Randomness

Aboard the I.S.S. Prize : An Episodic Sci-Fi Adventure

𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓓𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓮𝓵𝓼

Location: Planet Unknown: “Home of Holy Vei”

Interaction: @Eviledd1984@ShiningSector@Raylah

---

Mason tagged along as the little trio moved forward, taking mental notes of the environment while listening to the others. Both D’Artagan and Geu’rach brought up good points. None of them were familiar with the ecosystem here. The party probably wouldn’t know what made a creature dangerous should they come across one. On the flip side, how a creature would assess the party’s threat would also be unknown. How a creature would act in either case was the most frightening aspect of it. And yet, as frightening as it was, Mason could not help but feel a bit excited about it. That sense of danger, plus the possibility of coming across something new involving the physiology for the unknown.

Mason kept his thoughts to himself as they continued forward. “I trust that your team will keep us as safe as they possibly can.” Spoke Mason. “As for this beautiful world, while its existence is fascinating, I’m more interested in the work D’Artagan, Elm, and Jenkins are here to discover.” A hint of distain could be heard from Mason as he finished his sentence there. As they walked along, Mason could not help but notice that it wasn’t just him and D’Artagan. Elm and her assistants seemed pretty eager to explore and discover as well. Elm practically led the charge forward, her assistants taking pictures and keeping notes. Some of their party would crouch and look in between the roots getting a guess for where to look once they made it to the ruins Mason guessed. The novelty of exploring a new world even if only this small fraction of it was almost threatening the plan for setting up base at the stone ruins.

“Speaking of which,” Mason looked towards D’Artagan keeping pace with him, “If I don’t have to work with your mentor, I’m here to give a hand. Like I said before, I’m more of a plus one tourist, but I’m more than capable of aiding you if need be. You and Elm. Perhaps even Geu’rach. Wait, that’s quite a bit of equipment there, are you okay carrying all of that, need a bit of help?” Mason reached out and attempted to grab a hold of one of the duffle bags that Geu’rach was carrying, only for the weight of it to surprise Mason, almost dropping it.

“Okay, never mind, not Geu’rach.” Said Mason quickly collecting his composure from his near accident, “But I can patch you up should up should you hurt yourself carrying everything. But enough about that, you saw a worm? I guess I missed it. I should probably get into a habit of not taking small things for merely common insects or rodents.”

Aboard the I.S.S. Prize : An Episodic Sci-Fi Adventure

𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓓𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓮𝓵𝓼

Location: Planet Unknown: “Home of Holy Vei”

Interaction: @Eviledd1984

---

The air outside of the ship was well, not what he expected. The plant life was odd, and the vein-like roots that covered the ground at the base of the… tree? Mason was going to call them trees. A lack of much other foliage was odd, but there were vines, trunks, and leaves. So, despite the palette swap, they were close enough to a forest you’d find on Earth or perhaps even Elm’s planet to see nothing wrong with them. Yet despite the appearance, there was still a distinct smell you’d expect from a forested area. It was beautiful.

The ambient light the trees gave easily illuminated their path. Mason bet that even in the evening, the plants glow would be more luminescent eliminating the completely darkness a forest is known for. It didn’t take a biologist to appreciate the beauty nature was capable of making.

Mason staggered forward, swinging his arms as he suddenly lurched forward. As he was staring up at the canopy, he wasn’t watching where his feet were going, and they got caught on some vines, tripping him. He was able to catch himself from falling, chuckling that he should be more careful. His miniheart attack over, he was paying attention to the rest of the group. Elm took the lead with her assistants. Some of the others were close behind. Mason eyed everyone, and looked at Jenkins with distain, but then…

Mason jogged up next to D'Artagnan. Of all the people scientifically present, D'Artagnan seemed to be one of the few people who could tolerate Jenkins conceited attitude. At least it appeared that way on the surface. Birds of a feather, probably. They were both pert of the biology wing. Mason didn’t get much opportunity to speak with D'Artagnan on account that he started avoiding the biological lab on account of Jenkins. Now that he thought about it, it was also the reason he avoided the green houses and their relevant workshops since they were in close proximity, ruining chances to actually speak extensively with Elm. Jenkins was an all-around deterrent. But that didn’t matter much now.

