NationStates Jolt Archive

The vast transport vessel Whiteleaf cruised through space, its immensity lost within the infinity of the universe around it. This particular ship was transporting its occupants to a bustling metropolitan planet known as Cylaar, in order to begin a new life.

Max Vestley was one such man. Fleeing from civil war upon his own planet, he finnally decided to take upon the offer of a life on Cylaar his cousin had been offering him for the last 5 years.

Max was unaware of that, having laid asleep for the last 3 months in a cryo-tube, along with the other 5,000 voyagers. He was not meant to wake up for another seven.

But suddenly, inexplicably... His eyelids fluttered open, he regained conciousness, banging against the glass front. He needed air. In his lungs. Now...

The glass front slid upwards, allowing max to step out of the tube. He did so, watching his many co-travellers doing the same. As his senses began to work again after weeks of inactivity, max noticed something. Somewhere, for some reason, an alarm was blaring.

Max was instantly alert,shaking off his grogginess as best he could and starting up the steps leading to the wing control room for his particular chamber. Despite most of the human crew being frozen as he was, with two-member rotating shifts every month, there were a huge number of on-board AIs and servitors. Max found one of these as he stepped into the control room.

"You have awakened prematurely. Please, return to your cryo tube".

"Explain alarm".

"On-board biohazard. Please, return to your tu-"

The servitor was unable to complete its demand, as the light suddenly and inexplicably left its eyes. Its head slumped forwards.

Unnerved, max stole a glimpse of the security feeds. Most of the other chambers were bloodbaths. The occup[ants of the cryo-chambers had been brutally slaughtered in their sleep by an unknown enemy, and a seemingly unknown purpose.

max stepped back, feeling sick from the level of gore he was seeing. Gulping back his gorge, he left the room and went back to his sleeping-chamber, where the other occupants had began to sit down and make chit chat.

"People!" Max shouted, raising his hands. "I think, unfortunately, we may have a bit of a situation..."

___________________________________________________________

So yeah. Your character is going to be one of these civilians, if you start rightaway. If you join in at a later stage you can really choose whatever you want, depending on the storyline at the particular time.

So sign up here if you're interested. Questions welcome!

Bumpity.

ooc: what about an AI? are they driod-ish with only programmed responses, or more like Sonny or Data...? (sorry for the ST reference...)

ooc: what about an AI? are they driod-ish with only programmed responses, or more like Sonny or Data...? (sorry for the ST reference...)

Ha, no probs =D

Well, some of them are actually holographic computer programs, things like weapons targetters, system monitors etc (Think cortana from halo). Others are heavy lifting droids that do engineering work, defend the ship and such. And then you have the medium, cybernetic androids. These mainly perform medical tasks around the ship, especially if, for example, a problem develops inside a cryo tube during transport (Think aliens Bishop). Hope that helps.

Sounds interesting. I may join up later on.

OOC: Having bothered to read it properly this time...

Jenny (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ad/Jenny_(Doctor_Who).jpg) was one of those people. Having caught her breath after leaving the Cryo-Chamber, she stood, looking around helplessly. Spotting Max waving his arms, she sprinted over to him

"What's wrong?" she asked him

OOC: Having bothered to read it properly this time...

Jenny (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ad/Jenny_(Doctor_Who).jpg) was one of those people. Having caught her breath after leaving the Cryo-Chamber, she stood, looking around helplessly. Spotting Max waving his arms, she sprinted over to him

"What's wrong?" she asked him

"I'm not sure," Replied max in hushed tones, "But there's blood all over the ship. Looks like something Just massacred everyone it could find".

At the sight of Jenny's mouth opening, he quickly added "Don't tell those kids, please. Spread the word that something's attacking us throughout the men and women. We'll meet up in ten minutes and decide what we should do".

With that, he smiled briefly and melted into the crowd, tapping people on their shoulder and urgently whispering into their ears.

"I'm not sure," Replied max in hushed tones, "But there's blood all over the ship. Looks like something Just massacred everyone it could find".

At the sight of Jenny's mouth opening, he quickly added "Don't tell those kids, please. Spread the word that something's attacking us throughout the men and women. We'll meet up in ten minutes and decide what we should do".

With that, he smiled briefly and melted into the crowd, tapping people on their shoulder and urgently whispering into their ears.

As he moved away, she checked the computer terminal. Sure enough, there was blood all over the place. She frowned, looking for some sort of sign as to what did this. Nothing. Just lots of blood. After looking to see where he was, she mimiced Max's movements, tapping people on the shoulder and whispering in their ears. She was generally met with looks of horror, which soon changed to faces of steely resolve.

Ha, no probs =D

Well, some of them are actually holographic computer programs, things like weapons targetters, system monitors etc (Think cortana from halo). Others are heavy lifting droids that do engineering work, defend the ship and such. And then you have the medium, cybernetic androids. These mainly perform medical tasks around the ship, especially if, for example, a problem develops inside a cryo tube during transport (Think aliens Bishop). Hope that helps.

"I'm not sure," Replied max in hushed tones, "But there's blood all over the ship. Looks like something Just massacred everyone it could find".

At the sight of Jenny's mouth opening, he quickly added "Don't tell those kids, please. Spread the word that something's attacking us throughout the men and women. We'll meet up in ten minutes and decide what we should do".

With that, he smiled briefly and melted into the crowd, tapping people on their shoulder and urgently whispering into their ears.

As he moved away, she checked the computer terminal. Sure enough, there was blood all over the place. She frowned, looking for some sort of sign as to what did this. Nothing. Just lots of blood. After looking to see where he was, she mimiced Max's movements, tapping people on the shoulder and whispering in their ears. She was generally met with looks of horror, which soon changed to faces of steely resolve.

C:/
List Command Prompt

System Restart_

*Abbot 'awoke' from the void of his black dreams. He blinked and looked around. The first thing he noticed was that the people had awoken. Checking his internal chronometer, he noticed it was far too early for that. He noticed two people right away, and walked towards the man, who he was closer to.

"Sir, are you injured? Has there been an accident?" he asked, seeing if anyone required his medical services. "I am Abbot."

* points for the reference

OOC- so I just jump in or should I sign up? Forgive me, I'm new at this sort of thing.

Elli Donovan, a twenty two year old Rutian, barely nodded when she was tapped on the shoulder and informed of the situation. She didn't look horrified at the news. She didn't look much of anything actually. Her grey eyes just stared blankly at Jenny. When she spoke, her voice was kept soft since she was close by to a group of kids.

"Well, then I suppose the first thing to do is figure out some kind of chain of command here. We should assume that we're the only ones left alive with the exception of whoever's doing this. Or whatever."

She turned and walked toward the monitors to have a look for herself. "Everywhere, but why not in here?" She whispered the question to herself as she studied the images on the screen.

OOC- here goes
Lila Jovonka, a twenty year old from Laileto, looked around the room. All this blood... She had to do something to help.

Having moved around the room, informing most people who needed to know, Jenny returned to the monitor where Elli stood. She heard Elli whisper to herself, and tried to answer her question

"Perhaps this room is sealed, when the others weren't?" she suggested

Elli turned a curious gaze to Jenny. "That's a distinct possibility. The other possibility is that someone in this room did this." She waved her hand to the monitors. "Right now, anyone's guess is as good as anyone else's. There's no knowing what happened until we investigate it."

The woman looked around the room for a long moment, fishing a hair band from her pocket and pulling her hair back. She fastened the band around her hair in a twining way that held her hair in a half bun, half ponytail. "If we assume that it's something out there and not in here, then we need weapons. If we assume that it's something in here, weapons would only give the thing a chance to slaughter us."

She turned back to the monitor and shook her head. "I'm just not sure that whatever did this is human. It's too..." The carnage on the screen didn't seem to bother her. "It's too... I don't know. There's too much..." She just leaves the sentence unfinished.

C:/
List Command Prompt

System Restart_

*Abbot 'awoke' from the void of his black dreams. He blinked and looked around. The first thing he noticed was that the people had awoken. Checking his internal chronometer, he noticed it was far too early for that. He noticed two people right away, and walked towards the man, who he was closer to.

"Sir, are you injured? Has there been an accident?" he asked, seeing if anyone required his medical services. "I am Abbot."

* points for the reference

OOC: Abbot is a holy man, Like a... Bishop? :D

Max turned to the android who was addressing him.

"I think we're all ok to be honest, but take a look at those security screens up there. Blood is all over the place, most of the passengers are dead... God knows what's going on here..." He read the name patch, "Abbot. To be honest, I don't think there's any human capable of this level of butchery."

OOC: I wouldn't mind jumping in a bit later if that’s ok. Scavengers or something along those lines.

OOC: I wouldn't mind jumping in a bit later if that’s ok. Scavengers or something along those lines.

No probs. Of course make sure you read the whole thread first! :P

OOC: Abbot is a holy man, Like a... Bishop? :D

Max turned to the android who was addressing him.

"I think we're all ok to be honest, but take a look at those security screens up there. Blood is all over the place, most of the passengers are dead... God knows what's going on here..." He read the name patch, "Abbot. To be honest, I don't think there's any human capable of this level of butchery."

ooc: bingo! here's a cookie [gives you a cookie]

ooc2: as it seems other ppl are rp-ing humans, could i rp the 'synthetics'?

ic:

"Sir, are you suggesting that a servitor was responsible?" Abbot queried. "That simply cannot be. We are programmed never to harm or by inaction cause a human to be harmed..." His eyes scanned the screen, and internally, he sent a query to the computer system. "There seems to be data corruption in the security records," he informed Max.

Jenny stepped over to Max and Abbot

"Data corruption?" she asked "How sure are you that the Servitors couldn't do this? After all, if you altered their programming to kill, they could do so without being inhibited by consience"

"There are very few who would know how to change our programming, and our own programming prevents us from from changing it," he answered. "The data corruption is extensive, only the first two months of the voyage are recorded. It is either damage to the computer core or there was a deliberate deletion of data."

Lila walked over to where the three were standing. "What is going on? Has the computer been damaged?"

OOC: Playing as synths is fine.

Max suddenly spoke up.

"Now Abbot, Jenny, I'm not suggesting it was or wasn't a servitor. It could have been anything."

He stepped back, producing a cookie from his pocket. "Here Jen, it'll make you feel better".

Now speaking to Lila, he stated "We don't know. Maybe you have some ideas as to what's happening?"

He then turned to Abbot.

"Actually, Abbot, I was referring to some kind of alien. To be honest i'd rather it was corrupted security droids. At least we could shut those down. But the main thing is we have no idea what we're dealing with. So... What are we going to do?"

Lila walked over to where the three were standing. "What is going on? Has the computer been damaged?"

"I am not sure," Abbot answered, "I am a medical servitor, so my knowledge of ship systems is limited," he apologized. "Perhaps I could find a technical servitor...I believe the computers' interactive AI is currently offline."

ooc: my reply is also to you, sharf

"I am not sure," Abbot answered, "I am a medical servitor, so my knowledge of ship systems is limited," he apologized. "Perhaps I could find a technical servitor...I believe the computers' interactive AI is currently offline."

"That might help. I can sweet-talk an AI into telling me nearly anything, but I'm not really good at poking at wiring and componants," Lila said

"That might help. I can sweet-talk an AI into telling me nearly anything, but I'm not really good at poking at wiring and componants," Lila said

"Don't jump a gun," Max reminded her, "We have to reactivate the AI first. And to do that we'll need to reach the AI core. To reach the AI core we'll need blueprints, or a map of some kind."

"Don't jump a gun," Max reminded her, "We have to reactivate the AI first. And to do that we'll need to reach the AI core. To reach the AI core we'll need blueprints, or a map of some kind."

"Of course," Lila said, "A map. Where would someone keep a map..." She trailed off, looking around the room for something map-like.

"That might help. I can sweet-talk an AI into telling me nearly anything, but I'm not really good at poking at wiring and componants," Lila said

ooc: sharf, is the AI supposed to be like andromeda...? i've never played halo, so i don't know who cortana is...

ic:

"Please wait here, I will return shortly," Abbot said. He took off down a darkened corridor to the closest maintenance room. He had to force the hatch open, and upon looking in, he found the servitor knocked to the ground but functional. He activated it and stepped back.

"Hello, I am Orion, technical servitor, how can I assist you?"

"I am Abbot, medical servitor, there is an emergency onboard and your assistance is required."

