Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run [FINISHED] — Legacy Forums

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#81

"Do not worry Doctor Katherine Bradshaw-Brennan. System control has been restored and my services are once again available to you and Doctor Theodora Sax", Mary Sue's familiar voice sounded from the speakers. A couple of seconds later the lighting was optimised for Katherine's research.

"I am so sorry, Doctor. When my systems were restored to operational status, the auto-preservation algorithm was activated and I freed myself from the rubble. It is so good to see you again, Doctor. Please notify me if you need anything"

***

The landing ramp was lowered onto the rooftops and Wionna entered the shuttle, awkwardly passing Angus on his way out.

Rebecca soothed her troubled mind as she passed Angus, but suddenly something drew Rebecca's attention. A blot of nothingness, a spot where Gaia's song was subdued. Quiet. Nonexistent.

Beccy looked hard in that direction. Felt the mind of Mortimer as he gazed at the moon, oblivious of his immediate proximity to that chilling darkness. While Rebecca sent her mind probing, she felt a stab in her mind, a mental thrust so intense she staggered backwards

ooc: The mental blast is so strong, Beccy has to make a willpower check. There is a 65% chance (036-100) that she drops to her knees, and a 35% chance that she involuntarily looses control of her bladder. (066-100). These checks are made with one single 1d100 roll.

Then she saw Moa waddle down the streets. There was something horribly wrong with her and she noticed how the plump engineer had drawn a .38 colt. But the real difference was her mind. Where Rebecca before had felt a conflicted mind bent inwards, introverted and insecure, she was now an otherness. A singular mind with one purpose. To kill. Then Rebecca glimpsed Moa's inner self, screaming, locked away and utterly horrified, having witnessed a horror like no other and then finding herself in hell. Unable to resume control of her own body.

***

Angus walked down the ramp, sidestepping Wionna who strangely enough did not kick or curse in his direction. A short bleep from his mobile device made him look at it. It was a message from Mary Sue.

Classified information for Root.

The Baron's network comprimised. Kernel level access gained. IP cameras and microphones available where they are turned on. Possibility to turn on more computers, at the risk of detection. Bohr facility files scanned and inventory counted. The facility is indeed capable of repairing me, and even enhancing armor, shielding and weaponry. My scan indicates that the Stavros Exoskeleton could also be enhanced with the Stavros Combat Armor extension and 20mm mounted shoulder turrets. There is also a leg enhancement for the exoskeleton, enabling higher speed, carrying and jumping capabilities.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#82

"Ladies", he mumbled passing Becky and Wionna...phew no confrontation!

"That's my girl!" grinned Angus reading Mary Sue's info.

Once he found Captain Phil, he shared the news and added, "What do you think, Cappo?"

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#83

Katherine blinked. "Ah, I was not aware those functions were offline, thank you Mary-Sue." She re-iterated her previous orders and then left Theodora to her own devices as she went to find someone to tell her what was going on.

She found Angus and Rebecca on the ramp. "You two, report." She said as she joined them.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#84

Rebecca was pale, her eyes dashing, teeth clenched.
Yes, report she did.
"Danger, heads down! In the window below Mort! Angus.. gun!"
She pointed to the fiend's hiding place, then dropped, shuddering at the hostility that radiated from the inhuman ... thing.
"Watch for Moa, she's not herself. Incapacitate, do not kill."

She could hold her own against whatever the darkness was - ever so briefly, eluding its monstrous power, not presenting a target which the hammer of its mind could strike, dashing out of awareness as she would on the station, forgotten to be terminated, oh, that girl.
Rebecca had dreamed of meeting a being like her, to connect in a way that was impossible with... others. But not like this!

Oh. Mort.
She briefly caught his gaze, and reached out, passing on what he needed to know - the feeling of dread, hostility and alien darkness that dwelt in the structure beneath. RUN!

Briefly considering whether to draw her gun, she instead dropped flat, and sought to guard her fellows against the thing's influence, lest they kill each other for its amusement. Trying to cover the guys from being mindfecked by the Prophet. I hope they pepper the location with bullets aplenty.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#85

Angus.. gun! was all he heard. Clear mind, clear purpose. Whatever had spooked "weird Becky", the slightly less s**ttier pilot of the two they had, was no doubt serious. Phil could wait. Angus sprinted into his firing seat.

"Direction of danger? Window. Which @!#$ing window?! Commence peppering anyway!"

He fired and fired some more. Good to have his mind occupied.

(ooc: getting all windows, peppering all windows. Murometz rolls 1d100 and gets 94. @!#$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#86

Unsure which window Rebecca refered to, Angus fired 3 shots blind.

The end result was impressive and Angus realized just what power the turret held, for an entire section between two windows came tumbling down, mortar and bricks settling in yet another cloud of silica dust at the ground level of the building.

***

Mortimer's musings were cut short by a sudden fright. Blind panic washed over him as he felt the urge to run, madly, for his very life. It was a naked fear, panic so immense it threatened to overwhelm him, that washed in over him.

Then came the gunfire. Three immense explosion sounds, and suddenly the entire building was trembling beneath his feet. It sounded like the building was collapsing on the far side away from where he sat, and Mortimer whirled around to see that the Mary Sue was mid-air; her guns blazing in his direction.

