From Heavens to Heavens -- A Sci-Fi Fantasy Adventure

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-17 10:35:55

The dockyard looms tall as you approach it. The four of you have never spoken before, and these few moments are your first meeting.

A guard, clad in the Neonan national colors of purple and white, leads you past rows and rows of docked subships. Some full-fledged carriers, others comparatively tiny fighters. Most are decked out in the same purple and white combination, though a few are grey or other colors. Holo-posters of the newly-elected Queen-Captain decorate the yard, Dythia II's imperious gaze looking down upon you as you're led through the facility.

After several minutes, the guard finally leads you to a midsized, sky-blue craft at the end of the line.

"This is the former NNF Blue Majestic. She'll be your lancing ship. The first person inside will get automatically keyed-in as captain, she's just come off a full memory reset, everything but tac data and the starmap is totally clean."

The guard turns to you, and cracks a sly smile.

"So who's going in first?"

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-17 14:09:43

Kwakuu fiddles with his scarf uncomfortably.

"Well, given that we are two nobles -- good day to you, Princess of the Aft -- and two non-nobles, I believe that us nobles should recuse ourselves from the position. An equal distribution of power will benefit us in the long run, I believe."

Tanya · 2015-01-17 15:38:07

Reiwu adjusts her spectacles and let's out a mischievous grin.

"That sounds like a perfectly reasonable compromise given our situation, I wouldn't have thought of a better solution myself" she says matter of factly as she casually strolls on board.

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-17 16:13:36

"Hmpf. I expected you to decide it amongst yourselves, but I suppose it's too late for that now."

Kwakuu swaggers on after her, a rueful expression on his face.

LOAD Cherry · 2015-01-18 06:24:48

"I'm fine being lower on the food chain. Less responsibility means more opportunities to have some fun." Sparin winks at the black haired Administraor next to her and struts onto the ship without a further word.

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-18 06:53:54

As the four of you enter the ship, you take a look around. It's rather roomy for its size, hinting that it dates before current ship size regulations. The interior is largely painted a deep silver, screens and buttons that do various things are virtually everywhere.

Before any of you can take anything else in, you hear a long beep.

Reiwu,

You're briefly stunned as a bright flash of light appears out of nowhere. A line of light beams from a nearby console, and traces itself up your body.

Blue interior lights come on as the various screens boot up to life. But what catches your eye immediately is something else entirely.

"Helloooooooooooooo Captain!" A deep red hologram of a humanoid--not more than a few inches tall--springs from the console. She's dressed in a very sensible naval outfit, complete with a cap. Two butterfly-like wings protrude from her back, but she is otherwise human. She salutes.

"Welcome aboard the former NNF Majestic Blue! I'm The Autonavigator, you can call me Am for short! I'm here to help you and your crew in your lancing career, Subcaptain Reiwu! But before we do much else, you should rechristen the ship! It's bad luck to have it use its old name, you know!"

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-18 07:13:33

"Might I suggest the NNF Sunsum? It's a word among my clan that means 'what one gains from his experiences in the world'."

daltar · 2015-01-18 07:14:29

The black haired Administrator in question lifts one eyebrow at the unexpected wink, one hand on her hip as the other holds a tablet for taking notes and checking information "While I mind the lack of accord before taking action, I don't mind relinquishing the position of Captain. My work shall have value with or without authority"

With those words Erica also makes her way within the Blue Majestic.

Tanya · 2015-01-18 07:31:31

Reiwu briefly rests a hand on her chin as she contemplates.

"This ship shall be given the name of the Hue Morning" Reiwu says, recalling the children's song she had heard of in her youth.

"Sorry folks, Captains orders" she says sarcastically as she lets out a grin.

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-18 08:17:24

Am salutes

"Yes Captain!"

She waves a digital arm, and the screen behind her changes to read "WELCOME ABOARD: LS HUE MORNING!"

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-18 18:44:07

Kwakuu shrugs.

"Well, if the preliminaries are over, it's about time that we set off. Where are we heading, captain?"

daltar · 2015-01-19 03:17:47

Once again going forwards without regard for anyone's else opinion and at that Erica had to give out a little frown before she looked down at her tablet "Well, we ought to go somewhere where our work is most needed at the moment"

LOAD Cherry · 2015-01-19 04:16:16

Sparin found a chair and sank into it. "Doesn't much matter to me. Anywhere we get things done will be fine."

