Futuristic Unlit IC

[Dragongal]

Adira glanced up at Kepler after she had set them for a consisten speed in the direction of their target. "I trust you know what you're doing," she said with a slight smile. It was strange how she could trust this crew with their new jobs despite barely knowing them, but she could never get herself to truly trust anyone outside of a working fashion. In her experience, though, crewmen worked better when they were given relative autonomy in their area, and trust in their skills encouraged them to continue to do well.

 

[Gradous13]

When Mattias walked down the corridor Kepler passed him, he murmured something to him as he did. Otto caught what Kepler said but payed little mind to it, hell He didn't need Otto's permission. Otto was going to go to his quarters but decided to see what the kitchen had instead, something to do to keep his mind of things. Making his way back to the hub He noticed a few others still there but let them be as he began rummaging through the cabinets and shelves. There was plenty of food, a little bit of every thing, from fresh food to MRE's. The last cabinet was under the serving counter, Otto knelt to see what else could be in stock "Lots to eat and drink....buuuut I know there's gotta be something of, heh, superior quality" he thought. After a few minutes of searching he found a very dusty bottle tilted on its side behind a few box's. Otto also found the back of his head meeting the bottom of the cabinet opening with force as the ship lifted from the ground "God dammit! Could've at least made an announcement..." He muttered as he stood up with the bottle in his hand, turning to face away from the hub and leaned against the counter, "Well well, this could be promising." He whispered before he blew of some of the dust, the rest coming of with a gentle rubbing of his thumb. A large smile grew upon his face, "NOW THIS! This is a find!" Otto's eyes shown his excitement but he kept his words to himself. "An unopened bottle of Westweld's Scotch!" This is something he had at a military banquet for the Waning Stars commander above him, and anyone who has money typically has Westweld's in their inventory of high quality liquors. "This one is older than me! Though... not by much, a few years but hell this would be excellent to have after this mission." Otto regained composure and casually turned around with a blank face. He then put the bottle into a different hiding spot, a better spot for after the mission. Otto left the kitchen area to change into the suit for the mission which he was equally excited for.

 

[Epiphany]

With the armory secured, Kestrel spent a little time unpacking into her new quarters. She hadn't come with much. Space-worthy jumpsuits, data storage and personal effects. Half of her duffel was full of gifts and knicknacks bestowed upon her by the people she'd served with in Granite's military. Kestrel lifted a whisper-silk dress and shook her head in wonderment that Candice thought she'd ever have an occasion to wear something like this out here.

It was strange to be heading into space once more, without her people. It was stranger to think of the friends she'd made that she'd be leaving behind. Planetborn weren't her kind at all and yet Kestrel knew she'd miss some of them after all. A smile creased her lips. Who would have thought?

With the last figurine set out, Kestrel took one last look at her quarters, nodded in satisfaction and made for the bridge once lift off was complete.

She took her time getting there. This would be her first time traveling in space on a ship that wasn't the Mutter's Spiral or one of its attached fleet vessels. Kestrel traced the wall panels, paused to inspect some wiring and took her time getting the feel for the give of the deck plate beneath her boots. She took special note of patch kits, emergency controls, and other life-saving measures built into the ship. Such knowledge was reflexive for the spaceborn and it could save her life if she listened to it in the right circumstances. Slowly, she grew used to the vessel. By the time Kestrel arrived on the bridge, she had a smile she couldn't shake.

Pressing the button to open the bridge door, Kestrel stepped in and took in the sight of the stars. Tears gleamed in her eyes and, despite herself, the tall blonde woman stepped past Adira and Kepler to the widest span of transparent hull, affording her the best view of the space streaking by. Kestrel didn't touch the glass (no one needed smudges on the main viewing panel), she just stood there and drank in the beauty of the open universe and all that awaited the crew.

At last, she turned around and beamed at the pair. "Thanks for having me aboard, Captain," she said to Adira. Then she nodded once and left to suit up for the job ahead.

