The Starstream Adventures! (Sci-fi RP)

[Taxor_the_First]

Taxor the First and InsaneDarkness
Lunch, Part 1

Haya hadn’t been quite sure what to expect from the chilled meat and sauce left prepared in neat, equal portions in the fridge. It had steamed and lost some of its solidity upon being heated, her nose catching a whiff of sweet and savoury flavours. Yet they weren’t particularly enticing for it. Her first bite had been tredpidatious, the Tamearin unsure whether she might have picked a meal past its use-by date and thus cautious of needing to throw up after consumption. By now, though, the plate was mostly empty, and her stomach had not recoiled at the substances bestowed upon it yet. Not a bad outcome, considering the chef was supposedly a collection of worms. Could have used a little more salt, though.

The lounge door opened, which let Ella be known to its inhabitants. She quickly strutted across the room, giving no attention to Haya. As soon as she reached the fridge, she pulled out something just before its expiration date. She pulled off the lid, looked inside, shrugged, put the lid back on, then grabbed a fork from the drawer and made her way back to the lounge.

The Tamearin blinked. Just my luck. There’s two of them. “How are you?” she greeted noncommittally. Out of a desire for acknowledgement, that petty annoyance? No, she was better than that. Surely. Certainly when it came to Shinso.

As soon as she reached the divide between the kitchen and the lounge, she stopped, holding the container and fork in one hand. “I’m fine. I think. How… about you?” Ella’s “how” was dragged on due to her confusion at the sudden question instead of a hello.

A shrug. “Haven’t thrown up yet.” Haya took another bite, chewing the meat slowly. Her expression gave no hints as to whether the statement was a joke or not. “I would recommend this if you’re looking for something more substantial than… whatever you just picked up.”

“I’m okay. Thank you for the offer, though.” Ella walked up to Haya’s table, taking a seat across from her and placing her food on the table. “Hello. I’m Viella.” Ella offered to let the other girl shake her right cybernetic hand, wanting to do something less awkward.

Had anyone else been in the room at that time, they likely would have winced - offering a cybernetic limb to a Tamearin would be asking for trouble. Yet Haya took it politely. “Haya,” she answered in kind, releasing it as if it bothered her none. “Presuming you’re a fellow hire?”

“That I am. I’m the resident sniper slash engineer, though I’m not the only engineer.” Ella shrugged. “What do you do around here?”

“For now? Train. Prepare. Keep myself and my equipment in shape for when the Captain deems my skills necessary.” Another portion of meat was sliced off its host and devoured in quick, smooth movements. “Which mostly involves short to medium range gunfire or uncompromising negotiation.”

“Well, if you ever need someone’s head shot clean off from 500m away, you know who to talk to.” Ella removed the lid of her container, immediately stabbing the fork into its contents.

Haya’s motions ceased for a half-second. “... haven’t attempted that distance yet,” she murmured thoughtfully, resuming. “I can manage long-distance, just not efficiently. Yet. Perhaps some day I will. Thankfully I have not yet needed to do so for the sake of my life.”

“What sort of weapon is your preference?” Ella asked, bringing a sort of mac-and-cheese-like substance to her mouth.

“Pistols, mostly,” was the response. “Partial to an SMG on occasion, and I occasionally swap one pistol for a revolver or similarly weighty variant. Prefer lighter things, though. Simpler, cleaner, faster. Battle flows better. I’m sure you have a similar preference with your own weaponry - if there’s a change, it’s just jarring.”

Ella finished chewing and swallowed before she replied. “Understandable. I use my sniper for exceptional long range, pistol for short, energy sword, which is more of a dagger, for even shorter. Inserting anything else would take a while to get used to.”

“I considered a dagger or similar at some point. But my finesse extends mostly to my overall body rather than my fingers. I could, but it would require training, which… I mostly devote to psionics at this stage.”

“I’ve had a few psionic comrades, though they weren’t much good in actual combat. I had one guy who was really good, just a complete asshole that looked down on the rest of us because he thought having psionics made him superior. I don’t know where he is now, but if one of his comrades hasn’t stabbed him in the back yet, I’ll be surprised. I was half-tempted to take him out myself, but I didn’t want to stoop to his level.” Ella stabbed her fork back into the container, pulling out more pasta and eating it.

Haya grunted. “I know the feeling,” she muttered, pausing in her meal to take a drink from her glass of water. Probably should not mention I’m speaking of Gazan, in case they’re friends or something. Species tend to group together in uncertain or new locations… no matter each other’s faults. “I would hope I am not nearly as overconfident. That’s bitten me before. I would hope humility keeps me alive now.”

“I swear, some people can sense overconfidence. And the problem is that it’s like a drug. Everyone’s had their moment where reality comes back in full force. Especially in this line of work.”

“Especially,” the Tamearin agreed. Nevermind, it might be safe. She didn’t stoop to gossip, however - at least, not yet. “I used my moment to motivate me. Remind myself that there will always be those stronger than I. Strive to close the gap. And treat everyone with the knowledge that they might be one such individual.”

“It’s good to know where your weaknesses are. For some of us, they’re fixable. Like not knowing how to drive. But for other things, it’s not so cut and dry. Being physically stronger with a smaller frame is one such example.” Ella’s eyes darkened slightly. “It’s a pain in the ass not being able to get better at something you want to get better at.”

Haya’s nod implied she understood that feeling too, and likely for similar reasons judging by her own relatively-diminutive build. “Hence my focus on psionics. I will never overpower a hulking brute of a creature. But out-wit? Out-maneuver? That, I can do.” She glanced up, expression a bizarre mixture of total neutrality and contemplation. “I would assume you’ve had your own ‘reality crashing in’ moment. I find myself curious, if you’re willing to share.”

“So, it was really early in my years of bounty hunting. I was about twelve, thirteen. I had two other guys out front, doing what they were doing. Through the window, I had a beautiful shot, 700m away. However, if I moved, I would lose it and I wasn’t in any sort of cover. This really burly guy came up from behind me and asked what I was doing and to drop my weapon. I, of course, did so, out of fear of my life. I didn’t have my pistol at the time and the scope of my gun was too zoomed in to let me have an accurate shot on a man not even two feet from me, not to mention the damn weight of the thing. I only lived through that because he took me to the guy in charge, who, by the time he got me there, was already dead. And since my comrades were still in the room, as they saw me restrained in this guy’s grasp, they were able to give the guy two shots to the head to free me as soon as he walked in. Ever since, I knew that I should not be a dumbass and think that being out in the middle of fucking nowhere with a big ass weapon won’t catch any attention.”

“A simple, but important lesson,” the Tamearin agreed. “Not one I’ve had cause to learn, in hindsight. My choice of gear allows me to be rather subtle with my intent.” She tilted her head. “I feel obligated to ask. That seems like a very young age to be handling weapons.”

“That’s what most people say. But I grew up in a Shinso household. And if you know anything about Shinso, they’re prideful to the point of ridiculousness. My older brother and sister had their lives planned out and were incredible in what they were capable of. Even my younger brothers beat me in arm wrestling and the like. When I took up weaponry, my family was very supportive. It was something I could do even as weak as I am. When I lost this arm, wielding a sniper became like 100 times easier, too. So it didn’t matter how big my target was, their brains were melted and gooey on the wall.”

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Taxor the First and InsaneDarkness
Lunch, Part 2

The twitch of a frown. A little flippant about her role. Potential psychopath. Might have to keep an eye on her, check back in a decade or so. “I see. Unusual, but that’s racial differences I suppose. I have had to learn much on that subject since leaving home space. Accept things I normally would not, or was taught not to.” Haya gestured at Ella’s arm as she said this. “Like cybernetics. I was taught to revile such a thing. Personally, I wouldn’t be comfortable being ‘augmented’, but after a while among others of different minds I have come to accept that there are reasons for it. Logical ones. If I ignore logic, then I put myself at risk.”

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you would be sensitive to cybernetics.” Ella cringed to herself. “With the collective of races in the world, I’ve decided to just not give a damn what race a person is and see them for who they are. I wish the rest of the universe could share my mindset.” Ella’s tail swished around on her chair.

“Don’t worry about it. As I just said, it fails to bother me anymore. Only the thought of removing my own flesh makes me uncomfortable. If you are smart or dumb enough to do that to yourself, that is your decision.” She placed the last morsel of meat into her mouth, and aligned her cutlery neatly on her plate. “I judge based upon intelligence or lack thereof. Cybernetics is not part of that equation, be they willful acquisitions or enforced. In that, I am different to most normal Tamearins. I do not care.”

“Well, it seems we are both rather unique in our views, then.” Ella smiled at Haya, the first time she’d done so thus far. “I would love to get to know you better in the future. I assume you probably have some stuff to do once you finish eating.”

Haya shrugged. “Nothing pressing. As I said - my schedule currently consists of training, eating, training, sleeping, and more training. And it would be impolite to leave you while you still have food to get through.”

“To be honest, I often prefer to be alone. But I wouldn’t mind friendly company.”

The Tamearin leaned back, her cheek suctioning inwards gently. “I’m curious as to your track record,” she admitted. “If you wish to share, I would be interested in listening. If not, I can leave you be.”

“What sort of track record? Could you be more specific?” Ella tilted her head slightly as her ears twitched.

“Past bounties, capabilities. Most interested in those that tested your limits - I find it prudent to know what allies are capable of before relying on them to achieve the impossible.” Haya neglected to mention that her ‘allies’ numbered in the single digits. It was irrelevant.

“Well, I’ve never missed a shot, if that’s what you mean. That’s why people call me Viella One-Shot.” Ella shrugged. “Other than that, I’ve been on 215 bounties. I’ve only ever had to redo a couple of them. Any failures were not my fault.”

She speaks distastefully about overconfidence, and then says things like that? Haya was struck by the irony - but then again, if she could back up such claims, was it really hypocritical? “Impressive mission count and claim to fame. Hopefully you do not decide to ruin that perfect streak on a mission with me.” Again, it was unclear if the Tamearin was joking or not.

“I expect to ruin it sooner or later. If it’s with you, I give you permission to laugh at my expense.”

“I’m a Tamearin. I laugh maybe once or twice a month.”

“Well, if you laugh at my expense once, then I’ll know I fucked up.” Ella raised her eyebrows with a shrug in a way that conveyed the personification of ‘Oh well’.

“Most likely not. A situation like that, I would probably be dead. Haunting you would be the best I could do in that scenario.” Still, that irrepressible deadpan.

“Well, you can’t exactly die once or twice a month. Guess you dying will really drill it into my head how badly I messed up.” As the situation was a little darker, so too was Ella’s voice deeper and less happy. Not to mention Haya’s unappreciation for jokes.

“I would hope so. Provided you take that lesson to heart, I might be able to rest easy.” A broad declaration, and only true if that was the sole matter concerning Haya. Realistically, it was not - there was plenty more in the universe remaining as unfinished business. Perishing, by her own fault or by that of another, was not on the cards. “In the interest of fairness, as I understand revealing such skills can be risky for our profession, I shall do the same. I carry a minimum of three sidearms on my person at all times, usually four, and I have carried six on two occasions. I can sustain their fire for a significant period by spacing their shots until each requires a reload. I am a yellow psion, and am capable of illusions and instantaneous repositioning, as well as mind-reading. My reflexes are as yet unmatched, at least by organic individuals.” She refrained from explaining the why - she could not read the minds of synthetic beings, and thus could not anticipate their actions beforehand. To call her agility ‘reflexes’ was something of a misnomer, in truth. One she was happy to perpetuate.

“Are you able to read my mind?” Ella questioned, her expression a mix of curiosity and horror.

“I have not been, if that is your concern. I could attempt it if you are curious.”

“If I’m being honest, I am.”

Haya shrugged, and remained sitting silently. Contrary to much popular media, psions usually did not need gestures or the like to enact their extrasensory will. Mind reading, in particular, was best accomplished subtly, with no indication of it being done at all. Thus, all the Tamearin did to reach into Ella’s mind was sit there in silence, watching. She made the connection in two seconds - and immediately frowned, narrowing her eyes. “Blocked,” she noted. “Interesting. Not quite the same as a psionically reinforced mind, but I was denied nonetheless.”

“Do you think it was a fluke? Would you be able to read my mind if certain things weren’t present?” Ella tilted her head.

Haya sought clarification. “Certain things?”

“Like, what do you think could be making this more difficult for you? And is there a way to fix it?”

The Tamearin considered. “The block was near-instant - I had time to grasp that you were waiting for an outcome from me, and nothing else. But as I said, it was not a psionic block. Such things have a calling card, as it were. Psionics are very personal. Especially that close to their core; the mind itself. There are genetic modifications that create an effect like this, but those usually have a… I suppose ‘sting’ would be the best description. I did not feel such a thing. That would leave some sort of cybernetic implant, but I do not know of any common ones that would achieve that effect.”

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Taxor the First and InsaneDarkness
Lunch, Part 3

“Ah. So, just as an example, having an implanted Virtual Intelligence in my brain would be an issue?”

“If said Virtual Intelligence was actively working to repel psionic intruders, yes,” Haya answered. “They would also need to be able to access certain areas of the brain, I believe. Shinso physiology is not one of my strong suits. In short, mobilising the latent energies of the brain to repel in a similar way to psionics. A hollow force, but a force nonetheless. A strong-willed psion with experience in the field would be able to overcome it, but someone of my skill - and I am by no means weak, merely unpracticed with such brute force - could not.”

“Would there be a way to outright create an immunity to having your mind read?”

Haya’s mouth upturned ever-so-slightly. “Become a master psion.”

“Is there ANOTHER way?” Ella’s lips upturned in an “I knew that already” fashion.

“I do not believe so.”

“Well, damn.”

“That is a typical reaction to discovering the limits of the universe, yes.”

“It’s how I’ve responded to most things in life that I can’t do.” Ella shrugged.

Haya shifted. “I… tend to respond similarly. There was one occasion where such a discovery prompted a more… agonised reaction from me.” She looked away for a moment. “Pon-Taers have a reputation for being the more emotional versions of us. But we are not incapable of emotional outbursts when under stress. I have allowed my demeanour to crack in such a way only once. I hope that is the final time.”

“Well, displaying emotion isn’t the worst thing in the world. Just when you need logic.”

“I require logic all the time. My existence is based upon it. My life is based upon it, and the perpetuation of said life depends upon it as well. There is no room for such weakness, aside from the days where I cannot help myself. I work around those.” She exhaled. “... as a result, I find myself curious about the first mate. Other species exist in the twisted logic of emotion and make do - Tamearins are not ‘designed’ to. It surprises me to learn one of us, at least, does.”

“Are you sure your life is not just really depressing?” Ella asked, her voice louder and of higher pitch.

Haya winced at the sudden change in tone, ears unprepared. “I do not feel depression. My existence is worthwhile and sufficient. Why would I feel such an emotion?”

“Okay…” Ella mumurred. “I would just suspect a life without being able to convey emotion seems a little… boring. Uneventful.”