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-19 04:27:42

"I'd personally like something far off and isolated."

Tanya · 2015-01-19 04:37:10

Reiwu echoes the sentiments of her now-subordinates. "Am, let's get forward, can't be wasting anytime here."

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-19 09:08:16

"Yes, Captain! I've already prepared a section of space for us to jump to, I think we'll find plenty of work there."

Am throws her arms open wide in the direction of the main screen, and it transforms into a countdown.

"Let's go!"

A flash of light, and some mild nausea later, you four and The Hue Morning are somewhere else entirely.

"We're in Norther Space, Captain." Am explains with a gesture to the screen, now having turned into a camera feed from outside the ship. "Near an asteroid belt. There's usually something that needs doing out here, but I will need time to scan around to see what exactly. Is that alright?"

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-19 19:15:35

"Anything we can do while you scan, Am?"

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-19 19:32:04

"Get to know each other?" the AI responds with a cheeky shrug

Tanya · 2015-01-19 19:58:26

"Right then, as your captain I want you to line up and state off something useful you can do!"

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-19 20:13:36

"And as your not-captian, I say that we don't. We'll have plenty of time to show our strengths in the trials ahead. I suggest we poke around and see if our predecessors left anything interesting aboard."

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-19 21:19:42

"I'm sorry to say, Lancer Oduru, most of the old ship--including most of me!--was stripped when she was retrofitted. You'll find the basic amenities of course, but I'm not sure much else."

Tanya · 2015-01-19 21:36:35

"As a responsible captain, I'd rather not wait until the pressure is on to know what you're capable of. " Reiwu shot back with a scowl.

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-19 22:02:32

"And as the son of a lancer, I know it's important to trust your fellow lancers. After all, this profession doesn't attract the weak."

"Now, do basic amenities include alcohol or entertainment of any kind? Frankly, I'd settle for an old board game."

daltar · 2015-01-19 22:38:02

"As myself, I'd have to say, you're quite bossy in your role of Captain for someone who got it merely for running ahead of everyone into the ship, caring not for the opinions or desires of anyone else. It reflects rather poorly on your character" says Erica, being completely honest as she looks at Reiwu and then at her tablet "I'm Erica Liesse, Administrator. Graduated from the Reichner Institute of Higher Learning. My knowledge and wits I'd say are my forte, though I've ensured that I can be at least competent in the other areas of my life"

LOAD Cherry · 2015-01-19 23:14:42

Sparin scoffs. "If you expect us to follow you into battle, try actually being a leader rather than barking orders like a power-hungry mongrel."

Tanya · 2015-01-20 00:30:02

"Thank you Erica for entertaining me in this request, you're all relieved then until Am finishes scanning" Reiwu notes down each of their reactions and finds some place to sit down

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-21 11:34:51

"Not to interrupt, ma'm. But I think I've found something!"

Am gestures to the screen, which changes to show a picture of an apparently abandoned ship floating in space.

"This ship has been emitting distress signals for a few days. Some cross-checking reveals it belongs to the Hokaign Corporation, who are headquartered relatively nearby. They're offering a substantial credit reward to anyone who can bring it back."

Tanya · 2015-01-21 15:13:45

Reiwu opened her mouth before thinking for a moment.

She turned to her crew "What do you say Team, we up for this?"

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-21 15:48:59

"Of course"

LOAD Cherry · 2015-01-21 17:01:04

"Abandoned ship. Could be dangerous." Sparin smirks. "Let's go for it!"

daltar · 2015-01-21 21:52:37

"Hmmm bring it back... Seems unlikely, but can this ship tow it? Otherwise we'll need to drop inside and see if we can deal with whatever distress they have. If there is damage or some other malfunction we'll need to fix it in order to drive the ship back to it's base" says Erica, going through the scenario "Am, any details you can give us on the ship?"

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-21 22:12:57

"Of course! She's a cargo freighter, large but lightweight, probably packed to the gills with all kinds of commodities, though I can't find any records on what this one in particular was carrying. Some further digging reveals she's the HCPF Fortune Sing, but not when she was commissioned, or where."

daltar · 2015-01-21 22:20:11

"Cargo freighter. Most likely scenario is a common malfunction, however, that makes it unlikely that they wouldn't receive help until we came along. Either an outside agent took interest in their cargo, or perhaps and most unlikely, the cargo itself became the problem. Regardless, if possible, Am, load the schematics and layout of the ship or other similar ones to my device. It will help navigation. I recommend we stay on our toes and go in to see what we're dealing with" says Erica, letting her tablet fold itself to be deposited on a back pouch as she took out and checked the status of her arms.

