Alrighty. I'm going to stop there unless you want me to continue.
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- Irell Starling 11 yrs ago
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10 yrs ago
"Metaphores" by Sylvia Plath
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No problem. I'm expounding on character's reactions to events that you've covered. I hope to have my post finished up sometime tomorrow.
Ryen was only a few steps away from the doorway started to crack open. ”Thank-“ but that was all she managed to get out when the ground in front of them cracked with an electrical discharge. A loud sound emitted from the impact as white and blue shards of lightening fizzled in the air around the area. Just to her right, Ellie screamed and quelled. While Ryen, still in shock, was trying to figure out why the ship had aimed a shot at them.
It was clear, in a matter of seconds, that it wasn’t the ship’s fault as their captain appeared from behind the opening door, pistol barrel aimed right at Ellie’s head. The poor women looked like she was about to faint.
”Damnit…” Before Ryen or Ellie could make sense of what was happening, Lazlo had clamped his hands on their shoulders and had practically drug them inside. The door behind them was shut and the decontamination process had started before the mechanic could find her words. The captain however, beat her to it.
”I only gave you two commands…” Even through the white mist, Ryen could see Ellie visibly flinch at the onslaught, ”…It’s like working with children…”
”I’m sorry. I tried-” Ryen tried to get out, but Lazlo’s words continued to mow her over.
”…DO YOU HEAR ME?”
Ryen swallowed hard and nodded, trying hard not to think about what the recourse for their tardiness would be. In the meantime, she reached out and put a steadying hand on the technician’s shoulder. The woman looked like she was about to faint.
”He was… smiling,” Ellie said in a barely audible whisper. ”Does he know?” The mechanic was just about to ask for clarification when Lazlo’s shout reminded them that they would be taking off shortly. After making certain that the other woman was okay and would be able to make it to her station on her own, Ryen headed to hers located near the ship’s Core Subsystem.
”Maria,” Ryen called out as she hurriedly strapped herself in and logged into one of the ship’s informational panels, pulling it out on its hinges so it was more easily accessible. ”I take it that the cores are warmed up already?”
”Mechanic,” the ship replied, it’s mechanical voice sounding more disapproving than usual, ”I don’t do your job for you.” In front of her, the screen flashed to the ship’s energy diagram detailing just what was happening to the ship. Unfortunately, the cores hadn’t been properly warmed up again. This meant in order for the ship to take off, power had to be shifted away from other processes. The shielding, to Ryen’s horror, was sitting at 5%. Enough to protect the ship from rouge space debris damage and not much else. In addition, the medical bay, galley, and two storage lockers had been temporarily shut down.
”We could shut down power and processes to the extra residential rooms,” Ryen said. Scanning through more power signature data. ”This would allow us to temporarily boost the shields.”
”The power draw of a single extra room is almost negligible at this point.” The AI replied.
”Just one?” Ryen replied worrying at her lip, ”I thought we had more.” Had she read the ships map wrong a while back? Disregarding the thought, Ryen continued scanning through the ships bios. There was simply not enough power in the cores yet to get them off of a planet of any substantial size. Thankfully, Federation Stronghold lacked both an atmosphere and a substantial gravitational pull. A dramatic dip in the ship’s energy reserves was all the Ryen noticed about their take off.
***
When Ryen arrived to the galley both Quincy and Ellie were already there. Using the, once again fully powered replicator, she selected a large green salad with Teta Mushrooms. A sort of penance for her near escape.
”He’s crazy, you know.” Ryen whispered to the technician who was, as faithfully as ever, typing away at her pad. ”He almost shot us.”
”I don’t think… he wouldn’t have…” Ellie stammered, not sounding very convinced.
”Your faces were hilarious!” Quincy said, tapping his lit cigarette against a near empty bowel. From its contents, Ryen guessed it was what was left of the doctor’s late lunch ”Hilarious!”
”He almost killed us!” Ryen shouted, wiping the grin off Quincy’s face. ”Why didn’t you let us in?”
The doctor just sighed and brought some sort of tool out of his lab coat pocket. ”If you’d been back on time, that wouldn’t have happened. You know? You’d be safe inside and my medical bay would currently be up and running.” Ryen shot him a disgusted look. ”Plus, it wasn’t like I knew he was going to shoot first and ask questions later.”
”Who’s shooting who?” This came from Gunther who appeared at the galley doors, a small child-like figure hovering behind him. However, the meek creature, instead of making her way, like the solider over to the large central table, instead sat herself down on the floor near the door. ”That’s Seita,” Gunter continued but before he could finish, Lazlo appeared.
***
"I don't suppose you broke a third of my commands, did you?" Lazlo asked as he took her chip card away. Ryen racked her brain as the man loomed over her. ”I… don’t think so…” Ryen stammered, trying to figure out what he was referring to. ”I didn’t buy a weapon if that’s what you’re asking about.” Although, with the events of today, maybe she should really reconsider it.
Ryen accepted her card back as Lazlo continued his speech. Halfway through, she was struck with the thought that maybe, just maybe, the man was a bit deranged. She’d just wanted some safe off world transport. Tests? Assessments? Best of the Best? Ellie, sure. Gunther, why not. But Quincy? Really? And where did the young girl fit in? Looking around, Ryen took in the faces around the table. Ellie and Quincy seemed as surprised as she was but Gunther was taking the news more casually than she’d expect. Had the solider suspected this all along?
