"Damn, this vacation is not how we planned it to be." Jeremy muttered as he bought the equipment to the hangar. Kira hurled a crate towards the floor, dusting the sand off her gloves.
"I wonder why you guys are always getting into trouble." Kira asked as she carried a crate, placing it down.
"Not our fault, usually other people just want to kill us for the Oracle or our ship." Jeremy answered to her. She rolled her eyes as she heard people attempting to get what they want. "Figures, well for one thing you guys aren't alone and I'm glad to help you out." Kira pulled out a smile.
"I never see you smile like that, what's up with that?"
"Jeremy, I do smile sometimes. Usually you have to keep it professional being military, but you can be relaxed too." She placed her arms behind.
"Do you have any ideas for destinations?" She asked, earning a look of concern. "We have to go to Termina Central. Courier Job." Jeremy but Kira raised her eyebrow. "What for?"
"We have this package from unknown men, they asked us to deliver this to Termina Central so we can get our Head of Security back." Kira was shown a look of disapproval. "Who are these guys? You're aware I can just contact Harken Saw himself if you're concerned about this."
"Nah, we had no names no appearance, I didn't get their faces. No marks either." Jeremy was uncertain. Kira sighed. "Well then, don't hesitate to report anything to me. I'll be watching you Hawk." She activated her helmet, plugging the straps. She walked out of the hangar and turned to Jeremy. "Don't get yourself killed."
"I promise."
"Good." Kira walked away as Jeremy was left speechless. He scratched his head and moved to the intercom. "Attention all personel: We will be leaving to Termina Central, please message anyone that is missing from the ship ASAP. We got a schedule to attend to."
As soon as Lion heard the message he ecused himself from Yanim and Varn and went down to the hangar. He approached Jeremy and did a quick salute.
"Captain, all friendly IFF tags connected to the Archius are onboard and accounted for. We're ready to leave."
(( Hey sorry I'm way behind. Can someone give me a quick summary of what's happened recently? ))
(Hey, I found some good pictures for my character) [URL="http://imagehost4.online-image-editor.com/oie_upload/images/2274633lMJh96lA5/LZwoloSvIwg1.jpg"]http://imagehost4.online-image-editor.com/oie_upload/images/2274633lMJh96lA5/LZwoloSvIwg1.jpg[/URL]
[QUOTE=Bathacker;48264208](( Hey sorry I'm way behind. Can someone give me a quick summary of what's happened recently? ))[/QUOTE]
[Let's see. Since your last post. Lion designed what could only be described miniature [URL="http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1457037&p=48185053&viewfull=1#post48185053"]weapons of mass destruction[/URL].
Varn interrogated the prisoner in the Brig with a truth serum, that Arthur made. And they uncovered a mole.
Deathgrunt has been [URL="http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1457037&p=48187797&viewfull=1#post48187797"]fleshing[/URL] [URL="http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1457037&p=48189634&viewfull=1#post48189634"]out[/URL] the mercs that kidnapped Viper.
Some happenings about State Sec [URL="http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1457037&p=48205453&viewfull=1#post48205453"]here[/URL].
The crew had a meeting discussing the potential threats and what their next move should be. Along with the mercs that kidnapped Viper there was an assault, led by Varn's former brother in arms. They made contact with Harken Saw to tell him about the mole only for it to turn out that he had already taken care of it. He did say that there would be an agent helping them if the mercs attacked.
A few hours later and [URL="http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1457037&p=48217110&viewfull=1#post48217110"]the assault had already begun[/URL].
doomevil did a nice summary of what happened [URL="http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1457037&p=48258834&viewfull=1#post48258834"]here[/URL].
As always if I missed something or got something wrong, PM me or yell at me over steam.]
