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Post by grandest on Feb 1, 2014 17:39:49 GMT -6
Cruendi'has liked the way things were coming together. He made a few notes on his omnitool as to the locations of the various teams. If he volunteered to take the turret with Meldom, it would provide the best opportunity to complete his secondary objective. "Meldom may need backup while he is hacking the turret. I volunteer to watch his back before moving on to the dig site... Unless You need me elsewhere, Mr. Bridges?"
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Post by Shala'Bekk vas Neema on Feb 1, 2014 22:00:36 GMT -6
Shala sat and listened as the translator program built into her suit worked on turning this new human's words words into something she understood. Its translation complete, it then projected a message in her language on her heads-up display: Analysis indicates high probability speaker is from Earth country known as 'Scotland'.
If I survive this, I may have to visit that place, she thought. Their speech sounds so appealing...
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Post by Esteban Bridges on Feb 2, 2014 4:22:54 GMT -6
"As long as you can follow through on our arrangement, I will not tell you how to do it," he responded to the Batarian while rolling his broad shoulders and cracking his knuckles. He hadn't realized how long he was staying still, just listening to the planning. His muscles were starting to tense up. Probably stress from the coming mission. The businessman hasn't been in the field for a few months now, longer than he'd ever admit to anyone. It was a badge of honor for him. So he took a deep breath and flexed his fingers, taking a look again at the map.
"I would prefer to be on the ground," Esteban said to Eric, rolling his back to loosen his muscles up even more. "But I'll go where you feel my skills will work best."
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 2, 2014 5:35:03 GMT -6
Maelstrom smiled. He was ready for the mission to get underway. Almost as an afterthought, he said, "Emily, we're going to have company soon. Please, reduce security around my quarters from threat level red to threat level yellow."
At the mention of arriving company, her visual display flickered from its more attractive feminine form to the basic VI she was originally programmed as. Her voice returned monotone, when she said, "Security countermeasures for rear compartment altered. Electrical potential in security circuits decreased from ninety-nine point five percent likelihood of death for the typical armored krogan to ninety-three point six percent likelihood of inducing temporary unconsciousness in typical humanoid species. Warning. These power levels still posses a three point two percent chance of killing the average salarian and a ninety eight point three percent chance of having no significant effect on a krogan aside from instigating a hostile encounter."
Maelstrom nodded. "Just be sure to warn anyone if they do end up trying to unlock that door. I don't imagine any of them would take too kindly to a shock. Our employer probably wouldn't appreciate one of his mercs lying passed out on our floor for the whole mission either."
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Post by Eric Lysander on Feb 2, 2014 15:09:19 GMT -6
"It's your show, Mr. B. If you can handle the front lines, you're welcome to them. Just stay alive long enough for our checks to clear..." said Eric to Esteban before turning to look in River's direction again. Her face began to take on an odd glow.
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Post by Esteban Bridges on Feb 2, 2014 22:55:54 GMT -6
Esteban took a step back, taking a long look at the symphony of lights and sound as only an Engineer can. Every readout revealed the story of the Valiant, a refurbished Turian frigate. She was a space-worthy ship, though a little outdated for Esteban's liking. Technology improved at such a neck-breaking rate that at least half the ships that come off production lines were already a month outdated. And this ship didn't see any major upgrades for what looked like ten years. The common man would see this ship a testament to the wonders of technology. Esteban took it all in, seeing countless data points flashing past holographic rectangle screens. Seeing the Valiant for what it really was.
Just a convenience.
So the businessman smiled to himself and focused on the task at hand. "I will live," he replied simply to the former Alliance officer, displaying no fear toward the danger ahead. "Tell the pilot where to go. I will be preparing. Will there be anything else?"
Esteban rocked off his back heel, getting ready to turn and leave.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Feb 3, 2014 11:10:21 GMT -6
Eric crossed his arms, brow raised and mouth pursed.
"Sounds like I've been appointed XO for this mission. If that's the case we'll need to huddle up; make sure everyone's clear on their assignments and the final game plan before we move in. Any other directives besides securing the ruins along with a 'prisoner?'"
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 3, 2014 12:33:08 GMT -6
Maelstrom considered the word. Prisoner. White hot anger flashed through him at the word. Calming himself, he forced his mind back to a time he rarely remembered. There when taking a prisoner was appropriate. Even humane. Prisoner.
