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 Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:09 pm
*Usher watched from the shadows of the wreckage as the Tillians drug his people off. His blood boiled in anger. These were HIS people. They trusted him to lead them safely through this and he let them down. He had to rescue them.
The others watched him nervously as he composed a new message for Serene and New Genesis. Usher need manpower and firepower. The Tillians would pay for this. He'd burn their training center to the ground and Lord help anyone who got in his way.*
This Lieutenant Commander Usher with an urgent message for Commander Serene. The mission is FUBAR. Requesting emergency reinforcements. Locals are hostile. I repeat, locals are hostile. Fate of Epsilon unknown. Delta is captured. I am requesting the following: all six members of Alpha and four members of Beta squads. Two members of Alpha should be armed with sniper phastronic rifles. One member from each squad should be armed with a heavy phastronic cannon. All remaining members should bring assault rifles and grenades. Also, I requesting one pound of Ruk-X explosives. Land at this signal. I repeat, land at this signal. Original landing zone is compromised.
*Callie placed a hand on Usher's shoulder.*
What are you going to do, Usher?
We will load the replicator on the shuttle and get you, Steven, and Deuce to safety. Then, I will go and get my people.
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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:43 pm
After gardening for a few hours Ran had gained her composure. But still she wanted nothing to with doctors... they couldn't be trusted. However, part of her did feel it was her duty to warn the commander of what the man in white was capable of. That is, if he was anything like the men in white that she had encountered before. The question was would she believe her?
Ran was still a child, a prodigy, but a child nonetheless. Adults often put very little faith in words from a child. Ran drank a glass of water and went up to the bridge... the commander should be warned... needed to be warned. Don't trust the man in white.
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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:07 pm
Serene frowned slightly not at his words, no, she agreed with him completely at that. In fact she wouldn't have minded speaking to someone herself about her own issues that have arose these last few days. The problem was, however, she didn't think one was active on the ship. Nor could one be awoken due to the issue they had in Med-Pod bay.
"You are right, Doctor Jackson. We do need a professional to speak to in times of stress, or even to release the daily pressures of living aboard this ship. But there is a small problem that I don't recall having one awakened."
She'd done her research fully on who was active and what their duties were, she'd memorized the entire report. Not because she wanted to, no, it was because she had to know who was on bored and what their duties to preform was.
She thought about this idea that was rolling around her her head, tumbling back and forth, contemplating fi they should escape her mouth or not. She didn't wants to share her idea particularly because she her self didn't like it. Computers, specifically AI computers. She generally didn't like them. For whatever reason, She just didn't trust them.
Her idea was to program the Ship's AI into becoming a counselor, someone for the crew to talk to. This, however seemed to her, would cause the crew some volubility issues, The ship would know all of their deepest, darkest ,secrets. Like a diary, screaming out loud. No that simply would not do. Not ever. They would find another way.
"Doctor, I due believe that we will need to--" Just then her word were cut off by the demanding, stressed voice of Lt Commander Usher. Her face immediately went from a calm, contemplative expression, to stone cold and angry.
"Doctor, I do believe we will be needing your assistance on this away mission after all." She said, swiftly getting up form the table, tapping her communicator as her long legs carried her down to the Hanger bay. She spoke to Alpha and Beta Security team.
"This is Captain Serene Six Delta, All Alpha and Beta Teams. Please report to Hanger Bay One! NOW!" Then then sent Usher's message to them to gain the supplies they needed.
Making it down to Hanger bay One, Serene found herself looking at a crew of Five men working to start up another craft. The men pulled off the gigantic sheet that covered the bran new ship. This ship was not by any means a shuttle craft. In it's own right, this was a battle cruiser assault shuttle, made specifically suited with heavy artillery, and earth newest weapons. It was built to for at least 50 plus people to operate, even housing three smaller pods for escape and or defense that can extract form the massive ship for added fire power or defense. It was called the Crimson Sabre. And for good reason.
Her only problem was... It needed a pilot. And a damn good one. She thought about this one again rattling back and forth the decision she was about to make. There were people's life at stake now... Would she really putting more in danger. Or would bringing the best of the best help them get out safely? She took a breath, letting it out slowly.
Tapping her communicator she spoke calmly, but through gritted teeth like she was hesitant with this final request.
"Ran Four Omega. Please report to Hanger Bay One."
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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:13 pm
Ran heard the announcement and went towards the hanger bay. She had really hoped to talk to the commander in private but it looked like it would have to wait. After all it seemed that duty was calling. She found the commander at the hanger bay.
" Yes Commander, Ran Four Omega reporting for duty."
