Futuristic Into the Cosmic Deep

[FireMaiden]

Naomi Hart
Location: The Hive - Heading back to the ship hopefully
Interaction: @druidquest (Dr. Haliday) @Sky_Breaker_08 (Corvus) PiePillager
Mentioned: Tristan ( Wing06 )
The second she heard that music, Naomi drew her sidearm. Her expression steeled, immediately shoving the rest of her group behind her so she could take point. The woman who had been a bundle of nerves and pent up energy had suddenly become eeriely calm. A pond with no breeze, a predator waiting patiently for it's prey. That combat armor had looked go well maintained to be a common thug, they should have returned to the ship much sooner instead of standing around talking. The crowd was still clearing as she activated a comm link to her fellow security team members and captain Tish. "This is lieutenant Hart, I am with two members of the medical staff and in a heavily populated area. We have been targeted and backup would be appreciated. If someone could bring my rifle, even better. Coordinates attached." Naomi was unsure if the status of her fellow combat roles, if they would be imposed coming to assist. In any case, she wouldn't need to focus on winning, just ensuring the safety of her crew members.

"I'm sorry, Señor," Naomi spoke as the crowd cleared a little more, her eyes leveling with the blade, then the pirate and the twins behind him, "You seem to have me at a disadvantage. You're Halcon?" She said with a mostly neutral expression, the corners of her lips just barely curled. Her blood was starting to pump, that familiar urge for a fight settling into each muscle, into her very bones. "Didn't think a mighty pirate such as yourself would be busking for tips. Not a fantastic first impression back there if I do say so myself." She paused for a moment, making a point to ready her pistol. Being so close, it was likely a tie as to who could strike first. But she had to be more defensive, she had the doctors with her. "Say what would the Blackbird have done to deserve this? We've barely left our port."

 

[obscured_light]

Kingstra looked at the warm lump of food in his claws and gave a couple, quick sniffs. His eyes widened slightly and politely, he took a small nibble. Then another. Several more followed in quick succession before he was practically shoving the burger into his mouth.

"Another 2," he said, still wiping of crumbs from his fur.

 

[DarKnight36]

"Pay for them yourself," Haul huffed, eating his own hamburger in one big bite. He licked his fingers clean. "Anyway, I'm heading back to the ship. Don't get left behind, huh?"

Haul strode off, carrying his large bags, seemingly having forgotten that Kingstra was helping him carry them now that he'd eaten.

 

[obscured_light]

The rat gladly paid but as he tore his gaze away from the delicious new introduction into his life, his sight fell on Haul's back. Kingstra licked his fingers. Haul would be a tough one to Crack.

 

[PiePillager]

"The money, it is irrelevant," Halcon replied, his optics now seemingly focused on Naomi. "The art form of the song and dance...the emotion it stirs within the heart. Battle is much the same, in fact. The thrill of placing your very life on the line...es magnífico, ¿no?" he inquired, stopping his march forward, keeping a fair bit of space between he and Naomi. His sisters stopped just short behind him, placing their dance on hold as they both placed their elbows on each Halcon's shoulders. Resting their chins in their palms, they each flashed a sharp toothed grin at the crew of the Blackbird.

"As for what you have done, who could say?" Halcon chuckled. "Trust me when I say, this is nothing personal. However....it is when my prey bares fangs of it's own, that my interest is piqued. Now, tell me; knowing of whom you face, do you yield or surrender? I can promise if you do, I will not let you or your compadres fall to harm. If not, hmm..." he mused, taking a moment. "Let's just say, that is my preference! Haha!"

 

[Wing06]

Tristan tried and failed at getting into Hangar 47. Security forces locked it down and quickly dispersed the crowd. "Stupid androids," he cursed under his breath, trying to see if he could see into the hangar.

***
"Eliminate this monster," Saronia commanded of the security androids converging on the hangar. Her gaze drifted toward the small fighter craft and back to the monstrousity of a plant-based life form before her. "Fools!" it cried, sweeping its branch like arm, crippiling the security droids before they could raise their weapons. "I'll have what's mine," It boomed, turning its attention to Saronia, "No, tiny, Alfen is going to stop me!" He raised his arm again as he took a lumbering step forward.

"Halt!" The robotic voices reverberated as laser fire echoed through the hangar. The security forces had arrived in droves and took positions to fire on the fugitive.

