Lion nodded slowly. "We have three lifts for heavy equipment located in the lower hangar area and three depot rooms connected to the main hangar area. All depot rooms are currently occupied however one of the lifts could be modified to house a tank."
Lion brought up a hologram showing the lower hangar area. Two lifts were currently occupied by the Eagle and by the Talon while one was empty.
"I'm guessing you had something in mind?"
Varn nodded. "We'll be landing on Termina Central soon and I figure that maybe we can buy a tank from mister Saw. Haven't decided on the model yet, but one of the smaller ones will do just fine. And if the captain asks, tell him I have the expenses covered."
"Alright. If you're unsure of the model it should be possible to get an old SDF Guardian relatively cheap. They're medium-sized hovertanks armed with a small arsenal. Built to last." Said Lion as he returned to working on what would appear to be a grenade of some kind.
Pippin made his way to the bridge to watch the aproach to the station.
(guys I'm not comepletely sure what this place is like, but I'm imagining something like the space bazaar from firefly)
[IMG]http://www.fireflyshipworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/spacebazaar1.jpg[/IMG]
[Doom described it as a chrome ball.]
[As I figured, it's like the deathstar. Only it isn't a weapon but a giant trade station.
[I imagined it like the Deathstar, but with a giant HarkArk logo on it.:v:]
[t]http://i.imgur.com/VipgYDj.jpg[/t]
(okey dokey)
Sledge tossed and turned in his bed, sweating from a combination of chipotle and chipotle-related fever dreams.
...
He was on trial, honorable judge Hercules presiding. He banged his adorable tiny gavel.
"Order! Order in the court! The trial of Mr. Hammer in the Case of the Missing Muscles will now commence!"
Sledge examined the prosecution and his heart froze. Garbed in some sort of black Victorian mourning dress was a very distraught Arthur Beasly. The veil draped in front of his face did little to mask his tears. Standing next to him was Prosecuting Attorney Snufflebuns, looking maximum creep in his dapper suit and tie and human body. His fugly hairless cat mug sneered at Sledge from across the courtroom. Sledge averted his eyes and tried to look at something else. Let's see... the jury box was fully stocked with Yanim. Like, a dozen of her. Or maybe they were all different Kanads and Sledge was just being horribly racist. He decided not to open his mouth and find out. Looking to his right he saw Defense Attorney Squish, ruffling through papers in a disorganized briefcase.
"Don't worry Sledge," said Squish, reassuringly, "I've got some indisputable evidence that will prove your innocence beyond a shadow of a doubt! Just leave it to me!"
Sledge felt instantly relieved. He couldn't be happier! He had thought all was lost but his good friend Squish was here to bail him out! "Aww thanks buddy! C'mere!" he said, wrapping Squish in a manly bro hug.
Heh, he was squishy. Uh oh, [i]too[/i] squishy. Sledge pulled away to see that he had popped Squish. "Hoh gawd! My organs! I need those to breathe and things!" Sledge panicked and dropped him on the floor. "Hoy!" Squish grunted.
"Mr. Hammer!" barked Judge Hercules, "If you're quite finished murdering your attorney the court will hear your opening statement."
Oh geez. Sledge had no idea what Squish was planning. He grabbed a handful of the papers from the briefcase that was still on the desk. Wiping off the Squish from the first page, he scanned the first line.
[i]Tiu ne diras nenion grava, ne maltrankviliĝu....[/i]
Was this... Esperanto?! Sledge had skipped that class to take "Personal Fitness with Honors!" He was doomed!
"Mr. Hammer..." Judge Hercules was getting annoyed.
"Uhhh..." Sledge stammered, "I didn't do it." The Yanims all started scribbling furiously on little notepads and murmurs of "Guilty guilty guilty guilty" could be heard.
"Well then, that was the worst opening statement in the history of courts," said Hercules, "Sit down." Sledge complied, dejectedly.
"Bring out the first witness!" A fervor of activity left the gross alleyway doctor at the stand. "That's him! That's the guy who stole my muscles!" Sledge cried out, but Hercules banged his gavel and rounded on him. "Mr. Hammer if you cannot control yourself then I will have you restrained, do I make myself clear?" Angry Hercules was scary, especially with that foppish judge wig. Prosecutor Snufflebuns stifled a chuckle and stepped forward to the stand.
"Please state your name for the court."
"Yes of course... My name is [i]-HERKH-[/i] My name is [i]-HURGH-[/i] My name is [i]-HARKG-[/i] My name is Klepty Wilkerson."
"Ahem, quite. Can you please recount the events as they occurred on the day in question?"
