Jump to content

[Exalted] Into the Sargasso


Heaven's Reach ST

Recommended Posts

Kestrel shrugged amiably.

,,

"If nothing else, you distract attention from me," she quipped with a grin. "I mean, a ship that's been hidden all this time will have a lot more on it than just that weapon. And neither you nor I are under any rules or regulations involving salvage while on duty. " With a chuckle, she admitted, "Of course, listening to Karren, she's going to want to loot that thing too, so maybe there aren't any such regulations in the first place. Still, no reason to give her the lion's share just because she can turn into a lion."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 184
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Janos

,,

For a moment there was nothing but silence on the other side of the communications as the captain of the ship considered Janos response, but finally she responded, and the tone was somewhat resentful, but also a touch resigned. "So be it, but this is my domain, you are a guest, but do not expect to deliver any orders in my command." With that, one of the airlocks into the ship opened and was lit up. "Come Aboard, Chosen."

,,

Away Team

,,

The three of them managed to get away from the Voidswimmer and moving toward the hidden ship without any real incidents, both Zed and Kestrel getting suits that would allow them to survive the void of space, perhaps, with power, some part of this damaged ship had life support, but with parts of it open to deep space, the would need the suits. It was not certain that this ship was the one they were looking for, but it did have some things of note, if there were hints of the magicial materials detectable from Karren's view of space.

,,

Ship

,,

"Captain, it appears that the Lintha ship is going to allow Janos aboard, do we want to prepare anything else?" Althea looked over at her father as she reported what she was seeing from the ships scanners.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Once again in the form of their home ship's namesake, Karren slapped against a suitably-sturdy anchorage point with her tail, blinked her glow on and off at the team aboard the shuttle, and then dove into one of the more promising gaps in the hull. Moonsliver and orachuluem, eh? Time to find some useful trinkets while the others got suited up.

,,

Yay shapeshifting!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dan looked at Althea and shook his head. "Nothing more overt no. Continue to run our scans, and have the security crews on patrol. Keep me apprised of any changes." He sat in his command chair, wondering if they'd really found the ship already, and whether or not the cargo was there. "Noble, will we find you there?" his words were only heard on the bridge, and he was glad, for they were spoken with a sadness that the other had not heard before.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kestrel spent the entire approach up near the glazed quartz-glass of the viewport, her face practically pressed up against it as they got closer, and closer, at the agonizingly slow pace that Karren was towing the shuttle at. It was safer than using thrusters, and really she'd have been impatient even if the tow had been ten times faster. A cloaked First Age ship, never been picked over?

,,

She could smell the money. The power. The prestige. Through the vacuum of space she could smell it.

,,

It wasn't until Zed started suiting up that she realized they were there, and it was time. She stepped coyly into a little alcove where Zed wouldn't be able to see much of her, so she could disrobe and pull the form-fitting pressurized suit on. It wasn't exactly modesty...it was more an innate realization that mystique had an allure of its own. Traipse around naked all the time, like Dyna, and you denied yourself the power that came from keeping folks wanting to see more. Even if Zed didn't care, that was how she did things.

,,

Besides, people paid good money to see a body like hers unclothed. Why should Zed get a free show?

,,

With a quick zip, she sealed the suit and came back around to where Zed was.

,,

"Ready? Lets get this done as fast as we can. We've got to get everything in there we can out before they detect us."

,,

She tapped her wrist comm and said into her headset, "Karren, we're on our way out."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
db3a2f2cdbdff380191b825.jpg
Lintha Ship
,,

When he finally came aboard the ship it was clear that the Lintha thought in a different way then most folks who built starships, for entering through the airlock, he found himself on a platform above a hold half filled with water, if that trend continued, then the entire ship would be like that. There was a woman waiting for him as he came aboard, likely the captain, considering the energies that surrounded her, with his ability to see the flows of essence, a whip at her belt and a sense of authority about her, as though she expected to be obeyed without question.

