Futuristic The Tale of the Research Station Adventure

[Dr.Nekoshu]

It has been several months since the Research Station codenamed “Adventure” has gone dark, orbiting it’s strange gravitational well in dark space where no light is found other than that of those made by beings who dare risk this section of dark space. The only visible parts of the station shown by still brightly flashing red emergency lights on the aged outer hull of the station, warning those who travel nearby of it’s location. Normally the station would be highly visible with lit sentries floating about the station for protection and lights lining the outer hull, but now dark and dormant the station lays in it’s orbit under the distant watch of the beings who sent it there. A single hangar bay lies open and unprotected in the dark, visible by the lights still struggling to burn on the hangar’s surrounding hull and within it as well, the only way to enter the station whilst the power is offline, possibly the exit of the last personnel aboard the station, or the entrance of something else. But judging by the look of the bent inward hangar doors, it was not something good…

Currently en route to the station is the team chosen for first contact with the dark station, sent out to reestablish communications and power if possible, along with finding out the fate of the station, it’s on-board crew, and the classified research within it. With the pilot Asera Ilaki choosing the most suitable path through the dark, the precious cargo of her teammates meets within the temporary briefing room, more commonly referred to as the loading bay of the ship. The man who chose each one of them for this mission joins them and begins to inform them of what they may face and their tasks…

===================================

The Transport:

The Professor stands quietly before the rest of the members of this chosen squad, hands held behind his back as he looks to each of them in turn and nods. “As most of you likely know my name is Moritz Bechtold, I was one of the two Head Researchers in charge of the studies that took place aboard the station which we are currently en route towards.” He spoke calmly and clearly, his German accent only heard by the most keen of observers as a century of practice had rendered him able to speak clear as any Basic speaker, his voice a deep and somber tone. “I would assume you each read the mission files you were given before accepting this invitation so I am sure you know that this station is within dark space, a place where no light shines due to the lack of any nearby stars or other light sources other than those made by sentient creatures. This means that upon leaving this ship we will be exposed to temperatures that will kill us within seconds without the proper protections…”
At this mentions he opens a crate standing beside him and pulls out several small circular devices and a helmet. “These circular devices are essentially insulators, they will not keep you from getting cold but they will ensure that you will survive until we have systems back online and thus have heat back on throughout the station. These helmets will allow you to breath, and each has been outfitted to suit your various armors or outfits along with lights on each side to allow for sight whilst on our mission. I have made sure that one is included for each of you, and a secondary insulating device in case the first is to fail before systems are back online or they cannot be restored thus allowing time for an evacuation and return to communications range via our transport should the first fail.” Saying this he sets them down on the crate beside that which he pulled them out from. “We will likely also be without proper artificial gravity within the station but if emergency systems are still active then the atmosphere beyond the hangar and gravity may be bearable.” Moving on he makes a curt nod then motions a hand towards Doctor Daili. “This is Doctor Daili, she will handle all medical concerns we meet to the best of her ability, and I will not steal the spotlight from her by telling of her history or records so I will move on to our Security team Commander and allow her to tell of herself after introductions.”
Placing his raised hand back behind him he looks towards Colonel John Haverson and nods. “This is the commander of our Security detail, Colonel John Haverson. One of the finest chosen from the ranks of ONI itself, a man who I believe we can trust with our safety given his track record. If it is a matter of security on this mission please relay it to him or his team they will be our escort and solution if things go sideways beyond my field of knowledge or expertise.” With this he gave a slight bow and took a step back towards the wall and cockpit. “I will give you all time to get acquainted and introduce yourselves, we are still some time away from our destination and I am sure our pilot will soon be joining us to get acquainted as well before we reach our destination if at all possible and upon nearing it, I will inform you all of our mission properly and each of your roles to play in the restoration of the station.” To show he had finally finished with his talking he took a seat upon one of the landing seats along the walls of the small loading bay, and watched the other crew members.
​

Shannon Trevor GrieveWriter CkSmalling Seraph Darkfire S Shibe Zeev dazzling

 

[Zeev]

Warren sat on a small supply crate in the, back, a plastic rough thing that served as seating enough for this trip and the little huddling of bodies, he had plenty of time to eye every member, he read up some of their files, mainly their squad leader who seemed stable enough considering his achievements. The Cyborg Doctor was someone else he did read up on, and she was clearly heavily changed from her little accident but he certainly was no place to judge.

