Rhona W

Shadows of Steel (Space Fighter Combat RP)

@Silverwind Blade can hardly wait !

@boomlover

It's up already, so you don't have to!

Shadows of Steel (Space Fighter Combat RP)

Long-ass new IC post is up! A lot more details on the ship and a little about where we're going are revealed. Added to that, you all get to play with your fighters for a bit too!

Shadows of Steel (Space Fighter Combat RP)

Erien had taken a seat on one of the couches in the common area of the suite. She sat long, rather than tall, laid on one side like a cat or dog, paws dangling over the edge of the couch, her fingertips tapping idly and the tip of her tail flicking in quiet amusement as she watched her squadron sort themselves out. Silently, she noted their responses and actions; learning about their personalities and how active or reactive, how decisive they were or not, would all be things she'd take note of and find of interest when ordering them into action and handing out tasks for them to do later.
Kilian took a seat nearby and spoke up, and she looked over to him as he did so.

"This room is now full. Is that okay Major Erien?"

"Of course," she replied with a nod. "Good job on getting it done quickly and efficiently," she replied. The Isorlai quietened and cocked one pointed ear to listen as he spoke with Miles, the female human, taking a note of their conversation with interest. At her rather dismissive description of the ground crews whose job - and pride - it was to fix and look after the squadrons' craft, she felt the need to interject.
"Sorry to say, but you're going to have seriously adjust your expectations if you plan on spending your time doing maintenance on your own craft, Lieutenant Miles," she replied with a firm, but not cold tone. "For starters, you won't have time when you're on a flying schedule; crew rest id mandatory when we're on a flying schedule, and spacecraft maintenance doesn't count as rest", she said with a hint of amusement. "And as a second, the ground crews who maintain our craft have spent as much time - more, probably - learning their trade and becoming experts at as we have learning to fly and fight. Not trusting them to apply that knowledge is... well, it's kind of disrespectful. They're just as attached and invested in our craft as we are. Making sure those fighters perform to the best they can, and are able to perform the mission and bring us back alive is literally all they work for." She paused her tail curling as she considered her words, and Nyx's comments about her background. Her tone softened a little as she continued.
"I understand you may have had to do things differently before. But now you're here, and in an operational squadron, we do things differently. Don't get me wrong, your experience is absolutely an asset... but this is a different way of life to adjust to, not just a job".

She turned away as she heard Fendric speak up from his room.

"We got a duty schedule up yet, or not yet?"

"Not yet," she called back, raising her voice so that both he, and the rest could hear. She slid off the couch and padded around the room as she spoke. "Once we leave the station, the ship will switch over to a day/night schedule that'll correspond with our destination to acclimatise us. Our duty schedule will follow along with that also. There's no word on what our mission will be once we get through the jump; I haven't heard much down from higher up the chain so far. All I know right now is that we need to be ready to go ASAP."

As if to underline her remark, the overhead speakers came to life with the voice of the ship's AI and the chime to signal an announcement.
"All personnel, stand by to leave dock. All exterior hatches and loading ports are now closing. Umbilicals and power transfers disconnecting. All crew stand by your departure stations until we are under way".
The chime sounded again to end the announcement, and slowly blinking yellow lights lit up to indicate the change in status.
"All right," Erien announced a moment later. She paused as a rumble ran through the deck plating and a hum built up as the engines came online and spooled up to power. "A few more minutes, and we'll be free to move around as normal".
There was a brief sensation of movement, only feint. Erien unclipped her toggle from her belt and moved over to the screen on the wall. Attaching the device to the screen, she tapped the touch-screen holographic icons and an external view from the ships' cameras and sensors came up. The docking arms of the station slowly slid away, and the bright arc of the planet below began to grow smaller. As soon as the ship was clear of the station, the image grew smaller at a greater rate as the sub-light engines fired. She looked as though she was about to speak up, but she paused as the overhead speakers came to life and the status lights changed.
"All crew, this is Captain Garrett," a strong female voice unheard so far declared over the PA system. "We are clear of Mirchusko station and under power. We will be initiating a 12-hour hyperspace jump in two hours to the Telleri System, where we will be commencing our duty on station. All orders, duty assignments and briefings will be issued before that time. As of now, we are on full duty patterns. Refer to your CO's for further information, standard access is restored to all crew as per normal operations. Captain Garrett, out".
Erien shut down the toggle as the declaration from the ships' captain ended, turning back to the squadron.
"All right, you heard the Captain" she said firmly, turning around to face them, standing on her hind legs once more at her impressive height. "We have fourteen hours to get ourselves ready for whatever might be waiting at the other end of the hyperspace jump; we don't know if we'll be flying right away yet or not, so we have assume we're going to be. That means we have a lot to do in that time, and that includes a decent amount of rest, too - we can't fly a combat sortie if we're not within acceptable parameters for crew rest.
"I'll show you where the important parts of the ship are, but the rest you'll have to find out yourselves; you'll have access to the ships' internal net and there's full info on there. Also, you can always ask the AI if you're lost. In the meantime; follow me".

