Elite roleplay: Citi Gateway

CITI GATEWAY

The Orbis station is a center of activity. Within the station a myriad of places can be found.
  • The Warrens: Where the poor plebs of the station live. It's is a breeding ground for the most unscrupulous. Keep an eye on your wallet when traversing the corridors of these areas.
  • Habitation Complex: For those workers and pilots that can afford it, this area provides closer to 1G gravity for more earth like living.
  • Commerce Divison: and Administration Where the larger corporations make their home. Station administration can be found here.
  • Industrial Complex: Where industry manufactures their various goods.
  • Entertainment: District Bars, theaters and night clubs, tattoo parlors and other establishments can be found vying for a commanders credits in exchange for a bit of fun.
  • Station Security: A high tech brig used to house law breakers until they can be tried, and or deported off station.
  • Medical Ward: Where commanders can get patched up, enhanced, or fix existing cybernetics.

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.
12 Aug 2023, 9:02am
It took some doing with one hand, but Silvia's physical and chemical profile was finished; so was the software update for both a coves, and the personnel scanners. With a little fine tuning form an expert hand, a ships scan could locate Silvia even if the slavers had removed all her implants and cyberwar. Knowing what Willow did about cyberwar and tracking implants, that's one of the first things she'd do to a prisoner. After all it was the first thing she had done to Emmeline.

The hand scanners would be the tool that would let them find Silvia if she was hidden away, and not paraded like a trophy to taunt her would be rescuers. They didn't have much of a chance. Getting on board the carrier would be hard enough, and battling a bunch of assholes on guard would be next to impossible, but Willow would jump in head first if it was one of her family, so she understood.

The best Willow could do was prepare their ships, and help their hardware find Silvia. Having ran so many retravel contracts her self, Willow was aware how useful it was to know the exact location of what she was after. It saved so much time and cut down many pointless encounters. She reasoned it had to be the same for a rescuing a person. To do that, Willow needed someone with two working hands, and at least basic electrical engineering knowledge. Time to let Kasumi know.

So I'm done. Like, I got a digital profile for Silvia, now all I need to do is like, install that on your ships and hand scanners. So yeah, that's only half the upgrade you know? I'll need to calibrate your sensor package too, but like, with one good hand, I need some help. Any of your crazy crew know electrical engineering?
12 Aug 2023, 9:54am
Kasumi Goto
I kind of know my way around it, but I'm not sure I'll be in the station for the next few hours or so. If I am, I'll happily lend a hand though. Or when I come back.

Also, my currently docked ship isn't the one I'll be taking, so I need to get that one transferred over. Will probably be here by the time I get back if I end up leaving.

Oh, and the crazy blue-hair was coming to check up on your progress. Maybe she knows a thing or two about tinkering, but I'm not sure I want her on my ship.


Willow smiled to her self. She knew that feeling.

Yeah, I like totally get it. My ship is like my underwear draw, you know? No poking bout in that, less I say its ok, right?

So yeah, it'll take time, so I only want to work on the ships your taking. Once your fleet is on deck, I'll do the internals with you, and I have a ground crew do a total degaussing. Like, that'll add a few seconds to the time it'll take them to detect your ships, and like, slow down a weapons lock a tiny bit.

Let me know when your ready for me.

Oh, gather everyones hand scanners too


Last edit: 12 Aug 2023, 11:08am
12 Aug 2023, 11:12am
I had made several stops through Citi before arriving at the lab. When I arrived I noticed Willow finishing up.

'Damn looks like I missed seeing how it all works. Maybe someday I can have you show me what to do. So what do you need from us?'

I pause at the entryway so as to make Willow less uncomfortable. There was bound to be a significant amount of work needing to be done prior to us departing and I wanted to pitch in how I could. Everyone seemed to think I was a hothead which to be fair want far from the truth but in this moment I was calm.

That's how it always worked for me. On edge up until the last possible moment but once it was game time my nerves stopped. I stood looking at Willow simply observing waiting for her reply.
12 Aug 2023, 11:34am
"Oh like, hi. So it's real boring you know? I just load the samples, and tell the machine what to ignore, and make like, a composite chemical image of like, human stank"

Willow looked at the machines she had been using, obviously thinking about the process.

"So this set up can't do pheromones, so the physical compound" said Willow holding up a little vile "would like, um, its like Silvia, but if it was a picture, it'd be a real bad one you know? Its like, flat. Whatever, the composite data will let a scanner tell how Silvia-like a human is. Er, lets just say it'll let you find her quicker ok?"

Willow got up and offered the little bottle to Jenna. "Here, rub it on the back of your hand, and it may smell a little bit like her, but I was making a digital image, not a perfume. I mean like, I don't know how to do that, right?"

"Speaking of what I can't do, like, how is your electrical engineering? Going to need help recalibrating you sensors and hand scanner" she said gently patting her crushed arm.


