Scrunching her pretty face up in a scowl, Hannalore shook her head as she thought over Summer's words. Mulling over it, she started to speak, then cut it off quickly.
Thinking over it a moment, she started again. Concern was evident in her voice, as she tried to make an effort to be as clear as possible. "But... what caused the communications to go down in the first place, do you suppose? I'm not an-an expert on forth dimension, but I know that making systems that break down when you Fold is a-a bad idea..."
"That is a good question." Summer replies. "And again there can be several different answeres. A power flux in the wrong place. A bug or virus in the system. There are many things some worse than others. If I had acess to the diving board I could figure out the problem in less than a minute and probably solve it in that time too. Perhaps the good captin will give us that opportunity once we complete our task." She keeps moming forward awolling her mind to drift for a moment. Actually, that would be a wonderful project for the students, perhaps I could covince the captin to allow one or two bright minds to asist me, or atleast observe.
This tour of duty had just proven why he hated dealing with women. By this time it should be obvious to just about everyone that Hannalore was scared right out of her boots, facilitating that he make a total ass out of himself trying to comfort her.
"Look, things break. We didn't do a standard check of all systems when we took off from Ilu Station and we're undercrewed. Thats the end of it. The Captain is probable trying to re-assert order and thus we get the crap legwork jobs that they ususally save for the Privates." Craig blurted out and almost imidiately regretted saying.
"No offence." He said rather sheepishly to Private Ureon.
Providence fufilled.
Last Edit: Nov 13, 2006 22:08:26 GMT -5 by antaeus
"4) Lastly, there were some video games that also weakened the MMMG. Most of these games were played at John's house be they video game or rpg." -Celest
"Damn you, Big Brother. Damn you." -Curulambe
"I was told our base was for the Black Man." - batman
When the Captain spoke to her, just as with any other officer, her blank stare betrayed the conditioning of basic training. "Sir, yes, Sir," came her velveteen reply. She was only a soldier, after all. Even when the Ensign spoke about 'privates' she simply nodded, asserting that the low-ranking officer had made an attempt at peace. Currently, Georgiana was unconcerned with power distributors and computer viruses. She was a grunt, trained mobile infantry. She was who the brass sent in to quell a situation. As grim as her job was, it was a job. Which, all things considered, was good enough.
Ureon knew she needed to be armed. However, all of her gear was stowed currently back on Xualla. Her leave had been cancelled after only two days and she was recalled in spaceport before she could get home to the manor house. Instead, her personal belongings, carried with her, went on board while her fatigues and uniforms went home.
As the group moved down the corridors, she looked to the man in charge of this group, "Lieutenant, we should be prepared for the worst-case scenario. This Private recommends stopping at the Armory before proceding to Engineering, Sir." She was fresh from basic, and it showed on her. Her manners, her sense of necessity and preparedness, all of it lended itself to the quintessential soldier.
Georgiana hadn't spoken a word to anyone since they arrived at the bridge and Xi'ku had simply mistaken her for scarred like the Ensign or fatigued like himself. Xi'ku rationalized that she must have been contemplating the situation and trying to come up with the best solution. Sharp. Taken aback by the quiet private's sudden address, Xi'ku almost studdered. Instead he cleared his throat and gathered his thoughts before speaking, finding that maybe his grasp on Colonial wasn't all that bad.
Xi'ku couldn't figure out, for the life of him, what that scarf was for. Humans are strange.
"Miss...Private Ureon may have a point. We should be prepared for the worst and hope for the best." Xi'ku folded his arms while he spoke. It always helped him think.
"Though I still belive that our job is to get to the engine room as quickly as possible, I am presenting as advisory a possilbe alternate course of action." Xi'ku hoped he didn't sound too formal. He hated when he made others feel uncomfortable around him.
"4) Lastly, there were some video games that also weakened the MMMG. Most of these games were played at John's house be they video game or rpg." -Celest
"Damn you, Big Brother. Damn you." -Curulambe
"I was told our base was for the Black Man." - batman
“Do, do you really think that something bad has happen-happened? Because if we g-go in fully ar-armed, and nothing is wrong, we will really scare pe-people”. Looking at George and Xi’ku, Hannalore couldn’t help but feel slightly more worried then she was before. This was already becoming a tense situation, and Hannalore knew that if people started panicking, things would turn ugly. Still, they had to reason things out.
