Elite roleplay: Off station

OFF STATION

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

General Roleplay Etiquette:
Show more

Inara RP Etiquette:
Show more

Other Notes:
Show more
29 Nov 2024, 6:30pm
Kasumi Goto"Well, if you, are the key ..."


As I neared the bulkhead, the console beside it flickered to life, recognizing my presence. With a shudder, the massive doors groaned and slowly parted, spilling a sickly blue light through the widening gap, revealing a passageway that led deeper into the facility.

We stepped cautiously through the doorway, the clang of the bulkhead shutting behind us sending a chill down my spine. The sensors in my suit immediately registered a rise in temperature as the air in this new passageway was noticeably hotter. The walls were lined with huge pipes buzzing with invisible, powerful energy. Without our suits, the heat they radiated would be unbearable. Probably the tunnel to the surface would be similar to this one.

As we walked on, the corridor gradually widened and led us into a vast chamber. At its center stood the energy core: a colossal reactor surrounded by an eerie blue mist that billowed around its metallic surface, casting ghostly shadows throughout the room. Consoles lined the three-story-high walls, their displays flickering with data readouts monitoring the energy source.

The core was a marvel of technology, both beautiful and intimidating. The hum of its operation was almost hypnotic, a low, steady pulse that seemed to resonate deep in my bones. This was the heart of the facility, the source of its lifeblood, an incredible feat of engineering: a hybrid of human genius and Guardian technology.

And we were here to disrupt it.
29 Nov 2024, 6:46pm
For some people, this was pretty, but for me it was just another annoyance by the Thargoid technology components in my body reacting rather negatively to the presence of this Guardian stuff. I just gestured ahead for my companion to go do the thing, because I was not going to be putting my hands anywhere near that. Just in case... unless it was absolutely necessary for me to handle some part of the procedure.

I certainly doubted that this reactor had no failsafes present in the event of an overload, forced or otherwise. Worst case, I'd just get those shut off and then proceed to wreck the coolant system, but that was even less controlled than setting off a deliberate overload to turn this into - effectively - a giant nuke.
30 Nov 2024, 2:03pm
I walked towards the reactor at the center of the chamber, inspecting the complex array of controls and displays surrounding it. I didn’t have the technical expertise to manipulate this marvel of technology, but using the sensors of my suit I identified the main power supply lines and the coolant system’s pipes snaking through the facility. I knew these were prime targets to destabilize the reactor, unless we came up with something better.

“That's more sophisticated than I thought," I said, addressing my companion. "Any suggestions on how to blow this up? We could try overloading the power supply, but that might trigger failsafes. The coolant system is another option, but it’s risky. If we don't damage it enough, the reactor might just shut down. And if we damage it too much, this thing could go critical before we have a chance to escape."
30 Nov 2024, 2:17pm
"Er ..."

I raised a hand to my head to scratch it thoughtfully, but yet again needed to remember there was a helmet on it.

"I, would rather not... be too close. To Guardian, thingies. They, may like you, but me, I do not think so."

Nothing besides objective fact here even if I didn't like the recent turn of events. But I still had to realize that it was not as important as getting out of here in one piece and taking this facility out. I couldn't in good conscience let Helix or research on it continue to exist, with the knowledge on it that we had.

"Honestly, am not, sure. Maybe, your ..." I made a swirling gesture in the air with the right hand. "... machine, 'friend', can help? Somehow. Or, it lets you, into system. To turn off, failsafes, whatever. Trigger a, controlled overload."

I glanced at the contraption ahead of us. Once that thing started going, it would definitely cause all kinds of havoc across the base. And also probably take the asteroid or a large chunk of the rock, with it. Probably wouldn't rival a Titan's fusion core going past the supercritical point where the fusion reaction became a runaway process, but it was still something to be avoided being near.

"More, controlled."
30 Nov 2024, 3:19pm
“Control is my middle name,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

The pyramid- or rather, whatever was inside it - might have been friendly, but I had no idea how to initiate any interaction. Feeling a bit foolish, I said, “Hello, pyramid,” into the room. Nothing happened, except perhaps providing some amusement for my companion.

“This isn’t working… maybe there’s no interface because the hybrid was created by humans?” I mused aloud.

