and could seat twenty people comfortably. Some type of Y shaped conference phone sat in the center of the table, audio satellites at each end, and an elaborate telepresence camera set up and large LCD screen filled most of the right wall.
The other guards gestured for Ana to sit, as the weasel activated the large wall monitor. A bedraggled, tired, but otherwise unharmed brown bat appeared on the screen. His green eyes sparkled as he saw Ana.
"Ana, I..." He began, but was cut off by the navy blue vixen.
"Oh HELL no!" She yelled, bolting from her chair to come to stand on the table itself. Blue energy crackled over her, "I said in person, face to face! Not some video conference. I will not be disrespected like this!"
Bancroft's guards tensed up, raising weapons to point at Ana as the weasel barely contained his panic backpedaling behind one of his NCOs.
The door was flung open and a much more lavishly dressed collie officer in a gray uniform with golden epaulets burst in, "and we vetoed that request without your knowledge. I'm not so stupid as to put a technomage in with her quarry. One wave of a hand and you'd teleport away. He is across the hall in room A, see."
The commander gestured across to the other conference room where the brown bat sat and waived back half-halfheartedly. "Now sit down lady before I put a plasma hole through your gut, like I would prefer to do. However, we like ransoming prisoners... its the money you know, hard to live without it."
"Fine, but take your cronies out of here." Ana said as she sat back in the chair shifting her eyes to the nervously smiling Marcus on the screen.
Ana shot a glance at Romulus and Knight one of those, "the ball is in your court" looks.
Some unknown place within Matron
A hiss of air was heard as a clear canopy was raised. The person within stirred. He was groggy, dizzy and rather weak. Felt like he had been frozen in carbonite, just without the blindness.
A kind, female voice was heard in his mind, those that are of your people have come with some of ours. Go to them, for you are destined to be a part of them.
A lighted path revealed itself, leading in a different direction and side from where Nova, Loki and Ixiah were entering. It would lead him out and behind this ship he had been taken into, to face yet another alien vessel, but this one had recognizable athro types outside of it.
From the ramp and then into Matron
Nova's hand also appears on Marissa's rifle and on Richard's hand. Looking at both Richard and Marissa, the catgirl looks to be awake and in command of herself. "Please Marissa. It will be alright, Wait for the Major. Richard, Please be our backup? That way, we'll both be cover with the Major. Be at the ready, but don't shoot anything, unless you really have to." says the Lieutenant. The catgirl's mental is scared but she is herself and calm.
Nova watches the eager boys go ahead of her. She leads the wolf in to the main hatch and down a dark passageway. Lights turn on as the group walks down the 20 meter hallway to a dim light from a side door. What Loki and Ixiah see is much different then what she and Richards sees, Nova is sure. They are awed by the patterns on the walls, yet Nova see only a faint black outlines on the dark surfaces. The cat-girl is drawn slowly into the computer main room that is Matron. This 25 ft round room has a 4ft tall crystal structure that stands in the center of the room with many smaller towers around it . The crystal Matron has a low glow, but Nova can only feels Mara at her neck. In Nova's mind, Mara encourages her to the center of the room. Nova walk to the crystal and places Mara's crystal form on the high center pinnacle. Matron suddenly energizes to higher level. The crystal lights up the room and the floor lights up with twin paths of swirls light trails Red to orange to yellow to green to.....purple.. each pattern path leads into another.. They all leading toward the center of the room.
The small kitten Mara appears floating above the crystal Matron.
"The Rainbow Dance, Nova You remember it Don't you?" Ask Mara
"No NO! this is childish, I can't do this" cried Nova "and beside this is Gaea's and Xaos' moves. If you take my part of the dance, Who will dance with me? Loki?"
. "Please Nova You must dance" says Matron voice in Nova's head weakly.
Mara giggles "I will dance your part. You and Loki will dance Gaea's and Xaos' dance moves. Matron needs you to dance. I need you to. You need this, too."
With a sigh, Nova moves to the starting point on the first red path, and she looks pleadenly to Loki to see if he will dance. "Will you dance with me, My lord?" asks Nova with bow to Loki.
Outside, the Matron's main hatch is still open but the hallway goes dark, yet the light from engineering can be seen faintly from the entrance.
PBH
Strange Med Lab
Robert stumbled out of the chamber and collapsed onto the floor. His mind seemed like it was full of cobwebs and his throat felt like it was full of cotton balls, even in his current state of mind he tried to take stock of his surroundings.
Robert desperately tried to organize his thoughts, 'I'm was alone,' "Those that are of your people have come with some of ours. Go to them, for you are destined to be a part of them." The lady's voice seemed more to be in his head than it was in the room. " scratch that, he wasn't alone... he pushed himself up on one elbow, "Hello..." his voice was hoarse and echoed in around the room, and which only brought a vaguely illuminated exit as a response.
'Okay, back to square one, I'm alone,' he stood up uneasily and used the wall as a support. 'I'm alone... in a strange ship...' he cocked a ear to see if his benefactor was still around. There was no response, 'I look and feel like something that was chewed up and spat out of an industrial grinder," he idly picked at his uniform which had a few gaping slashes in it, and some dark stains which had probably been, at some point, blood. Something had happened, but at the time being his mind was too scattered to piece together at the moment. He sighed and stumbled down the corridor, his only option was to pray that his benefactor was benevolent.
This this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
"Marissa says that Nova and the kids are outside already." Aaron continues to not look back while talking to Saioko this time, "Regardless of how, we are all now together. We should hurry outside, I don't think Marissa and Richard can hold them for long. Also, is it just me or has Marissa developed psychic talents?"
Without waiting for an answer, he heads outside, to a site sadly lacking in Nova, Ixiah, Loki, and Richard, much to Aaron's astonishment. Richard always seemed very bright...
"Marissa, where did Richard go?"
"Aaron! We... we tried stop them! Loki was... convincing like he always is. Though he sounded weird, there was a strange, almost electronic harmonic to his voice."
Aaron couldn't help but think that electronic harmonic sounded like a bad dance/party mix track, "So... where is Richard?"
Marissa blushed a little bit, and Aaron could pick up a little embarrassment from Marissa, and a little bit a shame that she couldn't stop anyone, "He, he went with them. I don't know if he was possessed too or what."
Aaron sighed, "I didn't expect they would stop. I also didn't expect Richard to go with them. A little disappointing on his part. You did well Marrissa, thanks for staying."
Aaron motioned his arms towards Matron, towards destiny, and towards another huge headache. All with that song still in his head.
Pirate Conference Room
Knight stood impassively at Jeanne's side, he kept his expression neutral and his right hand on the grip of the weapon. He'd kept himself close enough that, should the Tigress stumble, he'd be there to catch her. "I'm sorry Ms... I can't leave Ms. Prewars presence. I've been given rather... firm... instructions, to keep her safe. I'm her acting bodyguard throughout the negotiations... "
His hand was tightening lightly on the grip of his rifle, his eyes shifting around the room, watching for any sign of movement out of the ordinary. These missions were not his specialty, too many guns, tight confines, and in a tower full of hostiles, Knight's mind wandered to the thoughts of how much easier this would have been with a pair of Stealth LAMs with auto-cannons, and pulse lasers.
If Rom was ready to make his move, Knight hoped the wolverine would give him some type of sign before the rounds started flying. The heavy Gauss rifle around slung out front would be useful and he was certain of his skills and training... But still, this ground-pounder crap was best left to the marines. That last thought brought out a slim smirk, as he continued his quiet observations.
Pirate Conference Room
Romulus aimed his rifle straight at Ana when she did her little outburst. He had his rifle aimed at Ana's head. Thought the safety was on it didn't show. Romulus lowered his rifle and looked at the guards. He firmly stood.
"Ma'am I am under orders to keep an eye on you"
Romulus moved to stayed by the door.
"I'll just stay by the door but inside the room"
Mystic Dance Dance Revolution
Both Ixiah and Loki gave one another a sideways glance.
Xaos and Gaea have some very odd customs... I've not heard of a Rainbow dance before. Loki commented telepathically to his cousin.
Well, perhaps it is linked to the psychic systems or it was a fun little thing to teach a young kitten that also served a purpose. We are a very harmonic species you know. Ixiah 'pathed with a shrug.
The mint green fox nodded to his feline partner as he stepped up to the beginning of his intended path, "I'm not a very good dancer, so you will have to be gentle. I think I can follow these points though."
Loki held out a paw and waited to start, the young Acadians both expected music to start.
Richard stood in a half daze, "why did I come along again? This seems so out of character for me."
From a strange med lab to fantasy
Robert exited the ship onto the bright light, in the close distance he heard voices speaking a familiar language. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust.
Marissa pointed vigorously at the squirrel that had emerged from the ship, "Ah! Look zombies!" Barely able to contain a slight giggle.
Saioko drew her side arm cautiously, as she wasn't one to believe in zombies.
Alexis almost appeared to be relieved at the sight of the squirrel. Her apprehension was at its peak when something emerged from Matron that she nearly struck Robert dead with a blast of her really dangerous looking cannon.
Pirate Conference Room
Ana seemed a bit frustrated at the lack of action from the rest of the team, they were the professionals. They all seemed to be waiting for her, but she wasn't ready to make a move just yet.
"Fine Pewar and her guards can stay, at least they are honest with me! You two, Bancroft and Commander who ever you are, take your guards and stand outside. Let me at least talk to Marcus and then we'll bargain... k?" The vixen ended her discourse with an innocent bat of her eyelashes while resting her chin on the top of her right hand.
"Fine, Pewar, keep an eye on her." The commander ordered, "Bancroft, you and your men with me outside."
The weasel smartly saluted as the tigress bolted to attention with her own salute at the obviously vastly higher ranking officer. She bit her lip as the sudden movement caused her tremendous discomfort, and only her force of will kept her from yelping in pain or her legs collapsing.
Luckily the collie did not seem to notice as she exited. When the door closed, Jeanne collapsed back into her seat with a whimper, hands over the spot of her wound.
Ana tapped the mute on the conference system, so the guards with Marcus could not hear.
"Damn white uniforms..." She complained as blood stained through the white fibers, "busted a stitch or two." She quickly buttoned the jacket just in case the guards outside just happened to stare too closely, "I'll take some of that stuff you brought with you Knight."
"Great, not a good time for this. I expected to be separated, but I didn't expect so many guards. I suppose I could deploy a puppet and use a confusion mist... anyone have some ideas?" Ana asked as she gazed out the glass at the large amount of guards posted around the main area.
With a face full of friendly fire... almost
Robert had just left the ship, and squinted as his eyes adjusted to the light outside. He heard someone something that he didn't fully catch and he looked over to see one of the trio had pointed at him. This in turn drew the attention of the other two who drew their weapons and pointed them at him, one in particular had a pretty nasty looking cannon.
Faced with the fact that he was outgunned and outnumbered, two things happened. First, his brain told his arms to raise up in the air in the universal sign of surrender. Second, his instincts told him he was staring down the barrel of a gun, which was not a healthy place to be in, and it caused his knees to buckle and throw him to the ground out of the line of fire. In his slightly befuddled condition, both happened uncontested at the same time and he ended up gurgling something barely recognizable as, "Friendly!" before crashing to the earth with his arms out infront of him.
Danger close
Aaron had been picking at the surface thoughts of this new guy. He seemed relatively friendly for having just come out of the ship-o-uncertain-doom. Though he did seem confused regarding the number of people present.
"Okay then Mr. Friendly, our friend just rushed into that ship over there and we are kind of in a hurry to get to her before something exceptionally bad happens to her. I want you to come with us. You seem to be okay and we need to move quickly and I'll figure out what to do with you later. However, I may ask you to justify your existence so start thinking of your story."
Aaron was trying to get his mind back on track after the recent outburst. Where was he, oh yes, I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy~
And with that he heads to Matron.
Pirate Conference Room
Romulus started shooting into the air near Anne's head. He looked back towards the door and yelled.
"Get in here she's trying to pull something"
Romulus random fired around the room making sure not to hit anyone. He then turned and waited for the door to open and aimed for the heads of the pirates who came in.
Once more into the breach
Robert picked himself up and dusted himself off and tried to keep up with Aaron. "You seem to be okay and we need to move quickly and I'll figure out what to do with you later. However, I may ask you to justify your existence so start thinking of your story." Robert paused for a second and grimaced. The previous fall to the ground had got his blood pumping which had done wonders to brush away the cobwebs in his mind, "I'm Robert Norston, I was an Ensign the survey vessel Delphi." He shook his head, there were bits and pieces of the memory that refused to come into focus, "I think we got attacked, last thing I remember clearly before waking up in here was getting into an escape pod," he gave Aaron a scrutinizing look, "Are you the recovery team? Did you find any other survivors, or do you think they're all in here?"
Pirate Base, Conference Room
Knight stood straight as the collie and entourage left. The tigress's groan of pain had him reaching for the patches in his hip pocket even before the request. Passing on a patch, Knight had positioned himself between Ana and Jeanne. The burst of fire from the carbine, followed by Rom's reaction were a bit unexpected. He'd hoped for more of a heads up, as is, he'd started to move to pull Jeanne to the ground while bring his own heavy rifle to bear, still connected to his body via the sling.
The conference room didn't really look that well protected... in fact, knight would make a reasonable bet Rom's carbine slugs could punch a hole through the wall, let alone his own Gauss rifle. As this though came to mind he turned to the tigress and said, "Get flat on the floor, NOW!"
Planting his left hand on Jeanne's shoulder and his right doing the best it could to line the barrel of the weapon with the door. Knight crouched over the Tigress as he awaited the pirate response.
Not quite Matron yet
"Rescue party? Sorry, but I didn't even know you were out here. This is a very pirate controlled area, so unless anyone else is with you I am doubtful that anyone else would be here. I'm Major Aaron Brown, and I was sent here to poke around that."
Robert scowled, "Every ship is required to submit their last coordinates when being abandoned! They even built in a dead man switch to do so if it couldn't be done manually! How could you not..." he cut himself off and took a deep breath, "Okay," his voice was more even,"that's not important. Look, Major, who is this lady we're going in after and is there anybody else with her?" He glanced at the others, "and do we have a map of the place, I vaguely remember a distinct lack of directions when I walked out of here."
Aaron couldn't help but think that Robert was wandering into dangerous territory. Maybe he could just leave him here if he didn't feel grateful for being rescued? The pirates would probably be grateful to get their hands on an officer after they just did around here. That and he was the junior most officer here...
"How could I not know? I'm a RESEARCHER not a rescue expeditionist. When you got lost I was in a LABORATORY. How the hell did you think that the rescue system worked? That EVERYONE gets the message that you, and only you, were lost? I'm thinking you may need more medbay time then I thought, as you are clearly are not thinking straight. However, if you can keep yourself together and keep perspective on the bigger picture, we are looking for a Lt. Hunnydew and two Acadian kits, Ixiah and Loki. They are probably in there with two Acadians, Xaos and Gaea. And maps of Acadian ships are a bit silly, their interiors are based on what you expect."
DDR in 3D
Music comes from the main hatch, Nova starts her dance, the red lights lit up the hallway to the computer room and Nova and Loki. The Song sings out on more levels then just hearing. Aaron will find.
At first, the dance between Loki and Nova is more a choreographic duel or ballet dance with swords. Playing sword fight for Loki, who can jump and hang in the air. Nova follows the dance with her anger and frustrations against Loki. Yet, Loki is never in danger. And Nova's anger drains from her by the time she reaches Orange.
Red-
Orange-
Yellow-
Green-
Blue-
Purple-
Each color Each movement, that Nova dances, she changes fur color, species and clothing, Each new color, Nova become a new descendant of Starsong. Her great- great mother or the magician, her many great- daughter in the future. Loki finds that he himself is also changing that he is growing up and/ aging as he meets each new life.
As her dance continues, but Nova moves get more like Loki's, She must and does landed on spots on the walls and ceiling, as she chases after him or jumps away from him. Mara, Fox-kitten dancing and spins in the center of the room and Matron's crystal mound grows higher with each new color.
Aaron has always been having to shield against Nova's thoughts, but now her mental present is getting hard to see, even as he watches her dancing in front of him.. Aaron can sense that the ship around is coming alive.
Purple
Nova is now a Kat-vixen, Starsong, =she is Nova, but she is also Starsong. She is a beautiful and very attractive vixen even with orange tabby strips. Her body is only 30 years old, but her mind and soul seems stretch over a hundred lives over a million years
This dance is without sword and more ballet with more romance and passion. By the end of the dance Loki and Nova are back to normal but hug each other. Matron is complete white column to ceiling, but Mara is not there. Xaos and Gaea are also there smiling at Nova.
"Welcome, Kitten" says Gaea.
PBH
Pirate Base, Conference Room
Jeanne slapped the patch on her arm, and sighed as the pain dulled a bit, just as she was pulled to the ground by Knight, "owww... I think you made it worse..."
Drawing her sidearm, she did her best to aim for the door as well.
The pirates acted rather predictably, Bancroft dove for cover behind the center control console in the main room between conference rooms. The commander sharply ordered the guards into the room, but she did not enter herself. Instead she began calling for other guards while bolting for the other conference room with Marcus, gun in hand.
The guards themselves burst in, ready to begin firing at Ana, and not especially prepared for an attack by their own. Prepared as the Special Forces were, they stood no chance and were cut down, destroying the glass of the wall and collapsing the door frame. With nothing between the team and the outside area, Ben, Hacker and Jaice dashed to the opening and tossed a pair of grenades each out into the main area. They tried to cover as much of the area as possible.
These actions took out a large amount of pirates, but also set off an annoying alarm.
Ben sighed, "looks like its going to be more fun getting out of here then I thought."
Ana was a little shocked by how quickly everything moved, but recovered quickly, she touched the video screen and disappeared. Anyone looking at the unit would notice that the blue vixen was now in the other conference room blasting the pair of guards within.
Matron's Hall of Electronica
Aaron, Robert and the others in the team arrive, having dogged Nova's trail, just in time to see the end of the dance. A lot of hugging seems to be exchanged, but currently only those present at the beginning of the dance notice anything different. This includes Aaron, that despite his Acadian heritage, is still prevented from seeing the masters of the ship for the moment at least. Saioko is noticeably frighted by this place, so much so that she shakes visibly.
Xaos spends a moment regarding the newcomers and turns to his lifelong companion, "should we reveal ourselves fully to these children and the neophyte?"
Gaea, still smiling at the now grown up Nova, ponders the thought, "young one, Nova dearest, shall we reveal ourselves to your companions? We would need to borrow a bit of energy to do that."
Xaos smiles, "at least until we can spend some time with more than just us."
The deep golden-brown furred vixen blinked her violet eyes at Nova, as the deep purple furred male waited patiently for a decision. A small light of mischief burned in his amber orbs.
Loki and Ixiah remained silent, slightly awed by their presence.
Pirate Base, Conference Room
Romulus aimed his shots carefully, being a sniper does that to someone. Just as fast as he fired a round he moved to another target. He followed Ben into the main room. He looked around as the alarm sounded.
"Hacker turn the damn thing off would you"
Romulus scanned the area looking for the commander. Then he looked to Ben as he fired a round.
"Conversation was getting boring anyway"
Romulus moved to the door of the conference room. He slighty banged on the door with the butt of his rifle.
"Ana you should get your guy to the ship quickly. Things are about to kick off here.
In the White Crystal Palace of Matron
"What Am I A living Battery?" is Nova's first thought, but she realizes that isn't really fair. Gaea and Xaos were more then loving to her. Right now, She is shielded and grounded, that she isn't broadcasting her emotions/energy out in all directions. For the first time in a long time, her thought are organized and she sense and feel more things clearly. Down Loki link, She can feel that twice as much energy than normal, but she doesn't feel anything differcult or any weakness. She knows Mara asleep in her crystal form again on Nova's neck, but the little kit wasn't taking any power from her, now.
"Why Of course, Lady Gaea, You guys only need to ask. I wouldn't deny my fairy godparents anything", says Nova, adoringly "But It is up to you guys, if you really want some people to see and hear you."
"Why Dear, She forgives us for sending her out. Like a message in a bottle, tossed into a galactic sea." says Xaos....
"Yes My love, But Doesn't scare you just a little that her luck--- her force of chaos has not only deliver her to every Acadians who can help us. But to the every Acadian Rebel force members, who have a change of save all Acadians and the galaxy as well?", giggles Gaea. "Why, she has even has a techmage, and a space battle fleet or two with her.... "
"AH Well" says Nova to seemingly thin air.
PBH
Crashing the Party
"that you, and only you, were lost?"
The phrase lingered in Robert's mind, the man was sticking words in his mouth.
"However, if you can keep yourself together and keep perspective on the bigger picture, we are looking for a Lt. Hunnydew and two Acadian kits, Ixiah and Loki. They are probably in there with two Acadians, Xaos and Gaea. And maps of Acadian ships are a bit silly, their interiors are based on what you expect,"
Robert looked hard at Aaron before spitting out his reply, "Right... then lets move." He followed the rest into the ship, unholstering his pistol, but keeping the safety on and it aimed off to the side so as to not muzzle the other people.
"Idiots, the lot of them." his mind raced as he analyzed his current situation. "No mapping, no hard line to the outside, and we just charge on in." He sneered, "And to top it off, they just tell me the damn names of our people in there. Like I'm supposed to know who these people are, and Arcadians. Just what in the hell is an Arcadian?" he glanced at the others in the group, the Major and the vixen in the weird white uniform were calm, given the current situation, but the pantheress was losing it, probably first time jitters, "Hey... Pinky." he nudged her, "Panic is going to be the first thing that can get you killed down here. Focus on something, anything, your breathing if you have to, but try and calm down." He gave her a half hearted smile, "Don't worry, we probably wont run into anything hostile in here."
Not hostile doesn't mean it isn't dangerous, but she seemed too wound up to break that onto her....
The corridor opened up into a large room, where they found Lt. Hunnydew standing having just completed her dance. Robert switched the safety off of his pistol, still holding it off to the side though, and nodded in Lt. Hunnydew's direction, "Major, is that your lost researcher?"
Pirate Conference Room
"Oh shi... I'm sorry, Jeanna..." Was all Knight could get out before more shooting. He let go of the fore-grip on the rifle, and reached into a back pocket, pulling out a small compress wrap. "Think you can hold this on, on your own?" The spotted feline asked as he moved to hand Jeanne the soft, clean cloth.
"you'll need to keep pressure on it until we get you back to the ship... if you need me to, i can carry you, but we gotta get moving. You think you're well enough to get up?"
Knight used his free hand to check the combat harness, and get his pistol ready, the rifle wasn't going to be of much use if he had to hold onto Jeanne as well.
Stamp on the ground, jump jump jumpen all around~
"Just so you know Robert, I am the sort of idiot that can read minds. And Arcadians are an quadruped bunch from the planet Arcad, an unpleasant bunch that we won't speak of again. Anyways, The cat is the lost researcher, and the two little guys with her are Acadians."
When Nova finished her dance and started hugging Marissa giggled, "Group hug time!"
Richard slunk back in with Aaron and friends, not saying much.
After Nova finishes talking to herself Aaron remarks, "And she seems to be talking with herself. Maybe we could all use some medbay time. Maybe naptime at the very least."
Inside the Matron.
"Oh great, he's a fucking spook." the phrase rolled through Robert's mind with the same manner as an exasperated person rolling their eyes. He calmly turned the safety back on, and holstered his pistol. "Sir, with all due respect to your rank, my thoughts about your competence are not relevant to the situation at hand. This is looking like a salvage op, and the next thing we need to do is to take stock of our situation. Our entry, and whatever Lieutenant Hunnydew and these Acadians did before we could find them could have very well changed something here. Hopefully we just disturbed the dust here, but if it has caused anything else, I'd much prefer we find out now, than later when we're in a less than ideal position to deal with it."
Hearing the Major and this new squirrel, Nova jumps on a chance to change the subject...She turns to the others at the door.
"Now, Matron has been waken, 'again', Major Brown, sir. So, you find it very hard to take a self-ware ship, Squirrely." states Lt Hunnydew. The cat girl waves her hands wide "Look around, This crystal is over twice the size, it was, when my grandma was last here and now, it is complete. The ship, itself, is also fully operational and not the wreck it was."
"Also the owners are here, awaiting introductions,"smiles Nova, "Please Lady Gaea and Lord Xaos come and meet my 'friends'."
PBH
Pirate Base
The pirate commander from earlier dove behind some rubble just in time to escape both explosion and return fire. Romulus's shot zinged past her ear, forcing her to keep down.
Ana waves to Romulus, a short time later, she and a brown bat (flying fox) emerge from the other conference room, "I'm ready to go whenever you all are." Ana tosses an energy blast over where the commander and a few pirates are hiding just for good measure.
Hacker heads for the main console, but a pirate sticks has gun up and fires blindly. The shots mostly miss, one hits the wolf, but his armor protects him. Still, the impact knocks him down. Jaice moves to check out Hacker as Ben comes around from the opposite side. The canine sergeant quickly stands up and with his right arm, leverages his weapon over the console edge, and unloads into the center space.
He drops back down and waits a second before popping back up, gun ready, shaking his head he puts his gun up and takes up a position guarding the entrance, "clear."
Jaice gives a thumbs up after checking Hacker, and moves to a position to keep fire on the other end of the room.
Dusting himself off, Hacker hooks up to the console and within moments silences the alarm, "their communications traffic shows that they don't know what's going on quite yet, but they know something is happening here."
Meanwhile, Jeanne takes the offered bandage with a nod and a slight blush, "it s'ok, better than getting shot in the fire fight. Nothing compared to back in the tower, I'll be fine." The tigress unbuttoned her jacket, pulled out her shirt, and redressed her injury with the compress bandage. Maintain pressure on it, she stood and waived off his offered hand, "I can walk, its not bleed too badly. Let's go."
She emerged into the open with Knight, joining Ana and her freed friend Marcus, "awww, don't tell me they shot you again Jean girl."
"No, same old injury. Are we ready to go, I could really use a nap."
[ooc: feel free to move this forward with your own action and scenes, just don't reach the shuttle in one post.]
Matron
Both Gaea and Xaos embraced Nova lovingly and stepped back, facing the new comers. Nova felt a bit... well, drained, but it was to be expected.
A golden brown furred vixen dressed in a forest green robe adorned with golden designs, somewhat baggy sleeves and a multitude of golden bracers bands and jewelry and wearing a golden tiara with a bright green gem appears before everyone assembled. She smiles warmly with her arms spread wide, "welcome travelers to the starship Matron."
A fox with deep purple fur, almost black under the light conditions, and amber eyes also appears to the other's right. He is dressed in a black coat, white dress shirt which is un-tucked and black slacks. He possesses and wears a starburst necklace of platinum with a deep, impossibly black gem at the center of the 'burst'. Additionally, he wears a simple silver ring with a small pink gem on his right hand, as well as a platinum bracer with a perfectly round blue gem set into it. His smile seems a bit sinister and aloof, but that might just be the impression one expects from one dressed as he seems to be. "Thank you friends, but I'm afraid your princess is in another castle... ooofff!"
It would appear that the jovial and still smiling vixen just stomped on the male's foot, but its hard to tell as it does not appear that she moved, "ha ha, yes very witty. We are Gaea and Xaos, reputed as the first Alphas among the normals."
Recovering from having his foot stomped, Xaos adds to the statement, "for centuries mothers and fathers have told stories of what horrible monsters we are to their children. So what brings you before us now, with our god daughter, and a ship full of wide eyed Acadians?"
Both Ixiah and Loki blush and sheepishly try to act casual.
A bright vibrant golden vixen clothed in the finest silks, very reminiscent of ancient Grecian and Roman finery, appears as well. "Welcome, I am the Ship designated Matron."
Pirate Base
"Aww and the party was just getting started" Romulus looked at the others. "Alright back to the ship everyone. Looks like we've over stayed our welcome"
Romulus started to move down towards the ship. "Ben lead them back to the ship I'll cover the rear" Romulus gestured for the others to get moving. Romulus took up the rear guard as they moved to the ship. He tried to watch for movement from every angle, his head was on a swivel as he moved.
Feeling drained and the love, Nova falls and leans against Gaea for a bit. After the ancient alpha appeared, she reluctently releases Gaea. and regains her balance. She feels the drain easing after the ancient foxes appear and as she gets use to it. Nova turn to Loki and Ixiah
"Xaos and Gaea, This is Loki, a lord of chaos, and Prince Ixiah, an Alpha of Acadian, " , Nova introducts the two younger foxes, and goes on to the door." and over there is Major Brown of ISF, Richard, and Marissa. And ah squirrel?, maybe you know him?", she asks Gaea.
EDIT: In Nova's mind , she sudden recalls that "the Major" was Kyubi's son, and maybe, Ixiah wasn't as high as an Alpha. Yet, she keeps quiet about her mistake for now. Matron was here. Nova hugs her old Nanny, like she was six.
PBH
Any way the wind blows~
Aaron did have to wonder when Ixiah became an Alpha, last Aaron remembered Ixiah was the one who only just managed to restrain himself from killing Aaron for being an Alpha. Speaking of being such, "I must confess, I never heard stories of either of you as a cub. Then again, mom didn't stick around for nearly long enough. Dad did tell stories. With treasure hunters. And dragons. And treasure hunters that turn into dragons. Those last ones were my favorites."
Aaron tried to recompose himself, and on the outside looked quite calm. If only he could keep his mind in order too he may have actually impressed Xaos and Gaea, "As to why I am here, I'm on a quest for the Holy Grail."
Aaron was actually halfway hoping for a stomp on the foot too, it would add to the mood. Alas, all he got was a funny look from Alexis. "Err, on a more serious note, Nova here insisted we see you two once we found this location. I got authorization from the ISF for this expedition and away we went. Also, in a round about way, my mom told me to seek you two out... erm... you see..."
It was about at this point that Aaron noticed that Xaos was right next to him. When did Xaos even move? Or wait did Aaron move? Perhaps the universe compressed? Regardless, Aaron got the feeling he was being... inspected?
"Wait, what are you even doing?"
"Oh, nothing."
The grin on his face said Xaos was lying. Why were all Acadians like this? "Because it is more fun like this."
sigh
Matron
Robert walked over to a nearby wall, and eased himself down. Placing his head in his hands, he rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms. The sudden surge of energy from him nearly being shot, coupled with the adrenaline from charging into the unknown had taken its toll. He was tired.
Most importantly, he was tired of the insanity, the craziness of the people around him. None of it made sense. They hadn't followed any of the salvage protocals; instead they opted to throw the switch and place everybody's lives on the line. "And, now the cat is out of the bag," the thought danced through Robert's head as he tried to clear it. The only thing he could do now is hope, and pray, that the Major and this Lt were right and the Acadians were friendly; because right now they could do anything to us, and there isn't much we could do to stop them.
Pirate Base
Knight kept watch over Jeanne as Rom and company cleared the halls. He carried the heavy rifle as Jeanne seemed to be somewhat alright. He kept her close, and made sure she kept up, making sure that she was covered as they exited the office, making for a stair well. Taking the elevator back down would be nigh suicidal.
"Romulus, Ana, is the pirate captain still alive?" Knight asked over the gunfire. He hoped to take her prisoner if possible, the collie might have some useful information, or perhaps could arrange a parley long enough for them to leave.
"IF she is, don't harm her. I'd like to have a few words."
Pirate Base
As the team gathered and prepared to move, Knight's question about the status of the collie pirate commander generated a shrug or two from the other SpecForc members. However, back towards the collapsed end of the room opposite from where they were retreating from, a tan hand-paw quickly appeared from behind a rubble pile prominently displaying her middle finger in a rude gesture. The hand quickly dropped back behind cover as a shot ricocheted off the wall. Two pirates point guns around the sides of the wall and answer with automatic fire. Blind firing, but enough to keep everyone behind cover.
Ana smirked, "I guess that means yes... and she has good hearing apparently." More quietly, nearly above a whisper, Ana adds more seriously, "there is her and two other pirates. Trying to get to her would get someone shot, better to just toss them a grenade... but I think there is a dampening field over there because of the emergency exit that collapsed."
The team carefully withdrew to the lobby and prepared to descend. The lobby area held the elevators and the stairs. The multiple elevators were at different levels and currently not moving. The stairs were at the opposite end of the lobby and a pair of pirates observed from a hasty barricade near them. They immediately opened fire as a response to seeing the team, the shots were rather reactionary and not too well aimed.
Matron
Ixiah looked rather surprised at Nova's introduction of them both, "I am not an Alpha... though at this rate, I guess the high command would probably toss me and Reiya in that group as we haven't reported in like... forever."
Loki also seems a bit embarrassed, "Nova? A Lord of Chaos... me? I'm a renegade and a bit of a loose cannon, but I'd not be a lord over Xaos... no. I think the kitten is misunderstanding it a bit, or you two took too much from her. Nova does look a bit pale."
Xaos scratches his chin a bit as he circles around Aaron, carefully examining him, "Kyubi's son... so you are Isis's boy! Our great, great... grand daughter..."
Somewhere on an unknown world, a vixen of pure white fur pauses. Her eyes glint evilly and to no one in particular she growls, "there needs to be a lot more greats... I am not that old!" Above a small moon detonates.
A few sweatdrops appear on Xaos's forehead, "eheh... cold chill. Well, I think I lost track of how many greats should be attached to that. Anyways, you seem a very interesting person to end up here of all places. Don't you know of the stories? The evil we represent?" A very over dramatic, evil grin played across the dark fox's muzzle.
The overly sinister Xaos was heavily countered by the overly bubbly and glomptastic Gaea, who was squealing with joy and hugging Loki, Ixiah and Nova in a flurry of affection.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Saioko edged away from Aaron and stood over by Robert, she kept quiet as Matron approached the squirrel, "so, young Robert, I repaired you and placed your body in stasis as you healed from grievous injuries and you are worried about salvage rights on me? I should have a say in that don't you think?" The vixen inquired as she examined Robert's tail for any signs of defects from the regeneration process. "Cat... out of the bag? Was Nova being kept in a sack? That seems rather rude..."
Nova feels a little weak, but fine. She breaths deeply, recall the rainbow dance in mind and heart quietly, and renewed strength flow into her from Matron and Mara.
"Sorry, Xiah is not an Alpha." bows Nova to Xiah "he's a loyal servant of Lady Reiya And Loki is a Lord of Choas or He will be when he meets me." says a different sounding Nova. The last Nova from the rainbow dance, Starsong, the cat-vixsn, stands inside Nova for a moment. Xiah knew this cat-vixen from Nova' soul castle. Aaron can almost see this ancient Fox-cat inside Nova before she fades from the cat-girl.
Nova hugs the green little fox, "Loki, Xiah is your friend, your chosen brother, You would never lord over him and he will always remimd you not to get a swilled head. And I am will always be your friend, too. You'll just have to remind me sometimes." Nova sounds with loving but the knowing all-seeing ringing voice.
"Nova, child, Don't scare the kits, you guys have enough to worry about in the here and now, then to drag the far future into this." says Gaea. She also hugs both little foxes again. "and Don't be scare of that old fox, Xaos just like to tease young people Matron, Nova is looking pale, and everyone could use some food....refreshment. Come'n to galley" Gaea starts to lead the group to the ship's kitchen
PBH
Knight grinned viciously at the non-verbal reply. He still had his heavy gauss rifle, and he wagered they expected pulse rifles and the usual small arms. Stuff that was loaded with explosive shells, or that didn't have the penetration to punch through armor plating. With Rom and team out front, Knight interposed himself between Jeanne and the three pirates in the rear.
"Rom, clear the stairs, but don't advance too far just yet, and just shut down the elevators, using them would be suicide."
Flipping the safety off on the large gauss rifle, Knight added, " I'll cover our rear."
As shots were sent wildly about, Knight judged where the 2 pirates that weren't the captain, lined his sight up with where they ought to be crouching behind the debris. Given how little force it took to bring down, ought to make it rather soft and loose, two adjectives that don't stop hyper-velocity projectiles. Or so the feline's thought went. He dropped 5 rounds in the rough area of where he thought each pirate was, then shouted, "Perhaps you'd like to discuss terms, now?"
While Rom and company seemed content with shooting their way out of the entire facility, Knight preferred a less messy solution, perhaps some agreement could be made before too much more blood was spilled. Then again... as his infantry combat, and emergency survival instructor had said "'Parley' is just a fancy word saying 'please come out and make yourself an easier target' "
Pirate base
"These guys don't believe in save ammo do they" Romulus comment as he took cover. He started taking aimed shots at the two piratesin front of the stares. He watched Knight's display withe the gause rifle.
"That's my trick" Romulus said under his breathe as Knight shot at the pirates through the wall. He did shake his head at Knight wanting to bring the pirate commander with them. He then looked at the others.
"Did anyone remember to bring some flash bangs with them?"
"So, young Robert, I repaired you and placed your body in stasis as you healed from grevious injuries and you are worried about salvage rights on me? I should have a say in that don't you think?" Robert gave Matron a tired look, "i've got to be the only person here who cant fucking read minds. Though to be honest most of the people here fail at mind reading comprehension." his his thoughts were strained, tired and bordering on rage, then Gaea suggested they retired to the Ship's messhall and something in Robert snapped.
"I appreciate you tending to my wounds, but salvage rights?" Robert chuckled, "Lady, whoever has be biggest guns has salvage rights... No, I'm talking about Salvage protocol." Robert struggled to his feet, "Standard E.S.M. procedure that everybody here is more than happy to ignore!" His tone was harsh and his voice was becoming raspy, "And for the uninitiated, E.S.M. stands for Enviromental, Structural, and Mechanical." he counted the words off on his fingers, "In short its the procedure to ensure that your ass stays alive while exploring an unknown site!" He angrilly glanced around, "I'm not going any further into this ship unless somebody answers my questions! We can start with why the hell your people are here," he jabbed his finger at Aaron, "and dont give me that bullshit involving that your purpose involves this ship! That's a given, I want to know specifics, like why you are letting her," he swept his arm over to point at Hunnydew, "just randomly throw buttons and flip switches. And more importantly why you think these Acadians can be trusted at face value!?" he glanced over at the foxes, "No offense, but I've seen some evil shit pulled off under the guise of benevolance and to be frank about it, your race is much more advanced than ours; meaning you've had more time to practice."
Robert's shoulders sagged as he leaned against the wall, his recent outburst straining his already low energy reserves. His rage having died down to a low simmer.
Matron
Aaron can't help but think that there is a memo circulating around. An entirely untrue memo at that. A memo regarding how junior officers can impress senior officers with back talk and acts of insubordination.
Aaron glared at Robert, entirely unimpressed with his episode. Perhaps Matron's stasis system left the poor fellow brain damaged. Xaos, for some reason, seemed to have the exact same expression on his face as Aaron did. He was unsure if Xaos was genuinely sympathetic or if Xaos was making fun of him.
Aaron turns to Xaos, "Apologies about Robert there. He seems to still be stuck on thinking of this as a salvage mission with an extreme dose of paranoia to go with that."
Saioko, could you watch Robert? I'm going to follow Nova, Gaea, and the kids.
Aaron walked off with Xaos towards the galley,
Hey Xaos, I wanted to know...
Isis is her real name.
Uhh...
You were thinking about that question since I called her that name. Maria was the name she took when she married your dad.
Yes... well... what about...
That one is harder. Think of it as an online handle. She always liked the name Kyubi. Said she was going to name a kid that.
The grin returned to Xaos's face as Aaron 'spoke' with Xaos. It was so annoying how he knew what Aaron was going to say.
Well, Xaos, the only stories I heard of you came from those two up ahead asking about sugar treats already. That you and Gaea were a great evil that unleashed the Ixilin, trying to use them to gain control. Nova regularly points out that those two have grown up under the control of the Masters, distorting their stories.
And what do you think? The grin was gone from Xoas's face and his tone was far less flamboyant as he asks this.
Aaron shrugged, A great many things, like how food is delicious. Oh, you mean about you specifically? Optimistic.
Nova is stopped by Robert and turn back to the squirrel.
"Salvage, Hap-hazardly!" shouts Nova
"Robert I don't know who are or where you come from. BUT! Know this, My family and I found this ship twenty years ago. My grandmother recorded and studied it for months, and I was here when too. If anyone have salvage right it's me. I have studied my grandma's data and I know the Acadian language enough to speak it as well as read/write it, one of a very few in ISF. I am an engineering officer of ISF. I have graduated degrees in quantum mechanics, warp drive engineering, and in alien technologies studies. I have not touched any switches, but I have a ship key to this ship."
Nova moves slowly to the squirrel and looking at him under downcasted eyes.. "I am hungry, and tried, and I'm going to the 'MessHall' , that is 10 meters from the open main door. So, If you think I haphazardly push buttons and the like, then stay here in the every engineering room, that I've waken. You can stay here some 30 meters from said door, and keep the waken lady dragon company in her bedroom." she points to Matron with a smile "Or you may come with us. Get some tea, we will talk over what has happened, and what to do next. Because Robert, the Acadians maybe older and more advanced than us, and can read minds, and so on, yet, they too are slaves to the Masters, an even older and evil race, who have and are playing with the Acadians, the pirates, and ISF alike for a long time."
"And Nanna Matron can be such a Dragon at times." Nova playfully says
PBH
Pirate Base
The pirate commander was readying her pistol to add her firepower to her two subordinates, "if we can pin them down then our boys from below can move up and we can catch them in the middle. No..."
The collie's words hung in mid syllable, as the frilled lizard to her left thrashed forward in a spray of gore as blood and chunks of flesh erupted from the large holes drilled through his upper and lower torso. He gurgled for a moment before laying still in a rapidly expanding pool of blood.
She spun to the right to find a similar grizzly sight for the ocelot pirate. She had moved back a bit from her original position and had her side facing the wall. It was not enough as two of the shots had found marks. One passing through her ribs and the other completely severing her neck from the shoulders.
Holly was shaken, but she was a seasoned officer. She flattened herself on the ground and reviewed her options. Knight's words reached her, but it caused her to bear her fangs and flatten her ears.
"You're in no position to negotiate, but let's hear it... what do you want?"
Meanwhile near the stairs, Jaice produces a number of flash bangs, "never leave home without them."
Ben nodded his approval, as he snapped off a few shots to keep the pirates busy, "I got a couple as well, and an Acadian grenade too... though Lexi said they were non-lethal." He gave a slight smirk as he said the diminutive of Alexis's name.
Ana considered the position and determined that the pirate officer was laying on her stomach. Using one of her technomagical tricks, the vixen accelerated a piece of metallic rubble from her hand, sending it off like a shot from the Gauss rifle. The small shard punched a hole through the barricade and barely nicked the collie's ear.
Marcus watched over Jeanne who was looking a bit paler than normal, it was to be expected of course.
Matron
Saioko approached Robert, she was relieved to be away from the prying eyes and casual mental probes of the Acadian Alphas. The feline did not know if they had managed to get past her defenses, but it was a bit of a problem no matter what. If they did, they now knew, if not then they would be wondering how a mere feline could keep out master psychics.
Or perhaps we just respect your wish for privacy. I'm sure you will speak up when you think you need to.
The whiskers nearly jumped off the pantheress's face as the voice filled her mind. She composed herself and addressed the cranky squirrel.
"Hello, I am Captain Saioko Natsume, Field Science Officer assisting Major Aaron Brown." Clearing her throat, the charcoal feline put on her best 'superior officer voice' she could muster, "now we all understand you are confused and fatigued, but regardless of our differing branches of service, it is still required to show a certain amount of respect to senior officers and representatives of foreign powers."
Raising an eyebrow she glanced over at Matron who merely smiled back in return. Continuing to address Robert she softened her tone, "now Ensign, would you like to restate those questions and we will try and answer them."
The expression that Xaos held was unclear to Aaron and difficult to read, optimistic... that is rather open minded of you. The stories are really mostly true. Gaea and I, with Matron, did indeed breach the dimensions and open a portal to the Ixlin. There was a surge within the psionic drive system, it tore open the fabric. We attempted to reason with them, but failed.
Richard could not help but think he was missing out, after all Aaron and Xaos walked in silence, thought they gave every indication they were holding a conversation.
The galley was fancy and very different, but also it would appear to have never been used. Despite this it did have some automated means to produce basic functions similar to magic. Tea and scones were served upon arrival, and it was noticeably more inviting in Matron than Mother's .
Ixiah and Loki stuck near Gaea, who did not seem to mind, and listened to her tales. Things seemed to be going better than could be expected.
Pirate Base
Knight kept himself in relative cover, keeping his rifle sighted around where he last spotted the collie. "We want to get out of here... you're behind us, that leaves you as a liability in a combat situation. So... here's how it goes. You come out, peacefully, and we discuss how me and my men get off this base without additional death. You tell me what you want in return for that, and we work something out."
He kept his weapon sighted, "I mean, your only other option is to stay put, and wait for us to drop a frag on ya... So, what's it gonna be, ma'am?"
He hoped adding the polite address wasn't too much. The feline just wanted people to stop shooting, even if just for the few minutes it'd take to leave this rock.
Pirate Base
"Ok toss a flash bang at those two will ya? We're move out once those flash bangs go off. Shoot them if you have to" Romulus then looked to Ben "We'll see what that one your girlfriend gave you later if we have to"
He then looked at Knight "Leave her we've got what we came for so let's get out. It's clear she's hurt and would hamper us. We have no reason to take her"
Pirate Base
With a very chilly glare, Knight ducked behind cover for a moment and looked square at his second in command, "Rom... I'm going to assume you're talking about the collie..."
He let the statement hang in the air to let Rom know just how serious he was, " She's A commander... possibly THE commander of -THIS- base... Injury or no, she's got intel, a command position, and is an all around valuable asset. We take 2 minutes to discuss things, perhaps parley ourselves out of here without risking your entire squad running across a god damned open airfield... Don't shoot her unless she pulls a gun, and don't do anything foolish... You fuck this up, Rom, i WILL shoot you myself... do I Make MYSELF CLEAR, Soldier?!"
Peering back out, and readying his weapon, Knight shouted to the pirate commander, "You've got 10 seconds before we start tossing frags! What's it gonna be?!"
"now Ensign, would you like to restate those questions and we will try and answer them."
Robert was too tired to glare properly; so he settled with crossing his arms while he carefully regarded Saioko, listing to one side. "Well, for starters, Captain, you can explain what the current situation is that the Major deems is so critical that he's ignoring E.S.M. protocol." His voice was still raspy, and his tail flicked about angrily, "More importantly, the Lieutenant said her Grandmother found this ship... what... twenty years ago? Why didn't the ISF do anything then? Why wait twenty years to dredge up an old relic? If there were circumstances contribuiting to the lapse in action are they still a factor, or has the Major taken, if any, action to resolve them. "
He sighed, "More importantly. In all of my years in working on xenotech I've never heard of the ISF having anything to do with a group that remotely sounded like the Acadians." he cast a wary glance at Matron, "If it was some state secret, fine. But, right now, any information on them would be helpful. What I've heard so far about this 'masters' business is disturbing. Has the Lieutenant's story regarding these 'masters' been verified by a reliable source? And, if so, has anybody developed a method as to ascertain whether or not they are under the 'masters' thrall. I mean, for all I know the 'masters' want us to activate this ship."
Pirate Base
Romulus leveled his rifle directly at Knight's head. "Listen, you wanna be hero. You know NOTHING about dealing with these pirates. They don't care if you have their commander, least of all the second in command. These are pirates, PIRATES, they don't work the way you do. You seem to have it in you head they have rules. THEY DO NOT! I've dealt with pirates more times then you have so shut up and worry about getting out of here. I will knock you out and and drag you out of here myself if I have too"
Rather than bothering to dealing with Rom and his insubordination any longer, Knight kept his sights on the pirate commander's location, and said in a very calm, icy tone, "Ben, relieve Sargent Romulus of his weapons until he learns to follow orders. And before you ask, yes, -that- is an order."
Knight's thoughts were growing more angry as he restrained himself from directing that anger at his own team, Romulous is blowing the operation. Questioning a commander's orders in the field is a rather common occurrence, but doing so in combat, it in the face of the enemy, is downright stupid. Particularly the enemy commander, whom is in a position where we can easily capture her, and use her as a means to get out of here far more safely than if we were to just run and gun... which is what cretin seems so hell-bent on doing. What the hell is that man thinking? is he thinking at all? or does he just listen to his gut reaction for everything?