Having cleaned the bar's glasses twice, Dwan checked the bar to see if it was empty. As it was, he snuck into his quarters. Beside his sub-standard bed were two nightstands, one on each side. In the drawer of the nightstand left of the bed, there was the tome his mother made for him, as well as a big notebook. He grabbed both of them, left his IFF tag on his bed, and used his caldiur to travel to another universe. For a while now, Dwan has been sneaking out to continue his caldiur and caldury research, as well as research on the multiverse itself.
----
Dwan returns to this universe quite some time later. He still couldn't find anything that could prove his theory that the multiverse itself can't sustain life wrong, as he still hasn't found anyone that has traveled through the multiverse without the usage of warps, caldiur or jump drives. He places both his tome and his research book back into the drawer. He puts on his IFF tag back on. He carefully checks if the bar is empty before leaving his quarters.
He grabs his tablet and decides to check what has happened while he was gone. Apparently, the ship was attacked. Dwan grabs his comm and sends Lion a message. "What the hell happened?! Is anyone hurt!?", Dwan asked.
"Riker is KIA. Varn and Yanim are in the medbay, light injuries." Replied Lion.
Dwan's heart sunk when he heard that Riker had died. "You guys need any help with anything?", Dwan asked worryingly.
"As of now I can't think of anything." Replied Lion. He then sat down at a box, waiting for Jeremy to respond.
"Take us up. We're leaving this shit hole..." Jeremy commanded. He wondered if he could probably take Iska home during their travel.
"Understood, I'll signal the pilot." Said Lion just as he sent a message to the brdige, authorizing a take-off.
Archius XI begun to ascend from the sands of eternity and into the oceans of ocean themselves. Their journey wouldn't be long before they get to see Viper again.
"[Dropping out of warp now sir,]" reported the navigations officer. The captain nodded his head in acknowledgement before pointing to the chief electronics technician.
"[When you're ready,]" the captain said. The technician replied in affirmative and switched on the passive sensory arrays. Low-light holographic displays around the bridge faded into a continuous wraparound view of several topographical interpretations of the planet's surface. Colonel Vorokar Vor'Pangn's eyes narrowed as the characters for Duroma appeared underneath. They had not spent long in warp, as this worthless lump of rock was quite close to the borders of kanad space, and yet it seemed so foreign to him, impure and ill-disciplined.
He turned to the captain, "[how long until we can get an away team down there?]" he demanded.
Captain Auri Rozel checked his personal instrument panel and answered that it would be about an hour before they would be close enough to deploy the shuttle. "[Make sure your crew is ready for a fight. I won't be close enough to give support.]"
"[My crew is always ready, Auri.]"
Just then, the electronics tech cut in, "[sir,]" he said to the colonel, "[we've got eyes on the landing zone now, you should see this-]"
"[I see it,]" Vorokar replied. "[Looks like someone already made a move on them. Look at all those wrecks.]" On the screen was a projection of the disguised Archius, surrounded by wrecked armored vehicles and other evidence of a battle. The details were very fuzzy; there was no way for the kanads to tell to whom the wrecks belonged, although the fact that they could see so clearly from their position high in Duroma's orbit was spectacular.
Vorokar drummed his fingers against his mask, mulling over his options. Auri began to spitball, "[maybe we should send a probe, first, and see what we're dealing with here. If this is the Crimson Son's work-]"
"[No sir,]" interrupted the chief weapon's officer. "[Those are the wrong type of vehicle and the wrong method of attack for the Crimson Son; this looks too conventional. I'm thinking human military, maybe mercenaries.]"
"[I agree,]" added Vorokar. "[That cargo ship is probably unarmed. The Crimson Son would have taken it easily but it looks like these attackers were repelled by small arms alone... and they had some help, too.]"
"[What?]"
"[There's still caterpillar treads in the sand from some kind of tracked vehicle, look-]" he said, pointing to a particular part of the projection. The electronic technician increased the contrast so the tracks would appear more clear. "[It came out of the cargo bay.]"
"[No, the tracks disappear over that ridge,]" the captain said. "[The wind is sweeping them away, so the tank probably rolled into the ship after the battle was over.]"