***

"Pirates?" Pythius asked, shoving aside a security tech. He watched the monitors as a man pulled a laser-cutlass from his coat, his prey being some of the crew from the famed Blackbird's Cry. "I told you allowing that ship to dock was a mistake! First Hangar 47, now this, in the market? You have no control over this station!" He shouted, throwing a chair to the floor.

 

[FireMaiden]

Naomi Hart
Location: The Hive - Heading back to the ship hopefully
Interaction: @druidquest (Dr. Haliday) @Sky_Breaker_08 (Corvus) PiePillager
Mentioned:
Naomi mused over his words for a moment. It was thrilling. Every single time she was in active combat, Naomi felt alive. Her skin buzzed, her heart raced, her mind felt clear. Plenty of therapists said that was a result of one of her first memories literally being a fight for her life but she was just under the impression she was made for this life. "I have to say, I agree. This is the best part of the job," She nodded, her pistol lighting up as the ammunition counter warmed up. She had a full clip and four spares. Not that this place wasn't full of other weapons she could use. "I'm aware it's nothing personal. Personal would be attack on the ship, less fanfare, a message. This is business. I won't take offense, promise," She said, raising her free hand with her palm facing them in some sort of professional jester. "That also means I can't surrender. You should know, us humans are stubborn," Naomi sighed, quickly rising her pistol to cock it. "If you don't mind though, let's try keeping the civilians out of the way." A bright orange gauntlet blade formed around her off hand as she produced a cigarette from a hidden compartment. She held it out to someone in the crowd, who very nervously produced a lighter. The smell of tobacco wafted through the air as she pressed it to her lips, taking a quick inhale. "Lots of paper work for people caught in the crossfire."

 

[DarKnight36]

Matias wove through the crowd in the black market underground. Now that Ace was no longer in the picture, he could take care of what he'd came for - information. It hadn't been long since he'd been off the ship that he'd heard word of a job involving the Blackbird's Cry. Something big. The launch of the Blackbird was no secret after all, and it was probably the most advanced ship in the known galaxy. Certainly, there were many who Matias was sure would love to get their hands on it. But who was it?

He walked down a set of stairs, the lights crackling due to bad circuitry and ill-maintained bulbs. Several puddles dotted the uneven street, and from the smell, it probably wasn't water. This was an older part of the space port, one even more akin to back alleys and old cities. Strange how they always looked the same, no matter where he went. Criminals seemed to leak their inner turmoil into their surroundings, the chaos spreading and attracting others who had similar inner anarchy.

Matias checked the fading building numbers, and stepped through one of the doors. He descended another flight of stairs, ignoring the cautious, watchful eyes that followed him. In this part of town, he knew he stood out. But that was fine. He didn't need to fit in here.

He stopped in front of an old door and knocked heavily. The door slowly opened, the bodyguard eyeing Matias warily, his four hands clenching involuntarily. Inside, another four-armed man sat, his back to the door.

"I figured you'd come at some point, Kingsbury," the man sighed, turning his head towards the door, his ears flattening unhappily. "You're getting predictable."

"I've always been predictable, Sloran," Matias responded, stepping into the door and slowly moving around the table until he was face to face with his host. "Yet somehow I still manage to surprise folks."

Sloran grunted, indicating for Matias to sit with one of his hands, while his other arms grabbed cups and a bottle. He poured the bluish-white liquid, then raised a glass towards Matias.

"Uirshavala brogun," Sloran intoned, which Matias repeated before they both drank.

 

[PiePillager]

Halcon nodded his head to the crowd and snickered, "These people are hardly innocents, here on the Hive...but, I shall acquiesce, if it means so much to you, he continued offering a small bow. "Hermanas....ensure that none interfere," he informed the two Posonid women at his side, who pirouetted away from him in a graceful display.

"Now, for your part, your crew is not to move. Let them remain in place and should you claim a victory, they shall walk free. If not, then I will take them into my custody. Oh, and one more rule..." his rapier became a blur and with a flash of green, Naomi found her cigarette sliced in two. "Por favor, no fumar," he taunted, before taking a step back, encircling Naomi with his weapon at the ready, every so often, he'd make a motion suggesting he was leaping forward and then dart back, feinting his next attack.

Given their mechanical shells, it was hard to read most expressions on the Rindikan, but one would get the feeling that Halcon was sporting something of a bemused expression.

