NationStates Jolt Archive

The Colony Hope

Home to over 200,000 people, a self sustaining planet hopper that was originally designed to look for new planets before Neoma had the capability of FTL travel.

When Neoma finally did manage FTL travel Colony Hope was ordered to turn back toward the Neoman controlled sector.

Two years ago the beckon that connected the location of Hope to Neoma was severed by an unknown force.

Believing that it was a downed transmitter the Neoman government didn't act. But now past the time it would of took for the signal to travel back to Neoma, The Grand ruler decided to send a fleet to investigate.

------

Battle Fleet stood silently as jump coordinates were calculated and programed into the Nav-coms.

The Fleet consisted of

3 Galactic Intruder Battle ships
1 Ricin Carrier
4 Dante frigates
2 Macarage Hospital ships

and

1 Sosol Troop Transport

When the calculations were ready they jumped, in a dazzling light of blues and greens they were gone.

-----------

When the Fleet emerged from hyper space the colony was right where the calculations had pin pointed it.

Its beckon was still inoperable but all in all the Colony was in perfect shape, the clear dome that encompassed it was green from plants, and blue from the water.

Admiral Saldana stood slowly from her chair

"Contact the Colony, Ask them if they are alright,"

The ensign nodded and began typing, but after a few minutes no response came.

"Interesting," Admiral Saldana said

ooc: would you want a kirisuban ship there since we are allies? i'm thinking one of the Kagemon class ships

ooc: would you want a kirisuban ship there since we are allies? i'm thinking one of the Kagemon class ships

ooc: sure

given the alliance between Neoma and what remained of New Kirisubo the government fleet had despatched the INKS Hokkaido with Captain Mariko Toda in command.

a Kagemon Class vessel she warped into the system the Neoman fleet was at.

"this is Captain Mariko Toda of the INKS Hokkaido. I have been sent to assist you by the Kirisuban government" the voice message said

OOC: mind if we also appear, possibly as a warship picking up unusual readinsg in the sector?

OOC: mind if we also appear, possibly as a warship picking up unusual readinsg in the sector?

sure it is open

given the alliance between Neoma and what remained of New Kirisubo the government fleet had despatched the INKS Hokkaido with Captain Mariko Toda in command.

a Kagemon Class vessel she warped into the system the Neoman fleet was at.

"this is Captain Mariko Toda of the INKS Hokkaido. I have been sent to assist you by the Kirisuban government" the voice message said

Admiral Saldana smiled "This is Kelly Saldana from the NNS Lady McBeth, It seems were in a bit of a pickle here, We seem to have a derilict colony on our hands..."

Mariko smiled when she realised she was dealing with a female Admiral and asked her comms officer to send a visual signal.

"greetings Admiral Saldana, it may be a downed transmitter but i can send a team in by transporter to take a look. Have you scanned for lifesigns yet?"

ooc: Captain Toda is a typical Kirisuban woman being small, lightly built and has long black hair and green eyes. the rest of her bridge crew is also female

Mariko smiled when she realised she was dealing with a female Admiral and asked her comms officer to send a visual signal.

"greetings Admiral Saldana, it may be a downed transmitter but i can send a team in by transporter to take a look. Have you scanned for lifesigns yet?"

ooc: Captain Toda is a typical Kirisuban woman being small, lightly built and has long black hair and green eyes. the rest of her bridge crew is also female

Admiral Saldana nodded "We have but no results, the population may be in the bunkers. They have shielding against our sensors."

"We thought it was a downed transmitter but... the time it would have taken for them to repair it and the signal to track across the galaxy has long past."

"Were ready ma'am" The voice came from off screen

"Yes, continue,"

Admiral Saldana looked back to the screen "Were sending a exploration party thier..."

"may two off my officers join your landing party?" Mariko asks "it'll be my XO Commander Arisu Tsubaki and a security officer"

"may two off my officers join your landing party?" Mariko asks "it'll be my XO Commander Arisu Tsubaki and a security officer"

"Sure," Admiral Saldana said "You presence would be a welcome relief down there."

The platoon of 15 men prepped themselves in regular body armor suits

The loaded thier APBRs and pulled the bolt back.

Mariko nodded to Arisu and she left the bridge heading to the transporter room picking up a guard on the way.

"thank you Admiral, they should be arriving by a docking port any moment now. Toda out"

the connection is cut and two columns of dazzling light appear beside a docking port on the Lady McBeth.

two women form from the light, one wearing the normal red and black uniform of the exploration fleet and the other is a security officer wearing red kevlar body armour and armed with a rapid firing plasma rifle and short sword.

Arisu had her scanner and a plasma pistol holstered and introduces herself to the crew members they just startled.

Mariko nodded to Arisu and she left the bridge heading to the transporter room picking up a guard on the way.

"thank you Admiral, they should be arriving by a docking port any moment now. Toda out"

the connection is cut and two columns of dazzling light appear beside a docking port on the Lady McBeth.

two women form from the light, one wearing the normal red and black uniform of the exploration fleet and the other is a security officer wearing red kevlar body armour and armed with a rapid firing plasma rifle and short sword.

Arisu had her scanner and a plasma pistol holstered and introduces herself to the crew members they just startled.

The group of soldiers stood down and went back to checking thier equpiment.

One pulled the rip chord on his chain sword and it came roaring to life.

He killed the throttle and it spuddered and died.

One of the men walked up to them, he limped as he walked and did a circle around them, inspecting them.

"Im Lt. Marlo Im in command of this squad,"

"pleased to meet you Marlo san" Arisu replies "i'm ready to go when your party is"

"pleased to meet you Marlo san" Arisu replies "i'm ready to go when your party is"

Lt. Marlo smiled "Well then-" He turned to his men "Load up!"

The men jogged into the drop ship When the ladies entered Lt. Marlo and his second in command stood and let the ladies sit in there seats.

"domo" Arisu replies as her and her guard strap themselves in for the short trip to the colony.

"domo" Arisu replies as her and her guard strap themselves in for the short trip to the planet.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dd/Spacecolony.jpg

ooc: its not a planet, its a drifter colony BTW

IC: The Dropship hommed to life and it launched.

The men in the drop ships prayed except for Lt. Marlos second in command.

He stood stedfast, he hand on the handrail. He glanced at the Kirisubans then back to the dropship door.

He sighed and looked at his weapon, It was a Guass Cannon.

"Airlock opening, operatration systems must recognized us as Neoman...," The piolet said.

"so far so good" Arisu says to no-one in particular.

as the airlock opened they unbelted themselves and Arisu took out her scanner ready to look for life signs of any kind and checked their weapons were on stun which they were.

ooc: its like the ST next generation multipurpose scanner and recorder only slightly bigger.

"so far so good" Arisu says to no-one in particular.

as the airlock opened they unbelted themselves and Arisu took out her scanner ready to look for life signs of any kind and checked their weapons were on stun which they were.

ooc: its like the ST next generation multipurpose scanner and recorder only slightly bigger.

The drop ship door suddenly opened and slammed to the ground. The men scrambled out and took up a defensive horse shoe formation.

Lt. Marlo turned to the Mariko and Arisu, "Well, so far so good and this- He pointed to His second in command "Is Corporal Troy Miles."

Corporal Miles shifted uncomfortably and walked threw the air lock.

Lt. Marlo smiled "He's shy,"

OOC: Corporal miles is of average height and average build He has strong facial features with short brown hair.

Lt. Marlo is short and barrel chested with a shaved head.

the Kirisuban guard may have been stern but Arisu was quite relaxed and friendly.

she stepped out into the airlock and ran the scanner and said "Lt Marlo, Corporal Miles I'm still reading minimal life support here. The nitrogen content is a bit high but its still breathable"

ooc: Arisu is very similar to her captain but slightly younger at 25 years of age. she had brown eyes and slightly shorter hair.

The guard Kimiko is the silent type and younger again than her commander. she only talks when she needs to usually communicating in short clipped phrases. she takes her duty seriously but may open up later on

the Kirisuban guard may have been stern but Arisu was quite relaxed and friendly.

she stepped out into the airlock and ran the scanner and said "Lt Marlo, Corporal Miles I'm still reading minimal life support here. The nitrogen content is a bit high but its still breathable"

ooc: Arisu is very similar to her captain but slightly younger at 25 years of age. she had brown eyes and slightly shorter hair.

The guard Kimiko is the silent type and younger again than her commander. she only talks when she needs to usually communicating in short clipped phrases. she takes her duty seriously but may open up later on

Lt. Marlo listened to Arisu "All right," he said exasperatedly

The Airlock was large and specious but a set of double doors could be seen,

"Pop it open," He said to Troy,

Troy nodded and launched a round at the door, The recoil made him take a step back and the boom from the gun bounced off the room.

The door came crashing down and fresh air flowed threw the sent of pine was refreshing compared to the stale air.

Arisu hits a few more buttons on her scanner and confirms what her nose already told her.

as they were now in the colony proper she felt more hopeful but she still had nagging doubts since the transmitter should have had been repaired by now under normal circumstances.

Arisu hits a few more buttons on her scanner and confirms what her nose already told her.

as they were now in the colony proper she felt more hopeful but she still had nagging doubts since the transmitter should have had been repaired by now under normal circumstances.

Lt. Marlo Held up his index and middle finger and then pointed to the door.

Two men sprinted out of formation and lept over the door into the colony.

"Clear!," The man shouted

The Formation stood and went threw the door, The chirping of birds and the occasional romping squirrel were normal but there was only one thing missing.

No body was on the streets.

"Its strange, Its rush hour on this colony and nobody is around..." Troy said to Lt. Marlo

ooc: Neoman Drifter colonys are like the ones on the anime Gundam Wing, They are like mobile cities with lakes forest and small wild life.

Kimiko says quietly to Arisu "looks like nobodys home" as she keeps a sharp eye out her plasma rifle at the ready position.

Arisu steps into the chamber and runs more scans.

she picks up the lower life forms and asks "Lt Marlo is it likely that the colonists are in the bunkers?"

Kimiko says quietly to Arisu "looks like nobodys home" as she keeps a sharp eye out her plasma rifle at the ready position.

Arisu steps into the chamber and runs more scans.

she picks up the lower life forms and asks "Lt Marlo is it likely that the colonists are in the bunkers?"

Lt. Marlo shrugged "Maybe but... the Bunkers only hold enough supplied for a few months,"

He looked at a map and then pointed down a road, "half a klick that way is the nearest bunker..."

The platoon took a formation around the Kirisubans and they marched down the road.

Cars were parked neatly in each spot, nothing was out of place."

"I got a bad feeling," Troy said to nobody inperticular

"theres an ancient story from Earth about a sailing ship called the Marie Celeste that was just like this station.

everything was in place as it should be but there was nobody on board and the mystery has still be solved" Arisu suggests to Lt Marlo.

"if anything bad did happen here it certainly happened quickly but hopefully we'll get some answers when we open the bunker"

Assuming trouble she unholsers her plasma pistol.

Kimiko steps into line with Cpl Troy and says "i've that feeling as well"

"theres an ancient story from Earth about a sailing ship called the Marie Celeste that was just like this station.

everything was in place as it should be but there was nobody on board and the mystery has still be solved" Arisu suggests to Lt Marlo.

"if anything bad did happen here it certainly happened quickly but hopefully we'll get some answers when we open the bunker"

Assuming trouble she unholsers her plasma pistol.

Kimiko steps into line with Cpl Troy and says "i've that feeling as well"

Cpl Troy nodded

They marched for a few minutes and then they were faced with a large square building.

The large double clad doors were shut.

"Open it," Lt. Marlo said slowly.

One of the men ran up and pressed a few buttons and a loud hiss came from the door and it opened.

Foul air, rancid with the scent of death blew over them.

Cpl Troy heard someone puke but didn't look to see who.

Arisu choked briefly before moving closer peering into the bunker her pistol ready.

as her eyes adjusted she wondered just how long ago this happened. a look at the bodies would tell her that.

Arisu choked briefly before moving closer peering into the bunker her pistol ready.

as her eyes adjusted she wondered just how long ago this happened. a look at the bodies would tell her that.

The Platoon moved into threw the door, The smell was even worse.

They moved down 3 flights of stairs into a large room with cots and food dispensers that secreted sustenance.

Thier were body's lying every where, most of them huddled together in the corner. The bodies skin was mummified and leathery.

Cpl Troy moved to the dispenser and pressed the button, it hummed but nothing came out. he pressed the water dispenser also and water streamed out.

"I don't understand, what scared them so badly that they would rather starve to death then to attempt a breakout to the life pods..." Cpl Troys voice echoed off the walls...

"this happened a long time ago" Arisu says softly "but they obviously used up their supplies first.

I think this may be tied into the breakdown of the beacon but its just a hunch.

someone or something stopped them leaving this bunker and we have to find out what"

Kimiko shook her head not quite believing what she's seeing.

"this happened a long time ago" Arisu says softly "but they obviously used up their supplies first.

I think this may be tied into the breakdown of the beacon but its just a hunch.

someone or something stopped them leaving this bunker and we have to find out what"

Kimiko shook her head not quite believing what she's seeing.

Cpl Troy shook his head.

LT. Marlo sighed "Alright, were going to the Command Center. There has to be something that can explain this."

The walked up the stairs and onto the street. Nothing had changed, but a gentel wind was blowing.

Cpl Troy looked behind him at Kimiko then back to the street, sweat droplets started to gather on the brow of his lip.

Lt. Marlo picked up his comm. and spoke into it, The Neoman and the Kirisuban vessle would hear it.

"Ma'am we found some colonists, they used up all the supplies and starved to death. Its strange something scarred them, They wouldn't leave the bunker. If there was a party here, I think we missed it..."

"So much for rescuing some juicy colonist girls from thier viginity," One of the men said to another behind Arisu

"Can it," Cpl Troy said coldly as he turned to face the man

-------

Admiral Saldana sighed.... and nodded to the ensign

An MR rocket left the ship and entered hyperspace.

"Hell of a day," She said into her comm. to Captain Mariko Toda

Arisu found herself liking Lt Marlo and Cpl Troy. that meant they would be able to get on with this mission.

as they walked to the command centre she hoped that there would be computer logs that could help them.

###

On the Hokkaido Captain Toda replies back on her comms "Admiral today has just begun but i'm sure we can get to the bottom of things"

Arisu found herself liking Lt Marlo and Cpl Troy. that meant they would be able to get on with this mission.

as they walked to the command centre she hoped that there would be computer logs that could help them.

###

On the Hokkaido Captain Toda replies back on her comms "Admiral today has just begun but i'm sure we can get to the bottom of things"

The road to the Command Center had been like the entire colony, undisturbed.

But when they turned onto the road to face the command center a shock was in store.

The Command Center was a mess, blood stains, bullet casings, burn scourges, and craters ladened the area.

Lt. Marlo ordered Troy and another man forward.

They crouched down and made thier way toward the destroyed field surrounding the compound.

Cpl. Troy zig zaged threw the debris, and made his way to the wall of the compound.

Lt. Marlos comm. crackled "Clear sir, this was a hell of a fight, lots of blood, but no bodies..."

Lt. Marlo made a chopping motion with his hand and the rest of the platoon shot forward and regrouped.

"Someone or something has taken the bodies away" Arisu remarks beginning to feel uneasy as she followed the others up.

She had seen close quarter battles before and this bore all the signs of a last ditch defence yet something didn't seem right. the lack of bodies bothered her.

She scans the area for any clues looking for radiation signatures, energy readings and DNA traces. anything that could possibly identify the attackers.

ooc: what would the scanner pick up? she's particularly interested in the burns and any unusual readings from them

"Someone or something has taken the bodies away" Arisu remarks beginning to feel uneasy as she followed the others up.

She had seen close quarter battles before and this bore all the signs of a last ditch defence yet something didn't seem right. the lack of bodies bothered her.

She scans the area for any clues looking for radiation signatures, energy readings and DNA traces. anything that could possibly identify the attackers.

ooc: what would the scanner pick up? she's particularly interested in the burns and any unusual readings from them

ooc:

DNA is human, but changed

The scorches are from something hot but molecular makeup is unknown

IC:

"Obviously," one of the man remarked

Cpl Troy made his way to the door, it was caved in and blood was every where...

"Custer's last stand anyone," Troy said coldly as he peered into the room

Lt. Marlo looked into the room too "They didn't even have time to mount a proper defense. What kind of Coord forsaken beings are these? The Ashen like on Unity?"

"No, the data burst we received doesn't match the M.O of these things." Cpl Troy said.

the readings on her scanner puzzled Arisu as she recorded the scene in front of her for later playback.

"Lt Marlo, i'm picking up signs of DNA that was human once but has changed. Also these scorch marks. I don't recognise what caused them"

she shows him the dna sample rotating on the small screen the familiar lines of the double helix with unfamiliar add ons.

the readings on her scanner puzzled Arisu as she recorded the scene in front of her for later playback.

"Lt Marlo, i'm picking up signs of DNA that was human once but has changed. Also these scorch marks. I don't recognise what caused them"

she shows him the dna sample rotating on the small screen the familiar lines of the double helix with unfamiliar add ons.

Lt Marlo studied the DNA helix "Well, Thats--,"

"We got a Live one!," One of the men yelled

Down the road a young girl could be seen, he was about 16 years old and had dirty matted hair, He clothing was in ragges exposing a dity breast.

She was looking at them with fright, and was Poised to run.

Lt. Marlo put down his weapon and put his hand out, "We wont hurt you, Were soldiers from home,"

She didn't say anything he eyes were locked on Lt. Marlo,

Cpl Troy Set his Guass Cannon down and moved around to the side trying to flank her.