Around the table, everyone was quietly watching as Lazlo presented the crew members bios one by one. Gunther’s information was impressive. Ryen didn’t know much about military status but even she could appreciate his scores in marksmanship. His service and travel record was also extensive, expanding over a large portion of Federation Planets and some, like Syrae, non-controlled ones. Ryen listened as he accepted his position. The next time she had the opportunity, Ryen wanted to bring to Gunter’s attention the incident in the hotel today.
Next, Lazlo, presented information about the good doctor. Once again, Ryen felt like the last one to know. Gunther simply nodded and Ellie’s lack of any interest in the information spoke volumes. Nevertheless, Ryen was having problems swallowing the information presented. Sure, Quincy had seemed like a good enough doctor. He’d fixed her dislocated shoulder and had done something to the tipsy Ellie but it was hard for her to come to terms with the fact that this person sitting next to her, puffing away at his cigarette could ever be considered one of the best. Yet there they were. Test scores, class rankings, and surgical outcomes flashed across the screen.
Quincy let out a low laugh as Ryen realized her jaw was dangling open. ”Yes sir, loud and clear.”
So stunned by the presented information, that the mechanic almost missed Lazlo’s mention of Quincy’s curative ‘methods’. ”What methods?” Ryen asked. Gunther shrugged, Ellie blushed, Quincy smirked, while Lazlo and Seita seemingly ignored her comment. Next was the technician’s turn.
If Ryen was stunned by Quincy’s record it was nothing compared to how she felt about Ellie’s. This shy woman who tittered when she spoke and swooned at the drop of a hat, was in fact a super spy? Sure, you couldn’t judge a book by its cover but you should be able to get close? Right? Ryen glanced sideways at Ellie while Lazlo continued to list her qualifications. The technician, was turning redder than a tomato.
”… Her responsibility is to store every piece of information which the crew comes across and to provide any information requested by the members of the crew…” Lazlo continued. Ryen’s ears picked up. Any information? Perhaps Ellie could help her decipher her father’s journal. Perhaps Ellie could find just what her father had been doing on Beclaeobus. Perhaps, Ellie could help Ryen find her mother. A picture flashed in the mechanic head, unaltered by time. A beautiful woman with fiery red hair and a kind smile. It was all almost too much to hope for.
That’s when Lazlo pressed a button and a slide with the words ‘Ryen Arleth’ appeared on the screen. Underneath were grades, class rank, and previous occupations. How could she possibly stack up to Quincy’s achievements, Gunther’s assignments, or Ellie’s sheer amount of programing knowledge? The answer was quiet clearly that she could not. Her information didn’t just look lackluster; it looked down right pathetic compared to the rest of the team’s. Unconsciously Ryen slunk a little lower in her chair, while she felt rather than saw everyone’s eyes on her. She wanted to explain, prove that she was so much more than what was up there.
Someone coughed loudly, probably Quincy, when Lazlo mentioned the word “jobs”. Yes, not only was her rap sheet the worst, but thanks to her delay this morning, portions of the ship were just starting to be fully powered again.
“…Is that understood, Ryen?" Lazlo prompted.
”Clearer than Syrae crystal.” she replied. As he went on to describe her functionality within the crew, Ryen felt her confidence boost a little. Full access to the subsystems? Her fingers involuntarily twitched as a small grin played on her face. Oh Maria, Maria, watch out!
***
”Please follow the lit path,” Maria announced as soon as Lazlo breezed out of the galley. Gunther was the first to get out of his seat, followed by quickly by Seita. Next Ryen stood up, followed by Ellie, leaving Quincy in the rear as the group headed collectively over to the cargo hold.
”One moment,” Ryen said, stopping by a diagnostic screen located by the ship’s main elevator. ”I want to make sure all life support for those areas is up and running.” A quick check revealed that the cargo holds were fully powered although the ship’s shieling was still sitting as a dismal 32%. ”Right. We’re good to go.”
Everyone piled in as the elevator door’s swung shut. The area inside was cramped and not helped in anyway by the stench of cigarettes wafting off the doctor. Thankfully the ride ended quickly as the group continued onwards towards the holds.
”Anyone else notice something off about this?” Quincy asked, his voice the only noise besides ever present hum of the engines and the sound of shoes against metal floors.
”The amount of credits for all… our technology?” This came from Ellie.
”That someone with the qualifications and certification like our captain is flying around space with a new ship and a five person crew?” Ryen added.
”I-I like the captain.” This was added in a quiet voice by Seita.
”That most of us are over qualified except for a young girl and the daughter of a top engineer who only barely had passing grades?” Gunter stated. Ryen looked over at the solider but it was clear from his expression that he playing with her, even if he did suspect something.
” That most of us worked under the Federation.” Quincy stated as the mechanic reached out and unlocked the hold’s door.
Inside the ship’s full cargo hold, lights flickered to like revealing metal crates which were stacked nearly up to the ceiling. Gunther let out a low whistle. ”That’s a lot of gear.” Seita was the first to wander over and inspect the wording on the crates, curiosity getting the better of her. Despite the crates girth, weight, and advanced locking mechanism, the young girl opened it up with relative ease. Reaching in she fished around until she pulled out a long, emerald colored shirt.