“Hello, D'Artagnan. I didn’t realize you’d be joining us. I must have missed you at the briefing room. It will be nice to have a person I can actually speak with from the biology department.” Joked Mason, “These ruins that we’re headed to, what do you think of them? I’m curious if they are actually abandoned. I’m way outside of my field of expertise, but I can’t help feel a little giddy of the prospect of exploring a planet not within the ISA.”

Aboard the I.S.S. Prize : An Episodic Sci-Fi Adventure

Okay sorry it was a dumb idea.

@Eviledd1984

I don’t think it was a dumb idea. It was just an idea that the GM was not a fan of. It never hurts to ask, even if the answer was no.

Aboard the I.S.S. Prize : An Episodic Sci-Fi Adventure

And thus Baby was able to take over the ship, her master plan executed flawlessly.

Aboard the I.S.S. Prize : An Episodic Sci-Fi Adventure

Completely unrelated, but I miss Cake.

Aboard the I.S.S. Prize : An Episodic Sci-Fi Adventure

𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓓𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓮𝓵𝓼

Location: I.S.S. Prize

---

Mason wandered around the medical bay preparing for his excursion out into the alien planet along with Elm and his other colleagues. As he was packing, he was speaking the nurse who was on rotation. He was mainly explaining what to do in cased of emergency where she’d need to reach him, and quizzing her on use of the autonomic medical equipment that Mason could remote connect to.

Mason didn’t want to be entirely bogged down with medical supplies, so he just brought his satchel with portable first aid, and a couple of auto syringes of sedatives, just in case. He also packed a quarantine mask. Strapped in boots, and environmentally sealed outfit, he was ready to go. Since the planet had an earth-like atmosphere, his attire wasn’t bulky in the slightest, just had a few less opening than any normal outfit would have. Just as he was about to leave, he paused, and turned to the nurse again.

"Oh, and out idiot friend there. Once he wakes, he’ll be good to go, just send in a report about his tampering with the electrical grid, and then discharge him. Hopefully having that much electricity flowing through his body will make him think twice about doing that again.” And Mason was out.

He met up with the excursion team again in Briefing room 3 where Elm had also recruited a couple of the other scientific departments as well. First was Izumo. Mason hadn’t really gone to know Izumo, but his inclusion on the survey made sense. The other was Henry Jenkins.

“I’ve met Jenkins.” Said Mason coldly. Mason didn’t hate Henry, more so he was a bit annoyed from him. Jenkins was a brilliant biologist, but his arrogance got to Mason. Especially when conversations with him would eventually lead a lecture on anatomy and physiology. Half the time his lectures were condescending. Mason usually avoided him because of them. It didn’t seem like he was the only one. Mason could only guess, but it seemed like Elm might have had a few run ins with the doctor as well.

As Elm explained their plan of attack, Mason slowly nodded. Mason didn’t have much knowledge when it came to running an expedition, so he relied on Elm knowing what she was talking about. Also since Geu’rach would be joining them, he’d trust any concerns he also might have. Mason looked at his datapad with the rough map that the Prize was able to make. The ruins were a bit away, but didn’t look too far as to require a transport.

“I’m sure I’ll have questions eventually, but as of now, everything sounds good to go. I’m prepared for an emergency in case one should occur, but lets try and not injure ourselves, at least not to the point I cannot mend.”

Aboard the I.S.S. Prize : An Episodic Sci-Fi Adventure

An astronomer to map the stars maybe.