"[In that case, the shootout probably just happened, and it's a fair bet that if HarkArk hired and equipped this crew, then the help probably came from HarkArk as well. We should take precautions so that- hey, that ship is moving!]"
Everyone in the bridge jumped to their feet as the cargo ship on their screens began to rise from the planet's surface. The captain shouted to keep the ship on optical sensors only, and that the ship's movement might just be a coincidence. As the vessel rose into space, the Perikal kept a sharp eye on it, calculating it bearings carefully. Using a classified piece of equipment, the strike vessel emitted a stream of particles nearly-indistinguishable on sensors from cosmic background radiation, but which measured the intensities of the special distortions of warp engines. Wherever this cargo ship was going, the Perikal would be able to follow as long as it could remain in close enough range to use this passive tracking device.
"[There's no use in running,]" Vorokar grumbled under his breath. "[We can outrun practically any ship in the galaxy.]" His voice remained low and subtle, however, as he knew that reckless action could endanger the mission. He would wait until the ship's next stop to make his move.
---
A kanad stood in the market square of Bonram, having just traded his expensive quilted jacket for a much cheaper set of clothes. His hair was no longer orange, instead it was dyed neon green and cut short, combed forward. His wallet was stuffed with the remaining cash he had earned from selling the few spy gadgets he had been entrusted to use, and in his trembling hand was a pair of kagakitazh tubes, one recently snorted and the other reserved for the next time unpleasant thoughts threatened to collapse the emergence of this new ego. His desire to one day see Yanim again helped to urge him forward as he sought a new employer who could take him to human space, far away from his abusive motherland. All he needed now was a name.
Lion sighed. He had just finished the body of the now deceased John Riker. Using a funeral capsule from the medbay, Lion had put Riker's body inside with his hands neatly folded together on his chest.
If it wasn't for the third degree blast burns covering half his face and one of the shoulders, one could almost mistaken him for sleeping.
"You sure as hell didn't deserve this." Said Lion. He opened up the Archius comms.
"Attention crew, please notice that there will be a memorial for our fallen comrade John Riker in ten minutes inside the hangar bay."
Varn was checked out of medical after a while. He was built to take beatings, but the one Bromun gave him was enough to slow him down drastically. Joseph recommended he take it easy for the next several days, but knowing what dangers still lurk, he didn't have time to relax.
"Attention crew, please notice that there will be a memorial for our fallen comrade John Riker in ten minutes inside the hangar bay."
Varn slowly walked to the hangar.
Jeremy rubbed his forehead, hearing the intercom of John Riker's memorial. He stepped out of the other room and went to the hangar again. He waited, nothing else to do for the cyborg.
After a few more hours of rest and recovery, Yanim was able to return to work having finally had a full night's worth of sleep. She already knew exactly which components she would use to restore her hearing, and the medical team had done her a great service by installing the nerve interface circuits she needed to make it work, their hair-thin wires still dangled from her ear canals as she walked into the lab. In short order, she had wired them into a set of modified implants which sat partially inside, and partially clipped to, her ears in a way which resembled rocket fins on the sides of her long, elfish ears.
Now was the time to finally activate her neural implant. She had previously built a special computer for her YS-X design which had been sitting dormant while she recovered from surgery. Considering her rapid recovery and the pressing need for her to be at full-potential, she decided to give it a try. She slung the computer onto her back and connected it to the neural bridge at the base of her skull and activated the synchronization process, and for several minutes felt extremely disoriented. A sensation which cannot be properly described set in, which was appropriate as the computer was, in effect, a new sensory organ with its own lobe in her brain.
When she was ready, she enabled the hearing implants and synchronized them to the YS-X as well. Instantly, hearing was restored as expected. However, unlike normal implants which would need to be adjusted using manual controls, Yanim could simply think. All it would take is the mental suggestion to increase sensitivity, filter out unrelated conversations or noises, or to switch to hyper- or subsonic frequencies for the YS-X to translate her impulses into computerized routines which could then be relayed to the implants. In short, it was intuitive, and a powerful display of the YS-X's potential.