”That’s mine!” Ryen said, snatching it from the girl’s outstretched hand. Seita shrunk back at the gesture as if the mechanic had frightened her. Ryen apologized but the girl still seemed leery. ”Ellie, will you pull up the ship’s manifesto? I’m sure I’m not the only one who went on a shopping spree.”
According to the manifesto, Ryen had been correct. The crates under Gunther’s name listed all kinds of survival supplies and, what Ryen suspect to be weapons. In addition, surprisingly, there were a few old fashion, high-end board games. For the latter, Seita gave her shy enthusiasm to this news. Ellie’s and Ryen’s crates tended towards the clothing end. Even Seita, although she quietly confessed to not knowing how, had a few crates herself. Then there were Quincy’s. The contents of his three crates were rather vague although one was distinctly marked with a rather large biohazard sign.
”The Feeders are in crate 692… Alpha… Foxtrot… X-ray.” Ellie read off as she began directing the group to which crates needed to be open to access their new technology.
It was clear, in a matter of seconds, that it wasn’t the ship’s fault as their captain appeared from behind the opening door, pistol barrel aimed right at Ellie’s head. The poor women looked like she was about to faint.
”Damnit…” Before Ryen or Ellie could make sense of what was happening, Lazlo had clamped his hands on their shoulders and had practically drug them inside. The door behind them was shut and the decontamination process had started before the mechanic could find her words. The captain however, beat her to it.
”I only gave you two commands…” Even through the white mist, Ryen could see Ellie visibly flinch at the onslaught, ”…It’s like working with children…”
”I’m sorry. I tried-” Ryen tried to get out, but Lazlo’s words continued to mow her over.
”…DO YOU HEAR ME?”
Ryen swallowed hard and nodded, trying hard not to think about what the recourse for their tardiness would be. In the meantime, she reached out and put a steadying hand on the technician’s shoulder. The woman looked like she was about to faint.
”He was… smiling,” Ellie said in a barely audible whisper. ”Does he know?” The mechanic was just about to ask for clarification when Lazlo’s shout reminded them that they would be taking off shortly. After making certain that the other woman was okay and would be able to make it to her station on her own, Ryen headed to hers located near the ship’s Core Subsystem.
”Maria,” Ryen called out as she hurriedly strapped herself in and logged into one of the ship’s informational panels, pulling it out on its hinges so it was more easily accessible. ”I take it that the cores are warmed up already?”
”Mechanic,” the ship replied, it’s mechanical voice sounding more disapproving than usual, ”I don’t do your job for you.” In front of her, the screen flashed to the ship’s energy diagram detailing just what was happening to the ship. Unfortunately, the cores hadn’t been properly warmed up again. This meant in order for the ship to take off, power had to be shifted away from other processes. The shielding, to Ryen’s horror, was sitting at 5%. Enough to protect the ship from rouge space debris damage and not much else. In addition, the medical bay, galley, and two storage lockers had been temporarily shut down.
”We could shut down power and processes to the extra residential rooms,” Ryen said. Scanning through more power signature data. ”This would allow us to temporarily boost the shields.”
”The power draw of a single extra room is almost negligible at this point.” The AI replied.
”Just one?” Ryen replied worrying at her lip, ”I thought we had more.” Had she read the ships map wrong a while back? Disregarding the thought, Ryen continued scanning through the ships bios. There was simply not enough power in the cores yet to get them off of a planet of any substantial size. Thankfully, Federation Stronghold lacked both an atmosphere and a substantial gravitational pull. A dramatic dip in the ship’s energy reserves was all the Ryen noticed about their take off.
***
When Ryen arrived to the galley both Quincy and Ellie were already there. Using the, once again fully powered replicator, she selected a large green salad with Teta Mushrooms. A sort of penance for her near escape.
”He’s crazy, you know.” Ryen whispered to the technician who was, as faithfully as ever, typing away at her pad. ”He almost shot us.”
”I don’t think… he wouldn’t have…” Ellie stammered, not sounding very convinced.
”Your faces were hilarious!” Quincy said, tapping his lit cigarette against a near empty bowel. From its contents, Ryen guessed it was what was left of the doctor’s late lunch ”Hilarious!”
”He almost killed us!” Ryen shouted, wiping the grin off Quincy’s face. ”Why didn’t you let us in?”
The doctor just sighed and brought some sort of tool out of his lab coat pocket. ”If you’d been back on time, that wouldn’t have happened. You know? You’d be safe inside and my medical bay would currently be up and running.” Ryen shot him a disgusted look. ”Plus, it wasn’t like I knew he was going to shoot first and ask questions later.”
”Who’s shooting who?” This came from Gunther who appeared at the galley doors, a small child-like figure hovering behind him. However, the meek creature, instead of making her way, like the solider over to the large central table, instead sat herself down on the floor near the door. ”That’s Seita,” Gunter continued but before he could finish, Lazlo appeared.
***
"I don't suppose you broke a third of my commands, did you?" Lazlo asked as he took her chip card away. Ryen racked her brain as the man loomed over her. ”I… don’t think so…” Ryen stammered, trying to figure out what he was referring to. ”I didn’t buy a weapon if that’s what you’re asking about.” Although, with the events of today, maybe she should really reconsider it.
Ryen accepted her card back as Lazlo continued his speech. Halfway through, she was struck with the thought that maybe, just maybe, the man was a bit deranged. She’d just wanted some safe off world transport. Tests? Assessments? Best of the Best? Ellie, sure. Gunther, why not. But Quincy? Really? And where did the young girl fit in? Looking around, Ryen took in the faces around the table. Ellie and Quincy seemed as surprised as she was but Gunther was taking the news more casually than she’d expect. Had the solider suspected this all along?