She glanced at Cpl Troy and prepared herself to run,

"Its okay, dont be afraid, We wont hurt you," LT. Marlo said

She only responded in a cold untrusting stare.

Arisu walks over to the young girl who would have been an adult back in Kirisuban society.

"everythings going to be all right" she says softly to her "my names Arisu and we're here to help you"

she goes into a trouser pocket and pulls out a paper wrapped slender kirisuban ration bar (a basic nutrient bar) and offers it to the girl.

"its good for rations" she adds "eat this and then you can tell us what happened"

Arisu walks over to the young girl who would have been an adult back in Kirisuban society.

"everythings going to be all right" she says softly to her "my names Arisu and we're here to help you"

she goes into a trouser pocket and pulls out a paper wrapped slender kirisuban ration bar (a basic nutrient bar) and offers it to the girl.

"its good for rations" she adds "eat this and then you can tell us what happened"

Cpl Troy was behind the distracted girl, He reached out and grabbed her arm.

She spun wildly trying to get away.

Cpl Troy Wrapped her up in a bear hug and lifted her off the ground.

She flailed wildly with her free legs and hit Cpl Troy in the groin.

He dropped her and knelt on the ground and held his groin. while she took off down the road.

Lt. Marlo sprinted after her, even though he had a limp he coughed up with her with Olympic speed.

He dragged her back to the compound.

When he let go of her within the platoon she huddled next to Arisu and started to cry.

Arisu removed her comm badge from her jacket and took of her wrap round jacket to give the girl something better than rags to wear as well as the rations to eat.

she gives her the red jacket and pops the comm badge back onto the red vest every Kirisuban crewperson wore.

"everythings going to be fine now" she tells her reasurringly "whats your name?"

Arisu removed her comm badge from her jacket and took of her wrap round jacket to give the girl something better than rags to wear as well as the rations to eat.

she gives her the red jacket and pops the comm badge back onto the red vest every Kirisuban crewperson wore.

"everythings going to be fine now" she tells her reasurringly "whats your name?"

"B-Billy," The frightened girl said as she clung to Arisu

Cpl Troy stood slowly groaning as he stood.

"Lt, your leaking..." Troy said as he walked over to the group

Lt. Marlo looked down and saw black fluid running down his left leg.

"Sh**," he said as he knelt down and rolled up his pant leg, revealing a bionic leg.

Oil spurted from a line on what would have been his lower calf muscle.

He took a white past substance and rubbed it on the broken oil line.

Arisu hugged the girl and said gently "its all right Billie. you're safe and there our ships are close to the colony. now that happened?"

Arisu hugged the girl and said gently "its all right Billie. you're safe and there our ships are close to the colony. now that happened?"

Billie didn't answer at first.

"I don't know what happened, People started to disappear. Nobody who disappeared we found. It go really bad. We were ordered to get into the bunkers, But i couldn't get into one in time and... i was left out. I heard the battle and i ran... but I've seen them, the missing. but thier changed, I don't know... i don't know..."

He rocked back and forth slowly.

Lt. Marlo looked at Cpl Joshua and nodded.

Joshua thumbed the safety on his Gauss cannon and it hummed softly.

Arisu ponders this and asks "are they still around now and would you know where to find them?"

Arisu ponders this and asks "are they still around now and would you know where to find them?"

Billie nodded "There underneath the city in the sewers and store rooms, they dont come out during the day cycle."

Lt. Marlo sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"30 minutes till night cycle..." Cpl Troy noted as he looked at the clock.

Lt. Marlo nodded and stood up, "Were not staying here and we wont be able to reach the airlock in time... Were going to have to hold up somewhere, off the main roads..."

"Billie where do you hide?" Cpl. Troy said

Billie looked at him "In a shop down the road... Not far."

Cpl Troy looked at Lt. Marlo, Lt. Marlo nodded slowly.

"It looks like you'll have company tonight" Arisu says gently to Billie before nodding to Kimiko who sends a short message back to their ship.

'survivor found. she told us about colonists who have changed but only come out at night. we will be staying the night along with our Neoman allies'

The group set off, billie leading the way. She lead them to a small shop, the group huddled togother in the shop, Bille shut the gate guard shutters and turned to them.

"Now we wait," she said solumly.

Arisu nodded and kept a lookout until the night fell.

then it was time to see what happened..

Arisu nodded and kept a lookout until the night fell.

then it was time to see what happened..

Night came, hours passed with nothing interesting happening.

Lt. Marlo sighed as he looked out of a peep hole.

"Alright, lets get some rest. Troy You have first watch."

Cpl Troy nodded and stood up and walked next to Arisu

"I love this job," He said with a sigh.

Arisu nods and says "Kimiko you get some rest and I'll stay up with the Corporal" before adding quietly "if Billies correct about them changing we'll have a long night ahead of us but seeing some of them would help determine what the change is.

Billie could you describe how they are different? then we'll know what we are dealing with"

Arisu nods and says "Kimiko you get some rest and I'll stay up with the Corporal" before adding quietly "if Billies correct about them changing we'll have a long night ahead of us but seeing some of them would help determine what the change is.

Billie could you describe how they are different? then we'll know what we are dealing with"


Billie shook her head "I don't know how to describe it, but... monkeys, They were like giant monkeys, but meaner." She said softly.

Cpl Troy Raised an eyebrow "De-evolution maybe?," he said quietly.

Billie pulled her knees closer and wrapped her arms around them, resting her chin on her knees. Her stomach growled softly.

The men moved about trying to find a place to rest. Lt. Marlo sighed and sat with his back against the wall.

He pulled a small pouch and pulled out a pinch of a brown shredded planet it smelled of tobacco and poped some in his mouth and chewed thoughtfully, spitting into his extra canteen.

"I don't know about de-evolving but they're certainly hostile. there may be no helping them" Arisu replies and hits her comm badge speaking for a few seconds in kirisuban.

a minute later several small paper boxes materalise in the middle of the floor beside her comm badge.

putting her comm badge back on her vest again she says "this will be a long night so I ordered some kirisuban ration packs and drinks. we'll need to keep our strength up"

"I don't know about de-evolving but they're certainly hostile. there may be no helping them" Arisu replies and hits her comm badge speaking for a few seconds in kirisuban.

a minute later several small paper boxes materalise in the middle of the floor beside her comm badge.

putting her comm badge back on her vest again she says "this will be a long night so I ordered some kirisuban ration packs and drinks. we'll need to keep our strength up"

Lt. Marlo smiled and pulled out an MRE "Were good for the next day or so on rations, let Billie eat, she is malnourished. She is the one who needs her strength."

Cpl Troy gave Arisu a serious face "I know, we may have to kill them all and destroy this multi trillion dollar installation."

Arisu frowns and says "i don't like the thought of killing these people but it may come down to that. i've still got a few ration bars left as does Kimiko so we'll be fine apart from drinks".

"you'll need to eat" she tells the girl gently "so you can help us as well as helping yourself"

looking round the shop she finds a water supply in the back room and refils her canteen taking a drink from it before returning to Corporal Troy.

Arisu frowns and says "i don't like the thought of killing these people but it may come down to that. i've still got a few ration bars left as does Kimiko so we'll be fine apart from drinks".

"you'll need to eat" she tells the girl gently "so you can help us as well as helping yourself"

looking round the shop she finds a water supply in the back room and refils her canteen taking a drink from it before returning to Corporal Troy.

Billie took a ration bar and munched on it thoughtfully.

Cpl Troy was still starring out of the peep hole.

"Its so quiet, its actually scary," Troy looked at her and smiled

"i know" Arisu says and activates her scanner looking for lifeforms outside the building.

"this should pick up anybody out there up to 500 metres" she says

"i know" Arisu says and activates her scanner looking for lifeforms outside the building.

"this should pick up anybody out there up to 500 metres" she says

Troy smiled "You guys come prepared don't ya?"

Billie looked at them with hollow eyes, Lt. Marlo put a blanket around her "Sleep, you need to rest,"

Billie nodded and layed down.

Lt. Marlo sat back down and closed his eyes.

"we're explorers, so we have the equipment for the task" Arisu replies gently and lets the scan continue.

"maybe the others aren't in this part of the colony" she adds "how big is this place anyway?"

"we're explorers, so we have the equipment for the task" Arisu replies gently and lets the scan continue.

"maybe the others aren't in this part of the colony" she adds "how big is this place anyway?"

Troy thought for a moment "about 70 kilometers for living space, but I'm not sure about the inner facilities to tell you the truth."

He smiled at her "I'm just a soldier,"

"my little scanner won't be much good then" Arisu replies "we need a way to get past whats blocking our ships scans otherwise we'll be blind as we go deeper down"

"my little scanner won't be much good then" Arisu replies "we need a way to get past whats blocking our ships scans otherwise we'll be blind as we go deeper down"

Troy smiled "We cant, The ship is layered with meters of material that blocks scanning, helps them stay incognito,"

"But we could hack into the mainframe so that it gives us a detailed map of the area"

"that should work" Arisu concedes as she takes another drink of water from her canteen "and we can download the map into the scanner. it is a multi-functional instrument"

"that should work" Arisu concedes as she takes another drink of water from her canteen "and we can download the map into the scanner. it is a multi-functional instrument"

Troy smiled "But we aint going to be able to do anything till tomarrow,"

He set his backpack down and pulled a blanket and pillow and held it out to her "Get some sleep, you'll need it."

looking over at Kimiko who was already asleep Arisu runs the scan one more time and still picks up nothing.

"they must be elsewhere" she mutters and says "I'll sleep for a couple of hours but wake me if you detect anything"

she shows him how to work her scanner and accepts the blanket and pillow wrapping it round her feeling the cold slightly since Billie has her jacket. leaning against a wall she's soon asleep with a smile on her face as she has good dreams.

looking over at Kimiko who was already asleep Arisu runs the scan one more time and still picks up nothing.

"they must be elsewhere" she mutters and says "I'll sleep for a couple of hours but wake me if you detect anything"

she shows him how to work her scanner and accepts the blanket and pillow wrapping it round her feeling the cold slightly since Billie has her jacket. leaning against a wall she's soon asleep with a smile on her face as she has good dreams.

Hours passed with nothing interesting happening.

Cpl Troy noticed on the scanner a little blip was running around. He crouched low and silently moved to Arisu he put his hand over her mouth.

"Arisu, hey, wake up." he said soflty trying not to startle her

Arisu opened her eyes, listened and nodded quietly looking at the scanner.

"i'm not sure what you've picked up but its about 400 metres from here" she says quietly

OOC: tag; any chance I can get involved?

Arisu opened her eyes, listened and nodded quietly looking at the scanner.

"i'm not sure what you've picked up but its about 400 metres from here" she says quietly

Cpl Troy shook his head and moved to Lt. Marlo he woke him and Lt. Marlo talked to him in a thick language that sounded like an odd mixture of German and Latin.

He walked slowly to Arisu he set down his backpack and other non essential equipment and picked up an APBR and a Chain sword, "Looks like I'm going for a walk,"

"i'm going with you" Arisu replies unholstering her plasma pistol setting it to a heavy setting stun for now.

"we need to know what we are dealing with" she adds scanning and still picking up the contact.

"i'm going with you" Arisu replies unholstering her plasma pistol setting it to a heavy setting stun for now.

"we need to know what we are dealing with" she adds scanning and still picking up the contact.

He opened the door and moved out takeing a defensive postuer behind a dumpster.

He waved the clear signal and motioned for Arisu to move up.

Arisu moves up following the corporals instructions ready for anything. it was still too far away to see the contact clearly but it was still in their general direction, 350 metres away and closing.

ooc: Nergal, you'll need to ask Neoma. this RP is his baby

Arisu moves up following the corporals instructions ready for anything. it was still too far away to see the contact clearly but it was still in their general direction, 350 metres away and closing.

ooc: Nergal, you'll need to ask Neoma. this RP is his baby

ooc: i have no objections.

but i dont want no huge armadas or massive troop ammounts in this colony, its a survival RP.

IC:

Cpl Troy waited till Arisu was behind him and he moved up even more behind a car.

He did the same hand signals.

closing up a bit more Arisu followed keeping in cover and alert for other lifesigns

closing up a bit more Arisu followed keeping in cover and alert for other lifesigns

They did the same movements over and over, until they were 75 meters and closing

Troy moved up one last time

A booming cry made him stop cold in his tracks.

"Get out of here!" He cried to Arisu as he raised his APBR but it was to late as a small white ball streaked threw the fog and struck him in the chest plate, he flew back and into a car and flew over it.

He was laying on the cold ground, blood seeped slowly from his nose.

"GET OUT OF HERE NOW!," He sat up and fired into the fog.

----

Back at the shop the crackle of gun fire startled the Neomans awake.

Arisu nodded and retreated back to the shop telling the Lt whats happened. Kimiko was up and joining her officer, her rapid firing plasma rifle also ready and set to heavy stun for now.

Arisu nodded and retreated back to the shop telling the Lt whats happened. Kimiko was up and joining her officer, her rapid firing plasma rifle also ready and set to heavy stun for now.

"All right, rescue party!, First squad come with me," Lt. Marlo told his men and they split in half and ran out of the shop toward the gunfire.

Billie looked at Arisu "Whats going on?" she said sleepely as she wiped het eyes.

"Corporal Troy found something that seems to be hostile but his armour saved him" Arisu replies gently "we couldn't see what it was although with the fog"

Kimiko watches over Arisu and Billie ready for anything.

"Corporal Troy found something that seems to be hostile but his armour saved him" Arisu replies gently "we couldn't see what it was although with the fog"

Kimiko watches over Arisu and Billie ready for anything.

Lt. Marlo and the men stormed onto the street Cpl Troy was on, He was firring blindly into the fog.

The group ran u[ and grabbed him and started to pull him back.

The opened the door to the shop and set him against the wall.

His chest plate was scorched and broken, blood slowly oozed out of the cracked metal.

They un hooked the chest plate and reveled his chest. It was bloody with small puncture holes.

"Kimiko stay with Billie, i won't be long" Arisu says and pops put of the shop again activating her scanner trying to track what attacked Cpl Troy.

reaching them she frowns when she sees his wounds and suggests "our medical facilities could help him"

"Kimiko stay with Billie, i won't be long" Arisu says and pops put of the shop again activating her scanner trying to track what attacked Cpl Troy.

reaching them she frowns when she sees his wounds and suggests "our medical facilities could help him"

Cpl Troy shook his head "No, I'm alright," He tried to stand but his legs gave out and he fell back down.

Lt. Marlo scratched his head "All right, we all going back to the shop, its still night and we have no cover,"

The picked him up and drug him back to the shop.

"I hope Corporal Troy is fine. who knows what infections that wound could contain" Arisu suggests to Lt Marlo.

"I also think I lost it but this only has a 500 metre range on it".

she closes the shop door and keeps watch the best she can.

On a random and distant planet, the Muftwafan philospher looks up into the sky and says...



... ooh i feel like chicken tonight.:eek:

"I hope Corporal Troy is fine. who knows what infections that wound could contain" Arisu suggests to Lt Marlo.

"I also think I lost it but this only has a 500 metre range on it".

she closes the shop door and keeps watch the best she can.

The men huddled around the Corporal they applied bandages to his wounds and gave his some antibiotics.

They made him comfortable and let him rest.

Lt. Marlo walked up to Arisu

"He is resting now, i don't know if he will make it threw the night."

On a random and distant planet, the Muftwafan philospher 'Mufasa' looks up into the sky and says...



... ooh i feel like chicken tonight.:eek:

just thought i'd give a name to the philosopher

Arisu frown and says "I may be able to help if I can access the medical functions on this"

She hits a few keys and more screens of kirisuban text come up on the scanners screen.

she presses some more keys and says "i've got it but it won't be able to tell me much apart from basic lifesigns. I'd need a proper medical scanner to tell you more"

she runs the modified scanner over Cpl Troy and looks at the results she gets back...

ooc: what would a basic scan tell me about the wound given the basic medical facilities on it?

Arisu frown and says "I may be able to help if I can access the medical functions on this"

She hits a few keys and more screens of kirisuban text come up on the scanners screen.

she presses some more keys and says "i've got it but it won't be able to tell me much apart from basic lifesigns. I'd need a proper medical scanner to tell you more"

she runs the modified scanner over Cpl Troy and looks at the results she gets back...

ooc: what would a basic scan tell me about the wound given the basic medical facilities on it?

OOC: punctuerd lung and minor internal injurys,

Troy laid his head back and closed his eyes

Billie sat next to him and stroked his hair softly trying to comfort him.

Arisu hits another button and shows Lt Marlo a display of the essential life signs some bars higher than others before returning to the previous screen.

"He's punctured a lung and theres minor interal wounds. I'm also thinking theres a chance of internal bleeding but I can't be sure at this stage.

He really needs to see a doctor before too long and my ship has transporter beams"

Arisu hits another button and shows Lt Marlo a display of the essential life signs some bars higher than others before returning to the previous screen.

"He's punctured a lung and theres minor interal wounds. I'm also thinking theres a chance of internal bleeding but I can't be sure at this stage.

He really needs to see a doctor before too long and my ship has transporter beams"

Lt. Marlo rubbed his chin "Go ahead and beam him then, we going back to the airlock in the morning for evac. We know too little to stay here."

Arisu nods and hits her comm badge saying "Commander Tsubaki to Hokkaido. emergency medical transport. 2 to beam up"

Two columns of light appear and take Arisu and Corporal Troy away.

