Author Topic: [Starkin] The Edge of Civilization - Chapter 01 (Read 15927 times)

EchoMirage · « **Reply #25 on:** January 27, 2008, 01:56:03 AM »

"The journey was rather low on diceyness, and on happenings likewise - perchance because those who would wish to inflict random interesting events upon me were luckily lacking in the wits department; their finesse was sub-par and their imagination undetectable by the science's most cutting edge tools."

She smiled, and focused upon Alice - he was an interesting person, truly so. His manner hinted at refinement and showed little signs of aggression, much unlike so many humans she had the chance to meet.
Curious creatures, those humans. Bereft of any communication exceeding sound, every one of them was an island, keeping the temple of his spirit concealed and locked, the emotion on their surface never the same as that inside.
Truly, from what she had read about their history, she was amazed at the fact that they did not turn their homeworld into a nuclear inferno long ago. 'Species evolve, I guess' she thought.

There was no harm in telling Alice a little information; especially if he knew a little about the reason for her being here, he would not hamper her, and might even be of help.

"Truth be said, the drink is not what brought me here, and neither is the opportunity to play the Void Song to people. A team for a salvage operation I seek. We can play a little game, judging the sentients assembled in this bar, and picking a few of them to approach. What say you?"

Chaosmark · « **Reply #26 on:** January 27, 2008, 01:24:05 PM »

Though he was wary of being pretentious, Mach leaned over to Alice and his Kiranti companion. "A salvage operation, you say? I happen to be in possession of a light freighter and am in need of a hauling job. Might I offer my services?" This was perhaps his best chance for finding work. Everything else seemed boring in comparison as well. A salvage job could bring in some needed money, as well as show off how useful Oraki could be to the other races. And if he was really lucky, there'd be some new piece of technology he could explore! This was starting to look like the perfect job for the new space hauler.

valadaar · « **Reply #27 on:** January 28, 2008, 09:13:09 AM »

Quote from: Kassil on January 24, 2008, 06:08:08 AM

As for the Oraki who pushed up alongside him before the whole process, he now squints at the metallic humanoid and the drink before... Him? "Say, aren't y'kind of cheatin' at this? Y'don't actually have a liver, do y'?"

"In a manner of speaking, I do, but yes, this concoction is not liable to stress it unduly. Its more for the - experience. An interesting mix of beings here this night. And there appears to be some sort of nexus forming here.

Why have you come to this station?" asked Kestral bluntly. Smalltalk was not his forte, but Salvadorians were pretty blunt themselves.

dark_dragon · « **Reply #28 on:** January 28, 2008, 04:02:38 PM »

Alice chuckled gently at Dana's unflattering description of those who would have bothered her. Would love to see her in a crisis. he thought brightly.

He looked at Dana, and slowly slid his gaze towards the extravagant Salvorathan sat one barstool away, drinking what was at first glance an industrial solvent. Turning back, a broad smile crossed his features. "Well, we could start here, could we not?", only to be interrupted by the rather evident Oraki.

"Well, Dana, I believe that finding a salvage team for your little venture will be easier than you had previously thought."

Turning back to the Oraki, alice replied grinning: "I'm Alice, And this is Dana. And how would you like us to call you, my friend?"

Well Alice thought cheerfully. This could very well turn out to be a very interesting stop. Very interesting indeed.

<ooc>Sorry about not posting sooner. RL is hectic atm.</ooc>

Chaosmark · « **Reply #29 on:** January 28, 2008, 05:52:28 PM »

"Call me Mach. Might I inquire as to what exactly we're going to be aiming at?" the Oraki engineer smiled slightly at his fortune, and awaited a response from either of the pair.

<ooc>I understand completely.</ooc>

Kassil · « **Reply #30 on:** January 29, 2008, 02:54:56 AM »

Quote from: valadaar on January 28, 2008, 09:13:09 AM

Why have you come to this station?" asked Kestral bluntly. Smalltalk was not his forte, but Salvadorians were pretty blunt themselves.

Indeed, Erik was unfazed by the blunt question, although a small part of that could be attributed to the haze of alcohol the drink had dumped into him; even the Salvorathan biology tends to take note when a Kel'Regar is mixing the drinks. "Profit, of course. I'm lookin' for ways to help my Clan pick up a bit, and pickin' up some experience for later in life." Faintly, his mind nags at him about some choice words, and he squints at the triad a short distance away. "But then, minin' gas and rock is dull work, even if it pays, and there's always liable to be bigger things of interest in border system like this one."

Noting to investigate the people talking about salvage momentarily, he sticks out a hand to Kestral. "Anyhow, a proper introduction. I'm Erik Starvoid, owner and operator of the Karloff, a right solid freighter if y'don't mind a wee bit of hard radiation here and there."

valadaar · « **Reply #31 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:17:16 AM »

"Kestral. Security specialist. I pilot an interceptor and also take on shipboard security. I too am in search of employment more .. active .. then my prior assignments. So it appears we are of a similar mind."

Kestral did not take on the affection others did towards starships. They were utilitarian just like a space suit or a weapon. Useful, but not worthy of a name.