"Ahhhh, yes... As I recall, I was standing in my dark alleyway, minding my own creepy business, when the defendant solicited my questionable medical services."
"And then what happened?"
"[i]-HORK-[/i] I provided those services questionably."
"And did the defendant ever [i]pay[/i] for those services?"
"Certainly not. [i]-HWARF-[/i] I simply took muscles where muscles were due."
"OBJECTION YOUR HONOR!" Sledge said, pointing a beefy finger at no one in particular, "Muscles are not a form of legal tender!"
"On the contrary!" said Klepty, "Your muscles were exceptionally tender!" He licked his lips and slurped creepily.
"Um, double objection! That's pretty gross," replied Sledge.
"Indeed," said Snufflebuns, "Your Honor, I move that the court proceed to the lightning round."
"A bold choice," said Hercules, "Let's see how it works out for you."
Several motors below the floor rearranged the courtroom and situated Sledge under a single spotlight. Several men in suits stuck electrodes and various lie detector gear to Sledge's muscly body.
Hercules continued, "Mr. Hammer, this machine can detect if you or your muscles are lying. When I ask the question--"
A buzzer sounded loudly behind Sledge
"HE'S LYING! HE'S LYING ALREADY!" said Snufflebuns. A chorus of sneers came from the jury box, like a bunch of kazoos.
"Your Honor, if I may cite precedent," said Sledge, flicking out a pair of tiny glasses and placing them on his cinder block-like head, "I have not been guilty until this trial, correct?"
Hercules snorted. "That may be so, but--"
Sledge heaved a law book the size of a microwave onto his table and effortlessly threw it open to Chapter 159: "Last Minute Defenses for the Hopelessly Guilty -or- Find Me Not Guilty or I'll Squeeze Your Whole Family into a Pâté" The page was bookmarked with a slice of bacon which Sledge bit down on triumphantly. Snufflebuns growled in begrudging acknowledgement. Sledge dropped a bratwurst-sized finger onto one particular line of interest and also through the next sixty pages of the book, creating a quarter-sized hole before he began to read.
"We here at the court do find that the court that we are currently at reading about the court..." Sledge droned. This was a flawless defense when done correctly. The longer he kept reading, the longer it would take for the jury to find him guilty!
Suddenly, however, the courtroom doors flew open. Someone no one would have expected strode through the door. It was the infringed party themselves: Sledge's former muscles, come to exonerate him of his crimes.
"I OBJECT!" said Muscles. Sledge rose from his seat and ran to him. They embraced. "Your Honor, this is unprecedented!" Snufflebuns said before Muscles uppercutted him into space. Sledge and Muscles high-fived. "Good work out there," said Muscles. "I couldn't have done it without you," said Sledge. Muscles grabbed Sledge by the shoulders.
"Now listen to me, Sledge. Yes. Yes you could have done it without me. Because I [i]believe[/i] in you. Know that no matter how far apart we are, I will always be with you in spirit. Go forth, and be STRONG."
...
Sledge awoke, sweaty and with tears streaming down his face. He now knew: It wasn't the muscles on the outside that counted. It was the muscles... on the inside. He had found the strength to apologize to Arthur. He pulled out his communicator.
[quote]
Arthur,
It has been too long since we last spoke. Since your capable hands were last inside me, I have found myself lacking in girth. Regrettably, I was seduced by the wiles of another man. I should have known he was only interested in me for my size. Once he took what he wanted, he cast me aside. But you saw me for what I was, an empty shell, and made me what I was truly meant to be. Whole, and full of your graciously-given meat. What I wouldn't give to have that meat inside of me again! But I could never ask that of you, now that my body has been defiled in an alley by a dirty stranger.
I hope you understand. This whole experience... with you, the meat, and the stranger... it's made me realize something about myself that I never knew. It's high time that I show the world that I am not ashamed of who I am. I can only hope when I come out that the crew will be supportive and accept this new development with open arms and minds. After all, who I am as a person hasn't changed, right? I'm still the same old Sledge, no matter what.
Thank you for all you've done.
--Derrick
[/quote]
Sledge paused before sending his message. He still hadn't admitted to losing the muscles, he'd just kind of danced around the issue. He thought the letter read pretty well as it was and didn't really want to add anything. But how could he break the news? After a moment of thought, a look of resolve washed over Sledge's face. He was not ashamed... Not anymore.
Pressing the camera button on his communicator, he arranged his camera to take a picture of the damage. Since Sledge slept in the nude this was a pretty simple task. His braunschweiger might have been in the shot, but Arthur's a doctor, it's not like he hasn't seen one before. And how else was he going to get his legs in the shot? Sledge reminded himself that he was no longer ashamed.
