Trinity Universe: Dreams of Dragons

[Asbjørn]

Looking at Ran, he says, "Sir? With your permission, I'll hand him over to Vinge for the repair crew. It will make for one less prisoner I have to watch. Speaking of which..." He flicks his eyes to Simon, "what are your orders concerning the other one?"

Nodding his permission to Randall's first request, Ran glances towards the reporter and says "You need not worry about Mr Mendez. I'll talk to him, and I'm sure he'll be reasonable."

Turning to Foxley, he adds "No time to relax yet, I'm afraid. If you think you can sense where it's hiding, I'm sure Chief Simon can use your assistance."

He then gives them both a brief nod before he walks over to the reporter, smiling his 'civilian relations smile'. ::bigsmile

"Mr Mendez" , he says in chinese, "I need to have a word with you. I have neither the intention nor the opportunity to keep the truth about our situation from you. In exchange for being this open and honest with you, I want your full cooperation. You will do as I tell you to do, and you will not spread any unsanctioned half truths or speculations about the situation. Do I make myself clear?" ::sly

[Archer21]

Randall turns to Foxley. "Looks you'll you be with me for awhile...give me a moment to address something with the Second Officer, then I and my team will get you suited up in something more appropriate." He tries smiling, but his cadaverous face doesn't do much to impress the pretty young navigator.

Tapping Ran on the shoulder, he waits for him to turn around, then looks him intently in the eyes. He taps on the side of his helmet near his temple, then points at Ran, indicating he wants to share a telepathic connection. Concentrating, he sends his thoughts toward his commanding officer. *Sir, Ms. Boon is still a problem. My suspicion that she's an Aberrant is only that, a suspicion. Before she left the dining room with Tobias, I detected a...difference in the noetic field surrounding her. It was only for a second, but it was very clear. In addition, when she left with Tobias, I assigned two of my men to follow just in case. Those men were torn apart by the Aberrant just before Tobias started the jump. Too many odd incidents follow this woman.*

[ProfPotts]

With Ran's permission, two security men leave with Alex to escort the cameraman to Engineer Vinge for assignment.

"No time to relax yet, I'm afraid. If you think you can sense where it's hiding, I'm sure Chief Simon can use your assistance."

Foxley stops looking around the room nervously ::lookaround , & again focuses on her superior officer,

"Yes, sir, I'll do what I can."

"Looks you'll you be with me for awhile...give me a moment to address something with the Second Officer, then I and my team will get you suited up in something more appropriate." He tries smiling, but his cadaverous face doesn't do much to impress the pretty young navigator.

[The fact he's smeared all-over with blood off Babera Boon doesn't help matters either... ::tongue ::wink ]

Foxley nods,

"Sir."

A short while later, Sean is approached by the two security guards & a civillian Asian man wearing dark glasses, & looking a little worried. The security officers quickly explain who Alex is, & that his offer of help's been sanctioned by the acting Captain. As the security men depart, Alex steps forward & offers his hand,

"Er... hi... um, 'sir'... I...", his voice trails off as he notices the Order patch on Sean's uniform. Looking excited, he blurts out, "... Hey, you're Norça! My boss, Simon, he's been arrested by that Security Chief guy - he's Norça too (Simon, not the Chief) - you gotta' help him. It's all a misunderstanding, we really are reporters - Simon hasn't assassinated anyone... Well, not as far as I know..."

[phoenix]

"... Hey, you're Norça! My boss, Simon, he's been arrested by that Security Chief guy - he's Norça too (Simon, not the Chief) - you gotta' help him. It's all a misunderstanding, we really are reporters - Simon hasn't assassinated anyone... Well, not as far as I know..."

"I already knew 'e was Norça - so what? Why's he been arrested?"

Alex, presumably, tells all.

"Oh bugger.. Why the hell'd he do that?" Of course, inwardly Sean is only asking himself why the other Norça allowed Randall to see his weapon ( ::ninja ).. He also gives the other two weapons he seems to have picked up in passing, a large security laser carbine in a sling at his belt and Singh's sword, a wry look.

Coming to a decision, he opens a line to Randall.

"Mr. Simon? This is Vinge. Word 'as it ye've got a Simon Mendez in custody?

"'E's Norça. I dinnae what ye're plannin' to do with him, 'n' I won't tell you how to do your job, but if 'e's of my order, 'e was handpicked by one of the greatest men on the planet. If 'e was there to make trouble, ye'd already be dead.

"I'm just sayin' I'll vouch for him. Vinge over."

[Umoja]

Nodding his permission to Randall's first request, Ran glances towards the reporter and says "You need not worry about Mr Mendez. I'll talk to him, and I'm sure he'll be reasonable."

Turning to Foxley, he adds "No time to relax yet, I'm afraid. If you think you can sense where it's hiding, I'm sure Chief Simon can use your assistance."

