NationStates Jolt Archive

This RP has now begun. Xanthal and Kecha are the only authorized RPers in this thread. All others will be ignored.

Interested.

Excellent. Okay, here's the idea. This RP is designed to give a view of the darker, 'ghetto' side of Xanthal that as yet has not been shown IC. The plot begins with my RP companion (in this case, you) having one of your ships (up to you which type, probably a smaller one considering the mission type) heading into Xanthalian space to rendezvous with a Xanthalian transport. Your mission is to retrieve a person (up to you why... Mabye he's a criminal or something) that you have discovered has fled to Xanthalian territory. The ship you are rendezvousing with has been assigned to help you locate him/her. You can start when you're ready on this board. I'll then change the title to match the RP.

What do you mean by 'space tech'. Da orks have space ships but dey isn't too good yet... How advanced should I be in order to play?

So I'm playing the part of a character going to Xanthalian space to pick up this person, who is most probably a criminal or something to that affect then? cause i'm ready to participate here, so don't worry.

What exactly are we RPing?

Yes, ideally that person is on assignment from your government. Even better if he/she is actually a member of your government.

Very well, is it alright if this ship they travel on is a Warship? if not I also have 4 Space Shuttles.

I guess it doesn't matter what it is, but practically speaking I doubt that the Kechan government would devote the resources of a warship to such a simple assignment. After all, it's just one guy. And it's not like he has to be a mass murderer or telekinetic or anything special like that.

I guess it doesn't matter what it is, but practically speaking I doubt that the Kechan government would devote the resources of a warship to such a simple assignment. After all, it's just one guy. And it's not like he has to be a mass murderer or telekinetic or anything special like that. OOC: Space Shuttle then, anything else I need to know?

So I'm playing the part of a character going to Xanthalian space to pick up this person, who is most probably a criminal or something to that affect then? cause i'm ready to participate here, so don't worry.

me too

Well, yes. But you'll get all that IC from the vessel you're meeting. You may start when ready.

****************BEGIN IC ROLEPLAY****************

OOC: What's the concept?

OOC: I'm starting now.

IC: The Kechan Space Shuttle Sir Galahad moved along at a slow, ponderous pace, aboard the S.G. where 3 people, KNPD Officer Lieutenant Jeffrey Hacker, KNPD Officer Captain Adriane Davis, and Kechan Space Navy Ensign Peter Lewis, they had been dispatched with the job of apprehending a criminal who had fled to Xanthalian space, wich they where entering right at the very moment.

bastard

Xanthal, who all is participating here anyway?

Several hundred kilometers away sits an Enkidu class transport modified for official military use. It awaits the arrival of the Kechan shuttle it is scheduled to meet.

OOC: You and me Kecha. Those other people are being ignored with extreme prejudice.

This RP has now begun. Xanthal and Kecha are the only authorized RPers in this thread. All others will be ignored.

Several hundred kilometers away sits an Enkidu class transport modified for official military use. It awaits the arrival of the Kechan shuttle it is scheduled to meet. The S.G. moved forward in a purposefull manner, eventually coming into sensor range of the Xanthalian ship, the feminine voice of KNPD Captain Davis flaired over the comm' "This is Captain Davis, hailing Xanthalian vessel, please respond"

The Xanthalian vessel does so, almost immediately. "This is Jack Dianne. So, you're after a criminal. My government dispatched me to help you. Who exactly are you looking for?"

The Xanthalian vessel does so, almost immediately. "This is Jack Dianne. So, you're after a criminal. My government dispatched me to help you. Who exactly are you looking for?" A guy Named Peter Fuller, calls himself Zahir, he's wanted for Grand Theft Auto, several counts of Fraud, and a possible charge of First Degree Murder"

"And you came all this way for him? My complements. There should be just enough room for your vessel in the internal docking bay, come on in. Dianne out." A set of bay doors opens on the side of the ship. The mechanism is obviously a little clunky, but functional. It's apparent that most of the modifications to the ship were haphazard jury-rigged add-ons.

"And you came all this way for him? My complements. There should be just enough room for your vessel in the internal docking bay, come on in. Dianne out." A set of bay doors opens on the side of the ship. The mechanism is obviously a little clunky, but functional. It's apparent that most of the modifications to the ship were haphazard jury-rigged add-ons. Ensign Lewis started the Shuttle moving, with a little sweat, luck, and skill, he managed to execute a 8-point docking.

Airlocks open, allowing the Kechan crew access to a small, deserted passenger area. To one side is a locked metal door, and straight ahead is a lighter portal, cracked open. The voice from the radio transmission calls from behind it. "Welcome aboard military light transport 293; the junk heap of the Xanthalian fleet! C'mon in!"

Airlocks open, allowing the Kechan crew access to a small, deserted passenger area. To one side is a locked metal door, and straight ahead is a lighter portal, cracked open. The voice from the radio transmission calls from behind it. "Welcome aboard military light transport 293; the junk heap of the Xanthalian fleet! C'mon in!" The 3 Kechans walked of the Sir Galahad wearing Flightsuits, the KSN Ensign's flightsuit was Dark Blue, the 2 KNPD Officers had Black Flightsuits, they walked up to the door and opened it, walking through.

As they try to enter, they discover that only one of them can go in without the room becoming extremely uncomfortable. The room is a miniature cockpit, made smaller by the fact that it was cluttered with a mess of wires and boxes. The inside of the ship is obviously just as slipshod as the outside. A single unbathed, ungroomed young man; looking to be in his thirties looks over at the Kechan that made it into the cockpit and smiles. "Jack Dianne at your service. I'd shake your hand, if there was room."

IC: Captain Davis was the one who'd made it in, "Captain Adriane Davis" she said "I don't normally shake hands anyhow, good to meet you"

He nods. "Your friends and yourself can take seats in the passenger area, you'll be more comfortable there. And sound carries well in here, so I'll still be able to talk to you."

He nods. "Your friends and yourself can take seats in the passenger area, you'll be more comfortable there. And sound carries well in here, so I'll still be able to talk to you." "Passenger area?"

#That room you walked through to get to the cockpit. *Points to 9:32 post.*#
He chuckles. "Behind you. I know it's not that fancy, but this is a military ship, after all."

#That room you walked through to get to the cockpit. *Points to 9:32 post.*#
He chuckles. "Behind you. I know it's not that fancy, but this is a military ship, after all." "You mean that locked door?"

Airlocks open, allowing the Kechan crew access to a small, deserted passenger area. To one side is a locked metal door, and straight ahead is a lighter portal, cracked open.

Airlocks open, allowing the Kechan crew access to a small, deserted passenger area. To one side is a locked metal door, and straight ahead is a lighter portal, cracked open. "Ah, I see" Davis said, "I'll be going to secure my ship OK?"

OOC: Nuts, can't belive I missed out on an opportunity to show that the ambassador's suspicions were correct. Bah.
<tag>

OOC: Nuts, can't belive I missed out on an opportunity to show that the ambassador's suspicions were correct. Bah.
<tag> OOC: Suspicion?

"No problem. I've used the Xanthalian database to track your man to a small planet in the Mirfak system. I'll take us there, but this junker is barely slipstream worthy, forget transdimensional gateway equipped. It'll take us an hour to get there."

"No problem. I've used the Xanthalian database to track your man to a small planet in the Mirfak system. I'll take us there, but this junker is barely slipstream worthy, forget transdimensional gateway equipped. It'll take us an hour to get there." "If only the KSN had agreed to take us here, sent us in one of their Andromedas, neat ships those, ah well, we must make do with what we have musn't we?"

OOC: Nuts, can't belive I missed out on an opportunity to show that the ambassador's suspicions were correct. Bah.
<tag> OOC: Suspicion?

OOC: He had some reservations over their form of government, and thought that it wouldn't work, and/or the AI in charge would get corrupted.

"That's my specialty. Now go sit down. You can secure you ship in a minute. This ship's inertial dampers are a wee bit sluggish; you'll be sorry if we accelerate to slipstream while you're standing up."

