Starpath: Scoundrels of the Interstellar Highway - Games

"[I]I am not allowed to tell you what they will do, but what I can tell you is that he is [B]very important[/B] to us.[/I]" emphasized Moloch.

János nodded slowly. "In that case, it would be better for him to come with you. Now, the issue here is that our captain...." he got closer to Moloch to avoid Yuga from hearing him, that is if she was hearing any of this, "....she's a bit of a hard ass," he whispered. "Today has been an incredibly stressful day for our crew, and her finding out that we were unable to retrieve Frosty's body because the guy who rescued him wanted to bring him back to his people.... she would immediately be on my case," he revealed, as he stepped back to give Moloch his space back. "It might be a better idea for you to tell her this yourself. You said you had a radio, no?"

The azure glow of Seloveha bathed the bridge of the Aurikha in a gentile light, where Yanim, sitting alone in the dark and exhausted from worry and self doubt, nearly drifted into restless sleep. There was a chime from the computer's comm relay alerting her of the crew's emergence from Dyatiq, and so she quietly tuned into the radio, afraid to request a status update for fear that many of the crew had perished in the attack. She was simultaneously relieved and saddened by the news that two crewmembers had become casualties; it could have been much worse, and yet, better decision-making could have prevented even these minor losses. She dictated a short voice message to Taylor, which the latter could attend to at her convenience. [quote]Officer Caine, I am aware that you and your team were unable to complete your task. Given the circumstances of your retreat, I must assume that aborting the mission was necessary to preserve the lives and wellbeing of the crew, in which case, I commend you. It is our duty - myself, my staff, and our contractors at Argos - to provide the resources necessary for the successful execution of operations, and, having failed to do so, you took appropriate action in looking after our most valuable assets. Please alert me if you are reprimanded for your conduct, and I will deal with the misunderstanding personally.[/quote] Having finished recording the message, Yanim sent it out before slumping over, propping her legs on the armrest, and falling into a much-needed nap. --- The armored truck pulled up onto the curb, crushing decorative pavers as the SWAT-equipped agents of State Security poured out of the rear doors. Ryvik and his officers prepped their rifles for fire as they cut through the crowd which, tellingly, was running in the opposite direction, away from the club. There was a gunfight happening inside, albeit a sporadic one: a battle between the previous owner's personal security detail and the two-bit thugs which outnumbered them nearly four-to-one. Upon entering the building through the front doors, now sans a bouncer, they simply raised their OBVs and fired in unison, the piercing screech of the synchronized plasma rifles sounding like a bolt of lightening striking the room. Instantly, the fighting stopped as attention was diverted to the SS brigade, and especially to its heavily-armored leader. Despite their small stature, any fighting unit this coordinated would appear threatening to the bottom-feeders in this establishment. Ryvik cleared his throat. "You know who we are," the metallic voice snarled. "Where is he hiding?" One of the black hats responded excitedly, "oh, so you're on our side!" His excitement turned to horror as every rifle aside from the lieutenant's suddenly shifted and pointed at him. "[Humans...]" Ryvik grumbled. "If you're going to speak out of turn, answer the damned question. Where is the one you call Krasus Periskha?" The black hat shrunk back into his ranks sheepishly as one of Kras's Duroma gang members spat a mouth full of tobacco derisively before speaking. "Never knew his name was Periskha," the serek said at first. Predictably, the rifles all trained on him. Staring them down as if they were a bluff, he taunted Ryvik, "he's in the office, up those stairs. You better watch out though, he's got that 'old man strength...' That armor of yours might not be enough." There was a stifled chuckle from the gallery. Under his helmet, even Ryvik smiled. "I'd ask if they respect law officers on your planet, serek, but you know how it is," the lieutenant answered with acrid passivity. He turned to a pair of his cadets, "[you two, take him outside. Break him. I'll be upstairs,]" he said quickly. They saluted crisply before moving to drag the serek out of the building. The rest of the gang was kept at bay by the remaining officers. At the top of the stairs was a landing where the young officer encountered a door, sealed with a quadruple electromagnetic deadbolt configuration. He knocked three times. "Gaharya Kakrom," he announced in a calm but assertive speaking voice. "Oh... fuck off!" a gruff voice answered. Inside, Kras raced to the desk, tuning into the camera feed overlooking the landing. Seeing the dark figure outside in heavy armor, the now slightly-drunken mogul struggled to avoid panicking. "What's the big deal?" Kiki wondered aloud. "It's just one guy, right? You can take him." "The hell I can," Kras replied, barely above a whisper. "It's one