 

[Solar Daddy]

After giving Adira the go ahead to take off, Silas accessed his data pad and made sure to give out the alert to planetary control that they'd be ascending out of orbit. With the green light to proceed, Silas left the cockpit just as Kestrel had entered. He nodded his head to her when they passed, and made his way down the central corridor to the hub. He went down the thin staircase that wound down to the subdeck, taking a right to enter the engine room. He knew it would be working perfectly, Silas had checked the entire ship over countless times before takeoff, but he always wanted to make sure his work was well done. After all, his job was the one that would kill them all the quickest if he made a mistake. Forgot to drill some hull back on to the ship? Whoops, they'd all suffocate. Didn't wire something correctly? Those unlucky enough not to burn would suffocate. Left the door open? Although normally impossible on most ships, Silas' overrides to improve output sometimes had side effects that could be problematic. The end result? Suffocating. Basically anything he did wrong would strangle them all, and he wanted to avoid that if possible.

Silas did a one-over and decided everything was in place and well maintained. He went back up top and reclined on the couch in the Hub with a sigh, feeling glad he didn't have to worry about much until they arrived at the Halcyon cruiser. He was nervous that so much time away from a ship or space would harm his abilities, but he seemed to have kept his mechanical and electrical charm through his rut. He took this time to mull over who he wanted to take with him on his op to recover the data from the bridge of the ship. He assumed almost any of them would work well, but he also needed to make sure their specific skill set wouldn't be needed with the larger group.

When the time came that they'd be leaving FTLT, Silas made a general announcement Through their secure channel to get everything ready. He made a stop at the armory and grabbed himself a sidearm and kenetic rifle, which didn't have enough ammunition for a full magazine for either of his weapons. He holstered them both before waiting against the exit doors for the rest to accumulate. Although him and his chosen teammate would separate from the group when they got on board, they'd all be entering at the same spot.

 

[Vudukudu]

Kepler, despite his focus on the task at hand, found himself observing Kestrel mere moments after she entered. She seemed at peace, which always struck him as strange aboard star ships. Most found the silence unnerving, and confronting the knowledge of the great cosmic dark with one's own eyes shook most. She appeared at ease, or was it simply readiness? She was facing away from him, but the viewport's faint reflection gave him the slightest image of her face. What did she see out there?

He shook it off. Her thoughts were private, and he suddenly felt like an intruder for having witnessed something so personal. He would be upset to discover his private daily rites to the Spark were being watched, and he suspected she was having a similar experience, though perhaps of a different sort of spirituality. Speaking of, he had a prayer to make. "Adira-Captain. All systems appear functional, and slaved programs will continue to adjust for peak efficiency. This one should prepare for the task at hand, if he may be excused." Kepler said apologetically, pardoning himself from the bridge a short time after Kestrel's exit.

His strides were long and swift, carrying him from the bridge to his personal quarters. He shut the door long enough to change into the wargear of an Enginseer: a dark red hooded cloak over a black body-suit with a combat vest, a needle pistol strapped to his right hip, and a respirator hanging loosely above his sternum. A shield generator belt, concealed beneath the cloak, rounds out the ensemble. Once prepared, he reopens the door. Some rites are private, others are not.

Kneeling before the Cog, he strikes three runic symbols carved into its facing. It begins to hum, a pulsating mechanical dirge, just loud enough to be heard in the hallway if one listened closely. He counts four beats, and then begins. "Behold the klaxons, for they intone the litany of the Spark. Kneel before the veil of the God-Machine." He murmurs, his eyes shutting. He remains still, his hands folded together in his lap, and continues the rite. "The supplicant shall entreat the Machine, the Machine shall convene the spirits, the spirits shall part the veil." He says, concluding the first part. Every prayer starts the same, though what comes next always changes. By Kepler's count, there are some 30,000 prayers. He knows most.

"Behold the klaxons, for the litany becomes dirge. Rise and bear witness to the instrument of Its will, a specter wreathed in red. The instrument asks no forgiveness, for its task be the will of the Spark. With a gesture, the Instrument is awoken, with a word, it is disabled. Behold the klaxons, for their dirge becomes silence. Lo, the fury of the Spark is terrible. Lo, It is terrible." He finished. Kepler remained still for some time, bound in silent thought.

