I.N.F.L.U.X. [ Interest Check / Reboot of Old Idea ]

[Garinovitch]

Art by ukitakumuki

I.N.F.L.U.X.

(Formerly known as "I n f l u x")

PROLOGUE:
The FIL-46 "Raptor" Gunship propelled itself through the night sky, the engines roaring as Reaver Squad prepared themselves for landing on the planet below. The marines of Reaver Squad were looking forward to touching down, as they've been aboard several battle cruisers and have constantly been in slip space every since they had left the Cacharias Sector. Lieutenant James Hounder took the brief moments before touchdown to review the twelve Imperial Marines under his command. There was a silent weapons check between the members of Reaver Squad to ensure there were no last minute glitches in their equipment. Staff Sergeant Miranda Veils, the energetic pilot of the gunship tentatively rubbed her eyes as she turned behind her.

"Alright boys, we're coming down into a nearby canyon, it's about two clicks from your objective so it should be a good place to touch down and get your feet wet before you guys start pushing towards the nearby city."

Lieutenant Hounder nodded towards the pilot, pressing his hand onto the communications display integrated to his helmet, "This is Reaver to Bastion, Reaver squad is touching down on the planet surface now, we'll move in to investigate the planetary distress signal in a few moments."

Lieutenant Hounder waited for a few seconds, but there was no reply from their Battle Cruiser. Lieutenant Hounder looked up into the night sky at the Bastion, which was slowly orbiting over the small planet. "Bastion, do you read? This is Reaver squad, I repeat, we are landing on the surface in a few moments,"

Sergeant Veils pressed a few buttons on her heads up displays before turning to the Lieutenant, "I don't think you're going to be able to reach Bastion, this damn weather's putting a number on our communications."

The Lieutenant shrugged, "Understood, put us down."

As the Raptor fell to a slow hover and touched down upon the dirt surface of the small planet LARIAT-TWO, the twelve soldiers hastily disembarked from the Raptor Gunship, scanning the nearby plateaus with the barrels of their rifles. It wasn't long before a series of eerie screeches and unknown noises rang out from the darkness. The Imperial Marines scanned the area with their Night Vision heads up displays, but there was nothing to be found, although the noises seemed to be getting louder and louder. Lieutenant Hounder opened up his communications channel once more to get confirmation from their battle cruiser.

"This is Reaver actual to Bastion, we've touched down on the surface and are preparing to move out, over."

There was a slight pause, before a crackling response came over the channel, "This is Bastzzzzt to Reaver actual, zzzt. You need to get back here immediately! zzzt! The ship zzztt. The ship is under att-"

Lieutenant Hounder bit his lip, "You need to repeat that Bastion, we didn't get that."

"Sir! Multiple contacts sighted!" A marine beckoned

The Lieutenant shouldered his IR-667 rifle, glaring down the sights and towards the nearby treeline. The Lieutenant's jaw dropped as hundreds of shambling humanoids eerily emerged from the nearby treeline. The soldiers of Reaver Squad began barking targets toward each other, and an orchestra of small arms fire rang out in an immaculate chorus. Lieutenant Hounder put two magazines worth of ammunition down range towards the shambling corpses that were slowly drawing closer and closer to the Landing Zone. The twelve men simply didn't have enough firepower to keep the unknown horde at bay. Suddenly, the Raptor Gunship's 35mm cannon blared, cutting down targets in a 180 degree angle in front of the gunship. The engines on the Raptor began to flare and the propellers began to come alive.

Sergeant Miranda Veils opened the hatch of the cockpit and poked her head above the glass, "Hounder! You need to get your asses back on the gunship! We're going to get overrun!"

The Lieutenant nodded as a terrifying scream pierced through his ears beside him, he turned to his left to watch in horror as his squadmate was ripped to shreds by one of the shambling corpses. The Lieutenant quickly gunned down the creature with his rifle, but it was too late, the landing zone had been overrun by these creatures. The Lieutenant pulled back to the side of the gunship, firing off another barrage of rounds in front of him. The Lieutenant felt helpless as his men were mobbed upon and brutally murdered by hundreds of corpses. Lieutenant Hounder and three of the remaining survivors climbed into the gunship in a panic, hundreds of these creatures were in arms reach of the ship, their decomposing arms reaching onto the sides of the hull.

"Get us out of here Miranda!" The Lieutenant beckoned, firing his rifle in a vain attempt to stall the horde.

The pilot panicked, "I'm trying goddamnit!"

The Raptor Gunship's propellers blared, and the helicopter lifted a few feet from the planet's surface, but the decaying flesh of the horde was already upon the craft, the creatures were climbing over the sides and clawing their way onto every nook and cranny of the ship.

