lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
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Post by lovely corte on Aug 15, 2012 22:42:51 GMT -8
Bryci sat at the bench of the armory, a small stool keeping her in a sitting position which allowed her to work on a large piece of metal that sat on the table.
She had no idea what she could do with this metal, which was the underlying plate that she would normally put under her hood. It was fitted to her chest size, breasts and all, and was made of a lightweight frame. It couldn't stop a point-blank shotgun blast, or a long range sniper shot, but a pistol or rifle shot wouldn't kill her.
And the fact that it was lightweight allowed her to use her biotic capabilities without having to jump around the field, tugging a heavy load. She found a screwdriver, and went about fiddling out the blast craters from the metal where she had taken a few shots on their last mission.
The bruises under her skin matched the armor perfectly, and it was still sore for this. She sighed, and went about molding the metal again.
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Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 16, 2012 4:59:51 GMT -8
"All systems are good to go. We may depart when ready, captain but any particular coordinates in mind?" Kryseis called out as she stepped into the bridge, her faithful varren following some steps behind, as indicated by the clicking of its claws on the tiles.
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Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 16, 2012 11:35:14 GMT -8
While Val had more or less lead the march back to their ship - a unique, smallish freighter known as the MSV Balrog, christened by Captain Caligulus himself on its maiden voyage - he and Elam had Waylon flanked on both sides, keeping him from straying too far from the crew as they boarded, met by cool, reflective metal and polished flooring. When the entirety of the crew boarded, Elam stopped to close the freighter's ramp, gears whirring and airlock hissing as it shut them in.
"Welcome to the Balrog, Mister Underhill," Val said as he turned to face Waylon. "Our pride and joy. You're currently in the cargo hold, every exit to which leads toward the 'conference room' if you will, which you'll find to be the circular chamber with the table in the center."
Moving on, making sure the Earthborn fighter was in step, the Turian captain pointed and prodded onward and outward. "To your left is the kitchenette. You have free access, just don't eat all of our food. To your right is the armory. Miss Wicker's domain, enter at your own risk. You are thorough;y discouraged from leaving the 'ground floor' if you will. Engine room and maintenance corridors are Miss Qwib Qwib's jurisdiction. The same sentiment goes for the cockpit and medical bay. Your quarters--" Val physically turned Waylon around, pointing toward the unlocked metal door down the hall they had passed, by the cargo bay. "--are right there. I think you'll find everything you'll require, for now. If you have any complaints, questions, or comments, shove them up, down, or through any orifice you'd like. Good evening, Mister Underhill."
As soon as he had given the tour, it had ended. Captain Caligulus was off making his way toward the cockpit with his own purposefully long strides, interrupted only by the appearance of Wyn from the engine room.
He reviewed her question in his head for a moment, nodded, and with a casual smile, simply replied with "No."
Elam, by his side at the moment, cast a raised brow at the Turian while he simply walked away from the evidently distressed Quarian engineer. The Human was already on the move, intercepting Wyn before she could obey the refusal and waited for the Captain to duck under the doorway into the pilot's quarters.
"Hey, Wyn? Feel free to belay that order, for now. He wasn't listening. Just, uhh, use the channel with care, right? Don't drop any whos or whats or wheres," Elam smiled softly, quite uncharacteristic of the cinderblock-headed discharged marine. "Good luck. Keelah se'lai, or something."
Meanwhile, the Captain, by Kreyseis' side as he gazed out into the inky blackness of space, only illuminated by the dull-glowing lights of Omega, drummed his talons on the console of the pilot's interface. "Try the Citadel. We have business."
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Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 16, 2012 12:05:21 GMT -8
She raised an eyebrow but nodded. "It will be done." She then strode back towards the cockpit and took her seat, opening nultiple interfaces and screens even as the MSV Balrog pulled away from the docks, soon flying away from the space jellyfish colony that was Omega and heading for the mass relay.
((Admittedly it's incredibly early for it to happen but is it bad I wanna say that Kryseis at some point starts developing an attraction towards Elam?))