She turned and lead off on all fours once more. She pointed out the colour coded lines on the floor and on the walls at the end of each line. It was like a large hospital in a city, and served the same purpose. They marked the different sections of the ship and its' facilities, and lead to each. Blue for the residential section of their quarters and those around them (which also included laundry facilities, and the exercise areas), red leading to the hangar and associated facilities (such as the life-support shop for their flight gear, and the armouries), yellow for the medical bays, purple for the mess hall and recreation areas, and green for engineering and the ships' life support and environmental sections.
Most inter-deck access was via ladders and stairs; they didn't break down in emergencies. Elevators were restricted for cargo or emergencies.
Erien also explained that during a ship-wide combat or emergency situation the two main corridors running up the port and starboard side of the ship became 'one-way' flows to avoid hold ups in moving personnel around; if there was an emergency like a fire, or a casualty that needed an emergency medical team, people in the wrong place could hold them up for valuable seconds.
Explaining this as she moved, she showed them to the briefing rooms on the same deck as the hangars and vehicle bays. There wasn't one specific to the squadron, but it was important to know where they were ahead of any forthcoming missions.
After that, she took them down a deck and showed them the recreation areas and mess hall. As well as the canteen-style dining area - which was much neater, cleaner, brighter and modern than many other such facilities - there was a small but cosy bar, which was closed currently and had restricted hours, due to being aboard a serving ship. There was also a small swimming pool, a small but well-stocked Exchange store, and a lounge with a large viewport open to space. Erien explained that, during combat situations, armoured shutters covered the viewport.
"And that's it for the moment," she said firmly. The tour had taken them the better part of an hour. "Now, first things first, I think we need to sort out our fighters. That will take the longest time out of anything we have to do, so we need that done first. Look alive, let's move."

In the hangar bay, the white-furred Isorlai lead them through the crowded space of the hangar to the area their fighters were parked in. The Sabre fighters were parked close together, in two rows nose-to-nose. Umbilical cables plugged into numerous access panels and service hatches hooked them up to diagnostic equipment, while techncians, engineers and support crew went about the maintenance and prep for the craft, often elbows, or even waist-deep into the service access or engine tunnels.
A large and powerfully-built Cetanui clad in maintenance gear atop his encounter suit turned to face them as they approached. His cool grey eyes roved over the group, and a nod of recognition passed as he saw Erien, the Isorlai standing upright once more as they came face to face.
"Major," he said with a low, rumbling voice. "As you can see, we're running well here, but still a little behind. The fighters came straight from depot-level deep maintenance. Flight hours have been reduced to extend the aerospaceframe lives, avionics have been bought up to current standards, they've had a full re-wire and restoration on their electrical systems. Four of them had engine replacements as well." He grimaced and pushed back the cap on his brow with a grunt. "They were delivered crated, so we've got 'em back together. Now it's just a case of returning 'em to flight-ready status. And of course, adjustin' em for all of you individually. Which I take it is why yer all here?"
"Right," replied Erien. "We'll perform the calibrations now." She gestured to Masaryk and Miles. "These two pilots of mine are also skilled with aerospacecraft maintenance; Lieutenant Miles especially. They can aid with getting things up to speed. As for the rest of you," she called out, raising her voice a little over the clamour of power-tools, deck vehicles and shouting voices. "Pay attention a second" She turned to Grayson. "Do we have assignments for each craft?"
"Yes M'am." he raised his arm and activated a holo-screen, and began calling out the assignments for each pilot to a fighter, pointing out where they were in the two lines.
"All right," Erien called out. "The maintenance crews on your fighters will take you through calibration and set up of your fighters. Work with them to get everything set up." She grimaced. "We probably won't get flight-time to do any live tests, so we'll have to get it all right as we can in the hangar and trust the rest to luck and good fortune... and hope we don't get into trouble straight out of the jump. Or if we do, that we're not called on first thing. All right, let's get to it".