He then gives them both a brief nod before he walks over to the reporter, smiling his 'civilian relations smile'. ::bigsmile

"Mr Mendez" , he says in chinese, "I need to have a word with you. I have neither the intention nor the opportunity to keep the truth about our situation from you. In exchange for being this open and honest with you, I want your full cooperation. You will do as I tell you to do, and you will not spread any unsanctioned half truths or speculations about the situation. Do I make myself clear?" ::sly

,,

Simon nods slowly, and scratches his chin, intentionally showing an outward sign of nervousness and embarassment. ::blush. Simon responds back in Chinese, speaking it with a heavy Spanish accent (almost as funny as hearing a man with a Chinese accent speaking Spanish) "I am terribly sorry for any of the problems I might have caused. I'm sure Psions in general, but especially Norca, tend to react very instinctively to our instinct. I did have a strong sense of taint here, and admittably, having lived away from Abberants all my life, panicked. I'm sure that, the pills, which were legal under most laws I'm accostomed to, and the weapon, which is far harder to explain, haven't helped my case. But from here on out, it's complete honesty, and I'll avoid panicking." Simon sighs, and looks at his minicomp.

[Archer21]

Mr. Simon? This is Vinge. Word 'as it ye've got a Simon Mendez in custody?

"'E's Norça. I dinnae what ye're plannin' to do with him, 'n' I won't tell you how to do your job, but if 'e's of my order, 'e was handpicked by one of the greatest men on the planet. If 'e was there to make trouble, ye'd already be dead.

"I'm just sayin' I'll vouch for him. Vinge over."

Still holding Ran's gaze with his own, the security chief responds. "Mr. Vinge, I'm afraid you're preaching to the wrong choir. The Second Officer has taken custody of our Sudamerican smuggler, he's dealing with him now. I suggest you direct your opinions to Mr. Ran, but give him a few minutes to wrap things up. Simon out."

Aloud, he says, "Sir, may I suggest that Ms. Boon be placed under watch until we determine that she's stable? I'm sure I can find someplace safe for her until sick bay is back in order. Speaking of which, have any of our medical crew called in, any one that may have been off-duty during the attack?"

[Asbjørn]

"I am terribly sorry for any of the problems I might have caused. I'm sure Psions in general, but especially Norca, tend to react very instinctively to our instinct. I did have a strong sense of taint here, and admittably, having lived away from Abberants all my life, panicked. I'm sure that, the pills, which were legal under most laws I'm accostomed to, and the weapon, which is far harder to explain, haven't helped my case. But from here on out, it's complete honesty, and I'll avoid panicking."

But the important question is... Is he telling the truth? ::sly

Ran's reply to the reporter is momentarily interrupted by Randall.

*Sir, Ms. Boon is still a problem. My suspicion that she's an Aberrant is only that, a suspicion. Before she left the dining room with Tobias, I detected a...difference in the noetic field surrounding her. It was only for a second, but it was very clear. In addition, when she left with Tobias, I assigned two of my men to follow just in case. Those men were torn apart by the Aberrant just before Tobias started the jump. Too many odd incidents follow this woman.*

*I agree. Worst case, she's one of them. I think it's more likely she's helping, or was under telepathic control of one. I don't think I'll be able to confirm or deny that before she regains consciousness, however. Sedated minds respond badly to telepathy.* [Right...?]

Aloud, he says, "Sir, may I suggest that Ms. Boon be placed under watch until we determine that she's stable? I'm sure I can find someplace safe for her until sick bay is back in order. Speaking of which, have any of our medical crew called in, any one that may have been off-duty during the attack?"

"Very good. Put her somewhere safe and easily accessible."

[As for the second question, I'll have to direct that to the Prof... No reports from the sick bay, but were there any off duty that didn't respond to the battle-stations alert fast enough to get killed?]

After having answered Randall's questions, he turns back to the reporter.

"Right. I of course realize that, being a reporter, you have a natural curiosity and interest in the sensational that you will need to control in the near future. I can assure you that if you betray my trust, I will be forced to make sure you will not do so again." ::sly His emphasis somehow evokes images of the worst 'thought-police' variety in the reporter's mind.

"Now, I have a ship to get back online. What can you do to help me?"

While the reporter figures out an answer to his question, Ran taps his comm and contacts Vinge. "Engineer Vinge, this is Ran. There's a hull breach on the bridge. As soon as you have the resources for it, get some men out there and close it. Alternatively, set up a temporary command center somewhere else. How are we doing otherwise?"

[Umoja]

Simon sighs, that's a good question he thinks to himself. An investigative reporter has little use when an abberant could potentially be roaming aboard a ship. "I can investigate a good news story. The relevance here, I can't really conclude on unless, you want to send me into an area with low atmoshpere to figure what happened, although I'm not particurally skilled at that type of thing. I'm also not adverse to helping you do any normal thing, like making sure the other civilians, such as myself are okay...." Simon sighs, feeling all the more humbled realizing his skills aren't very needed in the void of space.

[ProfPotts]

Sedated minds respond badly to telepathy.* [Right...?]

[Depends on the specific application of telepathy you're talking about. For example, the level 3 Mindshare effect 'Pilfer' states that "... most telepaths prefer to do their pilfering while their targets sleep...", since then the target doesn't have the option of resisting the effect.]

[As for the second question, I'll have to direct that to the Prof... No reports from the sick bay, but were there any off duty that didn't respond to the battle-stations alert fast enough to get killed?]

