Elite roleplay: Off station

OFF STATION

Your ship, deep space, anything that is not happening inside the Citi Gateway or Ingaba...

General Roleplay Etiquette:

1. Control only the actions of your own character(s). (AKA: God Mode)
This doesn't matter how small the action is, even if it is as simple as scratching their nose or a direct reaction to something else that just happened. This applies to everything from casual conversation to full blown fight scenes. If you'd like someone to do something specific, PM that person, however keep in mind they are completely within their rights to say no. Especially if said action is inappropriate to their character and/or circumstance.

2. Don't brute force your way into another persons RP.
Approaching with a conversation starter is fine, or indeed some other small action. However charging in, guns blazing and disrupting the flow of another person/pair/groups conversation/arc is about as rude as doing so in real life. If something is going on that you'd like to participate in, be subtle about it. Put out a gentle hook for someone to take, but again, be aware that said hook may not be taken. If you fear it was simply unnoticed, PM the person or people it concerns. Or even leave a message in the OOC forums.

3. Good grammar and spelling is preferred.
We're not asking you to be perfect, but please at least demonstrate willingness. no1 iz gna tak u srsly usng txt spk. There's a wide variety of people here, many who speak English as a second, or even third language. There are even some with varying degrees of dyslexia and/or likely other issues that affect spelling/grammar. We accept them all here. However, people who aren't accepted, are those unwilling to accept polite correction. Remember that even a small thing like the placement of a comma, or the wrong use of there/their/they're can completely change the definition of an entire sentence.

4. Accept constructive criticism gracefully and politely.
If someone spots an issue with your writings, they may wish to help you improve that writing. They may do this through PM or even publicly air their thoughts on the OOC forum. If they have taken the time to be polite and explain what is wrong with your writing, the best way to behave is to respond in kind, using the same manner they have approached you with. It means they have taken an active interest in what you have written and wish to see more. Basically, you have a fan!

5. Don't take the actions or opinions of things done IN RP, to be directly relevant to the writers thoughts or opinions.
Basically, if some ones character calls your character a jackass, it doesn't mean the writer thinks you are a jackass. It's a ROLE they are PLAYING. Watch a movie. The argument between the characters isn't an argument between the actors involved. The same applies here.

6. It's not a popularity contest.
Your RP might be bustling with participants. You have 3 people off station in a fire fight, while another 2 are infiltrating the darkest areas of the station, meanwhile a group of 4 others are tracking your movements in an effort to stop you. Good for you, I'm sure it will be a thrilling read! But you know what? Sometimes the absolute BEST work, comes from two RP characters having a simple heart to heart. Both are valid, both are great, but NEITHER is categorically better than the other. Period.


Inara RP Etiquette:

1. Respect the setting and rules of the universe.
Inara is an Elite: Dangerous 3rd Party Tool. The RP Forums are set in the Elite: Dangerous universe. Elite: Dangerous has rules, as any fictional universe does from Lord of the Rings to Star Wars, or Game of Thrones to Star Trek. If you intend to RP within the Elite: Dangerous universe you are bound by the history and rules of that universe. Simply put, this RP forum is bound by the same rules as the game, so if it can't be done in the game, it is not permitted here. This applies to things from a 50Ly Jump Range on a normal, unmodified Sidewinder, to the destruction of entire stations.

2. Respect the characters created by others.
We have a wide variety of characters already here. It's expected that some will be similar, just as it's expected that two characters will be vastly different. Opinions of each persons character will naturally be varied, but all are valid provided they follow the rules of the universe. You are allowed to interact with, or avoid interaction with, any character in the RP forums. But you have no right to belittle others for their creation. You are not an authority figure on writing, nor are you directly affected by another persons imagination. You might not like it, but you MUST respect it.

3. Be caught up on current events before joining in.
You need basic things like character descriptions in order to interact with them. You also need to know what's going on in the surrounding areas. This is simply because the people you are hoping to RP with, might be gearing up to something that you might not want to be part of. Or simply that the most recent post, out of context, could leave a different impression on the goings on than if you gather that context. We don't expect you to read every single post from the beginning of the forums, just enough to get that basic understanding.