Her tablet chimed, and without looking at the screen, she was able to read the message as it had already been wirelessly sent to the YS-X computer, which had in turn relayed it directly through her surgically-altered brain as a near-instinctual understanding.
John Riker, technically her subordinate but in truth simply an enigmatic and intelligent colleague, was killed earlier that day, and his memorial would occur in ten minutes. As Yanim walked to the hangar, she wondered what sort of conversations she might have had with Riker had she ever asked him about his cybernetic implants. She wondered about other things she could have asked, too.
Dwan, having received the message regarding Riker's memorial, began walking to the hangar. He began to wonder what he will do with the lager Riker loved to drink so much, as not many drank the brand of lager he did.
Lion stood silently, staring at the capsule. One by one, members of the crew arrived. Lion looked up to his friends, his family.
"We have gathered here to honor the death of our fellow crewmate John Riker. John was simple in the essence that he used his second chance at life well after we recovered him from the cold void that is space."
Lion paused and chuckled briefly. "I still remember opening up his pod when he first arrived, that was truly an eventful day."
He paused once again, looking at Riker. "Despite his time with us being short, he gave us memories and the opportunity to get to know a positive man.
Now, before anyone else speaks I'd like to read a poem which is usually only reserved for the servicemen and women of the SDF, however, seeing as Riker is human I think it applies to him as well. It's called "Terra"."
Lion then crossed his arms behind his back.
[i]
Oh Terra,
With your tall mountains,
Rolling green hills,
and vast oceans.
Oh Terra,
You are by far the prettiest,
The prettiest diamonds of them all.
Oh Terra,
You bring us life,
You bring us joy.
Oh Terra,
I will fight for you.
Oh Terra,
I will die for you.
Oh Terra,
For you are the prettiest.
[/i]
Lion then snapped into a salute before returning to his original stance.
If anything Jeremy bowed his head in silence, this was a terrible tragedy so far. His death was beyond anyone's reach and he could have hoped it was quick enough not to spawn everlasting pain. He saluted then lowered.
Iska simply made the same gesture that she had showed Jeremy earlier, lifting her hand up to grab thin air and bring it to her chest. As a Khergian gesture it symbolizes that even tho some have fallen, their spirits will live on in those who persist. "Mag hara" she whispered, wander safely.
Varn did a short salute. "Rest easy Riker. May you find your eternal fortune."
Termina Central was spotted close enough from Archius XI, trading traffic was heavy already so they needed to get in and out fast. Jeremy read status update on their destination.
[quote]The Auditors walked through the forest, cloaks hiding their helmets. Their target would be here if the word were to be trusted. Zane was a bit anxious about this plan of action considering one member might not be apart of the crew.
"Auditor Sertum, are you confident that these men are allies to the Archius? One photo could mean a lot of things." Zane asked as they traveled, Sertum stood still and silent. "It is the best alternative so far, to confront the Archius is not by threat but a call for negotiation. Fighting them should be a last resort on our part.
"So, you believe that diplomacy solves all?" Folter butted in, crossing his arms in contempt.
"It's a smart tactic than to fight immediately." Mariahlus defended. The frequent discussion began when all four kept the conversation going.
"Perhaps, but these are stubborn men thick as our walls. No matter what you do you can't control a beast that already has a master. Harken Saw has already encouraged them to continue their journey." Folter said.
"Be aware that they are not beasts, they can be talked out of it some way or another." Sertum turned.
"The operation Auditor Sertum, how is it going?" Mariahlus asked to her superior walking.
"Very well, I anticipate that once this event occurs that HarkArk will not be retrieving the Oracle no longer. I'm afraid our course of action will cause... unfortunate casualties." Sertum admitted.