[unfortunately for them, the crew were well-trained enough to respond quickly to the alert - they were all on-duty at the time of the attack. However, there is a 'Dr. Anton Flesch' listed in the passenger manifest - an observer from the United Nations & world-reknowned expert on genetic medicine.]

"I'm just sayin' I'll vouch for him. Vinge over."

Alex thanks Sean for his efforts, adding,

"I just hope he doesn't get into any more trouble..."

He then asks Sean what he can do to help.

"I can investigate a good news story. The relevance here, I can't really conclude on unless, you want to send me into an area with low atmoshpere to figure what happened, although I'm not particurally skilled at that type of thing. I'm also not adverse to helping you do any normal thing, like making sure the other civilians, such as myself are okay...."

Foxley listens to what Simon tells Ran, then turns to the acting Captain,

"Sir, I can't detect the aberrant right now. I've a lingering sense of it, but nothing solid. It may help if we were to find out how it got on-board in the first place - if what I felt during the attack is correct, then only one aberrant warped-in - so the other one was presumaby already on the ship. If Mr Mendez is a trained investigator, then maybe he could help us figure out what happened?"

[phoenix]

"Engineer Vinge, this is Ran. There's a hull breach on the bridge. As soon as you have the resources for it, get some men out there and close it. Alternatively, set up a temporary command center somewhere else. How are we doing otherwise?"

"Close the breach.. That's not as easy as it sounds. All the roach- er, repair VARGs were destroyed." He pauses to think for a moment.

"I guess I can send some men out in spacesuits.. but if Mr. Simon can spare any pilots, I'd really like some military VARGs out there, both to carry stuff to my men and just so they're not out there undefended..

"Otherwise, we're making progress. If we're lucky, we might not all die!" This last crack is accompanied by a highly exaggerated cheerfulness, but it's very reassuring to Ran to know that the acting chief engineer is feeling good enough to make jokes..

Alex thanks Sean for his efforts, adding,

"I just hope he doesn't get into any more trouble..."

He then asks Sean what he can do to help.

"Just send any manpower ye don't need over to Engineering. Even unskilled labor is worth its weight in gold (I'm putting security officers to work, aren't I?). I'll also need a few VARG pilots if you want this hull sealed."

Sean then calls for volunteers (engineers only, obviously) to go out into space with industrial holefixers in environmental suits, under the assurance that military VARGs will go out first, and will guard and assist them.

[Asbjørn]

"...Speaking of which, have any of our medical crew called in, any one that may have been off-duty during the attack?"

Shaking his head sadly, Ran replies "No. They were all at their stations, I'm afraid. However; there is a doctor among our passengers, now that you mention it. I'll have him brought up here."

Listening intently to Vinge's report, he replies "Good work. Just make it happen, Mr Vinge. Ran out."

"If Mr Mendez is a trained investigator, then maybe he could help us figure out what happened?"

"Good idea, Foxley! Well, Mr Mendez? Are you a trained investigator? I do need to figure out how this all happened."

Half on his way to leave for the civilian quarters, Ran stops as he gives Ms Boon a second glance. Making a decision, he stops the security personell about to take her away.

"Might as well take her out of the equation right now, so we have one less question to worry about.", he says to Randall before he walks over to the unconscious reporter, sits down next to her and takes her head between his hands. Sorting through the mental fog of the sedative and the panic and confusion below he tries to make heads and tails of her memories of the events surrounding the attack.

[Archer21]

Trying not to grind his teeth at the thought of Mendez trying to help again, Randall occupies himself authorizing VARGs being launched to protect the engineers. Like Vinge, he requests volunteers, but will order it if no one steps forward.

"Might as well take her out of the equation right now, so we have one less question to worry about.", he says to Randall before he walks over to the unconscious reporter, sits down next to her and takes her head between his hands.

"Thank you, sir."

While waiting for Ran to finish his telepathic probe, Randall orders status reports from the different security teams.

[Umoja]

"Good idea, Foxley! Well, Mr Mendez? Are you a trained investigator? I do need to figure out how this all happened."

Simon nods, and smiles slightly as he speaks. "I technically don't have this as an official trade, but I've had some intricate technical training in the area of Private Investigation, at the University of Rio De Janiero, so I'd say I am well trained enough. As long as you aren't sending me to a part of the ship with atomosphere low enough for my eardrums to break, I should be good." Simon looks at his right wrist, and rubs it, in the area the laser gauntlet used to be embedded.

[ProfPotts]

Soon enough, Sean has his team of volunteer Engineers, & Randall has his squad of volunteer VARG pilots (led by Hiro [family name] Hiromi [given name] - the young & eager female Nihonjin VARG-pilot who commands the six-strong VARG squad - plus pilots & support team - that is Nippon's [limited] contribution to the Jumpship's mission). Hiro reports that her team can be ready to go within five minutes. Sean's engineers will take a little longer than that to organise the equipment & plan the repairs - at least a half hour, probably longer.

While waiting for Ran to finish his telepathic probe, Randall orders status reports from the different security teams.

The various teams report no further enemy activity - although they're still cataloging the damage the aberrant did in it's first 'rampage' through the ship.

Sorting through the mental fog of the sedative and the panic and confusion below he tries to make heads and tails of her memories of the events surrounding the attack.

Ran finds it hard-going penetrating the reporter's mind, but finally breaks through...