"That's my specialty. Now go sit down. You can secure you ship in a minute. This ship's inertial dampers are a wee bit sluggish; you'll be sorry if we accelerate to slipstream while you're standing up." Captain Davis walked back and got herself and her 2 pals sat down.

DNS: How would coming on this trip, or sending someone, help him ease or prove his suspicions?

OOC: He had some reservations over their form of government, and thought that it wouldn't work, and/or the AI in charge would get corrupted.Actually this place has existed almost since the Xanthalians moved to the Aellis system in the first place, in the days of the socialist government. And BTW, since you seem to have missed it, the EI yeilded power. Since we interact a lot these days, I recommend that you keep an eye on The Xanthalian Factbook and Timeline. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=72826&highlight=)

Jack manipulates the ship's controls and the transport jumps to slipstream. He and the Kechans are pressed violently back in their seats for a split second before the inertial dampers fully kick in and the forces of motion within the vessel return to normal. The vessel utters several protesting creaks and groans before returning to silence. Jack calls out to the Kechans. "Now that's always fun. Feel free to move about the passenger cabin, not that there's anything to do."

Jack manipulates the ship's controls and the transport jumps to slipstream. He and the Kechans are pressed violently back in their seats for a split second before the inertial dampers fully kick in and the forces of motion within the vessel return to normal. The vessel utters several protesting creaks and groans before returning to silence. Jack calls out to the Kechans. "Now that's always fun. Feel free to move about the passenger cabin, not that there's anything to do." "We're OK" Davis said, then Lieutenant Hacker spoke up "I'm not, pardon me" this was followed by the sound of someone vomiting.

"That's my specialty. Now go sit down. You can secure you ship in a minute. This ship's inertial dampers are a wee bit sluggish; you'll be sorry if we accelerate to slipstream while you're standing up." Captain Davis walked back and got herself and her 2 pals sat down.

DNS: How would coming on this trip, or sending someone, help him ease or prove his suspicions?

OOC: They've been eased already, and I wouldn't dream of joining in unless Xanthal said ok.

Jack laughs. "There's one in every passenger load. You have to clean that up you know, there's a mop and bucket in the corner. You can get water from the replicator, provided it's working today. Don't be picky, any liquid substance it gives you will do."

Jack laughs. "There's one in every passenger load. You have to clean that up you know, there's a mop and bucket in the corner. You can get water from the replicator, provided it's working today. Don't be picky, any liquid substance it gives you will do." "Ah, a mop" Davis said "I'll be getting that" Shuffling around was heard for a few minutes, then some sniffing "Hey Jack" Davis called to the Xanthalian "You do know your Replicator just made a big ol' bocket o' Whiskey, right?"

Jack calls out in a whiny tone. "Really? I haven't managed to get it to do that in almost a month now! Feel free to drink some, but don't ask me what else that bucket has been used for. Let's just say I recommend only using it with the mop."

Jack calls out in a whiny tone. "Really? I haven't managed to get it to do that in almost a month now! Feel free to drink some, but don't ask me what else that bucket has been used for. Let's just say I recommend only using it with the mop." "Yeah....how old is this ship anyhow?"

"Hell, I'm not sure." Jack does some quick mental math. "At least fifty years. And as you can see, not much effort was put into modifying it. Every time I jump to slipstream I cross my fingers that it will hold together. This heap will be the death of me one day, no doubt in my mind."

"Hell, I'm not sure." Jack does some quick mental math. "At least fifty years. And as you can see, not much effort was put into modifying it. Every time I jump to slipstream I cross my fingers that it will hold together. This heap will be the death of me one day, no doubt in my mind." "Maybe we should wait for a thruster to fall off and count the rings?" Davis said, "No offense"

Jack shakes his head. "None taken. Now shut yer trap and clean up after your mate."

Jack shakes his head. "None taken. Now shut yer trap and clean up after your mate." "Yeah, yeah, i'm goin'" Davis said "Haven't cleaned vomit out of a cargo bay since my days in Training" she set about cleaning.

"Cargo bay? Ouch, that hurts." The rest of the hour passes uneventfully, and the Xanthalian vessel reenters normal space, heading for Mirfak III at medium velocity. Jack wrestles the ship into a stable orbit, then walks back to the passenger cabin where the Kechans are waiting. He speaks to Davis. "Tell me your shuttle can land on planets."

"Cargo bay? Ouch, that hurts." The rest of the hour passes uneventfully, and the Xanthalian vessel reenters normal space, heading for Mirfak III at medium velocity. Jack wrestles the ship into a stable orbit, then walks back to the passenger cabin where the Kechans are waiting. He speaks to Davis. "Tell me your shuttle can land on planets." "Why, yours' can't?"

Jack raises an eyebrow. "Well, the experts are still out on that one. If you look at it's schematics, yes. If you think about the reliabliity of it's precision systems... mabye. I try not to chance it whenever possible. Of course, there's always the transporter... but that thing is just as shoddy as the rest of this ship. I say good luck to the one who dares use it."

Jack raises an eyebrow. "Well, the experts are still out on that one. If you look at it's schematics, yes. If you think about the reliabliity of it's precision systems... mabye. I try not to chance it whenever possible. Of course, there's always the transporter... but that thing is just as shoddy as the rest of this ship. I say good luck to the one who dares use it." "Well, no worries, the Sir Galahad can make planetfall"

"And thank god for that. Lead the way."

"And thank god for that. Lead the way." Davis opened the round Airlock on her ship, then led her 2 partners and Jack inside, "What's this planet like anyhow?" she asked as she keyed the Airlock.

Jack licks his lips. "Well, it's not really something you can describe. Suffice it to say that it presents a very different image of Xanthal than the clean, orderly planets the government generally directs foreign vessels to. Mirfak III is no secret, but the Xanthalian government doesn't draw attention to it unless it has to. Society would rather not think about Mirfak III."

Jack licks his lips. "Well, it's not really something you can describe. Suffice it to say that it presents a very different image of Xanthal than the clean, orderly planets the government generally directs foreign vessels to. Mirfak III is no secret, but the Xanthalian government doesn't draw attention to it unless it has to. Society would rather not think about Mirfak III." "Ah, sounds like the kind of place Fuller would run his skinny self off to, not secret, but no center of Media" they walked through the Airlock into the Main Passenger Area, "Well, our ship is cleaner, better organized, and seemingly newer than yours, but it's nowhere near as fun, care to see the Bridge?"

Jack takes a seat in the passenger area. "Better not, I might get jealous and take it for myself. Let's get down to the surface. With the state of affairs down there it'll take more than one day to find your man, if we find him at all."

Jack takes a seat in the passenger area. "Better not, I might get jealous and take it for myself. Let's get down to the surface. With the state of affairs down there it'll take more than one day to find your man, if we find him at all." Captain Davis, and her 2 partners all began gathering their stuff together, pulling on their G-Suits, each one also had a gun belt on now, Davis and the KSN Ensign headed for the Bridge, Lieutenant Hacker stayed with Jack and strapped in, "So" Hacker said, as the Shuttle began to move "Where you from?"

Jack shakes his head. "Here, believe it or not. I was born on Mirfak III. I got off because I was willing to work. That's the way things are set up in Xanthal. The government provides it's citizens with everything they need; food, water, a home, transportation, utilities... All citizens are equal in their standard of living. The government requires only one thing in return for it's services: Work. Every able citizen under the age of seventy must provide some service for the country at large. If they do, they are provided for. If not... Well, that's the only reason Mirfak III exists. It's where all the able-bodied Xanthalians who will not work yet will not leave the country are sent. The government dumps them on Mirfak III to live whatever lifestyle they want. The people here are all delinquints in one way or another. They've formed quite a society, such as it is. Residents of Mirfak III need only pledge to do their part and work for the government to get off this planet. They don't. I lived here until I was a legal adult. I then submitted to the authorities that I was prepared to work for the government. I was shipped to Aellis VI the next day and have lived the life of an ordinary citizen ever since. Although Mirfak III is technically a part of Xanthal, it isn't policed in any way by the government. Most areas of the planet are lawless, most of the rest are controlled by corrupt institutions that amount to little more than gangs. Mirfak III is a depressing place, it looks like something out of an old Earth western, except most of the buildings are made of clay rather than wood. I don't see why anyone would choose to live there... But I guess it works for some people, because the planet is never empty. Far from it, there are millions of people living there. I'd call it the dark side of Xanthalian society, but they really aren't a part of any society but their own. Most of the people there are selfish bastards who'll do anything to further their own ends. It's not a place I'm really looking forward to returning to, but I know the turf. I'd suggest that you not stray too far from me while we're there. No offense, but anybody who grew up in a civilized community wouldn't last long on Mirfak III."