,,

The resentment from her earlier tone was gone, instead she was much more congenial then she had been before now that he was inside. "Welcome aboard my ship, chosen, I don't suppose you would be interested in disembarking from your own vessel there, while I offer a tour?" She was alone, at the moment it appeared, though the water beneath raised deck suggested there might be other creatures to be found in this ship then just Lintha.

,,
Away Team
As they got closer and closer to the wreck, and almost within it, a new realization was there, the outer shell of this wreck was made out of black Jade, the inside was Moonsilver, with Orichalcum and Starmetal inlay.. the entire ship, was made out of the magicial materials.. the value of the materials alone was incalculable, there was enough to be worth.. billions. It was amazing that this find hadn't been discovered by anyone as of yet, though the cloaking field and the surounding ship graveyard made it very hard to detect..
As Karren actually entered the ship though one of the holes in the side of the badly damaged the shuttle had to stop nearby to allow the others to suit up and join her, there was a light along the floor that seemed to lead further into the ship, and blinking red lights showed that the ship was still on some sort of high alert level. Once everyone went further into the ship, before they reached any doors, the first thing that was noticed was a shimmering low grade forcefield ahead, the scanning from the suits told that there was viable atmosphere on the other side of that force field.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Janos took note of the congeniality with which he was greeted. Once on board, when she was essentially staring down a hellstrider piloted by one more than skilled in their use, her tone change was understandable. No doubt it was also intended to put him into some sort of false sense of comfort and possibly bring his guard down. Such a thing would never happen anywhere outside of his own Temple Manse, and even then, rarely.

,,

"You are a persistent one, Captain Thaya, I will give you that" His tone was more complimentary than deriding for the repeated request that he disembark from the Radiant Avatar. "If you would like a good portion of the vessel decimated, you have but to ask. However, since I have not come with intent to do unwanted harm, I will do as I said I would..."

,,

As he spoke, the crystalline and metallic form of the hellstrider began to fold back in on itself, lowering Janos to the ground gently and eventually collapsing back into the form of an amulet roughly the size of a fist around his neck.

,,

"...and return it to its dormant state. I thank you for your hospitality and I would greatly enjoy a tour"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not that voidswimmers had the equiptment needed *to* smile, but soon as Karren spotted the mind-blowingly-rich haul just in the structure of the ship itself, her tendrills gave a happy little quiver. One inquisitive and happly pain free poke later, the lunar was back in her human form and camped next to a computer terminal, waiting for the rest of the boarding party. Or at least the more tech inclined parts of it. She knew better than to search a wreck by hand when a computer was on hand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kestrel felt her mouth go dry as she realized what the old cruiser was made of. She was standing in...well, floating in the microgravity of...a giant artifact of the old science. Even if it had been completely inert, its materials alone would buy her a life of comfort and safety in an opulant ship that she could take to the farthest stars in the fringes, and have a ringside seat as Creation swirled down the drains of Oblivion.

,,

Was that what she wanted?

,,

"We'll need to come back with salvage equipment," she muttered. "After the pirates are gone. We can't get it all, and once the cloak fails the scavengers will crowd in thick, but we can get first pick."

,,

Farther in she saw the lights, dim but functioning. The shimmering force field.

,,

"I can't believe it's still -working-" she breathed. "This looks like some kind of emergency measure. Holding in the atmosphere from the hull breach. We can probably walk right through it."

,,

She looked around and grabbed a chunk of debris floating through the compartment, then pushed it to coast through the force field so they could see what happened once it got through. If it did.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Zed could only stare in slack-jawed amazement as he approached the pressurized area, all wistful thoughts of the lost opportunity for some cheap thrills at seeing Kestrel changing completely absent from his mind.

A warship. With a hull made entirely of Jade. Black Jade.

Although he wasn't an expert on the minutiae of the magical materials, he knew a rich find when he saw one. Already there was some part of his mind cataloging the approximate mass and thinking of buyers for bulk building materials.

