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.
17 Sep 2024, 9:52am
Kasumi Goto“I think, follow vehicle in, when, one comes. Slow, so… should, be easy, to follow.”


We waited for a while without anything happening. Then the sensors in my suit informed me that a vehicle was slowly approaching. Shortly afterwards, yellow warning lights on the large bulkhead near us strobed, bathing the surroundings in a rapid and irritating sequence of light and dark, until finally the large bulkhead slowly began to open and the warning lights went out, replaced by a cold white, glistening illumination of the entrance area.

By now, the vehicle had come within a few meters of our location. I couldn't tell if it was the same vehicle we had spotted earlier, but it was at least the same type. However, it now appeared to be loaded.

“This is the opportunity we've been waiting for. Let's go then...”
17 Sep 2024, 11:57am
“Yes. Ready.”

I peeked out after the front of the slow mover passed our cover rock, just in case the vehicle had an operator behind it if it encountered an issue. But that didn’t appear to be the case… not obviously so, anyway. I readied myself, not quite able to stop the thought that me standing there tensed up, legs placed apart somewhat and leaned forward slightly, had to be a… rather curious view. Benefits of an overblown body that looked like it was bloated, in the right ways.

“After you.”

Hopefully, no one’d mind the figures following the - presumed - mining vehicle, hopping after it. I’d be real happy to engage mag contact once we reached a metal surface, and at least have the semblance of proper walking.
17 Sep 2024, 12:54pm
I trailed the sluggish transport vehicle into the docking bay, my vigilance split between our surroundings and the sensor readings, striving to preempt any unwelcome surprises as best I could. Despite our cautious approach, we were far from inconspicuous, perpetually illuminated by the facility’s glaring lights as we followed the transporter. This constant exposure left a gnawing unease in the pit of my stomach.

Fortunately for us, the entire approach appeared to be largely automated; I couldn’t see a soul apart from us. As the transporter ahead of us finally passed through the bulkhead and we felt the solid metal floor of the dock beneath our feet, my spirits lifted. At least now, with the aid of our magnetic boots, we could move more freely and find places to hide if necessary. However, escape was no longer an option as the massive bulkhead of the facility began to close behind us…

As the vehicle decelerated and approached what looked like a loading bay, I signaled to my companion that it was time for us to separate from it, pointing upwards with my hand. In the vast hall we now found ourselves in, I had noticed a staircase leading to an upper level. Catwalks lined the walls of the hall, one of which appeared to connect to a central, tower-like structure. A door was clearly visible there - perhaps a control room?

“Let's go upstairs, we'll be less on display there while we look for a way to get further into the facility...”


Last edit: 17 Sep 2024, 1:05pm
17 Sep 2024, 1:10pm
“Ok, sure. Should, probably… look for a map.”, I suggested. “May, also, be able to disable security, at, the right point.”

Definitely glad to be in and able to walk properly, now. Hopping was tiresome, especially when I had to fight those big thighs. I glanced at a random point in the wall, though nothing was there.

“So, we do not need to worry, about cameras. And, calling backup, if comms, can be disabled. Much, as it is fun to pose… this, is not the place.”

Part of me still enjoyed contemplating the idea, just to screw with whoever might’ve been operating or surveilling the cameras. But that wasn’t anything I could do here until we were certain at least comms were offline, and no reinforcements would be called in.

And I would have to sit on somebody with this ‘big bumper’ one day. That seemed like fun… for me, at least.
17 Sep 2024, 1:45pm
“Sounds like a plan. That central structure over there looks like a place where I would most likely suspect a security center or at least a computer... So let's go!”

I moved towards the stairs at a moderate pace, weapon at the ready, and scanned the large hall. The vehicle docking station was cavernous, and the only moving vehicle looked almost lost as it maneuvered to unload its cargo. As I saw no further movement, I quickly climbed the stairs. Once at the top, I secured the perimeter while I waited for my companion to catch up with me.

“Looks safe so far. I'll wait here until you've reached me. Next we have to cross the catwalk to this door.”
17 Sep 2024, 1:56pm
“I am not dressed for ‘catwalk’.”, I remarked in a silly tone, walking at a moderate pace - by my standards - to catch up. And the stairs, of course… I sighed.

Those were never fun in low gravity, with this shape, certainly. There was just something a little uncanny about it… luckily, I was relatively used to things at this point, but to say I looked elegant doing it would have been quite the exaggeration.

“Hope, there will not be, much more stairs.”, I told my companion once I got to the top.