He hates to kill, but the Spark demanded he board this ship. If it put him here, it must have also willed that he kill. And though they approach the enemy, he knows no fear, for the Spark does not let its servants perish needlessly.

 

[Gradous13]

After Otto had returned to his quarters, He pulled out the old phone once more setting a timer and turning on dark ambient music on which resonated within the room, or perhaps just his mind. Instead of immediately gearing up Otto was in more of a daze as he counted all the patches of synthetic skin that had been cut out, repaired and replaced over the years. Each one he touched didn't bring memories, but purpose back into his conscious. Many of the wounds were from his use of his body as a shield. A saying echoed into his thoughts "If I am yours to return to, do what you must to come home, if I have perished, and there is no home to fight for, then protect those around you and you will find solace" A soft weight pressed on him, as if someone was holding him. The music grew more intense as it droned and pulsed louder and louder in his mind. Matthias crossed his right hand up to his left shoulder to embrace the warm feeling but the absence of what gripped him was only his imagination. Otto looked up into the mirror, His heart raced as he did so slowly, for what was left of his soul and being begged for Her to be there but of course, this was never to be. Matthias fell back into the chair behind him, his head hung low as his rage spiked rapidly. His teeth clenched, His fists tight, Matthias's hands shook as he brought them to the side of his head. The drone of the music grew to a deafening level as the urge to lash out increased. Everything stopped abruptly as the timer went off. Otto snapped from his turmoil and disabled the timer and music.

It had been an hour already so he turned his attention to the space suit he was to use layed out neatly atop his bed. It reminded him of the basic WS "S" series that almost everyone received with the exception of front-line and special forces units. This one had mag pouches built into the outside and areas to put armor plates into, though those were absent. Otto double checked his satchel before slinging it over his right shoulder "Charges... detonator, detcord...blasting caps....good, all present" Otto used the short lanyard from the bottom of the satchel and clipped it to his belt, this way it would lay tight against his left hip. Otto then pulled his weapons from their case, He attached the Zastaba M22 to a one point sling which he put around himself, the weapon hung off his left shoulder down to his right side. His pistol was pushed into a drop leg holster that he had brought with him, also secured to his right. There was enough room for both he primary and secondaries magazines to fit on his chest as he only hard three mags each. Otto grabbed the empty duffel to help move the armory's equipment from the decimated ship to theirs, thi s item was also slung of his left shoulder down to his left side.

Otto turned of the lights before stepping out of his quarters, helmet in his left hand, with the respirator dangling from a clip above the mag pouches. He moved his way to the exit doors and found Silas standing by, "I'm ready to go whenever, boss, lets get this done."

 

[Epiphany]

Kestrel had already spent hours familiarizing herself with the armory, not only making an inventory but prioritizing maintenance for what was in stock. Starting with the ordinance needed for the job ahead. By the time the ship made for space, the tall blonde woman had already wrapped up weapons-prep and implemented a check-out system so she could track who took what based on fingerprint/EM signature. So when the FTL drive engages and the ship speeds to its destination, Kestrel does what most smart career soldiers do.

She cooks herself a meal, drinks some water and takes a cat-nap until arrival.

After all, there was no way to know the real condition their target ship was in. Complications could result in some or all of them being split up, isolated, on their own for an indefinite amount of time. Squaring away the biological necessities could buy a soldier time to handle unexpected problems with a maximum of alertness and energy. She woke alert and refreshed, at least, once the ship's drive dropped them back into normal time-space. Hopefully her new crew had made equally good use of their time.

Kestrel checked out a kinetic rifle along with a pistol to go in her leg holster. Unlike some of the others, she hadn't come aboard with an extensive weapons collection, as her prior set belonged to the Granite military. These were well underpowered compared to what she was used to. Still, they'd do the job. Hopefully without punching too many holes in a ship's hull and spacing everyone. At least she still had her environmental armor, a customized suit that Granite had let her keep because (A) of her years of service as well, (B) it's relative obsolescence given new models were coming out this year along with (C) it was custom-machined for her physiology so they'd probably throw it away otherwise.

Suited up, the soldier steps in behind Silas, right next to Otto. "Let one of us take point," she said to Silas. "Make sure our path is secure before risking our specialists."