###

they appear in the Hokkaido's sickbay and Dr Kaede Susato rushes over.

Arisu helps her get the corporal onto a bio-bed and she tells the Doctor what happened.

Arisu nods and hits her comm badge saying "Commander Tsubaki to Hokkaido. emergency medical transport. 2 to beam up"

Two columns of light appear and take Arisu and Corporal Troy away.

###

they appear in the Hokkaido's sickbay and Dr Kaede Susato rushes over.

Arisu helps her get the corporal onto a bio-bed and she tells the Doctor what happened.


Corporal Troy laid on the bed quietly, he had been injuered more severly before but this time he was actually scared he might die.

He closed his eyes and prayed softly.

----

Lt. Marlo sighed alright 6 hours untill day break, when it comes were going to get to the Airlock and call for evac. so until day break i want you all to get some sleep..."

The men nodded and sat down, they were ordered to get some sleep, but nobody would. Lt. MArlo knew that.

He sat stood next to Kimiko "Hell of a day,"

the bio bed gave Dr Susato a lot more information than any medical tricorder would and she frowned when she seen the fully body scans.

"there internal bleeding for sure" she tells Arisu and then tells Corporal Troy "I'm going to have operate but you'll be fine by the time i'm finished"

###

"too right" Kimiko replied "its certainly not a walk in the park"

the bio bed gave Dr Susato a lot more information than any medical tricorder would and she frowned when she seen the fully body scans.

"there internal bleeding for sure" she tells Arisu and then tells Corporal Troy "I'm going to have operate but you'll be fine by the time i'm finished"

###

"too right" Kimiko replied "its certainly not a walk in the park"

Troy nodded lightly and unbuttoned his shirt revealing a scarred frame, common to most Neoman soldiers. He laid back down and sighed.

----

"Aye, But still, 200,000 souls are missing. We wont rest till we figure out what happened,"

Dr Susato then said gently "I'll give you a shot to knock you out and then you'll be awake soon"

she uses a hypospray and Troy goes unconcious.

uses a handheld scanner she pinpoints the blood clots and uses a experimental tool she focuses the beam on on that point the tool breaking up the clots until they're safe.

she continues in this manner for half an hour until the danger is dealt with and theirs not even a scar on Corporal Troy.

treatment with a tissue regenerator and a bone regenerator finish the operation and she lets him wake up naturally as the anasthetic wears off an hour later.

###

back on the colony Kimiko replies "we really need more people to explore this properly and capturing a hostile would give us a better understanding of what we're up against"

Dr Susato then said gently "I'll give you a shot to knock you out and then you'll be awake soon"

she uses a hypospray and Troy goes unconcious.

uses a handheld scanner she pinpoints the blood clots and uses a experimental tool she focuses the beam on on that point the tool breaking up the clots until they're safe.

she continues in this manner for half an hour until the danger is dealt with and theirs not even a scar on Corporal Troy.

treatment with a tissue regenerator and a bone regenerator finish the operation and she lets him wake up naturally as the anasthetic wears off an hour later.

###

back on the colony Kimiko replies "we really need more people to explore this properly and capturing a hostile would give us a better understanding of what we're up against"

Lt. Marlo nodded "Yes, but the problem with that is that we would be sending our soldiers in here blind. And Neomans tend to get an itchy trigger finger when that happens so we are an exploration party and we will come back once Troy is better."

He smiled "But we will come back with out Mark 5's on and then will see if they want to try something like that."

"But to capture a specimen we know nothing about is dangerous even if we could figure out how to get it. Anything that can crack woven Dreitem (spun titanium, Soft steel, and hard steel. incredibly strong) Is extremely dangerous.

Kimiko frowns and says "i'm suppose you're right but you still need to know your enemy in order to fight them. if it hadn't been foggy we'd have seen it"

###

Dr Susato gives Troy a wakeup shot and gently nudges him awake.

"we're all done" she tells him gently

Kimiko frowns and says "i'm suppose you're right but you still need to know your enemy in order to fight them. if it hadn't been foggy we'd have seen it"

###

Dr Susato gives Troy a wakeup shot and gently nudges him awake.

"we're all done" she tells him gently

Lt. Marlo smirked "True, but we fear nothing... for the most part, Im scared of Bears but thats just me." Lt, Marlo stopped and smiled.

"The weather is something we could manipulate if we can get to the Climate control center but thats deep under the instalation."

----

Troy opened his eyes slowly and rubbed his chest with a finger "No stiches... Interesting,"

Dr Susato replies smiling "its the latest medical technology and its designed to deal with internal bleeding without having to open up the patient which can create more complications.

you'll need to rest for a day but you'll be able to return to duty after then"

Arisu smiles and says "I'll tell Lt Marlo the good news or do you want to tell him?"

Dr Susato replies smiling "its the latest medical technology and its designed to deal with internal bleeding without having to open up the patient which can create more complications.

you'll need to rest for a day but you'll be able to return to duty after then"

Arisu smiles and says "I'll tell Lt Marlo the good news or do you want to tell him?"

Troy smiled "You can tell him,"

He sat up on the bio-bed and stretched his back. "Damn, felt like i was asleep for a day."

Arisu smiled and said "you were only out for an hour and a half" before hitting her comm badge and telling Kimiko the good news.

Dr Susato says "lie back and rest for now. i can get you a meal sent up if you want it"


###

Kimiko's comm badge goes off and she tells Lt Marlo that Corporal Troy has made a full recovery.

Arisu smiled and said "you were only out for an hour and a half" before hitting her comm badge and telling Kimiko the good news.

Dr Susato says "lie back and rest for now. i can get you a meal sent up if you want it"


###

Kimiko's comm badge goes off and she tells Lt Marlo that Corporal Troy has made a full recovery.

Lt. Marlo nodded "Good that very---"

A white ball of fire struck the shops metal door, It punched right threw and hit a soldier in the head, basically taking a base ball sized chunk from the side of his skull.

The man fell back limply

"Holy Sh**," One of the men screamed

"FIRE!" Lt. Marlo shouted as he began to fire out the window toward the spot where the ball came from

The men quickly took up positions and pumped round after round into the darkness.

with Arisu taking the scanner with her Kimiko was blind.

She swore in kirisuban and suggested "we should get out of here. The Hokkaido could pick us all at the same time. we can't fight what we can't see"

with Arisu taking the scanner with her Kimiko was blind.

She swore in kirisuban and suggested "we should get out of here. The Hokkaido could pick us all at the same time. we can't fight what we can't see"

Another ball of white fire came threw the window and almost struck Billie

"Get Billie out of here Kimiko and go with her, We will call if we cant handle this,"

Lt. Marlo picked up Troys Gauss Cannon and started to pump rounds after round into the darkness, The strain form the constant firring made Lt. Marlos muscles ache.

kimiko holds Billie, hits her comm badge and says "Emergency beam up for two people"

two seconds later a single beam picks them both up and they materalise on the pad of transporter room one.

"keep a lock on the others" she tells the operator "they'll be asking for a lift soon"

She turns to Billie and says "you're safe on my ship now"

kimiko holds Billie, hits her comm badge and says "Emergency beam up for two people"

two seconds later a single beam picks them both up and they materalise on the pad of transporter room one.

"keep a lock on the others" she tells the operator "they'll be asking for a lift soon"

She turns to Billie and says "you're safe on my ship now"

The men were putting up one hell of a fight, anything in front of them would have been killed but yet again another fire ball cam crashing threw the darkness and struck Lt. Marlo in his bionic leg completely taking it out from under him.

"Fu**!, He hit his comm. And broadcasted a signal "Kimiko! you were right get us out of here... Even our dead man,"

Kimiko heard the comms signal and said "energise and get pad two to pick up the rest of them"

the Neomans were scattered across two transporter rooms but they were safe...

Lt. Marlo sighed as his men picked him up, they also picked up the fallen man... blood slowly flowed from his head.

"Fu**," he said slowly.

the Kirisuban transporter operator hit her comm badge and called the Captain who came as soon as she could.

Mariko Toda arrived, introduces herself and said "i'm sorry to hear about your loss and i've been informed that you found a survivor. Kimiko is still with her in transporter room 1"

OOC:

I've had my eye on this RP since it started. I'd like to join in. I have a single character who has a space ship. No blazing armadas. If you wish to permit me, please respond to my introductory post below; if not, I would appreciate a polite brush-off, but can't stop anyone from just ignoring me. No problem either way, and I am NOT presuming that I will be admitted.

IC:

From his place in the center of his ship, the Brain Jar, the Metal Man surveyed the communications that had inexplicably started coming in on his com systems.

He had chosen this sector of space because, while it didn't have too many inhabitants, there were some asteroids with decent mineral resources nearby. His ship wasn't in the best of shape and he had pulled in near the asteroids to fabricate some parts and fix things up. Now, the repairs were almost complete.

What he heard discouraged him. After all these years, the soldiers still behaved like ameteurs. This bunch had gone straight into a derelict colony, found signs of altered genicity, and then the soldiers had gone back to one of the starships. If that ship made planetfall the way it was, the results could be disasterous.

The Metal Man activated his communicator.

"This is Brain Jar calling Korisuban Military Vessel. This is Brain Jar calling Korisuban Military Vessel. Have been monitoring your situation. Advise precautionary quaranteen. Repeat: Advise precautionary quaranteen. Members of landing party may be infected, retrovirus.

"As a cyborg, I may be able to assist you in your operations. Request permission to come alongside and join the party."

At that point, he turned on his running lights and warmed up his engines. Most of their ships would see the registration number on the side and register it as a 720-year-old space yacht of slightly different configuration. She had undergone slight :) modification in her stay in space.

Dastardly Stench']OOC:

I've had my eye on this RP since it started. I'd like to join in. I have a single character who has a space ship. No blazing armadas. If you wish to permit me, please respond to my introductory post below; if not, I would appreciate a polite brush-off, but can't stop anyone from just ignoring me. No problem either way, and I am NOT presuming that I will be admitted.

IC:

From his place in the center of his ship, the Brain Jar, the Metal Man surveyed the communications that had inexplicably started coming in on his com systems.

He had chosen this sector of space because, while it didn't have too many inhabitants, there were some asteroids with decent mineral resources nearby. His ship wasn't in the best of shape and he had pulled in near the asteroids to fabricate some parts and fix things up. Now, the repairs were almost complete.

What he heard discouraged him. After all these years, the soldiers still behaved like ameteurs. This bunch had gone straight into a derelict colony, found signs of altered genicity, and then the soldiers had gone back to one of the starships. If that ship made planetfall the way it was, the results could be disasterous.

The Metal Man activated his communicator.

"This is Brain Jar calling Korisuban Military Vessel. This is Brain Jar calling Korisuban Military Vessel. Have been monitoring your situation. Advise precautionary quaranteen. Repeat: Advise precautionary quaranteen. Members of landing party may be infected, retrovirus.

"As a cyborg, I may be able to assist you in your operations. Request permission to come alongside and join the party."

At that point, he turned on his running lights and warmed up his engines. Most of their ships would see the registration number on the side and register it as a 720-year-old space yacht of slightly different configuration. She had undergone slight :) modification in her stay in space.

Admiral Saldana listened to the comms.

"Come alongside, slowly."

Kelly tuned in Mariko Todas vessel

"What do you think?"

----

Troy ran onto the Transporter pad with the fallen man on it.

One of the men ran to meet him.

"Troy, Go back to the med lab..." He said slowly Drying to push him back threw the door.

"Is that Daniel?!" Troy shouted as he saw the fallen man

The soldier nodded "Troy, It is please go--"

"Thats MY brother!," Troy sidestepped the soldier and ran to his brothers side.

Tears started to stream down his cheeks, As he took his brother in his arms.

"I should have never left," He said slowly as he touched his brothers forehead with his.

Weapons cold but sheilds raised, the Brain Jar began its accelleration to flank speed. The ship was capable of making the maneuvers much more quickly with no sacrifice of safety, but...there was always the matter of a military vessel that could potentially have a festering plague on it. They had every right to be nervous.

As the ship began to move, its skipper, little more than a tank of organs at in the center of the ship, finally managed to decrypt the other ships' homing beacons.

"Thank you, Hokkiado. Can you provide a radio frequency that I can use to contact the Lady McBeth and relay my non-threatening status? Would appreciate the opportunity to consult with your away team, and inclusion in a future away team. Request permission to come aboard."

If they were going back aboard the colony--and he was going to if they weren't--they needed to bring a medical team. They also needed better security precautions--if possible, they needed to reset the environmental controls so that there is no night cycle until treatment options could be addressed. The thing that bothered the Metal Man about this, though, was that, apparently, no one on the colony had managed to do this. It didn't make sense that the altered humans had reversed the process--if they had, why wouldn't they shroud the colony in perpetual night, giving themselves free access at all times?

He couldn't tell the military types that one of the reasons he was there was as an advocate of the diseased colonists--that he did not want to see the Neomans or the Kirisobans pursue the opporunistic path of opening up all the air locks and "vacuuming up the mess." He had information on Kirisobu in his database, though, and it said that they were far too civilized for such an abomination. He hoped it was correct. Things could get complicated if he was forced to choose between the lives of the colonists and taking on a Neoman battle fleet with nothing but a damaged, though highly retrofitted, space yacht. If the Kirisobans were as morally advanced as he thought they were, they might even be able to hold off a Neoman gesture of opportunism--if the Neomans were prone to such things. Not having data, he had to take his chances--and prepare for the worst until he could find out. In an ideal world, the Neomans would be every bit as oracular as the Korisubans. There was always hope.

Though he didn't energise it, he did take the liberty of bringing his cloaking shield online. If worse came to worst, it would give Brain Jar the opportunity to elude destruction without the unhappy circumstance of being drawn into conflict.

So much uncertainty.

Captain Toda had picked up the communication and used her comm badge to reply by voice.

"Admiral, It can't hurt to let the metal man help out. I'll let him dock with my ship and find out more"

she hits her comm badge again and says "Brain Jar, this is Captain Toda of the Hokkaido. you have permission to dock with my ship and come aboard"

she also gives him the frequency of the Neoman flag ship.

Captain Toda had picked up the communication and used her comm badge to reply by voice.

"Admiral, It can't hurt to let the metal man help out. I'll let him dock with my ship and find out more"

she hits her comm badge again and says "Brain Jar, this is Captain Toda of the Hokkaido. you have permission to dock with my ship and come aboard"

she also gives him the frequency of the Neoman flag ship.

Kelly smiled "I'll send my men that are on your ship as a security detail,"

---

Lt. Marlos comm. chirrped and he listened to his orders

"Alright, Troy and I will stay here the rest of you go to the Air lock were going to have a visitor.."

The men nodded and checked thier weapons.

Captain Toda replied "Admiral I'll have our shuttle bay expecting you but we have enough security people for now"

she sends 5 armed women to the airlock that the Brain Jar would dock at with orders only to shoot if they were attacked. after all the metal man was a guest. Lt Harada was in command of the team and was wearing a short straight sword as well as her plasma pistol ready for action.

Captain Toda replied "Admiral I'll have our shuttle bay expecting you but we have enough security people for now"

she sends 5 armed women to the airlock that the Brain Jar would dock at with orders only to shoot if they were attacked. after all the metal man was a guest. Lt Harada was in command of the team and was wearing a short straight sword as well as her plasma pistol ready for action.

Kelly borded a shuttle with a squad if Vanguard incased in the older but battle tested Mark 5 Power Armor

http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Content_on_1_26_2005_06_19_50/02-c4d-01.jpg5b0ebe8d-9606-

It flew the short distance and hovered just outside the Hokkiado.

"Request permission to land." The piolet said slowly into the comm.

"permission granted" the Hokkaidos comm officer replies as the landing bay opens up.

Captain Toda went there to meet the Neomans in person.

"permission granted" the Hokkaidos comm officer replies as the landing bay opens up.

Captain Toda went there to meet the Neomans in person.

The Dropship moved threw the airlock and slowly landed.

The doors opened and the Security team jumped out, One of them extended thier hand and helped Admirla Saldana out.

ooc: Admiral Kelly Saldana is 27 years old, she had long flowing red hair tied bakc in a pony tail. She has a slender frame but her eyes a suprisingly strong.

The Brain Jar's docking hatch swung open to reveal what looked to all intents and purposes to be an obese, middle-aged man in a standard-issue space suit, carrying a computational device that resembled what, once upon a time, had been referred to as a clipboard.

He was confident that sensor scans would show that the appearance was deceptive. Beneath a layer of cloned skin, their medical scanners would detect a skeleton made of a spun high-tech alloy (nickel, iron, titanium and a trace of copper). He had the usual equipment--eyes that could view the entire electromagnetic spectrum, ears that could detect the faintest sub-sonic and hypersonic emissions, blades that would cut through his hands to unleash a plasma weapon in the right hand and a grapple in the left and a shield generator that fired from his solar plexus. He appeared to be obese because all of his organic components (for lack of a better term) were contained within his body.

The data device, though, was what he intended to use to open the doors. It was a survey that he had taken, a little over two centuries ago, of what had formerly been the space of Species One.

They had no name for themselves, just a number--and, for a species of automata, it was fitting. They had shown up one day, more than a thousand years ago, on earth. When they did, they had found, in the woods near a body of water called "Lake Erie," a young man. They harvested him immediately.