Pirate Base
"Get it in your head Knight. THIS ISN'TYOUR MISSION! YOU ARE NOT IN CHARGE! YOU'RE GONNA GET THESE MEN KILLED ALL CAUSE YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING YOU THINK IS A GOOD IDEA! WE HAVE COMPLETED ONE HALF OF OUR MISSION AND GOT ANN'S FRIEND OUT! NOW WE JUST NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE! THESE PIRATES DON'T WORK THE WAY YOU THINK THEY DO! I WILL NOT LET YOU ENDANGER MY MEN!" Romulus was very close to pulling the trigger when Micheal spoke up. "Can we have this dick masureing contest later. Knight if you want to grab their "commander" you're on your own. We need to finish what we came here for. Don't make this more complicated then it already is. You don't know how the pirates work. Parleying hasn't worked in a very long time. They would just kill you as soon as look at you. A stunt like this is what got Romulus's father killed"
'SHUT UP HACKER!" Romulus roared as Micheal finished speaking. "Look Knight you'll have a few seconds to grab her after the flash bangs go off so if you plan on doing it do it then. Tell the higher ups about me if we get back. They will just laugh at you"
Matron
It would seem Aaron was not going to have to teach this auto maker (the name Aaron was using for the Acadian means of producing food by magic) how to make good tea. Quite a relief. And the scones were delicious. It make Aaron extremely nervous. This were going far too well. The only explanation was either his eminent death or things are going horribly wrong at the pirate base.
Yes, reasoning with them does not seem to be an option. You must have poked at our memories enough to know by now what is going on. The Ixlin are coming for us, and we're going to need help.
Xaos smirked, Oh? And who, exactly, is us?
Well...
What I mean is, you are an Acadian, enlisted in the ISF. An Acadian Alpha at that, one of us. Who is we?
Erm..., Aaron was a bit self conscious at the moment.
No need to think to hard on that now, "how is your tea?"
Gods that toothy grin of his was going to get old quickly, "Delicious. All I ever hoped for in my tea."
Richard looked quite relived that people were actually talking again. Which was a different look from the 'these scones are delicious' look on him earlier.
Aaron drinks down a large gulp of tea, "My question though, is what next? The masters wish to have their way with us, and we wish otherwise. But we need help, lots of it."
Matron
"proof ... procedure" Nova was momentarily flashback to her Grandmother's trial and inquiry into the expedition mishaps as much as her eight year ago mind could remember. The trials ended when the head judge died, and the ISF were bring stories of another race from the pirates captured.
Where did this ensign come from? or More important When? Thinks Nova
The look of shock on Saioko's face change Nova's train of thought, and she is worry about her cat friend. As Saioko looks at the retreating Alphas, and Nova says "Captain, fear not so, you have friends if you need help. And these Alpha are not malicious. Gaea would answer to anything for you, if you ask." She puts her hand on the captain's shoulder.
Lt Hunnydew turns to the squirrel, "Ensign, I am sure the captain can answer most of your questions, and when you are ready I will answer some of things she can't. I'm sorry, I can't help you more, now and your situation is not one, I could understand myself in your position. From basic survive, I would advice you to find out the Where and 'When', you are, before trying to find out more on the what and why. An reference point from what you known before is aways good to understanding all.."
Nova leaves with a salute to ensign and then the captain. and runs to catch up with the others. In the galley, the catgirl seems hungry enough for three people as she loads up on her plate with food. "Matron Oh I have forgottten how good food is .mmmm."
PBH
Pirate Base
As Romulus was glareing at Knight one of the pirates got off a lucky shot. The bullet hit Romulus in the skull, there wasn't much blood splatter as Romulus fell to the floor.
Pirate Base
"Shit! Rom is down!" Knight shouted at the sudden silence. He watched the wolverine go limp, and drop to the floor.
"Hacker, if that pirate commander doesn't come out in 10 seconds, toss a flash and cover my flank... Hold you fire unless she's armed... i'd like to keep her alive if possible."
Turning his attention to the stairs, "As for everyone else... Take and hold the stairs, arrange the cover to give you firing positions down the stairs if you can, but don't advance too far just yet. If we can get out of here under peaceful terms, or sneaking out... that's far preferable to gunning down everyone we meet and hope for the best when we get outside.
Pirate Base
The blur of the surroundings blended into the pervasive white glow. Surreal sound, seemingly filtered through a large thick glassed fish bowl, drifted all around. All of this effect circled around the fallen form of a wolverine male.
A canine soldier gaped at the sight, unbelieving what his eyes told him to be truth. Wordlessly, Ben tried to call the name of his fallen friend. In this surreal space, he could but watch as time slowed and the white glow concentrated someplace just beyond sight. No longer in the pirate base, Ben was not given the time to consider this strange occurrence.
Far in front of him Romulus paused in his walk down the path of light, turning back to nod and crack a half smile at Ben. The canine nodded in response, not knowing a single word to express what he wanted to say.
Blinking, Ben recovered from his momentary space-out to hear Knight's orders. He noticed Hacker about to say something he might regret to the snow leopard lieutenant and intercepted it with a hand on his shoulder, "you heard him, do it. Now is not the time." Of anyone here, Micheal had known Romulus the longest. Hacker and the rest of the squad, would take it hard.
The wolf nodded, forcing down the emotional outburst, and assumed a position to cover behind the team while he readied a flashbang grenade.
Ben nodded to Jaice and the two opened up with concentrated fire on the stairs. Marcus grabbed Romulus's weapon and assisted the two soldiers, adding the fire of the carbine to their suppressing fire.
Anastasia Tescrae stared at length at the body of their fallen comrade, heedless to the action occurring around them. The vixen had caused a lot of damage in her life, hurt countless people and indirectly killed quite a few. She had worked with many people who had lost their lives, but never had she lost someone she could consider a friend even in her 'mercenary' life. A pirate bullet drilled a hole through her leather long coat, grazing her side as another one nicked her thigh. She gave them no mind as anger built up in the core of her being, "damn it, damn you... why did you have to die... why? Why didn't I do anything... I should have paid attention instead of taunting pirates!" Her eyes glowed gold as she stood and faced the stairs, energy played over her paws, "this ends now!"
The vixen launched herself forward, out distancing Ben and Jaice, hurling bolts of wild energy forward. She blasted down the forward guards and relentlessly blasted the reinforcements a flight down. Her powers caused significant knockback and the technomage had blasted her way all the way down to the hanger deck. Here a slight snag developed, bringing her out of her berserker-like rage. A mecha was waiting with its heavy launcher primed.
"Oops... I'll just go back up..."
It fired the missile as a reply to her hasty backpedaling. Her powered flight barely kept the vixen ahead of the explosion as she grabbed both Ben and Jaice who were trying to secure the landing below the lobby. Fire erupted from the stairwell and when it had died down, Ana dashed over to the stairs.
"Bloody hell, they seem to have wiped out their own stairs below the floor one flight down. Took out the lads I didn't kil... oh gods and goddesses what did I do..." The vixen dropped to her knees in shock, well limited shock as she managed to blast one surviving pirate that had crouched in a corner and was attempting to line up a shot with her head. She gazed at her hand and clenched it into a fist, "breathe, get it together."
Meanwhile, the pirate commander did not come out from her cover. Perhaps she was a little better informed and was counting on the large reinforcement group coming up the stairs. She carefully collects the sidearm of one of her deceased guards. She tries to cover both her right and left, keeping her tail to the rubble and her belly to the ground.
Regardless, she gets a flash bang dropped in on her. She is assaulted with ear splitting bangs and bright flashes. Disoriented, she scrambles away from the thing and rolls out into a more open area. The collie is definitely confused and fires both pistols into the wall away from Knight.
Another part of the base nearby
It was another day for Harriet TiBalt, halfway into her one year assignment to infiltrate the "Razor's Edge" pirate group and she was scheduled to be pulled out by command due to upcoming operations against more relevant foes. That was a couple of days ago and her ride was overdue, ISIS operations are precise and delays are communicated.
Despite this she had continued to meet with her small cell of sympathizers, a very reliable sort of group, and a rough few jewels among the dross. A male coyote everyone calls "Doc", a female human named Miyuki, a male fennec fox named Jack, and a male sable nicknamed "Magick".
The group, minus Doc had assembled just as they had come to be aware of a battle being fought in the "guest area". Something to avoid normally, except for the fact that her special hyperwave unit was detecting an ISIS IFF unit near where the hostilities were to be found.
Doc had managed to slip away from his duties as he generally managed to do. Not the best pirate, he stuck through it partially for the memory of Alexandera, but mostly due to the ISF agent he had met. She was his best ticket out of this den of vipers and perhaps to a more respectable job somewhere. Arriving a bit late at the meeting, he reaches it at the same time everyone comes to the realization that a major conflict is brewing in the base.
Matron
Saioko was taken a bit aback by this squirrel. He was hung up on some of the most obtuse things.
"Well, the E.S.M. protocol is not applicable in this case. We weren't going to the site of a wreck, but an alien vessel that was still inhabited by its owners. Our scans showed the vessel to be safe beyond any salvage protocol, even if our eyes at first lead us to believe this was a wrecked starship." The pantheress paused and regarded Robert briefly, "simply put, we are ignoring E.S.M. protocol because we don't have to follow it... our insight puts us above it, our mission is far nobler than any salvage doctrine, and first contact protocol applies. So this is now the job of diplomats and xeno-researchers. Acadians are strictly hush-hush stuff..."
Saioko was interrupted by Matron who had decided to add a bit to the Acadian portion, "the Acadians are a rather young old race or old young race... something along those lines. During some exploration and research, we managed to breach the space between dimensions and reach another universe. What we found was a truly horrible thing. A universe devoid of any life save one race, the Ixlin. They had destroyed all other races, not because they were different, for territory, or because of some ideology. They did so because they feed off of war, strife, and death. It gives them sustenance. To them the universe itself has a harmony, each individual person contributes to this making it an amalgamation of all and a truly unique signature. Ixlin desire uniformity, only one song... their own, to prevail amount the universal song. When we discovered them, they were quite starved and rushed into our universe in a frenzy. Their technology was very advanced, but a coalition of races was formed and we prevailed, sealing the gate within what has become known as the Sphere of Harmonies. A small number of the Ixlin escaped and they secretly infiltrated our government, becoming the Masters. They seek the means to break the Sphere and release their kind into this world."
Gaea brings her kit charges over to Nova and sits across from her, with Ixiah and Loki sitting across from one another as well. The vixen merely watches Nova, not speaking at this moment and merely waiting for the questions she knows the kitten want s to ask of her.
Xaos sighed, "in reality I don't have any grand plan. We could use our Nova to repair the Sphere, she can guide one of us in its reinforcement. I think we need to destroy it, and then help your people defeat their little problem. Oh, by the way... where is your girlfriend Aaron?" The fox smiled rather sinisterly.
Richard nearly dropped his tea, the wolf did not even notice she had disappeared.
Another part of the base nearby
Doc walks into the room and tips his hat to Harriet. "Ma'am" He then looks at the others in the room. "Sounds like someone had a disagreement out there.
The catgirl was stuffed, yet she was enjoying her food too much to stop eating as her weakness was slowly fading away. Upon over- hearing Xaos, Nova's food suddenly tastes like sand in her mouth. She drops her fork to the table with a loud clang. She stands and stares at Xaos.
"Now, I remember, even as a little kitten, I could hear you two and Matron fight over this. You made a mistake of linking me to Matron via Mara. I know. The Sphere, even broken, is the only thing keeping the rest of Ixlin in their home universe, and they want it destroyed. They'll over-run us and keep us playing war games to feed them with hatred and strife, until this universe is lifeless as their home dimension.
"So, Do tell us....Will destroying the sphere close the hole in the trans-dimensional space, Xaos? Will repairing the sphere call the rest of the Ixlin out from their hide holes from over this universe and back into the sphere to be lock away again, Gaea?"
Looking at her fairy godparents, Nova sees now they don't know everything, Gaea look sad and sorry, and Xaos is just angry and frustrated and not looking at her. They didn't have a plan, and she was their small hope. For what, she didn't know. She felt she had fulfilled her mission, she returned with Acadian who would/could help them. Yet, if not the repair for the sphere what else would she be needed for.
"I know that if the Sphere of Harmonies is restored, it will be impossible to destroy it from the inside. BUT! there is a way to destroy it from the outside, and sooner or later, they or their agents will break them out again. I .. we need to know what we are going to do, now? What am I going to do now?"
She had many more question but they were for Gaea alone,but now wasn't the time. "Mara, please locate Marissa at once." the little kitten appear on the table, steals a cookie and runs to and disappears into the wall.
Edit: fix it, I think ?.
PBH
Pirate Base
As the Flashbang was thrown, Knight slid the rifle behind his back while drawing his pistol, and waited for the ear-spitting *BANG*. As the sharp crack met his ears, the feline took off at full speed, clearing the edge of the pirate commander's cover, and finding her having chosen the wrong way to spray.
He leveled his own side-arm at her center-mass, trotting in to maintain accuracy, he moved to kick the pistol out of her hands, while shouting, "Drop it! Hands behind your head, NOW!"
The spotted feline's focus was on the pirate commander at that point, if someone else was around, he hoped his backup would be able to take care of them.
Clandestine Meeting Area, or Where Nothing Gathers
The mission hadn't been easy; given the naturally suspicious nature of pirates, and the oddly competent nature of this particular group. But she had done it, through a mixture of blind luck, careful lying, and the occasional 'disappearance' she had done it. Harriet D. TiBalt was in. She operated under the guise of a technician, with some skill at maintaining a communications network, keeping the left hand informed of the right and vice versa; well as some talent in flying a dropship for the occasional ferrying mission between the main base and the outpost. Nothing special, nothing dangerous.
Oh, the irony...
It had taken some time, to find out which of the...oh, how to put it nicely; pirate scum would be useful in gathering intelligence, namely the conscripts, and disillusioned. Some were more useful than others, and in true Consortium spirit, she rewarded their usefulness with favors, information of her own, not feeding them to the paper-shredder... Of course, there had been turncoats, and they had been...dealt with. When she had been told her mission was being cut short, Harriet was mildly disappointed. She'd become rather used to being a Boogieman...er, Boogiewoman. Much to her surprise, and mild horror; the ship responsible for her evac, the Cold Fire, was overdue. The radio silence on the subject was also disturbing. But in the absence of her liberators, Harriet's mission was to behave normally. Like it was so damn hard.
Harriet regarded the coyote impassively, then returned her focus to the display of her hyperwave unit. "Yes, a disagreement would aptly describe that." The meeting area was a juncture of multiple auxiliary service ways, giving Harriet and her cell easy access to almost anywhere in the base, and a myriad easy escape routes in the event it was discovered. Dark, difficult to see in, walls lined with pipes and wires; most unsafe. It served her purposes well, having many places to hide the more...dangerous equipment she had in tow. Dangerous having the meaning of "If they find out this is here, we're dead."
She had been more than willing to let the guests get themselves killed, maybe steal one away for interrogation; after all, every bit on intel helps. Then, by some divine prank, she discovered an ISIS IFF transmitting. She briefly wondered if one of the pirates had somehow stolen it, and immediately discredited it. In the event of imminent capture, ISIS protocol dictated the destruction of all sensitive information and devices, lest they be used against other ISIS operatives. Which meant...it was genuine.
"Jack, Magick; confirm the status of the service pathways and ducts to the Deck, see if that explosion damaged them, then report back. Doc, Miyuki; get some weapons and stand guard, we may be getting some company." Orders having been issued, Harriet devoted her full attention to the outmoded means of communication, and put out a message with an ISIS encryption, which would hopefully reach the IFF without alerting the pirates to an unauthorized communications device in use.
Hopefully...
Another part of the base nearby
Doc taped the handle of his pistol and walked out to take up watch.
Matron
Aaron's face was quite firmly planted in the nearest flat surface. There is no plan. Xaos did not seem to have a better idea then Aaron on how to proceed. Well, there was the new idea of destroying the sphere, but Aaron had no idea what all that would imply. Add on top of that Marissa was missing. Aaron was wondering further about her. Added to that the fact that he really can't think of her as his girlfriend until... well... she was no longer her bondsman.
"Okay, that grin on your face implies that you know something about where Marissa is. If you would be so kind, could you take me to where she went while explaining the relative merits of reinforcing the sphere of harmonies versus blowing it up?"
Spork!
Robert's ear twitched as Saioko dismissed the need for E.S.M. protocol because the ship wasn't technically a wreck. "Right," thoughts arced about in his head, "so this ship has been patiently waiting twenty years for us to drop by with a casserole and welcome it to the neighborhood..."
He wanted to point out that by scanning the ship they had likely performed E.S.M. protocol prior to entry, but that would just cause another argument. Robert really wanted to bust some heads for them not telling him this before, it would have prevented a lot of the misunderstanding before. Seriously, these people need to work on their communication skills. Instead, Robert settled with pinching the bridge of his nose and grumbling, "I... I need to think, this is a lot to go over," he left the presence of Saioko, and walked over to the nearby table and sat down. Robert was too burnt out to eat, and so he cradled his head in his arms and shut his eyes. As he dozed off he vaguely heard something about a girlfriend and something to do with spheres.
Pirate Base - Conference Rooms
Knight managed to kick the pistol out of her right hand as she spun to face the snow leopard, but she had picked up another gun earlier and it is with this weapon that she took a panicked shot at him with. This also forced Knight to retaliate, firing in response.
Both shots impacted harmlessly on an invisible barrier, inches from each combatant's fur and clothes. The dark blue vixen, looking rather wild-eyed and rushed, had both hands extended forward, the tops roughly facing one another and shaped into a fist as if she were grasping at something unseen.
"Enough! Knight, secure her weapon. Hacker search her for anything else. Ben, Marcus and Jaice hold what's left of the stairs... that's our only way out. Uh, Jeanne... stay put for now." She stood, swayed for a second and then straightened, "too much energy used. You, Commander..."
The collie stood abstinent for a moment as Hacker padded her down before relenting to Ana's question, "Holly Kidsan". She stepped away from Hacker as he began to be very thorough, "oi, I'm hiding bazookas in my navel or between my boobs!" She yelled as she pulled her uniform shirt down.
"No, just knives." He replied blandly.
She shrugged, "well we are pirates, arrr matey and all."
Knight's special comm was receiving a message. A very odd thing to happen here. It was encoded and encrypted, such a device would be the first thing destroyed if an ISIS operative if they were captured, so it was very likely genuine. It was a request for confirmation of identity and possibly communication. The identifier used the Cold Fire's passkey.
Pirate Base - Clandestine Meeting Area
Jack and Magick nodded in acknowledgment of the order. The fennec trotted off, quietly padding through the service ways. Magick on the other hand stepped into a shadow and slowly withdrew into it, disappearing completely, just like magic.
Miyuki nodded to Doc who had taken position to cover the entrance. This freed up Miyuki to grab some more significant weapons, she headed into the storage area. Grabbing a sidearm and a pair of carbines, she joined Doc. Tapping him carefully on the side she offered the carbine for a larger caliber and volume of fire.
Matron
Xaos smiled a bit wider and stood at Aaron's bequest, "maybe I do." He waved to his mate, ship and guests, "we will be back in a bit."
Richard shifted in his seat and downed his tea, "these people are far too exciting for our health. I may not need to worry about getting old."
Saioko left Robert in peace at his table, choosing to sit down near Matron. The vixen who is the ship turned to regard the feline captain and spoke quietly so Nova, Robert and Richard would not hear, "do Darkshasa AI's process organic matter and liquids? If so you may like some tea and scones."
Saioko gaped at Matron and offered in response, "I'm not sure, if I find one I'll ask it..."
Matron nodded, "I see. I understand now, hopefully the others will be told before things turn strange."
Somewhere on Matron
The distant song seemed to get louder as the red vixen walked. She was not sure what the words to the song were, but it compelled her onward. After a few minutes, she found herself in a strange area. Not an expert in alien vessels, if Marissa had to field a guess she would say it was the engine room. If she was right, it was drastically different than that of ISF ships. The conduits were vastly different and the central reactor was, well alien.
The song seemed to emanate from this central fixture and she felt compelled to touch it. Reaching out with her paw, she hesitated and then relented, laying her hand upon the cool surface.
The song in her head exploded into a crescendo before dying down to a high cacophony of music. She was struck with a strange clarity about her surroundings, the passage of time and the nature of the universe. This time, it appeared that Marissa McAllister was just a bit more than just a cute vixen.
Matron
Richard was torn between being stuck in the gallery with the local color and going with Xaos and Aaron to parts likely to be unhealthy. He did, however, get the feeling that Aaron wanted him to stay and make sure that no one got in too much trouble. One day he should ask Aaron if he was planting those thoughts in his head. Silly Richard didn't seem to quite realize that Aaron couldn't implant thoughts that smoothly.
Xaos and Aaron went out the door, with Aaron expecting to hear about the effects of destroying the Sphere of Harmonies, but the conversation took a different tone, "Tell me, where did you pick up your girlfriend?"
"Hmm? Well, I think it started on the day I shot her then bandaged her up. She was fighting for a band of pirates, though she never seemed too thrilled about it. Since then I've been holding onto her as a bondsman. Honestly though..." Aaron check around to make sure Richard and Marissa were not around, "I would like to try and end the bondsman thing fairly quickly. I like them both but I don't want to... well... hold them..."
"Seems to me that Marissa may be more then 'I like them' to you yes?", Xoas quipped.
Aaron was astonished that Xoas' grin could even get wider, "Erm... well... uh..." Aaron looked away, with the slightest bit of blush.
"Seems like you could do well to be a bit more honest." Xoas nod nods quite sagely, in spite of his grin.
What Xoas was not admitting to was intentionally sending Aarons mind into something of a swirl. So much useful information. His fears of dragging people into thing much larger then what they can handle. His little fears that perhaps Marissa and Richard were only being friendly because he was, 'the boss'. His fear of getting into a relationship with Marissa only to leave her heartbroken if he goes beyond mortality. Such a silly bunch of fears. Aaron should be more honest indeed!
Pirate Base - Clandestine Meeting Area
Doc took the carbine but looked alittle bumped he could just use his pistol.
Nova couldn't just sit and wait. She had to do something when she conforting her feelings. Looking Gaea, she needed something for her hands while she thinks carefully what she would ask the Alpha lady.
"Matron, please can I have my favorite toy?" she ask. Matron only looks back briefly to Nova and then back to Saioka, and the sphere puzzle appears in front of the catgirl and Loki. "Remember, this Loki. My puzzle on the ISF Phalinx is model I made from memory, it is not good as this one. This one is closer to the real thing. I could and did play with this for hours, because it has more than one solution. What Gaea and Xaos couldn't believe? Gaea made me sing to it after each time I finish it. And each time the crystal would break apart, but with her solution it wouldn't, unless I touched with outside. I have had a long time to look at this, and I found another solution which doesn't break apart unless you touch the inside."
Nova had completes the puzzle in front of her. The crystal sphere seem to sing on it's own very low volume, it was a different melody from Gaea's song, but it very close to the same song. Nova turns away for it and looks to Gaea.
"Gaea, you could have made us see nothing when my grandmother, my family and I found this place. We would have left once our ship repairs were finished. Why did you show yourselves to me? Why didn't you just let me stay the way I was?" asks Nova. She never did know the whole story. Why, she was playing and following a glowing butterfly one moment, to wake-up in bed the next moment, her mother and Nanny just getting over being frantic with worry. And her eyes suddenly being opened to so much more than a normal kitten should be.
"Gaea, do you love me?" asks Nova with a tear in her eye.
Engineering
The kitten, Mara had found Marissa, but she was unsure what to do with or for the young vixen. Somehow she was now connect to the song of the ship. She alerts her mother, Matron, Nova and Xaos.
As his kick swept the weapon from the collie's hands, Knight saw her reach for another gun, he wasn't quite fast enough in his recover to stop her from pulling the trigger... but he managed to get a few shots off himself. The feline watched in amazement as his shots stopped just short of the collie's torso. He stood agape for a moment, wondering why he didn't feel the punched-in-the-gut impact of bullets to armor.
The vixen began spouting of instructions. Knight had already been moving for a zip-tie when she started issuing the orders, replying over his shoulder, "Do as the lady says... if that explosion is anything to go by, we might be here a little longer than expected..."
About to ask the pirate officer some questions, he was interrupted by an incoming communication on a line he'd thought lost. He checked the comm unit, thinking it had malfunctioned... it hadn't. Keying in the authentication coding he'd been given for the mission, he added a text reply under a burst transmission, hoping to not give away whoever was down there. He sent, 'Lt. Whitehaven ISF on ISIS coded communication channel. Identify yourself.'
Pirate Base- Clandestine Meeting Area
Meanwhile, Harriet was slicing her way into the pirate communication network, or at least trying. The sheer amount of chatter was making it difficult to get in without disrupting the flow, and alerting the pirates of something amiss. Even so, she got in. The outpouring of data from the many individuals either shouting orders, acknowledging them, or talking about how crappy the galley's coffee was did not function as much of a distraction for Harriet. Now that she had a way to tell if the scum was onto Jack or Magick, she responded o the Lieutenant's communique, in a similar manner to his message.
'This is Chief Warrant Officer Harriet TiBalt, ISIS Infiltration operative reporting on ISIS coded channel. Lieutenant, what is your status?'
Sending the message on its merry way, Harriet dove into the communication network, for any mention of her missing henchmen, or her for that matter. "Miyuki? Any contacts?"
"Negative, ma'am!" The Asian human replied. Good, Harriet thought to herself. Last thing we need is for them to figure out these tunnels are good for sneak attacks.
"Doc, be a dear and start packing some of the more important crates for transport. One way or another, we're bugging out soon." Miyuki was good enough with a carbine to hold off some mangy pirate scum; and if she wasn't...well, that's why grenades were invented.
Pirate Base- Clandestine Meeting Area
*Alright* Doc laid his carbine against a wall by Miyuki as he moved to get to work packing stuff up.
"Guess that isn't just from a simple dispute"
Sending a reply over the small unit, again via burst transmission, Knight replied, We're alight, one man down, with prisoners, but trapped. Currently occupying the upper floor of a building just off the landing bay. Any assistance would be much appreciated... Air support status currently unknown, will update when more info available.
With his request sent, and his attention able to be focused again, Knight rotated his head back towards the pirate commander. "Right... soo, going back to talking, and negotiations... Lets start with a few questions, Ms. Kidsan. What type of armor do you have on base? What are your tactical radio frequencies? And, were you planning on stabbing her..." pointing to the navy and gold vixen, "...all of us, really, in the back?"
His eyes were fixed on hers, his tone flat, and cold. His words, short and crisp.
Exploring the final frontier, Inner Space! That area between the left and right ear.
Robert drifted off to sleep, he no longer heard the people talking at the table, his mind seemed to wander.
...
In front of him was a ship console, it had a whole lot of red on it which, in layman's terms, wasn't good.
He could hear the popping of warheads on their outer hull each impact sending tangible shudders through the consoles and crew. There were several rending cracks that foreshadowed a much more urgent matter.
"We have multiple breaches in sectors 2, 5, and 7," the human to Robert's right was reading off a damage report.
Robert glanced over to the man, "Well, seal them off, and vent the oxygen."
The man paled at the order, "what about the people there?"
Robert sighed, "Damn it! I'm not happy about this either, but if we don't seal the area off and vent, we run the risk of losing all of our atmosphere and the decompression causing structural damage to other sections of the ship. They're lost, we cant save them." he watched as the tech reluctantly went about sealing the areas off. Robert turned back to his console where the ship's commander, a human by the name of Alfred Halistor, looked up expectantly at him, "Engineering, Status report!"
Robert shook his head, "Sir, it's not looking good. Our engines are shot we only have the sublight drives, and our jump drive is currently offline. We've got scarring on the hull, with reports of breaches in sectors 2, 5, and 7. We've sealed them off to prevent further damage to the ship and I've rerouted most of our power systems to our ablative armor. It will buy us fifteen minutes tops, assuming we don't have any critical systems failure from kinetic bleed-through. Unless we have reinforcements on the way I advise we start prepping for evacuation."
The commander nodded in acknowledgement and his face blipped off of the console. Shortly thereafter his voice came over the intercom, "This is Commander Halistor speaking; In light of our situation I am issuing a full evacuation of the ship, evac code Alpha Zeta Two Gamma. Let it be known that I have considered it an honor to serve with you. Good luck, and God's speed be with you. Evac in ten minutes... Make it so."
The commander's voice was replaced with the ship's AI performing a ten minute count down. Robert turned to the rest of the people in engineering, "You heard the Commander. We have ten minutes, I want all personnel that isn't essential to keeping the ship up needs to head to the escape pods. If you can, try to assist medical with evacuating, they'll probably need the assistance. Everybody else," Robert put on his best command face, "We are going to make sure they have those ten minutes."
The orders washed over the engineering crew. The air was silent with understanding, as the engineers started to grimly go about following the orders. Shortly, two others were left in the room with Robert; a rat who went by Spatz, and a Vulpine they called Mina. "So are we to go down with the ship?" Spatz was more fidgety than normal, "I mean, it's a noble idea but I'd really prefer not dying today."
Mina sneered, "Grow a spine you coward," with her short temper her name was, at times (often after she had a drink or two), often pronounced and misspelled as Meana, "That way I can rip it out and beat you with it."
Robert cut their bickering off, "Will you two shelve it? Our job is to ensure that none of the systems fail. It takes two minutes to get to the escape pods from engineering, we'll leave at two and a half till. Spatz, I want you on our armor control. Mina, you are on damage control. Where did Lieutenant Landings get off to?"
Mina flipped her hair over her shoulder, "He went into the reactor core, said something about stabilizing some couplings."
With their assignments the other two turned back to their consoles. Robert pulled up a comlink to the reactor room, "Lieutenant Landings, there is an evac in place. Sir, whatever you are doing in there you better finish it up fast like we're going to be leaving soon." a reply crackled back over the intercom, "You damn well worry about the rest of the ship, Robert, I'll be done shortly."
The trio remained at their consoles, periodically raising their voices over the impacts of the warheads outside. Minutes passed like years, when all of a sudden there was a particularly loud explosion that rocked the ship nearly sending them flying from their consoles. "Status?" was all Robert could grunt as he regained his footing.
"Armor is holding, hell of a lot of kinetic bleed-through," Spatz relayed the info from his console.
Mina looked up from her console, "The impact was near our reactor core." As if to further punctuate her statement, Robert's console lit up in flashing red lights with the words "Reactor Overload Imminent" flashing onscreen.
"Evac is set to complete in four minutes," he looked down at the console, "Reactor failure in five." he picked up the comlink again, "Lieutenant I'm calling it, we need get our asses out of here."
"No can do, emergency doors are in place." the Lieutenant's voice came over the intercom, "Save yourselves."
Robert glared at the console for the lack of staring the old man in the face, "We can blow the door, or cut our way through we aren't going to leave you behind."
"You don't have time for that Robert, even if you did the breach would ruin the rooms containment. The reactor's release would affect any of the late pods trying to escape. I'm ordering you to leave now ensign. Save those you can."
Robert sneered, "Damn it, you still owe me money!"
Landings chuckled, "Get over it, life isn't fair. Now go!"
...
Robert shifted in his sleep, and mumbled, "you owe me money..."
Pirate Base-Clandestine Meeting Area
Jack's sudden reappearance preempted Harriet's responding to Lt. Whitehaven. "Report," she barked once the fennec had caught his breath.
"The service ways around the ground floor are a bit dented in places, but holding steady. For now. But the entrances above the first floor have been sealed. Probably to keep those guys in the conference rooms from using them." Harriet nodded, then gestured in the direction of the storage room where Doc was prepping crates.
The entrance that Miyuki was guarding had been hacked from the pirates control by Jack an Harriet some time ago, to make sure they always had a way to get to their stash of weapons and information. It was in fact that incident that made Jack's entry into Harriet's inner circle.
"Grab a tablet and help me with giving our hosts some trouble." Jack went off, eager to get back into his comfort zone. Harriet, meanwhile was focusing on a few snippets of conversation she was picking up. Something about an attack, and the second floor. But they also mentioned the third floor. She deduced that most of the information was being transmitted by word of mouth, rather than the communications network, but kept her ears open.
In typical Magick style, the sable just walked out of a shadow, startling both Harriet and Miyuki. Which was a good way to get oneself killed in most circumstances, unless the first words out of his mouth were: "The freight elevator is useless."
After a string of expletives that left Miyuki red-faced, Harriet shouted back to Doc. "Doc, forget the crates! Grab only what can be carried while running, and bring me some grenades!" Jack by this time, had trotted back to the main area, holding a tablet computer. By the pinkish tinge to his ears, Harriet judged that he had caught the last bit of her tirade.
The human took a deep breath to calm down, and inform the Lt. of these happenings, again through burst transmission.
Lt. I am in the same building as you, in fact within earshot of your...confrontation with the pirates. I can offer some assistance, namely intelligence, and maybe a get-away. There are a network of tunnels going all through the building, if you have any explosives available, you can punch a hole through to them and bypass the damaged stairs and elevators. If not, I'm afraid you'll have to use the stairs. Be advised, hostiles may be planning an attack on the third or second floors. I'll let you know for certain when more intel comes my way.
"Now where are my damn grenades?!"
Pirate Base-Clandestine Meeting Area
Doc handed Harriet a strap of grenades. "Here"
He then went back to the crates to fill up atleast on backpack with what he could.
Scene change? No, scene switchback.
Robert lingered a bit in Engineering. Maybe it was a sentimental pause, or he was just mentally ticking things off of his checklist. Either way he didn't linger long, and dashed through the door after Mina and Spatz...
---
He briskly walked over to the console and turned it on, "Good evening," he surveyed the people sitting around the meeting table; Spatz was busy fighting back a fidgeting attack, while Mina leaned back in her chair seeming to choose whether she was more annoyed with being called into a meeting or Spatz's incessant shifting. Lieutenant Landings and Commander Halistor were to her left.
"I've brought you together about a potential change in the Delphi's hardware. As it stands we have a powerful sensory array on board," he motioned to the screen and the schematic of the Delphi appeared, several bits were outlined in red, "I've been researching the remnants of the xenotech we have, and I believe I may have stumbled upon a method of isolating their signature, which may allow us to find intact modules opposed to ruins."
Spatz rolled his eyes, "Robert, this isn't news. The technology has had an energy signature, just never the same one for each piece, and they tend to fluctuate."
Mina chimed in as well, "Spatz is right, none of our test panned out. What makes you think you succeeded where we failed?"
Robert smirked, "That's because we were trying to isolate a single signature from broken materials." he brought up a several graphs onscreen, "By analyzing the xenotech we have, and requesting similar analysis through ISIS, I found that the signatures tend to fall withing these bands." the graphs fell together showing a distinct grouping.
Commander Halistor looked at the graph intently, "Landings, what do you make of this?"
Landing's was beginning to grin, "I'll be... that could work." He turned to Halistor, "We could potentially locate a piece of functional equipment, and from there be able to refine the scanner to be more accurate."
"Yeah... accurate," Mina snorted, "About as accurate as rolling out a map of the known universe and chunking darts at it. There is no guarantee that we'll actually find anything."
"Well, if we don't look we're guaranteed to not find anything." Spatz shifted in his chair again. Mina shot him a glance that seemed to say "You do not want to play Yoda with me. It will be unpleasant.".
"Either way, this would require a refit of the Delphi's sensor suite," Landings was reading from his own tablet, "That would take time to do so, more importantly it would conflict with out other duties."
Robert shook his head, "no, not really. I developed a prototype of the sensor booster with our sensor techs. The design is simple enough that it can be added onto our current sensors relatively easy. And it would be modular so we could deactivate it to use the sensors as we normally do."
Landings shot Robert a steady gaze, "So that's why they've been requisitioning those materials... I thought I felt your hand in that."
Robert smirked, "Well, I just helped them design it, I didn't expect them to actually build the thing." he turned to Commander Halistor, "Sir. The opportunity to find functional xenotech is too great to pass up. The ability to search for it would be a great boon to us, and any functional equipment would vastly extend our knowledge of the technology. I've sent a packet to your in-box regarding the details of the sensors and their installation, also it includes my research and findings on this matter."
Halistor nodded once, "Well, I will definitely take this into consideration before I present it to my superiors. If they authorize the mission, we'll go from there." He stood up from the table, "Now, if you will excuse me, I will leave further discussion of this in the capable hands of Lieutenant Landings here," he crisply saluted and left the room.
Robert was busy clearing out the console when Spatz walked up, "Robert, have you put any thought as to what we'd be finding should this sensor trick of yours work out? For all we know we might be barreling into a bomb or some other nasty surprise." Robert shook his head; Spatz was never comfortable outside of his heavily reinforced method of thinking which was, for the most part, good as a structural engineer, but bad if you wanted to get anything done fast or in an unconventional manner. "Spatz, that's just a bridge we'll have to cover when we get to it. Uncertainty is the only certain thing in exploration." the words seemed to do very little to calm the rat down.
Meanwhile, Mina was busy with Landers"So, he just walks in and says he has developed a method of scanning out xenotech where everybody else failed. I though they said it would be impossible to do with the materials we had?"
Landers merely shook his head, "Improbable, but not impossible. Some times I think we scientist use the word impossible too loosely." he chuckled, "Anyways, this is Robert we're talking about. He's a bit rough around the edges, but throw him into a situation like this, and the odds always seem to improve. Good odds or not though, I doubt we're going to fully realise the impact of this project today, or tomarrow. Not likely until a couple of years from now will it be important. We would just be taking the first step down the road."
---
That had been almost a year ago, before they located the planet that would serve as the Delphi's headstone.
Matron Engineering
Xaos knowingly led Aaron on a short trip through Matron to the engineering section, which typically was in the aft of a starship. Matron was a bit different than Mother in regards to her general appearance. Mother had the feeling of warmth and protection, Matron was more of a cool feeling, coupled with one that could only be described as openness.
Aaron arrived with Xaos just in time to see Marissa touch the reactor unit, for a moment he could hear the song as well. Instinctively, he knew she had awoken to an existence like he had, but only half as strong. However, that revelation was briefly paused as the psychics on-board were assaulted by a mental screech a full two seconds in length. The drive, which was dormant and in a low power state, had activated fully.
The effect knocks out Mara, as she came into being many thousands of years after this drive had been long silent. The psionic platform module is loaded, updated and activated in her "driver" list, though it does not appear to do anything for the moment.
Xaos's ears twitched and swiveled and he gave a slight chortle, "it appears that things have been sped up a bit. That drive is a rather unique Psionic Wave Drive, and everything psychic in this solar system heard that. It will be picked up on the harmonic grid and Master controlled emulators will arrive to cleanse us... soon. They will have to search, but it won't be hard, Matron is rather unique. Time table has been moved up it seems."
Psychically sensitive and still a bit new to all this, Aaron followed the wave as it expanded from the ship and outward. Reigning in his mind before it dashed off into deep space again, he did become aware of one disquieting thing, Romulus was gone.
Marissa turns and notices Aaron and the one known as Xaos. She takes a step towards them, but her head feels a bit foggy and her legs rapidly become wobbly, she appears about to tumble over. "I feel funny..."
Matron Galley - though, Acadians don't need to eat, so why this is here is a mystery to me...
Gaea regards Nova with a warm smile, "love in a platonic sense, yes. You have to understand that what you know of us is very limited, dear Nova. The kids are impressionable, being so young, and emotions are the 'new drug', if you will, for the young Acadians. Our transcendence to what we are now makes us different than you, and emotions are somewhat casual in use. You would have always been able to see us, though had I wanted to, I could have concealed our presence from you actively. However, when I saw you playing it triggered something long since left behind in all of us."
She paused, "for Xaos... it was more of an experiment. He saw you as... a pet at first, then an experiment. He has always been an inquisitive type and loves to play with toys so to speak. I viewed you like a daughter, and eventually even the old cynic sees you like that. You were exceptional, but nowhere near us, and Xaos expanded you, experimented. He needed a tool for the Sphere of Harmonies, but do not think harshly of him. He is fond of you, he was just thinking practically back then."
Gaea, Matron, Loki and Ixiah all stand suddenly at the same time acting as though they hear something that other cannot perceive. Saioko has her ears flattened against her head, grimacing with pain, as she tries to block out the noise. Nova hears the faint mental screech of the drive as well. It lasts but a few seconds, but Matron and Gaea are very active.
"Trust him he says. What was he thinking letting that girl wander off like that?" Gaea says in a huff, "this is a complication we do not need now."
Matron nods, "this does accelerate the time table at bit, perhaps that is what he wants?"
Pirate Base - Conference Rooms
Holly did not flinch, keeping a steady gaze she responded with sharp replies, "tens of thousands of mechanized forces, a hundred divisions or more. Our tactical radio frequencies are K, M and A*. And as for back stabbing, I was not planning on anything, what the Captain might have planned is another story and one I would not have known until he sprung it. Though right now, since you are all here, that means things are in a bad state for ours at the far side base... so, no back stabbing, more like front so I can look in her eyes as I twist the knife in her gut." The collie glared at Ana, who returned the stare with an icy one of her own.
Ben, Jaice and Marcus continued to guard the stairs from covered positions. No movement is seen from below.
*Kiss My Ass
Pirate Base-Clandestine Meeting Area
Magick smirked slightly at Harriet's reaction and crossed his arms, reclining nonchalantly against the wall until it was time to move or he was needed for something.
Jack motioned to Harriet, "hey Harriet, it looks like they aren't putting the base into lockdown. I can't tell why because everyone is keeping off the tactical frequencies. The encrypted channel is different though, I caught a transmission that Lieutenant West is in temporary executive command. That seems to indicate that our friends must have shot and/or captured Commander Kidsan... that's going to make Captain Khaile really cross. Probably best that we pull out now, with this action going on, we are all late for our action stations..."
Miyuki snapped off a shot with her carbine and a muffled cry was heard briefly, followed by a loud thump, "ma'am we got a problem. I think they released harbingers** into the service ways, going to be dicey to get out now, but still easier than fighting the whole army."
**Harbingers - a german sheppard sized quadruped reptile with nasty claws and a poisonous bite. They are about as intelligent as a smart Earth canine, stealthy, but not extremely vicious or blood thirsty. Called harbingers because their scales turn bone white when domesticated for some unknown reasons. Xenobiologists believe they do this as a rudimentary pack distinction to differentiate themselves from wild members (which are yellow-green or tan). The base personnel use them as hunting hounds and fighting animals.
Matron's "Galley" (or where the Nova, as a kitten, remembered that she could always getting cookies and milk, yet never anywhere else when she was on Matron.)
Nova looks over at the squirrel ensign, who was asleep, as Gaea talks to her. goddess here is his answers and my answers and he a sleep thinks Nova. "*Sigh*, Matron, a cup of ISF Chief's lounge coffee for the squirrel, Please". A mug of the blackest coffee which has left to blew and warmed for 8 hours in the ship galley's coffee pots appears in front of the squirrel. Its aroma smell quickly surrounds the squirrel. The Lieutenant turn her attention to Gaea, again.
Tears begin to fall from Nova's eyes, after she listening to her fairy-god parent's story and she goes to hug Gaea. When psychic wave hits, and then Nova's puzzle of the sphere becomes fully active, and it raises above the table and then above everyone's head making an angry hum. Matron can tell the puzzle is now, locked solid, and it looks and acts like the sphere of harmonies only on a very small scale. Matron's scan show that the sphere has no weakness or cracks on the outside, and what was on the inside was not clear to her.
"Oh goddess, No! That shouldn't have happened. Where is Xaos?! I wanted to show him this sphere before it explodes" says the worried catgirl as moves the fox-kits away from the sphere.
Engineer
Mara finds herself against a wall with an aching head and says, "Did someone get the number of that space freighter that hit me?". The kit-girl shakes her aching head trying to clear it. "Oh Nova, Is this a hang-over?" asks Mara to Nova over their mind link then she hears Nova make her commend about the sphere.
"What, Nova? What is going to explode?" asks the kitten a loud out as she walks/crawls to where Aaron and Xaos.
PBH
Matron Engineering
Mara's comment got lost amongst the other 'excitement' of engineering. Aaron goes forwards to meet Marissa just in time for her to collapse into his arms, "I bet you do feel funny. But everything will be okay. We just need to find you someplace to rest."
This, of course, conflicted with the general 'they will be here soon' directive from Xaos. Speaking of Xaos, "I suppose it wouldn't be much of a leap to assume you are behind all this then?"
"Why, what ever makes you say that?"
"Well, your laugh there was most disconcerting, and you generally seem pleased with this outcome."
"But I did nothing~"
"Well, you didn't stop Marisa, though you do seem to know what she was doing."
"Neglecting to stop your girlfriend is a subset of doing nothing. Besides, she is upgraded now!", as Xaos grins wide.
That grin again. Something about it unnerves him.[1]
"Speaking of upgrades, you said that time tables have been moved up. What 'not grand plan', since you don't have a 'grand plan', has been moved up?"
[1]http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/3472958/images/1232533969970.png
Conference Room
Checking that the ties were secured, firmly around his prisoners wrists, Knight made a bit of a show of his natural abilities, extending those long, vicious claws, and digging them into a nearby chunk of debris. His face lightened a bit, though he gave her a toothy smirk, as he replied to her answers, "Well... that was both uninformative, and that end bit was rather unnecessary. I'm trying to come to some agreement that keeps as many of your people alive as possible, as well as mine. Besides money, is there anything -you're- looking for? Anything that you want?"
He shrugged, not having too much to go on, all he could do was consider how best to go about this. He had to get out. The stairs were covered, probably by way too much firepower. A though occured and Knight snapped his attention to his team-mates, "Hacker, think you can get me a schematic of this entire base, blueprints for this building and the surrounding sector at least? Anyone else who can get a signal out, check the status on air-support."
Turning his attention back to his captive, he continued, "I'm hoping that you're willing to cooperate, Ms. Kidsan, for your own sake, if nothing else... We're currently at a bit of an impasse, and i'm sure you'd like to come to a quick and painless solution, as well. So... if you're willing to, why don't we try this negotiation thing again?"
Clandestine Meeting Area
"Harbingers? Oh that's just beautiful. B-e-a-utiful." Harriet was getting sick of all the surprises hurling themselves at her sanity today. She took another deep breath, forcing herself into a nice, calm state of mind. Anything less would get her team, and more importantly, herself killed.
"Okay, we're leaving. Right now." Harriet declared once she was calm. "Magick, go get Doc, and bring me a weapon. Something slim and ladylike, if you would." While the sable went off to get the doctor, Harriet hastily put together another burst transmission.
'Lt. Whitehaven, I'm afraid I will not be able to provide much intelligence to you for a time. I am sending some of my subordinates to you; if you chose to go through the service ways, which I recommend, they can help you navigate. Be on the look-out for an Asian human female, a fennec fox male, and a coyote male with a broad-brim hat. They are a weapons-specialist, computer techie, and a doctor respectively. Put them to good use. TiBalt out.'
When Magick would return with Doc hopefully in tow, handing Harriet a carbine, Harriet would speak. "Ladies, gentlemen. We might not make it out of here alive. So, if any of you die out here today, I will feed you to the paper-shredder, alright? Also, Jack? You know all those times I said I wasn't starring at your ass? Well I lied." The human waved a hand to disperse the scandalized look Jack was giving her, and the snickering from Miyuki. "I know; shocking. But you must overcome your surprise and-"
"Duck!" Miyuki suddenly shouted. Harriet didn't hesitate, hitting the floor, just in time for Miyuki to crack off a shot at a harbinger that had been creeping up behind the older human.
"Thank you, Miyuki. Now as I was saying," Harriet quickly got to her feet again, her attempt to lighten the mood, draw both her cell's and her own attention away from how close they were to dying having failed miserably. "Before I was so rudely interrupted by glorified bloodhounds; Miyuki, Jack, and Doc, I want you to use this entrance to link up with the good folks out in the conference rooms. There will be no discussing it, so hush."
"You want us to help them?" Miyuki asked, keeping an eye out for more of the harbingers.
"Correct. You tell Lieutenant Whitehaven that I sent you, and you do as he tells you. If I find out you didn't I'll-"
"Feed us to the paper-shredder," Jack, Miyuki, and Magick chorused. Harriet nodded, saying "If any of you need me, I will be down on the Deck, with Magick; getting us a ride out of here," then she jerked her head toward the entrance, a silent order to go. Before Doc would leave, however, Harriet would grab Doc's shoulder, and lean in close.
"I need you to do something, for me." She would reach into her pocket, and pull out a small white plastic stick; a computer USB drive. "I need you to give this to Whitehaven when you get there. Tell him it's ISIS eyes-only." Then she would hand it over to Doc, pull away, and gesture for him to leave.
"So, were you lying when Iasked if you were starring?" Magick queried. Harriet didn't answer right away, using the carbine to destroy the hyperwave unit she'd been using, then going to the storage area, priming a grenade on the strap she'd been carrying, then tossing it among the crates.
"Of course, now run!" By the time the grenade went off, triggering the others on the strap, and obliterating virtually all the crates, both the human and the sable were gone, their footfalls echoing distantly in the service way.
They kept running down the corridors, using ducts and ladders to get between levels. Magick's skill with stealth helped them avoid most of the harbingers roaming around, and those that couldn't be avoided, were felled with a swift carbine shot from Harriet. There were close calls aplenty, but they made it down to the Deck's service ways. "Take a look, outside," Harriet told Magick when she'd made sure no bone-white lizards were sneaking up on them, yet. The sable nodded, and vanished into a shadow.
