A Fast Exit — Legacy Forums — Strolen's Citadel

Re: A Fast Exit

#201

Jerome got to the bridge door , and looked for boobytraps.

'Am at the door - any other suggestions before I see how well armored it is?'

Re: A Fast Exit

#202

The airlock closing off the bridge was foreboding - covered with reactive plating, with two metal irises in the roof that likely concealed gun turrets. Certainly, the Captain trusted his crew! Jerome just hoped that they were not automatic, and the ensign didn't know how to use them. A console with a full keyboard access panel and an iris scanner was located right next to it, provocatively - if he only knew the code.

Autumn found itself presented with the AI's metallic cat face on the screen, which recited: "Pod access and launch disabled. Emergency pods are locked down, because Gods, Monsters and Men, must die together in the end. Enter override password please."
A keyboard panel slid out.
Thank you, AI, very helpful.

To Autumn's pleas, it answered: "Unknown user profile. You are not crew."
Then, the on-screen avatar licked its metal paw with its metal tongue, uncaring as any cat she had ever seen.

Re: A Fast Exit

#203

Autumn struggled to control her inner fury, resisting the urge to accent the screen with a few well placed paw strikes, instead entering the first thought that came to mind for the password.

"Ragnarock." She spoke it out loud as she typed hoping on blind luck a half recalled bedtime story would prove sufficient.

To Jerome she quickly replied, "None at the moment, just look out for any tricks inside the door, this nutter doesn't seem the type to go down quietly!"

She switched to her external communications. "Captain, your presence is required in engineering immediately!" She raised her to voice to a near roar, hoping the chimera captain was close at hand, and could assist with overriding the atmospheric purge and locking down the bridge.

She switched back to internal com, "Get that first mate down here Sunny! We need her to bypass the override!"

Chimera captain, rescued crew, I don't care who gets here first as long as they are of use.

Re: A Fast Exit

#204

Sunny grabbed Irina's hand and told her: "Alright, we're going to engineering!" Together they darted off through the corridors.

Re: A Fast Exit

#205

As Sunny dragged her off to Engineering, the realisation that she was without a preassure suit wasn't lost on her. "We'll need to be in suits just in case. I think there's one back in the med-bay. I'll go back for it if there's no way I can get us onto the bridge."

Irina also put out a call through to the captain as they passed another intercom, just in case he didn't heed the newcomer's roar.

Re: A Fast Exit

#206

"Is our ship in position to fire on the bridge?" Jerome spoke as he pulled out two of his blast bots - ambulatory grenades. A few quick commands, and they scuttled up the walls, positioning themselves besides the irises. Orders were simple - on open, move in and detonate.

The grenades would not likely be of much use to blow the hatches, but any guns that popped out would be unlikely to survive a close explosion like that.

Re: A Fast Exit

#207

A thundering, scuttling sound alerted First Mate Ivanovova to the Captain's presence, she heard his slobbering and felt him reach out for her. The Kotiri in her accepted this as part of natural communication and greeting, whilst at the same time the Human part shuddered, slightly disturbed by this display.

"Captain, see if you can get onto the bridge by using your personal override!" and if we make it from here I'll make sure all officers have such a code! she promised herself silently as she ran with him to the entrance to the bridge.

Re: A Fast Exit

#208

The thundering shape of the Captain halted before Irina, heaving. To many, it would be a terrifying abomination, to her, it was a disconcerted young man who took a role of responsibility way above his head, because there were none more qualified.
Admittedly, he was about as smart as a chimpanzee - and as affectionate as a golden retriever. Its tongue, the size of a towel, ran her down, replacing the rest of the goo from the chrysalis with saliva.

When she mentioned the 'bridge', it perked up and studied her understandingly with its many eyes - even those that Sunny had kicked out could see again.
Jerome had just placed the grenades when the ship shook as the Captain charged down the hall.
Frag. This is it, I am a goner.

Only, it did not go for him, instead halting in front of the door, with Irina catching up a second later.
"Override" she repeated, and it tilted its head much akin to a hound, trying to understand. The grafted head repeated: "Over. Ride.", then lifted up the first mate, and placed her on its back, very proud of itself.

Jerome hardly could resist burying his face in his palm.

The AI recounted: "4:00 remaining until evacuation."

***

Amber triumphantly typed "Ragnarock" into the console. The screen flashed red, and a buzzer sounded. "Incorrect input. Please enter override code. Two attempts remaining."