4. Either subscribe to, or frequently check, the Roleplay: Q&A and OOC forum.
People may be discussing something relevant to you there, or even discussing you directly. Perhaps someone asked what the general consensus on the existence or non-existence of a certain object. Or we're just chatting about random gibberish. Either way, be aware of it and use it. If you're unsure about something, such as how guns would look and or behave, or even the music selection, use the OOC forum to ask. We don't have all of the answers, but the collective knowledge and logic usually allows us to overcome an issue and come to a decision on what should be allowed. Frontier Developments, and even David Braben himself, don't have the answers to every possible question that can be asked.

5. Large Scale events exploding out of nowhere are a complete no go.
We get it. Everyone wants their character to be noticed and for people to be tripping over themselves to interact with them. In some audiences, an introduction involving you blasting in for landing in a fiery wreckage of a ship, before cart wheeling out and sword fighting 35 Ninjas before whisking off with the local celebrity for a glorious night of passion, is in fact, cool. This is not one of those audiences. It is generally considered better to build your character up slowly over time. Eventually, you might even have a legitimate excuse to fight those Ninjas. Maybe even with other RP participants by your side.

6. Perfect characters are boring.
The point of a character arc, is that it is in fact, an arc shape. One who is morally unquestionable, fully kitted out and an infinite fountain of knowledge, cannot go through an arc. Give your character flaws. Be it a tendency towards befriending the wrong people, or a bad knee that frequently gives out at inopportune moments. It gives readers something to latch onto and empathise with. You can give your character exceptional capabilities at something, but it requires balance. She's a damn good pilot with no equal, but can't drive an SRV for peanuts. It can lead to some very interesting moments between characters, be it heartfelt or comedic.


Other Notes:
It should be noted that there can be exceptions to these points. For example, good grammar when a character is speaking is actually rare. Few people in real life actually speak with perfect eloquence after all. Or previously arranged actions during a fight scene, such as someone stumbling back after a punch. What's key to remember is context.

All in all, remember this is purely for fun. We have some seriously talented writers here, and others whose writing history starts and ends at high school. But many are willing to help out in whatever way they can. All it takes is that you ask nicely.

Also keep in mind that many people who RP here, also have logbook stories related to the character, or characters, they portray. If it looks like there's an "in joke" going on that you're unsure of, it's probably in those.

In fact, some users have even gone to the trouble of creating "alts" to RP with. If you read back far enough, it's usually pretty clear who has and hasn't, and which ones are the "alts". It's therefore not unheard of to see the apparent seizing of control of other characters. If you do spot one, point it out in the OOC section. If intervention is needed, it will be sorted quickly and (hopefully) politely.

Most, if not all RP participants here have Logbook stories pertaining to their character(s). These are for the reading pleasure of anyone who wishes to do so. While it can be useful to read them in order to gain a bit of backstory on a character you wish to interact with, it should not be assumed that your character shares that knowledge. Within the E:D Universe, these Logbooks either don't exist, or are private diaries kept by the characters. Either way, without explicit statements to say otherwise from the writer, your interactions should reflect that your character is in the dark about any information you, the writer/reader, have gained from reading the stories.
Haraldsen
05 Jul 2024, 11:55pm
There was a massive explosion, quickly followed by several smaller explosions as the detonation of the grenade ripped through the laser battery, taking parts of the infrastructure and power supply with it in a chain reaction before the safety protocols kicked in and dampening fields limited the damage.

Debris flew down the corridor, colliding with walls, ceiling, and floor, some embedding themselves, others bouncing off and changing direction. It was utter chaos, into which an alarm siren blared and yellow warning lights flashed stroboscopically.

“Big idiot? Really now?”

I couldn’t help but let out a laugh amidst the infernal mess, a laugh that was not only due to Kasumi's behavior, but also expressed relief that we were unharmed. The same couldn’t be said for the laser battery, parts of the corridor paneling, and the elevator.

“Let’s wait a moment for the chaos to settle down,” I said to Kasumi, “then we’ll make our move again. Let’s just hope there aren’t any more surprises waiting for us.”
Kasumi Goto
06 Jul 2024, 12:15am
"What? I thought, it was funny.", I replied, raising both hands to my sides, with the palms facing upward. A bit like an amused shrug.

Then I poked my head around the corner, with shield, as precaution. Nothing immediately tried to take my helmet - or head- off, though, so I dared to stand out in the open fully for a second, before going back into the covered position and picking my rifle up.