I leaned thoughtfully against a part of the blueish casing. “I really wish there was a button to just turn everything off.”

No sooner had the words left my mouth than a section of the casing near me began to shift and change.

“What the…?”

I stared in astonishment at the change happening nearby, and it occurred to me that during the development of the nanite torpedoes, Galnet News reported that Guardian relics could activate clusters of nanites under certain circumstances. Somehow, this mechanism had triggered, forming some kind of projector that displayed a holographic on/off button.
30 Nov 2024, 6:58pm
I just shrugged, observing this interaction with as much amusement as caution.

"It, is not... as if I, understand, any more, of this."

Guardian technology was certainly not my forte or particular area of interest... and, if my memories were anything to go by, also one I consciously avoided due to it being significantly more complex than human stuff, so even if I hadn't blown myself up tinkering with it, the results would probably have been subpar compared to what I could do with our own tech.

Right now the best I could do was wait around. And maybe be some kind of emotional support, though probably not a very good one.
13 Dec 2024, 3:10am
Rankin Horizons, BD+74 526

Upon arrival Vasil made no effort to hide who he was. He’d arrived on the Onoarea, a clipper registered to ERS with the ERS logo on the nose, and had paid for the hotel rooms with an ERS account. He wore his custom-fit black and gold ERS flight suit to the casino and to dinner, and he had made a point of calling attention to himself by making liberal use of the hotel’s concierge services.

If all of that was not enough to be sure Hugh knew who he was, Vasil lounged at a table by the pool wearing a black, casual, unbuttoned jersey-style shirt with a gold ERS logo on the banded collar. He chose a table with a good view of the pool and the landscape beyond the pressure windows to ensure anyone approaching him from something other than a service entrance would have to cross the entire pool area.

After ordering a whiskey sour garnished with a black cherry, Vasil slipped on a pair of dark sunglasses and turned on the table’s artificial sun just in case Hugh needed a spotlight to find him. He glanced to his data slate on the table and considered sending a message to the code Hugh had provided to say he was waiting, but decided to let Hugh make first contact.

Besides, he was enjoying his whiskey sour.
15 Dec 2024, 4:43am
Maul walked into to the hotel with a bag of luggage over his shoulder and a Vega Juice in hand. As he approached the woman behind reception desk to check into his room, he made small talk about this "much needed vacation" while working out a way to distract the woman from the terminal she was working at. As the conversation came to a natural end he reached across the desk to take the room card and in the process spilled the drink he had sat on the counter moments ago. The receptionist looked aggravated at Maul's blunder but insisted that it was fine as she walked away to grab something or someone to clean up the mess.

With her out of sight, Maul took note of the camera over head. The guests behind Maul rolled their eyes at him when he turned to give an apology for the hold up. While he waited, he tossed his luggage bag that contained a scrambler up onto the desk and activated it to interfere with the camera feed as he pretended to check the contents of the bag. Intermittently looking over his shoulder at the guests, he sneakily plugged an E-Breach into the side of the terminal. The altered memory chip ran process after process while Maul kept an eye out for the receptionists return. Only removing it when he heard footsteps approaching from the hallway she had initially gone down.

With pleasantries and apologies exchanged, and the scrambler turned off, she hurriedly gave Maul his room card and sent him on his way.

***

Sitting cross legged on the bed in his room with his computer in his lap, he observed the receptionist's terminal screen from his own, waiting for Hugh's arrival. Thanks to Pilfer, he had the name of the Ophois rat and knew who to look for. His plan was to take control of the terminal and force Hugh into an empty room nearby that he had already broken into and bugged. Being so close by would make for easier entry as well if the need was to arise.

With the busy work out of the way, he sent a quick message to the others.

"Everything's in it's right place on my end. Let's hope this goes about as smooth as the last convo, yeah?"
15 Dec 2024, 6:14pm
Vasil Vasilescu was already booked in and he wasn't making any effort to fly under the radar. Honestly the guy was not far off weaning a holo-rig advising ERS and maybe vocalising the self congratulatory monthly reports they couldn't stop posting.

There was some time to kill before the restaurant would serve the evening meal for the all-included bunch, so Hugh decided to watch some holos. Halfway through some prison drama, Waz called.