“Be, besides, who would be on b-board? Pirates? I didn’t thi-think pirates were to, to… sneaky.” While the weapons would be nice if someone had purposely tried to shutdown the engines, what were the chances of that? The last war had ended twenty years ago.
"We still don't know why we were evactuated so suddenly." Summer speaks up. "Obviously there was a threat to our home, we just don't know what that threat what We could be looking at the start of a new war or it could be something else. Either way we are still uniformed." She pauses for a moment. "I agree with Xi'ku, it would be best to prepare for the worst. There are several different posibilities and it would not hurt to be armed."
She looks over at the man leading them. "Lt. Pace, please lead us to the armory and quickly. I want to be well prepared but I want this over with quickly."
Craig Pace knew this was going to happen. Despite his best efforts to keep the group calm and on the straight and narrow, it sounded like sheer panic was about to take over. So he did what any reasonable, level headed manly man of his stature and situation would do...
He snapped.
Craig, whos slowed forward movement while turning a corner allowed him an opportunity to look Summer straight in the eye, spoke with a bit of frustration in his voice.
"Look, it doesn't make any sence for us to backtrack through roughly a quarter mile of sub-decks just to be turned away from the armory because we don't have proper clearance. Do you think they the line 'theres another war starting so we need guns' would work? There would be riots if those poor people saw alot of heavilly armed soldiers running around talking about another war. There would be deaths." said
"Face it. Everyone here is scared, not just Hannalore. You think Georgiana wants to be here? She should be in a nice warm mansion counting her money! Hell, the big guy who hasn't so much as cracked that perpetual scowl on his face since we met is scared..." Craig sighs deeply and switches his attention to the aforementioned medic and songstress and begins speaking with a much softer tone.
"...but thats ok. We're all scared. Everytime I pick up my sidearm I ask 'will this take lives today or save them?' and I'm terrified by the answers that I get. Everytime I hear my name called, I ask 'will this be the day'?" Craig's then noticed that his hand had invulentarily clenched into a tight fist.
"I don't know much about the last war or the reason why I'm in uniform, what I am sure of is what my dad told me before I left for basic. He said 'son, its going to be tough. Real tough. And when that happens, just remember that a man is not messured by what he has, but by what he leaves behind. Every second that you devote to another person is immesurable.' Craig raises his right hand somewhat slowly and indicates a large bulkhead marked [ENGINE BLOCK D-7] on the front.
"And if going into that room without heavy weapons can ease the fears of one person that was forced to leave their home, friends and even family then so be it."
"4) Lastly, there were some video games that also weakened the MMMG. Most of these games were played at John's house be they video game or rpg." -Celest
"Damn you, Big Brother. Damn you." -Curulambe
"I was told our base was for the Black Man." - batman
Hearing Craig speak was like listening to fingers on a chalkboard. He had decided, however, to pick a fight with the wrong enlistedman. Snapping two paces up and wheeling around to stand in front of him, Georgiana scowled. "With all due respect to you rank and position, Sir, you have no idea what idiocy you speak. If you knew anything about me at all, you would choke on those very words. I am doing what any grunt would be equally happy to do. I am not a computer technician or some miracle working doctor. I may not even be a great leader or an officer. But, by fertile sod, I have a use. Do you think officers know how to fight like a grunt? Do you presume to know how to work a security detail?!" Her face was twisted in anger. She had kept quiet up until now, but his misnomer of her pasttimes was ill recived. She didn't want to be here, but being all alone in the house with her family felt even worse. To have an officer speak like that about her rubbed her in directions so wrong, she couldn't even begin to comrehend now. "You want to go in unarmed, fine. But I'm taking a rifle. Standard issue. It's only heavy weaponry in the hands of grunt anyway, Sir." She spat the words out and let them hang there, woven into her speech as she would any improvised poem. The power of her words alone granted her the extraordinary will it took to confront the officer.