Wait, wait, wait, hang on Zed. I don't wanna hear it, Other Zed. Shut up and listen, there are pirates. We saw their ship. How have they not found this? Maybe we got lucky? Or maybe it's a really sweet honeypot. I hate you, Other Zed.

"So, Ladies. Forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn, but do you ever get the feeling that we're walking into a trap?"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I don't know," Kestrel replies poking a finger through the field experimentally when the rock passes through unscathed. "I don't think so, actually. For one, this would be really hard to fake. For another, the Lintha...probably the only pirates around who COULD fake it, wouldn't bother with a trap like this. They don't need to. And the ship has an active cloaking field, and is surrounded by asteroids and debris. I think they just haven't found it yet."

,,

She takes a breath.

,,

"Well, here goes."

,,

With that Kestrel steps across into the next room. Through the field, she becomes amber and wavy, but doesn't collapse or suddenly explode or catch on fire. She looks around, then waves her arm.

,,

"Come on in. There's something over here that looks like a terminal, I'm going to check it out."

,,

Holgraphics, flickering but legible, start to project around her as she activates the terminal and piece together the operating system and commands.

,,

HAXXOR

,,

[salmonMax] 9:42 pm: Okay, now for haxxoring in Krulgame
[salmonMax] 9:43 pm: Lore(hacking)+Int = 8 dice
SalmonMax *rolls* 8d10: 1+9+8+7+7+3+1+9: 45

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lintha

,,

She looked him over a moment and then smiled. "And your a handsome one, I'll give you that, and a charmer to boot, I wonder just how safe it is to let you wander about my ship anyway, I imagine you'd create quite a stir in the crew." She offered him her hand to escort him though the ship, wondering for a moment if he would take it or not, the Ravager was as of yet, undecided about this sudden appearance of another Warlock in this region of space and about him in particular.

,,

Ship

,,

On the other side of the force field each of them found that they could speak, and Karren, not wearing a space suit because she didn't need one, found that she could breath here, the effects of her tattoos no longer needed to keep her alive in the depth of space. As the three members of the team moved to the terminal, it lit up right as Kestrel was about to touch it, and a holographic computer screen display appeared in front of them.

,,

Emergency Access Granted..

Input Status Request

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Psh...she just rolled right over," Kestrel complains. "Doesn't she know the fun's in the chase?"

,,

With a set of quick gestures, she activated controls in the holopanels.

,,

"Deckplans," she murmurs to herself, audibly. "Current system status. Power. Security. Life support. Annnnd...cargo manifest."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I'm claiming about a ton of this stuff for the reccord," Karren offered with a grin, rapping her knuckles on the moonsilver walls while Kestrel worked her magic, "Gonna dump it on the floor of Doc's workshop to see if he can make me a big metal stick or two for our next showdown with a certain Captain Dragonblood. Not *quite* a bloody trophy rippd from the hands of a dead foe, but I'll take salvage."

,,

She crossed her arms over her chest, silver tatoo lines catching the light and eyes pleased. "Any joy, thief?" the big lunar offered, trying to keep out of Kestrel's light.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kestrel frowns...she is surrounded by light. Orange frames bracketing command lines, graphs of power distribution, pages of redacted readouts. They array around her, but one by one they turn red and darken as she hits firewalls.

,,

"...joy might be overstating it," she says distractedly, only barely hearing Karren. "But we're getting somewhere. Or rather...we will be. Once we go somewhere."

,,

She waves a hand, shoving a sea of red light to one side and clearing the display there for different selections.

,,

"Okay, that's all classified...lets go with lower protection levels," the thief mutters. Her fingers dance in the air. "Damage control. Repair status on major systems. Come on, we're just engineers here to help...where do we go..." She flicks to another control. "In fact...ah, I get it. Slave terminal. Restricted access. No deckplans, but..."

,,

Kestrel kept muttering to herself as she worked, calling up the ship's crew service interface and simply asking for directions to the bridge, and main engineering section.

,,

Then she looked at Karren. Not at the display between herself and the Lunar, but actually at her.

