station72 | [MISSION LOG] GET IN THE CAR

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[MISSION LOG] GET IN THE CAR

CHARACTERS: All
WHERE: Avera 9
WHEN: Day :156 - 160
SUMMARY: Welcome to the jungle muddy junk pile in space. Avera 9, pt.1
WARNINGS: None; will edit if necessary.

THERE IS AN EXPECTATION that all hosts meet on the flight deck; that much is obvious on waking - something that, strangely, all new hosts seem to have done at the same time. Pack your things, says a gut sensation. It's time to go somewhere different.

ONCE ASSEMBLED, it isn't long before Prince and Cathaway make their own appearances. They have a set of kits with them - one for each young host - and a square that unfolds into a data pad with mission details. Each kit contains some of the materials hosts will find helpful for their assignment, and the equipment is not to be traded away or sold, Prince explains. The rest, Cathaway adds, will be provided once travel is complete. And then it's time to get underway. Today that means piling into a sleek, arrow shaped ship with plenty of space to carry personnel and equipment. There are a number of bikes lashed in the cargo area, places for hosts to stow their things, and enough seating at each side of the carrier's interior for hosts to be comfortable. It's a short trip, Cathaway assures and then makes her way with Prince to the cockpit. Today, they're coming with.

Initial checks. Engines go. The landing circular landing pad under the ship turns, lowering down into the flight deck floor as it goes. The ship comes with it, descending into the cool dark depths of the Station. There's a shudder as it locks into the launch tube, as the channel overhead is sealed; there is no countdown, just a pulsing moment of anticipation-- and then rocketing, teeth rattling momentum and a bright, hot flash of joy as the ship is projected from the Station - as it sears through time and space and a hundred versions of the same universe until it comes to rest here: smacked out into real space hung above a murky brown planet, clearly visible through the massive viewscreen at the front of the ship.

It's a good thing there's not much to look at; Cathaway doesn't waste time before deftly setting a course, slicing down through upper atmosphere with hardly a shudder from the knife point shaped ship. The planet comes up rapidly and a hum passes through the carrier as it lowers - cresting down through dark clouds to be battered by rainfall and the cross cutting of wind. But it flies steady, sure, and in time they streak at ground level across muddy flatlands and massive stone slabs - skim across inert bodies of water in the slow process of expanding from the constant sluggish rainfall.

The ship eventually comes to rest in the middle of what must be a massive valley; it sets down with hardly a shiver, then something clangs loud and the ramp at the rear descends. Cathaway unhooks her harness and rises from the pilot's seat.

"Here we are. Be well and do well; try not to kill anyone." Yourselves included, being the unspoken addendum. "Make sure to return here at the specified time. We can't extend our time table to account for stragglers."

There is a pause before Prince adds, with an edge of silent reluctance, “If you find yourselves in a situation you cannot handle, call and we will come.”

And then you're free to go wherever you like. Welcome to Avera 9.

(click to zoom; blue is water; yellow is lowlands/flood plains/etc; green is higher, drier terrain; brown is for ridges/high ground)

((OOC Notes: You'll notice that this log only covers the first few days of the mission; this is to allow for player character decision making to effect the back half of the mission. That said, feel free to make your own logs and posts on the IC community as you see fit - just be aware that dating past day :160 may get a little wonky depending on how events proceed!

If you have any mission specific questions, direct them to the OOC post here. For exploration and salvage discovery, we've decided to give players a largely free rein for what items can be found. However, if you want specific mod-generated items for your characters to stumble across during their salvaging, feel free to use THIS thread to request that!))

NAVIGATION • SETTING • FAQ • MOD CONTACT • GLOSSARY

( CODE BY WHAMBAM )

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[Angel's clumsy outreach pulls Ahsoka out of a half-hearted conversation with a local. In truth, nothing she had been doing was any kind of productive, not with so many other things on her mind. So, when Angel's insistent nudging keeps her from focusing further, she politely excuses herself and turns to follow the meager lead she's been given.

She hadn't been far to start with. She travels with her hood up, as had become custom even back in her own galaxy. Even if the population wasn't entirely human, it left less questions to be answered. Or maybe it was simply because her desire to socialize was at the lowest it had been in recent memory.

It takes a few long minutes for Ahsoka to get to Angel, but by the time she manages it, she's successfully stowed away her concern and other ill feelings that had no relation to what was going on in front of her. Luckily, the other girl's present state adds to her ability to consider other things -- like the fact that Angel is glowing quite brightly, and channeling something.