Attaching the photo to the communique, he took a deep breath and sent it off. He arose solemnly and got dressed. It was time to face the rest of the crew. As he exited his room with Hercules, he figured the first place he should go is the armory, to appraise his comrades of the situation.
"Lion! Varn! We have a lot to discuss!"
Varn was thinking of a name to call the tank. "Merner's wrath? No, too cheesy. Varn's Fist? Nah, too narcissistic. Dammit, why is this so hard?" The doors opened and Sledge declared that they had much to discuss. "Yeah, we do. Like where the fuck were you during the last battle?" Varn thought he was gonna give Sledge an ear-full. He turned around, but was stunned by Sledge's change in appearance "What the hell happened to you?"
[QUOTE=kilerabv;48285154]Varn was thinking of a name to call the tank. "Merner's wrath? No, too cheesy. Varn's Fist? Nah, too narcissistic. Dammit, why is this so hard?" The doors opened and Sledge declared that they had much to discuss. "Yeah, we do. Like where the fuck were you during the last battle?" Varn thought he was gonna give Sledge an ear-full. He turned around, but was stunned by Sledge's change in appearance "What the hell happened to you?"[/QUOTE]
"Oh, uh, I ran into a shady maybe-doctor on Duroma who took them. It's a long story... But what are you talking about 'last battle'? Like, after the fight with the bikers?"
"Well first of, sorry to hear about it big guy. I know how important your muscles are to you." Varn picked up the helmet. "I'll give you the short version for the attack. We were attacked by mercenaries. An agent from HarkArk showed up in a tank and helped us out. The leader and I have a one-on-one battle and I barely beat him. Unfortunately, John Riker died in the battle."
[QUOTE=kilerabv;48285759]"Well first of, sorry to hear about it big guy. I know how important your muscles are to you." Varn picked up the helmet. "I'll give you the short version for the attack. We were attacked by mercenaries. An agent from HarkArk showed up in a tank and helped us out. The leader and I have a one-on-one battle and I barely beat him. Unfortunately, John Riker died in the battle."[/QUOTE]
"Oh shit, Riker's dead? Shit... I'm so sorry, I should have been there. It's just after everything that happened on Duroma I passed right the hell out. I wish I would have been there to help... Dammit..."
Sledge stood and stared off into the distance for a moment, tapping his foot and biting his lip in visible frustration with himself. He came back around after a few seconds.
"I'm afraid to ask: Any other casualties?"
"No. Yanim and I got injured, but that's all. Listen, don't beat yourself up over this, it wasn't your fault." Varn paused for a second. "You wanted to talk about something, what was it about?"
[QUOTE=kilerabv;48286023]"No. Yanim and I got injured, but that's all. Listen, don't beat yourself up over this, it wasn't your fault." Varn paused for a second. "You wanted to talk about something, what was it about?"[/QUOTE]
"Oh, it was just about the muscles. I'm back to my old self again. Had to apologize to aSuper strength was nice but I couldn't fit in the shower. Do you have any idea what kind of B.O. 2000 pounds of muscle gives off?" Sledge chuckled.
"So where are we headed now?"
"We are headed for Termina Central. Turns out that, during our fight with the bikers, Viper got herself into trouble. In order to get her back, we have to deliver some package for some mysterious group. In other words, just another day on the Archius XI."
Yanim attended Riker's memorial, but she had been silent the entire time, as she didn't know how humans conducted their services and silence was the norm for kanad funerals. Shortly after its conclusion, she reassigned Riker's duties to the general maintenance docket program until someone could fill his position. Kr might have been the most qualified, but she preferred Pippen due to his work ethic and she planned to make the recommendation the following day.
In the meantime, she returned to the workshop to tackle a few projects which had been placed on hold during their stopover in Duroma. Logging into the console, she opened the log for "Article X," the cybernetics from the Crimson Son. Her drug-fueled vision still fresh in her mind, she used her implant to quickly create and amend the schematics she envisioned, recreating the photon emission surface she had seen while tripping out of her head. Whereas such a design would have taken hours to communicate through incremental adjustments by hand on a GUI, Yanim was able to control all parameters at the same time, intuitively understanding all aspects of the design as she created it.
Needless to say, her implant granted her the efficiency of a computer, and yet her natural inventiveness and ingenuity were intact. The corners of her mouth upturned in a smirk, as this had been her intention from the moment she asked Harken Saw for this particular model of neural bridge.