... swirling in a sea of blood & insanity, Ran fights for breath. A hand grabs him firmly - for a moment he thinks to save him - but he's been grasped by the neck! He focuses on the image of his captor - & sees Barbara Boon, naked & bloodsoaked, yet more beautiful than he could possibly imagine. She grins, bearing sharp white teeth, & spikes of ivory bone begin to break through the flesh along her spine & down her arms. As her skin begins to shift to a mottled reptilian pattern, & her muscles begin to swell & twist under the scales, her voice floods the telepath's thoughts,

*By the way - my friends call me 'Barb'!*...

Ran breaks contact - as he does so, the reporter's eyes flick open, & stare into his - eyes of reptilian gold. Her smile reveals jagged fangs & a hissing forked tongue, & her body rapidly shifts into that of the powerful aberrant reported by Vinge. In a fraction of a second, Boon has been replaced by the monstrous creature that has already killed so many, crouching ready for action on top of the medical bed. It glances around the room, eye's falling on first Ran, then Foxley - where it fixes it's stare. The Navigator screams... ::nervous

... But the aberrant wasn't the only one ready for action! Chief Simon & his security team have the thing covered - a dozen fingers itch on laser carbine triggers as they await the order...

[phoenix]

Soon enough, Sean has his team of volunteer Engineers, & Randall has his squad of volunteer VARG pilots (led by Hiro [family name] Hiromi [given name] - the young & eager female Nihonjin VARG-pilot who commands the six-strong VARG squad - plus pilots & support team - that is Nippon's [limited] contribution to the Jumpship's mission). Hiro reports that her team can be ready to go within five minutes. Sean's engineers will take a little longer than that to organise the equipment & plan the repairs - at least a half hour, probably longer.

"Great. I'd like the VARGs out a full 10 minutes out before my men, so be prepared to head out in 20. Thanks."

[Archer21]

Witnessing the transformation, Randall's own incredible reflexes bring the barrel of his weapon up in a blur! "Fire!" He bellows the order as he squeezes the trigger, then concentrates his teke on medical bed under the Aberrant, ripping it sideways from underneath it's feet, hoping to disrupt it's balance.

[Asbjørn]

Ran breaks contact - as he does so, the reporter's eyes flick open, & stare into his - eyes of reptilian gold. Her smile reveals jagged fangs & a hissing forked tongue, & her body rapidly shifts into that of the powerful aberrant reported by Vinge. In a fraction of a second, Boon has been replaced by the monstrous creature that has already killed so many, crouching ready for action on top of the medical bed. It glances around the room, eye's falling on first Ran, then Foxley - where it fixes it's stare. The Navigator screams... ::nervous

Getting to his feet as quickly as possible, Ran backs away to let the security guys do their job.

Witnessing the transformation, Randall's own incredible reflexes bring the barrel of his weapon up in a blur! "Fire!" He bellows the order as he squeezes the trigger, then concentrates his teke on medical bed under the Aberrant, ripping it sideways from underneath it's feet, hoping to disrupt it's balance.

When the order is given, Ran throws himself backwards to get out of the line of fire. Hitting the floor, he instinctively rolls backwards to his feet. Keeping his eyes fixed on the aberrant he backs himself and Foxley out of the circle of guards while drawing his own pistol.

[Umoja]

Frustration, ironically, is the first emotion Simon feels. Lacking any form of ranged weapon Simon dives for cover, hoping the security officers can handle this. He makes sure to turn on the recorder on his minicomp and starts putting commentary into the background noise of the ensuing fight.

[ProfPotts]

The aberrant is inhumanly quick - but, incredibly, Chief Simon is quicker. His distinctive custom slugthrower is level & barks out a shot before the others have even registered that Boon has changed...

... The shot strikes the thing cleanly mid-chest, but a small spark as the round ricochets off the creature's armoured hide is the sole effect. Randall's men move rapidly to obey his order to open fire, but the thing is too quick for their mere human reflexes. With a powerful leap, it pounces into the midst of the security men - claws flashing as it moves at a blur, sending crimson streamers spraying across the room. In that first few seconds four men drop dead, a fifth barely survives as his helmet is deeply scored by a glancing blow from the aberrant's claws. A couple of laser blasts manage to strike the creature, but to little effect... ::crazy

Near the door, Simon easily manages to dive beyond the range of the creature's initial frenzied attack. Ran, though splattered with the blood of his dying crewmembers, manages to also avoid the initial attack, & to push the panicing Navigator from the room. ::shocked

In mere moments the aberrant has slain every security man in the room. It takes a moment to lick some clinging bloody tissue from it's claws, then turns to squarely face Randall - the snarl of it's reptilian features almost resembling an evil grin... ::devil

In the midst of arranging for the hull repairs, Sean hears the sudden sounds of frantic combat over Ran's comm'-channel... ::blink

[phoenix]

In the midst of arranging for the hull repairs, Sean hears the sudden sounds of frantic combat over Ran's comm'-channel...

Sean raises an eyebrow. "'Ello? What are you doing? No funny business at a time like-" His eyes widen as the more distinctive sounds of death filter over the line.

"Right."