"Come on! Lift off!" The pilot smashed her fist into the side of the gunship as she pulled as hard as she could on the vertical throttle. The Raptor whirred, but the weight of the horde on top of the craft was just too much for the gunship to bear. The rotten corpses dug themselves into the propellers and engine blocks of the gunship, and after gaining approximately ten feet of altitude, The Raptor crashed back down into the surface below. With no means of escape, the corpses climbed aboard the gunship grabbing a hold of the remaining survivors of Reaver Squad. Lieutenant Hounder fired the few rounds he had left in his magazine before the rotten claws of the horde dug into his flesh, his screams muffled by the groans of the oncoming horde. The pilot stared in horror as the creatures climbed onto her ship and mutilated the remains of the men that she'd served with for many years. Sergeant Veils punched open her cockpit, and made a desperate attempt to flee the downed craft, to her horror, however, the creatures were already climbing overhead. A shambling monster climbed into her cockpit and its rotten flesh grabbed hold of her latex flightsuit. The doomed pilot shrieked as the monster's sharp claws pierced through her flight suit and into her soft skin, "No. Please. No." the pilot begged, shuddering as the monster happily began its feast upon the young pilot. The pilot tried to shake free from the creature's grasp, tears dripping from her eyes in fear as the creature ripped into her flesh.

There would be no survivors in this darkness.


INTEREST CHECK
This is a reboot of a failed RP that went down here a month or so ago. I'm reviving this due to some interest I've already collected.

Since the Prologue doesn't give a very good idea of the situation, here's the story I have so far in a nutshell (Bare with me here, this is a skeleton of what it'll actually be.)

- The year is 2556, the Human Race has been unified under a Imperial Faction (Think warhammerish, just not as fanatic.)
- Obviously, being a science fiction roleplay, the human races expands through thousands of planets and hundreds of galaxies,
- The Imperial Navy receives a distress call from a planet known as LARIAT TWO, the Imperial Navy sends the Battle Cruiser "The Bastion" to investigate and assist.
- The Bastion and it's landing parties are attacked and the Battle Cruiser fails to report back.

A few months later,
- Imperial Navy sends "The Genesis" a prototype Battle Cruiser to investigate the planet and The Bastion's disappearance.
- The Genesis isn't your average Battle Cruiser, on board of The Genesis is a new breed of elite super-soldiers being harbored by the Imperial Special Forces Division codenamed, "The Praetorian Project"

The Praetorian Project, to put it bluntly, is somewhat a mixture of what you would see from the Spartan program from the Halo Universe and a Space Marine from the Warhammer Universe. Everyone in the roleplay will be a new breed of Imperial Soldier known as the Praetorians. Praetorians are highly skilled killing machines that will feature a ton of interesting gadgets and powers that I'll be describing in a later post. Still toying around with the ideas and powers that they will be receiving. There will be two generations of Praetorians: (Unless I decide otherwise)

EXTRA FLUFF (It'll be on the OOC/Sign-up page aswell.)

A Gladius-wielding Praetorian (Left) protecting an Imperial Special Forces Ranger (Right) with his Kinetic Barrier.

The ECLIPSE System is one of the defining factors that makes the Praetorians so unique. The Eclipse System is classified by the Imperial Armed Forces as a bipedal, adaptive battle-suit. The Eclipse System is a modular armor system that features Reactive Plate Armor, an adaptive Artificial Intelligence system, and four Ionized Generators mounted to the spine of the system. The Reactive Plate Armor itself is nothing coherently special, capable of absorbing small amounts of small arms fire and dumbfire ordnance, its the other two parts, mixed with a skilled pilot, that complete the system.

While Artificial Intelligence is nothing new to the Ecclesian Empire, a prototype Artificial Intelligence system that features adaptive learning rather than pre-programmed doctrine and coding is something entirely different. The Artificial Intelligence integrated into the Eclipse System is a constantly learning A.I. that has a distinct personality of its own. The Artificial Intelligence works hand in hand with the pilot it has synchronized to, providing combat information during operations and controlling the Ion Generators that are mounted to the back of the Eclipse System.

The Ion Generators on the back of the Eclipse system are a prototype reactive system similarly used in inter space propulsion. The original design of the system was to provide a self-sustainable power for the armor's many internal functions, including in-suit heat and air conditioning, communications, a functional heads up display, on board cameras and magnification devices, thermal, night vision and other optical views. However, it was soon discovered by the Artificial Intelligence of the First Generation Praetorians that the Ion Generators could be focused to create small amounts of kinetic energy (the same energy that would propel ships in slip space.) At this point, the system was rudimentary at best, however, A.I. systems were known for saving the lives of their pilots by focusing the energy of the Ion Generators to block a single bullet that would otherwise have ended the pilot's life. It wasn't long until the Ion Generators were expanded from one small generator to four larger ones, allowing a much more substantial energy output. Now, Artificial Intelligence systems can focus these generators to provide a whole multitude of different, almost supernatural abilities. Although First Generation Praetorians usually leave the management of these generators to their Artificial Intelligence, Second Generation Praetorians are known for manually operating these systems to manipulate the world around them and create some interesting, unorthodox fighting techniques.