The Tamearin tilted her head, confused. “I would not describe my career as uneventful,” she noted. “And I would posit that the over-reliance on emotion that most species have results in a higher rate of issues arising from them. Socio and psychopaths. Society attempts to take in too many variants, and fails to do so under the weight. Tamearin society is ordered, by contrast. That said… I will concede that we lose some benefits of such a posture. Art suffers, for example.”

“I could see how that would be an issue.” Ella nodded. “Well, I believe I’ve finished eating and I’ve found the most awkward timing to introduce the idea of blazing our own trails, so to speak. I just hope you don’t judge me for having a weird opinion.”

“Not that particular opinion, no.” Haya inclined her head and stood, taking her plate. “It’s been interesting. Good to know not everyone on this ship is consumed by hormonal imbalances.”

“Which individuals are you referring to? I won’t tell anyone, I promise. No matter how suspicious it is that I said that immediately after asking who they are.” Ella fake-cringed at her own mistake.

The Tamearin watched her silently for a moment, as if weighing up how to respond. “Effectively everyone I’ve met so far,” she answered at last. “Gazan, Kentaro… oh, minus the girl. Elisa is strange, but not self-important. A plus, at least.”

“Elisa’s innocence scares me, above all. I’m just concerned how long she’ll last before someone takes advantage of her in some way or another. I’ve yet to meet Kentaro, but Gazan…” Ella narrowed her eyes. “To put it simply, Gazan’s a bit of an asshole. A self-entitled one, but an asshole nonetheless.”

“He reminded me of Kentaro,” Haya responded bluntly. “Though at least he seemed to be doing it to annoy me. Gazan is… unaware of that effect. I suspect he has yet to encounter reality, as we discussed earlier.”

“Oh God… Two Gazans? I can barely handle one…” Ella’s eyes were filled with fear and sorrow.

“Avoid him if you must.” The Tamearin frowned. “... I also suspect he is more lecherous than his Shinso counterpart. Especially avoid him if that bothers you.”

“As long as I stay in my room, they can’t touch me…” Ella reassured herself.

“True. But then you will not complete any missions, and thus will never earn any funds.” A shrug. “We all have our trials.”

“I believe you’ll talk with them more than I. You fight within the same range.”

Haya sighed. “You are correct.” She did not sound pleased about this.

“Whoops. Sorry to inform you of your imminent demise.” Ella cringed again.

“I would prefer that to being trapped with either of them. Let alone going on an operation with both at once.” She suppressed a shudder, and carried her plate to kitchen, rinsing it and then dumping it in the washer. “Anyway. I should leave you to the solitude you prize. It was a pleasure to meet you, Ella.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you as well, Haya.” Ella gave her a respectful quarter bow in her chair before she got up to emulate Haya’s previous actions in the kitchen. The Tamearin breezed past her with a polite - if curt - nod, and vanished out the door, trench coat swirling around her legs.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Taxor the First and Blackout
Long Live the King, Part 1

The terminal beeped. Haya frowned, and rose from her station to cross her room, leaving the pistol glinting and dissected behind her. She hunched over the chair to the terminal, and woke the computer up. A message?

Judging this would not be a quick venture, she sat down, and opened the file. Ah, confirmation of pay. Good. I was concerned my haste might have blurred the image and made it irredeemable. Nick’s injuries were not in vain, then.

She leaned back, a pang of something approaching guilt stinging in her chest. Her face twitched into another frown. Concern is valid, but I am not usually prone to taking too much responsibility for less than optimal outcomes. Am I getting close? She lifted a hand to bring a few strands of her hair before her eyes, but the creeping white she was searching for did not appear. Could just be the start… though it would be early. Perhaps my subconscious is trying to tell me I made an error?

Immediately, she regretted the thought - now she wouldn’t be settled unless she’d cleared herself of wrongdoing. She closed her eyes, and allowed herself to drift into the mists of memory.

***​

Heavy clanking sounded throughout the ship, Nick's body weight and natural metal legs stirring up sounds long before he even figured out where to go. His datapad open, he followed it's directions to a door, a door where he hoped to find another Tamearin attributed with his dour look. He knocked once, twice, thrice and despite being gentle, it sounded like he was breaking down the locked door.

"Hello? Is a woman named Haya inside?" He asked, his voice a bit gravelly but firm. His signature trenchcoat and trillby made him seem more like a telemarketer than a bounty hunter.

The door remained silent for a moment before slipping aside and revealing a slight woman behind it - the one he sought. “Currently, yes,” she answered, giving him a cursory look up and down before focusing on his face again. “I’ve seen you around a few times. Never got your name, yet you have mine.” Her tone suggested that was a disadvantage she was not happy with.

"Nick. You… uh, busy?" The cyborg asked, taking his trilby off. "I have something I want to discuss with you."

Haya’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly, but she rolled her shoulders in a noncommittal shrug. “Speak, then,” she bade him.

"Jeezus, you remind me of my drill sergeant…" Nick grumbled, pausing for a few moments to grumble more incoherent things. "I got a bounty and I'm willing to share. Is that enough to have you stop analyzing me?"

She noticeably perked up at his offering. “I see. Yes, that would be acceptable. I presume from your attire you mean now?” Her eyes flicked over him again. “... unless you always dress like that…”

"I do. Do you have an issue with that?" He asked, his tone less confrontational and more confused, a raised eyebrow completing the look.

A pause. “I do not,” the Tamearin decided with a sigh. She turned on her heel. “I’ll grab my coat and underarmor and be with you in a moment.”

"Okay… we'll be flying with a pilot named Titania and an escort named Kentaro. We'll be the only ground force so you and I will have to cover each other." Nick explained, turning around from the door, as his past experiences taught him. "That is if you don't mind fighting with a cyborg."

“Perfectly acceptable,” was the dismissive response from behind him. “I have been in GFP space long enough to comprehend the logic behind such things. Especially in scenarios such as the one you are suggesting we push ourselves into.” She breezed past him, her own trenchcoat now masking her lightly-armored form. “Hangar, I presume?”

"Indeed." Nick said, then went quiet. He realized, far too late that Kazane wasn't there to occupy the idle silence with her chatter. Ah, hell… why did I have to be born with no social skills...

Though Haya already seemed the type to allow such silences to continue, she did not. “Familiar with Kentaro already,” she noted as they walked. “Not with… what did you call them… ‘Titania’? Friend or associate of yours, or…?”

"If you're asking relationships, I am currently single… she's an acquaintance." He said quietly, his right hand holding his datapad while his other fingers danced on its surface.

“I was under the impression most people did not ask such questions within ten minutes of meeting another,” the Tamearin noted, frowning. “Must have misinterpreted. Regardless, I was more asking about her. Is she reliable?”

"I don't know anything beyond her records, so the answer is… probably?" Nick answered, giving her a noncommittal shrug. His eyes hinted that, like Kentaro, he might also be hiding something.

Again, the slight narrowing of her own eyes. Subtly, she reached out with her mind, and attempted to skim his for surface-level thoughts on the woman in question.

I wonder if her records are as good as they say… given what she does, she's probably a safe bet… She is a bit peculiar… and I did irritate her the last time we spoke… The thoughts followed a similar vein of thought before his eyes seemed to look over at her. "So… I'll admit, conversation is not my forte. Do you have any questions for the bounty?"

Haya allowed the connection to fray and dissolve, satisfied that he was only doubting his own information rather than the woman herself. “I should question what exactly we’re doing,” she responded. “You seemed to imply there would be violence.”

"Going into a pirate base for an individual tends to result in violence, yes. Unless you have another idea on how to get in?" Nick replied, as he pulled up the sleeves on his more sleek and somewhat shiny arm.

“My poker-face, as humans tend to describe it, is impeccable, but I am a poor actor. Entering via deception is likely impossible,” the Tamearin mused. “Violence it is. Important further question; is the bounty for ‘alive’ or ‘dead’?”

"Either or. Pay is the same, but we might get Fee tech out of it if we bring the target in. Keyword is 'might'. His name’s ‘King’. Not quite a big time pirate, but big enough to be a pain for more than a few people," Nick replied, offering a shrug in response. His arm began to slowly transform; his wrist going straight up before his hand folded back to reveal a gun barrel. He flicked a switch with his other hand causing a slight whirring to be heard.

Haya eyed the weapon a little cautiously, but did not otherwise react to it - she’d sensed no hostility in her brief peek into his brain. “We will, else we might as well release the target to continue wreaking their havoc,” she stated, shrugging. “Not our problem if the reward for extra effort is lacking. Assuming we get the chance to take them alive, of course.”

The arm retracted quickly, faster than a civilian model should've and slower than a Fee grade cybernetic would've taken. Nick nodded. "Best we try at least, but that depends if you can keep up." A pause. "That did not come out right. I meant to say…" he trailed off into silence, content to look everywhere but at Haya.

“Fear not. I have endured my share of hostile actions. You will find I am an excellent disruptor.” She did not elaborate on this statement, aside from her right hand drifting to her hip - where the faint bulge of a sidearm’s handle poked through the cloth of her trenchcoat.

"Fair." Another pause, this one longer as he looked her up and down. "I'd judge from your build, you'll be harder to hit. How good are your utility skills, such as hacking?" His voice had gone softer, and seemed likely to continue doing so.

“Dubious at best.” Haya’s blunt assessments extended to herself, it seemed. “I have a standard slicing tool for digital locks, but that’s about it. Usually I can find alternative routes if a door blocks me. That said, my environment is usually urban. Harder to find a window to jump to in a space station. Vent and maintenance shafts could be sufficient, but in my experience pirates don’t concern themselves with such things.”

Nick nodded, before they arrived at the hangar, the foxgirl having already hooked up a rope ladder to get in, while she herself was underneath the craft's main body. An old and archaic song seemed to play to which she audibly sung along to. "Gotta get back, back to the past, sam-urai Jack." To the side, Kentaro was visible leaning against his fighter, watching her work with obvious approval. He straightened when the others arrived.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Taxor the First and Blackout
Long Live the King, Part 2

“‘Bout damn time,” he grumbled with a grin. That grin faltered slightly upon sighting Haya, but returned full-force. “You ready to hit the road, Nick? View’s nice and all, but I can’t do shit about it when we’ve got other plans.”

"Yeah, we're ready. You going to be able to handle the heat when they start shooting at you?" Nick replied, raising a cocky eyebrow, all the while the fox continued singing, seemingly in her own world as she worked on her engine.

“You know I’m good for it,” Kentaro snipped back, still grinning. “More concerned about these two.” He gestured at the singing Titania and the silent Haya. The latter gave him what likely approximated as a dark look.

“We will manage at a bare minimum,” the Tamearin stated, thankful she didn’t have to share the shuttle with him.

Titania wheeled out from underneath her craft, hitting a holographic display as she did. "Guess that means it's time. Head up and get into the passenger seats. I'll be up there in a bit." The foxgirl stood up, wearing just a short tank top and some casual shorts, all stained with grease and other fluids.

Nick raised an eyebrow but merely headed over to the rope ladder, gesturing for Haya to follow him.

Kentaro watched them board before thumping the side of his cockpit, letting it descend so that he could mount. “Alright, Titania, you take lead and I’ll, uh… watch your ass. Sound good to you?”

Titania rolled her eyes. "Nice double meaning. Doesn't mean I'm going to let you try anything beyond the norm." She said with a sigh, she walked away from the ship to a weird container bigger than her by several inches. She went behind it and for a minute or two nothing happened.

Then, the front opened to reveal her red, Feudal Japan-esque power armor. She quickly and impressively jumped directly up to her cockpit, some minor thrusters on her feet dispelling some of the awe but not entirely. His comms suddenly filled with the Dondodndari's voice, "This is Black Death, ready for takeoff. How about you, Pervert One?"

He laughed, swinging onto the bike that was his cockpit and allowing it to ascend into the rest of the frame. “I like you already,” he answered. “I’ve been ready for days.”

"More like horny, but we'll go with ready." Titania teased before giving the proper comms warning that she was taking off before firing her thrusters off and practically disappearing in seconds.

Nick looked visibly uncomfortable and passed a nervous glance over to Haya as Titania called out, "You there, Pervert?"

“Right behind you,” Kentaro answered smoothly. “How good are you with evasion? Sluggish? Nice and quick? I’m just checkin’ to see whether I need to pull the mob off you every so often or if you can handle yourself. I know you’ve got the balls for it, but sometimes the hardware ain’t accommodating, if you get what I’m sayin’.”

"Is it always double entendres with you?" Titania replied, raising an eyebrow under her helmet. She briefly pointed behind her. "There's self-generating oxygen helmets in your seats. Put them on, you two. And for your record, Pervert, I bet I could fly circles around you." Haya did as instructed obediently, and briefly checked her equipment in the process.

“It was a legitimate question. But if you insist.”

"Hey, you're the one who, while we waited, tried to convince me that I should… how did you word it…-" before Titania could finish, a roaring laugh came from the back as Nick put his helmet in his arm.

"Really, Ken? Not five minutes aboard a ship and you've tried for every girl? What's next? The barely legal assassin?" He guffawed over the radio, finally sticking the helmet on.

“Nah, I’ve got a poor track record with chicks in that profession. Turns out the cold blooded psychopaths are cold blooded psychopaths. I know, shocked me too. At least four times.” Kentaro chuckled over the comms, the scratchy interference adding a strange timbre to his voice. “‘Sides, Titania knows it’s in good fun.”

Haya raised an eyebrow. “... is it?” she wondered, almost inaudible.

"It is. If it wasn't I would've turned off comms and proceeded in silence. Although, he did try a half-assed attempt to seduce me." Titania replied, her power armor picking up the audible question. "He failed. Poorly. To such an extent I wonder how he even beds any girl, let alone girls."

Nick tried to stifle another chuckle, his face lit up and made him appear younger.

“I’m beginning to suspect I just get the ones that know they can manipulate me,” Kentaro sighed. Then: “Ooh, that’s a fuckin’ hornet’s nest if I’ve ever seen one.”

The asteroid had a significant base present, with only a couple ship's nearby to intercept them. However as soon as combat started, the hangar bay on the side promised quick retribution. "Okay, kids, you're gonna bail out when I tell you, because if you don't, those safety belts will probably rip you in two. So when I say eject, you eject. Understand?"

"Understood, Black Death." Nick replied.

"Just call me Ronin. Black Death is my ship name." Titania replied looking over at Haya, turning her head away from where she was flying to get confirmation.

The Tamearin nodded. “I will trust your judgement,” she answered as her mind retracted from that of their pilot. Titania believed the instruction would work, and therefore she would too.

"Okay…" Titania murmured, activating her boost. She watched the base get closer and closer. "Eject now." She ordered, the top of the craft opening suddenly as she stopped hoping the two of them had listened to her.

Nick groaned as he flew through space, only to make a slight dent into the base. He managed to get a handheld from his slight crater and looked around for Haya as their ride left amidst a dazzling stream of plasma and laser fire.

"Haya?"

She’d ejected with him - perhaps even before, in hindsight - but he hadn’t seen or heard her impact the side with him. Yet upon glancing where her trajectory should have taken her, there she was, barely unsettled. She looked as if she’d simply been displaced, not launched. “Here,” she answered simply. “See an entry point?”

Titania's voice answered, a bit more energetic than before, "Behind you quite a fair distance is an entry hatch. Crawl towards it." Static filled the comms for a moment before several explosions devoid of sound appeared in front of them.