"The elevator, may, be out of action. Might, need to, take the stairs. What would you, say?"

Both were likely rigged in some form, and if I had to take the choice between getting trapped in the elevator with a bomb or the stairs, I'd probably take the latter- at least you could try to dodge it in there. Or fall back through it, either in that case or if some armed individuals waited up at the top. Or bottom - wherever either would end up taking us.

Hopefully, closer to that data node.
Haraldsen
06 Jul 2024, 12:55am
“Looks like the lift’s out of commission indeed, which ain’t no biggie since gravity’s not exactly keeping us grounded here. We could float up or down the shaft easy-peasy. But the lack of cover rubs me the wrong way,” I mused.

I paused for a beat, remembering the data from the holographic map as I peeked around the corner.

“I’d say we take our chances with the stairs. Even if they look a bit banged up… they don’t need to hold any weight, so it should work out just fine. One floor down, there’s this whole section labeled ‘Laboratory.’ That’s where our data node is located.”
Kasumi Goto
06 Jul 2024, 1:12am
"Well, let us, go there, then."

I turned the corner again, weapon raised, just in case I needed to shut a particularly stubborn piece of laser firing machinery up. But there turned out to be no need. That thing was thoroughly wrecked, so I turned off my shield... and kicked one sort of intact-looking part of it with my right foot, sending it bouncing around.

"Not so tough, now, are you?"

And I went off to the stairs. I'd have more fun taunting our insane, delusional terrorist waiting for us up ahead - presumably - rather than a dead turret with a basic targeting script. Still had my eyes open for traps, of course, figuratively, and literally. Some less well-equipped and prepared people would've likely not even made it this far in, but we had a good chance of making it through the traps unscathed.

Probably, anyway. A mine embedded in a wall would be pretty difficult to notice, but hopefully my better-than-human attributes would let me see those before I waltzed right into one. Could go without experiencing a fireworks show that close up.
Haraldsen
06 Jul 2024, 12:18pm
I shadowed Kasumi around the corner into the corridor leading to the crossroads with the lift and the stairwell. The grenade had done its job well; the aftermath was a sight - primary damage from the blast and secondary damage from the resulting chain reactions were evident everywhere.

The siren was still blaring in my ears, so I dialed down the external mics on my suit. Those strobing yellow lights were a nuisance too, but there wasn’t much I could do about those.

Taking the lead again, I moved at a steady pace toward the stairwell, careful to avoid the sharper debris. Soon enough, we reached the stairs. Parts of the railing were torn and twisted, and the first few steps were littered with fragments from the laser battery and ceiling panels, and there was a hole in the floor too. But floating over this obstacles should be a breeze for us - a small hop would suffice.

Just to be safe, I scanned for traps again, preferably floor or wall contacts. The search, extending down to the next floor, turned up nothing.

“Let’s keep moving. The data processor should be downstairs, about 200 meters ahead. We’re looking for a door marked ‘Biomechatronics’,” I declared.

With a short hop, I floated over the debris on the stairs, and across the hole in the floor, then pushed off the opposite wall, gliding downwards gracefully.

Last edit: 06 Jul 2024, 12:24pm
Kasumi Goto
06 Jul 2024, 1:49pm
My own approach to the - relatively minor - problem of the floor hole and stairs would probably look less graceful. By which I just had my shield turned on at a low power level to deflect the debris away, and carefully stepped over and around the stuff embedded in the stairs, with as much grace as I could manage. Probably wasn't a log, considering the ridiculous amount of mass I lugged around on my lower body.

"I, am going to ask, for a post in the Navy, next time.", I jokingly remarked as I came wandering down the stairs, the mere fact of me moving around probably already being quite a show. "Also, 'Bio-me-cha-tro-nics', is- a weird... and, very complicated, name, for a... data node."

Now to hop over the hole in the floor... I looked at it for a moment, turned around and went back to the stairs, then pushed off the first one - instead of a jagged metal edge - after turning the mag boots down a bit. I got just enough air to cleanly cover the gap but not go slamming chest first into a wall, before the magnetic attraction pulled me back down. I did still use the wall to stop my momentum instead of stumbling forward, then turned the boots back up to one G of attraction force.

"So... is this, the level?"