A First Generation Praetorian that has retrofitted stealth modifications to their Eclipse Armor for covert operations.

First Generation Praetorians are the few, original members of the Praetorian project. The First Generation of Praetorians were ex-Special Forces taken from several Special Operations branches of the Imperial Armed Forces. Already the best of the best, the First Generation Praetorians were placed through a rigorous physical and mental selection process that weeded out 80% of candidates to become candidates for the Praetorian Project. Masters of covert operations and military warfare, First Generation Praetorians were genetically enhanced and refined to become the ultimate machines of warfare. Despite their prestige and military rigor, the First Generation Praetorian project was considered for the most part, a failure. The First Generation Praetorians had an abnormally high mortality rate for a unit that was required to take on some of the most difficult missions the Empire had to offer. Very few First Generation Praetorians still survive to this day. Those that have survived, however, are exceptional soldiers that in certain ways surpass their Second Generation Counterparts.

Characteristics:

• First Generation Praetorians, being raised from several Special Forces units, prefer conventional, small unit warfare, relying on their firearms and military training in combat.
  
• Being hardened veterans of many wars and conflicts, along with serving for many years in their Special Forces branches, tend to be older (ages 30 - 50).
  
• First Generation Praetorians treat the Eclipse System as a tool to be used in combat and not an extension of their body.
  
• As such, First Generation Praetorians tend to make drastic modifications to their Armor so that they may carry more ammunition and explosives and treat their armor as a Modular System for their use.
  
• First Generation Praetorians are more capable of independent thought than their Second Generation successors.
  
• There are no female First Generation Praetorians

A Second Generation Praetorian that is utilizing her Kinetic shields as linear, motion force attacks by concentrating generator power to form precise, invisible strikes across her finger tips.

Second Generation Praetorians are the newest breed of the already infamous Praetorian Special Operations unit. Unlike their First Generation counterparts, who were taken from already prestigious Special Forces branches in the Imperial Armed Forces, the Second Generation Praetorians were orphans taken from families ravaged by war and raised from a very young age to be candidates for the Second Generation Praetorian project. Genetic modification at such a young age has allowed more drastic changes to be made to the physical and mental characteristics of the candidate. Due to their lack of military experience, Second Generation Praetorians prefer unorthodox techniques in combat, focusing more on individual ability and reflexes rather than military training to get the job done.

Characteristics:

• Second Generation Praetorians, lacking military cohesion and small unit tactics, work better alone than they do in an organized fire-team.
  
• Because they were raised from anywhere between 5-15 years of age, Second Generation Praetorians tend to be anywhere between 18 to 25 years old.
  
• Second Generation Praetorians see the Eclipse System as an extension of their body, refining every inch of their armor to make use of the special attributes that the system provides.
  
• Some Second Generation Praetorians don't even use firearms, preferring other methods of combat.
  
• Second Generation Praetorians, being raised from a very young age, tend to be borderline brainwashed and have trouble making their own decisions and tend to also be very emotionally unstable.
  
• Many of the Second Generation Praetorians are female.

Outside of just the ECLIPSE System, The Praetorian Project gives the Praetorians explicit access to the Empire's finest technology and prototype equipment. Here, you will find the technology and armaments that you will be able to give your character.

Primary Armaments:
Limited to One

Chambering a 7.92mm Caseless cartridge through a 30 round detachable box magazine, the Imperial Adaptive Rifle, like it's name suggests, is a highly adaptable rifle utilized by all branches of the Imperial Armed Forces. It is an easy to maintain, effective platform that is utilized even by the Praetorians for standard field operations. It's common, universal cartridge shared through the multiple branches of the Imperial Armed Forces means that it's easy to find extra ammunition, meaning that Praetorians don't have to carry much of it themselves. Through multiple variants, the rifle sees extensive use across the galaxy.