After half an hour of what appeared from the outside to be intense meditation, she opened her eyes to find the 3D printers and other workshop machines producing the components needed for her prototype. If it worked as she believed it would, it would be a windfall for the crew, especially because it wouldn't be long afterward that she would be able to design a countermeasure, removing one of their opponent's chief advantages from play.
She briefly explained her progress in the log before closing it out and moving on. She pulled up the design for her ballistic helmet- the one which had not been sound-proofed and had therefore caused her deafness and need for ear implants. It was because of those implants that she would now need to redesign the helmet, as it would no longer fit her. This work only took a few minutes, as it was a simple matter to amend the design. It too was sent to the machines for production.
Finally, Yanim had a new idea which she wished to add to the YS-X. While her own eyes and hands were quite reliable, they lacked the sort of precision which would come in useful given her increased capabilities. Lion, who was equally capable of blisteringly-fast design work, also had the benefit of mechanically-exact hands and digital optics which allowed him to immediately assess qualities such as surface area and volume. In addition, her YS-X's ability to interface with other computers is what granted her extreme efficiency; this benefit would be lost in situations where wireless communication was not possible.
Mentally, Yanim planned out a device which would contain the optical sensors and mechanical dexterity she longed for, as well as containing a number of the industry-standard computer interfaces, such as the human USB-28 and kanad 64/4 connectors. The new device, a somewhat menacing mechanical claw, was soon ready for production. The final step was figuring out a method of attaching it to her pack. A large mechanical arm to mount it on would be ideal, but it would be far too heavy and she preferred something retractable. She then remembered her previous work with tubular hydraulics...
---
"Shenkada Ex Sidikan." He repeated his new name to himself as he stood before the mirror. Shenkada was the name of a Vor'Pangn outlaw from a century earlier who was supposedly uncatchable and unkillable, according to urban legend. He chose the name for its obvious symbolism. The new "Ex" in his name denoted that either he or an ancestor of his had been expelled or had renounced membership from the clan. This would throw off other field officers, who would probably assume his lack of records and fluency in English meant that he was a second-generation offworlder.
He had signed onto a simple, one-time shipment job to carry uranium to a faraway human colony. From there, he planned to take another job and ride all the way to mysterious Terra, where GKVR wouldn't be able to find him. Out of paranoia, he had dyed his hair a second time, in case he had been seen purchasing and using the green dye from before. By the time his employers would meet him, his hair would be stark black, unusual for a kanad, but not for second or third-generation offworlders, further cementing his invented backstory.
He stepped out of the restroom at the teamster's office and walked out onto the dusty parking lot. Soon, a truck would arrive to transport a kanad named Shenkada to the freighter ship Troika C68. He silently said goodbye to his previous life and smiled, as the fear of being caught was matched by the thrill of new beginnings.
---
Colonel Vorokar paced angrily in his quarters. The Archius crew was about to dock at Termina Central, which was far too large of a base to assault regardless of the number of agents involved. Moreover, this presented the opportunity to possibly locate the true Archius, if in fact the crew was there to return to its original ship. Maybe it would have been better to lock on and simply coerce them into docking or landing somewhere where they could be detained and questioned, but this provided them too much time to organize and scheme against him- call in backup or to destroy evidence. These were opportunities he wouldn't give them. When he chose to make his move, they would not have any opportunity to react in a way which would disadvantage the Collective state.
---
Yanim's new appendage was finished. She had mounted the claw-like device on the end of a flexible tube which, using hydraulics, could be controlled more or less like a tail. It was mounted to the bottom of her pack where it could hang until needed, at which point she could control its movements as easily as she controlled those of her arms and legs. In a simple test she found that its optical input didn't conflict with her own, nor did its dexterous feedback confuse her. She put it to work immediately, assembling the delicate parts of her stealth cloak prototype while she utilized her own hands to type another log entry.
"Dock 2915. Have a pleasant day." The security personnel said. Jeremy nodded as he went to Shelia for a command. "Move in at Dock 2915, we'll meet Harken Saw for a short moment then give him the package." Jeremy instructed. "Sounds good to me Captain." Shelia replied, pressing a few control modules as the ship moved on to the docks.
Business as usual in the crowded workers below. "Right, I'll be at the hangar. Keep watch will you?" Shelia chuckled shaking her head. "I think our enemies have got you paranoid, relax."
"You can never be too paranoid." Jeremy said, exiting as the door behind him closed. He received a message from Kira, a certain small sized vessel was docked around here somewhere. The following said "I'll catch up, just meet with Harken Saw."
Lion observed silently as Sledge and Varn talked. Before he could join, the ship docked. "Time's up lads, time for the secuirty detail." Said Lion as he grabbed his rifle.