Even though she was only twelve years old she stood up straight as any soldier would.
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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:33 pm
Although the situation caused her face to gain a very grim expression. she couldn't help but smirk, when she saw Ran's ready for duty attitude.
"Thank you for arriving so quickly, Ran. you see that massive ship behind me? I'd like you to pilot it. It's for a very important rescue mission. You and a select few of security members will be our eyes in the sky while, the rest of us grab our people and come back to you."
She normally would never have asked this of any other member, and she certainly didn't like to play favorites. It seemed so wrong. But she asked the question anyway, before the other security team could arrive.
"Ran Four Omega. Do you accept this mission?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 7:45 pm
Ran lifted an eyebrow. She found it an odd question... the commander was asking it as though Ran had a choice.
" Of course, Commander.. As you wish."
Ran looked around waiting the rest of the security team to arrive. She knew most of crew was on edge about working with a child. But Ran knew she was the best navigator out there and the rest of the crew would just need to learn to accept that.
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Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:29 pm
As soon as Jackson was told he was going on an away mission, everything else became second priority, even the rhythmic pounding in his temples. He hurried back to the Medical Center and briefed Doctor Chloe. She seemed pleased.
"Be sure to bring back any corpses you find!" Her cheerfulness at the prospect was not reflected in Jackson's mind.
He had no memory of any life other than the last two days on the ship. He had no idea what he was getting into. He had to rely on his medical knowledge and nothing else.
He hoped that wouldn't make him a liability. Jackson put his lab coat on a hook and exchanged it for a short black jacket that had pockets for his diagnostic tools. He then grabbed a first aid pack that had an arm-length strap on it and made sure it was prepped. All of these steps he knew. He just wished he knew what he would find down on the planet.
He was the last one into the shuttle bay. All of the security guards, the Captain...and Ran were there. The Doctor gulped a breath of air and nodded at them all.
"I, uh, I'm ready."
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:52 am
Officer Melody came to just as she was being roughly shoved into a small, dingy concrete room. A yellowish light filtered in from above, and she blinked, trying to regain her composure.
She was alone. Three of the walls were the same cold concrete as the floor. The fourth was a wall of metal bars. Melody was in a prison. She rolled over and sat up. There was some manner of matted fabric in one corner, and a drain installed in the floor. One the wall on her left side, a small metal tube protruded, and water dripped lazily from its tip. Melody reached over and ran her finger along it.
A watering tube. Melody's initial reaction had been wrong. This wasn't a prison...it was a cage. Melody skittered to her feet and grabbed the bars, testing them.
"Come on...come on...." They were completely solid. Damn! Melody was wary about calling out and possibly attracting the attention of the Tillians who had captured Delta, but she had no choice. Beyond her cage door, it was dark and she couldn't make out what she was looking at.
"Hello? Is anyone else in here? Hello!" There was no answer. Melody stood back from the cage door and slammed herself against it a couple of times. It was to no avail. She backed up and slumped into the corner.
It was cold. Incredibly cold. Melody could almost see her breath. It was amazing, because just a few...minutes? Hours? How long HAD she been out? Back at the wreckage of Callie's ship, the temperature had been soaring. If it was this cold now, it was probably already night-time. It seemed that the Tillian had never mastered climate-control technology. If they were truly reptilian, they probably never had to. The heat of the day made them active, just like all cold-blooded creatures, and the cool of the night would put them in hibernation mode.
"Ss-ssss-ssss...." Melody heard something hissing in the wane darkness beyond her cage. She kept as still as she could, trying to hear...
..And a Tillian sentry passed right by the door of her cage. Its giant, rolling chameleon-like eye rotated in its socket to stare directly at her, displaying alien emotions she couldn't comprehend as it slowly, trudgingly walked by. She noted the rifle in its hands.
This may have been hibernation time for the Tillian but obviously, not all of them were asleep. Melody sat back on the small...'nest' was probably the best word for the pile of fabric in the corner, and took stock of her situation.
She had no idea where the rest of Delta was. They had all been badly injured. She had no idea what the fate of Epsilon was. She didn't know if Usher and the rest of the away team were captive or free. Her cell was completely secure and her captors intended for her to survive the night.
She fought back a feeling of despair that started to eat at her insides. Was this her final fate? Had she survived leaving Earth, being in the Source, being downloaded into a cloned body, for THIS?