The Irishman's voice calm, but somewhat alarmed-sounding voice rings out through the airwaves to all ship personell:

"We have an aberrant on the ship. All security to sick bay."

How much longer will life support take, esp. compared to death by asphyxiation and cold?

Regardless, Sean leaves an underling in charge of Engineering and takes off in the direction of sick bay himself. He also leaves orders to reroute repairing personell in order to keep them way the hell away from the aberrant.

[Archer21]

His peripheral vision taking in the carnage around him, Randall shunts the horror aside and concentrates on the rage. Green eyes blazing with fury, he summons nearly every ounce of his psionic potential and strength of will, doing his best to lock the creature in place with his telekinesis. Aware that he only has precious seconds(if it even works), he launches himself into a grapple with the Aberrant. As he moves forward, he rips a putty-like substance from one of his uniform pockets, slamming it onto Barb's ugly snout. Holding on for dear life, the Legionnaire pumps his remaining psionic energies into the exothermix, and exhales forcefully onto it.

[ProfPotts]

The creature leaps at Randall, fangs snarling & claws at the ready. The security chief stands his ground, motes of dust begining to circle around him as he concentrates his psychic powers. Death, literally, stares the chief in the face - in the form of the bloodsoaked aberrant...

... Suddenly, at the last possible moment, the monstrosity freezes - suspended in the air in front of the Psion! If any expressions could be made out on the aberrant's inhuman face, this one might reveal a certain quizzical puzzlement. Randall, on the other hand, moves with a speed born of Promethian-reflexes & the sight of slaughtered comrades. In a flash the biotech cup is out of his pocket & secured firmly on the aberrant's face. At that point, it takes notice of what the Psion is doing... ::angry

... With no more than a casual flex of it's inhuman muscles the creature bursts free of Randall's telekinetic grip - the Legionnaire feels the raw Taint-fueled power of the thing swamping his own precise application of Psi forces; his powers a skilled & well-formed blade wielded by a master, against the crude thermonuclear blast of it's Taint. The words of his training sergeant come unbidden to his mind, "No one has ever survived a hand-to-hand encounter with an aberrant, outside of a VARG - you'll not be the first, so don't try it."

Outside the room, the other Psions feel the wave of Taint wash over them - Foxley yells, & clutches onto Ran for support.

Still, although pitifully inadequate compared to the creature's raw power, Randall's telekinetic efforts serve to slow it - if only by a fraction so small that most men wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Security Chief Simon Randall is not 'most men'. Moving with all the speed his Promethian-enhanced reflexes can grant him, slowing the aberrant with all the force his pychic powers can muster, & calling upon experiences culled from every fight he's even been in, the Chief manages to duck under it's guard & - to it's suprise - exhale on the putty that clings to the aberrant's face.

For a moment, Randall thinks he's dead - then the distinctive, & toxic, oily black smoke of the active exothermix starts to trail from the biopolymer cup that holds the putty. The aberrant reels back from it's planned attack, clawing instead at it's own snout, & roaring in pain. It doesn't take more than a moment for Randall's combat-honed instincts to tell him that the blast of heat from the bioapp hurt the monster - but not enough - not by a long shot. At most, he realises, he's brought a few precious seconds for himself, & the others, to put as much distance as possible between them & the creature...

... Sean also feels the wave of Taint from the aberrant's exertions as he sprints towards the Sick Bay, catching sight of Ran, Simon, & Foxley just outside the door, & hearing inhuman roars of pain from within.

[Archer21]

At most, he realises, he's brought a few precious seconds for himself, & the others, to put as much distance as possible between them & the creature...

Which he does with alacrity. "RUN!" , he screams at the others while sprinting to the door. Stepping through, he smacks the button to close the door, then dances his fingers over the keypad, entering the security code needed to seal and lock the door.

Seeing Vinge, he yells, "Cut all life-support and gravity to sickbay and let's solder this door shut!"

[Umoja]

Simon doesn't waste anytime, and with lighting quick reactions, he darts out of the room. He looks around as he sees the door start to close, and he pants a bit. The beads of sweat that he's allowed to creep across his forhead began to dissappear, and he appears composed in a few seconds. "I just had to flash my gun to early." Simon grumbles for all to hear. "Speaking of which.... Do you guys happen to have it handy?" Simon says the last part in Chinese, hoping for some acknowledgement.

[phoenix]

Sean stumbles slightly as he tears through the hallway, feeling a wave in the knee-deep sea of taint he's wading in. But he doesn't let it slow him down, and he catches a glimpse of the same demonic aberrant clutching at its snout, with Randall preparing to dive for the door. Sean's reaction is incredibly fast, and the carbine at his side is suddenly facing the creature and blazing! He empties the clip in a spray of fire aimed in the general direction of the creature's face. He's careful not to hit Randall as he does so, though he would rather wing the security officer than let the abomination escape a second time. Arrogant bastard, ain't ye.. it almost kicked yer arse the first time, 'n' already ye're worryin' about it escaping you.. He smirks slightly as he fires.

Stepping through, he smacks the button to close the door, then dances his fingers over the keypad, entering the security code needed to seal and lock the door.

Seeing Vinge, he yells, "Cut all life-support to sickbay and let's solder this door shut!"