Last edit: 12 Aug 2023, 11:46am
12 Aug 2023, 12:11pm
I took the vial and rubbed a bit of the strange solution on the back of my hand just like Willow said and as soon as I got a whif I knew exactly what she meant. It was sweet and for me the most familiar smell I have had in months. A small tear forms in my eye.

'It may seem boring to you but this... *takes another small sniff* ... this is amazing. To me it smells almost identical to how I remember her. It's like when someone hands you an item they used constantly, like a pen or their pillow when they leave for a trip. You could make an insane amount of money making familiar scents for people.'

I realize I was rambling and stopped. I thought about the rest of what Willow had mentioned with electrical engineering. And remembered a time when my phantom well Silvia's phantom Stranded me in a remote region of space.

'I do have some knowledge... though I would need service manuals on the ships to ensure I don't screw something up. Ships are real finicky things. All these sensors and computers communicating with eachother like a network. Each system ties into another completely separate system communicating with one another to ensure optimal efficiency. One wrong value and you are looking at a catastrophic failure of one or more systems. Like you lose the control panel good luck because that is the main component of everything though there are redundancy measures in place but like those aren't in the cockpit you need to go to the service rooms for that and in a fight that isn't something you can do.'

I realized I was getting too in depth with it but felt satisfied that I had at least kind of answered Willows question.

'So ya just need service manuals for the ships we are using. I have one for my imperial eagle just need one for the AXDF pilot and Kasumi's ships. Then maybe a couple hours to ensure I don't screw something up.'
12 Aug 2023, 12:44pm
"Oh, like no, I'll be directing you, like, I'll show you want to do, I just need you to do it. I'm kind of crap at everything practical right now. Like, finding things is a lot of what I do, so I've picked up some tricks for sensors you know?"

There was a message from Kasumi, but that would have to wait for a little bit.

"Wait. You guys only taking three ships? How many troops?"
12 Aug 2023, 12:58pm
The question was filled with concern, I could feel it in my bones. It was one of those things that regardless of how calm you are strikes you and makes you second guess everything. I took a moment before answering, calming my mind.

'Three right now. I'm going to be making a call to an old friend to see if they're is any chance they could spare a squadron. That has a snowballs chance in hell of happening but..... it's better than calling in Thargoids...'

I trailed off not really wanting to dive deeper into the subject of fleet or rather the lack thereof.

'Troops well we are looking at anywhere between 3 and if I get a squadron, 153. Look I know it sounds obsurd but a small team is much easier to get onto a ship than an entire fleet. All I need is to get close enough to drop a limpet, then EVA to the carrier. If that recon limpet can shut down security systems I can board the carrier without detection.'

I sighed knowing how stupid the plan sounded but I had been in a similar situation to this many times before. Get in, get out that was the objective everything else was secondary.
12 Aug 2023, 1:15pm
"Soo, like, riight. Um before we get to work on your ship, Can I get a picture of you?

Willow wanted to say, and who do you want me to contact when I find out you're dead? but there was no nice way to phrase that. Three ships, and three people attacking a carrier full of slavers. Yeah, all three of them were going in Willows Book of the Dead.
It would be the best she could do to hour their memory, because there would be no way anyone could recover their bodies. It wouldn't be worth preparing her morg for them, the slavers or Az would see to that.

"So yeah. I'll snap you on ya ship, so let's get to work ok?"

On the way, Willow sent a reply to Kasumi

So I'm going to sort out, like Jen's ship and scanner right now. Shout me when your boat is docked.
12 Aug 2023, 1:30pm
I knew that question all too well. Photos and arrangements to be made before every single deployment. Every mission had its risks and I knew them well. So when Willow asked to get my picture I knew what she meant.

'Sure but if your memorializing me get my good side. Seriously though infiltration was a specialty of mine while in the Imperial Navy. I also happen to know that slavers and raiders specifically the ones working for Diaz, will work for the highest bidder. All I have to do is out bid Diaz and that will be easy enough.'

I motion to Willow to follow behind and we proceed to the docks. On the way I made a call to someone that I could rely on to bring in some support.
12 Aug 2023, 1:58pm
"Uh. You also had the backing of like, the Imperial Navy, and mission control, and like, support I guess"

They had made their minds up, and Willow wasn't about to bum them out with facts. She was an engineer, and knew how long every ship would last against a carrier once it was flagged hostile. The seconds never made it into double digits.

She'd get something on each of them for her Book of the Dead, but Willow wouldn't write a word of memorandum until she knew they had failed. She wasn't going to jinx them, after all, she could be wrong.

After snapping a good picture, Willow got the software uploaded to the ship, and personnel scanner. While Jenna did the work that needed two hands in the systems under Willows guidance, she explained how this upgrade would work.