Sighing, the human leaned against a wall, "'One more doughnut can't hurt,' you said. 'I need to keep cover' you said. When I get out of here, I'm going on a diet." It was only a small clicking sound, so quiet if she had kept talking, she would have missed it, that alerted her to the harbinger's presence. In a quarter of a second, she was on the move, bringing the gun to bear just as the lizard surged forward. The carbine was seized by the creature, and wrenched from Harriet's hands. Before she could go for her side-arm, the lizard came again, only to receive a sharp kick to the side of the head. It didn't take long to recover, but by then, Harriet had her side-arm out, and pointed at the creature. A single band marked its demise, but also masked the second, barely noticeable click that Harriet should have heard.
Some corridor
Doc came along with a pack on his back. He lsitened on the orders the human was handing out. once she said to head out, he did so. He gave her a half awake look as she spoke to him. As she finished and handed him the device he slipped it into his pocket and headed out. Once Miyuki, Jack and himself where walking down the corridor a bell could be heard in the corridor ahead of him. Miyuki raised her rifle, read to shoot. Doc quickly move to have her lower her rifle.
"Hang on I know that bell" Doc whispered to Miyuki. Doc looked down the corridor listening to the bell as it got closer. A harbringer came around a corner and looked dead at them. Doc smiled and got on one knee.
"Hey there Zuki how you doing buddy?" Doc was speaking to the harbinger as a person would to ther pet. The harbinger growled abit at Doc.
"Hey now there is no need for that, you know who I am" Doc was trying to sound as friendly as he could but the harbinger kept growling at him. It started to charge at Doc, a blast of fire took the harbringer down.
"Damnit he was my favorite" Doc said as he twirled his pistol and put it back into his holster. The three continued on trying to find this Captain Whitehaven guy.
"Do we have any info on this guy? Like what he looks like and where he is?" Doc asked the other two.
Understanding the full IMPACT of the situation.
The initial thrust of the escape pod tapered off as Robert glanced at the controls in front of him; everything checked out. Behind him he heard Spatz and Mina undoing their restraints behind him. "Alright, everything looks green, how are you guys holding out?" Robert got up from his chair and saw his companions peering out of the rear porthole.
The initial thrust of the escape pod had thrown them far enough from the Delphi so that they could see the damage on the exterior. The ship's armor was in tatters, with gaping holes, gutting her side, what armor was there was horribly pocked and scared from enemy fire. All three watched as the entire ship shuddered, then started to fracture along the seams with a dull roar. Then, without warning, the ship was torn apart in a storm of metal and fire as the containment on the reactor room gave out. As quickly as it had occurred the explosion dissipated, leaving only an expanding cloud of debris in its wake.
"Good gods..." Mina breathed and stared at the void that had been their home for the past couple of years. Spatz merely shoot his head leaving Mina and Robert at the window as he sat back down in his harness, defeated. Robert said a small silent prayer for those who had been on the ship when it went up. Landers had been correct, most of the force of the explosion had been wasted on the containment, the debris cloud wasn't expanding faster than the initial thrust of the pods. Anybody who had launched before the explosion was safe.
"That's it, we're sitting ducks." Spatz's words seemed to lash across Mina like a whip causing her to shudder with rage. She violently turned on Spatz, "You... bastard! If you felt that way you should have stayed on the damn ship!"
Robert tried to pull them apart and got an elbow to the face for his troubles, "Ow, break it up! I know it looks bad but right now fighting each other will only make it worse." he dragged Mina off of Spatz and eased her down back into her harness. He hesitated a glance back at Spatz and saw that apart from a bloody nose he seemed resigned to brooding in his seat. "Mina," he sat down in the seat next to hers, "Everybody here is hurting, and we all have different ways of showing it, but he is wrong. We're going to make it out of this alright, even if I have to drag both of you along for the trip."
Mina looked up and their eyes met and Robert braced for a sharp retort, instead Mina sighed, "how can you say that?" The tone of her voice was much softer than expected. It was as if the current events up till this point had wrung her out, and left her scared and unsure of what would happen next; a side Robert had never seen.
"It is like Landers said, 'throw him into a situation like this, and the odds always seem to improve,'" Robert tried to grin, "I've been in hairier situations than this," which to Robert was a lie, he had been stranded in space only once, and it was for fifteen minutes not the prolonged period that they were looking at, "Just think, after all this is done we can hit a bar and honor those who didn't make it properly. I'll pay for the drinks, and you can make all the special forces guys cry, just like you did on Anitora IV." this elicited a small smirk from her, "Just hang in there alright?" she just nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Robert stepped over to the other side of the pod to the brooding rat, "Spatz," the rat just grunted, "Listen, we're in a bind. And right now I need to know that you're with us, we need all the help we can get."
Spatz grumbled, "yeah... I'll help, its not like there is much else I can do here." Robert lowered his voice, "You aren't happy, I get that. None of us are, but right now we're hanging on by a thread. I know its in your nature to be a pessimist but the last thing I want to worry about is wether or not the two of you are at each others throats. If you could please keep any negative comments to a minimum, I'd much appreciate it."
Spatz shifted in his chair, "And what about you? You're acting pretty calm about this mess." there was a hint of malice in his voice, "The ship and Landers is gone and you could care le... *urk*" he was interrupted by Robert yanking him up to his face, "Just because I'm focusing everything on the problem at hand doesn't mean that I don't care what happened on the ship," he growled, "or what is happening here. And, if you ever imply something like this again, I will personally kick your scrawny ass out of the airlock. Do... you... understand... me!" Spatz gurgled something along the lines of an affirmative, and Robert let him go.
Mina pointed at the front viewport, "Are they shooting pods?" they all watched the space in front of them intently, and were rewarded with the sight of a flash of light that was a pod exploding.
Robert jumped to the controls,"Oh hell... strap yourselves in! We gotta run for it." He strapped himself in, and prayed that his companions had been as fast as he was, and hit the thrusters, "If we're lucky, we can make the planet before they notice us, we can hide there." warning lights on his console warned him of sensors locking themselves on to the pod. The atmosphere was seconds away when an explosion rattled the pod.
Apparently the ship firing on them was using missiles set to detonate on proximity rather than impact. Several warning beacons flared on his console, mostly detailing with failures in thruster control, "We're going to be landing hard brace yourselves." They breached the atmosphere and the pod started to vibrate furiously. Robert deployed the air brakes, but at their speed they were still going way too fast for a safe landing. As they passed through the final cloud layer, they saw the landscape below, and he activated the landing thrusters in an effort to curb their speed. Only half of the thrusters fired resulting in it slowing them down some, but putting them into a spin. Meanwhile there were unsettling sounds of shearing metal as pieces of the exterior of the pod started to peel away due to friction.
Robert woke up to a fiery sea of pain. He undid his harness and slumped sideways out of his chair, which ushered in a new wave of pain from his multiple wounds. There was blood everywhere, and he was certain his leg was broken, likely due to the chunk of metal sticking out of it. He gritted his teeth and dragged himself out of the wreckage, where he rolled onto his back and gasped up at the sky. Using his eye that wasn't swollen shut and caked with blood, he tried to look around, to see what became of his friends, but in the end the only thing he could do was groan.
As Robert lay on the ground, a shadow loomed over him. He couldn't see what, as they were on his blindside, but he found himself enveloped by the smell of coffee, and he heard someone say, "...before it explodes."
...
Robert opened one bleary eye and stared at the coffee pot before him. He grumbled, "who... or what... is exploding now?" His impromptu nap hadn't refreshed him any, so he grabbed a cup of coffee and started to nurse it.
Matron Engineering
Xaos regards Mara as she stagger-crawls towards them, "no Mara that is more like a concussion I think, perhaps I should research head trauma more... Aaron could be a test subject."
"Speaking of upgrades, you said that time tables have been moved up. What 'not grand plan', since you don't have a 'grand plan', has been moved up?"
Xaos grins yet again, deliberately pausing at length, leaving an urge of expectation for a critical and vital response. He gesticulates in an obviously exaggerated manner before stopping dead in his tracks.
"Oh goddess, No! That shouldn't have happened. Where is Xaos?! I wanted to show him this sphere before it explodes" says the worried catgirl as moves the fox-kits away from the sphere.
"We'll have to continue this vital conversation later. Now don't take too much advantage of Marissa while I am gone, you dog you." Xaos makes a few fox-like animal noises and winks before fading away like the Cheshire cat.
Marissa groans and shakes her head, turning to look at Aaron and accidentally meeting muzzles with him. Accident? Aaron would swear the back of his head was pushed briefly.
The inside of Marissa's ears flush red, as does the skin underneath her facial fur, but she does not move away.
Matron's Galley
Loki and Ixiah both look up at Nova with questioning looks and big bright eyes. The two of them can be sickeningly cute at times, so much that Robert's coffee gets a lot sweeter.
The smallish arctic wolf Richard waves exasperatedly at the squirrel, "oy, squirrel! I would advise moving away from that spinning puzzle quickly."
Gaea and Matron both weave containment fields in the very air around the structure. However, Xaos pops in just as it explodes, and luckily escapes any effect.
Gaea and Matron seem to barely notice the small wave, but Loki and Ixiah take notice. It is hard to miss, but both of the young Acadians are noticeably confused.
"Nova, Nova..." Chides Xaos, "what have I told you kitten about enabling the fifth vertices in the subspace harmonic core?"
Conference Room
Holly, "what... I... want. Gee, I don't know. Steal first, ask later... that has always been how I lived. Maybe have my own ship... or just go home, it has been so long. It doesn't matter, Khaile is going to learn you captured me and then he'll end you. He's different, he has powers kinda like blue over there." Holly gestures with body language towards Ana.
Hacker nods at Knight's order and wordlessly pours through his computer unit. Within a few moments, he nods satisfactorily, "lieutenant, most of the base schematics are heavily locked down, but I managed to pull up an engineering map based off of power distribution grids."
Ana finishes tending to Jeanne and helps her to her feet, she is looking much better and professionally bandaged. She could mend with this level of medical attention if necessary with little long term complications.
Ana taps her radio and has a short conversation, "Dex is hiding the transport in the local forest, and he bailed when I sent him a quick message. If we can get out of here, we can make a run for it... but that craft won't do well against fighters. There is jamming up and our radios can't penetrate it."
Base Service way
Miyuki shrugged to Doc's question, "not a clue what he looks like, but I think we know where to look." As was common she took point, it was an unspoken thing with her. Briefly she took a few shots into the darkness and as they pass into the areas, a few dead Harbingers littered the tunnel.
Jack was a bit nervous and his large ears twitched, he jumped at nearly every shadow, he did not like the lizards one bit.
Despite the beasts, the trio made it to their destination relatively quickly. Opening the service way hatch, Jack stepped out slowly, followed by Miyuki.
"Lieutenant Whitehaven?" Jack called out carefully, his hand nowhere near any weapon.
Holly noticed the trio of comrades and gave them a slightly confused glance, "what are you all doing here? Were you sent to actually negotiate?"
Jack shook his head, "afraid not ma'am. We were sent to help."
Deck Service Way
The one Harbinger Harriet had shot slumped to the ground very dead. However, Harriet was knocked to the ground again by another best that had maneuvered around behind her. Harbingers are large and solidly built of muscle. The sidearm was knocked from her grasp by this sudden impact.
The creature rolled about with the human, it snapped and nipped at any opportunity trying to use its large, curved, jagged and poisonous fangs. Fast as a lightning strike, the lizard bit down on her left forearm, right thigh and her right side. These were quick bites and had a small chance to actually penetrate with all the thrashing about. Harriet was lucky in one respect, all the lizard wrestling had moved her right next to her carbine.
Just as she considered the weapon, the Harbinger lunged for a more precise strike. More of the lizards could be seen in the deeper shadows.
Base Service way
Doc walk out and looked at everyone. Then he tipped his hat to everyone.
"Afternoon, could one of you please tell us who Lt. Whitehaven is? Got something for him"
From The Galley into the Subspace Harmonic Orchestra
"Nova, Nova..." Chides Xaos, "what have I told you kitten about enabling the fifth vertices in the subspace harmonic core?"
Nova did remember about the subspace harmonics, now that Xaos says something about, but not the puzzle would effect subspace. "Ah but it worked, did it?" grins Nova with mischievous smile, "Please, Matron, playback the scan record of the explosion with a full bandwidth of a full sixth harmonics of subspace."
In front of the group, the crystal reappeared only as a small hologram in black/white as it was before the psychic wave hit. Color waveforms appear on the sides, moving up and down as the psychic wave plays across the puzzle. The psychic wave actives the crystal puzzle, which captures a small amount of the wave energy inside the sphere. Sphere locks out the rest of the wave, but the inside wave bounces back and forth inside the puzzle. The waveform readings shows a buildup in feedback and frequency until the sphere shatters and implodes taking the energy and the crystal dust into a subspace. The shields of Matron and Gaea felt very little pressure from the implosion.
Nova holds up a small crystal piece from the puzzle. "This piece doesn't belong in the original design. I could never make it fit perfectly, and when I did put in, it cause a disharmony in the fifth and sixth harmonics. You, Xaos, always make me put it in, and I remember crying over it." says Nova "Xaos, Sphere could be rebuilt into a dimensional bomb which will implode and collapse the Master's gate with it. And this solution will take the least amount of time and energy, than either repairing the sphere or trying to destroy it outright."
"Nova, that piece is needed to absorbs the fifth and sixth harmonies" says Xaos. "Then it is missing something, but that is not right. My puzzle did better without it in my tests." yells Nova.
"Your home puzzle didn't have the full set of harmonies."yells Xaos. Nova shouts back: "But this test still worked!"
Matron adds "You do realizes that puzzle just give away our location, Nova".
"What?" howls Nova.
"AS IF that psychic wave didn't do so already!!!" yells Gaea at Xaos.
"Oooops" whispers Nova, as she plops down into a chair.
PBH
Matron Engineering (AKA, Love Shack)
Aaron felt a bit embarrassed. Not enough to move away, both parties were enjoying themselves a bit too much. After a little while the two muzzles parted and Marissa snuggled up to Aaron.
"Hey Aaron?"
"Yes?"
"Everything seems different now. As if there was more there then ever before."
"That happened to me too. Though that was after I had..."
Marissa was practically asleep standing up and holding onto Aaron. Aaron found a nice looking corner to sit in while Marissa drooled on his shoulder. Funny, out here she looked to be steady and lethargic, though her mind ran rampant with activity. This seemed to be the point where he had latched onto Marissa when it was him in her position. Hopefully this would go more smoothly for her than it did for him. Though this roller coaster of emotions wasn't going to help.
Knight nodded to both Ana and Hacker before turning back to Holly, "Well, since i have no idea where home is, i don't know how far us trying to take you would go. If you're willing to, i'm not going to give you a weapon, but i will see about a vest and an escort out of here. That's about the best i can..."
"Lieutenant Whitehaven?"
His attention suddenly to the area towards the area to the side of his prisoner, Knight was starting to reach for his sidearm out of reflex, when it hit. if these were pirates, they wouldn't know my name His hand froze on the grip. "I am he, I take it you're the assistance that was mentioned" he replied to the trio, as his mind shifted into gear.
"Hacker, download what you can, but it looks like our way out found itself... Everyone! lets get packed up and moving before -anyone else- figures out what's up..."
Shouldering his rifle, he looked to Holly again, "Your call, Holly, we can knock you out, or take you with... but, it seems our exit strategy has become far less bleak, Ms. Kidsan."
He had an infectious smile on his face, bearing just a hit of toothy. The hunted had become the hunter once more. With a new-found confidence, Knight snapped off a quick series of questions and orders to various team members, "Before we go, Jaice, Marcus, think one or both of you could rig some tripwires and explosives on the stairs, and do a little more damage on our way out to disguise our escape route? Hacker, if you can't hide your tracks, burn that console to the ground, fry every possible means of recovering the data we uncovered. Everyone else, weapons and ammo check. Lets be ready to leave in T-minus 2 minutes."
Turning his attention back to the newcomers, he started, "Sorry about that, we're pinned up here, and who knows how long until they've got an assault team in position. We should talk on the way once we're finished here. OH, and before i forget all my manners. 2nd Lieutenant, Eric 'knight' Whitehaven, ISF. Who do i owe the first round to once we're outta here and on the ship?"
Deck Service Way
There was really no other way for it to happen. Scratch that, there was no horrifically improbable way for it to happen.
Much as Harriet's ego ached, the sad fact was she didn't have the time to grab the carbine and crack off a shot at the Harbinger on top of her. It took a full quarter second for her to realize what was happening, and another for her to begin thinking up a solution. As she did, a bit of advice her Granddad had given her many years ago came to the surface.
Rule number nine: Never leave home without a knife.
With this new clarity, Harriet thrust her hand forward, into the Harbinger's mouth as it thrust forward to bite her, narrowly missing the beat's fangs as she did, and thrust her fingers down into its throat. The beast bit down on her forearm, but soon realized that its meal still meant it ill, when Harriet took advantage of its occupied mouth, and used her free hand to withdraw a knife from the sheath built into her boot, and rammed it between the third and fourth vertebra in its neck. To give her a bit of breathing room, Harriet released the knife and grabbed the carbine.
Her right arm wasn't her dominant arm, so she only managed to crack off four shots into the shadows that the other Harbingers lingered in. From the sounds of it, she'd made three hits, two of which were fatal. The surviving Harbingers backed off, for the moment. And that gave Harriet time to get free of the corpse atop her. She forced the Harbinger's mouth as wide as it would go, and slowly withdrew her hand from its mouth.
Her hand and forearm were both cut up rather badly, and she had definitely gotten more than a small bit of poison into her system. What's more, she had almost cute her hand with her own knife, both upon stabbing and drawing the limb out. The first thing to do, was to slow her heart rate, and limit the extent of spreading even more than its already slow pace. The second thing to do, was retrieve her sidearm; the carbine was out of bullets, and she couldn't keep firing it with her good arm. By then, the other Harbingers had grown bold, and tried to double team her; thank goodness for semi-automatic sidearms.
Now came the arduous task of trying to stop the bleeding her well chewed upon arm was spouting before her blood pressure dropped so low that she lost consciousness. And while keeping an ear out for more of the dangerous Harbingers.
"'Just blow up the spare first aide kit,' you said. 'The Harbingers aren't smart enough to be a real problem,' you said. Oh, Granddad is gonna whoop me but good when he hears about this..."
OOC: This is a situational post for story only. I will post replies to RP after the squirrel replies (maybe sooner, stay tuned). If only I had suitable dramatic space encounter music.
Zeta Zenith Jump point (Farthest out [Zeta] Jump point above the star [Zenith])
The creak of the centuries old superstructural frame always sent shivers down his spine, but it would not do for Commodore Lynos to show such as a pirate leader must be stoic and strong to keep authority.
"Looks like another successful raid. Let's head for station at best possible speed." Lynos smartly barked at his navigator and pilot.
The old battleship, with her three other sister ships began nearly simultaneous retro burns to align themselves with the station before alighting her main engines to accelerate to the appropriate speed. The four cruisers fanned out in front, being faster and more maneuverable than the lumbering old battlewagons. Hours of flight through space were smartly accentuated with short burst of thrust for course corrections.
In the interior of the system, a swirling disk yawned within the fabric of time and space. The vortex, resembling a whirlpool charged and arcing with bolts of lightning, released a single slender vessel. This ship could be a sister of Mother herself, except for its deeper ebony coloration, more organic appearance, and sinister, sharp protrusions not unlike claws on membranous wings.
It reacted immediately with a short burst of brilliant purple blasts, destroying an asteroid sensor station. It then rotated in a 180 degree arc while its "clawed petals" rhythmically opened and closed.
The pirates of the station and those in the returning fleet took notice of the loss of the station and focused visual sensor equipment on that location. The blue swirling maw in reality was quickly noticed, and the ship shortly afterwards.
"What the hell is that?" Asked Commodore Lynos.
A sensor officer responded, "Unknown sir, they have some heavy ECM, it is overloading our sensors."
As they watched, two similar vessels emerged, followed by a much larger vessel the size of a cruiser. The cruiser was more raptorian with "wings" on each side that swept forward in a manner very similar to a bird. It had two similar and much smaller wings on top and bottom of the fuselage. None of the vessels visually seemed to have any sort of turret or port that housed weapons, but something had destroyed that station.
"Now hear this, ALL available ships rendezvous at point echo six charlie at flank speed. I do not know who these invaders are, but we will give them a show of force to make them think twice about moving in on our territory."
Every available ship responded to his call. The two remaining cruisers left for system defense and a host of auxiliaries formed up at the location and began to burn thrusters to the intercept point. At the closest point to engaging, the pirates released every fighter, bomber and attack craft they had into space.
Seemingly in answer to this, but more likely coincidence, the vortex issued forth a sight that the few survivors would howl in feverish terror at in their nightmares, a massive vessel easily 50 kilometers in size. Its forward, massive maw burned with a swirling mass of "chaos" that the anthro or human mind could not comprehend for it was a glimpse into entropy and anti-existence. The vessel itself had an overall appearance that was not dissimilar from the raptorian appearing cruiser, just far larger and more like a winged cannon.
Recovering from his shock, the Commodore unwisely ordered his demise, possibly out of unbridled fear or the bluster of strength he needed to maintain his tenuous grasp at the top, "all ships, engage!"
Every ship's drive lit up, burning precious reaction mass for combat maneuvers. The cruisers and auxiliaries surged forward, out pacing the lumbering, tubular skyscraper-like battleships. "No targeting resolution, all weaps to manual gunsights."
The first strike lay with the invaders as the lead smallest ship, the one which had destroyed the sensor post, fired a forward beam and hulled one of the old cruisers from bow to stern. The ship was reduced to a cloud of expanding debris.
Surprised by the power of such a small ship, Commodore Lynos leaped forward taking control of the main weapons station, "all line ships on my mark, link fire control to my station!"
The angered red wolf drove the charge level to the two main laser cannons to its highest level and targeted a space in front of the maneuvering fleet. Holding the continuous blast, the three other battleships added their spinal lasers to the mix, and the commodore walked the beams manually right to the small ship that had destroyed his cruiser. Supreme luck and skill led him to the right place as the energy beams connected with the top "pedal" wing of the small ship, shearing half of it off. The absolute limit of the spinal lasers was reached shutting them down and requiring a brief cooling cycle. Having maximized his output, the commodore's flagship fell slightly behind, as the other battleships moved slightly ahead, emboldened by this strike.
The invaders would not give them a second chance to duplicate this attack. The cruiser and frigates surged forward, accelerating much faster than anything the pirates had seen. The audible keen of the Acadian engine harmonics could be heard in the minds of every pirate present and had Aaron and the rest been here as well they would recognize these ships as Acadian immediately. Fighters poured from the cruiser vessel and from the huge monstrous ship, which remained in the rear of the action, as they all opened fire.
The engagement was a slaughter; the ancient pirate ships slugging it out with the Acadians stood no chance at all. Beams of brilliant purple carved through cruiser and battleship alike. Pirate fighters were outclassed and swept aside like gnats against a firestorm.
Explosions rocking his ship, panels exploding in sparks and structural bits collapsing around him, Lynos was in wide eyed panic. A mere minute of direct engagement was all it took to reduce one of the largest pirate armadas in the sector to space debris. Ceasing the controls from his pilot, who did not object as she was futilely trying to deal with the large piece of metal impaling her, he screamed into the tactical communications channel, "retreat, for bloody sakes retreat!"
Pulling his heavily damaged monstrosity into a hard retro burn turn, he desperately tried to engage his FTL jump drives, overriding every safety he could. The already heavily damaged drives responded briefly before exploding violently, lurching the ship forward at a brief burst of FTL speed without any measure of safety or dampening fields. The last thing the commodore saw was the forward screen as everything not tied down was thrown forward violently. The pride of the pirate fleet spun off, out of control and into deep space at three quarters of light speed.
Heimdall bowed his head before the radiant kitsune that was his commander, "Chronos, sir, the nuisance has been dealt with and we are proceeding to the third planet for cleansing."
Chronos spoke evenly, "please do be gentle with Gol Negas; he hasn't destroyed a planet in ages. I'd hate to destabilize the whole region with deadly planetary shrapnel."
"Understood." Heimdall turned and made a brief jumping motion, becoming a ball of swirling energy that tumbled from the massive planet killer starship and dashed to the cruiser sized ship. Reappearing on the bridge, he took his "captain's chair" and directed his thoughts at the third planet, "finally we will end this Xaos and Gaea, for the master's will it."
"Forward boss?" Asked the saucy and voluptuous vixen that had appeared next to him.
He nodded out of habit, "yes, let us find Matron."
Conference Room
Doc shrugged a bit "That would Harriet. Our "boss" I guess" Doc pulled out the USB drive she gave him and hand it to Knight.
"Names Devin "Doc" Holiday. I'm not sure if you will be able to buy that drink for her. She took off to the hanger to find us a get away ship" Doc noticed the body of a wolverine lay on the ground with his head ripped about.
"He one of yours?"
Robert picked himself up off of the floor. While none of the force of the blast translated through the forcefields, he had thrown himself to the ground reflexively and his coffee had ended up in his lap. He hissed to himself as he bent over the table and tried to peel the clothing that was covered with scalding hot coffee off of his fur. He stood grumbling about how people should use a blast room for testing explosives while the others discussed about the results from the magical exploding music box.
"You do realizes that puzzle just give away our location, Nova" Matron was speaking to Lt. Nova, the comment caught Robert's attention. He looked up from the table, "First, How long do you think we've got before we have company. Second, can this bucket of bolts fly, or do we need to get out and push?"
Conference Room
Holly looked downtrodden, "so ye'er the spies that been in our ranks! I guess Khaile isn't as all knowing as he claimed to be. Where is he anyways, he up and disappeared when ya'all showed up here ta fake yer negotiating. I think I'll go with ya'all for now, if I stay 'ere, prolly get shot by 'accident', as West wants ma spot anyways."
"So using you to negotiate would be worthless too if that's what you can expect." Added Ana.
Holly shook her head, "nay, if ye deal, then all ranking officers will be involved in committee, and then those loyal to me and Khaile would insure a fair dealing."
Jeanne nodded, "that would be true, there are a lot of factions among the officers and chiefs. Each one signs on with whoever can get them the farthest and make them the most money."
Marcus and Jaice both nodded in unison, "I think we both can have some fun lined up for them when they come up here. Especially if you aren't leaving the pirate girl behind."
Hacker gave a small laugh, "hide my tracks? I burned 'em and their whole freaking system and any system connected to that."
Miyuki waved and smiled a bit, she seemed so much like the innocent beauty type, but her heavy hardware indicated otherwise, "I'm Miyuki."
Jack nodded vigorously as a bit of the fennec hyperness began to bleed through, "Jack, okgreatletsgetgoi..."
Miyuki whapped him, "slow down antenna ears, we don't speak HTFS." (hyper text fennec speak)
"ouchokok... I will slow it down, geez. I'm worried about Harriet... and Magick. Those Harbingers can be tricky. Let's rendezvous."
Deck Service Way
Smelling blood, which Harriet was releasing a generous amount of, the lizards were emboldened. Numerous shots dissuaded the obvious one's but another one flanked her and would have pounced had it not spontaneously split down the center. On Harriet's right, Magick appeared and dispatched the remaining few with some weapons fire from his ion pistol.
"You decide to feed your arm to the paper shredder? What did it do?" The sable quipped. "The deck is filled with so many soldiers, if I had a small yield nuke, we'd all be free of pirate problems. The external exits are secure, but I managed to sneak past them. If your soldier boy Whitehaven is like the rest usually is, he has to have a ship stashed nearby. That is our best bet. You fixed yet? I'm not good at patching people up, that's Doc's thing."
Matron
"First, How long do you think we've got before we have company. Second, can this bucket of bolts fly, or do we need to get out and push?"
Matron sweatdropped a bit, "funny you should ask that..." A screen appeared in midair for all to see. Simultaneously Mother appeared next to it in a semi-transparent state and spoke.
"As of a few moments ago, a space battle was fought out near the orbit of the inner asteroid belt." The viewing device drifted among the wreckage of some significant ships before focusing on four vessels of an origin unknown to all but the Acadians. However, they are dwarfed by the huge ship they are escorting. A massive vessel and a source of concern for Matron, Mother and Gaea.
Xaos chuckles, "overreact much do they? My how he's grown... I told Chronos he should stop feeding Gol Negas planetoids..."
"You've gone too far this time Xaos..." Gaea looked a bit nervous.
The dark fox comforted his vixen, "shush, it will be alright. I expected something like this, in some ways it is better. Gol Negas can destroy planets, but he is rather slow and they won't leave him unguarded. I think they expect us to be trapped, but this ship is fully functional."
Aaron hears and sees all this in engineering. Marissa is out cold, the exhaustion and power drain too much for her.
Aaron... singsongs Xaos, you should really come up here. We need to plan to leave.
Deck Service Way
In the end, it took both of the sleeves from Harriet's uniform to bandage her damaged arm, and even then, the blood flow didn't exactly stop. She would have to hope that the wounds would clot soon; whether it did or not there was work to be done. The human female let Magick's quip go unanswered, as she jerked her knife free of the Harbinger that had given her so much trouble, cleaned it off, then returned it to her boot.
Meanwhile, she was thinking. If Magick only 'managed' to exit safely, it likely wasn't something she could replicate, which meant that the only way to get to a craft would be remote hacking. Unfortunately, Jack now had the only tablet computer left from the cache. ...Her blowing up the cache had been stupid, even if the freight elevator was damaged and-
She killed that line of thought; blame would be assigned later, likely by her superiors in the ISIS, and during Court Martial, if they didn't just make her 'fall down some stairs.' Harriet checked the ammunition for her sidearm, and decided it was time to go. "Magick, you're calling the shots from now until we find an aircraft of some kind. Understood?"
"Sure, fine, whatever; let's get out of here before you drop dead on me." Magick roughly grabbed Harriet by the shoulder and stepped into the nearest shadow.
What happened next, Harriet would never be quite certain of. She just remembered being immensely uncomfortable, and woozy. However, since the wooziness remained after the ordeal was over, the human chalked it up to the spreading poison in her system. Harriet spent the next increment of time not thinking, just trying to keep up with Magick's vastly superior level of stealth and sneaking ability. Trying being the operative word; with being infected with a slowly spreading poison, she was a liability. In fact, in the past hour or so, she had done nothing but screw up again and again-No, she told herself. Leave the chewing out to the Court Martial, and get back to tempting fate.
[[OOC: Blarghpost is blargh.]]
Conference Room
Helping Holly to her feet, Knight headed towards the tunnel entrance where the 3 newcomers had come from. The mention of Rom struck a bit of a chord on Knight, he hadn't liked the sargent, they hadn't gotten along from day one, hower, Rom had been his 2nd in command, and therefore Knight's responsibility, and now he was dead. There'd be time to grieve, and beat himself up over not handling that situation better. He had to save the rest of the team now. Turning to Doc he replied in a calm, emotionless tone, "Yes, he was. My 2IC took a round to the forehead in the firefight. Nothing we could do for him at that point."
Helping any way he could, checking every team member as best he could, Knight got himself ready to move as well, securing his gear for quiet movement, he checked Jeanne first, and asked, "How you holding up? You ready to get out of here?"
Waiting for a reply, the spotted feline, headed for the entrance. Nodding to the 3 newcomers, "If you wouldn't mind leading the way, i think we're just about done here."
Mom's car or Dad's Car
Who goes with Whom?
"It wasn't a bomb until a certain someone Xaos, decided to activate a psychic wave within 100 meter of my cosmic puzzle."said Nova defensively. She turns looking at the squirrel, but on see his spilled coffee, she gives him some napkins and help clean up the coffee. She continues...
"Well, it looks like Uncle Roger ... But really With the Acadian ships, Mother and Matron, The question is Can we out run him and lost him? or Can we fight him? Since the Fleet will be dust if we return with him following us. I am sure, we can't risk sending a message to the Fleet about can we?" worries Nova. She has lost touch with Mara, and she feels alone and homesick for the first since leaving the ISF fleet. "And we have some other members of the crew to round up"
Mara is asleep inside Matron, healing.
PBH
Conference Room
"Well I can see that" Doc said as he grabbed the wolverine's body and hefts it on to his shoulders, fireman's carry style.
"Alright lets get going and see if we can find Harriet and get out of here"
Matron Engineering
Aaron had a rather flat look to his face. Why do these people insist on having planet destroying super weapons? Well, probably because they have to prove how much more awesome they are than us. Aaron got up and put Marissa on his back,
Xaox, I'll be there soon, though I'm going to take Marisa some place that has not been known to have a negative reaction to each other.
Why must you say such cruel things Aaron! That wasn't a negative reaction at all! Seriously though, you need to get your tail up here NOW. Second door you find should have a place you can dump your girlfriend. Should be a good size, I don't know what you mortals actually like for your coma chambers, but I had something quickly made in anticipation of this situation.
Aaron walked out engineering, door one, and found a second door near by. He was pretty sure that Marissa was still out, yet still somehow chewing on his shoulder. He went in and stared for a little while at the 'bed'. A monstrous size that could hold at least four eight foot tall anthros without tails hitting each other, and enough pillows for them all. Clearly a design error.
Aaron, stop staring at the majesty of it all and haul tail.
Aaron dropped off Marissa and gave her a pillow then ran off, making note of where she was so that he could come back, hopefully in time to see her when she wakes up. Aaron darted out of the room while Marissa cuddled up with the pillow muttering, "Aaron... does this mean we can now live forever, together with you..."
Aaron dashed down the hallways, retracing steps previously taken by him and Xaos,
Xaos, as far as plans for getting out of here goes, it looks like subtlety is gone now. Hard to do subtle in the face of planet destroying starships. I also rather want to avoid getting everyone else in system slaughtered too. My rough idea is that if we can get Matron off the ground use her to go to the pirate outpost and rescue the ground team. I'm pretty sure things are going bad since I didn't feel Romulus... I think he... no can't think of that now. We need to get our people and Ana's people off the ground and into deep space. I'm hoping that if we do that they will lose interest in everyone else in the system."
Robert took the napkins and tried to dry up the coffee on his pants, "These other members, what are they doing?" He straightened up; his pants were damp but not scalding hot, he could work with that. "We need some intel though, the fleet that we've got incoming, what is their ETA figuring in their engagement ranges. What are the ranges of their sensors, and what do they know? What other vessels do we have around us.?"
Robert righted a chair and sat down in it. "Our options at this point are either to run like we stole something, or to create a decoy and then run. Negotiation isn't going to work, because we're in no position to make demands, and I doubt we can fight that," he gestured at the image.
"Our ah strike force team is right now, keeping the local pirates on planet occupied, I think. Mother can pick them up with her ship. I just hope they are in a position to be pick up quickly. The main ISF Fleet is not coming this way, but heading further towards Acadian space through the pirate "held" space." whispers Nova. "We came here to see what, if anything, was left at this crash site. But I knew in some way, Gaea and Xaos were still here, and ISF would need their help." Nova looking at Gaea and Loki.
Nova turns to her fairy godfather, "Lord Xaos, we have the monster at the gate, and our men stuck outside. We need re-group, and make a run for it, can we do it?"
"Why so, formal my dear Kitten." says Xaos "We will just wait for your Major before you start weighting your opinions"
"*Groan*, Mother , can you hear me? Please inform the strike team, that we will be coming for them, ASAP. Please report status and prepare for pick-up." remarks Nova over the com-link to Mother.
"Nova, Wait for Aaron to arrive" says Mother. "What?! I just want to know if anyone is having as nice of a day as we are." grumbles Nova.
PBH
Deck Service Way
Magick had expected to walk a majority of the distance, but the deteriorating condition of his human leader made that a difficult proposition. Her almost stumbling into a small cluster of harbingers, was the ultimate end of their conventional movement.
Deftly slipping himself under her shoulder, he allowed a brief display of a bit of emotion as he gave her a small smile, "have you gained weight TiBalt-san?"
Before a response could be issued the sable stepped into a shadow. The travel experience had not improved at all since Harriet had last been subjected to it. Emerging in yet another corridor, they were once again assaulted by the sight of harbingers. Magick quickly entered another, different shadow, subjecting Harriet to yet another transition. This time, however, they emerged in front of an airlock hatch. The security pad had cleverly been bypassed quite some time ago. Sitting the human female down next to the panel, Magick entered the special code that released the locks and opened the airlock without any log of the event or change in "secured" status on the base's main security panel.
Service ways from Conference Rooms
I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go
Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder
Jeanne, the injured tigress, sighed heavily as she replied though she seemed in good spirits despite everything, "better than I expected after you and your team engaged the security details. I am grateful you managed to eliminate that slimy weasel, I should be okay provided I don't get mauled by harbingers or shot by pirates..." Her mood darkened a bit, "I'm sorry about Romulus..." What little color remained in her skin drained away as she realized it might not be appropriate for her to talk about that. Wordlessly she followed.
The sandy brown fennec nodded to Knight as he requested they lead the way, "Sairenji let's go."
Miyuki gave the small fox a peace sign and a wink, amused at his sudden 'professional' demeanor, "right away Jack-kun!" She moved forward, gun leading the way, she did not look anywhere that the gun did not also point.
Ben stopped Knight with a firm, but respectful hand on his shoulder, "lieutenant, keep to the middle more with the prisoner, Jeanne, Ana and that Doc character. I'll have Jaice and Marcus up front with the fennec and human. I'll bring up the rear with Hacker."
Ana smiled sweetly at Ben, "I don't need to be kit-sat by Knight... despite his name, chivalry is obsolete." The dark blue vixen snapped the energy clips into the pair of pistols she had managed to acquire somewhere... oh wait those were Holly's, the collie growls a little and Ana look disturbingly cute an innocent in response.
The new guides seemed very knowledgeable and navigated the service ways well. About halfway to the ground level, a tremendous explosion rocked the building. The trained soldier among the odd party immediately noticed it originated from somewhere above their position. Hacker and Marcus knew that the surprises had been sprung.
"Merry winter's day, mother fuckers." Hacker growled in response to the eerie silence that followed. As if they had heard his oath, alarms began to blare in all directions.
The canine staff sergeant looked to the snow leopard lieutenant, "we best be making double time what say ya mate?"
Matron
Saioko looked a bit frazzled, the psychic waves were a bit much at this time, she rests her head in her hands and tries to screen all the oppressive psychics surrounding her. She pays little attention to the developing situation.
Richard sighs to himself and mutters a few words spoken like an oath, "Беда́, никогда́, не прихо́дит одна́."
Xaos pats the wolf on the back, "В дождь избы́ не кро́ют, а в вёдро и сама́ не ка́плет."
Richard raises an eyebrow, "what does that have to do with anything?"
Xaos shrugs, "I just thought it sounded profound."
Gaea regards Robert for a moment before replying to his questions about the incoming Acadians as Nova had answered about the strike team, "I would estimate that we have around two hours until Gol Negas is in optimum firing position. Their sensors are highly detailed and could probably achieve sea-level visual feeds in realtime from their current location, as well as a host of detailed scans from infrared to molecular density and life signs. All nice, but not going to provide them with detail on our location or if we are even truly here. Their psionic-based sensors are used for that and I have had many, many centuries to disperse harmless materials into the atmosphere and into the ecosystem that will render their psychic sensors useless. This buys us another hour or so as the support ships will need to map the planet in other ways to find our specific location."
Xaos adds, "provided we don't have any more psychic out bursts."
Gaea regards him coolly, "yes, husband, hopefully we don't have more of those. With regards to what they know... I would guess that Matron, Xaos and myself are present. It is unlikely they know about the rest of you. Obviously they are aware of pirates. Their engagement ranges can vary from a few thousand miles to hundreds of thousands of miles. Most prefer up-front and personal engagement at close ranges... more thrilling I imagine. Vessels... hmmm, well friendlies I would count Mother, Matron... Anastasia's little personal starship, I think Anjin is in system somewhere... not sure if that is considered friendly though. Other than that, I only know of a pirate corvette that is hidden on this planet."
Aaron arrives at about this time.
Both Mother and Matron confer among themselves, in the way of computers, satisfied they speak to those assembled. It is Mother's image that speaks first, "Matron has been unable to leave due to her psionic wave drive's high visibility signature. Without Gaea's guardian Linu-tan, they can't stealth it... that is to say feed the field emissions into her singularity drive."
Matron speaks, "Mother has offered to link in place of Linu in order to help filter the psychic signature. This will give all of you a lot more space, as I am a star cruiser type vessel."
Xaos gestures to Aaron, "ah, the 'boss' is here, now we can plan some actions. So we are linking up, rescuing your people at the pirate base and running with tails between legs yes?"
Harriet's sense of self-loathing was growing. And the readily apparent nature of her decline was not helping the matter; it was however helping her keep from imagining the various disciplinary actions the ISIS would take when she was Court Martial-ed, however.
She was more focused on staying alive long enough to be Court Martial-ed now.
Her left arm had gone still some time ago, and the paralysis was now spreading into her shoulder and neck. She still could feel, just not move. And it was annoying as hell. "Firstly, that's TiBalt-hime, to you. Secondly, you wouldn't notice if you hadn't been skipping your gym sessions," her tone was surprisingly light, with a bit of mock severity; which wrung a chuckle from the stealth specialist. Harriet had laid down the law early with her inner circle. They were to only indulge in alcohol as appearance dictated, avoid recreational drugs altogether, and they were to keep in moderately good shape, via scheduled trips to the gym. Magick had gotten away with skipping some of those sessions by dint of his being so damn good at what he did, for Harriet's purposes anyway.
When she was sat down, she realized the paralysis was starting into her face, when part of her lips didn't move as she sighed. What's more, a more troubling aspect of the toxin was coming to be: her left eye was perceiving images slower than the right, producing an 'after-image' effect when she turned to look at what Magick was doing. After she blinked a few times, it vanished, but would soon return. And when it spread to both her eyes, she would be useless.
That is, if it didn't get to her lungs first.
"Magick-" the human started, but was cut off by the sable.
"Shut up," he told her bluntly. "You're spreading the poison faster every time you talk, so shut up." Harriet shut up. There wasn't much else she was able to do, besides scream at herself mentally for screwing up this badly, and planning how she was going to turn this situation around.
Matron
Aaron was up at the bridge, panting with his tongue sticking out one side. He couldn't say much about being called 'boss'. At this point Aaron has just accepted that being an impromptu boss was just his role in the universe.
"Yes, that sounds like the best course of action. Unless you happen to have some way of hurting the 'planet nom' class ship out there."
After that he would nap. Well, there was a long list of things he needed to do, once he could communicate with the ISF again. And taking care of Richard and Marissa. Maybe Aaron should try and emulate some of the body structure the Acadians had going. A few good hacks so that Aaron didn't sleep nearly as often would help overcome the 24 hour day limitations.
Robert stretched, "What about decoys or diversions? It wont take them long to figure out we've left, no point in making tracking us any easier." he leaned forward, "I mean, with enough explosives an some spare scrap we can probably make it look like a bunch of morons got into the Matron, threw a few switches and cranked up the reactor. Upon seeing the fleet heading our way they got spooked and blew up as we tried to run because the reactor became critically unstable."
He paused to let the suggestion sink in, "The bonus here is that if we pull it off correctly they have to stop and investigate the crater. If we're stupidly lucky they'll assume we're dead. I'd bank on them likely seeing through it on the first active scan though." Robert yawned, "Either way, our first priority is to get off the planet, I don't know much about their sensors, but using the planet's shadow is always a good idea. After we get off the ground, we're gonna want to spread their forces out. The more crap we can have them chasing after, the better." he turned to Matron and Mother, "Can you replicate the same effects as one of our ships jump drive. If possible we might be able to piggyback off of the pirate presence here."
Matron
Looking at the exhausted Aaron, Nova turns to the group.
"I think Mr Planetoid will be able to tell we are not dead by the lack of psychic signatures or another psychic wave. I think, If Matron really did explode, she would take out the planet. Mother, we need a status report on the strike team, if possible. Richard, can you and Alexsi get comms with the strike team and others, and have them ready for pickup? Matron and Mother will need to start to link up, and lift off. So, Members need to be ready soonest" says Nova.
"Gaea, You, Loki and I have to see to the everyone else who was/maybe effected by the psychic wave. Saioko is not looking to good and Marissa may need some looking after. Mara is missing. The strike team may have regular wounded coming in."
Matron says "Mara is sleeping and healing in the main core. And Marissa is being taken care of." Nova turns to Saioko and go to her.
PBH
"You'll do fine Jeanna, we've got you protected, and we'll get you back to the ship. Just keep your head down, and listen for trouble. If you hear, see, smell, or just sense something wrong... by all means, speak up. Also, are you sure you're not going to have too hard a time keeping up?"
Knight then offered to support Jeanne on a shoulder while moving roughly into the middle of the pack. "I'm not going to complain, Ben, you're the infantry specialist, after all."
Following the guided pack through the tunnels for a bit, Knight was on edge, his head was on a swivel, and his rifle was ready to snap up at a moments notice. The sudden rumble and muffled roar had the feline Lieutenant wince. His suspicions only further confirmed by the fennec.
Nodding in agreement, Knight replied, "Right, lets get moving, hopefully we can cover enough ground, and put enough distance between them and us to confuse them."
Mentally readying himself, Knight prepared to follow the guides, hopefully they weren't getting too on edge. That could break their concentration... and getting lost in these tunnels was the last thing he needed.
Lushin walked up to a fork in the tunnels.
"Which way is it again?" He winked at Jack as he picked a direction and head to the hanger.
Neurotoxins and exits
Magick raised an eyebrow, "hime... how about I call you shichiyou instead or TiBalt-dono." The mustelid held a finger up to his mouth forestalling any vocalization by the human.
He drew his pistol and a slender, slightly curved, single edged sword (a wakizashi), "stay here, I need to clear some pests." The silent hunter dashed down the corridor into the darkness. A few flashes and what could only be the subtle sound of metal sliding through flesh drifted back to Harriet. After a few moments, there was only silence. The form of the darkly clad sable re-emerged from the shadows of the poorly lit causeway.
When he reached Harriet, he knelt down to make sure she was still conscious. Opening the encrypted channel, Magick spoke into it, "Nightstride here, anyone know anything about Harbinger venom? Anything in these emergency medkits to work on it?"
Causeways
The tigress made a strong show of it, but graciously accepted the help as offered, as she was concerned with the pace they were trying to keep. The group progressed through the tunnels at a good pace, for they needed to catch up with Harriet and Magick and get to Dex and the window of escape was slowly closing around them.
The encrypted channel crackled to life with a voice only their guides recognized. Jack answered, "well yes... the green, sealed plastic tube contains a general antitoxin. It will slow the poison considerably, but we would need a full medical kit to have any actual Harbinger anti-venom. Why, you finally slip up and get bit?"
There was pause before an answer was forthcoming, "no, Harriet-chan was pretty badly bitten. These lizards seem really, unnaturally aggressive."
Both Jack and Miyuki stopped, looking worried and surprised. However, the duo did not have much time for a response. In a predictably cliche fashion, a vent they had passed under tumbled away and bone white harbingers burst forth. This vent happened to be right nearly on top of the middle of the small group, exposing Ana, Jeanne and Knight to direct combat with the strangely savage beasts.
The one that landed close to anyone did so next to Ana. Not having time to consider drawing a weapon, the slender and slight appearing vixen belayed her entire frail and delicate image by ceasing the creature and judo-throwing it head first into the distant tunnel wall. Two other beasts had just dropped down, but were not oriented enough to consider attacking.
Matron
The irrepressible fox of chaos threw his arms up and wide in a dramatic display, "yes, I do have a way, but you would not like it... I'm sure you aren't interested in sacrificing your own life for our safety. At least not at this moment or for this reason. The other option is to sacrifice your feline captain over there, that's liable to bring the Shadowcats. Enough of their ships can take out a 'planet nom', as you so eloquently put it, class ship."
Saioko gave Xaos an incredulous look, "do what why to get who now?"
Gaea huffed and patted the feline on the back as she hugged her, scowling at her mate, "nothing dear, pay that puffy head no mind little one."
Richard elbowed Aaron, "your people are very huggy, yes? Have you figured out why yet?"
Loki speaks up for a change, both kits have been mostly quiet for their time here, "if we retreat, we will force them to chase us hopefully and they will leave the planet alone."
Ixiah nodded, but he seemed less sure, "perhaps we should try to talk to uncle Chronos or the others?"
Neurotoxins and exits
Harriet paused and listened to the sounds of good, old fashioned cloak and dagger work, then the human sighed. It wasn't long ago that she would be the one doing that sort of thing. How did six months among glorified thieves whittle away skills she had worked for years to perfect?
Suddenly, she began to giggle. It was only a few seconds, but Harriet fought to kill the miniature laughters before they alerted anyone, or thing, to her presence. Harriet took a deep breath, and forced herself to be calm. The giggling was probably the precursor to the psychotropic effects of Harbinger venom, either that or her brain was releasing chemicals to try and wake up the portions of it the venom was driving to sleep.
Neither was very good for Harriet's current purposes.