thing to break a few legs on these Mafioso cocksuckers and another thing entirely to take on a blackjacket in his fuckin' Iron Man suit. Christ..." Kras flipped the camera feed to the ground floor, revealing the SWAT team now holding both gangs at gunpoint. "Shit... what the hell are the blackjackets even doing here?" Before either of his company could posit a theory, Ryvik answered from the hall. "Let me in and I'll tell you," he said. Kras nearly jumped out of his chair; he hadn't known that Ryvik's helmet was enhancing his hearing. He steeled himself, knowing that he might need to make a quick move. Any time the SS gets involved with an offworlder's affairs, it never ends well for the offworlder. "Well, if you want to talk, we can do that through the door, can't we? Since you've got such keen hearing and all..." Kras was stalling for time. As he spoke, he meandered around the room, searching for some sort of emergency exit. Kiki and Viola looked on in confusion and slight alarm at seeing the old man's demeanor change so quickly after his earlier triumph. What was a safe room good for, besides keeping threats like Ryvik out of the room? "Open the door. Last warning." Kras, having failed to find another way out, shook his head and cursed under his breath. "Could you speak more clearly..? I didn't quite understand-" Kras was cut off by a deafeningly loud hammering sound, one crash after another, at least once every second until the wall to the left of the doorway suddenly exploded inward, a metallic fist pounding its way through the brick and mortar. The rest of Ryvik soon followed, stepping confidently into the office. "That was annoying," he said, flatly. He wasn't even out of breath. "I'm, uh... I'm sorry." Kras replied, wide-eyed. He had encountered SS agents at various points in the past, but this was the first time Bureau III, the GKVR, had ever come knocking. In hindsight, he should have opened the door. "Well, what do you want from me? Am I under arrest?" "Only if you agree to cooperate. Any further delay will cost you your life. Do I make myself clear?" "...yes," Kras replied, hanging his head. He had been humbled without a single blow, and no weapon being drawn. Walking down the stairs in surrender was a surreal affair, with both gangs looking on in awe at the display. Thoughts were racing throughout the establishment. Things like jurisdiction and warrants flashed through the minds of the humans present, ignorant, or perhaps merely inexperienced, to the total lack of due process within the kanad race. "They just walked in and took him," a black hat muttered to one of his comrades. Just before the SWAT team returned to their vehicle with their prize, Ryvik looked back and pointed at the black hats and spoke words which lifted Kras's fallen spirits. "He'll be back. Disperse." The black hats quickly staggered out of the building in confusion and fear. As the armored truck departed with the kanads on board, Zhesid was unsettled by the speed of the operation. He had been convinced of Ryvik's arrogance before, but now, as the maimed serek on the sidewalk, the only casualty of the operation, disappeared in the rear windows, he wondered about his own ability to command so much authority with ease. He only had one question. "What do you mean, he'll be back?" Zhesid asked. Ryvik removed his helmet, allowing Kras to see him eye to eye for the first time. "You promised me total cooperation," he said directly to the aging entrepreneur. "This investigation will extend beyond our time today; not only do we expect the full truth without omission, but we expect total respect of the mission. If you hamper our efforts at any point in the future, we will come for you, understood?" Kras merely nodded. The ambush was so overwhelming that he honestly felt that there was no place to go, and nowhere to hide. But what did they [I]want?[/I]" "My name is Lieutenant Ryvik Sidikan, and this is my assistant, Sergeant Zhesid Rozel. As of now, I am making you an attaché of the state inquiry into the offworld actions of Yanim Sidikan, SNCoS T/E Class of 2382." "...What?" Ryvik had spoken so quickly that Kras understood nothing. What did they mean by attaché? And who is this Sidikan girl they wanted to investigate? There were thousands of Yanim Sidikans in the galaxy; it was a fairly common name... "We don't use aliases within our organization," Zhesid clarified, "but you would know her by the name 'Yanim Terika.' You had a former colleague-" "-Alex," Kras replied, suddenly figuring out what was going on. By getting involved on Prospera, he had put his hands too close to the fire and burned himself. He was slightly relieved, however, that the GKVR didn't seem to care about his fight club activities. "You collaborated in some way during the events which led to the madness," Ryvik continued. "We want to know everything you can tell us about the Terika-Belladonna Company. And, when you have finished telling us, we will let you return to your businesses. Rancid as they are, at least it'll be a kanad taking the lion's share of the profits on this planet and not some arrogant human shitstain. Zhesid will make periodic visits from here on. You will continue to collaborate with that crew and gather information on our behalf." Kras's jaw hit the floor. They wanted him to be a spy!?