"I believe you" Hacker said "I guess I'm not advised to go down alone then eh? well, I'm a fighter anyhow, so I don't need to worry about being robbed"

"Don't be so sure. A robbery can stir up a mob in the wrong situation here. Be assertive, but I really wish you wouldn't fight unless you have to. You could make a very bad situation that way."

"Don't be so sure. A robbery can stir up a mob in the wrong situation here. Be assertive, but I really wish you wouldn't fight unless you have to. You could make a very bad situation that way."" Obviousley, anyway...whoa" Hacker said, as the Shuttle began to shake violently.

Jack sighs. "Is that your ship or mine?"

Jack sighs. "Is that your ship or mine?" "Ours, that Navy Ensign must be commencing the Entry Burn" Hacker said, he seemed to calm down as his own words sank in "This is normal, we're fine"

Jack grunts. "Bah. Had me hoping for a second there. If something happens to my ship, that means the military will have to give me a new vessel. Oh well, better luck next time."

Jack grunts. "Bah. Had me hoping for a second there. If something happens to my ship, that means the military will have to give me a new vessel. Oh well, better luck next time." "Tell you what, I'll have the Captain arrange an accident if you want" Hacker joked lightly, "Here we go, Final Burn" he said as the Sir Galahad moved in, looking for a landing zone.

Jack looks out the window (if there is one, if not ignore that). "There really aren't any official landing pads on this rock. I just hope that your compatriot doesn't choose the wrong town to set us down in. I know plenty of people here that would kill us all to get a ship like this."

Jack looks out the window (if there is one, if not ignore that). "There really aren't any official landing pads on this rock. I just hope that your compatriot doesn't choose the wrong town to set us down in. I know plenty of people here that would kill us all to get a ship like this." "And this ship would kill the lot of them in the attempt" Hacker grinned, "Looks like he's aiming for that one" Hacker pointed to one of the larger habitated zones that could be seen from Lower Orbit, "No, he might be going to skip over it to a smaller one"

Jack shrugs. "It's all luck of the draw. Even if I recognized these towns, their leadership will have switched many times over since I was last here. It's been fifteen years, after all. Not much on Mirfak III lasts that long."

Jack shrugs. "It's all luck of the draw. Even if I recognized these towns, their leadership will have switched many times over since I was last here. It's been fifteen years, after all. Not much on Mirfak III lasts that long." "Yeah, he's gonna' skip over it, looks like he's goin' for that little one over there" Hacker pointed to what looked like a moderatley-large city.

OOC: How are the people planetside reacting to this anyhow?

OOC: They don't care much. Landing ships, though not a daily ocurrance, are not uncommon.
IC: Jack grins and looks at Hacker. "Are you feeling lucky?"

OOC: They don't care much. Landing ships, though not a daily ocurrance, are not uncommon.
IC: Jack grins and looks at Hacker. "Are you feeling lucky?" "I don't believe in luck Jack" Hacker said, then the Ensign's voice flaired over the comm' "Making landing" there was a good deal of thudding, screaching, bumping, and smoke as the Shuttle came to a 7-point landing.

Jack stands and heads for the airlock. "That was almost as fun as landing in my ship."

Jack stands and heads for the airlock. "That was almost as fun as landing in my ship." Ensign Lewis, Captain Davis, and Lieutenant Hacker all gathered in the Airlock with Jack, this time they all had small packs on, and Hacker was carrying a black briefcase with a quadruple set of powerfull locks on it.

Jack turns to face the Kechans and speaks with an air of authority, his friendly tone banished. "Okay listen up, because this is important. I like you. All of you. I don't need any of you getting killed. So here are the ground rules on Mirfak III: First, be assertive. Don't back down, or you'll find yourself being taken advantage of over and over again. Second, don't hesitate to kill if it seems necessary. Third, never take your hands off your weapons. If you do, you'll quickly find them pointed at you. For this reason, you should bring a maximum of two weapons off this ship with you. Got it?"

Jack turns to face the Kechans and speaks with an air of authority, his friendly tone banished. "Okay listen up, because this is important. I like you. All of you. I don't need any of you getting killed. So here are the ground rules on Mirfak III: First, be assertive. Don't back down, or you'll find yourself being taken advantage of over and over again. Second, don't hesitate to kill if it seems necessary. Third, never take your hands off your weapons. If you do, you'll quickly find them pointed at you. For this reason, you should bring a maximum of two weapons off this ship with you. Got it?" "Jack, simply put, we ARE weapons" Davis said "All the same, weapons are what's in these cases, should we carry them out in full view then?"

Jack nods. "I would. Now, about your ship. If you keep it on the ground it ain't gonna be here when we get back. If you can control it remotely, put it back into orbit until we're finished here. If not, one of you will have to stay behind and wait it out in orbit."

Jack nods. "I would. Now, about your ship. If you keep it on the ground it ain't gonna be here when we get back. If you can control it remotely, put it back into orbit until we're finished here. If not, one of you will have to stay behind and wait it out in orbit." "Lewis can stay in orbit with the ship" Captain Davis said Ensign Lewis nodded, handed Lieutenant Hacker the cases he'd been carrying, then went to the Bridge "Anything else?" Captain Davis asked.

Jack smiles, his previous carefree attitude returning as he pounds on the airlock door. "Yes. How do you open this damn thing?"

Jack smiles, his previous carefree attitude returning as he pounds on the airlock door. "Yes. How do you open this damn thing?" "Well, it's simple" Hacker said, then he typed in a key code and it cycled open, as it opened, Hacker and Davis each pulled out a Valtro PM-5 Shotgun.

http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/valtro_pm5.jpg

Jack nods and steps outside, pulling a previously concealed hand phaser from his belt. He looks about, taking in the scene. It was pretty much like every other town on Mirfak III, dusty roads seperating mud and clay buildings, a few residents watching the ship and it's occupants from the windows and shadows. Overall the town is eerily quiet. Jack steps onto the porch of a nearby building, allowing the Kechan vessel and it's sole occupant room to lift off without injuring him.

Jack nods and steps outside, pulling a previously concealed hand phaser from his belt. He looks about, taking in the scene. It was pretty much like every other town on Mirfak III, dusty roads seperating mud and clay buildings, a few residents watching the ship and it's occupants from the windows and shadows. Overall the town is eerily quiet. Jack steps onto the porch of a nearby building, allowing the Kechan vessel and it's sole occupant room to lift off without injuring him. "Well" Hacker said "What now Jack? you're the guy who knows about this place right?" he said this quietly to avoid letting other people hear him admitting ignorance.

Jack nods. "There's only one way to find somebody on this planet. It's an ancient method of information gathering that is rarely used these days." He walks into the pub attached to the porch.

Jack nods. "There's only one way to find somebody on this planet. It's an ancient method of information gathering that is rarely used these days." He walks into the pub attached to the porch. Hacker and Davis follow him, walking like people with a purpose, who wouldn't stop, or take any sort of cr*p untill they got what they wanted.

Jack sits at a table and motions for the Kechans to do the same. He speaks to them in a low tone. "Did you bring a picture of this guy?"

Jack sits at a table and motions for the Kechans to do the same. He speaks to them in a low tone. "Did you bring a picture of this guy?" "Yeah, we got a picture, this is the only one we got though" Hacker pulled out a small photo:
http://www.walkingman.com/lifestyle/gw_main.jpg

Jack takes it. "Interesting background. Just out of curiosity, where was this taken?"