They had to alter his central nervous system to allow him to interface with their cybernetic technology. Shock sets the venom. This was why he had been conscious through every moment as they amputated his limbs, tore his brain out of his skull and turned him into a puddle of soft tissue floating in a tank of gelatinous fluid that served as blood. But something had gone wrong. Somehow, through the process, he had kept his identity--as had the few other subjects who had survived the process--and this made him and his species unsuitable for full harvesting.

Years later, he escaped, and returned to the planet of his origin. There, he had learned to live again--and, from there, he had returned to the stars.

Species One had a system of emergency beacons. One day, the signal arrived on earth. When, after five years, the signal still continued unabated, the Metal Man decided that he had to investigate.

It took him nearly a decade to build a suitable ship, and nearly four more to return to their space. When he did, what he found actually did not surprise him.

In their lack of concern for other species, Species One had aroused the ire of a civilization of transdimensional superbeings. Hostilities had lasted a grand total of five days. When it was over, Species One had been reduced to a few nondescript AIs tending what was left of the infrastructure.

The Metal Man, too, had stumbled upon the Luminous Ones. Fortunately, they were not in much of a mood for destruction. When they found that he followed a different ethic from Species One--that he embraced peace and nonviolence rather than merely attempting to harvest everything in his path--they allowed him to live, and gave him access to the remnants of the civilization.

The computational device contained records of every place the Metal Man had visited--and Species One had some phenomenal technology. The last place he had toured was a prototype torroid--a pocket dimension formed through the intersection of four black holes into which had been inserted the energy of two suns. By properly aligning a set of space-bending lasers, one could access the pocket dimension and tap into what the Metal Man believed to be the galaxy's ultimate storage battery. The Luminous Ones had left it behind because the simple AI that kept it running posed no threat to them. Someday, the Metal Man hoped, a consortium of galactic empires would explore and share the secrets of Species One space.

------------------

OOC:

It works according to the physics of the known universe. Concept borrowed from the Giants series.

------------------

IC:

Needless to say, he had acquired significant skills in his efforts to salvage the derelict empire--and, also needless to say, the Metal Man had been careful not to make all the details of his notes avalaible. Particularly, he had done as much as he possibly could to obscure the location of the former empire.

He stepped through the hatchway and noted that the name of the highest-ranking officer before him, visible on her uniform, was Lt. Harada. He stepped right up to her. As he was a civilian, there was no exchange of salutes or other military niceties, merely an introduction.

"Greetings, Lieutenant. I'm the Metal Man. Thank you for accepting me under such unusual circumstances. The device I am carrying is for you and your people. It contains plans from a derelict alien empire. As I am the one who explored the ruins, you can also think of it as a sort of a bill of credentials. Please accept this with my best wishes, and inform me as to how I can best assist you."

Having cleared decontamination, he held the device out to her.

The Dropship moved threw the airlock and slowly landed.

The doors opened and the Security team jumped out, One of them extended thier hand and helped Admirla Saldana out.

ooc: Admiral Kelly Saldana is 27 years old, she had long flowing red hair tied bakc in a pony tail. She has a slender frame but her eyes a suprisingly strong.

Captain Mariko Toda bowed to the admiral who matched up to the earlier visual communication they had.

She had two male security officers with her, a rarity on ships of the exploration fleet where at least 2/3rds of the crew were female and the ratio was usually higher.

"Admiral Saldana, welcome to the INKS Hokkaido" she replies bowing.

Dastardly Stench']The Brain Jar's docking hatch swung open to reveal what looked to all intents and purposes to be an obese, middle-aged man in a standard-issue space suit, carrying a computational device that resembled what, once upon a time, had been referred to as a clipboard.

He was confident that sensor scans would show that the appearance was deceptive. Beneath a layer of cloned skin, their medical scanners would detect a skeleton made of a spun high-tech alloy (nickel, iron, titanium and a trace of copper). He had the usual equipment--eyes that could view the entire electromagnetic spectrum, ears that could detect the faintest sub-sonic and hypersonic emissions, blades that would cut through his hands to unleash a plasma weapon in the right hand and a grapple in the left and a shield generator that fired from his solar plexus. He appeared to be obese because all of his organic components (for lack of a better term) were contained within his body.

The data device, though, was what he intended to use to open the doors. It was a survey that he had taken, a little over two centuries ago, of what had formerly been the space of Species One.

They had no name for themselves, just a number--and, for a species of automata, it was fitting. They had shown up one day, more than a thousand years ago, on earth. When they did, they had found, in the woods near a body of water called "Lake Erie," a young man. They harvested him immediately.

They had to alter his central nervous system to allow him to interface with their cybernetic technology. Shock sets the venom. This was why he had been conscious through every moment as they amputated his limbs, tore his brain out of his skull and turned him into a puddle of soft tissue floating in a tank of gelatinous fluid that served as blood. But something had gone wrong. Somehow, through the process, he had kept his identity--as had the few other subjects who had survived the process--and this made him and his species unsuitable for full harvesting.

Years later, he escaped, and returned to the planet of his origin. There, he had learned to live again--and, from there, he had returned to the stars.

Species One had a system of emergency beacons. One day, the signal arrived on earth. When, after five years, the signal still continued unabated, the Metal Man decided that he had to investigate.

It took him nearly a decade to build a suitable ship, and nearly four more to return to their space. When he did, what he found actually did not surprise him.

In their lack of concern for other species, Species One had aroused the ire of a civilization of transdimensional superbeings. Hostilities had lasted a grand total of five days. When it was over, Species One had been reduced to a few nondescript AIs tending what was left of the infrastructure.

The Metal Man, too, had stumbled upon the Luminous Ones. Fortunately, they were not in much of a mood for destruction. When they found that he followed a different ethic from Species One--that he embraced peace and nonviolence rather than merely attempting to harvest everything in his path--they allowed him to live, and gave him access to the remnants of the civilization.

The computational device contained records of every place the Metal Man had visited--and Species One had some phenomenal technology. The last place he had toured was a prototype torroid--a pocket dimension formed through the intersection of four black holes into which had been inserted the energy of two suns. By properly aligning a set of space-bending lasers, one could access the pocket dimension and tap into what the Metal Man believed to be the galaxy's ultimate storage battery. The Luminous Ones had left it behind because the simple AI that kept it running posed no threat to them. Someday, the Metal Man hoped, a consortium of galactic empires would explore and share the secrets of Species One space.

Needless to say, he had acquired significant skills in his efforts to salvage the derelict empire--and, also needless to say, the Metal Man had been careful not to make all the details of his notes avalaible. Particularly, he had done as much as he possibly could to obscure the location of the former empire.

He stepped through the hatchway and noted that the name of the highest-ranking officer before him, visible on her uniform, was Lt. Harada. He stepped right up to her. As he was a civilian, there was no exchange of salutes or other military niceties, merely an introduction.

"Greetings, Lieutenant. I'm the Metal Man. Thank you for accepting me under such unusual circumstances. The device I am carrying is for you and your people. It contains plans from a derelict alien empire. As I am the one who explored the ruins, you can also think of it as a sort of a bill of credentials. Please accept this with my best wishes, and inform me as to how I can best assist you."

Having cleared decontamination, he held the device out to her.

Lt Midori Harada bows in welcome accepting the 'clipboard'.

"Metal Man, welcome to the INKS Hokkaido" she replies "I'm sure the Captain and XO will want to look this over but you can follow me in the meantime.

I'll show you to our messhall where my captain or first officer will meet you later once they're free"

Captain Mariko Toda bowed to the admiral who matched up to the earlier visual communication they had.

She had two male security officers with her, a rarity on ships of the exploration fleet where at least 2/3rds of the crew were female and the ratio was usually higher.

"Admiral Saldana, welcome to the INKS Hokkaido" she replies bowing.

Kelly smiled revealing perfect white teeth "Please, Kelly is fine."

He face suddenly changed to a serious look "What do you think of this "Metal Man" seems to convenient for me,"

"Kelly, co-incidences can happen in space but I want to meet him before I make a judgement about him. scans of his ship showed him to be a cyborg but he seems to be peaceful so far.

we may have lost our world but we still have an explorers curiosity. We still don't have any answers about the colony either"

her comm badge goes off and its Lt Harada giving a very brief report in Kirisuban.

"he's going to be escorted to the mess hall for now and then I'll have a word with him"

Arisu takes this moment to arrive at the shuttle bay dressed in proper uniform again and bows greeting the Admiral.

"may I introduce Commander Arisu Tsubaki" she adds.

ooc: Arisu is a similiar age to her captain but is slightly taller, has the classic long black hair and dark eyes along with slightly more olive skin

"Kelly, co-incidences can happen in space but I want to meet him before I make a judgement about him. scans of his ship showed him to be a cyborg but he seems to be peaceful so far.

we may have lost our world but we still have an explorers curiosity. We still don't have any answers about the colony either"

her comm badge goes off and its Lt Harada giving a very brief report in Kirisuban.

"he's going to be escorted to the mess hall for now and then I'll have a word with him"

Arisu takes this moment to arrive at the shuttle bay dressed in proper uniform again and bows greeting the Admiral.

"may I introduce Commander Arisu Tsubaki" she adds.

ooc: Arisu is a similiar age to her captain but is slightly taller, has the classic long black hair and dark eyes along with slightly more olive skin

Kelly smiled politely at Arisu and looked back at Mariko.

"Should I summon my Marines? I drought Corporal Troy will come, he lost his brother on the colony,"

"i've five of my security people with him so I doubt he'll try anything but we will need to work together in this operation anyway.

It won't hurt to have some of your marines on board" Mariko replies

Arisu replies "Admiral, Corporal Troy was quite upset but we still have Billie on board. Kimiko is looking after her for now

I believe that she holds the answers to what happened on the colony"

###

by now Kimiko was taking Billie to the sickbay to see Dr Susato. the transporters bio-filter would have dealt with any known viruses and the like but Kimiko knew that Billie would need medical help.

"i've five of my security people with him so I doubt he'll try anything but we will need to work together in this operation anyway.

It won't hurt to have some of your marines on board" Mariko replies

Arisu replies "Admiral, Corporal Troy was quite upset but we still have Billie on board. Kimiko is looking after her for now

I believe that she holds the answers to what happened on the colony"

###

by now Kimiko was taking Billie to the sickbay to see Dr Susato. the transporters bio-filter would have dealt with any known viruses and the like but Kimiko knew that Billie would need medical help.


Lt. Marlo had already put on another Bionic leg and was standing over Troy who was still clutching his brother.

Suddenly his comm. chirped and he listened to his new orders.

He summoned all of his men.

A medical team from the drop ship stopped by and collected Troy brothers body and they were off.

The door slid open and The platoon filled in, Troy was with them, his eyes still puffy from his grieving.

The Saluted Kelly and she returned it.

Kelly walked up to Troy and hugged him.

"Im sorry about Jordan,"

Troy nodded slowly and fought to regain his composure.

---

Billie was sitting on a bio bed, she was entranced by all the strange equipment and lights, things she had never even dreamed about.

"Is that man dead? The one who came to the colony?" she asked Kimiko softly

"Billie, I don't know" Kimiko replied as Dr Susato and her nurse worked round them.

the display on the bio-bed was encouraging although Billie was still undernourished. Kimiko had got her another ration bar by now as well as drink of soda from the sickbays replicator.

asking gently Kimiko says "Billie what do you know of the people that were changed. could one of them have attacked us?"

ooc: is there anything else wrong with billie or is she carrying something like a virus on board. the bio bed would pick up anything like this

"Billie, I don't know" Kimiko replied as Dr Susato and her nurse worked round them.

the display on the bio-bed was encouraging although Billie was still undernourished. Kimiko had got her another ration bar by now as well as drink of soda from the sickbays replicator.

asking gently Kimiko says "Billie what do you know of the people that were changed. could one of them have attacked us?"

ooc: is there anything else wrong with billie or is she carrying something like a virus on board. the bio bed would pick up anything like this

ooc: Billie is fine, she had a few common "bugs" in her system but other then that shes great.

Billie nodded "It was them, they usually attack in numbers like at the compound but... I've never stayed to see how they operate. Ive seen or heard them and i ran for cover."

Billie sipped the sweet drink, it made her molar hurt.

"But whats really scary is that they are just like the Demons in the Coordism bible."

She closed her eyes and recited scripture

"And then there they stand, They are not men but beasts born from men. They are primitive but wield powers of un heard of brutality. They are of old and of new. They are the ethereal Demons and they will consume all."

Billie shuddered at the end.

ooc: I know what it seems like but im not going to prove my Nations religion.

Its a coincidental thing but all will be made clear ;) trust me

kimiko was a security officer and knowing anything about the hostile that attacked them would be useful.

"I don't know much about Neoman beliefs but they do sound quite scary. I'm sure that Admiral Saldana will want to talk to you about this as well" Kimiko replies sipping at her own soda and noticing Billie wince while she's drinking.

She nods to Doctor Susato who runs a medical tricorder over the girl and diagnoses an abcess in the offending tooth.

"once Dr Susato has fixed up your tooth you can get some new clothes and a shower in my quarters. You're a brave girl surviving that long on your own"

kimiko was a security officer and knowing anything about the hostile that attacked them would be useful.

"I don't know much about Neoman beliefs but they do sound quite scary. I'm sure that Admiral Saldana will want to talk to you about this as well" Kimiko replies sipping at her own soda and noticing Billie wince while she's drinking.

She nods to Doctor Susato who runs a medical tricorder over the girl and diagnoses an abcess in the offending tooth.

"once Dr Susato has fixed up your tooth you can get some new clothes and a shower in my quarters. You're a brave girl surviving that long on your own"

Billie nodded "Im not brave, I ran away whenever i felt threatened. Now those soldiers at the compound. They were brave. Staying and fighting to the last man..."

"we fight to the last man and women ourselves. we never surrender" Kimiko replies softly "but if you hadn't survived we wouldn't have known what was going on"

she smiles and says "I've a sister your age back on New Kirisubo and she wants into the Exploration fleet as well. Her names Aiko"

The mess hall was the last place the Metal Man expected to be placed in.

He didn't eat.

Still, for the sake of politeness, he sat at a table--near the middle of the room, where everyone could see him.

Though he tried his best to put them at ease, the security detail looked almost threatening. Though they refused to take part in any activities with him, they shadowed him; though they did not draw their weapons, their hands were never more than a few centimeters away from the things. Oh, ye of little faith.

If a conflict began--and he would not initiate one--he would merely activate his cloaking shield and sneak out of there. There was no need for violence.

In the meantime, there was always the Lieutenant. She, at least, was willing to speak with him--and it had been a long, long time since he had spoken with an organic humanoid. Fortunately, it was said, organic humanoids like to talk about themselves--and the Metal Man liked to listen.

"So," he began as soon as he dared, "how did you get to be a Lieutenant at so young an age?" She was young to him--he had hit four digits a while ago.

"our officer training starts at 16 years of age once we make adulthood" Midori replies taking a seat with a cup of coffee in one hand.

"I've been in the service 5 years now and most people who were in my graduation class are Lt's by now"

she sips at her coffee and asks "Metal man, where's your homeworld?"

"our officer training starts at 16 years of age once we make adulthood" Midori replies taking a seat with a cup of coffee in one hand.

"I've been in the service 5 years now and most people who were in my graduation class are Lt's by now"

she sips at her coffee and asks "Metal man, where's your homeworld?"

The Metal Man sags slightly in his seat.

"I don't know anymore," he says. "I was harvested and cybernated--the process wasn't by choice. Still, I'm on my way back from the place where it was done. They've all been wiped out. That would leave a small, blue globe that I was born on, a planet whose population, when I left, spoke over 180 languages and had over 30 names for it--the most common being 'earth.' It's been over six hundred years since I had any real contact with them. I can't really call any of those places 'home,' though. I guess I don't have one. That's one reason why I'm dealing with you instead of the Neomans. With you, my information was that I would not need to fear having my ship confiscated and deconstructed. I have no information on the Neomans, and can't take the chance of a conflict erupting."

His lips change from a baleful frown to a wry grin. "Where is your home, Lieutenant? Is it a place of happiness for you? Have you family to defend there, or is the strong and honorable Kirisobu built upon other foundations?"

Lt Harada sighs and says "I assume you haven't heard about what happened to new Kirisubo recently.

Terrorists let a viral weapon loose on the surface and it mutated after killing 4/5ths of our population.

The Sephrion fleet used nova torpedos on the planet to stop the infection dead.

like yourself we don't have one at the moment"

Voice stress analysis confirmed that she was telling the truth.

"Nova tor...," the Metal Man began. "If those are used wrong, they can make a planet explode instead of just wiping all life out on its surface. If there was a weaponized virus on the loose, it could cling to the pieces, threatening anyone who came in contact with them...forever. The whole solar system would have to be...permanently quarantined. Or worse, sterilized." He shook his head. "It seems that the more things change, the more they remain the same."

He reached out and took the Leutanant's hand. "My God," he said, a look of compassion spreading over his face, "no wonder you conscript at the onset of puberty. It's a life that no one should have to live."

Aboard Brain Jar, the main computer came to life. Unseen, it brought up a database of uninhabited planets, screening for proximity, habitibility, resource availability, diplomatic conditions of neighboring interstellar races (as best was known)--anything that could help to develop a desirability index.

"If I gave you information--locations of planets that I've passed by that might fit your needs--could you promise me that you wouldn't use it to trace my path back to its origin? Species One, the race that did this to me, may not exist any longer, but their artifacts are self-defending. I mean no offense, but a fleet such as this would be no match for even the remnants of their defenses. My only condition is that you not abuse the knowledge and lead yourselves into harm."