Glancing back and forth between George and Craig, Hannalore was conflicted. She really didn’t want to get involved, but… This REALLY was not conductive to their current situation. Holding up one hand, she tried to speak up and then paused, looking for an opening to step into the conversation. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, putting her hands up between the two.
“Guys? Guys! This is NOT helping! Calm down!” Glaring at George and Craig both, Hannalore slowly lowered her hands. She gestured to the Engine Room door next to them. “Look, wouldn’t the leader of the UMP be able to tell us if something was going to happen on the other side of this door? Wouldn’t we know if someone had boarded the ship?”
Taking a breath after her little speech, Hannalore stepped back, one hand one her chest. She looked down the hallway, a forlorn expression on her face.
"Hannalore is correct." Summer says sternly in a manner that quickly bring all eyes to her. Her voice was calm yet hard, like the instructor she was, she knew how to take charge of a situation.
"Now, we need to calm ourselves because the absolute worse thing we can do right now is go in there arguing. Alright, now to answer your question Hannalore, in most cases yes, we would know if some one has boarded, however it seems that all communications are down so it is possible that we wouldn't. Not to menton that we still do not know why we were evacuated in the first place. It is possible that if there were attackers to our home that a few were able to get on board this ship. Or we could be looking at a civil war. It is impossible to say right now. Everything could be fine and dandy and our commuications are just down. However i prefer to be parpared for the worst."
"Now, Lt. Pace, I said nothing about being heavily armed. All i desire is a few pistols incase things are sour. Now the next time you question my jugdment while I am in charge I will see you punished acordingly, however, as we are all ready here at the Engine, I feel it best not to waste time. So, Lt. Craige please relieve yourself of your side arm and any other weapons you may have. I will have you stay outside the engine room so that if things are bad, you can immediatley be sent to tell the captin." She puts out her hand and looks at him, waiting.
Yup. That did it. Ensign Craig Reginald Pace offically felt like something live you end up sticking in a goulash.
Pretty crappy.
Craig looked at the three women traveling with him currently and of them, only one wasn't mad at him this time. In-fact she looked downight saddend by his outburst. Woo! A new personal record of self loathing! Craig thought to himself as he began to show physical signs of unhappiness, so much so in fact that he almost mentally missed the order to disarm.
Craig spun in an instant ready to defend his honor and his right, and just as suddenly uncliped his sidearm and handed it to Commander Klecht. "You're insane if you think there are hundreds of guys with guns on the other side of this door." is all the speech he could muster.
"4) Lastly, there were some video games that also weakened the MMMG. Most of these games were played at John's house be they video game or rpg." -Celest
"Damn you, Big Brother. Damn you." -Curulambe
"I was told our base was for the Black Man." - batman
Xi'ku honestly wondered what all the fuss was about. He knew it wasn't some human female ritual, he knew it wasn't a problem with the chain of command (who would have a problem with that?), so this argument must have been...useful in some other light that was far beyond Xi'ku's capacity.
This revalation prompts Xi'ku decides to continue with his mission while the humans sort their feelings out on the matter of what to do next. Being one of the only two armed (that seemed to be a crux of the issue), Xi'ku was sure that it would fall on him to be the point man anyways and began moving around his teammates towards the apparently threatening bulkhead.
Hearing his old instructor's voice snaps him almost to perfect attention and stops his rather large hand from hitting the door release.A possible threat should be met with possible force. Xi'ku unholsters and draws his gun, a simple sidearm but it should be enough to keep any would be aggressor's head down while his team made a hasty withdrawl. He'd have to make this a quick 'sneak and peek' though as the only way to get around an entrenched enemy is by surprise.
"4) Lastly, there were some video games that also weakened the MMMG. Most of these games were played at John's house be they video game or rpg." -Celest
"Damn you, Big Brother. Damn you." -Curulambe
"I was told our base was for the Black Man." - batman
Summer takes the pistol from Craig smiling. "I don't think there are hundreds of guys with guns in there. There shouldn't be hundreds of guys in there period. However, now I am prepared if there are a few with guns waiting to stop any one like us." She turns to Georgiana and hands her the side arm. "Private, I am trusting you with this. You being fresh out of basic would be more suited with than I."