He led his technical counterpart to the group, "This is Orion, he can assist you in technical matters."

ooc: sharf, is the AI supposed to be like andromeda...? i've never played halo, so i don't know who cortana is...

ic:

"Please wait here, I will return shortly," Abbot said. He took off down a darkened corridor to the closest maintenance room. He had to force the hatch open, and upon looking in, he found the servitor knocked to the ground but functional. He activated it and stepped back.

"Hello, I am Orion, technical servitor, how can I assist you?"

"I am Abbot, medical servitor, there is an emergency onboard and your assistance is required."

He led his technical counterpart to the group, "This is Orion, he can assist you in technical matters."

ooc: imagine somebodys personality was a computer program. The program can manifest itself on holo pads (Normally mounted on desks, doors etc.) as a holographic human shape.

Max nodded at Abbot, and looked at Orion.

"Orion, i need schematics of the whole ship, particularly paying attention to the general area of the AI core console."

The LED screen in place of Orion's face twisted, warped and flickered into a loading bar.

*Retrieving and compiling map information... 10 minutes remaining.*

"Damn, network really is running slow." Noted Max. Aah well. Anyone got any suggestions as to what we should do while that's loading up?"

Jenny took the cookie, and listened intently to what the others were saying. When Max asked, she spoke up

"Perhaps we could begin searching the nearby rooms and compartments for anything we can use?" she said, waving the cookie like a pointer at the monitor "You saw what happened, we could use things to defend ourselves with if it's a transient being causing all this"

Jenny took the cookie, and listened intently to what the others were saying. When Max asked, she spoke up

"Perhaps we could begin searching the nearby rooms and compartments for anything we can use?" she said, waving the cookie like a pointer at the monitor "You saw what happened, we could use things to defend ourselves with if it's a transient being causing all this"

"Yeah," Lila said, "I'd feel more comfortable if I knew I could defend myself from what- or who-ever did this."

"Yeah," Lila said, "I'd feel more comfortable if I knew I could defend myself from what- or who-ever did this."

Jen turned to Lila

"Shall we check the nearest compartments then?" she asked

Elli had been listening to the conversation, staying quiet until now. "I'd ask if someone has a deck of cards, but it'd be to our benefit to get ourselves armed. I severely doubt we'd be able to beat whatever this thing is back with just our fists. And if anyone is going to try and go anywhere in this ship, that person must be armed." She looked to Abbot. "So, there any weapons on board? If so, how the hell do we get to them."

Jen turned to Lila

"Shall we check the nearest compartments then?" she asked

"Lets." Lila walked over to the nearest compartment and peered in.

Jen looked into the same room Lila was looking at. She went in, opening a locker. Empty. She opened another. Also empty. Opening a third, it appeared empty. But on closer inspection, there was something there. Jen reached in and pulled it out, looking at it as she held it. As far as she could tell, it looked like the power source for some sort of energy weapon

"Hey, Lila, look at this" she said, holding it out for her to see

Max walked over to where Jenny, Lila and Elli were standing.

"Looks like the power cell for some kind of plasma weapon. I haven't seen something so old since the civil war back in '27. Still, I guess that'd mean that there's weapons around here somewhere."

Max walked over to where Jenny, Lila and Elli were standing.

"Looks like the power cell for some kind of plasma weapon. I haven't seen something so old since the civil war back in '27. Still, I guess that'd mean that there's weapons around here somewhere."

"Must mean someone - or something - has been in here already, perhaps?" suggested Jenny, brushing her hair back out of her eyes

"Good," Lila said, looking at the power cell, "If it still works, it would come in handy."

"Good," Lila said, looking at the power cell, "If it still works, it would come in handy."

"Just be careful" Urged Max as he saw Jenny moving it towards her pocket.

"Those things are bloody volatile. Don't jiggle it around too much, it's practically a grenade like this."

Elli looked at the power cell. "Could be. If I hadn't been stupid, I'd still have my gun with me. I left it back on Rutianas." She shook her head and muttered something under her breath. She started to search through the other lockers. "Even if I had brought it with me it may or may not have helped. We use kinetic weaponry." She paused in her searching to look at the others. "Don't suppose anyone is a telekinetic?" Her tone is half amused, half serious. "Unless we find something soon, we may only have the equivalent of sticks and stones."

OOC: I'll post as often as I can, but with two kids it can get pretty crazy around here.

"Just be careful" Urged Max as he saw Jenny moving it towards her pocket.

"Those things are bloody volatile. Don't jiggle it around too much, it's practically a grenade like this."

"I'll keep that in mind. Though, maybe we could use them as weapons? As a last resort, of course," Lila said.

Elli looked at the power cell. "Could be. If I hadn't been stupid, I'd still have my gun with me. I left it back on Rutianas." She shook her head and muttered something under her breath. She started to search through the other lockers. "Even if I had brought it with me it may or may not have helped. We use kinetic weaponry." She paused in her searching to look at the others. "Don't suppose anyone is a telekinetic?" Her tone is half amused, half serious. "Unless we find something soon, we may only have the equivalent of sticks and stones."

"It may be better than nothing" Jen said to her, replacing the energy cell in the cabinet "And i'm afraid i'm not telekinetic"

Elli looked at the power cell. "Could be. If I hadn't been stupid, I'd still have my gun with me. I left it back on Rutianas." She shook her head and muttered something under her breath. She started to search through the other lockers. "Even if I had brought it with me it may or may not have helped. We use kinetic weaponry." She paused in her searching to look at the others. "Don't suppose anyone is a telekinetic?" Her tone is half amused, half serious. "Unless we find something soon, we may only have the equivalent of sticks and stones."

OOC: I'll post as often as I can, but with two kids it can get pretty crazy around here.

"Sorry, no special mind powers here," Lila said.

OOC: No probs Rutianas

"There's gonna be a small-arms locker in the security room. I have a feeling there's one on every deck. It shouldn't be that hard to find, but we'd risk going out with whatever's out there." Mused Max.

OOC: No probs Rutianas

"There's gonna be a small-arms locker in the security room. I have a feeling there's one on every deck. It shouldn't be that hard to find, but we'd risk going out with whatever's out there." Mused Max.

"I'm game" said Jenny, standing by the door "Anyone care to join me?"

"I, for one, don't want to go out there without protection." Lila looked nervously around the room. "I feel scared enough in here."

Elli looked at Jen and Lila. "Too bad. I was hoping someone else was. I am a telekinetic, but I can only do something five or six times before I'll pass out cold." She looked at Max and nodded. "I'm not sure I want to go out there." She leaned up against a closed locker. "I'm of the mind that we need to stay together. If we separate, we'll likely get picked off one by one. Or we'll stay together and go down in a bloodbath." She smiled faintly. "So, how much food is in here with us? Better yet, how far are we from our destination exactly? Would we be able to set off a distress signal from here? In other words, what chances would we have if we didn't set foot out there with that thing."

Elli looked at Jen and Lila. "Too bad. I was hoping someone else was. I am a telekinetic, but I can only do something five or six times before I'll pass out cold." She looked at Max and nodded. "I'm not sure I want to go out there." She leaned up against a closed locker. "I'm of the mind that we need to stay together. If we separate, we'll likely get picked off one by one. Or we'll stay together and go down in a bloodbath." She smiled faintly. "So, how much food is in here with us? Better yet, how far are we from our destination exactly? Would we be able to set off a distress signal from here? In other words, what chances would we have if we didn't set foot out there with that thing."

"What's to stop it coming in here?" Jen pondered aloud "It got into the other Cryo-Rooms, why not this one?"

Elli nodded sharply. "Good point. I'm with you. Weaponry search." She looked toward Max. "Is that map downloaded yet?"

"What's to stop it coming in here?" Jen pondered aloud "It got into the other Cryo-Rooms, why not this one?"

"Jen has a point," Lila said, "It seems that nowhere is really safe on this ship, so I guess I'll go. Not that I needed that thought to increase my paranoia."

Elli nodded sharply. "Good point. I'm with you. Weaponry search." She looked toward Max. "Is that map downloaded yet?"

A computerised binging noise answered Elli's question.

"Print please, Orion". Ordered Max. "Now let's see about some guns.

"Right," Lila said, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, "Let's do this."

"Right," Lila said, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, "Let's do this."

Max opened the heavy bulkhead seperating the cryo-chamber from the rest of the ship. Taking a tentative step outside, he found the first hallway clear of blood. Feeling slightly more confident, he took another, broader step into the hallway.

"Looks clear." He called back, unfolding the map. "Then, quieter and to himself, "For now".

Lila stepped into the hallway, careful to stay behind Max. She watched the hall, alert to any unexpected movements.

Lila stepped into the hallway, careful to stay behind Max. She watched the hall, alert to any unexpected movements.

"Ok then" stated Max, "looks like the security room is only a few minutes away. We need to go straight ahead until we reach a T- junction, then left and right at the end of that corridor." Come on, let's go."

Seeing Lila's face, he smiled. "Aww come on, you can trust me. I'll look after you!"

"Thanks," Lila said, "This whole thing... it just freaks me out. Lets get this part over with."

"Thanks," Lila said, "This whole thing... it just freaks me out. Lets get this part over with."

Being ahead, Max rounded the corner at the T-junction before Lila. He halted, covering her eyes with his hands.

"What's going-" She started.

"Don't worry" soothed Max. Just keep your eyes closed.

And like leading the blind, Max guided Lila over a floor slick with blood, entrails and various peices of human anatomy.

He couldn't comprehend what kind of thing could do this... Neither that humans held so much bhlood inside them.

Turning another corner, Max released his hands.

"Don't look back there." He advised. "Look, the security room is just up ahead".

"My god" whispered Jen, gripping the wall to stop herself slipping "what could be capable of such a slaughter?"

Elli had been listening to the conversation, staying quiet until now. "I'd ask if someone has a deck of cards, but it'd be to our benefit to get ourselves armed. I severely doubt we'd be able to beat whatever this thing is back with just our fists. And if anyone is going to try and go anywhere in this ship, that person must be armed." She looked to Abbot. "So, there any weapons on board? If so, how the hell do we get to them."

ooc: sorry for my absence. hope i can still jump in...

ic:

"The ship has several weapons lockers for security forces," Abbot explained, "From my internal schematic, I can discern two on this level. Shall I lead you to them?"

"Wait there." Max ordered his companions as he advanced on the room. "Something could be in here that doesn't like us. Plus, i don't want anything trapping me in the room."

He counted to three, and barged through the door. The room was empty.

"Excellent." Breathed Max. He first grabbed a rack of walkie-talkies and dropped them into a rucksack. He then started dropping magazines into the same bag, stopping only to pick up a P-101 assault rifle (http://img517.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pr101commandorg3.jpg).

"Cocked, and loaded". Grinned Max, checking the sights. "Maybe some payback."

He stepepd out of the room and motioned to the others. "Go on in, take your pick. I'll stand guard."

OOC: Last post tonight guys, going to bed now. :)

ooc: erm, just pretend i tagged along/led, i suppose...

Elli followed along, keeping an eye out behind the group. Don't want anything sneaking up behind them. At the bloody corridor, she didn't seem to have much of a reaction. "I'll admit that I haven't seen anything like this before. I have no idea what's doing this. Part of me hopes we don't ever find out. The other part of me hopes we find it and kill it."

Once the security room was cleared, she walked in and started checking over the inventory inside. She also selected the P-101 assault rifle. "Why couldn't they have stocked Rutian weaponry as well." She grumbled softly. "That would be nice right about now." She loaded the rifle. "Does anyone else, other than me, have any military training? And next time we're going to go sneaking around, I wouldn't just waltz around corners or go barging into rooms." The last sentence was spoken loud enough for Max to hear from his position outside the room.

Lila stepped into the room as well and picked up a pistol. "I can use this. I feel better now. Safer." She smiled at Max. "Thanks for guiding me here. I'm sure that whatever it was... I wouldn't have liked it."

Elli turned to look at Lila, then picks up a second pistol and hands it to her. "If you're going to use a small weapon, best to use two instead of one. Or I can show you how to hold and fire a rifle." She waves a hand toward the rifles. "Your choice. I'm assuming you have no military training, in which case, you're probably going to get a crash course in survival. Simply put, stay in the middle of the group. Don't wander off. I'm not saying that will save your life if we meet whatever it is that's doing all this, but it'll increase your chances."

Elli began to search the room for anything else useful. "Please tell me there's some kind of motion tracker around here." She picks up a pack and fills it with ammunition for the rifle and Lila's pistol."