The Cyborg, the young kid with the silver hair, plenty to talk about there, should have died but didn't and came out different cause of it that was something he could relate to in a way, the others he didn't get the time nor cared. But he knew the choices here weren't by chance, this wasn't a rescue and survey team... it was a Breach and Sweep team, and a scary formidable at that, it made him ponder why they were really here...

 

[dazzling]

Zeev
Noreen fell back against the wall, waiting for someone to make a move. She tentatively glanced at the kid with the weird haircut that seemed to be inspecting everyone. After he looked over her, she gave him a disgusted glare.
Swinging her leg off the crate it was perched on, she unfurled her wings with a leathery flap and took in the gazes of shock at her pointed, intimidating wings. Speaking up, her heavily 'Brooklyn' accented voice filled the empty space. "So. Mm, this looks like a pretty rag-tag crew. Anyways, I'd rather be alone than in this hell of a talkative room." She sauntered out, walking for a while before plopping down in the narrow hallways.
Resting her back on one wall and elevating her feet up on the other, she slid her dagger out from her black leather jeans. Toying with the intricately carved, lethally sharp blade, she whistled a low tune and wondered how long it would take before someone came to find her.

 

[Zeev]

Warren simply watched as she walked out of the somewhat dimly lit cargo room, he frowned a bit as Noreen talked about the quietness of the room and how she'd rather be alone, while he might not care he still wants everyone to follow orders cause they don't know what they are walking into or exactly even why for that reason.

he stood up as he felt and kept his tail behind him best he could, as he adjusted and undid the buttons on his leather bomber jacket as he knew he was going to wear some special air tight suit anyway so shedding some layers wouldn't hurt. "Well she seems pleasant." he muttered with a slight smirk on his canine face.

 

[GrieveWriter]

"Well lucky for her she doesn't need to be pleasant to aid us in completing this mission." Doctor Daili spoke up, having been looking through her chest mounted data pad since the Professor had finished his speech "None of us do, actually."

With that she closed the screen and folded her mechanical arms before glancing around, "Won't stop me from keeping you people from dying should you prove inadequate."

Turning away she began grumbling to herself, "Honestly, you'd expect a larger response team for a station of this size. No matter the cause, Stations like the Adventure don't just go dark for this long unless something, or more likely a great number of somethings, went horribly wrong."

Which meant that either everyone had managed to screw up so royally that they'd essentially stranded themselves, or some kind of unforeseen spatial event had knocked out several of their systems. Perhaps pirates had taken it over, yet their dull minds had kept them stuck there waiting to be apprehended. Maybe the staff released a rouge AI and turned their entire ship against them, and they were walking right into a mess of haywire security systems.

There were literally hundreds of potential ways the Research Station Adventure could've gone silent, yet one thing would remain the same no matter which one was true.

Daili would be among those who were going to fix it.

 

[dazzling]

Noreen stumbled into the tension-filled cargo bay, covered in gaping cuts and her eyes glowing a pale green.
“Uh... I need help.”
Soon, her limp body was being dragged into the medical wing.

 

[Zeev]

Warren had thought a great many of the same things as he turned to see the doctor for a moment. "Yeah quite a number of things are odd about this little trip, I'm surprised ONI didn't just send a destroyer or some smaller class of ship to take a quick peek, instead we're all brought aboard on this little dingy to figure out why a city-sized space platform went offline, and they choose people who have a reputation for this sorta thing--"

Warren cut himself off as he heard the sound of boots against metal flooring come near and pants, his wolfish ears twitch only to see Noreen walk in asking for help as she bleeds out, he simply gave the doctor glance to see her reaction and was himself ready to do something.