 

[Dragongal]

Adira had nodded to Kepler when he left, and smiled at Kestrel when she "visited". It was nice to see someone who also enjoyed space, but Adira could never claim to love it as much as Kestrel. It was like seeing a depressed fish return to the ocean, and that smile of Kestrel's made Adira feel a little bit better about being back to work. As long as Adira could keep them flying, it would be okay.

Everyone was getting ready, and Adira was no exception. She locked on their speed, coordinates, and flight path, then stood up. Opening a box on her belt caused her helmet to fold out and form with the help of a bit of very basic nano technology. She put her helmet on, then pushed a button on the collar of her jacket, causing it to mesh with her pants, gloves, and boots to turn into a sleek space suit. It was only enough for short trips - since it was just barely looser than skin-tight, it didn't keep in much heat, and the internal heating unit really needed an upgrade. But, if something went wrong, this provided some protection against physical damage, and would allow her to survive if things went really, really wrong and she was sucked out into space, or the air became contaminated. Hopefully none of that would happen. Also, her helmet was already connected to the ship's communications, and would allow her to keep talking to the crew if she had to walk away from the controls.

They were fast approaching their target. Adira resumed her seat, slowed them down, and brought them level with the downed frigate. She went on the intercomms and said, "Once I'm holding, you'll have to get on quick. We're visible to those around us, and an easy target. I'll update you if things go wrong, so keep your comms on. Remember, get as much medicine and ammo as possible, but the main job is to find any information to sell to good old Waning. I'll try to keep track of where you all are relative to the schematics we have."

 

[Gradous13]

Kestrel had joined up with Silas and himself and suggested one of them should take point. Otto glanced at Silas and Kestrel "If everyone is fine with it I can take point, don't have a problem with it" Before Otto could say anymore Captain Adira connected into the crew's comm-link to announce that they were approaching the AO quickly and reminded of the primary and secondary objectives, though they were all very important, the main score was Intel to sell to Waning Stars. Otto's helmet was where his import was so he figured the respirator was his export for his voice. Bringing the device to his mouth he replied "Captain, This is Otto, comms check, I hear you loud, clear and good copy on objectives, how do you read me?" If there was one thing that could cripple this entire mission would be loss of communications, but it seemed Silas and the Captain had long since trouble shooted the comms between the suits and the ship but it was always good to double check.

 

[Solar Daddy]

Silas only nodded in agreement to Kestrel's idea. He did a quick headcount as Ci joined their ranks as well, and afterwards, opened the door into the airlock. He stepped in and moved to the side to let Kestrel step ahead of him in line. "We keep Otto out of direct fire if possible. He's got the explosives we'll need." He lifted up his arm and began tapping away at the control panel on his wrist, and after syncing his time, turned on his oxygen supply and fully sealed his suit. He watched the fog on the front of his visor clear up as the systems in his suit kept the moisture at bay. Although Silas loved to operate in the vacuum of space, it was always nerve-wracking when he was first exposed to it, since it was the moment he'd find out if his suit was sealed properly.

"There's enough room for us all to fit in the airlock, so don't be shy." He told them. "Kestrel, when Adira gives the word, you're free to open the door. Kepler, Otto and Ci, scavenge all you can in the safest way possible until we get the ships schematics from the bridge. When Kestrel and I obtain the plans, we'll forward them to you to find the medbay and armory easily. Richmond, stay on board unless we need you for something. Keep your suit on and be ready to jump on board at any moment." Silas breathed heavy before readying his rifle in an alert position.

 

[Epiphany]

Kestrel listened to Silas instructions, nodding silently at appropriate intervals. The prospect of actual space sent a distracting thrill down her spine. She'd have to stay focused to keep from letting the pleasure of being off-world from affecting her performance.

Once the instructions are finished, Kestrel moved into the airlock and positioned herself by the outer airlock seal. Her own suit had already sealed itself off and synchronized itself to the ship. With practiced ease, she shut down most of the other broadcasting features built into the protective garment. Useful as some occasionally could be, space suits by default tended to be open targets to ECW attacks and she hadn't had time to harden hers against a skillful attacker. What measure she could take now would just have to do.

