The Flamebringer
Troperia Bridge:
Torvahk simply stood their in silence, listening to the conversations being had and gathering most of the information that had been exchanged, although he did miss out on bits and pieces that he simply didn't understand. After a brief pause, he would eventually say, "Conversation interesting, has been this. Ship this, explore I shall. Form patrol route possible I want to." With that said, Torvahk would continue wandering about the Troperia Hallways. Guided by his map, he decided to visit the Engine Room. Even though the alien had no inclination for mechanics or engineering, he figured that it would be a prime target for saboteurs, and thus necessary to familiarize himself with. During this time, Torvahk began wishing he had experience with Explosive Ordinance Disposal or knew someone who did anyway.
Living The Fever DreamBridge
Aur, having no stock in any of the conversations, (and because I really want to do something at least) follows Torvahk out of the bridge.
"I've never seen you before... Who are you?"
"Maybe you should spend less time fucking around, then.
The second voice seems to come from nowhere.
we will survive.VR Room - Echirina
Rakiri nods and continues on through the woods. "Well, my birthfather was Saulos Faron...he was a general and one of the leaders of the Echirean Tac Op groups. He lived a rather humble life as a warrior before he met my surfather, Ourean. He's a scientist. he answers, "They came just about two different worlds in term of society, so, how they wound up together is beyond me, I guess it's true what that human saying says about opposites."
Amos's Room
"I did...? Crap...s-sorry! I really didn't mean it! I was having a really vivid dream and...huh?" he says, looking forward as he seems to notice something. His eyes flash green for a brief moment, as he sees something pop up in his peripheral vision, appearing as a sort of HUD from his perspective. "A message...? From who...?" Sending the notification away, he brings up one of his Holo-Screens, accessing his messages to read it. "...What? What are these...numbers...? No...coordinates, maybe...?"
Med Bay
Before he could even start to puzzle it out, Kyerine suddenly warping in and virtually glomping him catches him by surprise, making his chair tilt back and sending them to the floor, Tor on his back with Kyerine in his arms, hugging him tightly. "K-Kyerine...! I am fine, please, calm yourself, child...your big kitty is fine." he answers calmly, gently stroking his hair in a fatherly nature. "Are you alright?"
Lounge/Kitchen
"Coal, huh? Is that what you eat, then?" Greg thinks for a moment and heads over to the fridge, pulling out...a head of cabbage. Holding it in his hands, he focuses before generating flames from his hands, incinerating the poor produce to naught but leafy ashes. When he's left with ashes, he then starts to focus heat on them, attempting to condense them into a solid chunk. Well, it was an idea, whether it actually worked out was another story.
Old habits die hard, especially when no one else lets them die either.VR Room
"So, you took Ourean's name, then. How did they raise you? Where are they now?"
"Did they come from different, uh, tribes, I think? Val mentioned that a couple times."
Captain's Quarters
Peter pulls Chris down to the floor next to him, and gently makes out while snuggling.
Bridge
"Not... well..." Izzie says, reminding herself that they're currently talking about Jiko and not Mitch. "More like a test subject. He had the remains of an Echirean core grafted into him."
"Well, we have a bunch of new people here. Would you mind if we cross-checked your genome with other crewmembers, see if anything turns up?" She asks Zevai.
"Alright, bye." She says to Torvahk.
edited 11th Jul '16 7:25:17 PM by AqueousBunnies
The Troperia
Amos's Room
"I know but.... I couldn't help it..." Russell replies with clear conflict, part of him was trying to be annoyed at what happened, however he was flustered by the whole situation."...what do you mean coordinates?" He asks curiously, trying to change the topic leaning over and up to the end table besides the bed to grab his assistance watch, slipping it back on and letting it seal shut again.
Med Bay
Kyerine sniffles and keeps crying a little bit holding onto Toraq. "I-I-I saw you get flamed. I-I thought you were hurt!" Kyerine expresses scared holding on tightly to the doctor."I'm fine- I-I just don't want to lose you!" He continues to reply upset.