"Roger and going dark." Nick said before simply crawling towards the entrance using the various metal protrusions to propel himself forward. As he did so, he tapped the collar of the helmet to mute Titania and Kentaro. He reached the hatch and quickly stuck his finger of his civilian arm onto the sensor which opened quickly allowing them easy access in. Nick gestured for Haya to enter first, his eyes scanning the ongoing space battle to see if any of the fighters noticed them.

The Tamearin darted past - quick and nimble - until she reached the hatch. There she halted, drawing one of her pistols. She seemed to split in two from the front, one of her remaining in place while the other slung herself through the hole. There was the flash of gunfire, likely focused on the illusion she’d sent through, and Haya pounced. With more flexibility than her usually-collected movements tended to portray, she vaulted through and around the hatch, pistol flashing once, twice, three times. “Clear,” she reported calmly, kicking off the roof and to the floor again. Her double shimmered and vanished.

"Clear the floor. I'm landing." Nick warned as he went in through the hatch, closing it once he did so. The chamber suddenly gained gravity as the mixed air for the variety of species inside flooded the room. After landing with a thunderous sound, Nick took off his helmet, and nodded at Haya's work. "Not bad… you did miss that guy's heart slightly. But still, only three shots and they were all lethal..." Nick tipped his trilby at Haya.

“Simple but effective,” the Tamearin agreed, though not pridefully. “Clean breach. Hopefully the rest of the operation goes so smoothly.” She hefted her pistol and examined the room, eventually settling on one door. “That one. Most likely to lead deeper in, and chances are the local leader’s safe room would be in the deepest part of this base. Concur?”

"Yes." Nick replied, before looking at her. "King’s a - or was - a bounty hunter like us, cyberized like me. Be careful with your tactics and planning." His arm quickly shifted into its gun form ready to fire at a moment's notice.

“I always am.”

"Alright, lead the way. I'll cover our rear." He angled his gun arm at the door, giving Haya a nod and a shy smile.

The Tamearin drew a second pistol in her other hand and advanced, checking the pad beside the door. “Not on lockdown yet. Might not have been alerted to ‘ground’ incursion just yet.” She punched it with an extended finger, and darted sideways to aim around the doorway. After a breath, she lowered the weapons again, and pushed through into the empty corridor. “See if we can’t intercept defenders at the armory, if they have one. Clean them out before advancing on the main target.”

Nick followed her out, making sure to keep his arm aimed behind them. "Roger. Anything technical you find, leave it to me. I'll probably be able to pull up their entire floor plan and disable their hangar." Nick's shyness fading away for his battle-hardened mentality.

“Understood.”

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Taxor the First and Blackout
Long Live the King, Part 3

They met no resistance for an unsettlingly long time, winding their way through the labyrinth slowly but methodically. One patrolling pirate received a shot through the eyes from both of them. The armory, by the time they reached it, was locked down. Through the steel, they could hear the dull murmur of people preparing for battle. “If you would…”

Nick motioned for his companion to stand back as his gun reverted back into a hand, and went into his trenchcoat. His civilian arm went up to the controls, deactivating the steel door and forcing the door to open, revealing a plethora of enemies who stared back in shock. A plasma grenade flew into the room, Nick's gun arm raising up into a salute after the throw, before the door seemingly closed. After a few seconds several explosions that dented and melted certain parts of the door down sounded off, the concussive blast sending Nick back several feet.

Haya glanced back at him in alarm, but didn’t immediately move to his aid - instead, training her pistols on the doorway just in case. “Hold, please.” She seemed to split apart again, sending an illusion of herself darting across the firing line to bait out shots from anyone that had survived.

Only two shots fired and they were very spaced. Nick groaned as he got up and tried accessing the door panel before the door promptly fell down with a crash. The scene inside was capable of making even hardened soldiers sick; bodies half melted with organs either just coming out or fully exposed to the air littered the ground. A Tamearin boy, maybe sixteen, laid in the back, his left arm melted to the bone. Deep red hair tried to hide his half-burned face. Upon seeing the two bounty hunters, he dropped his laser pistol and weakly raised his remaining arm up towards Haya as if to somehow reach her. "Bea...ful…" He murmured audibly.

"What do we do with him?" Nick asked, looking at Haya for a moment before returning his gaze, and gun, towards the corridor to the right.

She quickly scanned the rest of the room to ensure it wasn’t a trap of some kind, then approached, pulling a small device from under her coat. “Too wounded to be a threat. Stabilise and restrain.” She angled the device at the arm, and sprayed a cool mist onto it. The pain he felt - slowly growing as the nerves realised they were dead - lessened.

"Than… you. Wha… ur… name?" The boy asked, his arm falling to the side. His eye followed her slowly, barely able to focus on her.

“Haya,” the Tamearin answered simply, replacing the sprayer at her hip before drawing a pair of large rings from under her coat. She frowned. “... ah.” Handcuffing him would prove a challenge.

"It… oh...kay… will… stay… Hay… a..." The young man replied, reaching out for her slowly.

Her frown deepened, but her hand gently took his. It’ll keep him placated if I express sympathy. That will make things easier in the future. “Then do so,” she instructed, before rising and turning. “Come, Nick.”

"No restraints? Alright then. Never took you for being emotional..." Nick murmured following in behind her with the same style they had set up before.

“Not. I read his mind. No intent to leave.” She shrugged. “Where would he go?”

"After you, more than likely." A pause. "Have you been reading my mind?"

“Only twice so far.”

"That's a little rude, Haya. What if I just start bypassing the lock on your door and just came in whenever I wanted?"

“I only skimmed surface-level thoughts. To continue your metaphor, I looked in through your window. You’re not a psion yourself, so I do not fear you have the capacity to hide your thoughts in a way that would allow you to threaten me.” Haya glanced at him. “And it was done only to ensure I could trust you. So far, you’ve passed. In future, I may not need to do that again. We shall see.”

A metal hand grabbed her tail, not hard but still hard enough to hold it, eventually letting it slide out of the weirdly warm metal's grasp. "Now, that's a good way to make me… well, to be fair, I can mess with you extensively on the ship. Your replicator might not give you the food you want or your door gets stuck. Still, don't read my mind, unless I give you permission to do so. Fair?" Nick said, a metal hand poking the back of her head.

She rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

"I could practically feel the eye roll, Haya." Nick shook his head, poking her once again. "But I might be convinced to let it go if you start, I don't know, acting more like you have emotions instead of locking them away."

“I’m a Tamearin,” Haya stated, as if that was a sufficient answer.

"I've met livelier Tams than you. I've met Pon-Taers who were even less lively than you. You still have no excuse." Another poke.

“It’s about control. I wouldn’t expect you to understand.” There was a hint of irritation in her voice - surprisingly menacing.

"I have a fear of explosives." Nick said quietly, his voice becoming more mechanical as if to shield himself. "And I'm from the military. GFP military. I know all about control… which begs the question: why are you still repressing your emotions?" A pause. "Do you fear them?"

Now her annoyance was obvious. “If I fear anything about them, it is what they might make me,” she snapped.

"Anger; good. Got any others?" Nick taunted, a faint rumbling that barely activated the sensitive sensors in his feet were quickly ignored as he focused on Haya.

The Tamearin glared at him before looking away again, unwilling to rise to the goading. “Plenty,” she answered curtly. “But indulging your interrogation would distract us at a time when we require logic above all else.”

"Great, then you-" The rumbling came closer from Nick's direction. Ten, twenty, thirty-two signatures approached. Looking around, the cyborg spotted an emergency lockdown panel. "Guess you're on your own." Pushing her forward, Nick quickly activated the lockdown, a heavy metal door sealing the two of them apart. "Try to show some emotions, okay? I'd hate to see you unable to smile." Her helmet comm buzzed. Through the glass, Nick laid down prepping his gun to fire, as the beginnings of a small army approached, being kept away by Nick's fire. "I swear if you aren't running your ass off…" He grumbled over comms.

“Only because I could not blink through solid metal,” came the irritated response. “No ‘last stand’s. If you’re in trouble, leave. Or I’ll loop around.”

"With thirty- make that twenty-nine enemies, you'll kill yourself. Which is still fucking dumb. Use your slicer, get out towards the hangar bay and call Titania and Kentaro. If I'm not dead by then, I'll follow, if I am, then you can be pissy at my lackluster skills." Nick growled, his voice becoming more soldier-like. "Now hurry your ass up and get the fucking target, Haya! That is mission priority!" A laser blast narrowly missed his trillby, singeing the door.

“You’re mad,” she judged, before adjusting her course. The detour meant she would need to move through a few more corridors than expected - as well as a mess hall, which she simply blinked to the end of rather than bother trying to run on the tabletops - before reaching what she deemed to be the panic room. She almost slammed her slicing tool onto the panel, grunting in relief when it proved sufficient. Evidently a rawer form of pirate, then.

She slipped beside the door, pressed the button to open it, and waited.

Two arms reached for the door, but oddly they seemed to be facing the same direction. They pulled the door back before ripping it off and swung to the left, away from where Haya was. Inside was a Human who commanded an impressive height for seven feet and five inches, six cybernetic arms and a very cruel grin. He was suited up in power armor, hence the space door currently flung away. His head turned to look at her. "Hello little fish." He said as two arms with pistols raised to shoot her dead.

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Taxor the First and Blackout
Long Live the King, Part 4

Oh. King squeezed his triggers, but between the trigger-pull and the flash of each muzzle, Haya had vanished. There was an impact at the back of his helmet - a bullet of her own.

The pirate stumbled into a wall, a slight growl the only indication that it did anything. "I was gonna kill you, but I could use another spirited bitch to break into a worthless whore." He quickly fired his two pistols again, but aim his other arms to swing backwards if he missed her again.

A giant vibration could be felt slightly throwing off the shots of the pirate leader. Haya was already twisting to accommodate his shots, but found his disruption a disadvantage - he wasn’t shooting where he’d intended to, and thus where she expected him to. One shot grazed her coat, shearing a hole in the fabric. She hissed internally at the slip, before adjusting to fire shots of her own. First the pistol she’d already fired, followed by a second whipped out by the opposite hand. Then a third, somehow. The pirate leader could see three barrels, each recovering from their blasts, with the first re-aligning already. The third was recoiling just underneath the first, held aloft a distinctly Tamearin feature - a tail, with the slim tip coiled around the trigger.

King received a few more shots as he made his way back into the panic room, re-emerging with a very big gun. In truth, all it really was, was a shotgun. He grinned maliciously under his helmet once more, before firing it at her, his lower pistols aiming behind him and proceeding to do the same. "Fish~!"

She hadn’t needed to take a peek into his mind to know blinking behind him was a poor idea. Even so, that left her with only two options - right or left. She chose the latter, for her target was holding his shotgun right-handed. He would have slightly more difficulty adjusting to her due to needing to turn his entire body rather than just his arms, and that would buy her a precious second. As soon as she’d blinked, she near-somersaulted away, bending the light around her such that it failed to take her into account. The Tamearin had effectively cloaked herself, and left a mirror image in her wake which prepared to take another burst of shots at him.

Falling for it entirely, the human fired his shotgun in the left to ensure some fragments would hit her or a pistol shot would wound her, as one hand had switched from behind to shoot towards the right. "We're gonna have a lovely time together, little fish."

The illusion recoiled and fell back as if the shot had been direct, but by the time it or the ‘blood’ that splattered outwards could have hit the ground, Haya was already behind him. “Quite enjoying it already,” she noted - almost breathing in his ear. She fired her pistols - rapidly - into his spine.

The armor did its best to weather the assault, but it eventually gave way, his spine being shredded apart viscerally. King’s legs lost all strength, but as he fell, a final shot from the laser pistol he had kept behind him flew at her, promising painful retribution.

She’d seen him make the decision. She knew it was coming, and had begun to twist out of the way. But he’d had a head start, weapon already almost trained on her. The laser grazed her wrist, eliciting a pained yelp from her - and leaving smouldering flesh and ballistic fabric. She staggered as he fell to the ground, eyes watering. It’s just pain. Nothing too damaging. A scar, maybe. Her eyes closed with a sharp intake of breath, then opened again, alighting on the fallen pirate. Motionless. She lifted a finger to the side of her helmet, prompting it to snap an image as proof. King’s own cybernetic crown was removed, and she did the same with a clear view of his face.

She ran a quick scan of his panic room before departing, certain there was nothing of any value residing there. She had bigger concerns, one of which was preemptively alleviated with a burst of medspray, despite it being woefully inadequate for the scale of injury. With the sounds of combat still rippling throughout the station, she stopped to pick up her wounded captive before almost dragging him to the hangar, where she re-established comms with the two outside. “It’s Haya. Target is dead, carrying a captive. Nick went his own way, said he’d meet with me here. I would like an extraction.” Her tone suggested she would more than ‘like’ such a thing.

"I'm inbound. Make sure the hangar is set to receive me." Came Titania's cheerful tone. Haya could see the sleek black ship on approach towards her, its weapons glittering dangerously in the vacuum.

“I’ll keep your escape vector nice and clear,” Kentaro promised, his arrowhead craft zipping across behind Black Death - blasting apart a pirate fighter in the process. “Think I didn’t see you sidlin’ up to the lady?!”

Haya shook her head, running a cursory check of the hangar. It seemed empty.

It didn't remain that way for long, as the door Haya had come through admitted one more person: a very battered Nick. His civilian limbs had been ripped apart, leaving some hanging wires dangling. Laser burns had only managed to nick his coat, his trillby untouched. However, as he hopped, something became apparent: Nick's arm cannon was missing the hand attachment, or rather, the hand attachment was in his pocket, the metal burned of its dark black color. "Hey."

“Brazen, crude, and stupid,” Haya judged bluntly, taking in the sorry sight he presented. “Going to recommend to JJ that you never take a mission solo, lest you let this happen with nobody to pick up your pieces.” She was silent for a moment. “... I’m glad you’re ok.”

Nick paused, legitimate shock on his face, before it melted into a soft smile. "I'm glad you're okay. I only had to hold a hallway. You had to take care of the target alone." He hopped further into the room, just as Titania entered, landing and opening the cockpit and throwing out the rope ladder. "But you should still get that checked out. Wouldn't do to lose you because of a small wound." He hopped over to Haya, giving her a warmer smile.

“Barely a scratch,” she dismissed. Even if I think part of my undersuit is fused to the flesh. She took him in her free arm, helping him into the vessel alongside their captive pirate - who she went through the motions of warning against any action.

Titania glanced at her passengers and frowned. "You guys look a bit fucked up." She turned away, and closed the cockpit lid as soon as they were in. "Kentaro, I can't turn too severely, friendlies are injured too severely and the captive is barely alive." Titania warned as she took off once everyone was buckled in.

Nick looked at Haya. "Sorry for the explosion, was my only shot to kill the last ten of them." He said gazing at her wrist.

