Star Brigade: A 53rd Century Adventure RP

[Soviet Heavy]

Snip

"How can I say no. The infected colonists were safely evacuated from the site, and all the official members of the Diplomatic Corps performed their tasks reasonably well enough with the skills that they themselves possessed. If we're talking about teamwork, it was sufficient enough that the objectives were completed quickly." said Gabriel, after which he turned to Captain Vance.

"Captain Vance, although I wasn't an official member of your ship or of the Diplomatic Corps itself, and therefore didn't know your crew well; I give my condolences to those that were lost." He said in a sympathetic tone.

"Don't you worry," assured Vance. "No more of my crew are going to die. I make that a promise to all of you."

If we can hurry this up, Captain. Your window is closing and I must return to my duties soon. Anderson, perhaps you can share your opinion. According to our information, you and Commander Lime had gone to collect a group of colonists trapped in a warehouse, yes?

"Yes, Commander." he said. "We were assigned to the group searching the lower level of the colony. It seemed that they were using the warehouses as a Quarantine zone, letting the Skillex fish eat the dead. The tide came in and brought the predators, so we left to try and regroup with the others. When we got back, we came under fire from the Cultists. I was knocked out a window and had to find my way back in.

"I came into confrontation with some of the other members regarding the decision to move the colonists. Frankly, I made my choice on moral grounds rather than scientific reasoning. While the Gyrale plague may be deadly, I couldn't just leave the people I'd been told to help for the Norg. I just couldn't leave them. We did our job as best we could. I am glad that an agreement was made."

"So, you let your emotional state guide you? You understand that you must remain impartial, operative. This will be noted on your record."

"Along with everything else you've dug up on me, I'm sure." he muttered.

That will also be added to the report, Operative." Cerise said in a chastising tone. "Captain, I need to leave soon. Final report shall come from Operative Muoxilaxes."

Snip

"Muo, same questions as the others," said Vance. "How did you feel the mission went?"

 

[Bravo 21]

Muo shrugged "I think it went as well as can be hoped. We accomplished the objective of retrieving the colonists, a decision I will stand by, regardless of the consequences." He paused momentarily, waiting to see if anyone would challenge him before continuing. "We also killed off the Cultists before they could become a larger threat. However, the capture of the ship is... painful. To have our own captured and taken from us, that cries out for a strong reply, so that no one tries to follow these cowards example."

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Snip

Snip

Snip

Snip

"That's good enough for me, Muo. You'll come in handy if we need a door smashed in." Vance turned to Cerise. "Is this satisfactory, Commander?"

"It is, Captain. Have the findings sent to our databanks, and you may launch. I shall retire. Good luck, gentlemen." Cerise stood and left the room. Not soon afterwords, Captain Murray's voice sounded across the intercom.

"Attention all hands, Commander Cerise is clear of the Pious King, we are ready for launch. Expected time of arrival at the Devrost Sector is three days. I've messaged the Xenat System Patrol of our arrival, giving us special clearance. We'll be allowed to travel undetected through the system on our way to Scalrey. Captain Vance, I'll need you and Counselor Wing on the bridge. The remainder of your team can integrate into my crew until we arrive. I could use people like Chief Demexin and Engineer Bergmann on this ship."

"Understood, Captain." said Vance. "This is your lady, and I'll make sure my boys treat her well. On my way. Til, you're with me."
[hr]
The Pious King was nearly three times the size of the Star Brigade. A six hundred meter long Fenris Attack Cruiser, the ship was only beaten in size by the Hellhammer Carriers and Cerise's mammoth Alsvior Dreadnought. She was armed to the teeth, with several missile tubes and particle beam cannons. Ships like the King were used by the Diplomatic Corps during hostile situations. When the neutral ship had the biggest guns, it usually made the opposing sides stop and listen.

Vance stood next to Murray on the bridge. It was bigger than his, but it also felt emptier. Vance shook his head, he was just thinking about home. This was Murray's home, not his. The King swiftly left New Terra behind, its Green and Silver surface shrinking into the emptiness of space. Ahead of them was the orbital Jump Gate. Unlike stationary planets, New Terra required mobile Jump Gates due to the planet ship's traveling nature.