Re: A Fast Exit

#209

Red viking, with shield and hammer... Autumn paused in thought, recalling something similar form ages past emblazoned on the side of a mercenary ship she served on briefly ages ago, of a large muscled human raising a hammer to sky midst roiling storm clouds, that ship was called... "THOR!" She nearly howled the word, the feeling of desperation within her growing as she frantically keyed in the phrase, taking great care to spell it exactly as she'd seen it on the ship, hoping deeply the merc ships owner had been as skilled at spelling obscure titles as this red viking likely was.

T h o r She pressed each letter once with the tip of a duranium claw, taking care to ensure there were no repeats or spaces before pressing the enter key and holding her breath.

Re: A Fast Exit

#210

"Are you even trying, Unknown-User? I think not!"
Great. Autumn thought. Now the AI shows personality?
The metallic cat on screen licked its paw again, then rolled over and attempted to be adorable.
3:50
"Please enter override code. 1 attempt remaining."

Re: A Fast Exit

#211

Dismayed at the Captain's reaction to her requesting the override code, she quickly scrambled down and attempted to explain exactly what it was that she needed him to do. She hadn't factored in that his grafted on head might not be fully operational and whether or not his mind was intact enough to help them.

"Captain!" she adressed the head directly, staring boldy, pleadingly into his eyes. An attempt to perhaps trigger by emotion that which apparently had not been understood verbally. "I need you to come up to the retinal scanner here and enter your password, your code, your numbers." The last few simplifications might get through.

Another thought occurred to her in that moment, the head may have been grafted on, but did the creature understand how to use it? Switching to Kotari, Irina spoke to the "Captain" and did her best to explain the new addition, it's functions, and most importantly for the moment; it's memories. Which should contain the code for the bridge. Becoming impatient with his understanding she decided to try a more physical approach. She tugged him toward the scanner and keypad and demonstrated putting her eye in line with the scanner and entering a code. On the off chance, that her codes might work she gave that a try as well. The captain seemed to understand and scuttled right next to her. Gently and still conversing in Kotari, she guided his head in line with the scanner and heard the slight humming sound that indicated it was processing the iris.

Re: A Fast Exit

#212

The Captain turned his plated head to Irina, then to the panel; her gentle coaching led it to tiptoe slowly towards the panel, aware of its bulk and careful to emulate Irina as faithfully as possible. It was clear what he perceived as his face, yet the head of course would not fit. But the human head did!
As the scanner ran its beam over the eyes, and flashed green, the massive lizard shivered with pride.

The greater task was ahead of them though, as the Irina emulated typing. The captain brought up its sizable pincers, and looked at them in a rather puzzled way, making a typing motion.
The human head became more lively at the mention of 'code', the beast obviously scanning the neural tissue for what a 'code might be'.
Visibly excited at the prospect that codes could be used to access new rooms, food, people and even money... it froze a bit, grasping the topic, giving Irina a puzzled look, and then proceeding....

"Code" captain Cherenkov's head spoke.
It recited Yulo's number.
Then, it continued:
"Desdemona: seven-seven-sixteen, fourteen, eighty-eight."
Sadly, they were on the Lilarcor.

"Lilarcor?" Irina nudged.
The captain smiled, showing all its replaceable shark-like teeth to Jerome, and spoke:
"Three-O-O-Kappa-Kappa-Beta-...uh...Seven! Lilarcor. My baby."

Re: A Fast Exit

#213

Irina smiled as the light turned green and gave the Captain a relieved grin and a quick, so as not to get covered in slime, embrace before asking him to step back so that she could enter the code.

Three-O-O-Kappa-Kappa-Beta-Seven Bingo!

"You two" she gestured toward Jerome and Autumn, "get ready to breach and clear this bridge of that d**ned saboteur!" Adding almost as an afterthought, "and if anybody has a spare sidearm they could lend me I'd appreciate it?, as I haven't yet been to the armoury."

I want this &^%$@ alive, she has a lot to answer for! "If it's possible to disable her without killing her, please let's do so. We don't know if there are any other nasties lying in wait for us or what else she may have done."

and we might need any codes she's altered, we'll get that information, one way or the other..

Re: A Fast Exit

#214

Autumn growled, unholstering her hand cannon, feeling an urge to accent the A.I's leering grin with a pistol, round, but knowing it would only be another system to repair before they could get off the floating mad house.

The grip felt reassuring, the texture under her padded paw cool, familiar giving her a sense of calm, artificial control over the situation.

The letters of her first guess caught her attention for a moment her mind flickering back to her time on board the Thor, she recalled someone had a customized rifle he called the Ragnarok, but the name emblazoned on the side was spelled differently, at the time she remembered thinking it was a variation on the actual spelling, much like how a former mate had named their buggy Wild Fyre, but what is that spelling had been correct?