***

Moa was greeted warm heartedly by Aunt Angelica, and Moa raised her gun in reply. One squeeze of the trigger, but the shot went wide and aunt Angelica screamed in terror and fled back indoors.

(00:08:10) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 89.

The chubby girl began laughing like a maniac

"DIE! DIE! HAHAHAHAHA! NOW YOU DIE!"

***

The Prophet felt its forceful mind being deflected by the most impressive human will it had ever encountered. Soon the female human had extended her mental shield to ward all of her comrades, excepting the vulnerable female the Prophet had dominated in the alley.

(23:45:27) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 6.

Suddenly the space vessel opened fire, and the Prophet shrank back into the shadows, fighting the urge to panic.

Its alien logic considered its options, and the G'Kraun mutant descended down the stairwell to continue the fight by other means.

***

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#87

Mortimer screamed in terror and made to run. That is, before gunfire started ripping holes in walls. Wait, Mary Sue was up? His head throbbed. He was so confused. What the hell was happening?

There was one thing for certain. This building was no longer safe. He grabbed his pistol and ran for the stairs, and blindly charged down it. Whatever was down here, whatever his comrades were shooting at, no doubt could be dealt with. A collapsing building, especially this high up, was not survivable.

He emerged onto the floor below. He had investigated the area beforehand, though not recently. It still retained that aura of the new and fresh and unknown. Of course, Mary Sue's guns weren't exactly destroying that impression. They were too busy destroying the walls and changing the layout to do that as well.

He glanced around the room, and, seeing nothing, found the stairs, revolver leading the way. Whatever was down here was going to get a load of lead. That is, unless he ran first. The heat of the moment would tell.

"Goddamn it," he swore, and then sneaked down the stairs, chameleon skin changing to the stairwell's colors.

(19:52:31) Minion: caesar193 rolls 1d100 and gets 19.
(19:53:22) Minion: caesar193 rolls 1d100 and gets 32.

19 for senses, to detect the Prophet/traps/danger, 32 for stealth and being awesome and invisible.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#88

Things had changed so quickly. His Mary was back! Her flight was a vision of loveliness.

So was chaos.

The ship's gun roared as Angus apparently declared war on the city. Commendable if a bit surprising.

"Where's Moa?" Phil yelled through the comm.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#89

Katherine reached instinctively for Rebecca and held her, scanning the building for threats, when she saw none, she tried pulling the panicking girl aboard the ship. She hadn't gotten far when she heard the gatling and exploding mortar. "What's going on?! Are you alright girl?! What was that about Ensign Lucrum and Moa?!" She yelled over the cacophony.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#90

Phil's eyes widened as the eldery Angelica Bradshaw-Brennan came crashing into the main room, where they had held camp the last week. He had never seen the grey haired elderly lady run that fast. As a matter of fact, he had never seen her run at all.

"It is Moa! She is mad! She is stark raving mad! She is trying to kill us!"

Phil's jaws slackened as aunt Angelica threw herself over an ancient sofa and rolled in the dust behind it.

Then the double doors burst open, and Moa Lejongren, totally insane, charged in. The plump female engineer was waving insanely with her gun, then, seeing as Phil was the only one in sight, trained her sights at him. She did had torn of her t-shirt, exposing dangling and bouncing pear-shaped sacks. Thin and flat at the top, with more volume at the bottom.

OOC: Charge of the femininsta! Roll 1d10 for initiative. The lowest (modified) roll wins.
(07:33:32) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d10 and gets 3.

***

Mort snuck down the stairwell like a chameleon on the hunt. He felt strangely guarded, like someone was there with him. There was also a sense of dread, of caution, that he did not understand. It might just have been the fact that Mary Sue's cannon was tearing into the building, but it felt like more than that.

Then his heart stood almost still. Four feet further down the stairwell, almost close enough to touch, he saw an eight feet tall person, apparently some sort of mutant humanoid, with long limbs and an elongated skull. Its skin was grey, its lips retracted; it was hissing, revealing sickly white gums and razor sharp teeth.

I sense you... both. Where are you?

Fear tingled down Lucrum's spine and he had to fight to control his breathing. The thing had slashes across its chest, vicious wounds that had healed, but what a fight it must have been. The thing looked like it had been through hell, yet there was such an aura of fear radiating from it.

OOC: You may attack. If you do so, you surprise it because you are cloaked / hidden. It simply does not know where to strike yet.

***

Being supported by Katherine, Rebecca was walking up the ramp, into the Mary Sue. Katherine had been screaming when the cannon went silent. Then she felt its presence. It was there, with Mortimer, and through him - with her. Her mental shield hid Mortimer from detection, and Rebecca saw through Mortimer's eyes. Gazed upon that dominant will, that Gaia source of telepathy.

Rebecca felt Mortimer's rising panic.

I sense you... both. Where are you?

Becky nearly choked. No longer was she beside Katherine. Her soul was with Mortimer now, guarding him like a shield from that horrifying will.

OOC: While Mortimer might engage in physical battle, Rebecca might do the same mentally. Rebecca is currently co-existing with Mortimer, drawn by her shield and the Prophet's mental power. There is no surprise, however. It knows your psyche is there, and you have no doubt it will attack you.