Because, truthfully, I didn't envy too many more stairs. At least here I didn't have to worry about my balance with the offset center of gravity - top-heavy - here, unlike staircases elsewhere, like on a planet. Or any of my weight at all. Made it a bit easier, even if it presented some challenges of its own with my form... some of those mitigated by the constraints which the suit, and additional armor on top, created. Namely, on the chest.
Haraldsen
06 Jul 2024, 8:36pm
“Oh, I’d heartily recommend a stint in the Imperial Navy. You get to travel to remote, sometimes breathtakingly beautiful places, meet interesting folks, and then shoot 'em,” I said with a sarcastic smile.

I made sure my companion could keep up, then took point to counter any potential surprises. But all remained quiet.

“To answer your question - I reckon this is the right floor. That door panel up ahead’s got ‘Lab Area’ written on it. As for the strange-sounding name… I’m guessing it’s something to do with prosthetics. Maybe research, maybe medical care… who knows. The important thing is, there’s an access point to the station’s internal data network there.”

I gave the bulkhead door a thorough once-over for any hidden traps or triggers but found nothing suspicious.

“Looks clean, but it’s locked tight. There’s a small keypad here for code entry and something that looks like an intercom. Think you can get us in?”

I eyed the area again, more closely this time.

“I reckon I could unscrew the cover if need be. That’ll get us to the tech under the keyboard.”
Kasumi Goto
06 Jul 2024, 8:45pm
"Sure. Go, ahead.", I replied, right arm stretched out. "Not sure, which, is better. To, attach, to the pad, or... whatever, is behind, that panel."

Whatever we did, I was fairly sure my little hacking device was up to the task. Chances were it'd be quicker to just plug it into some kind of maintenance port and let it work from there, bypassing the security mechanism entirely, over just brute forcing through the many passcode combinations. I fished the 'key' - which was mostly one by name, rather than shape - out of its pouch and held it, ready to be used.

Once it was in, I'd keep my gun pointed at the door. Just in case. I couldn't see any traps on the door itself, either, but it was quite likely some waited beyond it.
Haraldsen
06 Jul 2024, 10:09pm
"If we can swing it this way, then let's give it a shot. At least this way, there's no risk of me breaking something and getting the bulkhead door sealed shut on us without having the possibility to open it again. That thing looks pretty solid and tough as nails." I said.

I took a few steps back, giving myself more time to react in case someone or something decided to come at us from the other side once the bulkhead door slid open. Then, I aimed my weapon at the general direction of the door.

"Ready when you are. Let's kick this off.“ I declared.
Kasumi Goto
06 Jul 2024, 10:19pm
"Ok. Attaching ..."

I moved forward until I could reach and plugged in the device. An indicator on it lit up, blinking while it worked.

"This, may take a... minute. Or two."

Time which I used to find a good position in which to set up, keep my weapon aimed at the door, from a good spot. Now to wait for the light to turn solid, and the door to open up for us.
Haraldsen
07 Jul 2024, 8:58pm
It took two, maybe three minutes for the magic key to finish its job. Minutes that felt like an eternity to me and then, somehow, surprisingly flew by when a warning light above the door hatch lit up, and the hatch opened with a piercing squeal of metal on metal to a dark corridor. I activated my suit’s flashlight, and the beam sliced through the darkness, unveiling a grim scene frozen in time.

The corridor, now turned into a shadowy tunnel, lined with doors and windows that peeked into labs where ambition had met its end. Shell casings scattered on the ground before me, told a tale of struggle and chaos. The walls were scarred where bullets had sunk their teeth in, and dark smears stained the surfaces, silent witnesses to the ferocity of the battle that had raged in this confined space.

The security guards’ last stand was written in the chaos. One lay near a datapad, his fingers clutching its edges, as if trying to call for a rescue that never arrived. Another was sprawled out unnaturally, his weapon a few feet away, fired but futile in saving him. The third guard was slumped against the wall, his face etched with a cocktail of shock and defiance.

“Holy shit. What the hell happened here?”

I edged forward cautiously, my gaze darting left and right, directing the beam of light.

“This isn’t quite what I expected… But we’ve gotta push through. The lab we’re looking for is further down the corridor. Don’t forget to bring your magic key.”
Kasumi Goto
07 Jul 2024, 9:49pm
"Already, going to.", I answered, heading toward the keypad to snatch my device back up... and back into its pouch it went. Then I glanced at the remnants of a fight long passed, again.