"Emily," he said, as he walked back to the shuttle's armory, "have you finished running those tests on the detonators for my grenades? I don't want a repeat of Asphodel."
It had nearly gotten him shot when the grenade failed to detonate.
"All diagnostics report detonators operational. Explosive ordinance, stable. No anomalies to report."
He nodded curtly. Just what he liked to hear before a mission.
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Post by Iregos on Feb 3, 2014 13:02:24 GMT -6
"It will be worth our effort to protect those ruins." She had no disagreement.
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Post by Esteban Bridges on Feb 3, 2014 21:15:36 GMT -6
Esteban was befuddled, though it did not show on his business-like calm expression. He had an easy air about him while he addressed Eric. He raised up his left arm, adjusting the ornate silvery cuff-link by his wrist. "None," he replied to the ex-soldier's question, seeing no need to mince words. "Please. Continue." He rolled his wrists, now adjusting his other silvery cuff-link while he listened.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Feb 4, 2014 15:08:36 GMT -6
Eric looked down, nodding and pursing his lips again. “… all right, then…”
He turned to the intercom and engaged the hands-free mode.
[Assuming that all RP characters are either in the same room with Eric or by intercoms with access to onmi-tools/holo-displays]
“All right everybody, listen up. Time to get sharp…” The former officer waited for everybody to get settled.
Remember, these guys aren’t Alliance Marines. Not so disciplined… and not restrained by regs, either…
“We’ve had a little time to get to know one another on this trip… suss each other out. Trade stories, joke at each other’s expense. Some of us have even become good buddies. But regardless of where we each stand with each other, as of right now we are one ship, one crew with one purpose: take back the ruins. We’re all getting the same pay so there’s no sense fighting each other for a bigger share. It’s the Collectors we want confused – we’d better have our shit together if we wanna do this job and get out alive.”
He fixed his eyes on the salarian and then the batarian.
“Meldom: this entire op’s for naught if you can’t secure those turrets. If you can only get off one shot, make it count. Creundi’has: you volunteered to go along with him so you’ll be taking his lead. One of the three Collectors there should do you just fine. You two will be Team Zeus.”
Eric spoke to the others in turn.
"Resindra… it’s on you to secure and hold the dig site. You’ll be heading up Team Persephone. Iskra can back you up in maintaining a barrier and Shala can supplement the drone perimeter with her own tech, make repairs if needed. Meldom’s and Cruendi’has’ turrets and the little gift basket drone I’ll be whipping up with Shala’s help will hopefully put a sizable dent in their numbers; make things more manageable unless the swarm is released. Let’s hope the good doctor’s anti-Seeker solution works. Mr. B… you’re Team Ares with Malestrom, frontline. River and I are Team Artemis; we’ll be providing coverage and eyes from above. Arcturus: it’s your call; you can join us up on the ridge to cover Persephone or supplement Ares on the ground. As for our Scottish friend with the mech… I have a little job for you…”
Eric gestured to the map.
“The observation post going up in flames is our signal; we maintain radio silence until then. Mr. Murdach… if you’re up to the challenge, I think we can make the barrage on the command post a one-two-three punch. The Collectors will be hell bent on stopping the turrets. You make that idea cost them. The Valiant will do one flyover heading westward over the site and drop you off here, this spot where you’ll be completing a triangle with the command post and the dig site. Now the enemy should really be worried about getting pounded both from above and below. Once our big mech is in place, Ares will lead the assault with Persephone bringing up the rear. You’ll emerge from the ravine and then advance to the dig site. The perimeter drones should be in position, allowing Persephone to weave between them into the ruins. Ares will take the upper row by the sniper ridge, keep the Collectors from getting a flank on the dig site or the turrets. River and I’ll divide up coverage: I’ll take Murdach, River Ares. Both of us will cover Persephone. If Zeus’s forced to abandon the turrets - Murdach – you should try to get a position near the southern pass here until Zeus can link up with you. Then bring them to the ruins to assist Persephone and Ares. If the situation starts to spiral outta control and we can’t hold the dig site, Ares will divide and flank Persephone on either side under their barriers and fall back to the ravine, Murdach’s mech in front for added cover. Artemis will make sure the way is clear and then we all pack off in the Vengeance. If we succeed in wiping out the Collector presence we assess our damage, the doc tending our wounded. We relocate the Vengeance to the dig site, send the most able bodies in to mop up the command post. Plant our flag… mission accomplished.”