He waited in the hangar and approached Jeremy as soon as he spotted him. "Sir, do you need any escort? I'd prefer it if these mercs don't kidnap our captain as well."
"That would be nice." Jeremy said. The ramp opened slowly, seeing the crowds of people scurrying around.
[QUOTE=Viper123_SWE;48287532]Lion observed silently as Sledge and Varn talked. Before he could join, the ship docked. "Time's up lads, time for the secuirty detail." Said Lion as he grabbed his rifle.
He waited in the hangar and approached Jeremy as soon as he spotted him. "Sir, do you need any escort? I'd prefer it if these mercs don't kidnap our captain as well."[/QUOTE]
Sledge had followed Lion to the hangar.
[QUOTE=doomevil;48287606]"That would be nice." Jeremy said. The ramp opened slowly, seeing the crowds of people scurrying around.[/QUOTE]
"Captain! I volunteer to be your escort!" said Sledge. Varn had said not to blame himself, but he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for not being at that last fight. If assigned to the captain Sledge would make absolutely sure that no harm could possibly befall him.
"Uh yeah sure." Jeremy responded, he wondered what had happened to Sledge during the merc assault. The chances of him defending the others inside would be a possible theory.
[QUOTE=doomevil;48288120]"Uh yeah sure." Jeremy responded, he wondered what had happened to Sledge during the merc assault. The chances of him defending the others inside would be a possible theory.[/QUOTE]
"I won't let you down!" He turned back to the hangar. "Herc! We've got a job to do!"
Hercules, who was sniffing around and investigating one of the hover bikes sprung up and trotted out next to Sledge, who gave him a raw potato.
"Ready when you are, Cap!"
Lion looked at Sledge and Herc. "Sledge, you got left flank and Herc got the rear. I'll cover right." Said Lion as they formed up on Jeremy. "Lead they way, Cap."
[QUOTE=Viper123_SWE;48289640]Lion looked at Sledge and Herc. "Sledge, you got left flank and Herc got the rear. I'll cover right." Said Lion as they formed up on Jeremy. "Lead they way, Cap."[/QUOTE]
"You got it, brother!"
Pippin started writing a message to the entire crew. "Anyone want to do anything while we're here?"
[Blasted internet]
Jeremy traveled through the map center while everyone tended to their business. A alien with a ridged nose scratched the side of his head. The alien stared at him with curiosity. "Hey, do you know where can we see Harken Saw?" The alien nodded, looking below the table to see a wide screen in front. These aliens were known as Garths, those that prefer silence than talk. The Garth stared once again, providing a small holographic map.
"Thank you." Jeremy said as the Garth gave a thumbs up. "Alright to get to Harken Saw's office, we need to take the elevator up to the highest level where the cities are located. That might take long on foot so we can either rent an escort or travel by walking. My biggest guess from you guys would be to rent an escort."
"Your call, we got your back regardless." Said Lion as he observed the surroundings.
A man in a uniform was seen smoking near a hover car he saw a few men at the corner walking toward him, in a rush he threw out the cig into a bin and jogged straight to them. "Good evening, if you're looking for an escort to anywhere in particular I'll be your man." He said
"How much to get to the top levels?" Jeremy asked.
"The cost depends on an hour basis so 20 credits an hour is the standard." The escort assured.
"Good, we'll take that option." He gave them the credits and it was good as ever for the man.
"Great, hop in." The escort gestured all.
...
The crew observed the cities below, traffic was obviously heavy as cars flew by, noise throughout the whole station. They spotted the building the last time they went here, which would be Harken Saw's place. Get in and get out that was the plan.
...
Harken Saw polished a fairly old rifle as a stood near his workbench, checking for scratches or parts in disrepair. He heard a call coming in. "Mr. Saw, the Archius Crew would like to meet you." A female voice spawned, which likely irritated him. "Of course when I can't get enough time for myself." He muttered.
"Send them in." He answered which a call rang from his entrance. He kept focusing on his rifle assuming they're here. "I didn't expect you to be here. Holidays didn't go too well?" He asked.
"Actually we're here for a delivery. A package for you." Jeremy said as he went closer. Harken Saw turn when he heard the key word package. "If it's a bomb then put it near my trash can, I had a lot of those already." Sarcastically speaking. Jeremy unwrapped the box, unveiling a small chip.
"Who gave this to you?" Harken Saw questioned, pulling it as he observed.
"Unknown allies I guess. You might have to check it out fully." Jeremy said.
"I'm not even sure if this is safe to handle. But, if you insist on giving me this then I could give a check on this one." He placed it on his desk. "Anything else before I give you the big news since you are all here?"
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