"Ah shit-fuck" said Hugh looking at the name on the pad.

He could ignore it. Hugh had been given a few days off, and he'd got a Apex, so it's not like there was a pilot off the books to take care of his leave. There was always the chance that ignoring it would make Waz come looking for him, so maybe it was best to get it out the way right now.

"Sup Waz. I'm on leave so this better be good" he said trying to sound confident.

"Just taking a few day, nothing in particular. I'm up to date, and with the holiday season right around the corner I'm going to be swamped, so I took the time now"

Waz kept him talking about shit for a bit, then asked why he'd been curious about Creamy. Quick thinking wasn't Hugh's area, but he told him self it was just Waz checking in, and he had something ready for this question.

"Oh, I was just looking for carto data that hadn't been cashed in. Like I said, we got the holidays coming up, and the dock crew don't get leave over that period, so I'm doing what I can for the dock crew party fund"

Waz asked why Hugh was so interested in Creamy, but he was ready for that one.

"Because the captain had to have him marooned, so I didn't want to accidently register that planet. A survey team my have found him.. .. Yeah, I guess he's dead too, but just in case right? Anyway, I got leave to enjoy, so if there's nothing else?"

It took a long time to say nothing, but on top of the holos, the call left Hugh an hour for the evening meal. Patting his chest to feel the data-stick in his inside pocket, he picked up his travel bag, and headed down to eat.


Last edit: 15 Dec 2024, 8:44pm
15 Dec 2024, 10:19pm
She tried it but the place was pretty busy, so Willow retreated to her Python, Bramble Barb after trying to relax in her room. It wasn't that the room was bad or anything, but she had the idea of coating Odin's case in the thermal fabric she stole from The Network delivery she did for Clay as an initiation into the group.

Rankin Horizons wouldn't let the Barb sit on one of stations pads indefinitely, so Willow had moved out of the resorts exclusion zone, and land with the hotel in view.

Failing to install the AI she got from Mars over Odin's OS was disappointing, so at least making him look cool would be something. Stating with the toughest bits to cover smoothly, Willow worked till it was time to meet the guys at the restaurant. Oden's head and some of the smaller parts of his outer shell were covered looking pretty bad ass. She'd have to design an eye patch for him and cover that with the fabric too.

The Barb took off on auto pilot to wait in orbit as Willow walked to the reception. She was late, but she still went to her room first to changer out of her pressure suit. Thats when she realised she'd forgotten to get into some good going out clothes. Oh well, the other diners would just have to put up with a girl in a jumpsuit, and she wasn't about to go anywhere with out her little tool belt anyway.

17 Dec 2024, 7:23am
Vodan"Because the captain had to have him marooned, so I didn't want to accidently register that planet. A survey team my have found him.. .. Yeah, I guess he's dead too, but just in case right? Anyway, I got leave to enjoy, so if there's nothing else?"

It took a long time to say nothing, but on top of the holos, the call left Hugh an hour for the evening meal. Patting his chest to feel the data-stick in his inside pocket, he picked up his travel bag, and headed down to eat.


Maul listened intently to Hugh's side of the conversation that he was having with someone he had called "Waz". The uneasy tone of Hugh's voice and his replies further cemented the truth; he seemed to be here alone and didn't want anyone to impede on his secret transaction. After the conversation and a bit of time killed, Hugh appeared to be leaving his room.

Maul fired off another quick message to Vasil and Willow as he too gathered a few of his things into a backpack to bring to the meet.

"Hugh's on the move. Sounded like one of his crewmates was poking him for answers on his whereabouts but he didn't give them a location. Nothing to really be worried about but maybe be a bit wary, yeah? On my way to the meet now."
17 Dec 2024, 8:47pm
Vasil’s slate announced Maul’s messaged with a subtle hum that sent a slight vibration through the top of the table and caused tiny vibratory ripples in his drink. With a quick tap on the slate, Vasil replied. “Once we get the info, it might be worth getting straight to recovery just in case someone else has an idea to salvage the goods before we do. Anyway, I’m at the pool enjoying the artificial sun and a damn fine whiskey sour, waiting for our friend.”