***
Hector grimaced as he was on his way back to the ship, his face contorting in disbelief as the situation in the hangar grew more complicated. The plantlike alien was attacking the station's security and apparently the Alfen woman in a rage as more security forces poured in, crowding the hangar, making a racket with the echoes of their firearms. "Hey, what the fuck is goin' on?" Hector shouted over the noise. He raised a wristbound comms unit to his face as he neared the Blackbird's landing strip. There were several settings for inter-crew communications available, all synced to the Blackbird's databanks and through a channel overseen by the ship's board AI, TERN. One could either address single members or speak to the crew themselves. Hector opted for the latter, wondering why Captain Suleimon hadn't done so already, given all the noise being raised.

"Hey, this your chief engineer speaking. We got a 'lil problem back at the docks. Station security, Alfen, and a motherfuckin' tree. Ain't gonna lie to you, it's a mess. Not sure if we should pack it up and leave or wait it out. Captain Suleimon, what's the word? Waitin' on you," he continued, trying to press the issue further.

 

[DarKnight36]

"I'm afraid Captain Suleiman is no longer our captain," Amaya Rose said, striding up to Hector wearing an updated outfit - rather than the black jumpsuit she'd been wearing previously, Amaya now was wearing a loose gray tunic and matching pants, with a white coat that sported the Blackbird's insignia. "I've been promoted, you see."

She smiled at Hector, before opening the communications channel herself. "This is the Captain speaking. All Blackbird personnel are to report back to the ship immediately. We are leaving in 16 minutes. Those of you who don't make it back... Thank you for your service."

***

"So, you're here to learn about the job?" Sloran said after a moment. Matias set his cup down and nodded.

"Who's the crew?" Matias asked, cutting straight to the point. "When are they making a move?"

"Well..." Sloran said, rubbing his chin with one of his hands. "It's Halcon's crew. He's somewhat unpredictable. I heard they were scoping out the ship, but they might make a move if they feel they have a chance. If not, they'll hit you probably a light-minute or two out from the station, but..."

Sloran winced. "This probably won't surprise you, but they'll have competition."

"Who else is involved?" Matias asked, frowning. Sloran just chuckled nervously, before answering slowly.

***

Matias's steady walk was long gone as he sprinted full speed through the streets of the Hive. He'd heard the communication from the Captain, although he couldn't help but notice she sounded... different. Still, he had bigger problems to worry about. The Captain was right.

It was very much time to leave.

 

[PiePillager]

Hector frowned. He hadn't met this individual before, but assuredly she had to be a member of the crew. Of that, he had no doubts. In regards to her alleged promotion, however, he had some questions.... "Promoted by who? And why? Where's Suleiman? Matter of fact, who the fuck are you?" he inquired with suspicion.

 

[DarKnight36]

"Why, I'm your Captain," Amaya smiled, cocking her head to one side in mock innocence. "Did you not hear the announcement?"

 

[FireMaiden]

Naomi Hart
Location: The Hive - A Little Preoccupied
Interaction: @druidquest (Dr. Haliday) @Sky_Breaker_08 (Corvus) PiePillager
Mentioned:
The pirate agreed. Naomi, honestly, hadn't been expecting that. Though that did frame this as more of an official duel than an ambush. It really made her wonder who he was working for. If this was supposed to be an assassination attempt, they would very likely have not made their presence known. Unless they really wanted the pageantry, which was a bit stupid, but then again, most criminals were pretty stupid. Then again, this definitely didn't feel like your run of the mill attempt on their lives. She wanted more answers. Not that she'd be able to ask, instincts kicking in as she jerked her head back. Not enough to avoid her cigarette being cut in two, but far enough back the heat of the blade disappeared quickly. "Oh come on man," Naomi muttered with a sigh, reaching up to remove the butt. "Fine fine, no smoking." The woman relented, tossing the butt off to the side. Her eyes locked on her opponent now, but her focus was quickly split by the voice cracking to life in her ear. That wasn't captain Tish, but she also couldn't respond. Hopefully one of the doctors would relay their... predicament.