Eric waited for a few seconds, letting everyone take in the mission outline. He then tapped a sequence on his omnitool, bringing up a chronometer and telemetry information.
“Sorry ‘bout the Greek names – blame a little human nerd from my last job. Big mythology freak; would not shut up… okay, uploading info to Valiant and Vengeance’s NAVs. Mr. Torrez, at time you’ll enter atmo around the far side and approach from the northwest, deploying Vengeance and the drones beyond enemy’s visual range before circling and lining up for Murdach’s drop. We’ve all got our assignments. I’ll be prepping Zeus’ cryo and scuttle packs and fitting one of the combat drones with Shala...”
Eric calibrated his chronometer to the ship’s time.
“Unless there’re other last-minute changes or suggestions… Operation: Eight Ball, Version 2.0… is a go; T-minutes three hours, thirty minutes... we're each the best at what we do, otherwise we would've never been offered this job. Let's show the Collectors that not everybody in this galaxy's a pushover. We get out there, take that site and mean it. They have a thing for relics now…”
Suddenly he pulled his Phalanx pistol from his side without arming it and twirled in on his finger before stopping it in his hand, weapon aimed upwards.
“I say we make relics outta them!”
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Post by Maelstrom on Feb 4, 2014 15:54:23 GMT -6
Maelstrom chuckled.
Persephone, the goddess who ate of Hades' fruit and was doomed to spend a third of each year in the underworld, thus bringing the curse of winter upon early man. Artemis, the maiden goddess who's love was killed because of her brother's jealousy. Wouldn't want to be on either of those.
Let's hope Lysander's team can manage as the ruler of the gods. The power who vanquished Cronos, most feared of the titans.
Ares, the god of savage warfare, attended to by Phobos and Deimos, Fear and Dread. Suits me just fine... if only it were the enemy that mattered.
He secured the last grenade to his armor, then put on his eerie helmet, solid black save for a toothy white smile... and a single eye with cats-eye pupil and red iris. The helmet amused him, but to many of his enemies, it inspired an entirely different reaction, when they turned a corner to find him waiting there, staring at them. "Fear and dread."
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Post by Shala'Bekk vas Neema on Feb 4, 2014 23:30:33 GMT -6
"I say we make relics out of them!"
Shala looked at Eric Lysander, exuding absolute confidence. If he had any doubts, they weren't showing. She looked around at the others, wondering what they were feeling. Were they confident like him, or were they a big bundle of nervousness like her? Would any of them not make it back?
What if I don't make it back? she thought, and her gaze fell on the batarian.
Everything we do in life is a choice, especially how we react to things...
Her heart thudding just like when she had entered the Vengeance, she walked over to him and extended a hand. "Good luck, Cruendi'has Tarmikos," she said.
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Post by Iregos on Feb 5, 2014 1:05:02 GMT -6
While the others were reacting, the Asari assented with a hearty, "Let's do this!" while clapping for the speech. (The other mercenaries might stare at her, in which case she will shrug it off and go back to her thoughts)
It was a good plan.
After the outline of their plan and his speech, she felt reassured he was not a typical mercenary. He was driven by the mission, and she respected that. She knew humans could be counted on in military matters, and trusted this one to watch her back. He was also a comfortable leader, accounting for independent motivations but not backing down on the main objectives. She might be more experienced, but she was glad to contribute and couldn't think of anything to improve the plan.
This was going to be the first time where she was being led by a human in a combat situation. Having a good plan ensured that who was in charge wouldn't make a difference, to some degree. The life and death situation on the planet, hours away, facing a relative unknown would draw them together as a unit. They didn't have trust, but they had a clear, shared agenda.
She maintained her caution, but for now she rejoiced.
She was working with people from all different backgrounds and races, and she'd never seen so much diversity in any other combat outfit she'd been in. With such an array of talents and strengths, drawing from a variety of races, she was sure they could match anything they found on the planet.
There was still time for people to speak up, and they had plenty of time to prepare, so she waited for a moment to see if there was anything further of concern.