"Thank you for the advice. I'll be sure to stick close to you and Max." Lila took the second pistol and held it carefully.

"If you would like," Abbot volunteered, "I will go first into unknown rooms. After all, I am programmed to protect human life...I cannot carry a weapon, however because it would violate my programming."

Elli looks at Lila for a long moment, studying her carefully. "You'll be fine if you can keep calm. It's really not pretty out there, but you'll need to deal with it. Max won't always be able to cover your eyes and protect you from the bad areas of the ship." She smiled faintly. "But trust me, if you do decide to puke, I won't blame you one bit. Part of our basic training was to learn to deal with death. To see it up close. It wasn't half as bad as what's out there. I suppose my point is that there's no shame in being afraid, feeling nauseated, or even puking, at the sight of those corridors, but you should be able to handle it. The sooner the better. If we come up against whatever it is, the last thing we need is for you to not be able to handle the sight of the slaughter out there. We'll need your help to fight this thing."

Elli sighed as she looked toward the door. "We're going to need all the help we can get." She picked up another rifle and carefully placed it in the bag. "I wish I'd brought my gun from home. If I make it through this, I am going to somehow get back to Rutianas, get my gun, and never leave it behind again. Ever."

"Abbot's idea sounds good to me," Lila said.

"If you would like," Abbot volunteered, "I will go first into unknown rooms. After all, I am programmed to protect human life...I cannot carry a weapon, however because it would violate my programming."

Elli nods to Abbot. "Sounds good to me, however, if this thing isn't human, and I seriously doubt it is, I don't think it would be against your programming."

"If you are taking communication devices, please set them to Station 32. That way, I can communicate with you using my internal radio," Abbot said as he led the way. He held his forearm out, and a small attachment popped from just below his elbow, producing an LED flashlight.

"The Hyppocratic Oath states to do no harm. This must apply to sentient species..."

"Ah, right, I should take one of those." Lila picked up a comm and set it to the station Abbot said to.

"Is our next destination the computer core then?" Abbot quieried.

"That seems to be the logical place to go," Lila said.

Elli grabbed a walkie-talkie before leaving the security room. She set it on station 32 as requested. "Done." She kept near the back of the group, walking backwards at times, rifle ready. "I didn't a good look at the map, but if there's any very long corridors, I can probably create a diversion at the opposite end. I just can't do it often. Maybe only twice before I start getting tired. Wouldn't be good right now."

She was silent a moment before speaking again. "Oh, and Abbot, whatever did this won't hesitate a second on ripping all of us apart. Sentient or not, it's a killing machine. It's not going to look at you and see a medical synthetic. It's going to look at you and think meat. It won't hesitate."

"You really know how to raise moral, Elli," Lila said. She stayed in the center of the group, guns ready to shoot. She knew enough about them to be more of a danger to the enemy than to her allies.

"Then I will stand in front of it to allow your escape," Abbot answered. "There is nothing against acting as a decoy. My internal map shows that the core is several levels down, please follow me," he said as he began walking down the corridor, lighting the way.

Elli smiled at Lila. "Thanks. I do try." She kept her watch behind them. "As long as it serves to keep us alive, I'll say or do whatever I have to."

She nods toward Abbot. "Well, if you're willing to act as a sacrificial lamb, then who am I to stand in your way."

Lila followed behind Abbot, trusting that he knew where to go.

He came to an intersection, looking down both ways as he studied his schematic.

"It seems we must go down...but the lift system is also malfunctioning. There are service corridors adjacent to the elevators." With that he led the way to the lifts, pulling a piece of paneling away and lying it down gently. Shining the light in, he saw the familiar rungs of the service ladder. "I will go first, but please watch your step," he told them, crawling inside. After passing down several levels, all the while he had watched the progress of the others, Abbot stopped. "The level we need to access is here, wait until I open the access point." After a few minutes, he had opened it and crawled out. "Please be carefull stepping through, I will assist you," he called to them.

"Thank you for the assistance," Lila said, "I hope there's no bloody remains down here."

"You are welcome," Abbot said, "If there are, I will warn you," he said, shining the light in a half-arc. "Please wait while I consult my schematic."

Elli nodded in agreement. "So do I." She had no issue with the ladder, or getting out at the access point. Her first action on leaving was to scan the area carefully, rifle ready.

OOC: Running off to bed now. Will post again in the morning before work.

OOC- gotcha, I will be doing the same too
Lila stood behind Elli, carefully watching her surroundings.

ooc: nite, ruti

ic:

"It is this way," Abbot announced, trying out a reassuring smile to the group. As a medical servitor, it was a condition he had learned around humans. With his light leading the way, he began to walk forward.

ooc: this will be my last post; I've got morning classes

Lila inched forewards, careful to always be near someone.

ooc: pfft, so do i :P

Jenny entered the room. Instead of just taking a P-101, she continued to look through the cabinets. As she opened one, a puzzled look came across her face.

"What's this doing here?" she said to herself, removing the ISOCOM S.M.A.R.T Laser Carbine (http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2006/291/928399_20061019_screen006.jpg) from the cabinet. She reached in and took some of the ammunition clips, too. Spotting a clothes cabinet, she quickly grabbed a jumpsuit and dissapeared a moment into a side room, returning dressed in the jumpsuit.

Max trailed behind Abbot and the others, bringing up the rear of the group. The small flash light he had attached to his rifle helped alleviate the shadows a bit, but he was painfully aware that at any point, something could fly out of that inky blackness towards him.

"How far now, Abbot?" Max queried. "Only I have the most horrible feeling that we aren't alone any more..."

Max trailed behind Abbot and the others, bringing up the rear of the group. The small flash light he had attached to his rifle helped alleviate the shadows a bit, but he was painfully aware that at any point, something could fly out of that inky blackness towards him.

"How far now, Abbot?" Max queried. "Only I have the most horrible feeling that we aren't alone any more..."

Jenny, near the back, stopped a moment. She looked around behind the group, seemingly spooked by something, Carbine raised.

"Max" she said "Did you see that?"

Jenny, near the back, stopped a moment. She looked around behind the group, seemingly spooked by something, Carbine raised.

"Max" she said "Did you see that?"

"I think so" replied Max. Lifting his rifle to his eyeline, he began sweeping the dark mass of pipes and vents overhead with the thin beam of light. "But how we're going to find it, i don't know. Not unless it comes out for us."

"I think so" replied Max. Lifting his rifle to his eyeline, he began sweeping the dark mass of pipes and vents overhead with the thin beam of light. "But how we're going to find it, i don't know. Not unless it comes out for us."

"Go, tell Abbot to get a move on" Jen said to him, checking the ammuntion in the Carbine as they backed towards a doorway. She swung the carbine up, scanning the corridor around them

OOC: GTG. Be back in about 3 hours

Max trailed behind Abbot and the others, bringing up the rear of the group. The small flash light he had attached to his rifle helped alleviate the shadows a bit, but he was painfully aware that at any point, something could fly out of that inky blackness towards him.

"How far now, Abbot?" Max queried. "Only I have the most horrible feeling that we aren't alone any more..."

Jenny, near the back, stopped a moment. She looked around behind the group, seemingly spooked by something, Carbine raised.

"Max" she said "Did you see that?"

"I think so" replied Max. Lifting his rifle to his eyeline, he began sweeping the dark mass of pipes and vents overhead with the thin beam of light. "But how we're going to find it, i don't know. Not unless it comes out for us."

"Go, tell Abbot to get a move on" Jen said to him, checking the ammuntion in the Carbine as they backed towards a doorway. She swung the carbine up, scanning the corridor around them

OOC: GTG. Be back in about 3 hours

"The core is about twenty meters down this corridor," Abbot answered. The humans' suspicions of stowaways concerned him. He was right that he couldn't do much in a fight, and despite his logical answer earlier, Abbot didn't want to be deactivated. His senses included a type of ultrasound, usually used in the treatment of wounds, but he used it now for sight. He scanned the area, "I cannot see anything approaching, but I will increase my scanning," he assured them. "Please follow me," he said, continuing down the corridor.

The others must have gone on ahead, following Abbot's directions. As Jenny turned to catch up with them, the door Max would have had to pass through slammed shut. She ran to it, slamming into it with her entire body. But it was sealed tightly, and would not budge.

"Damnit!" she said aloud, sliding down the door. When she hit the floor, she felt the radio in her back pocket. Taking it, she turned it on

"Max?" she said "Abbot, Lila? Can anyone hear me?"

"I hope we see it before it sees us," Lila said.

Lila heard her radio crackle, then Jenny's voice come out of it.
"Jenny? Where are you? Are you all right?" She asked, holding her radio up to her mouth.

"I think i'm on the other side of the door you just went through" replied Jenny "But it's sealed itself tight, I can't budge it"

she stopped a moment, thinking

"Abbot" she began "Is there another way to the core?"

"If you can't open the door, I doubt I can," Lila said, "Maybe Abbot can."

Since Elli had been in the back of the group, she wouldn't have let Jenny stray behind alone. She also stopped to check when Jenny did. When Jenny turned to run, she did as well, though Jenny's running into the door stopped her from doing it too. "If this has a locking mechanism, I can unlock it. But I don't see..." She turned to look behind them. "We'll probably have to find another way."

"Abbot?" Lila asked, "Can you defend people? I'm just wondering, since I'm feeling a bit... alone here."

Since Elli had been in the back of the group, she wouldn't have let Jenny stray behind alone. She also stopped to check when Jenny did. When Jenny turned to run, she did as well, though Jenny's running into the door stopped her from doing it too. "If this has a locking mechanism, I can unlock it. But I don't see..." She turned to look behind them. "We'll probably have to find another way."

"Oh, Elli" said Jen, seeing her "Thank god, I thought I was going to have to search for a way round alone"

She picked herself up, putting the radio in her back pocket. Spotting a side room, she quickly walked in

"Aha" she said, looking into the room "This may be of use to us"

Inside the room was a computer. Jen sat down, leaning the Carbine against the desk

C:/Program Files/Run_Map.exe

*Running_Map.exe

A 3D map appeared on the screen

"Now, where are we?" she mused

"Abbot" hissed Max.

"Whatever scanner you're using for us, can it pick up mechanical activity?"

Elli followed behind, keeping a sharp eye open for any movement. When the map was called up, she glanced at it. "I have no idea. We're maybe two or three levels away from where we started. Why can't it have a big You Are Here notation on there?" She kept her rifle trained at the door, just in case.

"Max, do you have a plan to get to the other two?" Lila asked.

"Max, do you have a plan to get to the other two?" Lila asked.

"No Lila. Its just that whoever had access to that door had access to all the other systems on the chip: Doors, shutters, airlocks... Sentinels." Replied Max, gravely.

"Right. I hadn't thought of that." Lila shuffled closer to Max, watching her surroundings intently.

Elli followed behind, keeping a sharp eye open for any movement. When the map was called up, she glanced at it. "I have no idea. We're maybe two or three levels away from where we started. Why can't it have a big You Are Here notation on there?" She kept her rifle trained at the door, just in case.

"Because that would be too easy" replied Jen, jokingly "We must be here"

she pointed out a room on the map, then moved her finger to another room

"I'd say this was the core. If we backtrack a few hundred metres, there should be an intersection where we can move down towards the core. Hold on"

She rolled up the sleve of the jumpsuit to reveal a small device (http://ablogtoread.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pipboy-3000-watch-11.jpg) fitted to her forearm. She produced a cable and connected it to the computer. After a few seconds of hacking, she unplugged the device. Looking at it, it now displayed the same map, only it was smaller. Jen picked up the Carbine, and pulled the radio out

"Max?" she said "It's Jen. Elli's here with me, and we've found a way round to the core. We'll meet you there"

Slotting it back into her pocket, she turned to Elli

"Ready?" she asked her

"Because that would be too easy" replied Jen, jokingly "We must be here"

she pointed out a room on the map, then moved her finger to another room

"I'd say this was the core. If we backtrack a few hundred metres, there should be an intersection where we can move down towards the core. Hold on"

She rolled up the sleve of the jumpsuit to reveal a small device (http://ablogtoread.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pipboy-3000-watch-11.jpg) fitted to her forearm. She produced a cable and connected it to the computer. After a few seconds of hacking, she unplugged the device. Looking at it, it now displayed the same map, only it was smaller. Jen picked up the Carbine, and pulled the radio out

"Max?" she said "It's Jen. Elli's here with me, and we've found a way round to the core. We'll meet you there"

Slotting it back into her pocket, she turned to Elli

"Ready?" she asked her

"Sure Jenny, Lila, Abbot and I are on the way now" Replied Max into his walkie-talkie. "Don't hurt yourselves."