Summer takes a step back and looks at every one. "Alright, Xi'ku take point. Georgiana cover him. Hanalore and I will take cover. Hannalore stay back unless your skills are needed. Lt. Pace, please stay back. As I said I want you available to inform the captin. If we incounter opposition i want to inform the captin immediately and ask for reinforcements. If I don't have them in five minutes I will see you discharged." Summer steps aside slightly away from the door behind Xi'ku and Georgiana.
"Every one ready?" She nodds at them one at a time nodding at Xi'ku last.
With all the players in place, the lead Keshian hits the release button with a well disaplined affirmative shout. It is met with a metallic whir and the sound of gasses venting as the multiple metallic and air tight layers of the oversized door begin to welcome their newest visitors.
Sighting door and Keshian is the now armed Songstress who seems to have been slightly flustered by the previous altercation. Her resolve seems to be burning through any entertaining thoughts of fantasy on what maybe beyond that door. One of her many songs comes to mind providing her with a continued messure of sanity. She is also the first to see directly into the room.
------- (Engine Room / Destiny)
[Awareness+Securities]
The engine room for the Ulysess is nothing short of spartan and un-inspiring. A slightly rusted C-shaped catwalk provides access to several pannels and graphs of varying size and purpose allowing for simple travel between important stations. Inside the C is the imposingly large cold-fusion engine, whos very existance and function seem to be an impossilbe mix of ingenuity, science and luck.
Luck especially seeing as there does not appear to be anyone manning said stations, monitering output or running the equipment in general. Upon cursory inspection, the room appears to have been abandoned.
"4) Lastly, there were some video games that also weakened the MMMG. Most of these games were played at John's house be they video game or rpg." -Celest
"Damn you, Big Brother. Damn you." -Curulambe
"I was told our base was for the Black Man." - batman
Looking inside the Engine Room slowly and cautiously, Hannalore scanned the room carefully, but coming to one conclusion; no one was there. But, where ARE they? Why isn’t anyone here?
Shaking her head, Hannalore asked out loud, “But… where did everyone g-go?”
Summer peeks around the door. So far so good. Atleast no hostility She steps into a clear view of the room her eyes darting about looking for some one or something.
"This is not right, though I may explain why brigde didn't get a response. Hmmmm." Her eyes fall apon a set of tools used for the upkeep of the power conduits. "That is not right at all." She says pointing at them. "Those are very important, very expensive and ver delicate tools. Those tools are just as vital to the ship as the things they are used on. Leaving them around like that gets you fired, period. They left in a hurry or the left not caring."
Summer felt an incredible urge to walk over and put the tools someplace safe. She fougt it and waited, watching still for any movement.
A properly planned ambush is one that is sprung after the breach and initial entry are completed. Then, when you're opponent is securing what he believes he has gained, you strike. Xi'ku's people had almost redefined the art of the modern ambush and he had devoted an extensive portion of his time at Lainview to the art so he would not fall prey to the same tactics. While he waited for the inevitable order to proceed he considered his options for the impending assault:
1. Xi'ku knew it was a simple room with only two avenues of attack with few exceptions. Good. 2. Xi'ku also knew he had to watch those exceptions because nobody else would be. Good. 3. Most importantly, he would be going in first and counting on the others to bail him out of a bad situation. Bad.
Very bad.
Xi'ku put his hand to his medal and couldn't help breathing a little heavier as he considered his allies' combat potential. Xi'ku had faith in Instr...Commander Klecht, so he would follow the order when it came out. It was the others that he had 'professional' issues with. While Miss Ureon was spoke of being 'trained' he didn't believe it was true after her last outburst. Hanalore was a non-combatant at best as she was needed for the other two, not to mention that anything that felled him would break any attempt at a rescue. Craig was out of the question as the Commander had seen fit to relieve him of his sidearm and did not fully trust him herself...and one of those two was unarmed.
He allowed himself a glance over at the Private who would be watching his back and wondered if dying would hurt.
"Levy to go?" said Xi'ku in as low a voice as he could muster to the now armed Songstress.