***

Rebecca went limp in her arms. She simply fainted, and Katherine felt the full weight of her body. Luckily she was not a big girl.

***

Angus had fired three shots in rapid succession and sat watching parts of the building crumble from his efforts.

"Are you satisfied with the cannon... Master?", Mary Sue whispered into his ear.

"Amazing shooting, by the way. I am not sure whether you killed whatever you tried to kill, but that building sure is done for. By the way, that Baron character is pestering you with several hails. I have told him to please hold. He does not seem pleased, nor is he holding, but I am keeping him occupied. Right now in fact."

Mary Sue played a short clip where he heard the fuming Baron demanding to talk to the Security officer, and Mary Sue nonchalantly informing him the Security Officer was in the middle of "urgent business".

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#91

"Whoa."
Apparently, it was possible to leave one's body? Rebecca possibly wouldn't need a mirror ever again - if she managed to overcome the fainting issue. She could feel the unresisting limpness of her body faintly, distantly.

What wasn't distant were the friends she covered - and the unbridled eight feet of malice eight feet ahead of Mort.
She was a blanket, an obscuring mist, a cloak around their shoulders.
Perhaps I could whisper?
Perchance I could point?

She was still learning - at the station, she dared not to draw attention, dared not come forth.
But what was shyness and caution in the face of survival?

"Do not be scared, but be alert..." she whispered.
Through her consciousness, she spread an awareness to those she warded, information within the proverbial arm's reach within their mind, freely available, of the beast's location within the structure, its appearance, and of Mort's proximity, to keep Angus from feeding him a stray stream of bullets.
They know now where it is, and what it is.
Dangerous, physically but also mentally.
She added a vision of Moa, with puppet strings attached, pulled by the beast's clawed hand.

Then, it was time to defend herself, and her mind ducked and waved and swirled, darting hence and forth, to delay the monster until the others could intervene.
Full telepathic defense to weather the G'Kraun's assault and cover your butts guys. It's up to you to do the killing.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#92

Phil was caught off guard by the crazy ladies assault as she fired. He threw himself at her, seeking to disarm the crazy bitch. Hopefully not too many bones would be broken..

Init roll 6, so hopefully Phil survives to knock her into next week. Have 1 point of crappy armor - maybe that helps.
09 on analog die roll for body check.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#93

Where was the other person? Mortimer wondered. The thing had said two others were here, so where was that person? Maybe this... Thing was insane or something. Yeah, that had to be it. Whatever the case, Mortimer thanke- well, science was the scientist's god,and since they had screwed him over, he didn't feel like honoring it. The moon would serve as his goddess.

He thanked the moon for his chameleon skin, since the thing hadn't noticed him yet, and slowly raised his gun and aimed for the creature's head. And after a long moment of indecision, he fired.

for my shooting, I get a: (12:19:22) Minion: caesar193 rolls 1d100 and gets 97.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#94

Katherine picked up and carried Rebecca back to the infirmary, she stumbled for a second and shook her head in disbelief before she placed Rebecca down on a slab. The doc grasped her head, after a query from Theo she responded. "I'm...I'm fine. She fainted all of a sudden. There's something really strange going on. Check her vitals, I have to go... check something out..."

She stopped by her locker to fetch her revolver and to don her personal armor, then she ran past the opening to the turret hole and yelled up at Angus. "Stop firing that thing, Ensign Lucrum is in the building, we're going in! Mary-Sue, take us topside of that building Angus just peforated!"

She loaded her revolver and once the ship reached the roof, she nodded at Angus, jumped off the ramp and ran down the stairway with a quick look at every floor as she passed them.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#95

(22:59:26) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 2.
(22:59:50) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d10 and gets 9.
(23:00:05) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d20 and gets 18.

The stark raving mad woman, Moa Lejongren, fired her Colt revolver at Phil just as he sprung through the air towards her. The bullet bit deep in his left shoulder, and Phil screamed in pain. He tried to lift both arms as he crashed into her, but his left arm was no longer his to command, and looking down Phil saw blood oozing from the bullet wound.

OOC: 9 points of damage, -1 for armor. The left arm cannot be used and Phil is bleeding profusely.
Also: You sprung into Moa for 2d6 damage.

Moa was hysterical as the giant crashed into her, and together they rolled over the floor, into the door she had come barging through.

***

(23:08:16) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 30.
(23:08:24) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 2d6 and gets 6,6.

Mortimer flinched as he heard a hard click when he squeezed the trigger. It was a dud. In that moment the Prophet shifted his gaze, his dirty white bloodshot eyes fixing upon the chameleon skinned pilot.

Fancy custom mutation, human. Now you die!

The eight feet tall monstrosity lunged at Mortimer, its razor sharp teeth opening in a dreadful hiss. It lifted the lithe pilot into the air and pulled with its clawed limbs, its claws digging deep into the pilot's arms.

OOC: 6 points of damage to the left arm, 6 points of damage to the right arm. Mortimers arms are now limp and useless, and the Prophet is continuing to tear him apart next round.

***

(23:07:01) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 22.
(23:07:09) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d10 and gets 3.