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Aug 16, 2012 12:20:09 GMT -8
Wyn sighed at the Captain's answer, "Yes Captain,"
When Elam intercepted her and told her to use it anyway,she was quite happy, "Yes you said it right. Keelah Selai. Thank you so much Elam, I will only tell them I'm alright. I'll make sure the Flotilla can not trace the ship. Thank you,"
She snuck off to the comm room. She hoped that no one would catch her. She managed to connect to her parents personal quarters.
Her mother was the one who answered, "Keelah... Wyn?" Mari'Renza vas Qwib Qwib asked, " We thought... oh Keelah..."
Wyn felt so guilty. She technically wasn't supposed to contact her parents during her Pilgramage, but her parents had gaven her a channel to do so if she ever needed anything.
"I'm sorry Mama. I... I don't think I'm coming back anytime soon. I'm not ready to live a boring life on the Flotilla. I love exploring the galaxy and being able to experience the world. But... I just wanted to let you know I was okay."
A short conversation ensued with Mari updating Wyn on how she and her father were doing and what became of her friends who had returned on her Pilgramage. Wyn in return told her about the places she'd been. No specifics of exactly what she was doing there though.
Finally, "Wyn I need to go. But no matter what you decide, whether it's to come back, or to live away from the Flotilla... just remember I'm proud of you no matter what you do with your life. Goodbye Wyn. Kee'lah Se'lai,"
Wyn felt herself go numb as her mother's image faded away, "Kee'lah Se'lai..."
She left the comm room, and hoped no one noticed her abscence.
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mekasoundwave
Persistent Member
King of Braves
Filthy acts, at a reasonable price
Posts: 4,711
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Post by mekasoundwave on Aug 16, 2012 17:49:51 GMT -8
"Less than a day?" Waylon thought to himself. "Christ, These guys don't skip a beat, do they?"
Before the group started out to leave the club, Waylon turned to look at Bryci and shrugged, laughing a little.
"I certainly hope I'm not."
The walk back to the ship was unneventful, for Waylon at least. He didn't think much of the Balrog, mostly because he hadn't seen too many space ships prior, so he didn't have much to compare it too. But he figured there was probablly something to it if Val was calling it a 'pride and joy'. For smgglers to be using it, it'd have to be more than meets than eye.
He payed careful attention to the Captain's directions. If he was worth his salt, he'd be alive long enough to need to get familiar with the ship's layout. The kitchenette in particular interested him, but he felt like he just oughta go to his quarters and stick there for a bit.
"Understood, Captain," he said as Val walked off, and he himself made his way to his quarters, pressing the panel to open it and walking inside, door shutting behind him.
Things were looking up for Waylon Underhill. At least, that was it felt like.
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Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 16, 2012 17:56:03 GMT -8
"We'll be making an FTL jump through the relay shortly. Please prepare accordingly~!" Kryseis' voice was heard through the intercom on the bridge as well as every other part of the ship. Even as she spoke, she was already making preparations for the jump.
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Aug 17, 2012 10:26:36 GMT -8
As they neared the Citadel, Wyn was hard at work looking over the engines. She knew everything was optimal, but she was rather OCD about technology.
Her thoughts were in other places though.
"It's not like Elam to be so... nice..." she muttered, "I'm grateful but why did he do it?"
Her thoughts also wandered to other things. Like the newbie. She hoped he was settling in okay. And she wondered about the next job. Why had the Captain been so secretive about it? Was there a good reason? Or was he just being an ass?
It was probably the second one. The Captain loved to tease her and yank her chain.
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Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 17, 2012 12:48:10 GMT -8
As always, Kryseis' docking of the Balrog went smoothly and it was only when the docking clamps were in place that the she shut down the engine. At the same time Pistachio the varren was already running circles near the airlock doors, wanting to go outside and explore.
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Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 17, 2012 19:12:18 GMT -8
Mrs. Marla Bateman,
It is with the deepest grief that I am writing this message. Your grandson, Tracy Colin Bateman, has perished at the hands of a criminal syndicate on Illium. Though all too tragic and all too sudden, I can only hope, when my time comes, that I can die with the same courage that Tracy lived with.