GrieveWriter dazzling

 

[GrieveWriter]

Had...had it even been three minutes?

One moment Warren was reminding her why she was so right about her suppositions and then the next the crew mate Daili was absolutely certain stepped out not a second ago wandered in half dead. She was honestly impressed, there weren't many who could claim to riling her agitation so soon after actually meeting her, and that included a number of enemies.

So once Noreen collapsed, Daili stifled her immediate annoyance by taking a deep breath. Once she'd regained her composure she wasted no time in enlisting Warren's aid in carrying Noreen to the med-bay. Considering his file, she knew he'd have absolutely no trouble carrying their quick to injure friend. All the while, Daili opened up Noreen's file on her chest-mounted data-pad, re-familiarizing herself with her biology until they arrived.

"Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I dedicated myself to the preservation of life when it always seems so willing to destroy itself." Daili muttered to herself before waving for Warren to set Noreen down while she equipped herself more thoroughly. From what she could see the numerous cuts were a rather simple fix, the only life-threatening thing about them being the sheer area of affliction coupled with blood-loss. Both of those things the good Doctor was extensively familiar with.

Zeev dazzling

 

[Seraph Darkfire]

Alex was tinkering with a small device in his hands, quickly taking it apart and putting it back together with ease as his eyes traveled over the others, checking their faces to his internal data. He'd made sure that he had files on those he worked with.

His eyes flicked back and forth as the information scrolled across his mind. Each of them had impressive skills and fascinating backstorys. The government was surprisingly thorough, though he shouldn't have been surprised.

When he saw the Doctor, his eyebrows rose and his pupils cycled, a passive scan passing over the cybernetic woman. Then their teammate returned injured, his eyes passing over her wounds with a detached air.

With a renowned Doctor around, he was quite sure the woman would be fine. However he did hop up and follow them. He wanted to see the mechanical limbs in action.

 

[Zeev]

Warren carried Noreen to the table like she was a paperweight and set her down for the doctor to do her stitches and work, he noticed other one following behind and he kept his senses keen for whatever stowaway creature made it on board this ship.

"Daili got any clue what could have done this? and how it could sneak aboard without any notice what so ever?" he asked keeping his senses alert still as he kept a close eye over his shoulder and into the hallway as he was ready to smash whatever got aboard if anything.
GrieveWriter

 

[GrieveWriter]

As expected, the wounds proved simple affairs... but there were just so many of them. Still no problem, but their quantity made things far more annoying than they should be. Under careful administration, the lacerations began disappearing, combinations of medi-gel, stifling fluid and an intricate pattern of sutures soon replaced the wounds. Coupled with Noreen's healing properties, there wasn't even a reason to rush. By the time Warren asked of the potential cause, Daili was already confident her perfect record would be maintained.

"I suppose I am one for guesswork," Daili shrugged whilst carefully treating another cut "the quantity of wounds and the nature of their appearance rules out any type of mechanical failure. Judging from the time she left to the time she returned, whatever attacked her would have to have attacked from stealth. Given her combative qualities there's no other way it could've overpowered her so quickly and quietly."

Once the severe bleeding was halted, Daili turned away to begin looking into replacing what had been lost, "But who knows really? Given how little we have to go off it could've been anything from a wild stowaway, one of us, some spatial entity. Hell, for all I know Noreen suffered some sort of mental collapse and did it to herself for attention or something ridiculous."

Daili took hold of Noreen's wrist gently and began looking at her chest-mounted data-pad, trying to ascertain whether a blood transfusion would even be necessary at this point given the healing properties of the Zdenka.

Zeev Seraph Darkfire dazzling

 

[Zeev]

Warren looked at Noreen knowing she'd be fine by the doctor, he decided to walk out as he saw Alex, "Keep in an eye on these two, you're more than capable." he said with a smirk and walking out of the tiny med-bay as he had the deck under the metal doorway.

a moment passed as he checked the hallway and where the struggle had happened seeing the blood spilled on the floor, sniffing and hearing as something stood out, something that didn't belong. Warren made his way to the back Cargo room, the unused one as he stood in the hallway starring into the dark empty room, his silhouette the only visible thing from the perspective of inside this cargo bay. He simply stepped in and shut the door behind him waiting in the dark for a moment keeping his ears perked, hand on the door slide as he waited to hear anything at all.