The human stirred, attempting to stand up, only slide back to the floor when her one good leg couldn't keep her stable. Magick turned his focus from the worrying noises coming from the other end of the comm channel, and thwaped Harriet on the forehead with his index and middle fingers. "You can't walk so don't try."
"Need...go. Time..." The venom was getting into her facial muscles now. It was just the lips on her left side, but still progress. And it was making her attempting to talk most difficult.
"I'm calling the shots, remember?" Magick thwaped her again.
Matron
Aaron shrugged to Richard, "As best as I can tell, it is a result of being both very empathic and much more long lived. Think about it for a second, by appearance Loki looks 15 years old, by their reckoning he is 150, by ours he is 1500. Me being 30 makes it look more like I'm still a freshly born infant."
Looking to Xaos, fox of poorly worn dress suits, "Yes, sacrifice does not seem necessary right now. I'm also unsure of communicating with our... hostile friends. I'm not sure they are aware of the full extend of who all is onboard. It may be better that way. Especially if that uncle part is true."
On the other hand, they may see the station and the rest of the sentient life in the system as a loose end to be tidied up before leaving. They may flash their tails at 'uncle' Chronos if they don't make sufficiently diligent haste after them. Either way...
"We should launch now, with the engine... `noise` covered by Mother, we pick up the team and extract them with Ana and her crew, preferably with their ship. We then beat a hasty retreat."
Causeways
Doc proved another reason why he got the nickname Doc from some of the humans. He drew his pistol surprisingly fast and aimed at the lizard closest to Ana. When she killed it he fired on one of the others. He seemed annoyed at the attacks. He shifted the weight of the wolverine body on his shoulders.
Causeways
Knight took the extra weight, and started moving in stride with the injured tigress. He matched her pace, and kept up with the team. As the vent fell, he very quickly brought the pistol out, letting Jeanne continue to use him as somewhere to place her weight besides her own feet. "Oh shhhh.... We've got contacts!, Hostiles!" Knight shouted, as the military part of his mind registered, and informed the rest of the team of the sudden intrusion.
He brought the pistol sights in line with his own vision, and then aligned them with the beast. He squeezed off a few a shots, nothing fancy, simply trying to put as many bolts of plasma into the beast's center-mass as possible.
MATRON
"Sorry, Captain, but I'll try to get you up to speed, We have a planet monster on his way to destroy us. We have the Team to pick up and then we are trying to escape without detection. Yet, Loki is right, we should try to protect the natives, get that thing to chase us away for the system. The pirates are on their own. They just saw their fleet bast to the Void, so they should be sense-able enough to run of it. " says Nova. She hugs the feline captain, and gives Richard scowing look during it.
"Loki, here, says that either one of us, Sasoko, could sacrifice ourselves, to summond the "shadowcats" to take out that thing" Nova point to the view screen. "Can we leave that as a last resort?" said Nova "Sacrifices like that should be one own decision."
PBH
Robert grumbled, "We have two or so hours before they're breathing down our necks. We need to focus on practical plans here. If we cant duplicate a reactor failure, we need to focus on what we can do. We should be focusing on hiding our escape, or distracting them with false positives when we leave. If the enemy fleet isn't aware of our exact location, we should stay put till we are ready to grab our people and go. And, when we do that we need to do it fast."
Matron
Xaos grinned widely and disappeared without a trace to only reappear behind Nova and Saioko. He embraced both in a hug, "oh not to worry ladies, sacrifices are always immensely personal and ultimately one's own decision. This is a last resort, trust me, I would not ask such a thing lightly. Why, if G and I were all better and not nearly... uh, dead? I guess that is the best word... limited structural constructs... uh where was I? Oh, yeah... if we weren't mostly dead, we could take on Chronos and his fourth generational lackeys."
Saioko sighed heavily, the poor girl did not know what to do at this point and talking to the likes of Xaos was frustrating. The fox lived up to his name, he was chaos.
Richard spoke up, "Robert is right, shouldn't we be considering a stealthy escape? Not getting caught and reduced to component particles is the aim yes?"
Gaea regarded the view screen, or at least the area near it, "perhaps we need to consider the truths here. Reactor failures would be too contrived, too convenient at this point to be truly believable. It would serve as a distraction, perhaps cover our tracks, but I do not know of any way to generate such an effect without a large noticeable buildup or a risky 'high technology' energy signature or emission prior to detonation that might reveal its artificially generated external source. Distractions and false positives are very hard to do and make them believable. Our resources in this area are around 50 total drone units, they use micro-fusion reactors and have a sensor cross-section of a small shuttle if they are 'loud'. We have four ISF heavy fighters, that if we mount two probes on one and put a neural disruptor in it, we might be able to give it a sensor cross-section of a light cruiser with an odd psionic signature that might be like a psionic wave drive. If we try and open a jump point in the atmosphere and try and focus the destination point at their fleet location... we could send all 50 probes to that location and detonate their fusion reactors... it would be an awfully hard, lengthy set of calculations..." The vixen shrugged, "I'm grasping at straws here..."
Causeways
The weapons fire was fast and well executed, harbingers seem to have a high weakness verse plasma and laser fire. The two pirate guides made a good showing as well, terminating a number of the little beasties. The poor things really had very little chance, having no time to react or successfully attack.
Jack spoke into the communicator, "we're okay Magick, just a small altercation, they do seem aggressive... way too aggressive."
Ana yelped as she pulled a four inch thin tubular shaft out of her arm, "don't grab these things, they have spines on their head and ridge line."
Jack picked it up and examined it, "poisoned too."
Ana rolled her eyes, "wonderful, best news yet... is it fatal?"
The fennec shook his head, "paralytic neurotoxin with some kind of psychotropic effect... not a biologist. The spine couldn't hold that much, so it's not nearly as bad as being bit."
"yeah, 'cept that was just the one that got stuck and broke off. Great, paralyzed and trippin... feels kinda tingly."
Miyuki sighed, "Doc, can you wrap her arm and let's get moving or we are going to go down just off of attrition..."
After attending to Anastasia, the group moved on. The blue vixen seemed fine to walk though she was a bit glassy eyed. Nearing the stairs down to the level with Magick and Harriet, it became obvious to their guides why the harbingers were being aggressive. The room in front of the stairs, which would be a machine room under normal circumstances, held a large, green winged creature very similar to the harbingers with very nasty spines.
"A Hakkun Queen... must have snuck in here from the forest. Looks like she's probably got young, would explain why the harbingers are all aggressive and spiny... they're reverting." Miyuki whispered to the rest of the group.
"We either have to go through it to go down or find another way. Just so you know, there is no name for the harbinger's native species... this is called a Hakkun Queen because someone decided to get fancy with what we nicknamed it... a hucking queen... cause she can huck her tail spines at you." Jack stated.
It remains to see what the decision will be.
Neurotoxins and exits
"I just heard from Jack that there is a Hakkun Queen in the machine room before the stairs. That would explain why there is so many harbingers in that room over there. I was worried about that. These things revert fast, either that or someone has been breeding them secretly down here?" The sable seemed unsure.
He sighed and shook his head, "this whole thing is contrived, as if it was planned like this. How could anyone even think someone would try a maneuver like this? And set up a contrived trap like this? You'd think this was a manga... or an RPG or something."
Coincidentally, the airlock control blinked several times and flashed green, expertly bypassed. Slowly it slid open to reveal a human male, dark hair and Caucasian, dressed similar to a pirate pilot. He threw up his hands immediately as Magick already had him well covered, "whoa easy there, I'm Dex... came in with Knight and Ana... we were here to rescue our friend Marcus, I was piloting the escape craft. I managed to get a position reading on my boss through the jamming and headed here as this is the closest door. Is she okay?" Dex pointed to Harriet.
"Peachy, don't move." He spoke into the comm, "does someone know a human named Dex... pilot and working for someone named Ana?"
Ben acknowledged the call, "yeah, he's with us."
Causeways
"Anyone have some flash bangs? Rather not kill any of them especially the young ones" Doc said as he peaked into the room.
Causeways
Knight gave a little thought about his options. Go through the beast, and take the known route to safety, or take a longer route, and waste precious minutes trying to find an alternate route. He didn't like the idea of having to kill the beast. It was defending it's territory, it's den. At the same time, it was blocking his path.
"Ana, do you think you could give us a force-field that you could keep between us and the queen while we cross the room?"
He considered other options as well. Perhaps simply wounding it would be enough to stop her from blocking their path... or, if they absolutely had to, kill her quick and move on. That was the last option he wanted, though. "If anyone has flashbangs, make a big show of things, be loud, be scary, and move quick... If we can get through here without killing her, great... if not... try wounding her, scare her down, show that we only attack when provoked. We need to get out of here, now. That means through this room. If anyone else has a suggestion... i'm all ears, because i'm running out of ideas."
He gave a shrug and looked around, also doing a visual inspection of what gear everyone had left, seeing if perhaps there was something useful that his own soldiers had overlooked, attached to their own bodies.
Matron
Aaron nods, "At this point I'm tempted to take the head start and run with it rather then try and contrive an elaborate escape plan. Though perhaps we can have it both ways. I'm lead to understand that Mother can screen Matron relatively well, so we use that to grab our people and flee to a point where the hostile fleet will have to maneuver around stellar objects to chase us. We can use that time to devise a plan to lose them with the additional help of our crew currently out in the pirate base. I'm favoring rigging up a ship with the probes and the disruptor, from there scattering to rejoin elsewhere. Enough false leads and bad paths to sort through should see us out safely."
Causeway
Ben and Jaice produced a few flashbangs, five total. Sairenji had two as well, bringing the total to seven.
Ana gave Knight a strange look as she leaned against the wall, "sorry, I feel kinda funny. Neurotoxin is having a weird effect on my Move By Wire system." It would seem that it took most of her concentration and willpower to stop from shaking.
Hacker produced a pair of sonic stun grenades and four colored smoke grenades, "perhaps these can be of use?"
A visual inspection of gear shows a few obvious things, as well as a number of items it is safe to assume.
Each soldier dressed as a pirate who is ISF SpecOps has a field kit that consists of the following items:
* (1) Electrolyte and natural energy drink mix packet
* (1) Packet of nutrient rich 'candy'
* (12) Disinfectant wipes
* (3) Synthetic, sterile, high absorbent cloths
* (1) Tissues Mini-Pack
* (2) Electrolyte Heat Relief Tablets
* (1) Lip Balm
* (3) Insect Sting Relief Tabs
* (1) Sunblock SPF30 tube
* (1) Bandana
* (1) Generic Safety Glasses
* (1) Generic Black Sunglasses
* (1) Generic Emergency Poncho
* (1) Generic Emergency Blanket
* (1) Generic Small LED Flashlight w/regenerating energy cell
* (2) Safety Lightstick - green
Each ISF SpecOps person caries a primary weapon, a sidearm, a data unit (PDA), compass, med kit, rations and water, some light sources, and a combat knife
Hacker has a ruggidized portable computer system. He also carries a high-range communications device.
Jaice carries an EOD field kit and various sundry explosive materials. He also brought a small carbine sized grenade launcher. Standard load would carry fragmentation, explosive, smoke and perhaps teargas or sonic stun. If asked, he has sonic stun rounds.
Ana doesn't carry much, but she does have some type of wrist multi-function device (computer, communications and such) as well as a collapsible fighting staff.
Marcus is wearing a pirate security vest with a radio. He has a pirate slug-thrower rifle and pistol.
Miyuki Sairenji is armed with a rifle, a pair of pistols and a pair of katana-like blades. She has a comm unit, a field kit, multi-spectrum goggles and hard knuckle gloves. She also carries a climbing kit.
Jack carries a rifle, a pistol, a shotgun and a pair of combat knives. He has a more extensive first aid kit, a portable computer system, and a multi-function tool.
Ben carries the standard gear plus a pair of knuckle dusters and a sniper spotter kit.
Matron
"Well, we do have a pirate base on this planet. Couldn't we try a mimic psionic blast from it's reactor core? Once we leave with our own, and we could ... mmm No, The base reactor couldn't be overloaded and blow up as a psionic wave." asks Nova.
She, too was relieved by Xaos remakes, but she wasn't too sure. Nova was looking at Saioko, and hug the cat woman.
"Wait, Gaea and Xaos, what's this about being almost dead? Are you getting better, or do we need get you something?" asks Nova as she turns to Gaea and then Xaos
PBH
Causeway
"I think I may have an idea" Doc said, sounding like he's thinking out loud. He was silent for a bit while he thought about his plan abit.
"We throw in a few flash bangs and run like our clothes are on fire right after they go out" Doc looked at Ana with a concerned look. "Think you can do that, Miss?"
"Jaice, think you can give us a smoke-screen, then drop a few stun rounds before we move?" Knight asked. Looking over the various gear the team had.
"i mean... we don't have a lot of time to wait here and plan... every minute we stall is another minute they have to figure out what's going on. So... are you all ready for this. Remember, we're in it's lair... we're trying to get in and out as fast as possible. Move fast, move quiet, and keep your heads down."
Waiting for confirmation from everyone, Knight moved himself back into position near Ana, Jeanna and the newest 'acquisition' of the team, waiting for Jaice to sets things in motion.
"I agree about not spending any more time than we need to planet side, but what we should first do is get into contact with whatever team you have out there, and see about getting them to an extraction point. Once they're in posistion we can then snatch them up, and run. One swift movement is the key here. The longer we spend moving around planet side, the more likely their sensors will lock our posistion."
Robert picked at his tattered uniform, "We may want to hold off on using our fighters as decoys for the giant fleet. If it takes two probes, a fighter craft, and a specialized piece of equipment to simulate this ship's engines then it might not be worth the effort," he leaned forward, "can this ship perform a jump in a manner to mimic ISF signatures? Also, can we perform multiple jumps in quick succession without being disoriented? If its possible, we can just make it seem like we're one of the pirates running from their fleet, and then try quick jumping like," he thought for a moment, "three times, each time changing our vector to elude anybody chasing us."
Neurotoxins and Exits
"Magick....rule forty-one. If it seems like someone is out to get you, they probably are."
For a bit Harriet went back to fighting off the psychotropic effects that she would soon be experiencing. The euphoria was getting stronger, but she refused to let it show in front of her subordinate. Now if only she had a red shirt...
When the airlock opened up, Harriet's knife was in her hand again, ready to be thrown at some eyeballs. She remained silent throughout the exchange. And once it was over, she slumped into the wall. Two more giggle fits had to been suppressed while she was holding that position. Fortunately, no hallucinations had come around yet.
"How far is your ship?" She heard Magick ask the other human.
"Minimum safe distance, not too far." Was the reply. "How is Ana and everyone? And who are you?"
"I am Chief Warrant Officer Hariet Tibalt," the human female ground out, slightly slurred. It took monstrous effort to speak normally, effort that was likely spreading the toxin faster. "This is my subordinate, our objective is to obtain aerial transport of Lt. Whitehaven and his unit. Their status is one man down."
"One man down...who got shot?"
"We don't know," Magick drawled. "But you can ask them when they come by, since we're going to have to wait for them, given only you know where you parked your ship....wait...why did you leave your ship in the first place?"
"Magick!" Harriet hissed. "Interrogation later, logistics support now. Now either tell Jack to scan for this open airlock, or give me the comm so I can....hehehehehe." Harriet devolved into a mass of giggling laughter, slowly growing in volume.
"Oh crap-she's going to give our position away!" Magick tried slapping her a few times, but it only seemed to make the human laugh harder. Eventually, he was forced to use the sleeper hold on his superior, rendering her unconscious. After the maniacal laughter, the silence was deafening. The sable stood up, gave a blank look to Dex, and spoke into the comm. "Jack? When your done with the Queen, Harriet says to look for an open airlock, so we can rendezvous."
And again, deafening silence.
Causality and Causeways
Ana gave Doc a very strange look and smiled impishly, "hehe... don't worry about little old me. I can slay dragons, yes I can... heh." The vixen shook her head a few times as if trying to shake something off before swooning and collapsing. Shrugging off any help she stood up, "I... I'm losing my grip on reality... stuffs goin thru me too fast." Ana blinked and her eyes shifted to the glowing golden that signifies her magic usage and her voice sounded more like it was emitted from an old computer speaker, "I'm going to have to go straight tech, the 'meat' portion of me is going psychotic... can't do this for too long, not much energy. I am good to go for now."
Jaice nodded to Knight and pulled his grenade launcher and spun the cylinder until the smoke ordinance was loaded. Making sure everyone was ready, the dalmatian opened up with a quick succession of smoke grenades. The queen reacted immediately with a screeching hiss, swishing her tail around with intent to toss spines as the smoke closed in around her. Jaice hit the side of the wall just to the right of the entrance to where the queen was. With a deep breath he ducked around the corner and pumped a few stun grenades into the dark mass within the smoke. He immediately ducked back around.
The queen immediately began thrashing around heavily distracted and confused due to the stuns. She managed to toss a few spines out towards where the grenades were fired from, scattering into the main causeway. Ben waved everyone forward and began the run across the space to the stairs. Jaice came up behind him with Miyuki and Jack following.
The beast noticed and tried to fire spines at the shadows dashing through the smoke, but the sonic effects were very debilitating. A spine logged itself in Ben's pack, but such things are immune to harbinger venom.
The stairs descended into a cross way. On the stairs and in front of the landing were a pair of harbinger bodies impaled by spines and quite dead. There were three ways to go from here: forward, left, and right. Forward was a short hallway, perhaps 10 meters, that opened into another room. Within that room were many harbingers, who were aware of the commotion and could see the group, but something prevented them from surging forward and attacking. Beyond the room, and through the harbingers, was another passage that ran left and right. Somewhere off to the left was where Harriet, Magick, and now Dex were located.
The left passage of the cross way was 30 meters and then it curved to the right. The way to the right of the stairs continued more than 30 meters into the gloom.
OOC: Hacker is now covering and will be one of the last to follow up. He has those sonic stun grenades that he will throw if necessary. I'll leave Bas to move him, Jeanne, Ana and Holly (Lushin can too if he wishes) with himself.
Matron
"Any vehicle attempting to exit the atmosphere will likely be easily detected, even if I try to emulate one of your ion or plasma based reaction drives. Trying to put too few objects into space would be scrutinized. We can't exactly coordinate a launch with the current residents." Matron remarked.
Gaea nodded, "true, but we could access their main Strategic Space Command network and launch their anti-orbital missiles. The planet has no exoatmospheric defenses, but they do possess a network of mobile launch platforms with very old, surplus nuclear fission warhead missiles. Some unknown source within the Technocratic League has been supplying these pirates with out-dated weapons, spacecraft and supplies. These antique weapons are scattered all over the planet and a simultaneous launch could cover our planetary exit."
Mother considered Richard's input, "your current FTL technology seems to use a very inefficient and primitive design that allows your ships to warp real space. I could generate that field emission type, but I would not be able to do it until I leave the gravity well. 'Quick jumping' would likely make it look like we were trying to evade detection, but we should try and throw off the trail by setting obvious vectors for differing star systems."
Xaos looked thoughtful for a moment, considering Nova's question. He leaned to her ear and whispered into it, "if you wouldn't mind giving me a substantial portion of your life force."
Gaea stopped her discussion on escape and stared daggers at the dark colored fox. He grinned impishly and shoved his hands in his pockets.
Neurotoxins and Exits
The sounds of the extraction team 'dealing' with the queen were very noticeable. It was probably the only thing that turned the numerous harbingers away and towards the room with the large amount of them in it.
Dex breathed a sigh of relief, "I left to try and catch the team. I've been getting some odd telemetry from the Starchaser that seems a bit troublesome. If I could remote instruct her from here, I'd bring her or try and communicate with the main ship, but there is a limit."
"I am aware." Stated the sable as he lowered Harriet back into a reclining position.
"Hey, you're one of those Shadow Adepts."
"Was." Magick flatly stated. Waving off the human, he spoke into the comm, "I had to knock out Harriet because of the toxin. Let me know when you are near an airlock and we will head out to rendezvous."
"Roger that, we are in motion as I speak." Came the reply over the comm from Jack.
Matron
"Why Lord Xaos, Do I feel a chill in the air, and I think if I do as you ask, I will not only give up my present Life but likely any future lives I may get.." asks Nova, "Can you take the some of the life-force for someone in the enemy camp or lower thinking animal? Lady Gaea, He is joking right?"
Nova rolls her eyes after Xaos impish grin. Nova was little peeved at Mother's remark on primitive star drives, but she has more angry at her teaches who wouldn't listen to her improvements for the basic FTL drive theories.
Turning to Mother, Nova said, "Mother, we're wasting time, what do you need and how much time need to link up with Matron? or Can we just pull our people out of the pirate base without her? We can bring everyone back here, if we must. Once we have everyone on board, we can try and send every ship, probe and drone up at the same time at that thing as we sneak off and throw up more false trails." She points to the viewer and the planetoid monster.
" We have two hours tops and the nearer that thing gets to this planet, the less likely any trick we throw up is going to fool it. Have we heard anything from the strike team?"
PBH
Robert thought for a second, then answered. "If they have a supply of warheads networked together, then there has to be a central control module. If we can find, and get to it we can set them to launch when we're ready to move out."
He glanced over to Aaron, "How many transports do we have? Do we have enough to recover your squad and possibly secure the launch station?"
Causeways
The rolling smoke distorted the vision of everyone. They, however, had a very effective screen, and the party moved through the hostile environment with nothing but a very close call for Ben. As the cleared the room, Knight noted the hallway and room ahead. Then he noted the two side halls. He brought up the map, and scanned... if things were as they appeared, they could meet up with their unseen assistance by heading left. Right seemed like something out of a bad horror film... and straight ahead seemed like something worse. It took very little time before Knight tapped Ben's shoulder and pointed to the hallway that seemed safest.
"Jack, make sure Jaice doesn't fall too far behind playing rearguard, everyone else, stay in line, we're heading left."
With orders issued, knight kept himself close to Ana, Jeanne and Holly.
"Miyuki, think you can take point in the darkness? Looks like we might be walking into trouble, and i'm without my normal sensor suite. Everyone, flashlights on if and only if you absolutely need them... otherwise, keep quiet, keep alert, and stay close to the persons in front of and behind you. We're running on borrowed time at this point... we gotta exfil... and fast."
Clicking his comm unit, he fired off another burst transmission for the ISIS operative On way to rendezvous... Expecting resistance, prepare to ex-filtrate facility ASAP
Causeways
Doc quickly followed the others.
Matron
Aaron nodded, "Okay, first off for your answer Robert, our craft includes Matron, who you see now, which also seem to be our main burden as far as escaping goes. There is also Mother, the ship we originally showed up in. Mother has a number of drop ships, but not really suitable for an extraction. There is also Ana's ship, which they were intending to depart in. I am concerned about the whole 'launching nukes into orbit' aspect in regards to where Ana is. I'm sure she would be unappreciative of us nuking orbit as she was launching. Matron, can you tie together a big red button for the orbital launch. Then we need to get in touch with Ana and make sure she and the ground team can escape safely if we go ahead with the nuke plan."
Neurotoxins and Exits.
"Alright, showtime. Get ready to run."
Magick hefted Harriet over his shoulder, and a few laps around the section of hall to get used to her additional weight. He had been able to, over time, subtly obtain several of Harriet's cyphers, in case she recieved any orders to the effect of 'liquidate all assets.' And unfortunately, in the eyes of ISIS, he Jack, Miyuki, and Doc all counted as assets. Once Harriet found out, she was going to be mad, furious even; but she would concede him to be a good spy for his work, he knew that much about her personality, or at least the one she'd started wearing when she arrived. Whether or not she would refrain from shooting him was still up in the air, however.
Matron
Robert listened to Aaron's input on the nuke idea, then shook his head, "I'm not talking about arming them. We'd just be using their boosters to simulate multiple ships leaving the atmosphere. It would be the equivalent of lobbing rocks into space... very expensive rocks." he scratched his chin, "A possible way to launch the missiles without arming them would be to see if there is some sort of emergency launch program. You know, if a missile is about to let go, you launch it into orbit and detonate it instead of letting it go off on the ground. At worse all we'd have is several missiles self destructing in orbit which wouldn't be as energetic as their warheads going off."
(OOC: I was going to add this to OOC thread but Nova is not psychic So, she would ask this aloud.)
MATRON
"That is a good point, but here is another point.. Beyond what we could do to the defence computers and launch all missiles, probe and what-not from the pirate base. I wondering, Did the total destruction of the main fleet go unnoticed? and if not Is every living soul running to the nearest ship/transport trying to made a run for it, right now? ", Lt Nova wonders aloud.
PBH
Matron
Xaos patted Nova on the head like he used to when she was small, "don't worry about the life force thing kitten. As for pirate activity, they seem to be going crazy across the whole system." The dark fox opened a view screen in midair and showed multiple scenes of panic, flight and retreat. Acadian fighters were harassing the fleeing pirates. The only thing to escape the system was a cloaked medium sized vessel. It was larger than the one Ana owned, but it was of the same origin.
Mother sighed, "it is impossible to waste time... oh nevermind. There is a central launch control and it is at the main pirate base. Matron has a slaved control system that has been connected to their network for years."
"Yes, it was anticipated that we might need to access their systems at some point in the future, so we integrated a very low-end system into their network when they were building it. We can do whatever we need without having to infiltrate their launch center physically." Matron added.
Gaea smiled adding her voice to the conversation, "I do not wish to seem impatient, but can we please come to a final solution to this situation?"
Saioko raised her hand a bit as she spoke, "wouldn't orbital detonations of nuclear weapons be very high energy bursts? If they are all detonated simultaneously, that should be quite a lot of 'noise', enough to cover a single FTL jump if time precisely enough."
Not having anything to say that would be useful, Richard sipped tea and remained silent.
Causeways, Neurotoxins and the Exit.
The two groups made their way through the the final steps and out of the airlocks. There were no other incidents with harbingers and both parties exited the base, finding themselves outside. The two groups barely had much time to rendezvous before they spotted something unusual.
Awaiting them was a single transparent figure of a fox. The fuchsia colored vulpine was faced away from them and he turned quickly, surprised to find something at last.
He was instantly disappointed, "I sensed an odd energy, not what I was looking for, but it was vulpine in origin. I should have recognized a cyberkinesis application." He was directing most of his attention to Ana, but drifted his gaze to that of Marcus, Dex and even Magick.
"I have been searching ever so long for others like me and thought I might have found one. Do you gentle beings know of Acadians?"
Ben almost levelled his weapon at it, but instead shook his head, "Arcadians? Can't say I've ever been to Arcad. Don't travel much myself, we are mostly just conscripts trying to escape our pirate masters and decided to help this technomage free her friend."
Ana kept a level gaze and shook her head, "I'm not officially with the TL, so I've missed out on any dealings my nation has had with yours. I'm just trying to get my friend back and get out of here. Been having a bit of trouble with that."
The others remained silent, trying to act as normal as they could.
Matron
Aaron shrugged, "I've been saying we should go for a little while now. We now have a decent plan. Mother, could you recall the bots that were on guard duty? Also, can we get to the base to help recover the ground team? If so I want to do that immediately. Either way we need to coordinate with Ana for the nuke covered jump"
Matron
Matron shifted her gaze to Mother who nodded, "it would be best for us to meet them... ah, I am receiving hyperwave connection requests from their comm equipment. What ever was blocking the hyperwave, I suspect it is the structure of the pirate base itself, they have moved away from."
A mass recall was issued for all security robots on patrol and guarding the outpost. They began to return with all haste.
Outside the base
All the Special Forces communications units received a signal strength indicator of two out of six. At this level, communications is patchy and there is a lot of static.
"Communications by hyperband systems, how quaint. My name is Heimdall and we just arrived in system. We are looking for some old friends... they go by the names Xaos and Gaea." The fox smiled pleasantly, but did not take his eyes off of anyone.
Matron
Nova felt like the special little kitten for a second, while Xaos petted her head. Yet, looking at the viewscreens, she catches a sight one of the views from the one of the base cameras with some people in ISF gear.
"Is that our guys there, Mother?" asks the catgirl "And who is that fox?"
PBH
Outside the Pirate Base
Having no actual knowledge of the situation abound, Kinght thought it best to let Ben handle things. He stood in the back, checking on Ana, Holly and Jeanna. He kept his weapon lowered, but ready to snap up at a moments notice. The new stranger seemed odd and out of place. Even more-so than the rest of the mission. He was tempted to say something, but instead held back. He'd promised Saioko he'd avoid unnecessary risk, he'd said he'd come back, and wasn't about to break his word over something as foolish as starting a brawl with what appeared to be an Arcadian.
Tapping Ben on the shoulder, Knight said in a low voice "you got the lead for this... i'm a little more outside the know than usual... i'll have your back, though."
Magick didn't like this. Not at all. Miyuki and Jack had sidled over to him, casting worried glances at the unconcious Harriet. "Jack, general anti-toxin for the bosslady, if you don't mind." The fennec nodded, and fished around the first aide kit, found the needle, and gave Harriet an injection in the neck, not having much time to sterilize the skin first.
"If I give her more than one injection, it might cause her heart to give out, this is essentially a stimulant to counteract the poison's paralytic effect," explained the Techie.
"Doc," the sabel called over to the 'jack of all trades' of the group. "Could you inform the lieutenant of our dear Harriet's pressing medical concerns?"
"Since when did you call the shots?" Miyuki questioned.
"Since Harriet gave me orders to 'call the shots' until we got to an aircraft. Now less talking more pointing your gun uselessly at a mental projection of an energy being."
Outside the Pirate Base
"Acadians hrmm? I kinda remmeber hearing about them a long time ago. The vixen who took me in told me stories about them. Don't remember them much" Doc said looking at the new comer. Then he looked at Magick.
"He's here, he can see for himself. Also seeing that he's here you are no longer in charge. So relax abit will ya?"
Matron
Aaron cringed looking at the new fuchsia fox, "He looks Acadian."
Richard perked his ears, "How can you tell?"
"Mostly it was the fuchsia. Really, how many other fuchsia colored foxes have you seen?"
Richard responded almost immediately, "Once I had to retrieve my little sister from a bad rave. I'm pretty sure there was one there."
"Beside the point really. I don't like this new situation. We need to get there immediately and save our people."
Robert tapped the table idly, "What is the status of your ground team?" he probably could have asked over the comm, but being this wasn't his outfit, he'd rather avoid any confusion stemming from unknown voices. "Do we need a medical team standing by? Fire support? And this Fuchsia Acadian," he glanced over at the other technicolor foxes in the room, "Do you know who he is? And, if so, is he going to be trouble?"
Matron
Xaos had a quizzical look on his face, "I don't know who he is, but you know I've been gone a long time."
Gaea was equally perplexed, but the two kits were excited. Well, Loki was excited and Ixiah was half-excited and half-apprehensive.
"It's Heimdall! Oh cool!" Loki exclaimed. "Let's head down there and meet him. Maybe he can help us."
Loki tried to bolt off, but Ixiah grabbed him by the hand as he tried to explain, "they're brothers, Heimdall is older." Turning to Loki, Ixiah looked him straight in the eyes. With a stern voice he asked Loki, "yes it's Heimdall, but think long and hard about that, why would he turn up here all of a sudden?"
Loki, nose to nose with his blue cousin, could not avoid the older ones gaze, "I... he's with uncle Chronos then. Perhaps we can reason with him, bring him over with us?"
"Not likely, he is probably under the influence of the 'Others' and with Chronos here that makes nearly impossible to reach him. Chronos has always been very good at influencing others in very extraordinary ways." Xaos stated, "regardless, we absolutely cannot reveal ourselves to that apparition."
Matron studied the images she was receiving from nearly halfway around the world, "it is likely a remote viewing construct. One such as Heimdall could not hope to encounter Xaos or Gaea on his own. It poses little real danger, but gives its user a wide range of detection capabilities. Our precautions must be effective if he needs to use one to aid in the search."
"Without going into details that are rather droll to begin with, suffice it to say if he can 'see' us with that, he will narrow us down to such a point that any hope of escape tracking will be highly improbable." Mother added.
"It is up to the team to lose him, let's hope it goes well." Gaea sighed.
Saioko looked around and addressed Matron and Mother, "can you get me a conventional hyperwave channel to communicate with a standard ISIS cypher like on my comm unit?"
Matron nodded and waved her hand in a sweeping gesture. A console activated for the feline.
"Knight this is Captain Natsume. Nice to see we got communications back up. What is your sitrep?" Saioko inquired.
Outside Pirate Base
Magick held up his hands to Doc, "okay chill, I was just calling things as she told me too. We needed direction, but you are right now that the LT is here, he can take over."
Trying not to look suspicious, Magick approached Knight, "our boss is out, harbinger venom. The antitoxin will take, but it needs a bit of time. So what's up with the pink fox?"
Knight received the call from Saioko, "I repeat, what is status?"
Meanwhile Ben stared at the apparition of a fuchsia vulpine.
Heimdall spoke first, "No it's Acadian, not Arcadian. The people of Arcad are silly and I am most definitely not of them."
"Yeah well, whatever. There are space pirates here, you know the type that toss you out of airlocks and steal your ship and cargo? Arr matey and all that? See, they want to kill us and I don't want to be killed. So try and see it my way... you go find your Xaea and Gaos..."
"Gaea and Xaos." Heimdall flatly replied.
"Yeah that... and we'll go escape the pirates."
Heimdall switched from serious to something that could only be described as amorous, "Space Pirates? My brother Loki always wanted to be a space pirate! I will check this out! Say hi to Loki for me."
"Sure thing... er..." Ben stopped and cringed. What the hell, how did I fall for that?
"Aha!" Heimdall exclaimed and pointed at Ben.
Matron
Aaron did so wish that he had some sort of captain's chair to flop into, "Well, owing to the ground team's wet noodle level of intellect, it is safe to assume that they know of Loki's presence. Perhaps Mother can go and save them? Perhaps have Ixiah, Loki and Lt. Nova go aboard Mother."
Aaron had some reservations about this plan. First was that it left him with only Robert, Richard, and Marissa on Matron, and he has no idea who Robert is. Still, Ixiah would be needed to help keep Loki from being too excited, and Mother probably would not budge with Loki still on Matron. This only left the possibility of himself getting mind controlled by Xaos, remote enough that Aaron was comfortable.
Matron
Xaos drifted behind Aaron, having disappeared from his previous position to appear and haunt the gray fox, "you know I can hear your introspection right? Please tell me you don't think that such a thing can be concealed?"
Xaos fails to make any assurances about not mind controlling.
Mother studied the situation and commented, "well, I could go and grab them, but that makes us traceable. Heimdall really can't do anything specifically, but he can follow them. Especially us, Acadians and their descendants. What makes us stronger is a weakness against someone like him."
Gaea frowned, "They need to make him go away. If what you say is true about him, then someone needs to render Ana unconscious. Heimdall can latch onto her conscious mind and follow it anywhere because of what she is. Her mind is far stronger when it is asleep then awake and she can block him. That big eared male... Jack? He is safe, what ever derivative species that he evolved from lost any Acadian influence."
Matron
Aarong shrugged, "It is that capability that make me sure that you either aren't mind controlling me or it doesn't matter. It just annoys me that we seem to have no capability to help them until they lose Heimdall."
"When...I give an order it is to be followed. Even if I am not around to remind you of it." Jack hopped back in surprise, ears down, eyes wide, a tinge of red growing across his face, and his tail firmly protecting his rear end. Meanwhile, Harriet, having regained consciousness for a brief period of time, still had her still working hand in the air, at fox tushie hight.
"Th-that was completely inappropriate, Harriet!" The fennec blustered, narrowing his gaze. "We're in the middle of a mission."
Harriet found she was having an easier time talking, thanks to the stimulant fighting off some of the less anchored paralysis; and thus smiled for the first time in what seemed like forever. "Aww, c'mon Jack. I'm probably going to die, can't I get cut some slack? In any event, it seems this is the end of this mission. As you lot are either waiting for the pirates to find and shoot you all, or for the new guy's long range-weapons to get a lock on our position." Fortunately, Magick had decided to hold Harriet over his shoulder on the side that she could see what was going on, with a mild lag between video and audio. "While you all run that over in your minds, I'm going back to unconsciousness now. Good night."
And just like that, her arm went limp again.
Matron
"Is there anything that can block or distract Heimdall? He is only a hologram or astral-projection, a ghost. With a EM pulse effect his present form or something, Wait!... Is he locking on to Ana right now? This maybe the only way to lost him, by normal means.
"Saioko, you need tell Knight to sedate Ana quietly by accident, and then we have make the some near by explosion as distraction(a "misfired" missile should do the trick or defense bot), and that should give the strike team a few seconds of distraction. They can run away from Hiemdall and hopefully loose him. Mother can pick them quickly, even if they have to split up.
Or
I could just singing to Heimdall over the comm link, but that may only help him get a fix on us. And confirm that Xaos and Gaea are here."
"In any case, Major, sir, we will have to split ourselves up, Loki and I will have to return to Mother. Ixiah and yourself can stay on Matron. Mother and I will keep Loki in line, for his safety and the safety of us, all. We can get our people out of the harm's way, but we have to get going. Saioko, Robert, and Richard, you welcome to come along, if the Major says so. We can continue to debate on the way there over comms."
Nova didn't like leave Matron to the Major or to anyone, but her people were in danger, and the quicker she got them back the quicker she could be back here. The quicker we all will be able to escape. She hug Gaea one at last time, and Matron found her crystal necklace back on her. *Mara?* Matron nobs.
Nova walks to Loki and then heads to the door at a walk, knowing the Aaron would says something to stop her.....Would he?
PBH
Outside Pirate Base
Knight checked his comm unit, Saioko was calling... how was she... oh. Right. ISIS code. He replied, "Things are a bit more complicated than i'd like down here. We're okay, and preparing to evac... but seems to have hit a bit of a snag. I'll keep the channel open for now, and we'll try and... Shit... i'll get back to you in a moment..."
Cutting his mic, Knight grabbed Ben by the shoulder and went to introduce himself. The odd colored fox didn't seem all that intimidating... but then again, he'd seen the 2 'children' tear through a pirate base with total disregard for life... given their abilities, this one wasn't something to trifle with. "While standing around chatting is all well and good... would you mind if we had this chat on the run... we're still in range of the pirate snipers and probably their mechs too. I'd like to avoid getting shot today."
He started to move deeper into the forest, hoping the Acadia would either be dumbfounded, and therefore stunned into inaction, or pick-up the hint that the team needed to put more distance between them and the base before things turned very ugly. Hopefully he could work something out on the move... that would be ideal... however, chances were that this whole mission got a lot more complicated. Activating his pick-up again, he said to Saioko, "We've got an Acadian here... didn't catch his name, what 'm i supposed to do with him?"
"Saioko, you need tell Knight to sedate Ana quietly by accident, and then we have make the some near by explosion as distraction(a "misfired" missile should do the trick or defense bot), and that should give the strike team a few seconds of distraction. They can run away from Hiemdall and hopefully loose him. Mother can pick them quickly, even if they have to split up."
Robert stood up and planted his hands on the table, "This is how you treat your team mates!?" he sneered, "Its one thing to sedate a person if they are physically or mentally unfit for duty, but to just do it because its convenient!? We should be talking about this with this Ana, not putting her down like she's a prisoner." He sat back down, "Sedating her now will just add one more body to lug around to an extraction point slowing the rest down. Even then we don't know if Hiemdall can't follow them using sight via whatever projection device of his. If Hiemdall is fixated on her, then she might be able to be a distraction for him."
Matron
Nova stops and looks at Robert with sigh. "You are right, We should talk to Ana about this in front of Hiemdall, while we decide if Ana should be put down temporary. Romy will be burden with her weight trying to run away, but they will not get away with her conscious. And yes, I am sure Heimdall can use line of sight, but he can't follow them all at once."
"I wish We could talk to her about this, But when you are around any telepaths. All comm channels are open party channels with your enemy. I am not sure, he can or can't read their minds, right now."
"What do you suggest? When you are talking on a party line and the guests have itchy trigger fingers?"
PBH
Matron
"Mmm... something still bothers me about that. If... 'he' is psychic, then why doesn't he already know where we are? The strike team knows where Matron is. Either he plays a far too dangerous game, or he can't read minds when he is like that, can he? The strike team can't possibly be that good at blocking mind probes if he were trying to get our location that way."
Xaos just has a shit eating grin on his face. Aaron is also thinking that psionics may be a bit overrated with trying to read thoughts, because Xaos is almost certainly thinking, 'and a dim bulb brightens'. Xaos certainly seems willing to play dangerous games.
"Nova, first off the mission out has been scrapped. He might not be able to rip information out of people's minds, but apparently he can still track Acadians, and that will not workout well. Robert, sedating Ana may be the only solution. This is a matter of us getting out alive and not enslaved to the Ixlin. Saioko, please inform Knight about Heimdall, especially the part where it looks like he seems to be a projection that tracks Acadians, but cannot read minds. Tell him he may have to improvise with Ana."
Saioko looked uneasy, but relayed the major's instructions, "Knight, you need to lose him. He seems to be a projection for tracking Acadians, though not a mind reader. We are told that he can latch onto Ana's mind and follow her, so she needs to be rendered unconscious."
Aaron did not like the idea, especially since the idea could be used against him. However, getting out is the priority.
Matron
"So, What you are saying is that Loki nor any fox here shouldn't try and meet up with the strike team? Can Mother go and get them IF they can escape Hiemdall? Because, I wan't going to let Loki or myself leave the ship, if we did go rescuing them. I just think we need to ready to pick up them as soon as they lose him."
"Mother, Can you block Hiemdall from detecting you? And How much time do you need to link with Matron, so we can get out of here, without detection?" asks Nova.
PBH
In touch with the ground... I'm on the hunt I'm after you
The team quickly followed Knight as he headed into the forest. Ben and the rest of the special forces formed up around the group as they had in the base, with Harriet's team forming up around her and Magick.
In Knight's comm, Saioko repeated herself, "Eric, acknowledge please. You need to lose the Acadian. He's a tracking projection of some kind, no mind reading. He can latch onto Ana's mind and follow her, so she needs to be rendered unconscious."
The navy blue vixen's ear that was faced towards Knight twitched and both of them laid back, I hope they plan on consulting me first. She reviewed the data overlay in her field of vision and noted the very low energy levels, it might be moot soon anyways.
Glancing sideways, the small vixen caught Dex's attention with a gesture of her hand, "Dex, maybe you should call Starchaser and we all can take a quick ride out of here. I'd do it myself, but I'm running out of energy operating on straight cyberware like this."
Despite the attempt at confusion by the snow leopard, Heimdall watched them scurry off. Grinning, he drifted after them, catching up to Knight, "I wouldn't worry too much about those pirates really. They are all in a panic, killing each other over anything that can get them into space. You've slipped their minds I imagine, that is unless they realize you must have a ship. Maybe you had better keep moving. So how far to Loki?"
Despite the ease at which he drifted along with Knight, there was one point where he gazed around in various directions as if searching for something else. He still managed to 'fly' while doing this. When he finished what ever he was doing, he had to search around despite being next to the group, and ultimately 'saw' Ana first and then he was able to 'see' Knight again.
Saioko adds, "when you loose him, keep low if you are using the air transport. If Ana and her crew are bringing their ship, then it needs to stay under 30 meters for a 100 kilometer radius near Heimdall's last known position."
Matron
Mother shook her head in response to Nova, "no Nova, I cannot 'block' Heimdall from seeing us and neither can Matron. The system is a remote viewing, psionic, ground tracking system. It would be ineffective above one kilometer off the surface, but most of their ship sensors will take over at that level. When they lose him, they will need to keep to the pirate's level of technology and below 100 meters, any higher level of technology use will need to keep below 30 meters for at least 100 kilometer radius around his last known position. This is keeping a good margin for error."
Saioko notes the information.
Matron conferred with some unseen source and reported, "all preparations are ready, we can begin linking procedures."
Loki, now distracted from Heimdall, threw his fist up in the air and gave a very enthusiastic grin, "let's do it! Thunderbirds are go!"
Mother sighed, once linked she would be committed to this path and her data signatures forever tagged with Alpha code identifiers. Loki was directing her to do it, so she could not fully disobey. Well, she could, but inside she knew this course to be the best option.
"I must withdraw for a moment, Alexis can take over in my place while I perform the integration." Mother disappeared and was replaced with a somewhat shorter, wilder, and younger appearing duplicate.
Matron took this moment to bow quietly and exit through the door towards parts unknown.
Alexis, never an adept of the segue, spouted a small analysis of data she had been privy to, "Our tactical analysis is not favorable if we are discovered. My projections also show that there is a 63.45% chance that Chronos will still destroy this planet even if we escape." Alexis added.
Meanwhile outside, Matron the physical ship used her conventional gravitic landing units to hover herself out of the centuries of earth and rock that had formed around her. The crystalline hull material was not marred in anyway and no planetary material had adhered to its surface. She was massive in comparison to Mother who was positioning herself above. The very organic construction of the smaller vessel contrasted with the more metallic and crystalline appearance of the larger.
Mother released the fighters which took up residence in Matron's more normal hanger-like bay. A section, mid-line and further aft, opened revealing a snug little recessed spot intended for Linu-tan, but it could easily accommodate Mother. As if hesitating, Mother descended to a point only a few meters from the deck. Here she was braced by connectors and retention units designed to allow for linkage. A protective cover slid into place, but a large portion of it was transparent, perhaps to allow her a 'view' as it were.
Xaos dusted off his hands in a manner that would suggest he had done something other than drift and be mischievious, "that is... as they say, that."
Matron
"Thunderbirds are Go!!" laughs Nova "ha ha Thunderbirds .... Goddess, I missed them ". Nova sat down in a lite mood, but she still needed to think of how to made and use a EMI pulse to help mask their escape with everything from the pirate base. If she could help in the rescue, she would have to work on the escape.
"Would a tachon pulse do better than a EMI pulse in covering our trail? Do the pirates have anything that can produce one?" asks Nova
PBH
In touch with the ground... I'm on the hunt I'm after you
As the oddly colored vulpine disappeared from view, Knight's first reaction was to keep moving, keep the team venturing further away from the pirate base. He heard the confirmation of what he didn't want to hear and used the moments confusion to reply, "Understood, i'm filing an official complaint against this, but understood."
He took a moment to collect his thoughts, giving the team a grim yet annoyed look. He said, "Jack, give me a general anesthesia. Command says they're tracking us through Ana, and the only way to keep him away is to take her out of the picture completely."
The vulpine reappeared, speaking to the team. Knight replied, "You're asking a grunt where someone considerably more important, and valuable is? Last i heard that was on a need to know basis... we didn't need to know" he gave a shrug as he moved over to Ana. Rather than saying anything, he typed a message on his PDA... he wasn't sure how finely tuned the vulpine's ears were, so he figured he'd play it safe. The message read Command says he's tracking us through you. Need to put you under until clear. No other options... Sorry.
He hoped she'd give some sign of understanding as he passed the small computer to her, careful to keep the small screen out of the Acadian's eyes.
Matron
Gaea patted Nova on the head, "indeed that would be much better then primitive fission devices, but other then something like a TARDIS... how do you generate a tachyon pulse of the magnitude needed without nearly literally screaming 'hey, here I am!' as you use it?"
Alexis nodded, "it would be best to stick with the... 'atomics', such a quaint and cute word, much less of high tech tail hair."
Smell like a sound I'm lost in a crowd and I'm hungry like the wolf
Ana gazed at the Personal device curiously with ears perked up, they immediately laid flat back against her head as she gave Knight the most angry pouting face she could muster in her current state.
She handed him back the data pad with the message: Fine, I'm not happy at all with this, but just get it over with. You have to carry me though as punishment.
Jack fumbled around for an anesthetic and found a hypo with a seriously strong substance to be used in small dosage. Guessing that Anastasia was a techno-cyber Mage from her comments earlier, he toggled it to maximum.
Ana was staring furiously at the fennec, but sighed letting her tail drop a bit mirroring her ears as they drooped off to the sides. She bit her lip and nodded ever so slightly.
Jack stepped in and administered the hypo directly to her neck. The aura and bright golden glow instantly disappeared as she gaped wide eyed for a moment before they became ever so heavy.
"D..don't woory... I dun l...let this h...urt our workin relashunship Kniiiight. B...uy me dinner somewheres. Wow gud shtuff." She dropped off slumping into the snow leopard's grasp.
Heimdall blinked a moment, not having paid much attention to what was transpiring, "hey now, no nipping the tail and hiding your eyes..." He was still staring at Knight more or less but he seemed to have to work to keep his eyes focused, "that's not playing fair."
Matron
"Especially since we can use someone else's atomics."
Fortunately it seemed like the plan was working. Or it looked like the plan was working. Unfortunately view screens don't let you know what people are thinking.
Xaos shrugged, always ready to reply to Aaron's every thought, "Oh, there are other systems for that Aaron. We'd need to train you on how to use them, though right now it would still be useless since you can't follow the thoughts of a projection. Nothing there really."