"Captain, we're entering the accelerator field." said the pilot. "Clearance has been granted and we're ready to open the engines."

"Do it, Mr Faren. All hands, prepare for launch. Engage."

The King felt a slight tug as it was pulled into the field, before the inertial compensator kicked in, returning the ship's interior to normal levels. Now, it was just three days to Devrost.
[hr]

The Corps members had filed out of the room, heading either to their quarters, or to work stations. Demexin, however, had somewhere else in mind. Traveling down two levels, he arrived at the medical bay. James was up and walking, which was good. The physiotherapy on his leg would take time, but he had been declared fit for duty. He just had to take things easy for a while. When he saw Demexin, he stopped his exercise and stood at attention. Demexin just waved it off.

"Not now, James. We've got three days cooped up in this ship. I can fix her in one. I came down to see how you were doing. Everything holding up? Nice to see you've cleaned up nicely. I just wanted to say, I'm sorry. I'm sorry about what happened."
[hr]

Tom and Lime were heading down to the weapons range. Lime had insisted over the past few days that he needed to learn how to handle a gun if they were going up against terrorists. A field medic was well and good, but not a dead one.

They found Gabriel down at the range. The man was making pinpoint shots from a handgun at a range of 150 meters, a quarter of the ship's length. If he noticed them come in, he didn't show it.

"So, Lime, what do you think I should try with first? I know proper handling, but never good marksmanship. Any suggestions?"

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Snip

Lime walked over to the armory and came back holding the weapon. The sleek, black metal pistol had a firm grip and a hard trigger. At least he wouldn't blow a hole in the wall. Approaching a vacant cubicle, he flipped the safety off and readied the Wasp.

"Whenever you're ready, Lime." he called. Lime nodded and flipped the switch. The solid state hologram target appeared ahead of Tom. Exhaling, he squeezed the trigger. The small capsule shot out from the gun, bursting on contact with the target. The hologram was thrown back by the force as the canister fluid hardened around it.

Lime looked impressed. Gabriel just shrugged and continued firing.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Snip

After the colony debriefing was over, the members all neatly filed out, and headed to their respective areas so they could prepare for this upcoming assignment in the Devrost Sector. As promised, Gabriel had his guns returned as he exited to the meeting, and made his way down to the weapons range.

His shots were impressive to say the least. From only using a handgun, Gabriel made pinpoint shots on targets that were roughly 150 meters away from him. Suffice to say, those who were managing the range were impressed. A little while later, Tom and Lime had entered the room, although he had noticed them, he gave no clear indication as to acknowledge this.

The two then began discussing what type of weapons he should use, given his overall skill level. Lime brought over to him, a sleek, black metal pistol that had a firm grip and a hard trigger. Tom approached a vacant cubicle, and flipped the safety off the wasp.

"Whenever you're ready, Lime." Tom called, which signalled Lime to flip a switch, and out formed a solid state hologram target. Exhaling, Tom squeezed the trigger. A small capsule filled with yellow liquid shot out from the gun, bursting on contact with the target. The hologram was thrown back by the force as the canister fluid hardened around it. Gabriel put down his pistol, after loading a fresh magazine and turned to face Tom.

"Nice shot by the way Tom, you had good control over the weapon. Steady breathing, and a firm, but not death like grip on a firearm is essential for accurate shooting." Gabriel remarked in a friendly tone, complimenting Tom on his shot.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Snip

Snip

Tom smiled nervously. "Beginners luck, I guess." he muttered. Despite Gabriel's compliment, the man unnerved him. Everything he did was so precise, so clean. He had ridiculous posture, he never stumbled, and his movements were as rigid as an Astrid. Something was off about him. He was like a machine. Except that would be crazy.

Lime set up another target, this time changing the algorithms to allow the projection movement and evasive tactics. To his credit, Tom hit more than he missed, but his missed shots became more frequent as the practice wore on. Eventually, they decided to call it quits. No sense practicing when you became tired, unless you wanted a new window in the ship's hull.