"They have a way to get to the core?" Lila asked, "That's good."

"Sure Jenny, Lila, Abbot and I are on the way now" Replied Max into his walkie-talkie. "Don't hurt yourselves."

"We'll try not to Max" she said, putting the radio away. Assuming Elli was going to follow her, she pointed the Carbine ahead of her and headed down the corridor untill they came to an intersection

"Okay, let's take a left here" she said to Elli, checking the device

The others must have gone on ahead, following Abbot's directions. As Jenny turned to catch up with them, the door Max would have had to pass through slammed shut. She ran to it, slamming into it with her entire body. But it was sealed tightly, and would not budge.

"Damnit!" she said aloud, sliding down the door. When she hit the floor, she felt the radio in her back pocket. Taking it, she turned it on

"Max?" she said "Abbot, Lila? Can anyone hear me?"

"I think i'm on the other side of the door you just went through" replied Jenny "But it's sealed itself tight, I can't budge it"

she stopped a moment, thinking

"Abbot" she began "Is there another way to the core?"

"If you can't open the door, I doubt I can," Lila said, "Maybe Abbot can."

"Abbot?" Lila asked, "Can you defend people? I'm just wondering, since I'm feeling a bit... alone here."

"Abbot" hissed Max.

"Whatever scanner you're using for us, can it pick up mechanical activity?"

"Because that would be too easy" replied Jen, jokingly "We must be here"

she pointed out a room on the map, then moved her finger to another room

"I'd say this was the core. If we backtrack a few hundred metres, there should be an intersection where we can move down towards the core. Hold on"

She rolled up the sleve of the jumpsuit to reveal a small device (http://ablogtoread.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/pipboy-3000-watch-11.jpg) fitted to her forearm. She produced a cable and connected it to the computer. After a few seconds of hacking, she unplugged the device. Looking at it, it now displayed the same map, only it was smaller. Jen picked up the Carbine, and pulled the radio out

"Max?" she said "It's Jen. Elli's here with me, and we've found a way round to the core. We'll meet you there"

Slotting it back into her pocket, she turned to Elli

"Ready?" she asked her

ooc: may i request a two-post a day clause...i have work and school and can't keep up

ic:

"The core can be accessed that way," Abbot said, "But allow me." He walked over to the door and pulled it open with ease. He turned to Lila, "Despite my strength, causing harm to a living thing would be in violation; although mechanical opponents I may fight...as a medical servitor, however, my fighting expertise is limited...it certainly can, sir," he told Max. "It works on the same principle as echolocation," Abbot explained. "Redefining search parameters," he said, leading the way to the computer core.

ooc2: gtg to work, so don't go too far ahead, please.

Lila followed close behind Max and Abbot.

"We'll try not to Max" she said, putting the radio away. Assuming Elli was going to follow her, she pointed the Carbine ahead of her and headed down the corridor untill they came to an intersection

"Okay, let's take a left here" she said to Elli, checking the device

Elli did follow after nodding that she was ready to go. She kept checking behind them while Jen took point. One rifle aimed behind them, the other in front. "It's a good thing you're capable of reading maps so well. I once got lost in my own house." She sounded a bit amused.

ooc: may i request a two-post a day clause...i have work and school and can't keep up

OOC: I'd have to agree. With two kids, it's hard to find time to post as often as others.

OOC- and I'll be having finals and a dance recital soon, so, yeah. Busy. I concur with Free United States

Abbot approached a hatch.

"The computer core is beyond this door. Allow me to proceed first."

Abbot wrenched the door open and shone his beacon in cautiously, sweeping the room in a slow arch. His echolocation was also on maximum, scanning for any mechanical part that did not reverbirate to common alloys. It took him a cautious minute, but he nodded the all clear.

"It is safe to enter," he said. He stepped in fully, and stopped abruptly. The core was several levels, surrounded in a concentric ring of walkways and paneling. "Consoles and interfaces are along the opposite wall," Abbot pointed.

ooc: this'll be my only post for a while...

Elli did follow after nodding that she was ready to go. She kept checking behind them while Jen took point. One rifle aimed behind them, the other in front. "It's a good thing you're capable of reading maps so well. I once got lost in my own house." She sounded a bit amused.

Jenny stifled a laugh

"Well, it's just plain luck I was able to hook the computer up to my wearable, otherwise I'd have no idea where to go"

She came to a flight of stairs, which led down to a door

"Hmm. Accordding to the map, the core should be along a corridor just past this door"



OOC: I'd have to agree. With two kids, it's hard to find time to post as often as others.

OOC: I'll try to keep my posts to a minimum.

Lila walked over to one of the consoles and switched it on. "Does this have any sort of life detection program on it? One that covers the entire ship?"

Jenny stifled a laugh

"Well, it's just plain luck I was able to hook the computer up to my wearable, otherwise I'd have no idea where to go"

She came to a flight of stairs, which led down to a door

"Hmm. Accordding to the map, the core should be along a corridor just past this door"

Elli nodded once. "I just hope that luck holds up."

When they arrived at the flight of stairs, Elli checked up and down for any motion before going down to the door.

"Sounds good. How long is the corridor? If it's a long way, we're vulnerable."

Lila walked over to one of the consoles and switched it on. "Does this have any sort of life detection program on it? One that covers the entire ship?"
"Yes, it should. By either accessing the Operations system or the Medical system," Abbot explained. "Since I do not know Operations, I will show you Medical."

He went to an adjacent console and began pulling up different screens, explaining each menu and function of the Medical system. As he proceeded, however, a large screen denoting Internal Error popped up.

"It seems that repair of the computer core will need to be completed before we can access internal systems," Abbot explained. I will inform a Technical Servitor."

With that, he walked off and went into an adjacent compartment, which was the computer machinists area. There, he found a servitor, activated 'her,' and brought her along.

"Hello," her demure voice said. She was petite, with pale skin and short-cropped pink hair. "I am Lena, Technical Servitor. How may I assist you?"

ooc: i'm thinking of 'lena' also being the composite for the AI. is that acceptable?

Elli nodded once. "I just hope that luck holds up."

When they arrived at the flight of stairs, Elli checked up and down for any motion before going down to the door.

"Sounds good. How long is the corridor? If it's a long way, we're vulnerable."

Jen looked at the map again

"It's pretty long" she said, bluntly "A good hundred metres or so"

She checked the ammunition in her carbine, and turned to Elli

"Let's just get this over with"

"Yes, it should. By either accessing the Operations system or the Medical system," Abbot explained. "Since I do not know Operations, I will show you Medical."

He went to an adjacent console and began pulling up different screens, explaining each menu and function of the Medical system. As he proceeded, however, a large screen denoting Internal Error popped up.

"It seems that repair of the computer core will need to be completed before we can access internal systems," Abbot explained. I will inform a Technical Servitor."

With that, he walked off and went into an adjacent compartment, which was the computer machinists area. There, he found a servitor, activated 'her,' and brought her along.

"Hello," her demure voice said. She was petite, with pale skin and short-cropped pink hair. "I am Lena, Technical Servitor. How may I assist you?"

ooc: i'm thinking of 'lena' also being the composite for the AI. is that acceptable?

ooc- that should be fine.

"Hi, Lena," Lila said, "We got an error message. We need the computer core to be repaired."

ooc- that should be fine.

"Hi, Lena," Lila said, "We got an error message. We need the computer core to be repaired."

"Understood," Lena said, walking over to the flat surface of the computer core. "I will then perform a diagnostic of the core before attempting repairs. This may take several minutes and systems may fluctuate or deactivate during the process. Please make preparations as the gravity system may also be affected."

With that, Lena touched the reflective black surface of the computer core, and a small slit began to form. A door opened, and a pad and interface slid out from the core. Lena reached her hand forward, which broke at the wrist and pivoted up to reveal a mate to the interface. Plugging herself in, Lena's eyes glazed over as she began to speak in rapidfire 'computer speak.'

The lights flickered off, and there was a hiss as the environmental system shut down. Another light from Abbot's left arm activated to give them more light, but the room was eerily dark, enhanced by Lena's speech. The lights reactivated, but soon, the humans found themselves lifting off of the gravity plating. Abbot reached forward and wrapped his arms around Lila and Max (?), holding them down until gravity restored. Lena's eyes finally blinked, and she turned to face them.

"System diagnostic complete," she reported, her hand sliding down into it's natural position. "Repairs will commence immediately and will take approximately two hours. This repair time is estimated upon myself working alone. Should someone assist me, the repair time will be greatly reduced. I can provide all instruction in the repair of the computer core."

Jen looked at the map again

"It's pretty long" she said, bluntly "A good hundred metres or so"

She checked the ammunition in her carbine, and turned to Elli

"Let's just get this over with"

Elli nodded, then held up a rifle. "Wait. If there's something small around here, I can cause it to make a clatter. We can see if it's safe that way. If it's not safe, we can stay put for a bit until it is. I said earlier I can do maybe five or six rounds of telekinesis. If it helps us out, I can do one now."

Elli nodded, then held up a rifle. "Wait. If there's something small around here, I can cause it to make a clatter. We can see if it's safe that way. If it's not safe, we can stay put for a bit until it is. I said earlier I can do maybe five or six rounds of telekinesis. If it helps us out, I can do one now."

Jenny nodded

"Good idea". She began looking around for something to cause a distraction. Alas, the corridor appeared empty

"Could you use the radio?" Jenny asked her "We probably don't need it anymore"

"Understood," Lena said, walking over to the flat surface of the computer core. "I will then perform a diagnostic of the core before attempting repairs. This may take several minutes and systems may fluctuate or deactivate during the process. Please make preparations as the gravity system may also be affected."

With that, Lena touched the reflective black surface of the computer core, and a small slit began to form. A door opened, and a pad and interface slid out from the core. Lena reached her hand forward, which broke at the wrist and pivoted up to reveal a mate to the interface. Plugging herself in, Lena's eyes glazed over as she began to speak in rapidfire 'computer speak.'

The lights flickered off, and there was a hiss as the environmental system shut down. Another light from Abbot's left arm activated to give them more light, but the room was eerily dark, enhanced by Lena's speech. The lights reactivated, but soon, the humans found themselves lifting off of the gravity plating. Abbot reached forward and wrapped his arms around Lila and Max (?), holding them down until gravity restored. Lena's eyes finally blinked, and she turned to face them.

"System diagnostic complete," she reported, her hand sliding down into it's natural position. "Repairs will commence immediately and will take approximately two hours. This repair time is estimated upon myself working alone. Should someone assist me, the repair time will be greatly reduced. I can provide all instruction in the repair of the computer core."
"I'll help," Lila said, "I'm good at taking instructions."

"I'll help," Lila said, "I'm good at taking instructions."

"You do that then" Max replied, "I'll get up on that platform and keep a look-out. God knows what that whole ship reboot will wake up."

"I'll help," Lila said, "I'm good at taking instructions."
"For your safety and the safety of the core, please follow my instructions carefully and exactly," Lena said. "If I am going to fast, simply interrupt and say, "Repeat that," or say "Stop." We shall begin on the first level, please follow me."

Lena led her down a narrow walkway that spiraled around the core. The gradual decline was different from the usual layout of vertical ladders and horizontal walkways. Once on the first level, Lena pointed to a place for her to stand.

"Damaged data surfaces must be restored, copied and replaced," Lena informed her. "I will go about restoring the data that is recoverable. Your task will be to take fresh data surfaces from the storage in front of you and copy the data onto them. Once that has been completed for this level, we will go about replacing each data surface. Please tell me your name, so I do not refer to you as you during our work together."

ooc: the 'data surfaces' basically look like a 3D jigsaw puzzle.

Jenny nodded

"Good idea". She began looking around for something to cause a distraction. Alas, the corridor appeared empty

"Could you use the radio?" Jenny asked her "We probably don't need it anymore"

Elli nodded. Shepulled a radio from the pack on her shoulder and held it up. "Good thing I grabbed one as well. We don't need two." Her grey eyes focused on the radio. When she removed her hand, the radio floated there. She opened the door to the corridor and the radio took off, shooting down the corridor, banging into the walls. ceiling floor as it went. If anyone or anything is down there, it'd be heard.