Sigh. Still, Knight's formal complaint threat seemed silly. Almost something out of a human movie he saw once[1]. Aaron is almost certain at this point that, upon his return, Aaron will be promoted to colonel and then promptly shot. He has most certainly straddle the line in discord and rhyme.
[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUAK7t3Lf8s
Walking in the woods
Doc slowly begins to slip into the woods and away from Heimdell. He shifts the body on his shoulders abit.
Straddle the line, in dischord and rhyme. (why yes, i do that song :P)
"It's fine, Ana, i've got you." There was no time to be dainty, to be gentlemanly. The situation required efficiency and stealth. As Himdall made the claim of not fighting fair, Knight figured they were on the right track. He continued to be quiet, wrapping his arms up and under the technomage's shoulders, putting her face in his chest, but his hands as visible as possible.
With the apparently lost nature of the Acadian Kight issued his next set of orders via hand signals Throw 2 grenades towards pirate base. Move fast, stay low, stay quiet. Move for rendezvous await further orders there.
He felt Ana's limp form in his grasp. Remaining quiet himself as he very carefully hoisted her over his shoulder, widening his stance to compensate for her added weight. Firing the gauss rifle was going to be interesting now. Hopefully the rest of the team had security covered, leaving him to issue commands, and get them off this rock before yet another snag reared it's ugly head.
He waited just long enough to see an arm arch and one of the small explosive devices be hoisted towards other end of the clearing, before starting to slide into the brush and towards the waiting ship.
Matron
A small kitten jumps from Nova's chest on the table. A control terminal appears besides her. Nova looks up the inventory of missles and warheads from the pirate base. Robert would notice that the cat girl is reading in Acadian and typing, as she looks at the orbits the Uncle Asteroid, the planet and the position of the pirate base and Matron.
"The best time to escape would be when the planet is between us and Mr Big Meany. I am setting up an explosion pattern to increase the planet's shadow but also look like a random/panicky attack against the invading force. The EMI pulses will add noise to the background and stuff. Our(ISF) scanners would have troubles this stunt, but Will it effect his scans? We have less than two hours before he is a position to see us on the surface, and the best time is for launch our attack is in 45 minutes." reports Nova...
"Anything I missed?" asks Nova
PBH
Matron
A plan of action had been put into motion, and now Robert found himself in a rather interesting position. And by interesting he meant frustrating as hell. This was technically their operation, and they would probably get a bit antsy if he wandered off to whatever resembled engineering and started to poke around.
Actually, to be honest... nobody here was really qualified to tinker around on this ship, much less one that was probably going to ravage time and space like a pretty new prison inmate.
Still, if he didn't start working on something constructive, he felt he'd go crazy. Likely give in to his dark temptations to bat people about their heads. He stood up, "It sounds like we're moving forward. Is there anything here that needs fixing" he glanced over to Aaron, "or breaking," he let that phrase linger for a moment, "That about sums up my expertise."
Matron
"Oh Good luck with that, They will not let me very far passed the front door to engineering on board Mother. I am pretty sure I never been anywhere near the really enginee.....rinng on this ship." Nova stops talking when she sees the mischievous gin of Xaos...."or was I?" asks the catgirl
"The ISF fighters maybe need some work, they always do." says Alexis. "but Matron and Becca take care of ALL maintenance on board Acadian ships."
PBH
I used to rule the world... Seas would rise when I gave the word (Matron)
It had been awhile since Xaos had shifted his attention off of the ISF expeditionary team members, but this time the dark fox turned from Aaron and Nova and approached Robert, "now that we are about off to ravage time and space like a large prison inmate who has just been handed a new and pretty cellmate... would you like to see your friends that were in that escape pod with you?"
Gaea took this moment to step to the middle of the room and address everyone present, something about her draws all attention of those present with the exception of Xaos and Robert, "everyone, it is time we relocated our operations to the command center. Everyone please follow me."
The golden brown vixen exited the room in the same direction as Matron had gone. Alexis followed, as did Saioko. Richard waited for Aaron to move. Ixiah and Loki pulled Nova along one kit on each of her hands.
The command deck was a bit more conventional not unlike that of a very futuristic ISF cruiser of similar class (though the ISF Fleet does not possess a Temporal and Dimensional Research Cruiser). The area is significantly larger, at least twice the size of the Revelation's command deck.
Matron, Mother and Rebecka were already present. Some type of discussion just ended as everyone enters. Rebecka seems to be a bit angry, Matron is ignoring her and Mother is in-between both looking a bit embarrassed.
In opposite corners of this deck were two circular pads, approximately five by five foot areas, in which stood a dull, graphite grey furred fox. One per pad with the one to the right being male and the one to the left being female. There is a field of energy enclosing the pads and both hover at a point equal distance from the floor to the ceiling.
I'm on the hunt I'm after you. Mouth is alive with juices like wine (Running through the Forest)
The grenades were lit off and tossed as instructed and their detonations had a few results. The energy discharges of the explosions actually managed to distract the attention of Heimdall for a moment, resulting in even more confusion when he turned back to find Knight had moved position. The fox did not notice any other team members as they ran past the projection.
"Oh you little... arrrggghhh!" The image disappeared in a huff.
Near the area of the grenade explosions suddenly lit up with laser fire and short range rockets as a previously unknown element of pirate forces began returning fire wildly and randomly.
As Knight and company moved farther away, it became apparent that there was fighting occurring from behind them, but no one was aware of their presence for the moment.
Holly considered the possibility of soliciting aid from those forces, or at least dashing off towards them, but Ben poked her with the barrel of his gun, "don't think that's a good idea."
Holly apparently agreed because she followed the rest of the team without much more persuasion.
Dex and Marcus caught Knight's attention and gestured towards a large clearing within the forest. Sitting in the clearing was an aerodynamic wedge shaped ship the color of obsidian. The ramp was down and Dex gestured towards it. The ship was Starchaser and the size of an Airbus A380.
"Everyone aboard, this will be a better choice than that air transport. Better in a fight if we have to tangle with pirate aircraft." Dex stated.
Now in the morning I sleep alone... Sweep the streets I used to own
It was moments like these that had Aaron about ready to pick a religious pantheon and start praying. Not really sure which one. Preferably one with angry wrathful gods that smite people. Physical pain he could deal with.
"Speaking of interstellar prison, might I inquire about... the floaters?"
((Edited to change from federal prison. On reflection that seemed... out of place.))
FLEEEE!!!!!
By the time he caught sight of the aircraft, Knight had begun to huff a bit with each step. He wasn't used to carrying so much equipment to begin with. "Just make sure it's transponder is disabled before we lift off... last thing we need is them able to track us because we failed to disable a radio beacon screaming 'HERE WERE ARE, PLEASE COME SHOOT US!'... also... before i forget... command said we've got a operating ceiling of 30 meters."
He made his way towards the ship. "We ARE LEAVING PEOPLE, LET'S MOVE IT!" he shouted, urging the team on, while trying to keep on the lookout for that rogue pirate element that had been in the area.
Run through the jungle
Doc shifted the body and moved towards the transport. He looked back over his shoulder.
"You know they could be fighting with the Harbingers as well. Those things have gone like major agro since that queen showed up. Also could be units under different people using this opportunity to take control of the pirates"
What is behind the secret door? Oh but everyone knows that is behind the secret door. Matron
"The Bridge? It looks so much bigger than I remember it" said Nova to Loki. The cat girl went closer to the graphite foxes "Mm-mm They look like of familiar, Major, Don't they? I don't think they imprisoned, more like in stasis."
The Kitten-Mara traveled to Matron's side, jumps up on the console and looking proudly on the main view. Nova moved to stand by Rebecca, trying to give her silence support. Nova looked to engineering stations panels to see how the intergration of Mother's drive signature over Matron was going. It seem to be faultless, but Nova could tell the Matron's signature was slightly changing Mother overall pattern energy pattern. (which must be tying Rebecca in knots)
Meanwhile Alexsi and Saioko were preparing the pirate's missile defenses to fire on the Blue Meany, and create a scanner shield between the planet and the invading fleet.
PBH
In a system Far Far Away (OOC: forgive me the long intro)
La'orth pressed his head back into the rest as the Virtual Intelligence moved the interface plug forward. He could feel the shock webbing moving to hold him as the plug hit home, the interface activated, and he became his fighter. Instead of arms and legs he felt wings and thrusters, in the place of eyes and ears he could "see" everything around him through his fighter's sensors, and instead of his own skin he "felt" the armored shell of his H'vae'ek starfighter. He did a half roll to his right and then back again to make sure he had full control, as it was always good to take a moment to accustom yourself to the change in perception. He could immediately tell that the thruster nozzles along his left wing were fractions of a percent less efficient than those on his right; a problem the VI had already alerted him to, but one that couldn't be helped at the moment.
Now that he was his fighter he got a more direct sense of the positions, rotations, and headings of his flight-mates. Eler'an, S'voak'kilir, Du'ilccad, and Vethik, each in their own H'vae'ek starfighter, were spread out in a loose skirmishing formation. Vethik was firing questions about their target to Eler'an whose H'vae'ek was outfitted with a much stronger sensor suite than the rest. After acknowledging Du'ilccad's notification that he was disengaged from his neural link, La'orth concentrated his senses on the rapidly looming space station that they were approaching.
The target had been detected as an odd mass anomaly near the edge of the system by the Keno'ovek Sailiri, an Ulnek class escort cruiser. After dropping off La'orth's flight on an intercept course the cruiser had continued on to investigate the planet that had been their initial target. The anomaly had quickly resolved into a derelict space station of unknown make. The system appeared uninhabited, and the station appeared to be ancient. It seemed very likely it would be nothing more than salvage, but it would be both a huge haul and of great interest. The station was impressive in scope, being nearly two miles long, and had a thin, cylindrical shape. Its obvious alien design would give the scientists centuries of interesting study. Initial hails had received no responses, which made it seem very likely that the station was indeed derelict, and La'orth had received the go-ahead to do several close flybys.
"Hold the chatter a moment," he thought/broadcast to his flight, "we're coming into range of close sensors."
He was proud that despite the informality between them, his flight got down to business immediately. "Getting some fun scans here." Eler'an's message was more like a thought being broadcast to him like this than a verbal communication.
"Anything useful? Any signs of life in this hunk of junk?" He sent back.
"Nope. The mechs in the fleet will love to get this much refined... Wait. I'm seeing some power in it." Eler'an linked her readings to La'orth. Something was definitely active in the station now. That brought a long pause.
S'voak'kilir broke the silence, "So... Knock on the docking bay doors?"
La'orth broadcast a general first-contact signal instead. He got a response almost immediately, which meant that the power source as well as other systems was still functional. The return transmission was very basic and did not seem hostile so he queued up his fighter's VI to help coordinate the translation.
"Jack in folks. It doesn't seem hostile, but I want you ready to move. Du'ilccad I know you're supposed to be out now, but home will forgive you the overtime for this. I think I'll need your cryptography, so tight beam a link to me."
Du'ilccad joined him in a moment. La'orth thought that this neural tightbeam link was probably what telepathy would feel like, and he could "feel" Du'ilccad's fatigue from his time jacked in. Du'ilccad sent him a highly improper request to keep his mind on the task. With the additional software and experience Du'ilccad brought a basic conversation with the station was understandable after only an hour or so. The station didn't recognize the newcomers and wanted identification. La'orth told it the truth; they were explorers and members of the Korsinian species. He even sent it the basic first-contact information package. Something was clearly wrong with the station's computer because it kept pausing in its communication and then asking the same questions again. With Du'ilccad working on the problem of improving communication La'orth sent a request for more information from the station to see if he could find out something about it in return.
After a long pause the station beamed back what resembled a generic user interface. It had a large number of options, but all of the labels were in an alien language which binary wasn't useful for defining. Essentially at a dead end, La'orth beamed a copy of the interface to Du'ilccad before sending a request to the station to exit and log off. There was a pause as though the station was thinking hard about something, and then it sent back a query and highlighted an option from a corner of the interface with another snippet of alien language.
"Got it stuck on a user screen. I asked it to exit and it highlighted an option and sent me something else back. I can't read the script; thoughts?" La'orth sent to his flight as they began making another pass.
"It'll take time to break their language, but at least their computers can read 1's and 0's. You asked it to exit to the last screen?" Sent Du'ilccad
"Yeah, try an information request. Then ask to exit." He paused as Du'ilccad did so.
"The computer coding is similar to what my VI identifies 'exit.' Seems safe to OK the log out."
La'orth sent back confirmation of the selection as he flew down the length of the station. The world exploded. He experienced a world bathed in energy as an incandescent arc ran between the station and his fighter. In the blink of an eye it was gone, but the replacement was worse. The sensors fed him conflicting reports about how the space around him solidified into plasma, or maybe it split into a fractal, or twisted into a cube with more than three dimensions, or stretched into a string, or any of a dozen other impossibilities. He wrenched himself free of the neural plug as his head seemed to explode with stars. Back in his own body the world was spinning and his head felt like it was splitting open. Through blurry vision he could vaguely see that his computer wasn't connected to the station anymore and that the VI was trying to reestablish control.
The possibility of an attack hadn't been lost to him, but he had expected more warning; some kind of power surge or a weapons lock. His flight-mates quickly became the foremost worry in his mind. How many had been hit? His HUD made no sense though; the station and his flight were both gone, and preliminary reports from the VI showed a completely different sea of stars in the space around him. It seemed unlikely that the entire star system had moved so La'orth must be somewhere else.
"F-f-full s-scan. F-find out-t w-w-where I am." He said, knowing that the VI would pick it up.
"Initial scans show small amount of debris matching the hull composition of the unknown station. Primary size is particulate and spread is extreme. Likely destruction date is beyond estimation. Preliminary mass readings suggest an unknown star system."
La'orth thought something very unbecoming through his splitting headache. He was alone and in uncharted space.
Robert cocked his head at the fox and crossed his arms in front of him as the fox had repeated his thought practically verbatim. He was clearly not impressed, and was beginning to become irritable again; likely due to the fact that since waking up he hadn't properly slept, or eaten anything. More so, it was because this entire group of spooks seemed happy enough to treat his thoughts as spoken words. Not that he was too concerned with offending anyone, he could care less about that, but the non sequiturs made it hard to follow the conversations.
There was a slight itch in the back of his mind, something that he had come to call a form of disaster sense. It was a combination of cynicism, gut instinct, dread, and paranoia; and right now it was telling him that what he was about to ask would result in another complicated answer that he might not want to know. Unfortunately, he didn't have the luxury of ignoring the question, those two were about as close as family to him, and he had to ask, for their sakes. "Where are they? Take me to them," his tone had a steely edge to it.
I used to roll the dice. Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes.
Gaea considered Aaron's question carefully before answering, "these two are Khaine and Lilith. They are Ahrimen's chief assassins sent to destroy Xaos and myself. These two are the reason Matron crashed, why my mate and I are 'mostly deceased', and why the Sphere of Harmonies is damaged. Our essences are linked to these two..." The vixen smiled with a sinister look that would have turned Xaos to ice, "but with Aaron here we can heal ourselves and sever the connection to these two."
Richard did not seem to like the tone of Gaea, but looked to Aaron before making any comment on the situation.
Mara commented to Nova, "silly, you were never on the bridge... we always went to the uh... battle bridge, the secondary bridge... my mom has only recently fixed the main bridge."
Loki seemed fascinated by the imprisoned foxes, "I don't know either of these two, I've never heard of them."
To Nova, the gray foxes do look a lot like Aaron. Aaron himself does see some slight resemblance, but it is only coincidence and a voice in his head (his piece of his mom) confirms that these two are not related to him.
Saioko and Alexis finish their calculations. Saioko reports the status, "we are prepping all the various silos for launch. We have severed the connections from all pirate control unless they start cracking open the hard lines to the silos themselves and hack them directly at the local level. I can't counter hack every attempt, but they couldn't do much more than five percent damage to our overall launch numbers."
Alexis opens a status page on the main holoscreen showing all the launch units and their statuses. Some missiles were taking longer to prep than others and that seemed to be a factor of different models and firmware issues with the embedded control structures, "we are on schedule, but we will want to hold until we have ninety percent at full launch readiness."
Further into Matron
Xaos led the squirrel off into the depths of the ship. He did not offer any comment for a good few moments before breaking the silence.
"I apologize for the strangeness of this question. A male and a female were with you on that escape pod. The vixen we are familiar with, we will see Mina in a moment... she is special. The male, what is his name and what do you refer to his species as? I am not a xeneologist, so I am not sure what he is and I have not been supervising his recovery directly like I did your own. You seem to identify him as Spatz and he is a rat, but that can't be a real name."
The two of them arrived in a pod room containing a single active unit just like the one Robert had found himself in when he awoke.
Starchaser scherzo
Ben and Hacker held the landing ramp as they ushered everyone up and aboard. Jack, Miyuki, and Magick, with Harriet being carried, were the first group up.
Marcus was helping Jeanne up the ramp, a good trooper she was in her condition, the exertion had finally caught up with her. The injury weighted down on her and more time in medical was needed for her, but otherwise she was holding up well.
The prisoner Holly looked back towards the base, barely visible due to distance and foliage, and gave a very audible sigh. Her white uniform was tattered, dirty from running through a forest, causeways, and combat. Her hesitation was noticeable.
Voices of a distant star system
The diagnostics of his ship showed it was largely intact. There were some noticeable structural anomalies that were likely caused by tremendous stress. These could be repaired by the internal systems without much expenditure of resources.
A sensor scan of the local area shows the debris field as the most immediate feature. The local star was a moderate sized red sun. Around it was a singular planet in a fairly ideal orbit for this sequence of star.
The debris field seems to indicate a placement far from the singular world, relatively speaking of course.
An interesting note was from the planet, a regular pulse of radio and x-ray rays seemed to occur every ten minutes.
Listen as the crowds would sing, "Now the old king is dead, long live the king!"
This conversion was raising red flags at an alarming rate, "Wait a second, can we back up a second and get some answers? You dropped at least three names I've never heard before. Like Ahrimen. That does not sound like a happy name. Who is he, why was he sending assassins, why are you linked with them, and why are you linked with them?"
It was this moment that Aaron kind of envied Marissa, happily napping away right now...
Marissa's dream scape
Marissa recognized this dream. She has occasionally had this dream since she was six. Though, never had she dreamed so lucidly. Not much had changed... which was kind of troublesome, what with her dress that she was completely unsure of how she could even walk in it, much less how it stayed on. The expanse around here was almost nothing but snow, except for the cliff right behind her that went straight down into an ocean. From the distance an angelic fox with large white wings and soft blue fur came along to save her and guide her home,
"Marissa! I have come to save you! Please come with me and..."
"Er, well, one second please."
The angelic fox looked genuinely startled, "Oh?"
"Well, first I have to say thank you for saving me all this time, in my dreams that is. Erm... I'm not sure how to say this really, but... well... I'm expecting someone else now. Aaron, he should be along soon to save me. I think he is rather busy right now, but he'll be along. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for you being my dream angel and all... but... erm..."
The angel smirked and disappeared, fading into the snow. Or perhaps becoming part of the snow? So hard to tell. Marissa had a new task. First, she had to make some reasonable cloths. The cold didn't bother her so much, but six year olds should not be making dresses. Next, she needed a castle. Being saved from a snow storm along was kind of boring. There had to be a moat, and a labyrinth inside. Oh this will be fun!
Matron
Aaron felt a whole new wave of impending doom, "Eep, cold shivers."
Richard sighed, "So many new questions, ja? I'm especially curious about why Aaron is so vital to your healing and connection severing? If I recall correctly, Aaron's connecting with someone who was mostly dead was not overly healthy for him."
Aaron nods, "Yes, though it was ultimately helpful to Marissa. Still, why am I needed for all of that?"
Aaron harbored his suspicions, mostly that some major commitment on his part was needed. Of course, he had come much to far to back out of helping. He was pretty reasonably commited and there seemed to be no good way out of it.
One minute I held the key, next the walls were closed on me
Gaea tapped her right cheek gently as she thought, "yes, sorry... name dropping, not very professional of myself is it? Ahrimen is like Chronos, one of the traitors that sided with the Ixlin. He is the eldest of those that were tasked with waging war in pre-ascension Acadian society. These assassins were sent after us because we are the only two who know enough to seal the only portal to the Ixlin reality one way or another."
The golden brown vixen approached the tube containing the female, "we are linked because it was the only way to save our lives. When they attacked we were caught by surprise, such is their skill, and our damage was sufficient to end our existences if not for our contingencies that lashed out at them... tearing into their being and siphoning a small bit of their energies to support our own, mortally injured selves. Now Xaos and I are little more than unlife, scouring the life force from the living to satiate our thirst. Well, nothing so gruesomely undead... but as good an explanation as any."
She drew her hand across the energy field, which responded much like glass would under the same type of tactile contact. "with Aaron... and Marissa... two awakened, but unascended Acadians, we can take a part of your essences and give you a bit of our own. With a living shard we can rebuild our spark of life. Our unliving shards will reanimate within you, replace your lost parts, and strengthen your form with ancient power."
Gaea hated information dumps, but continued irregardless, "ascended essences become static, whereas the unascended remain dynamic. A static essence can only maintain our unlife, dynamic can revive us. I am not able to create life, only to rekindle it... enhance it."
Raptors. In. Spaaaaaaaaaace.
La'orth fumbled with with the medical pod, trying with bleary vision to get the cursed pain supressant into the injector. He almost dropped it twice and nearly got it in backwards once, but he finally convinced it to go in the device and a few moments later he was relaxing and waiting for the medicine to kick in. Then the VI beeped at him. Looking down he saw that it had compiled a short list of suggested activities: repair his fighter, activate the distress beacon, and wait for rescue.
"You get to work on the first, I'm not doing the second with a possibly inhabited planet of unknowns out there, and the last... Move us toward the planet at a speed to get the repairs done before we get there. We're going to in investigate like the mission profile asked, but we're doing this quiet. Keep emissions low, sensors on passive, and no broadcasting. Oh, and let's analyze that signal. Infrequent and regular is more like a distress beacon. Does the coding match anything recognizeable; namely that station I was just at?"
After a few minutes of VI-controlled flight he dropped the distress beacon behind the fighter but left it off. Considering his initial scans, even an intact spheroid that small would stand out to anyone who apprached his entry point. Nobody on the planet should be able to detect it this far out. Then he sat back to wait for the medicine's fuzziness to go away so he could get a better look at this signal.
And I discovered that my castles stand, Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
Aaron almost ate the floor. Had someone offered to trade a shard of their soul for a shard of his soul even just a month and a half ago his answer probably would have been, 'who the hell are you? How did you get past security?' Now it is not only a serious proposal, it may be the only realistic answer...
"So, you need a shard of my and Marissa's soul to fully revive you and Xaos? This is a pretty major thing for me."
Richard looks at Aaron, "Boss? Are you seriously thinking about it?"
"A bit late for that Richard, already decided. Though you and Xaos will have to ask Marissa yourself, I won't tell her what to do."
Gaea gave Aaron a funny look and chuckled a bit, "You mortals are fairly silly about your essence. Souls or whatever you wish to call it."
Aaron just glared back as Gaea, who seemed completely unphased by Aaron's look, "I suppose. Still, I'm willing to go through with it. I've suck my neck out often enough, putting my essence out on the line seems like a logical continuation of the trend. Though I do have two more questions. What kind of time frame are you talking about in terms of you rebuilding your spark, and mine being replaced slash enhanced? Also, what will happen to them, the two floating in the tank, once you don't need them?"
Aaron turned to face the main screen, "Still, all of that should probably wait anyways. At this moment we should focus our efforts on extracting the ground team and escaping the system. Unless you're saying that such a trade needs to happen immediately?"
All Aboard the Strange and Derelict Ship
Knight hoisted Ana over a shoulder, he waited for the team to make their way in, waiting for everyone who could get on before him to move up. He saw Holly's hesitation and quickly shifted his grip on Ana, freeing up the closer arm. He patted her on the shoulder and said, "Come on, you've said it yourself, you're dead if you go back there. Not the time to get second thoughts, Holly, we've gotta leave."
He gently tugged at her shoulder, urging her up the ramp. He spoke in as gentle a tone as he could muster, trying to handle the delicate situation, "I'm sure we can make some accommodations for you once we get everything sorted out... but, we need to leave, now."
Adding a little additional urgency to the 'now'.
(Should she come, Knight plans on following right behind her)
On the way back to the freezer.
Robert followed the alien through the ship in silence, when Xaos finally spoke he thought for a moment before answering, "His name is Sven, as to why he was called Spatz? I dont really remember what got him the nickname, I think it involved alcohol, lots of it. All I know is the name stuck, and its what we called him since. As for what he is. Offically? I dont know, I'm just an engineer, you'd need to talk to a person in biology. What I do know is that for all his whining, and complaining, he's my friend."
Off to Never Neverland
Doc quickly boarded the ship. Looking back at the pirate base with a bit of sadness in his eyes.
On-board Matron in the Awkward ward...
Nova takes a second look at the carbonite sealed statues. Nova is embarrassed for a moment, and says "Oh oh no, I guess them don't look that familiar then". The catgirl places her hand on Loki shoulder for support a moment. { Loki feels her confusion and embarrassment that she thought these things, maybe Gaea and Xaos' bodies in status. She was glad to be wrong, but she was worried what affect being connected to two assassins has had on her godparents. Even as she finds increasingly that she may not know them at all. } Loki reassurings her, but she does not want look at the assassins, anymore.
Nova quickly goes to see Alexsi and Saioko's work, she impressed with the hacking program, and questions the two about the details. She shows she has some good ideas, and they would have work against the pirates' computers given time, but Nova knows her abilities aren't close to this level. Yet, then she marked "She doesn't have directly connect computer mind either" to Alexsi and Saioko. "Hey, What about me?", said Mara as glares at Nova forgetting her.
PBH
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing, Roman Cavalry choirs are singing. Be my mirror, my sword and shield, my missionaries in a foreign field.
Something in Gaea's eyes briefly showed a bit of an anxious urge, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Adopting a very normal, anthro fox mannerism, the ancient alien shook her head as an answer to Aaron as she spoke, "no, it does not need to happen now... but soon. With all this activity, with everything that will need to be done, we must be closer to our original strength. For the safety of your non-vulpine crew as well, our condition will eventually cause Xaos and I to drain all the life force from them and leave naught but dry husks behind."
Richard raised an eyebrow and stealthfully reached for his weapon as he nudged Aaron, "she has very dry sense of humor..."
Gaea did not address the other questions Aaron had levied at her, but instead moved over to Nova, "Nova, honey, I need you to plot the escape course. We need to exit atmosphere with the planet between us and the Acadian ships at the precise moment of detonations. I know you can do that."
Loki was now happy that Nova could do something that would challenge her and take her mind off of the dark path it was heading. He did not want her to feel sad or unneeded.
Old Friends and hard lessons
The pod that was the primary focus of the room was pristine, no dust or anything marred its exterior. Inside was a slight bit misted, preventing a clear view of the occupant. The dark colored fox touched a few lighted points on an LCD style instrument panel (very Star Trek like) and the fogging cleared. Inside was indeed the one known as Spatz and he seemed whole though he was not dressed in his old uniform but a simple jumpsuit like outfit. He looked a little off though, something seemed too... clean? Perfect? You don't remember him being this "handsome".
"His injuries were the worst of the three of you and I could not fix him like I did you. I had to take a genetic sample from his body and allow the system to grow a new organism. It may have done too good a job though. I transferred his essence and consciousness to this body. I haven't woken him up because I needed to make sure we had recreated you correctly first before we brought him back online... so to speak. If you wish, I can rouse him."
Xaos waited patiently for a response.
Starchaser runabout
Holly seemed to resign herself to some preconceived notion of her fate, and it must have been a gloomy one because she seemed quiet and icy. Everyone else boarded and secured for flight operations.
Marcus saw to securing Ana, after he got Jeanne to a seat. Ana remained unconscious as was instructed by Saioko and the command staff.
Jack, Miyuki and Magick took up seating in what amounted to a passenger style cabin. They secured Harriet and began more in-depth medical procedures to bring her back to a state of consciousness.
Jeanne, now that she was relatively safe, passed out completely from the sheer exhaustion, sudden adrenaline drop, and general consequences of re-injuring herself.
The remaining members of the team secured themselves, the body of Romulus, and their gear as they awaited connection with Mother and Matron.
Unknown star system on the other side of the galaxy
The planet that the signals were emerging from was a dry, barren world that would make any desert seem like a paradise. The signals were regular, but weak. Had he not been in the system at the time, he would never have detected them.
They were the same format as the transmission he had received from the alien station and it seemed to be a short message of some type. It would take a bit to translate though.
Igor throw the switch!
Robert watched as the fog revealed Spatz's form. Reaching forward, he placed his hand on the cold surface of the pod. He didn't know why he did it, maybe it was some voice in the back of his head trying to disbelieve what he saw in the pod. What was there was both Spatz, and not Spatz at the same time. His jaw hung loose in awe, meanwhile in some dark pit of his mind a voice whispered, "chewed up and spat out; this was the price to pay? To become a mockery, even if it was a better looking version of yourself?"
"How do we measure ourselves?" was barely a whisper that came from Robert. He took his hand off of the pod and looked at his palm. "Am I me?" was all he could think as he flexed his fingers. Gritting his teeth, he looked over at Xaos, "Roust him, wake him, whatever you call it." He looked back at the pod, "You said you regrew him," Roberts voice had regained a bit of its edge, "How long have we been under? That sounds like it would take a while to do."
Nothing to do but Kill Some Time
Everyone else seemed to go about their tasks of getting prepared, however, Holly seemed to be going towards a dark place. Her body language was dark, cold, and spoke of where her mind was clearly wandering. The spotted feline was worried, to say the least. He locked the Gauss-weapon away, securing it to a rack, he removed the magazine, and ensured it was dry and safe. He unclasped his armor, and removed the gloves. He gave himself a looser, more relaxed appearance before sitting down next Holly. Knight took a few moments to see what everyone else was doing,and once it was clear that they knew exactly what they were supposed to be doing, he tapped the collie on the shoulder. He gave her arm a gentle squeeze, and said, "You alright there? You're looking a bit... off... well, moreso than just the bumps and bruises."
Knight flashed Holly a thin smile, trying his best to lighten her mood, "You've been cooperative, helpful even. I certainly owe you a bit of gratitude for that. If you want or need anything, well, i guess just let me know."
Speaking of killing time...
Seeing that cruising at a cautious speed would leave him with several hours to kill, La'orth took a short catnap to let his headache, and the medicine, go away. He awoke slightly more refreshed and ready to do something more productive. He checked in with his VI and saw that so far the repairs to the fighter were proceeding nicely. There had likewise been no change in the signal from the planet.
Calling up what cryptography programs he had installed, La'orth isolated one particular repeat of the transmission, took a look at the data, and realized he was in way over his head. He spent a moment wishing he had Du'ilccad's hardware and experience with codes now, but quickly banished it because that train of thought wasn't helpful. Running through the things he'd learned from Du'ilccad in their years together he got down to parsing the transmission and highlighting scattered bits of code that resembled eachother. The first thing he needed to find out was whether this transmission resembled anything that Korsinians were already familiar with, so he and the VI tried comparing what information they had from the base coding against the languages of the various spacefaring species that they had encountered already. The base organization resembled that of two very localized species to the galactic west and southwest of the system where La'orth's patrol was, but there was no clear match. Still, it was better than nothing. He then tried organizing the coding based on what he knew of these two species' home languages; trying to get the transmission to reveal whether it was text, audio, visual, or a combination of them. If he could get the coding translated and running using his codecs then translating the actual message should be a LOT easier.
(OOC P.S. I have no idea how cryptography actually works in a case like this, so I'm just winging it with something that sounds reasonable!)
Worst. Hangover. Ever.
Harriet was coming around to consciousness, and promptly wishing she wasn't. The human found herself staring at the insides of a ship, small by the looks of things, with her squad nearby. "Wha?"
"Hold up, Harriet." Jack said from his seat. "The machines are working but they will only do so much so quickly." From the human's perspective, the fox was just a blur of colour, and half-mumbled sounds. "...I don't think she quite understands."
"D...Doc! Doc! Front and center!" Harriet barked, whipping her head around to see if she could spot the canine's familiar colours, even if they were just blurs.
The cat was in the cradle Ah, she is in the driver's seat.?
Nova rough up Loki's hair to let him know she was not going to died of embarrassment. She could feel his worry for her. The details of his concern were not really apparent to her. Yet, Nova sends a worried look at Gaea. Would she really let her at the controls? She will surely double check, her flight path. Still, finally get a chance at the real controls. Nova feels like a teenage with the keys to the skycar, but she is mature enough to know something is up with Gaea. What that is will have to wait until they clear the planet.
With Mara help, Nova quickly starts plots a course for the opposite side of the planet from the Acadian fleet. The Lieutenant is all business as dives into her element. She works out three different flight paths against any possible change in the Acadian fleet course, adding Alexsi's data on the missile's strength and their flight paths, and factoring in the possible path and flight time of the strike team aircrafts.
"We have a few more moments before the Acadian fleet will be too close to us for this to work. Or I may being overly caution. Yet, this is cutting it, as I close as I can. The pirate's missiles need to launch in 1.8 minutes from now to be in positions for their explosions to have maximum effect. And then we will need to be there, 128.28 degree W, 35.57N at 20 minutes, 7 sec after that launch. The strike team's craft could rendezvous with us right about here, which should still leave us in the planet's blind spot. Once we are in that position to launch pretty much straight out from there. There are two more windows after this, but the Acadian will be much closer, and chances of escape drop by about 20 percent on the next window. And addition 50 percent more on the last one. What is the ETA of the strike team? " asked Lt Hunnydew
PBH
For some reason I can't explain, once you go there was never, never an honest word, and that was when I ruled the world
"Gaea, I love how you emphasize soon. Don't worry, I plan on making this happen as soon as reasonably possible. It's just that I define reasonable as having all of my subordinates back and there is no immediate danger that I need to address."
And Richard, don't worry. I'll make sure to do the deal before there is any danger. And she does have a terrible sense of humor.
Everyone wants to rule the world
Doc climbed into the ship and got settled. He looked back at the pirate base and took his hat off. He looked like he was contemplating throw the hat out the hatch as it closed. He silently shook his head and put the hat back on his head and adjusted his pistol on his hip. He sat with his eyes closed for a bit then opened them and just stayed at the wall as if it wasn't there. He nodded could be barely heard saying "thank you" to the air in front of him.
I'm your re-animator
Xaos appeared to soften his demeanor and take on a more serious tone as his fox ears dipped down a bit, "I can't really tell you if you are really you. Genetically you are slightly different, our systems corrected flaws in your DNA... based on exhaustive recursion digests and extrapolations run against your genomes. Your visual appearances are slightly altered, as we identified your ideal view of yourselves, and allowed your own minds to form the templates. I'm sure Gaea would have some inspiring or insightful empathic revelation for you if she were in my place. All I can say is that your mind is still your own... as previous discussions can attest to, all of your cripplingly irrational traits still remain."
The fox began the awakening process, "well, not worry you've been under for a very tiny amount of time... insignificant really. Let me think, your people base a universal time scale off of your origin planet Riallphen... let's see one complete planetary rotation equals the unit called a day. These group together into weeks and months. We can further subdivide a day into singular increments which total 25 and are called hours. The significant measurements here is the one which derives its time measurement from the planet's rotation around the sun Solas. This you call a year."
He pauses again to run a quick conversion calculation, "that would give us, five years, three months, two weeks, three days and 7 and one half hours. A very insignificant time in the scheme of the universe, nothing to be worried about."
The process completed and the Pod opened revealing Spatz who opened his eyes and yawned, "ugh, what happened?"
Strike team - Starchaser
Holly shrugged off the touch and turned towards Knight, her eyes burning with emotions, "gods damn it, I'm the fraking enemy you dren-head... I mean what the frell? Why are you being so nice to me? I should be dead right now." She let her head and ears droop down as she sniffled.
Ben raised an eyebrow, "are you saying you'd rather be, lass?"
Holly shot her head up with ears flat back, "yes! I... n...o, no, I don't want to be dead... it's... it's just that I don't know what I'm going to do."
Magick eyed Doc as he sat down and seemed to be acting weird, "I think Doc is out of it Harriet-sama. In case you are interested, we are onboard what appears to be a Interceptor class Special Operations Pinnace. It is used most frequently by the TL's Special Magics Corp... it is a type of Black Ops vessel. Which makes me wonder about this Ana and her companions."
Miyuki left the company of the human female and the other two anthro males to wander over and take a seat next to Doc, "oi, Dev-chan, what's wrong? You seem down... we're finally off that mudball, away from those pirates."
A dead world, and the Space Raptor
VI was able to extrapolate a lot of data from its understanding of the involved language. On the main digital display the fighter's computer displayed the message which contained both video and audio components. The picture was full of artifacting and the audio was heavily distorted, but La'orth was able to discern the image of a teal colored arthropod, resembling a very large, evolved kolihapeltis (a type of trilobite), which seemed to produce auditory communication by the rubbing of eight, tiny limbs interlaced over the mouth structure. These limbs were covered in fine hairs that somehow interacted to produce sound. The language, course and alien, was translated as best as possible by means of subtitling in the Korsinian language.
"...at *perceive* this collection of auditory *assemblages*, stay at a distance that is not close. *[untranslatable]* is afflicted of a *[untranslatable]* plague that spreads *[untranslatable - possible due to the use of local colloquialism]*. All vessels seeking to be ones that can generate abilities that are to be of assistance, please perform actions that are in synchronization with those issued by the central Stellar Transportation Command. We be graciously accepting of *allowances* given for *convenience* not forthwith in issuance." [OOC: words between ** are VI's estimate at what the word in the other language means.]
A second message is present from a more directed source, weaker and much shorter. It is on a constant repeat, "We are all ceased to be biologically active. *Save* *yourselves* and do not approach. We have ceased as a species."
It was the wicked and wild wind. Blew down the doors to let me in. Shattered windows and the sound of drums. People couldn't believe what I'd become.
Gaea nodded to Aaron, a very normal gesture he was familiar with. It would appear she was adopting mannerisms like he used, she seemed very capable of adapting to the perceived normalcy of others.
Alexis runs a few figures and answers Nova, "their ETA is too long to rendezvous with us at our current location, they can make our optimal point of egress within a safe margin for an aerial snatch and grab. Matron can easily dock Ana's craft without any concern, but don't expect to fit too much more. Communicating the course correction to Dex."
Ana's Polynesian appearing pilot's visage briefly appeared on the screen as he made the necessary adjustments, "acknowledged, we have exited the danger zone and entered safe air space... proceeding at best possible speed, see you in ten. Dex out."
Mother's eyes flashed and Matron turned towards the screen, Rebecka smiled and was the only one to speak up, "all 'birds' in the air, let's do this thing aye?"
Mother smiled a bit, "kids these days." She turned towards her older counterpart, "Eilenil if you will?"
Matron giggled at the use of her personal designation, "but of course... Vella, we move."
Had anyone been present, they would have witnessed the aged cruiser's effortless and noiseless ascent. Anyone present would have heard the keen of the engine within their minds, but that was restricted to relatively small sphere of effect.
Strike team - Starchaser
Doc looked at Miyuki, with a tear in the corner of his eye.
"I know that isn't what's bothering me. It's just her body is still buried out by that damn base. I know she wasn't my real mother but she raised like I was her own. Now all I have left of her is the hat and pistol. I used to go to her grave and talk when I needed company. Iunno why I feel like I'm abandoning her leaving like this"
Knight gave a bit of a sigh, "you're acting as though i should hold a grudge, as if i should have left you to die. Your past deeds are of no consequence to me..." He squared himself up with her, and brought himself face to face with Holly. "As long as you don't actively try to hurt this mission, or the personnel involved, i'll be happy to try and work out something for you. There's a lot that you'll probably have to learn, such as, many of the soldiers you see around you are in fact, ex-pirates. I guess... i do empathize with you on several levels as well. I know the feeling of having my home ripped away in the blink of an eye, left stranded and unsure of the future. I'm sure my very presences is a bit jarring... A bit of a dichotomy.... but... i'm hoping we can work beyond that."
He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed again, trying his best to be reassuring, confident. He added, "You're worried about what's going to happen? What you can do? well... why not just talk? Can you tell me a little about yourself, Holly? Time, and the ability to talk are about all we really have at the moment, after all."
He smiled a bit more pleasantly, stood up for a moment, and pivoted himself into the seat next to the pirate girl. His ears alert, eyes focused on holly, and his appearance, though a bit more ragged than usual, seemed to give off a feeling of genuine interest.
"I don't care if he's in pieces, scattered around the planetary gravity well; I gave him an order, and I expect it to be followed. Mr. Holiday, front and center!"
The human did not raise her voice any more than was needed to reach down to the others. The mask she had been wearing for six months now was starting to break apart under her will. For the intermediate between her dominant personality regaining control, and the imposed one dissolving, she would be robotic, and unsympathetic. "My thoughts are similar to yours, in that regard, Magick. However, cut off from any information databank of note for the moment thoughts like that are best kept in your head. Jack, no hacking the ship's information while it's in flight." Harriet whipped her head sharply to look at the fox, warning against any action he might have been planning. Her vision was still blurred, and her hearing in one ear iffy at best. Still, she had a look about her. Like the fewmets were about to hit the windmill, and she hadn't a raincoat. She looked scared, genuinely scared, so much that even the robot pseudo-personality she was operating with couldn't control.
"It is good to be useful, is it?" - Thomas
The view from outside might be grand, but Nova was taken by the beauty of the energy flows display on the main engineering screens. She was only seeing 10% of the data, yet she understood the streams of energy and data of the main drives as if she was part of it. Nova felt great joy in finally giving somethine to expedition. Also, Loki could feel the catgirl's mind almost become in sync with energy flow in the Matron ship, but before Loki could say anything, she ....
She quick snapped back into herself, as she realize the time, and reports,"Launch time is T-10 sec. Missile firing in 5 sec waves alternating between lunar and planetary batteries. On my mark in 5, 4, 3, 2, and fire. Launch sequence started, First wave and second waves away. Drones are also away. Missiles are on course. ETA in about twenty minutes. All lunar batteries are now empty, and planetary batteries will completely empty in 30 seconds. Scanning enemy response."
PBH
Strike team - Starchaser
"With all do respect, SOD OFF!"
Doc didn't look at his former leader as he said this.
"If you haven't realized by now I don't work for you any more"
La'orth had not expected to be so successful so quickly. He stared in surprise through two full loops of the longer message before snapping back to his senses. He wasn't just looking at an unoccupied world out in the boondocks with some unfortunate who had crashed. No, he was looking at a deathtrap of unknown proportions. With sudden dread he realized that the space station that should have been on the edge of this system might have been destroyed on purpose to keep anyone from leaving! As long as he stayed in orbit he would be safe, but landing on the planet to search for supplies was probably a very bad idea. He tried doing some quick calculations to see how long it might be until a rescue mission could be mounted from the other station. He really had no idea. It all depended on how well the other station worked.
With not much else to do he stopped the broadcast from playing on his screen after making a capture, and then he made an entry into his mission log. This was interrupted after a couple minutes when the VI announced that repairs were done. With the planet looming in front of him he pondered what he could do. Various possibilities ran through his head, though none of them seemed like particularly good ideas. There were no aparent stations left in orbit, and the most likely other location for existing ones would be on the opposite side of the planet's orbit in the third Lagrange Point.
With some resignation he plotted an orbital pattern that would gradually allow him to do a detailed scan of the planet.
Then another idea popped into his head. He'd seen it once in a holovid. It had been a dystopic vision of the end of the Korsinian race. The final survivors had fired a probe into orbit beyond the disaster radius complete with records and genetic information. The aliens might be the ugliest thing he had ever seen, but he was sure they deserved the chance that someone compassionate would come along and help revive them. He quickly modified his orbital plan to include scanning the nearby space in an effort to locate a small time capsul.
Spatz, welcome to the fire
"Well, To some of us five years is an eternity," Robert remarked, his voice was tinged with dispair, and anger; anger that would seem destined to grow into resentment. He took a moment to compose himself; to try and straighten out his thoughts.
"Five years... five damn years... What? Did they even try and look or did they just write me off; write all of us off? We need to regroup. Get everybody together and talk to whats-his-name? Mr. Labfox. Get some straight answers out of him, even if I have to use a welding torch. Pah, thats probably a lost cause. He sounds like a glorified lab monkey. Oh Gods, what happened to my family, are they even alive? And Mina and Spatz? I dont know how they'll handle this..."
The pods door was beginning to unseal, Robert swallowed hard.
He felt nausious.
He felt like he wanted to hit something very hard.
He felt like he wanted to scream at the world, purging himself of spite and venom.
But he couldn't. As much as Robert wanted release, he needed to remain stable for them. He owed them that.
"Ugh, what happened?" Spatz yawned and stretched.
"Spatz? Do you remember what happened on the Delphi? We were all injured when the pod crashed. I tried to bring us in safetly, but..." he sighed, "I didn't. I'm sorry, we've been in stasis for five years while these..." Robert glanced at Xaos, somewhat at a loss at how to refer to the personification of a rogue alien AI, "they repaired us." He offered his hand to Spatz to help him out of the pod, "We need to hurry. We're in a giant mess, and we need to get to Mina. I'll try and explain whats happening as we go."
Revolutionaries wait, for my head on a silver plate. Just a puppet on a lonely string. Oh who would ever want to be king?
At this point things looked to be on course with no way for them to go wrong. As best as his imagination can envision anyways. His presence seemed unnecessary and his thoughts drifted towards Marissa.
Gaea, things look well in hand here so I'm going to go talk with Marissa now.
Okay Aaron, I'll let you know if anything happens
Aaron turns and walks out of the bridge to find Marissa's room. He finds Marissa's room still in the way he left it, complete with a bed that was much larger then need be and Marissa sleeping quite soundly with a huge grin on her. He was quite glad for the excessive size of the bed, since it allowed him ample space to climb on and sit down and assume a meditating position. Slipping into her dreams was easy, he had been doing it almost by accident for a few days now...
Marissa's dream scape
Marissa took another step back, surveying her handy work. It seemed like she had spent hours getting every detail just so. Rooms that were big enough to hold elaborate puzzles and fiendish monsters but small enough to allow a large number of such things. There was also an elaborate set of tunnels and trap doors so that she could watch the progress. Though she couldn't help but wonder if she had over done it. The whole thing should be silly, but what if it just annoyed Aaron? Maybe he would just bypass it all and find a way straight to the top?
Somewhere around this time Aaron had sneaked up behind Marissa, and her next step back she had bumped into him and he hugged her, "Now now, I wouldn't say annoyed, but the whole thing seems excessive anyways."
"Eeeek! Ahhh... oops. Oh you..." Marissa blushed a bit and looked away, "You weren't supposed to be here yet. I wanted to finish my castle."
"Well, it looks rather done to me. And it is a lovely castle. I like the ice theme. Still, I need to talk with you."
"Oh? Like what? Maybe a few words about what happened to me, hmm?"
"Ah, yes. A good subject to speak on. Marissa, you are, apparently, acadian like I am. In that, 'not true form but now awakened' way."
Marissa smiled a wide when told this, "Sounds... oh I don't know..."
"Heh, I know the feeling. Now just to keep you more confused, Xaos and Gaea, the ones we came to find, have made us an offer. They want shards of ours souls. A small bit of our living Acadian souls for a small bit of their ancient unliving souls. Apparently they need a new spark of life to come back to where they once were, and we can provide that and in exchange we gain some ancient power. Now, I just have to say that I won't tell you what to do here. I want this to be your choice."
Marissa was giving Aaron a strange look when he started talking about unliving souls and it all sounded quite intimidating. He was being rather mean, saying she had a choice. Aaron was far too nice for his own good, so she knew he was going to do it. She was going to follow.
"Okay Aaron, I'll think about it. Though, what do we do now? The whole castle thing seems silly now, what with you having already caught me."
"Well, the two of us, alone in a large castle, probably very sound proof, only one thing to do really..."
Marissa giggle as Aaron lead her inside.
Strike Team - Starchaser
"So be it. Miyuki, could you be a dear and go ask for some restraints from Lieutenant Whitehaven? It seems someone overlooked binding one of the prisoners." Jack and Miyuki looked surprised at this turn of events, but Magick just buried his face in his palm. It had been too long since Harriet showed her ruthlessness. They ought to be grateful that she hadn't a paper shredder on hand to feed the good Doctor into. "Magick, did the Lieutenant share our heading?"
"He didn't."
"Damn."
Strike Team - Starchaser
Doc just shook his head at Harriet's comment and rubbed his face. He then looked at Miyuki.
"She just has to be in control of others. You ever notice that? Someone stands up to her and she gets all mad, I swear she's a bully"
Strike Team - Starchaser
Miyuki, Magick and Jack seemed very uncomfortable. None of them knew exactly what to do right at this moment. Thankfully an unexpected voice cut through the nervous tension.