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 11:14 am
Ran looked at the doctor... She didn't trust him but at least he wasn't in white. Somehow when he wasn't in a lab coat she was okay with him... it must psychological. No matter she had a job to do. Ran went into the ship and sat behind the controls. But of course she would wait until she knew everyone that needed to be was on board and the captain gave the word. For the most part the girl was silent. Her chair was much bigger then she was no doubt hiding her identity from most of the crew. This set her mind at ease since if the crew knew that a child was their pilot they might not be so accepting of it.
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 1:58 pm
"Wonderful." She said hastily to the Doctor, moving quickly inside the ship, she nodded for him to fallow. They were the last to arrive and soon enough the ship had taken off as soon as they took their seats. Time was of the essence. There was not a moment to loose, she didn't want to think about it, but every second gone could mean a life with it. She refused to think negatively. Her face showed a stern expression, creasing her brow, forcing her imagination out and mind back onto the task at hand.
So Instead, once they made it out of the hanger bay and were rockets forwards. Serene got up out of her chair with only slight difficulty. She was feeling frigidity, but didn't give in to show a moment of weakness. Especially in front of the security squad behind her. She moved over to where Ran was flying the ship and gave her Usher's coordinates.
"I believe this is were Mr. Usher requested that we land." She showed her on the Data-pad, and map of were the landing point was. "As soon as everyone is off I want you fly back up. You will be our eyes and ears in the sky. Not to mention, along with a few select crew will provide fire power if we need it. And we just might. But you just focus on flying this ship."
Serene continued to speak in her 'commanding voice' to Ran, she didn't want the other crew tho think she had any favoritism towards the young girl. Even if she had, she would never show it in public or in front of other crew. Once Ran gave the 'ok'. She nodded in return.
Going back to her seat, behind Ran, and next to the Doctor, she leaned over closer to him, whispering.
"You should take this with you. There is not doubt that it's dangerous out that. I want you to be able to protect your self."
From the clip on her leg she pulled out the Photinic Pistol firearm, sliding it over to the Doctor. To him it looked to be a strange contraption, Oddly 'gun' shaped, it had a sleek design, black and silver in color, it had several buttons on top to adjust the frequency, power levers, and width of the laser beam, on the bottom was the black safety trigger.
"I've adjusted the setting for you to heavy stun. In order to fire the Pistol you'll need to press both this top button and this safety trigger simultaneously." She showed him where to press. She looked him in the eye wondering if he would even use it if he had to, she sincerely hoped he didn't. But this was not up for discussion. He would take it.
"Promise me that you will use this. If you need to."
He was a doctor, and she understood his position on 'all life is sacred', she she was practically walking him into a war zone. She needed to make sure he would protect himself, it they ever got separated.
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:18 pm
Jackson looked down in his hands at the device he was holding.
A gun. This was a gun. It was not a tool, or a device that could be used for any function other than to cause harm or to kill. His hands shook violently and it fell to the floor with a clatter.
"S-sorry..." He fumbled on the floor of the bridge and picked it up with his right thumb and forefinger...like someone would pick up a discarded banana peel. "Captain, I can't, uh, I mean..." Jackson looked around him. Surrounding the Captain were the members of Alpha and Beta security units. Each of them was armed to the teeth and dressed in combat gear. Jackson blinked. The lights made his migraine headache feel worse.
"Captain, this...this isn't a rescue mission. This is an invasion force!" Jackson waved the gun the Captain had given him, still treating it with the discarded banana peel touch. "Am I wrong? Th-this is a heavily armed, uh, a battleship. Each of these men are carrying, well, I assume they're going to be firing all of those. At, uh, at other living beings. Captain."
He stepped forward, acutely aware of the looks the rest of the crew were giving him. This speaking out like this, he realized, it must have been a severe breach of protocol. Hang it all, he didn't care. He put one hand to his temple to steady himself and kept speaking.
"We are refugees right now, Captain. People on a, uh, on a ship l-looking for a home. But the INSTANT we come down on a planet and s-start blowing people away w-when an incident takes place, we stop being refugees, and we start being tyrants. Warmongers." He lowered the gun, setting it down on the console in front of him. "And we can NOT let Earth's legacy be one of violence and tyranny."
There was no buzzing in the security detail standing around him. They had their orders, and no one flaky, stuttering doctor was going to shake their resolve to blast their way into the Tillian complex and take their comrades back by force. Jackson could only work his appeal for humane treatment on the Captain. He felt, desperately, that there had to be a better solution.
The ship's descent slowed, and in the brief time that it took for Jackson to voice his reservations, it had been landed, expertly by Ran Four Omega, in the chasm beside the wreckage of Callie's ship. Jackson looked away from the Captain as she was busied with the preparations of disembarking. He had said what he felt. That was all he could do.