Around the table, everyone was quietly watching as Lazlo presented the crew members bios one by one. Gunther’s information was impressive. Ryen didn’t know much about military status but even she could appreciate his scores in marksmanship. His service and travel record was also extensive, expanding over a large portion of Federation Planets and some, like Syrae, non-controlled ones. Ryen listened as he accepted his position. The next time she had the opportunity, Ryen wanted to bring to Gunter’s attention the incident in the hotel today.
Next, Lazlo, presented information about the good doctor. Once again, Ryen felt like the last one to know. Gunther simply nodded and Ellie’s lack of any interest in the information spoke volumes. Nevertheless, Ryen was having problems swallowing the information presented. Sure, Quincy had seemed like a good enough doctor. He’d fixed her dislocated shoulder and had done something to the tipsy Ellie but it was hard for her to come to terms with the fact that this person sitting next to her, puffing away at his cigarette could ever be considered one of the best. Yet there they were. Test scores, class rankings, and surgical outcomes flashed across the screen.
Quincy let out a low laugh as Ryen realized her jaw was dangling open. ”Yes sir, loud and clear.”
So stunned by the presented information, that the mechanic almost missed Lazlo’s mention of Quincy’s curative ‘methods’. ”What methods?” Ryen asked. Gunther shrugged, Ellie blushed, Quincy smirked, while Lazlo and Seita seemingly ignored her comment. Next was the technician’s turn.
If Ryen was stunned by Quincy’s record it was nothing compared to how she felt about Ellie’s. This shy woman who tittered when she spoke and swooned at the drop of a hat, was in fact a super spy? Sure, you couldn’t judge a book by its cover but you should be able to get close? Right? Ryen glanced sideways at Ellie while Lazlo continued to list her qualifications. The technician, was turning redder than a tomato.
”… Her responsibility is to store every piece of information which the crew comes across and to provide any information requested by the members of the crew…” Lazlo continued. Ryen’s ears picked up. Any information? Perhaps Ellie could help her decipher her father’s journal. Perhaps Ellie could find just what her father had been doing on Beclaeobus. Perhaps, Ellie could help Ryen find her mother. A picture flashed in the mechanic head, unaltered by time. A beautiful woman with fiery red hair and a kind smile. It was all almost too much to hope for.
That’s when Lazlo pressed a button and a slide with the words ‘Ryen Arleth’ appeared on the screen. Underneath were grades, class rank, and previous occupations. How could she possibly stack up to Quincy’s achievements, Gunther’s assignments, or Ellie’s sheer amount of programing knowledge? The answer was quiet clearly that she could not. Her information didn’t just look lackluster; it looked down right pathetic compared to the rest of the team’s. Unconsciously Ryen slunk a little lower in her chair, while she felt rather than saw everyone’s eyes on her. She wanted to explain, prove that she was so much more than what was up there.
Someone coughed loudly, probably Quincy, when Lazlo mentioned the word “jobs”. Yes, not only was her rap sheet the worst, but thanks to her delay this morning, portions of the ship were just starting to be fully powered again.
“…Is that understood, Ryen?" Lazlo prompted.
”Clearer than Syrae crystal.” she replied. As he went on to describe her functionality within the crew, Ryen felt her confidence boost a little. Full access to the subsystems? Her fingers involuntarily twitched as a small grin played on her face. Oh Maria, Maria, watch out!
***
”Please follow the lit path,” Maria announced as soon as Lazlo breezed out of the galley. Gunther was the first to get out of his seat, followed by quickly by Seita. Next Ryen stood up, followed by Ellie, leaving Quincy in the rear as the group headed collectively over to the cargo hold.
”One moment,” Ryen said, stopping by a diagnostic screen located by the ship’s main elevator. ”I want to make sure all life support for those areas is up and running.” A quick check revealed that the cargo holds were fully powered although the ship’s shieling was still sitting as a dismal 32%. ”Right. We’re good to go.”
Everyone piled in as the elevator door’s swung shut. The area inside was cramped and not helped in anyway by the stench of cigarettes wafting off the doctor. Thankfully the ride ended quickly as the group continued onwards towards the holds.
”Anyone else notice something off about this?” Quincy asked, his voice the only noise besides ever present hum of the engines and the sound of shoes against metal floors.
”The amount of credits for all… our technology?” This came from Ellie.
”That someone with the qualifications and certification like our captain is flying around space with a new ship and a five person crew?” Ryen added.
”I-I like the captain.” This was added in a quiet voice by Seita.
”That most of us are over qualified except for a young girl and the daughter of a top engineer who only barely had passing grades?” Gunter stated. Ryen looked over at the solider but it was clear from his expression that he playing with her, even if he did suspect something.
” That most of us worked under the Federation.” Quincy stated as the mechanic reached out and unlocked the hold’s door.
Inside the ship’s full cargo hold, lights flickered to like revealing metal crates which were stacked nearly up to the ceiling. Gunther let out a low whistle. ”That’s a lot of gear.” Seita was the first to wander over and inspect the wording on the crates, curiosity getting the better of her. Despite the crates girth, weight, and advanced locking mechanism, the young girl opened it up with relative ease. Reaching in she fished around until she pulled out a long, emerald colored shirt.