"Just knock it off already!" Shouted the tigress Jeanne as she teetered on shaky legs, "I can't even drift off into a state of unconsciousness without the pair of you crumbling into dissension. Miss Harriet from what I can tell this was just a job for you, you worked for the ISF or whatever against piracy. Doc, you grew up here and your roots are among the people here. Some of us were forced into this life, die or serve and such. Just have some consideration... both of you. Ugh, I think I'll try that unconsciousness again." The pale tigress collapsed back into her seat and drifted back into an unconscious state.
Ben, Hacker and Jaice just looked to Knight. It was Ben that spoke, "this is going to be a great ride if things are going to be like this."
Holly just glanced at Jeanne and then back to Knight, "is this where we bond... I get cooperative, you get sympathetic? I'm not sure how you got the fluff-headed brunette to be such a turncoat. I'm not feeling the same thing I see in her eyes, but maybe I need to take a hit to the guts to see your charisma."
She sat in silence for a moment before sighing, "look, I'm sorry... I'm tired, my hand and arm are sore from the scuffle. Can we talk about this later."
Meanwhile the Starchaser reached the rendezvous point and got their first look at the ship called Matron. Taking guidance from her command and control systems, Dex executed a high speed landing in a very tight shuttle bay.
"Landing complete, we are aboard. Let's burn sky." Dex replied into the Comm.
Mother acknowledged mentally to everyone, understood Dex, welcome aboard.
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing, Roman Cavalry choirs are singing. Be my mirror, my sword and shield. My missionaries in a foreign field
Noticing that Aaron was exiting the command center and Nova appeared busy, Ixiah grabbed Loki and pulled him aside. They whispered something conspiratorially to one another, giggled and then casually exited the bridge as well.
Rebecka tugged at Alexis's arm and pointed to the kits, "should we let the boys wander off? I trust our hosts, but..."
Alexis hugged her sister, "they'll be fine. On a complete non sequitur... what does this mean to you?" She paused and then sung a few lines, "For some reason I can't explain, I know Saint Peter won't call my name. Never an honest word, but that was when I ruled the world."
Rebecka smiled, "it means the song is over."
Nova's screens show the smaller vessels and the cruiser form up protectively in front of the behemoth vessel. They do not seem to respond at all until the mass sub-orbital detonations occur. As Matron executes her precise jump, the last thing she can see from the fleet is the cruiser and smaller vessels darting forward at fast sublight speeds.
The team has escaped the planet.
It's alive! It's alive!
Spatz looked very confused, but knew better than to argue with Robert when he said weird things. He attempted to stand, but strangely he found his legs didn't work. He remembered them working just fine not five minutes ago, but what was that he said? Five years?
"Uh, I think you'll have to help me. I'm having trouble walking, my legs are really weak."
Xaos smiled innocently, "he'll be fine, help him walk it off. This way for Mina, but there are a few things different in her case."
Xaos led them down a different path, through a large central room that held more pods like the one both Robert and Spatz had occupied. This room was different, more active and more prominent. Where the areas that the two of them had been in seemed more like small, secondary facilities, this one was obviously the main area for procedures like they had been subjected to.
The disturbing thing about this area, is that it must have held around several hundred pods and they were all occupied. Robert noticed that they held foxes of differing sexes, fur colors, and structural features. These were all unique, and the central most pod was the focus of Xaos's attention. It was in the process of being prepped.
"You see, Mina is a vulpine. She is like Aaron, though her bloodline is much thinner. Unlike the two of you, she died before we could reach her. However, she came back... with Gaea's urging, before her essence passed beyond the threshold. Gaea has had this discussion with Aaron before in regards to other things, but we cannot create life... that is the purview of the universal engine itself. We can, however... rekindle, extend and improve it." Xaos gazed at the capsule and was silent for a moment.
"Mina is still Mina, she just awoke to her heritage. And before you think ill of us anymore than you already do, it was not myself or Gaea that is responsible for her being like this. Her grandmother or grandfather was likely one of our species that had gone rogue against the Masters that now control them."
As the pod opened it became obvious to Robert that Mina had become a lot more maroon than he remembered her being. She opens her eyes, yawns and opens her mouth to speak, but the words are completely beyond Robert and Spatz. She looks confused and blushes, "sorry, sorry... things have been weird since I've been here."
The new, dead world and the cold loneliness of space
VI chirped at La'orth with regular intervals to indicate the ship was still within functional parameters. The system identified around 190 hours of life support remaining at full usage, with increased time based on conservation strategies.
Nothing remarkable remained in planetary orbit but a few minor bits of what were likely satellite debris.
Marissa's dreamscape
Inside the castle, the pair find the most comfortable room is already occupied by a pair of young foxes sitting semi-patiently on a U-shaped couch that is facing a large plasma monitor and a huge sound system setup.
Marissa is surprised to say the least, "I... don't remember a karaoke setup in here. How did you two kits get in... here?"
The two sing-songed their answer complete with adorable faces and peace signs, "we have always been here."
Loki gazed back out the door, "seriously though, that dragon... how was he supposed to have gotten in that last room? He couldn't fit through the door."
Ixiah replied, "obviously he was brought in when he was a baby and fed a relatively steady stream of adventurers. There were so many that he got too big to leave the room and got stuck."
The dragon stuck his head in the door, "haven't you ever heard of shapeshifting?"
Strike Team - Starchaser
Doc took a deep breath and looked at Jeanne.
"That's where your wrong. I grew up here because these people killed my parents and one of them took pity on me. She took me in and raised me as her own. The only roots I have on this planet is buried by that base. Anyway we're here so lets see our new home"
Doc picked up Romulus's body and disembarked. As he walked towards Mother he looked at the ship.
"This looks promising"
Marissa's dreamscape
Marissa looked to Loki, "Really, haven't you ever heard of magic? The dragon gets there because he wants to be there! He was supposed to have kidnapped me and Aaron saves me and... oh..."
Loki has his tongue out ever since Marissa mentioned magic, "Of course I have heard of magic, it is practically everything I do~ Also curious, why would a dragon kidnap you?"
"Well, I was supposed to be a damsel in distress."
Ixiah chimes in, "Well, you weren't exactly helpless. Also, what interest would a dragon even have in a damsel? That is the part that always confused me."
The dragon chimed in, "Well, she is rather cute..."
Marissa stared at the dragon with enough intensity to melt lead.
"Er... I mean beautiful to the point of being drop dead gorgeous that a dragon would obviously want to kidnap?"
Marissa looked a lot more pleased and Ixiah and Loki were giggling amongst themselves. For his part, Aaron was going through the song selection.
"Hmm... I think I've heard this one before. The guy with the human playlist had it playing on occasion."
The plasma monitor lit up with the image of a dragon and the sound system boomed with guitars. [1]
Ixiah looked over, "Aaron? What did you just put on? It sounds..."
"Rhapsody of Fire, Emerald Sword. It is a supremely silly song and rather catchy, just right for a karaoke setup... I crossed the valleys, the dust of midlands!"
Ixiah and Loki sit on either end of the couch, Marssa grins and lies down in the middle of the couch, giggling as the song goes on and the dragon hangs out in the doorway. By the end of the song the whole lot are singing along.
[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye6YHQ8AZzU
Starchaser and Beyond
"I think the whole, getting shot in the gut by 'your' guys, then getting saved by my guys went a long way... Look, i guess what i'm trying to say is... I think we got off on the wrong foot... Get some rest, I'll be sure you get patched up."
Moving over to Ben, Knight replied, "I can take watch, you should get some rest while you can... who knows when you'll get your next chance."
As the flight went on, Knight split his attention between checking Jeanne's vitals, checking on Ana, and making sure Holly wasn't up to anything. As the craft docked with Matron, Knight started by rousing those who were resting. He then gathered his gear, double checked that all weapons were safe, and unloaded, then moved for the hatch. His focus was primarily on Jeanna and Holly... both would probably need to get to the medical wing... in fact, most the team should probably get things checked out.
He looked to Ben, "Uh... We should probably head to the medical ward first... get everyone patched up. You know she'd demand some of us go anyways..." Turning to the group as a whole, Knight stated, "We're heading for the medical facilities, no questions asked, no griping... Grab your gear, and lets get moving, the sooner we're done the sooner we can debrief. Jaice, give Jeanne a shoulder, Hacker, make sure our new guests don't get themselves lost."
Heading down the ramp first. Knight's gear was loose, his appearance somewhat ragged. He was starting to focus on Saioko... He hoped he could use their connection to let her know he was safe, and could oh so desperately use a guide. "As he stepped onto the Bay's floor, he couldn't help but say, "Is it just me... or did home just get significantly bigger?"
No life, no interesting tidbits of technology, and no places where he could safely land to get out and walk around; La'orth gradually became more and more bored. Moving around what little he was able to to pop kinks and work aching muscles was about the only thing to break his monotony. It wasn't much help. As the time ticked away slowly he considered turning on a movie from his secret compartment stash even though he knew that it wouldn't be wise to distract himself too much. After debating this with himself for a while, on a whim, he broadcast a short joking message aimed at the source of the endlessly repeating distress/warning messages.
"So, any alcohol left down there? I got the entertainment if you guys still got any booze."
La'orth chuckled to himself a moment later when he realized that even had there been anything left on the planet to respond, it wasn't likely to have understood Korsinian.
He called up the planetary scan while he rummaged around for, and pulled out, a suitable movie to watch.
Find your Castle in the Sky
Watching the main screens of the planet and her own private screen of the Drive signals, Nova can also feel and hear the song of the Mother and Matron's drives as they grew more in sync. "So the old king is died, long live the King? Song is ... The song isn't over. It changes and shifts, yet it still remains the same...?" Nova see Matron/mother's song become more Mother's song over the psion drive. The kitten, Mara jumps out of the Nova control panel and landing on Nova, crying out "Something is wrong with Matron..."
Nova, Rebecka and Alexis turned to Matron as she fades from view, leaving only Mother.
PBH
You awake on an alien ship, now here comes the probing
Great... The thought that a friend of his had been... made... into something else trickled through him, eventually settling as a cold dull feeling in his gut; heaped onto the ever-growing pile of misgivings he was having with the universe today. "During this, awakening, I assume you didn't give her any special control mechanisms?" the question was aimed at Xaos, though Robert felt he was a very biased source of information. "I'd really hate to find out that a friend of mine was being used as a puppet."
Xaos just flashed that infuriating grin of his which neither confirmed or denied anything as the pod opened.
As the initial shock of seeing Mina, in the fur, faded Robert tried to rally "Mina are you," he shook his head and sighed, "How do you feel? What do you remember? What have you been told?"
Infirmary
Doc will notice, as he exited first and as the ramp was descending, that a purple colored vixen dressed as a medical officer steps from behind a landing gear to approach the ramp. There is no way she could have crossed the shuttle bay from any of the obvious entrances and been in such a position that quickly. She is surprised to have been noticed by the coyote.
As the Starchaser's passengers disembarked, a violet vixen is waiting. One look at the condition of the peoples before her and the body over the stranger coyote's shoulder, she echoes Knight's directive, "g'day... now all you lot waltz yer tails to the infirmary now!"
As everyone is escorted by the very concerned vixen, Knight is approached by a smiling wolf female. Cyndi wags her tail happily, "Hiya Knight, I'm here to help... temporary assignment to medical due to a light duty chit."
As Matron is a much larger vessel, the trip is somewhat longer. The infirmary itself is understandably larger. The vixen, whom many know as Cynthia, quickly orders various people around to medical bed units. The female wolf goes about administering various basic tests to those not obviously requiring major attention from the doctor herself. She pauses and drops a holopad as she realizes Romulus prominently placed in the ER trauma unit. Cyndi recognizes enough of the medical displays to realize he is dead.
The violet vixen sighs and shakes her head at the onlooking Ben and Hacker, "I'm sorry, he is gone. We could repair the damage or clone him, but the spark of existence is gone from his body. I am sorry."
Ben slams his hand against the wall, "damn it, I thought with your technology you might... that you could..."
Cynthia grips Ben's shoulder, "I can't bring the dead back to life, especially not when the brain is so drastically traumatized."
Leaving the body of the wolverine for now, she turns her attention to Jeanne, "oi, we did not put you back together for you to just undo everything. Lucky for you the medical systems can now function fully with your species." The medical unit began the process of repairing her cellular structure.
Jeanne gave the doctor a weak smile, "sorry."
Both Harriet and Anna received anti-toxin injections to safely clear the remainder of the poisons from their systems. Ana also received a counter agent against the general anesthetic used to knock her out. Her fatigue levels kept her unconscious for the time being.
Everyone else was examined and evaluated. Holly was treated for cuts and bruises and allowed to remain in a medical bed under guard for now.
Marissa's dreamscape
Seizing control of the karaoke controls, Loki pulls up lists from the Interdimensional Music Association, he selects a song. "This is dedicated to the relationship between Aaron and Marissa! This is exactly what he wants to be singing right now!"
"Look into my eyes; you will see, what you mean to me. Search your heart; search your soul, and when you find me there you'll search no more!" Loki sings as he performs his rendition of a Bryan Adams song.
Ixiah covers his head with a pillow, suffering through the sappy love song. When finished, Loki is tackled by his cousin, "nooo, don't sing stuff like that! This isn't a slice of life anime!"
The mic goes flying in the scuffle and lands in Marissa's hand. She sighs and keys up a song. (Darker Than Black (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKkUd8uxg8I)).
Harvester of Sorrow
The transmission to planet below was innocent enough, but the fighter's mass sensors and power sensors abruptly spiked beyond any measurable note. With image enhancement, VI was able to display a shape rising from the sickly gray clouds that covered the planet. It was an ominous shape of what could only be described as a horrific hybrid of a colossal elder god-like squid creature and a queen xenomorph.
The thing was looming over La'orth's fighter within a blink of an eye. It covered stratosphere to orbital in a span of time that was near instantaneous and now it was before the poor lost raptor.
A sensation not unlike that of a ravenous maggot burrowing through the dead brain matter of a corpse, gnawed at the raptors mind. The feeling was horrible, it made La'roth wish to tear open his own skull to try and pull whatever this was out, but then it spoke and the agony from before was nothing compared to this.
We are the Harvester, what are you? He could understand this voice on so many levels it was unnerving. Tell us why you disturb our feast?
A great distance away
Matron emerged within the expanse of space between stars. Nova could tell that they were where they were supposed to be.
Matron looked to the feline and smiled, "your calculations were correct, there should be a star system here."
Mother regarded the screens for a moment and closed her eyes, "there is a system here, but the sun has long since collapsed. There is a black hole here."
Saioko whistled, "we aren't, you know... too close to it?"
"No, but we need to be careful in our next course plot. Nova do be careful when you plan this one. We will set course for the far edge of the system, or the black hole's effects will prevent our jump." Announced Gaea.
Old Friends change over time
Xaos smiled wickedly, but his expression softened quickly, "do not worry Rob, I would never take away a being's freewill or use such byzantine methods."
Mina yawned and gave her two old friends a small, half smile, "I feel fine... ans don't worry, I'm still me... I just see things differently now. Er, I guess more like I understand things that would be incomprehensible to others. Well, I, can't really explain it."
The vixen seemed to darken her mood a bit and she spoke quietly, "yes, I remember what happened," the vixen clutched herself flinching as if experiencing some horrible discomfort, "I can feel it... still, I don't want to talk about the crash... please?"
Infirmary
Doc looked at the vixen with an odd look.
"Hello"
Doc followed the others to the infirmary. As the violet vixen told Knight the wolverine was dead he shook his head.
"I coulda told you that Ma'am. Took a round through the side of the brain. I don't care who you are once it enters the brain cavity you ain't surviving"
As he was checked.
"Look I'm fine. Check your soldiers out. I didn't see much action there"
Nova looks at the blackness of space, and adjusts the main view to graviton spectrum. Using to gravitons detection, she trace the gravity well. The invisible black sun comes into view as a swirling mass of dark matter falling into the singularity. Nova plots a wide course around the mass' event-horizon. Nova also notes that the black hole's radiation is masking the ship signature further on the warp field screen, which is showing Mother's ship signature.
Still Nova looks at Matron and she worries about her, the ship was doing fine but the Matron essence seem to be very weaken to her. Mother is/had to be more in the driver seat here, and Matron must take a background role. Still this merging of the two was taking a toll on her fairy grandmother.
"Mother, We are set on course of the next jump point, ETA 3-4 hours unless you want to brave a closer course. No scan or indications of any other ship or other mass within 100 light hours at this time. "
Mara stays on Nova lap in a worrying scare little kitten ball. "Request permission to take Mara to the computer center?" asks Nova "Becky would you come help me?"
Gaea asks "Why we all could come Nova, but what is troubling you and Mara?"
"Matron Are you sure you are alright? You are looking a little pale.", Nova questions Matron
PBH
The VI's warning of imminent impact barely preceeded the arrival in orbit of the new ship from the planet's surface. The fighter juked crazily and burned away from the planet scarcly a moment later as La'orth slapped the control stick to the side with one hand, braced himself against the side of the cockpit with the other, and pressed both feet to the floor. It was a largely futile response because the other, much larger ship simply rotated slowly in place to track the fighter starting to go around it.
La'orth's own response was no less inglorious, both as a reaction to the sudden appearance of a very large and aggressive object and because the holovid flew across the canopy and smashed against it. This, however, was also cut short as the new ship reached out to him.
First contact had him clutching his head. Then it communicated to him: We are the Harvester, what are you? Tell us why you disturb our feast?
Gods save me... was his thought as his last meal ejected from his stomach from the thing crawling through his mind.
His hand came crashing down on the transmit button, silencing the VI's warning that his vitals were going haywire. "I'm D'ral La'orth of a Korsinian exploratory wing. The interruption is an accident! I come in peace!" A new wave of nausea silenced him though his fighter continued to transmit for several seconds.
Very quickly three thoughts passed through his head:
Don't let the Keno'ovek Sailiri send a rescue for me!
I'm about to die!
Oh Gods, they're not using ship-to-ship communication!
Infirmary
As Cyndi approached, Knight tipped his head and replied, "Good to see you back and your feet, and glad to hear you've recovered enough to help. I'm probably just going to need a few pain-killers and a day or 2 of R&R... There are others that need more help than I."
Knight, however, wasn't given that option. Cynthia and Cyndi were both rather adamant that the special forces commander take a seat on the bed and go through his own line of check-ups. "Is this really necessary? I'm fine, seriously... it's Jeanna, Ana, and the ISIS team who need the attention... i'm fine... really"
With pleas falling on deaf ears, Knight let his mind go blank as tests were run. Waiting to be cleared, the feline asked Cynthia, "Any chance you could give me directions to the bridge after this?... i should take care of the post mission debrief with the major as soon as possible."
Infirmary
Harriet tested her damaged arm. Not quite up to par, but with a bit of practice, that could be overcome. "What ship is this? I do not recognize the design." The fox doctor, which would have surprised Harriet if she had not been between personality types, looked at her sidelong.
"This is Matron."
Which was not a good enough answer, but an answer none the less. There was nothing that could be done at the moment. The chain of command was not clearly established, and she had no idea where she was, where they were going, or even if these people were operating under orders. Ugh, a headache began to form in the back of Harriet's head. Then there was Doc...that complete idiot. If he hadn't been so stubborn, or at least so loud, she wouldn't have to do what she was going to do later. Which of course she couldn't think about, because at the moment, she was still stressing about how badly she'd screwed up a simple evacuation.
There was also proper procedure to follow. The human, once full functional was up and on her feet, off to the Lieutenant's bed, saluting. "Sir, Chief Warrant Officer TiBalt. I apologize for the sub-par performance on my part which risked my personnel and yours."
Marissa's dreamscape
As Loki gave his performance Aaron just giggled. Marissa looked to Aaron confusedly but started giggling with him after a moment. When Marissa started singing Aaron just watched and listened. When the song finished she tossed the mic to Ixiah and took a seat in Aaron's lap, much to his surprise.
Ixiah stood up in front, "Okay, now enough with the sap. You could drown an over sized terran pachyderm in it. Let's go with something more awesome, like this song I've had stuck in my head for some reason. I used to ruuuuuule the world~"
Aaron still couldn't get over how Marissa seemed quite at home in her seat. He smiled and watched the blue fox sing his song, thinking the song was distinctly untrue. Ixiah knew exactly why St. Peter wasn't calling his name.
Once Ixiah was done he pitched the mic to the dragon, who was now much smaller but still easily the largest living thing in the room, for a given definition of living. It pulled up a local song, one that was known for lasting a long time. To think, Aaron thought this would be a quick trip into Marissa's mind! Hopefully nothing weird happened outside.
Marissa's room
Currently on Marissa's epic sized bed was a sleeping Marissa, a meditative Ixiah and Loki, and an Aaron with a large fake mustache on the end of his muzzle.
Quote from: Meany on December 14, 2010, 01:07:13 AM
Infirmary
(rest of the post)
There was also proper procedure to follow. The human, once full functional was up and on her feet, off to the Lieutenant's bed, saluting. "Sir, Chief Warrant Officer TiBalt. I apologize for the sub-par performance on my part which risked my personnel and yours."
Knight watched as the human female approached, he'd be in the infirmary for a little while longer, and he really hoped she wasn't dumping more work on him. He breathed a silent thanks as she saluted and made her apology. He returned the gesture, and replied, "Second Lieutenant Whitehaven, or, Knight if you prefer.... As for the mission, no harm came to my squad because of you or your people... and really, you pulled us out of that meat-grinder of a tower. No apology necessary. The man we lost picked the worst time to challenge the chain of command... Got himself fragged by a stray round when he should have kept his head down... Nothing you could have done about that at all."
Breathing a sigh, night looked over at the body of the fallen Sargent. Loosing a man was never easy, even one as abrasive and thick-headed as Rom had been. On the one hand, he'd done his best to keep the man in check... the fact that he'd commanded the loyalty of the troops that they'd hesitated during the pissing match made it worse... he did, however, have Holly. So... that counted for something, at least... not worth loosing a man, but at least it partially made up for it.
At least, the feline hoped so... He tried focusing on Saioko again... Trying his best to visualize where she was, and let her know he was on board, alive and unharmed... His heart was still heavy, he'd lost someone under his command... and he needed to get the paperwork filed soon, along with the debriefing with the major at some point.
So three engineers walk into a medical lab...
"So let me get this straight," Spatz trudged along as he digested what he heard as the group followed Xaos back to the medical ward, "Our 'rescuers' turned this ship on, which then got the attention of another, bigger, ship. Our only option at the time was to detonate a nuke,"
"Nukes... with an s," Robert interjected.
Spatz blinked, "Nukes... to cover our escape. I don't know, having to detonate multiple heavy warheads as the only solution doesn't bode well."
Robert only nodded grimly, "I'm not particularly thrilled about our prospects here either. I don't know if we can really trust them." "Not to mention they treat every thought as a spoken word. Its annoying enough that I don't have the privacy of my own thoughts, that I have to wonder if they're up to something." It wasn't something he felt needed to be brought up though.
"Its not entirely their fault, they cant help but to listen in. Its just how we're made," Mina said in an offhand manner, her attention was elsewhere. The comment caused Spatz to scratch his head, "wait, what are we talking about again?"
Mina grimaced, "I did the same thing they did, didn't I." she sighed as she answered Spatz, "We can listen in to peoples thoughts," she glanced back to Robert, "I'm sorry, I'll admit, I was distracted by an update on the ship's situation. We've managed to elude pursuit."
"That's good right?" Spatz tentatively smiled. Robert just grumbled and entered the Infirmary.
Reaching out, Spatz halted Mina outside the door, "Do you know what's eating him?"
Mina shook her head, "Its too garbled. I cant make anything out. I think its more than stress though. It feels too deep rooted for everything that has happened recently." she then followed Robert.
Sighing, Spatz muttered to himself, "this can't end well," and stepped into the infirmary.
Language of the Mad
The Harvester considered this auditory response, La'orth could tell that from how the swirling in his mind flowed about.
We know not of Korsinian. There is a thing we see within you that we know. Of what do you know of Vizanzi?
A golden beam of visible energy encases the fighter and stabilizes its erratic movements.
Ship's Control Area
Nova is met with a questioning gaze from Matron, "my visible, projected image is... pale? As in a relative lightness in color? I suppose I have not been allocating enough resources to the solid energy projection system, but it has been such a long time since I have traveled the stars. I may be distracted."
Rebecka shrugged as Mother gave her daughter a questioning gaze.
Gaea smiled and ruffled the head fur of Nova, like she used to when Nova was a kitten, "it is nothing to worry about hon. Matron is an overship, she requires a dedicated system to aid in navigating inter-dimensional spaces. Until she regains her... bearings... it is better if Mother does the driving for awhile. After all, she has not flown in over 200,000 rotations of that planet around its sun."
Matron blushed a little and gave Gaea a sideways grin, "now you're making me feel like an old grannie."
Alexis regarded the wall for a moment and smiled, "oh, we have another node on the network. This one was dormant until just recently. Interesting, there are around fifty thousand dormant nodes occupying this network."
Gaea waved off the younger fox's observation, "that is a topic for later dear. For the moment we need to stick to the navigational plan to make sure we fully allude pursuit before we head to the location of the Sphere."
Saioko excused herself, "pardon me, in the major's absence I will check up on the returned team. Nova please inform the major of the team's return."
Xaos in the Medical Lab
Xaos entered the medical area with Robert, Spatz and Mina following behind him, "ah, the remainder of Aaron's compatriots... and a few incidental strays it seems."
Holly's ears perked up and she sniped back at the dark colored fox, "hey, was that a dog joke?"
Xaos smiled briefly, but that melted away to a reveal a more somber expression that was not very much like he normally seems (a least to those that most recently know him), "as much as some seem to think me the perpetual stand-up routine, I am not punning you miss."
The elder fox regards the corpse of the wolverine rather blandly, "no, been dead too long. I would have needed an imprint at the time of, or just after his cessation of life functions. I might be able to build something off of the undamaged neural pathways, but it really isn't my call Cynthia. I appreciate the consult though."
The violet vixen nodded, "understood, thank you."
A few moments later a charcoal feline sporting pink head fur entered the infirmary. She was dressed in the uniform of an ISF Army Officer of Captain's rank (O-3) with insignia indicating she is with R&D. Somehow she failed to notice the human female standing at attention where Knight was and promptly stepped up to him and hugged him. "Eric, you are safe. I was worried, I'm sorry about what happened with Romulus..."
The feline then noticed Harriet and straightened up with a brief bit of a blush, "ahem, pardon me... dreadful brake in procedure there, please excuse me. I am Captain Saioko Natsume, Military R&D... you are?"
Spatz caught Robert briefly as the Saioko-Knight-Harriet situation played out, "hey, we okay here? If something's eating you... let's talk about it. I know I just woke up, but let's not restart like this."
Marissa's dreamscape
The sublime melody was very deep, it resonated with the very soul... such is the construct of post-singularity Acadian music. Among the thirteenth chorus, an intruder appeared among the singing foxes.
Alexis wore a rather amused expression, "what are all of you doing over here?"
Command Center {see note on OOC}
"Major, The teams are back onbroad and in sick bay with additional ISF members." Lt Hunnidew transmitted to Aaron's com unit. Hopefully he will hear it or it will be in his voice mail.
Nova sighs as she looks to Matron
"Okay Okay, I am sorry I worry about you, Nanny Matron, but Mother's song over your drive signature..is is making Mara jumpy and her feelings sometimes effect me, too. Okay, our feelings" said Nova as she turned back from the main view screens from the elder vixens.
Nova goes back to the main view and re-adjusts the location of event-horizon using thermodynamics and cosmic background radiation. The black hole was still rotating and the singularity was more a ring than a point. She adjusted the course to wider a field to avoid remains of the recent star system pulled into the gravity well. Time and space observations of all objects nearing the horizon were noted or the ship could fallen in the event horizon without noticing it.
She had to be careful... Sudden a random rock or a stray comet flying in at her at angle and she have "Dive out of the way.", Nova pulling helm up and away, as the sick bay feels slight tilt and pitch as Nova avoided being hit by a 30 kilometers rock from underneath and behind her. .........and end up going farther into the spiral. thought Nova
As beautiful as watching the Hawking Radiation glow from the blackhole and the destruction of this star system on the screen, the cat-girl want to get quickly away She brought up their path again, and saw their next jump point up ahead on screen.
"All personnel secure for evasive actions, and prepare for jump", Nova remarked over the ship intercom.
"A little late, Novagirl," said Gaea, "and a little close" scolded Mother looking at her as teenage daughter who just miss a tree with the car. And Nova forgot she wasn't suppose to be even driving.
The ship enter jump
La'orth squeezed his eyes shut; trying to gain a handle on his stomach. It didn't help that the "pondering" the Harvesters did felt very much like a large grub wandering slowly in circles around the inside of his skull. The question posed brought his eyes wide at the possible implications, while memories of the action he had seen and the holovids he had watched came unbidden to his thoughts.
He had lost three wingmates to a Vizanzi ambush a little over twelve years ago as part of a botched mission during his first combat against them.
He had seen three cruisers gutted by combined Vizanzi fire a year after that while trying to ensure the escape of several fully laden cargo haulers.
He had taken part in the intentional sacrifice of several surviving ships to the Vizanzi in an attempt to throw them off the trail of more valuable targets. They had been partially stripped and crewed by skeleton crews of volunteers; the ships were larger, very likely to have been already fully identified by the Vizanzi, and quite probably would have been a continuing reason for increasing Vizanzi pursuit. All possible costs were paid to ensure the Vizanzi knew that the Korsinians were beaten, on the run, and slowly fading fromt he galactic stage.
He had watched replays of the newscast covering the one major Korsinian attempt to sue for peace, and the following coverage of the Vizanzi betrayal and the loss of the entire diplomatic team.
He had seen more than his fair share of holovids covering various aspects of the war; from the heroic, and mostly futile, stands against an enemy whose initial surprise attacks had nearly crippled the Korsinian fleets, to the at-home dramas as the Korsinian people realised that neither peace nor survival were options.
But foremost in his head was the amateur vid taken by a junior officer on the bridge of the Cccadashu the day their second home planet of Beshyel was abandoned to the mercies of the Vizanzi. It showed Nara'hidamib, the previous D'ku'irak, admitting that he had been wrong to attempt to fight to the death for Beshyel, and ordering then Ducc'i'j'klar Shachza to flee with the hidden remainders of the main defensive fleet and whatever civilian ships had escaped. Nara'hidamib dolefully congratulates Shachza on his promotion to D'ku'irak before signing off and taking a small portion of the fleet around the planet to stall the Vizanzi as the first asteroids begin impacting Beshyel; planet-killing plumes of fire and debris filling the atmosphere. The shock and anguish is readily aparent among the faces and voices bridge crew, but Shachza stands facing the image on the viewscreen as though paralyzed for several long moments, hands slowly clenching and unclenching, before giving the almost inaudible order to retreat to open space.
"They are monsters!" La'orth growled at the floor as the interior sanitation scrubbers appeared and began to work on the mess he had made. "For no reason at all they attacked and massacred my people!"
Things Just Got a Little Awkward
Getting the hug in front of the team was fine as far as Knight was concerned. The fact that Saioko had more or less claimed him as hers was fine. However, just rolling with things as they came, adaptability, didn't seem to be something the captain was used to.
Knight returned the hug, then replied, "Rom was a regrettable loss, but i'll go into that later. I'm here, i'm safe, as promised."
With Harriet right there, Knight noticed how awkward this would seem, he stood up, shoulder to shoulder with the panthress. "Ya... sorry if that was a little awkward... but nothing to worry about regulation wise. Different chains of command." He tried his best to put on a sanguine smile.
Marissa's dreamscape
"What are we doing? Right now listening and singing along with a dragon. Wasn't that obvious?"
Alexis smirked, "As obvious as your mustache."
Aaron looked confused, "Erm... what?"
"Oh, nothing."
"Well, in either case, what do I need to do? I'm assuming that if you're here something went horribly wrong outside?"
On the list of things does not do in front of spies, PDAs are #4.
Harriet's pupils had contracted in...what was undoubtedly a creepy way. It only lasted a second, but should still have been noticeable. "Of course ma'am, sir. Chief Warrant Officer Harriet TiBalt, ISF. Are you the commanding officer for this vessel? I do have questions and a report to give."
Harriet was filing this information away. For use later, either as blackmail, or simply information to slide into a report and watch the fireworks after. Both sounded like fun. But fun was not on her mind at the moment. No. Reporting the status of her mission, and getting her verbal evisceration over with, so she could hopefully talk to Granddad before the assassins arrived. That would be nice.
Robert sighed, "Do you remember that conversation we had in the pod? The one about how calm I was?"
Spatz nodded wordlessly in agreement.
"Well, I've had it... up to here!" Robert drew an imaginary line at his throat and slammed his fist down on a nearby table. "I'm sick and tired of shit like this happening to people around me. The people on the Delphi are dead because I sold the people above us on an idea that we might be able to find something. Why? Because I wanted to do something other than scrabble around the edges and making hypothesis on burnt out parts. I took the initiative and designed a sensor module that lead us into a damn pirate ambush! Our little heroics at the consoles bought them what... five more minutes of life before the pirates turned their pods to scrap."
Mina opened her mouth as if to say something, but it was Spatz who spoke up, "Robert, listen to yourself. You couldn't do anything to stop that, and they're the bastards who decided to shoot at the pods. What mattered is that you tried... we all tried to save who we could. And you managed to save us... I mean sure we had to spend some time in a tube, but at least we're still alive."
"Alive? Spatz, look at yourself in a mirror. They had to reconstruct you! Lord knows what I had to go through, and they... changed Mina." the comment elicited a dark look from the maroon vixen, "We survived on dumb luck alone." he paused, "but its not just the Delphi, there were others. Even before I signed on with the ISF, I tried to make a difference, leave my mark, and others suffered from it. The worst thing is, I was there." Robert blinked back tears, "I was there, and everything I tried to do to save them failed. I'm just one man in this damn universe, and as much as I've fought... I'm powerless. And I'm tired of people being hurt because of that... because of me, now leave me alone." he turned and slumped down into a seat and cradled his head in his hands.
Command Center
The ship exited space at the outskirts of a star system far off the track of those explored by Anthro or Human kind. An orange star, on the low end of medium, was the primary feature with a scattering of four average planets and one smallish gas giant. The system was relatively free of asteroids, comets and other space debris.
Mother gave Nova's arm a small squeeze and smiled, "not bad kitten, you just need to feel the ship more... be the ship, not just drive it like a truck."
Matron decided to give Nova a bit of a hug, while she embraced the feline the older vixen regarded her partner, "a truck... what is a truck?"
"Nothing to worry about really." She replied somewhat whimsically.
Matron nodded, "ah good. So We should hold here for now. Until the major is awake again and we've sorted out everyone."
Pure black, looking clear
A sound, very agonizing within La'orth's head, echoed and repeated. It was not unlike laughter, such vivid emotions, such taste. We find Vizanzi repugnant, but for such as they have done to yours... we might almost consider helping them exterminate your Korsinian things. So we might feed on the death, rage, hate, frustration... all of it down to the last flame of life within your flesh husk.
La'orth's mind was a popular receiver today, as a screech similar to that of a sun raptor (or other appropriate avian), entered his conscious awareness. The front, right quadrant of his mental 'hearing'.
Another unknown thing made of a mottled, black organic material in a hybrid shape of spider, crab, and avian, bubbled into existence behind the Harbinger. The shape opened fire with some type of brilliant energy beam, annihilating part of the side of the Harbinger as it spun to face the intruder.
The Harbinger, screaming incoherently in La'orth's head and returned fire wildly and missing this new comer by a hair's width. Within a split second, the screaming of the Harbinger ended in La'orth's consciousness. The sudden cessation of an existence that had latched so strongly onto the raptor nearly snuffed out his own life force and dragged him into the void of the beyond. He was able to somehow remain, through an exhaustive expenditure of willpower.
Appearing on the screen of his fighter was a black feline (it looks to be made of shiny obsidian) with blue-white burning eyes. Its mouth appears to contain the same blue-white fire as the eyes as it speaks, "a star light dasher in a primitive void skimmer, fascinating. Are you lost little scrabber?"
Infirmary
Saioko smiled and sighed at Knight, taking his words to heart. Before turning her attention back to the human, "I'm second in command, the major is indisposed at the moment, but he will be joining us soon. I'm here for the after action reports. I can answer any questions you might have."
Mina looked to Spatz and shook her head. Spatz wanted to press the issue, but he took the vixen's advise and let it drop. He took a seat near Robert, but gave the squirrel space.
Mina took up a seat across from Robert and watched him quietly, she did not delve into his mind and instead focused it on the surrounding.
Xaos stood by his attention on the moody squirrel, he had no concept or understanding of the personal privacy the non-psychic races coveted. He silently sifted through thoughts at his leisure.
Marissa's dreamscape
The fox kids broke into the Electric rock version of Kimi ni Mune Kyun in the background. It was quite distracting from the conversation the 'adults' were trying to have.
Alexis shook her head, a habit she seemed to use more and more these days, "nothing so very drastic, but Knight's team has returned with a human ISIS agent and her team of ex-pirates. It is as we feared with Romulus and Lord Xaos does not seem to be able... or is unwilling to bring him back. So I am afraid your senior NCO has passed on. Saioko went down to the Infirmary to gather the reports. Last thing, Mina... she is one of the other companions of the excitable squirrel Robert, who is a fox and a quarter Acadian... has reported that Robert's mental condition is deteriorating rather rapidly. That is what she thinks at least, she is trying to respect her friend's privacy as much as she can. I suggest we talk to Xaos, he has no such lingering inhibitions."
COMMAND CENTER
Nova was shocked at Mother and Matron re-actions and then felt like crying... but it is a happy cry. She can't remember the last time she had done anything good enough for anyone resently. She leans into her hug with Matron. She miss these so. Still, Nova also realized that she had forgotten she could get more a feel of the ship by cyber-link with Mara.... Mara should be here..here
Where is Mara?
Marissa's Dreamscape
The little kitten with hawk wings flys thought the clouds and sing this song:
There's a place in my mind
No one knows where it hides
And my fantasy is flying
It's a castle in the sky
It's a world of our past
Where the legend still lasts
And the king wears the crown
But the magic spell is law
Take your sword and your shield
There's a battle on the field
You're a knight and you're right
So with dragons now you'll fight
And my fancy is flying
It's a castle in the sky
Or there's nothing out there
These are castles in the air
Mara flys towards the sound of the boys singing, and she flys into Marissa's castle but lands near the Major and Alexis. "Yo Major sir!, I see you got the word. from Alexis about the team and the new members. You should come and see how good Nova did. Matron let she like driving ah piloting the ship." The excited little kitten shouted.
PBH
video link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJZJGfthjCU)
Marissa's dreamscape
Aaron looked up at the kitten. Then back down to Alexis. Then back to Marissa. Marissa just shrugged.
Aaron before he looked to Mara, "I'll check on Nova later. It sounds like there are incidents in the Infirmary I should check on."
Aaron gets up, despite minimal protestation from Marissa, and heads out the castle door, which conveniently leads to...
Marissa's Room
Aaron gets up to find Marissa largely in her right spot and Ixiah and Loki meditating near by. Alexis look exactly like she did in the dreamscape, not missing a beat. She follows Aaron out the door, "On the Robert situation, I'm not sure I want Xaos picking through his mind. That would probably only make Robert worse."
"Xaos would certainly be good enough to not let Robert ever know."
"Indeed. This would just be all the more unsettling and..."
About at this time Aaron noticed the novelty mustache on his face. Though it was removed from his face, this then left Aaron with the unresolved question of what to do with a novelty plastic mustache. Nothing was the answer for the time being.
"Where was I... don't remember... but on the other hand, Mina. A new part Acadian? I'll have to talk with her, and hopefully there aren't too many more."
Aaron had a lot to think about. With more part Acadians along with real Acadians this was making a return trip to the ISF more problematic. This combined with picking up more ISIS crew. Aaron was not looking forwards to what other surprises await when he gets to the Infirmary.
Marissa's Room
"Oh bumble butt, The Major can really take the fun out of everything." complains Mara... "But he can't stop me from flying to my castle in the sky." She hugs Marissa's Dragon and winks at Marissa... and then wings out the door in the ships corridors. Singing....
You've got the key
Of the kingdom of the clouds
Open the door
Leaving back your doubts
You've got the power
To live another childhood
So ride the wind
That leads you to the moon 'cause...
Fairytales live in me
Fables coming from my memory
Fantasy is not a crime
Find your castle in the sky "
Her song can to be heard very softly thoughtout the ship.
Command Center
"O AH I've better go find Mara...?" says Nova, after hearing Mara over the PA system and heads to the staterooms.
PBH.
The battle visible through his canopy might have been a fascinating experience if it hadn't been for the Harvester's death throws grasping at La'orth's mind like a climber scrabbling at a loose cliff face as he starts to fall off the mountain. Every muscle in La'orth's body reacted violently as the Harvester was ripped away; his claws digging in the sides of the cockpit while his feet were squishing him into his chair so hard that one of the joints creaked faintly. Maybe it was dumb luck that he survived, or maybe it was the strength of his will. Or possibly it was just that holding on to your chair for dear life makes you more resistant to having your soul sucked out.
For the second time in two minutes he came back to himself, faintly aware that the VI was once again suggesting he seek immediate medical attention. Instead he stared blankly out of his cockpit at the empty space behind the spreading remains of the Harbinger a short while while he caught his breath and let his heart settle down.
In a weak voice he replied to the newcomer's message. "Y-yeah. I'm very lost. B-but my friends should b-be a-along any moment. I'll just fly over there," he gestured vaguely in the direction he had arrived from, "and wait for them. If they don't," he glanced at the chronometer displaying his reserves of air, consumables, and power, "I'll just forget about you in about 47 hours anyway. No need to get worked up on my account."
He finally took a good look at the being on his main HUD screen. I must look terrible right now. he thought despite his surprise over the cat-like being's glowing innards. He wasn't sure whether to hope for a quick death or a quick rescue.
Infirmary
"Very well. I responded to detecting a ISF transponder appear on my scanner, found it to be Lieutenant Whitehaven, and as dictated by Protocol, assisted him in escaping the pirated facility, by sending three of my recruited personnel, a doctor Devin 'Doc' Holiday, a computer technician-Jack Maier, and a marksman-Miyuki Sairenji; to help him in navigating the pathways out of the base used for maintenance. While they did so, I and my stealth operative, Magick Nightstride, ventured off on our own to attempt securing air transport. The pirates made doing so from the airstrip impossible, and had released Harbinger-type poisonous reptilians into the pathways. I was injured by one, and rendered incapacitated for the bulk of the mission, until being revived onboard your shuttle. So concludes my after-action report.
"Magick, Jack, and Miyuki will need to be given temporary quarters until I may contact an ISF officer ranking high enough to grant them a pardon for their acts of piracy. Mr. Holiday, however, has become belligerent, and is so recommended to stay in the brig until his fate may be decided. I also request use of a secure communications terminal as soon as possible, to file the record of my previous mission to the ISIS."
Debriefings are Always More Awkward When You're Talking to Your Girlfriend
Knight Shrugged, and started speaking in a semi-formal tone, doing his best to maintain proper military protocols in front of the newcomers, " The mission started out fairly well. Once we landed, we were escorted to the prisoner where we made initial contact. Rom opened fire, and a firefight ensued. We took out most everybody in the tower save for Holly, and, while arguing over whether or not we should secure the prisoner, he threatened me while attempting a mutiny. He was killed by a stray shot, which then resulted in my having to secure Holly. We found ourselves trapped in the tower for a few moments, with the main exits cut off. A secondary tunnel system was brought to light thanks to the ISIS agent, and her secured assistance."
"In the tunnels we had a few incidents with the Harbingers but made it out without any serious, life-threatening injuries. We ecountered a secondary pirate force, and, after loosing them, ran into an Acadian AI... i never caught his name, but, we had to follow orders and render our technomage companion unconscious for the remainder of the mission. We secured transport, and made the rendezvous."
"If there's anything else you need, it'd be nice to take care of them as quickly as possible... I would like to get my bearings, a little something to eat, and then some rest. "
Spatz shook his head and opened his mouth as if to say something, but then thought differently. Standing up, he crossed the room and sat down next to Mina, "Mina?"
The Fox at first didn't seem to acknowledge the Rats question, but she blinked slowly and turned her head slightly in his direction, "yes?" Her voice seemed to hint exhaustion.
Spatz shifted in the chair, "Do you know what Robert is talking about? I mean he talked about his work before he joined up with us. I dont remember anything like this."
Mina shook her head, "He never went into details. I think he was vague purposely to avoid bringing it up. People don't like to be confronted with their... shortcomings."
Spatz thought for a bit about what Mina said. It then hit him and he reached out and touched Mina's arm, causing her to flench, "He doesn't mean it, what he said about you. He's angry, hurt and confused. He wasn't in his right mind when he said that." This only elicited a scornful glance from her.
Command Center
"All systems are nominal, we are holding station and charging all jump engines. All areas standing by until needed." Reported Matron as she quickly surveyed all systems, "Mother's more current star charts report that we are on the intersection of unoccupied neutral space and Vizanzi patrolled territories."
Gaea left control of the ship to the AIs and exited the bridge for other areas of the ship.
Infirmary
Before reaching the Infirmary, Alexis ominously grins in response to Aaron's comment that there are hopefully not more part-Acadians. "Just how disappointed would you be if I said there are about a thousand in stasis on the middle deck of Matron. We'll have to ask Gaea or Xaos about them though."
Saioko listened to Harriet's report and nodded, "yes, the lieutenant and I were sent out here to retrieve you among other things. I can let you use my SIGIL*, if you need to contact primary ISIS command. I don't imagine you would want to transmit such things using Acadian communication systems without a dedicated encryption unit. I will let the major decide what to do with your unruly comrade, as well as Whitehaven's new acquisition. Thank you both, Knight carry on, Chief Warrant Officer TiBalt, I would get some rest as well. Dismissed."
Secretly Saioko was giddy with the sweet nectar of being in command instead of being something that could be commanded.
Mina's mood had darkened completely, "I... I... thought I had prepared for this eventuality. I'm not... different, I'm still me... I'm just more aware, a bit beyond what I was. Talk about something else, I'm not in the mood for this right now."
*SIGIL systems are the encrypted communication subsystems used on Dark Rage class advanced destroyers built by ISIS.
My Work Is Done Soon Here
"Little jungle scrabber is far from where anything like you would be found. I see the remains of a fold vortex station of the <unintelligable>, so it is unlikely you will be visualizing the others who are of you. I could take you to find something more amiable. Since you do not like the Sky Tyrant kin, what are called Vizanzi, I suppose there is something else close."
The large black vessel moved to loom over the small fighter.
"There is too much that would interfere with me if I was to carry you across the galaxy to the rest of your type. Acadians might be able to do that for you, because the thinks that do not like me may not care about them."
The black vessel ate the small fighter. Turning quickly, it faded into the blackness of space, speeding across interspaced dimensionality towards a star system with a familiar signature of a psionic drive system.
Infirmary
"Disappointed... I'm not sure that is the right word. Something more like horror. One thousand. That is not a trivial number. That is big number."
Alexis grins through the entire way as they walk into the Infirmary.
Inside the infirmary Aaron look around... at the new bunch of folk... it is like his command is a clown car or something. New people popping up all the time. He waits to see who addresses him first.
"I... uhhh..." La'orth's brain tried to process the overload of information. He braced himself against his cockpit again as the large ship loomed around him and swallowed him whole with a silent *Nom*. His ship's VI seemed to be fine with being eaten at this point; it didn't chirp once.
Inside the strange hybrid vessel La'orth found nothing but a thick, pitch black that refused to give way before his figher's external lights. He probably should have been scared, but the last few minutes had drained him. In fact, the darkness made him feel cozy rather than claustrophobic.
"So, wait. You're helping me? What for?"
The amusement in the cat-being's voice was very apparent. It is suitable for me. You serve goals for me in ways that were unavailable before you disturbed the devouring-one. The little scrabber has proven very useful.
"I... You're welcome?" The cat-being simply smiled and waited patiently. "Um. You seem to know quite a bit about me. What, and who, are you?" La'orth suddenly remembered where he was and went to queue up a detailed scan of his surroundings.
You are not to be rude. The cat-being's voice changed to have a hint of annoyance. You are who is requiring assistance, and I am willing to render for cooperation. There is knowledge that you are not ready for, but you may refer to me as Hunter. It is appropriate enough.
La'orth paused and considered the cat-being's words for a moment. "Fine, Hunter. I can be a good houseguest, though I'm afraid I don't have the proper gifts to give when accepting the hospitality..." His eyes widened in shock. "Did you say Acadians?!"
The obsidian cat-being laughed.
