Futuristic Space Antics: The Revival

[OnyxMule]

Scales scanned the area and took a heavy breath of the rather smoggy air, not taking much interest in the conversation. That is until the one-armed man, apparently named Astin addressed him.
"Please, it’s just Scales for you," he responded with a smug undertone. “Former cop eh? Well if you’re looking for a new job, I heard that they were looking for a new slot machine downtown.”

 

[Moldie]

Aoeda was slightly shocked by the comment at first, but a snicker soon followed. “God damn, that fierce huh?” She said looking to Scales with a raised eyebrow taped to her smiling, likewise borderline smug face. Although it was a joke she found pleasing, she didn’t want to deter the other half. “Yeah well the “slot machine”'s right, we wanna start moving like, now.", Aoeda said starting to slowly walk backwards away from the group as if luring them along. She briskly tapped down a short set of stairs bordering into the populated streets of Springway, but instead of entering the stream she deviated into a crack between buildings.

Fleatown Theme

​

The gang paced down through a narrow alleyway ridden with forgotten trash and puddles reduced to grimy slush. They were heading westward, to the calmer areas of East Fleatown. No plants ever had the chance to grow here and instead pipage climbed up the brick walls, and the life of those on the other side of the bricks could clearly be heard. The crushing of a bottle, furious shouting, even a distant gunshot? This wasn’t uncommon by any standard, but all truly has to watch their act in these parts as a wrong turn too often spells out one's last turn. Here most carry at least a knife and find their home in the form a gang rather than an apartment or house. That way they don’t have much to loose.

Aoeda knew the place well, but she had long since made it a habit to double check her GPS. Her slick phone slid out her pocket, and with a swift press of it’s backside a clear blue glowing hologram appeared. It was clearly a map, and with the zoom of two fingers it was revealed to show their position, “FLEATOWN”.

​

The map had been customized, and Aoeda’s own landmarks were labeled and dotted out. It was an old piece of tech, it didn’t even have a prismatic projector able to display colored holograms. Nonetheless she found the piece of Sargon* history rather charming. With a brisk Zap the hologram seemingly folded itself back in. As it did it made clear how dark it was, as with it’s disappearance the lack of even neonic signs was as clear as ever. A few lonely, dull street lamps projected rays of light down upon it’s downtrodden pavement. Even in the wake of these factors there were still some people around. A hooded figure leaned against a wall, shivering seemingly out of fear. One laid past out in a puddle. Another was gruesomely throwing up through a cracked open window with the bile landing only centimeters from the grounded hobo. Aoeda just hoped her company would agree the shortcut a fair trade for the detrimental environment they found themselves in.

*Sargon Technologies: A teleoperator in major decline.

 

[OnyxMule]

The environment unsettled Scales quite a lot. He wasn’t repulsed by the lowfolk*. In fact, he pitied the poor souls that had to live on such horrendous terms. It hit too close to home. His thoughts went adrift. He was painstakingly reminded of his time in hiding. Images of murky alleyways flashed in front of his eyes. It had been some thirty years since, a period in his life that nobody else really knew about. Nobody who was alive anyway. It was a time he never wanted to relive ever. Possibly days or weeks without food or clean water. The constant pressure from local gangs and authorities. It’s vile.
*CLINK*
The darkened glass bottle went rolling as Scales almost stumbled upon it. The visions were gone. He blinked hardly and shook his head lightly, then carried on.

*Lowfolk - slang for people living in the lowest of conditions. Homeless, without stable jobs or pay grade.

 

[Moldie]

After a few more run-ins with the locals and pacing through what could be mistaken for drainage canals, the gang arrived at a cramped square only inhabited by a few dumpsters and a lonely man. The rugged figure sat leaned against a wall with a small stereo in his lap playing tunes reminiscent of far away luxury resorts. Aoeda approached a thick metal door a few steps lowered into the ground. It was adorned by a sign plastered with red glowing letters of alien descent. Aoeda put her thumb on a small elastic, blue pad next to the sheet. It took a good while before it let out a spry beep and the locking mechanisms could be heard loosen. The door didn’t open though, Aoeda sighed before semi harshly kicking the door. The last staple could be seen retract and the door slowly drew open. Behind it a staircase lit by dullened red light continued further underground. As she tread down under she could feel the air get warmer and denser, “Close the door behind you.” She exclaimed back the line.

