"Indeed you are, ma'am. I must inform you though that it's not me looking for a brawl. If it comes to blows I'll just block." Hariim replies in a jovial professional tone. "I do have a question for you, ma'am; if you'll allow me to field it."
"Do not play me for a fool, Mr M'baal."
Yuga rose from her chair and walked down to the holotable, standing on the opposite side of Hariim.
"Judging from the earlier discussion you had with Mr Meijde I could argue that you have provoked him with your superiority complex. Hence, if he comes here to brawl and you do not try to resolve the matter peacefuly I'll have you both locked up for instigation of violence." she conveyed, her head tilted backwards as she looked at Hariim, her tone not changing from the business-as-usual voice.
She ceased frowning, "As I hope I've made myself perfectly clear on the previous matter you may proceed with your question."
Hariim nods, letting his captain defer to her deduction of the earlier conversation. "It's a question of rank, captain. I've noted myself in the proper logs and paperwork as a 'generalissimo' -old SDF corp joke- as I've not caught my name anywhere being officially attached to any position, and I was wondering if you'd had the time to decide on something for me. I was going to submit my candidacy for XO, but you chose somebody else for that job. So. Where do I sit on the totem pole?" Hariim asks politely. While he waits for Yuga to supply an answer he skims the local networks in his entopic displays in search for some gear and for a nice new pair of boots. All Yuga can see is the placid face of quiet professionalism Hariim keeps on in her presence.
Yuga raised her eyebrow, inspecting Hariim while trying to understand his question.
"Mr M'baal, acquiring a rank should make no difference in this crew. But, seeing as you have been of much use to me I see no reason why I should not bestow a rank upon you."
She began walking back towards her chair with her hands behind her back and stopped in front of the chair, turning her head to peak at Hariim over her shoulder.
"I will promote you to lieutenant. However, you will neither out-rank Ms Caine or our contractors own lieutenants."
Yuga sat herself down and spiffed up her cap, putting it on before changing her focus back to Hariim.
"And make no mistake, Mr M'baal, I will only do this because your skills have aided me plenty and if I apprehend you flaunting this rank I shall have it stripped from you immediately." she concluded, the last sentence distinguished by a increased gravity in her tone.
Hariim salutes Yuga and nods. "Wouldn't think of it ma'am. Just working on old military instinct. Being on a ship with no ranks or brass is a bit odd for me. Most merc groups usually adopt some kind of organizational structure. This is my first one that's so loose. It works, but I'm still getting used to it." Hariim puts together an information packet for Yuga while he talks. It's composed of a basic report on the status of the ship's computer systems and data processing capabilities along with a list of recommended upgrades and some notices of weak points. "On another note, ma'am, I've compiled a report for you. Info on your ship's systems and a bit on how they work. I've been doing some poking around and made some interesting discoveries."
Hariim activates the displays on Yuga's captain chair and loads the report on them. It's neat and put together in a concise and intuitive format.
[i]After Hariim gave Johannes his location, he starts heading towards the bridge. On the way, he stops at his bunk to change into his armor. After about 10 minutes, he arrives on the bridge, wholly after the conversation between Hariim and Yuga. He stops just outside the doorway to the bridge and knocks twice on the metal trim of the door before snapping to attention.[/i][b] "Permission to come aboard, captain?"[/b]
With the distinct accent, Yuga didn't even have to look to tell who it was.
The captains chair was facing the holo-table which was in the middle of the bridge, leaving the door behind the chair.
Suddenly, Yuga's arm came into view for Johannes. She flicked her hand gently in a circular motion.
"Granted." Yuga uttered, putting her arm down on the armrest once again with the chair still facing away from Johannes.