Knight watched in mild amusement as Saioko casually strutted about with the power of her command. He had several rather solid guesses as to what she was thinking. The speckled feline was keeping himself calm and closed off. He had a great deal of guilt over the loss of Rom, yet refused to show it in front of the rest of the team. It wasn't that he felt remorse, it was simply a feeling of failure, a failure to do everything in his power to bring everyone home. A failure to keep the team in better control, and a failure to throw the bastard face first into the ground as soon as he started questioning orders mid-firefight.
He fired off a few quick sets of orders before going through his own examination. "Ben, make sure the new people are taken care of, have Harriet introduce her people to the team, and lets get everyone settled in."
After going through the routine checkup, the lieutenant set about finding his quarters. Stress had been building up, and it took most of his effort to focus on finding his room the headache finally set in. He felt ill with himself, like there was still blood from the dead Sargent still on him. It wasn't until he found himself drenched in cold water that he realized he wasn't really sure how he'd managed to find his way to the crew quarters, how he'd managed to find his personal quarters, nor when he'd actually gotten into the shower.
He turned the warm water up, chasing away the chill, along with the feelings of guilt as the relaxation flowed over his form. much like the tiny droplets the negative emotions seemed to seep through the floor and disappear from the commanders mind. After a few minutes of relaxation, Knight wrapped a towel around his midsection and proceeded to head for the bed. He felt like he'd just had a ton of bricks pulled off his body, and he could hopefully sleep off the effects.
Infirmary
Unfortunately for poor Aaron, only Xaos and Saioko seem to notice him. The ancient vulpine gives a simple, macho male greeting of, "yo."
Saioko on the other hand, strides right up to him and salutes, "major sir, you seem to have just missed Lt. Whitehaven, but I have his report. Chief Warrant Officer TiBalt is from ISIS and I have her preliminary report as well. In keeping with Knight's tradition, it seems, he has managed to bring back another pirate prisoner that is female. Thankfully this one is not critically injured. Our other ex-pirate turned helper, is being fixed up after the ordeal."
The feline became a bit more subdued and her gaze fell towards the floor as she added the last bit, "and... as you are aware, we had one casualty."
Try getting back to me. Get back which used to be .
La'orth's question is left hanging after the unusual laugh of the cat-being had ended. The image on the fighter's communication screen did not seem to waiver or change much, other than the occasional blinking of the blue orbs that appear to be its eyes.
The brief silence is broken by Hunter, "I am entering the system that will be your destination. Now, I must just determine the best way to approach them. Acadians can react badly when you surprise them... they are not used to being surprised anymore."
Infirmary
Aaron salutes back, "Yes... I felt that... too... umm..."
Aaron felt a bit awkward. He had never lost anyone under his command.
"Well, forward those reports to my data pad and I'll look over them. Also, make sure Knight understands that ISF rules do not allow him to keep a harem."
Turning out those pirates was going to be difficult. The one was already offered asylum, and she should be leaving with Ana. For the other one he would need more details about her. Hopefully a nobody that can be accommodated with minimal fuss.
Aaron looked to Xaos, who wore an almost completely blank look on his face. "As for you, I'm prepared for the soul thingy whenever you are."
Stateroom corridors
Nova is hunting for Mara outside of Marissa's room. She can feel that Mara is near, but not where. Loki is also near here.
The catgirl looks both ways down the corridor. A sudden explosion of light and noise, a 2.5 meter gryphon, Mara comes running out of Marissa's room. Loki holds a sword in a charge position riding on Mara's back. Also Xiah is riding behind him and waves back at Nova as the gryphon flys past her. Mara continues running down the corridor towards the hanger. Nova has no choice but to run after them.
"Mara!! Loki!! Come back here" says Nova
"Oh No It is the Sorceress... we must fly like the wind" yells Mara as she flys faster down the corridor
PBH
One reptile, Rockefeller-style
"Acadians?!" La'orth repeated. "Aren't they the ones who are supposed to have laid out and cleared all of the known hyperspace lanes? Some of our scientists have said that the lanes seem to have a rough pattern, and they theorize that the layout might be part of a planned design. The E'kiath nebula does have a lot of clear lanes running within easy visual range of it. It's like someone wanted you to see it." He paused as he tried to remember what else he had heard either about Acadians or the scientists' crazy theory, but all he got was vague memories of other Korsinians talking over drinks about how so-and-so had gone missing in unexplored space, probably due to Acadians. No concrete descriptions came to mind either.
He noticed that Hunter had remained unmoving and silent. "Hello?"
"Hey! Are you there?! Answer me!!" He momentarily lost the fight against his rising fear and frustration. A moment of staring down the apparently oblivious creature on his screen allowed him to collect himself a little, and realizing what he had done, he looked away in shame.
"Please? I don't know enough about them, not even what they look like, and I don't want to get myself killed for being ignorant in the presence of what might be a God."
Spatz shook his head, "Mina, I'm not even sure about how you'd do it, but I don't think Robert would want you tooling about in his head."
"Sometimes you have to help people even if they're too stubborn to do it themselves." Mina glanced back at Robert's form, "anyways, I want to find out what he's talking about."
"Yeah, but maybe he had his reasons for not telling us. We all have our own secrets, and our reasons for keeping them."
"Spatz, I don't think he's done anything wrong, but he believes he is responsible. He helped us when we needed it, I intend to help him. To do that I need to confront those memories." Mina turned and coughed politely to get Aaron's attention, "Excuse me sir, I'm Ensign Kallanwei and," she motioned to Spatz, "this is Ensign Nevins, we were just recently revived from medical stasis, there is something I need to talk to you about the condition of our fellow crew mate, Ensign Norston."
Aaron turns to Mina, getting the distinct impression that Xaos is grinning his impossible grin as he looked away, "Good to meet you all. Mmm... yes Robert. I'm not sure what to do about his condition. However, I also need to speak with you about your condition. The Acadian part."
State-room
With ruckus out of the way, and his fragile mind in a somewhat better state than before, the spotted feline tried to sleep, the mental image of Rom, quickly being replaced by the destruction of the prototype vessel he'd made the first leg of this mission on. He watched in horror as an energy beam pierced a section of hull, the ship lurching out from under him. Then nothing. The scene kept replaying itself, slightly different each time, as he tried to sort through the details.
some time had passed, and he was left staring at the ceiling, feeling very cold, very alone, and exhausted, yet unable to sleep. So, he waited as the images replayed themselves yet again.
Mina nodded, "I understand, but I must insist that we tend to Robert first. I can... enter peoples dreams, I believe the proper term for it is Dreamwalking, from there i can effect changes. Typically changes where I can get the subject to resolve their issues on their own is the most effective, but it is relatively time intensive. The longer I wait, the more their mindset becomes solidified, and the harder it is to change it. With your permission I'd advise administrating a sedative to Robert and attempt to Dreamwalk as soon as possible. After that we will have all the time we need to discuss the intricacies of our race."
Aaron nods, "Yes, I'm familiar with the dream thing. Can be especially fun when you are wildly latching onto other people's dreams."
Mina looked at Aaron quite quizzically.
Aaron looked around for a second like he was trying to forget something, "Anyways, your idea sounds like it is the best. Try and help Robert, hopefully he won't be to upset about having his mind prodded since you seem to know him well."
"We'll cross that river when we get to it. In times like this, sometimes its better to beg for forgiveness rather than ask for permission." She walked over to a nearby medicine cabinet and pulled out a tool that looked like a small pistol that had a vial attached in its hilt.
While Mina was busy fiddling with the controls on the medicine gun Spatz shook his head and went back to his seat. The commander seemed... nice... admittedly he seemed more interested in Mina than him, but that wasn't always unusual; sometimes the only way he'd seem to get attention was when several lights were red and angrily blinking. Over all he felt uncertain, there seemed to be a grand whirlwind of activity, confusion, pain, and suffering and he was just caught in the drift. He wasn't sure if the entire thing would collapse down on everybody, or if it would even out. But for the time being it seemed that this was the "calmest" place to be for the time being.
Robert sat on his bench, vaguely aware that someone had approached, "please, just leave me alone," he didn't look up.
"Robert," the mentioning of his name made him glance up to Mina who had the medical gun held behind her back, "This is for your own good," she yanked him forward and brought the gun up to the startled squirrel's neck. There was a sharp hiss from the gun as it delivered the sedative into Robert's system and, as it took effect, he slumped into Mina's arms. As she held him up Mina sighed and whispered, "Robert... I'm sorry... but I just want to help..." She began lugging his slumbering body towards a vacant examination table.
Infirmary
The Human saluted her Superior officers, and introduced her people where appropriate. These were mere mechanical workings, nothing more or less. At the first opportunity, she ushered her co-operative team members out, into an empty room, and began searching for listening devices, with some help from the ever clever Magick.
"Harriet...what's up? You look...less likely to shoot us in the face at the first sign of disloyalty," commented Miyuki slyly. The elder female gave her a look, which made the point clear that such was not the case.
Harriet needed a secure space. Somewhere that she could let down her defenses and convey the full scope of how utterly screwed they were, and to warn her team members of what trials would come roaring through their lives now. It in no way helped that the ship obviously had an AI on board, which meant it could possibly improvise a listening device out of something as mundane as the air conditioning. But still, there was work to be done. So...much...work.
Infirmary
Saioko nodded to Aaron, "we also need to arrange for some type of ceremony, funeral in space, for Romulus." The feline officer saluted and dismissed herself to her duties.
Xaos waited for Aaron to finish his conversations with Saioko and Mina before sneaking up behind him. He draped his arms over Aaron's shoulders and moved his muzzle over to the other fox's right ear, whispering, "time to get started kid." Both disappeared without anyone noticing, one second they are there and the next gone.
Mina placed Robert on a medical examination table and Cynthia activated the diagnostics. Within a few moments there were statistics to evaluate and Cynthia related them, "all biological systems functioning superbly. Some elevated neurotransmitter levels and other factors of high stress. Please be careful Mina, this is different than the controlled simulation training. Even dreamwalking in the minds of all those pirates over the years is very different than the mind of someone who holds memories of you and an idealistic version of your own self within him."
Marissa's room
Aaron and Xaos appeared in Marissa's room just as Gaea was shooing the pair of fox kids out, "Loki and Ixiah, go to the command center and see Mother and Matron. You are both in charge of ship operations, but please observe Aaron's chain of command."
The two give each other conspiratorial looks and respond in tandem, "okay!" They dash off.
Marissa yawns and waves to Aaron, "heya."
Xaos separates from leaning over Aaron to stand near Gaea. He turns to both Marissa and Aaron, "okay you two. I am grateful that you have both chosen to do this for us. Now you both must shed the trappings that clothe your form..."
Marissa emits a high-pitched, cute little "eep" sound and blushes deeply, "I... couldn't do that..."
Gaea giggles, "no we must first move our consciousnesses beyond our corporeal forms... out of body type of thing, yes?"
Marissa breathes a sigh of relief, "whew..."
Stateroom Corridors
Ixiah and Loki, having encountered Mara were in the midst of a bit of fantasy play as the two foxes headed for the command center. They run across Nova and bound off in the opposite direction.
Loki and Ixiah break off from the game to continue on towards their destination as Mara seems intent on leading Nova in a wild chase through out the ship.
The two arrive at the command center just after Saioko.
SPS - Shadowcat Parcel Service
The creature calling itself Hunter blinked its luminous orbs a few times and it seemed to orient itself towards La'orth, "were you vocalizing audibly? Not receiving at the period just before vocalizing myself currently. What are Acadians? They are a race of organics who came into being after the First Age. They are the... oldest... of the races granted a non-perpetual existence. Unlike those like myself or other ancients, they originally possessed the potential to self-improve... what you might call evolve. They cast this off to achieve perpetual existence of non-corporeal thought."
It considered what it was attempting to relay and realized that it might be too high-level for the question previously offered. The strange feline created a smaller window within the viewable area and displayed an image of a very colorful canine (fox) mammal creature, "this is what the Acadians construct from... hard energy... that they inhabit to interact with beings that are tied to physical existences. These that I am giving you to are not like the majority that your people have legends about. These are renegades seeking to change the current direction of their own people."
Hunter paused in its vocalizations for a moment, "these are not... gods... La'orth unit. Oh and here we are."
The dark vessel quickly appeared, seemingly becoming a part of reality from nothing, in front of Matron. On the bridge, Matron and Mother were surprised to no end, and Loki and Ixiah gasped. Saioko felt a knot of fear in her stomach, but she did not know why.
The elder AIs both stopped Alexis in mid-motion as she prepared to raise defensive shields and arm weapons. They opened communications channels and broadcasted a message of greeting.
The mainscreen activated and a black feline, who looks to be made of shiny obsidian with blue-white burning eyes with a mouth of the same fire as the eyes, speaks, "greetings to you as well Alphas of the void sailing vessel. I am known as Hunter."
Everyone on the bridge notices that this Darkshasa vocalizes with the same accent as their own Saioko. The Shadowcat calling itself Hunter shifts its attention to the feline and tilts its head. It appears to speak, but no sound is emitted.
Saioko tries to cover her ears to the sound, but something resonates within her. Her panther disguise disappears revealing a similar appearance to that of Hunter, except she has pinkish energy, and is not smooth and uniform... more patchwork.
"Interesting, this is not Acadian work..." Hunter mused.
Saioko turned giving the assembled Acadians, and Richard who everyone always forgets about, a mortified look before turning a hate filled gaze towards the screen, "you! You are the one that destroyed my ship!"
Hunter shook his form's head in a negative fashion, feeling that to be an appropriate gesture, "no, I've never seen something like you before, but I have heard mention of it from others. I am curious, but there are others who would come to anger over something like this. I mean you no harm... I would... feel... sadness for you. However I did not come here for you."
Saioko growled briefly before resuming her panther mode. Her eyes pleaded with everyone present, "please forgive me, I did not mean to deceive... I am afraid..."
Matron held up her hand, "we should talk later dear, most of us already suspected."
Hunter exaggerated a noise that resembled clearing one's throat to gain everyone's attention, "now, I came to give you all a stray I found. A Korsinian I found recently, separated from the rest of its... pod... pack... er, whatever they might call it, fell into my care recently. I do not have the ability to care for a pet and I know that Acadians love the little scrabbers..."
Loki's eyes light up at the mention of Korsinian, though Matron seems to not understand the name. Mother explains something to her briefly.
Ixiah speaks before the others, "sure, we can take him in."
"Oh good, I shall transfer him and his little void skimmer. He may need a checkup with your biological systems engineer."
La'orth's fighter, regardless of his own feelings on this handoff, is removed from the Shadowcat vessel and moved via a beam of energy into the hanger deck of the Acadian ship. To La'orth the Acadian vessel is as large as a cruiser.
Ixiah, Loki, Alexis and Richard (who is a smallish wolf and not Acadian) are already in the hanger area waiting for the raptor to exit his vessel. Both Alexis and Richard are prepared if it should turn out to be hostile.
"Oi, come on out!" Yelled Loki.
Harriet's 'secure' side room
Jack did his best not to sigh, but he was also worried, "Harriet, ma'am, we need to consider the situation. Perhaps this isn't as bad as it seems. Something else may have gone down there that has nothing to do with you."
Magick flagged everyone to silence just before a knock sounded at the door and a familiar voice was heard, "excuse me ma'am, but I have been instructed to introduce you and your group to the rest of the Specials Forces team members and get you settled in."
Opening the door carefully, the canine staff sergeant from the rescued mission partially entered, "For at least the time being, we will not be heading back into ISF space. So unless there is some outstanding order to the contrary, you and your team will be integrated into the Special Forces unit and the command structure."
Marissa's room
Aaron looked at Xaos... it was a rather flat glare.
Xaos for his part chuckled at Aaron's thoughts and gets much closer to Aaron, "Why so analytical boy! All of this nonsense about `the latest research show that...` You know we offer the both of you something so much more... grand!"
Gaea sighed, "Xaos, there is no need to be so dramatic. And please don't climb on top of Aaron. That just looks perverted." She takes Marissa's hand, "Marissa sweety, I know this is new to you, but please relax. We will need to connect with the two of you.
Marissa, getting quite a lot of support from Gaea found herself at ease, slipping easily into a deep trance. Aaron continued to be weirded out by Xaos for a moment before he was able to slip into... where ever it was he went.
A meeting of the minds
As far as Aaron could see, it looked like an empty white room. Aaron looked around, calling out for someone. Xaos continued to be quite distressing, hiding just out of view in the great expanse of nothing.
Xaos let the game continue for a few seconds before finally resting his muzzle on Aaron's shoulder, "I know what you are thinking~ And just so you know, the best way to describe this, this is something like your potential. Well, you and Marissa. Assuming that neither of you die and you both can become fully ascended Acadians and all that. But lets not dwell on that point. Gaea and Marissa are already well underway."
Aaron tries to ask something but he is cut off by Xaos, "Silly Aaron, your thoughts are so much faster then your mouth. Gaea is looking for a window into her soul, we need to sift though your memories. Now... lets see about... this,"
Just as swiftly as any scene change can be, Aaron and Xaos were standing in what looked like a hospital room. Aaron and his brother Mark were both new born kits barely hours old and in their mother's arms, and their dad was standing over shoulder... hoping that any moment now she would let him hold at least one of them.
She spoke abruptly, "Robert... if only you could feel them... in this unrestrained state..."
Robert sighed, "But... Isis... we can't. You said so yourself. It would be dangerous to them, both the hazard of... them finding out and to themselves."
Aaron looks over to Xaos, "It looks like when I was born, and when mom locked away my psionic potential. She looks... miserable. Also, I don't understand, why are you..."
Xaos holds up a hand, "I was looking for her... also, I'm not sure how to best phrase this, but what she did to you would be viewed as similar to breaking your legs at birth and making sure they don't heal."
The dream image of Aaron's mom looked up to Xaos, "Yes... which is why I left a part of myself here, watching him, protecting him."
Xaos sneaks behind the image of Isis, "Yes, and now I need his help. Figment of Isis, can you help me out? You know what I need."
Isis sighed and looked up at the roof. The roof, and the rest of the building shattered into thousands of little shards and disappeared into the sky, leaving behind only a green field and a forest in the distance.
She turns to the two, "Past these woods, you will find the temple of the soul. Your companions are there as well. Xaos, do not forget that this is my child..."
Xaos waves to her, "Yes, yes. Don't worry, I have his best interests at heart. Now Aaron, let's hurry!"
With that Xaos dashes off into the woods. Aaron rolls his eyes and chases after him. Isis sights to herself and fades into the background, watching closely...
Stateroom
Without the ability to sleep, the feline decided to do the next best thing. He headed out to go check on the condition of his team, filling out paperwork as he went on a standard issue data-pad. Supposedly the ship had the ability to fill these forms out through psychic abilities...
He knew he looked hellish as left the stateroom, wandered out into the corridor, and started hunting for the barracks, or perhaps the cafeteria... coffee would make a welcome distraction.
Dirty little secrets...
Mina merely nodded and sat down on a nearby table and leaned back. Closing her eyes, she started to slow her breathing and tried to clear her mind of thoughts and reach out to touch any nearby minds who were in a dreamstate. She was hesitant at first, the others had merely been a systematic process, surgical even. But, she had never been vested in her subject before, doubt started to gnaw at her, but she did her best to clear the conflicting thoughts from her mind as she managed to contact Robert's mind.
The best description of dreamstates is that of the surface of an ocean. Most people tend to be relatively calm with maybe some light chop; Robert's was a chaotic storm with savage waves.
Taking a deep breath, Mina plunged in...and found herself drifting amongst a sea of silver constructs that resembled geodesic spheres, roughly as big as a small room each.
Any Acadian could dreamwalk, to a degree, but without training, practice, and, perhaps, talent, they had little control over where they entered a persons dream. Most would end up on the surface, the most active part of the dream. For many this was enough, but Mina had dove deeper into his dreamscape as far as she could go, to Robert's where memories would serve as a breeding ground for dreams. It would be here she could find out the whys and whats before she could even try to fix him...
"Figures," Mina muttered as she drifted amongst the silverish spheres, "Engineer would store his memories like this." As a sphere neared her, she reached out and touched its side.
Mina found herself standing in what looked like an urban park setting. A young girl, a squirrel of maybe twelve years of age, sat at the base of the tree reading a book.
"Hey Anna!" the shout caused the girl to look up from her book as a young boy ran up to her who unmistakably Robert, but eight years old. The girl sighed, "Robert, what is it now?" she had a peevish tone about her like she was dealing with an annoying sibling.
"Pa says we're gonna be heading home, so he sent me to find you. Come on lets go," Robert waited impatiently.
Anna merely started reading the book again with the air of one who was not going to be ordered around by their younger brother.
"Anna!" Robert stamped his foot, "Come on," at the lack of any motivation on his sisters part he tried a different tactic, "I know, I'll just tell mom and dad what you and Jeremy Cathens were doing..."
Anna slapped the book closed, "you wouldn't dare!"
"Anna and Jeremy sitting in a tree..." Robert teased, "K... I... S," and was cut off as he dodged the book thrown as his face, and he took off running with Anna chasing after him.
Mina smirked, and waved her hand, and the image faded away as the ball drifted away from her. "Hmm, maybe something a tad more recent," she mused as She flew up to another ball, and touched its side.
She heard the rustling of sheets, and the sounds of heavy breathing. It was a nondescript bed room, and in the bed was Robert and... Mina blushed and dispersed the dream, well... fantasy, immediately.
She sought out another floating ball and touched its edge. A faint chill confirmed she had finally found one she wanted.
Robert was at the edge of a blast door working between the console in his hand and the control panel on the door, "Okay," he addressed the other five men in pressure suits next to him, "We've access to the engineering bay. What we need you to do is to get in there, access the computers, and up-link to the Magnar and then get back. Be quick, this whole place is unstable. I tried to compensate, but there was only so little I could do without adding to the problem; so watch where you step and don't press any buttons," he eyed one of the men in the back of the group, "that means you."
The man cringed, "it was only once."
The rest of the men chuckled, and their leader looked over to Robert, "that all?"
"No, a Cheese Burger with a side of fries if you can swing it."
The man shook his head and rolled his eyes, "alright crew lets move out,"
"And none of that artificial meat replica crap!" Robert yelled after them as they made their way down the corridor. On Robert's console a window started flashing, he tapped it and the stern countenance of a human looked back at him.
"Mr. Norston, what is the status of the retrieval team?"
"Well, Captain, they just left. They should be inside the engineering bay in about ten minutes, and that's being generous. Anything I should forward to them?"
The Captain smirked and shook his head, "No, just keep me informed."
The window minimized and Robert went back to working between the two consoles. Time seemed to creep along, with the retrieval team calling in to give their position in the ship.
"Hey Robert, can you open the door to the engineering control center?" at the sound of the team leader's voice Robert pulled up a window on his pad.
"Yeah, give me a sec," Robert started searching for the junction they were at, he tapped his helmet in confusion, "According to the grid here that door is open, are you sure it isn't a blast door or something?"
"Negative,"
"Maybe its just a short. Stand back gonna see if I cant open it," Robert tweaked some variables, when all of a sudden a massive shudder ripped through the ship, "Guys... what the hell was that?"
He was answered by an onslaught of profanity. The squad leader composed himself, "Sorry. That was unexpected. The door is open, but the control center is a mess. The computer banks look okay, but the walls and some consoles are all scarred up."
There was a tangible shudder in the ship, Robert hesitated, "Guys, I don't know how long we've got till the ship becomes too dangerous to work in. See if we can still connect to the computer. If you cant or its gonna take longer than expected then I want you out of there before things can turn south."
"I copy, checking the banks now." the team leader replied. Light tremors flowed through the ship as Robert waited anxiously for their verdict. "Robert? Yeah, apart from being banged up they're good, we're gonna set up and start the transfer, shouldn't take too long."
Robert rubbed his temple and looked down at the note pad in his hand. A small bar was blinking and slowly filling which indicated that they were transferring any recoverable files to the Magnar. He fidgeted anxiously as the tremors through the ship gradually increased. Robert flicked through the various programs on his pad, checking each of the stabilizers he had in place; nothing seemed to jump out. Suddenly, just as one of the stabilizers went offline on his pad the entire ship was rocked by a sudden jolt, throwing Robert off his feet.
"Samuel, get your men out of there. Forget the equipment, this place is about to come apart at the seams." Robert picked himself up from the floor, "Magnar, what does the it look like out there?"
A feminine voice spoke from his pad, "We're currently tracking a new cloud of debris next to the ship. The stabilizer seems to be on the largest piece which is..." the next part spoke directly through Robert's helmet, "All hands prepare for impact."
The second impact sent Robert crashing into the wall. The sound of his visor cracking was drowned out by the screeching of twisting metal. He sat up in a daze as another alarm went off, and the heavy door that he had been working next too slammed shut and locked with a hiss. "Robert, what the hell!? We need this door open!" dull thuds on the door punctuated Samuel's sentence.
"Uh," Robert uneasily stood up and picked up his pad. Warning lights were blinking all over it, "Its some sort of mechanical lockdown system. It will be a minute; hang on. Magnar," Robert pulled a plasma cutter out of his toolbelt, "Retrieval team is stuck behind the access door. I need an alternative route, or breaching charges. Now!" He went over the panel next to the door. With a hiss, and a shrill screech, he started to cut the metal away from the wall, exposing the internal mechanisms.
The Magnar replied, "Robert, no alternative routes are available. The captain is on his way to assist but, we're reading a high level of radiation in the engineering control center. That last shockwave must have ruptured the containment on the reactor. I'm reading rising levels of radiation in the corridor."
"Hurry up Robert, its getting hot in here," Robert merely grunted in reply to Samuel as he shifted the wall plate aside and went to work prying out the locks. Gunfire impacted on the otherside of the door, which was soon followed by the sounds of panic as it began to set in. Adrenaline surged in Roberts blood as he finally pried out the last locking mechanism, when he heard anguished screams come from the otherside of the door. Grabbing a pry bar he wedged it into the crack of the door, "Magnar, where the hell are those charges!?" he yelled as he tried to pry the doors open.
The answer came from behind him, "Stop him." Two men grabbed Robert from behind and pulled him away from the door, turning the struggling squirrel to face the Captain, "They're gone Robert, we cant save them. You did all you could, but if you open that door you will kill us all." As if to punctuate his remark, there was a final dull thud on the side of the door as everything went silent on the other side. Alarms on their suits simultaneously went off warning of a rise of radiation. "Lets get to the Magnar before we cook, you two," the Captain motioned to the men holding Robert, "Bring him along."
The memory shifted to the medical bay of another ship. Mina presumed it was the Magnar. Robert was sitting on an examination table, head cradled in his hands. There was a hiss as the door to the medical bay opened and the Captain, a human male with greying hair, entered, "Robert? How are you feeling?"
Robert looked up to the man and snarled, "What do you think I'm feeling!?" he hopped off the table and jabbed a finger at the Captain, "I got them killed! The one door that I had to keep open and I couldn't even do that. And, then, when I try to get the door open I get dragged away."
The Captain shook his head, "Robert, the radiation was rising to lethal levels on the otherside of the door. If we had opened it, the compartment we were in would have been flooded with radiation. Even if we got them out of there, we would have had no way of shutting the doors, and would have likely met the same fate as them."
"How do you know that!? You didn't even try to save them!"
"Damn it Robert!" Robert backed off from the Captain,"Do you think they were the first men we ever lost? The last? This is a dangerous job. We plan, we prepare, we improvise. But, in the end there is the very real chance that some of us will not be returning. In this job you have to be willing to accept that the only thing we can do is to do our job to the best of our abilities and pray that nothing goes wrong. And, when it does, we have to be able to forgive ourselves for our shortcomings. You are only mortal Robert, even after everything went to hell you still tried to save them. That's an admirable quality but," the Captain sighed, "sometimes you have to learn to let it go."
"And then what? I'm just supposed to forget them?" Robert stood confused and angry in front of the Captain.
"No, you learn from this. Remember what happened here so you can avoid repeats of it in the future. And," the captain looked at the direction of the door to the medical bay, "raise a drink or two in their memory. The Captain led the squirrel towards the door, "The memory core transfer was successful so we should expect payment from our client, and we have a specialty team extracting the bodies of our dead from the ship so we can give them proper burial. We will live but, this experience is your burden to bear; remember you are not alone. Our lot are survivors. If we aren't clinging to something for grim death, we cling together. If you need help, then ask and we will see what we can do."
Robert sighed, "I don't get this."
"Nobody ever does the first time around," the Captain nodded, "it takes time."
The memory faded away as they walked through the door.
"Perpetual existence of non-corporeal thought..."
the half-stated thought was one part La'orth trying to piece together what this Hunter thing meant, and the other part was him filling the void left as he obviously became ignored again. He felt so helpless. He wanted to have the proper attention paid to him. He also wanted to get out of his cockpit, grab a good meal, and have some time to rest and collect his thoughts. As his fighter was spat out of the organic vessel he realised that what he really wanted was a bit simpler; a good solid deck on which to stand again.
He took a moment to marvel at the size and apparent crystalline construction of the ship on which he was apparently going to be spending some time. If he had felt less grumpy he might have been more interested in the vessel. He spent the time as he was guided into a waiting hanger building up a more pleasant reaction and greeting for whoever he was about to meet.
La'orth found he still wasn't quite prepared as three foxes, a brilliant orange-furred female and two males colored light blue and mint green respectively, and a short all-white wolf filed in to the hanger. The wolf carried a short firearm meant for close-quarters firefights and was apparently arguing with the orange vixen. She shrugged once they were through the doorway before giving his fighter a quick look over. La'orth could see that she was paying most of her attention to the mint green male however. The mint green one yelled something which La'orth's VI dutifully translated and spat back out.
"Hey you, get out of there?" He said quietly to himself.
Close enough. La'orth jumped as the glowing cat-thing appeared on his main screen again. Your skimmer systems have been upgraded with a translator. It can assist you in more rapid integration. A last gift from myself, little scrabber. I look forward to interacting again before you return to your companions. And the cat-thing was gone again.
Helpful as always, the AI recommended he put on his hands-free headset to utilize the translator when he left. He did so, and after a deep breath he popped the hatch and hopped out. His landing was decently graceful, he had done better in the past, and after which he straightened to his full height to regard the quartet in front of him. He was only about as tall as the wolf, but he still felt decently authoritative.
"Hello. I am D'ral La'orth kroi'id Namulk'nam. The Korsinian fleet sends its regards, and thanks you for any hospitality you are willing to provide me." His headset spat out a bunch of jargon in real time. The mint green fox threw his arms wide and made to charge La'orth; he let out an "Eeeeee-urk!" sound as the orange vixen grabbed him by the back of the collar to stop him short. Everyone else in the room looked on in consternation while Loki flailed around for a moment as though he were being throttled to death. When he stopped he turned to glare at the orange vixen.
What?
Harriet's team did not move. One. Muscle. For a split second, the human woman's eyes were once again pinpricks of black among colour. Then it was gone. "Very well, Staff Sergeant. Please show us the way." What? She had just accepted it? Majick raised an eyebrow, Jack gaped, Miyuki stared. What? "At attention, people!" The sharp, crisp order put those looks to rest, and they were all at attention. "Until further notice, you are part of the ISF Special Forces, it seems. I will be running you ragged trying to get you civies up to par, but no worries. It will be done. And this time, we might not even need to resort to threats of paper shredding, will we?"
"No, ma'am!" Came the chorus.
"Very good. Now, the Staff Sergeant here has graciously come by to guide us, so march!" Hut two three four! Hut two three four!
I've got soul but I'm not a soldier
Xaos led the apprehensive Aaron on a run through a verdant forest, seemingly unspoiled by the ravages of beings, a true virgin forest. The closer they approached this "Temple of the Soul", the more energized the air felt. This whole landscape was likely a metaphor for something, hopefully it wasn't something like "only standing wood was between Aaron and Marissa" or "Aaron thrashed madly through the virgin bush."
The dark fox leading the way snickered, "are you two consummating something after all this? We would love to have kits running around and Matron would just be tickled fandango."
Quips aside, the two reached the elaborately faerie like structure. Gaea and Marissa had already begun their part. They both sat facing one another, holding hands with their eyes closed, a low glow could be seen emanating from both.
Stateroom corridor
Turning a corner, Knight nearly bumped into a disheveled and distraught feline. Saioko's demeanor was grim and scared as she looked up into the other feline's eyes.
"Eric, we ran into one of the aliens... I am... made from. It was dropping off some other alien that the Acadians were happy to receive. It initiated something that caused me to revert shape to my base form and I looked just like it. What's worse is most of the AIs and those fox kids saw and now there is an ISIS person on-board. I don't want to go back."
Secrets
Mina had gained a bit of insight into a dark memory that only an outside observer could ever glean. What she did with this knowledge and what she planned on doing while in this place still remained to be seen.
Matron Hanger Bay
"Alexis, I was just going to greet our guest in an appropriate and reserved fashion befitting an acting ambassador of the Korsinian fleet." Loki whined as he was held by the taller vixen.
Even Ixiah, the light blue one, could not help but roll his eyes at the other's attempt at deceiving the wiser female.
While the Acadian foxes were occupied, the white wolf stepped up and offered a nod in acknowledgement of the greeting. Unsure whether he should offer a hand, he decided against it.
"I am Richard Kashin and I serve the commander of this mission, who is indisposed at the moment. The young master here seems to have taken a strong like to you." The wolf stated.
Alexis regarded La'orth without putting down Loki, "your kind should not be out this far. Most of the space belongs to the Vizanzi 'Empire'. What exactly are your intentions here and with us?"
Ixiah stared at length with the saurian before speaking, "do you think we can keep him? Loki and I can take care of him! We'll feed him and play with him!"
"We'll take him for walks and take good care of him!" Added Loki.
What?!
Magick, Jack and Miyuki were suddenly thrown headfirst into action. Giving their best professional soldier performance, the trio fell in line with Harriet's drill sergeant approach.
Taking a far more casual stance on this then perhaps he should, Ben lead the newcomers through the large vessel until he reached the area the Special Forces people were using.
Stepping in, Ben gave his best drill instructor voice, "everyone up and at'em! Assemble and Attention!" With the remaining crew assembled and at a rest, Ben ushered Harriet and her team in.
"ma'am, if you would not mind introductions of you and your people first?" Asked Ben respectfully.
I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
Aaron glared at Xaos, "Oh hush you. I was also under the impression that innuendo was supposed to be beneath you 'ascended beyond the corporeal form' type."
"Watching you 'still attached to the physical' sorts squirm never gets old!"
Upon getting to the structure Xaos drapes himself over Aaron's shoulders, "Well, looks like your lady is ahead of you~"
Xaos then pushes Aaron ahead, in spite of what ever minor misgivings Aaron may have about trading a bit of soul. Aaron sat down near Marissa and Xaos sat near by, "Now Aaron, let your mind go. Let it wander and let me do the rest. When I'm done... well... you'll understand."
Assessment of the Situation
Almost running into the pink-haired panthress sent Knight's pulse skyrocketing yet again. It was becoming a reoccurring habbit, at least, seemed that way. The spotted feline recovered his composure, then replied, "Did the ISIS operative see you? Did anyone on the actual team see you? From the sounds of things, we're still on our own. We -were- the support for this mission, and since our ship is no longer here... well... there's no going back to base just yet. We're incorporating the pirates into the team. I'd say you're pretty safe for now, and i'm sure we'll be able to figure something out when the time comes."
The leopard leaned in close, and gave Saioko a hug. He did his best to exude a confident attitude and demeanor. "Besides, with the amount of contact we've had... i'm pretty sure where one goes, the other is sure to follow rather promptly... don't get yourself soo worked up, you just need to relax a bit." So saying, he release his grasp from around her, and moved hid body next to her, matching her pace and direction. His inside hand slipped down, sliding his fingers between hers, and giving her a gentle squeeze of affection. "So, where we headed, ma'am?"
You know, you know - no you don't, you don't
Letting go was a lot more difficult then Xaos seemed to think. There are so many things to cloud one's mind, let alone their corporeal existence.
"Oh Aaron, you are trying far too hard."
With a bit of time, Aaron did get the hang of it. At about that time somebody inserted a large, red hot poker into his being. Or at least it felt like it.
"Yes, I did forget to mention the soul rending pain. Amazing how difficult finding volunteers tends to be when you mention it. Don't worry it will pass, revivification is a strange process. You know it is interesting that your father went by Robert. A diminutive form of this given name is Robin and Robin Goodfellow is another name for..."
The searing pain passed, but Aaron came to the realization that the pain was not his, but it originated from Xaos. His empathy was drawing it to him, but whatever caused it passed, leaving an emptiness. This void was filled by a cold sensation that spread and evened out within Aaron.
"Not a lot of conscious effort is required on your part, and I feel that things are about done. I am less undead and getting more lively and you are now a bit less lively, have a stronger form, but your life force will recover in a few days. Try not to eat voidlings for a few months and you should stabilize."
Assessment of the Situation
The pink-haired panthress shook her head in a negative fashion, "none of them saw me in my true form, the only one who was not an Acadian that did was that wolf, Richard."
Saioko squeezed his hand back and made a slight purr-like noise and blushed a bit out of embarrassment, "I was going to... well, kind of hide in our room and panic. Probably cry a bit. These actions seem to override all logical assessments. I think I'm a bit confused."
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men
"I'll keep that in mind..."
Aaron was more then a bit distracted. This has now been twice that he has been stabbed in the soul. Then there was chill. The chill that settled in felt like the cold of metal walls on a battleship.
"How is Marissa, how is she taking it?"
"She is well. Gaea wouldn't let her come to any harm."
"Oh, well..."
Aaron sat blankly for a moment. Thinking was getting a little hard for him. Xaos patted him on the back.
"Don't worry my boy! You'll get back into it. You just need time to assimilate the new essence into you. Then we can work on training and retraining you."
Aaron let out a long sigh and smiled a bit. His life had certainly taken a fascinating turn!
Showdown at the O.K. Hangar Bay
As introductions were made La'orth put one foot back and bowed deeply to Richard, something suitable for the acting commander but far short of of an act of submission. He felt a bit of relief that though armed, the short wolf seemed a rational sort of being.
Alexis' confrontational follow-up question caught him off guard. Who was this vixen if the wolf was representing the commander? He looked back and forth between the wolf and vixen in consternation. Should he call her on her obvious disrespect of the wolf, or on hers of La'orth? Should he note it for later and inform the actual commander? He had no idea how the chain of command was supposed to work, and it was starting to scare him a little.
Then the shorter Acadians spoke up. Richard laying his ears back and looking like he had just swallowed a rancid fungus ball at Loki's and Ixiah's comments did little to mollify La'orth.
"WHAT THE HELL...?!" Richard started to say...
...as La'orth began, "I'M A KORSINIAN OFFICER, NOT...!!!"...
...but Alexis silenced them all by throwing her voice through the Hangar's speaker system and drowning the room in a roaring "LOKI AND IXIAH!"
What happened last time you brought a sentient 'pet' to Mother, Loki? Alexis thought at Loki as the various physical beings covered their ears in shock. To the mortals she said after a moment, "I appologize, but I would like at least ten minutes before the first diplomatic incident. La'orth, please continue."
"If you already know of Korsinians then you should know that I am out here looking for resources and potential allies." he said cautiously, rubbing an ear hole as though there were water in it.
Assess, Comfort, ???, Profit!
"Well, generally having someone to talk to helps. Little bit of love, and affection at the right time can do all kinds of great things too." Snuggling up against Saioko, Knight purred contently as she returned the squeeze.
"Well, if you were looking to go hide in the room, perhaps i can join you there. I mean... it's not like i have much i have to do. Really, i was trying to do the same thing, anyways."
Andale!
Harriet stood at attention while she and her crew introduced themselves, sparing the audience more exposition. "I need a briefing of our present situation, gentlemen, so introduce yourselves quickly." The human growled with a trace of her drill sergeant voice. "Did I stutter, name, rank, and serial number!"
State of Mind, Pop: You, you, you, and you!
Mina saw fine filiments leading from the sphere that she had just left, leading up to the dreamscape above. As she floated up, she saw several other filaments leading up from other spheres, each sharing a similar disposistion. Mina felt a chill when she finally breached the mist of Robert's dream. It was the interior of the Delphi, but it wasn't at the same time. Everything was twisted and broken; what was visable of the walls were caked with, grime and soot, almost as if Mina had landed in a dead husk rather than the ship. She took a moment to gather her bearings.
Reaching up, Mina wiped the grime off a plate on the wall, revealing that she was in a passageway leading towards the bridge of the ship. As she dusted the muck off her hands, she saw that her color had reverted to before the wreckage of the pod. Sighing, she made her way towards the bridge. According to Landings, Engineers were the true captains of a ship, even if they let another sit in the chair. Captains would come and go, but it was the engineer that made sure there was a ship there to begin with. It was a philosophy that Robert had agreed with Landers on. If the dream was in this section of the ship, then he would likely be on the bridge. The door to the bridge opened up to a dark abyss, the only source of light was the faint flicker of a broken console on the Captain's Chair, in which Robert sat, brooding.
"Robert," saying his name didn't elicit any response from him, he remained fixated at something in the darkness as if he didn't even hear her. Following his gaze, she saw something writhing down there; it was hard to make out exactly what. "Robert? What is this?"
"They are dead because of us," the voice had a sickening aura to it, as if it sucked in the light leaving nothing but cold oblivion. It hadn't come from Robert, but the creature that was forming behind Robert. Facing Mina now was Robert, but not Robert at the same time. His fur, his clothing, everything was black, as if he were sculpted out of pure shadow. "They cannot forget, they cannot forgive; they are dead. You should know this, you are one of them." suddenly, the shade gave Mina a harsh shove, sending her toppling over the edge into the Abyss.
The fall was not that great, and she had the dubious luxury of falling onto something soft, and fleshy. It shifted about in response to her landing on it, revealing that it wasn't one mass, but instead many bodies huddled up at the base of the cliff. Some milled about, while others vainly tried to scale the cliff. Each was in some state of decay, and they bore wounds and scaring possibly indicating how they may have died.. She pushed her way through the throng, trying to get away. Strangely enough, they didn't resist her, much less take notice of her.
She had nearly reached the edge, when a hand landed on her shoulder, causing her to yelp in surpise. "You dont belong here," the voice was unnaturally soothing. She took a step back when facing her speaker. Before her was, yet again, Robert, but he was ivory in color. "You aren't one of them." he motioned to the others, "They are figments; Grief's constructs, which you are not. Yet Robert, we, did not recognize you. You are foreign entity, to which I must question your reason for being here." His tone was less that of an interogation, and more of just an inquiry.
"I'm trying to help him, or you. You called the one above Grief," Mina glanced up to the precipice above, "I take it you are some sort of emotion of Robert's, is that correct?" The being smiled, "Emotions, states of mind, faculties therein, we each embody part of what makes him a whole. I am Compassion. There are others, but as of late we have fallen to the wayside as Grief has grown in power and cast a dark shadow about us. Perhaps your coming is fortuitous, in that we may be able to achieve some sembelence of balance once again."
"If we do not recognize her, then how exactly do we plan to inact any kind of change." a new voice spoke up with a metalic, almost clinical tone to it. Another Robert seemed to materialize out of the darkness albiet this one was blue.
Compassion motioned to the newcomer, "This is Reason, analysis, logic, and comprehension fall within his purview." Compassion turned to Mina, "It is my understanding that since you are here, you may have some method of affecting a change?"
Mina nodded, "It wasn't my first choice, but if I can get to Robert's Cortex, I can alter his perception. That might let me get through to him."
Reason narrowed his eyes, "So, basically mind control?" To which Mina shook her head, "No, and yes, I wont be forcing him to think or act a specific way, but rather allow him to come to his own decision after allowing him to see clearly."
Reason seemed to ponder on her words for a bit before responding, "I find no fault with it. Given the circumstances, that does seem like your best option."
"Right, What about Grief? Will he try anything to stop me?" Mina replied.
Compassion "No, Grief, for all its control, is merely fulfilling its function." Compassion answered, "It would be Rage that you would have to keep an eye out for. It does not stop, it does not rest, and it does not think; it can only be directed. Sadly we lack direction at the moment, so it would likely attack you. We waste time though, we should head to the Cortex." He motioned away from the base of the cliff.
They had picked their way through the dream till they had reached its lower levels and passed back into Robert's mind. They hadn't gone far when they came across an airlock floating in midair. With a hiss it opened revealing a passageway from an unidentified ship. They weaved their way through interconnecting passages before they came to the Cortex. Mina hadn't seen many people's Cortex, it was often more effort than it was worth to gain access to. Like their dreams each was represented in its own way. The room looked like some sort of control center, but the center of which was dominated by a central shaft with a glowing ember surrounded by a transparent grey shield. A set of stairs led up to a raised platform to the base of the shield. "I dont believe it." Mina barely breathed.
Reason glanced over to her, "Is there a problem?"
"No, it just never crossed my mind that Robert would have dormant psionic potential."
The two states of minds looked at each other in confusion, "We dont understand. We only know the landscape of our mind, not its composistion."
Mina walked up to the shield and put her hand on it. The ember behind the shield was in stasis, stopped mid-smolder, "He has the mental faculties for psionics, but they just aren't turned on. This kind of thing is typically seen in the generation preceding the psionic offspring within a bloodline."
"We are not sure why that is important but," the States tensed and started looking around, "Rage is here, we will try to stall it, but you must be quick." They split off from Mina and headed out opposite exits from the Cortex.
Mina faced the shielding, at the base of which was a panel with buttons. Placing her hands over the panel, a soft glow of light emanated from her palms. Squinting in concentration, she started making adjustments. After a few moments she heard a faint footstep on the floorplate behind her. She gave a hesitant glance back.
Like the other States she had seen, Rage looked like Robert, but was entirely red and more pissed off than she had ever seen him. He spun her around and slammed her into the shielding with and audible crack. The second slam against the shield broke her connection to the Cortex. Without skipping a beat, Rage flung her bodily from the platform to the floor below. Her head swam and the only thing she could do was watch on in a daze as Rage descended the stairs to her. Standing over her body, he raised one foot up into the air to deliver the final blow, when a blue body crashed into him.
Compassion crouched over her, "Are you alright?" he helped Mina to her feet, "I'm sorry, it is normally kept restrained, unleashed it was harder to pin down than expected. Have you finished what you sought to do?"
Mina steadied her self and glanced over to Reason and Rage struggling with each other, "no, I just need a little more time." They approached the console, Compassion brought Mina's attention to the shielding, "Was that your doing?" Just over the console, the shield had developed several cracks in it, forming an irregular lattice pattern. As Mina looked closer, she saw a faint light escaping from it, and the flickering of the ember inside that was so slow that it was barely perceptable. "I think I did, I was still connected when Rage slammed me against it, it must have happened then."
As Mina hurriedly restablished a connection while Reason struggled with Rage. Seconds ticked away as the glow from Mina's hands flowed over the console. Finally, breathing a sigh of relief, Mina broke the connection, "There its done."
Compassion didn't let her rest though, "We must be quick then. Follow me. Reason will catch up with us later." Taking Mina by the hand, he lead her out of the Cortex, back into Robert's Dream.
Mina found herself in a familiar corridor leading to the bridge. Opening hte door, she walked out into the room and approached the chair, "Robert? Can you hear me?"
Robert blinked in confusion, and turned to her, "Mina? But, you died."
"Yes... she's a ghost, a figment of the past, part of what you failed to protect, and in turn killed." Grief materialized from the shadows.
"That is not true," Mina turned on Grief, "Spatz and I survived the wreck."
A crash from the doorway hailed the arrival of Reason, who was still busy staving off Rage. In the interruption, Grief grabbed Mina's collar and lifted her into the air, "You are a sham, alive on the outside, but dead to the core."
Her mind raced as Grief started to head towards the edge of the Abyss with her, and Robert still looked confused as to what was really happening. She then thought back to what Compassion had said about Rage, "Your right though, you are to blame."
The statement caught Grief offguard causing him to stop. Mina merely continued, "You do everything in your power to keep people safe from forces you cant even control and you beat yourself up over it." there was malice in her town, "look at you now, he is going to kill me and you are going to do nothing. Is that what your plan is!? Trying got too hard, too painful, so now you just watch!"
Compassion, who had been watching from the side, smirked. He glanced over to Reason, who nodded in some unsaid agreement. Reaching out and shifting his weight, Reason threw Rage towards Robert. With barely a sound, Rage dematerialized into a red mist that flowed into Robert's being.
"Touching speach, but.." Grief's remark was cut short by a fist to the face. Dropping Mina, Grief rolled to the side and looked up at Robert, "And what exactly do you think you are doing?"
Robert, "I'm sick of listening to your shit." He started to pummel Grief.
Mina rubbed her neck where the collar of her shirt had dug in, "Robert... Robert! You cant do this!"
"Like hell I can," he growled, not skipping a beat, "He dies, and this goes away. And we can move on."
Catching Robert's fist on the upswing Mina took his attention away from Grief, "You cant, because he is part of you." This elicited a bewildered look from him, "What do you mean?" Glancing down at the form of Grief, who showed no marks from the beating he had recieved, Mina sighed, "We are in your dream, He is the personification of your Guilt. You could no more kill him than kill yourself."