Now for the catwalk… too bad there was nobody to watch the show. I pulled out my rifle, just in case any unfriendly company happened to show up and needed to be put down quickly, then motioned with my head for my companion to go in front. Unless she asked me to play bullet shield with my - mostly - wider ‘frame’, I was happy to let her take the lead.


Last edit: 17 Sep 2024, 2:02pm
17 Sep 2024, 2:12pm
I could barely suppress a laugh at my companion’s quip about missing the right attire for the catwalk. As I waited for her to catch up, she climbed - or rather, wobbled - up the stairs, muttering her hope that there would be no more of them. Just as I was about to respond, far behind her the door of the tower-like structure swung open to the central catwalk.

My companion, who had just joined me, partially obstructed my view, but I could still make out a figure in a black armored suit stepping onto the catwalk. They hadn’t noticed us yet and maybe wouldn’t if they continued straight ahead. But the moment they turned their head to the side, we would be impossible to miss…
17 Sep 2024, 2:22pm
“What?”, I questioned, noticing the glance past me and my wide ‘features’. Then turned around and promptly lowered my voice.

“Oh.”

Hopefully, whoever that was, was out of listening range.

“Kill, or wait to walk by?”

One of those options would be a lot quieter than the other. The problem was, if we did get spotted, I’d have a lot less time to neutralize the problem… and either way, the gun shots would undoubtedly attract some rather unwarranted attention. Or if somehow they didn’t, the absence of that individual over there would quickly be noticed.
17 Sep 2024, 4:34pm
“Bloody hell… shoot them!”

Our plan to stay unnoticed went down the drain, but then again, plans rarely survive first contact with the enemy. The only good thing about this situation was that this dock had no atmosphere, so the shot wouldn’t be heard. Assuming a clean shot, the figure wouldn’t raise any alarm either...

The only question was, when would someone start to miss them?
17 Sep 2024, 6:54pm
“Ok… ok.”

I aimed up carefully to make sure my targeting was as good as it could be, and pulled the trigger, sending a few bullets from the assault rifle at our… ‘company’. They struck roughly around the chest, and judging by how the figure slowy began to collapse lifelessly, were enough to take them out. I lowered my weapon, resumed a regular non-firing stance, and looked behind myself.

“There. Maybe, we can get a clearance, from the body. Instead, of needing to hack.”

Under the assumption nobody - or nothing - caught the deed. If that was the case… we were about to have a lot more trouble on our hands than one dead body.
18 Sep 2024, 2:12am
Maul Montresor "How's biz Vasil? 'Official appearance' sounded serious. Anyhoo, I'm sending you some deets for the Anansi job. Files and location attached. Files contain blueprints for each level of the carrier. I've got a few ideas on getting inside but she's buzzing with worker bees compared to last time. Complicates things a bit. Will hash out further details in person.

Careful entering the system btw. Eyes are everywhere. I'm sure Vodan or at least some of his cronies are still around here somewhere. If they catch wind that you're here, they may be a bit miffed, yeah? Maybe that's an angle we can work though, not sure. Let's just hope Vodan isn't personally vetting every ship that docks.

I'm docked on pad 13. Gonna pop out and do some recon after this sends. Got a feeling they upped security around the Anansi after the last hack.
"

Maul swiped the screens away and retrieved his modded Karma P-15 pistol and began preforming some precautionary light maintenance.


Vasil was finishing up routine system checks on the Umbrella when Maul’s message arrived. Satisfied with the output from the krait’s shield and booster tests, he closed the diagnostics and opened the message. “Miffed” was probably an understatement. Things would probably get ugly if he was discovered.

Vasil called up the system info for the message origin and glaced through the info Maul sent before replying.

The appearance was mostly saying the right things to fancy people who like to feel good by giving large sums of money to charities. I should be in system in a few hours, arriving in a mark two krait with the call sign Umbrella and current reg number XFe-03.

I see that the station and repair yard has open calls for raw materials and heavy machinery so I’ll be arriving with a full cargo. With luck, I’ll look like just another low end trader hoping to make a few credits
18 Sep 2024, 3:40pm
Kasumi Goto“There. Maybe, we can get a clearance, from the body. Instead, of needing to hack.”

Under the assumption nobody - or nothing - caught the deed. If that was the case… we were about to have a lot more trouble on our hands than one dead body.