((I'm gonna start putting *'s around his speech when he's wearing his helmet, to denote that his vocoder is stripping his voice of his accent and making him sound like a combine, lmfao))
[b]*"Ma'am."[/b][i] Johannes drops from his attention and walks into the bridge, up to Hariim and standing next to him.[/i][b] *"I didn't realize I'd scared you so much with my half-hearted threat of a smacking that you were going to proverbially hide behind the Captain, Hariim."[/b][i] Johannes gently rests a hand on Hariim's shoulder, which would slowly become colder and colder, until it was as if someone had a chunk of dry ice pressed to his skin.[/i][b] *"You didn't have to worry, I wasn't actually going to hit you."[/b]
((Sega I know it's asking a lot but could you update the OP's character list and add embedded URL's to each character's sheet? I'm having a hell of a time finding character sheets for characters I'm interacting with. For what it's worth, mine is [url=https://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1505836&p=50297190&viewfull=1#post50297190]Here - Johannes Van Der Meijde[/url] ))
"That will be enough of that, Mr Meijde"
Yuga looked down on Johannes from the plaform which the chair was on, her face formed into a frown.
"I have just explained to Mr M'baal here that I possess both the will and the authority to have you both locked up should this bickering continue."
The frown slowly changed into her usual tired-eyes face and she directed her attention towards the systems list that Hariim had compiled.
"Now, did you have something to discuss or did you just come here indulge Mr M'baal in his childish game?"
[i]Johannes looks up at Yuga, the visor on his helmet clearing from it's frosty white to an almost invisible barrier so she could see his face, the picture of innocence.[/i][b] *"I'm sorry Captain. I'm just trying to make new friends here. Although I did take some offense to Hariim hacking into my suit earlier. That being said I've come to him to see about building it a new onboard computer to replace the one in it now."[/b][i] He lifts his hand off Hariim's shoulder and slips it behind his back, coming to parade rest.[/i][b] *"I meant no disrespect, I assure you."[/b]
[QUOTE=Snoberry Tea;50433286](((Sega I know it's asking a lot but could you update the OP's character list and add embedded URL's to each character's sheet? I'm having a hell of a time finding character sheets for characters I'm interacting with. For what it's worth, mine is [url=https://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1505836&p=50297190&viewfull=1#post50297190]Here - Johannes Van Der Meijde[/url] ))[/QUOTE]
((While it isn't much, there is the [URL="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Characters/StarpathScoundrels"]TVTropes character page[/URL]. We really need to do some work on not just this page, but all the TVTropes pages.))
Yuga continues to read the report and adresses Johannes without changing her focus,
"I assure you that Mr.M'baal has been reminded of the repercussions of further such transgressions."
She conveyes, turning her head towards Hariim with a stern expression.
Hariim remains unfazed with a professional expression adorning his face. He senses Yuga looking at him, so he turnes to give her a quick glance.
Yuga turns back and continues to read the report.
(( I can fill in Frosty's entry, but I got no idea how to use TVTropes. ))
Frosty adamantly guards the doorway to Jag's quarters, as the two engineers work to repair the damaged wall.
"I think he was just getting the bravado out of his system ma'am." Hariim replies. "I'm about to head down to the mess hall. You guys wanna join me for a drink? That'll give me a chance to check out your systems how I need to, Johannes."
Hariim seems not to care about the cold. He brushes Johanne's hand away and smiles at the two.
((I legit cannot find information on this. Can alcohol be metabolized at a body temperature under 45 degrees Fahrenheit?))
[i]Johannes takes off his helmet and tucks it under one of his arms.[/i][b] "I'm not actually sure if alcohol has any effect on me but I'm willing to try."[/b]
((That's about 7 celsius. Vodka can go below 0 celsius, aka the freezing point of water. I think consuming it should be no problem, but how it affects him I can not say.))
Yuga looked up from the report, "I will remain here to finish reading you report. After that I will wait for Perditus to show up and give me an explanation on what exactly he is doing when rupturing fuel lines all of a sudden."
She held up a saucer witha delicate cup on, "if you would be so kind, please instruct the chef to brew another cup of chak when you are there."
((i might fall asleep suddenly so If I don't respond you know why))
Hariim takes the saucer and cup. "Yes ma'am. Will do." Hariim replies. And to Johannes he says: "Not about getting drunk, pal. It's just about enjoying a good drink. C'mon, I know where the good gin is."