She moved in a circle, watching the mechanical man. These guys didn't give her the jeebies the way Androids did, but there was still something a little unsettling about them. She hadn't fought with them very often either, the Humans did what they could to keep their military out of...oh who was she kidding, Naomi had just never been on too many details with the Rindikan targets. Each feint had her on the defensive, Naomi looking for an opening she was comfortable taking. "I'll say, I feel like I'm at a disadvantage. Humans have way too many weaknesses," She chuckled, taking a step back with another feint before recovering to a stance that was easy to lunge from. "You're not gonna... explode or anything if I happen to break that shell are you?" She paused for a second, brows furrowed. "Oh that sounded weird." Was that insensitive? Accidentally racism? Or would it be xenophobic cause he's an alien.

In any case, she'd take the opportunity of hopefully confusion but probably more likely being insulted to lunge forward. She closed the distance between the two of them, her free hand making a grab for the arm he held his blade with whole the other, that had her own blade, aimed for any seam (armpit, torso, waistline) that looked like it could have a sharp object plunged into. But she was prepared to dodge back and out of the way should the pirate attack.

 

[PiePillager]

"Haha! It seems there is much you do not know about my people!" Halcon laughed. "For instance..." he trails off as Naomi grabs his arm. "We possess a physical strength many magnitudes higher than you humans," he says, lifting his arm in the air and Naomi with it. He eyes her blade curiously. "I have seen this fighting style many a time. Military trained, yes? Formidable...to some," Halcon shrugged. "Unfortunately, for your blade, there is nary a crack upon the armor of a Rindikan. Armed with this knowledge, what will you do next, I wonder?"

***

"...Where's Captain Suleiman?" Hector asked again, more slowly, not particularly amused at Amaya finding this situation humorous.

 

[FireMaiden]

Naomi Hart
Location: The Hive - A Little Preoccupied
Interaction: @druidquest (Dr. Haliday) @Sky_Breaker_08 (Corvus) PiePillager
Mentioned:
"You would be correct!" Naomi confirmed, frustration crossing her features as the blade glanced off his suit. Disappointing, but it confirmed she wouldn't be able to rely on strictly brute force. Most of her previous encounters had been with high powered rifles at a distance so... learning curve. There was also clearly no reason to lie to the guy, her inexperience with this kind of opponent would be clear as day. Made it a lot more fun though. Their dance though would lose some momentum as she was effortlessly lifted off the ground. Her shock couldn't be hidden, eyes darting to the ground. "Oh my god." Naomi was no small woman. Average height for a woman, yes, but she was 273 pounds of muscle and fluff. Not to mention the current 30 or so some pound of combat armor she was wearing. Safe to say she was not used to being lifted off the ground with such ease. It uh...flustered the woman, her expression almost marveling it. "Yep, military. I ain't no stranger to dancing, but typically someone offers to buys me dinner before they go picking me up," The woman said with a laugh, her focus returning just as quickly as is had broken.

Naomi could feel the heat of the plasma blade, almost too close for comfort. It gave her an idea at least, a pretty bad one as it had a chance of backfiring. But oh well. She raised her pistol, pressing it against the hilt of the blade the best she could as Naomi swung her legs up. She firmly planted them against his chest and kicked off of him the same time she let go of his arm and pulled the trigger, leaping back and away from the pirate.

 

[PiePillager]

"Oho, quick thinking, that's good," Halcon praised as Naomi used him as a springboard to leap out of his grasp. With a deft movement, he spun his plasma cutlass to deflect the shot she fired off, the blast ricocheting up onto a nearby rooftop. "Your training has served you well thus far. Compliments to you and your teacher. However....will that alone suffice?" he asked. Without so much as waiting for a syllable in response, he darted towards Naomi, and swung his sword downward at her, with a follow-through swing upward.

His swings were exaggerated and rhythmic. Movements more akin to one fighting a sparring partner than a life-or-death situation. His casual tone seemed to indicate that he was fooling around, somewhat. Still, there was something there. Something that may have indicated to Naomi that despite Halcon's lack of intensity, it would be unwise to take this fight as lightly as he seemed to.

 

[obscured_light]

Kingstra dashed on all fours, eager to make it back to the ship even as saliva still dribbled down his face. He had already spent half of his savings on the delicious cuisine he had experienced and would have spent it all had his stomach and job not been in danger. Well, that and his sanity. A mess? On his ship? Kingstra would have none of that nonsense.

However, as he approached, much was going on. Perhaps, a little too much. A lot of sounds rang in his ears but most importantly, the voice of one who had ordered the crew's return. One of the crew was talking to her but it didn't seem to be going well.