”That’s mine!” Ryen said, snatching it from the girl’s outstretched hand. Seita shrunk back at the gesture as if the mechanic had frightened her. Ryen apologized but the girl still seemed leery. ”Ellie, will you pull up the ship’s manifesto? I’m sure I’m not the only one who went on a shopping spree.”
According to the manifesto, Ryen had been correct. The crates under Gunther’s name listed all kinds of survival supplies and, what Ryen suspect to be weapons. In addition, surprisingly, there were a few old fashion, high-end board games. For the latter, Seita gave her shy enthusiasm to this news. Ellie’s and Ryen’s crates tended towards the clothing end. Even Seita, although she quietly confessed to not knowing how, had a few crates herself. Then there were Quincy’s. The contents of his three crates were rather vague although one was distinctly marked with a rather large biohazard sign.
”The Feeders are in crate 692… Alpha… Foxtrot… X-ray.” Ellie read off as she began directing the group to which crates needed to be open to access their new technology.
Alright. I'm just about at the point where Lazlo is presenting the information to the crew. Just let me know when you're finished. :)
I know you mentioned in the IC that you weren't done yet. If you like, I can just catch Ryen's side of events up with where the story is.
“I hope everything met with your expectations.” The attendant said as he handed Ryen back her chip card.
Ryen thanked the man and placed the card back into the pocket of her pants. Stooping down, she grabbed the belongings she’d momentarily placed on the floor next to her and started to head out of the lobby. Unfortunately she wouldn’t have time to stop for a quick meal. Ryen had woken up much later than she planned and now she was in a rush to make it back to the shipyard to warm up the core. The mechanic was just about through the hotel’s door when she suddenly remembered what she was missing.
”Damn it,” Ryen groaned, turning around abruptly and almost running headlong into a couple of Heranorps. ”The communicator.”
She’d had a bad night again. Tossing and turning in the sheets, unable to get comfortable, Ryen had opted to take the expensive device off and had placed it on the nightstand next to her bed. Chances were good, it was still there. It only took her a few minutes to retrace her steps back to her room. Despite having just checked out, her card, thankfully, still opened the door. Just as she was clasping the communicator device around her wrist, she heard it- the sound of raised voices through the crack in the door. Although she couldn’t make out all of the words, she could tell from the increasing volume that the owners were getting closer.
”…privacy… officially sanctioned… system…”
Paranoia and panic, similar, to what she had felt back in her apartment washed over the young mechanic. Only this time there wasn’t a convenient balcony and hover bike. Her blue eyes darted around as her brain ran through possible scenarios.
Running out of time, she ducked down and started to slide under the bed. Ryen felt foolish with her faced pressed against the floor, at least until she heard the door of her hotel room whine as it opened wider. Then she silently struggled and promised to herself that she wouldn’t eat another chocolate éclair from the replicator so long as she managed to fit.
”Not here.” The voice was gravelly. Male, she was guessing.
”Where?” A different voice. Heavier than the first. Slow and low. Almost, patient. Ryen recognized the language as Quandu.
[b]”Now will you leave?”[/b Yet another voice in heavily accented Common Tongue. The owner had been the one who had raised a ruckus in the hallway.
Ryen breathed in and out as quietly as possible, the hammering of her heart almost as loud as the heavy footfalls she heard moving about the room. Unfortunately, the same bed linen that was keeping her figure well-hidden made it impossible for her to see what was going on. More grumbling. More movement around the room. Then a door closed and the room was silent again. Ryen counted to one hundred. She only made it to eighty-nine.
”Hotel records show...already left…” The second voice had said in a low whisper. She couldn’t make out all the words but Ryen was reluctant to move to try to catch what they were saying.
Again the sound of a door closing echoed through the room. Ryen counted to seven-thousand-twenty-eight before feeling brave enough to slip out from under the bed and scramble to her feet. The room’s door was still closed and try as she might, she couldn’t detect any sound coming from the hallway. Should she try calling someone? She was reluctant to contact the local federation police. She could just imagine it now. ”Hello my name is Ryen Arleth. Uh… yes… that Ryen Arleth, the one the authorities on Syrae think is responsible for her father’s death. Anyways, I need your assistance because there are- Humans? Aliens? Entities? Beings?-who are trying to find me and I don’t know why but I suspect they’re dangerous.” It sounded incredibly stupid in her own head.
There of course was another possibility but Ryen had no way of contacting her crew mates. Surely, Gunther would come and help if no one else. However, no one knew where she was and she according to the bedside clock, she was already running late. Would Lazlo suspect something if he got back before the cores had started up? Would he hold the ship if she didn’t make it back on time? A picture of what Lazlo had looked like as he handed back her card flashed into her mind, as crisp as if he was standing there right in front of her. The likelihood of being stranded on the Federation Stronghold was beginning to be a real possibility. She couldn’t afford to wait any longer.
Cautiously, Ryen crept forward and opened the door. Nothing. Sticking just her head out, Ryen looked left and right down the empty hallway before running in a mad dash towards the hotel’s lift that would take her back to the lobby. Suddenly a hand slammed down on her shoulder. Too frightened to breath, let alone scream, Ryen whirled around.
The hand belonged to a woman who was wearing clothes that identified her ask hotel staff. ”You’ll want to take the back stairs.” This was the owner of voice number three.