Jack takes it. "Interesting background. Just out of curiosity, where was this taken?" "At the Insurance Firm where he worked before he was officially charged with his assorted crimes"

"Meh." Jack gets up and walks to the bar. He exchanges a few words with the woman behind the counter, then flashes the picture. The woman shakes her head and Jack heads for the door. "He hasn't been in this town. Let's move on."

"Meh." Jack gets up and walks to the bar. He exchanges a few words with the woman behind the counter, then flashes the picture. The woman shakes her head and Jack heads for the door. "He hasn't been in this town. Let's move on." "Alright" Davis said, she and Hacker stood up and followed Jack out the door "Any ideas of where to go next?" Davis asked.

Jack snorts. "Don't get ahead of yourself. The question is how to get to to another town. We can't just hop from one to the next in your ship. The more times that thing is seen on the ground the more likely it is to get damaged or stolen. We need some wheels. There's normally a place to rent hovercars in these towns, let's find it."

Jack snorts. "Don't get ahead of yourself. The question is how to get to to another town. We can't just hop from one to the next in your ship. The more times that thing is seen on the ground the more likely it is to get damaged or stolen. We need some wheels. There's normally a place to rent hovercars in these towns, let's find it." "Alright, let's look around I guess"

"Where's your enthusiasm? Okay, this is the main road in town, if we keep following it we should eventually come to a rental shop. Let's go."

"Where's your enthusiasm? Okay, this is the main road in town, if we keep following it we should eventually come to a rental shop. Let's go." "As long as they don't want special services as payment, I'm fine" Davis said, "If they do, I'll kill someone"

Jack shakes his head. "Don't underestimate the piggishness of some of these people. It's amazing what people will do when there's no system of punishment." He starts off down the road, walking purposefully. He replaces his phaser in it's holster, but never takes his hand off it.

Jack shakes his head. "Don't underestimate the piggishness of some of these people. It's amazing what people will do when there's no system of punishment." He starts off down the road, walking purposefully. He replaces his phaser in it's holster, but never takes his hand off it. "Then some poor sap may end up with a Shotgun shell in his chest tonight" Davis stated with certainty, "Let's just go, kill if we need to" Hacker said.

"An attitude like that will keep you alive on Mirfak III. You make me proud."
The group eventually comes upon a building with a crudely drawn picture of a hovercar etched in the clay above the door. Jack changes course and enters the building.

"An attitude like that will keep you alive on Mirfak III. You make me proud."
The group eventually comes upon a building with a crudely drawn picture of a hovercar etched in the clay above the door. Jack changes course and enters the building. Davis and Hacker follow him, looking serious, and deadly, their Shotguns raised, the cases they where carrying strapped to their backs.

The owner is quite taken aback by the large guns. After a short talk with Jack, a quick shake of the head at the picture, and the passing of a small bottle to the owner, Jack returns to the group with a set of old fashioned keys. "Let's go," he says, and heads around to the back of the store.

The owner is quite taken aback by the large guns. After a short talk with Jack, a quick shake of the head at the picture, and the passing of a small bottle to the owner, Jack returns to the group with a set of old fashioned keys. "Let's go," he says, and heads around to the back of the store. "2 questions" Davis asked as the Kechans followed Jack "What's the payment? and what does he want if we don't return it on time?"

"The payment was whiskey, money has no meaning here. There's no return by date. On a planet like this it would be a futile excercise anyway. In fact, he knows that with every hovercar he rents he's likely to get only half of them back. He doesn't care because he steals them too. It's a cycle of theft." Jack gets into an open air hovercar and takes the drivers seat. He distributes goggles from the glove compartment. "Hop in!"

Bump.

"The payment was whiskey, money has no meaning here. There's no return by date. On a planet like this it would be a futile excercise anyway. In fact, he knows that with every hovercar he rents he's likely to get only half of them back. He doesn't care because he steals them too. It's a cycle of theft." Jack gets into an open air hovercar and takes the drivers seat. He distributes goggles from the glove compartment. "Hop in!" The 2 Kechans hopped in swiftly, putting on the goggles, they had both had experience in some shady operations before, being members of "Kecha's Finest" as some would say, "Alright, let's go" Davis said, looking around.

"Aye aye Captain." Jack turns the key in the ignition and the car lifts about two feet off the ground. "Away we go!" The car takes off at about 200 kilometers an hour out into the desert. The noise of the wind is loud, but the car itself is mostly silent as they race across the terrain towards a distant town.

"Aye aye Captain." Jack turns the key in the ignition and the car lifts about two feet off the ground. "Away we go!" The car takes off at about 200 kilometers an hour out into the desert. The noise of the wind is loud, but the car itself is mostly silent as they race across the terrain towards a distant town.

Meanwhile, In Orbit: Ensign Peter Lewis sat around in the Bridge of the Sir Galahad and waited, he was drinking his 3rd cup of Coffee he'd had in the last hour.

Mirfak III: Davis and Hacker looked around as the hovercar sped along, they began rummaging around in their cases for a moment, then, seeming satisfied that it was all in order, they sat back again.

Jack looks at Davis and yells over the noise of the wind. "Did I ever tell you that I was a Commander of the Xanthalian Imperial Armada?"

Jack looks at Davis and yells over the noise of the wind. "Did I ever tell you that I was a Commander of the Xanthalian Imperial Armada?" Davis smiled, more of a dust-sick grin "Then why're you here!?!" she shouted back.

Jack laughs. "Good question! Someone needs to command the transports, and since policy dictates that no officer below the rank of Commander can command an imperial starship... Well, I was one of the unlucky ones!"

Jack laughs. "Good question! Someone needs to command the transports, and since policy dictates that no officer below the rank of Commander can command an imperial starship... Well, I was one of the unlucky ones!" "Did you leave the Military or something?"

Jack shrugs. "The military and the Imperial Armada operate very closely and frequently exchange personnel! In fact, they're so tied to each other that some people don't bother distinguishing between them! The main difference is that the military personnel are generally used in planetary warfare, while the Armada officers usually stay inside their ships!"

Jack shrugs. "The military and the Imperial Armada operate very closely and frequently exchange personnel! In fact, they're so tied to each other that some people don't bother distinguishing between them! The main difference is that the military personnel are generally used in planetary warfare, while the Armada officers usually stay inside their ships!" "I see, like the division between an Army and an Air Force then?"

"More or less!" The hovercar approaches the town, a comparatively small one to the one they came from Jack begins to slow the car down. "Now, when we get into town I'll ask the pub owner if they've seen your guy. If not, we're outta here and on to the next town. Don't get tired, we'll probably do this for days before we pick up his trail. I hope your ship has some good games for Peter to entertain himself with."

"More or less!" The hovercar approaches the town, a comparatively small one to the one they came from Jack begins to slow the car down. "Now, when we get into town I'll ask the pub owner if they've seen your guy. If not, we're outta here and on to the next town. Don't get tired, we'll probably do this for days before we pick up his trail. I hope your ship has some good games for Peter to entertain himself with." "Yeah, it does, why do I get the feeling that my being a lady won't go unnoticed here forever? like you said, some nasty pigs live here"

Jack nods. "Well, you'll greatly limit the crap you catch toting that shotgun around. Sexist womanizers or not, the men here know what a shotgun will do to them." He stops the hovercar and hops out, heading for the pub. "You wait here. I don't want anybody stealing this thing."

Jack nods. "Well, you'll greatly limit the crap you catch toting that shotgun around. Sexist womanizers or not, the men here know what a shotgun will do to them." He stops the hovercar and hops out, heading for the pub. "You wait here. I don't want anybody stealing this thing." "Hacker can wait, I'll come with you for insurance" Davis said, she hopped out and walked with him, Hacker stayed, Shotgun ready.

Jack walks wordlessly into the pub and begins speaking to the bartender. As Davis enters a group of men, obviously drunk, begin speaking in low tones and laughing rudely.