Lounge/Kitchen
The creature pauses watching, its quad-mandibles moving slowly as it watches him. Taking a minor step back looking somewhat submissive to Greg as he tries to create the charcoal.edited 11th Jul '16 7:51:42 PM by darkdestinysoul
"After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."Amos's Room
Amos thinks for a moment, propping himself up with one arm while surfing the screen with the other. "Well, coordinates are like...they're numbers that map out specific sections in an area, in this case, space, that let them be pinpointed so they can be located and traveled to." he explains, then realizing for a 10 year old mind just waking up rather abruply, simplifying might be in order. "In simpler terms, it can tell us how to go somewhere specific in space."
Med Bay
Tor remains calm, continuing to stroke Kyerine's hair, while also reaching out with his Essence, as if to doubly assure him all was well. I am alright, Kyerine. What you experienced was merely a dream. We're all safe now. he transmits to Kyerine, his voice gentle and calming.
Lounge/Kitchen
After his efforts, Greg ends up with a chunk of coal. He chuckles, seeming surprised it was so easy, and then turns to the creature. "Well, it's kinda small, and I can make more, but...here for now, anyways." he says holding out the coal for the creature to take.
VR Room - Echirina
"Yeah. Our people are kinda tribal by nature. We segment and gather together in groups with like minded ideals, ways of life, political or social views...stuff like that." he answers. When it comes to his parents, he pauses for a bit. "They were really nice and loving...from what time I got with them, anyways. With the war being... well war, and them being important and all, they didn't get time to really stick around as much as they liked. But, well, you have to do what's necessary." he answers, though there's a slight note of sadness there. "I haven't really seen either of them in over...50 years now. I hope they're doing alright."
Old habits die hard, especially when no one else lets them die either.The Troperia
Amos's Room
"Oh..." Russell says before yawning loudly and rubbing sand from both his eyes. A small tactile holographic interface appearing from his watch as he does so making a little startup chime as it powers up.Still sitting on the floor, now cross-legged thought still clearly a little bit sleepy he starts to run his hand across the holographic interface with his other hand small chimes being made as he does so; feeling and listening to set up the device.
"So where do those ones lead?" Russell asks curiously with a minor yawn, only with half only his attention. Amos might also hear him make a minor clicking noise with his tongue a few times before turning to face him; making his own echoes to locate his friend.
Med Bay
"A dream...?" He questions sniffling a little bit but calming down still hugging Toraq. "It felt real, like really really, really, reeeealllly real." He continues clearly now very confused even if he had calmed down with Toraq's voice in his head.Lounge/Kitchen
The creature reaches out its pedipals to take the chunk of coal, raising it near its face where the quad mandible grab onto it. Seemingly excreting some kind of strange liquid onto the coal which immediately turns yellow and starts to bubble as it is very slowly drawled into his mouth as it chews, being dissolved before hand. "After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began."Lounge
I didn't realize organics could process highly combustible, carbonized flora. Is cabbage typically how you enjoy yours prepared, captain?Captain's Quarters
Chris wraps his powerful arms and legs around Peter, holding him close and tickles lightly along his spine while kissing his forehead, "I love you both so much...you know that's why I worry so much, right? I'm not trying to nag or keep you from having a good time...I just don't want to lose you..."Bridge
I suppose. Though I do believe there is a definite-ish chance Silas and Whistler don't quite trust you to have those back yet. Silly organics worrying about a little thing like you, right? I can't imagine why. There's the slightest hint of sarcasm in their voice.[Bridge]
"And I'm not entirely convinced we should keep you over the backup anyway," Silas said darkly. "Sick sense of humor aside, he hasn't been tampered with. I'd take a crazy AI over one that might be evil any day."
"Now you're just being hurtful," Godsgift said. "I do have feelings, you know. Extraneous though they may be."
"I'm trying to think of a way to safely meet with a Prime," Sy said.
Godsgift interrupted, "You could just, you know, meet with them."
Sy ignored him. "They want to meet in person. So wireless comms are out, and I doubt they'll settle for Brain Uploading into something harmless on this ship. And I'm damn sure not going to their ship. Godsgift, I know Primes are subject to a million-and-one physical modifications, but is there any record of a Prime having a weapon as part of their body?"