GrieveWriter Seraph Darkfire dazzling

 

[dazzling]

GrieveWriter
Noreen moaned, fluttering her still glowing eyes open. Where am I? Glancing down at her arms, covered in sutures, she grimaced. Did it really happen so soon? Noreen flipped her dismantled silver braid out of her face, now trying to compose herself. This was probably the one injury she couldn't heal from.

₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪

It was 13 years ago, and Noreen was 14. Struggling through the harsh barren landscape as she did on a daily basis, she was drawn into the woods by a series of strange noises. Noreen knew it was most likely some sort of animal, but she smiled coldly. If it was, it wouldn't be a problem anyways. Traipsing off into the color-filled undergrowth, Noreen was unaware of the set of eyes trained on her back.
As she strolled through the dense woodland, she briefly slipped off her tattered gas mask and took a breath of the piney air, knowing the radiation levels were down in this part of the city. That was her first mistake. Tightening it back up around her face, she continued on , not bothering to attempt to silence her footsteps. That was mistake #2. As she crossed out into a clearing, she didn't realize how open she was. How much of a target. That was mistake #3.
Noreen had a saying. One that had successfully got her through daily life in Chernobyl. 3 mistakes, and you're dead.

Suddenly, something slashed at her leg. Noreen collapsed, tumbling to the ground with the surprise that something had been able to overpower her. She laid sprawled out on the brittle yellow grass, the cut turning the area around it crimson. Forcing herself to try to get up, she frantically slapped her hand to her mouth as she realized what was missing. She swerved around and saw her gas mask several yards away. Just as rapidly as it had struck before, the mysterious enemy slashed Noreen's other leg, this time not stopping until she was covered in cuts. And so Noreen was left to die there, in the cold field, her wounds bleeding ferociously and her eyes glowing a pale green.


₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪

Noreen clenched her fists, nearly gasping from the pain when she did. Looking down at all the work Dr. Daili had done, she started to slowly recall the last few minutes. "Thanks, but I wouldn't say I'm quick to injure next time." Glancing at Daili, she added, "Since you seem to have already read through my file, I assume you know where I used to live. It's... leftover radiation and wounds, so to speak."
Sliding off the platform gingerly, Noreen grimaced with pain once her feet hit the floor. "Thanks for the help, but this isn't something you can fix. Now, if you'll let me, I think I'm well enough to go."

 

[Dr.Nekoshu]

It was not long into conversations and watching the crew before the first incident showed, the Chernobyl mutation, various lacerations and blood. “Was für eine Schande.” The voice rang clearly within the head of the Researcher as Noreen collapsed to the ground and was promptly carried off to receive attention from the Doctor.
“Now is not the time Krieg. If problems start before our mission even begins we will surely have new obstacles to overcome and I do not need you to cloud my judgment with your own on sensitive matters.” Mumbling to himself and the counterpart which accompanied him for the past century and longer, Moritz stood up from his seat and put up a hand to stay the others within the loading bay. “I know it seems ill but I assure you Miss Noreen will be fine, Doctor Daili is of the highest cloth of her studies. So I urge you all to please remain here, I shall go check on them and what may have transpired with the help of Warren.” Lowering his hand he motioned towards the Colonel. “Colonel Trevor, please ensure the rest of our group remains here within your sight. I will learn the Doctor’s diagnosis and see what may have happened.” With this final note he placed his arms once more behind his back and walked in the direction which the three had just gone.
Shannon Trevor CkSmalling

