Iska lit a cigarette and followed Pippin to the hangar.
When they entered and had walked over to the group, Iska turned to Lion.
"Captain know what Saw want?" she asked with a skeptic frown whilst blowing out some smoke.
"No, he only told me that we should gear up. There's a transport waiting for us Termina Central appareantly."
Lion looked towards one of the hangar doors and into the deep space on the other side of the shield, observing as HarkArk ships in varying sizes passed by.
"Whatever it is, I hope we're ready."
After Viper finished overviewing it's selected equipment from the armory, began walking towards the Hanger. Using several rare minerals to strengthen its shell before loading an complement of designated 10x102mm slugs in its back mounted pack for the newly built LWA Solari that was attached under its upper talons, the weapon system interface was able to perfectly sync with the Sanghvi's implant, allowing Viper use and fire them fluently as if it was an extension of itself.
Viper gave an look over the Archius's crewmen as it walked down towards the hanger, the records shown that Sidikan had died during their battle with the elite team of crimson son operatives. Viper was surprised but concluded that either Lion or another crewmember had added what seemly looked identical to the original files after Yanim had deleted them after her complete break down after Lion's apparent return. Viper took an moment to completely look over them as it waited on board the elevator and gave into the thoughts of personal blamed for its failure in not doing more for the troubled Kanad.
Viper had once thought that maybe after this whole mission that maybe Viper could have worked with Yanim in clearing of the Collective's fabricated claims on her, maybe even getting her a position into the UGC that was alway from the hostile and ugly sides of the galaxy. These plans are nothing more than foolish dreams and shattered hopes now. Everything that Viper had hope to achieve is now an stillborn dream as the galaxy burns and any sense of order and stability with it.
The Sanghvi's clears it's mind as the reinforced metal doors open to reveal the hallway leading to the hanger, Viper nevertheless pushes forward in it's goal as it walks into the large hanger as the away team gathers around Lion and Andronicus.
"Everyone seems ready and accounted for Captain." Viper says to Lion as the Sanghvi walks towards him.
"Well shit." PIppin thought. The last time he had gone into a fight unprepared, he'd under up with a broken leg, not to mention a dead kid on his concious.
Lion nodded. "Good." He then turned to Pippin. "Don't worry, we're in this together."
Arthur, who had been following the group for months without interacting with anyone, suddenly thought back to Earthican history as Pippin and Lion reassured each other steadily. His mind wandered upon the the phrase, 'we're all in this together'. [I]we're all in this together.[/I] He hummed to himself, reminding him of his all time favorite song, by the cool kids of High School Musical. He sang, albeit as low as possible, so no one could hear him.
[I]Together, together, together everyone
Together, together, come on lets have some fun
Together, were there for each other every time
Together together come on lets do this right
Here and now its time for celebration
I finally figured it out (yeah yeah)
That all our dreams have no limitations
That's what its all about(yeah yeah)
Everyone is special in their own way
We make each other strong (we make each other strong)
Were not the same
Were different in a good way
Together's where we belong
We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true
Together, together, together everyone
Together, together, come on lets have some fun
Together, were there for each other every time
Together together come on lets do this right
We're all here
and speaking out with one voice
we're going to rock the house (YEAH YEAH!)
the party's on now everybody make some noise
come on scream and shout
We've arrived because we're stuck together
Champions one and all
We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come
We're all in this together
When we reach
We can fly
Know inside
We can make it
We're all in this together
Once we see
Theres a chance
That we have
And we take it
Wild cats sing along
Yeah, you really got it goin' on
Wild cats in the house
Everybody say it now
Wild cats everywhere
Wave your hands up in the air
That's the way we do it
Lets get to it
Time to show the world
We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true
We're all in this together
When we reach
We can fly
Know inside
We can make it
We're all in this together
Once we see
Theres a chance
That we have
And we take it
Wild cats everywhere
Wave your hands up in the air
That's the way we do it
Let's get to it
Come on everyone![/I]
Satisfied, he melted into the shadows, never to appear again.
"Whatever happens in the battle against the Crimson Son, we have to end it right then and there, and not prolong it like the conflicts between the planets Odin and Heinessen. Never like those two.", Dwan remarked.
"One way or the other. This will end." Varn remarked. "And don't worry about Kira, Pippin. I'm sure we'll see here again soon." Varn looked at his watch. "What's keeping them?"
[who are we waiting for?]