Erien made her way to her fighter; like the others many of its' surface panels were still removed as it's internals were checked and re-checked, or final components installed. As the Isorlai approached, the crew chief for her craft introduced herself. The Syreen had a small, sleek frame that had a human-like appearance to it, despite her shimmering metal skin. She gave the white-furred Isorlai a full overview of the status of her machine, before measuring her quickly with built-in sensors. Climbing up the side of the fighter, she leaned into the cockpit with another crewman and began to adjust the seat to fit her frame, adjusting its' fit so that it would hold her securely against G-forces, and also cradle her large frame correctly in the event of an ejection. If it wasn't adjusted properly, it could be dangerous.

Shadows of Steel (Space Fighter Combat RP)

New IC Post will be on Sunday, just in case we're waiting for anyone, or if you're all wondering ^.^

Shadows of Steel (Space Fighter Combat RP)

This certainly helps a lot! Before I kinda made it up as I went because I can not understand directions to save my life. Now I can figure out which room Nyx took. (Probably the one closest to the kitchen)

@RainDash

The kitchen actually ended up being much bigger than I intended; so much so that there's probably room for a full kitchen there rather than just a small kitchenette. >.> Still, since it's a military ship and we get our meals for free, then the Mess Hall still makes the most sense. xD

Shadows of Steel (Space Fighter Combat RP)

1 million hours in MS Paint


Direct Link

An overview of our Squadron's quarters, and thusly the quarters for all squadrons aboard ship.
It isn't quite to scale, nor is it exact, but it gives you an idea of the general layout.
Ask away if there are questions.


Direct Link

An overview of each bunk room, and of the bunks themselves.
Again, not exactly to scale, and missing some of the finer detail, but gives a good overview of what our individual rooms are like.
Erien's bunk is the same, she just has a bit more space in her room.
Again, ask if you have questions.

I'll get my post up once I'm sure everyone else has had a turn.

Shadows of Steel (Space Fighter Combat RP)

Apologies, I thought I'd answered that. I don't know why, must have meant to, started a post, and closed the tab when I shut my PC down last night.
It's only the bathrooms (and locker rooms, later) that are separated by gender. The bunk rooms aren't. The individual beds, as mentioned in the doc for the ship, have sliding and locking privacy screens too, so people can always change on/in their bunks, if co-ordinating privacy is too hard.
I'll put up some more info about what facilities the individual rooms have in a later post too.

Shadows of Steel (Space Fighter Combat RP)

I'm going to come up with a little diagram/illustration of the bunkrooms, and of our lounge area. Nothing fancy, just something done simply on paint to give a general idea of the layout.

Shadows of Steel (Space Fighter Combat RP)

Erien thankfully didn't have to wait long for her crew to arrive. The stream of people - of all races - coming off of the sleek Starhawk shuttle wore uniforms colour-coded to all the different professions present aboard the ship. Some were fighter squadron personnel, but didn't head her way, likely assigned to other squadrons. Engineering crew, marines, medical personnel; not them.
Her sapphire-blue eyes were tugged sideways as her predators instincts were lured to someone headed in her direction. A human, fair skinned and with light brown, shoulder-length hair. A male, carrying what was unmistakably personal kit-bags and equipment. Erwan, she thought as she mentally matched his features to the picture she'd seen on his profile. A moment later he introduced himself with a tired salute, which she returned as he spoke.

"Kilian Erwan reporting in. Do I have the honor of adressing Colonel Erien Bellioch? If not, then it is still and honor to make your acquaintance. "