She rolled her shoulders. “Had I been anyone else, that would have been advantageous, I suspect. Unfortunate that my methods don’t react well to external interference. That’s something I will need to improve on.” Her eyes ran over the wound, comprehending it’s extent. … is that bone? Why isn’t - oh, the nerves are dead. That’s probably for the best. The hand just above the wound clenched, and she forced herself to look away. “In any case, I wouldn’t tell you not to do what you could to survive. If that inconvenienced me, that’s fine.”

Nick's eyes noticed the reaction. "In my coat, the second inner pocket at about my chest, there's a medical spray. Grab it and use it." His voice was soft, and more organic than before, with a hint of concern thrown in.

“The wound is already cauterised,” Haya noted bluntly. Nevertheless, she did as asked, taking the spray and releasing it over her arm. She was surprised - whatever was in this one was more effective than her own. Already, the limb was feeling cool. Still uncomfortable, like she’d received a friction burn, but cool. Her own spray had just numbed the area, which mid-mission was typically a significant disadvantage. She examined the spray for a moment more before handing it back to him. “Thank you. Should tide me over until I visit the medbay.”

However, upon looking back over to him, Nick's eyes were closed in blissful unconscious sleep, his gun powering down with a clicking noise.

Titania briefly glanced behind her to figure out where the clicking was coming from. "Hey, Kentaro, do you like Nick?"

“... don’t like the sound of that question,” was the cautious response. “He’s not dead, is he? I’m not ready to carry out the fucker’s last will and testament.”

"No, but he's taken one hell of a beating. I'm a bit surprised he's still alive…" Titania replied, activating her boost to get further away and quicker towards the Golden Wind, "he doesn't have any cybernetic organs that'll fail if they don't have power, right?"

Another pause. “You should probably plug him into somethin’ anyway. Better not be a dick-socket…”

 

[Taxor_the_First]

Taxor the First and Blackout
Long Live the King, Part 5

"I can't, not while flying." Ronin replied before pointing an arm back towards Haya. "You heard him. Figure out where you can plug him in and make sure he's still breathing afterwards. I don't have to stop or turn drastically, so you can undo your seatbelt."

With a sigh, Haya rose, and began examining. Part of the arm, maybe? Yet a look at that frazzled mess denied that theory. She frowned. No, that was silly. It would be somewhere on his center mass, so that he could do other things while charging. Thus, she began checking that part of him - quickly. The front returned nothing that might be construed as a plug of any kind, at least not one meant to plug elsewhere. It was on his lower back that she finally struck what she sought. There. Satisfied, she darted across the craft to grab a cable, socketing it into the ship first before leading it back to the shattered cyborg.

Titania eyed the cyborg's weapon before asking over comms, "Ken, is there an off button for the cannon? I kinda don't want him to wake up and blast hole through my ship."

"I- 'scuse me one moment." She spotted his craft spin around at high speed, unleashing a flurry of lasers. “Fuck off already!” Kentaro roared. “Nick’s smart, he’ll have manual switches for all his shit. Probably on the cannon itself. Don’t know much more than that, it’s not like I get close looks or any- FUCK OFF!” Another flurry of lasers. "Persistent motherfuckers..."

Haya was already checking the requisite limb, scanning for anything that could be construed as a switch. Or, failing that, a connection she could interrupt to disable the weapon. Fortunately, her keen eyes spotted something fitting the former - a tiny implement that looked like compact switch. She reached over, flicking it the opposite way and sighing in satisfaction when the weapon ceased powering up again. “Done,” she reported.

"Alright, get back in a seat and brace, I'm going to need to flip the craft." Once Haya had done so, Titania's craft flipped and unleashed a hail of lasers with a couple missile salvos that created enough debris to provide a decent sized wall - and an appreciative whoop from Kentaro. "Back to the Golden Wind, we go-" A rattling gasp came out of the cyborg as he tried to regain his bearings, shaking violently, "Easy big guy… it's okay." Titania said from the front, looking back for a brief moment.

Haya planted a hand on his shoulder - gentle, but simultaneously firm. A perplexing paradox. “Calm. You are safe.” She spoke authoritatively rather than empathically. Perhaps that was for the best.

Nick's breathing slowed down gradually, his body trying to beat back the fear response. Eventually, as they approached the Wind, he regained the ability to speak. "Fl-flashbacks… not fun…" He murmured, the shaking down to a slight twitch.

“They are the past,” The Tamearin argued. “You are here now. Ease yourself.” She was well aware it was not that simple - but in this scenario, she thought it better to pretend it was. For his sake.

"Arm… Leg…" His deactivated gun went over the areas, before it pointed at his chest. "Explosion. Unconscious for… two days. With Tamearin psionics."

"Fuck… that sounds like hell." Titania commented, pulling up behind the Wind and signaling to whoever was on deck that she was back.

"Was… lost my platoon…" Nick managed to say, before breathing in deeply. "IED by insurgents on Tamris 3. I only survived because my friends' corpses covered me and took the brunt of the explosion. Makes me panic whenever I fall unconscious… especially when the corresponding limbs are missing."

Haya couldn’t suppress a grimace. “You’re apologising,” she realised. “Don’t. Nothing to apologise for. Relax. They’ll be repaired soon enough.” Her hand hadn't left his shoulder, and now it squeezed him comfortingly. “Relax,” she repeated, neutral voice oddly soothing. “Did well today.”

"Okay…" He finally gave in, his eyes closing as he merely laid in the chair, letting himself be limp, save for a few twitches and shivering moments.

Titania finally landed inside, and popped the cockpit. She looked behind her and winced at the sorry sight of Nick. "Kentaro. I think I'm going to need your help carrying him out." The foxgirl said softly, activating the ladder which turned into stairs

He was there surprisingly quickly, hissing a breath inwards at Nick’s state. “Crazy asshole,” he muttered, approaching. “I’ll take his left, you grab his right. Haya, you can handle the pirate, yeah?”

Haya nodded, looping said pirate’s good arm over her shoulders. The body shock had finally gotten to him, making him even more pliable than prior. “Sure he’ll be good with you two?”

Kentaro grunted. “I mean he’s heavy, but he ain’t-” He attempted to lift Nick, and almost fell over. “... alright, the fuck you been eating? Steel bars?”

"Probably." Nick said quietly, his voice barely audible.

Titania lifted his side up. "Holy shit… heavy…" Titania complained before counting down. "Three, two, one, lift!"

Kentaro seemed to have less difficulty hoisting the limp cyborg than the foxgirl, though even he was straining as they made their way to the medbay. "Don't even know how you hold yourself up, Nicky." Close to the end, Titania began to flag - only for Kentaro to reach around, a cable seemingly extending from under his wrist to lift some of the weight off of her. "Only a few more meters… I am not doing this again, asshole…."

Only when they had finally reached the medical bay did Haya allow herself to relax, let alone reflect. In truth things had gone worse than expected. However, they had a cleared pirate base and a dead pirate lord to claim the bounty on, plus a captive that might - if he was smart - shed light on related illicit operations in the sector. Not a bad haul for a moderately severe burn and significant cybernetic damage, all things considered. And an impressive recovery from what could have been a very, very bad situation.

It might have been the wound-induced delirium, or another effect of subsisting on low power, but for a brief moment, Nick could have sworn he saw Haya smile.

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Frostlich1228 & ZombieSplitter53
Mess with the Bull, Get the Horns

Galanie Sector
Abourd the Ravenwood Ship Starkiller
Mid-Afternoon

The gym of the Ravenwood Industries' Flag ship was a scene of pumping iron and pure testosterone. Sirius expected his people to be in top physical shape. Mental shape was optional as long as they could throw, and take, a solid punch.

A massive figure worked out alone, putting others to shame with his mass of pure muscles.

The Burly Man had dark, tanned skin that looked calloused and worn. His ragged shaggy hair fell long his head in long clumps, resting on his shoulders and blending in with his thick chin strap beard and goatee combo. His faced was heavily scarred, knife marks across his right cheek, a cut going up from his lip to under his hazy left eye, a decently sized burn scar on the right of his forehead, as well as various tiny scars all over. He was lifting nearly a hundred and fifty pounds on the bench, that looking like it was enough to finally challenge him.

Three men looked on, watching him. "I'm gonna say something," one of them whispered.

"I told you, no!" Another cautioned. "You don't mess with this guy."

"Please..." the first man stepped forward, pretty burly himself, if not matching the 6'9" stature. "No one messes with me. And Imma 'bout to show you why."

He walk over to the bench and kicked the dark-skinned man's boot. "Hey! Time to go!"

There was a long, long, pause. A terrible silence before the slamming of metal against metal as he casually dropped them barbell to the side, sitting up to just stare at him. "Are you stupid...?"

"Oh! So the sod can speak!" The man glanced back with a grin. They had anything but grins. He look back and said, "You've been on this bench for half a hour, and it happens to be my favorite bench. So yeah... time to go."

He stood up, towering over the Man and whispering. "You're really starting to piss me off... Run back to your friends or you're going to have a very short stay on this ship newbie..."

The man started to sweat a bit. But he couldn't back down. Not when his friends were watching. Little did he know they were mentally begging him to back off. "Newbie, huh? Guess the best way to prove myself is to take down the biggest guy. And that seems to be you."

He suddenly swung his fist, catching the larger man in the jaw. His eyes widened and he recoiled in pain, holding his wrist. "Th-the fuck you made of?"

The Giant Man easily palmed his head, grabbing it and planting it into the side of another workout bench. It didn't look like much force since he had done it so casually, but that was before they saw the trickle of blood running down the back of the Man's head. "Kid. Look at me. Where are you from?"

"I'm... from... Forseti..." the man struggled to get out.

His eye twitched, "Abraham Brochette... You remember that name? Do you? You look like a Federation boy..."

"Abraham Bro-whatever! Why should I give a... crap..." The man's face sank. "S-Savage?"

He growled like a wild animal. "So you do remember... Do you remember how you left my team to die? How you left us to float alone in space? Maybe it wasn't you that gave the order, but frankly, I don't give a damn..."

"H-hey, man! I had nothing to do with that!" The aggressor slowly backed away, raising his hands. "I was with the GFP for barely a year."

"Why'd you leave huh? Why're you here? I want to know." He glared at him like a Man possessed.

"I-I didn't... like all the rules. I can be free here. Free to take what I want. Free to kill if I feel like it. I mean..." he laughed nervously. "...I'm sure the same reasons you're here."

"I'm here to get revenge. To get Justice. Don't compare me to scum like you." He picked up a hat off of a nearby bench and showed it to him, it was covered in beat up Federation medals from high ranking officers. "And when I'm sure not a single one of those bastards that killed my comrades are still kicking, then I can rest. And you're really starting to remind me of them from this distance..."

The man back up another foot. He was scared now. He realized his mistake. He quickly pulled a knife from his boot. "Just back off, man! I didn't know. Just leave me the hell alone!"

"Pfft. You're scum anyway. Not worth my time. Stay far away from me and maybe I won't snap your neck like a twig." He sat back down on the bench, unphased.

The man slowly lowered the knife. He finally walked away. "Prick," he muttered under his breath.

A loud gunshot suddenly rung out through the gym area as the man's head suddenly exploded in a shower of blood, brains, and gore. As the body slumped to the ground Abraham stood there holding a large, bulky weapon with an oversized barrel which was current pouring out a black/grey smoke. "Anyone else!? Come on! Speak up!"

 

[ZombieSplitter53]

Anyone who didn't scramble simply backed away in shock. Nobody wanted to mess with him.

After a tense minute of silence, Sirius stepped into the room to investigate. He knew what had happened when he saw Abraham, even before he saw the gun. "Someone... clean this mess up..." He cleared his throat. "Abe? A... small word?"

"Right..." The Man shot a glance at the others in the Gym before walking out with Sirius. "I take it this is about that?"

Sirius chuckled grimly. "Yeah, kinda. What happened?"

"Greener than grass recruit goes up to me while I'm minding my own business. Thinks he can fuck with me. I warn him. I told him what would happen if he pissed me off the Federation prick..." Abraham clenched his fists. "But he just couldn't get the fucking idea through his head."

"Alright, alright..." Sirius gave him a calming look. "Just calm down a bit. Can you do that for me?"

He let out a deep breath, he owed Sirius a lot, if not for him he'd probably still be floating through space. Abraham was a long time veteran of Sirius' outfit and he had a lot of respect for the well dressed man.

Sirius nodded. "It's over now. He's nice and dead. Just... why do you bring such a large firearm to the gym anyway?"

"Why not? It reminds people not to fuck with me. Or at least it should..." He shook his head. "Look. I'm sorry for getting out of hand."

Sirius waved his hands and shook his head. "It's fine, it's fine. The guy was an asshole. And if he messed with, despite what I'm sure were numerous warnings from everyone around him, he was too gung-ho and reckless for my liking. It's just... people are starting to get a little too scared to work with you."

"I'm the most Loyal person here. You know that. Is it really so hard not to treat someone like shit? That's my only rule." He grumbled.

"Okay, okay. I'll remind the others of that. You're one of my best men. Can't think of any I'd choose over you." Sirius glanced briefly at the hat in his hand. "How's the hunt going?"

He chuckled. "Well. Only got a few more names left. Then I'm headed back to Earth... Find my family... My Daughters..."

Sirius nodded. "I might have a lead on your next target. Problem is they're getting wise to you. Starting to recognize patterns and figure out who's being targetted."

"Shit... I'll have to change up my tactics then.." He looked up at Sirius. "What about that Jetstorm girl I've been hearing about? Any Feds join up with her?"

"Not current, but some of them have had dealings with them in the past." Sirius leaned against the wall. "I'll have to deal with her sooner or later if she gets too big for her britches. But she hasn't gotten in my way... yet."

"Like? How many Humans?" He crossed his arms.

"Just under half a dozen," Sirius answered, "Including some cyborgs and one with... a very interesting partner..."

"Oh? Now you've peaked my interest." He crossed his arms.

Sirius tapped his head. "She claimed to have a Yorin as a partner. I tried to snatch her up as soon as I heard about her, but she got skittish when I talked about using her Yorin for spying for some reason. Then Jetstorm's partner snagged her."

"Strange. Isn't that what Yorin do?" He shrugged. "Anyway it sounds more like a carnival than a mercenary outfit."

"Yes, it does." Sirius sighed. "I could have used a few members of that carnival though. Jetstorm has some odd... charm to her though. I suppose we'll just wait for them to eventually crumble on their own. And if they don't for some reason..."

"You know I have your back." Abraham nodded, gripping his massive gun.

"I know," Sirius responded, rubbing his eyes. Trying to change the subject, he said, "Tell me... when you do eventually get to go home, what will you say to them? You know... about being gone so long."

He fell quiet, for longer than he probably meant to. "I would tell them that I was lost... Betrayed... And the ones who did it payed the price... I can't see them before I finish this..."

"I know, friend, I know." Sirius smiled. "I'll get you those names. Just, um... try to be a little more easy with the new guys, and I'll try and make sure they know not to mess with you."

"Fine. How's it going with Nessie? Heard you just came back from a mission." He added quickly.

Sirius nodded. "That's right. Got a good payday, and..." He looked around. "Got a new girl. One of Nessie's people. If you ever want to... you know..."

"What is she a Prostitute?" Abraham did a double take.