Her blue eyes widen, and her jaw drops slightly. There is no fear that comes from her -- nothing but wild curiosity. So much that she doesn't hear her ask for the datapad.]

--Angel?

[ It's a difference more than just glowing, or at least she likes to think so. Compared to the small scared thing that was inclined to just fall over. Unsure of every movement and every sound around her. It melts away like this. The look she gives Ahsoka is comfortable, warm, inviting almost. Her power, her ability, like the Force as she'd felt it's memory off Ahsoka, and yet, nothing at all like it. Her breaths even, drawing them in deep, in a steady rise and fall. With each breath, the light dims and brightens, the screen behind her is pulling up page after page that is dismissed as quickly, like it's pressing it's information into her fingertips. A connectedness, a oneness, here -- here she is home.

Look any lighter, and she might take off, but she doesn't think she has that in her so much anymore. ]

Ahsoka. You found me.

[Ahsoka almost doesn't hear Angel talking to her, eyes wide with childish wonder as she continues to witness (and feel, there's a heavy thrum of energy in the air that doesn't vibrate on the same frequency as the Force) what the other woman is doing. Eventually, she closes some of the distance between them to try and get a better look at what exactly she is doing.]

This is...is this what you were talking about? What Sirens can do?

[She's smiling, and there's a desire to reach up and further absorb what she's doing, but the recognition that it isn't her's and that it never will be. She doesn't have any desire to interfere or take what isn't her's.]

This is incredible.

[ Maybe it's infectious or more likely, it's the link but she feeds off the curiosity and wonder, she feels giddy, silly with it. Ducks her head, nodding it briefly. The absent tuck of her hair behind her ear, smoothing it back and hide the prick of something warm in her face that she'd definitely deny except that -- she's all warmth coming back. The approval is more than she ever expected and she's more than happy to let her in close with it. Stepping sideways to let her see the screen that her fingers were absently brushing over. ]

We all do different things.

[ It doesn't manifest as much at the moment, outside of the hum. Her face is on the screen, her but with the strangeness filed away. Other screens pop up, and that's what she's keeping back, because there's no end to what she's drawing up, for a second then go again, over and over again. An endless stream of information that she's waded into and is pouring through her and out again. ]

It's not quite what you said the force is. [ But's raw, and it teems with a different kind of life. ] But this is what I do at least, plus some other things. There's not a piece of technology I've ever encountered that keeps me out for long.

Edited 2016-04-21 05:24 (UTC)

Yeah? That's handy.

[Her smile stays, though it sobers ever-so-slightly. "Handy" was an understatement. She understands now why others were hungry for her power, and why they tried to subdue her. Powers like Angel's would have won the Clone Wars for the Republic in a matter of days. It is a resource unmatched, but it hardly changes her opinion of the treatment she had no doubt endured.

But her more dour thoughts only last a moment. The curiosity returns in full strength as she tries to follow what the other woman is doing.]

What exactly are you looking for?

Very.

[ Nods briefly in agreement, smiling still as she settles shoulder to shoulder with Ahsoka, huddled over the terminal. Talking quietly in close, sure no one is picking up them up with cameras now she's got them under control, but she doesn't want them over-heard either. ]

Well, to start with, I thought we could do with updated maps, weather rotations for the planet, any local dangers before we go salvaging. [ She slows it down a little, tilting her head slightly as she draws up four particular screens. One shows cloud movements, another with the predictions for the next week. The other two are following news stories, and process information about wildlife and plants. ] Then prices on goods, what areas are considered best for salvaging, and so on. What we were given was good, but obviously somewhat out of date. Then, I looked into who is doing what deals fairly, what else I can pull up on traders in general, what areas are good for what kind of parts.

[ Another window, more information of items for sale, items looking to be purchased. Scrolling down, down, down almost endlessly. The last part, she leans in close to say. ] ... Then I made sure to watch the cameras, just in case we need to make sure we're not, uhm, here.

[Ahsoka keeps her hands to herself this time, following as best as she is able while Angel runs over her process. All useful thoughts, things she wonders why she hadn't thought of first thing -- but with the stress of everything going on around her, its not all that much of a surprise.

But then she sinks in low and starts whispering about cameras, and her eyes flick upward instinctively. Where there were cameras, there was security lurking about. A child of the Clone Wars does not simply assume that she isn't being watched at all times, regardless of what kind of self-readiness was in place.]