The Prophet's psyche hammered into Rebecca's defenses time and time again, but her shield held. Rebecca was tiring fast, however, and she felt that this was a losing battle. She felt despair at Mortimer's plight, yet hope as she sensed that Katherine, Angus and Wionna had arrived.

***

Theodora gasped in shock and surprise as a blood vessel burst in Rebecca's left eye. Her iris had rolled into the back of her skull, and soon a crimson tear trickled down the female pilot's cheek.

***

OOC: I know there is a power outage where Murometz is, but my bet is that he follows Katherine down the stairs. If he does not, I will rewrite this post.

Katherine did not have to run far to find an unsettling scene. A towering grey skinned monstrosity had lifted Mortimer into the air, crushing him against the ceiling while trying to pluck his arms from his body, like a child would dissect a fly. Its claws had dug into Mortimer's skin, and he was bleeding profusely.

***

Katherine, then Angus ran down the ramp. Everything was happening so fast, but Wionna felt sick to the core of her being as Angus ran by. She flinched visibly as the handsome security officer appeared, then felt utterly empty as he disappeared. She grabbed a Colt and ran after the couple.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#96

Coming upon the alien monstrosity holding Mortimer aloft, Katherine froze for a second or two, but her combat training paid off and she raised her revolver, took aim and shot the thing right in the chest, it winced and shrieked from the impact and dropped Mortimer who tumbled down the stairs.

(23:34:55) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 52.
(23:35:08) Gossamer: Woof....just 2 below.
(23:35:21) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d10 and gets 8.
(23:35:28) Gossamer: 10 damage
(23:35:30) Ancient_Gamer: Nice!
(23:35:45) Ancient_Gamer: roll a d20 as well, so I know where you hit
(23:35:54) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d20 and gets 12.
(23:36:03) Ancient_Gamer: Chest. Already hurt.
(23:36:08) Ancient_Gamer: Nice!

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#97

(20:08:45) Minion: valadaar rolls 2d6 and gets 3,6. + 4 = 13 points damage. I might have broke her.

Phil, seeing red with fury, reached out with his remaining arm to grab the hand holding the gun.

55 on my roll, once I get to do so again.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#98

Mortimer screamed in pain. He tried to move his arms to push this thing off him, and he almost felt them move, but when he looked down they were limp and bloody and useless. He could almost feel shock take its cold grasp on him, but then there was a bang, and the thing dropped him, and he rolled down the stairs.

At the bottom, he lay there, looking at the ceiling and the sounds of battle above, and a couple of times tried to move, to at least witness the battle with his eyes, but he never tried hard enough to actually succeed. And so he lay there, bleeding, occasionally whimpering from the pain. His last thought, before fading away into unconsciousness, was to use his chameleon skin to hide himself, in case the thing came back.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#99

Mortimer hadn't more than dropped a few inches when Katherine fired again, the bullet ripped through the creature's abdomen where the liver would be situated in a human, black ooze shot out in a burst and down it went, stumbling down after Mortimer. The doc descended the stairs, again quickly checking every floor before moving on to the the next one.

She reached the bottom landing where the creature now laid splayed, but there was no trace of Mortimer.

"Ensign Lucrum?" Katherine shouted in query, she stood and swept the area with both gun and gaze.

(20:30:46) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d10 and gets 3. (Initiative)
(20:30:53) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d20 and gets 13. (Part of body, chest)
(20:31:00) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 35. (Hit)
(20:31:22) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d10 and gets 8. (Damage +2, total of 10)

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#100

Phil cursed as he disarmed Moa and tucked her gun into his waist. The bleeding was bad and he used his remaining hand to apply pressure to the wound.

"A little help here?" He said. One little fucking bullet...

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#101

What a pity, the G'Kraun's unnatural hatred - given its coutless wounds, it surely had endured unmeasurable adversity, but had it only tried to approach in friendship, it might have met an outstretched hand.
What a strange, unique creature, what strength of mind!
What shame.

Carefully, Rebecca prodded whether the thing was dead indeed, its soul - or whatever it had instead - escaping the mortal coil?
Or whether it was feigning, to lure Katherine closer?

If it's faking, I warn Katherine.
If it's not faking and dying, I try to learn something. (11:55:19) Minion: EchoMirage rolls 1d100 and gets 15.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#102

Rebecca reached out with her senses, still conscious in Mortimer's dying body. When she touched the Prophet's mind she could feel its relief, its final moment of bliss before departing a cruel and heartless world. She glimpsed something of its life, of the herd it once ruled, not long ago. Then she felt its insecurity as another Prophet was born within the herd, and the ultimate rift that occured, with the younger G'Kraun bending more and more to the rival's will.

Yet, in the end, all is dust and nothing. Learn from me child. Live your life while you still breathe. Regret nothing, and when you are cast away, die with dignity.

And with that she felt the overwhelming presence of the Prophet within her, a brief second. Then it was gone.

OOC:
15% chance that Rebecca learns telekinesis level 1 (01-15)
75% chance that Rebecca learns mind pierce (01-75). Gives a +10 Will on an attack, but is severely draining.
100% : Rebecca gains the Psionic Level 2 perk. For psionical purposes she is Intellect/Will +2.