Sirius shrugged. "Sort of. She is now anyway. She's whatever we need her to be. High ranking Courtesan turned obedient follower of my and Nessie's will."

"You get up to strange things when I'm not on the mission. Clearly I am your impulse control." He looked down at his shotgun then back at the body. "Forget I said that..."

Sirius laughed, and patted the large man on the shoulder. "I'll be sure to include you in the next one." He stepped back and asked, "Anything you need from me?"

"Not right now. Maybe some exercise equipment for my room would be nice. Help avoid more shit like this." He suggested simply.

Sirius gave him a quick nod. "I'll get on that." As he walked down the hall, he added, "Until then, try and stay out of trouble."

"You too." He crossed his arms, his thoughts turning briefly turning back to Earth.

 

[ShadowHounder]

ZombieSplitter and ShadowHounder: The Fate of a Never Ending War.

Alexia sat inside the small, empty remains of a tavern. This acted as a place to speak with new recruits... Somewhere on a planet with no life and no GFP influence. It was perfect for building and preparing a army for her revolution. A new recruit had been presented to her... A woman named Aya Me. The Pon Taer was hesitant, but allowed her recruiters to give the woman a chance. Her record was impressive enough to take the risk.

The door to the tavern ever so cautiously opened to reveal the violet haired Tamearin herself. She stepped inside, noting Alexia briefly before scanning the room. She wasn't sure if anyone else was there, so she would have to choose her words carefully. She was alone and in quite the dangerous situation. After a few moments, she approached Alexia with a wide birth. "Can a girl get a drink here?"

Alexia offered her a bottle. "Drink up." The rebel leader stated with a coy grin. "I like a girl that can handle her alcohol." Her comment sounded surprisingly professional... Despite the obvious flirt in the words. "For now... I have been informed that you wish to help us fight for our cause. What brought you to decide to take arms against this oppressive government?"

"I think you just answered your own question." Aya took a swig and sighed. "I'm tired of being treated like an outcast. I'm tired of hearing the word outcast. Something has to change so that... so that parents who abandon their Pon Taer babies are held accountable."

Alexia bit her lip. "Those bastards... They think they are better then us because they can control their emotions... And yet they get along with those pathetic humans perfectly fine. I will make sure they pay for the crimes they have committed onto the Pon Taer... That they know what it is like to be considered inferior by those who control power. Evolution is the act of change... A change I intend to enforce."

Aya smirked. "I hear you have quite the following."

Alexia grinned. "Yes... And as of a few lunar cycles ago... I now have weapons. Guns, grenades, tanks... And a small surprise for Mister Stoutfield when I take over his planet to start my revolution..."

Aya nodded, and gave her a serious look. "I want in. Immediately."

"You want in in the action so soon?" Alexia leaned in and whispered into Aya's ear. "I like you..." Before pulled back and standing up. "Shall I show you what supplies we have gather so far?"

Aya seemed unabashed by her flirting, and stood up. "Please do. Nothing gets me more excited then big guns and the thought of using them to crush my enemies."

"Follow me..." The leader mutter with a deviant grin. She led the woman outside of the tavern to a sand rider. "We will see how your actions speak soon enough."

"I like the sound of that," Aya said, getting on the vehicle with her.

The Pon Taer rebel turned on the vehicle and drove wildly through the wasteland. It was obvious that the planet was not meant for land travel... The hazardous bump and shattered ground acting as the path Alexia traveled with reckless abandon. Within only a few moments, a large, broken encampment arose from the horizon. Alexia spun the wheel hard, the sand rider spinning wildly before stopping mere inches from the decayed wall. "Come on! We got plenty to show you!"

"Nice, wild ride." Aya hopped off and looked around. "So what's with this palnet anyway? It seems like it used to be inhabited but the environment implies it would be impossible. Some kind of global catastrophe?"

"The remains of a fallen Kingdom... One before the era of space." The woman remarked. "And the one place no one would think to look for us."

"Clever," Aya complimented. "So... big guns?"

"This way miss antsy." Alexia teased while she moved a stone blocking an entry way. Inside were several combat tanks and long ranged artillery weapons. It was a war room here, supplies that could last for several years of sustained combat. And, placed on display for all of the rebels to see, a interstellar magnetic bomb hung from the ceiling. However, in the corner was that of a woman. She had various long slits covering her sleeveless arms and unclothed back. A large crack ran down her face, making it all to clear she was not of organic material. Her eyes are closed... Dormant and dead.

"Impressive. I assume you're not planning on taking any prisioners with this kind of loadout." Aya looked around carefully, trying to make sure her eyes caught everything. They came to a rest on the inorganic woman, Aya tilting her head and staring at it curiously.

"We won't need prisoners to spread our message. Once the first attack goes... Everyone will know that we mean business." Alexia raved on before noticing where her fellow Pon Taer's gaze fell. "I found her a couple years back in the remains of an old frigate. No one could figure out how to turn her back on so we've just been using her for spare parts."

"Maybe I'll take a look at her later. I know a little bit about androids." Aya looked back. "So what do I have to do to be a part of all this? Blood pact? Arena fight? Or will a good, old fashion handshake do?"

"Just one little thing." Alexia beckoned Aya to follow her back outside. Where soldiers had already gathered near a makeshift shooting range. Tied up to a post, body already worn by the elements, was a Tamaerin male. His eyes were plagued with fatigue and his muscle beginning to fade into bone. Alexia handed the "recruit" a pistol. "Kill him..."

Alexia took the pistol but hesitated. "Who is he? I usually like to know why I'm executing someone."

"No one important..." Alexis chimed with a sinister chuckle. "Just a racist swine who thinks he can hold the moral high ground. It is tradition that I over see every recruits first kill... We were fortunate enough to have a volunteer sneak onto our ship when we escaped with all the weapons we stole."

Aya kept a cool expression, but her mind was racing. They were surrounded. If she refused, they'd both die. She could kill Alexia. Aya would die but at least the mission would be accomplished.

What if the pistol wasn't loaded though? Alexia could expect a double cross and leave Aya with an empty weapon. Aya would die accomplishing nothing. She could read Alexia's mind, but Alexia would know her mind was being invaded in moments if she had any psychic shielding.

Aya pointed the gun at the man. She took a deep breath. She had no choice. She pointed at the man's head, closed her eyes, and pulled the trigger.

The bullet lodged itself into the man's skull... Ending his misery in the blink of an eye. A moment of silence past through before the group cheered in excited. "Prepare the booze!" One of Alexia's men shouted before everyone hurried into the main portion of the ruined castle.

Their leader grinned. "Congrats... You just proved your loyalty to our cause today. I can't wait to fight alongside you in the next coming week."

Aya smiled at her. "Me either. I guess, for now though, your people are eager to celebrate."

"And so am I..." The revolutionary purred in response. "We should get drink while they're still cold."

"Sounds good. I could... use a drink." Aya looked around. "Anywhere I can freshen up first?"

"A few places... But you'll have to deal with the boys since we didn't have time to personalize them." The leader teased. "Just down the hall to you left."

Aya quickly made her way down the hall to the washroom, looking to see who was inside.

 

[ShadowHounder]

ZombieSplitter and ShadowHounder: The Fate of a Never Ending War Part 2

A few Tamaerin men were in the room... At least three of them already buzzed from the drinks. Other then them the place was empty... A public bathhouse hastely remodeled to fit modern needs. "You saw Lady Alexia right? I never took her as a girl to swing that way." One of them drunkenly muttered from the long sink.

"You think she has her eyes on me?" Aya asked coyly, hiding her disgusted and anguished expression. She sat in one of the stalls, quickly activating a homing beacon under the skin in her left hand. She waited a few seconds before turning it off again, having it on just long enough to transmit her location and the audio and visuals the device in her ear and the contacts over her eyes picked up.

"Think? We know." One of the men giggled. "She can't back down when she finds something cute and feisty. And she loves to chase all kinds of tail... Hehehe."

A large fist connected with the back of his head. "Dumbass! If yer don't scare her off you'll ruin our chances if the pretty lady!"

Those words prompted the third drunk man to grin. "There might still be tiem. No one has to know..."

Aya quickly cut out the device in her hand, using a mini dermal regenerator to close the wound. It was too dangerous to keep these devices. She slipped the beacon, contacts, and earpice into the toilet, making sure they flushed down before stepping out. "Sorry boys, but if the boss has eyes on me she gets first pick."

One of the large men had placed himself in front of Aya to pin her to the wall. "It's like I said... No one has to know..."

"Ummm... Boss..." One of the more sober Pon Taer muttered cowardly.

"What is it? I'm bus-" his voice froze when he saw the still damaged android from the stockpile standing by the entrance... A wierdly shaped blade in her hand.

Aya looked past him. "I thought no one could get it working."

"N-n-no one could..." The man stuttered in terror.

The android looked up, half of her face still missing. "My structural integrity has been compromised, I am missing several bolt and servos, and my memory files have been corrupted beyond salvation. One of you will explain to me what you have done before I decide to kill all of you!"

"Violent..." Aya cleared her throat. "You were found and brought here. We don't know how you got injured or what happened to you memories. We've... been repairing you as best we can."

"I must've been damaged prior to reactivating myself then." The android muttered as she noticed the situation. "You weren't planning to harm this maiden... Were you?"

The man immediately backed off. "No! No! Not at all... Nothing going on here!"

Aya smiled slyly as she stepped forward. "I am new here, but I promised them I would help restore you. So why don't we see what we can do to fix you up, okay?"

"If I must... Then I shall..." The woman stated, not thrilled with such a predicament. "Take me where you must."

Aya looked back as she walked out. "Bye, boys," she taunted, then went off to find Alexia.

"Tell me honestly... Were those men planning to harm you?" The android asked as she allowed her blade to slip back into her arm. "Give me the word I will kill them for you."

"Yeah... they were. But I can't have them killed." Aya smiled at her. "I might just give you that word soon though."

"I should introduce myself then..." She muttered while she followed the Tamaerin. "I am V1-PR model five... Though I prefer to just be called Viper."

Aya offered her hand. "Aya Me. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"I was able to recover a few files... According to them I was being transported by a orginization called the Galactic Federation of Planets... I was not able to salvage the reasoning for the sudden travel, however."

Aya's eyes widened and she quickly stepped in front of Viper. "Okay, right now we are kind of in the middle of an anti-Federation terrorist cell. If they find out you're GFP property, they might strip you for parts and pick your brain for any info they can get... literally. So let's keep that between us, okay?"

"I don't recall being property of a orginization I barely knew..." Viper let out an agitated sigh. "Unfortunately... My original creator and design were among the corrupted data."

"Trust me, I have your best interests at heart." Aya spotted Alexia among the drinking crew. "Hey, boss!"

 

[ShadowHounder]

ZombieSplitter and ShadowHounder: The Fate of a Never Ending War Part 3

Alexia, having already chugged a few drinks, turned to her new recruit with peach colored cheeks. "Hey Aya... Who's ye new fruend?" She slurred as she went to poke Viper... Who responded via a blade popping out of one of the gaps in her left arm.

"Hands off the circuits!" The android roared as the soldier all point weapons at the damaged body. "Ganging up on me while my plating is still heavily damaged... A cowardly move."

The sudden threat was enough to sober the revolutionary back up. "Aya... Did you go and reactive her in secret to surprise me? You shouldn't have..."

Aya chuckled. "I wish. No, she activated on her own. Not sure why. I'd love to celebrate with you, but I think she is a priority right now. With your permission, I'd like to see what I can do with her. She could be a valuable asset."

Alexia chuckled. "I won't mind having an android fighting for the cause. Do what you wish with her... Make sure she'll be combat ready by sun down."

"Gotcha. Please enjoy the booze." Aya turned to Viper. "Let's go somewhere private, hmm?"

Viper had been completely lost in confusion by the conversation that occurred before her... But ultimately chose to follow the woman. "Didn't I just threaten to kill her there? That was a strangely casual response for staring death in the face..." The android whispered to her new buddy.

"Probably wasn't the first time for her. She's a stone cold killer, and is probably used to facing death head on." Aya gathered a variety of spare parts and tools, anythimg she could get a hold of, before asking Viper to sit on a workbench.

Viper took a seat on the operating area. "Why does it seem like you aren't supposed to be here either..."

Aya sighed. "I'm not." She started fiddling with Viper, seeing what parts she could fit. "Honestly, I'm undercover. I'm here to try and stop these people from killing a lot of innocents." Like the one you killed... Aya shook her head. "I'll try and keep you safe too. Try and play along with them, or else they'll scrap you."

"And what happens after that?" The mechanical woman asked, holding in her hand a old document on the outlawing of AI. "It seems in the time I was deactivated... I have become an illegal entity."

"So you are an AI... I thought you spoke more intelligently then most androids..." Ayame smiled at her. "Don't worry. I'll convince my Captain to give you sanctuary on our ship."

"Then the faster we get out of this mess the better." Viper muttered in annoyance. "How bad are my damages anyway? It's already bad enough that I only have half a face... There is no telling how much those bandits removed while I was out."

"Well... I'm no engineer. I can think of ten people on my crew alone that could do this better then me. But from what I can tell the damage isn't too extensive. They had a hard time taking you apart, so most of the important bits are there. I just need to replace the small parts they were able to take." Aya gave her a curious look. "Do you trust me?"

The android chuckled. "Do I have much of a choice? As long as I have all of my blades I can make it out of here without issue."

"Then lets make sure you have them all set and ready to go," Aya stated, adding, "Because I might need you to help me get out of here too..." She sighed sadly, and got to work fixing up her new, android comrade.

"I should be able to relocate my combat files for the big escape." Viper replied confidently. "I'm sure we can find a way out of this mess."

Aya smiled hopefully. "We'll make. Together."

"For now... We should focus on clearing your objective." The woman was quick to point out. "Seeing as you are not supposed to be here... You are no doubt trying to set the stage for an assassination. I would be willing to help with that."

Aya nodded. "The target is Alexia, the woman you threatened earlier. If something happens to me, I would ask you at least make sure she is dealt with."

"Is there anyone that needs to be contacted?" She asked, moving her arm to test her remaining dexterity. "It appears I have a decrypted communications channel should all else fail."

"Really?" Aya looked around. "That could come in handy. Can you contact the Golden Wind, channel 145A4-3?"

Viper closed her eyes for a moment, accessing her communications device and send her signal to the channel Aya gave her. "This is Viper speaking on behalf of the woman named Aya. I wish to speak with whoever is in charge."

Quite some distance away, JJ looked up from the plans she and Yip were going over and patched the call through to the meeting room. "Hello? This is Jackie-Jackie Jetstorm or the Golden Wind. You said your name was Viper? Is Aya okay?"

"She is fine... Got in a tight spot but I took care of that." The woman remarked. "She is currently getting me fixed up so that I may assist you in your mission."

"Fixed up?" JJ repeated. "Did the rebel's injure you?"

"From my understanding... I was like this when they found me." Viper let out an irritated sigh. "It would be easier to explain with a visual... Point is we are at the location and I'm assuming Aya already has a plan ready for you."

"Yes," JJ stated. "Please tell her we recieved her transmissions and the plans are in motion. Tell her to stand by for our signal and... and to be careful."