Jack walks wordlessly into the pub and begins speaking to the bartender. As Davis enters a group of men, obviously drunk, begin speaking in low tones and laughing rudely. Davis rolls her eyes to herself and pulls out a smoke, she lights up and waits on Jack.

Jack continues with the bartender. One of the men gets up shakily and moves toward Davis. "Hey there, cutie... I've got a little present for ya. Wanna see it?"

Jack continues with the bartender. One of the men gets up shakily and moves toward Davis. "Hey there, cutie... I've got a little present for ya. Wanna see it?" Davis looks at him in disgust and edges away, her muscles non-visibly tensing in preparation to bust some skulls, "You're drunker than a Mad Hatter, go away" she said.

"Aw c'mon sweetheart, you know you want it!" The man reaches around to cup his hand under Davis' breast. Jack looks back and shakes his head. "Dead man walking..." he mutters, then goes back to speaking with the bartender.

"Aw c'mon sweetheart, you know you want it!" The man reaches around to cup his hand under Davis' breast. Jack looks back and shakes his head. "Dead man walking..." he mutters, then goes back to speaking with the bartender. Davis sighed in disgust as his hand found it's mark on her chest "Ugh!" she swiftly moved, spinning around and reaching down with one hand to grab him by the roin in a move that, while it wouldn't wound him, would cause him some deal of pain, the other hand maneuvered to bring the barrel of her Valtros Shotgun up to rest under his chin.

The drunk man suddenly looks very sober. He stares at Davis in fear for a moment, then faints, the combination of fear and alcohol too much for his conscious mind to handle.

The drunk man suddenly looks very sober. He stares at Davis in fear for a moment, then faints, the combination of fear and alcohol too much for his conscious mind to handle. Davis allowed herself an evil grin, "That's what happens when you mess with Adriane Davis" she said, then continued to stand where she was.

The man's buddies slink away to the far corner of the room, distancing themselves from this fearsome woman. Jack concludes his talk with the bartender, who has completely ignored the incident (it is of the type that is not uncommon on Mirfak III), and returns to Davis. "No luck. I see you had some fun of your own though. Well then, shall we go?"

The man's buddies slink away to the far corner of the room, distancing themselves from this fearsome woman. Jack concludes his talk with the bartender, who has completely ignored the incident (it is of the type that is not uncommon on Mirfak III), and returns to Davis. "No luck. I see you had some fun of your own though. Well then, shall we go?" "Har-Har-Har" Davis said "Very funny, let's go"

Jack snickers. "One thing we learn at school: Kechan women are not to be trifled with. Onward, then." Jack returns to the car and starts it up, waiting for Davis to put down the unconscious man and return to the vehicle.

Jack snickers. "One thing we learn at school: Kechan women are not to be trifled with. Onward, then." Jack returns to the car and starts it up, waiting for Davis to put down the unconscious man and return to the vehicle. Davis put down the drunkard, after giving his groin a squeeze that would wake him up and leave him rolling around in extreme pain, as she followed Jack she chuckled "Your teachers know their facts"

Jack nods. "That's what they're there for." The hovercar heads off at high speed towards the next town.

Jack nods. "That's what they're there for." The hovercar heads off at high speed towards the next town. Davis waits out the ride in the car, all the while running over information in her head.

After about an hour of high speed riding, the car pulls up to a small station in the middle of the desert. Jack hops out and goes inside.

After about an hour of high speed riding, the car pulls up to a small station in the middle of the desert. Jack hops out and goes inside. Davis simply hops out and follows him, Hacker staying in the hovercar to keep it safe.

Jack speaks to the station's sole occupant for a brief moment, then hurries back out to the car.

Jack speaks to the station's sole occupant for a brief moment, then hurries back out to the car. Davis follows him quickly "What is it Jack?"

Jack hops in the car and starts it up. "We've got him. That man in there saw him head south of here only two days ago."

Jack hops in the car and starts it up. "We've got him. That man in there saw him head south of here only two days ago." "Then let's go" Davis said as she hopped in with him, she explained the situation to Hacker as Jack got the car going.

The car takes off south, Jack smiing all the way. "What tremendous luck! I thought it'd be days before we picked up his trail, and here it's only been hours!"

The car takes off south, Jack smiing all the way. "What tremendous luck! I thought it'd be days before we picked up his trail, and here it's only been hours!" "Yeah, luck I guess" Davis said, Hacker piped up "I don't believe inluck"

Jack grins widely. "Don't believe in luck? Luck is the reason we're alive at all! Unless you believe in destiny, and Xanthalians don't buy that!"

Jack grins widely. "Don't believe in luck? Luck is the reason we're alive at all! Unless you believe in destiny, and Xanthalians don't buy that!"

Jack grins widely. "Don't believe in luck? Luck is the reason we're alive at all! Unless you believe in destiny, and Xanthalians don't buy that!" "I believe in Fate, yeah" Hacker said simply.

Jack shrugs. "Whatever works for you!" The car races on for several hours and approaches a massive city, almost completely made of mud and clay. None of the buildings are more than three stories high, but the city stretches out for miles.

Jack shrugs. "Whatever works for you!" The car races on for several hours and approaches a massive city, almost completely made of mud and clay. None of the buildings are more than three stories high, but the city stretches out for miles. "Mother of God" Davis muttered "A place like this could be the closest thing to a capital here"

"It's also historically the most violent of all the planet's cities. This is not a fun place to be, watch your back while you're here." Jack parks the car just outside the city. "Both of you come with me. The car'll be gone by the time we're done here, but we can't afford to split up."

"It's also historically the most violent of all the planet's cities. This is not a fun place to be, watch your back while you're here." Jack parks the car just outside the city. "Both of you come with me. The car'll be gone by the time we're done here, but we can't afford to split up." "Alright, Hacker, you heard him, follow me" the 2 Kechans got out and took up positions behind Jack.

"Defensive formation for our entire trip. Trust me, through it may look stupid walking back to back the whole time, we'll look a lot smarter than if we're dead." Jack pulls his phaser and sets it to kill. "Good luck. Move out." He walks slowly into the city, making sure that Davis and Hacker are in formation with him. An unguarded back in this city was a death sentence.

"Defensive formation for our entire trip. Trust me, through it may look stupid walking back to back the whole time, we'll look a lot smarter than if we're dead." Jack pulls his phaser and sets it to kill. "Good luck. Move out." He walks slowly into the city, making sure that Davis and Hacker are in formation with him. An unguarded back in this city was a death sentence. Davis and Hacker immediatley grew grim and quiet, following along in a defensive formation with Jack, before entering the city, they put on reflective shades to hide their eyes.

The city proves to be just as dangerous as Jack had suggested. From balconies and alleyways, rooftops, dark corners, and windows the group is discreetly spied upon by silent men (and a few women) with very indiscreet guns. Jack continues forward slowly but purposefully.

The city proves to be just as dangerous as Jack had suggested. From balconies and alleyways, rooftops, dark corners, and windows the group is discreetly spied upon by silent men (and a few women) with very indiscreet guns. Jack continues forward slowly but purposefully. Hacker and Davis proceeded along with Jack, as they did so, Davis leaned forward "Would we have made it this far without guns?"

Jack responds with a single word. "No." The group approaches a pub.

Jack responds with a single word. "No." The group approaches a pub. Davis arched an eyebrow "Oh" she said, "let's go" they both followed Jack.

Suddenly Jack stops and takes out the picture. He throws it on the ground and points to the man they are looking for, leaning against a building staring at them. "Our lucky day. There he is. What now?"

Suddenly Jack stops and takes out the picture. He throws it on the ground and points to the man they are looking for, leaning against a building staring at them. "Our lucky day. There he is. What now?" As Hacker leans down and gets the picture, Davis looks at Jack "We take him down, we're authorized to kill him if we need to do so"

Jack swears and boots Hacker painfully in the ribs. "Forget the damn picture, keep your eyes on your surroundings or we'll all get shot!" He looks Davis in the eye. "Go! I've got your back!"