"With a little luck, the others are nearby and can locate us from that sound. I just hope nothing else takes the bait." Elli closed her eyes momentarily and leaned up against the wall. "Just give me a minute and keep watch. See if it's really safe."

Elli nodded. Shepulled a radio from the pack on her shoulder and held it up. "Good thing I grabbed one as well. We don't need two." Her grey eyes focused on the radio. When she removed her hand, the radio floated there. She opened the door to the corridor and the radio took off, shooting down the corridor, banging into the walls. ceiling floor as it went. If anyone or anything is down there, it'd be heard.

"With a little luck, the others are nearby and can locate us from that sound. I just hope nothing else takes the bait." Elli closed her eyes momentarily and leaned up against the wall. "Just give me a minute and keep watch. See if it's really safe."

Up in the maze of vents criss-crossing the transport ship, something had heard the crash of the radio. Slithering through the vents, it used its ultrasound senses to locate the noise. Upon reaching its destination, it was greeted with more.

"... Takes the bait" A woman was finishing.

The thing stared. It was long, thick and snakelike, with a shiny black carapace and spines along the length of its body. It's mouth opened, revealing a jawful of wicked teeth, ready to tear through human flesh. It lowered itself onto the grille, ready to strike...

OOC: Yes, action at last.

As the two 'girls' worked on the computer, Abbot stayed with Max. He suddenly alerted, turning his attention back to the direction the girls would be approaching from. He turned off his lights and relied on echolocation.

"Sir, there is something up ahead...it is approaching the others," he reported. "It is not human."

Up in the maze of vents criss-crossing the transport ship, something had heard the crash of the radio. Slithering through the vents, it used its ultrasound senses to locate the noise. Upon reaching its destination, it was greeted with more.

"... Takes the bait" A woman was finishing.

The thing stared. It was long, thick and snakelike, with a shiny black carapace and spines along the length of its body. It's mouth opened, revealing a jawful of wicked teeth, ready to tear through human flesh. It lowered itself onto the grille, ready to strike...

OOC: Yes, action at last.

Jen kept her Carbine pointed down the corridor, waiting for something to jump out on them. While it sounded silly, she knew something was wrong. It was too quiet, considering the amount of slaughter they had already seen

"Doesn't look like anything" she said to Elli

Jen kept her Carbine pointed down the corridor, waiting for something to jump out on them. While it sounded silly, she knew something was wrong. It was too quiet, considering the amount of slaughter they had already seen

"Doesn't look like anything" she said to Elli

The grille erupted as the creature (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ripperiu4.jpg) burst into the corridoor, hitting the floor with a soggy 'flop' before launching itself at Jenny.
Max and Abbot rounded the corner just in time to watch the creature spring into the air...

OOC: Flash or not, drawing with a mouse is hard :P

Elli opened her eyes just in time to see the creature come out of the grille. "Jen! Look out!" She swung both her rifles up and started firing at the thing, aiming for the head. Thank the gods for that damned conscription!

OOC: That's why I don't draw. I just bug my boyfriend for anything art. :p

The grille erupted as the creature (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ripperiu4.jpg) burst into the corridoor, hitting the floor with a soggy 'flop' before launching itself at Jenny.
Max and Abbot rounded the corner just in time to watch the creature spring into the air...

OOC: Flash or not, drawing with a mouse is hard :P

Elli opened her eyes just in time to see the creature come out of the grille. "Jen! Look out!" She swung both her rifles up and started firing at the thing, aiming for the head. Thank the gods for that damned conscription!

OOC: That's why I don't draw. I just bug my boyfriend for anything art. :p

"Head for the core!" Abbot instructed, fanning his arms out and stepping between them and the grille the 'creature' had come out of. I will hold off any more, please go now!" From his hands, two blue-white blades appeared from his index fingers. His surgical blades seemed to be the only weapons he had, and though he loathed to harm anything, his programming did not bar him from attacking these things.

Jen dived forward as Elli shouted. She landed on her front with a clatter, and she rolled over to see the creature looming over her. She pointed the Carbine up at it and pulled the trigger, unleashing a torrent of red laser fire into the creature

The creature was blown apart by the combined force of Abbot's blades and Jennys rounds. Slimy fragments of skin and bone fluttered to the floor. Purple ichor coated the wallsand slowly dripped to the ground.

"Well" Breathed Max, after a moment's silence.

"I doubt that puny thing could have killed all these people alone. I'm sure there's gonna be more. And if this one heard us, so will they."

Elli frowned at the creatures remains. "Seems likely." She nodded to herself, then poked at the remains with one rifle. "No more noise then. That was probably what caused it to come running... or slithering. Whatever it does." She looks at Jenny. "You okay?"

Elli frowned at the creatures remains. "Seems likely." She nodded to herself, then poked at the remains with one rifle. "No more noise then. That was probably what caused it to come running... or slithering. Whatever it does." She looks at Jenny. "You okay?"

"Yeah" replied Jenny, clambering to her feet, trying not to slip on the purple goo that now covered the corridor "Thanks"

"Abbot, can you analyse it, find out what it is?" she asked, picking up her Carbine and loading a fresh ammunition core into it.

Arxes stood bolt upright in his Transportation pod, lines of coding running over the surface of his bionic left eye. His ships fuel supply was low and he knew that he would soon need to land. He deconnected from the pod's data tables and remotely connected his Dyalytor to the Spacial Position Map. A large ship was nearby, sure to have fuel cells for sale or for taking, and The Mechanium demanded.

The pod connected to the ship's mainframe. The commands were quite ddifferent to the Mechane that Arxes was used to and he thought that he must have opened, closed, locked or unlocked a couple of doors or vents onboard before opening the hangar shield. The pod opened with a grinding hiss and withered, black-robed and cowled form of Arxes, a Mechane Technomotrist, lightly rose out of it, the chrome surface of thousands of bionic replacements gleaming in the harsh light of the hangar.

After attempting to establish a connection from his Dyalytor to the ship's main comms system, Arxes began to search through local radio signals. most were filled with random crackles and the occansional bout of binary signals, but one, channel 32 seemed to be in use. He decided that the coding language he had used to open the hangar would meet some response so he sent out a signal with that,
"Seeking sentient life aboard ship, require refuel. The Mechanium demands." His screeching metallic voice rang out around the cavernous hangar.

"Yes I can," Abbot answered, "Although xenobiology is not my specialty, I will do what I can."

"Yes I can," Abbot answered, "Although xenobiology is not my specialty, I will do what I can."

"Ok, we'll let you get on with it" said Jenny, as they entered the core room for the first time

"I'm going to see if I can find a way to the control room" she announced "If I can find it, I may be able to pilot it to a nearby planet"

"Ok, we'll let you get on with it" said Jenny, as they entered the core room for the first time

"I'm going to see if I can find a way to the control room" she announced "If I can find it, I may be able to pilot it to a nearby planet"

"I'll go with you to keep a watch." Elli checked both rifles to see how much ammunition was left. "I'm now convinced that no one should go off alone. We don't just need to land, we need to find out where we are in the first place."

"Ok, we'll let you get on with it" said Jenny, as they entered the core room for the first time

"I'm going to see if I can find a way to the control room" she announced "If I can find it, I may be able to pilot it to a nearby planet"

The astral figure of Lena appeared on a nearby console as a hologram.

"Please, at this time, navigation and other astronomic systems are offline due to the core repair," she informed them. "Activating these systems now may create larger problems or damage more data surface. If you have technical expertise, my servitor counterpart is on Level 1."

"I'll go with you to keep a watch." Elli checked both rifles to see how much ammunition was left. "I'm now convinced that no one should go off alone. We don't just need to land, we need to find out where we are in the first place."

The astral figure of Lena appeared on a nearby console as a hologram.

"Please, at this time, navigation and other astronomic systems are offline due to the core repair," she informed them. "Activating these systems now may create larger problems or damage more data surface. If you have technical expertise, my servitor counterpart is on Level 1."

"I'll be okay Elli, thanks" she said, before turning to Lena "Is your servitor counterpart functioning, or does it need repairs?" she asked

Arxes sighed and elected to search for fuel himself. With the odd metallic clink or hiss of air, he strolled casually towards the main door of the hangar. Finding it locked, he stretched out his bionic left hand and mentally activated the built-in Dyalytor, taking over the electrical system that powered the door. With a mental command the door hissed open and Arxes stepped in. He stopped immediately, shocked by the scene that greeted him- great gouts of blood coated the corridor and the remains of a man, hand outstretched lay in front of the door. The Technomotrist scanned the immediate area for life. Nothing returned but a few possible traces, definitely not human, unlikely to be existant, he thought. But either way, something bad was on board the ship, so he took in intricate metal stick, about 20 centimetres long, from his belt and connected himself to it via one of the multitudinous wires of his wrists. This done, he activated the weapon, and a fine silvery spray of molten metal shot out of the stick, solidifying instantly into a fine blade and, with another mental command, came alight with blue electricity. Brandishing the weapon, Arxes stepped grimly over the bloody corpse and down the corridor.

"I, I think I'm gonna stay with Max," Lila said, "He's safe."

"I'll be okay Elli, thanks" she said, before turning to Lena "Is your servitor counterpart functioning, or does it need repairs?" she asked

"My servitor is functioning within allowed parameters," Lena answered. "The repairs necessary are within the computer core. Current repair time is 55 minutes."

"I, I think I'm gonna stay with Max," Lila said, "He's safe."

Max chuckled. "Yeah, 5 years on the loyalist side in a civil war will do that to you. Nonetheless, I'm flattered. I'll guard this passage here while you guys work on the core."

Max chuckled. "Yeah, 5 years on the loyalist side in a civil war will do that to you. Nonetheless, I'm flattered. I'll guard this passage here while you guys work on the core."

"Great," Lila said, "I'll get back to work."

"I'll be okay Elli, thanks" she said, before turning to Lena "Is your servitor counterpart functioning, or does it need repairs?" she asked

Elli shook her head. "I don't care if you say that. I'm still going with you. No one is going anywhere alone around here. Two pairs of eyes can do what one can't. Unless I'm sadly mistaken, you don't have eyes in the back of your head. If there are more of that thing, then it could sneak up behind you and rip into you just like all the others. Just to make sure that doesn't happen, I'm going with you."

Elli shook her head. "I don't care if you say that. I'm still going with you. No one is going anywhere alone around here. Two pairs of eyes can do what one can't. Unless I'm sadly mistaken, you don't have eyes in the back of your head. If there are more of that thing, then it could sneak up behind you and rip into you just like all the others. Just to make sure that doesn't happen, I'm going with you."
"If it is sensory prowess you desire," Abbot volunteered, "Mine are beyond any humans. It would also keep the minimal amount of humans out of harms way."

Elli shook her head. "I don't care if you say that. I'm still going with you. No one is going anywhere alone around here. Two pairs of eyes can do what one can't. Unless I'm sadly mistaken, you don't have eyes in the back of your head. If there are more of that thing, then it could sneak up behind you and rip into you just like all the others. Just to make sure that doesn't happen, I'm going with you."

"If it is sensory prowess you desire," Abbot volunteered, "Mine are beyond any humans. It would also keep the minimal amount of humans out of harms way."

"I know I don't have eyes in the back of my head, Elli" Jenny told her "But if it doesn't see me, it can't sneak up on me"

She turned to Abbot

"Thanks, but you're probably best here. I don't understand this level of engineering"

OOC: Explanation = FT Factbook, Entry For Jenny Grayson (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14235650&postcount=9)

"I know I don't have eyes in the back of my head, Elli" Jenny told her "But if it doesn't see me, it can't sneak up on me"

She turned to Abbot

"Thanks, but you're probably best here. I don't understand this level of engineering"

OOC: Explanation = FT Factbook, Entry For Jenny Grayson (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14235650&postcount=9)
"Understood," Abbot replied, "Then I shall begin the examination of the creature." With that, he retreated into an adjacent emergency medical facility near the core as Lena continued to work on the core.

"Understood," Abbot replied, "Then I shall begin the examination of the creature." With that, he retreated into an adjacent emergency medical facility near the core as Lena continued to work on the core.

Jenny watched Abbot go. Then, she turned away and picked up her radio. Waiting untill Elli wasn't looking, she opened the door that would take her to the control room, stepped through, and closed it behind her. The corridor ahead was clean, thankfully, but Jen kept her carbine at hand just in case.