***

Katherine heard a grunt, and when the black blood of the Prophet trickled down on Mortimer the odd illusion of a flying puddle of black blood alerted her to his presence at the bottom of the stairs. Tracing his outline with their fingers, Angus and Katherine carried the dying pilot back into the shuttle.

***

Phil cursed as he carried Moa in his one good arm. Angelica Bradshaw-Brennan followed in his footsteps, carrying supplies to the Mary Sue.

Pain shot through his wounded arm as he dumped Moa down on a bunk bed. Katherine was already there, and she was applying pressure on Mortimer's wounds. The pilot looked like hell, pale as a corpse and spurting blood from torn veins.

A chill went through Phil's body, and he rested wearily against the wall.

***

Rebecca awoke with a start. The first thing she saw was Theodora Sax backing up against the wall.

"But... but... You stopped breathing a minute ago....", Theodora fainted. Then Rebecca realized her eye was hurting like hell, and she was bleeding from both eyes and nose.

***

OOC:
All are aboard the Mary Sue, and the camp has been evacuated.

Katherine and Theodora (who wakes up quickly) has several choices. Either they can try to save Mortimer and Moa with regular means. That means making a doctor roll. Failure means Mortimer will stay for a week in coma before she can try again. Fumble means Mortimer dies during the procedure. Or she can use a nanobot healing syringe for instant, full recovery.
As for Moa the medical roll determines whether Moa's head injury results in brain damage or not.
After that Theodora and Katherine should treat Phil and Rebecca.
NOTE: Remember that Katherine is the head doctor, the most skilled one. If both doctors work on the same patient, Katherine's skill go up 30%. Katherine has to make some choices here.

***

OOC:
Mortimer earns the "Lone Wolf" perk. When he is alone, his skills are increased by 5%.

Phil earns the "Berserker" perk. If his wounds are so great he cannot move an arm or a limb, he may go berserk and ignore his pain. This requires a Physique Roll on 1D20. If he rolls beneath his physique he can use that arm/limb for one more round. When he fails he cannot roll anymore, until he is treated.

Katherine's perk depends on her choices in the surgery room.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#103

Katherine quickly assessed the damage on each patient, with resources so limited every choice was a heavy one. She put her aunt to work on stemming Phil's and Rebecca's bleeding temporarily.

The doctor settled on giving the still invisible Mortimer a nanite injection, and then she and Theodora went to work on Moa.

(19:35:40) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 15.

Some time later, Moa seemed to be breathing easier and Katherine led Phil to a chair, gave him a rag to bite down on and started the extraction of the bullet. "Brace yourself..." She mumbled.

(19:41:31) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 49.

Everything went well, Katherine thanked Phil for helping her aunt and gave him some strict orders not to move around too much. With Phil patched up a tired Katherine sat Rebecca down. The damage seemed superficial, though gruesome, at first glance at least.

(19:47:41) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 38.

A good day's work all in all, Rebecca's bleeding was stemmed and seemingly no internal bleeding or other permanent damage.
"Some bedrest wouldn't hurt, no running around with those mongrels for a while you hear. If you feel dizzy or nauseated come see me right away."
-
"Mary-Sue, run an internal diagnostic of Ensign Rebecca Manson, Civilian Moa Lejongren, Ensign Mortimer Lucrum and Captain Phil Marion."
With that, she removed her rubber gloves, patted Theo's back and had some coffée with her aunt, with many reassuring hugs.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#104

Mary Sue replied to Doctor Bradshaw-Brennan's request in her usual sensual manner.

"Crew diagnostics running... Running... Running... Captain Phil Marion; tendons damaged or torn in left shoulder. Current medical status: Yellow. Patient should be able to move his arm within a day, though full recovery will likely occur within three weeks. Bandages recommended. Ensign Mortimer Lucrum. Fully healed. All signs of trauma undone by nanites. The brain cyst we discussed last month has also been removed by the nanites. Ensign Rebecca Manson. Highly elevated blood pressure and immense mental activity. Current state of mental activity 2.342459 times higher than the previous record found within my records, which include pre-war United States patient statistics from 2018 to 2109, which was the year the great war started. Physical damage negligible, though eyesight might be blurry the next two-three days. Civilian Moa Lejongren. Lower left arm fractured. Broken left hip. Skull fractured, internal bleeding stopped. Ruptured veins in lower abdomen. Internal bleeding stopped. Impressive work doctors. Rest required for the next two months. Patient unlikely to regain unconsciousness within two weeks."

There was a slight pause, then Mary Sue resumed.

"Consultation recommended with Chief Security Lieutenant Angus Justice. Severe signs of withdrawal detected. Recommend medication to ease patient's suffering. Medication currently not available. Please return to Copernicus One to resupply. Error. Space flight unavailable due to toilet facility dysfunction. Error. Error. Error. Shut down."

It suddenly became dark. Half a second later, the soft yellow emergency lighting switched on.

***

Mortimer woke up refreshed like never before. The pain in his arms was gone, and looking down on them he noticed a thin layer of grey metallic dust on the surface of his skin. Brushing the fine grained sand away, he noticed that even a couple of two year old scars were gone. The skin was soft to the touch, and his grip as strong as ever.

***

The power came back on.