Vinge nods, snapping off a similar order to his man at the helm (so to speak). Then he'll stand back as the security officers go to work at the door.

"Was there anyone else inside?"

[ProfPotts]

The beam of energy from Sean's laser dances across the monster's face (& carves up large areas of sick bay - not that it was in the best of condition in any case), doing little more than again causing it to roar in pain & get just a little madder...

Then he'll stand back as the security officers go to work at the door.

[Would that be the dead security officers strewn around the medical room? The only person present with any welding gear is Sean, who carries a biowelder - & those are pretty useless for sealing doors shut - being more for repairing cracks & the like.]

Just as Randall's fingers finish flying over the keypad, there's a loud impact on the other side of the door, & the whole thing deforms outwards with a shudder. Foxley screams. Moments later another Taint-wave washes from the room, & the creature's black claws start to press slowly through the reinforced door, & begin to rip...

[Umoja]

Simon starts to sob, but quickly tries to recall moments from "Jake Danger Abberant Hunter", sadly he doesn't remember any because it was a show in English. Failing that task, Simon continues to look around. "Does Tess have any solid bulkheads?" He responds in Chinese, looking around frantically wishing his own body could provide some answers, but unfortunately Biokenetics aren't that lucky.

Simon starts to head into the next room, "Guns, do we have any heavy guns? Maybe explosives? Heat producing stuff in heavy supply? Abberant-Era weapons of mass destruction? Vaccuum's into space? Anything" Simon starts to sound a bit more frantic, the potential claustrophobia clamping down on him.

[Archer21]

Moments later another Taint-wave washes from the room, & the creature's black claws start to press slowly through the reinforced door, & begin to rip...

"Damn I hate these things..." The security chief looks at Vinge, and answers his question curtly. "They're dead. Now move!" Shoving the bio-engineer in front of him, he suits action to words and starts herding everyone down the corridor away from sickbay, then opens the comm channel for security. "Okay, folks. We got a seriously pissed-off Aberrant aboard. All security personnel meet me at hallway juncture 6B, between sickbay and engineering, and I mean NOW!"

Hearing Simon's babbling, he takes the confiscated biolaser and tosses it to the Sudamerican, then glares at Vinge. "You vouch for him, you shut him up and keep him out of my way."

Switching comm channels, he contacts the pilots. "Hiro, get your team into their VARGs and make ready to move on my order. Simon out."

At the 6B juncture, (hopefully)the group joins up with Randall's security forces. Quietly, he issues his commands, arranging the heavy weapons crew in front, facing towards sickbay. Then he turns to the others, talking quickly. "I'm going to try to lure the Aberrant to the VARGs, maybe get it into a hangar and space it. If we don't kill this thing now, nothing else matters."

He looks at Ran. "Sir, up to you if you and the others stay, but think fast."

(OOC: I'm hoping there's only one entrance to sickbay, and that there's a short corridor that leads to it, then branches off. If not, ah well... ::smiley4 ::biggrin )

[Asbjørn]

"I'm going to try to lure the Aberrant to the VARGs, maybe get it into a hangar and space it. If we don't kill this thing now, nothing else matters."

He looks at Ran. "Sir, up to you if you and the others stay, but think fast."

Ran shakes his head sadly. "No, she's too smart. I don't think we'll be able to lure her anywhere, unless... Yes. Go, fast! I'll make her think we're trying to escape."

Casting a glance backwards to the sick bay before they all start moving towards the hangars, Ran easily finds Barb's tainted mind. Then he grits his teeth and focuses to the best of his ability, willing himself to break through her defenses and adjust her instincts just enough to let Randall's plan work.

*She's arrogant* , Ran thinks to himself. *That I can use. That's it. No matter what we do, we can't hurt her, because we're only human.*

Feeling Barb's disgust of humanity, Ran starts mixing his thoughts with her own...

*The hunt is on... they're running for their lives. ::sly Where? The hangars... But why? They can't go home... ::unsure Panic. They're only human... ::sly They'll never get that far... or..? Yes! Let them make it, and then slaughter them...* ::devil

[ProfPotts]

The sound of shredding door follows the group as they sprint away from Sick Bay, Randall calling his men as he goes. There's a loud BANG! as the medical room door is burst outwards, & a CLANG! as it impacts the wall opposite.

The group reaches juncture 6B, to be met by the five security officers who've managed to get there so far. One of them, a large black man built like a bodybuilder, is hefting an L-K Big Boy r5 Heavy Coilgun - which he hastily sets-up at Randall's orders. The other four - three men & one woman - each sport L-K Vindicator II laser carbines. All are dressed in full Combat Armour. The female officer takes a satchel from her shoulder & passes it to Randall - it contains a dozen plasma grenades.

Moments later the noise of the aberrant's clawed feet aproaches from round the corner. The security officers tense, ready to fire. Then the noise stops...

Foxley frowns,

"It's... it's just round the corner, sir - it's... it's not coming any closer..."

Ran focuses - finding the aberrant's mind, & using the last of his psychic reserves, & an effort of will, to push the thing's mind just a little...