[i]Johannes shudders as he follows Hariim.[/i][b] "Can't stand gin, tastes like I'm eating a christmas tree. Does this ship have any decent vodka?"[/b]
[QUOTE]"Can't stand gin, tastes like I'm eating a christmas tree. Does this ship have any decent vodka?"[/QUOTE]
"Yes, actually. That's what I've been drinking most of the time aboard the ship. Should leave a note or something for Ahaz when you get your booze though, so he'll know who to charge when he has to restock." said Taylor, as she walked past them. "I'd get a drink with you, but I've got to speak to the Captain about something."
[I]9 years ago, Center Financial District, Prospera.[/I]
"I Won't Ask again," The worn and battered investigator spoke in croaky, low tone. "Rockman."
His gun was firmly pressed against Jag's upper head, pinned under both him and his fellow Asset Protection goons.
After another moment pasted, the investigator broke his eye-to-eye stare to lift his head.
Taking this minute to simply breath as the blood steadily spill from under the investigator's bloody visor.
His suit covered in both blood and ash, torn and beaten as his pinned opponent he loom over.
He took an second to look towards the cloudy nighttime sky, it's rain slowly begin to pour down onto the raging fires around them.
The buildings within the sorunding distinct we're had been consumed under the aftermath detonation of several tons of Black Phosphorus.
The investigator took his stare back onto the cracked face of the Sanghvi.
Barely holding back his urge to not fire an rocket propelled, air-bursting slug through it's head.
Defeated, he repeated his words towards the Jag.
The others continued their rather futile efforts towards saving their comrades and bystanders from the undying flames.
"Where are you're lackeys. I know you, of terrorists, don't work solo." He explained, grinding his rotten teeth in wait of the Sanghvi's answer.
His grip on the trigger begin to slowly tremble, his patience rabidly fade while the screams and cries around him get louder and louder.
"Well..." Jag cautiously said, the surprised investigator pulled his trigger lightly from the trigger and onto the guard.
"Well, What?" The investigator heatedly pushed, leaning inwards towards Jag.
"Well, can you measure the starting point of HV round traveling from about 3 kilometers out?" Jag clammily and hastily asked.
"What?" The confused Investigator yell while taking an second look at Jag.
In half of an second, the investigator's hand bust into a ugly mix of gushing blood and shattered bone.
The hand gun falling onto the street next to them, the bottom of it's hand grip breaking into pieces along with it's magazine falling out unharmed.
The investigator fell onto the left side of Jag in shock. Yelling out in pure pain at his destroyed right hand.
Jag took an moment to take in the fact that the bolt had manged to fire into the right edge of it's head.
Through not too debilitating, it still left quite the mark on the frontal ark of Jag's head.
While the lighting from the clouds above ran above in the night's sky. Jag was already on it's feet and the surrounding observers in panic.
The injured Jag focused on holding it's distance from the gathering Asset protection and emergency responders.
Through both we're unwilling to fighting one another. Staring each other down while their circled walked.
This uneasily standoff lasted for several moments. The occupied responders and Asset Protection quickly realized Jag's state.
Through weary of unknown marksmen and short of vital manpower to claim the fires.
Their kept to themselves while the unoccupied Asset protection dragged the gravely wounded Investigator back.
Still. they held their firearms closely onto Jag. Ready to fire at any given moment while they tired to relocate the wounded from the area.
It wasn't until an armored van came bursting through towards them, dividing Jag from the rest of them with it's reinforced hull.
Baring both Vyacheslav and Hoil instead of the riot control it's dented sides displayed.
It's left side door open to reveal Hoil standing guard, her worried eyes shocked to find the Captain in such an state.
"Don't worry, my dear first officer." Jag said while limping over towards the van. "Tis but an scratch." Jag bushed off sarcastically.
Amused, Hoil let herself chuckle at Jag's comment, always such an smart ass about these kind of things she concluded.
Tilting her head and leaning onto the Van's doorway while watching Jag surroundings.
"We've all done excellent work today," Jag commented while entering the Van. "Still much remains to be done."
Hoil moved towards her Captain's side while the wounded Sanghvi climbed into the compartment right besides her.
"Yeah, money will not problem." Vyacheslav yell in broken Terran Universal, the amused Hoil reached into her coat to correct him like usual.
Through the moment of laxity was interrupted with an bolt whizzing between Jag and Hoil, blasting straight towards the off guard Hoil.