“Was ist, wenn sie an Bord sind?” The voice rang clearly through Moritz head once more as he walked the hall, following the fluctuating trail of blood from Noreen. The symbiote growing alert at its thoughts.
“Krieg! We are not even in their accessible territory yet. Calm your wondering.” The Researcher shook his head again at his companion, a bright mind like himself but a pain to have. Soon enough he passed by the doorways of the med-bay, hearing what conversation passed between Noreen and Daili, noting Alex had taken interest in the events before he had. But hearing what he needed he continued onward, knowing that they were in fact not boarded was a slight relief even if he knew the improbability of such an event. But soon enough he found the hallway where Noreen must have had her incident, and not far from there the form of Warren staring into a dark storage room. “Expecting to see the shadows move Warren?” He spoke up enough to be heard by the engineered chimera and looked over to him calmly before walking over. “I suspect you’ll find nothing other than a stray rodent stowaway here. You may stand down, the results of Noreen’s injuries were historical and genetic. Nothing caused by a current unseen assailant.” Now he stood behind and beside the Security member, Eyes looking over him and into the room… Still, and calm as they looked into the dark.
Zeev​

 

[dazzling]

Noreen, not waiting for the Doctor's response, quietly slid out of the room, unaware of Alex's watchful eyes. Retracing her way back to the cargo room in search for her crewmates, she came across Warren and what must've been Moritz. She silently leaned behind them briefly, then stepping away. Leaning against the wall, she spoke quietly but clearly.
"If you're still concerned, there's no heat signals in there." Noreen rapidly shifted her gaze to the ground, steeling herself for what she was about to say and trying to avoid their reactions. "Listen, I... I'm sorry, ok? This happens to me sometimes," Noreen mumbled on, speeding up as she felt a familiar flush of embarrassment rush to her cheeks that she was sure appeared as a blush. "It's normal for me. I didn't expect it to happen so soon. I promise it won't affect how useful I am here. Please just let me stay..."

 

[Zeev]

Warren shut the cargo door, though he sensed something, perhaps not an attacker but something never the less, he took the advice of the researcher and walked out closing the door behind him as he simply stepped by. he then smelled it on Moritz and realized what it was, as he simply walked by the research as Noreen explained herself a bit.

he didn't respond cause he didn't really need to, all he knew was she was chosen for a choice despite her medical faults, not everyone here was stable and he needed to keep that in mind when going about his tasks.

 

[dazzling]

Noreen looked down anxiously. Soon, she closed her eyes and let her mouth settle into a small frown, most of her face still guarded by shadow. It was clear nobody was about to answer.
"Well, I guess I already have a bad reputation here." It had took so much for her to open up and actually apologize, which was rare for her, but of course this was what she got. Noreen walked off, head still hanging low. "This is the exact thing I tried to avoid." She mumbled.

 

[Zeev]

Warren walked back to the main cargo area where all the members of the crew were at as he made his way back towards where he sat, eyeing Moritz for a moment than that following by studying Noreen for a moment. disconnecting his stare he grabbed a small tablet device and looked it over as he studied some of the public reports on a few things, certain people, the adventure itself, number of staff, nothing sat well but he didn't want to bring it up either.

 

[dazzling]

Noreen sat shyly on a crate, her head down and hands folded in her lap in the uncomfortably silent bay. Why should I care what he thinks anyways? There's probably nothing I can do to make a person like him like someone like me. Noreen cast her eyes up, waiting for someone to say something.

 

[Shibe]

Things had been going fine and dandy in the cockpit, the course that had been chosen was rather smooth and didn’t seem to present any difficulties.

The dull blue glow of the navigaton pad shown on Asera’s face, the young pilot pulling up a program and typing in a quick code to place the ship on autopilot as well as a few other very specific commands. She slid out of her chair, stretching for a few moments before heading to the door of cockpit, gently resting her hand against a control panel. It scanned the print of her hand in a matter of a second before rolling up the sheet-like door.