Jack swears and boots Hacker painfully in the ribs. "Forget the damn picture, keep your eyes on your surroundings or we'll all get shot!" He looks Davis in the eye. "Go! I've got your back!" Hacker coughs and falls to his knees, he is up before even an instant goes by, his Vaktros sweeping all over looking for potential targets, Davis takes off and he follows her, as the criminal spots them he starts to run.

Jack runs after them all, his eyes sweeping all about for third party threats as his two companions focus on their quarry.

Jack runs after them all, his eyes sweeping all about for third party threats as his two companions focus on their quarry. Davis and Hacker picked up the pace as Fuller ran, Davis fired off a shot and caught Fuller in the right shoulder, he began to bleed badly, but kept running.

Jack swears agian. The wolves were becoming restless. They knew he couldn't cover Hacker and Davis completely, and they were ready to take advantage of it. They had better take him down fast, or none of us will live to see tomorrow.

Jack swears agian. The wolves were becoming restless. They knew he couldn't cover Hacker and Davis completely, and they were ready to take advantage of it. They had better take him down fast, or none of us will live to see tomorrow. Davis seemed to hear his thoughts as she brought up her Valtros and fired again, Fuller went down with a big hole in his back, looking very much dead.

Jack catches up to the hunters and motions for Hacker to take position at his back and restore their cover. He leaves Davis to take the corpse while they keep an eye on the many intense faces about them.

Jack catches up to the hunters and motions for Hacker to take position at his back and restore their cover. He leaves Davis to take the corpse while they keep an eye on the many intense faces about them. Hacker motioned to Jack "You want I should fire a shot or two into the air Jack?"

Jack raises an eyebrow. "Why provoke them? Just be sure they know we're well covered."

Jack raises an eyebrow. "Why provoke them? Just be sure they know we're well covered." Hacker nodded and pulled out a Coly Python from the case on his back and drew the hammer back "what now Jack?"

Jack glares at several of the preying eyes around them. "Now we get to the edge of the city with the corpse and call down your ship."

Jack glares at several of the preying eyes around them. "Now we get to the edge of the city with the corpse and call down your ship." "alright, should i lead and you carry the body then?" Davis said.

Jack looks at the corpse in disgust. "Fine." He grudgingly picks up the bloody mess and starts off. "Let's move. And cover me well, I can't weild my phaser effectively with this lug on my shoulder."

Jack looks at the corpse in disgust. "Fine." He grudgingly picks up the bloody mess and starts off. "Let's move. And cover me well, I can't weild my phaser effectively with this lug on my shoulder." "Let's go" Davis said, and led the group off, with Hacker in the rear.

They reach the edge of the city without incident, and Jack drops the now stiffening body on the ground with a grunt. "Call your ship. I've got a very bad feeling that our luck won't hold out too much longer down here."

They reach the edge of the city without incident, and Jack drops the now stiffening body on the ground with a grunt. "Call your ship. I've got a very bad feeling that our luck won't hold out too much longer down here." Davis called up to the ship and then turned to Jack "5 minutes"

Jack observes about two dozen people exiting the city and walking toward them. "Too late. Son of a bitch, we almost got out of here without shedding any blood besides that of the one we came for."

Jack observes about two dozen people exiting the city and walking toward them. "Too late. Son of a bitch, we almost got out of here without shedding any blood besides that of the one we came for." "Don't worry, we've got enough guns to supply a small posse" Davis whispered, "Let's play this out"

Jack shakes his head "I can't. There's too many. I'd have to kill some of them."

Jack shakes his head "I can't. There's too many. I'd have to kill some of them." "alright" Davis said, then, turning to the approaching people "I'd advise you to halt now"

The leader of the group shoots over Davis' head in response. "Give us Jack!" He yells out. Jack looks dumbfounded. "Me?..."

The leader of the group shoots over Davis' head in response. "Give us Jack!" He yells out. Jack looks dumbfounded. "Me?..." Davis fires a shot so accurate it passes between the leader's legs and hits the ground, "Why do you want Jack? and stop now!"

The leader motions and all thirty of the assembled men pull their weapons and train them on the party. "Do you want to die lady? Give us Jack."

The leader motions and all thirty of the assembled men pull their weapons and train them on the party. "Do you want to die lady? Give us Jack." Hacker reached into his case, putting his Valtros inside, he pulled out a HK G41 Assault Rifle, then davis brought her Valtros up, ready to fire, "Why do you want Jack? if your reason is good you can have him"

Jack's expression hardens. "I will go with them. You cannot defeat thirty enemies. Forget about me. Get off this planet and save yourselves." Jack starts off towards th group.

Jack's expression hardens. "I will go with them. You cannot defeat thirty enemies. Forget about me. Get off this planet and save yourselves." Jack starts off towards th group. "Hang on!" Davis shouted "I'll let you have him under one condition"

Jack stops. "What?" Asks the leader of the men.

Jack stops. "What?" Asks the leader of the men. "what do you want him for anyhow?"

"That's none of your concern."

"That's none of your concern." "Been working with this guy for awhile now, plus" she smiled "He's kinda' cute, now tell me!" at that, a faint rumbling could be heard up in the sky.

The man and his group glance up at the small vessel coming down from several thousand meters. The man curses, grabs Jack, and takes off back towards the city, his cronies guarding his back.

The man and his group glance up at the small vessel coming down from several thousand meters. The man curses, grabs Jack, and takes off back towards the city, his cronies guarding his back. Hacker opened up on full-autonatic, aiming high to hit their necks, backs, and heads, and Davis began loosing several Shotgun shells from her Valtros.

Two men fall to the bullets. The rest return fire. Though not very accurate, the rain of bullets is thick enough that accuracy doesn't matter. It's cover or die for the two Kechans in the way.

Two men fall to the bullets. The rest return fire. Though not very accurate, the rain of bullets is thick enough that accuracy doesn't matter. It's cover or die for the two Kechans in the way. Hacker grunted loudly as 3 bullets collided with his chest, he was wearing only Light Body Armor and so he went down with the punishing impact, the first 2 shells were stopped by the vest, the 3rd penetrated the vest and pierced into his chest, the shock of the 3 bullets broke 2 ribs, the bullet that pierced the vest broke another and just missed his heart, Davis dove out of the way, taking a grazing blow to her arm as she returned fire.

The men make it to the edge of the city and go around the side of a building. Moments later their leader, with Jack at gunpoint in the passenger seat, sped off in a hovercar out across the desert to the west, leaving his gang and the Kechans behind.

The Sire Galahad landed and came to a total silence, the Airlock opened and Davis whent inside.

OOC: Back later.

Jack sits staring at the quickly passing desert. He does not resist his captor, but he obviously doesn't want to be there. He glares out at the scenery in disgust. How did this happen? How the hell did they know I was here?

Jack sits staring at the quickly passing desert. He does not resist his captor, but he obviously doesn't want to be there. He glares out at the scenery in disgust. How did this happen? How the hell did they know I was here? Davis walked into the Shuttle, carrying Hacker with her, as Lewis took care of Hacker, Davis activated a Distress Signal, and beamed it off-planet, then she sealed the Shuttle and went to see to Hacker.

A nearby Andromeda class vessel picks up the call and moves to orbit the planet. "This is IAS-54. Please state the nature of your distress."

A nearby Andromeda class vessel picks up the call and moves to orbit the planet. "This is IAS-54. Please state the nature of your distress." Davis proceeded to relate the entire story of what had happened to them as quickly, and helpfully as possible.

"Acknowledged. Don't worry, the Xanthalian Imperial Armada has this covered." A few seconds pass before a light torpedo streaks through the atmosphere and over the horizon. Twenty miles away, the hovercar is incinerated in a large explosion. "Jack is back aboard his vessel, you may join him when you're ready. Is there anything else you need?"

