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Post by Joe Fischer on Aug 9, 2017 12:31:03 GMT -6
Joe cocked an eyebrow at the young reporter's remark.
"Good, that gives us more options in terms of insertion points," he said. "Plus it cuts down on the number of potential victims for the security system on Mal's shuttle."
He gave the biotic a playful wink.
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Post by Maelstrom on Aug 9, 2017 15:59:33 GMT -6
[GM Note- Additional information will be available after this chapter. Due to time-constraints in-universe, Feron does not currently have the complete information needed to plan the attack. The main remaining tasks should be seeing to the Okinawa's rename and bringing up any additional issues for the ships refit. After the meeting, players may RP between themselves or describe their off time. I would also like to be sure all players have had their say on the issue of Fischer and I bringing in new characters before starting the new chapter, as those characters would be last-minute arrivals before departure.]
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Post by Maelstrom on Aug 11, 2017 12:48:11 GMT -6
[GM Note- To keep things moving, if no one posts in this chapter in 24hrs (or, if you're just tight on time, send me a quick message letting me know you have a post intended), then I'll go ahead and wrap up Feron's meeting and get the next chapter started.]
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Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 12, 2017 8:45:54 GMT -6
"Wow - you ran as far and fast as you could from the editor's desk, didn't ya?" chuckled Eric at Izahm's mention of purchasing a new shuttle. "What'd ya name her?"
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Post by spartan560 on Aug 12, 2017 10:37:37 GMT -6
Izahm smirks and says, "Shadow star, its actually my previous shuttle just heavily revamped. She's got new baffled engines and an additional pair of thrusters for increased speed, baffled vectored ventral thrusters for near silent hovering, a new matte black streamlined radar absorbent hull, a new heavy gun turret in the crew bay, she also seats sixteen on her own, and to top it all off she's got delta wings for in atmo maneuvering. Shes quiet fast and can outmaneuver anything even a gunship, at least with me at the controls," he then leans back proud of his ship.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 12, 2017 14:56:07 GMT -6
Eric waved his hands dismissively in the space between Izahm and Maelstrom.
"Alright now, we've had one measuring contest already. Let's not start another... two techs, two stealth shuttles. Two bipedal tanks. One ex-Cerberus ship with all the trimmings. Stealth specialists, snipers and a medic who can hurt as well as heal..."
Eric looked over the gathering of mercenaries and then to Feron.
"I think we can handle a few crafty pirates."
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Post by Feron on Aug 12, 2017 19:18:36 GMT -6
"Since there's nothing further for the moment, I will leave you to your merriment. Please, remember that launch takes place in thirty six hours," Feron said. "The Broker has also selected some additional talent to accompany you on this mission. Should they choose to accept, they should arrive just prior to your departure."
Without another word, the hologram disappeared, and sled reversed its course, heading back the way it came.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 12, 2017 20:56:58 GMT -6
"Additional talent..?"
Before Eric could say another word Feron terminated his secure connection and the hologram projector guided itself out of the lounge. Eric shrugged and followed up with the quarian engineer.
"Well, Rula'an, now ya don't hafta feel so bad about bein' a latecomer. Let's get you familiar with th' rest o' th' team."
One by one, he indicated them.
"The blonde tank that called you out earlier's Joe Fischer. His krogan partner in crime, Thrak. The young roving... ex-roving reporter there's Izahm Kanokah. Over there's Maelstrom, Cerberus' worst nightmare, and Emily. Next ta me are are Geenenh T'Loris - a gearhead like you - and Naetalia Bolanis, our medic."
[Insert responses/remarks by Rula'an and the others.]
" 'kay - now that we're on a first name basis I'm sure you've got a few questions for us..."
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Post by Joe Fischer on Aug 12, 2017 21:24:27 GMT -6
Joe smirked at Thrak as Lysander made the introductions.
"Hear that? We're partners now," he said to the krogan. "Obviously I'm the pretty one."
He looked over at the quarian and said, "So Rula'an, what led you to join our merry little band of psychopaths? Life on the Flotilla get a little too boring for you?"
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Post by Maelstrom on Aug 12, 2017 21:32:34 GMT -6
"You shouldn't have volunteered yourself to go with us," Maelstrom whispered to Emily, unsure of whether he was pleased or worried that Feron had said nothing regarding her unsolicited addition to the team.
"If I'm going to travel with you, I'm going to pull my weight," she replied, almost as silently.
"The rest of us get paid to risk our lives. You don't have a contract," he countered.
"Maybe I believe in freeing people from unjust captivity," she suggested harshly.
He had no reply to that. "I want you in the simulator as much as possible leading up to this mission."