Seeing Silas' rifle go up, Kestrel placed her hand on the seal but looked to the Captain for confirmation. The chain of command was the chain of command.

 

[Dragongal]

Adira had watched them all get ready, and sighed. She wished that she could go with them, but there was no option but for her to stay aboard. When Otto spoke, she responded in a similar manner, letting them know that their suits were supposed to be synced to the ship already.

As they huddled closer to the airlock, Adira went back to her station on the bridge, and after a few minutes of final checks, she said, "You're all good to go, guys. Keep me updated."

 

[Vudukudu]

Kepler was the last to join the away team, his left arm-blade already open, his right hand casually gripping his needle pistol. He lacked the military discipline of some of his peers, but made up for it with the resolute self-assuredness only a zealot could muster. Still, zero-G wasn't his preferred environment, and he reluctantly retracted his blade to finish putting on the last section of his void-suit. It sealed magnetically, and the warning light on his helmet's HUD faded out. His helmet's comms were connected to a sensor pad taped to the inside of his left cheek, and he tapped it with his tongue. "This one is ready." He says quietly over the comms, then flicks the pad again to stop broadcasting.

The design had been recommended to him by previous employers. He had a tendency to speak to himself with great regularity while working, and this setup insured that his endless murmurings didn't drown out other messages.

 

[Gradous13]

Otto nodded to Silas's decision, though the demo charges Otto carried wouldn't be effected by anything but the detonator, Otto was not about to make a comment against it. Ci and Kepler had joined up in the airlock shortly after, each member of the breaching team reporting they were ready. Otto pulled back the charging handle of his weapon and released it to chamber a round, he did the same with his pistol. "I'm good to go, on you Silas" Otto said, indicating he was ready. He let his left hand rest on Silas's right shoulder an old habit from his military days. With his weapon gripped in his right hand, low and ready to use, Otto focused on a select few things, Survival of his team mates, The mission itself and Elimination of enemy combatants with precision.

 

[Epiphany]

On the Captain's word, and with the last members of the crew assembled, Kestrel nodded once more and triggered the air cyclers. In seconds, the atmosphere evacuated leaving the crew safely snug in their zero-G suits. Drawing out a remote, Kestrel let it drift out of her hand while synching with her suit and its built in HUD display. Then she popped the hatch and sent it bobbing on into the empty space separating the two ships. Studying its returns for a second, carefully checking for ambushes, Kestrel gripped the siderails around the airlock door and drifted through. Once she sighted onto the other ship, she sent the remote on ahead while she bent her knees and pushed off, expertly aiming herself at what seemed to be a matching airlock on the other ship.

Time to get to work.

 

[Epiphany]

Kestrel drifted through space, cradled in the soothing comfort of null gravity. Weightlessness wasn't exactly a common experience on the Mutter's Spiral but it was something she'd trained for, regularly experienced from infancy onward. More to the point, the void was as natural to her as a sky full of atmosphere was to the Planet Born. After spending the last few years with the stars hidden beneath the shrouding color of day or washed out by the lights of the city at night, the stark sharp beauty of these unknown constellations almost made her eyes well up with tears.

She had other things to do with her eyes, though. Like watch for defense systems, hostile spacesuits, hull breeches, discharges, any number of floating hazards. Nothing. Kestrel finally touched down on the foreign hull and clamped herself to it as she manuevered over to the airlock. A quick inspection told her at least one important detail.

"Approach is clear. The frigate still has power. Which will simplify entry but means we may have survivors on board after all. Come on over, everyone, so we can cycle the airlock and get this show on the road."

 

[Solar Daddy]

Silas took his first breath with caution once the airlock was open. The sensors on his suit warned him that he was now out in open space, and slowly drifted out after Kestrel. He drifted through the gap between ships, his rifle still firmly in his grasp. Now that his boots left the hull, all vibrations from his ship was absent now, the only noise he could hear now was his own heavy breathing. He looked to his side, and enjoyed the vastness of space in front of him. Silas always pictured himself among the stars, never considering the possibility of staying on a planet longer than a few months. He was so focused on the vacuum he was in, that Silas almost forgot what he was doing and nearly missed the giant frigate he was heading for. He made it though, and easily grabbed on to the various grips on the hull.