Hoil violently fell back while the momentary stunned Jag quickly turn to slam the side door shut while Vyacheslav dove the Van.
"Gotcha..." The Investigator muttered under an deep, muffled sign under his bloody respirator before pasting out from blood loss.
He released the bolt pistol from his grip, letting the now empty handgun fall out of his grip while the rest of his goons carried him off.
Sometime, It pays to be ambidextrous.
[B]-----[/B]
[I]Present[/I]
The burred Jag carried itself before the door of the bridge, taking an moment to put behind painful memories in the light of the present.
Jag opened the door and look into the center of the control room, staring straight forward at Yuga.
((I haven't updated the OP in a while because it's a huge pain in the ass. Every time I try, the post either comes up in WYSIWYG, which lags on every computer/browser I try to use, or it comes up blank. Switching it to raw text also causes the thing to blank out, so I have to keep a document on my pc that I can edit before copy/pasting it into the OP. I'll do it later. I also missed my chance at a ride to Orlando because I'm still getting over this stomach bug. Player stat updates are on the way, too, but everything's a hassle at the moment.))
Yanim had afforded the gynoid a proper introduction, but had very little patience for further niceties. The pressure valve on her nitrogen tank was the reason for her insistence on moving on, and so the trio took their conversation along with them on their way back to the Muramasa. In addition, the carrier was larger than they had estimated from the outside, and the long walks through empty corridors took up valuable breathing time. Before long, they had exited the ship and descended the platform back to the sandy, icy surface of Mars, where even Rask was beginning to have difficulty keeping his stamina.
"Gettin' real tired of Mars," he grumbled aloud. It was his first comment in at least five minutes as Yanim and Hestia talked idly about the theory and reality of artificial life.
(( I think I know what's causing it to freak out so oddly. It's the youtube video you got there, it fucks it up when you try to save your edit when it's embedded. I had to deal with the same exact thing too when I was OP for another thread. ))
Vakarus bowed as Yanim and Rask returned to the ship. "Welcome back Yanim'atvan and Rask'atvan."
He nodded towards Hestia. "Greetings, I am Vakarus of House Va'un."
-----
Maddox showed up next to Vakarus. "Welcome back ma'am."
He did a quick salute. "The demonstration for our sideproject is ready."
Neasha appeared from the crew quarters area of the ship, carrying a few more small bags full of her possessions. "Ah, you're back. I was just doing some last-minute packing... is the new ship cozy? I wanted to- oh, I'm sorry Maddox, you were speaking first."
"If by cozy you mean 'full of echoes and spiders,' then yeah, keh, it's cozy," Rask replied quickly. Neasha seemed a bit crestfallen as she leaned against the wall.
"Vakarus, Maddox, this is our new medical expert, Hestia," Yanim said. She glanced to the gynoid while gesturing at the vakr. "He is our ship's designated gunner. I'm sure he would be willing to take you to the bridge so that you may meet the captain." She then turned back to Maddox. "And as for the weapons demonstration, we are ready to see your proposal... unless you intend to test outside, rather than in the armory. We've been breathing fumes for minutes now."
[QUOTE]"Greetings, I am Vakarus of House Va'un."[/QUOTE]
Hestia held her arms behind her back as she met the crew, feeling confident in her commanding officer's enlightenment of Synthetic life.
She patiently waited while they greeted their new comrade.
Through, Hestia took an spit second to look over Vakarus before greeting him.
"Likewise, Sir Vakarus." Hestia eagerly greeted the Vak'r, extending her hand towards him.
"I'm very delighted to learn the customs of your kind. If you would so allow it while you escort me towards the bridge, noble one." She stated ask politely.
Yuga got up from the captains chair and turned to face Jag with her hands behind her back.
She already activated her compass when she heard Jag enter the bridge.
"Explanations, Mr Perditus, and I want them now" her electric voice escaped the compass.
Jag stood with upright posture towards Yuga, it's cloak covering most of body while stare down at her face to face.
"Captain Shuur, It was momentarily lapse in judgement." Jag coldly explained.
"I was setting forward an training exercise that I had laid for myself, Through I did miscounted for the ship's gravity systems and mistakenly propelled my body at the wall, leaving the damage that I will solely atone for."