"...Captain?" Kingstra asked, confused as to why he sensed such aggression from his crew member whereas the other one seemed so, so calm.

 

[Wing06]

"Enough," Pythius shouted. He and The Hive's security personnel, all various races, not androids, surrounded Naomi and Halcon. Some security officers jammed their blasters into the backs of those Pythius assumed worked with Halcon. Pythius stepped between the two combatants, blade drawn. "These people are guests of The Hive, members of the BlackBird's Cry crew, they are not to be bothered. You are to be placed under arrest for disturbing the peace." He motioned for two security members to arrest Halcon, but no one moved. Instead, they all lowered their weapons and stood staring at him, sly smiles on some of their faces.

"You've forgotten your place, Alfen." A gruff voice called out from behind the gathering crowd. "You were merely a guest here, same as the BlackBird's crew, now you wish to give orders? To my people? My citizens?" The man began to laugh as the civilians, pirates, and security forces parted to allow the Director through.

"My apologies, Halcon. This boy will be dealt with." The Director bowed his head to the Pirate and motioned for his men to arrest Pythius.

"Primitive humans, always working against their own best interests," he muttered, igniting his blade's plasma coating. He lunged at the guard coming from his left, severing his arm. The guard recoiled in pain, and Pythius kicked him into the guards and pirates coming to his aid, managing to create a large enough hole to slip through.

***

The Bushman continued to snap the security drones in half, even as their laser bolts scored his tough skin. He smashed another unit into the ground, denting the hangar floor.

"Useless droids," Saronia shouted, reaching to her belt and removing a small spherical object. She hastily pressed a sequence of buttons embedded on the device and threw it at the Bushman. The sphere lodged itself just below his neck and let loose a jolt of electricity that caused the Bushman to seize. "Take him!"

The andoids threw themselves on top of the Bushman, some using cables in an attempt to contain his limbs. Despite the weight, he tried to shrug them off. Blaster bolts echoed through the hangar. The security forces had decided containment was no longer possible; they'd need to dispose of the threat. The Bushman rose and charged those blasting him, chunks of bark-like skin hitting the floor. Sarnoia grabbed another sphere from her belt and threw it, hitting the Bushman in the leg as he charged. Androids fell to the side, taking friendly fire as the security forces continued their barrage. A stray bolt found its mark in the sphere Sarnoia had thrown.

"No," She whispered as the sphere detonated, triggering a chain reaction. The security forces clinging to the Bushman were caught in the blast, their cores reacting to the explosion. Sarnoia was thrown backward, debris raining down around her.

***

The Hive rocked with the explosion in Hangar 47, men and women thrown to the ground. Smoke poured from the gateway of Hanagr 47, and a few men and women ran out coughing from the smoke. Tristan pressed on; he needed to get off The Hive.

What awaited him was carnage: charred androids and machinery. The acrid smell filled the air, and he was sure he heard the distinct hissing sound of atmosphere venting into the vacuum of space near ground zero of the explosion. A few burnt and charred wooden-esque appendages were all that remained of the Bushman, an innocent in all of this. Tristan felt guilty; a simple transaction cost this creature its life.

Tristan saw his fighter had managed to avoid any damage, its passive shielding likely to thank. His excitement vanished when his eyes fell on the body of the Alfen woman beside the fighter. She was winded, but recovering from the blast. "Sarnoia..." he gasped.

"Tristan!"

Now, his blood ran cold, and he turned to face the man who'd called his name. "Pythius. I should have known they'd send you both."

"You're not getting away again." As if on command, the Station rocked to the side. A direct hit from a battleship's cannon. "The Fleet has come to collect you, and put this vile station down." Pythius smiled and raised his blade.

The Hive rocked again as another blast hammered at the Station's shields.

"What the hell is going on?!" The Director shouted. First, the explosion, and now they were under attack? "An Alfen advanced attack fleet has just emerged from sublight and opened fire! We are under attack!" A voice cried out over a radio. "Dammit! I want those dagger-eared freaks found and killed on sight!"

Sirens blared and bulkheads hissed closed. "Attention, The Hive is currently on Lockdown—no traffic in or out. Please find the closest shelter and await further instructions." The message repeated two more times, and then every ten minutes as citizens of The Hive sought shelter, or took up arms. Many would not go down without a fight.