Vasil finished the drink and placed the empty glass on the table’s order pad. After a few seconds, the pad flashed green, letting him know another drink was on the way. These were some damn good whiskey sours, and it helped that the black cherry and lemon spiral garnish were both real fruit and not fauxfruit like so many places used.
17 Dec 2024, 10:43pm
It was a good meal. Rankin's food was always top class, it's one of the reasons Hugh picked this place. Being close enough to the carriers operating area to get an Apex, and out the way of raider, or law enforcement patrols was another.

Finishing up, Hugh left a tip on the on the table before picking up his kit bag and going to the pool area. A weapon would cause way too much trouble if he had to use one, so he left that in his kit-bag along with the data stick. All he kept on him was a new pad he'd already linked to a new account for the money he was about to have filled up, and a few choice com-logs he had managed to scavenge to show the ERS rep. They were genuine logs of the ordered the captain had received from Vengerfield concerning the Goodness guy.

A few text files that could have been altered may not be much, but it was better than saying *I got the data near by. Believe me* At least he'd have something to show with the name Goodness in it.

The contact was sat boozing it up pool side, looking for all the world like he was on vacation without a care in the stars. Hanging around would just make the thing harder to do, so Hugh took a deep breath and squared his shoulders.

"Hey, so er, I'm Hu..here to talk about the goods. You know, Goodness? You ready to make a transaction?"
18 Dec 2024, 1:22am
Vasil looked up. “Ah, Mr. H’eh,” he said, intentionally misunderstanding Hugh’s attempt to not reveal his name. “I’ve been expecting you. Please, have a seat.”

Vasil activated the table's air curtain. Intended to keep any stray droplets from making their way from the pool to the table in low-g, it also served as a rudimentary white noise generator to help keep table conversations private.

Vasil turned his slate around and slid it half-way across the table toward Hugh. The only thing displayed was a blue screen with the message “Receive: Waiting Data Transfer” blinking in gold letters. Over the hidden comm connection the slate still had open with Maul and Willow, the sliding tablet sounded like it was being dragged across gravel.

Vasil reached into the shirt pocket of his jersey and set a cred token on the edge of the table nearest to himself. According to the green display, the credit value was “3e+6.”

“I hope you do not mind receiving an unregistered token as payment, Mr. H’eh. Now, if you would kindly transfer the salvage information to the slate. I’ll transfer the finder's fee across the table and we can both get back to enjoying ourselves.” Vasil smiled that polite but ingenuine smile a person often gives to another during brief, unimportant interactions.
18 Dec 2024, 9:23am
Maul adjusted his earpiece volume again after being deafened by the loud grating sound that came from Vasil sliding his slate across to Hugh. With his own slate in hand, he pretended to be preoccupied while he watched the poolside exchange from inside through a window. His stress levels heightened as he glared at Hugh. If the pirate was crazy enough to try something, he had a pistol stashed in his backpack to try and retaliate with. The time it'd take to get to the weapon would leave a window of opportunity though, one that Hugh could take advantage of. His stress levels heightened once more. Beads of sweat ran down his forehead, dripping from the tip of his nose at a pace that would only quicken with the passing minutes. Get a grip. Don't lose contr—

"Disgusting!" A random woman, a fellow guest, shouted as she passed by him, stopping to give him a quick look of disgust. "I see the way you're ogling those women out there."

Maul's attention was ripped away from the meeting and he now found himself dumped into an awkward situation. He quickly looked over his shoulder at his accuser and back out the window to see that there were indeed a couple of women that happened to be enjoying their time at the pool.

"What? Oh! No no, it's—"

"Disgusting!" She said again, louder this time to close the distance as she hastened further from him. This time with more eyes turning to see the sweaty man staring out the window.

Maul tried to laugh it off but that only made things worse. Without a second thought he dropped his head and moved through the room towards the doors that lead out to the pool area. He'd managed to find a lounge chair to sit in that kept Vasil and Hugh in clear view but at himself at a distance. Now his backpack was off his back and sitting close by his chair, it may make for a quicker recovery of his weapon if needed.

Post a reply

You must be signed in to post here.
ROLEPLAY ONLY! Respect the universe settings!
If you are new here, please try to at least partially involve in the ongoing stories and conversations instead of establishing a completely different "arc". You can always turn it to a different story later.