[hr]
On the bridge, Murray and Vance were planning exit strategies in case the mission went sour, and how to best use the Pious King as an asset. Til Wing let them discuss matters while she examined Murray's crew. Unlike the Star Brigade's more lax policies, it was clear to her that Murray ran the vessel as a warship first. The navigation and piloting crews were all business, none of the small talk that echoed through Vance's bridge.

Even the AI assistant was minimalist. The King operated on an Emergency Reactionary Information System, or E.R.I.S AI. True to the name, the AI was terse, to the point, and utterly deadly when performing countermeasures. Anyone trying to hack an E.R.I.S system would soon feel its spite. Til knew better than to strike up a conversation like she would with Lisa.

Her mind began to drift to the others. The bridge crew of the Star Brigade, where were they now?

 

[Bravo 21]

snip

Snip

Snip

Muo entered the firing range, having found replacement weapons for those aboard the Star Brigade from among the King's impressive armory. In the range he found Lime, Tom and Gabe, as well as a few crew members of the Pious King. He nodded to the trio, before taking up position in one of the empty lanes. Might as well break the new weapon in before they reached the Xenat system.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Snip

Snip

Gabriel Wolfe - The Pious King (Armoury)

Gabriel continued talking with Lime and Tom, when Muo entered the armoury. He was seen holding one of the replacement weapons that the Pious King offered to those from the Star Brigade; whilst the gesture was nice, Gabriel much preferred to use his own guns. Muo gave the trio a brief nod before setting up in one of the empty firing lanes, and began some practice work.

"Well hello Muo. In case I forgot earlier, nice work fighting that bull Ferrax in New Frekisberg."

Ruth - The Star Brigade (Hallways)

Ruth had kept herself relatively quiet ever since some people who were posing as engineers installing some new weapons to the Star Brigade had taken over the ship, and plotted a course to some star system she hadn't heard of. She had remained mostly within her quarters, clutching a pistol she carried in both her hands; whilst she hadn't had much firearms experience, Gabriel had taught her how to operate small arms, for that she could thank him. She was also one of the few people who knew of his true nature as an A.I, but had promised to keep it a secret.

She decided to explore the ship, hoping to find some friendly face, or at least someone to talk to that wasn't taking over the ship. Ruth held her pistol with one hand, and a flash light with the other as he started to walk around the ship. Soon found someone looking at a terminal. From what she could remember, the person was a lizard creature known as a Lallow, and was orange scaly skin with purple blue rings. But what was the lizard name?

"Callum?... Kaitlin?... Kristina?... Casey?... Ah yes, that was it." Ruth began asking herself, before she remembered, and walked up to the lizard.

"Um hello there. Your name is Kalade correct?" Ruth asked rather nervously, hoping she was right.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Snip

Ruth was a little surprised and scared when the Lallow sent these flying creatures to investigate her. After a while though, a smile had formed on her lips, as she holstered the gun, still holding on to the flash light to get a better look. A single word escaped her lips.

"Fascinating." Ruth then regained her composure, and then spoke to the Lallow directly.

"Relax, I don't mean to be a threat. As to how I know who you are, is that I overheard Gabriel talking to you whilst he was still on board. He's a good man, or should I say A.I; but of course you know what he truly is. What did you think of him?" Ruth said in a calm, almost friendly, rounding off with a question.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Snip

Ruth

Ruth looked confused when the Kalade the Lallow spoke to her, saying that she was the one to create Gabriel.

"Oh, you have me mistaken for someone else Kalade. I was never the one to actually create, build, or design Gabriel. Thats the one thing about his life as it were that he has never told me about; it must be personal if he doesn't want to say anything, and I respect his wishes. As for actual combat experience, I'm no solider. I mean, I can handle small arms like this pistol and an SMG, but combat has always not been my strong point." Ruth said, before looking over her shoulder, to see if they were being watched.

"So then, where do you think we should head first?" She then asked in a quiet tone.

Gabriel Wolfe

Gabriel heard the announcement that rang through the armoury, then spoke to the others.

"Well then, not one to call me Captain Obvious, but we should probably head there as soon as possible."