By this time, the computer had settled on four candidates. All met the criteria, but none was a perfect match. The closest, in a solar system shrouded by the dust of a nebula, was only about 20 light years from their current position.

ooc: just to let you know Kirisubo is gone until monday.

Dastardly Stench']Voice stress analysis confirmed that she was telling the truth.

"Nova tor...," the Metal Man began. "If those are used wrong, they can make a planet explode instead of just wiping all life out on its surface. If there was a weaponized virus on the loose, it could cling to the pieces, threatening anyone who came in contact with them...forever. The whole solar system would have to be...permanently quarantined. Or worse, sterilized." He shook his head. "It seems that the more things change, the more they remain the same."

He reached out and took the Leutanant's hand. "My God," he said, a look of compassion spreading over his face, "no wonder you conscript at the onset of puberty. It's a life that no one should have to live."

Aboard Brain Jar, the main computer came to life. Unseen, it brought up a database of uninhabited planets, screening for proximity, habitibility, resource availability, diplomatic conditions of neighboring interstellar races (as best was known)--anything that could help to develop a desirability index.

"If I gave you information--locations of planets that I've passed by that might fit your needs--could you promise me that you wouldn't use it to trace my path back to its origin? Species One, the race that did this to me, may not exist any longer, but their artifacts are self-defending. I mean no offense, but a fleet such as this would be no match for even the remnants of their defenses. My only condition is that you not abuse the knowledge and lead yourselves into harm."

By this time, the computer had settled on four candidates. All met the criteria, but none was a perfect match. The closest, in a solar system shrouded by the dust of a nebula, was only about 20 light years from their current position.

Lt Harada nods and says "you have my word as an officer but our people are already on their way to two new worlds.

we split into two camps after the evacuation. Our warrior class and their supporters headed off with a Sephrion fleet to new home in their space and the Government supporters are going to the Federal Union for now until they can get back on their feet.

Both fleets are well on their way"

Lt Harada nods and says "you have my word as an officer but our people are already on their way to two new worlds.

we split into two camps after the evacuation. Our warrior class and their supporters headed off with a Sephrion fleet to new home in their space and the Government supporters are going to the Federal Union for now until they can get back on their feet.

Both fleets are well on their way"

"Good," the Metal Man said, giving Herada's hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it. Back aboard Brain Jar, the computer that had prepared the listing of planets deleted the file and turned off. "If there's anything that you feel I can do to help, just ask."

--------------

OOC:

I could let my imagination flow and describe a wealth of riches from the dieing empire--in fact, I started to in this post--that Kirisobu would find in that little box that TMM gave to them. It felt too much like godmodding. I'd appreciate it if you'd TG me, Kiri, and we could arrange what you were going to find in that box that would be of interest to you/them. TMM's been in space for four or five hundred years, and he spent two or three of those centuries in the ruins of Species One's holdings. If the Kirisobans are going to share the little box with the Neomans, then I'd like Neo in on the arrangement, too. If that was the case, we would probably be better off starting up an info thread. TG's don't work well for parties of more than two.

--------------

IC:

"Anyway," he continued, "when the away teams were communicating with their ships, I heard something about finding a little girl--the colony's only survivor so far. I heard that you brought her back with you--she should be onboard this ship right now. Do you know anything about her condition? Has she said anything about what's going on in the colony?"

--------------

OOC:

I'm warnin' you now! He's a pain in the neck! If you don't get someone in to talk with him soon, he's going to have that poor lieutenant answering so many questions that she'll wear her jaw out. :) :) :)

Dastardly Stench']"Good," the Metal Man said, giving Herada's hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it. Back aboard Brain Jar, the computer that had prepared the listing of planets deleted the file and turned off. "If there's anything that you feel I can do to help, just ask."

--------------

OOC:

I could let my imagination flow and describe a wealth of riches from the dieing empire--in fact, I started to in this post--that Kirisobu would find in that little box that TMM gave to them. It felt too much like godmodding. I'd appreciate it if you'd TG me, Kiri, and we could arrange what you were going to find in that box that would be of interest to you/them. TMM's been in space for four or five hundred years, and he spent two or three of those centuries in the ruins of Species One's holdings. If the Kirisobans are going to share the little box with the Neomans, then I'd like Neo in on the arrangement, too. If that was the case, we would probably be better off starting up an info thread. TG's don't work well for parties of more than two.

--------------

IC:

"Anyway," he continued, "when the away teams were communicating with their ships, I heard something about finding a little girl--the colony's only survivor so far. I heard that you brought her back with you--she should be onboard this ship right now. Do you know anything about her condition? Has she said anything about what's going on in the colony?"

--------------

OOC:

I'm warnin' you now! He's a pain in the neck! If you don't get someone in to talk with him soon, he's going to have that poor lieutenant answering so many questions that she'll wear her jaw out. :) :) :)

Kelly smiled at her men who stood around.

"You all did an amazing job, all of you."

The men nodded and Lt. Malro nodded

"Were ready to meet this metal man..." He said

Kelly looked at Mariko

"Shall we?" she asked politely.

Mariko nodded and says "i'm ready"

she led them to the mess hall where she found the metal man talking with Lt Harada, the kirisuban security team relaxed but alert.

Lt Harada replies "the young lady is on our ship but I don't know her condition yet"

"In that case," the Metal Man replied, the gentle smile never leaving his face, "perhaps our new arrivals can help us out." He stood, turned to the new group, and brought his hands together, palms up, in the center of his chest. Somewhere during the trip to the mess hall, he had removed his helmet and gloves. It was a gesture that was at once non-threatening and informed of concern and a need to communicate. "Glad to see you," he said.

There was much he wanted to discuss--in addition to the larger situation, and the threat that whatever was loose in the colony could cause to the spacefaring races in the region, he was concerned for the health of the young girl, and he felt that he might be able to do something about the weapons that had been chewing through the Neoman armor--but, as they were the hosts, he knew that it was traditional let the Kirisoban/Neoman alliance make the first move. He wanted to know so much that he hadn't been granted access to, and he hoped that his honesty and integrity could inspire the trust, and perhaps even friendship, of his newfound aquaintances. He waited.

Knowing what the metal man looked like Captain Mariko Toda bowed in welcome to him. before taking a place at the table and introducing herself and Admiral Saldana.

"now Metalman san you have us here, I'm ready to listen to how you can help us"

Knowing what the metal man looked like Captain Mariko Toda bowed in welcome to him. before taking a place at the table and introducing herself and Admiral Saldana.

"now Metalman san you have us here, I'm ready to listen to how you can help us"

Kelly sat down and so did her men, her Van guard squad and the men from the colony.

"To business, then," the Metal Man replied, returning to his seat. He placed his hands on the table in front of him, palms down and fingers slightly spread.

"I will take it that you've reviewed the data that I gave you. It details some of the efforts that I undertook in a collapsed empire of automatons. During the process, I acquired skills in salvaging derelects and knowledge of a broad range of technologican and biological artifacts. For example, if you'll forgive me, I was monitoring your communication. From this, I learned that there was a weapon that ate through your battle armor. From your communications and my sensor readings, I theorize that it was an encapsulated plasma weapon. I am familiar with the technology--in fact, I carry something similar in my right arm, though I normaly use it only as a welding torch. As a good faith offering, I'd like to suggest that you can take some of the sting out of that weapon by adding a grounding wire to the armor. If you can drain some of the charge off, the weapon becomes a little less dangerous. I estimate that it would double the armor's effectiveness, though it would not render it invulerable to that type of weapon. This is only one example of the technical know-how and analytical capability that I bring to the table.

"I also have a suit or two that are better armed and armored than your troops are. They alter my appearance dramatically, but I could wear one of them into the colony. You would find me invaluable in protecting your people, repairing your facilities and analyzing the situation. I am intimately familiar with quarantine procedures. From what I was able to gather, I fear that there may be somekind of retrovirus loose in that colony. My biological components are sealed. It can't affect me. Between these, I should be able to offer your people some protection when you go back into the colony and try to cure that illness, as conscience and opportunism both dictate that you should."

-----------------------

OOC:

If there's anything here that would seem like godmodding, let me know and those components will suddenly develop technical difficulties.

If you'll tg me with something that would show up on TMM's extended sensors--a metal plate that holds together formerly broken bones (don't laugh--I have one in my right hip and they're not going to take it out), the beginnings of a medical condition or a concealed weapon--he could use it as an example of his natural capabilities. He can "see" infrared, ultraviolet and X-rays, and he can "feel" magnetism. But there's a weakness in this--he used to be human, and humans don't have those senses naturally. Too much of it overloads his mind and he goes crazy.

-----------------------

IC:

"The decision, of course, is entirely yours. If you do not wish my help, I can get back on my ship and continue on my way, and I would hope and pray that you would be up to whatever challenges you should meet in that colony. I am at your service. If you would like me in this with you, I can be ready whenever you are, though I would like access to non-classified schematics of systems that I might attempt to repair in that event."

Dastardly Stench']"To business, then," the Metal Man replied, returning to his seat. He placed his hands on the table in front of him, palms down and fingers slightly spread.

"I will take it that you've reviewed the data that I gave you. It details some of the efforts that I undertook in a collapsed empire of automatons. During the process, I acquired skills in salvaging derelects and knowledge of a broad range of technologican and biological artifacts. For example, if you'll forgive me, I was monitoring your communication. From this, I learned that there was a weapon that ate through your battle armor. From your communications and my sensor readings, I theorize that it was an encapsulated plasma weapon. I am familiar with the technology--in fact, I carry something similar in my right arm, though I normaly use it only as a welding torch. As a good faith offering, I'd like to suggest that you can take some of the sting out of that weapon by adding a grounding wire to the armor. If you can drain some of the charge off, the weapon becomes a little less dangerous. I estimate that it would double the armor's effectiveness, though it would not render it invulerable to that type of weapon. This is only one example of the technical know-how and analytical capability that I bring to the table.

"I also have a suit or two that are better armed and armored than your troops are. They alter my appearance dramatically, but I could wear one of them into the colony. You would find me invaluable in protecting your people, repairing your facilities and analyzing the situation. I am intimately familiar with quarantine procedures. From what I was able to gather, I fear that there may be somekind of retrovirus loose in that colony. My biological components are sealed. It can't affect me. Between these, I should be able to offer your people some protection when you go back into the colony and try to cure that illness, as conscience and opportunism both dictate that you should."

-----------------------

OOC:

If there's anything here that would seem like godmodding, let me know and those components will suddenly develop technical difficulties.

If you'll tg me with something that would show up on TMM's extended sensors--a metal plate that holds together formerly broken bones (don't laugh--I have one in my right hip and they're not going to take it out), the beginnings of a medical condition or a concealed weapon--he could use it as an example of his natural capabilities. He can "see" infrared, ultraviolet and X-rays, and he can "feel" magnetism. But there's a weakness in this--he used to be human, and humans don't have those senses naturally. Too much of it overloads his mind and he goes crazy.

-----------------------

IC:

"The decision, of course, is entirely yours. If you do not wish my help, I can get back on my ship and continue on my way, and I would hope and pray that you would be up to whatever challenges you should meet in that colony. I am at your service. If you would like me in this with you, I can be ready whenever you are, though I would like access to non-classified schematics of systems that I might attempt to repair in that event."

Kelly nodded and listened intregingly(SP?).

"Your services as an advisor would be monumental in the Neomas Military Research community... but on to more pressing matters.

You see, the armor my men were incased in walk only the basic plas-steel chest plate. We have... more advansed armor systems.

She motioned to one of her Van Guard who even thought you couldn;t see his face you knew he was putting off a show.

But even this doesn't compare to out Mark 6 armor, our Kirisuban allies can agree on the Mark 6s capabilies.

But am considering the complete anihhilation of this colony even though it would cost me and my country dearly. What ever the hell those things were they killed on of me men and we do not take that lightly."

Troys eyes flashed at the words "Killed one of my men"

"That man was my brother, and I want to avenge him"

Captain Toda could understand the need for revenge but knew they needed more information before they did anything.

"Admiral, we need to know whats going on in that colony and I believe Billie holds the key. she's in our sickbay recovering right now"

###

As the doctor fixed up Billies tooth Kimiko stayed with her to reassure her.

When the jobs done the pain is gone and she leaves Kimiko and Billie in peace.

Captain Toda could understand the need for revenge but knew they needed more information before they did anything.

"Admiral, we need to know whats going on in that colony and I believe Billie holds the key. she's in our sickbay recovering right now"

###

As the doctor fixed up Billies tooth Kimiko stayed with her to reassure her.

When the jobs done the pain is gone and she leaves Kimiko and Billie in peace.

Billie sighed "Thier going to go back to the colony.. aren't they,"

---

Kelly nodded "Yes, we are going to gather information before we do anything-" she looks at Troy "--Drastic,"

Troy shifted under Kellys unblinking gaze.

Kimiko took Billies hand and held it replying "they need to know whats going on and you can help them more than you can imagine. there may be other survivors like yourself there as well"

###

Mariko nodded at the Admirals words and added "with our scans being blocked by the colony itself we'll have to board her again and continue the recon mission. there could be other survivors and we need to know what happened to the others"

Kimiko took Billies hand and held it replying "they need to know whats going on and you can help them more than you can imagine. there may be other survivors like yourself there as well"

###

Mariko nodded at the Admirals words and added "with our scans being blocked by the colony itself we'll have to board her again and continue the recon mission. there could be other survivors and we need to know what happened to the others"

Kelly nodded "Our wanting to be incognito screwed us,"

She turned to Lt. Marlo "What do you suggest seeing as how you faced them,"

Lt. Marlo was chewing on tobacco, he spit into his canteen and sighed.

"Well from being on the reciving end of that ass kicking, i say we go down in force, platoons with Battle suit and tank support we might be able to secure the colony.

But whatever the hell that was even a Gauss Cannon didn't eeven seem to frighten it. We may need atom distabalizers... but then it isn't a garante we will win,"

---

Billie shook her head "I dont know how useful i could be, I've never really stayed around to see them."

Kelly the Admiral was lieing through her teeth. The "more advanced armor" was a sham. Not only was it written all over her face--her eyes darted away from him as she made her comments--but it was also all over her voice. It also didn't make any sense. You didn't send a military squad into a potential hot zone with second-rate armor. Still, if it was important for her to save face, then the Metal Man would let that pass. She wasn't lieing about wanting to destroy the place, though--and that could be a problem. She was turning this into a personal matter.

Then, there was the girl. The Metal Man needed to interview her before they went back in--if he could convince them to go back in, and to let him go along. He needed information--and he needed to get on the Admiral's good side. It was diplomacy time.

"I, too, can understand the need to avenge your brother's death," he began, "but engaging this enemy with the candor of the professional rather than the emotion of the mourner could save many, many other lives. I'd also like to volunteer that it might be more satisfying to defeat your enemy face-to-face than to do so from a distance.

"You're absolutely right, though--you--we, if you'll allow me--need more information, and the girl is an invaluable resource, if she can be trusted. And it is as an analyst that I feel I can help you best. I heard of a problem you had and found a solution. I can do that on levels other than the merely technical. That is why I humbly and respectfully request that I hear what the girl has told you about her former home, that is why I humbly and respectfully request that I be permitted to go back in with your away teams, and that is why I humbly and respectfully request that you retrofit your basic, low-level armor. It could save lives during...basic, low-level engagements."

Dastardly Stench']Kelly the Admiral was lieing through her teeth. The "more advanced armor" was a sham. Not only was it written all over her face--her eyes darted away from him as she made her comments--but it was also all over her voice. It also didn't make any sense. You didn't send a military squad into a potential hot zone with second-rate armor. Still, if it was important for her to save face, then the Metal Man would let that pass. She wasn't lieing about wanting to destroy the place, though--and that could be a problem. She was turning this into a personal matter.

Then, there was the girl. The Metal Man needed to interview her before they went back in--if he could convince them to go back in, and to let him go along. He needed information--and he needed to get on the Admiral's good side. It was diplomacy time.

"I, too, can understand the need to avenge your brother's death," he began, "but engaging this enemy with the candor of the professional rather than the emotion of the mourner could save many, many other lives. I'd also like to volunteer that it might be more satisfying to defeat your enemy face-to-face than to do so from a distance.

"You're absolutely right, though--you--we, if you'll allow me--need more information, and the girl is an invaluable resource, if she can be trusted. And it is as an analyst that I feel I can help you best. I heard of a problem you had and found a solution. I can do that on levels other than the merely technical. That is why I humbly and respectfully request that I hear what the girl has told you about her former home, that is why I humbly and respectfully request that I be permitted to go back in with your away teams, and that is why I humbly and respectfully request that you retrofit your basic, low-level armor. It could save lives during...basic, low-level engagements."

Kelly raised an eyebrow "We dont need to retrofit anything, like i said we have more advanced Armor, The Mark 6 is capable of takeing alot of punishment, Perhaps i should show you."

Lt. Marlo nodded "I have no objections to you being with my platoon,"

Mariko knew about mark 5 armour since some Kirisubans on the Kagemon had been using it in Unity.

with the war on there still ongoing they would certainly learn more about it.

now it looked like they were going to go back in with the metal mans help she wondered what Billie could tell them.

"now that we're agreed on the need to return we need Billies help and it looks like the metal man is the person who may unlock what she's seen" she says to the others assembled at the table.

"I'd also agree that we need more troops this time and we can supply scanners to these forces so they know if somethings coming towards them.