,,

"There's a good chance we're not alone on this ship, by the way. I think someone's been repairing damage to it. At least to life support systems."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"'Someone'? Like, say, Lintha pirates? Who might be setting up a honeypot or, more likely, are just trying to get this thing running to do more piratey things?" The squat little man looked around. Despite the intense sense of danger that assailed his well-honed survival instinct, he couldn't keep an avaricious gleam out of his eye. "Y'know, the chosen of Danna'd are supposed to be all warrior-type, right? What are the chances that there's enough jade here that I could get set of knuckledusters or smashfists or something? Hell, maybe there's an actual armory with some terrestrial weapons and armor?" What the hell are you thinking, Zed? You're a con man and a grifter, not a warrior. Let me dream, Other Zed. I'll send flowers. Still keeping a look out, he let the blood of the dragons start to drip slowly and laboriously through his body, alert for unseen watchers.

Charm Use!
Activating Observer Awareness Method - will become aware of anyone watching him
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"What the Lintha want would be on this ship," Kestrel insists. "Why would they give a crap about luring other people in? I think someone's living here. Maybe a salvager trying to keep his claim secret. Big operation would bring pirates like flies...but do it small and sneaky, over a long time, and no one's the wiser."

,,

She nods. "Smart. But we need to be careful because he'll probably not be happy about people finding it."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Whoever or whatever it is messing about this ship, our job is to secure the orbs if they're here and get them back to the Void Swimmer before our Doctor gets the Lintha mad enough to swarm us. Secure and *then* loot," commented Karren with the first hint of frown since boarding this ship, eyeing the corridor around them for first age boobytraps.

,,

Said frown died a fiery death almsot imediately, imolated by her smirk as much of her skin fluxed into chitonous armor plating and nails lengthed into fleshrending claws.

,,

"Not that I expect any serious trouble on the securing part of that equation. Not with this party. Let's find this better computer we need. If we run into trouble, I can knock it down with my fists and Zed can talk it down with his silver tongue. I have every confidence in you two," she finished, cracking her neck and rising to her full height, clearly looking forward to this next part.

,,

Go go Talons and Armored Hide mutations.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow. That woman is terrifying. Trying desperately not to look as though he was shying away from the monstrous form that Karren had adopted, Zed opened up the vacuum-pack that contained his gear. Shrugging the behemothskin coat over his vacuum suit was awkward and the end result made him look rather like a potato with toothpicks sticking out of it. Nonetheless, it offered him the protection it always did. The gun belt wouldn't fit around the outside, so there was nothing for it but to hang it around his shoulder. It would make for an awkward draw, but if he were forced to pull his gun in the confines of the not-so-derelict ship, it meant something had gone wrong. "Okay, so if we meet anyone that's up to no good but isn't necessarily involved with femotechnological weapons of mass destruction, I presume we're going to try to talk first, right? In that case, if I utter the words 'Here is how I see this situation resolving itself' that means that it's time to attack. Sound okay?" With a cheerful, oafish smile, he waited for Karren to lead the way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Janos took her hand, smiling a devil's smile. His touch was electric, gentle and restrained enough to give the feeling that she was special, even among the Yozi's Chosen, and at the same time, indicating that although there was a minimal amount of exertion here, he was capable of a significantly higher amount of force and power should it become necessary. Drawing her close to him, raising her hand to about chest level and leaving only a tiny amount of distance between them, he met her appraising gaze with an approving one.

,,

"Captain Thaya, even if you were to grant me full leave to walk about this ship I would not let one such as yourself out of my sight. So, let's walk. Even having just arrived, I like what I see thus far and would like to see a great deal more"

,,

Janos's tone was both incredibly suggestive and at the same time had the delivery and cadence of one who was here on business. Fairly easy to pick up on for the Captain, who found herself the focus of his approving presence, but easily explained away to any who were looking on who would inquire.

,,

That is assuming such inquiries were honored and not responded to with quick and much deserved retribution for the insolence.