Is there a specific reason we shouldn't be here? Everything you're doing is pretty harmless.

[She has no weapon on her except that taser, and her connection to the Force remains weak. A skirmish or scuffle would likely not end well for her.]

[ She looks around, and the cameras turn with her at her prompting. Angels -- they said -- were beings of a thousand eyes. She didn't think Jack knew what she would be capable of when he named her. But it had become true, one way or another. ]

By itself? Sure. It is harmless... if I was just another program. [ She draws up a screen and the angle is off, wherever she's watching from, isn't the best angle, through someone else's home, it looks like. But it's watching two men talking, trading something between them in low words and small quick actions. ] But this place isn't... reputable? And how many crime lords fancy the idea that someone not in control is watching their every move? It would take me seconds to find their trails if I need to.

[ she shrugs. ] So I'd prefer if this is kept... quiet. [ She's never been exposed like this before, she realises belatedly, if anyone outside of their hive found this -- she really didn't fancy finding out the consequences. ]

I guess that's true.

[She had scammed over the Hutts enough to know how to deal with crime lords, and none of them liked being watched. The thought of them being in the area makes her glance over her shoulder suspiciously before focusing on what Angel is doing.]

So what'd you find?

[ She shrugs, a lot of things really, it could be something, it could be nothing. But before that -- what she'd called here first. ]

Here, give me your datapad, so I can update it.

[ and then she turns her eyes back to the screen. Brushing her fingers across the options, forcing herself to be slower than otherwise. ] Most of it is what you'd expect, people are looking to get out of here intact in a reasonable manner. People are selling themselves to get out of here because they don't have much to offer otherwise. That and Tari Town might be more respectable, but there's a something not quite so clean going on there, either.

[Not so different from all the other systems she's been to, then. It was rare that a planet's pristine reputation wasn't soiled by debauchery in some fashion, it was just a matter of well hidden it was.

Rarely was it ever well hidden. Which is why when Angel clues her in on it, she makes a small noise of displeasure as she passes her datapad over.]

When you say "not quite so clean"...

[ Her own lack of morals, she just sees it as how things are. As much as good and bad in the world as there ever was.

But she takes the datapad with glowing fingers and a sphere of bright light that builds up in her fingers. Pulling down the information, through her and back out again, her face shimmers on the screen -- her but not. Swimming in static and she shuts her eyes to concentrate momentarily, knotted up. Lost track of how many times she'd done it, and it's taking it's toll, her breath comes a little bit shallow, prickling at the hollows of her bones. ]

It's hard to say, credits go untraceable after about thirty minutes or so, and they're... clever, [ head tilts, leaning forward that ever so slight little bit like she's reading something -- ] very good, even. [ opens her eyes, smiles quickly, as bare a flash of arrogance as she'll ever show. ] But I'm better. They've encrypted the files the same way as where I found something suspicious. My best bet is smugglers. A pretty sizable ring, too, from the look of it. Not sure what they're smuggling though.

A black market, how shocking.

[Judging by the disgust in her tone, she's not shocked at all. Ahsoka has enough morals to spare for Angel, but she becomes distracted by how Angel suddenly seems to lose some of her breath.

Instinctively, she reaches for the wrist holding her datapad.]

Hey...maybe you should take it easy.

[ There's a crackle for it. The raw shift of power that is in her skin that slides through blood as she looks to Ahsoka. No one touches her - like this. No one dares, she kills, she hurts, they're scared, not for no reason. She's a siren and that's start and end of it all. Even if it meant they were doomed to be given powers they might never really understand. Feel a pull that never made much sense.

But... then Ahsoka doesn't, she touches her like she isn't scared and no one does that, asks her to stop for her own sake -- she catches her breath. It's still terrifying, to be touched, worse to face concern. It rolls through, palatable when they're so close. When they're near like this. ]

It's done now. But I... I think I need to eat. Could we find something?

[ Her mouth feels dry, her body feels exhausted, it never used to, she's forgotten the ache. It must have, before, when she was younger, but it's hard to remember much before, sometimes.

Who cared though? When she has this. If the price for living was this exhaustion. ]

[She isn't scared -- Ahsoka doesn't know how to be scared of people she perceives as kind, or people obviously in need of her assistance. Whatever might happen to her for reaching out is truly irrelevant if she can help in some way.

But she also senses the flicker of discomfort, and smiles in an attempt to alleviate it as she pulls her hand back.]

Sure we can.

[She takes her datapad back and stores it away, taking a few steps back and waiting for Angel to follow.]