The ship landed and everyone went to the docks, there.
As the crew entered through the state of the construct in the docks, the ramp slowly opened as they saw hundreds of people packing heavy weaponry from smgs to full fledged artillery. Each person varied from pirate to professional soldier. They knew Harken Saw needed help but they didn't think he was this desperate.
Lion led the way as the crew walked down the ramp. "Stick together, don't walk off. There should be a transport waiting for us around here."
Dwan nodded, as he followed Lion down the ramp.
"Affirmative Captain, My implant is unable to make out it's direct location due to the sear amount comm chatter within the area but I do have a HarkArk transportation signature ahead." Viper said as it scanned it's surroundings out of the ramp.
The docks far out were filled with crowds of armed mercenaries and contractors, many of the new arrivals here were little more simple star pirates but as the gangs started to depart, more notable figures began to appear. From infamous and once thought dead space pirate, Necrotic along with his personal dread guard to the Queen of Iron and her entourage of highly modified synths could be seen from the ramp as Viper and the rest of the team walked into the masses towards their transport.
Varn followed the others down the ramp. He looked around as they walked. So many scum bags in one place. So many familiar faces and so many unsettled scores. Luckily for him, none of them recognized him with his new armor. He wouldn't be sad if any of these guys ended in the ground.
He had Gabriel tag them as they passed them by. It would make for a fun betting game between him and Seth to see who would make it.
The crew wandered through the crowd of mercs, seemingly spotting the HarkArk Privateer dropship. The first one wore a Privateer Badge, walking to the crew holding a laser rifle.
"Harken Saw has told us about your arrival. Hop in." The man said wearing the all new and improved HarkArk suit, which Varn also wore during his request.
Lion nodded. "Understood." He gestured for the group to embark on the dropship.
Viper walked an tad bit more nervously as it walked through the crowds, looking over the numerous renegades and contractors as they bartered and argued among one another.
The whole scene felt oddly familiar to the Sanghvi as the team made their way through the masses, it felt similar to the time when the crew was within the staging area of the Sanctum Outpost, waiting for their contact before the Inquisition expedition for the screecher queen had begun.
Yet this time, Viper feels an sense of safely and security in it's crew, not overwhelming confusion and anxiety during this visit. Through this time, much more is at sake than the massive skull of an monstrous bug and it's many hives on an oversize comet but that of galactic importance within a already fractured universe.
But Viper made sure to remain vigilant as the team crossed the many unknown and hostile faces on their they way to met one of the most powerful figures within the known galaxy, in his most darkest hour.
However, something surprising was found by the Sanghvi's implant as the nearby Death Vigil's Reapers and TriEnterprise's Equalizers began to shout and yell at one another when the signatures of a old acquaintance started to show on the Implant's watch.
Viper turned to see the crowds and gangs back up and looked at the what was seemly ghosts, these men were equipped in black and grey uniforms and held the uniquely produced phosphorus weapons with their ionic ballistic masks completing their look. Their drones follow as always, the legend Phoenix crops was back among the living after almost 20 years of absence and in number as well.
The impression was mixed onto the crowds of outlaws and hired guns. Most looked like they had seen the dead but some such as an large man in tank top bearing GRIZZ insignia and colors walked up to the leading Panther operative in front of this small brigade.
"What the fuck are you fire birds doing here- The Merc shouted before receiving an several blows to his lower chest in rapid secession, collapsing in a matter of seconds towards the right of the brigade, conveniently out of they path.
"Correction, As of recent reforming of our organization in 2382. This corporation is now identified as the Argos Private Security and Operation Contractor." The large bipedal behind the operative said in it's deep and jagged voice.
The remaining personal disbursed from the front of them and let the brigade continue in their way.
Viper watched from several crowds away, somewhat confused and interested in their presence on board a HarkArk station of all places. The two organizations were seemly inseparable decades prior to their break in 2340s and while never officially engaged in corporate warfare, there was always evidence to the contrary but nothing ever came of it as the alexander was plunged into chaos and anarchy shortly afterwards.
Nevertheless, Viper press on regardless as a nearby squad of Privateers rushed to screen with rifles in tow before being stopped by an high ranking Privateer had them stand down, the armed Privateers looked at the brigade in anxious and disturbed matter.