,,

He let his statement hang in the air for a moment or two before opening the distance again to a slightly more professional range and gestured towards what he assumed was the first door they would go through in the tour. "Shall we?"

,,
In Case You Want To Roll Some Dices

Manipulation 2, Presence 5, +4 dice from Enchanting Features = 11

DTO = 6 successes,

,,

Target MDV (if appearance lover than 6): Reduced by [6 - (Thaya's appearance)]

,,
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lintha

,,

She had accused him of being a charmer a bit earlier, in this particular case she had been entirely too correct and though she had done her best to steel herself against his charm, his beauty and charming words had her entangled despite her better judgement. "Well, what would you like to see first?" She had forgotten for the time being that his purpose and sudden appearance were somewhat questionable, and though her mission remained on the back of her mind, it was temporarily set aside to focus on him.

,,

Possessing a MDV of 7 (Willpower 7 + Integrity 3 + Essence 4 = 14/2 = 7 || Appearance 4 || MDV 7 - 2 becomes 5 ||

,,

Ship

,,

Having gotten some indication that this ship might not be as abandoned as it first appeared, despite the lack of any sign of salvagers or looters, the team was now becoming more cautious, and they began to follow the halls down toward the center of this wreck, continuing deeper into the ship. On another note, there wasn't the dust one might expect inside, but there wasn't any sign of occupancy, not so much as a single individual, even as they continued deeper.

,,

A good ways into the ship they began to move by other halls, some of which seemed to indicate leading to other important parts of the ship, but following the schematic that Kestrel pulled up, they came to a cross in their path, one that lead to the bridge and the other to engineering, both of which had been part of the schematic

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"All right," Kestrel said. "The deal is this. The bridge's controls will have override authority most likely...but if we need to do any repairs, the major systems will probably be physically located in engineering. From this point, there's no obvious easier way...but I think we should start in engineering. We can get what we need from there just as well as the bridge, and it could save us more time and walking if there's anything wrong."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"My reasoning was going to go something along the lines of whoever seems to be refurbishing or repairing or otherwise fixing up this not-so-derelict hulk is likely to have some presence in engineering. So we should establish what variety of no good they happen to be up to. The end result of which is that I agree about going to engineering first. So."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As the two of them made their way down the ship's passages, Janos displayed a certain level of professional interest in the vessel itself, looking around at the assorted systems and technologies of the Lintha in much the same way a customs inspector would. At the same time, his gaze became much more personal when it fell on Thaya herself or one of her crew. He was, after all, a Malefactor. Knowing and influencing people was his role.

,,

"Well, Captain..." As they were currently in a hall and (at least visibly) away from much of the crew for the moment, "I will eventually wish to see it all" His eyes roamed across her decidedly not unattractive form, a minor tingling sensation running up and down her spine as they did so.

,, ,,

Tingling sensation was a non-damage-inflicting application of Mind Hand, augmented with Principle Invoking Onslaught. The charm has been active this whole time so if her sight only spots new charm activations, it would not register as a charm use. If she can see charms that are already active, though, then Mind Hand has been active this whole time.

"However, as a chosen of the Principle of Hierarchy, I have a level of interest in technological developments. With your crew being well known for their creative application of principles, I am interested in what they have come up with. Similarly, I am interested in the vessel itself's electronics array. Waterproofing primarily but such things are a hobby of mine. After that, I can look into the more personal side of things."

,,

Janos turned and was fully facing her for a moment, taking her hand and guiding it to the point where she had her whip coiled up at her side..

,,

"Perhaps an inquiry into how many uses this can be put to. Assuming of course you are able to spare a few moments to aid a Peer's investigations"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Engineering it is then. Lead the way, Thief," Karren offered, senses alert for anything and clawed hands at her side. Just because no one had tried to eat them yet, didn't mean it would stay that way. The others could lead till it happened, but after that, the big lunar would volunteer herself for point duty.