She stared at the timer refocusing on the present, only 34 seconds remained!

"Either you're about to thank me or I'll be the first of us to meet the Pale Hound!" She yelled over the com to her packmates. With a snarl she quickly typed in "Ragnarok," and mashed the enter key, hoping desperately Charlie's rifle had been named accurately.

Note: she typed the word: Ragnarok without any quotations

Re: A Fast Exit

#215

"Welcome to Valhalla" the AI noted.
"Unlock one pod, or unlock all?"

Unlike the saboteur, Autumn saw little reason in being selfish, and unlocked the entirety of the vessels. A flood of green lights filled the dock as the individual pods came online; even the airlock to the shuttle bay flashed with a welcoming green.

***

The code entered, first, the thundering of metal bolts was heard, then the airlock to the bridge opened, the massive doors withdrawing into the wall.
A corpse, its legs torn and its body strewn with lacerations, laid at the end of a blood smear in the middle of the airlock, braced against the distant door.

Beyond, there was the bridge, lights dimmed and illuminated only by the flicker of instruments.
There was a barricade of overturned chairs in the middle of the corridor, about three feet high.
It was silent, except for the countdown, and for ... laboured breathing of someone who had exerted himself extensively over the past few seconds.
The lights were reflected off a series of long metal tubes, in the hands of a figure leaning against a pillar. Spinning in rotary motion, and a faint whirr of an electric motor told the crew of the Prize all they needed to know.
Irina and Jerome go first, then the Captain, then Cornelia.

Re: A Fast Exit

#216

Jerome pulled the trigger of his rocket rifle as soon as it began to point at the figure, pulling up to cut a veritical line up the figure. He had planned on using them against an armored door, so they were armor peircing, each a small shaped charged warhead. He made special effort to target the gun itself during the spray.

(19:14:21) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d100 and gets 40.

Re: A Fast Exit

#217

While Jerome was firing his rocket-rifle at the figure, Irina quickly crouched next to the body, searching it and the surrounding area for a weapon, something she could use so that she could secure the bridge without being left completely vulnerable. During her quick search of the corpse she attempted to identify the mauled body.

Conan Carelian. He'd been the Lilarcor's Pilot. A good one at that, she'd flown a couple of times when he'd let her, but he was much more in touch with her than Irina hoped to be. That would have to change now, with her being the only crewmember left that was able to operate the Lilacor. The Captain, aside from being Captain, didn't have a clue and wouldn't have been able to get far, if anywhere with a dead pilot.

Poor bastard she thought to herself as she plucked the .38 from his hand, checking the cylinders she saw that only two shots had been fired off, that gave her four. Plus the guys ammo belt. that'll have to do

She steadied herself and followed Jerome before turning to flank the figure, keeping her eyes trained on the target and newly acquired weapon up and sighted.

Re: A Fast Exit

#218

The impacts of the rockets turned Cornelia into a groteskue dacing puppet, tearing her hence and forth, and carving holes into her body, the stars outside suddenly visible through her black silhouette.

As if the strings supporting her were cut, the rest of her fell. Jerome halted his fire soon enough to avoid firing a rocket into the space of the bridge behind her. Somewhere, he heard that astronav computers and ordonance don't mix.

The bridge was silent, except for the beeping of the computers and the dripping of Ensign-slurry down from the rafters.

They advanced, yet the bridge held no further surprises. "The Captain is on board" the Kotiri added.

The Lilarcor was theirs.

0:30 the countdown flashed.

Re: A Fast Exit

#219

Autumn unleashed a com shattering howl of triumph at her successful code entry, shooting the A.I a time honored engineers salute (a forcefully extended middle finger) for good measure, a near by display screen showing a security warning a few seconds later, the drone outside apparently having found a functional airlock control panel to interface with.

"Not on my watch." She growled to the monitor, quickly redirecting powers to the near by gun batteries and leaping for the turret bubble.

The chair was tacky with partially dried blood, and a gloved, hand still inside, grasped the control stick loosely, the rigor having long since departed it's joints. Autumn yanked at the glow and tossed it over her shoulder, nose twitching at the decayed scent, the lights to the turret blinking in acceptance, revealing the ammunition magazine to be at 74% capacity.

In the distance she could make out the drone, an delicate manipulator arm extended from it's underbelly, probing at the airlocks controls, the turrets image magnification bringing the drone into focus with a overly slick, computer enhanced image. "The Liracor has enough parasites nesting in her nether regions without you adding to the mix." She told the drone with a toothy smile, depressing the trigger and raking the auto cannons fire across its hull.