"Uprising, maybe. There was, a dead ship, full of pods, outside. Or, Janus people, were still here, when the terrorist nut, came."

First theory seemed more likely than the second, but I couldn't say. Not for sure - both appeared likely. Something about the scene also left me... oddly unfazed, as though I'd seen much worse than it. Maybe, but if so, it wasn't one of those things that'd stuck around in my memory. Probably for the better.

The datapad, however, that did interest me. Had to give it a bit of power to flicker to life, and I had another task for my little key. If just to see whether there was anything worth looking at, on it. I held it so that we could both look at it, once it was unlocked.
Haraldsen
yesterday, 1:59pm
After thoroughly examining the dead security guards and the corridor in front of me in the light of my suit, I turned to Kasumi, a bit surprised that she had pried the datapad from the fingers of a corpse. Curiosity piqued, I watched with her as the device finally unlocked with her magic key. We read the shocking final entry of one of the security guards.

Security Log - Last Entry

Date: 28.06.3304
Time: 03:22
Location: Janus Medical Research Centre, Labs, Sector 7G
Officer: Sgt. Paul Turner

The station is in absolute chaos. We’re under heavy missile fire, and the damage is catastrophic. Breaches everywhere - Sectors 3, 5, and 9 are hit hard and closed off by emergency bulkheads. Emergency protocols are active, but it’s not enough. Power fluctuations have been rampant, with several sections now on backup generators, and life support failing in some areas. The engineering teams are overwhelmed. Non-essential and scientific personnel are fleeing to the docking bays, but most of their evacuation routes are blocked.

Test subjects have escaped their containment in Sector 6. They’re hostile, organized, and armed with makeshift or stolen weapons. Casualties are staggering. Civilians are being mercilessly slaughtered, their bodies littering the corridors. Medical teams can’t reach the wounded and EVAC does not get to some of the key personal. Barricades have been set up and security personnel been deployed to critical areas.

We’re making our stand in Sector 7, trying to keep the way to the docking bay 2 clear for evacuation of the scientific personell as long as we can. We’ve been authorized to use deadly force. It’s the only option now. The situation is fluid, and I have requested reinforcements. Until they arrive, we hold the line.

Personal Note:
If anyone finds this, know that we fought to the end. We did everything we could to protect the station and its crew. I hope reinforcements arrive in time. If not, tell my family that I love them.

End of Log.


Last edit: 08 Jul 2024, 3:01pm
Kasumi Goto
yesterday, 2:31pm
I just let the datapad float off once I was done reading, having removed and stored the key again. I had no sympathy for anyone that would've worked here, knowing the nature of their 'experiments' - they had this one coming. Much like I had little left for the Imperial agent obviously in cohorts with Azimuth, even if it - maybe - was from a time before anybody outside of it really knew they were Azimuth.

"Nothing, worth staying here, for.", I said. "Want to, move on. And, be done with this place."

I began firmly moving forward again, weapon in hands, keeping an eye out for any further traps, or potential ambushes. Couldn't exclude the possibility of anything previously laid by the security personnel to still be around, but at the same time, their position had clearly been badly overrun, so probably not. The terrorist nutjob presumably around here somewhere, though, I still expected more 'surprises' from. Most likely, starting at that data node, which wouldn't be far now.
Haraldsen
yesterday, 3:33pm
“Peace to the fallen.”

I made the traditional gesture of respect, as was customary in the Imperial Navy - lacking knowledge of any other. Then, I followed my companion.

Crap always rolled downhill, no matter which side you were on. The real losers in such a mess were always the little folks who just wanted to get by. First, they died, then the bigwigs made their arrangements, and the dead were buried and later forgotten, while the whole mess usually continued as before - what they called peace. This was one of the reasons I preferred to remain an independent pirate. If I was going to bite the dust, it would be for my own goals, not as someone’s foot soldier.

“I reckon we’re probably the first to enter this section since those folks kicked the bucket. I don’t see a single footprint anywhere.”

I pointed to the floor, which was smeared with unidentifiable muck and gore, corridor-wide in places. If someone hadn’t been floating constantly or at least hopping over every wider mess, no one had come through here. And since there was no lighting except for the lamps on our suits, you’d have to be damn careful not to step in anything.

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