"[So, [I]boss[/I], I've got some questions about this operation of yours,]" Rask grumbled with a hint of resentment. Neasha eyed him with suspicion, unable to understand the kanad language. "Keh, none of your business anyway, serek. Just work the helm." She glared at him. Virin and Gataska weren't on the bridge, and so it was clear that Rask was seeking a private conversation.
Yanim barely glanced up as she scratched Skada behind the ears, enjoying her pet's company for once instead of its utility. "[Fire away,]" she beckoned.
"[You've put on a real show, these past few days, letting everyone know how 'damaged' you are and how you want to put your old life behind you, build something new, keh? But, you know, you didn't seem to protest much when HarkArk's name got dropped over the comm. And let's not kid ourselves, we're not here to salvage. You didn't deck this ship out with guns and bombs so we could go picking for scraps. But this is way out of our fucking league, girl.]"
"[What's the question?]" Yanim replied dismissively, to Rask's frustration.
"[[I]And there's bitch to spare[/I]]" he hissed. "[You know that Archius ship is going to be there- the comm said HarkArk was calling in everyone they could get. You're putting our lives at risk, warping headlong into some shitty human affair. Its so you can get close to that ship again, isn't it?]"
"[You're scared, aren't you?]" Yanim replied with a rotten smile. Rask went red in the face, his one good eye twitching with indignation as Yanim continued. "[You're right about some things, though. The sensible thing to do right now is to just leave, like Neasha said; we don't belong here. But you also mentioned all that ammunition we just bought. Loads of it, in fact, and it was expensive.]" Neasha turned around at the mention of her name, which Yanim answered with a subtle gesture implying that she would explain later.
"[And it's not going to do shit against the Crimson Son. So what about the Archius? Is it going to be the same as that incident you pulled back on Terra? Striking back on a lost love who betrayed your weeping little heart?]" Rask knew that his anger, albeit elevated from Yanim's taunting, was justified. He felt compelled to shake some sense into the prodigal offworlder before she plunged the ship into destruction. But despite his best effort to crack her façade, she remained oddly unfazed, which is why he believed her when she spoke again.
"[And that's where you're wrong. Yeah, I'll admit revenge is hell of a drug, but it's the Crimson Son I want us to strike. And contrary to what you might believe, a competent fleet requires ships of all sizes. I'm sure we can scrap a few small ones in the middle of the action.]"
"[Why take the risk? We can just wait for the battle to be over before we warp in.]"
"[The ordinance is taking up too much space in our cargo hold. We need to use it so there'll be room for scrap,]" she joked.
"Bullshit," Rask cursed in English.
"[Hyeh hyeh hyeh. Yeah, it is. The truth is, I just want to see my new crew in action. And besides, HarkArk will probably shell out if we prove we dealt some damage. And as for the Archius, I don't care about it. I'm assuming they already dealt with the traitors who flew with us. That is, if in fact that rig is still flying after our last defeat.]" Yanim pulled back her sleeve, revealing the necklace Iska had given her, wrapped tightly around her wrist as a bracelet. "[The rest are decent people. Some are even good people. But they trust each other too much, and they trust HarkArk too much. And if they really are out there at Termina Central waiting for the battle to begin, they're even crazier than we are, because they'll make their last stand fighting for some kind of ideal that I really just don't understand anymore.]"
"[And us..?]"
"Neasha," Yanim said. "Get ready to warp to Termina Central, and hand me the comm." Taking the communicator in her hand, she alerted the other two crewmembers to return to the bridge. "We're going to jump in ahead of these mercs," she said, "and let HarkArk know we're on their side. Your first test as a crew is to survive this battle." Neasha's mouth fell open, her hands frozen above the console. Yanim patted her on the shoulder. "Listen," she said, reassuringly, "if the going gets to rough, just warp us out. Especially if our side starts to lose. There'll be no money in this if there's no one to pay." Rask sighed, still not comfortable with the task ahead but relieved that his boss appeared to be finally able to rationalize her feelings.
Virin and Gataska entered the room, pale in the face. They strapped themselves in unable to protest as the ship was already beginning to move once more. As it reached sufficient speed, the Boome ships all around began to sense the tiny ship's presence. As they attempted to lock on, the ship vanished into a spatial distortion field.
"So who are we, anyway?" Rask said, surprising all but Yanim with his casualness. "They're going to want to know."