She gave a quiet growl of contentment as the drones shield flared a blindly blue for a fraction of a second before it's sleek hull was perforated with hole, erupting from inside with a flash of white to send pieces drifting through the vacuum, the vibration of the cannon the only sound beyond her bestial fury,. "Drones down, escape pods unlocked, auto purge aborted, time to vacate before a hard purge is triggered by someone or the Chimera Captain decides we're on the dinner menu." She told her crew, pulling herself out fo the turret and running full tilt for the escape pods.

For those who are curious, I rolled a 14 for the bypassing to get the turret online and a 2 for my attack roll when in chat with Echo and Dozus earlier.

Re: A Fast Exit

#220

Quan gave a low hum, the closest his lipless mouths could give for a whistle. "I'd like to hear that story," he said over the comm. "But preferably over a drink and a hot meal on the Prize. What say we get in this pod and get back? I'll drive."

Re: A Fast Exit

#221

With the communications restored, Jerome saw the bridge's comm flash as he punched out the countdown on emergency venting, the AI finally shutting up.

A picture of Yulo, drinking with captain Cherenkov, both bleary-faced like tired, freshly-fed babies appeared on the screen. Each of them held a huge mug with a beverage of dubious origin.
A push of the 'answer' button later, their captain made contact.

"Excellent, kids, I see you brought the Lila online. I don't know the state of her, but find captain Cherenkov, get as many of the people, and if you can launch the Lila, do it, if not, haul them over. We still have some time before the boogeys arrive, so why don't you help the captain to secure whatever he saw in that Desdemona, and then let's get out of here!"

Irina noticed that several of the Kotiri had come out of the woodwork, pacing hence and forth behind the Captain, surely drawn here by gunfire, and curious about the new space to explore.
Two dead bodies on the floor might also be a lure.

Re: A Fast Exit

#222

Quan scratched the back of his next during the uncomfortable pause after Yulo's message. "So, who's gonna tell him?" He asked, looking at the others. "I call 'not it.'"

"You guys think we can salvage this thing? I mean, sucks for the crew, but we still got a job."

Re: A Fast Exit

#223

Autumn slowed her mad dash for the escape pods as she realized the danger of venting had passed, cautously making her way back to engineering. Quan's inquiry reminding her of the still complicated situation that remained. She keyed her comlink the rest of her crew, grateful the Chimera's couldn't over hear. "I'll give him a debrief, for now I'd suggest everyone fall back to the escape pods and prepare for immediate departure, tell these... Things you;re just doing a safety check or something so they don't get suspicious."

She quickly patched trough a private channel between her crew and the Prize, hoping the suits and Prize's com link encrypt/de-crypt algorithms would prove enough of a complexity to keep the Chimeras from over hearing her conversation.

"Captain? First mate Autumn reporting, the ship's a near total loss, the majority of the crew have been... Infested by some type of parasites that have for all means and purposes assimilated them and are using their corpses as puppets. Only the first mate Irina is still... Human." She paused and took a deeper breath, hoping the captain would understand the reasoning behind her suggestion.

"Given the infectious nature of these parasites, and their unknown origin, perhaps something they found on the Desdemona? Doesn't matter, I strongly recommend we evacuate to the Prize and blow this ship from the outside, or I can just rig a silent self destruct on a count down timer, at least it will let your friend and his crew find some measure of peace instead of being host to the puppet masters. Otherwise we'll need to re-kill the infested crew, and sterilize the entire ship before medical quarantine procedures will let it anywhere near a space dock. Even then, this infection is... Horrifc captain, one of these things is wearing your friend Cherenkov's face as a... Second head." She let her voice trail off for several seconds...

"Death would be a mercy for these poor bastards, and spare the rest of the galaxy from exposure to this... infestation. Irinia seems cognizant, and so far none of us have become infected, but the longer we remain, the greater the chance of us becoming exposed to this parasites vector of transmission. To be clear, I recommend in the strongest possible urgency, immediate withdrawal and destruction of the Liracor, for the safety of the Prize and any who may come answering the Distress call of the Desdemona." She paused and waited, knowing the rest of the crew would also likely chime in with their thoughts, hopefully allowing Yulo to make a quick decision.

She gritted her fangs as the pain of her injuries flared again, briefly worrying it was more serious than minor internal injuries and the aftereffects of combat. Make the right call Yulo, and let us be done with this charnel house of a ship, before your own crew fall victim to it's nightmares.