"Acknowledged. Don't worry, the Xanthalian Imperial Armada has this covered." A few seconds pass before a light torpedo streaks through the atmosphere and over the horizon. Twenty miles away, the hovercar is incinerated in a large explosion. "Jack is back aboard his vessel, you may join him when you're ready. Is there anything else you need?" "Possible medical aid, we've got a wounded man down here, lifting off now" and the Sir Galahad streaked off out of the atmosphere.

"Acknowledged. Permission to transport injured to our medical bay."

"Acknowledged. Permission to transport injured to our medical bay." "Granted"

OOC: Gotta' go.

Hacker disappears in a slight distortion from the small Kechan shuttle and reappears in the medical bay of the Xanthalian Andromeda class ship, where Xanthalian medics begin frantically trying to revive him.

Hacker disappears in a slight distortion from the small Kechan shuttle and reappears in the medical bay of the Xanthalian Andromeda class ship, where Xanthalian medics begin frantically trying to revive him. Hacker coughs up some blood, then his eyes open, the first thing he does is to howl in pain.

The medics shine a blue light on him and he is immobilized as they continue working.

The medics shine a blue light on him and he is immobilized as they continue working. Hacker sat immobile, left with only his own thoughts, Davis and Lewis stayed on their Shuttle, and worked.

It takes an hour, but Xanthalian technology puts Hacker back together again. The light is taken off him, and he is presented with a bottle of pills to take once a day until they are gone. The doctor asks "Do you want to go back to your shuttle then?"

Jack, aboard his vessel, ponders how the Nishram gang could have learned of his presence of Mirfak III. He puts it out of his mind; it doesn't matter now anyway.

OOC: Hello? Bump!

It takes an hour, but Xanthalian technology puts Hacker back together again. The light is taken off him, and he is presented with a bottle of pills to take once a day until they are gone. The doctor asks "Do you want to go back to your shuttle then?"

Jack, aboard his vessel, ponders how the Nishram gang could have learned of his presence of Mirfak III. He puts it out of his mind; it doesn't matter now anyway. "Yeah, that's a good idea"

Hacker is promptly escorted to the transporter room, where he is beamed back to his vessel. The Andromeda class turns and leaves the area, it's job finished.

Aboard his ship, Jack turns to allow the Kechan vessel easy access to the docking bay.

Hacker is promptly escorted to the transporter room, where he is beamed back to his vessel. The Andromeda class turns and leaves the area, it's job finished.

Aboard his ship, Jack turns to allow the Kechan vessel easy access to the docking bay. The Sir Galahd docked with quick care, upon docking they contacted Jack "Jack, are you OK?"

Jack opens the airlock and steps through the airlock, greeting his Kechan friends with a broad smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Come on into the passenger area, I've just recieved great news!" Jack returns to the cockpit and calls back. "Fasten the seatbelts, we're going to slipstream!"

Jack opens the airlock and steps through the airlock, greeting his Kechan friends with a broad smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Come on into the passenger area, I've just recieved great news!" Jack returns to the cockpit and calls back. "Fasten the seatbelts, we're going to slipstream!" "I thought you said that was unreliable" Davis said in mild alarm, "What's the news?".

Jack presses buttons. "Well we got here via slipstream, we'll get back that way too. And you'll see when we get there. Now strap in, ten seconds to slipstream."

Jack presses buttons. "Well we got here via slipstream, we'll get back that way too. And you'll see when we get there. Now strap in, ten seconds to slipstream." Davis and Lewis first helped Hacker strap in, in case his wounds were still not toally healed, then they strapped in.

The vessel jumps to slipstream. Jack whistles a cheery tune.

The vessel jumps to slipstream. Jack whistles a cheery tune. As they wait, Hacker, Lewis, and Davis all talk amongst themselves, Lewis starts telling his 2 partners how he is taking Military courses in Engineering, so he could apply for a position on a Damage Control Crew on one of the KSN's Andromeda-Class starships.

Two hours pass, and the ship emerges from slipstream and orbits Aellis VII. Jack enters the passenger cabin and beckons the Kechans to crowd around the door and look out the window.

Two hours pass, and the ship emerges from slipstream and orbits Aellis VII. Jack enters the passenger cabin and beckons the Kechans to crowd around the door and look out the window. The 3 of them stand up, Hacker groaning as he does so, and they all coem and look.

Jack smiles and points to a beautiful, brand new Super Dreadnaught class Xanthalian Imperial Armada fleet ship-of-the-line coming into view as it comes around the other side of the planet. "Behold... My new vessel. The XIA has finally promoted me to captain, and this is to be my first command."

Jack smiles and points to a beautiful, brand new Super Dreadnaught class Xanthalian Imperial Armada fleet ship-of-the-line coming into view as it comes around the other side of the planet. "Behold... My new vessel. The XIA has finally promoted me to captain, and this is to be my first command." "Wow" Davis said, then lewis spoke up "I'm applying for a position on a Damage Control Crew on of the the KSN ships of that class, in the KSN the DCC units are like Elite Engineers, so the job pays well, and it's exciting" Hacker simply whistled "I'm rejoining the Navy" he said, Davis laughed, then turned to Jack "Congratulations"

Jack smiles. "Will you grace me with your presence on our maiden voyage back to Kecha? I'll drop you off there, and it'll be much faster than your shuttle."

Jack smiles. "Will you grace me with your presence on our maiden voyage back to Kecha? I'll drop you off there, and it'll be much faster than your shuttle." "Sure" they all say at once, then Davis speaks "We'd be happy to come along, and it is certainly faster"

Jack smiles and pulls out an extra pip to reflect his rank, then pins it on his uniform. "Let's do it then." He taps his combadge. "Jack to IAS-208. Four to beam directly to the bridge." The occupants of the rundown Xanthalian transport disappear in a slight distortion of light, then reappear on the bridge of the Super Dreadnaught class. The entire bridge crew, about twenty officers of various races, salutes as the Than OPS officer calls out. "Captain on deck!" Jack draws in a deep breath, taking in the new bridge, a stark contrast to his old ship. He mutters smugly to his Kechan companions. "Good god, I've been waiting for this for so long..."

Jack smiles and pulls out an extra pip to reflect his rank, then pins it on his uniform. "Let's do it then." He taps his combadge. "Jack to IAS-208. Four to beam directly to the bridge." The occupants of the rundown Xanthalian transport disappear in a slight distortion of light, then reappear on the bridge of the Super Dreadnaught class. The entire bridge crew, about twenty officers of various races, salutes as the Than OPS officer calls out. "Captain on deck!" Jack draws in a deep breath, taking in the new bridge, a stark contrast to his old ship. He mutters smugly to his Kechan companions. "Good god, I've been waiting for this for so long..." "I'd been waiting for awhile untill I had the accident" Davis said.

Jack nods. "Such unfortunate events hold many of us back." He takes the captain's seat in the center of the bridge. "OPS, beam the Kechan pod from my old ship into our shuttlebay. Tactical, power up weapons."
The Than at OPS nods. "Transport complete Sir. Pod is aboard."
A human female manning tactical also acknowledges. "Weapons powered and ready Sir."
Jack smiles. "It's good to finally have a crew. Gets lonely on those transports. Tactical, destroy that hunk of junk. The XIA can't use a ship like that anymore."
"Aye Sir."
The viewscreen shows a torpedo flash from the Super Dreadnaught and impact the old transport ship, vaporizing it. Jack pumps his fist. "I've been waiting to do that for a long time." He motions to the Kechans to take vacant seats. "Please, sit. It wouldn't be very hospitible for me to make you stand until we get there."

Jack nods. "Such unfortunate events hold many of us back." He takes the captain's seat in the center of the bridge. "OPS, beam the Kechan pod from my old ship into our shuttlebay. Tactical, power up weapons."
The Than at OPS nods. "Transport complete Sir. Pod is aboard."
A human female manning tactical also acknowledges. "Weapons powered and ready Sir."
Jack smiles. "It's good to finally have a crew. Gets lonely on those transports. Tactical, destroy that hunk of junk. The XIA can't use a ship like that anymore."
"Aye Sir."
The viewscreen shows a torpedo flash from the Super Dreadnaught and impact the old transport ship, vaporizing it. Jack pumps his fist. "I've been waiting to do that for a long time." He motions to the Kechans to take vacant seats. "Please, sit. It wouldn't be very hospitible for me to make you stand until we get there." The Kechans took the seats, Davis now seemed to be brooding.