Abbot began to speak aloud as he activated a recording device.

"It is 0832 hours Standard on [date/year]. This is the examination of an unknown xenomorph found aboard the vessel [name] by medical servitor Abbot, serial number 154-32-0932."

He makes a y-incision along the ventral side of the creature, using a set of spreaders to keep the flaps apart as he takes a probe to begin examining the interior cavity.

"Creature appears to have organ placement similar to that of eels or worms. Simple digestive system with a central heart and blood vessels. Stomach seems to be multiple sacs, possibly for the ingestion of different foods. Will now begin excision and dissection of stomach to analyze stomach contents."

Abbot did just that, removing the stomach and placing it on a sterile metal table nearby. Using the scalpel, he cut it open, using the probe to examine it.

"Contents are: fibrous tissue semi-digested, resembling standard dress of a human traveler onboard. One, two, three fingers; male left-hand. Ring, index and middle. Golden band on ring finger indicates victim was married. Saving information to cross-reference with ship's manifest."

Elli just shook her head. "Fine. Go off then." She ignored Jen afterward, not bothering with watching her. "If she gets herself killed, don't blame me." She leaned up against the wall. "If anyone wants my help, I'll just be right here. Twiddling my thumbs." She's clearly unhappy with things. "Or is everyone else just going to go off alone too? It's a bad idea."

OOC: May or may not post again. I'm on holiday and it depends on whether or not I have time to sit down again.

Abbot began to speak aloud as he activated a recording device.

"It is 0832 hours Standard on [date/year]. This is the examination of an unknown xenomorph found aboard the vessel [name] by medical servitor Abbot, serial number 154-32-0932."

He makes a y-incision along the ventral side of the creature, using a set of spreaders to keep the flaps apart as he takes a probe to begin examining the interior cavity.

"Creature appears to have organ placement similar to that of eels or worms. Simple digestive system with a central heart and blood vessels. Stomach seems to be multiple sacs, possibly for the ingestion of different foods. Will now begin excision and dissection of stomach to analyze stomach contents."

Abbot did just that, removing the stomach and placing it on a sterile metal table nearby. Using the scalpel, he cut it open, using the probe to examine it.

"Contents are: fibrous tissue semi-digested, resembling standard dress of a human traveler onboard. One, two, three fingers; male left-hand. Ring, index and middle. Golden band on ring finger indicates victim was married. Saving information to cross-reference with ship's manifest."
Lila can hear Abbot's explanation, but is trying to block it out. She doesn't need that kind of imagery in her head.

Jenny headed further into the ship. It wasn't pretty, but she was glad Elli hadn't come with her. Max might be quite good in combat, but Lila and Abbot weren't combat trained, that's for sure, and she would probably be needed there anyway.

She stepped into a room, and found what appeared to be a man's body. On closer inspection, however, it was a servitor. She checked it over

"Hmm" she said "Missing Energy Core"

She pulled the Energy Core she had found earlier out of her bag, inserted it into the servitor, and waited for him to reboot.

C:/
Command Prompt

>
>>
>>>

System Reboot_

Command.com
LOAD BIOS
MEMORY SET
SYSTEM STATUS
OK_

The servitor open his eyes and looked up, noticing a human woman standing over him.

ooc: combat servitor then?

Lila can hear Abbot's explanation, but is trying to block it out. She doesn't need that kind of imagery in her head.

Elli looked over at Lila, probably figuring that she needs a bit of distraction from Abbot's description of the thing. "Where are you from, Lila?"

Elli looked over at Lila, probably figuring that she needs a bit of distraction from Abbot's description of the thing. "Where are you from, Lila?"
"Excuse me, we are done with this area," Lena interrupted. "We will now repair the *next level."

*assume we've worked on more than the 1st level

Lena walked away to head on up when her internal comm chirped. A digital representation of Abbot appeared.

Lena, have you seen anymore of the creatures or seen anything suspicious?

No, I have not. Why?

During my examination, I analyzed the creature's cellular structure. It indicates that it is relatively young...and has recently procreated. But I see no embryo or fetus inside the creature. It may have offspring close by

Understood, I will inform the humans

Lena turned to her companions and relayed the message as Abbot tried to contact Jenny.

C:/
Command Prompt

>
>>
>>>

System Reboot_

Command.com
LOAD BIOS
MEMORY SET
SYSTEM STATUS
OK_

The servitor open his eyes and looked up, noticing a human woman standing over him.

ooc: combat servitor then?

OOC: I thought you mentioned a Tech Servitor earlier?

Jenny looked down on the servitor she was crouched next to

"Um" she began "Welcome back?"

ooc: oh, ok. that's what lena is...but let's say she's the ships AI servitor, then

ic:

"Greetings," the servitor stood up, "I am Malcolm, technical and mechanical servitor. How may I assist you?"

ooc: oh, ok. that's what lena is...but let's say she's the ships AI servitor, then

ic:

"Greetings," the servitor stood up, "I am Malcolm, technical and mechanical servitor. How may I assist you?"

Jenny stood up as Malcom did

"Jenny" she said, as an introduction "Can you help me access the control room?"

"Control Room can be used to describe many different areas for different systems within the ship," Malcolm stated curtly. "Please specify which system you would like control access to."

Elli looked over at Lila, probably figuring that she needs a bit of distraction from Abbot's description of the thing. "Where are you from, Lila?"

Lila looks at Ellie, glad for the distraction. "I'm from Laileto. It's a new country, but I like it there. My house has a lovely view of the sea."

Lila looks at Ellie, glad for the distraction. "I'm from Laileto. It's a new country, but I like it there. My house has a lovely view of the sea."

Elli nodded once. "Laileto. Never heard of it. I'm from the Republic of Rutianas. We're not new exactly. Been around for a while, but we've been isolationist until recently. I've never lived near the sea. Been in the mountains most my life. What brought you on this trip?"

Lena ignored the girl's conversation and closed the last opening, sealing the core completely.

"Core repair is complete," she reported. "Restart will take a few minutes..."

The lights went out for a second before flickering back on. Consoles that had once been dark activated, displaying system status and layouts.

As Arxes continued through the corridors it became more and more apparent that all was not well aboard this ship, and it was doubtful that anyone was left alive, but he could not leave without fuel, and beneath all of the cyberneic enhancements, he was still human and still valued human life; he had to help anyone left alive, and besides, this ship was incredibly interesting. He thought through the locations survivors might hide, but it all depended on the journey and what had happened, if this was a long didtance flight, the cryo-chambers would be best, but a whole host of other factors could have affected it. He found a functional-looking tech-servitor lyinh inactive on the ground, he yanked it up with one cybernetically enhanced hand and acivated it. After a few moments the servitor was ready.
"You do not have access rights to this area of the ship, please leave." It's mechanical voice commanded. Arxes stretched out his left hand and activated the Dyalytor, accessing the servitors CPU. He mentally demanded a status report of the ship and found that until very recently many of the ship's systems had been down- someone was alive, and they must be near the core. He accessed the servitors programming and made several modifications, translating the system into Mechane and converting the servitor to a bodyguard, no weapons presented themselves in the immediate location, so the servitor would have to use it's heavy work tools.
"Take me to the core" he screeched,
"Yes," the servitor replied monotonously.

ooc: um, i'm in control of servitors, btw

ic:

Abbot looked up from his exam, and contacted Lena.

Someone has altered a servitor

Internal sensors are online...I am tracking them

ooc: sorry, it can blow up or something if you want, just thought it could be cool.

ooc: it's fine. but interaction will be through me, just like all the other servitors

Cast of Servitors:

Abbot: Medical Servitor

Lena: Computer AI Servitor

Malcolm: Technical/Mechanical Servitor

...

Momus: Mechanical Servitor converted to Bodyguard

Command prompt and lines of code continued to cross through Momus' vision. The human had done something to his systems, but he was unable to do anything about it. Whatever he had done had also changed his communication systems; he couldn't contact the other servitors, though he could tell they were online. He continued to lead them through the corridors, closing in on the computer core.

ooc: thanks, makeshift bodyguards are so cool

Elli nodded once. "Laileto. Never heard of it. I'm from the Republic of Rutianas. We're not new exactly. Been around for a while, but we've been isolationist until recently. I've never lived near the sea. Been in the mountains most my life. What brought you on this trip?"

"I guess you could say I got an attack of wanderlust. I wanted to see new places. Never thought I'd end up in this position." Lila looked around, indicating there situation.

Elli smiled faintly. "I know what you mean." She looked over as the consoles lit up. "Great. Abbot, I'm fairly clueless about these kinds of interfaces. I need to see all life signs on the ship."

"The interface is fairly simple," Abbot explained, showing the menu systems now available. He activated a control, and a shimmering hologram in Lena's appearance appeared.

"Hello, I'm the Lena AI interface," she smiled. "I'm currently reading *143 humans onboard the ship, along with intermittent lifesigns of...I cannot identify."

"Yes, I was going to explain that," Abbot ventured. "As I dissected the creature, it seemed to have a special set of organs. It took me a while to discern what they were for, but I am now certain that these organs can mask and confuse sensors."

"Oh my," the Lena AI said with a look of concern, "Those're certainly hardy critters, aren't they?"

*lemme know if this is too few/too many

**points on who can get the subtle hint

Elli nodded. "Certainly makes it harder to locate them. Okay, just keep an eye out for where those intermittent signs are then and try to get a count if you can. Oh, and keep an eye on where the others are. If there's a big slaughter, I want to know where it's happening." She sat down near the panel. "And let me know if anyone or anything approaches us. I don't want to shoot anything that doesn't deserve it."

"Of course," Abbot replied.

"Roger Dodger," Lena the hologram said. She blinked out and returned to the console screen. Her servitor counterpart let out what could be discerned as a sigh.

Arxes followed the confused servitor through the twisting, blood-soaked corridors, using his sensory array at every corner and junction, never picking up anything further than the occasional inconclusive trace. He turned a corner and discovered another hideous bloodbath, but this one was different; on (or rather in) one of the dismembered corpses a writhing, wriggling creature was slurping and chomping at the soft flesh. Arxes's optic database had no trace of it. It turned it's hideous face and leapt at Arxes gnashing its teeth in anticipation. Arxes swung his blade in a wide arc and sliced the being in half with an electric crackle.
"Servitor, identify!" he demanded.

"Control Room can be used to describe many different areas for different systems within the ship," Malcolm stated curtly. "Please specify which system you would like control access to."

"The ship's navigation and control room, please" replied Jenny

"The interface is fairly simple," Abbot explained, showing the menu systems now available. He activated a control, and a shimmering hologram in Lena's appearance appeared.

"Hello, I'm the Lena AI interface," she smiled. "I'm currently reading *143 humans onboard the ship, along with intermittent lifesigns of...I cannot identify."

"Yes, I was going to explain that," Abbot ventured. "As I dissected the creature, it seemed to have a special set of organs. It took me a while to discern what they were for, but I am now certain that these organs can mask and confuse sensors."

"Oh my," the Lena AI said with a look of concern, "Those're certainly hardy critters, aren't they?"

*lemme know if this is too few/too many

**points on who can get the subtle hint
"Is there a portable lifesigns detector I can have?" Lila asked, "So we can keep track of where people are."

Arxes followed the confused servitor through the twisting, blood-soaked corridors, using his sensory array at every corner and junction, never picking up anything further than the occasional inconclusive trace. He turned a corner and discovered another hideous bloodbath, but this one was different; on (or rather in) one of the dismembered corpses a writhing, wriggling creature was slurping and chomping at the soft flesh. Arxes's optic database had no trace of it. It turned it's hideous face and leapt at Arxes gnashing its teeth in anticipation. Arxes swung his blade in a wide arc and sliced the being in half with an electric crackle.
"Servitor, identify!" he demanded.

"Unknown," Momus said, his sensors coming alive. His systems weren't meant to identify lifeforms too well, and all he could make of it was a creature that he hadn't been informed of.

Elsewhere...

Lena's hologram reformed, "I sensed the lifeform again...approximately 200 meters thataway," she pointed down a hallway. "I'll keep an eye on it...but it looks dead."

"The ship's navigation and control room, please" replied Jenny

"Yes, please follow me," Malcolm said. He accessed a lift, and with the computer systems back on, led her in. Instead of a platform, the shaft was empty, using negative and positive forces to move people and objects up or down. He stepped in and rose up, followed by Jenny. Once they reached a certain level, Malcolm held out his hand and grabbed a rail, swinging himself into the next level. Jenny was quick behind, and their journey lasted only a few more minutes.