EchoMirage · « **Reply #32 on:** January 30, 2008, 08:59:18 AM »

"Ah, I said the S-word, didn't I?" Danasheth smiled. "The word 'salvage' indeed sounds much alike 'free fruit', doesn't it?"
She leaned against the bar, and spoke to Mach: "Well then, with the speed of many machs have you descended upon us, then tell what you can do..." and, lowering her voice to be audible only to Mach and Alice, she added "... and whether you are eager and willing to bust a few kneecaps or roast a few 'tresspassers' while we 'salvage', praytell. As you can see, I am not suited for handling the big guns."
Her curious and friendly expression was truly incompatible with the content of her words. Smiling, Danasheth awaited Mach's reply.

Kassil · « **Reply #33 on:** January 30, 2008, 04:01:56 PM »

Erik tucks his hand away again after Kestral fails to follow through the rest of the ritual greeting, an internal shrug aided by the alcohol's vague fuzzing. "Well then, I believe there's a deal formin' over there where the other Oraki's chattin', why don't we both go check it out? Anyone doin' the kind of work I think they're goin' to be doin' is gonna need a security type for explorin' and someone with a big gun for keepin an eye out."

Chaosmark · « **Reply #34 on:** January 30, 2008, 11:27:39 PM »

"I'm not adverse to protecting that which we have laid claim to, if that's what you're asking. It would be nice to know what sort of salvage we're going after, however." The Oraki took another drink of his beer, tasting the alcohol which he knew would have no effect on his system. He still wasn't sure whether he liked the taste or not.

EchoMirage · « **Reply #35 on:** January 31, 2008, 06:13:34 AM »

Mach's answer was right.
If he had shown he had no guts, figuratively speaking, of course, she could not use him, likewise, if he was too over-eager to inflict violence.
Danasheth smiled, and continued. "T'was but a test. A lifeless ship is our target, and I think you're fine to go along."

As the trio of strangers approached, she had to add: "It appears as if my magical word's clarion call had been stronger than intended. Reverberating back and forth, it resonates within the minds of those assembled here, even if unheard consciously. A curious phenomenon indeed."

"Your turn, Alice. What might they be?" she spoke as she fanned out the fine sensory fibers from her antennae.

valadaar · « **Reply #36 on:** February 06, 2008, 05:41:19 PM »

"Well Eric, let us indeed see what is stirring."

And with that, Kestral began to walk towards his fellow Oraki and the other beings nearby.
The crowd was an interesting mix, and again Kestral wondered what brought the other Oraki here. He did not recognize him from any of his prior contacts and his morphology did not provide any clues.

dark_dragon · « **Reply #37 on:** February 10, 2008, 04:12:50 AM »

"Well Dana, I say. This rather reminds me of an old earth predator. it is thought that its olfactory organs could detect a drop of blood in a cubic mile of water. It seems that people on the fringes have a similar nose for profit!"

"What says I. I say that we may very well be approached by the most suitable people here! I cannot wait to see what comes of this dear Dana. Tell us, what does this derelict look like? It must be rather substantial if you require such a team."

"Also, perhaps once we have greeted our incoming friend, we should consider moving to a more discreet location. I daresay that although the melodious song of profit attracts many a stalwart man, it could also garner us unwanted attention. Although highly pleasant a bar is hardly the place to discuss this further."

Turning to the barman, catching the kel-regar's eyes and smiling broadly, he started: "You wouldn't have a private room, now, would you?"

Turning back to the two new arrivals, the unlikely pair of an Kestral and Eric, Alice sipped on his drink: "Hello, there! How may we be of service to you today?"

Kassil · « **Reply #38 on:** February 12, 2008, 05:39:03 AM »

Erik, trailing along a pace or two behind Kestral, an affable grin on his less-than-pleasant features, widened his grin a bit further at Alice's greeting, and the 'space dwarf offers the man his hand. "Greetin' to y'! I'm Erik Starvoid, captain of the Karloff, a sturdy Salvorathan freighter. This stout fellow and I, we heard that magical 'S' word and decided to see if we could offer anythin' to the brew, as it were." To Dana, the squat Salvorathan is as easy to read as an open book, a mix of cheerful greed, pleasantly muddled drunkenness, and a curious sense of loyalty to someone or something not present.

dark_dragon · « **Reply #39 on:** February 12, 2008, 08:37:31 AM »

Shaking the Salvorathan's hand, Alice turned to Dana. "Well, My dear Dana, it does seem you opened the proverbial box."

"Erik Starvoid, now is it? Captain of the Karloff?" And with a still grinning face, Alice carried on teasingly: "Surely not the rustbucket docked besides me on dock 33? I believe that your Boris has met my Maia. Pleased to meet you."

Turning to face the striking kestral he began: "And you must be...."

Siren no Orakio · « **Reply #40 on:** February 12, 2008, 04:37:06 PM »

His eye caught, the soft-seeming man behind the bar simply jerks his thumb towards a wall of the bar, where booths sit, nearly completely partitioned from the rest of the cantina. It's the closest thing he's got to offer, in any case, as he continues to work his alcoholic artistry.