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Post by River Havens on Feb 5, 2014 4:21:54 GMT -6
Listening as the plan was being explained, River could picture it all in her mind's eye. It was a lot to take in all at once, but once she had a chance to work it out in her head, it seemed like a fool proof plan. Through she couldn't really say that when it was the Collectors that they were dealing with. She had never gone up against their kind before, but she was familiar on what they were capable of.
"Any precautions we should take? Ammo, amps, armor?"
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2014 6:28:01 GMT -6
Iskra quietly flicked through datapad on the Collector physiology, though she had memorized all the information long ago, she found the motion soothing. As the planning had become more and more real, she realized how little she was truly prepared for this. So much of her training was defensive, only to be used if needed but now she was actively walking into the Yahg’s den…
It was hard not to feel the knot begin to form in her stomach, the whole thing being direct as it was. She had done many training simulations with the asari but nothing to the scale of this. This was a true military strike, which went against almost all her training. Keep to the shadows, see the enemy but never be seen , silence is the hunter’s true friend…
The young doctor set down the datapad with a sigh, turning and heading out of the medbay.
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Post by Eric Lysander on Feb 5, 2014 9:45:50 GMT -6
"Let's do this!" clapped Resindra near the back.
Eric shook his upheld gun towards her in acknowledgement. The adrenaline from the flourish he ended his speech with helped check his fears about dealing with the Collectors. He and the other mercenaries might not fare as well against them as Commander Shepard. And Eric's old friend already fell once to their might. But maybe this group would have luck and pluck on their side; the breach of the Omega Relay cast these beings in a vulnerable light. A crack in the dam that could be exploited and cause the whole structure to shatter. What every demo expert worth a damn looks for.
Eric remembered Shepard's father and his words from a confrontation years earlier, after hearing that a certain young recruit might have deliberately been trying to wash out of Basic Training...
...
"You want you and the rest of the world to see a smart-mouthed loser who loves fireworks, old sci-fi and dreams of getting rich... I see a young man who's embarrassed of the brain in his head. Who holds himself back and takes it because the only way he knows how to fight is with his mouth. He thinks he can never be as strong as the people who've pushed him around, who've taunted him his entire life... well, this is your chance, son. You can get the muscle to back up that mouth. Put that brain of yours to work where it'll be appreciated. Prove yourself and everybody wrong. Show everyone that the weak little shit stain they knew doesn't exist anymore...! And who knows... maybe it'll be you one day that gets to call the shots. Now wouldn't that be something...?"
...
Damn... I had no idea how much I missed this...
A question snapped Eric back to the present. "Any precautions we should take? Ammo, amps, armor?"
He looked over to River.
"Yeah, definitely - thanks," he pointed and then said to the rest. "Everyone, make sure to go over the plates and seals in your armor for holes and such. They'll need to hold up against Seekers just in case. Biotic users should check on their amps; be sure they can handle the strain. Especially you guys: Resindra, Doc. Those barriers are key to holding the ruins. Concussive rounds may come in handy. A momentary stagger or trip up can mean the difference between the enemy or you with a hole where your head should be. Maybe even set a couple up for a righteous pounding!"
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Post by Murchadh on Feb 5, 2014 11:17:15 GMT -6
A grin formed on the face of the scot as he heard the plan. " Soonds loch a plan sairrr. i'll gie doon tae th' shuttle bay an' gie mah laddie prepped fur action." The scot replied as he brought up his omni tool. Down in the ships hanger bay the six legged mech light's suddenly jumped into life as it began it activation sequence. It body resembled the alliances M35 Mako except it was a rather smaller only big enough for the two seated driving cockpit.
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Post by dargene on Feb 5, 2014 15:21:14 GMT -6
Meldom listened to every word over the speakers, taking in everything nodding along in agreement at everything that had been said he turned to follow Iskra out assuming she was heading to were the others are "Should go administer countermeasure to everyone now now, time we land it should be circulating around our bodies effectively" his fingers interlocked "have to use full face masks as its a moon.." he sighs "unfortunately necessary".
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Post by Game Master on Feb 6, 2014 4:18:05 GMT -6
[GM Note]
Chapter 4 will be updated at 10 pm CST on 2/6/2014
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