Aboard the I.S.S. Prize : An Episodic Sci-Fi Adventure

𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓓𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓮𝓵𝓼

Location: I.S.S. Prize

---

Mason hadn’t really spent much time on the space station. While there were many trinkets and attractions, not much of it caught Mason’s eye, nothing really wowed him. Most of the food was too salty or sweet, so he didn’t enjoy much of the cuisine either. In the end though, he was able to actually relax some and get his mind straight. Rod’s death still weighed on him, especially since he was at fault for the mangled corpse the ISA had to collect once the mission was over. He didn’t expect to forget him, but he didn’t need that kind of thought to hinder his performance. He eventually convinced himself that there was nothing he could do, and Rod’s sacrifice was a boon towards the success of the rescue. He had died a hero, and not as a moron who put his face too close to a loaded weapon.

Now, the wormhole beckoned, and Mason was prepared to see what lay on the other side. No one could know, and the new found motivation he had when he first joined the mission returned. The Prize would be repaired shortly, and Mason was ready to go.

~~~~~~~~

Mason remained in the medical bay throughout most of the travel through the wormhole. He did watch the spectacular light show through his computer monitor. He had to deal with some idiot who tried to break into Greenhouse 7 shortly before they departed for the wormhole. Apparently, it had been locked and the dufus tried to bypass it by messing with the wiring, which backfired spectacularly. The kid wasn’t a part of Elm’s collection of botanists that Mason could tell, but he didn’t bother to ask much about it. He just treated the burns and monitored the kid as he recovered in one of the beds. There wasn’t any lasting damage, but the kid was out cold. Mason technically didn’t have to stay in the medical bay, having opting one of the few nurses to keep an eye on him, but he hadn’t anything better to do, so opted to do it himself. The camera’s quality was enough to satisfy his curiosity.

Shortly after exit, Mason found himself in the situation room with everyone else. Surprisingly, they already had an encounter with another alien species capable of space travel. They had hailed the Prize and had led them to the nearby planet. Mason was no astrophysicist, but the system had three suns. It intrigued Mason about how the planet had not burned to a crisp. He decided to leave the answer to space magic.

Mason could not help but roll his eyes when Denise spoke. It was hard enough dealing with her when he first joined the Prize. Thankfully, since then he hadn't really had to interact since then. Now there seemed to be an entity which, and Mason could not believe he was thinking this, Denise would actually prove useful. He was most asured that chakras had nothing to do with why the planet was like it was. Mason just ignored her mostly, and listened to everyone else voice their thoughts. Mason didn't have any of his own, mainly thinking to don't do anything stupid to get yourself killed. His attention was peaked when Elm began to speak, however.

“If it’s alright with you, Captain, I’d like to join Elm on her endeavor. I admit it’s outside my level of expertise, but I’m more than capable of providing technical support when it comes to the treatment of living tissue. Of course, I understand if you’d have me stay on the ship.” Commented Mason. If allowed, it would also be a good opportunity to study the physiology of both the Auval’kotor and Lavathulin. Not only that, but the odd color scheme, and structure of the plant-life surrounding the Prize greatly fascinated him. A medical doctor he may be, but to explore the displays of the different planet was not an opportunity he’d want to miss.

"A question, though. What is the average temperature and atmosphere concentrations of the planet? I presume we'll need oxygen suits to manage if it's toxic."

Aboard the I.S.S. Prize : An Episodic Sci-Fi Adventure

So that it's easy to read at a glance, this is what everyone has chosen to do, correct?

Holy Vei:
Denise (Zanavy)
Carabello (Tortoise)
Francesca (IceHeart)
Beatrice (Xandrya)
Astrid (Starlance)

Surveying the area:
M’elme (Raylah)
Geu’rach (ShiningSector)
Mason (Randomness)
Robin (MST3K 4ever)

Staying on Ship:
Korax (Flamelord)

Aboard the I.S.S. Prize : An Episodic Sci-Fi Adventure

As for interplanetary communication, we can give the Prize a broad range receiver that recognizes a large range of patterns within the light spectrum. When it detects one that is directed it could focus on that range and send back messages using the same signal frequency received.

For a translator, space magic.