She had no argument to that, nodding once with a look of stony- if satisfied- resolve.
Turning to the quarian as he was introduced, Maelstrom merely said, "Pleasure."
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Post by rulaan on Aug 12, 2017 22:16:59 GMT -6
Rula'an looked up from his programming as soon as Lysander called his name. He waits patiently as the man lists off his compatriots. Once he is done Rula'an nods to each, "This should be an interesting group. I'm glad I'm not the only engineer, two heads are better than one," he then turns to Joe making sure the man knows he's focused on him before saying,, "I left the Flotilla a very long time ago but in a way yes you are correct. It was too boring for me," Rula'an then sighs and continues, "Well I originally had a steady gig on Omega but a....difference of opinion caused me to strike out on my own. Having heard of my record the Shadow Broker offered me a job."
"I don't have many questions but first off how long has this team been a team," he asks as some display an almost familial connection whereas others display a connectivity but one that's far removed from others, "Secondly am I back up to Geneenh or are we both primary engineers?" He then flicks off his Omni-tool but then leans forward folding his hands together while putting his elbows up in the table, "And thirdly will there be Dextro type foodstuffs. I don't want to have to sit out a fight because I ate levo food." Rula'an waits for them to process his questions and awaits whoever replies.
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Post by Naetilia Bolanis on Aug 13, 2017 2:07:06 GMT -6
"There are dextro-based food supplies, given there are both quarian and turian members of the team, though I am unsure there are sufficient supplies given you have joined," Naetilia said.
She looked over at the team's leader.
"Lysander, with whom should we speak to ensure we have adequate rations?" she asked.
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Post by Geneenh T'Loris on Aug 13, 2017 2:23:20 GMT -6
"I was rebuilding computers when I was five years old, and that was over two hundred years ago," Geneenh said, not waiting for Lysander to reply to the doctor's question. "So unless you've got the sum of your people's technical knowledge committed to memory, then I'd like to think I'm the chief engineer of this team.
"But I'm not so arrogant to think you can't contribute something that I don't know," she continued. "Plus it enables to us to handle technical matters in different locations. I haven't figured out how to be in two places at once...yet."
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Post by Eric Lysander on Aug 13, 2017 11:55:28 GMT -6
Rula'an asked questions regarding the team's time together, his status compared to the other engineer in the group and if there was sustenance on hand for dextro-based constitutions.
"Ta answer your first question," began Eric. "This latest group's only been together a few weeks for one mission. Joe's a veteran as are me and Maelstrom for two missions over the course of a year. But Maelstrom and me go back the longest, almost a coupla years. Between us we've been through three missions and one or two... side actions..."
Naetalia vouched for the ship's stock which included dextro goods, as she was turian, but was unsure if there was enough to accommodate Rula'an as well. "Lysander, with whom should we speak to ensure we have adequate rations?" she asked.
Eric activated his omni-tool. "I'll shoot a quick message to our host to pass the word along ta th' guys detalin' our ship. Maybe pack in enough for three, just in case."
Gennenh answered Rula'an's question about his ranking compared with her. While she had seniority she would welcome any input or assistance from him.
"Any other questions?" said Eric as he sent off his message to the leisure facility's director.
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Post by Maelstrom on Aug 16, 2017 3:02:39 GMT -6
Maelstrom pushed himself away from the table, his food gone. Quietly, on the way out of the lounge, he said to Lysander, "I'm going to go do a little training."
He did not wait for a reply. The events of the meeting had been more than he planned on, and he just wanted to be alone for a bit. As he stretched on the way out the door, he realized he probably would not be training long before turning in for the night.
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Post by Maelstrom on Aug 16, 2017 21:42:23 GMT -6
Maelstrom laid in his bed, wearing a fresh change of the same suit that he always wore under his armor. His time with Cerberus had taught him that the comfort of a place meant nothing regarding its safety. He might have drawn the line at sleeping in his second skin of organically-crafted armor, but wearing this undersuit, he knew he was not far removed from his protective second skin. If something happened, he intended to be ready on a moment's notice.
Emily was in the restroom, getting ready for bed herself. His mind wandered, wondering what he would say to her when she came out. He knew he had no right to control her life, but, at the same moment, he was her protector and guardian. The things she put in motion earlier, drawing Feron's attention and volunteering to join the ground forces on this mission, could potentially be the end of her. He wanted to express his displeasure in her taking such action without even consulting him, but, at the same instant, he also knew that she could not hide forever, just a guest on his shuttle.
Complicating it all was the fact that he was still not certain if he could trust her.