On his way over, Silas noted the name of the ship painted along its side - The Leviathan. After securing himself to the ship, he made his way to the airlock Kestrel was at. "Alright, everyone in. We don't want to get any unwanted attention." Silas activated his gravity tether on his boots to keep him stable in the airlock. With only Kestrel in front of him, Silas switched his channel from the group to a private one with a member of Waning Stars. After confirming it was the right ship, he switched back. "Everyone in, no need to keep Icarus waiting any longer."

 

[Gradous13]

Otto took his hand of off Silas's shoulder once Kestral pushed off into space. Silas followed Along with Otto with Kepler bringing up the rear. The adrenaline began pumping through Otto's system as it had been a long time since he was apart of any of world operation. This was the real deal once again and Otto felt the reflexes he once knew come back. On their approach to the downed ship, The Leviathan, Otto took note of the damaged areas, there were several hits to center mass but only a few seemed to breach the hull. Otto's instinct told him that there was more to this frigate than meets the eye as those impacts were from a heavy cannon, Icarus frigates, even though they were larger ships, typically would break apart from WS heavy artillery. The rest of the hull was nearly covered in non penetrating blast marks. Perhaps the name suited the ship and his instinct was just playing tricks on him.

Otto grasped one of the rail guards on the Leviathan with a tight grip and followed Kestral and Silas into the hull. "Watch the corners and look out for blind spots" He commented. Otto knew how well he was trained but was still a little unsure of the others which isn't unnatural. This "trial by fire" would certainly settle Otto's mind, but for now he would put his faith into his new comrades.

 

[Vudukudu]

To be completely frank, Kepler lacked training in many things. His upbringing was primarily centered on mastery of all things computer-related, and he certainly excelled in it. He was familiar with most weapons, but his true strength relied on his ability to process and implement information. Now, there's no replacing experience with theory, but Kepler manages better than most at new things. "Never do something without knowing how it is to be done." His masters once told him. They did not expect him to apply it so rigorously, to consume so much literature. They certainly didn't expect him to become concerned with knowing how to live properly, nor his burgeoning obsession with ancient Urth philosophy.

That in mind, Kepler had never before made such an entry onto another vessel, but he had read up extensively on how it was to be done. In the months following his application to be aboard this vessel, he'd done his best to familiarize himself with all things related to independent spacefaring. He'd watched holo-vids, read up on the mechanics of zero-g movement, and an exceptionally exciting guide on how to properly make delicate maneuvers in space intended for orbital-station repair mechanics. Between that, and a focused eye on those preceding him, Kepler made the jump and drifted lightly forward, a bit slower than the rest but otherwise appearing rather adept.

Kepler flicked the sensor pad to trigger his microphone, and took a breath before speaking. "This one will cover the rear. Utilizing Kestrel's signal as a directional reference. Do inform this one if she becomes separated from the group and a new reference is needed." He says, slowly and quietly. Boarding along with the rest, Kepler draws the beautifully maintained needler from his hip.

 

[Epiphany]

"Acknowledged," Kestrel said to Kepler as she positioned herself by the Leviathan's airlock. The blonde woman avoided floating in front of the airlock, of course, while inspecting the ship's airlock control interface. In the event that some idiot or damage left the interior pressurized, the last thing she wanted to do was to be blown off the ship, or potentially struck by something expelled at high velocity. Instead, she turned her attention to the unfamiliar control panel, interfacing it with her suit's computer and a common spacer's tool. The Jensena-Bryers UniMod was a kind of universal decoder most commonly used by dock crews who had to service a wide range of makes and models that put in for service at a space port. In this case, it helped her find the right ultrafrequency to synch her suit computer with. Then it was just a matter of selecting a common interface code and toggling the airlock seal.

The doors opened, revealing the interior not only had power but had properly cycled the normal charge of air out. Good. That suggested the usual automatic protocols maintained by life support were still in effect. Kestrel was the first one into the air lock and she beckoned Silas, Otto and Kepler in after her. Once all were aboard, she tripped the airlock again, buffeting them all with the sudden environmental pressure.