"Unknown error. Systems restored. I apologize doctor Brennan. I do not know what happened to me. Running deep diagnostics. Done. Results stored and available for root"

***

Angus casually stepped out of the crew quarters and climbed the stairs up to the cockpit. The crew quarters smelled like sweat and blood anyway. He sat down on the co-pilot interface and started typing.

Root Access Granted.
Displaying Results of Deep Scan.
System Malfunction 2973-06-23.
Malformed Packets detected. Sophisticated worm with AI detoriorating capabilities. Emergency reboot and system restore performed. Source of traffic: Ultra High Frequency radio waves. Likely Source: NASA G1D42, Science Satellite.

Cursing under his breath, Angus filtered out traffic from the NASA satellite. Damn Scientists.

***

Aunt Angelica finished her hugging of Katherine and went over to tend the wounded. A hush settled over the crowd, and even Wionna said nothing as Angus walked back into the crew quarters, rubbing his hands in a satisfied manner.

***

"I am airborne and ready to go, Captain. My sensors indicate that you have surface vessels parked planetside, but other than that all essential equipment and food has been stored in the cargo department. I am awaiting your order, Sir."

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#105

"Hey, thanks for picking me up. I tend to... phase out, it's even on my record. I am actually surprised the scientists did not terminate me - but then, it's minor. No worry!"
She smiled bashfully, trying to sit up, but - head spinning - she dropped back onto the bed.
"Could you please... you know, remove the scanner? They make me... nervous. Sorry."
Another smile followed, then she averted her gaze from Katherine.
Truth be said, the doctor's presence filled the room with her unshakable confidence with no little amount of pride thrown in, and Rebecca was surprised she managed to speak as much as she did (it was not unpleasant, just overwhelming). It must have been due to her usual strategy of slinking away not working at this moment.

As Katherine turned to leave, Rebecca mustered her courage and tugged at her sleeve.
"What is our course now? With the captain wounded, we might not want to confront the Baron right now."
Almost in a whisper, she added:
"I feel more comfortable with you deciding, to be honest."

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#106

"Hey, thanks for picking me up. I tend to... phase out, it's even on my record. I am actually surprised the scientists did not terminate me - but then, it's minor. No worry!"
"Could you please... you know, remove the scanner? They make me... nervous. Sorry."

The doctor hardly looked up from her PDA but allowed herself a little smirk. "Phasing out is not something I would associate with hemorrage from the eyes and nose, Ensign. But your condition isn't the strangest I've witnessed today. Of course." She pushed away the scanner.

"What is our course now? With the captain wounded, we might not want to confront the Baron right now."
"I feel more comfortable with you deciding, to be honest."

Katherine looked taken aback. "Miss Manson, that is not up to me to decide. The scientists appointed Captain Mar..." She fell silent for a while as the realization dawned on her. "Well, at any rate what we need more than anything now is stabillity. And I must say that despite my initial doubts, Mr. Marion has done an adequate job so far. "

"Besides." She added with a smile. "Don't you know that the people in charge are never the ones foolish enough to stand at the front? At any rate, I share your concerns. Frankly I don't think this small a group could ever stand a chance against someone with so much manpower. We got lucky last time, but visiting this baron in his own stronghold... I'll talk to the Captain about it. You take it easy now."
Katherine gave one of her rare smiles, stooped down and patted Rebecca's head before leaving.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#107

Mortimer looked around cautiously. He was in the med bay of Mary Sue. Which meant his buddies had found him. After that thing had ripped him to shreds. And, as he looked down at his body, even peeking beneath his shirt to look at the scar from that time he had crashed that mecha back at Copernicus One... Come to think of it, the guy who took the blame for the incident was never seen again. His mind hadn't quite registered that fact back when he was a kid.

He rolled his legs off the cot, rubbing a spot on his arm where the doc must have injected the nanites, and stood. He knew nothing about medicine, but he felt that the doc would probably advise bedrest. Just as good as any, then, for him not to get bedrest.

Mortimer wandered over to the cockpit, curious to see if they had someone piloting it or if they had Mary Sue on autopilot. Not desiring human contact at the moment, he took the longer, less traveled route, though he didn't bother with either stealth or chameleon skin.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#108

Mary Sue addressed Phil Marion.

"Captain. Now that you are on your feet again, I must remind you of the persistent hails from this Baron of Rembrandtplein. Voice analysis suggests that he is agitated, with tension and anger in his voice. My voice scan indicates that he is both furious and eager to speak with you. His temporary psychological profile suggests a cruel and sadistic man, used to rule and the obedience of his followers. I advise caution when speaking with him... Other than that... I have eavesdropped on him and his lieutenants. It seems that they are really, really keen on space technology. They want to parlay, and depending on our strength either ambush us and take over the spaceship, strike a deal and get escorted to the Copernicus for the raid of the millenium, or both."

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#109

Katherine gave one of her rare smiles, stooped down and patted Rebecca's head before leaving.

Rebecca, still befuddled from her close call with death, reacted instinctively, and brushed up against the outstretched hand - and withdrew then, her face furiously red. "Sorry" she lowered her eyes, then glanced up carefully to see whether Katherine's well-known wrath would manifest.

