RP Thread: Into The Void: A New Beginning

Intro : Following the party's daring Escape from the Ebon Scimitar, on board CE-D12 Cargo Ship  Zaratan Date : 132 RE, (135 years after Birth of the Republic) Setting : Tion Cluster, Oribiting Space Station Alpha 18, Near Raxus Prime, Docking Bay, Hangar 189-Echo. The ship lumbers forward, into the Space port, a last stop before empty, unexplored space. The ship's derelict and miscellany systems and parts strung together withdraw bits and baubles of recycled parts. The spaceport's inhabitants an assemblage of shady traders, explores, and scavers. The port itself filled with scum and villainy.

Former Captian Salud, sits slumped in her chair, a rare flask of whiskey in her hand. She gives Pica an occasional swig and sits in silence. Both smoke a hand rolled cigarette, smelling of fine Janimerian tabaco.  Takumi creates sounds of clicks and clacks as she interfaces with the computer and she works on parts underneath the main interface panel.  Steve practices stabbing a patchwork target dummy with a stolen bottle of rum in his hand. Roka plays sabbac with Wenti and Kenway. Kenway sneaks a card and Roka sets pistol on the table, and the card is returned shortly after, with a grin. 

Jeb slumps down against a wall before taking out and lighting a cigarette of his own, after a good period of smoking in silence Jeb finally lets out a long exasperated sigh before speaking up. "So....what the hell do we do now?"

Leoni checks the console to assist Takumi before looking over her shoulder at the slumped individuals behind her.  "We buckle down, nut up and make our shit last. We can stock up on the next planet, until then it's going to be a real rough ride. Takumi can get us where we need to go so don't give her lip. We need Wenti to report in as soon as possible too or else we might be in for a world of hurt. Salud, captain or not this clunker was taken from your ship and that makes you the best person to know whats on it so let's get inventory going." With a pause Leoni then moves over to her own pack to check what little she actually has with a sigh before having a moment of clarity and turning to address Jeb. "Jebby, no more grenade mishaps, gather them all up and I'll tinker with them." 

Wreck is nearby working of fixing the various damages accrued from their most recent acts of piracy...and escaping from piracy. He has already replaced his lost hand with one of several spares he has, and is now working on his voice-box. " Testing, testing, testing. Acknowledged, voice-box repaired. I would agree with Leoni, on that Wenti warn Xer as quickly as possible. That should be our first objective, if for nothing else than having those two clash and taking Xim's attention away from us. After that however...I do not have enough data to postulate Jebediah. I would prefer to stay out of the family feud, but I am unaware of how long we would be able to avoid it." Several un-repaired holes let Jeb and Leoni know that Wreck is thinking rather hard on the subject if the mechanical whining is anything to go by

Jeb finishes his cigarette and stands up brushing himself off as he does so. "Alright, I've only got one more left but you're more then welcome to it. Don't trust the damn things anyway, next time I'll just shoot the sumbitch." He then turns to look at Wreck. "I don't think we'll have much of a choice, I don't think Xim will take kindly to us betraying him and telling his father his plans. From the way I see it we're probably at the top of his shit list right now, and if we get Wenti here to Xer we'll only be bumped down to second. So I say we lay low for a while as we get Wenti to Xer, and afterward we might as well start hitting Xim where it hurts and start raiding any trade routes he has. It'll weaken Xim and we'll make some nice credits in the process."

Wreck nods "A fair assessment, we would be able to keep ourselves from becoming his primary focus as long as he is warring with his father, and we will likely need the credits if we are to be working as independent pirates.  Spare limbs are not too cheap, especially in the seedier ports..." Wreck looks around at the state of the current party "I suppose I should look more into the medical field if we're to survive this...adventure as well"

As Takumi is working suddenly an electrical explosion is heard and she yells. "Fuck!" A Few seconds later. "I looks like our hyperdrive is damaged. It works but we can't go to far reliably. Also some of the defense systems are on the fritz."

Salud sighs and looks out the window into the port.

Jeb slaps his hand over his face before leaning his head back and letting out a loud chuckle. "Well talk about getting kicked while you're down. I suppose our first order of business should be getting a ship that's worth a damn, I mean if I'm gunna die in a flying death trap I at least want the sumbitch to look nice. What do the rest of ya'll think?"

"I have some mechanical knowledge, I could take a look at the systems and see if I could get them in working order, or at least know what parts we would need to repair the systems. Parts are cheaper than a whole ship, usually." Walks over to Takumi "Where is the hyperdrive on this ship? I think that it takes priority over the defense systems."