Godsgift didn't reply for a second, querying several exabytes of data. "Depends on what you mean by 'weapon'. Ballistic firearms: Null result. Particle-beam generation: Null result. Electromagnetically-radiative devices: Positive result; however, no record of such a device being used as a weapon. Electrolaser: Null result. Pulsed energy projectile weaponry: Null result. Sonic weaponry: Null result. Electromagnetic pulse: Positive result, usable as a weapon; however, no record of such a use occurring."
"They can generate an EMP?"
"Some of them can. Well, some have been confirmed to be able to do it. For all we know, all Primes can kill you with their mind. But by the same token, for all we know, you're the only sentient being in the universe and you're actually dreaming all of this, so, you know, you work with what you've got."
"All right," Sy said. "Then what if we just require the Prime to come naked?"
"What, through space?"
"No, damn it. We send the lowest-tech skiff we have available to pick up the Prime from their ship. Something disposable. Once the Prime is on the Troperia, we run all the scans we can think of to make sure they haven't brought anything that they literally couldn't remove from their body. That'll at least ensure they don't bring anything more dangerous than an EMP. Probably. We talk, they leave, they take the skiff with them, so they can't sneak anything onto it or the Troperia."
"Medieval," Godsgift said. "I like it. So are they allowed to put on clothes once they get here, or—?"
"Yes, yes, we can provide them something. The point is they bring nothing."
"I'm not weighing in on this," Whistler announced. "This isn't my ship, and this thing with the Prime isn't my area of expertise. But Sy, maybe you should just tell the Prime you don't want to talk to them, and then, you know, find something to take your mind off it. Maybe by the time they talk to the Captain, you'll have, uh... cooled off a bit."
"I thought you weren't weighing in?" Sy said wryly.
"I mean on the whole logistical superspy thing. You're bending over backwards trying to figure out a way to safely meet with this person. If you're so worried about them, why meet with them at all?"
Silas sighed. "Like I said earlier. If they want to talk to me, they'll talk to me. The only question is whether we take advantage of their offer to do it on our terms, or wait for them to force the issue on theirs."
"So," Godsgift said loudly, "I'm bored. What do you say, Troperia? Is Silas's idea workable? I'm sure he'll be willing to reimburse you for a scuttled lifeboat. He's super-rich, you know. In whatever passes for money in the Beyond. Not sure what the exchange rate is out here, actually."
edited 12th Jul '16 1:52:59 PM by SolipSchism
Alexander Dock
Once the Troperia settles, three men walk out of R - two men who appear to be lightly armed and armored security, and one in a labcoat and...gym shorts and a tank top? On top of that, this man also looks somewhat disheveled and decidedly more tan than his companions. A cigarette hangs loosely out of his mouth, and his hands are buried in coat pockets. He speaks, and the words are sent through transmission to the ship itself.
Bridge
Heyo, Troperia. You probably already know who I am. We'll be waiting for those of you wanting to come aboard Alexander proper...HEY, HENRY! YEAH, GO AHEAD AND FILL IT UP....WHAT? YES ALL THE WAY. Sorry about that.
Library
"I just wanted you two to know we've arrived."
Lex's Room
"Figured that," says Kijo as he sits up. He looks groggy.
Captain's Quarters
"I know... I don't want to lose you either. That's why I'm training; so I can protect you guys." Peter giggles slightly at the kissing and tickling. "Wanna go somewhere? Get something to eat, maybe?"
VR Room - Echirina
"Oh, I'm sorry about that. At least they really loved you. Have you heard from them, at least?" Mitch asks Rakiri. Val, meanwhile, looks around further, trying to find buildings or other signs of civilization.
Bridge
"And I thought Dominic was paranoid." Izzie comments. "If one of these Primes wanted to blow up our ship, I don't think they'd have given us any warning, let alone do something like talk to the specific crewmember with knowledge on them. I'm not saying we shouldn't take precautions, but just... relax a bit."
edited 12th Jul '16 6:59:03 PM by Izshta
All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.Mod-sama (Aqueous, I think?), can I retract my earlier statement about not bringing the Prime onto the ship if I double down on my promise that they mean no harm to anyone?