"Here is the Main Bridge," Malcolm informed her.

"Is there a portable lifesigns detector I can have?" Lila asked, "So we can keep track of where people are."

"Certainly," Abbot answered, walking to a wall panel. He pulled it off to reveal different compartments. "Here," he handed her a satchel, "This is an emergency medical kit. Inside is a medical scanner, hemostats and other first-aid and trauma utilities." He unzipped a side and handed her a small PDA-like device. "Here is the scanner."

Lena's hologram reformed, "I sensed the lifeform again...approximately 200 meters thataway," she pointed down a hallway. "I'll keep an eye on it...but it looks dead."


"That's a little too close for comfort. Lila, stay here." Elli stood up and grabbed one of her rifles. "I'm going to go check it out." She started down the hallway, keeping quiet this time. No banging things around. Not after what it brought last time.

Of course, this puts her right in Arxes' path to the Core...

Lena's hologram formed next to Elli, seeming to walk alongside her.

"I sensed it up ahead," she whispered, "Another 100 meters or so," Lena informed her.

"Yes, please follow me," Malcolm said. He accessed a lift, and with the computer systems back on, led her in. Instead of a platform, the shaft was empty, using negative and positive forces to move people and objects up or down. He stepped in and rose up, followed by Jenny. Once they reached a certain level, Malcolm held out his hand and grabbed a rail, swinging himself into the next level. Jenny was quick behind, and their journey lasted only a few more minutes.

"Here is the Main Bridge," Malcolm informed her.

"Thank you Malcom" she said, looking around the room. Spotting something that she assumed was some sort of Star Chart or map, she headed over to it. After a few moments ajusting it, she turned back to Malcom

"Malcom, can you determine where we are?" she asked him

"That's a little too close for comfort. Lila, stay here." Elli stood up and grabbed one of her rifles. "I'm going to go check it out." She started down the hallway, keeping quiet this time. No banging things around. Not after what it brought last time.

Of course, this puts her right in Arxes' path to the Core...

"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," Lila said. She put the device in her pocket.

The Technomotrist's sensory array alerted him to a life form nearby and one cybernetic prescence. Arxes doubted that it was more of the creatures; he had not received such strong signals for that thing. Bu nonetheless, after taking a quick sample of the beings ichor. He readied his weapon, also drawing a Mechane Ion pistol, styled after an ancient flintlock pistol, but in a smooth chrome, the Mechanium did not use wood. He gritted his teeth and whispered,
"Servitor, ready!"

Lena's hologram formed next to Elli, seeming to walk alongside her.

"I sensed it up ahead," she whispered, "Another 100 meters or so," Lena informed her.

"Keep quiet," Elli hissed softly toward Lena. About 50 meters from the 'target', she halted and crouched down, still staying in the shadows. She began to creep forward, rifle aimed in front of her.

The signal was violently clear now, whoever or whatever it was was very close. Arxes brandished his sword and pointed his pistol in the direction of the signal and screeched,
"Show yourself, lest my thrall shall detain you. The Mechanium demands."

Elli stood up and took a slight step so she could be seen. In a harsh tone, but little more than a whisper, she hisses toward the screeching individual. "Will you shut the hell up? These things react to loud noises!" She indicates the dead creature with the rifle before pointing it at Arxes. "Now that we've got that straight, who are you and who or what is the mechanium. Nothing I've ever heard of before."

"Thank you Malcom" she said, looking around the room. Spotting something that she assumed was some sort of Star Chart or map, she headed over to it. After a few moments ajusting it, she turned back to Malcom

"Malcom, can you determine where we are?" she asked him

"Yes, it is fairly simple," Malcolm explained. He went over and hit a few keys. A holographic projection showed an image of the ship amid a local area of space. It expanded, and several stars lit up, connected with lines: constellations. "These constellations show our three-dimensional point in space. This line," a line extended from the x-axis of the ship in both directions, "Represents our present and past course. We seem to still be heading towards our destination."

The Technomotrist's sensory array alerted him to a life form nearby and one cybernetic prescence. Arxes doubted that it was more of the creatures; he had not received such strong signals for that thing. Bu nonetheless, after taking a quick sample of the beings ichor. He readied his weapon, also drawing a Mechane Ion pistol, styled after an ancient flintlock pistol, but in a smooth chrome, the Mechanium did not use wood. He gritted his teeth and whispered,
"Servitor, ready!"

"Keep quiet," Elli hissed softly toward Lena. About 50 meters from the 'target', she halted and crouched down, still staying in the shadows. She began to creep forward, rifle aimed in front of her.

Lena's hologram frowned. She was just being helpful. She blinked out.

The signal was violently clear now, whoever or whatever it was was very close. Arxes brandished his sword and pointed his pistol in the direction of the signal and screeched,
"Show yourself, lest my thrall shall detain you. The Mechanium demands."

Elli stood up and took a slight step so she could be seen. In a harsh tone, but little more than a whisper, she hisses toward the screeching individual. "Will you shut the hell up? These things react to loud noises!" She indicates the dead creature with the rifle before pointing it at Arxes. "Now that we've got that straight, who are you and who or what is the mechanium. Nothing I've ever heard of before."

Momus shuddered, there was something overriding his system. He stepped clumsily between Arxes and Elli, his arms outstretched to prevent passage for either.

"I-I do not know what is..."

"That'd be me," Lena's hologram reappeared. "I have complete override authority for all servitors onboard. Now, I think you'd better answer the nice lady; what're you doing on my ship?"

Max ran down the corridor, rifle in hand.

"I think more of those things are coming..." He stopped short, looking at Arxes.

"Wha- who the fuck is that?!"

"That's the golden question, now isn't it?" Lena-hologram asked with a smirk. I'd really like an answer before I blow him outta the airlock," she said dryly.

Arxes released a hiss of air, registered his mistake for a moment and said:
"Your first question, The mechanium is the finally realised dream of the Grand mechanist, a haven for all those who have seen the truth of machine superiority. Your second question, I am Arxes, a technomotrist, a priest of the Mechane. In response to your idle threat," He went on turning to Lena and adjusting his bionic eye, "blowing me out of the airlock would no good to you and no harm to me- I have a bionic respiratory system, a hibernation system, and a mental connection to my ship- it is quite possible for me to survive in space. I also have access to far more weapons than are available on your ship and an easy escape route once I have fuel, my original boarding purpose. By the way, your hangar is totally empty, odd for a ship like this. Now, about the creatures," he said, brandishing his weapon and loosing a bolt of purple Ion at the first of the things, leaping out of a grille.

"Yes, it is fairly simple," Malcolm explained. He went over and hit a few keys. A holographic projection showed an image of the ship amid a local area of space. It expanded, and several stars lit up, connected with lines: constellations. "These constellations show our three-dimensional point in space. This line," a line extended from the x-axis of the ship in both directions, "Represents our present and past course. We seem to still be heading towards our destination."


"Well, that's something then. Can we activate life sign scanners, or something like that?" she asked him "We seem to have an infestation of something or other"

ooc: poor Momus, he must be so confused.

Arxes released a hiss of air, registered his mistake for a moment and said:
"Your first question, The mechanium is the finally realised dream of the Grand mechanist, a haven for all those who have seen the truth of machine superiority. Your second question, I am Arxes, a technomotrist, a priest of the Mechane. In response to your idle threat," He went on turning to Lena and adjusting his bionic eye, "blowing me out of the airlock would no good to you and no harm to me- I have a bionic respiratory system, a hibernation system, and a mental connection to my ship- it is quite possible for me to survive in space. I also have access to far more weapons than are available on your ship and an easy escape route once I have fuel, my original boarding purpose. By the way, your hangar is totally empty, odd for a ship like this. Now, about the creatures," he said, brandishing his weapon and loosing a bolt of purple Ion at the first of the things, leaping out of a grille.

Lena rolled her eyes, "You think I don't know this?" she asked sarcastically. "And if you need fuel, threats to me won't help you, bub." She looked at the slain creature, "Ok, so you have a redeeming quality...I'm waiting to be impressed."

"Well, that's something then. Can we activate life sign scanners, or something like that?" she asked him "We seem to have an infestation of something or other"

"Of course," he went over to another console and the central hologram was replaced by one with a clear representation of the ship. Blue dots were clustered in the pod bay, while there were a little over a half dozen (the awakened party) scattered throughout the ship. One cluster had a strange red dot. Four yellow dots blinked, while a slew of darker yellow dots laced throughout the ship.

"The blue are human, the red is an unknown," he explained, "The yellow are servitors, the brighter one's indicating active units."

"Of course," he went over to another console and the central hologram was replaced by one with a clear representation of the ship. Blue dots were clustered in the pod bay, while there were a little over a half dozen (the awakened party) scattered throughout the ship. One cluster had a strange red dot. Four yellow dots blinked, while a slew of darker yellow dots laced throughout the ship.

"The blue are human, the red is an unknown," he explained, "The yellow are servitors, the brighter one's indicating active units."

"Does this scan only include Humans and servitors?" she asked "We were attacked earlier by...something. Another servitor, Abbot, was going to run a medical diagnostic on it"

"Does this scan only include Humans and servitors?" she asked "We were attacked earlier by...something. Another servitor, Abbot, was going to run a medical diagnostic on it"

"Oh, hullo!" Lena-hologram appeared on a desktop. "That's a my-bad," she giggled, hiding her smile behind her hand. "I informed the others that my sensors cannot accurately display the creatures. When I can, I'll display them as gray dots, okay love?"

Lila activated her radio. "Ellie, what's going on? Do you know what these things are?"

Arxes released a hiss of air, registered his mistake for a moment and said:
"Your first question, The mechanium is the finally realised dream of the Grand mechanist, a haven for all those who have seen the truth of machine superiority. Your second question, I am Arxes, a technomotrist, a priest of the Mechane. In response to your idle threat," He went on turning to Lena and adjusting his bionic eye, "blowing me out of the airlock would no good to you and no harm to me- I have a bionic respiratory system, a hibernation system, and a mental connection to my ship- it is quite possible for me to survive in space. I also have access to far more weapons than are available on your ship and an easy escape route once I have fuel, my original boarding purpose. By the way, your hangar is totally empty, odd for a ship like this. Now, about the creatures," he said, brandishing his weapon and loosing a bolt of purple Ion at the first of the things, leaping out of a grille.

Elli just shook her head slowly. "You know, I really hate jackass showoffs. We have quite enough of them on Rutianas, thank you." She didn't even flinch when the thing jumped out or when it got blasted into oblivion. "Don't know what they are. No one does. Not on file. Complete unknown."

Lila activated her radio. "Ellie, what's going on? Do you know what these things are?"

Elli pulled the radio from her back pocket. "Still don't know what they are. Met some guy out here. I think he's a machine really. Or he thinks so. Just a dumbass showoff really. Anyway, we're heading back to you. Or I am." She tucked the radio in her pocket again and turned around. Yep, she's leaving Arxes to deal with any other critters that's going to leap out at him. Probably figures with all his comments that he can handle it.

Elli just shook her head slowly. "You know, I really hate jackass showoffs. We have quite enough of them on Rutianas, thank you." She didn't even flinch when the thing jumped out or when it got blasted into oblivion. "Don't know what they are. No one does. Not on file. Complete unknown."



Elli pulled the radio from her back pocket. "Still don't know what they are. Met some guy out here. I think he's a machine really. Or he thinks so. Just a dumbass showoff really. Anyway, we're heading back to you. Or I am." She tucked the radio in her pocket again and turned around. Yep, she's leaving Arxes to deal with any other critters that's going to leap out at him. Probably figures with all his comments that he can handle it.

"Thinks he's a machine? Weird. Well, I'm right where you left me. I'll be waiting for you." Lila put her radio back in her pocket, sighing in relief. She didn't like being alone in this place.

Elli just shook her head slowly. "You know, I really hate jackass showoffs. We have quite enough of them on Rutianas, thank you." She didn't even flinch when the thing jumped out or when it got blasted into oblivion. "Don't know what they are. No one does. Not on file. Complete unknown."