"Thanks wreck but you can't fix some of these couplinks, the huperdrive system is in back near the engines. It's connections up here are falling apart. The system is archaic at best. It looks like salvaged Rakatan tech." She continues working "I also need some more tools see if you can find some in the matinence bay." Salud perks up when she hears Rakatan tech. "The H.EX.S. Far Discoverer was made of Rakatan tech, I can help take a looks at the system."

"It's not like we're strangers to capturing ships. The only trick is going to be finding one of Xim's that's on its own. From there, I'd say we link up with Xer and keep doing what we were doing before, except, y'know, without the unstable maniac in charge."

"Coincidentally, I am also Rakatan tech. Thank you Takumi, I shall see what I can do." Wreck walks off towards the engines and hyperdrive, grabbing his tool-kit on his way "Archaic, really, that's just insulting" Wreck mutters to itself

"Can't we just, you know, put a different unstable maniac in charge? I mean it keeps things interesting at least."

"We'd have to get to Xims ship first, it's not like we have a durable raid craft here" Slaud replies to Varian.

"Hence the getting a new ship bit I mentioned earlier."

Leoni flinches as the electrical explosion sparks nearby. "I don't care that we can't go far just get us anywhere but here as soon as we can." The diminutive woman would normally have rushed to assist with the mechanical repairs but the situation was cluttered enough without her butting in, besides grenade inspection was far more entertaining. "We could afford a ship sure but can we afford fuel for that ship? Can we afford parts? Food? Supplies? Repair costs? I'm not saying our clunker is the greatest but maybe, just maybe blowing our wad on a ship we can't afford to maintain is a really stupid idea and this is coming from the girl with poor forethought." Putting one of the grenades down she sighed with a small grin. "For once Varian isn't wrong. We can certainly steal a ship better than this one in a heartbeat once we make land. It doesn't have to be grade A but anything would be better than this and the sooner the better."

Jeb huffs a bit as he walks about aimlessly. "I don't recall saying anything about buying a ship, I simply said we need to GET a new ship. The hell is all this buying shit coming from? I say we land on the first semi civilized planet we come across, sell this piece of scrap, and borrow another ship with the intent of never returning it....maybe even shoot a few people, y'know just for fun and all that. That should take care of our ship problem and our credit problem at the same time. It's a win win."

"It's not like we need this ship to survive the encounter, it only has to last until we're inside the target. Failing that, some of us could pretend to be holding the others captive. There's gotta be at least a couple of people whose faces are unknown, they could pretend to be bounty hunters. What's a good bounty hunter name? Getta Paid? Katchem Skinflint? Captain Findsalot?"

"Personally I like the name Digun Graves, but Katchem Skinflint is good too."

"You could always go with Hardlum. That was the name of my parole officer back on...well fuck it he was a up tight bastard you could pretend to be him, you always got something up your ass anyway. We aren't going anywhere near Xim's shit in this clunk ball..." Placing the last of the grenades back in her pack, Leoni was quick to stand and look around.  "Well if everyone is going to take their sweet time I guess I'll go work on getting the hyperdrive working just enough to get us out of here before we become a splat against some of these larger ships."  With that the small girl was gone into the back, her steps bounding through the ship.

"Wreck's already back there working on it, besides I ain't a damned mechanic. Not only that but the defense systems are out so it's not like I can shoot at anything. So I'm just going to sit here and wait until you gear heads can get this thing back up and running. Now with that being said who the hell wants to play some sabbak."

"Leoni, any ideas on where we should go?" Takumi asks.

Salud returns . "Well I have a checklist of the damages to the ship. Hyperspace, nav, weapons systems, are down, but life support, collision avoidance, gravity field, blast shields and emergency systems are in working order."

Intro : Following the party's daring Escape from the Ebon Scimitar, on board CE-D12 Cargo Ship Zaratan Date : 132 RE, (135 years after Birth of the Republic) Setting : Tion Cluster, Oribiting Space Station Alpha 18, Near Raxus Prime, Docking Bay, Hangar 189-Echo. Zartan refueled and ready, 3 new ships docked, the newly arranged  ship seems to have awaken from a slumber  as it sits in the dock. Takumi sits playing with the new navi computer and a new holotable has been brought from the scrappers.

"Well it's not top of the line but it's certainly better than how we found it. We should probably prepare to set off after raiding that chop shop, we don't need anything traced back to us right now, but it was a decent haul." With a jump in her step Leoni turned to look at the others. "Oh right ya slobs, I found some clothes for you. All men's clothes so crap doesn't fit me; figures...I'll probably have to hand wash my clothes for a while. Nothing new on that fucking front..."