... It's enough. With a bloodcurdling roar, the monster bursts round the corner - charging the group, fangs bared. Foxley again screams, & instinctively clutches tight to Ran. The noise of the aberrant is suddenly drowned-out as the Big Boy leaps into death-dealing action, along with four bright laser beams. The storm of fire rips up the corridor, & across the aberrant's body - but, even though the impacts from the coilgun rounds & burns from the laser fire dance across it's hide, the thing hardly slows down. At Ran's orders the group retreats, in the direction of the hangers...

... There's a scream, as the aberrant nears the group, & leaps - the large black security officer, slower than the rest of the group thanks to the weight of equipment he's carrying, goes down - the scream changing to a blood-choked gurgle. It seems that Barb is taking a few moments to make sure the guy's finished (or doing whatever it is aberrants do with their prey ::devil ), allow the rest of the group vital seconds to reach the hanger. The door is slammed shut & sealed behind the them.

There's a whir & clunk as a five & a half meters tall humanoid robot steps forward. Standing behind the imposing Hellfire VARG are several slightly smaller units - a missle-studded Ryu (Dragon), & three Hassha-Seiun (Flame Clouds). Hiro reports (over the comm') that her team are ready...

[Archer21]

Quickly, the security chief explains the situation. "There's an aberrant on the other side of that door. If and when it comes through, do your damndest to kill it...I'll tell you now that our Big Boy coilgun didn't even dent it. You and your VARGs are our best chance."

Randall takes a minute to look around at the others, keeping comms open so the VARG pilots can still hear him. "Okay folks, we got it here, now we have to make sure it's still interested. Let's make some noise, panicked screaming should work well. Loud enough to cover the sound of the VARG's moving, if we can."

Encouraging them to scream at the top of their lungs, Randall moves next to Vinge and looks at him intently. "Is there a way out of this hangar other than that door? We may have to open the bay to vacuum."

[ProfPotts]

"There's an aberrant on the other side of that door. If and when it comes through, do your damndest to kill it...I'll tell you now that our Big Boy coilgun didn't even dent it. You and your VARGs are our best chance."

The huge machine moves in a very human-like way as it looks up towards the interior bay door. Over the comm' Randall hears Hiro's reply in Nihojin-accented English,

"Understood, sir - leave it to us."

There follows some rapid comm'-traffic in Nihojin, with the Hellfire VARG pointing out positions for the others to get into - which they do so as quickly & quietly as is possible for a giant robot.

"Is there a way out of this hangar other than that door? We may have to open the bay to vacuum."

[Presuming Phoenix isn't gonna' be able to answer just now...]

The engineer thinks for a moment, recalling the ship spec's he's studied. With a shrug he explains,

"There's th' ducts I guess - but they seal too when th' bay doors open t' vacuum. There are meant t' be emergency suits in a locker..."

He casts his eyes around the hanger, then points to a box-like locker fastened to one wall,

"There!"

Meanwhile the rest of the group are shouting, & even firing off a few random rounds of ammo', as per the Chief's instructions.

[Archer21]

"There's th' ducts I guess - but they seal too when th' bay doors open t' vacuum. There are meant t' be emergency suits in a locker..."

He casts his eyes around the hanger, then points to a box-like locker fastened to one wall,

"There!"

Randall nods. "Good. Get the suits, bring them over here. Have everyone get in a suit, one person at a time avoid stopping the flow of noise. Make sure the second officer gets the first suit."

While Vinge hurries off to fetch the emergency vac suits, Randall moves around to each person, repeating his instructions. Stopping at Foxley, he asks her, "What's it doing now? Is it still outside the door?"

[ProfPotts]

As everyone starts to scramble into the emergency suits (probably not one at a time, but making sure they keep up the noise in any case), Foxley reports,

"It's coming sir..."

At that, there's a deafening ripping sound as the aberrant bursts bodily through the hanger door, shreding it in the process. Ignoring all the other activity in the room, it leaps straight for Foxley, claws first...

... with a 'vip' & a flash of electrical energy along it's length, the ionic whip from one of the Flame Cloud VARGs coils around the creature's outstretched arms, pulling it off course & dragging it across the hanger floor. Two more 'vips' & the other two Flame Clouds send their own whips out to entangle the monster further. 'Barb' screams it's inhuman roar as the VARG pilots pump juice through the whips. With the aberrant momentarily caught off-guard & immobilised, Hiro opens fire with the twin plasma guns mounted on the forearms of her Hellfire VARG, the Dragon follows suit with his arm-mounted coilguns (since missiles in a confined area are never a god idea...). The final member of the VARG squad, a Kami-Hei-Bushi 'Spirit Warrior' scout unit a mere three meters tall, steps from it's place of concealment behind a stack of crates at the back of the hanger, & adds it's light laser cannon to the volly. The sheer firepower being thrown at the creature is staggering - the Psions & security troops can feel the heat even across the hanger. It's still not enough.