"[I]I am very sorry, stranger. You have my sympathies for having such an impatient captain, but this man's return is something that is necessary for my kind. As for your captain, I did speak into Frosty's radio, but whoever was on the other end had turned theirs off. I would very much appreciate it if they would activate it once again so that I may speak to them about this issue. But, I cannot do that unless you have a radio on yourself.[/I]"

"I do have a communicator. I'll ask them to turn themselves on," János said, as he activated his communicator and sent a message to the bridge. [QUOTE]"Turn on the communications with Frosty's radio. The mystery man is a friend of Frosty's and he wishes to speak to the captain in relations to Frosty."[/QUOTE]

Jag tired to get position to get an better shrike at the snipers, spiriting under the cover of the dense mist. Through it momentary stopped itself dead in it's charge as an all too familiar sound rang from behind. The Sanghvi simply bowed it's head for a spit moment, the loud gunshot echoed as it's Implant informed it of Technician Valkyrie's fate. Jag's simply let out a deep sign at it's quick revelation. Realizing that the situation, like many before it, was loss. Jag turned around to carry the must assuredly dead Valkyrie. Through it expected that Apothecary Abraxas was going to attempt to do whatever he knew of the outer void to bring her back. The Sanghvi bent down as it reached the bloody soft-carbon after Abraxas was done "stabilizing" her. It gave a gentile, slow nod towards Taylor order. It made sure to carefully pick up the lifeless body. It's arms begin to slowly wrap around Valkyrie body like an blanket while Jag lifted her up. Jag looked onto her ruined face, through even in it's horrific state. Jag remembered that it had indeed met her before. Through it brief and both only had gotten a obscured glimpse at one another on the downtrodden orbital station of Zechariah. Jag quickly looked over it's shoulder, taken out of it's memory as it heard the loud sounds of the cave collapsing around them. The Sanghvi hastily covered Valkyrie's body with it's arms and cloak, shrouding her while everything went into darkness. While unable to move or see, it held onto Valkyrie tight while waited for whatever fate the void had chosen for it. Eventually, Jag released her to the medical staff of the Cataract and later Abraxas after regaining it's senses. Several of the passing Cataract did give Jag some rather odd looks, it's reputation around these parts of the quadrant were quite colorful to put it lightly. Both with the UGC and other, less ethical organizations operating within the system. Jag simply stood among it's comrades on the hanger floor, patiently gathering it's thoughts. It's body through covered in snoot and dirt, was mostly intact baring several minor concussions within it's inner shell and tears in it's cloak and arms. Unfortunately, it's train of thought was broken as Markus's loud swears and remarks nearly echo within the hanger bay. Jag turned it's head to look at him in an exhausted matter, fairly annoyed but understanding of the Soft-carbon's frustration nevertheless. [quote]"I ain't plannin' on dying in some bloody underground shithole just cause we gotta be fightin' someone else's war, luv."[/quote] "Sharpshooter Markus," Jag said in an claim and stern tone towards Markus, "I would recommend that you hold your remarks towards Superior Taylor for the moment." When Jag finished it's comment, it quickly glanced at the stressed Taylor before back at Markus.

Yuga grimaced at the request, but this was an opportunity to make Moloch leave with Frosty's body. She'd gladly surrender his remains if it could turn him away from them. She enabled the communicator and spoke with her usual monotone voice. "This is Captain Shuur of the Muramasa. State your name and purpose, Heretic." ... Markus snapped towards Jag as he spoke up, "Why don't ya let a grown woman speak for 'erself, ya fuckin' geometry masterpiece."

"[I]Heretic? I am no heretic, as I follow the one true God. My name is Moloch. I am here to retrieve the body of my friend, the one you call Frosty. He needs to be taken home to his people.[/I]"

His people? There were more of them? The SSG would pay a hefty price for the coordinates to their planet. But in this state he would not reveal anything and such information would need to be extracted from him. If she could lure him to the ship they would get a new vessel, Frosty's body back and have a nice reward for one zealot waiting in Sol. Yuga continued, "Bother me not with you grand delusions, zealot. You can by any means have his body as he is no longer of use to us but you should know that he left a strongbox which he was unable to open on the account of his amnesia on our ship. You are free to retrieve it before you scutter back into what dark corner of the galaxy whence you came." Moloch would know about the strongboxes, and would most likely want to take them. A perfect setup for a trap.