With a turn the company arrived at a small room, tainted by it’s cherry red lamps. High and low sheets of wavy smoke laid stagnant. Near another door a woman leaned back on a chair resting her boots upon a counter. The room had it’s walls decorated by posters and a few shelves covered in all manners of scrap. Aoeda stood in front of the counter, looking down on the woman. Next to the womans feet laid an overflowing ashtray, with a few stumps spilling onto the carpet floor. It was hard to tell the color of hair that was put up in a frayed and messy bun as the lighting rendered most everything redish, and her eyes were hidden behind a pair of stylish sunglasses. She was seemingly asleep, as her head hung over the back of the plaid chair with her open mouth facing the roof. Aoeda rolled her eyes, “Mischa” she assertively called. No response. “Mischa.” she once again exclaimed. “What?” The woman said not changing her pose. “The door you ass” Aoeda’s agitated voice spat at her. “Mm...” Mischa mumbled as she sat herself up, throwing a woozy look at the group. “Whose your friends?..” She continued while she slowly started dotting on the buttons of a vintage cash register. Mischa was showing smuggish smile from under her glasses. “A lizard, some girl and a fucking police officer. What do you care?” Aoeda answered. Mischa continued with a snicker, “Oh you know me”. With a last click the cash register opened with clang in synch with the door. "Regrettably..." Aoeda said under her breath walking out the room directly after. Tired after only a few seconds of interaction with the dopy woman. Despite this Mischa's smile widened "Love you too babe!" she sarcastically uttered as she leaned over her counter to watch Aoeda leave, laughing as she did.

She emerged through the opening to a long corridor, supported by fancy pillars. It’s walls consisted out of blue eminatic aquariums, seemingly empty. Along the entire room followed a nice looking carpet in perfectly pristine condition. As the group followed suit, Mischa lowered her glasses slightly, swiftly throwing a slightly seductive, implicative look upon Scales.

Soon yet another door faced them, but this one wasn’t like the others. This was a larger, much more secure door On it’s side stood a large Kregg dressed as if ready for war, with a large marking matching Aoedas tattoo on his chest piece. Without any exchange the Kregg held the door open for the group to enter. They were there. Papa Grey’s Plaza. His wealth didn’t reflect his home. Sure there were some nice looking fur furniture, a few clad sofas and chandeleir for example. But Grey had tried to make it clear that they aren’t like the assholes up high in their floating temples, they were lowfolk. Always were gonna be. The room they found themselves in was spacious and simple. It had a few veins leading out of it sprawling throughout the complex. A line or two of graffiti even marked it’s walls. Aoeda was surprised by the fact that the hall was empty, it typically never was. As if from nowhere she heard a familiar voice next to her. “Already here eh?”. It came from a man dressed in a plaid suit colored tangerine, purple and green, wearing a pair of large, round, orange tinted glasses over his large nose. His hairline was clearly receding, and the hair he had left was lamp black. He flashed a pearly smile. Aoeda seemed relieved as she looked upon the shady man."LaDanian" She thought. "Clearly." Aoeda jokingly answered. His smile remained as he inspected the other members of the gang. Suddenly his eyes narrowed. “Is that my man Astin I spot?” he energetically said looking and pointing at the one armed man. Although they hadn't met during Astins last visit, LaDanian of course knew about him and his compromise.

 

[OnyxMule]

Scales stood idly and witnessed the conversation between Aoeda and the young girl called Mischa. His thoughts were starting to drift. When was the last time he got some sleep? It must have been sometime before leaving the planet Baalor. A couple of days ago? His body handled it quite well, being a sppantian and all, but the lack of rest was starting to show in his inability to remain focused whenever something actionless took place. His focus shifted back to the conversation for a brief moment. “Lizard… typical,” he thought to himself. It seemed like they were clear to enter.
Scales was momentarily stunned as the door slid open and revealed a pompous corridor, grazed by decorations fitting for the likes of kings. This Grey was obviously an extremely successful person. Wonder why he hadn’t hired Scales already? Maybe he had, but the mail got filtered into the spam-folder, or just lost in his bottomless inbox. As he looked back, he was met by a suggestive gaze from Mischa. He responded with an amused smile. “Humans…” Wonder if she realized the rather substantial age gap.
Scales mindlessly followed Aoeda further into the complex, his thoughts once again wandering off on their own. “I wonder what’s for lunch.”

 

[Joel Hessel]

Astin looked at the well-dressed man with suspicion in his eyes.
"Does everyone know me down here?" he exclaimed with an abject tone, raising his shoulders and gesturing with his hand towards the stranger. The movement made the knot of his empty right sleeve dangle through the air. The Kregg that guarded the door looked his way, exchanging looks with the man in the suit.
"It's fine, there is no trouble." LaDanian said, dismissing the Kreggs watchful stance. He reached out his had to Astin.
"I'm LaDanian. I've heard the rumors of your..." He paused. "small misadventure on the lower levels". Astin looked profoundly confused at the man.
Do I even want to know how many others have heard of me? It's only a matter of time until the police finds out I'm alive.
Astin reached out and shook LaDanians hand.
"Heard your boss could get me everything from work to guns, gear and a ticket of this planet" He said, skipping the politeness completely.
The mans pearly smile quickly faded and he briefly gazed at Aoeda before looking back at Astin, dissecting him with his eyes.
"I don't know what you've been promised". There was a tense pause before he, seemingly at the press of a button, snapped back to his smiling and welcoming face.
"But I'm sure you can be of great use to Mr. Grey."