(For setting up a private encrypted com between the crew and the Prize if a roll is needed:
(19:15:10) Minion: Silveressa rolls 1d100 and gets 28.

Re: A Fast Exit

#224

"I second that, " said Jerome simply.

Re: A Fast Exit

#225

Irina stepped over Cornelia's burned remains, and selected an open channel broadcasting throughout the entire ships intercom before punching the button to address everyone on board. Starting with their rescuers, who seemed intent on leaving as quickly as they had arrived. Not that she could blame them, it was a wonder they hadn't killed more of the Kotori. Imagine what being halfy-halfs feels like she thought with a bitter sadness.

"This is First Mate Irina Ivanovova, I wish to parley with the Captain of our rescuers, or his envoy. Regarding the situation onboard my Lilacor," I suppose it is mine now, a decapitated Captain is little use as just a head.., "we are greatful for our rescue, but there are certain things that need to be brought to light, and understood. Perhaps there is a way we can help each other out. I, we also owe you for our rescue." Irina paused, wondering briefly if she could go so far as to promise them reward. The Hell with it, I need to find a way to sort things out, there'll be supplies they can make use of. As it stands there are probably more than I need for myself, now that everyone else is has either expired or unable to make use of such

With that, she let go of the send button. How was she to explain to them that the slobbering, slimed, clawed creatures were actually the victims here. Taken from their homeland by force, coming out to inspect a strange new flying mettalic, thing, before being tranquilized and hauled into stasis cages on the ship they were now. She cradled her head, what was going on? Her mind flickered back and forth between images of swamps, Captain Cherenkov, the Kotori, Arkona and Kotir. Her first though was that she was still in some state of shock, from being shot and waking up from the Chrysalis chamber. That the shock, and immense stress was causing her to hallucinate, but that couldn't be, the images, memories maybe?, were too real to ignore.

Irina noticed that Jerome was still with her on the bridge, holding his rocket-rifle eyeing up the situation warily. "Thank you for coming to our rescue," she smiled at him, a tired but warm smile. They had overcame the immediate danger and were safe for the time being, "I hope to talk with your Captain so that we can sort this mess out and all get home." alive

She went over to the pilots chair and slumped in it, awaiting the arrival of the Prize's envoy. She also began running the ships diagnostics, to see what needed to be done to get her flying properly again.

let's see what we're missing here then...

Re: A Fast Exit

#226

"Oh, kids, sorry from sending you in! I did not know!" Yulo sounded genuinely apologetic, but then his tone changed to curious and interested, instead of being disgusted at horrified: "Parasites you say, hmmm?" he said more to himself, than to anyone else.

"Can anything be done for the captain? Regardless, ask that Irina girl about what Cyril - eh, captain Cherenkov - came here for. It doesn't sound like he came to fetch scrap metal!"
Oh, you greedy bastard. You know your buddy's dead since five whole seconds, and already you are picking his pockets. But then, he's dead, and finders-keepers, eh?

"Irina, what a pretty name - or would that be acting captain Irina? We are humble salvagers, having come to help Cyril Cherenkov. How do they say - help me, help you?"

While Yulo talked on, Irina managed to get a short inventory of the ship's state.
The ship had power, the drives were ready, sufficient fusion mass in the reactor too - to take them anywhere within eighty light years.
There were two issues - the docking lock to the Desdemona was still engaged, and Jerome's armor-piecing bullets had blown a few secondary consoles after passing through Cornelia, not enough to keep them from interstellar flight, though.

Re: A Fast Exit

#227

Autumn paused at the captains apparent willingness to negotiate with these... Things, further perplexed by Irinas desire for them to return home, home to where?

Parasites are at home in their host, these things seem... Different.

She keyed her com and spoke over an unencoded frequency both Irina and Yulo could easily pick up. "Captain, I'm willing to... Negotiate with the... Occupants of the ship on your behalf, I ask only that you keep an ear out on coms for any arrivals to investigate the distress beacon, if a third party shows up, things could turn uglier fast."

I already bargained with the Chimera captain once to get us this far along, not much to lose by bargaining for salvage and safe passage.

"If anyone else has anything to add, now's the time to speak up." She pulled herself away from the life support system after reconnecting the wires she hastily yanked, padding towards the bridge cautiously, a part of her wondering if she should have set a four hour silent self destruct or boobied the FTL system, just in case.

Meet those of honor with honor, those without, with bared fangs and drawn weapons.

Re: A Fast Exit

#228

Irina exhaled, relief flooding through her as one by one the diagnostic she'd ran showed that most of the ship was for the most part still intact and starworthy.