(( He did. They're in his cabin. )) How disrespectful, thought Moloch. This captain is probably an Ayr like the ones he encountered on the pirate vessel. What an arrogant and rude people they are. The less he spoke to this captain, the better, and even moreso if he didn't have to see her. "[I]Very well. I will go to your ship, but for our sakes, it would be a very good idea if you left the strongbox outside your vessel so that I may retrieve them quicker.[/I]" He turned to János. "[I]I suppose this is the part where you guide me to your ship so that I may retrieve this strongbox. But do know that if this is a trap set up by your captain, I will not hesitate to crash my shuttle into the nearest cliff face with you and your group on board.[/I]"

[QUOTE=Radley;50745824] Markus snapped towards Jag as he spoke up, "Why don't ya let a grown woman speak for 'erself, ya fuckin' geometry masterpiece."[/QUOTE] ((That sounds more like a compliment than an insult. You stupid beautiful work of art ))

Yuga turned to Vakarus and communed with him privately, "Va'un, fetch Mr Korunov and bring the lockbox from Frosty's room outside. When the zealot must land to retrieve it we will subdue him and bring him in." she instructed with a serious tone. She then looked towards Amelia, "Ms Weinheart, please prepare the med-bay for examination when we recover Frosty's body. And ready the restraiments if he has indeed been brought back from the dead. I will take no risks with his outbreaks and this foul sorcery that returned him."

[QUOTE]"But do know that if this is a trap set up by your captain, I will not hesitate to crash my shuttle into the nearest cliff face with you and your group on board."[/QUOTE] János gulped. He was worried that Yuga would do something idiotic and get them all killed. But he couldn't refuse his request to guide him. "O-O-Of course. I'll just call the others and tell them to get in then, if you want us to travel there with your ship," he said, as he opened the shuttle door and called the others in, stating that the man was a friend of Frosty's and that he was giving them a ride back to their ship. "You don't mind that I said that 'you were giving us a ride back', r-right?" he asked in a worried tone.

"[I]I do not. But do tell them I [B]will [/B]check for weapons on each individual as they enter. Just to ensure this isn't a hijacking.[/I]"

János nodded and turned towards his group, which was more than likely approaching the door now. "Also, he'll check you all if you have weapons. He's a bit nervous over hijackings, so please, just let him pat you down," he told the group.

((Gotta hit the sack, Sega has controll over Yuga.))

[quote]She then looked towards Amelia, "Ms Weinheart, please prepare the med-bay for examination when we recover Frosty's body. And ready the restraiments if he has indeed been brought back from the dead. I will take no risks with his outbreaks and this foul sorcery that returned him."[/quote] "On it," Ameli replies as she leaves the room towards the med bay. When she arrives, she lays out the examination table, along with the pack of tools required to perform an autopsy and/or surgery. Blue gloves are snapped onto her hands. Lab coat on her shoulders. Plastic mask on her face. Hair tied into a bow. Ready for the patient. Her huge virtual chalkboard rolls next to the examination table, as if to draw out his body when the time comes. Finally, she sits down in a metal chair and waits. Eager to find out what Frosty's really made of.

[QUOTE]"Very well. Your orders are to remain on the Cataract and regain your strength to make another attempt tomorrow. Discuss with your team and draw up a plan....We have matters to take care off at our location. Do not fail me again, Caine. I would demote you after a performance like this but sadly you are the most qualified to lead."[/QUOTE] "...Understood." responded Taylor. So literally the only reason she was still first officer was because she had experience as an officer. Taylor was starting to question whether Yuga cared about the lives of the crew, or just the money. [QUOTE] "How are you holding up?"[/QUOTE] She looked up to see Mad walk over. "I've been better." she responded softly. "Certainly not the worst outcome I've been through, but its still bad." She looked over towards where Abraxas was working on Valk again. "...Just gotta focus on the mission for now." She then heard Markus' statement, as well as Jag's response to him. "There's no guarantee in war beyond death and destruction. All I can do is perform my duties as your commander as best I can." After a few moments, she received a message from Yanim. At least [I]someone[/I] gives a shit.

[QUOTE]Markus snapped towards Jag as he spoke up, "Why don't ya let a grown woman speak for 'erself, ya fuckin' geometry masterpiece."[/QUOTE] Jag stood still while Markus lashed out at the it, the Sanghvi simply chose to remain still. Any short of retaliation would be quite idiotic on it's part. "I'm simply trying to give Superior Taylor an moment to think, Sharpshooter Markus." Jag explained in an more claimed tone then before. "The loss of life under one's command is quite stressful, Sharpshooter Markus, I can admit that myself." Jag said based on it's own previous experience with such matters. Jag then turned to look over at Taylor.