"Those casualties is a necessary evil Auditor Sertum. Once this ends we can hide once more. No more bloodshed." Mariahlus assured him.
"Of course. Now we find those men."[/quote]
As everyone had finished honoring Riker, Lion put his hand on a display window. Suddenly, the pod sealed up and began hovering.
Lion then pushed the pod so that it was at least one meter away from the hangar shield. The display window changed, showing the word "LAUNCH" in red bold text.
"Captain, would you do the honor?"
"I will." Jeremy said, he moved forward uneasy. This was a one time he felt honored to press a button. He extended his arm, reaching for the exact moment to press down. Soon enough John's pod was automatically pushed out out into space. This was his beginning and his end. Into deep space.
Lion did another salute as the pod drifted into space. He then returned to the armory.
Dwan was very silent throughout the entire memorial. He was wide-eyed the entire time, having looked at the pod in heavy thought. Once the pod was launched, he kept the same expression the entire time. He slowly returned to the bar.
---
At Termina Central, there was a ship labeled "W-05A", it was smaller compared to the ships docked at the central. It was a trade ship operated by the Golden Wave. Within the ship were a couple dozen workers, formerly slaves, who had decided to reject the Wave's offer to join the group. As such, they had been brought to the central via this ship to be left at, allowing them to either use a transport ship to return home or look for work through Termina.
On board to make sure everything was fine, the captain and vice-captain of "W-01", the group leader Aver Lagul and Nokhea, accompanied by their ship's new co-senior enforcers, Saiyan Olv and Freezer Hlad, are on the bridge, discussing with the crew of "W-05A".
"Is everyone who didn't want to join us on the ship?", Lagul asked. "Yes, many didn't fancy the idea of being loyal to us.", said the captain of the ship. "Alright. Olv, Hlad, accompany the ship's head of security and help the folks out of the ship.", Lagul says, as the three leave to assist the former slaves out. "Miss. If I may?", one of the enforcers spoke up. "I've been wondering. Why is it that we are trying to follow the Archius?", he asked Lagul.
Lagul, surprised by the question, answers. "The ship has something we're looking for.", she says. "You mean that rumored Oracle thing that's been buzzing around?", another enforcer asks. "Yeah. That.", she says. She leans over to Nokhea. "What's a Oracle?", she whispers to her. Nokhea is visibly surprised by this question. "Alright then, well, I'll just return to my quarters on this ship and wait for us to leave.", Lagul said, as she left the bridge. As she was about to enter her quarters, Nokhea stops her. "Aver, we need to talk.", she said seriously.
"What is there to talk about?", Lagul said as she entered her quarter. "Don't you follow the rumors? The whole thing about how HarkArk is going head to head with the Crimson Son over the Oracle?", Nokhea asked her as she followed her in. "No- wait, THE Crimson Son?", Lagul asked. "Yes, them. Aver, why are we following the Archius if it isn't involved with this?", she asked. "That is private information.", she responded. "Private?! Aver, we've worked with each other for years now. I'd understand if there was another person in this room, but I should also know about this. You named me Vice-Captain!", she told her. "'Hea, remember all those years ago. Who was the one who saved you from that wreckage? Who was the one who helped you get up the ranks? Who was the one who believed when they said that you were good slave material? Me. You would've been used as wildebeast chow if it weren't for me!", she said. "Aver, does that matter anymore in this day and age? We successfully made our own group. We've got quite a few ships, all stolen from the Gold Dusts. We've been helping in the destruction of the slave trade and the rise of fair labor trade. Give me one real reason why you don't want me to know.", she responded.