@StoneWolf

She let her arm drop, and as he smiled, she returned the Isorlai equivalent, her ears perking up and her posture relaxing as she leaned a little closer. He smelled of travel and of the curious masculine, sharp scent human males carried. It was a reminder of the multi-cultural mixing pot of her homeworld. As he winked, her sharp muzzle split into an open-mounted Isorlai smile and she gave a soft chuckle.
"Pleased to meet you, Lieutenant Erwan," she replied and bobbed her head in greeting. "And it's an honour to make your acquaintance as well."
She would've added more, but two more pilots were approaching, a fellow Isorlai - and a male one at that - and a second male human, this one with a more refined and mature aspect to his appearance. He had shorter hair, a beard and a more lined face that marked the passage of age for his species. The Isorlai was shorter than she was by a good foot or so, and he carried himself unusually. She could see scars and marks across him; and as she looked him over, she remembered his file. He had not had a... pleasant time over his life. Neither of them said a word, but were close enough to hear her reply to Erwan. She simply nodded to them both in greeting, ensuring they'd seen her acknowledgement of their presence, before it seemed like the rest of the group approached thick and fast. A female human, with elegant facial features and sandy-brown hair that framed a round face and a slender figure. Nyx, she remembered, but was jarred out of her memory as the woman announced herself with a bombastic delivery.
"Nyx Miles reporting in! Engineering Specialist and new pilot! I'm excited to be here!" Nyx all but yelled. "Where's the food court, ma'am?"
"At ease, Lieutenant," she replied with a half smile, and a casual return of her salute. "And I can tell you're excited. Good to have you here. I'll show all of you to the mess hall, once we're all set up in our quarters."
A guard hauled an Aranok toward the slowly growing group, and Erien looked confused, before the MP spoke up.
"Colonel sir, is this your Aranok?"
"I-" she began before the Aranok waved, in a quite familiar manner.
"Hey fluffles" he brought his arm up into a weak salute "Elik Hel'kayik, reporting."
Erien's expression turned to one of confusion, one ear drooping and one swivelling to straight-out to one side.
"Fluffles?" she repeated in confusion, looking between the Aranok - Elik - and the guard, before running one paw-hand down her face and then nodding to the MP. "Yes, yes. He's one of mine. I'll make sure he doesn't... do whatever it was he did".
She returned the salute with a slight tick of irritation before turning to the next new arrival.
"Ma'am, Colonel Bellioch, reporting as instructed."
"Welcome," she replied, returning the salute to the male Terran. He didn't introduce himself, but again, she recognized him from his profile, and with the other two humans she knew were assigned having already reported, it narrowed it down. His pale, almost albino complexion and appearance made him further memorable to boot. "Lieutenant Masaryk," she added. "Glad to have you here with us".
Another Aranok - and another male one, she realised as she took in his appearance - he was gruff, but made an effort to apologize for the late arrival, despite it not being his fault. She returned his greeting with a nod and a slight smile.
"Good to have you with us, Olarin. And it wasn't your fault, no need to apologize".
She looked over the assembled pilots and gave an affirmative nod. "All right," she said, raising her voice a little to be heard over the sounds of the bay at work. "Follow me. We're going to head down to our quarters, and I'll give you a brief introduction once we're there".
She turned and lead the way, padding along on all fours at considerably less of a breakneck pace than her earlier dash to the hangar bay before their arrival.

Several twists, turns and trips down ladders and stairwells lead to the suite of small double-rooms that made up the squadron's quarters, all of which attached onto the lounge and kitchenette area that formed 'their' space. A brass nameplate beside the entrance in the corridor called out in stern, upper case letters; '122ND EXPEDITIONARY AEROSPACE SQUADRON; WYLDE FYRE'.
"This is our area," Erien announced as she stepped into the modest, but well-appointed space. Doors lead off to the two-man cabins from the main space, others indicated the male and female washrooms and toilets, and an open-plan kitchenette stood at one end.
"The kitchen isn't stocked for full meals, but is good enough for snacks and beverages. Each room has two beds, so you'll have to double up between you. My cabin is at the end; privileges of rank means I get my own room, but I also share it with my office-space. Stow your bags, and we'll take the whirlwind tour."
She paused, looking from face to face and then continued as she looked across the arrayed faces. "We're really close to the ships' launch, so we're on a short timetable; there won't be much time for looking around. Thankfully, we don't have a huge amount to do to stand up the squadron, and we have twelve hours before we're on station for our mission, and that gives us time to get to work. Nyx," she said, directing her attention to the female human, "I understand from your profile that you have a lot of engineering experience. I want you to work with Masaryk and the engineering crews to get our fighters ready for arrival. They were delivered to use straight back from depot-level maintenance, and are still in the last stages of reassembly and calibration. I will be scheduling time for everyone to work on them with the crews as well to get them calibrated and fitted properly for all of us too. As well as that, there's plenty more on the slate too. Admin work, medical checks and more, and we've got somehow, fit all of it in. Sorry it's such a rush, but we'll find time. First off though, time for the grand tour... once you get your rooms sorted. I'll... stand back and let you argue that one amongst yourselves," she added with a slight smirk, her tail twitching in amusement.

Shadows of Steel (Space Fighter Combat RP)

Tomorrow! (That is, Sunday)