,,

She triggered her com bead, hoping it could reach the shuttle from so far deep in here, "Gaunt to shuttle. I want your status. Anything interesting going on out there?"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kestrel nodded and headed down the corridor to the left, following the directions she'd copied to lead them towards engineering. As they walked, she thought to herself.

,,

Armory's probably not far from engineering too. They'd keep it deep, near the crew barracks probably, so everyone could gear up fast.

,,

Then something occurred to her.

,,

"Anyone seen any corpses yet? Ship this damaged, you'd think there'd be some. And it's not like they'd rot in the vacumn of space."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lintha

,,

The pirate captain was trying to keep a handle on herself, but the web of charm that Janos had built around her had her somewhat overwhelmed, though for a moment she considered fighting though the charm that he was laying on her, but she didn't really want too.. and without a reason to do so, she didn't see any harm in yielding to his charm. Of course, if she had known what Janos was really up too, Thaya would likely have fought him, on more then one front.

,,

"You may see anything you wish you, all you have to do is ask.. the electronic's array isn't quite what you might think, the system is biological, based on a living nervious system rather then electronic."

,,

Ship

,,

"Shuttle pilot here, nothing to report, everything is quite out here.. you want me to relay anything you all have found to the captain?"

,,

Meanwhile, as the party moved down the hall toward the engineering department, there was absolutely no sign of a single corpse, nothing, not so much as a bone or a left over tooth, another indication that someone or something had been active inside the ship. Because Kestrel was looking for it, not too far from the engineering core, othere was a large door with a computer access pad and a sign of the door in ancient script.. Armory. The door into Engineering was visible from here as well, way down at the end of the hall.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"You know, there are things out here that eat dead bodies. Alot of them mostly harmless." Karren offered conversationally, smiling with a mouthful of needle teeth, "No need to get too nervous on that front. It's the things with thumbs and the brains to fix up a First Age life support system that worry me while our Thief tries to open our new toy box that worry me."

,,

She chuckled and leaned against a wall, examining her claw tips, "Give a shout out if you need me to use *my* lockpicks on that door. Bet you a choice of next shore leave location our prize is in there."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Zed turned his head with a cheerful grin.

It froze immediately when he saw the mass of razor teeth that Karren bore when she smiled.

Why am I scared of anything else around here, anyway?

"you're on," he managed to wheeze with more bravado than he felt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Mmm...even if I believe that space scavengers that eat human flesh found a cloaked ship hidden in a giant ancient space graveyard, I don't think I believe that they'd eat clothes, equipment...that sort of thing. And someone who repaired life support just to help out while salvaging wouldn't have bothered policing the bodies."

,,

She eyed the panel near the armory, then shook her head.

,,

"I want to get into the main computer first. Should be over this way...end of the hall. Stay alert, everyone."

,,

Kestrel started down the hall, her eyes watching the walls, floor and ceiling for hint of boobytrap or ambush.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As the captain yielded to his advances and suggestions, he listened to her speak to him about being able to see anything he liked but for the asking. A not unfavorable position to be in, depending on how much he decided to engage his baser desires. After all, he was more than capable of keeping his wits about him, his coadjutor's willingness to help with such things a definite boon. Part of him simply desired the experience. After all, Kimbery was renowned for the adoration she showed those she favored and it was clear she favored him right now. Similarly, this one held the favor of the Yozi King himself, Malfeas, so no doubt any such experience would be an exercise in dominance.

,,

Janos half considered what exactly would happen if they were forced to come to blows while intimate. The favors of Malfeas were mighty indeed, but at the same time, it would be mere seconds before the not-defenseless Janos Tem was replaced with the Radiant Avatar of Succor. While the hellstrider was in its reduced shape, Janos was mostly reliant on his own skills if combat broke out. However, it was but a simple matter to restore the vessel to its true form. Not to mention the fact that while they were attuned (which they decidedly were) Janos still had access to the charms that the hellstrider could bring to bear. Not to the same extent as the creation itself did, but potent nonetheless.

,,

"Biological technology, Fascinating."