Elli pulled the radio from her back pocket. "Still don't know what they are. Met some guy out here. I think he's a machine really. Or he thinks so. Just a dumbass showoff really. Anyway, we're heading back to you. Or I am." She tucked the radio in her pocket again and turned around. Yep, she's leaving Arxes to deal with any other critters that's going to leap out at him. Probably figures with all his comments that he can handle it.

Lena-hologram frowned, "As for you," she said to Momus, "Let's get you repaired...he really mussed you up," she said with a sigh. Momus nodded and walked off.

"Hey showoff," Lena borrowed Elli's term for him, "You ever do that crap to my servitors again and I don't care what you are, you'll be dead. Got it?"

"Thinks he's a machine? Weird. Well, I'm right where you left me. I'll be waiting for you." Lila put her radio back in her pocket, sighing in relief. She didn't like being alone in this place.

ooc: abbot and lena-servitor are still there

ic:

Abbot looked over, having monitored the comm traffic.

"Is everything okay, then?" he inquired.

ooc- right, I forgot, disregard that part of it, then

"Everything's fine. They met a guy who's a machine or thinks he's a machine, something like that." Lila smiled at Abbot, "It's nice to have you here. I'd hate to be alone."

ooc- right, I forgot, disregard that part of it, then

"Everything's fine. They met a guy who's a machine or thinks he's a machine, something like that." Lila smiled at Abbot, "It's nice to have you here. I'd hate to be alone."

"Same here," replied Abbot.

"Same here," replied Abbot.

"I've been wondering something about you. What kind of AI are you? I've never seen one quite like you," Lila said.

"Same here," replied Abbot.
ooc: excuse me, did you just take my character?

"Same here," replied Abbot.

OOC: FUS is playing the servitors. Unless you're FUS in disguise, that is. :p

Whoops.

Disregard my post.

Whoops.

Disregard my post.

OOC: You can jump in and play with a character that you create if you'd like. The more the merrier.

ooc: my only other post name is freeunitedstates (w/o spaces) and is my brother's country.

ic: (To Laileto)

"I do not believe I understand the inquiry," Abbot answered. "I am simply a medical servitor...do you not have my type where you are from?"

"We have medical servitors, just... rather primitive ones. You have much more personality than them," Lila said.

"Thank you," Abbot said. "My system is a neural net, a learning computer. I learn more about human interaction the longer I am in contact with them. Most of my behavior comes from observing the medical crews," he explained.

ooc: yes, sorry for stealing that line...

"Wow. If... when I get out of here, I'll tell my people about that technology. It'll come in very helpful, I think," Lila said.

"I am not sure, but my systems may be proprietary," Abbot said. He looked at her quizzically, "Since you have the medical kit, would you like instructions on how to use the equipment, or have you been trained?"

"I haven't been trained, no," Lila said, "I'd appreciate some instruction."

"All right," Abbot said, taking a kit for himself. He placed it on a table and motioned her to do the same. "When you open it, the tools will be located on the side folding outwards, while the bandages and supplies will be on the side folding towards you," he showed her. "This is the scanner, which I've already shown you," he picked it up. "To activate it, press this button. Holding it towards a person and pressing the blue 'scan' button will make the device scan for wounds or illness on an individual. Pressing 'detail' will show an ultrasound and internal scan of the area you are running the scanner over."

Abbot showed her all the bells and whistles of the device before moving onto the next.

ooc: it's pretty much a tricorder

ooc- nice!

"Ah, that is a helpful device," Lila said. She listened attentively to Abbot's instructions.

Abbot smiled, the learned response to show positive feeling, though he had none.

"Yes, it is. This is a surgical scalpel," he showed her a pen-like device. "It can be set to automatic settings or to manual. In automatic, the size of the cut can be changed, and prior to cutting, a red laser indicates the length and direction of the cut. In manual, the laser acts as a guide to the invisible cutting laser."

"Right, a scalpel," Lila said, "I hope I don't have to use that."

"This is a hemostat," he held up another device. "It releases a liquid gell that solidifies on contact with skin to stop bleeding," he said. "It is very important not to use near the mouth, nose, ears or other orifices." Abbot picked up another, similar device, "This laser suture closes wounds after surgery, and this," he held up another, "Is a subdermal syringe. It has a compartment to place in the different medicines, located on the side facing you."

"It is very important not to use near the mouth, nose, ears or other orifices."

"That makes a lot of sense. Don't want to plug those," Lila said.

Abbot laughed, "Yes, that would be troublesome," Abbot smiled, moving on to the next item.

ooc: sending you a pm

ooc- ok

ooc: make it a tg, i can't seem to pm you

ooc- weird, do you know why? Do I have to add you to my buddy list or something like that?

ooc: idk, i did send an invite, btw...

ooc- thanks

ooc: so, have you read it yet?

ic:

"You are an interesting individual," Abbot said to Lila. "Most would be indignant, learning from a servitor."

ooc- I'm not sure how to... sorry. I'm new at this

"I appreciate all learning, no matter who the teacher is," Lila said.

ooc: lol, the TG is in your telegram folder at your nation's homepage.

ic:

"Thank you," he answered. "Although, I am not programmed to instruct or teach, I take that as a compliment."

ooc- right... thanks :facepalm: I'll read it now

"You are welcome," Lila said.

ooc: i'd soo glomp you right now :P

ic:

Abbot continued to instruct, as it were, amazed at the way she readily absorbed the knowledge he gave her.

ooc- thanks. and, about what you said, sure. flirting is fine with me.

Lila examined the medical supplies again, making sure to remember the use of each one.

ooc- I'm off to bed. good night

ooc: sure, just remember that mostly, abbot will be clueless. k, good night

ic:

"Is there still something you do not understand?"

"No, I understand all of it. You're such a good teacher." Lila smiled at Abbot.

"No, I understand all of it. You're such a good teacher." Lila smiled at Abbot.
"Again, thank you," Abbot said. He remembered something one of the doctors had done, when a female doctor had complimented him. The doctor's facial pigment had changed. Abbot didn't have blood, but he could make slight visual changes to his appearance. He selected the right template, and his cheeks turned slightly red. He had no clue as to the actual meaning of what a blush was, but decided it was the best response.

ooc:Yeah thats the sort of character I was going for!

Arxes scowled at the AI and, gesturing to Momus said:
"It's obsolete, you should replace or upgrade or replace some of your servitors, and I could have done a much better job of it the base lines were better written." He looked at Lena and contemplated how such a detailed AI could be wasted on this wreck of a ship. But then, he reasoned, not everyone had the same enlightened logic of the Mechanium.

Elli paused briefly in her walking back to the core. She turned to look toward Arxes. "I'm going to make this very clear. Stop fucking with the servitors. If I end up dead because of your stupidity, I will come back as a computer virus and wipe out your systems and that of your people. Got it?" She pointed a finger at him rather than aiming the rifle at him. She's irritated about something, that's for sure. "In fact, I'm a lot like Lena. Screw up our chances to survive, and you won't have to worry about surviving in a vacuum. I'll just put several hundred bullets into you. I doubt you'd be able to survive that."

Arxes snorted, "hostility will get you no where, just make sure you keep that weapon of yours pointed in the right places. I may as well come wherever it is your going If I want to get back in our favourite AI's good books if I'm to get enough fuel to leave this waste of ship-metal."

"Again, thank you," Abbot said. He remembered something one of the doctors had done, when a female doctor had complimented him. The doctor's facial pigment had changed. Abbot didn't have blood, but he could make slight visual changes to his appearance. He selected the right template, and his cheeks turned slightly red. He had no clue as to the actual meaning of what a blush was, but decided it was the best response.

"Abbot, are you blushing?" Lila asked, "That's... that's really cute."

ooc- this is amazing!

"Abbot, are you blushing?" Lila asked, "That's... that's really cute."

ooc- this is amazing!
"Am I?" he asked innocently. Truth be told, he didn't know it was called 'blushing,' or it's significance. As for cute, he knew it's decriptive nature, but not how it applied to him. He smiled in response.

ooc:Yeah thats the sort of character I was going for!

Arxes scowled at the AI and, gesturing to Momus said:
"It's obsolete, you should replace or upgrade or replace some of your servitors, and I could have done a much better job of it the base lines were better written." He looked at Lena and contemplated how such a detailed AI could be wasted on this wreck of a ship. But then, he reasoned, not everyone had the same enlightened logic of the Mechanium.

"Momus..." Lena-hologram walked over to him, cradling his head in her arms, "Don't listen to him. You're perfect, just as you were built...If a certain someone hadn't screwed with your systems..." she kissed his cheek and led him away by the hand.

Elli paused briefly in her walking back to the core. She turned to look toward Arxes. "I'm going to make this very clear. Stop fucking with the servitors. If I end up dead because of your stupidity, I will come back as a computer virus and wipe out your systems and that of your people. Got it?" She pointed a finger at him rather than aiming the rifle at him. She's irritated about something, that's for sure. "In fact, I'm a lot like Lena. Screw up our chances to survive, and you won't have to worry about surviving in a vacuum. I'll just put several hundred bullets into you. I doubt you'd be able to survive that."

Arxes snorted, "hostility will get you no where, just make sure you keep that weapon of yours pointed in the right places. I may as well come wherever it is your going If I want to get back in our favourite AI's good books if I'm to get enough fuel to leave this waste of ship-metal."

"No, you stay here," Lena-hologram said forcefully from over her 'shoulder.' A set of security fields erected themselves, one in front, and one behind, Arxes. "Maybe this time-out will teach you to play well with others."

"Momus..." Lena-hologram walked over to him, cradling his head in her arms, "Don't listen to him. You're perfect, just as you were built...If a certain someone hadn't screwed with your systems..." she kissed his cheek and led him away by the hand.





"No, you stay here," Lena-hologram said forcefully from over her 'shoulder.' A set of security fields erected themselves, one in front, and one behind, Arxes. "Maybe this time-out will teach you to play well with others."

"Don't worry Lena." Asserted Max. "He isn't going anywhere under my watch. Not unless those things rip him out."

With that, he rested himself against the wall, supporting his rifle against a ventilation grille.

"Don't worry Lena." Asserted Max. "He isn't going anywhere under my watch. Not unless those things rip him out."

With that, he rested himself against the wall, supporting his rifle against a ventilation grille.

Elli pointed to the grille. "Careful. That's how those things are getting around."

She took another look at Arxes. "If we get out of here alive, I'll apologise then. Provided you haven't screwed our chances to survive."

To Lena, Elli tossed out a scenario. "If you can try and figure out how many of those things there are, would it be possible to set up some kind of trap for them? Might be worth it to try and get them near an airlock and blow the little bastards out into space." She smirked and waved a hand toward Arxes. "Besides, we can always use him as bait if necessary." She wouldn't. Would she?

"You're a doll," Lena-hologram told Max before answering Elli. "That might be possible. Of course, with them crawling all around, there's a chance my systems are affected by them...and the only bait they seem to respond to are humans. And even I can't override the programming that prevents me from letting humans come to harm."

"You're a doll," Lena-hologram told Max before answering Elli. "That might be possible. Of course, with them crawling all around, there's a chance my systems are affected by them...and the only bait they seem to respond to are humans. And even I can't override the programming that prevents me from letting humans come to harm."

"A dead human?" Mused Max. "We might be able to use some of those bodies to draw them in, provided we splash some of our own blood on them. These things seem a little shark-like to me. And failing that, we could always start sending combat servitors into the vent system."

"I suppose," Lena said, "The risk is enormous, and I only have a few combat servitors aboard for security purposes...in fact, they should have activated..." the hologram disappeared before returning, "Most have been destroyed...they look...eaten."

Elli nodded slightly. "Well, one of them reacted to my making a hell of a lot of noise. Maybe I can do something like that on a larger scale? It'd be risky, sure, but so is sitting around and doing nothing. Even if we don't get them all, if we can get enough to respond, it might help our chances."

She looked a little disturbed at the fact that the servitors have been eaten. "We can try with a dead human, but we may need live bait. Something tells me these things may not respond to anything dead. If we use live bait, I'd honestly feel better if it were someone with military training. From a logical standpoint, that person would stand a better chance of escaping the trap alive." Maybe that means Arxes is off the hook as bait.

"Am I?" he asked innocently. Truth be told, he didn't know it was called 'blushing,' or it's significance. As for cute, he knew it's decriptive nature, but not how it applied to him. He smiled in response.

"Do you know anything about mechanical people? That guy Elli told me about is making me wonder," Lila said.

ooc- to Rutanias and Sharforgotten- where are your people in relation to me and Abbot?