We know that for the moment that they are hostile but we don't know what we're dealing with or why they're hostile. we still need more information"

Mariko knew about mark 5 armour since some Kirisubans on the Kagemon had been using it in Unity.

with the war on there still ongoing they would certainly learn more about it.

now it looked like they were going to go back in with the metal mans help she wondered what Billie could tell them.

"now that we're agreed on the need to return we need Billies help and it looks like the metal man is the person who may unlock what she's seen" she says to the others assembled at the table.

"I'd also agree that we need more troops this time and we can supply scanners to these forces so they know if somethings coming towards them.

We know that for the moment that they are hostile but we don't know what we're dealing with or why they're hostile. we still need more information"

Kelly nodded "I agree, we cant be storming in thier without any kind of information..."

"But, we need to figure out what Billie truly knows, but i don't want to frighten her... She's young and had been threw a lot, I don't want to damage her mind."

She sighed and shook her head.

"The needing of troops i can handle, We have a troop carrier in our fleet holding 5,000 men. But if we land them all at once our cover will be blown..."

"We really need to get to the Internal Command Center but thats at the heart of the colony... And we don't know what kind of hell were going to encounter."

"Either way i don't like our options here..."

"I'm sure we can transport directly to the Internal command centre from the Hokkaido but we'd still be blind unless we sent a robot with a camera ahead of us.

we could build one here in our enginering section and that could take a look a round without us having to risk a recon party" she replies hopefully.

"I'm sure we can transport directly to the Internal command centre from the Hokkaido but we'd still be blind unless we sent a robot with a camera ahead of us.

we could build one here in our enginering section and that could take a look a round without us having to risk a recon party" she replies hopefully.

Kelly nodded "Its possible but if they had locked down the inner structures I don't see how we could get far unless that robot can hack into the main frame, or carry a Gauss Cannon..."

Lt. Marlo chewed his thumb nail in concentration,

"Ma'am what if we hack into the database, and launch a single life pod near the inner command center. Then we could have a boarding party go in and we would bypass a lot of the corridors."

"Well," the Metal Man broke in, "it's a better idea to solve our major problems in the conference room than it is in the field where lives are at stake, but I think that sending in troops at this point would be suicidal. I'm sure that you must have robot probes that can reconoiter the situation and, if not send data directly back, then return to a contact point and broadcast it. Let's look into things a little bit better before we jump in. Let's also see if the young lady whom you brought back can provide us with any useful information.

"By the way, could somebody please brief me on anything that you've been able to get out of her so far?"

"I'll have a word with Kimiko in that case" Mariko replies tapping her comm badge and having a conversation in Kirisuban with her.

when Kimiko has given her report she says "from what Kimiko has managed to get which isn't much so far Billie says that the people infected have changed into demons from the Coordism bible.

she's in sickbay with her at the moment"

"Demons," the Metal Man repeated. "Deamons...why does that sound familiar...?"

And then it dawned on him. "Oh no," he said. "Consumptors. Ladies and gentlemen, what we have here is a consumptor infestation." On Brain Jar, the main computer brought up a database entry on "Consumptors" and relayed it over to the Metal Man. "Consumptors are not a single species, but a class of species. Some of them are transdims, some are biomechs and some are merely superpredators, but they all have a few commnon traits that define the class.

"First, they absorb and/or alter other species they come in contact with and use them as slaves of one kind or another. This means that one should expect to find a lair in the central core of the colony in which this process is ongoing. If these are transdims, one would expect to find either a link to the alternate dimension or a monitoring device that could open such a link in the lair.

"Second, they are very good at defeating sensors and sense organs. Some of them can even mesmerize their prey. Some inject narcotics so addictive that the victim will actually return to the hive rather than face withdrawal. From now on, we need to keep a very keen eye on that colony, looking for anything that could even remotely resemble a stealth incursion.

"Third, they are extremely tough. They have natural mechanisms that defeat standard weaponry and, without fail, an offensive weapon that can defeat most countermeasures. We're going to have to be able to adapt our technology rapidly. I have a transporter pattern database that should help this process.

"Fourth, they are capable of rapid multiplication, but only when there are other species present for them to use as hosts. We can't let them take hostages--not even one.

"Fifth and finally, there is no reasoning with them. This may be for any of several different reasons: arrogance, lack of individualistic intelligence, legacy or external directive, there is no way to convince them to stop.

"For these reasons, the rare survivor--and Billie is a remarkable young lady--will often regard them as a supernatural evil. It's not that far off the mark."

"Now, about that probe. I think I have something that might help with that, too. It's fairly small, about half a meter long and fifteen centimeters tall, moves on six legs and has a variety of sensors. Its quantum processor makes it fairly versatile--it can function autonimously if its control signal is cut off. I can have Brain Jar fabricate one and then walk it over here if you like. The process should take about ninety minutes. We could also compare designs and come up with something superior to what either of us could do individually."

He was going to have to modify the design to replace the torroid tap with a standard fuel cell. The torriod was a pocket universe that Species One had manufactured using four black holes, and filled with energy using two suns. It was the bleeding edge of their technology, but it served as the galaxy's ultimate storage battery. If a consumptor hive got its tentacles around something like that--the Metal Man shuddered to think.

----------------------

OOC: torroid concept borrowed from Hogan's "Giants" series, and, in theory, should actually work IRL--if humanity had the resources to build one.

The probe is basically a big, metal cockroach--sans wings. Not a bad basis for a probe design, though. A cockroach is the fastest thing on six legs.

I was thinking that whatever-they-are might get their hands on the probe anyway, weaponize it and make a whole bunch of 'em. Of course, the old rule of thumb--ALWAYS design in a fatal weakness--would apply. This thing ain't hardened against EMP. Anybody ever play Xroach? :) :) :)

Dastardly Stench']"Demons," the Metal Man repeated. "Deamons...why does that sound familiar...?"

And then it dawned on him. "Oh no," he said. "Consumptors. Ladies and gentlemen, what we have here is a consumptor infestation." On Brain Jar, the main computer brought up a database entry on "Consumptors" and relayed it over to the Metal Man. "Consumptors are not a single species, but a class of species. Some of them are transdims, some are biomechs and some are merely superpredators, but they all have a few commnon traits that define the class.

"First, they absorb and/or alter other species they come in contact with and use them as slaves of one kind or another. This means that one should expect to find a lair in the central core of the colony in which this process is ongoing. If these are transdims, one would expect to find either a link to the alternate dimension or a monitoring device that could open such a link in the lair.

"Second, they are very good at defeating sensors and sense organs. Some of them can even mesmerize their prey. Some inject narcotics so addictive that the victim will actually return to the hive rather than face withdrawal. From now on, we need to keep a very keen eye on that colony, looking for anything that could even remotely resemble a stealth incursion.

"Third, they are extremely tough. They have natural mechanisms that defeat standard weaponry and, without fail, an offensive weapon that can defeat most countermeasures. We're going to have to be able to adapt our technology rapidly. I have a transporter pattern database that should help this process.

"Fourth, they are capable of rapid multiplication, but only when there are other species present for them to use as hosts. We can't let them take hostages--not even one.

"Fifth and finally, there is no reasoning with them. This may be for any of several different reasons: arrogance, lack of individualistic intelligence, legacy or external directive, there is no way to convince them to stop.

"For these reasons, the rare survivor--and Billie is a remarkable young lady--will often regard them as a supernatural evil. It's not that far off the mark."

"Now, about that probe. I think I have something that might help with that, too. It's fairly small, about half a meter long and fifteen centimeters tall, moves on six legs and has a variety of sensors. Its quantum processor makes it fairly versatile--it can function autonimously if its control signal is cut off. I can have Brain Jar fabricate one and then walk it over here if you like. The process should take about ninety minutes. We could also compare designs and come up with something superior to what either of us could do individually."

He was going to have to modify the design to replace the torroid tap with a standard fuel cell. The torriod was a pocket universe that Species One had manufactured using four black holes, and filled with energy using two suns. It was the bleeding edge of their technology, but it served as the galaxy's ultimate storage battery. If a consumptor hive got its tentacles around something like that--the Metal Man shuddered to think.

----------------------

OOC: torroid concept borrowed from Hogan's "Giants" series, and, in theory, should actually work IRL--if humanity had the resources to build one.

The probe is basically a big, metal cockroach--sans wings. Not a bad basis for a probe design, though. A cockroach is the fastest thing on six legs.

I was thinking that whatever-they-are might get their hands on the probe anyway, weaponize it and make a whole bunch of 'em. Of course, the old rule of thumb--ALWAYS design in a fatal weakness--would apply. This thing ain't hardened against EMP. Anybody ever play Xroach? :) :) :)

ooc: hmmmm....

Lt. Marlo listened to the metal man with great intrest.

"So, basically were fighting an ass of these things and Neoman Weponry is useless... Great, Thats just perfect. The only thing we could even use is the Atom Distabalizer but if what you say is true then it will be use less after a few shots anyway."

Mariko nods and replies after listening with interest "If you can send your probe aboard we'll know whats happening in central control and if they are as dangerous as you say they are theres two options.

Quarintine the colony and place warning beacons round it or we destroy it before the infection spreads further"

"I never thought I'd hear myself say these words," the Metal Man said. "I'm an avowed pacifist. I believe in violence only as the final option. But, if they're as dangerous as I think they are, the only option," he continued, "is to go back into the colony and burn them out. If you destroy it, they'll survive in the pieces--most Consumptors can survive in a vacuum--and infect those who come in contact with them, even if it's centuries from now. If you quarantine it, they'll break out and spread. In fact, we may seriously wish to backtrack that colony."

His hand, at last, came up off the table and moved to grip his forehead. "My God," he said, "we need that probe. We need something to show that I'm wrong about all this. God, please let me be wrong."

He thought for a moment. His hand returned to the table surface.

"I'm not sure that your weapons will be useless--only that mine will be. They're too similar to what they gave the slaves, and you never give a slave a weapon that he might turn against you. That's not going to stop me from trying to boost your energy output by at least an order of magnitude, though. You're also going to be getting some of my sensor technology--my sensors can reach inside the hull of that colony, though they can't get past the outer level before the interferance renders them useless."

There was a lot that he wasn't sure of. He wasn't sure that these things really were Consumptors--and, if they were, he wasn't sure what kind of creatures they were. From studying the sensor readings of their weapons, he was relatively sure that the Kirisobans and the Neomans didn't have the power source technology that he did. He was also sure, with the Kirisoban talk of war and of separated populations, that he was about to tip the balance of power in a political game that had been played for quite some time, and that there was no way for him to avoid it. There was also the cultural issue. The Kirisobans were a warrior people. When they fought, they won or they died.* He was a scrapper. When he fought, he won or he ran away, got fixed up and came back for another round.** They would think him a bully and a coward. Still, until the cultural issue kicked in, the improved weapons and their best battle armor might give them some chance--if the probes and the girl confirmed his worst fears.

The girl.

"Can we speak with Billie?" he asked. "Is she strong enough?"

------------------

OOC:

* Japanese/Samurai fighting psychology.

** American fighting psychology.



Though I think that Kirisobu and Neoma can benefit greatly from Species One technology, I don't want to dwell too much on it, despite what it may seem like. I like nice toys to use as stage pieces, but, in the end, they're still only stage pieces. They should be about the story, the story shouldn't be about them.

Now that TMM has shown that he is not a threat and that he is useful, I leave it to Neoma, the thread master, to move the story forward. Remember: though it helps, the definition of a "Consumptor" is still too vague to really give anybody an edge. Nobody has really said anything about what's actually in the colony. I've TG'ed Neoma and was told that, while what he has in the colony could certainly fits the definition of a Consumptor, the devil is in the details (pun intended). I leave it to Neoma to decide how to bring those details into the story, with respect for the superior imagination of a thread starter. :) :) :)

Dastardly Stench']"I never thought I'd hear myself say these words," the Metal Man said. "I'm an avowed pacifist. I believe in violence only as the final option. But, if they're as dangerous as I think they are, the only option," he continued, "is to go back into the colony and burn them out. If you destroy it, they'll survive in the pieces--most Consumptors can survive in a vacuum--and infect those who come in contact with them, even if it's centuries from now. If you quarantine it, they'll break out and spread. In fact, we may seriously wish to backtrack that colony."

His hand, at last, came up off the table and moved to grip his forehead. "My God," he said, "we need that probe. We need something to show that I'm wrong about all this. God, please let me be wrong."

He thought for a moment. His hand returned to the table surface.

"I'm not sure that your weapons will be useless--only that mine will be. They're too similar to what they gave the slaves, and you never give a slave a weapon that he might turn against you. That's not going to stop me from trying to boost your energy output by at least an order of magnitude, though. You're also going to be getting some of my sensor technology--my sensors can reach inside the hull of that colony, though they can't get past the outer level before the interferance renders them useless."

There was a lot that he wasn't sure of. He wasn't sure that these things really were Consumptors--and, if they were, he wasn't sure what kind of creatures they were. From studying the sensor readings of their weapons, he was relatively sure that the Kirisobans and the Neomans didn't have the power source technology that he did. He was also sure, with the Kirisoban talk of war and of separated populations, that he was about to tip the balance of power in a political game that had been played for quite some time, and that there was no way for him to avoid it. There was also the cultural issue. The Kirisobans were a warrior people. When they fought, they won or they died.* He was a scrapper. When he fought, he won or he ran away, got fixed up and came back for another round.** They would think him a bully and a coward. Still, until the cultural issue kicked in, the improved weapons and their best battle armor might give them some chance--if the probes and the girl confirmed his worst fears.

The girl.

"Can we speak with Billie?" he asked. "Is she strong enough?"

------------------

OOC:

* Japanese/Samurai fighting psychology.

** American fighting psychology.



Though I think that Kirisobu and Neoma can benefit greatly from Species One technology, I don't want to dwell too much on it, despite what it may seem like. I like nice toys to use as stage pieces, but, in the end, they're still only stage pieces. They should be about the story, the story shouldn't be about them.

Now that TMM has shown that he is not a threat and that he is useful, I leave it to Neoma, the thread master, to move the story forward. Remember: though it helps, the definition of a "Consumptor" is still too vague to really give anybody an edge. Nobody has really said anything about what's actually in the colony. I've TG'ed Neoma and was told that, while what he has in the colony could certainly fits the definition of a Consumptor, the devil is in the details (pun intended). I leave it to Neoma to decide how to bring those details into the story, with respect for the superior imagination of a thread starter. :) :) :)

Kelly nodded to one of her men and he stood up and headed for sickbay.

---

The door to sickbay opened and a Neoman soldire walked threw, he nodded at Kimiko

"The girl has been summoned," His voice was slightly cold because of the issues he heard.

OOC: Any chance I can join? I have several good ideas.

OOC: Any chance I can join? I have several good ideas.

ooc: IDK, but keep ships to a minimum... and dont godmod

ooc: IDK, but keep ships to a minimum... and dont godmod
OOC: I'm going to take that as a compliment, as I have no idea what you are talking about.

IC: A small transport ship, holding approx. 40 men and a lot of cargo appeared near the colony ship.

"Weird. This isn't the Arena." One of the men muttered.

Sent to any ship in the area.
Yo, need any assistance? We have some cargo and men that could help...

Cargo ship 129373728

Kelly nodded to one of her men and he stood up and headed for sickbay.

---

The door to sickbay opened and a Neoman soldire walked threw, he nodded at Kimiko

"The girl has been summoned," His voice was slightly cold because of the issues he heard.

Kimiko nodded and said gently to Billie "we're needed. just tell the others what you know"

She took her hand and squeezed it gently to reassure her.

Kimiko nodded and said gently to Billie "we're needed. just tell the others what you know"

She took her hand and squeezed it gently to reassure her.

Billie nodded "I'm ready..." She said

The soldier smiled "Don't worry... Everything will be alright."

Kimiko tied the loaned kirisuban wrap round jacket Billie was wearing to the side and smilied gently.

"now you're ready" she says leading her out of sickbay towards the mess hall arriving with the Neoman soldier.

Kimiko tied the loaned kirisuban wrap round jacket Billie was wearing to the side and smilied gently.

"now you're ready" she says leading her out of sickbay towards the mess hall arriving with the Neoman soldier.

Kelly smiled when Billie walked in.

Billies eyes darted around looking at he battle hardened faces. He eyes landed on the Metal Man and her eyes went wide fright.

Kelly stood and walked to her

"Hello Billie, My name is Kelly... We need to talk to you."

Billie looked at Kelly and found her eyes warm on motherly.

Billie nodded and took a seat in between Lt. Marlo and Troy.

Aheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeem.

Please respond.

Aheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeem.

Please respond.

ooc: Do not do that...

The Neoman fleet marked the ship with thier weapons

The Neoma fleets X.O hailed the ship

"You have jumped extremely close to a Neoman Colony. Are you lost?"

The X.O wasn't like the Admiral, he was bad tempered and extremely cautious

Message
We're sorry, but we got the wrong coordinates. We noticed, your, uh, situation, and would like to help. We have expireance in mutations, after fighting a war against a nation that used only genetic mutations as weapons. We have some warbots that could be of assistence. We would also like permission to dock at one of your ships.


OOc: Great, now he's pissed at me. Joy.

I dont like the dact that you know all of this whne the X.O has no clue yet.. please revise that post.

just go on without him

Mariko smiles gently to put Billie at her ease and lets her start in her own time.

she goes to the replicator and gets a cup of green tea returning to the table with it.

Mariko smiles gently to put Billie at her ease and lets her start in her own time.

she goes to the replicator and gets a cup of green tea returning to the table with it.

"Well... I, not sure what you want to know..."