Death is a natural part of life, Mrs. Bateman, whether there is war or peace. You cannot blame his profession for your loss, nor the perpetrators for your grief. The decision Tracy made to serve aboard my vessel came with a risk, and he knew only too well the dark fate of an intrepid adventurer, and boldly chose to face such uncertainty head on. To have the courage to take such a gamble reveals an uncontrollable fact of nature: a man will die to protect his home, his family, and his crew.
All men fear death, Mrs. Bateman, but not all men value life. As a smuggler, I have come to enjoy every minute of life - every meal, every breath of air, every word, every new day. Danger cannot teach men how to die, but it can teach them how to live. It has been my greatest honor to command a vessel with a fighter as brave as your grandson. I pray that whatever deity you may believe in grants him the thing the too few like him deserve the most: peace.
Captain Val Caligulus, MSV Balrog
With a low sigh and rub of his forehead, Val closed the virtual document he had dictated into formatted words when he heard the silent rush of compressed air hiss as the door to his quarters slid open, revealing Elam as he stepped inside.
"Captain."
"Elam. Take a seat."
The Human shifted in his boots, as if he were unsure. "No, I don't think I will."
Val glanced him over. He was dubious, to say the very least. "I'd rather you warn me beforehand, if you're going to storm into my quarters in the future. Just press the button-thing. Or ring the bell. Or . . . doesn't anyone ever knock anymore?"
While the Turian was left shrugging, puzzled by his own statement, Elam reacted. "I realize it's not in your infinite capacity of ancient wisdom and witty remarks--"
"Quips, young man. They're quips."
"--to show some kind of sympathy, but try to ease up on the crew for a bit, huh? Bateman eating it hit them hard."
"Harder than I'd realize, I'm sure."
"And the new guy's quakin' in his boots already. If he's gonna be Bateman's replacement, shouldn't we be giving him a little more leverage?"
"Leverage?"
"Leeway?"
"Leeway?"
Elam sighed.
"He hasn't earned his stars quite yet," Val continued, rising from his seat at his personal terminal to walk over toward the nearby desk - with a noticeable hobble in his step, as well as a not too content glint in his eye. "Which I'm sure he'll do on the Citadel."
The Turian unlocked a narrow cabinet with a six digit security code and fished his two-pronged hand in, revealing a stout bottle of little white capsules with some brand inscription on their sides. With a pair in the palm of his hand, Val swallowed them dry, downing them in an instant.
"I thought you didn't trust him," Elam noted, his head tilted as he looked upon his Captain with suspicion. "Why take him along for a high stakes swap meet?"
Val nodded. "You're right, I don't. Which is why he'll be taken along. So he doesn't linger on the ship,"
The bottle was placed nonchalantly back into the cabinet, which was closed and locked just as quickly as it had opened. Val returned to face Elam with his ever-present smile. "By the way," he said as he passed his Human first mate and bodyguard, waving him out of his room. "Next time you tell a part of my crew to belay my orders, Mister Underhill might become your replacement just as quick."
"I'm sure, Captain," Elam said coldly.
The two stared at each other for a brief moment, cleared their throats, and began chuckling chummily as they walked down the corridor, the Captain giving Elam a clap on the back as they parted ways.
Elam, poking his head into the cockpit as the Balrog made its descent and docking down within one of the Citadel's lower wards, nodded to Kryseis. "Thanks for the smooth landing. Captain's probably going to call a team meeting in the conference room, so sit tight."
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Aug 17, 2012 19:36:46 GMT -8
As Kryseis killed the engines, Wyn hopped up and left the engine room. The Captain was probably going to call a meeting any second now.
She had the misfortune however, to leave the room as soon as the Captain was walking by. He briefly looked at her and she could tell that he knew Wyn had belayed his order.
" Oh shit!" she fidgeted with her hands awkwardly, I'm just gonna... go if you don't mind Captain..."
She quickly scampered off.
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Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 17, 2012 20:06:12 GMT -8
"Not at all, Miss Qwib Qwib. I'll see you in the conference room."
With that said, Val walked by the visibly distressed Quarian engineer without so much as a mildly stern glance, rapping upon Waylon's door lightly.
Meanwhile, Elam had already head down to the armory, knocking on the side of the open door to make his presence known.
"Meeting in the conference room, in case you didn't know. How are things going down here?"