As they exited the ship, a blast of cold, dry air hit Jackson in the face. It was nighttime on this side of the planet. The temperature had dropped drastically and it was nearing freezing. Everyone exited in darkness towards a lit beacon several yards away in the chasm. It was there that Steven Five Mu, Usher Eight Theta, Deuce Two Beta and Callie had moved, putting the distance of the cliff that the wreckage was positioned on between them and any prowling Tillian.
"Error!" Deuce greeted the Doctor with a smile and a handshake. Jackson distractedly accepted the shake and nodded. "You would not BELIEVE the day we've had."
"We've been debriefed, b-but yes, it's been an uh, an amazing day, it sounds like. Oh and it's Jackson, now. I'm Doctor Jackson."
Deuce grinned again. Around them, the away team were talking to the Captain and the Alpha and Beta teams. Soon, the Captain would give Ran the signal, and Ran would take the ship back up into the atmosphere. They would be stranded down here until they set Epsilon and Delta free.
"Doc," Deuce pulled Jackson aside. "We gotta say something to them before they start storming the training facility, guns a-blazing. The Tillian are sentient beings. And I think, after talking to Callie and from my own observations, that what we have here is a massive case of first contact failure. The Tillian consider humans as an invading species. And they're right. There's been no attempt at a diplomatic solution here."
Jackson shook his head.
"And there uh, there won't be, not with this crowd. It's too soon after waking up. Their judgment, th-they're not clear yet..."He rubbed at his temples. The cold was not helping the pounding in his head. But now was not the time to let a headache slow him down. "They're going to ask you to d-debrief them on the, uh, the biology of the Tillian. Deuce, you have to make them understand. We have to c-come up with a less violent solution." Deuce nodded at him.
"We'll see what we can do. We have all night...the Tillian are cold-blooded. There's no chance that they'll be able to move outside of their compound in this temperature."
Deuce and Jackson went to join the rest of the crew, who were surrounding the Captain.
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:35 pm
Ran stayed on the ship as requested by the captain. She was starting to feel couped up but Ran knew that she must obey orders. Even though she was in the sky she kept her eyes peeled on the group. They were safe ... for now. This planet seemed strange and curiousity struck Ran she thought about using the different cameras on the ship to scout for other lifeforms...but then she saw it... a game installed inside the computer on the ship Tetris. Ran LOVED video games of all kinds.... but she had a job to do.... she was to be the crews eyes in sky. But oh Tetris! In 3-D no less. Oh one game couldn't hurt... Right?
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:04 pm
Ran was left with three other security team members who would, if need be, use the weapons. Until then, SErene hoped that Ran was looking out for them.
A slight head twist to the side, she couldn't help but over head what Jackson and Duce where saying. And not only that. She recalled what he had said on ship.
" am Going to their leader." She said finally.
"I'll try the diplomatic option. Who knows, maybe all they need is a quick talking to. They may not have kill and or already eaten our people after all."
"Mr. Usher. A word if you please."
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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:11 pm
*Usher's face went red but he held his tongue as he went aside with Serene. The woman was insane. She brought a CHILD to a combat zone! She thought she could talk to these creatures! As soon as they were away from the others, Usher let loose.*
Buggeration and ********, woman! Have you lost your mind? You brought a twelve year old into a COMBAT ZONE! You want parley with creatures who attacked us on sight? And worst of all, YOU want to parley. YOU'RE THESE PEOPLE'S BLOODY LEADER! What if they kill you or capture you? You have a responsibility to that ship!
We should go in and raze that place to the ground after we get our people. These creatures have no military tactics so a well coordinated assault will scatter them. They hurt my people! I want them dead!
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Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:37 pm
"Mr. Usher. This is no time for an argument." Her voice was back to it's commanding tone. Well this certainly got him in a bad mood. She was feeling very conflicted at this point. She understood what Usher was saying. And he'd been through a great deal in such a little time on thie planet, she was sure she'd feel the same way had it been her. The act of revenge could flue a person or drive them insane. She hoped this was not the case with Mr. Usher.
Then there was a lot the far more level headed approach of Mr. Jackson. Who at the time had been safe in the shif while the attack was taking place. He's view was very objective, but she could understand his point of the culture clash that seemed to have taken place.
And here was the big issue. Her people were taken captive. She She wanted them back.
Looking at Usher directly in the eye, she grab's him by the shirt , leaning him closer to her so she could whisper in his ear.
"Shut up. And Listen! I have a plan!" She then began to whisper in his ear, her idea on how to get everyone in that facility out alive, after she'd finished she'd released him and straighten out his shirt for him then waited for what she hoped would have been a far less blatant response.
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