"[I]Now, I spoke to your captain. I told her to move Frosty's strongbox outside of the vessel. However, I have no intentions of leaving my shuttle and getting them myself as I simply do not trust anyone who refers to me as a 'zealot', so I do hope you don't mind me taking some 'preventative measures'. Will you do the honor of bringing it to me?[/I]"

János looked a bit nervous when he heard the question. He had no idea what Yuga was planning, but he assumed it wasn't good. However, he asked politely. "A-Alright, I'll do the honor," he said, as he began trying to think of solutions to this predicament.

"[I]Thank you, Mister... hmm?[/I]"

"Oh, um, I apologize for not properly introducing myself. I am János Celofán," he said, looking as though Moloch should now introduce himself, despite already stating his name when he spoke to Yuga.

"[I]Very well, Mr. Celofán. I am very glad we were able to handle this minor spat in a civil manner. Let's hope now that your captain is willing to do the same.[/I]" "[I]Oh and, Moloch. I am called Moloch.[/I]" he said while pointing at himself.

"Very nice to meet you, Moloch. It was nice that we were able to be civil. I hope the same thing," János said the last sentence in an uncertain tone.

Vakarus nodded and rose form his chair. "By your command, Yuga'atvan." He marched towards the crew quarters and opened up Frosty's room. Before entering he a did a gesture with his right hand, asking the Vakr gods to forgive him for trespassing. He walked up to the strongboxes and recovered them before returning to the bridge. ----- Mad sat down next to Taylor and put a friendly hand on her shoulder. "They'll be okay. Abrax isn't the kind of doctor who'd give up." He opened up his visor. "It might not be very comforting but for what its worth, I think you did well back there. Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up. With Yuga giving us the cold shoulder the squad is going to need someone who cares for them to lead. Someone they can trust no matter what. That's you."

Jag took one last look at Markus, most likely using some short of narcotic or something within that nature to ease the pain of pulling several pieces of shrapnel from his body. After a couple of seconds of an blank stare it started walking over towards Taylor and Maddox. Jag could tell that Maddox had already begin to helping Taylor with the operation's failure. [quote]"With Yuga giving us the cold shoulder the squad is going to need someone who cares for them to lead. Someone they can trust no matter what. That's you." [/quote] "Weaponsmith Maddox is correct, an team's leader giving into one's own doubt is an far greater enemy then any the team may face on the battlefield." Jag said in a collected tone while walking over to Maddox's left, standing next to both with an upright stance.

[QUOTE=Infab;50746187]"...Understood." responded Taylor. So literally the only reason she was still first officer was because she had experience as an officer. Taylor was starting to question whether Yuga cared about the lives of the crew, or just the money.[/QUOTE] ((mu-ti-ny, mu-ti-ny, mu-ti-ny!)) [i]Johannes stands and slides his sword into its sheath on his back. A portion of his armor was off. Most notably his helmet, condenser unit, power pack, and armored thermal coat, and gloves. What was left was his powered armor body-suit, [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6d/c2/4d/6dc24d14dc78112fbd63166131d2d75b.jpg]a mostly black skin-tight suit with armor plating[/url] ((As image presented, without helmet or gloves)). He walks over to Taylor, briefly salutes her as his commanding officer, then relaxes. He isn't as familiar as her as the rest of the crew, so instead of placing a hand on her shoulder or anywhere else, he simply presses his fist to his heart, then extends his hand, palm open and facing upwards, as a gesture of faith. Although an old Dutch custom, the symbolism is obvious, he is offering emotional support without being overbearing or overfamiliar. She can take his hand and shake it gently if she wants.[/i][b] "Aanvoerder. I know I have only been a member of your crew for a few days, but the kinship is palpable. I haven't had a family, comrades, in so long, but I remember the feeling of loss when they are taken from you."[/b][i] He locks eyes with her, and she could perhaps see a slight twinge of regret or sadness.[/i][b] "I am immeasurably sorry for the loss of your sisters in arms. I will pray for Abraxas' skill to revive them and bring them back to us. And I must apologize for my failure in the chasm. I feel responsible in part for what happened. I did not spend the effort to make the vapor cloud larger, if I had perhaps Valkyrie would not have been targeted. I also deeply regret my failure to avenge her, the damned Kanad responsible evaded my attack, and got away from me after the explosion."[/b][i] Johannes bows his head, waiting for her reply.[/i]

[QUOTE=Snoberry Tea;50748310]((mu-ti-ny, mu-ti-ny, mu-ti-ny!))[/QUOTE] (( lets all gather around yuga and make angry noises at her until she bleeds ))

((Better idea, let's all gather around her and furiously emote in ways her race can't, such as nostril flaring and eyebrow wiggling. She'll soon get jealous and leave.))