But, seeing her turn around to discuss more important matters with Phil, she followed, not wanting to be left out.
First, she listened, then peeped in after Katherine was finished.
"If there is a way, we could learn whether the Baron's men are as vile as him, or whether they would welcome us if their leader was to... disappear."

'Advocating murder again?' a critical voice mused just behind her shoulder.
'There is strength in company; each community must have a competent leader or die.' This one was... new.
Though, it made sense - the bandits would be actually hampered by a leader who placed his vice before the benefit of all; the refugees from Copernicus could use a home in turn.

"Could we... take a peek?"

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#110

Phil looked up, shaken from his self pity. To be so enfeebled by a single bullet.

"Oh, he wants to _talk_ with us? And if we are weak they of course will want a round two? I'm not inclined to listen to words from 'authority' right now. Mary, is there someplace warm and safe we can get to for a while? Like, say, the fabled Bermuda? "

"And there is nothing I'd like more than to deliver these earth assholes up to the space assholes, and then blow their fucking station out of orbit. I am open for suggestions people..."

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#111

"I would advise against blowing up all that irreplaceable equipment, Captain. If this "baron" needs us to achieve his goals, then perhaps our interests could coincide for the time being, it might delay any plans of wiping us out if we at least open communications. More over, retreating to some remote island would drastically reduce our chances of finding supplies and establish a sustainable mode of living. While this place is seemingly not ideal in terms of hospitality, it is located on the largest continent and thus grants us a good starting point. Especially given the damaged state of our ship."

Katherine paused briefly as if to consider.

"If we pretend to go along with this man's plans, perhaps we could get the ship repaired, maybe even seize the Copernicus which would rid us of yet another enemy, not to mention what it could do to heighten our living standards. It would be a gamble, but we're sitting ducks out here. Sooner or later, we need to find allies, even if only temporarily. "
-
"Now, with your permission Captain, I would like to bring in and examine the creature that attacked us."

"Angus, come along." She said to the security officer.

The doctor turned to leave without waiting for a reply, but spotted Rebecca looking pensive. "Have you nothing to do, dear? You can come with me if you like, don't strain yourself though." And with that, they left to fetch the alien corpse.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#112

Angus was standing there looking at the emoting Captain and twitching from withdrawal symptoms so severe that he felt he would pass out at any moment.

"I say we chat with this Baron again, Cap. See what he has to say. I'd be more than happy to parlay on our behalf if you're feeling...a bit emotional right now." He mumbled then turned to follow Katherine. He managed a glance at Rebecca who wasn't doing so well either it seemed.

'What an ass!" He thought as he shuffled, in regards to both the wounded Marion and the glorious vision of the Doc's posterior, walking in front of him.

"We're all falling apart here, Doc" he attempted banter as they walked..."Phil, both pilots, Moa...looks like it's up to you and me. Please keep your shit together cause no one else here can." He smiled weakly. "I have a certain 'understanding' with Mary Sue now, we can..."

He froze and stared at the corpse of the creature before him, letting out a deep breath.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#113

The girl had to snicker as Angus' obvious thoughts about Katherine's behind filled the air. His mind had the unique ability of taking the picture of a beautiful behind, and projecting it in an idolized form all over the place.

Then, she sobered up as they approached the body.

"What a ... waste" Rebecca noted at the sight of the dead mutant, kneeling next to him.
She placed a hand on its head, traced the twisted features, trying to make sense.
"Had you only talked first ..."

She may have drawn strange looks from her companions.

"Apparently, it was him who took control of Moa - and he attempted the same with me, luckily with less success.
Turning to Angus, she added: "I am well aware how I look, but I am fit to pilot - or to help lifting. Really."

To emphasize, she forced herself to look up at them and to stand tall, even to meet their slightly incredulous gaze.
"I agree with you; let's parlay with the Baron. I ... can help. While you draw attention, I can easily find out about their forces and the hearts of his men."
Then, she drew in breath - she was not used to talk so much, but proceeded.
"You know he will betray us, though? Such as him cannot stand anything outside their control - and by control, they mean 'slowly destroy'. We will have to plot his downfall."

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#114

I agree with you; let's parlay with the Baron. I ... can help. While you draw attention, I can easily find out about their forces and the hearts of his men."

"Right. So I keep him talking, while you...uhh, do that thing that you do. Got it!"

"You know he will betray us, though? Such as him cannot stand anything outside their control - and by control, they mean 'slowly destroy'. We will have to plot his downfall."

"Betrayal is predictable, so we need not fear it at least. Let him think us naive and unprepared, it can't hurt. And in the meantime, you pump their hearts for info, as you say, and we'll figure out a way to fuck him back. Yeah?"

With that, he waited for Katherine to complete her examination of the mutant *thing*, and smiled wanly at Rebecca.

He was feeling ill. His heart threatened to explode out of his ribcage, and he felt the sudden urge to pummel someone--anyone--into a bloody pulp. Control, Angus, control!

"Say, Doc. Have any 'downers' in that bag of goodies?"

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#115

"We're all falling apart here, Doc" "Phil, both pilots, Moa...looks like it's up to you and me. Please keep your s**t together cause no one else here can." "I have a certain 'understanding' with Mary Sue now, we can..."