"Well, we're definitely not 'Yanim Sidikan and her fugitive friends;' that certainly wouldn't go well. In fact, I hope they think I'm dead or in prison," Yanim replied. "From here on, I'm taking [b]Terika[/b] as my surname to create some distance. You can keep calling me by my given name, but when they ask, tell them that you work for the Terika-Belladonna Company, and that we're here to fight the Crimson Son!"
The HarkArk transport ascended to the upper levels of the docks, increasing its acceleration as the crowd tended to their work for this ambiguous battle.
A man in a blue jumpsuit chomped on his cigar as he walked over to his crew member.
"How's it going? Ready to make some big money?" He gave a pat against his shoulder.
"Cut that shit out. I'm adjusting the barrels and power level on this." He yelled out in a deep mannered voice. The man tinkered with the cells of his large plasma mini gun. Once his large hands managed to twist the barrels it was all done. He dusted the residue and grabbed a rag.
"Easy bro, look I'm just wondering if you're okay, you know about that job and you left to rot in a prison." The guy said.
"Ject, I am having a shitty month. If anything I am far from okay. First my crew gone, yet I don't even know who's responsible. I'm way out of the news." He said as he wiped off the filthy smut.
Ject nodded and clapped his hands once. "I'm aware, that's why I busted you out in the first place. I thought that situation was crappy, until you called me that was." Ject responded.
"I felt like a damn vegetable back there." He added in.
"I know I know, but we patched you up and hey back to the old you!" Ject gestured outwards. His friend side glanced and stopped with what he was doing, rising from the ground and towered over him. "Ject, why did you leave in the first place? We had everything. We almost had a big score after you left." Ject wandered and sighed.
"I felt like I needed to go, pirate work with you was great... but I had other priorities." Ject said. Both stared until Ject pulled out a small antique locket, he snapped it open to reveal Ject himself. Ject was shown with a young girl human. Firm yet rough "Why didn't you tell me this before?" Ject scratched his head, snapping the locket shut. "Elli is sweet, but so fierce. I was anxious you might react well... badly to it. I started my own crew with her." Ject said. "Then where is she?"
"She's at the engine room, you probably didn't see her. But you know I wouldn't betray the crew one way or another. I just wanted to go with my feelings."
"Ject, I ain't no soulless beast of death. If you really wanted to separate then I'm fine with that but I fucking wanted you to let me know." He nearly shouted.
"Bad move on my part mate, I'm sorry. That's why I accepted your call. Bad luck all over you and I wanted to help you out." Ject gave a reassuring smile. Ject turned but felt firm hands wrapped around his neck. "That's so nice of you." A female voice sprang. Ject chuckled and turned around seeing Elli winking.
"Who's this?" Elli extended a hand to Ject's friend. "Elli, this man has been there for me before I met you. Ain't that right Bruta?" Bruta nodded and shook Elli's hand. "How's it hanging with Ject?" Bruta asked.
"Good, very good. You're Bruta Cadcila? Ject's talked about you." Elli said.
"Yeah, uh I've been out of the loop for awhile. I'm just looking to start all over. Maybe out what happened during that big score."
"You never really told me about this Oracle." Ject said.
"Some collectible the Crimson Son paid me to get from some average joe's ship.. After that ship they gave us BLAM fucking blacked out out of my loop until I called you. I know you wanted money out of this job but I came here to find some closure. Maybe they fucked with me." Bruta clenched his hands and pounded them into fists.
"We'll find out." Elli replied as Ject nodded.
Iska had really looked over the LWA Volgrim before this battle, so she sat down and inspected its exterior and sights along with its other functions. She then leaned back in the seat and lit a cigarette.
She looked over at Varn. "You see people we should watch out for?" she asked.
Varn looked at Iska. "A few old 'war buddies', including some from my short carer as a pit fighter. Me and my boss are having a betting competition on who will make it. We can let you in on it, if you're interested." He paused and continued to scan the crowd. "Otherwise it's the same collection of scumbags, pirates and mercenaries you'll find when someone is offering huge sums of money."
Iska fiddled the cigarette with her fingers and bit her lip, thinking about varns offer. She then replied with a sly grin. "Iska have some credit left. Give Iska three good fighters and Iska will put credits on one."