****
Sweat plastered red strands of hair to Ryen’s forehead as the door to the Ship Yard B slid open in front of her. The time displayed on the holograms above her read 12.28.09 giving her less than three minutes before Lazlo’s stated departure time. Not pausing for a breath, Ryen sprinted towards the still docked Fess Maria.
It had taken her longer than she would have liked to get back. Ryen had spent the better part of an hour making her way slowly back to the ship. Twice she had to back track through small alley ways and up and down elevators on the upper floors, certain she was being followed. Twice she’d been wrong. Who had been in her room looking for her? What had they wanted? Were they with the police? Had they been the ones who had ransacked her father’s lab? She didn’t even know what they looked like. Too late she had realized she should have questioned the hotel staff member.
Ryen was running so fast that she almost slammed into the external airlock door of the ship. ”I’m here,” Ryen panted, expecting the ship to respond and open up the sliding doors. It didn’t. ”I said I’m here!” Again nothing. That’s when she saw it on the wall. She’d been two minutes too late. Ryen began pounding on the door in earnest, her fists pummeling against the metal. ”Let me in! Please! Let me in!” Surely they wouldn’t leave her. Just as Ryen was about to go in full blown panic mode, she heard a quiet voice behind her.
Turning, Ryen was surprised to see the flushed faced technician. Ellie was gripping her electronic pad so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. ”You don’t think…,” she started voice wavering, ”He won’t really leave us… will he?”
Ryen thanked the man and placed the card back into the pocket of her pants. Stooping down, she grabbed the belongings she’d momentarily placed on the floor next to her and started to head out of the lobby. Unfortunately she wouldn’t have time to stop for a quick meal. Ryen had woken up much later than she planned and now she was in a rush to make it back to the shipyard to warm up the core. The mechanic was just about through the hotel’s door when she suddenly remembered what she was missing.
”Damn it,” Ryen groaned, turning around abruptly and almost running headlong into a couple of Heranorps. ”The communicator.”
She’d had a bad night again. Tossing and turning in the sheets, unable to get comfortable, Ryen had opted to take the expensive device off and had placed it on the nightstand next to her bed. Chances were good, it was still there. It only took her a few minutes to retrace her steps back to her room. Despite having just checked out, her card, thankfully, still opened the door. Just as she was clasping the communicator device around her wrist, she heard it- the sound of raised voices through the crack in the door. Although she couldn’t make out all of the words, she could tell from the increasing volume that the owners were getting closer.
”…privacy… officially sanctioned… system…”
Paranoia and panic, similar, to what she had felt back in her apartment washed over the young mechanic. Only this time there wasn’t a convenient balcony and hover bike. Her blue eyes darted around as her brain ran through possible scenarios.
Running out of time, she ducked down and started to slide under the bed. Ryen felt foolish with her faced pressed against the floor, at least until she heard the door of her hotel room whine as it opened wider. Then she silently struggled and promised to herself that she wouldn’t eat another chocolate éclair from the replicator so long as she managed to fit.
”Not here.” The voice was gravelly. Male, she was guessing.
”Where?” A different voice. Heavier than the first. Slow and low. Almost, patient. Ryen recognized the language as Quandu.
[b]”Now will you leave?”[/b Yet another voice in heavily accented Common Tongue. The owner had been the one who had raised a ruckus in the hallway.
Ryen breathed in and out as quietly as possible, the hammering of her heart almost as loud as the heavy footfalls she heard moving about the room. Unfortunately, the same bed linen that was keeping her figure well-hidden made it impossible for her to see what was going on. More grumbling. More movement around the room. Then a door closed and the room was silent again. Ryen counted to one hundred. She only made it to eighty-nine.
”Hotel records show...already left…” The second voice had said in a low whisper. She couldn’t make out all the words but Ryen was reluctant to move to try to catch what they were saying.
Again the sound of a door closing echoed through the room. Ryen counted to seven-thousand-twenty-eight before feeling brave enough to slip out from under the bed and scramble to her feet. The room’s door was still closed and try as she might, she couldn’t detect any sound coming from the hallway. Should she try calling someone? She was reluctant to contact the local federation police. She could just imagine it now. ”Hello my name is Ryen Arleth. Uh… yes… that Ryen Arleth, the one the authorities on Syrae think is responsible for her father’s death. Anyways, I need your assistance because there are- Humans? Aliens? Entities? Beings?-who are trying to find me and I don’t know why but I suspect they’re dangerous.” It sounded incredibly stupid in her own head.
There of course was another possibility but Ryen had no way of contacting her crew mates. Surely, Gunther would come and help if no one else. However, no one knew where she was and she according to the bedside clock, she was already running late. Would Lazlo suspect something if he got back before the cores had started up? Would he hold the ship if she didn’t make it back on time? A picture of what Lazlo had looked like as he handed back her card flashed into her mind, as crisp as if he was standing there right in front of her. The likelihood of being stranded on the Federation Stronghold was beginning to be a real possibility. She couldn’t afford to wait any longer.
Cautiously, Ryen crept forward and opened the door. Nothing. Sticking just her head out, Ryen looked left and right down the empty hallway before running in a mad dash towards the hotel’s lift that would take her back to the lobby. Suddenly a hand slammed down on her shoulder. Too frightened to breath, let alone scream, Ryen whirled around.
The hand belonged to a woman who was wearing clothes that identified her ask hotel staff. ”You’ll want to take the back stairs.” This was the owner of voice number three.