Then the interior doors slid open, revealing the ship's interior beyond.

"Let's go, people," she said as she was the first one inside, kinetic rifle cradled in her arms and ready to aim at any threat that materialized.

 

[Solar Daddy]

Silas had stayed close behind Kestrel, and stepped in once she did. The airlock gave him an uneasy feel as he passed through it, and eventually cycled through its pressure change. He had worked on plenty of larger ships in the past, and specialized in outside repair, mostly to the ships hull. He knew that even though the section they had entered looked untouched, that at any moment they could step into a depressurized section of the ship, get sucked into the next area, and crack their visor on debris; and just like that, they'd be dead. When they were clear to move from Kestrel's instructions, he stepped forward at the same pace she did, the barrel of his rifle over by her left shoulder as he checked their sides. "Alright, Kepler, Otto, and Ci, you're going for the armory and medbay. I'm sure with your combined skil set and... creative backgrounds, you can find a way to efficiently transport that cargo back to ours. Kestrel, we're going up a few levels, so this is where we split from them. Radio in on the emergency channel if you need us. Happy hunting."

Their environment was that of a desolate ship thrown into disarray. Lockers were strewn across the area, light fixtures flickered from time to time, and there were dark corners in every room. Silas switched his channel over to a free one, and asked, "Adira, everything holding up on your side? I want constant updates whenever possible." He informed her. He hadn't switched to the private channel with Kestrel yet, but motioned with his hand for her to follow behind him. He took lead and began taking them through various rooms, checking each one slowly and methodically.

 

[Dragongal]

Adira listened and mentally traced where they were on the schematics Otto had given them, while she monitored the area and kept the ship steady. So far, so good, they had all made it inside without dying.

A blipping noise caught her attention. The radar indicated a ship in their area, specifically a small and fast ship. Adira cursed and said, "Buckle up, guys, a scavenger ship just showed up. If I take them down, we get more supplies, but my main goal is going to be not getting killed. And where there is one scavenger, there is soon many." She put the shields up and hit the thrusters just in time, missing the first few bullets would have hit the ship. She hit the intercomms to let Richmond know to buckle into an emergency seat, then started evasive maneuvers. The scavenger ship was smaller and a bit faster, but Adira had military training, and it showed. She flew around the downed Icarus ship, so a stray shot wouldn't hit it and potentially kill her crew.

It it was hard to turn around when being chased, but she pulled the ship up and around, with the other ship following, while the circles got tighter and tighter until she could fire a few shots to gain some distance and go on the offensive.

Adira was back in her element, and was outwardly calm while her mind ran through countless strategies.

 

[Gradous13]

Otto followed Silas into the frigate after Kestrel had motioned them in. Silas gave the order to split up, Ci, Kepler and himself were to got to the armory and med bay as planned. Otto took point for equipment recovery team as Kestral and Silas moved opposite, towards the command deck. Lights flickered and the atmosphere of the ship was silent and heavy. He raised his weapon slightly lower than his shoulder as this was close quarters, even without aiming he wouldn't have a problem hitting his targets. Slowly he made his way towards the aft end of the ship, only his footsteps softly touching the ground broke the silence though the other two sets would follow shortly. Matthias moved methodically, his body relaxed for more fluid motions and quicker reaction. The room they had entered was clear, moving into the next room he noted a couple dead crewman. The room was something of a common area with some booths lining the walls. Matthias moved up with his weapon aimed at the corpses ready for a possible ambush. Noting the blood from the face and ears as one of the heads had moved he determined this was from a concussion due to a heavy flak like blast. "Cover the door ways" Matthias said as he quickly crouched down and ran his left hand along the edges of the bodies before flipping them over. One man was an officer and to Matthias's liking he had a side arm which he took along with the spare magazine and put it into the duffel he had slung over his back. The other was of low rank which wouldn't have anything. "I'm good, let's go" he said not a minute later.