She might as well meet her fellow workers, after all they’d have to know who has their lives on the line in this ship. The corridors were earily empty, Asera was on high guard as it was. The crushing loneliness just seemed to make it worse. She eventually made it to the holding bay, entering slowly and looking about for any signs of danger, while also stating her identity. “Greetings, Asera Ilaki at your service. I’m your pilot for this mission.” Her voice contained a thick accent, likely from years of speaking her home language.

 

[GrieveWriter]

The moment Noreen stood Daili was almost ready to chalk her quick recovery up to her healing factor. But then she explained what had happened, and Daili was suddenly much less interested than before. Leftover radiation causing a resurgence of previous wounds? The way it was worded made it sound like this happening again wasn't out of the realm of possibility, as if saying that her professional work to treat those wounds would be undone just as suddenly with no method of preparation.

The smug satisfaction of getting to prove her immense skill faded under her rising annoyance once more. Noreen was supposed to be part of the security detail, yet there was a chance that she'd suddenly become semi-incapacitated from age-old wounds? That wasn't just annoying, it was dangerous.

So when Noreen finished explaining herself, Daili trained an irritated glare on her until she left. Once she was out of sight, Daili scoffed before turning away. Honestly, was she supposed to worry whether or not wounds Noreen sustained were from the present or past now? So many things about this mission were already cause for concern, she didn't need teammates going critical all of a sudden. If this truly was a thing that Noreen dealt with before, Daili figured she'd dealt with it without the assortment of medical supplies currently at their disposal, not to mention a renowned practitioner of treatment such as herself. Seemed like the Doctor would have to put more faith in Noreen's natural healing abilities to prevent a waste of resources.

If there was one upside to this unfortunately lackluster experience, it was that Daili's attention was brought back to their medical supplies. She'd already taken stock of them once she was on-board the ship, but as their mission was soon to fully commence she figured another round of inventory was wise. So that's what she did, checking up on just what she would have at her disposal should an actual incident occur.

 

[Zeev]

Warren waited a moment as he kept studying the tablet and wondering why they were chosen for this, clearly something was up and he was going to be thrown into the thick of it he was certainly going to come out of it alive, he looked seeing the pilot walk in. Noting her elfy look, as well some wolfish features, clearly not the species he was devised from so he averted his gaze. 'Good to have a skilled pilot with us, just dropping us off or staying with us or keeping watch of the ship in case we need to scramble?"

S Shibe

 

[Shibe]

Asera gave a bow, a common gesture of respect or thanks among her species. “Thank you, my friend. I believe I will be staying with you and the others after our arrival. Unless my superior says otherwise.” She slowly rose back up to her full height, giving a curt nod towards Moritz.

Her curious eyes drifted over towards Noreen and Alex, tilting her head a tad. “You two are very quiet, no?” Asera remarked, plopping down on a crate and drumming her clawed fingers against the edges of it. “You must be feeling anxious, I suppose. That is perfectly rational.” She brought her knees up to her chest, hugging her legs and offering them a small smile. Sharp teeth outlining the grin.

 

[Seraph Darkfire]

"I don't get anxious" Alex said calmly "Such emotions were compressed and compartmentalized years ago", he hadn't gotten rid of those emotions though. That was folly in itself, despite the uncomfortable and sometimes illogical emotions he had, it was best to have them and keep his humanity than to lose them and become a cold machine completely. His eyes dilated as he scanned Asera, adding her name and race to his growing list of people he's met. To meet other races was an interesting prospect as he hadn't had the chance back on earth, being isolated as he'd been.

"While lack of communication can be detrimental to a crew, over communication can be equally as bad. It is logical to speak very little when there is nothing to be said" he'd never understood the point of idle chit chat, even before his current state. Why attempt to fill in the silence simply because one feels awkward. They could easily get work done in that time or use the words for chit chat for more interesting conversation.

 

[dazzling]

Noreen quietly observed the conversation, not feeling quite welcome. As the pilot mentioned her, she glanced up. “Oh, well, not usually. I’m glad that you’re staying, though. This is a risky mission, and we’re gonna need all the help we can get.” Noreen looked back down. We’re gonna need all the help we can get because I’m probably not going to be here much longer...