One slender finger snagged his controls of the sound system, killing the songs on file, and dimming the lights faintly as a lone Kel'Regar female stalked onto the stage, a strange and alien instrument in her hands. A quick strumming across it checks the reconstituted sound system, while the din of the cantina fell slightly, as her song began. While the artistry of it, perhaps, left a small bit to be desired, and the liquid language fell untranslateable upon many of the ears within the room, the appeal of it, to the spacers, was obvious and needed no translation. It was a challenge, one reinforced by the dark-skinned woman's strut across the stage as she played and sang.

valadaar · « **Reply #41 on:** February 12, 2008, 06:02:24 PM »

"Kestral. My name is Kestral and I'm a security and protection specialist. I've got a Militiaman docked here as well.
I am currently looking for employment."

Smalltalk was not one of Kestral's strengths...

Kassil · « **Reply #42 on:** February 12, 2008, 10:50:55 PM »

"Rustbucket!?" Erik's voice holds a strong tone of cheerful mock-outrage, although his voice is perhaps a bit louder than it needs to be. Chalk it up to what the mad elf behind the bar gave him to drink, then. "I'll have y'know the Karloff is the sturdiest single-man freighter y're like to see! A bit on the warm side for radiation-sensitive types, maybe, but that's just how I like it." The space dwarf's cheery tirade is interrupted, momentarily, by a heavy rumbling sound, and then he thumps his chest. "Pardon me. Seems our friend at the bar gave me a bit extra with the drink he passed me."

EchoMirage · « **Reply #43 on:** February 14, 2008, 05:30:54 AM »

"Then, let us discuss the drinks and matters of warmth in freighters, bellies and wallets elsewhere" Danasheth gave them a conspirational twink and led them towards the back booth.

Having them safely seated there, she took a place next to Alice, looked at the diverse bunch. She had confused feelings about the Oraki, truth be said: while she perceived their .. souls, one might call it, they were strange and hard to assess or comprehend. One would believe that being made by man, they would be similar to man, yet the opposite was true. The creations became independent of their sire, most likely much like he intended.
At least if Danasheth spent some time with them, she might observe and learn.

"Welcome gentlemen to our impromptu salvage team. Our prize is a large one, dead in the water. No signs of battle, no signs of life, save a bacon I have muted with one of my own that should keep our target hidden until I get there. According to what I could glean from the brief scan I performed, the ship is a freighter of sorts, no military vessel, three clicks in length and of design unknown. We will hop in, try to get her live, and if it is impossible, drag her off. Afterwards, we split even."

She whipped out her wristcomp and light-pen, and projected a blank 'page'. "Everyone of you, write down what you're best and what you're decent at, so that we can assign tasks accordingly. Let's get to it."

Kassil · « **Reply #44 on:** February 19, 2008, 05:00:18 AM »

Erik squinted at the 'sheet' dubiously a moment before transferring his moderately quizzical look to Danasheth herself. "So I'm assumin' y'want more than 'if it flies or can shoot at things while mounted on something that flies, I can fix it'?" With a shrug, the space dwarf takes the light pen and scrawls a rough draft of his capabilities, both as a starship engineer and a personal combatant, and an even rougher description of the Karloff.

valadaar · « **Reply #45 on:** February 19, 2008, 01:35:11 PM »

Kestral thought for a moment, then added to the sheet:

Kestral - Security - both physical and systems, assorted technologies and programming. Fighter Pilot (Militaman)

dark_dragon · « **Reply #46 on:** February 21, 2008, 12:22:38 PM »

"Well, My dear Dana. This is all very nice, but perhaps these fine spacefarers may like to know what we can expect of you, besides the location of a derelict ship."

Turning to everybody else, Alice presented himself:"By the way, I'm Alice. If it has a keyboard, an engine or batteries, and more often than not when it hasn't, I can build it and repair it. I hope anyway!"

"what about you, Mach, how did you end up in this corner of the glaxy?"

EchoMirage · « **Reply #47 on:** February 26, 2008, 04:17:38 AM »

"As for myself - I am but a humble war veteran turned diplomat" she laughed. "Back in my military days, I flew a light fighter - actually, I still do. If ever the need arises, I believe myself capable of aiding Alice's computer exploits as well - if you ever wished to visit my enchanting homeworld, my degree is there."
She sat back, smiling.
"Also, you need not fear for safety, for I am capable to protect you" she added after a second, pointing to a pistol of hers "or at least myself."

Chaosmark · « **Reply #48 on:** March 02, 2008, 04:22:33 PM »

"I'm here to be something of a helper to other races. To engender goodwill, and possibly find allies for my people. As for what I can do...Well, I'd like to consider myself something of a tinkerer." he smiled slightly, listening to the boasting of the others. When the 'clipboard' came around to him, he wrote his name, the size of his freighter, and "Tinkerer" on it.

valadaar · « **Reply #49 on:** March 06, 2008, 06:32:36 PM »

After the others finished their bookwork, Kestral impatiently said - "Great, so we can actually settle much of this en route. I think any minute we waste is time that someone else can find your hulk, so lets get this moving. I'd suggest we settle on an encrypted channel to coordinate our communications."