"Ok, so you know how when you fly up to a big ship or settlement, you can see all the people on your scanner right? But like, the ship can't tell you who they are till you focus on them? Well, what's happening is your computer is talking to its stored info, local database, and then PF galactic info. That's why it takes so long for your ship to say like, Oh, that's Jeff Jeffry, the um, cleaning guy or what ever"

What I'm doing is letting your computer know what Silvia looks like to its scanners, so it can ask its self, Is that Silvia? Before it doses the normal identity retrieval. I've by passed the need to focus the target too. If it sees a Silvia signal, it'll tell you, ok?"

"The personnel scanner that comes with, like every suit is even better at it, coz like, that's what it do, you know?" said Willow trying to sound cool "But the range is real short coz it don't have like, a ships genny behind it giving it mondo power right? But, I've let it know what you're looking for, so its range for detecting Silvia is going to be like, way better than it would be for just some random asshole, ok?"

"So with the hand scanner, you're looking at like 20 - 30 meters and LOS, but for your wife, it's like, 80 - 100 meters, and like a normal ship wall or two won't cause too much interference"

"Thats like, the best I can do for you all. I hope it helps some, you know?"


Last edit: 12 Aug 2023, 2:10pm
12 Aug 2023, 2:21pm
As Willow explained the details of the upgrade a response a message from the person I had contacted comes through.

Venus... Listen I am going to bring a wing of 6 FDL. You need to ensure that you get the information you need on Diaz and present it to the courts. It's really not much but its what we can spare. I will be standing by in Lifeboat waiting for the signal. You will owe me for this as this is strictly off the books. Do not let me down.

Aventus


It wasn't the fleet I was hoping for but it was better than absolutely no support at all. Aventus always had my back so did Ava... I just wish she were still around. I blame myself for her death even though she came along of her own free will.

I look back to Willow and smile.

'Oh and I should have a wing of 6 FDL showing up shortly. Its not much but its enough to keep the smaller ships off our rear. Between you and I when I went in on an infiltration mission I didn't exist if I got caught. I always approached everything with the mindset that I may not make it out of there alive.'
12 Aug 2023, 2:36pm
"Well, that's a dumb mind set for hostage retrieval, right?" Oh, that just slipped out! Willow was stunned at the words as thay left her mouth. To cover up, she continued talking.

"So, I'm a builder. I like to make stuff you know? It makes me happy to like, build something that makes someone's life easy or like better. It takes care, and dedication to make something, especially for other people. Braking shit takes carelessness and like, very little effort. What it doesn't take is love, you know? That includes braking your self. I mean, what does it say for your capacity to care, if you don't even value your self?"

It was getting weird now. Willow felt like she was the big sister telling a dumb teenage kid something they wouldn't listen to, or even get.

"Er, so yeah. Um. I guess I better get to, like everyone else you know? So, tell me when your back-up is in dock. Oh, and I've told the ground crew to do a deep degauss on your ships. They don't need to come on board for that, just tell the dock master you're one of Thorn's. They'll have a team on it. Ok?"
12 Aug 2023, 3:17pm
Willow Thorn"Well, that's a dumb mind set for hostage retrieval, right?" Oh, that just slipped out! Willow was stunned at the words as thay left her mouth. To cover up, she continued talking.


'It would be if it were standard operations. Special forces are the exception to that rule. We have support if the asset is obtained. Those missions were rare but when they came up we knew we were on our own until the end.'

The main portion of what Willow said held some weight and to validate her some I chimed in.

'I've been down that lack of self caring route. It's what made.... it's what made the other side of me you saw. That wreckless trigger happy monster. I had no care for self preservation and cared little about what happened to me or if I hurt people along the way.'

'I'll direct the ground crew to the ships when they arrive. Thank you for this. It means alot.'
12 Aug 2023, 4:13pm
"Yeah, so um, I got my next client, and wouldn't ya know it, It's on the other side of the station"

What did you say to someone like that? Her brothers were just as sure they were indestructible. At least she could call them dumb asses, and not get attacked.

"So eh, good luck I guess. Hope to see you again. And like, Silvia too"

With that, Willow headed for the station train that would taker her to the Marshmallow's pad.
14 Aug 2023, 6:24pm
I checked my data pad after having finished a shower. Kasumi had messaged once again this time though the contents were short.

I've gone through the data. There might be some complications. Won't say more over an open channel, in case anyone's listening. We need to talk about this in person. You know where to find me.

- Kasumi


"Well that can't be good." I thought to myself.

I grabbed a new imperial style dress off the hangar and slipped into it. The slim form fitting dress was adorned with a very intricate pattern running from my left hip around the side and up the back finishing on my right shoulder. I grabbed a pair of heels and slipped them on. I grabbed my data pad again and replied to both Kasumi and Meowers.

I have a large conference room reserved for us at the Chateau Dans Le Ciel we can meet here tell the front desk you are a member of Duvals party. They will direct you to the room. I will refrain from contacting any of the team until we have a game plan in place.

-Venus

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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.