"We fell upon dark times," Reason's voice caused Robert to watch them as they approached, "In those times Grief reigned supreme." Compassion knelt down next to Robert and placed its hand on his shoulder, "And in this time of our need, she came to us. To return balance, and usher us out of the darkness."
Sitting back Robert sighed, and in doing so, Grief, Reason, Compassion, and the bridge of the ship faded out of view. "I don't know what to do. I tried to bury the memories, but if they cause... this.. then what is the point. What do I do when it becomes unbearable?"
Mina sat down next to Robert, she idly noticed that her fur color had updated, "A wise man once said, 'this experience is yours to bear, but remember, you are not alone,' Spatz and I, we're your friends. And if we cant listen to you, then what are friends good for."
Nodding slightly, Robert grimaced, "Why am I so tired? I feel wrung out, empty on the inside." patting Robert on the back, Mina shook her head, "you've been through alot, its natural. Just sleep. When you wake, it will be a fresh start."
As Robert shut his eyes and slumped over. Mina faded out of the dream. The dreamscape was still quite choppy in the area, but the storm had passed, and in its wake was an uneasy calm.
I wanna mean it from the back of my broken hand
"Hmmm, foxes are not known for being very trainable. I hope we can get past 'roll over, beg and play dead' quickly before we move onto 'liquify enemy brain'. What do you think would be a good reward structure? Foxie biscuits?" Xaos thought out-loud, if such a thing were possible.
Gaea and Marissa both return to the same reality level as Aaron and Xaos, at the end of a conversation, "why Chobits? This can't be like that..."
"Now now dear, let's focus... we are back with the boys." Gaea spoke with a very soft voice.
Marissa nodded and drifted over to sit next to Aaron, "things are very weird now."
Xaos spoke up, "now now Marissa, things are not at all the way you think they might be. Let me explain one critical thing about these supposed magical, voodoo powers we call psionics: we Acadians invented them. They are like a game interface."
Gaea sighed and nodded, "it is kind of true. For all intensive purposes there exists a... huge server farm, that runs all the overlays, interfaces, generates the particle effects, physics effects, tools and application instances. It is a very complicated construct to place into such small and limited concepts, but that is the 'gist of it' as they say."
"A very long time ago, we convinced everyone... Darkshasa, Zhar, Kathaern, K'RysTansi, IoYu'IouOiyou'iuIy and the Shofanxi to use it and enable its interface at a genetic level. When the Shofanxi found out what it was and how we did it, they were so cross. They created technomancy to spite us, but it is like comparing building with child's blocks to our carbon nanotube structures." Xaos explained in a nonchalant fashion.
Gaea continued with the information dump, "what the older races suspected was true to a certain level. You see, every star in our galaxy, and we suspect the entire universe, is connected at a certain level... it is something very difficult to explain, but we inadvertently tapped this connection with our psionic oversystem and component subsystems. It is how we maintain a galaxy spanning psionic network, it is how we can collapse a sun with an application of our own will."
"Our will, only those of us who are of the Primordial stock could pull off such a feat. It is not without cost to ourselves and the systems, however." Xaos added.
Gaea gestured as a distraction mostly and the group of them returned to normal reality, "time to return to the business at hand, shall we?"
Diplomatic Incident avoided, thank Carter
Alexis considered this information and nodded, "a reasonable goal and noble mission. I know from... 'news' reports of your conflict with the Korsinians. They are not known for compromise and are xenophobic to a fault. It is actually high art to them. Acadians being a fickle bunch, you'd best not try to contact them... they find saurians cute pets, even if they speak and perform calculus. They have saved a number of your people from conflict though. It would be better to speak to the Major, he can contact his government... the InterStellar Federation."
Pushing the two fox kits in front of her, Alexis headed for one of the exits, "come with us D'ral La'orth, we will take you to meet with Major Aaron Brown."
Ship's Cabin
Heading to the cabin, instinctively she knew where it was without much conscious thought, she lead Knight to the comfortable accommodations.
"It scares me a bit, but this is strangely liberating. It is like a weight is lifted off my shoulders." The feline loosened and discarded her uniform jacket and pulled her shirt out from being tucked into her skirt. Kicking off shoes, she laid back and attempted to relax a bit.
We are hurrying up!
With a smart report, each of the team members responded with their equivalent ranks, names and Harriet assigned serial numbers.
"Sairenji, Miyuki. Chief Petty Officer. 77784586932."
"Maier, Jack. Sergeant. 77784586900."
"Nightstride, Magick. Corporal. 66677701337."
State of Mind
Mina passed back into reality. She leaned heavily back in the chair she was occupying and held her hand to her head. The vixen was very dizzy, the effort expended was very draining on her as it was much more involved than she had anticipated.
Far more experienced than Aaron, but years behind Loki or Ixiah, it would be a bit of time before she could try that again without aid of another more experienced psychic.
For the most part, Robert appeared much calmer. Spatz on the other hand, rushed up to Mina with a concerned look, "are you okay? You sat there staring for a few seconds and slumped."
Another head aches, another heart breaks
Aaron was staring at, something, staring like his eyes were attempting to escape. "Wait... what does... how does..."
Xaos cut him off quite quickly, "I could give you a billion of billions of metaphors and it would only create the thinnest shell of the truth. You should be more like your girl here. STILL! Business is a hand and needs to be addressed!"
Xaos jumps to his feet and marches out with Gaea close behind. Aaron gets up and springs out of the room, only to find Xaos is gone now. Probably to appear at the most inopportune time. He gets the strangest feeling that he should go down the hallway. Yes, that seemed a good direction. He heads out, paying far too little attention to what Marissa was doing.
I am so much older than I can take
Marissa sat down heavily on the bed in the room that was apparently hers, "does this mean I'm destined to be mental tech support for the entire universe?" The vixen spoke to no one in particular as everyone had pretty much left her to her own devices.
Taking a deep breath and using what she remembered of the meditative exercises she practiced during martial arts training as a kit, she cleared her mind and relaxed. With a steely gaze of determination and sticking her tongue out (lots of concentration) she swept her right hand from her left shoulder to her right side, "Let's research!"
Dozens of holographic, semi-transparent windows appeared in front of her displaying dozens of different topics. Reaching deep within herself, she pulled some previously submerged talent for speed reading and multi-tasking comprehension. Data flew by as she processed at computer speeds.
~~~~~~~
Aaron found himself running into Loki and Ixiah who were being pushed along by a stern looking Alexis. Richard was with them practicing his stoic and resolute slavic disposition as he led an unfamiliar looking being who resembled a type of ancient reptilian.
And my affection, well, it comes and goes
Aaron was actually quite surprised that Marissa was not following. Though given his own state he should not have surprised that she stayed in her room. He was going to shower. For days. But not before he confronts this reptilian fellow. Alexis, Loki, Ixiah and Richard were all familiar. The reptilian was new. Aaron looked him over with his now much lighter ice blue eyes. Those who had seen him before may also notice that his fur was now a bit less drab grey and a bit more dark blue.
"Hello Alexis, Loki, Ixiah, Richard. And new person. I've not seen you before. Did you come with the ship or were you picked up on the planet? Well, I suppose if you came with the ship you must have been picked up on the planet at some point. But beside the point." Aaron was also psionically poking at Zhildar's brain. It seemed a lot more natural to do such a thing then it had been even just an hour before now.
Sleepy Pile of Snuggles
While Saioko moved to relax, Knight had been just a half-step ahead of her. Removing the his uniform's shirt and boots before her. He slipped under the feline as she moved to relax, and pulled her into a snuggle-hug. Nuzzling into the back of her head with a gentle sigh, he replied slowly and thoughtfully. "It's tough to tell when we rule our emotions, or they rule us. The ones who we look forward to can influence our moods at the drop of a hat. A reminder of being loved never hurts. And, when it's someone we care about, doubly so."
Fingertips idly tapping her tummy while strong arms held her close against him, "You think you're gonna be okay now, or would you prefer to just stay like this for a little while?" His voice teased as did his arms as he snuggled closer.
As the two scamps were herded from the room La'orth and Richard shared a long, understanding look.
"You are supposed to be...?" La'orth began.
"I was supposed to be." Richard finished.
After another moment Richard shrugged. La'orth tapped out a code to the VI of his fighter to secure it before following Richard out of the hangar.
It did not take long for La'orth to get lost in examining every detail of the ship that he could in passing. He wanted desperately to simply wander the hallways and marvel at the architecture. He wanted to feel the surfaces that looked almost grown rather than forged. He wanted to poke his head through doorways that they passed because surely each contained some wonder. If these were Acadians and this was one of their ships, then he was a whelp at a Candy Kiosk. He didn't even notice Loki and Ixiah casting glances back his way and conspiring amongst themselves. Coming upon a smokey blue-gray fox was a bit of a surprise. First, La'orth hadn't expected to run into anyone else at that exact moment, and second, he had almost grown used to outrageously-colored foxes. This comparatively drab fox was a shocking contrast.
Richard nodded to Aaron as both Loki and Ixiah stood at attention and saluted.
"I am La'orth, D'ral-rank in the Korsinian military. I am of the family Namulk'nam. And you are?"
The translator was a tad confusing since it had to overcome La'orth's vocalizations. Reading his mind was much easier.
La'orth is a mid-ranking military officer from one of sixteen large family groups that make up the Korsinian survivors. He was on a mission exploring a strange space station in the hopes of salvage to help maintain/expand the Korsinian refugee fleets. After being flung somewhere he met this glowing obsidian cat-being who 'gifted' him to you. He hopes to learn what he can here before he returns to his people. He definitely did not want anyone to know the codes securing his ship, or more importantly, where the star charts for current positions for some Korsinian ships were located. But these things were on his mind just below his awe at the magnificent and advanced construction of this ship.
"Right, introductions. I'm Aaron. Major Aaron Brown of the Intersteller Space Forces. I'm in charge of this operation." Aaron wasn't about to mention the part where he wasn't quite sure about how command of the ship itself worked.
Aaron was also now in an awkward position of knowing what he hasn't been told. Still, no reason to not be friendly, "So, anything I can help you with?"
"That took more than I thought," Mina mumbled. Noticing Spatz's concern she merely shook her head, "No, I'm fine, just tired. Give me a hand."
Spatz helped Mina to her feet, and noticed that she was using him to keep herself steady, "Mina if you need to rest then maybe you should lay back down."
"No, I'll be fine in a little bit. We should really see about getting in touch with the the Captain of this ship."
Spatz nodded towards Robert's resting form, "What about Robert, shouldn't we be here in case something goes wrong?" This caused Mina to bight back a scornful remark.
"No, he will be fine, he just needs time to sleep. I've told the medical bay to alert me when he wakes up, but other than that we cant do anything more than leave him alone. Now, lets go," Mina said impatiently.
With a resigned sigh, Spatz helped her out of the medical bay and deeper into the ship.
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Ixiah thinks for a moment, "oh, I think I'm family Nas-Kan..."
"Don't be silly cousin." Says Loki with his arms crossed in front of him, "say Aaron, you seem much less gray and more blue."
Ixiah chimed in, "I've always said he was not named appropriately! Aaron is not brown at all."
Alexis and Richard both nodded in response to Aaron's greeting. The orange vixen spoke up before the wolf, "joking kits aside, the Hunter... did accept guardianship of this mature Korsinian scout and performed the appropriate Rite of Gifts. Which would mean we are now responsible for him." Holding a very scolding finger up in the direction of the two kits, she added, "we cannot keep another sentient as a pet."
Richard rubbed the back of his neck, "I am not so sure about this pet thing, but the two young ones do seem to like him, but I'm afraid this could lead to... as you say, an interstellar incident."
Alexis nodded, "is it appropriate to just call you La'orth? I'm afraid I really do not have much data, I'm a combat and security construct, not a library system."
Kitty snuggles
Saioko giggled a bit as Eric tapped exposed tummy fuzz, "that tickles." She stretched slightly and quickly snuggled close to him, pressing his hand between his side and her stomach, "snuggle is good, lets just stay this way for a bit." She purred and nuzzled into his neck.
All halls lead where one needs to be
The ship, as Mina knew and Spatz would need to find out, subconsciously guided you where you need to be. As such, the pair of them happened upon Aaron and his small collective committee holding session in the corridor.
"Ah, this is where we need to be." Mina said out loud and then to Aaron specifically, she sent, I've managed to aid Robert, he should be more amiable when he wakes. Oi, I'm still dizzy from it all.
Help me out
Aaron rubbed his forehead, where he got a good look at the coloring of his fur now, still not quite realizing that his eyes also got many shades lighter. He couldn't help but think that he looked horrendous and made a note to fix that somehow.
Skipping comments on his color he goes straight into the important stuff, "I'm already a walking interstellar incident waiting to happen as is. Ixiah, Loki, we need to minimize the chance of anything else going horribly wrong."
When he got Mina's message to replied to her, Excellent. I was hoping that he would not snap. We should all get some rest soon. After what happened today we all deserve more of a break then we can afford to take.
La'orth straightened up to address the Major properly. "Major Aaron Brown it is good to know you. As capable member of the Korsinian freelance corps I request that I be allowed to serve under you to the best of my ability in exchange for hospitality."
He let out a breath and relaxed a little. These beings had been friendly enough so far so he didn't think that he would be refused outright.
As Mina and Spatz walked in to view La'orth nodded to Alexis. "La'orth is my given name. The rest helps to tell who I am, but it's mostly unused outside official functions."
We hurried, now what?
Benjamin nodded after a moment as it seemed the newcomers were done, "right, alright... Ben Foster, staff sergeant and acting senior NCO. My team..."
A tawny colored coyote male nodded and spoke up next, "Alex Kiel, sergeant, sniper and second to Staff Sergeant Foster."
A stereotypical colored dalmatian male spoke up next, "Jaice Randou, lance corporal, EOD. We met on mission"
A male human of light bronze skin tone with black head hair, brown eyes and heavy build was the next to speak, "Harold Aeul, lance corporal, heavy weapons and field medic."
A female snow leopard of typical white fur with brown-black ring spots followed, "Rino Jinguji, lance corporal, I'm computers and information warfare."
The last was a timber wolf female of gray, brown and black coloration, "Cyndi Katsura, lance corporal, communications."
Ben indicated the final four standing in the primary team position, "the first and original group was originally lead by Romulus Darkcloud and I was his second. Its members now fall under the LT."
Not showing any outward emotion due to the passing of their leader and friend, they embodied the true professional Special Forces character expected.
The first to speak was a male kodiak brown bear, "Donovan 'Wall' Grant, corporal, Heavy Weapons Specialist."
The next was another snow leopard, but this one was male and much larger, "Remus 'Nitro' Archon, specialist, Demolitions Expert."
The dark furred feline male, a panther, followed, "Sheebus 'RC' Thorn, Communications and field medic."
The last was a mono-colored gray wolf male, he smartly replied, "Micheal 'Hacker' Harsen, Computer Expert. I was on mission with Randou."
The canine staff sergeant took one look over the assembled soldiers and quickly and sharply issued his command, "at ease! If that is all chief warrant officer, you can bunk your subordinates here and we can go to find the major."
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Alexis scratched her head fur and examined the raptor very deeply, "so you are primarily a fighter pilot. Well what to do with you I wonder? We do still have that squad of pilots from the ISF. Their leader is being a bit antisocial and has been suspended. Perhaps they can be crewed together, they are all scaled types."
Loki sighed, "not the same, there is something about Korsinians that is so..."
Both kits switched to the most cute, teary, doe-eyed expressions they could muster, "ccuuuuuutttteeeee!"
Richard sighed, "this is going to be a long trip, no?"
Mina paused, "I must admit, there is something rather... endearing about him. I just can't put a paw on it though."
OOC note: even Aaron can see something in it, a similar fashion to how we view dogs and cats (depending on pet preference).
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the blackburner
Aaron sighed quite over dramatically. Partly because he could see what they they were saying that. Perhaps if Aaron had seen La'orth before he started to be pried into being awaken...
"Well, it is good to have you on board. I must also apologize, while I'm in command the Acadians tend to run amok as they please. Which is strange, since I am rather largish part Acadian. Back to the topic on hand, familiarizing you with our pilots would probably be the best first step."
Snuggles Are Good
"So, how long do you think it'll take them to notice we're gone? And do you think they'd actually try and track us here?"
The feline Lt. asked in a bemused tone. He was warm, relaxed and relatively happy. He felt wanted and loved, his body oozed with pleasure as she pressed herself against him. "It's curious, you know. being the only possible survivors from the old ship. I mean... with the secrecy we were under, do you think we'll even stand a chance of finding out what happened to the rest of the crew?"
His mind was thoughtful, but there wasn't sadness or despair, more of a morbid curiousity left behind by all the what-ifs of the day.
He idly scritched the back of her head with his free hand.
In response to Alexis' sort-of-a question he added "That's right. I have training in exploration and cartography, planetary and intra-ship combat, self-suficiency, mechanics and repair, and inter-species relations among other things. I am primarily a fighter pilot, though I do know a fair share of advanced mathematics." This last bit he said with a slight sneer while leaning intimidatingly toward the two kits. For his trouble he recieved a nose beep and barely contained giggles.
Being the polar opposite reaction from what he had expected left him momentarily speechless. He straightened and inspected his snout, half expecting it to be purple or something.
"Uh, yes. Let's do that." He stated hesitantly to Aaron. "On the way we can discuss what we each expect of eachother in the freelance agreement." He looked around at each face in turn; Aaron's much put-upon expression, Alexis' decidedly neutral, the kits' overly eager, Mina flashing a grin, and Spatz and Richard looking like they were also feeling out-of-place. Suddenly La'orth really wanted to be moving, as though that would save him from being surrounded by such weird and garrishly-furred creatures.
Spatz shifted uneasily, he was in strange company and they were now talking about some sort of "agreement" which would undoubtedly involve Mina, Robert and him. Robert, who was busy sleeping his fugue off, and Mina who was beginning to lean heavily on his shoulder. A quick glance to her confirmed his suspicions that she was worn out, wearing the shell of a smile to cover it up, "Perhaps we should discuss this over something to eat, and somewhere with chairs? I don't know about you people, but I'm famished."
You know you got to help me out... Yeah *signal lost*
A slight rumble reverberated throughout the ship. Alexis stopped her forward movement and paused as if someone had paused her video animation. She spoke briefly, "Aaron I suggest you might wish to head to the bridge, we appear to be under attack."
With that, the vixen did something she rarely has ever done in front of others, she dematerialized into tiny bits of electric blue dust that seemingly melted into the decks and corridors.
An audible alarm, very much like a normal ISF vessel would possess, began to sound. Matron's voice traveled audibly through the air, Please excuse the alarm, but I though it best to use something you are familiar with. All personnel, this is a general quarters notification, Aaron please report to the main bridge... and you may as well bring those with you as well. Captain Natsume please report as well.
Mina's fatigue melted a bit as she took to her own paws, "It does not appear to be the other Acadians we were avoiding back with the pirates, it appears to be someone else and I'm not familiar with the designs."
Snuggles are over
Saioko purred at the scritching, but became a bit more quiet as she answered the question of the rest of the crew, "I... could still access most of my basic sensors for a few minutes after the attack... most of the crew made it to life pods, some... far too many... died. I think Commander Schaefer may have been one of the casualties, he stayed to evacuate Geoff... I'm not sure what happened."
The feline rolled onto her back, taking Eric's hand she had trapped and nuzzling it before placing it on her midsection with a sigh. Her purring ended abruptly at the sound of the alarm.
"Duty calls." She stated as she sprang up and sprinted towards the bridge, hurriedly trying to tuck her shirt back into her skirt.
*click click* Dammit, Pandora always skips at the good parts!
Aaron yells back at Matron, "Thanks, makes us feel right at home. In danger. In danger at home."
Aaron let out another long and dawn out sigh as he heads up to the bridge. Just think about going to the bridge and you will get there.
"Still, something new? Why does there always have to be something new coming for us? Any idea if they even can pose a threat? Well, I suppose they can if the ship rumbled like that, but how realistic of a threat?"
Bridge
As Aaron and associated tag-alongs reached the bridge, they were greeted by a very active sight of a ship fully in 'battle stations'. Alexis sat at the conn as if she had always been there and not just a few minutes ago, giving a guided tour of the ship, "I don't see a credible threat, but take a defensive posture anyways."
Matron moved the field of vision to a remote view of their aggressors to show the engagement distance, "they appear to be proximity weaponry and visual targeting to gauge distance as their targeting systems should lack any firing solutions due to my passive ECM. They do appear to be bringing their 'big guns' online which may be more of a problem eventually."
Mina, Loki and Ixiah filtered past the others and moved to take up positions around the bridge area.
"Oh! Matron..." Loki said with an urgent tone, "they are firing a large weapon! Do a barrel roll!"
"I really don't think that is necessary, Junior." Replied Matron as the large discharge flashed by, "they are achieving our range though."
Mina, for the benefit of everyone not linked to the network systems, zoomed the display in on the small group of vessels. The big vessels had very triangular, sloping sides, with designs and hull textures that were very scaly with bright colors in zig-zag patterns. The smaller ones were similar, but more closely resembled winged reptiles.
To La'orth, these were a hated enemy. He did not recognize the designs, but the language and symbols were very clearly Vizanzi.
Mother thought for a moment before replying, "leave it to the Vizanzi to shoot first and question later. They don't recognize this design (note Matron does not have any symbols, lettering, or designs that indicate she is Acadian) and decided they had best start shooting. I would like to know what they are doing here in force, I doubt they would be hunting us."
As Saioko left Knight considering the position of the crew, he slowly got himself dressed and decided that he should probably set an equally positive example. He quickly redressed, and rearmed himself, then started focusing on the special forces barracks and training area. The idea suddenly hit him. "Matron... if you can hear this... is there any chance you've either A: got an LAM or two laying around in a hanger somewhere? Or B: got enough material to produce one?"
He was walking for the special forces area, but if he could get his hands on a mecha, things would be all the better. Leave the mud slogging to the grunts, I'm a pilot
Hallway to Special Forces area
There was quite the lengthy bit of silence after Knight's query. About when he was convinced the ship could not hear him, there was an audible reply, "Sorry for the pause, we are a bit busy and it took a bit of searching among Mother's girls' databases for the suitable reference. I am afraid we do not have one of these Land Air Mechas you are familiar with. Acadians ceased piloting their own small craft into battle a very long time ago. Instead they bred other creatures to fight for them and eventually created artificial constructs to fill those roles."
From a side passage, the feline was joined by a glasses wearing, golden vixen dressed as a chief engineer, "we mey na 'av one, but I ken pro'bly find ya parts an' help build it if ya can furnish sum type ah design or reference."
Bridge
Aaron stood around, trying to look as important as he could. He was the Major after all.
"So, are they any sort of real threat? Or can we just fire randomly in their general direction and make them go away? I would much rather not kill any of them if it can be avoided."
An unpleasant bunch to be sure, these Vizanzi. Maybe a sufficiently loud psionic "GO AWAY" would work.
Hallway Plotting
Knight knew the tech-specs for his stealth LAM like the back of his hand. How it would handle, it's overall size, design and weight specs, based on the best technology available. He started to run through the capablilities in his mind, visualizing the morphing craft, the design of the cockpit, the list of specs, and weapons loadouts. At this point, if his mind was opened to be read anyways, he might as well make some use of it with their allies.
He suddenly stopped his mental visualizations as he realized something. Perhaps his mind wasn't quite as clear... he figured he'd ask just in case, "Are the mental images clear enough? If not, perhaps you'd have a tablet handy, and i can start with the performance specs and go from there?"
I would like to see a Matron barrel roll
The image on the viewscreen made him nearly jump as several shots went whizzing passed. The rather nonchalant reaction from the rest of the crew drew a surprised look around bridge from La'orth. The Vizanzi were right there shooting at them and these Acadians didn't seem to care. He thought that he would give anything to possess a level of technology that would make the Vizanzi a non-issue for his people.
He found that he was leaning forward and baring his teeth at the screen; ready to pounce or dodge should the need arise. Feeling a little foolish, he straightened up and tried to assume a more neutral posture and expression a little behind and to the side of the Major.
"We could blast their engines, grab a few to interrogate, and then leave." La'orth didn't know if their ship was capable of that, but it was the first thing that popped into his head. He really couldn't help but bare his teeth a little at the screen; he was hoping that the Major would choose an even more destructive option for the other vessels.
"Interrogate them? For what? I'm pretty sure I know why they are shooting at us, and on top of that they don't know anything we want to know. And if we blowup their engines we may as well just outright kill them. By the way, just to make sure this is obvious, I'm disinterested in killing them. Actually, on the subject of blowing things up, I'm all for destroying their weapons and targeting arrays and leaving that at that. Matron, can we do that then get back to chasing down the sphere of harmony?"
La'orth stared at the viewscreen for a moment. He really wanted to do something about those Vizanzi. Two things stopped him though; the first was that he was the new guy and he did want to make a good impression, and the second was that he had no idea whether he could figure out the ship's controls.
"Major, you should know that my species is on the losing end of a war with the Vizanzi."
He went back to staring silently at the screen with his hands firmly clenched.
Bridge
Ixiah considered Aaron's question about the threat the Vizanzi posed and if a psionic dismissal would work, "if we sit here and allow them to hit us as they come to range, then they will eventually do damage. The overall technology level is superior to the ISF, but not to a level to be overwhelming. Compared to Acadian technology, not so much. A psionic message like you are suggesting would be noticed by things we would not want it to be noticed by."
At this point, a somewhat disheveled Saioko entered the bridge did a double take at La'orth, but recovered quickly and took up a tactical spot, "sorry, was catching a nap, but Mother and Matron gave me a status report online."
Alexis considered the commentary between Aaron and La'orth carefully before responding, "these are Que'zal Vizanzi, it may be possible that these do not hold any animosity for your people... we may not wish to judge too early..."
Matron spoke out loud for the benefit of those not able to access the psionic network systems, "it appears that these Vizanzi are hailing us. Activating one way video."
The creature that appeared before them was a colorful draconian creature very close in appearance to the feathered serpents of human myth. The colorful rainbow colored feathers and azure scales made the creature seem very exotic.
The speak translators kicked in immediately, overlaying the rough speech, "unknown vessel, this is the *untranslatable*. We have your range and will begin targeting heavy weapons. Surrender and prepare to be boarded."
The Vizanzi vessels consisted of a cruiser and four frigates.
Hallway
Rebecka smiled at the question, "well lad, we 'ave enough images, but a tablet with more statistical data would be handy."
The pair reached the Special Forces area where everyone was situated into battle stations. They were suited up and armed, ready to respond as needed.
Bridge
"Right, getting noticed. That tends to define the start of every bad moment of my life."
Aaron watched to the video, and was thoroughly unamused. "I'm starting to get the impression that they are not one for displaying kindness. Send them a message back. We have no intention of engaging in hostilities. Let us pass by our way and we won't bother you."
If they start shooting again then shoot off their weapons. We can do that right?
Seeing as he was on battle station, Knight's first job was to get armored and prep. He went to where his gear was stowed, and started strapping in, and donning his own personal suit. With basics in place, he sat down and awaited orders from the command deck. In the mean time, he picked up a tablet, and began drawing up schematics and performance data on a stealth LAM. If nothing else, he could certainly play a more effective support role with infantry.
Bridge
Loki sent across the psionic network communications system, Everyone, I will speak with them. Their recognition systems should recognize my old identifier code, albeit a bit altered just for this purpose, as far as the Masters' Alliance is concerned.
Loki stood up and assumed the conn from Alexis who stood and attempted to block La'orth's visage from appearing in a front angle video transmission.
Loki gestured to Mina, "open full communications to the Vizanzi vessel."
"okie doki, Loki..." Replied Mina.
Alexis gave her a quizzical sideways glance (one of those Spock type looks). The maroon vixen smiled sheepishly and shrugged, "sorry, feeling a bit wonky and it just slipped out... I'm a bit mentally taxed right now. Channel open and onscreen."
"Unidentified Vizanzi vessels, this is the Acadian Research Vessel Vanir and I am Inquisitor Hoenir. Why have you attacked an Alliance vessel so brazenly? Be aware that I am fully empowered to enact judgement swiftly if your words do not please the Masters." Loki figuratively rolled his bluff roll, hoping for a strong success.
The Vizanzi commander showed only the briefest hint of fear as he quickly recovered, his tactical officer was not so disciplined and nearly fainted herself. The commander measured his words carefully, his tone completely changed, "Inquisitor, we had no idea. My humblest of apologizes, our zeal shows our dedication to the Masters. This region of space has been restricted and we have been on patrol for heretics."
Special Forces area
Rebecka quietly observes the professional soldiers perform their duties.
Knight is suited up and ready, at least in his temporary ground commander style role.
Ben approached and gave a quick nod, "everyone is on standby, doubt they will need us unless we are going to breech and capture whatever those ships are out there." The canine NCO gestured to the monitor indicating the strangely reptilian looking vessels facing off against them.
The golden vixen engineer regarded the screen and turned towards the pair of Special Forces leaders, "that would be a Vizanzi cruiser... Tan'Zaluun class from what Mother's IFF has indicated. Not a threat to Matron in a fight."
bridge
Aaron was listening to Loki go on about his deception, wondering if at some point there would be mention of space marines or some such thing. Still, he wondered where this was leading. Hopefully somewhere that they could just ignore the rest of these Vizanzi.
Getting back to work on his tablet, Knight continued collecting all the details he could remember about the performance of the stealth LAM he usually piloted. With a little time and energy, hopefully he could have something that was of similar performance... even a basic LAM would be nice... stealth would be better... but he'd take what he could get.
"Rebecka, any idea how long it'd take to build something like this? Do we even have the tools appropriate for the repair work? let alone construction?"
Bridge
"A commendable action commander. However, I must ask that you withdraw from this system immediately. Our business near this singularity is for only the masters." Loki put on his best perturbed and disapproving inquisitor look on as he stared down the commander.
The Vizanzi commander hesitated, "well, I..."
Alexis opened a holopad, the contents of which could only be seen by the bridge crew near Loki and her. The picture was of the Vizanzi commander with a mustache, beard, and swirly eyes. She blandly stated, "inquisitor, our mission directives clearly state we are empowered to terminate any who interfere with our mission."
Loki nodded with a grim expression, within the psychic network space he was laughing uproariously while trying to berate Alexis for nearly literally dropping a bomb on his whole discourse with the commander.
The Vizanzi commander seemed to pale visibly, if dragons could do such things, "oh, er, we have some other important business that needs to be, uh, done... yes! Everything is in order here, uh, carry on your excellency."
The other Vizanzi in the screen view looked up at her commander, "but commander..."
"Silence! We have taken up enough of the Inquisitor's valuable time. Best course to our next waypoint!" He nervously replied.
The screen view and communication ceased and the tactical display showed the inbound ships maneuvering away from Matron heading for the system's edge.
Special Forces Area
Rebecka regarded the design and "hmm'd" to herself, "I would say probably about a couple of days. We would need to machine parts and assemble them. Matron has sufficient tools, machine shops, and raw materials."
The Vizanzi on the screen were of a very different image than the ones La'orth had seen before. Brighter and more vibrant colors, and a markedly greater amount of ornamentation were trying to tell him something about them that he just wasn't quite getting. Beautiful in a way that turned his stomach. He could thank his gut reaction for that; a large part of him wanted to respond in a violent and very direct manner. His rational mind, on the other hand, noted that the Vizanzi weren't reacting at all to his presence. A small flutter of relief and thankfulness for the obvious obfuscation was quickly buried under his trepidation that performing any action would ruin the cover that these Acadians seemed to be successfully feeding the Vizanzi.
Doggedly squashing his desire for vengeance, he concentrated on breathing quietly and evenly. And standing very still.
Bridge
"Right, now that they are going away, we should probably do much the same. Elsewhere is good. Preferably someplace far away so that I can finally get some rest from this crazy journey."
Aaron really didn't want to think of all the things he needed to deal with. Like Richard. And Marissa. And Captain Summers. The sooner he can get to dealing with these open issues, in addition to the sphere of harmonies and the associated Xaos and Gaea issues. Though with Xaos and Gaea that leaves open the issues of Ixiah and Loki. It might even be relatively safe to remove their restraining collars if Xaos and Gaea are firmly on his side. Well, that was a whole different can of worms there.
And time progresses
Evading pursuit from all appearances seemed to have been rather successful after the little trick that was pulled planet side. For the time being at least, Chronos and Heimdall have not caught up and encounters with the Vizanzi can largely be avoided. The various crew members spend a fair amount of time acclimating to the alien vessel.
Knight was able to build his LAM with the expert engineering skill of Rebecka. Despite past situations, Knight did not develop his own harem, but Saioko is happy to be with him. Aaron was able to adapt to having a bit of an ancient Acadian soul within his own. Together with Marissa, and with the assistance of Mina, they improve on their psychic abilities. Robert having been reunited with his best friends is able to leverage them to bring some minute amount of normalcy back into his life and work together towards coming to terms with what has happened to them. La'orth is able to learn more about his hated enemy than he ever cared to thanks to Mother's extensive library as well as about his hosts and the ISF. What he can learn of Acadians is not very helpful in relation to his people. The others have their various learning experiences, trials, and tribulations.
Jeanne Pewar and the others who had sustained injuries are again made whole via the advanced Acadian medical technology. Though Jeanne might not be donning any two piece bikinis for a bit. Anastasia Tescrae is rather cross with Knight and Aaron, but she is ultimately forgiving. She throws her lot in with the rest of the crew to aid in the mission against the Masters; it will at least make a wonderful tale. Holly Kidsan is reasonably compliant and amiable after a fashion, though the mission's importance does not allow for any side trips to drop her off, so for the time being she is given reasonable freedom within certain areas.
The inevitable comes to pass and Matron receives tachyon communications on a channel flagged by Mother as pertaining to ISF military communications. Not meant for her specifically, it does identify Major Aaron Brown as its intended recipient. The message is a simple order from Scout Fleet command, Captain Summers and Colonel Nexx, requesting that they rendezvous at a specific location near Technocratic League space. By cosmic coincidence this is on course for the location of the Sphere of Harmonies. Not willing to refuse a direct order, at least at this time, Aaron has Matron set a course for the coordinates given.
A relatively short FTL jump later, the ISF scout fleet plus a vessel Saioko and Knight will recognize as a Dark Rage class ship are present. After a bit of communications and a few IFF exchanges, associated parties decide to meet on Matron for a briefing of the current state of affairs.
With all relevant ISF personnel, Acadians, an unknown mustelid scientist (Saioko and probably Aaron recognize her as Washu), Anastasia, and the various privateer representatives present, it is Captain Summers who speaks first after the room comes to order.
"To cut to the chase Major Brown, report please." The canine naval officer flatly requested. All eyes shift to Aaron which understandably makes him a bit nervous.
Matron room of Briefings
It is amazing just how much a few days of Acadian mediations and the assimilation of ancient soul bits can do to reinforce and calm one's mind. Unfortunately for Aaron it wasn't quite enough to remain completely calm in the face of ISF officers many pay grades above his putting him in a tight spot. It was enough that he was able to control the color of his fuzz back to the old grey, so that he wouldn't look to be his new natural shade of blue... which was only getting lighter with time.
"Right, my report. The last major incident I reported on was rescuing Lt. Whitehaven And Captain Saioko from their little accident. I do not have information on that incident and if you want more details you will have to ask that pair. After notifying you of our updated crew roster we made our way to the star system where the Matron crash landed. Since Lt. Nova's parent's expedition the pirates had setup shop in the star system with a major presence, including a space station and active monitoring of the system. We were able to locate and reach the planet with the Matron without incident."
Remember, breath, look around the table, "The site of the Matron itself was being actively watched by a pirate outpost. They clearly did not know that the Matron was there but their active scanners would have made it impossible to conduct an operation without being noticed. We attacked and suppressed the outpost. It was at that outpost that we ran into Anastasia. She was trying to recover her crewman and our operation... conflicted. Once the fools at the outpost were smacked around sufficiently we agreed to assist Ana in recovering her captured crewman. It seemed the right thing to do since we ruined her chance of doing that her way. It was during this recovery operation that Sergeant Darkcloud was killed in action. However, Anastasia's man was successfully extracted and there were no further fatalities. These operations did lead us to capture a few prisoners. Speaking of which, one in particular named Jeanne Pewar was promised amnesty from piracy charges for her material cooperation in the rescue op. We also picked up another ISF team there, CWO TiBalt and his lot."
"Next point was the Matron recovery. We went into the ship and found an old ISF crew, Ensign Norston and his crew. After exploring the ship we found the Acadians Xaos and Gaea. We rendered aid to them and are recovering from their... um... you know I'm not sure how to explain it. Torpor? Anyways, they recovered, apparently the ship is in one piece too. However, the ship activating caused the Acadians in league with the Masters to pick up on the Matron and come to us to try and kill us all. We recovered our rescue team, the ISF infiltrator team on the planet, and left with Matron, Mother, And Anna's ship out of the system. Once we had escaped we found a stranded ship and rescued its pilot, Zhildar D'ral La'orth kroi'id Namulk'nam. Or I think that is how it is pronounced."
"So that is our current situation. We have learned the location of the sphere of harmonies and are in route to it to try and fix it, preventing more of the Master's kind from entering."
Aaron was quite intentionally trying to paper over the parts where he was becoming MORE Acadian with the soul bits, Marissa in general, Saioko being... what ever she is, and that seemed to be the main highlights of "oh shit" moments he was trying to bypass.
((OOC: Egads, last time on DBZ here! Also, a management note, Richard and Marissa would have had all but one bond cord cut by now. Hopefully I didn't forget anything important.))
La'orth's first few days aboard Mother proved very trying for him and most of the crew. Most being the operative word. After one day of La'orth speaking through the translator program in his headpiece Xaos decided that enough was enough, and that the stereo echo had to go. So he did what any good samaritan of godlike power would do - he held a lat night cram session in La'orth's dreams. This provided a few more days worth of entertainment for the Acadian as La'orth's brain struggled to cope with being quickly force-fed a new language. The poor Korsinian would randomly and seamlessly swap between the two languages, his own and that of the ISF, without breaking his speaking. It led to some interesting half-understood conversations between all the non-Acadian parties.
While the language barrier (fiasco if you asked a certain alien explorer) was being overcome La'orth came to the stark realisation that he was the one who was MIA from his people, and as such was beginning to find the sudden loss of his usual social network very distressing. Korsinian society is based around small, tightly-knit groups of friends and La'orth had none now. He very quickly began to hang around the other crew members on Mother, not as much to learn about them, but just for the interaction. In a word, he became a bit clingy. Not so much with Loki and Ixiah; there must be some universal constant that clinginess is only one-way, and La'orth did his best to avoid getting glomped. It hardly ever worked. He tried to be useful, though, and even offered his meager technical skills to the building of Knight's LAM. (ok, assuming he's allowed to find out about it... can't remember if it was a secret) La'orth also attempted to make friends with Anastasia, once it was clear that the Acadians were not at all concerned with flying back to Korsinian space to blast the Vizanzi to hell and back. Perhaps the Technomages (Anastasia is the one, right?) would be more amenable to some sort of trade for assistance.
Even with trying to make friends among the crew, La'orth ended up with a lot of free time. A portion of this was spent on keeping up his fighter, and flying it when allowed, but the larger amount was devoted to whatever Vizanzi-based holovids Mother could provide. His initial interest in military records, schematics, tactical comparisons, and weapon analyses waned when he found out that Mother's records were a bit dated and that Matron had not been outfited with a comprehensive military database that would allow La'orth to pinpoint the Vizanzi's every weakness. That, and despite all that he learned, the raw military stuff was boring to read over long periods. So he took to a different kind of understanding - analyzing Vizanzi mentality through exposure to popular entertainment. The rest of the crew just called it movie night.
La'orth never did quite understand some of the themes he witnessed. Coming from a rather social pack-centric society, La'orth found the Vizanzi's penchant for isolation and distrust of others, even when it would be wiser to seek out others for assistance, particularly mystifying. He did, begrudgingly, admit to Xaos that he found the vids entertaining, and some of the actresses attractive. Under duress of course. (On the receiving end of a noogie.)
One very notable interaction was La'orth's extreme discomfort around Holly. Piracy was one of the strongest taboos in Korsinian society, both because of necessity from a limited number of ships to support the now-nomadic species, and also from their time as peacekeepers. As peacekeepers in their neck of the galaxy Korsinians had spent much of their time combating pirates, and so La'orth really just wanted to space Holly and be done with it. Unable to do that, he did his best to stay well away from her.
******
Now on board Mother with a room full of ISF personel...
La'orth cringed a bit as Aaron attempted his name. The sounds just weren't quite right coming from a non-Korsinian mouth. The effort of using his full name and title was appreciated, and so La'orth nodded to Aaron, and then to the assembled fleet representatives.
He tried to wait patiently while the "locals" caught up, but he couldn't help but play with his fingers' claws out of sight. He was the sole liaison between his people and theirs, something he had never trained for (he was military after all, not political!), and the impromptu position was not sitting well in his stomach.
During Aaron's report Captain Summers and Colonel Nexx kept their expressions very neutral and professional, but both shared a variety of sideways glances during the more interesting portions of the report. It was Captain Summers that spoke first after Aaron sat back down.
"So we have increased by two more Acadian helpers and the dispositions of both ships are nominal. Do we need to refit them or are you provisioned enough to move on the next steps of this plan of yours? Will we need to transfer any crew to you?" Summers asked with his attention solely directed at Aaron.
Both Matron and Mother commented before Aaron could answer, "We are fine Captain Summers and can report our own statuses. We are both sufficiently provisioned and fully operational."
Speaking loud enough for everyone to hear, which is likely intentional, Xaos quips at Summers' comment, "oh look, we're helpers now Gaea. Do not worry mon capitan, I have a whole crew in the freezer. Just got to thaw them out. Though if you have any foxes on board I'd be happy to indoctrina..."
Xaos stops suddenly and waves off the last part of his discourse as Gaea herself only smiles sweetly and flutters her eyelids. At a psychic level Gaea just smashed Xaos's proverbial foot.
Colonel Nexx raises an eyebrow at this but shakes his head, choosing to hold his tongue. Instead he stands up and clears his throat before adding his portion to the discussion, "alright, we'll just keep staffing the way it is for now, but let us know if you need resupply." He pauses to nod towards Mother and Matron, "my apologies, we are not used to ships being considered persons. No disrespect was intended."
The two nod in acknowledgement and the colonel continues.
"With the loss of Romulus and our operations somewhat cut off from our primary support structure, I am hereby field promoting Benjamin Foster to 2nd Lieutenant and overall command of Special Forces operations on Matron and Mother. Ben I'll leave it to you to identify your NCOs and you have authority to promote them."
Turning to Knight, Nexx continues, "Eric Whitehaven, we are hereby field promoting you to 1st Lieutenant. We can't provide you with any additional LAMs or pilots, but Matron has assured me they can provide you with a few to cover your role and provide close air support as needed."
Nexx completed his announcements with a nod to the affected parties and Summers once again took the floor, "This sort of thing is not the best segue, but we are not equipped to handle first contact or establish relations with aliens." He regarded La'orth, "perhaps you can explain more about your function and what exactly your rank and authority level is expected to be among your fleets. Once we have sorted out the galaxy, so to speak, we can see about ambassador status. For now, you have a fighter, we will need you to use it."
During the conversations, Washu managed to move next to Saioko. This is quite the feat as she was on the opposite side of the table from the Acadian ship personnel. Her voice is low enough for most with sharp ears to hear on this side of the table. "Saio-oki, I hardly recognized you in this shape! You adapt so well, but that is to be expected of a creation from the greatest scientific mind in the galaxy!"
Saioko smiles nervously moving closer to Knight for possibly protection or comfort.
Aaron sighed, things seem to have gone well. Except for failing to mention the popsicle crew. Almost forgot about that. Then again, they are all frozen, pretty easy to forget about.
"The only thing I could ask for would involve booze, since Mother and Matron will not provide such. Probably for the best. Also, while sentient ships take some getting used to, it really is a great thing."
After that quip Aaron hangs out to see what other crew members have to say.
Downtime had been helpful for Robert. He had woken with a dull hollow feeling in his gut, not hunger, but the dull ache of the knowledge that everything he had been through was leading to the ultimate conclusion that nothing was going to be the same again. The difference was that it just sat there, it didn't loom or crowd him. It was just something Robert was going to have to shake with judicious use of time and booze. For a good while Robert, along with Mina and Spatz, discussed their times with the crew of the Delphi. He laughed; it felt like ages since he last laughed. Of the three, Mina seemed to adjust the quickest. Likely thanks to her new "status." Something seemed to concern her, though she went to incredible lengths to hide it. On occasion, Robert would get the feeling he was being watched and turn around only to see her there, but she would be doing something productive. Spatz was just happy to be alive; the fact that people weren't shooting at them was a bonus. He had told Robert about what Mina did, how she helped him, and noted that she was probably just keeping an eye on him like any other doctor.
A new thing that had shown up though, was the continual buzz in the back of his head, coupled with the disjointed voices he was hearing. Under normal circumstances he would have made more of an issue out of this; if it had been the first time.
Mindblow was the street name of the drug, it was a horribly addictive and dangerous as it temporarily altered brain chemistry. Side effects were strong hallucinations and euphoria. Psychics sometimes used it to augment their capabilities, though more often than not succumbed to the addiction. Robert's old captain had been in the market for some specialized scanning equipment, looking for stuff that wasn't always available where they operated. A deal had been brokered with a seedy character and all that was needed was to verify the equipment was functioning before finalizing the sale and lugging the equipment away. Being one of the few people in the crew who had a lot of experience with scanners, Robert found himself in the middle of a dimly lit warehouse elbow deep in them when another "enterprising" group showed up to make a withdrawl of their own. It was obvious that neither group was expecting the other, and Robert was pretty certain they had no interest for the scanners there. Just a chance meeting between two groups of armed people. Robert didn't know who fired the first shot, but both groups scattered for cover as bullets flew. Somewhere in the warehouse there had to been some canisters of Mindblow, because a bullet or two found them and a purple fog began to roll over the combatants. Somehow, between the strange new vibrations and pretty lights, Robert's group managed to get out of the warehouse, with the scanners even, and picked up by the rest of the crew. They spent weeks in detox before being declared fit for duty again. He had complained of the voices in his head since the incident, but the doctor on the ship said that paranoia and ghost sounds were common for people coming down from Mindblow. Robert had declined psyche treatment for two reasons. First, he didn't feel any paranoia, and second, the voices didn't make any sort of sense. It was like this for a good portion of a month, and they went away.
Now, Robert had just sat through a meeting with the ISF higher brass. He had kept his mouth shut. Anything he would have said would have been counterproductive, an exercise in brutish stupidity. They were part of the crew with the matron, even if the ISF moved them out they would spend weeks being debriefed from the Delphi mission; likely being questioned for being AWOL the whole time, given Robert's broad understanding of the military mind. It was midway through the meeting that he came to a rather startling conclusion. Things people said were sometimes echoed in the obscure snippets he heard, sometimes they weren't. As he listened he began to see a pattern, that the voices may be related to other people, but at the same time he wasn't sure he wasn't just grabbing at straws. Robert wanted to pull Mina off to the side, but the last thing he wanted the overeager ears of the brass to hear was that he was hearing things.
"Kolnel Nexx. Kap'tin Sommers." La'orth nodded to each in turn. His own pronounciations sounded off to him after having so recently heard the two officers addressed by native speakers. Inwardly he hoped that these new ISF representatives were as forgiving as the rest of those he had met so far.
"I am no Ambassador, though I have some basic training in dealing with alien cultures. What I have covers other species, so the most useful lesson is for me to be patient with you."
"My status, Zhildar, marks me as an accomplished veteran of combat, and my rank, D'ral," he motioned to the small blue slashes painted beneath each of his eyes, "shows me as capable of leading small detachments. I had led a flight of five fighter escorts which I understand places me somewhere below the Major. This is an acceptable arrangement."
He straighted a bit which, despite his slightly shorter height, did help him feel slightly more in command of the room full of seated beings.
"Korsinians have a long history of acting as peacekeepers for races unwilling or unable to so themselves. You would label us mercenaries, though the term as you know it lacks in meaning. We fight because we are descended from predators and have evolved for it. But there are restraints. We engage only other combatants, only so long as we or our charges are threatened, and compensation is expected or our services will be lost. I will weild my H'vae'ek fighter for you as a pilot in good standing of the Korsinian military, but a contract will need to be drafted. It will list the duties expected of me as well as those prohibited by both of us, it should list, as best we're able, those identified as enemies, and the manner of my payment. I have authorization from the Korsinian fleets to accept such agreements in regard to myself and those directly under my command."
He left out the part where he would have to have run the specifics of any agreement by his superiors first; he didn't actually have carte blanche to hire himself away from the fleet, but there was nothing he could do about that right now. Xaos smiled slightly and began humming quietly to himself.