I nodded, grasping the urgency of the situation, and cautiously approached the fallen figure, my heart pounding in my chest. The height and openness of the catwalk suddenly made me feel exposed, but I pressed on. As I reached the body, I knelt down and began searching for any form of clearance or identification. My fingers trembled slightly, adrenaline still coursing through my veins. I found a keycard tucked inside one of the figure’s pockets.

“Got something,” I said, glancing at the keycard. The name and photo on the card revealed the identity of the fallen figure: Officer Marvin Delacroix, a member of the facility’s security team. The realization hit me hard - this wasn’t just any clearance; it was high-level security access.

“Officer Delacroix,” I muttered, holding the keycard up for my companion to see. “This should help.”

I stood up, slipping the keycard into my pocket. As I did, a chill ran down my spine. I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched. My eyes darted around the vast hall, scanning the shadows and the other catwalks. The sense of unease grew stronger, but I couldn’t pinpoint its source.

“Do you feel that?” I whispered to my companion.
18 Sep 2024, 3:52pm
I shrugged to that, not feeling any tension I wouldn’t have poking around the bowels of an Azimuth facility.

“No.”

Still decided to look around, but I couldn’t see any obvious forms of surveillance - if there were cameras, they were fairly well concealed within the walls.

“Maybe, you are, just… feeling nervous. Should, go, to control center. Make sure, no backup, will be called.”

There were certainly going to be cameras watching in there. But other than providing a good view of my backside to anybody monitoring the feeds, that wouldn’t change much since once we were in there, we’d have the whole place isolated from the outside world, thus no reinforcements.

My companion’s spider sense going off did make me ponder whether nobody really had noticed the T6 following that Azimuth transport into the asteroid belt, providing that they didn’t just think we were miners coincidentally heading roughly in the same direction, to strike it out away from the main group. Wouldn’t hurt to be wary about any surprises… especially if we were being expected, despite the precautions taken to avoid discovery.

I could also not exactly pose as a facility worker, if the armored and armed appearance itself hadn’t already given it away. My form kind of prevented such tactics from being used.
18 Sep 2024, 4:43pm
I shook off the unsettling feeling, taking a deep breath to steady myself. With determination, I crossed the catwalk towards the central tower-like structure. The door ahead was part of a closed airlock, but I assumed the keycard would grant us access. I took it out of my pocket and swiped the card. With a hiss, the door slid open indeed, letting us in. I repeated the process on the inner door, which sealed the outer door before the inner one opened to reveal a surveillance station inside.

The room we entered was a stark contrast to the utilitarian hall with its catwalks and vehicle loading bays. It was filled with chairs, a table and computer consoles, the hum of ventilation, which indicated a breathable atmosphere, and the soft glow of numerous computer monitors. The screens displayed various feeds: drones hovering near a big antenna, and an automated vehicle making its way to a distant rock area. I gestured for my companion to examine the monitors and computers while I took in the rest of the room.

“Looks like the officer intended to return soon,” I remarked, pointing to a cup of coffee still steaming on the nearby table.

“And he was reading this,” I added, picking up a celebrity magazine with a glossy cover featuring a smiling starlet. “Not exactly what you’d expect in a place like this. But might explain why we could get in here undetected... Presumably, the guard duty here is usually quite boring.”

I counted three doors leading out of the room, apart from the one we had come through. One door was another airlock like the one to the catwalk, likely leading to more outer sections of the facility. Another, simple looking door was marked with a sign indicating restrooms. The third door, however, was an elevator, its panel showing it descended to lower levels.

I glanced at the doors, then at my companion. “Let’s try the elevator when we are done here? If there’s something important in this place, it’s probably down below.”


Last edit: 18 Sep 2024, 4:49pm
18 Sep 2024, 4:54pm
"Probably, yes."

I studied the room here, quite thankful to not be crammed into that airlock for too long. But I could not make out much that seemed... particularly helpful to our cause. Maybe security surveillance could be disabled, but if there were lower levels, embedded into the rock - quite likely - then things like comms control would be there, instead of something more easily accessible. That would have been my assumption, at least...

"Hm... not, sure, if there is... much useful, here. Maybe, control for security, cameras. But, what about ..." I pointed to the big antenna displayed on one of the monitors. "Could, be for comms. Should, we go there? Turn, it off, then go down?"

I wasn't totally sure if that was worth the detour to sabotage it, and maybe, we could still access some parts of the system here anyway.

"Or, see, what we can, do, from here."

Feedback from the other half in this endeavor was required, so I waited, before committing to anything.

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