"4) Lastly, there were some video games that also weakened the MMMG. Most of these games were played at John's house be they video game or rpg." -Celest
"Damn you, Big Brother. Damn you." -Curulambe
"I was told our base was for the Black Man." - batman
George received the weapon from Kletch without argument, gloat, or any sort of aknowledgement besides a simple nod. She was surprised, rightfully so, when Xi'ku accompanied her into the Engineroom. Once inside, she duckwalked from the cover by the entrance and past a panel of displays. Raising slowly, she glanced around, prepared for the worst. Sighting down her pistol, she saw a relatively uneventful place here. Dropping her weapon's aim to the floor, she began to move around more. Though George's eyes constantly made sweeps across the room, she began seeing things that told a tale to her. A half eaten submarine sandwich, two Class-A spanners, an open file folder with documents laid out. Everything seemed, at least to her, to have been left behind. Waltzing through the bleak of December/ We have wrought ourselves in blazing ember, George whistled in time to the tune. Some people speak words of something more/ Dark minds that gather on quiet shores. Though she couldn't figure out why, the song kept racing through her mind. George called to Soptolome, "All clear, Sir." She waited for the Keshian to act next, watching the arc he couldn't cover from his position. "Seems awfully quiet, el-tee."
Georgiana Ureon - Homilies Album: Promise of Theurgies
Backed up against a faintly humming consol, Georgiana scanned the room in front of herself. Able to see fully half the room from her present location, she called out the all clear to the open doorway slightly behind her, gun trained on the area. Fixing the image of a Tronver in his mind, a creature from the Kesian home world known for its incredible size and deathly quiet stalking capabilities, Xi’ku prowled into the room opposite George, keeping his head low and his eyes moving.
Pausing next to a large chest of work tools, he spied a cubbyhole-like access way that lead deeper into the sidewall of the engine itself. Silently signaling to George his intentions, he stole over that way and peered in, knowing she would be covering her back. To those watching him, he started in surprise, the open fur along the crest of his back raising in suspicion. Turning, he signaled over to the door, his hand gestures clear; ‘We have a situation.’
Following the route Xi’ku took with her eyes, Summer shook her head as she realized she would have to take a slightly more dangerous route across open ground, rather then the more vertical route the Keshian traveled. It would be quicker, though, and the situation looked mostly clear… Deciding quickly, she struck out; sticking to a length of piping that got her to the cubby-hole quickly. Reaching Xi’ku, he merely pointed into the hole, his eyes scanning the room wordlessly.
There was a person sitting in there, covered in blood. It was obvious from the way she was slumped over and the blood dripping down one long ear that the Keshian mechanic was dead. Looking up from her crouch to Xi’ku, Summer whispered to him.
“Can you tell how long she’s been dead?”
He looked down at her, shaking his head. He knew quite a bit about how to make a fellow Keshian fall over like the mechanic, but he was much less sure of how to read the scene afterwards. He whispered back. “Mary the medic knows?”
Turning back to the door, Summer waved to Hannalore, getting her attention. She called out, “Medic!” in a low voice, urgently pointing into the doorway. Nodding her confirmation, Hannalore took off, following a similar route to Xi’ku’s. It was when she was halfway there that the twilight silence was shattered with the sound of bullets tearing into the area around the nurse.
Spiraling off the back of the counter she was easing herself over, Hannalore hit the ground hard, rolling into a tight ball as shots rang out all around her. Xi’ku took a single step toward her before he noticed a small, round metallic sphere roll around the corner at him. Eyes wide, he leapt toward Inspector Kletch as the distinctive ‘tink!’ of a grenade going off telling him he wasn’t fast enough. Meanwhile, George huddled behind her consol as a line of bullets zeroed in on her position, finding her hiding spot quickly.
The cacophony only lasted for a few moments before fading, to be replaced by the sounds of an uproarious laugher from a large bald man, easily hefting a rather impressive looking grenade launcher, flanked by two men with machine guns. They were standing on a catwalk deeper in the engine room, with a commanding position of everywhere but the entrance of the room.
--- Everyone takes a full 18 points of damage. Everyone can act as normal and whatnot otherwise, though.