 

[Bravo 21]

Snip

"Thanks, nice work with the snipers. You ever serve in the SU armed forces?" Before the question could be answered, a voice came over the ships PA system.
Once it had finished speaking, Muo concurred with Gabe "Sure, that way we can hopefully avoid getting harrassed by a sarcastic AI program."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Snip

"Thanks, nice work with the snipers. You ever serve in the SU armed forces?" Muo had asked in response to Gabriel's compliment. A brief smile appeared on Gabriel's face before he responded.

"Don't mention it Muo. And yes, I have served some time in the SU armed forces. I was part of a Special Forces recon team. We did anything from reconnaissance for a larger attack force, ambushes, hit-and-run attacks; things in general that required stealth to be pulled off successfully. Although after an incident that that cost a fair few members of our team, I retired as it were, and became a mercenary. Should we happen to need anything hacked into, I can cover that as well."

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Snip

Snip

Snip

"This is Captain Francis Murray, of the Solanic Union Diplomatic Corps vessel Pious King. We have security clearance from the Union Administration on Poravan to travel to the Scalrey System. Commander, input our security code now."

Murray's commander nodded and keyed in the activation numbers. Vance stood watching the procedure apprehensively. The colonies had been a hotbed for terrorist activities in the past few decades. Even if Xenat had managed to clean up its act, the neighboring Scalrey System was still a mess. For all they knew, the League had implanted some agents in Poravan's government to slow them down.

Or, Vance just didn't like tedious procedures. Their Merizain Liaison chimed a response. They were clear.

"Pious King, you are clear for departure. I've sent a transmission ahead to North Hand. You will meet with their patrol forces to coordinate searches across the System. You will also take on a mission adviser from our government, for publicity reasons. This is a chance for us to show that the Xenat System Government does care for the well being of our less "civilized" relatives."

"Understood." said Murray. "Engines, full ahead, and break for orbit." The King shuddered as the thrusters pushed them into space. Soon after, they were directed towards the planetary Jump Gate. They again received clearance and blasted into the accelerator rings.

"It's seven hours to Scalrey, and then another three to North Hand." said Vance. "Captain, if you don't mind, I would prefer it if you deployed my team members a bit earlier than that."

"Vance, we're moving as quickly as possible without tearing the ship apart."

"That's not what I meant, Murray. Drop my crew off earlier. They're a small group, and they can move undetected. A system wide patrol will draw the League's attention, letting my men slip in the back, undercover. I'll stay aboard with my Counselor to keep the impression we haven't left."

"I see. Very well then, but this is off the record." Murray sank deeper into his chair, thinking. "We can set you off near Iron Tomb. I hope you can find passage from there?"

"They'll be fine. I guarantee it."

 

[Bravo 21]

Snip

Snip

Snip

Muo stepped out of the shuttle into the port known as Iron Tomb. He was not impressed by what he saw. The name, however, was fitting, as the majority of the nearby ships looked like they were on the verge of collapse. In spite of the boasts of '"Economic growth" made by the politicians, this place had seen none of it.

Beyond his passing judgement of the locals, however, Muo felt rather uncertain of how best to proceed, after all, this operation called for subtlety, something that he had been told time and time again that he lacked. "So, where to?" he asked of no one in particular, opting instead to spend his focus glaring at any passerby that he deemed suspicious.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Snip

Snip

Gabriel stepped out of the shuttle wearing a filtration mask to help deal with the somewhat toxic enviroment that Iron Tomb had, due to all the micro metallic dust fragments that were in the air because of the near constant mining that was being done. All of this had made the name it was given more fitting, as it felt like a literal iron tomb.

The sight they saw was most displeasing, as many ships appeared to be on the verge of collapse, rusting away in many places, creating noticable holes. Apparently, the area was meant to have seen a huge increase in its 'economic growth'; either that was a lie, or the money had been used poorly.

"So, where to?" Muo had asked, breaking the silence.

"This may be the most blunt option Muo, but it might be an idea to ask the local populace, see if they have any leads we could follow." Gabriel replied, his voice sounding a little deeper due to the mask.