****
Sweat plastered red strands of hair to Ryen’s forehead as the door to the Ship Yard B slid open in front of her. The time displayed on the holograms above her read 12.28.09 giving her less than three minutes before Lazlo’s stated departure time. Not pausing for a breath, Ryen sprinted towards the still docked Fess Maria.
It had taken her longer than she would have liked to get back. Ryen had spent the better part of an hour making her way slowly back to the ship. Twice she had to back track through small alley ways and up and down elevators on the upper floors, certain she was being followed. Twice she’d been wrong. Who had been in her room looking for her? What had they wanted? Were they with the police? Had they been the ones who had ransacked her father’s lab? She didn’t even know what they looked like. Too late she had realized she should have questioned the hotel staff member.
Ryen was running so fast that she almost slammed into the external airlock door of the ship. ”I’m here,” Ryen panted, expecting the ship to respond and open up the sliding doors. It didn’t. ”I said I’m here!” Again nothing. That’s when she saw it on the wall. She’d been two minutes too late. Ryen began pounding on the door in earnest, her fists pummeling against the metal. ”Let me in! Please! Let me in!” Surely they wouldn’t leave her. Just as Ryen was about to go in full blown panic mode, she heard a quiet voice behind her.
Turning, Ryen was surprised to see the flushed faced technician. Ellie was gripping her electronic pad so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. ”You don’t think…,” she started voice wavering, ”He won’t really leave us… will he?”
Alright. I like the third picture for Seita as well. If Lazlo is her guardian, does that mean that she has his last name? Should I time skip until just before we board the ship? I'm thinking of having Ryen have another run in with her badies.
Heads up. In middle to late January I'll be moving across the country with my husband and baby. I'll do what I can but it make take a little bit to set up the internet connection in our new place.
Heads up. In middle to late January I'll be moving across the country with my husband and baby. I'll do what I can but it make take a little bit to set up the internet connection in our new place.
Alright. I'll see if I can find a profile picture for her. It took me a while to find one for both Ryen and Ryen's father. Her mother won't have one. For reasons unknown to me, whenever I think of Quincy, I see someone who looks close to Urahara from Bleach and Gunter I picture Barret from FF7.
If I remember correctly, we are still in the process of building up a crew. I suspect our next destination should be a planet closer to the center of the Federation for whatever reason.
Looking back at out PMs and the previous posts in the OOC, I don't think we came up with a goal after escaping Syrae and reaching the Federation Stronghold. Ultimately, what is the purpose of the crew we're a part of? Are we explorers? Thieves? Do we carry black market 'goods'? The latter seems almost likely given both Ellie and Quincy's background.
Edited:
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
Option 4:
Option 5:
If I remember correctly, we are still in the process of building up a crew. I suspect our next destination should be a planet closer to the center of the Federation for whatever reason.
Looking back at out PMs and the previous posts in the OOC, I don't think we came up with a goal after escaping Syrae and reaching the Federation Stronghold. Ultimately, what is the purpose of the crew we're a part of? Are we explorers? Thieves? Do we carry black market 'goods'? The latter seems almost likely given both Ellie and Quincy's background.
Edited:
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
Option 4:
Option 5:
Ryen looked around the small room she had rented for the remaining nights she had left on the Federation Stronghold. Like the drink shop she had visited earlier in the day, the hotel was located in the upper floors of the base. The air around her was heavy with the smell of crushed hybercus, this season’s popular fragrance. Admittedly, she’d gone a little overboard and spent well over half of the credits Lazlo had added to her card. Despite wanting to save what money she had left, Ryen hadn’t felt brave enough to venture back down into the bowels to find cheaper lodging.
Looking back, she’d been a bit silly after she’d discovered that the authorities on Syrae were looking for her in association with her father’s murder. After seeing the news Ryen had been paranoid. There she was, sitting in a Federation Stronghold, with a huge target on her back. It was only through concentrated effort that she was able to stop her panicking mind from going into overdrive and focus her thoughts into a more reasonable direction. First, Syrae was not part of the Federation and so, hopefully, their news was considered to be of little importance. Second, her identity had already, most likely, been noted and recorded in the base’s log books. If Lazlo hadn’t given her name when they’d first dock, surely something would have come up when he ran her card or when she logged into the computer at the café. She’d been sitting at that same computer for over two hours. If they had wanted to find her, they surely could have. No, for whatever reason, none of the authorities had been alerted to her location… as of yet.
Ryen had figured that since she had already ran her card, she might as well start gathering up what supplies she could, just in case. In for a penny, in for a pound, as the saying went. That’s when she had gone a little overboard, focusing her time and attention to rebuilding her wardrobe and, in a small way, her life.
Her favorite item, and by far most expensive, was not on its way to the ship’s cargo hold like the rest but was instead already strapped to her wrist. The device was no wider than a fingertip and radiated with a warm copperish glow. Rotating her left arm, Ryen used her thumb to run over the small engraving by the underside of her wrist. It was made of three circles. One large one with a capitol, stylized “A” in the center and two smaller circles on the outside of the larger one. It was her father’s manufacturer seal. The “A” of course standing for Arleth, the circles of course, representing the planet Syrae and her two moons Phyion and Erthennia. It made her feel like she was still connected to her father. The device wasn’t just for athletics however, it had practical uses as well. In truth, such an item shouldn’t have gotten out of the lab, let alone off the planet. It was a high end prototype, at best, and was designed to connect and interface seamlessly with most AIs from war battalion ship to a simple coffee makers. This could be done if the user either received permission from the AIs operator or knew the AIs command override codes. Most often, however, it was used as a form of easy communication to the AI. It meant that, if Ryen was given permission, she’d be able to contact the ship’s AI directly while planet side and use it as a sort of satellite to communicate with her crewmates assuming they had some kind of receiver on their end. Yes, the device had cost her a pretty penny but it would hopefully be worth the exorbitant price.