"Will do... Viper out." The woman turned to Aya. "It seems things are in motion now. All we have to do is get my repairs finished before the signal and try our best to be careful."

 

[ShadowHounder]

ZombieSplitter and ShadowHounder: The Fate of a Never Ending War Part 4

Aya nodded. "Thank you. So..." She twirled a screwdriver in her fingers. "Let's get to work."

"Right... We should check my hidden compartments... Make sure none of my weapons were taken out of them." The android woman started. "They should be located on my back and arms."

"Okay." Aya moved to her back. "I hope they didn't get any of them. Everything about you is pretty advanced. How... do I open...?"

"You might have to force it open with a crowbar..." Viper giggled at the situation. "Don't worry... My pain receptors are down, so I won't feel anything."

"Wish it was so easy for me not feel pain..." Aya felt around until she found a crease. She took a wedge and hammered it in before pushing in a crowbar and pulling with all her might.

The metal snapped open, revealing two rusted hinges so that the area could be open and closed as needed. Inside were two long and thin katana like swords placed against both ends of the opening. "Are they there? There should only be two."

"They're here. These hinges need to be replaced but the swords are in good shape."

"Good... I can already confirm the rest are still in my possession." She said as one of the crescent shape blades slid out of her forearm and into her hand. "Even so... All I needed to do with one was stolen would be to simply locate it. My unique magnetic field makes getting them back easy enough."

"You're just full of suprises, aren't you?" Aya looked at the hatch. "Servos are intact. Just need to replace these hinges so you can open it yourself. Do you have... any idea how long you were offline?"

"I do not..." Viper stated grimly. "As I stated before, most of my memory files were corrupted when I woke up."

"What can you remember besides that you were being transfered?" Aya asked, undoing a hinge and replacing it.

"The intentions of my design." The woman explained while she waited for the repairs to finish. "I was an experimental combat unit meant for ground combat. It seems my Artificial Intelligence was a last minute decision. Other then that... Everything else is corrupted and will need to be either conserved for potential retrieval or discarded."

"Well, once we get back to the Golden Wind, someone much more qualified with computers with me will help you recover what they can." Aya tested one side's hinges, then moved to the next. "You'll have to stay off the radar you know? The GFP might have given you an A.I., but that doesn't mean they should. Who knows what they'd do if they found you. And if the Fee found out about you? They'd likely destroy you outright."

"I told you I was not built by the GFP..." Viper sighed in frustration. "My encounter with them during the escort... That was the first time I had even heard of the orginization."

"Oh, I see. Then... someone else built you illegally, and the GFP discovered you. I wonder what happened then." Aya finished with the other door. "Guess we'll have to wait to see if we can recover the memories." She stepped back. "Try and open and close them yourself now. It should work."

"I am not supposed to open them. The hatch is simply meant maintaince." She remarked as one of the swords popped out of one of the slits in her back and landed swiftly in her hand. "All I need it a space for them to slip in and out of."

"Oh! Pretty cool." Aya stepped in front of her. "You and I are going to make quite the team, huh?"

"And now we wait..." Viper muttered with a grin.

"What are you girls waiting for?" A cheerful and drunk Alexia exclaimed as she barged into the room. "Are you going to have fun without me?"

"Getting her combat ready," Aya quickly stated. "Then we wait for you signal to attack."

"Yeah... We just finished up so we wanted to wait to see if you had any orders for us." Viper rubbed the back of her neck as she gave off a nervous persona.

"Oh really? Well... We have a ship in orbit... So get into battle stations." Alexia shouted confidently. "We're gonna shoot them out of the sky!"

Aya blinked. "We're... I... wouldn't that blow our cover? What if they send a distress signal to where we're hiding. Besides, do you want to trust everyone with guns when half the base is intoxicated?"

Alexia pointed a pistol at Aya. "Who said we were drunk in the first place?" She held a bottle in her hand, lifting it up and peeling off the label. "It's amazing what good acting can make people believe. You act drunk with a labeled bottle in hand, they assume you won't get suspicious when something doesn't add up."

"You were eavesdropping on us... Weren't you..." Viper stated sternly.

"I see the bot has some perception to it..." The rebel leader remarked, resulting in Viper growling in response. "Now... You are going to tell me who hired you and then I'm going to kill you. Not before making you watch the fireworks of course."

Aya raised an eyebrow. "I think you meant I'm going to talk or you'll kill me. If you're going to kill me either way, why should I talk?" Aya had to buy time anyway she could, wait for an out to present itself. She slowly worked on one now as she used her psionics to attempt to control Alexia.

Unfortunately, Alexia had counter measures. "Do you really think I would be so foolish as to leave myself so vulnerable? You aren't the first person to attempt psionics on me. Now... No need to be so hopeful. You know as well as I do that you die regardless of what I tell you. If you don't speak now, we'll just torture it out of you!"

Aya cursed lightly. She didn't expect some rebellion leader to have such advanced psychic defenses. It made her wonder more of Alexia's background. "Who do you think hired me? It was the GFP." She shook her head. "That's probably them in orbit."

"The GFP? Sending one ship? Don't make me laugh... At best it's some stupid bounty hunter ship looking to get paid." Alexia grinned maniacally. "I must commemorate you however... Willing to kill a man you don't know just to keep your cover."

Aya grit her teeth. "Shut up. I only did it because he was dead no matter what I did." She slowly smiled. "Of course, considering the mistake you made, I'm surprised you lasted this long."

Aya hoped Viper was planning something, but she couldn't count on it. There was more then one way to use violet psionics. Aya kept one hand on her hip, angling her body to hide her right hand behind her. A violet fireball slowly started to form in it.

"Oh really... What mistake is th-" before Alexia could finish her sentence, a short dagger logued itself into her shoulder. A crescent shaped blade spun in the air and knocked the gun out of the revolutionary's hand.

"You should keep an eye on all of your enemies." Viper remarked.

Aya blinked in surprise. She hadn't even heard Viper move. She quickly grabbed the gun, then closed and locked the door. "Nice work, Viper. You're quick."

The blade in Alexia's shoulder flew back into Viper's hand as she smirked. "I never said I moved enough to make noise."

"Damn bucket of bolts..." Alexia muttered, quickly followed by a scream of agony as the android stomped down on her fresh wound.

"Watch your tongue fiend... The only reason I hadn't killed you sooner was because Aya told me it was in our best interest. You claim to be fighting racism and yet you refuse to speak to me like you would a person?"

"She has a point," Aya said, training the pistol on her while keeping her distance. "She is obviously intelligent. Smart enough to outsmart you. Then again, you're folly twice now has been over estimating yourself. First you handed me a loaded weapon. What if I was some loyal GFP dog willing to die as long as I took you out?"

She glanced briefly at Viper. "Then you assumed you could take us both by yourself, despite what happened earlier with Viper. You didn't see her for the danger she was, and walked in here alone instead of with at least half a dozen men to back you up."

Alexia merely grinned. "Fire the cannons boys! If I die here, then we'll make sure these government dogs won't be able to escape alive!" Her words were quickly followed by the sound of plasma cannons. "You silly girl... My death means nothing! I die now and my legacy will live forever!"

"Stupid bitch!" Aya slapped the side of Alexia's head to knock her out. She turned to Viper and said, "There is no telling how many of them are out there, but it sounds like a lot, and evn this reinforced door won't last long. Any ideas?"

 

[ShadowHounder]

ZombieSplitter and ShadowHounder: The Fate of a Never Ending War Part 5

"One... But it is a risky one." Viper stated as she slipped her blades back inside herself. "When I woke up... I saw an magnetic bomb in the room I was located in. Those usually need to be primed before exploding, so if we time it correctly we can activate the explosive and steal a shuttle before it goes off. We may both die if this fails... But it's a shot worth taking."

Aya nodded. "Agreed." She nudged her head towards Alexia. "Think there is any point bringing her? Some of her men might be loyal enough to hesitate shoot if we have her... unless she told everyone in the entire place she was willing to die..."

"She likely had her comms open the entire time... So they know already." The mechanical woman stated as she stepped over the unconscious leader. "We will have to find a way to distract them. Viper to the captain! How are things for you up there?"

"Not good," JJ admitted from orbit. "They're surface-to-orbit guns are giving us a pounding, this ship can only avoid so much, and shields will fail soon. If we don't do something quick, we'll either have to retreat or be shot down." She quickly ordered a shot down to the surface. "I take it you guys were found out?"

"Unfortunately..." Viper muttered in annoyance. "We have a way to escape... But we may need some help distracting them to get to our scapegoat."

"Perhaps there is a way to get me down safely?" Yip suggested from the beside JJ. "No doubt an invisible intruder will keep them occupied."

JJ nodded. "We can do a high speed drop. I'll go down to the planet as fast as I can, stop just outside the compound, you jump out, and I take off at high speed. It's risky. If we miscalculate, we slam into the planet, and if you don't jump out quickly enough... well, I'll take the risk if you will."

"It seems we don't have many options." Yip remarked before activating the channel once more. "This is Yip speaking... I'll be there shortly."

JJ quickly crunched the numbers with Yyashtra, then gave them to Titania as Yip ran to the side exit. She ordered everyone to hold on, the ship was angled, and suddenly flew at the planet at full impulse. It stopped just as quickly, mere centimeters from the ground, and the door flew open in front of Yip.

Yip activated her cloak the moment the doors to the ship opened. She jumped out as soon as she could to avoid having to get out of a moving ship... With her target already set with the large cannons still attempting to shoot the Golden Wind down.

Mere moments after she cleared the ship, the Goldwn Wind disappeared in a blink, a fraction of a second warp jump enough to put it back in orbit.

Viper and Aya found their patience rewarded. "What the hell? Where are they?" They heard the soldiers yell from the hallway.

"That sounds like our queue..." Viper stated as she moved to unlock the door.

Aya grabbed the unconcious woman and lifted her onto her back, using telekinesis to help carry the wait. "Lead the way." She pointed her pistol forward. "I'll provide back up."

Viper nodded and made her way towards the weapons storage. There were still a few guards in that way... Ones that Viper quickly dispatched with a crescent blade thrown in a wide arc. She flicked a dagger at a man as he turned the corner and retrieved her blades as she saw the door in her vision.

Aya opened her mind. "There are four men inside, two on the left, one straight ahead, one on the right. All have their backs to the door."

Viper nodded, quietly opening the door before sending a dagger to the other side in hopes of catching one of them in an unlucky location.

The dagger lodged into the head of the man on the right. The other jumpy men fired in his direction, riddling the dead man with holes. Before they could collect themselves, Aya dominated the man in the center, quickly turning to fire at the other two before shotting himself, Aya retracting herself at the last second to avoid feedback damage.

Viper summoned her dagger back into her hand as she walked into the room. "We need to find a remote console if we want to activate the bomb."

Aya dropped Alexia as she searched the room carefully. "Here!" she called out after a minute.

Viper rushed to the computer and started punching in code. "Five minutes should give us enough time to get off the planet before the explosion... However, that ship will have to fast to avoid the electromagnetic flare that will no doubt erupt once this goes off. Viper to the Captain, we are preparing the explosive and will require evac immediately. Let's hope your friend was enough to deal with those guns."

"She's taken out enough for us to come in safely," the Captain responded. "Meet her outside and we'll pick you up."

"Viper out." The android stated before activating the timer. "Let's move."

The alarms were sounding throughout the base at the detection of the large explosive about to go out. Few people bothered to stand in Viper and Aya's way, more concerned with escaping or panicking. Those that did got a bullet or a blade for their trouble. The pair had a long way to run though, and made it outside with only a minute to spare.

"Yip!" Aya called, hoping she had got the message to evacuate.

"Right here Aya Me..." Yip remarked as she decloaked next to them. "So this the woman that helped you?" Yip muttered briefly as they awaited the Golden Wind to drop down.

"Yes. This is Viper. And this..." Aya nudged her head to the unconcious woman on her back. "Is your target. Figured she'd be a martyr if I killed her, so let the GFP deal with her."

"An improvised plan but an effective one." Yip remarked before activating her communicator. "Captain we're running out of time... We have to leave now or that blast could kill us as well."

As if in response, the ship flew down with the same reckless abandon as before, mere centimeters from crashing. The door opened swiftly, and everyone climbed aboard.

Just as the ship angled itself up and took off, leaving a large crater in its wake, the bomb detonated.

The explosion consumed the surface of the planet, looking like a storm cloud as it expanded out. Electrical bolts shot outward from the blast point... Many of them expanding out of orbit and threatening to tag the ship. One bolt hit a small moon orbiting the planet, charging up the rock before blasting it into pieces. The explosion slowly calmed... But the storm cloud it creating still remained even as it disappeared from view.

JJ let out a long whistle as the group gathered on the bridge. "Good thing there were only bad guys down there. Damn shame about all those weapons."

She turned to the others. "Good job, everyone. Aya, take our guest to a... a room and... lock her in, is that an android." The captain sauntered over with a smile. "It is quite articulate for a V.I. He-llo. I am JJ. It is ver-y nice to meet you," she said slowly, enunciating like she was speaking to a simple machine... or a child.

Viper turned to Aya and Yip. "Does she do this often?"

"Not sure... Haven't been here long enough." Yip remarked. "But I doubt it helps that you only have half a face."

"Oh shut the hell up!" Viper growled in response.

JJ blinked. "You really... are you... an A.I.?"

Viper let out an agitated sigh. "What... Did you think a simple machine would be able to make a long range call from an encrypted channel and speak as clearly as I did? If not for the fact that it seems A.I. have died out in my absence... I would be offended by such a claim."

JJ smiled. "Well, um... interesting. And embarrassing for me." She looked at Aya. "After you lock up our one guest, please take our second to engineering. Maybe they can fix her up. Do something about her..." She decided not to finish. "Yip, you can contact your people and let them know... mission accomplished! Ahead of schedule too."

"I shall contact the General as soon as possible..." Yip stated before walking away from the group.

"Only been activated for an hour and I'm already a criminal." The android sighed once more as she placed her dagger back into her arm. "Are politics always this annoying and convoluted?"

Aya nodded sadly. "I'm afraid so, my friend. I'm afraid so."

"Well... The quicker we get my repairs finalized the quicker we can get word on what my fate will be."

Aya nodded, leading her out towards the back of the ship.

 

[Dahlexpert]

Getting some upgrades

On board the golden wing

Communication room

Blisk sat in the char rubbing his hair, or what counted as hair for his kind. Blisk typed the quadrants to his home world when the communication went through a woman with her “Hair” Tied together. As she was looking at a book she said with a sigh.” Yes this is Sunny of sunny’s workshop how may I help you?” Said in a board tone.

“Wow I don’t see you in about a decade and you don’t even have the will to see my face. My stars sunny are you that board?”

When Sunny heard Blisk voice her looked changed to one of anger. “You piece of shit! You don’t call or write for over a thirteen years, and you call now for what repairs?!”

“That and I missed you, I haven’t seen you since you were all perky twenty year old. Hell you were excited engineer.”

Sunny rubbed her head.” Look Blisk it’s nice to see you again it really is, it’s nice knowing that you’re still alive but what urges you to call me now?”