Vakarus bowed his head. "Of course, we shall not delay."
He gestured for Hestia to accompany him to the bridge.
"You speak like a scholar, Shiny-one. I assume you are familiar with meeting new people regularly?"
-----
"Demo is gonna be in the armory. I can wait ten minutes if you want to get rid of your rebreathers beforehand."
He pointed towards the cargo bay. "I'll be waiting."
Taylor continued on through the ship, till she arrived at the bridge. Looks like Jag had arrived first. She stepped in, shut the door, and stepped off to the side. Rather not interrupt anything. She stands at parade rest, her arms behind her back as she waits patiently.
[B]----[/B]
[I]Elsewhere...[/I]
"[I][B]JACKSON!! SEAL THE FUCKING DOOR BEFORE THEY GET IN!![/B][/I]"
"[I]I'M TRYING! [B]ITS JAMMED![/B][/I]"
"[B][I]OH SHIT! THERE THEY ARE!![/I][/B]"
As the pair of terrified crew members frantically attempted to shut the door to the bridge, creaking metal and inhuman groans could be heard down towards the end of the hallway. Along with disturbing chants and statements. [highlight][I]"HUMAN/MACHINE EVOLUTION [B]IS THE WAY![/B]" "TECHNOLOGY IS TRUTH! [B]METAL IS GOD![/B]" "JOIN US! JOIN THE FUTURE!" "[B]HAIL HOMO MACHINUS![/B]"[/I][/highlight]
That which the noises and chants were coming from came into view, as the pair of crew members attempted to unjam the door. Grotesque abominations, bastardized fusions of flesh and metal. Blood soaked the floor from where some stepped. Not their blood, but blood from the crew. Some of which was among their ranks. They had captured them...mutilated them and forced them into their ranks as walking nightmares.
The closest of these things stepped into one of the lights in the hallway. Most of his skin was gone, and the bits that remained were there only to assist in holding bits of machinery onto the body. His jaw was missing, replaced by a large metal plate with gleaming, blade-like teeth. Half of his left arm was gone, and his legs. All replaced with limbs derived from metal parts and cybernetics. Tubes criss-crossed his body, a few soaked in blood but most glowing an eerie blue color. Whatever was keeping these things alive and walking around, maybe. His eyes were the same color as the liquid flowing through the tubes in his body. It gurgled, and continued its trek towards them, limping slightly as it stepped. The others varied in appearance as they walked into the light. All were gruesome.
"[I]WHAT THE FUCK [B]IS[/B] THAT THING?![/I]" yelled Jackson. His fellow crewmate, who had decided to use the shotgun he had slung across his back, didn't care what it was. Only that it needed to stay the hell away from them. He pumped the weapon and fired down the hallway. The shot connected, but seemed not to faze the creatures lumbering towards them. He fired another shot. And another. And another. He continued till the weapon would fire no more. It didn't help.
The door never shut. The creatures didn't stop. As they set upon them, Jackson let out a blood-curdling scream. One of the creatures had sliced clean through his shoulder in a single swing. The abominations had come to do what they had done to countless other ships and even colonies. They did it to Humans, Ayr, Kanads, Khergians...any organic race in their paths. Forced evolution, as willed by their messiah.
Yuga narrowed her eyes. Whatever Jag had been doing it had exhausted him to the point that his mental barrier had cracked.
She began investigating, knowing Jag could sense it but not do anything about it.
All though, the information wasn't useful as it was fragmented.
Jag as a captain, a crew, an explosion, men in black armors.
Jag having showed her his criminal profile, she wasn't really surprised that these scenes were present.
Yuga sneered when she noticed the blood that was seemingly dried on Jag's cloak.
Weather it it was real or not, or if it was Jag's own blood or someone else's didn't matter.
Jag was keeping something from her, and in his current state he was doing a poor job of covering it up.
She nodded slowly towards Jagand turned to Taylor, "Ms Caine, please continue. And when we're finished I want you to have a chat with Mr Perditus... in the brig."
((I've used up my mobile data pack for this month so I won't be able to respond while at work. Brb for like 8 hours.))
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