 

[Vudukudu]

Kepler maintains pacing, shuffling backwards with almost mechanical precision. It was easy enough to walk backwards and stay near the group once he switched his HUD's reference point to Ci, not to mention the amount of noise she and Matthias made. His comms were disabled, but that did not stop his incessant chattering. "Rise and bear witness to the instrument of its will, a specter wreathed in red. The instrument asks no forgiveness, for its task be the will of the Spark. With a gesture, the Instrument is awoken, with a word, it is disabled. Behold the klaxons, for their dirge becomes silence." His chant pauses when he swivels to take a glance forward, and his eyes come to rest on the deceased that Matthias is in the middle of looting. "Lo, the fury of the Spark is terrible. Lo, it is terrible." He finishes, his expression suddenly downcast.

From what he knew of aliens and Ci's particular breed, he suspected she'd pick up at least a hint of his quiet mourning. He was unsure of the half-breed's capacity for tele-empathy, but another Aulean he'd met in his travels had made the uncomfortable realization that, despite Kepler's general lack of expressiveness, he broadcast his emotions powerfully. She'd been horrified to learn that he'd had most of the nerves in his face seared, rendering him nearly statuesque. Still, he bubbled beneath the surface. That, the Engine-Seers could not take away from him. It had taken him away from them.

As he'd expected, Ci's brow rose. The cyborg's woe was palpable, rolling off him in waves. It was a quiet pain, though, one tempered by immaculate self-control. "Something wrong, Clockwork?" She inquired, casually shifting her weight to her left heel and then back. Compared to Kepler's almost mechanical movement, she was as lithe and graceful as a Zoholian Lashwing.

Kepler frowned and averted his eyes from the corpses. "All life is the legacy of the Spark. Every mote of the Spark's light that dims is a tragedy." He replied, then glanced at his weapon. "Even if it is the Spark's will."

Ci's grey eyes blinked twice, and then she giggled. "You're a strange one, Clockwork. I like you." She said, then popped her rifle up to rest on her shoulder as she sauntered away. Kepler's lips formed a faint, smile-like crease.

Before he can take a moment to whisper a word for the dead, Kepler's HUD flashes a pair of wave-like signals to his right side. Pistol raised, he swivels and aims at the door. "Not alone, Matthias. Recommend immediate egress." His eyes scan the room, though his pistol remains trained on the door. "Kepler to Adira-Captain and All-Masters. Likely hostile presence aboard. Unsure if crew or the vessel's attackers." He says over comms, then takes three half-steps to the left, remaining focused on the doorway.

 

[Gradous13]

The sound of a bulkhead opening grabbed Matthias's attention followed immediately by Kepler announcing they were no longer alone and suggested an egress. It was time. Matthias shot to his feet and fell back several feet from the door that opened. He saw a figure darted from left to right in the flickering of the lights within the next area "YOU can egress if you want!" he said with a vicious, energetic tone which brought his usual monotonousness to life. This was himself, wise, eager.... and lethal. The metal groaned beneath his feet as he pushed off. With five large steps forwards he was gone...

The lights flicked sporadically in the hallway. In the warped sensation of time he thrusted his open hand into the throat of a man to his left and swung him into his comrade opposite of him. The other combatants witnessed this and fired at Matthias's general direction. Using the momentum from his first attack Matthias bounded forwards, moving rapidly from one side of the hallway to the other and rammed his shoulder into the gut of the enemy on the left side. The man dropped his weapon the moment Matthias made contact and was lifted off his feet and landed a couple meters away. Matthias grabbed the weapon before it hit the ground and bashed in the helmet of the last man until his skull broke then finished the other two who just got to their feet with a couple rounds each before killing the one who dropped his weapon. A moment of silence fell upon the hallway "Well, not bad, seems that... I've still got it" Matthias said over the comms with a hint of pride as he caught his breath. He walked back towards his own comrades stripping weapons and stashing them as he went. He poked his head out of the bulk head with a smile upon his face and a glimmer in his eyes, almost of that of a kid in a candy shop with free reigns "Well come on! We still have a ship to loot!" He said looking back and forth at both Ci and Kepler. Matthias then went back into the hallway stopping about half way to cover the opposite side before their team moved forwards.