"Just tell them what you told us." Lt. Marlo said

Billie nodded "Well... A few months ago people started to disappear--"

She goes on to tell the same story she told the men when they first asked her, She told them about the order to get into bunkers and how she couldn't get into one.

She described the Demons. A cross between a human and an ape, With large teeth and claws. And about the white fire they can channel and launch into any direction.

Mariko listens carefully and then suggests "Admiral it seems the colonists have changed into the Demons that Billie described.

it seems the metal man is correct"

just go on without him
Whatever. Gonna act like that, I really don't want to RP with you. If you have a respons, TG me.

Whatever. Gonna act like that, I really don't want to RP with you. If you have a respons, TG me.

ooc:

Is it OK if I TG this nation and try to arrange for a gentle entrance for his characters? Never was the world's best diplomat--I'm too much the tempermental old cuss--but maybe the experience will give me the kind of patience that can resolve this situation without too many ruffled feathers.

Specifically, I'd like to ask him to edit the post, taking out all the stuff on genetic mutations. From there, we can have someone from either the Kirisoban or Neoman military instruct the cargo ship that they are in danger and should move away from the colony. THEN, they can rendesvous, get briefed and offer to help.

OK if I try?

IC:

An hour or so later, the door from Brain Jar opened, and the six-legged probe emerged. Escorted by the standard five guards, it walked on its own power through the halls and into the Kirisoban Science Labs, where it climbed up on a prearranged table, powered down and opened its armor plating, rendering itself completely inspectable and vulnerable. About the size of a large housecat, it could operate for approximately six hours on the small battery of fuel cells that were retrofitted into its body as it was fabricated. An agreement had been struck to replace its woven metal armor with Kirisoban composites. The resulting hybrid would be lighter, more durable and more agile and, because the Kirisoban armor offered more protection while taking up less space, have a small shielded sample collector that the original had lacked.

Mariko listens carefully and then suggests "Admiral it seems the colonists have changed into the Demons that Billie described.

it seems the metal man is correct"

Kelly smiled "I dought they are really demons but from what billie has said i do find it coinsedental(SP?).

Coordism was founded on Earth when Neoma was in its infancy and people back then didn't know of the horrors that can occupy open space, So i would ake it with a grain of salt."

Troy nodded in agreement.

Kelly smiled "I doubt (sp corrected) they are really demons but from what billie has said i do find it coincidental (SP? corrected, as per request).

Coordism was founded on Earth when Neoma was in its infancy and people back then didn't know of the horrors that can occupy open space, So i would ake it with a grain of salt."

Troy nodded in agreement.

"I don't think that they're precisely supernatural either," the Metal Man responded, "but the way she talked about that weapon of theirs bothers me. If what she said is true, these things can manipulate plasma fields with only their minds. We have to look into the possibility that the colonists have been cybernated. That's the only explanation I have for that ability. The only other easy answer is that there was something that Billie didn't notice--which is also possible, considering the stress she was under.

"All the more reason why we need to get a probe or two in there. Could I talk someone around here into opening up an engineering bay for a chassis I'm putting together? It would be able to walk right in under its own power. I'd give plenty of warning."

-----------------------

OOC:

This is a little complicated, but, according to the story line, the probe won't come out for another hour or so. At this point in the story, there is no probe. :) :) :)

OOC: New post.


IC: The small ship fluttered around the colony ship. A small transmission was sent.


To Neoman ship:
We noticed your predicament, and, uhh, would like to help. Please send all information regarding.

Mariko looked at the metal man and said "you can use our engineering facilities easily enough"

Mariko looked at the metal man and said "you can use our engineering facilities easily enough"

"Good. In that case, I'll have Brain Jar start fabricating it at--.

"Captain Toda, Admiral Saldana--Brain Jar tells me that a cargo ship of somekind has materialized off her starboard bow and is uncomfortably close to the colony. It says its crew is trying to contact us. You may wish to threaten or cajole its pilot into moving it back out of harm's way."

The Neoman X.O opened the comms.

This is the NNS Lady Mcbeth, We cannot send you the operations findings at this time. A Meeting is taking place onbord one of the Kirisuban vessels.

The Neoman X.O opened the comms.

This is the NNS Lady Mcbeth, We cannot send you the operations
findings at this time. A Meeting is taking place onbord one of the Kirisuban
vessels.

Listening in through Brain Jar, the metal man was not impressed.

Someone should teach those Neoman Command Officers something about quarantine procedures, he thought. If nobody warns that cargo ship off of that colony, they might try to land on it. That would be a monstrous blunder. Admiral Saldana is competant, if something of a loose cannon. Her underlings, however, are starting to worry me. Not only did that communications officer not understand the protocols necessary to control this situation, she even missed the simple fact that there is only one Kirisoban ship, the INKS Hokkaido, in this flotilla.

I hope they don't have a diplomatic type on that cargo ship. If they do, he'll eat that poor XO for lunch.

He kept these thoughts private, however.

Dastardly Stench']Listening in through Brain Jar, the metal man was not impressed.

Someone should teach those Neoman Command Officers something about quarantine procedures, he thought. If nobody warns that cargo ship off of that colony, they might try to land on it. That would be a monstrous blunder. Admiral Saldana is competant, if something of a loose cannon. Her underlings, however, are starting to worry me. Not only did that communications officer not understand the protocols necessary to control this situation, she even missed the simple fact that there is only one Kirisoban ship, the INKS Hokkaido, in this flotilla.

I hope they don't have a diplomatic type on that cargo ship. If they do, he'll eat that poor XO for lunch.

He kept these thoughts private, however.

"I think i have an idea... If we take a regular cinstruction droid and your droid we could use the construction droid to open doors and yours can order it around and record its findings."

Troy said quietly.

OOC: NS, my cargo ship isn't latched on to anything. Whatever.

To NNS Lady McBeth

Ok. Well, we do have a few 'bots on board, could you use those? Also, we have 40 battle ready Mark Xs on baord, so if you want to use them, feel free.
However, we will need docking permission.

"this sounds like a plan" Mariko replies "and the sooner we get startered the better. launching a broadcasting satelite to orbit the colony won't be a bad idea either just so anyother visitors know we're dealing with a bio-hazard situation"

"I think i have an idea... If we take a regular cinstruction droid and your droid we could use the construction droid to open doors and yours can order it around and record its findings."

Troy said quietly.

"OK, but..."

It took them some efforts, but they worked out the technical details. In a short time, they were ready to go.

OOC: NS, my cargo ship isn't latched on to anything. Whatever.

To NNS Lady McBeth

Ok. Well, we do have a few 'bots on board, could you use those? Also, we have 40 battle ready Mark Xs on baord, so if you want to use them, feel free.
However, we will need docking permission.

Brain Jar sends a tight-beam message to the cargo ship:


Gentlemen, does the word "consumptors" mean anything to you?

To Unknown Messanger

Uh, yeah. Some kind of biolgical thingys. We have faced pirates who used things similer to them. Mainly genetic expiraments. In fact, the robots we have on board are meant to contain this kind of biohazard. Unfortunately, they are mostly really old models, so they might not be too effective.
Also, if you can spare it, tell the Neomans and their allies that us and some of our allies could use some help.



OOC: Heres the thread: Da Eksidusst (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=485535)

OOC:

I know they're not tethered, GE, but they're too close to the colony. If whatever's in there can get out, the cargo ship is a tempting morsel and might be attacked.

IC:

To Unknown Messanger

Uh, yeah. Some kind of biolgical thingys. We have faced pirates who used things similer to them. Mainly genetic expiraments. In fact, the robots we have on board are meant to contain this kind of biohazard. Unfortunately, they are mostly really old models, so they might not be too effective.
Also, if you can spare it, tell the Neomans and their allies that us and some of our allies could use some help.



OOC: Heres the thread: Da Eksidusst (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=485535)


My apologies. This is the Metal Man, communicating through my ship, the
Brain Jar. It is possible that the colony ship has fallen victim to an
infestation. We're not sure yet. I recommend that you move back to a safer
distance from the colony ship until more is known.


Well...they didn't know what a Consumptor was--not precisely, anyway. But that was OK. They knew that Comsumptors are dangerous.

They were also looking for someone to just pop into the middle of their war, on their side. That was incredibly naive. The Metal Man already wanted nothing to do with it.

But the cargo ship's transmission had not been a tight-beam signal. The Neos and the Kiris should have been listening in. They would also know of these people's request.

----------

OOC:

Checked out the thread. Seems our friends have gotten themselves into a slight hassle. While they were having fun beating each other up, an alliance of races with lotsa technology and not much moral fiber just happened to decide that today is a good day to dine...and guess who was on the menu.

This other RP is basically fleet-based. It's got battle groups shooting hundreds of missiles at each other. Not my cup of tea. Sorry.

BTW, not to be rude, but, if it's not directly part of a joke, GE, you might want to check the spelling of the words in that post that says that, to speak with an equal, you "most" speak with God. :) :) :)

__________________
I don't need any help, either! I'm purfekt! ;)

the comms officer on the Hokkaido had listened with interest and alerted the XO who also listened into the other ships messages.

"thay may prove useful" she replies "i'll pass this onto the Captain once their meeting is concluded but for now get me a channel to their ship"

a visual channel was opened and Commander Arisu Tsubaki introduced herself and enquired about their purpose in this sector of space.

The small ships jumped to right beside the Neoman fleet.

To Kirisubian ship
Well, it's the wrong coordinates. We were supposed to be at the Arena, but our coordinates were off, so we decided to help. Got a problem with being charitable?

To Brain Jar
Thanks for the warning.



OOC: Thanks for the spelling mistake NS. I caught it before, never bothered to change it. BTW thats m sig. And, yeah I do want allies on my side. Who doesn't?

The small ships jumped to right beside the Neoman fleet.

To Kirisubian ship
Well, it's the wrong coordinates. We were supposed to be at the Arena, but our coordinates were off, so we decided to help. Got a problem with being charitable?

To Brain Jar
Thanks for the warning.



OOC: Thanks for the spelling mistake NS. I caught it before, never bothered to change it. BTW thats m sig. And, yeah I do want allies on my side. Who doesn't?

The Neomans fired thier port engines and scooted away from the ship.

The small ships jumped to right beside the Neoman fleet.

To Kirisubian ship
Well, it's the wrong coordinates. We were supposed to be at the Arena, but our coordinates were off, so we decided to help. Got a problem with being charitable?



the woman maintained her neutral look and and replied "theres nothing wrong with charity but i'd advise you to keep your distance from the colony until we know for sure whats going on and what we can do about it. Then you might be able to help"

To Kirisubian ship

Damnit lady, we were right next to the Neoman ships until they moved!
We just want to dock! This space isn't good for our limited air!

To Kirisubian ship

Damnit lady, we were right next to the Neoman ships until they moved!
We just want to dock! This space isn't good for our limited air!


"Admiral," the Metal Man said, "I don't want to challenge your authority in this matter, but the cargo ship claims to be running out of air and wants to dock. They also said that they have a mother load of fully-prepped battle drones onboard. If you'd prefer that the cargo ship not dock, I can offer to fabricate some air canisters for them--standard breathing gasses should be no problem for Brain Jar's replicators. If you took me up on my proposal, we would all at least have some options."

To Kirisubian ship

Damnit lady, we were right next to the Neoman ships until they moved!
We just want to dock! This space isn't good for our limited air!

Depite the lack of a respectful reply Arisu wondered why they didn't mention running out of air earlier on.

"very well, you can use our starboard docking port. Hokkaido out"

Depite the lack of a respectful reply Arisu wondered why they didn't mention running out of air earlier on.

"very well, you can use our starboard docking port. Hokkaido out"

Kelly looked to her men and nodded.

The vanu Guard nodded and filled out of the room

an all female Kirisuban security team also was approaching the docking port. the two women looked the business with their plasma rifles, short straight swords and the red kevlar chest and back plates.

Lt Jg Yuko Harada was the ranking officer and despite her small size and plain looks she looked tough..

The small ship lurched toward the docking bay, and slowly connected. When the door opened, several rusty, antique looking robots stepped out. After them, came several more pairs of similer models, and after them, four shiny, new, spider models. After them came a small contingent (40) of 9' tall warriors in a tan-ish battle armor, each with either a shoulder mounted cannon or gatling gun and every one of them had a large energy sword and plasma gun. A few with out helemts had elongated heads and blue skin. The lead Elite glared at the surronding women. "Where are the men?" He asked in a deep, gruff voice with a slightly russian accent.

with the visitors now clogging the corridor Lt Harada knew she had to do something and the lack of manners and even tact on their visitors part was beginning to get to her.

"Gentlemen may I suggest that I escort your leader to the meeting in the mess hall and the rest of you return to your ship. My Captain will be able to answer all your questions"

with the visitors now clogging the corridor Lt Harada knew she had to do something and the lack of manners and even tact on their visitors part was beginning to get to her.

"Gentlemen may I suggest that I escort your leader to the meeting in the mess hall and the rest of you return to your ship. My Captain will be able to answer all your questions"

The Neomans walked into the docking bay,

They saw the Kirisubans and the...guests

One of the men leveled his Guass cannon at them.

Lt. Marlo walked up to the Kirisubans

"Any problems Lt. Harada?" He said his eyes never leaving the large mechanical being.

He wasn't scared of these beings... He had seen worse.

Yuko Harada smiled and says "I don't think we'll have a problem now"

One of the humans pushed the Elite out of the way. "Sorry for him, ma'am, he isn't used to women in the military. Our military is all men." He said to the Kirisubian representative. He turned to the troops. "Alright. Be on your best behavior. If anyone screws this up, no pay for a month. Now go inside." He turned back to the Kirisubian representative. "I will go." He looked around at the Neoman soldiers. "But I don't want them hanging around. If they have to, then I insist and equal number of my men come also."

"i'm fine with you having an honour guard" Lt Harada replies and introducing herself.

The man said. "Good. Oh, by the way, my name is Lt. Maximillian Halder. You can call me Max." Max stood still for several seconds. Several of the Elites and a few humans filed out of the door, dressed in Ceremonial Armor. They were all wielding Plasma Spikes and Duel Bladed Plasma Swords. "I presume we can go now?" He asked Lt. Harada.

"off course Max" she replies and leads the way through the corridors and into a turbo lift, her colleague behind the group.

after a few minutes they reach the mess hall and she hits the door control.

The conference is continuing as before and Yuko says "thats the Neoman Admiral and my Captain over there. I'm sure your guards would like some refreshments while you talk"

"off course Max" she replies and leads the way through the corridors and into a turbo lift, her colleague behind the group.

after a few minutes they reach the mess hall and she hits the door control.

The conference is continuing as before and Yuko says "thats the Neoman Admiral and my Captain over there. I'm sure your guards would like some refreshments while you talk"

Kelly introduced herself.

"Hello, My name is Kelly Saldana, Admiral of the Neoman fleet,"

She held out her hand.

---

Lt. Marlo leaned into Lt. Harada "I liked the fact he seemed intemidated by us showing up, guess he hasnlt seen much military combat."

Lt. Marlo tried not to limp as he walked to his seat, trying to show no weakness but he couldn't help it. His limp seemd to get worse the more he tried not to.

ooc: sry for the lack of posts... I had to work doubles Thurs, Fri, Sat 6am to 10 pm with only a 2 hour break

Lt Harada smiled slightly saying nothing for now.

Still she could appreciate the benefit of a big gun. sometimes size did matter.

"Captain Mariko Toda, Kirisuban exploration fleet" Mariko says in welcome as she bows.

Max grasped the Admirals hand. "Hello. My name is Lt. Maximillian Halder. I command a small group of Special Ops." He turned to Yuko. "My men will get refreashments if they please." He looked over and saw a man with a limp. He just glanced away and sat down. "I have to say, this is a very nice mess hall." He said, looking around.

Yuko Harada replied "all they have to do is put in a mug and ask for what they want within reason". She shows them how by ordering green tea for herself.

"We do try and keep some home comforts" she adds.

Yuko Harada replied "all they have to do is put in a mug and ask for what they want within reason". She shows them how by ordering green tea for herself.

"We do try and keep some home comforts" she adds.

Kelly smiled "So? what brings you to this little part of the Galaxy?"

Troy had his knife unshethed and was balancing it on the tip of his index fingures.

"A mis-jump. It doesn't usually happen, it's a one in a million chance. Guess we were the lucky customers." He smiled, and looked over at the man balancing the knife. "Wow. That is a completely stupid gesture. All it shows is that you are trying to intimidate me, which is a very undiplomatic gesture." He turned back to the Admiral. "And who would this be?" He asked in a very polite voice. "Dammit!" One of the men swore loudly. Max turned to the man. "Sit down." He said. The man instantly sat down on the floor by the vending machine. "Don't talk until I say you can." The man nodded dumbly. Max turned back and smiled. He calmly folded his hands on the table.

Captain Toda managed a thin smile. this looked like a man who knew about discipline and order and maybe she could work with him.

"Lt Halder" she replies softly "i'm glad to make your aquaintance"

"So am I."

"A mis-jump. It doesn't usually happen, it's a one in a million chance. Guess we were the lucky customers." He smiled, and looked over at the man balancing the knife. "Wow. That is a completely stupid gesture. All it shows is that you are trying to intimidate me, which is a very undiplomatic gesture." He turned back to the Admiral. "And who would this be?" He asked in a very polite voice. "Dammit!" One of the men swore loudly. Max turned to the man. "Sit down." He said. The man instantly sat down on the floor by the vending machine. "Don't talk until I say you can." The man nodded dumbly. Max turned back and smiled. He calmly folded his hands on the table.