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Post by Penny Royals on Aug 17, 2012 20:26:41 GMT -8
In the time before the meeting Liam had mostly been confined to his room- sleeping off a massive hangover, dreaming... the usual for him, really. Now he was up and ready to get things ready for the 'team meeting' of sorts. He walked down the halls to the conference room, his jacket and hair loose.
Upon entering in, he took a seat- any seat, he supposed it didn't matter really- and waited for everything to begin.
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Aug 17, 2012 20:31:07 GMT -8
Wyn entered the room shortly after. She took her seat, across from Liam,
" I hope this job is less dangerous than the one on Ilium."she said.
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Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 17, 2012 21:04:48 GMT -8
Shortly after Wyn entered, the doors slid open again to admit Kryseis and Pistachio, the asari moving to lean against the wall while Pistachio sat down by her feet, its tail swishing on the ground excitedly. "So, what's the job this time?"
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mekasoundwave
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King of Braves
Filthy acts, at a reasonable price
Posts: 4,711
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Post by mekasoundwave on Aug 17, 2012 21:22:15 GMT -8
Despite the bumpy beginning of the trip with the lightspeed jump, Waylon settled in pretty well. He figured he was better off just sleeping during the trip. There was no telling what would be going on when the Balrog reached it's destination. He awoke from his nap a little after they re-entered realspace from FTL. It was probablly what woke him. Waylon still had a ways to go before he was completely used to space travel...
Waylon departed his room, but kept Captain Val's suggestion of not venturing too far. However, as he walked into the large, circular room, he found a number of the crew already there.
"...I take it I should stick around for...whatever this is?" Waylon asked of no one in particular, taking whatever seat was closest and unoccupied.
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lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
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Post by lovely corte on Aug 17, 2012 23:00:22 GMT -8
Wicker stood from her position, frustrated, hands white-clenched around the bench frame as she stared at the dark piece of metal on the bench.
Several puncture and impact craters had formed on the armor platelets and she had no idea how to hammer them out without cracking the entire armor. She didn't have the tools, nor did she want to have to get the assistance of some Krogan to smash the armor in with his fucking head.
She sighed, looked at Elam and smiled, walking over. She patted him on the back as she stepped past, "Everything is fine. Armor is fucked, but... hey? Not planning on getting shot on the Citadel."
It only took her a few moments before she would get to the conference room, since almost everyway but out funneled towards it.
She took a step into the conference room, smiled at everyone and just took a seat near the center.
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Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 18, 2012 20:01:02 GMT -8
Elam chuckled lifelessly. "I wouldn't bet on it, either way," he replied, his hand subconsciously hovering above his Kessler pistol. He accompanied the former N7 commando into the conference room, taking a seat beside Liam as he waited for the Captain to return.
Val reappeared in a flash, eyeing each of the members of his rag-tag smuggler crew studiously before taking a seat himself. "We've been brought to the Citadel for a quick, under-the-table swap meet, in case any of you were wondering," Val announced, as if any of the crew weren't the least bit curious about the certainty of their welfare; a job for all of them was reassurance that they could keep fuel in the ship and food in their stomachs. "The credits we fell upon on Illium? The real ones? They're only part of deposit we're putting down in exchange for this information."
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Aug 18, 2012 20:29:18 GMT -8
Wyn crossed her arms. Her usual "I don't give a fuck" attitude, was slowly returning afte her conversation with he mother
" We got a lot of credits on Ilium, Captain. How could a little information be worth more than that?" she asked curiously
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lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
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Post by lovely corte on Aug 18, 2012 20:32:30 GMT -8
Bryci scratched the back of her neck, "A little information can be the difference between us having an eighteen story mansion with a pool on some tropical island planet or having to have the Captain pimp us out for some cash."
She crossed her arms and leaned back, a quiet thumping sound happening as the open palms of each of her hand quietly passed biotic 'Throw' to one another.
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Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 18, 2012 21:03:12 GMT -8
Kryseis raised an eyebrow. "This information...How important are we talking here? Like say, Shadow-Broker levels of importance?"