Got something in mind?

[She doesn't bother to mention her own dietary restrictions.]

[ She's beginning to understand why Tannis just threw up when people got too close. It became overwhelming quickly. Still, when Ahsoka steps away, it eases somewhat, and she goes to follow after her. It's not a complete disconnect, she's a little too worried, or sees it at as her duty to keep up her surveillance, but she gathers up her own gear and takes after Ahsoka's lead. ]

No... no not really. [ shakes her laugh. ] I tried to pick something before but... it became a little too much. I didn't even know what to ask for... [ laughs at herself, shaking her head. ]

Edited 2016-05-02 07:25 (UTC)

[Ahsoka blinks over her shoulder, not entirely understanding the scope of what Angel is referring to. Maybe it would be easier if she just found something suited to both of them.]

Well...is there anything you can't eat?

[Start small, then compromise.]

[ She shakes her head. That much she can at least be sure. ]

I should be fine with anything you pick... Well, assuming it's fine for humans to begin with.

[ Which is... something she hadn't considered before, honestly. Blinks, considering Ahsoka again. ] What about you? Is there anything you can't eat?

From what I've seen, our diets are similar.

[There is a 'sort of' clause that she doesn't bother to elaborate on. Being raised in the Jedi Order changed a lot of your habits and other things. Thankfully, she was capable of processing other kinds of food if necessary, but only if she didn't mind having a stomach ache for the next few days.

After walking for a few moments in silence and finding the nearest establishment, she pauses and turns to smile back at Angel.]

My people are natural carnivores.

[ Her eyebrows go up, holding her gear in tight to her, and she looks over at Ahsoka again, more intently, like somehow they'd be some sign. Carnivores, she knows, there's nothing on Pandora that didn't eat meat. At best, maybe, omnivorous.

Which isn't fair, Ahsoka was much prettier than a skag. Not that she was noticing at all. Darting her attention away when she realising she's staring, again, she heads towards a table that's free. ]

So I guess that crosses vegetables off the menu. [ Her head tilts, trying to be a little less overt in her contemplation. ] Would products from animals still be fine? Milk, cheese, and so on? [ Less about eating right now, and more in general. Curious. She hadn't asked so much before, but she hadn't really been in the headspace to do it. ] Or is it strictly a meat thing?

[Ahsoka chuckles with some good nature about her and continues walking. She's happy to answer questions so long as it leads to what Angel had requested in the first place -- which was food.]

Strict carnivore. I don't stomach other things very well.

[She doesn't bother to remind Angel that she's not the one trying to eat food. Being humanoid means her sharp canines hide themselves very well when she isn't talking. Eventually, she strolls by a stand selling kababs of grilled mixed media.]

How 'bout this? Not much choice. Makes it easy.

[ It's good, it keeps her somewhat on track, draws her back where she finds herself distracted often enough. There's a lot to take it. It's the smell, especially, it's thick, it pricks in the back of her mouth, makes her realise that yes, yes she's hungry. ]

Guess so.

[ Later, she'll get more confident, and she'll devour everything in sight. But for now, she shrugs, fishes around for her credit chip, and points.... at whatever looked somewhat familiar. ]

Well, I guess it's got to be healthier than junk food right?

[ Probably why this looks appealing, that teenage part of herself that craved pizza and fries. ]

Who cares?

[She smirks in a mischievous manner like the pair of them were doing something suspicious, though the reality was that such cravings were mostly foreign to her. Her diet was supplemented for all the training she did, and as such, high protein had been a constant even when she was a child.

She passes her credit chip over in exchange for one of the vendor's wares, holding her hand out for a duplicate of Angel's.]

[ She scrunched up her nose like maybe she should, except then it gave way under a fit of smothered giggles. This was her first time outside, and no one was going to enjoy it for her if she didn't do it herself. ] If this tastes bad, I'm blaming you.

[ It smelled fine though, and that was half that battle. Counts herself off mentally, here goes nothing: one, two, three. Before she takes a bite of it. Just the one, waiting to see what on earth it tasted like, see if she hated it or not.

- But it wasn't terrible, salty, tangy from... whatever sauce it is, and she swallows down wuickly and like her body suddenly became clear that this was what it wanted ( eridium, that pure source that she can burn up ) she couldn't help the bite after that, or the one that followed. Doesn't really seem to stop, until it's all gone, and she's left with a bare stick and licking her thumb clean. ]

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[MISSION LOG] GET IN THE CAR

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