Point Cost:
Platform
IAR-667: 700 Points

Barrels
24 Inch Barrel: 250 Points
20 Inch Barrel: 200 Points
14 Inch Barrel: 150 Points
11.5 Inch Barrel: 100 Points

Flash Hider
Standard Flashhider: 0 Points
Recoil Compensator: 50 Points
Mark V Suppressor Unit: 100 Points

Optics
Digital 12x, 8x, 4x, 2x, Optical Scope: 150 Points
Telescopic 2x Combat Scope: 100 Points
Digital Holographic Sight: 50 Points

Other
Bipod: 50 Points
Vertical Foregrip: 50 Points
Underslung Grenade Launcher: 100 Points

The ECLIPSE Mark V "Gladius" is a new weapon devised under the Praetorian Project that many of the Second Generation Praetorians favor. The Gladius is effectively an energy blade that utilizes power drawn from the rear Ion Generators on the ECLIPSE armor system. This "Gladius" weapon is then able to directly divert this energy manually without the control of onboard Artificial Intelligence to amplify this power to devastating effect. This includes creating an Energy Saber, forming 360 degree kinetic barriers and even diverting power to create miniature Electromagnetic Pulses to damage nearby electronics.

Point Cost:
ECLIPSE MARK V Gladius: 1000 Points

Secondary Armaments:
No Limits

The M720 "Madbull" is a double-action, six round revolver chambering a specialized .357 cartridge. The M720 is a highly effective sidearm that has seen use in the Imperial Armed Forces for almost one hundred years as the mainstay Imperial Sidearm across all branches of service. Despite this, the Madbull's small ammunition capacity and high kick has led to it's replacement by the SYER-336 as the Imperial Armed Force's main sidearm. The M720 is now a rare weapon still favored by many Imperial Officers and will still see action for many years to come due to it's high stopping power and reliable design.

Point Cost:
M720 Madbull: 1000 Points

Developed by an independent armaments manufacture, the SYER-336 "Stinger" is a hammerless, semi-automatic pistol that chambers a specialized .44 SYER Cartridge. The SYER-336 is a pistol that is seeing more and more deployment as the M720 Revolver is slowly being phased out of the Imperial Armed Forces. Favored for its reliable design and large, 13 round magazine, the SYER 336 is favored by many Special Forces branches across the Empire.

Point Cost:
SYER-336 Stinger: 800 Points

Flash Hider
Detachable Suppressor: 100 Points

Other
Rail-Mounted LAM Unit: 100 Points

Favored by Imperial Special Forces, the Archon Combat Knife is a multi-use Combat Knife that has seen use across many theaters. Inorder to Obtain an SF-6 Archon Knife, one must be currently serving, or have served in an Imperial Special Operations branch, making these very rare collector's items. Being as the Praetorians are an Independent Special Forces branch, they have the same exclusive access to these blades as their Imperial Special Forces counterparts do.

Unit Cost:
SF-6 Archon: 400 Points

The SF-19 Seraphim are a set of blades forged and designed by Seraphim Industries. The SF-19S or SF-19 Short is the standard knife fielded by Imperial Soldiers across the galaxy. It is a cheap, inexpensive knife that can be used effectively in thousands of different situations. The SF-19L, or Long, respectively, is a blade not necessarily in Imperial Service, but is privately purchased by many officers for use as personal weapons for officers that may not see as much combat as their subordinates.

Unit Cost:
SF-19S Seraphim Knife: 200 Points
SF-19L Seraphim Blade: 800 Points

Other:

7.92mm Caseless, 30rnd Magazine: 50 Points

.357, 6 Rounds: 50 Points

.44, 14rnd Magazine: 50 Points

.44 28rnd Hi-Capacity Magazine: 100 Points

Fragmentation Grenade: 50 Points

Electromagnetic Grenade: 50 Points
Deploys a non-lethal, Electromagnetic Pulse around detonation area

40mm Fragmentation for Underslung Grenade Launcher: 50 Points

40mm Electromagnetic for Underslung Grenade Launcher: 50 Points

[Whisket]

I think I'm interested in this, one question though, I assume we'll be given a set amount of point in which to arm ourselves with what you've shown, but what is the amount exactly, or will that be in the OOC, and is there anymore weapons, etc or just what you have in this?

[Doppelganger]

This looks interesting.

[Rikta]

Count me in as well! Awesome idea!

[Garinovitch]

I think I'm interested in this, one question though, I assume we'll be given a set amount of point in which to arm ourselves with what you've shown, but what is the amount exactly, or will that be in the OOC, and is there anymore weapons, etc or just what you have in this?

The points will be in the OOC and there will be a couple more weapons but not many more. If you're really interested, the amount of points you will receive are 3,000.

This looks interesting.

Count me in as well! Awesome idea!

Glad to hear it! Going to look for a few more and then make sure my Co-GM checks in before I put the OOC up.

[Caelum]

interested.

[GodOfChaos]

Still in Garino

[WeskerV2]

Sounds interesting, count me in.

[Draconilian]

I might be up for this. Sci-fi is nice.

- - - Updated - - -

query, may I forego a primary entirely? and use three secondaries?

'Nother question, how many players are you looking for?

Upon further reading. I'm totally down with this. Can't wait to get a character going.

[Zombehs]

Hey Garino. Mind if I join in on this again?