The doc looked Angus up and down. "You're not looking so hot either, Angus. I'll schedule an appointment for you later, quitting the powder could prove hazardous in its own way, though it would certainly be better for you in the long run. Ah, yes. There it is."

"I agree with you; let's parlay with the Baron. I ... can help. While you draw attention, I can easily find out about their forces and the hearts of his men."
"You know he will betray us, though? Such as him cannot stand anything outside their control - and by control, they mean 'slowly destroy'. We will have to plot his downfall."

Katherine looked surprised but amused. "Yes, Ensign. I fully expect this baron to turn on us at some point, which is why we ought to use him and then turn on him first. But how exactly do you plan on finding out what his men think, infiltration? Do you even speak their language? That's right, you did talk to me before in some strange tongue. Was that it? Even so it would be an unneccesary risk to take and I would rather keep you in one piece. Less of a mess that way."
-
"If you think you're fit to help, by all means, give us a hand. Don't overdo it though, we weren't the ones recently injured, though I've yet to find out how that could have happened to you in the first place..." She looked at Rebecca and raised an eyebrow in a silent question.

"Say, Doc. Have any 'downers' in that bag of goodies?"

"I don't suppose you could wait till after we've carried this thing? Here, have half a pill then."

Together they carried the corpse back to the med-bay. Theodora and Katherine prepped the thing for dissection. Katherine laid the first incision and spoke into her pocket-recorder, while checking its various parts.

"Black blood, white gums with sharp incisors(seemingly a carnivore). Pre-existing wounds... Subject has two hearts. Brain appears enlarged and of unknown build..."

Katherine continued her dirty work, assisted by Theodora.

Feel free to add any additional info AG.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#116

Theodora carefully lifted the stomach and intestines out on the operating table. With a scalpel she slowly opened the stomach. She inserted her hand, and fished out several items.

"The subject appears to bite of chunks of its prey, and then swallow those chunks whole. Here I have a... human index finger, and here... a human ear. It is safe to assume that humans are the primary food source of these beings, though here I have... a canine jaw, complete with teeth."

Katherine smiled to herself and started looking at blood samples through a microscope. "The black blood seems to have white and... black blood cells. When I add a piece of human blood, the black blood cells attack the red ones, and they in turn turn black... Interesting."

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#117

Rebecca was leaning in the corner, observing the autopsy, twiddling her braid nervously.
Certainly, the doctor's questions were spot on.
But could she tell her?
Certainly not.
As if she could hear mother's voice.
Never get caught, never tell. Once they know, they will fear you. It may be your death.
The secret was what distanced her from any and all.
It was pressing against the inside of her skull.

"Katherine, I haven't been entirely honest", she came up and awkwardly placed her arm on the doctor's shoulder.
The look she received in return told of her suboptimal timing - but then, there wasn't ever a good time for some truths to see the light of day.
"I... do speak their language."
"But, that's not all."
"What I mean to say is..."
Katherine's face spoke of impatience, and Rebecca flushed red again, feeling her ears burn.
The words were stuck in her throat, ever repressed, and she realized she could not speak.
Instead, she scraped with her foot against the floor, and looked as if she would bolt at any moment.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#118

"Well? Spit it out girl..." She changed her tone though seeing as the girl fiddled. She sighed, removed her latex gloves and took her by the shoulders. "...I'm sorry, Rebecca, please. Let's sit down a while." She led the girl to some chairs, and sat down next to her with one arm around her. "Now. We've got all the time in the world, what is it, dear?"

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#119

"You've got to be kidding me!" Angus exclaimed as he watched the girls go off for a seated chat about emotions.

"Mary Sue, connect me to the Baron if you would, atta girl."

He stared at the alien corpse as he spoke, "Greetings, Baron. It is I, Chief Security Lieutenant, Angus Justice again. We have been bandying about your offer. Are you there? Hello?"

He glanced over at Becky and Katherine and grinned, awaiting the Baron's response.

Re: Copernicus One [Chapter 1] - Scavenger Run

#120

How long was it since anyone had placed both hands on her?
Since the last more-than-casual human contact?
Rebecca licked her lips to banish their sudden dryness, and could feel herself sweating, tensing up, her sinewy arms as if covered in panicked serpents.
That pointed mousy nose of hers might have even twitched.

Oh. Sentences. That was what the doctor wanted to hear. Her eyes dashed hence and forth.
Let's start with words.

"I... uh."
Excellent, those were two.
Less excellent, she was feeling herself starting hyperventilating, her skin below Katherine's hands tingling, the doctor's gaze unwavering...

She saw a notebook slowly lifting from its resting place behind Katherine, floating unsupported... this one was new.
No no no no no.
Rebecca's mouth was open, and her eyes briefly stared over Katherine's shoulder.

Her courage faltered.

"I wanted... admire. Ummm. You. I admire you. Your ..."
As the proximity of revelation dissolved, her fluency returned.
"... your expertise has saved us all, and your sober-minded guidance is an inspiration to us all. Though my own confidence may falter at times, I need but to look up to you and bravery returns as if its absence was a fickle illusion, fading upon your first word. I am ever grateful to have you with us, and ever in your debt - not just for your deeds and words, but for you being you."
She smiled bashfully, then gasped a "bye" and darted out of the door.

The flying notebook slammed down upon the table.