Troy set down the knife and stood up so fast the chair flew behind him.

"Cpl. Troy Miles, How about i cut your throat out? Will that be an diplomatically intemidateing gesture as well?"

Troy tensed up ready for a fight.

Kelly put a hand on his shoulder

"Sit Cpl..," She said softly but sternly

"But--,"

"I siad sit down," She repeated.

Troy sighed and pulled back the chair and sat back down.

She turned to Lt. Halder

"Excuse him, He recently lost his brother threw combat on the colony..."

She paused and looked at Troy, who was busy trying not to go across the table...

"I dont like the fact you judge someone without knowing them, also if you havea problem wiht one of my men... dont say something offensive to them. I dont want bloodshed,"

She walked over to Troy and patted him on the back.

Lt. Marlo shook his head

Max suddenly went cold. His eyes flashed, and his men bowed their head in fear. He suddenly spoke in a voice that made everyone around him chill. "While I am sorry for his loss, spinning a knife on the tip of your finger is not exactly the friendliest welcome. If you intend to intimidate me, please do it in a more effecient fashion, such as leveling a huge gun at my head. Now, I have come in a friendly fashion, offering to help, countermanding the orders of my superior, but I feel we have much to gain by helping you." He turned to the Admiral. "When your men have lost someone personal to them, don't let them be in diplomatic situations. It tends to make them..." Max paused, looking for the right word. "Unstable." Max shook his head. "You'll have to excuse my symbiote. He usually conducts negotiations, but he can be brash. For the remander of the negotiations, I wil talk. Now, on to the business of fighting. Where, why, when, and how many of the enemy will there be?" Max said. Many people, and all Honor Guards, had symbiotes. These snake-like creatures gave the person powerful healing and regenerative powers, not to mention a lot of knowledge.

OOC: If you want ot know more about the symbiotes, check out the Tok'ra of Stargate SG-1.

Max suddenly went cold. His eyes flashed, and his men bowed their head in fear. He suddenly spoke in a voice that made everyone around him chill. "While I am sorry for his loss, spinning a knife on the tip of your finger is not exactly the friendliest welcome. If you intend to intimidate me, please do it in a more effecient fashion, such as leveling a huge gun at my head. Now, I have come in a friendly fashion, offering to help, countermanding the orders of my superior, but I feel we have much to gain by helping you." He turned to the Admiral. "When your men have lost someone personal to them, don't let them be in diplomatic situations. It tends to make them..." Max paused, looking for the right word. "Unstable." Max shook his head. "You'll have to excuse my symbiote. He usually conducts negotiations, but he can be brash. For the remander of the negotiations, I wil talk. Now, on to the business of fighting. Where, why, when, and how many of the enemy will there be?" Max said. Many people, and all Honor Guards, had symbiotes. These snake-like creatures gave the person powerful healing and regenerative powers, not to mention a lot of knowledge.

OOC: If you want ot know more about the symbiotes, check out the Tok'ra of Stargate SG-1.

Kelly put her hands on her hips while mutterign something in Neoman

"I trust Cpl Troy with my life, in 13 years of service he's one of the best men i have under my command,"

Her words were confusing seeing as how Troy only seemes to be in his mid 20s makeing him a young teenager when he joined up.

"But even you should now that soldiers will be soldiers... Always knowing a fight could be just around the corner... So speak to an officer if you want to get someting done,"

The Metal Man was sitting in a nearby chair. He did not look up, nor make eye contact with anyone in the room, as he spoke.

"I am the Metal Man, Maximillion. Your party has already been in contact with me through my ship, with which I remain in communication. Like yourself, I do not particularly care for games of pecking order. Therefor, I will answer your question as best I am able.

"We don't know what kind of or how many enemies we have. We're in the process of fine-tuning a set of probes that we have set up for this purpose. It is our hope that the probes will be able to give us some answeres to these questions. I'm certain that our friends will be happy to share this knowledge with you as soon as they acquire it themselves. In the meantime, I humbly suggest that you make yourselves as comfortable as you can under the circumstances, and that we all stop trying to pick fights with those who could become our staunchest allies. After all, when those who are not enemies fight amongst themselves, someone can lose but no one can win."

Max's eyes flashed again at the man. "Listen, you self-rightgeoss (sp) cyborg. I was simply advising him as too what to do in a...." His eyes flashed again, and he pressed a small button on his watch. "if you have a bone to pick, pick it with my symbiote. Other wise, I suggest we get on with the fighting, my men are getting restless. If you want probes, I have them. They are older models, not equipped to fight, but they are heavy in defense and are very menueverable." Max leaned back, scowling.

Max's eyes flashed again at the man. "Listen, you self-righteous (sp--fixed, as per request) cyborg. I was simply advising him as too what to do in a...." His eyes flashed again, and he pressed a small button on his watch. "if you have a bone to pick, pick it with my symbiote. Other wise, I suggest we get on with the fighting, my men are getting restless. If you want probes, I have them. They are older models, not equipped to fight, but they are heavy in defense and are very menueverable." Max leaned back, scowling.

The Metal Man regarded the soldier coolly. Such childish displays could no longer arouse his temper. Now starting to push four digits, he was simply too old. Still, he would have to be careful. Through controlling himself, he could hopefully control this tempermental child before him, and this, in turn, could lead them to a victory that they both desired.

Because he had no indication that the Neomans or Kirisubans knew anything about the simbiant worms of the soldiers in his midst, he would begin by informing them. Then, he would, sternly and practically, explain to the soldiers what the situation was, wording his case in such a way as to show what he believed should be their obvious self-interest.

"My data on those simbiotes that you carry is that they alter the mind of their host. Apparently, they come in a spectrum from extremely humble to incredibly arrogant. The truly arrogant ones will go so far as to completely take over the bodies of their hosts." He stood and turned to the soldiers. "Yours, Maximillian, appears to be humble enough to co-operate.

"I offered you no challenge; I merely answered your question. If you view utility as a sin, then I suggest that we all part company now, as you will find the people who share this room with me to be of the worst moral fiber. If, on the other hand, you value useful information, then I suggest that you hold back your hand while we find out exactly what we're trying to fight. Though I, too, would prefer to enter the battle soon, I feel that walking unprepared into an ambush would be...counterproductive. The object of combat is, after all, not to die for one's cause, but to make one's opponents die for their causes. In the meantime, you may wish to join me in simulated combat, in order that we can learn to work together."

"As to the probes that you have to use, that issue is not something that I alone can address. The Neomans and Kirisobans will have a greater say in this than I do. I feel that our current technology is sufficient, and that we will achieve combat faster if we use it now. I hope that you'll agree that this is desirable."

Captain Toda wanted to push the agenda on a bit and suggested "Gentlemen I'm sure we'll need all our forces at some stage of procedings. Lt Halder your troops and droids will see combat at some point"

Turning to the metal man she says "once we have the probe ready to go aboard we'll know a lot more. we also need to discuss a plan of action that we can use once we go into the colony. clearing the fog would help and I'll give you some of our scanners to assist as well"

Captain Toda wanted to push the agenda on a bit and suggested "Gentlemen I'm sure we'll need all our forces at some stage of procedings. Lt Halder your troops and droids will see combat at some point"

Turning to the metal man she says "once we have the probe ready to go aboard we'll know a lot more. we also need to discuss a plan of action that we can use once we go into the colony. clearing the fog would help and I'll give you some of our scanners to assist as well"

The Metal Man lowered his head in acquiescence. "As you wish," he said. "When the time comes, I would like to change into something that's a little more appropriate for a combat situation. I will, of course, do so only with your permission and, if you wish, supervision, and I will provide schematics of the suit."

He looked up at Lt. Halder. "I would not mind sharing technology with you, sir. I'm certain that we could all benefit from this, as has already been the case with my other newfound friends. We could start by comparing our armaments, if our hosts have no objections."

Long ago, a wise leader on earth had said that the best way to destroy an enemy was to make him your friend.

He turned back to Captain Toda. "There seems to be little more that I can do here," he said. "With your permission, I would like to retire to my ship until the recon mission is ready."

Captain Toda nodded to the metal man showing her acceptance of his request.

"i'm sure i'll see you back here soon" she adds as she sips at her tea.

Captain Toda nodded to the metal man showing her acceptance of his request.

"i'm sure i'll see you back here soon" she adds as she sips at her tea.

Lt. Marlo rapped his figures on the table and stood up

"Well, Seems we have a plan. I'm not one for technical descriptions, but it seems like a simple Search and Destroy mission, though a little more sophisticates. Excuse us but were more warriors then scientists,"

Cpl Troy stood took a sip from a flask he had in his shirt pocket.

"Sooner we fight them the better,"

Kelly sighed "Its a good plan, but most times it doesn't go as planed,"

Mariko sighed and replied "most battle plans don't survive contact with the enemy" before leaving the table and returning with a slice of cheesecake from the chill cabinet and a fork.

"Where do I get food?" He asked. The battle rations, though full of nutrition, had a horrible taste.

looking at Lt Halder Mariko suggests "we always keep a well stocked chill cabinet and our chef or one of her staff is usually around to dish up a hot meal"

ooc: its mostly oriental type meals and todays hot menu is :

Fish soup
Sweet & sour vegetables with boiled rice
Chicken Chow Mein
King Prawns and rice

looking at Lt Halder Mariko suggests "we always keep a well stocked chill cabinet and our chef or one of her staff is usually around to dish up a hot meal"

ooc: its mostly oriental type meals and todays hot menu is :

Fish soup
Sweet & sour vegetables with boiled rice
Chicken Chow Mein
King Prawns and rice

Cpl Troy and Lt. marlo bothj exchanged a glance, these guest preach about diplomatic guestures but dont even have the slightest hint of courtousy.

Lt. Marlo looked at Captain Toda "Ma'am is it alright if i smoke?"

"Sure, smoke away and help yourselves to dinner if you want some. We always make plenty of it" Mariko replies.

Max stood up and bowed. "Thank you." He said. He went over to the chill cabinet and got some soup. He went over to an empty table and ate. He wasn't a people person. Damnit Hak'toul, that was pretty stupid. It isn't my fault Hak'toul thought. I don't care. You're not talking for the remainder of the mission. Hak'toul retreated from Max's mind. Mex sighed and ate. He ate slowly, never taking his eyes of the Neomans. He didn't trust them. When he was finished, he got up and disposed of the waste (OOc:in whatever way they dispose of the waste and/or do somehting with the dishes), walked over to Cpt. Mariko, and said "My men and I will be waiting in our ship for the when we are going to fight. I do hope relations will improve, my men and I have been a little on the edge lately." (OOC:Honor Guard, (http://www.the-junkyard.net/images/characters/halo/elite_gold_large.jpg) robot (http://masterchiefspage.tripod.com/Halo/sentinel_main.jpg))

OOC:I'm hoping that Mariko isn't talking to anybody or anything like that.

Mariko smiled and said "Lt Halder, I'm sure they will improve and i'll keep you informed of other developments once I know myself"

Lt. Marlo lit a mini cigar and blew the smoke out of his nose.

He had noticed Max lookeing at him from across the room. He met the mans eyes with his.

When he was finished he stod up and out stretched his hand to Max "Hopefully we can put aside our... Diagreements"

Kelly smiled politly "Hopefully we all can,"

A short time later, the Metal Man found himself sitting cross-legged in the very center of Brain Jar, a soft, slow-burning candle in front of him.

The suit he wore was as close as he could get to an organic body. Hairless, clothed only in a loose-fitting, white robe, its caucasion features were the only thing that would give a Kirisuban pause as to what its wearer was doing with it.

Steepling his fingers, the Metal Man gently brought his head forward. In a moment, he began to meditate and to pray.

One would think that a being so reliant on technology that even his name invoked it would be estranged from techniques such as this, but, in truth, they were essential for him.

Without the meditation, his mind would overload from all of the stimulus that his extended senses gave him. If that happened, it could be weeks before he was sane again.

This was the one weakness that only his closest confidants knew of: for all the strength of the bodies that he wore, if one were to overload his senses, or even keep him from meditating for too long, one could take away his mind and make all that technology useless.

----------------

OOC:

I'm kinda itchy to get the story going. Can we get the probes going sometime soon, please?

Dastardly Stench']A short time later, the Metal Man found himself sitting cross-legged in the very center of Brain Jar, a soft, slow-burning candle in front of him.

The suit he wore was as close as he could get to an organic body. Hairless, clothed only in a loose-fitting, white robe, its caucasion features were the only thing that would give a Kirisuban pause as to what its wearer was doing with it.

Steepling his fingers, the Metal Man gently brought his head forward. In a moment, he began to meditate and to pray.

One would think that a being so reliant on technology that even his name invoked it would be estranged from techniques such as this, but, in truth, they were essential for him.

Without the meditation, his mind would overload from all of the stimulus that his extended senses gave him. If that happened, it could be weeks before he was sane again.

This was the one weakness that only his closest confidants knew of: for all the strength of the bodies that he wore, if one were to overload his senses, or even keep him from meditating for too long, one could take away his mind and make all that technology useless.

----------------

OOC:

I'm kinda itchy to get the story going. Can we get the probes going sometime soon, please?

ooc: I agree, Kirisubo holds the probes and the launchers... All i can rally do right now is say "point here and fire,"

Just wait till we get the story really going. *evil grin*

a while later they were ready to commence the recon mission.

the metal mans probe was placed on the transporter pad and sent into the heart of the colony.

now all they could do is wait...

OOC:

I can help with this if I know what the probe is going to find. TG me if this is OK.

Dastardly Stench']OOC:

I can help with this if I know what the probe is going to find. TG me if this is OK.

ooc: Im haveing problems with m computer and i cant view you page, could you telegram me something so i can get to you page... I've tried everything else

bump-didi-bump-de-bump-bu-bump-de-bump-de-bump-de-bumo-de-bump

But
Umbrage
May
Peramulate.

?

OOC:

(If you get too bumpity-bumpity, people might start to resent it. Wasn't really meant seriously--I was just looking for something to put in as an acrostic.)

Acrostics are kewl.

:) :) :)

No, I meant I didn't understand what that means.

No, I meant I didn't understand what that means.

OOC:

"But Umbrage May Peramulate" is explained in the parenthesis. "Umbrage" is resentment or dislike; "peramulate" is a "move" that begins with a "p." It was meant in the sense of "follow." So..."but resentment may follow" is a reasonable restatment of the same thing. Like I wrote earlier, I wasn't really that serious about it. :) :) :)

BUMP...you should already know what THAT means. :) :) :)

Wish Neo would hurry up and post something!

On a routine sweep of its Lagrange Point, the Reinforce Junior-class carrier Agamemnon detected the massive planet-hopper.

"Captain, we've picked up a massive space colony in our vicinity. It hasn't appeared anywhere in the previous sweeps we've conducted."
"Send the Agamemnon to investigate. Contact the Joint Chiefs and notify them of what we've found."

Dastardly Stench']OOC:

"But Umbrage May Peramulate" is explained in the parenthesis. "Umbrage" is resentment or dislike; "peramulate" is a "move" that begins with a "p." It was meant in the sense of "follow." So..."but resentment may follow" is a reasonable restatment of the same thing. Like I wrote earlier, I wasn't really that serious about it. :) :) :)

BUMP...you should already know what THAT means. :) :) :)

Wish Neo would hurry up and post something!

Ok, that sounds good.

The probe was silent for a moment while until the signal found a way to get back to the ships, The innards of the colony were bare, only the loose scrap of paper or a bullet casing could be seen.

The probe moved down the corridors, until it got to the command center, a bloody hand print on it.

The automatic sensors opened the door revealing the command center. It was an ovular room with many control centers with a neon writing on them, they said climate control, power supply, fire control, security control, etc. etc.

The probe sat silent waiting for more orders.

ooc: sorry for the lack of posts, I've been working like a dog while trying to find another job, 50hrs a week is killing me.

The Agamemnon's landing party readied to board the colony, equipped in full BioHazard/HazMat suits. Armed only with a semi-automatic machine gun, they were told not to fire unless they were fired upon first.

The abandoned colony frightened the younger members of the squad. "It's like somebody gassed the entire place!" Nerve gas attacks were an extremely high threat to Super-power's own colonies, as any gas released inside a closed system like a colony cannot escape.

Making their way through the abandoned colony, the team picked up an electronic signal (OOC: Neoma's probe). They followed it to what appeared to be the colony's control center.

"I don't like the look of this," radioed the squad commander Odelo Heinrich back to the Agamemnon, after seeing the bloody handprint on the wall. "What the?! We've got some sort of robotic probe here! It doesn't appear hostile, I will have our engineers make an attempt to communicate."

ooc: look, ill help you with this... you can basically trash my idea for this RP if i let you continue like this. You can RP with us i have no problem with that. but to say you got to the innerds of my colony in one post is... severe to say the least...

IC:

Threw a bug in the control systems onboard the Neoman ships the Super-powers ship slipped in un noticed.

When the bugs were fixed the super-power ships startled the NNS Lady McBeths X.O

"Fire a warning shot!," He ordered his fire control ensign.

---

The NNS Lady McBeth fired two shells from her 30 inch guns, The shells streked threw space and exploded 500m from the Agamemnon's.

A message was sent shortly after.

Message to Agamemnon's

You are tresspassing on a Neoman Colony, pull you men out or we will fire upon you.

Repeat,

You are tresspassing on a Neoman Colon, pull you team out or we will fire upon you.