Lagul stayed silent, before giving a big sigh. "Because if people knew the true reason, they'd call me pedantically pathetic.", she said. Nokhea, having known Lagul for so long, puts the pieces together. "Rigel. Sanctum. Inquisition.", she said. "You are on another one of your compulsive obsessive trips again.", she said bluntly. "What is it this time, what sense is being triggered this time?", she asked. Lagul takes a seat on her bed, sighing once more. "A member of the Archius Crew has a scent that I absolutely can't recognize. And I know the smell of the known universe.", she said. "Who?", Nokhea asked. "The midget. The one you confronted in the caves.", she said. "Him? He didn't smell at all.", Nokhea said. "'Hea, have you forgotten that my senses are much more heightened than normal? He's different, I know it.", Lagul told her. "Aver, just give up. You have to break the compulsion. We lost the Archius and I've even heard rumors that the SS is now on their tail too. Let's just continue doing our work-", she said before being interrupted. "This fella's different! I promise you, we get this guy and I'll try to get help.", Lagul said. Nokhea pauses for a second before speaking. "Alright Aver, we'll do things your way.", she said. "Before you go, schedule a PR statement regarding our works in the slave trade and stomp any rumors that we're chasing the Archius for a person of interest.", Lagul said. Nokhea nods before leaving Lagul's quarters. Lagul looks outside her window. "Where are you, midget man?", she asked herself.
Pippin stayed in his quarters during the service, he didn't know riker, and felt being there would be inapropriate.
"Captain, we're near the big disco ball. Just wait a few minutes before we can identify ourselves through the check points." Shelia said through the comm. Jeremy smiled and exhaled. A breather would be nice since this is safe haven compared to other places. Plus Kira is there to protect them so all is easy.
"Good. I'll let everybody know." Jeremy walked to the elevator and pressed a button to the side. "Attention all personnel, this is a reminder that we are entering Termina Central."
Varn followed Lion down to the armory. Once there he began to take off his armor for repairs. He also placed the recovered trophies on the table. After a few minutes his communicator flashed. It was a request for a video request from Seth. "Ehh, excuse me a minute Lion. I'm getting a private call." He picked up the tag and helmet and went to his old office. He opened a private video conference.
"Holly shit, Varn! You look like hell!" This conversation was off to a great start."Looks like Bromun found you guys. Can you give a report?"
"He and Sasha had formed a truce and came after us. We lost one of our crew in the crossfire, but with help from HarkArk we managed to wipe them out. If you need proof I got these." He dangled the tags in front of him. "Also this hunk of junk." He showed the battered helmet with Bromun's initials and series number. "Try to reach him or any of his cronies if you want further proof."
Seth chuckled. "Looks like half the base owes the other half some money. I knew you would come out on top. Shame about your crew mate. Listen, I have a surprise." Seth waved his hand and an elderly figure appeared on screen. Varn's eyes widened "Father?"
"I see your eyesight wasn't damaged in the fighting. Good to see you my son. I have been following this...incident very closely. You know Bromun was among my favorites and his betrayal was shocking to say the least. I made some plans depending on the possible outcomes and will now act on them. Varn, for killing the traitor and his loyalists ,with great help from the crew of the Archius XI and HarkArk and avenging you fallen brothers you are awarded these gifts. First, your exile is gone. Your previous status is restored and once you are done with your current assignment, you can come home to train the next generation." Varn raised an eyebrow "Oh, you didn't expect that did you? Get ready for the other part. You are now part of my Honor guard. You will receive all the benefits and responsibility the tittle implies. All this is yours, when you have finished your mission and have returned home. See you then my son." The screen flickered and Seth was back on it. "Haha. Congratulations Honor guard Merner. I see you're speechless. Anyway I have a surprise for you too, check your bank account." Varn checked his PDA, after a glance of his balance his eyes widened even further. Seth continued. "Look at those zeroes. Granted, it's chump change compared to HarkArk but a quarter billion credits can work wonders with your spending habits. I better leave you to your duties. Fortune and wealth brother."
"Uh...Fortune and wealth." Varn walked out of the office and sat on his chair quietly. After a few seconds, he turned around to face Lion and broke the silence. "Can we fit a tank in the hangar?"
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