“I need some a weapon mods also it has been years since I got a systems checked by the person that made me like this. Also I kind of missed you and my grandparents, how are they?”

“There still leading people, but there getting up there in age Blisk. I don’t know how many years they have left, have you talked to them much?”

“Every so often but they never mention anything else other than me wanting kids. You know them being grandparents and all, but back to the point think you can make an appointment.”

Sunny rubbed her head.” Yea sure I can make time, is there any place if you wanna meet for this?”

“This space station right here, besides I need to make a delivery there anyway I’ll meet you there after I’m done with my meeting.”

“Sounds good, I’ll be there in a few days take care of yourself Blisk.” With that communications ended.

After a few days the golden Wing reached Delta sector and a nearby space station, on a nearby planet. Blisk took Zazks off the golden wing and tossed him off the ship and the tank containg the Kotavorge woman and walked them both to the meeting point. Blisk waited there for a while until a Tamarin woman with blue hair and wearing a business suit, walked towards Blisk she also had a few human guards. She walked up to Blisk and bowed her head.

“Ah Mr.Blisk it’s so good to meet you I’m Mr. Solex manager it’s so nice to meet someone of your skills in person.”

Blisk grunted and tossed Zazks to the ground.” I believe this is yours? As well as this status tank with the woman in it.”

The Tamarian woman smiled.” Wow quiet impressive Blisk your reputation exceeds you it was a good thing we hired you for this job, see Zazks here thought that he could take over our little operation on tip tree. Now I know you’re a clean bounty hunter but I do appreciate you handling this embracement.”

Blisk eyes twitched. “Just cut the chase and tell me about this woman here!” Blisk said in an angered tone.

The guards pointed there weapon at Blisk but the woman lifted her hand and they lowered their weapons. “She is meant to be our enforcer, or at least she was meant to be. As you can tell she’s a Kotavorge, but we modified her she’s genetically modified of course she’s meant to be one hell of an enforcer. In short she’s meant to be the perfect solder.” The Tamarian stared daggers into Zazks. “Until this bustard took her right from under our noise, we have since grown a new one. So Mr. Solex as a thank you to you for recovering her, she is yours to do whatever you please.” She then nodded her head forward and one of her men approached with a brief case and opened it showing a load of credits.” This is your payment for capturing this scum, it was nice doing business with you MR Blisk hopefully we can do this again at some point.”

“I hope we don’t, I don’t like associating myself with criminals.”

“Ah I may be horrible person Blisk but that’s why we hire you. See we know our line Mr. Solex is without a doubt a business man that keeps the scum you call them in line he keeps the galaxy in check, you may not like us but we do respect you and what you bring to the table. You are and people like you are the law man of the galaxy, were the GFP can’t go. And we can respect that, that’s why we hired you because your one of if not the best in this business that’s why we hired you to take Zazks.” She then bowed her head. “Goodbye Blisk I hope we can do this again at some point.” She said as her guards took Zazks leaving Blisk with the woman he rescued.

Blisk looked at the status tank and put his hand on it.” Ugh boy what am I going to do with you, I could release you but what do I do after that?”

“You could train and marry her, probably pop out a couple of kids. Then give up this bounty hunting thing.” Blisk turned around and saw sunny smiling at him.

“Yea that’s not happening, how long were you here?”

“I saw your little transfer with that woman, wasn’t my business. So I take it that Quin was your bounty target you were transferring, he must have been a fun fight huh.”

“It wasn’t that difficult well nothing I couldn’t handle anyway, me and my partner took him down with minor difficulty.”

“Ou your working with people again well that’s nice knowing.” Sunny and Blisk along with his cargo walked to her ship, when Sunny opened the door to the ship she patted on a table. “So who are you working with this time?”

Blisk took off his shirt and laid on the table. “It’s a start up bounty hunting company, the leader of said company is well kind of an air head but she’s trying. Got a decent team going, got a couple of augmented people The captain is a Cartus, her second in command is a Tamarian.”

As Sunny pulled out her tools she paused and looked at Blisk.” A Tamarian, you’re working with a Tamarian?”

“Hay I used to work with a Tamarian back when I was a pirate hunter, though she was more layed back then the one I’m working with now. Hell even slept with that one and a few that were in a brothel.”

“Well aren’t you well-traveled?” Sunny said as she examined Blisk augmentations.” So you sound happy to be a part of this team, how long have you been with them?”

“Almost a month now, so not very long at all. So how am I looking Sunny?”

 

[Dahlexpert]

Part 2

“Hold on give me a minute.” Sunny ran a diagnostic on Blisk augmentations, after a few minutes she found that Blisk has been taking good care of himself.” You look good, actually all vitals look good your Augmentations are still holding up especially your heart lung and spine. So is there anything you want me to do for you while I’m here?”

“Think you could give me a few upgrades to my eyes and give me a weapon aug?”

“Ou so after years your final goanna get a weapon augmentation, so what are you getting? SMG rifle, or the Mini gun you used to have. Seriously I never thought you would ask for a weapon mod Blisk after your last one.”

“Will you quit your joking, I want a flame thrower. And do you think you can upgrade my eyes so I can see through walls?”

“Humm that’s a lot Blisk why all the upgrades? I mean the eyes I get but why do you need a flamethrower?”

“Getting older, I need to keep improving and in order to do that I need to carry less things that weight me down.” Blisk pulled out his grenade launcher. “I won’t be needing this anymore for a flamethrower, one that’s built into me will be a lot less weight I will carry making me more efficient.”

“That’s one way of looking at it I guess, alright this will coast you the typical fee alright.” Sunny pushed a button and braces were applied to Blisk.” Now then for your eyes I’m goanna have to keep you restrain now I will admit this will hurt a lot, so give me a few minutes to make the improvement.” Suny pushed another button and clamps appeared behind Blisk keeping his head still, and two small claws came behind the clamps keeping Blisk eyes open. The needle then slowly went into Blisk eye and Sunny quickly typed into her computer and went through the upgrading process all the while Blisk was crushing the arms of the chair. Once Sunny upgraded Blisk eyes the needle slowly got out Blisk eye. “Ugh sorry about that, I know you don’t like that. But since your eyes are already augmented it was the easiest way to do that.” Sunny said releasing the restraints.

Blisk rubbed his face and scratched his eyes as his vision started to return to him.” Right well then now for the weapon aug.”

“Right this one should be a lot simpler all I got to do is open your weapons slot and give me a few minutes to make the flamethrower. As sunny went to her make shift work shop in the back of her ship Blisk looked back at the tank with the woman inside.

She’s yours to do whatever you want with Blisk. Blisk rubbed the tank pressed the key code in and the status pod opened. The woman fell out the to the ground and coughed getting the water out of her body, she then stood up and looked at Blisk. As she blinked her vision cleared and she looked at Blisk.

“Wa were am I?”

“You’re on a ship, were I’m getting some new augmentations.”

“Do you plan on killing me?”

“No in fact I was the one that released you from that tank?”

She looked back at the status pod she was in.” Why did you free me?”

“Because you deserve your freedom, to know who you are.”

“You giving me choice? I was made to be a soldier not someone with free will.”

“Well that’s what I’m giving you, I released you so you could live your own life.”

The woman was silent and just starred at Blisk as she looked him up and down. She finally asked. “I don’t get you, you released me from this status tank so I could what live my own life?”

Sunny then came back with the flamethrower design as she looked at the woman standing in front of Blisk. “Um Blisk you released the tank woman?”

“Yes I figured that she deserved to make a life of her own instead of living in a status tank. Is my flamethrower done yet?”

“Yep got all worked out, but um I’ll find some cloths for your new friend there. Sunny escorted the woman to the back and gave her some Cloths, while she sat Blisk down and started to install the flame thrower to him. She added a nozzle to Blisk right arm as well as a adding pressure to the to the nozzle so the flames can go about twenty feet, she then add a small spark infront of the nozzle so the liquid could become fire she then added liquid plasma to his system keeping the liquid sprat from his other mods. Once add the mod she looked over Blisk systems to make sure everything was right.

“Alright Blisk your all hooked up you now have a flamethrower, thankfully for you a flamethrower is a little bit more easily to add then a full gun. All you have to do is point your fist in the direction you want to fire the nozzle will come out of your arm as well as the spark, then all you have to do is aim and fire.”

“Wonderful thanks Sunny I ou you that on, though I have a favorer to ask you. Think you can take our new friend there to the home world, let her see what it means to be a Kotavorge?”

Sunny smiled. Sure thing Blisk I’m sure you will give me credits later because you don’t like me owing me anything sure I’ll take her to the home world.” Sunny then hugged Blisk. “You take care of yourself Blisk and don’t be a stranger this time alright.”

Blisk hugged her back and got off the ship. Once off the ship the woman looked at Sunny.

“Were are we going?”

“Were going to Coitera, the original home world of the Kotavorge there you would be around your oun kind find your place with us. Well that’s what Blisk thinks anyway. Ou you will also need a name, how about Val?”

She looked at Sunny confused.” Val huh it’s an interesting one, Very well I am Val and I look forward to going to see my home.

 

[Dahlexpert]

The fallowing is done by Dhalexpert&ZombieSplitter53

Alchole is a hell of a thing

Kilrathy System
Planet Frankenfran
1:56 p.m. local time.

JJ glanced up at the some burn marks on the ship with an unusually sad look. Aya walked over with some cold water and said, "It'll buff right out. No need to get down."

"It's not that..." JJ sighed. "I just... I almost lost one crew member on a routine supply and info mission. If it wasn't for those nanobots..." She closed her eyes. "And then I almost lost you on a mission that I shouldn't have put on your shoulders..."

"JJ..."

"If it wasn't for Yip and Viper..."

"JJ." Aya shook her shoulder. "I'm alive. The others are alive. Why... what is going on."

The captain shrugged. "I guess... I'm starting to both like everyone... and realize how upset I'll be if any of them die under my watch."

"That just means you're a good person." Aya waved her had. "You think others like Fabalaster Fedwork or Entin Birch or Sirius Ravenwood care about their crew. No, they are all disposable to them. But you care." Aya poked her in the arm. "And that is why your crew will survive. Because you will never use them like a disposable resource."

JJ slowly smiled, and hugged Aya. "Thank you. You always know just..." She looked past Aya at the ship. "Where is he going?"

Aya let go of JJ and looked to see Blisk exiting a ship. "I don't know. I didn't think he knew anyone on this planet."

Blisk was seen getting off a Starship with two Kotavorgs looking at him, one being the woman that was in the status tank. Blisked hugged the one with her hair tied up and waived the ship good by as it started to leave port. "Right hopefully Sunny and that girl would be alright. Now then I desperately need a drink." Blisk said rubbing his eyes. "I hate getting my eyes upgraded, damn needle treatment." Blisk said leaving the doc.

"Hey, Blisk!" he heard JJ yell behind him. "Both he and Aya jogged over to meet him."

Blisk turned around to see them jogging to him. "Captian Aya i'm shocked to see you out here, I'm just running some personal things ou that reminds me." Blisk gave Aya a brief case." Aya this is the money we got from the bounty, I finished the meeting I had with the person that hired me."

Aya raised an eyebrow, briefly opening it to see it filled with latinum and Galactic Credits. "This is... my share? There is way more here then I expected. I mean... I can afford to replace our damaged mag cannon and still have enough for a vacation on Rizo! What gives? Surely one man wasn't worth this much..."

"Your right he wasn't but because I took down his operations, and got that woman in a status tank. She was worth more then Zazks was, but because the would have been owner of her made another one. But they decided to give me the money to compensate."

"Wait, so... who exactly was that woman in the tank," JJ asked, scratching an ear.


"Some Genetic spliced to hell out of a Kotavorge, and according to her she's meant to be some kind of perfect soldier. So yea I can imagine someone payed one hell of a lot of money to make her, which is why I was payed so much. Now the reason why she's not going back to the person that made her is because he made another one."

"So where is she going," Aya asked suspiciously. "I hope not to be a slave to some other wacked out scientist."

"Na na the other woman you saw on that ship is my mechanic, She's taking her to my home world. Hopefully there she will learn to be a decent Kotavorge there. Now then what are you two want you need me for something?"

JJ shook her head. "We were just curious. You're free to do what you want unless you want to help with ship repairs."

Aya stared at Blisk's face. "You... your eyes look different..."

"Yea well they should, I saw my mechanic like I said. I had to get some upgrades and update my systems, my eyes can now see through walls now and I got a weapon mod."

"Only through walls I hope," JJ said with a sly smile.

"JJ I’m not a horny twenty something man, that may be some of the guys and girls on the ship but not me." Blisk said in his usual stern voice. "But seeing as though I got a needle through my eyes to get this, I’m going to the bar to get a drink. You feel like joining me boss lady, hell you and I haven't had a real conversation since we first met."

That's true." JJ looked at Aya. "You wanna join us?"

"I need to put this money somewhere safe and start looking for that replacement part." Aya nodded to the pair. "Have fun you two."

"Always." JJ took Blisk's arm and walked with him. "Come on. I know a really nice place for us to get smashed."

"Pleas don’t grab my arm like that, I’m pretty sure some people would get the wrong idea if they see you around my arm."

"Oh, we wouldn't want that." She giggled and released him. "So you mentioned a weapon's mod?"

"Yea I did added a flamethrower to my weapon slot." Blisk clinched his fist and a nozzle came out of it. "This way my entire arm won't transform this way its quick instant and vicious."

"Ooo." JJ smiled brightly. "That'll come in handy, huh? Good for area control and scaring the pants off the bad guys with a wall of flame."

"That's the idea of it, it's been a while since I had a weapon mod at least this one I won't waist time for it to transform. As they arrived at the bar they grabbed a stool. "But JJ how have you been doing, you look kinda upset."

JJ frowned. "That obvious, huh? I don't want to burden you with my problems..." She sat next to him and looked it the Jirafen bartender. "I'll have a Shinso Sunset. And please don't skimp on the orlano."

"And I'll have rencial no ice please." The bartender nodded his head and Blisk turned to JJ" JJ look I have been all over the galaxy and I’m probably the most experience person on the ship, you could tell me about what's going on."

JJ sighed and stared down at the bar. "I feel... scared. Not for me... but for all of you. I knew it would be a large responsibility to take on such a large crew, but I underestimated how worried I'd get that... that someone could die because of me."

“JJ that’s understand able it just shows that you’re getting attached to everyone. Nothing wrong with that, but we’re bounty hunter we knew what we signed up for.”

"I know..." JJ sighed. "I'm being silly, huh?"

“No it just shows that you care, don’t get me wrong if others learn that you care for your people this much. There will be people that will take advantage of that.”

JJ chuckled. "We wouldn't want that." She took her drink from the bartender and took a gulp. Immediately her cheeks flushed a bit. Whatever was in it was really strong, and despite being an experienced drinker, JJ wasn't exactly a big person. "I just... hope I don't screw up, ya know? But I guess that can describe most things people do..."

Blisk also took his drink and took a gulp, he then cracked his neck at the familiar taste of the drink.” Listen boss Lady you may not wanna fuck up, but you will. And people will get hurt from if not die in it, it’s your job to put your trust into everyone you have a decent team going here. And we can all take care of ourselves so just have some faith in the people you hired.” Blisk said taking another gulp of his drink.