Ryen sighed. The room, while richly decorated still felt cold and empty. Fleetingly she thought of Quincy and the others and wondered how they were getting along. Would Ellie be okay by herself? She seemed the type of person who often fell into trouble accidentally. Gunther and Lazlo would be fine of course assuming the latter didn’t attract any unnecessary attention like he had when they’d left Syrae.
Reaching out, Ryen turned off the bedside light and snuggled down under the plush warm covers. Outside the market place still hummed with life, but here the air was still and silent. Ryen turned over in her bed restlessly. Despite having the door locked tight, despite having the window coverings shut so tight that no light edged its way through, despite checking under the bed and in the closet and behind the shower stall’s door, she couldn’t quite shake the feeling of unease.
”It’s nothing,” Ryen whispered to herself.
Looking back, she’d been a bit silly after she’d discovered that the authorities on Syrae were looking for her in association with her father’s murder. After seeing the news Ryen had been paranoid. There she was, sitting in a Federation Stronghold, with a huge target on her back. It was only through concentrated effort that she was able to stop her panicking mind from going into overdrive and focus her thoughts into a more reasonable direction. First, Syrae was not part of the Federation and so, hopefully, their news was considered to be of little importance. Second, her identity had already, most likely, been noted and recorded in the base’s log books. If Lazlo hadn’t given her name when they’d first dock, surely something would have come up when he ran her card or when she logged into the computer at the café. She’d been sitting at that same computer for over two hours. If they had wanted to find her, they surely could have. No, for whatever reason, none of the authorities had been alerted to her location… as of yet.
Ryen had figured that since she had already ran her card, she might as well start gathering up what supplies she could, just in case. In for a penny, in for a pound, as the saying went. That’s when she had gone a little overboard, focusing her time and attention to rebuilding her wardrobe and, in a small way, her life.
Her favorite item, and by far most expensive, was not on its way to the ship’s cargo hold like the rest but was instead already strapped to her wrist. The device was no wider than a fingertip and radiated with a warm copperish glow. Rotating her left arm, Ryen used her thumb to run over the small engraving by the underside of her wrist. It was made of three circles. One large one with a capitol, stylized “A” in the center and two smaller circles on the outside of the larger one. It was her father’s manufacturer seal. The “A” of course standing for Arleth, the circles of course, representing the planet Syrae and her two moons Phyion and Erthennia. It made her feel like she was still connected to her father. The device wasn’t just for athletics however, it had practical uses as well. In truth, such an item shouldn’t have gotten out of the lab, let alone off the planet. It was a high end prototype, at best, and was designed to connect and interface seamlessly with most AIs from war battalion ship to a simple coffee makers. This could be done if the user either received permission from the AIs operator or knew the AIs command override codes. Most often, however, it was used as a form of easy communication to the AI. It meant that, if Ryen was given permission, she’d be able to contact the ship’s AI directly while planet side and use it as a sort of satellite to communicate with her crewmates assuming they had some kind of receiver on their end. Yes, the device had cost her a pretty penny but it would hopefully be worth the exorbitant price.
Ryen sighed. The room, while richly decorated still felt cold and empty. Fleetingly she thought of Quincy and the others and wondered how they were getting along. Would Ellie be okay by herself? She seemed the type of person who often fell into trouble accidentally. Gunther and Lazlo would be fine of course assuming the latter didn’t attract any unnecessary attention like he had when they’d left Syrae.
Reaching out, Ryen turned off the bedside light and snuggled down under the plush warm covers. Outside the market place still hummed with life, but here the air was still and silent. Ryen turned over in her bed restlessly. Despite having the door locked tight, despite having the window coverings shut so tight that no light edged its way through, despite checking under the bed and in the closet and behind the shower stall’s door, she couldn’t quite shake the feeling of unease.
”It’s nothing,” Ryen whispered to herself.
Facts about NPC crew as revealed in the IC story thus far...
Quincy Stertjan: skinny, smooth talking, wears a white lab coat with various instruments in pocket, chain smoker, mid 20s, laissez faire personality
Gunther Karlstock: bulky but physically fit, gravelly voice, 30s, wears sunglasses, loves steak
Ellie (Eleanor) Falder: likes jumpsuits, shy (titters), clumsy, early 20s, brown hair
Seita: A young girl found in the lower levels of Federation Stronggold 700. Lazlo is her guardian.
Image:
Quincy Stertjan: skinny, smooth talking, wears a white lab coat with various instruments in pocket, chain smoker, mid 20s, laissez faire personality
Gunther Karlstock: bulky but physically fit, gravelly voice, 30s, wears sunglasses, loves steak
Ellie (Eleanor) Falder: likes jumpsuits, shy (titters), clumsy, early 20s, brown hair
Seita: A young girl found in the lower levels of Federation Stronggold 700. Lazlo is her guardian.
Image:
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