"Well if ya want we can always buy ya some new clothes. I'm thinkin green silk with long strings." Jeb takes out a cigarette and lights it, taking a long exasperated drag before slumping down in a chair. "Well the ship has guns now, and that makes me feel better knowing we can shoot back if we get into trouble. So I guess this is home for a while, better call a room now. I want one with a window."

Wreck enters after sorting the haul in the cargo bay. (And smuggler's compartment) " Windows are a structural weakness, we should probably get rid of them. Should I wear clothes to blend in, or would that make me stand out more Leoni? "

Without saying a word, Dax goes to one of the smaller rooms, takes off his heavier gear and begins to train with his sword.

"As for what you would like me to wear, Jebby I have yet to see you present such an article and can only assume you're bluffing." Quickly the small woman turned on her heels to look at the confused droid. "We can get the windows set with a near zero relay to convert into a bunker, but otherwise I would prefer they stay. Also yes wearing clothing is only something we organics do, you droids don't have private areas on the outside that you need covered up."

"I didn't say I had it, I said we can buy it. Besides you gotta be there for the fitting, or at least give me your measurements, gotta make sure it fits right."

"Then what is the purpose of a hat? It covers up no private area." Wreck looks questioning at Jebediah's hat

"It looks good. That and it keeps the sun out my eyes, keeps rain off my face. It has uses."

" So it is used to prevent oxidation and overheating? Maybe I should invest in one... "

"Ya know, I think you might be able to pull off a top hat....or maybe a bowler hat."

" Bowler...hat? You imply that there are different types of head-wear, interesting...and what do you mean 'pull off'? "

"There are many different types of hats, like my hat is a wide brimmed gambler style hat." Jeb takes another drag from his cigarette "What I mean by pull off is I think a top hat or a bowler hat would fit your style."

" Hmm, interesting. Is a Bowler has large and capable of blocking large amounts of sun and precipitation? " Wreck cocks his head " What exactly is my style...and what is...style, does this have to do with that fashion idea that I've heard some females speak about? "

"A Bowler hat doesn't really block a lot of sun or rain, but it looks nice." Jeb scratches his chin a moment. "Yes and no. Women have fashion, Men have style. It's basically the same thing, but at the same time it's not."

" That...does not compute. Why would you suggest a hat that has no functionality is 'my style'? "

" Wreck you don't pick up on much about non-robotic life, do you ? " Chimes in a oil covered Takumi. " Has anyone checked on the Fresh meat? " Salud asks.

" I am aware of the functions of organics, but culture for the most part eludes me. My creators didn't see it relevant to include many social protocols when programming me. So I am...learning... "

"I checked on the new scrubs before we even sat down. Want me to get them some warm milk and tuck them in too?" Standing from her chair Leoni cast her gaze towards the back of the ship and with her hands cupped around her mouth called to the new recruits. "Front and center newbies. We got a lot of work to do!"

"Somebody needs to get those guns hooked up and runnin so I can calibrate the damn things." Jeb takes a final drag of his smoke before throwing it to the ground and smashing it with his boot. "I mean I ain't good with the whole puttin shit together thing, but I suppose I could hold a wrench or somethin. Unless you'd prefer I stood around in nothin but my hat and boots lookin pretty if that'd help morale around here."

Athena comes " Claus is cooking  for the crew and what's her name is helping. Is there anything you need ."

"I'm finishing up work here. The crew had some bad run-ins with dud grenades so I'm taking the time to check them all. Still won't stop duds I suppose but it's better than nothing. We also as Jebby mentioned need to get some guns hooked up and runnin fine. Takumi is down...erm was down fixing around with the engine and hyperdrive. You could also check with her, see if she's got something for ya. I was gonna boss the others around but they seem to be settling in just fine." Leoni finishes work on her grenade and it slides into her side pack with a thunk while she waits for the newbies response.

" I am better with weapons and explosives, than ships Miss.... errrm... What do I call you? " Athena replies .

There was a thunk as the grenade was placed on the table and Leoni began to fiddle with the duds once more while she listened to the new girl. "I'm Leoni, or jailbait if you ask some of the others, not like I care but you should know who it refers to. I find weapons, especially the heavy kind and explosives to be better than men or diamonds. You are?" There was another clank as the grenade, now inspected slid into Leoni's pack, all the while she did her best to maintain eye contact with the new crew member.

" I believe Miss Athena she was asking your name Leoni. "

"So buy you even more Thermal Detonators then, got it." Jeb stands from the chair. "Well since I never got a no on me standing around in nothin but my hat and boots..." , Jeb sets his coat on the back of the chair and begins unbuckling his belt, "...guess I better get started."