 

[Sandagaden]

Luna didn't participate in any conversation. Even if she physically were there and probably were able to, she thought that they would be better off if she was just quiet.
She had been overhearing most of the dialogue but she still couldn’t figure out what kind of man this Mr. Gray was. She was curious, eager to find out.
But she didn’t dare to ask, for she knew she would find out sooner or later.
“I just hope he’s not associated with my father”.
She slowly brought some strands of hair behind her ear before continuing her observation of the painfully vibrant guy who probably just had ended his conversation with the one armed man.

 

[Moldie]

Aoeda was happy that the coalition was finally taking place. She took LaDanians presence for granted these days and barely paid him no mind. Instead she wandered off with a few steps trying to scout out any of the regulars. "Uh, so LaDanian. Where is everyone?" As of his calling he turned away from Astin, "Boss ordered clear floor for the meeting.". Aoeda looked back at him with a genuinely surprised expression, "Shit, this must be big then yeah?". LaDanian raised his eyebrows and puffed out some air through his thin lips, "You could say that.". “Speaking of the grey, he requests you all in his quarter. Like you know, now.” Aoeda gave him a halfway nod. “You coming?” She asked, to which she got one a those classic LaDanian grins. “Later, gotta go pay Junior her salary (Mischa)” he cheekily said as he drew a small plastic bag out his suits inner pocket. He dangled it in the air, Aoeda instantly scouted it out to be a couple Freckles*. Not some street shit either, they were house produced. “You’re sick, you know that right?” Her smiling mouth cast towards the man. “Eh, kids you know.” Ladanian finished as he walked past the gang. “Oh right, I’ll get to you two later.” He continued as he walked backwards, pointing to his own two eyes then back at Scales and Luna’s all the while upholding his signature grin.

They were on their own again, but not for long. “Alright, ready up.” Aoeda said, starting to head towards another corridor. “And just, whatever you do, don’t mention his height. He doesn’t fuck around like that.”. It wasn’t many paces until they reached a door guarded by a rather tall Kabburb. Aoeda smiled upon the sight, “What’s up Croc?”. The creature smiled, but didn’t look their way, “Haha, yes.” his goofy slightly muffled voice joyfully expressed. The single reason he’d got to stay in the area was most likely cause he didn’t really pick up on things. Not on anything actually. He didn’t even work there, he’d just appeared one day and Grey let him stay, seeing him more as a pet then a guard. Aoeda opened the wooden door without protest. “You the man, Croc.”, the Kabburb’s smile widened. After a few steps into the room she could hear him quietly respon through the wall. “Haha, yes…”.

The room was dark. All she could see and hear was the faint light and sound of a lighter. A pair of small grey feet hung out a striking shadow. “He’s an angel you know.” A raspy voice echoed. “My lucky charm.”, it was clear who it was. The big headed figure leaned out the darkness, revealing a pair of large, black, reflective beady eyes. In the aliens mouth a regularly proportioned cigar hung, making for another goofy appearance. “I’m here as asked.” Aoeda interrupted. Grey quickly scanned the rest of the gang before melting into the shadows again. “Mm. I see you got the copper with you too. Sppantian, long time no see... To top it off, a girl. White haired. Altered genes? That’s expensive...” It was as if he was holding a monologue. He jumped out of his hiding before anyone could say anything. “The job.” He said, revealing his dark and tinily tailored suit. “Yeah, that’s why we’re here…” Aoeda explained as she scratched the back of her head. The small figure waddled back and forth. “Mmmmm. There’s a core.”, he’d ended the sentence as if he was going to continue it, but he never did. Just as Aoeda was about to intervene, she was instantly cut of by LaDanians sudden appearance. In the darkness his eyes were completely anonymous through his large tinted glasses. “It’s a gyro-spherical K9 military issued nuclear core, the model’s about 10 year old and it’s most likely around that time this one was built.” He paused. “It’s rogue. We want it.” LaDanian stated as if it were a simple task. Papa stepped up as if he was legitimising the statements. “We offer 50 000 000 big P’s.”.

*Freckles - A psychedelic substance in the form of a sticker that’s absorbed through the skin. It gets its name from addicts often going around completely covered in them thus making their pattern appear like freckles.