Janos stepped forward, guiding her with him until her back was against the wall. He pressed his body against hers, sandwiching her between himself and the wall, his luminous crystalline eyes staring into hers. He put his hand around hers, both around the whip's coils, squeezing not with intent to harm or anything so sinister, more an invitation of force. He squeezed with the strength of a higher end human. Not quite peak capacity of the species but still, more than enough to have been able to make a living in most any field of strength-based athletics.

,,

"I've always been interested in seeing the advances made in this field. Particularly how you interface with it. I would me most grateful if you were to take me to see it"

,,

The verbal conversation and the physical one had decidedly different subject matter. On one hand, he was expressing an interest in her wondrous vessel. The fruits of her patrons' creative energies and the pride of any captain. At the same time, he was making it quite clear that she had his attention on a purely physical and base level. At this point, should she accept his invitation to the dance, she was accepting that there would be no asking. He was on the verge of tearing her garments off and taking her here in the hallway and it was clear, to her at least, whom he was focusing his attention, that the only reason he had not done so was to maintain propriety and the interest (whether it was his or his patron's) interest in what made her and her ship tick. After all, having a ship's lady and mistress reduced to a quivering mass of afterglow simply was not something suited for the public. There were places for that.

,,

"Shall we?"

,,

A loaded question if ever there was one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dan sat there, watching the monitors, the readouts, and remembering the system as it was, before the wars, before it was left as nothing but a graveyard of the first age.

,,

"There was a time where this system was wondrous, a jewel in the crown of the Empire, and our war smashed it so finely, only the tiniest of fragments are left." There was a sadness in his voice. He didn't have the transmitter on, so only those on the bridge heard him.

,,

"It stands as a monument to pride and folly, and the horrors of war without limits."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Away Team

,,

Halting for a moment at the entrance to the armory, the decision to move onto the engine room rather then attempt to open the armory was one that was made without too much discussion, and Kestrel moved to work her will on that computer terminal. It didn't take her long, the door opened into a huge room, and there was clearly a large amount of repairs that had been put in place here, great cables connecting open panels, but the engine itself was at minimal power, just enough to maintain the ship as it was being maintained at the moment. There was no one living in this room, however, it was possible to see who was doing the repairs here, a pair of automatons were active here.

,, ,,
androidlegacybyfantasio.jpg
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kestrel pauses at the sight of the two machines, a little surprised. In hindsight it did make sense, she realized. No food. No water. And they didn't draw from life support, which explained how it had kept running for so long without replenishment. Pretty amazing, really.

,,

Mentalling preparing herself for possible hostility, she nevertheless didn't want to risk a shoot'em'up in engineering if it could be avoided. Start with the open hand, she always said. Assuming you couldn't just sneak past them in the first place.

,,

"Greetings," Kestrel said, showing her two hands in front of her so they could see she didn't have a weapon in them. "We're here to help. What's the status of the repairs?"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

In response to her action, but of the automatons shifted their full attention to the newcomers. "Intruders, scanning... signs of the exalted among you, standing orders from the captain, acertain purpose and alliegence of all intruders, then deal with them according to orders, declare prove your allegiance, you have 1 minute." Even as she spoke, weapons, starcasters, unfolded on either side of her arms and the other automaton followed suit moving to back her counterpart out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I love it when they play hard to get," murmurs Kestrel. She turns half away from the automata and touches her helmet where it covers her ears, activating her communicator.

,,

"Voidswimmer, this is Kestrel. I've got a pair of automated sentries who gave me one minute to prove I'm on the right side of the war before they start a very short, very expensive firefight in the middle of what looks like a mostly operational engineering and power deck. Captain, you have freaky intuition about this kind of thing...what should I tell them?"

,,

She was racking her own brain even as she asked the question, but her knowledge of ancient lore was mostly limited to valuation and how to bypass security and securing. Dan might be a little nutty about it, but his 'memories' of the old times seemed spot-on most of the time. Maybe he'd remember some kind of standard identifier or something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


×
×
  • Create New...