"Computer, calculate a flight plan to Kotir. Then run a scan over the Desdemona." I don't want any surprises when we attempt to disengage.

"Acting-Captain, I suppose. Now that Captain Cherenkov seems to be little more than an attachment to one of the Kotori we have on board. On behalf of the remaining crew and my Kotori I'd like to thank you for coming when you did. If there is a way we can help you, within our humble means, then we shall."

The soft padding paws of the Prize' First Mate made Irina turn away from the comm-screen to face her, "Thank you for joining us, without you we would all be floating in the black soup," she paused, her gaze settling on Autumn's canine features, and drawn to her eyes. "Please take a seat around the table over there, I'm afraid all I'm able to offer you in the way of refreshment is water, the Ensign seems to have went through all stores here on the bridge."

"How rude of me, I apologise," she said holding out her hand in a formal gesture, "Acting Captain Irina Ivanovova of the Lilacor, formerly the First Mate."

Re: A Fast Exit

#229

Autumn took off her helmet and nodded, leaning in to sniff at the woman before accepting her greeting, as was proper canine tradition. She gently grasped Irina's hand in her paw, taking great care not to embed her claws into the woman's silken skin.

Autumn, first mate of the Hollen's Prize, appointed negotiator of captain Yulo." She gave her a toothy grin,meeting her eyes with reserved warmth and settled herself into the seat, politely refusing the water with a shake of her head before pulling out her hand cannon and placing it in solidly plain sight on the table, followed a second later by her combat blade. "Weapons bared openly, we meet as equals and hopefully part as comrades." It was an old phrase from long ago her sire had taught her when she was just a pup, but it had stuck with her through the years and served her well when dealing with dangerous individuals in less than ideal circumstances.

"I couldn't help but over hear, where is Kotir? Also, what exactly are these..." She struggled for a moment to find a fitting description that wouldn't cause offense. "Creatures? Originally I thought them parasites, but you call them Kortori?" She leaned forward slightly, keeping both her paws on the table in a relaxed gesture, taking careful care to keep her tone soft and non threatening.

If only you could see me now mother dearest, from lost pup, to engineering and first mate, to negotiator with aliens from an unknown star cluster, would you be proud of how far your lost pup has risen? Or disappointed she did so without more blood shed and conflict?

Re: A Fast Exit

#230

Jerome stood silently nearby, watching and waiting.

There were possibilities here.

Re: A Fast Exit

#231

"Autumn," she let the name roll across her tongue, "your name suits and compliments you." The sniff hadn't affected her, she was used to similar from the Captain and the Kotiri.

"I'm please that you have accepted our offer of parley."

Somewhat hurt by the term parasites, but not allowing the discomfort to cross her features she sought to explain to them what had happened; "Kotir is the homeworld of these creatures, the Kotori. They, we, were abducted from our homeworld of Kotir by our and their crew. Tranquilized and chucked into stasis cages, which must have shorted due to the saboteur. They then got out, angered at being taken, knowing, due to their build that it had been a tranquilizer, scared at being taken. They saw the only course of action left to them, and attacked the crew. I ended up being shot, and for whatever reason, they saved me. Now," she paused, distressed and unsure of how to proceed, "never mind."

Careful here, they might not take too kindly to a hybrid..

"They're harmless, unless threatened. All they want is to return to their world, which is what I plan to do, though that will be of some difficulty due to being the only Human crew member on board. They, as you can plainly see will have difficulty using and more importantly understanding the ship's technology. From what I am able to recall of their species, they have no technology and have evolved without the need or apparent want."

"I'm not sure how far away we are from Kotir, I've asked Artemisia to calculate a flight plan for us." hopefully within the 80LY scope

Re: A Fast Exit

#232

Autumn listened carefully, weighing options, evaluating and carefully considering the information. "You said they saved you? So are you one of them?" She looked up at Sunny stumbled onto the bridge, looking exhausted but otherwise little worse for the wear. "Sunny, what can you tell me about these Kotir's physiology? Are they able to subsist on ship rations and such? Or will we need to find some other way to meet their dietary requirements?"

She looked back across the table at Irina, "More importantly at the end of your journey, will they still have need of this ship, and do you wish to remain with them on their home world?" She looked at the other creatures slithering and crawling about and tilted her head. "Personally I think you would be better off among those that share more of your culture and technological level of lifestyle." She looked around the ship thoughtfully. "As the last surviving crew member the vessel is technically yours by right of salvage, the Prize's crew could be of great use in assisting you with repair or resale of said vessel, for a more fair cut of the profits."