A quiet hiss signaled her entrance. He looked her direction and was shocked to find her wearing one of the oversized white t-shirts that were left with him, as an alternative to a robe. It would have been baggy on him, but it seemed almost more like a nightie on her, the lower edge cutting off halfway down her thigh. Her hair was draped over her shoulder, that purple bow still loosely tying it together just below the base of her skull.
Maelstrom swallowed hard.
When she reached the bed, she crawled towards him on all fours. Her manner in a way reminded him of a predator stalking its prey, getting ready to pounce. He was startled to realize that, in her current position, he could see down the collar of the shirt. Though the view provided through the small opening was limited enough that he did not really see any more of of her body than when she wore the bodysuit under her armor- aside from that the curves he saw were skin rather than simply a form-fitting synthetic- it was enough for him to tell that the shirt was the sole garment she wore.
He was so stunned that, before he could react, she leaned in and gave him a long, deep kiss. He responded unconsciously, and his free hand moved to embrace her. His hand stopped only an inch from her, as the kiss ended and his trepidation resurfaced. Her expression turned to disappointment as their kiss broke and she could see that he was hesitant.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Looking vulnerable and hurt, looking down at herself, she said, "Don't you like what you see?"
"That's not it," he said, not sure what to say. He wanted her desperately. For a moment, he even wondered if it might actually be love. But there was still his uncertainty about her past and motivations. "Trust me, it's not that."
Tears started forming in her eyes. "And... don't you like me?"
"It's not that either," he said honestly.
"Are you mad about..."
"I don't agree with what you did out there, but it has nothing to do with that," Maelstrom said.
"Then what is it, Jonathan!" she cried.
He flinched as though hit when confronted with his birth-name.
"There's... it's..." he struggled. "I... I don't know how to be vulnerable."
She stared at him with a blank expression, as if struck be a realization and waiting for him to continue, to confirm her sudden understanding.
"I want to be normal. I want to be open with friends... to have love... To be a person again," he said frankly, deciding that regardless of her motivations, it was something she would realize eventually. If she were genuine, at least being up-front about things now might protect the possibility for a future when he was healthier. "I was made into a weapon, though, and it's not an easy path back."
She blinked, a dumbfounded look on her face. Tears started streaming freely down her cheeks. "Damn..." she said, almost so quietly that he was unable to hear her. A little louder, she added, "You're as broken as I am, aren't you?"
He could not speak past the lump in his throat. Maelstrom refused to let himself tear up.
Without another word, she laid down next to him on the bed, facing him. She placed a hand on his upper arm, as she stared at him.
"I'm sorry," he said, not knowing if she was expertly working his emotions or if they were sharing a genuine moment.
She nodded. "You're afraid of me becoming a weapon, aren't you?"
"That's one fear," he acknowledged, thinking equally as much as a knife in his back.
Her look got determined. "I have as much of a right to vengeance as anyone."
He could not deny that. He simply wondered who she was going to take vengeance against.
Still, he put a hand gently on her side. They laid together, staring at each other in silence.
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Post by rulaan on Aug 17, 2017 11:27:07 GMT -6
Rula'an listened for any more intel and when none was forthcoming he got up and says, "If there is no more to be discussed I will retire to my quarters." With that he leaves the room and instead of going to his quarters begins wandering the halls nearby going over what his drone recorded.
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Post by EmilyMoore on Aug 17, 2017 12:45:43 GMT -6
[Prior to heading back to Maelstrom's quarters]
Emily walked up to Lysander. "I appreciate you letting me offer my help. I know I didn't do much when all of you rescued me... I think the condition you found us in excuses that... Our last mission, though, made me feel so useless..."
"If I'm going to enjoy the protection being with all you gives me, I WANT to be part of all of it. Even the risks."
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Post by Urdnot Thrak on Aug 17, 2017 12:52:33 GMT -6
Thrak was in seafood heaven. Since the holographic drell disappeared, the krogan had been using his best Tuchankan table manners- basically, the silverware went unused but the dishes stayed intact. He groaned in satisfaction as he felt his first stomach swell and fill with the delicious food, the pressure opening the valve to his secondary stomach.
"More ryncol!" he roared at the server much.
He kept his eyes on the others. Wrex had told him to go work for the Broker, but prudence would still serve him well. He was still coming to know this new crew, and he wanted to know the people watching his back better than he knew his reflection.
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Post by spartan560 on Aug 17, 2017 13:33:37 GMT -6
Izahm savored his latest Guinness drinking it slowly as he walks back to his table. Soon his second sandwich comes out and he slowly ate it observing those still left in the room. 'This should be an intriguing group,' he thinks checking that his helmet had recorded everything. Finding the normal looking subroutine running fine he returns to his refreshments.
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