[Bridge]
"Izzie has a point," Godsgift said, giving the unmistakable impression that he was nodding sagely, even without a body. "Primes are actually known to avoid people with knowledge of their organization—their existence, even, when possible—when on a mission. Knowing that the person sitting across from you is a master manipulator makes you a liiiiittle bit more difficult to manipulate. And Zevai is also correct. As mentioned earlier, if a Prime wants you dead, they don't generally introduce themselves first."
Sy threw his hands up. "Fine. Invite them aboard. But I'll take no responsibility for what happens to this ship or anyone on it."
"You're not being a very courteous gue—" Godsgift began, but Sy held up a hand. The human's wrist device was flashing. He held it up and examined the screen.
After a few seconds of gaping at it, he blinked, shook his head, and read aloud the words displayed: "I'll give you the activation codes for my Caesura."
There was a brief pause, and Godsgift added, "Caesura: The physical modification that allows Warden Prime to instantly kill any individual Prime, at any time. That's... an unusual level of trust for a Prime to place in someone else."
Captain's Quarters
"Just make sure to look after yourself too, hon..." Chris nuzzles his beard against Peter's chest while smiling and snuggling close, "Sure, babe. What're you hungry for?"Dock
Er...fill what up, precisely? Me? the ship responds in a huge resonant voice, Also, hon. You probably shouldn't be smoking in here. Never know when you'll come across someone or something combustible in a hangar.Bridge
I...think I need to consult the captain...Kitchen/Lounge
Er...Captain...please...I need you to decide something...we have a choice between possibly sacrificing a small shuttle or inviting aboard someone who promises not to harm anyone, but could be extremely dangerous if we're on its bad side...what should we do...?Lex's Room
"We'll be out in a minute."Lex pulls on some clothes and looks over to Kijo and -on a subconscious level- Jiko, "Tough guy act aside, you both ready for this?"
Library
Merrick pushes himself up and brushes himself off, "I was in a dark hospital with Kyerine and Toraq. There was a lot of death and disrepair...I saw my sister's corpse... there were undead swarming the morgue... and it all ended in a fiery explosion...so pretty bad, yeah..."edited 13th Jul '16 2:45:28 PM by GhostElm
Amos's Room
Amos shakes his head as he finally starts to stand up. "I don't know...it's...well, it's just really weird. Maybe I should go show the others...and see if they're alright..." As he says this, he grabs his shirt that he hung up yesterday and pulls it on over his head. He didn't exactly have a bustling wardrobe at the moment. He'd have to check the store room again for something later. "So, um...are you alright? Again, I'm really sorry..." he says as he looks over at Russel with a slight frown.
Lounge/Kitchen <-> Bridge
"No, I-...wait, what? What the hell is going on up there?" he asks, uses his wrist terminal to start connecting to the bridge while simultaneously heading for the door. He whistles and waves for the creature to follow him, should it feel like doing so. "Ok, what the fuck is going on and why am I just now hearing about it?" he says, a small display of him appearing in the corner of the bridge's main monitor. "Does the title captain mean nothing anymore? I mean, it's false title anyways, but come on."
Med Bay
"Dreams can feel like that at times, yes. Though...sharing dreams is not something that often happens. That is slightly...odd." he admits as he stands up, picking his chair up off the floor and setting it upright before sitting back in it. He looks at the paper with the coordinates. "I even seemed to write those coordinates I found in my sleep, though...I suppose it was just a coincidence..." Tor concludes, but doesn't sound 100% sure of it.
VR Room - Echirina
"Nah...they're pretty busy acting as diplomats most of the time these days now, so they're always travelling. If I do call, it just tends to get forwarded to voicemail...though, again, I understand their busy..."
Val will soon come across what look to be remains of a primitive settlement. Remains of what look like a large fire pit mark the center with a few dilapidated buildings crafted of wood and stone surrounding it. Judging by trails and tracks leading away, it was recently moved somewhere towards the east.
Old habits die hard, especially when no one else lets them die either.