Jack notes his friend's negativity and makes a decision. "Helm, set course for Kecha. Slipstream."
"Aye Sir. You're sure you wouldn't rather use the TD gateway drive?"
"Very sure Lieutenant. Engage."
"Yes Sir. Slipstream in three... two... one... We are at slipstream."

IAS-210 jumps gracefully to slipstream velocity, it's inertial dampers compensating for the accelleration perfectly, giving no hint that the ship is now travelling trillions of times faster than it was before.

Jack turns to his Kechan friends and addresses them all, but speaks to Davis. "Come on you guys, I want to familiarize myself with my new ship. I'll give you all a VIP tour!"

Jack notes his friend's negativity and makes a decision. "Helm, set course for Kecha. Slipstream."
"Aye Sir. You're sure you wouldn't rather use the TD gateway drive?"
"Very sure Lieutenant. Engage."
"Yes Sir. Slipstream in three... two... one... We are at slipstream."

IAS-210 jumps gracefully to slipstream velocity, it's inertial dampers compensating for the accelleration perfectly, giving no hint that the ship is now travelling trillions of times faster than it was before.

Jack turns to his Kechan friends and addresses them all, but speaks to Davis. "Come on you guys, I want to familiarize myself with my new ship. I'll give you all a VIP tour!" "Sounds nice" Hacker said, with Davis and Lewis nodding in agreement, they all stood up, Davis winced as her left kneee siezed up for a moment and she granbed the back of her chair for a second, then straightened out.

Jack notes the move. A simple knee injury? How is it that the Kechans cannot fix such a simple ailment? I shall have to inquire further if Davis is willing to talk. He smiles and walks off the bridge, giving a wave to his first officer as he enters the turbolift. "You have the bridge Commander." He waits for the Kechans to join him in the lift.

Jack notes the move. A simple knee injury? How is it that the Kechans cannot fix such a simple ailment? I shall have to inquire further if Davis is willing to talk. He smiles and walks off the bridge, giving a wave to his first officer as he enters the turbolift. "You have the bridge Commander." He waits for the Kechans to join him in the lift. The 3 Kechans join him quickly, Davis trying not to reveal the pain in her knee.

Jack nods cheerfully. "Engineering." The turbolift doors close and it plummets down to the twentieth deck, where the doors open. Jack steps out into engineering. It's a beauty, about 75,000 square meters in size, brand new consoles are scattered about, all of them manned with engineers and other crewmembers monitoring the ship's systems or retrieving information. The center of the room is dominated by the ship's DUET energy matrix that provides raw power to the entire vessel. It is a clear box that glows a rainbow of colors, measuring about twelve feet on each side. Also prominent is the ship's slipstream drive, which is a large, straight tube about one meter in diameter running horizontally along the high ceiling of the room. The tube is made of a clear material, and various shades of blue light move rapidly through the operating drive shaft. The third and last major attraction is the TDG core, a hovering ball of light, about two meters in diameter that constantly shifts color inside the clear forcefield that holds it in check.

IC: The 3 Kechans just keep looking around, only Hacker seems to be totally impressed, as Davis and Lewis seem to have seen something like this before, but they' still look strongly interested.

Jack walks about, introducing himself to various crewmembers and points out the different systems to the Kechans as he goes.

Jack walks about, introducing himself to various crewmembers and points out the different systems to the Kechans as he goes. Once more, Davis looks like she is lost in her own private cache of demons and bad memories.

Jack moves back into the turbolift.

Jack moves back into the turbolift. The Kechans simply follow him as Davis mumbles to herself.

Jack looks perplexed. "Davis, what's wrong? You've been morbid since we got here."

Jack looks perplexed. "Davis, what's wrong? You've been morbid since we got here." "Huh?' she said quickly, shocked "I'm just....remembering is all, remembering" Lewis leaned over to Jack "Bad accident" he whispered.

Jack sighs. "Computer, close the turbolift doors." The doors close, sealing Jack in the lift with the Kechans. "Hey, listen. I consider you all my friends. Davis, if there's something wrong I want to know. I might be able to help!"

Jack sighs. "Computer, close the turbolift doors." The doors close, sealing Jack in the lift with the Kechans. "Hey, listen. I consider you all my friends. Davis, if there's something wrong I want to know. I might be able to help!" Davis sighed for a moment "It's the classical story, I got some guys killed with a stupid mistake" she said "Want me to go on?"

Jack nods. "You bet your ass I do."

Jack nods. "You bet your ass I do." Davis seemed to cnsider how to start telling her story "I was born near a big Navy Base on Central Island, in a town called Hacksburg, my family had a long history with the Navy, so, after I'd gone through my training in the appropriate Academy, I decided that I'd go ahead and join the Navy, they didn't accept me" she sighed again "Something about a unexplainable fear of water, so I did the next best thing, I joined the Space Navy, and they did accept me for service, I advanced fairly quickly, and I made the rank of Lieutenant Commander, some time later Kecha bought those 5 Andromeda-Class starships from Xanthal, I heard word that I was on the top of the list of potential Captains, naturally I was excited, but then something happened, I was on duty and aboard the Orbital Building Facility" she hesitated for a second.

Jack nods. "Must I tell you to go on?"

Jack nods. "Must I tell you to go on?" "Sorry, sorry, I'm going" Davis said, she took a deep breath, "I'd met a guy named George Kogen early on in my Space Navy career, he'd been a nit quicker to advance than I was usually, but we'd both made LC around the same time, I was working in shifts with him as a Landing Bay Supervisor for one of the Secondary Docking Areas of the OBF at the time as the Space Navy had nothing better for me or him to do, he came over before the scheduled rotation one time and we got to talking, I wasn't paying attention to my panel and something happened, whatever it was resulted in an explosion that caused a breach in the Landing Bay we were in" she paused again, then took a breath "Everything was thrown into total chaos, stuff and people flying everywhere, in the first 5 seconds alone I swear I saw some 20 guys fly out into space, me andd him whent flying and managed to stop ourselves short of the edge of the Bay, then, a large piece of debris came flying at us from further in the Bay, he somehow managed to toss me over away and my uniform snagged on a Serice Crane, the debris hit him and he whent flying out, all I got was a broken knee and some lung trauma, physically anyhow"

Jack nods sagely. "If you will accept our help and get permission to stay aboard for a few months I can have your physical damage repaired by our sickbay staff and give you the use of our counselor to help you come to terms with your mental state. I'd hate to let a friend keep going with such a weighty physical and emotional burden. Hacker and Lewis can handle most of your work while you're gone, can't you? Back me up guys, Davis shouldn't keep living like this."

Jack nods sagely. "If you will accept our help and get permission to stay aboard for a few months I can have your physical damage repaired by our sickbay staff and give you the use of our counselor to help you come to terms with your mental state. I'd hate to let a friend keep going with such a weighty physical and emotional burden. Hacker and Lewis can handle most of your work while you're gone, can't you? Back me up guys, Davis shouldn't keep living like this." Hacker and Lewis both nodded with several "Sures" and "Yeahs,no problems"s thrown in for good measure, Davis considered, then nodded "Alright, I'll accept your offer"

Jack takes Davis' hand and shakes it heartily. "Well then, it's a deal." He smiles broadly at all three Kechans. "Now then, let's forget about our troubles for the moment and complete our tour. What would you like to see next?"

Forget this post, it has been sacked, flogged, spat upon, urinated upon, vomited upon, sourged, subjected to other hideous abuses, and generally deleted.

OOC: Um... That's where we just were.

OOC: Um... That's where we just were. OOC: Got caught up in Davi's moping...............gimme' a break, it's late over here :P.

IC: Lewis looked up, "I'd ask to see Security, but I imagine it's a bit to busy?"


OOC: Gotta' go, must SLEEP!!!