Re: A Fast Exit

#233

Irina looked up awkwardly at Autumn, unsure of how she would take the news, "I'm not "one of them", but during my time in Chrysalis they seem to have placed additional memories into my brain, and also given me the ability to speak and understand their language and ways; their whole culture if you will."

How can I make clear to her that which is so complex, I suppose that could also be the purpose of the Kotori laying me into Chrysalis... Realization began to slowly spread through her, parts began to make sense. With this came a flood of shame, that she had been involved in the operation to capture them in the first place.

"I believe that once they're returned to their homeworld, their fears will have been assuaged and they will return to their ways, perhaps with a more wary eye to those that stumble upon them in future. As for myself, I don't think I would be able to stay, given I was one of those that helped with their capture. That's not to say it wouldn't be fascinating to learn more about them, but that would be a field for others to explore." if at all, they should just be left alone.. as they were...

"I will remain with my Lilacor until we can safely return them, that is, if you would be willing to render assistance," her Lilacor, how easily the thought and notion came to mind and was to bear, "what happens after that, remains to be seen."

Re: A Fast Exit

#234

Artemisia, the metal cat AI, chirped in the background:
"Retrieving from memory: X36852-455. Loading point of biological cargo. Assigning name: "Kotir". Assigning threat range based on crew survival rate: RED. Oh, brutal! 17.5 LY spinward from position. Ready to launch upon disengagement. Say the word to make it happen."

Then the cat-face donned a puzzled expression and asked: "Overwrite previous destination: Skyline Station?"

It waited patiently while the others carried on their conversation.

Helia finally regained composure.
"My apologies - my oxygen saturation was set to maximum. I assume I was slightly air-headed; neither my stomach took it well. At least one of those... Kotiri understood it as feeding. So, got a kiss, could have been worse."
Verily, her face was slobbered.
"I will quarantine the hell out of every one of us after this is over, understood?"

Then, she managed to reply to Autumn's question: "While their dentures serve as natural weapons to a certain degree, they are omnivores - much like the terran bear, they likely will consume anything from berries to carrion."
Her words were emphasized by two of the reptilans having decided the decomposing corpse in the airlock was food.
"Of course, should they go hungry regardless of their varied diet, they might decide to eat you."
"I know I would, if I was a bear" she added, grinning.
The relief of the immediate threat having passed, coupled with being faced with unique alien creatures, potentially sapient ones, too, made her cheerful. Also, she felt better, the problem with the suit resolved.

She sighed, then: "Regardless, if you decide to bring them back to Kotir, you can count on me. I can imagine it, lush, verdant, covered with a red-and-green jungle that never sleeps. Much like parts of my homeworld."
Helia chuckled: "I bet the would thrive there, too."
"From the chimerization I have seen in the esteemed Captain and several others of the pack, they are exceedingly adaptable, and able to utilize other creatures -or parts thereof - in a symbiotic relationship. I have actually never seen a species like this. Very adaptable, I say."

Re: A Fast Exit

#235

"So, uh, if they're so good at adapting, do we hafta drop them off on Kotir?" Quan asked. "I mean, they look like they wouldn't much tell the difference if they were there or on Havron IV, y'know? Almost eighteen lights out is a ways, what with keeping them fed and all. Couldn't we just find the nearest green rock and leave 'em there?" He looked down the hall at the gruesome sight of the Kotori gobbling down entrails. "The sooner they're off this boat, the better for all of us, is all I'm thinkin'."

It struck him that "Skyline Station" sounded familiar. He tried to recall where from.
Knowledge roll to see if Quan recognizes the name Skyline Station:
(15:12:49) Minion: Dozus rolls 1d100 and gets 18.

Re: A Fast Exit

#236

She nodded in understanding at Irina's explanation, "I too come from genetically altered stock you might say, there is no shame in being uplifted as more than you once were." She waved a paw dismissively at the concern, "You have enough presence of mind to treat with me as an equal, and saved our lives, that speaks more of you in my eyes than a terabyte of biological read outs of your genetic code on a med screen ever could."

Autumn tilted her head, as Sunny's remark chuffing in slight amusement as the notion of her regurgitation being mistaken for an offering of food, recalling the non gene lifted canines of her spices often fed their own pups in such a manner. "Be glad it was an offer of food they took it as, and not a courtship ritual." She added with a short barking laugh, hoping her own attempt to make light of the situation would help Sunny overcome her discomfort quicker.

She looked back to Irina with what she hoped would be interpreted as a friendly smile, even if it was all teeth and tongue. "I don't think food will be much of a problem given your ship still has it's original food stores for the former crew mates." She kept a wary eye ont he creatures, still uncertain as to the extent of control Irina held over their actions.