The initial element of surprise gone, the aberrant regains it's feet, digging it's claws into the floorplates of the hanger, & flexes it's muscles - & it's Taint. The three six & a half ton Flame Clouds are uprooted & sent flying across the hanger - the aberrant shrugs free of the ionic whips, & leaps towards Hiro's VARG. The sound of Nihojin swearing comes rapid-fire over the comm' as the reptilian creature latches on to the chest of the giant machine, & starts to dig through the armour. The Hellfire staggers backwards a few paces, it's hands trying without success to pry the aberrant free. The Spirit Warrior takes careful aim & plays it's laser across Barb's back, but to little effect. The Dragon charges over, sticks the barrels of it's twin coilguns next to the aberrant's body, & let's rip with full bursts of fire - Barb shrugs it off. As the three downed VARGs regain their feet, Hiro's voice can be heard over the comm' as she shouts, first in Nihojin, then in accented English,

"A little help would be nice!" ::nervous

[Archer21]

*Sh!t.* Yelling to be heard, he says, "Get your damn suits on, then blast this b!tch to hell!" Without waiting to see if they obey his command, the security chief races across the hangar, the satchel full of plasma grenades bouncing off his hip as he runs. From his shirt pocket, he unclips what looks like a large pen, and grips it tightly in his fist. Stopping directly behind Barb, he whips out his slugthrower, takes careful aim, and starts plinking bullets into the back of the aberrants head, trying to get its attention. Over the gunfire, with a mocking voice he starts taunting the creature. "What started this whole mess huh, Barbera? Old Tobias couldn't get it up? With a face like yours, I don't really blame him! C'mon babe, you just need some lovin', don't you? Ha! Can't get herself a man, so she just goes all PMS! Women!"

(OOC: Uh, has Randall managed to get his own vac suit on yet?)

[Umoja]

Simon starts to sob again, shocked that the abberant could survive that. Nothing should be able to survive that. Simon quickly tries to get himself into a suit, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he'll get to go back to Sudamerica where it's 100% Abberant proof in the cities.

[ProfPotts]

"Get your damn suits on, then blast this b!tch to hell!"

Everyone struggles to quickly finish suiting-up as the battle between the VARGs & the aberrant rages on.

"What started this whole mess huh, Barbera? Old Tobias couldn't get it up? With a face like yours, I don't really blame him! C'mon babe, you just need some lovin', don't you? Ha! Can't get herself a man, so she just goes all PMS! Women!"

The aberrant seems more annoyed by Randall's rather accurate shots 'plinking' off it's head than his taunts, although it's doubtful they're helping either... With a growl & a powerful pounce, it flings itself from Hiro's VARG (which staggers back, clutching it's robotic arms to it's torn chest-armour in a very human gesture) & at the Security Chief...

[Archer21]

Expecting the attack, Randall tries to dive out of the way, rolling to his feet and sprinting towards another open area of the hangar. As he moves, his years of military service provide him an astounding barrage of foul insults to keep Barb's attention. "&&!^#(!@&@##)(!_)!@)*@!!"

[Asbjørn]

*Does nothing affect this monster?*

While Ran does his best to get everybody suited up he moves over to the docking bay controls. On the way he takes advantage of Barb being preoccupied with Randall, and tries to sneak a peek at whatever possible weaknesses the aberrant has...

Afterwards, he stands ready to open the hangar gates and expose the interior to the emptiness outside. There will be a rush of air, but as long as the artificial gravity is still on everybody should be able to stay inside.

When he sees that all present are in their vacuum suits, he gives a general warning "Everybody hold on to something!", and pulls the lever...

[ProfPotts]

Expecting the attack, Randall tries to dive out of the way, rolling to his feet and sprinting towards another open area of the hangar. As he moves, his years of military service provide him an astounding barrage of foul insults to keep Barb's attention. "&&!^#(!@&@##)(!_)!@)*@!!"

The Chief dives away from the initial attack, but the creature's on him again, lightning fast, even as he comes out of his roll! The black claws flash out - Randall dodges back - the claws rip through his suit & the armour beneath but, by the narrowest of margins, avoid shredding the all too human flesh beyond ::nervous . The Legionnaire runs...

The VARGs respond quickly to the now open aberrant, & another hail of fire engulfs it's position, even as it leaps to one side. The Flame Clouds switch to their particle cannons, the intensely bright beams scything deep wounds across the hanger deck plating & walls, but missing the aberrant. The Spirit Warrior's light laser cannon fares little better - only in that it succeeds in inflicting slightly less damage to the ship. However, one of the twin plasma blasts from Hiro's Hellfire, & a portion of the storm of rounds from the Dragon's coilguns manage to hit their marks. Again the monster's howls can be heard over the noise of the mighty Nihonjin war machines, as it scampers it's clawed way across the hanger ceiling, steam pouring from the rapidly closing wound that Hiro managed to score.

... On the way he takes advantage of Barb being preoccupied with Randall, and tries to sneak a peek at whatever possible weaknesses the aberrant has...

It doesn't appear to the Officer that the creature has any! Only the most powerful of weapons seem to hurt it at all, & even those injuries rapidly regenerate.

When he sees that all present are in their vacuum suits, he gives a general warning "Everybody hold on to something!", and pulls the lever...

... And nothing happens ::blink ! Well, something happens - there's a bleep from the bay controls as a diagnostic message flashes across a holo-display. Sean quickly joins Ran, swears as only a true Irishman can, & informs the acting Captain that the system won't allow the bay doors to be opened when the internal doors are... well, thanks to the aberrant's entrance into the bay... missing! He could over-ride the system, if Ran wants, but it'll take a moment...