JJ took a smaller drink and nodded. "You... you're right. Being worried about everyone all the time... isn't really trusting them. And I do trust them." She nudged his arm. "That doesn't mean I appreciate you looking out for Aya, though. I know you might not care much for her, but she means a lot to me."

“JJ Trust me if I wanted Aya dead there were several times I could have just let her died, especially since she didn’t have her powers at the time.”’Blisk then downed his entire drink and asked for another.” Now I may hate Tamarins most of them anyway, but I’m fine with Aya we’re partners now and I won’t let anyone that works with me die.” Blisk said in his usual stern tone of voice.

"Yeah? Well... that's awesome!" JJ took a larger gulp, her cheeks reddening even more. "Ssssssoooo... she told me that you... had a rough time growing up. She dinit go into specifics outta respect, but from what she told me... I'm sorry."

 

[Dahlexpert]

Part 2

“You know I never understand why people apologize after hearing about my life till now. I’m not sorry, it happened I can’t change it. I can only embrace it, it’s because of what happened in the man I am today. So in the end it all works out.” Blisk took a large gulp from his drink.

"I guess I see your point." JJ finished her drink, waved for another, and nudged his arm. "I withdraw my apologizing. You're an awesome man." She looked at his second glass, already half empty. "It muss take a lot te get you drunk with all the machins and such, hmm?"

“No im just good at drinking.” Blisk said finish his drink and asking for another. As he cracked his neck he looked at JJ whose gas as beet red.” The it looks like you could barely hold your liquor though.”

She waved her hand dismissively. "Nah, dis gots high alcohol. Shinso drinks... Shinso likes fruity drinks, but with lots alcohol mixes. You know what Imean?"

“Yeah I do.” Blisk then took JJ drink and downed it. His eyes twitching at it.” Ugh a little too much fruit if you ask me.”

JJ giggled loudly, loud enough to turn some heads. "Another drink, please! A-a-and a shot of orlano for my fffffriend." The bartender brought the drinks, and JJ pointed at the shot. "Th-that's what gives it a KICK!"

“You aliens and your weird drinks.” Blisk looked at the drink.” Though I do think you have had enough.” Blisk said taking JJ drink.

"Buh I only had one!" She said with a pout. "That's not fair!"

Blisk ignored JJ And Look like he was goanna about to drink JJ drink again but, a shocking smile crossed Blisk face.” You know what you’re right JJ here, you can have your drink back.” Blisk said gently put her drink down and giving it to her.

JJ did a whispered cheer, raising her arms over her head. She then took the drink and chugged down a third of it in one go, letting out a small burp when she was done. "Oops... s... sorro..."

“Ou no it’s fine it’s fine, in fact since you like fruity drinks so much. Hay bartender give my friend her usual drink but mix it with a, Ou damn what’s it called a shary yes a shary.”

"Are you sure, sir?" the bartender asked, starting to mix the drink. "You'll be responsible for her, right?"

“Ou I know but she’ll be fine after all she’s not drunk.” Blisk turned to JJ.” Now if she could admit that she is I will take the drink, and me and her can talk about her. Right captain.”

"Right. But I not drunk. Not yet. Maybe have... little sip." She took the new drink and had a gulp.

“Well I don’t got much time for this so best get what I can. So Mrs Jetstorm tell me about you?”

"What did you want to know?" JJ asked. "I am a farming girl origally. I run from home. Then..." She got close and whispered. "Then I am bad girl. Sssssh!"

“Really you can’t be that bad, after all compared to what i did your probably an angel.” Blisk then downed his drink, and his face getting slightly red.

JJ shrugged. "Well, imma no... murdererer or arsnist. But I lie. I cheat. I steal. Momma and papa be very dis... disa... very mad."

And she’s getting drunker.” Blisk patted JJ head.” Ou come now I’m sure you’re parents aren’t that mad at you.”

"Day would be. H-haven't seen them in... um..." She tried to count on her fingers several times before simply saying, "...in lots of years. They learn... little Melvanna in prison so many times..."

So her name is Melvanna, than the stars it’s not Jacky Jacky. Blisk then rolled his eyes and asked the bartender for another drink, and to make it a double. Once the bartender came back with Blisk drink, he downed the hole thing in one go. He then grabbed JJ head and brought her to his chest hugging her.”

“There you’re patants JJ, I’m sure they would love to hear that you’re even alive, and running a business.”

JJ blinked in surprise. "Wow, I... th-thank you, mizter Blix."

“Sure thing kiddo, besides you looked like you needed it.”

JJ sat back, giving a dopey smile. Her smile slowly dropped, and she woozily stood up. "Excuse me..." she muttered, and rushed off to the bathroom.

Blisk smiled at his making his boss vomit.” And that’s what you get for not admitting your drunk.” He said taking a sip of her drink.” Not bad, but I’m not done with her yet. The alcohol got to her but I feel like a little punishment needs to be given.” Blisk left two hundred credits on the counter and mad his way to the bathroom.

JJ slouched out, wiping her mouth a groaning. "What was in that... (hic) drink...?"

“Ou you just had a shary, a Kotavorg drink with some humans fruit mixed in to make it less bitter.” Blisk said with a smile.

"My insides feelike on fire." She grinned at him. "You win... I'm dwunk."

“That’s Good but you should have admitted that sooner, now you need to be punished.” Blisk said while gently holding JJ ears.

"Punishment?" JJ looked up. "What kind of punishment?"

“See I’m kinda curious I never had a chance to mess with a Cartus. So I wonder what happens if I do this.” Blisk said being as gentle as possible pulling JJ tail.

"Oh!" JJ blushed fiercely. "That's, um... not something one usuallylyly does wit a fwend in public..."

“Well I’m not being friendly, this is punishment for over drinking.” Blisk said messaging her tail.” And for the skimpy outfit.” Then started messaging her ear as well.

Her knees started to shake a bit, and he could swear he heard purring. "P-please, Mizter Blix. Everyone's w-watching..."

Blisk got a good look around and and saw that people were watching, Blisk smiled at it.” You should be use to this. After all with what you were there always looking at you, now I wonder if I did this to you as well.” Blisk said while gently biting her free ears, while still messaging her tail and ear.

"Mizter Blix..." After another minute of this, JJ's knees buckled, and she slid down to the floor, her face red, panting softly.

"Get a room," one of the patrons said, several people laughing.

“Hum that’s not a bad idea actually.” Blisk picked up JJ and held her in his arms as they left the bar. However Blisk vision was slowly getting blurry and he was stumbling, as well as laughing at himself. Somehow he managed to get to the golden wing, but he finally fell to the ground and landed on his side with JJ.” Hehe, iiis fellllll..(hic) god damn it.”

JJ laughed, and pinched his cheek. "You're drunk. I told yoooooou dat Shinso dwinks is stwong."

“Nooo Ivs drunk mors then you, sooos this why dunk.” Blisk then started to nibble on JJ ear.” Dis taste good.”

JJ giggled. "You weird."

A shadow loomed over them. A short one with an angrily wagging tail. "You two are pathetic," Aya muttered.

Blisk even when drunk still grouns at Aya.” You Willy knows how to demoer something, you know?” Blisk then slowly stood up and tried to keep balance.

"Easy." Despite her harshness, Aya reached out to steady him. "How much did you have to drink? Do you need help getting inside?"

No be fiiine, tryed to help J feels better. Then I gots drunk.(hic).” As Blisk moved forward he fell again.” Damn it.”

Aya rolled her eyes and tried to help him up, her eyes widening as she did. "Goddesses, with all that cybernetic crap, you weigh a ton! Maybe getting smashed was a bad idea right after your augmentations."

“Be fine get camen.” Blisk looked at JJ.” A drunk Car..Cart. Her dress like dat, someone’s might snatch her up.”

"Yeah, I know what you mean..." Aya walked over to JJ and hefted her up on her back. "That's how JJ... well... that's a personal manner." She smiled. "She must trust you to get so drunk around you."

"I wanna ride the white one," JJ muttered softly, her eyes half open and drooping.

“Hum Yeah Trust dats the word.” Blisk the let out a large and long burp, the length lasting about twenty seconds. He then stood up and shook his head.

Aya looked disgusted at forst, but then laughed. "You're a strange man, Blisk." Aya start up the ramp to the ship. "Go see Ash if you want to sober up quick. Otherwise, consider taking a large nap. I'm sure JJ will be doing so."

“Yes I’ll do that.” Blisk then hugged Aya and JJ.” Be safe.” Blisk said stumbling into the ship.

Aya smiled gently. "It is so hard to read that man."

"That's my pony," JJ whispered dreamily. "Nice pony."

Once Blisk was far enough away from Aya and JJ. He then started to walk straight and shake his head.” I can’t believe I did all those things to the captain, this is why I don’t get drunk. Blisk said seemingly back to his usual self, if still tipsy.” Ugh it’s gonna hard to Look at her again, if Aya didn’t show up. Aahhh.” Blisk shook his head annoyed at himself, but then he licked his lips.” She did taste good though, makes me almost want to bite her more. But hopefully she forgets this when she wakes up.” Blisk made it to his room and layed on his bed.

 

[ShadowHounder]

ShadowHounder and Black0ut: The Sad Truth

Nick laid against the holo bench. Having completed a rather exhausting exercise, with sweat dripping off all the organic bits of him. Taking his shirt off, he closed his eyes and laid back, having already stretched earlier so he wouldn't get stiff.

A few moments later, the doors to the holoroom opened to reveal a slender figured with a large tail step inside. "I wasn't expecting someone to be in here at this hour..." The Cartus assassin remarked when she noticed Nick sitting in the corner.

Nick stood up, his chest bare for her to look at. It held a variety of scars along his well-muscled frame. "Hello, infiltrator."

"That's crew mate now..." Yip retorted with a smirk. "After everything that took place recently... I've become fond of the people here. I've decided to join."

"Still going to call you an infiltrator." Nick replied, grabbing his gear off the ground. "You're going to have to earn the right for me to call you anything else."

"It is only fair." Yup sighed. "Also... While I have you, do me a favor and let whoever has all of those camera's set up in the ship we have a couple new guests... And one of them is to be left unharmed until Captain Jetstorm tells us what the plan is."

"And why would I know something about cameras? In only the gunner, Yip." Nick replied rolling his eyes, before verbally saying, "Speakeasy," before the world shifted to that of Nick's normal spot.

"I did a little digging myself." Yip muttered as she pulled one of the cameras out of her bag... The wiring exposed on the back end. "It seems you like to keep yourself informed... So I figured if you didn't set them up yourself, you know who did."

"There are others aboard who have a similar paranoia about others as I do, infiltrator." Nick replied, taking the small, almost barely visible camera out of her hand. "It's a fair grade camera. Decent multispectral lends and wireless transmitter." He handed it back, and shrugged, carrying his shirt over his back.

"There are others aboard who have a similar paranoia about others as I do, infiltrator." Nick replied, taking the small, almost barely visible camera out of her hand. "It's a fair grade camera. Decent multispectral lends and wireless transmitter." He handed it back, and shrugged, carrying his shirt over his back.

"So you wouldn't mind if I tore them all out of the ship then?" Yip asked in a serious tone. "Such a paranoia is pointless on a ship like this... So it shouldn't be a issue if I just removed the spy network all together."

"I wouldn't mind, no. But if the person whose doing it is paranoid and notices, there might be a trap for you. At least, that's what I'd do if someone was taking out my equipment." Nick shrugged and walked over to a comfy chair and sat down.

"If they are able to see who is removing them... They are welcome to try." Yip stated, before a fist slammed into her head. "What the hell that for!?"

A moderately built woman glared down at Yip with infuriates eyes. "I was told I should talk to you about any questions I might have. So... Tell me... What the hell this doing in my room?" The woman remarked, a small, destroyed camera in her hand. "If you plan to get me to trust you... Then your a dumbass if you think spying on me is gonna help!"

Nick casually walked over, towering over both of them, but luckily for Yip, Nick's ire was directed towards the other woman. "Now, why would you assume that and please, refrain from hitting her again. I would prefer civility to random violence. Otherwise, you may find yourself checked carelessly out of this room."

The woman crossed her arms with an unamused look. "All that technology used to turn machines into people... When they could just turn people into machine... Who might you be, sir?"

"The real question is who are you?" Nick's military arm moved Yip behind him forcefully, as he stared straight into the woman's eyes. "And if you're crew, you'd better offer up a good explanation before I go to the Captain with news of you beating on a fellow Cartus."

A Cartus huh... I knew she looked off for a Shinso..." The comment obviously sent anger through Yip's spine... But she tempered herself. The woman merely sighed in agitation. "So much has happened since I was out of commission. No way to tell how long I out or what life was like when I was still active... Apologies for actions earlier, Yip. This whole 'illegal existance' deal as left me on edge."

"Reckless... But understandable." Yip muttered quietly as she waited to see Nick's reaction.

"Another A.I., huh? Still doesn't give you a reason to pick a fight with a crew member. So kindly back off. " Nick said in a monotone voice.

"Another..." The woman muttered before sighing. "Who is the other one?"

"Nope, you don't get any answers. Leave." Nick sternly eyed her down, internally priming his gun for use.

Yip cleared her throat from behind Nick. "It would be best if you left, Viper. Nick here isn't what you would call the type to negotiate with."

Viper let out one last sigh before she walked off. "I never thought I'd see a man who was more machine then human. We'll just have to see how long you can let the machine run your life for you." She briefly glanced at the large cyborg and muttered under her breath. "Pathetic dumbass..."

With surprising speed, Viper found herself outside of the room, having been chucked by the cyborg. "Sorry, scrapheap. Be bitchy elsewhere." The door she had been tossed from closed a moment later, Nick's civilian hand having activated the controls.

He took a few big steps from the door in case of a reprisal and looked briefly at Yip. "You have a lot of explaining to do, infiltrator."

"I don't have to... You are simply demanding." Yip retorted in agitation. "I think is has a bit of a point. Being an emotionless machine can only get you so far." She lowered her gaze as she sat down on the holobench. "So don't be making the same mistakes I did..."

"I'm not. You just haven't earned the right to see that side of me. After all, you spied on me and then tried to run away. You only stopped when your life was in danger." He pointed out, offering her a glare. "And considering I just bought you some breathing room, the least you could do is tell me how you know the bot."

"Aya found her on a recent mission... When we apprehended Alexia." Yup explained. "From what was explained to me... Alexia had her for sometime... And most of her memories were corrupted when she woke up. Can't imagine the thoughts going through her head right now. No one to trust, no knowledge of her past... And asshole like you being some of the first people she meets."

Nick looked at her, a neutral guarded look hiding his emotions. "Thank you... you entirely made me re-realize why I... hate people. Did you ever stop to wonder why I am the way that I am? What horrors I've gone through? Why that I'm almost a machine? Why I prefer to smoke and be alone than spend time with others? Perhaps asking me about why I'm so jaded with the world? No? Well, obviously... that's too much for you." Nick said quietly, no vehemence or rage in his voice, just quiet calm. "So knock it off. I don't need your critique or judgement."