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-21 22:23:39

"No can do, ma'm! Hokaign doesn't make the layouts of their ships public, probably to discourage pirates. Of both kinds. I can however show you the layout of the comparable Eddings Corporation freighters though, if you'd like?"

daltar · 2015-01-22 00:01:29

"Please do so, at least it may give us an idea of the possible layout and what one might expect within a ship of that size"

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-22 00:11:19

"Right!"

Am switches the monitor view to a side-view line drawing of a hypothetical interior of the ship.

"The Fortune Sing is an L-Class Freighter, Civilian Type. We can assume that the crew reside in the upper half of the ship, while the cargo is stored below, tucked behind a good deal of polymetal plating. L-Class freighters are often used to store live cargo--exotic animals, prisoners, things of that nature--and are sometimes quite heavily guarded by automatic security detail, which is to say, androids. Unfortunately beyond this basic information I can't discern much else about The Fortune Sing, her AI is run on the EyesWide OS, which is incompatible with mine, else I might be able to do some long-distance hacking."

daltar · 2015-01-22 00:14:37

"Live cargo... well, the third possibility just became more likely" says Erica, biting her lip "Anyway, we better start with the upper half of the ship and then make our way towards the cargo area and engines"

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-22 00:20:43

"There should be a docking bay near the ship's top. However there is one more thing you should know, some more digging reveals that the ship's onboard AI Baba Yaga is a transfer-in, which is to say, she wasn't originally designed for that ship. If she's still online, she's probably undamaged, you might be able to get her to help you."

LOAD Cherry · 2015-01-22 00:35:35

"Sounds good to me. However, as much as I wanna rush in there, is there any chance we can perform a lifeform scan of the ship? I wanna know exactly how big this live cargo might be. If it's big enough, maybe we can compare the sizes of readings to figure out how many survivors there are on the ship?"

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-22 00:37:33

"Unfortunately, the plating the ship uses would make any bio-sign scans unreliable at best."

daltar · 2015-01-22 00:54:50

"So we're going in blind... lovely. Try to establish communications with the ship, Am. If anyone in there can tell us what is happening, that'll help a lot. If not... well..." Erica shook her head, turning her weapons from daggers to pistols and then holstering them.

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-22 00:56:26

"I've been trying for the past several minutes, but if Baba Yaga is online, she's not responding, and no one else appears to be near the comms. I'll take us in as soon as the captain gives the word."

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-22 03:37:12

"What does it matter if we're going against criminals or beasts? We are lancers. Anything foolish enough to stand in our path won't stand for long."

Tanya · 2015-01-22 03:46:43

"It just means we have to be careful as we're not sure what we're up against, but we're set for, so forward drive!"

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-22 23:36:18

"Yes captain!"

It takes several minutes, but before long you're just above the Fortune Sing, slowly lowering into its docking platform. You hit not long after, and the hatch closes above you, leaving the Hue Morning docked, and the crew ready to move as soon as possible.

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-23 02:07:53

Kwakuu unsheathes his sword and opens the door.

"Adventure awaits!" he says matter-of-factly before bounding down the ramp

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-23 05:47:01

The dock is empty, and dark. The power seems to be out.

There's a single door on the far end of the area, and other than the hatch you came in through you don't see any other way out.

Yarrun XIX · 2015-01-23 06:02:31

Kwakuu takes a few steps into the darkness before coming back, smiling sheepishly.

"Anybody got a match or a torch?"

Tanya · 2015-01-23 06:04:18

~Reiwu casts • Light~

Salix Babylonika · 2015-01-23 09:34:09

The area fills up with a dim light and you soldier ahead.

Thankfully the doors seem to still work. A sign in the long hallway beyond is quite helpful in getting your bearings:

<- PILOT'S QUARTERS

^ BRIDGE

-> MESS HALL

daltar · 2015-01-23 17:58:09

"Bridge should be first priority, I'm not sure if we should split up so early but in case you do, keep in contact through the communicators" says Erica as she moves forwards down the hallway towards the bridge.

From Heavens to Heavens -- A Sci-Fi Fantasy Adventure

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