Autumn glanced over at Quan as he voiced his suggestion, giving a thoughtful pause, "While it might be technically possible, I do think they might imbalance the local ecosystem, and if people colonize there, cause more problems down the road, and possibly face legal penalties for introducing and alien species to the planetary system should they ever learn it was us."

She took a breath, realizing her view may put her at odds with her captain, but her own honor ranked above that of his profit margin. "If you wish to return them, as ships captain that is your right, and given you aided us in saving our lives from the remaining crew," She gestured to the mess that used to be Cornelia, "For my part, you have my aid with this endeavor as repayment for the life debt." She leaned forward and lowered her voice slightly. "After the debt is settled, we can discuss other arrangements, of mutual benefit to your self and my crew."

She turned to look at her comrades in arms, knowing Yulo would likely be vocalizing an opinion as well soon enough. "Who else is with me in the endeavor to return these Kotori to their rightful home, and then possibly aid Captain Irina in restoring, or reselling her vessel, a matter for later discussion?" She looked back at Irina, staring deep into her eyes for a moment. "Assuming you're willing to accept our aid and any others who support Sunny and me in this undertaking?"

A larger and more impressive ship than the Prize, in need of crew as well. I wonder if she'd be willing to pay better than our current profit monger? At the very least I'd have quarters big enough to stretch out in without banging my snout into a bulk head.

Re: A Fast Exit

#237

Quan made a slight grimace and a harrumphing noise. "It's noble and all," he said, shrugging, "and I'm sure the critters would like bein' home, but we owe it to Cap'n Queren to square things with him first." He stood up from the wall and began to pace, arms crossed. "We're on a contract, y'know. Man's contract is his word, word's his bond. I don't know if everyone's like that, but that's how it is with me, at least. Finding the Lilarcor was part of the op - big check there - but I dunno if we should be jumping ship straightaway. No offense to you, Cap," he nodded to Irina. "Wouldn't expect you to jump onto our deck either."

As he passed close to Autumn, he murmured low enough for only her to hear, "I ain't sayin' no, but it ain't a yes either. You're first mate, but I still got a captain on contract."

Re: A Fast Exit

#238

Irritation flashed openly across Irina's features at the mention of dumping the Kotori on the nearest habitable planet, but she quickly smoothed out her features. "We will be taking them home, Artemisia puts Kotir at just under 18 light years away from here, which isn't far. Besides the last thing I want right now is a warrant for unsanctioned introduction of an extraterrestrial lifeform to a planet under governance of the Core. As I've said before perhaps we can come to an arrangement with your Captain about how to proceed."

"We also have supplies enough for a full compliment of crew, so keeping the Kotori and ourselves nourished won't be a problem. The supplies used by Cornelia won't make a difference as our main stores are elsewhere."

Skyline Station? Irina struggled to recall her previous mission objectives, "Artemisia, bring up flight plan and mission directives for Skyline Station." Whatever their objective, the Kotori where probably the reason for that destination.

Turning back toward Autumn she returned the feral smile with her own calm one, "We'd be happy to have you help us, but will your Captain agree to aid us? We'd be able to help with supplies too," she added, keeping a reward/payment slightly to the forefront.

This was turning out to be better than she had hoped. Some spacers would just have left them, after taking everything they had, and possibly doing worse before finally departing.

Re: A Fast Exit

#239

Autumn turned and nodded to Quan at his commentary, "I wasn't saying we shirk our responsibilities to captain Yulo, only that we aid a fellow ship in distress, I'm sure the new captain will make it worth Yulo's time and effort as well as ours for our aid."

She looked back to regard Irina's input on the matter. "You saved my life, that debt comes before almost all others." She gave the new captain a serious glance. "It's a matter of honor, one which any who are familiar with my kind will readily understand, until it is repaid, my service, my life, are yours." She looked back at her crew mates with a reaffirming nod. "As long as that service does not preclude my obligation to those I serve along side. My pack first, than debts of a more personal nature." She clarified carefully, the complexity of the situation making her inwardly cringe at the potential conflicts of interest that could arise.

Honor, as much a shackle as a bond of trust, hopefully the crew of the prize will understand they are my first concern, beyond any.

Re: A Fast Exit

#240

"We can sort out these details a little later - Captain, how long do we have before our visitors arrive?"

He cut out outbound to the captain, and went suit-to-suit only.

"Suggest we leave Yulo the Desmoda, and use any proceeds to buy our our contracts. Then we sign up with Irina here."