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Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 19, 2012 19:50:07 GMT -8
Val's smile shone at Bryci's comment with the strength of a hypergiant star. "Aptly put, Miss Wicker. As for your concerns, Miss T'Sandros, I have been told little more than its significance," Val paused, relishing in the dramatic suspense that naturally build around the table. "A military secret of the highest order. Not even the Council heads were made privy to it, as I understand. Now, as for our ground team, our newest addition to the crew will accompany us."
The Turian gave Waylon a knowing nod from across the conference table, after which he continued. "And we'll be packing lightly. keep your pistols concealed, and anything else you might be hiding on board. While C-Sec is a lax, bloated bunch, the risk is too high if one of us trips a sensor or goes through a pat-down. That means, no high-caliber assault rifles--" he glanced to Bryci. "--no combat shotguns--" he glanced to Kryseis. "--and no eighth century Turkic kilij scimitars." His glance fell lastly upon Elam.
With a blink and a cock of his head at the captain's words, the Human raised a hand lightly, in his own defense. "There was an incident back on New Cairo, grain alcohol and a broken hookah were involved, I'd rather not talk about it . . ." he cast a brief glare at Val before crossing his arms again.
"So, any volunteers?" Val asked of his crew.
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Aug 19, 2012 20:05:06 GMT -8
Wyn cringed at Bryci's comment. She'd definantly prefer not to be pimped out. Specially since such a thing could potentially kill her, "Okay I get it..."
She listened to Vall attentivily, and when he asked for volenteers she immedietly replied, "Sounds like I'd be good. I can easily sneak a Combat Drone in,"
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Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 19, 2012 20:10:48 GMT -8
"I'd like to volunteer as well." A pause as she moved down to Pistachio's level. "Looks like you're stayin' behind, boy."
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Post by Penny Royals on Aug 19, 2012 20:30:39 GMT -8
"Ah, damn. That means no sword for me, doesn't it?" Liam gave a hearty laugh at that. "I'm up for the challenge!"
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mekasoundwave
Persistent Member
King of Braves
Filthy acts, at a reasonable price
Posts: 4,711
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Post by mekasoundwave on Aug 20, 2012 19:01:24 GMT -8
Waylon kept quiet as Val explained the newest job to the crew. He didn't have anything to say about this next job because it had a lot to do with the last one...which he had nothing to do with and knew little about. He did understand that this was an important mission, and that he was going on it for sure. Now, Waylon knew that the Captain knew that he knew goddamn nothing about how these negotiations would go or the kind of military information that would be exchanged at said negotiations. So that left two reasons for why he wanted him to come along: to get him into the habit, as this was his first, and as muscle. Perfectly understandable reasons, both.
"I do not volunteer, since the captain already did that for me," Waylon said, cracking his neck and rising from his chair. "I'll travel bare, too. No weapons. I shouldn't need them, regardless of if things turn violent or not. When we headin' out?"
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Aug 21, 2012 19:13:32 GMT -8
"Captain, maybe you should just bring all of us," Wyn suggested, "Looks like pretty much all of us want to go."
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Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 21, 2012 22:27:03 GMT -8
Val, returning Wyn's helpful sentiment with the briefest of nods, chuckled under his breath, though it sounded more like a sigh of ambivalent compliance, if anything.
"Ladies and gentlemen, your enthusiasm is impeccable," he said as he stood from his seat, a two-fingered hand subconsciously drifting to his side as he spoke, clutching at some invisible twinge of nerve damage. Little wires, he thought helplessly. Little biological wires that were ever so crossed. "And by that, I mean completely peccable. Grab your gear, sans the discussed utilities, and I'll see you all in the cargo hold. Oh, Miss T'Sandros, would you mind opening that now?"
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Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 22, 2012 3:50:27 GMT -8
"Of course, captain. Give me a few seconds." It took only a few seconds to retrieve her Carnifex handcannon in the armory and dash towards a wall panel containing a set of buttons. She quickly pressed one near the bottom, and almost instantly a response was heard: the sound of the aforementioned cargo hold opening.
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Post by Fiery Firefly on Aug 22, 2012 15:38:40 GMT -8
Wyn made her way to the cargo hold. She lazily picked up some of the loot stored down there, but after she got a warning glare by the Captain, she quickly put it down.
" So where are we going once we get past security?" she asked everyone.
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