"Alright, here are some choices you may like. You got [URL="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/mkwikia/images/e/ea/MKX_Kano_Render1.png/revision/latest?cb=20150311233035"]the Black Dragon[/URL], comes from a prison planet. CQC expert. Fight dirty. Next up is [URL="http://cdn2.gamefront.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/spooky-femshep.jpg"]The Renegade[/URL], She picked the name, not me. Commands a squad that are fiercely loyal to her. She's really tough on her own, had a fight with her 5 years ago and ended up with a broken arm, leg and fractured skull. And last but not least, [URL="http://pre09.deviantart.net/cfad/th/pre/f/2008/308/f/b/vulcan_raven_colouring_by_chris_parker_17.jpg"]The Raven.[/URL]. Big guy with a big gun. Sounds simple, right? Turns out that looks can be deceiving since this guy is a warrior shaman of sorts. Can get into his opponent's mind easily. Hope you like this selection."
Isk mauled over the decisions whilst looking out of the transport window. "Maybe renegade will make it. Iska put som credits on her." she said. Then Iskas face formed into a frown as she toked her cigarette, she pointed out the window. "Maybe would be wise to bet credits that Bruta dies."
Surprisingly, not only had the Belladonna not been turned away after failing to explain how they found Termina Central, but they were actually welcomed and registered into the battle networking system to prevent friendly ships from locking target on them by mistake. With the hangars now open for Yanim and her crew to enter, swap tools and weapons with the other ships, and possibly even recruit some new followers, they eagerly found a place to dock their vessel and drop the boarding ramp.
It was hard to say whether or not they would blend in. There were crews of all races, some wealthy and powerful, and others poor and ill-equipped. Some stood in silence, preparing themselves mentally and spiritually for the struggle, while others were loud and disorderly. Some crews happily socialized, while others were barely tolerant of each other. As they scanned the crowd, it was all somewhat overwhelming. For a moment they simply stood on the landing ramp and took it all in.
Viper kept it's eyes onto the Argos brigade as they begun to spread out throughout the docks, most of the dissidents didn't approached the cold and silent brigade of doom troops as walk within the halls of the station and towards whatever unknown goals they have here. The Sanghvi simply kept itself out of sight as it slowly entered the transport shuttle.
The Sanghvi then shifted it's attention towards Iska as she placed several universal galactic on table across from Varn, assuredly placing bets on pit fight that laid outside of transport's window, Viper than loomed over Iska shoulder, annoyed from teammates indulging themselves in a rather morally dubious activity.
---
The Argos personnel kept close to each other as walk through the port, the surrounding gangs kept their distance as well did the Privateers, even if they stood with rifles dawn with a finger on the trigger when passed by. The brigade begun to spit into a mumbler of squads, all lead by a Panther operative in font with something to individualized themselves from the rest of the inhuman and innumerable ranks of darkly clad and ballistic masked cannon fodder that made up all of the formerly Phoenix crops biological military arm. Their unity and devotion to the objectives that their employers gave them, made them into one of the most frightening and often deadest PMC's in the galaxy with only their nonhuman levels of coronation and reflexes serving to reinforce that image that was even further backed by an unmatchable logistic network and the cutting edge in the latest line of military robotics. The rest of the squads was filled with seven other Panther operatives and was followed by two highly advanced mechanical bipeds in tow.
A portion of these teams in particular went out towards the outer docks in search of something rather peculiar as several Privateers tailed behind them before backing off from their tracking attempts and back into there security rooms as the rest of Argos teams continued throughout the docks for their yet unexplained goals.
The team had found what they were seeking as their leader had just entered 88th outer dry dock loading port and waved towards his goal, the crew of the Belladonna.
"Hey, Hello, Miss!" The leading Panther operative said rather loudly that his voice was able to be heard over the raging and busy crowds but wasn't too much so that it held any sort of anger towards them before making his way through the crowned port section, clumsily bumping and accidentally knocking over various dissidents as he walked over towards the crew, making sure to not to step on their loading rump as he stood in font of them as they stared down towards the odd masked man below them.
As soon as the masked soldier appeared at the foot of the Belladonna's boarding ramp, Rask and Virin tensed up, tightly gripping their OBVs. "[Careful about this one, boss,]" Rask said just loud enough for Yanim to hear. She looked back, concerned. "[GKVR had reports of, well... I'm sure he'll explain. Just don't make any aggressive moves, keh?]"
Yanim cautiously walked down the ramp until she was roughly at eye level with the imposing figure. The others followed suit, if not to provide inadequate protection then to listen in on whatever conversation was about to unfold. "Who are you, and what do you want?" Yanim asked with a guarded tone, yet without hostility.
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