Caine

my bad, I assumed you would find a way to lesson the effects of the stun, and it was the last person, the woman you stunned on deck three, the same one who then made her way to Engineering to snag me. She was the last one...hence the show-stopper ending. No biggie, you can always edit the book you just wrote :lol [rp] GCV Mckendrick Transport room two Caine was getting impatient. The minutes ticking by as drop time came closer and closer. It was always like this for him just before combat. Time would seem to slow down, untill it oozed it's way to the beginning of the op. But then, the instant the first shot was fired, it would all go by in a blur of shooting, running, hiding, and killing. His helmet slid from side to side as he looked around himself. Where the hell is blades, or whoever's in charge here. We should be dropping by now! [ 08-16-2001: Message edited by: Caine ]

yup, but a little careless > Sorry if this post is a little long though... you caught me in a writing mood [rp] UCV 'LEO' Just as Maddox had begun to speak, there was the hiss of one of the doors opening behind him. Looking back, he was just in time to watch an armored arm throw a container. It bounced and rolled down the tube right to his feet, a white label sitting upright and easy to read. "Flashbang" Maddox turned away, covering his faceplate just as a hollow *Thoom* washed his back with heat, and a brilliant white light flashed through the cracks between his fingers. Though the effect of the flash was lessoned to a degree, his vision was still clouded and full of spots. Then a second grenade rolled in behind it, and the hatch sealed once again. The tactic was pretty standard, and Maddox already knew what was coming. A stunner. Jo still hovered above the console as red dots moved and shifted on the holo-display. She had seen the second red dot nearing Maddox, but communications were fluctuating off and on, making any coherent warning impossible. Suddenly, the entire section that Maddox sat in was whitewashed as the signal was disturbed for several seconds. (From the stunner, tee hee ) "Maddox? Maddox!! Respond dammit!...damn comms!" She hit the display in anger, and the 3d display shifted and flickered. Finally, the door to engineering opened behind her. "Where have you been Maddox? I've been trying to raise you." "That really is a shame, deerie." The female voice was accompanied by the click of a rifle. And the figure of the female officer appeared before her, coming to a stop across the panel, the mark nine trained on Jo's chest. Even in a new suit, there was no way she would survive a direct hit at that range. "You haven't won the day yet kitty, you've just forced me to do things myself. No matter. Less money to split." The officer grinned as she watched Jo grinding her fanged teeth together. There had to be some way to... her rifle! With the door open, it wasn't trapped any more. If only she could make it. Jo dropped to the ground, hearing the concussion rifle bark as a round tore through the panel, showering her with shrapnel. She then leapt for her gun as another round was chambered, the world turning slow motion as the spent casing ejected from the housing with a whisp of smoke. Jo landed, and slid into the rifle, cradeling it against herself as she came up into a military roll. Three shots rang out, impacting the reinforced steel deck inches from Jo Shtann's form as she came up, and took aim, holding the rifle one-handed, bracing herself with her still casted arm. Another shot rang out, and a bullet left the barrel of Jo's gun amidst a puff of smoke. It was followed by a second and third that left the barrel milliseconds apart, the short burst cutting through the air as the woman dove for cover. Time returned to normal for Jo as a stream of rapid fire drew it's way to and across the panel the officer hid behind, sending exploding shrapnel out in all directions. Lights flickered, innumerable displays were blanked out, and sparks showered the area. Even the reinforced shielding protecting the core had numerous black scars across it during the intense firefight. *Snick-click-click-click* The rifle was empty, and the pins clacked uselessly inside the rifle's burning hot housing, smoke still flowing from the barrel. *Click* Jo heard the sound just behind her head, accompanied by heavy breathing. "That's it, kitty. I'm through playing. Screw the reward. It's time you died." Jo saw a spot of blood from the corner of her eye. She had scored at least one hit to be remembered by. Satisfied, she closed her eyes. "Good game." Jo smiled, accepting her fate. the fate of most mercenaries. *Click-snick-snick* The sound surprised the Vesperon, but she wasn't one to look a gift from the gods in the mouth. She spun around just as the woman shouted a surprised "What the...", knocking the rifle aside with her casted arm, pain lancing with the impact. In the same motion, her good hand reached behind her, and drew her knife, raising it to the woman's chest. The blade hummed as it's super sharp edge pierced between the chest and abdomen plates of the heavy armor, sparking as it entered. The woman grunted, her mouth dropping open as her head turned down, eyes falling on the blood that already poured from her, running down Jo's blade, and over her armored hand. Jo stood, lifting the blade deeper into the woman's body, sinking it to the hilt, gaining a satisfying gasp of pain. Pressing a stud, the dagger spread apart, the blade separating down the middle. The dead body of the former officer slumped to the ground, falling away from Jo's blade and laying still, lifeless eyes reflecting the sparks that still showered around them in Engineering. [/rp] How's that for a show-stopper? [ 08-14-2001: Message edited by: Caine ]

umm, a few odd details there...Jo wasn't tied, and she was only pinned by one man. he mistook you for one of the co-conspirators. [rp] UCV 'LEO, Engineering. As Maddox helped Jo to her feet, he saw that her light armor was burned in several places. None of the small-arm fire actually got through the reinforced ceramic and steel, but the heat from the gunfire would likely leave a few nasty burns. "I'm allright, but the bastard fried a few of the controlls. We might be floating right now for all I know." Jo moved to one of the untouched panels, and tried to patch through to the bridge, but it seemed that Communication was down again. "I don't have a clue how many are in on this...but they're going to pay for what they've done." She kicked the mangled body, gaining little satisfaction. She then reached down, and took the remaining E-clip to his pistol, and slapped it into her own as she thought. Near as I can figure, there should be at least one in the tubes somewhere, coordinating things and doing the hardware work. She returned to the undamaged panel, and tapped a few controls. At her commands, a 3D wireframe of the ship appeared, and began rotating as the ship's internal sensors did their work. "Here, " She tossed the man an earpiece, "I'll let you know when I find him. Start crawling." She turned back to the image as small red dots began appearing across the decks, denoting where there had been movement at the time of the scan. Just as Maddox turned to leave, she reached out, and took hold of his shoulder. "Watch your ass, these people are good. Otherwise I wouldn't have hired them in the first place." Her eyes met his, and they bore honest concern for his well-being, though the motives behind them were unclear. She then let go, and concentrated on her work. [/rp] Warning, the man in the tubes is wearing heavy armor, and has beepers set at each junction that leads to him. Trip one and there'll be...well...maybe a few bloodcells that could be scraped off the wall for burial.

not bad at all, you just need to fix the code

'course you realise that Caine would come too, if he survives the op that is [rp] UCV 'LEO' Main engineering. Jo was pinned down, her rifle laying on the floor, trapped by the main door to engineering, her pistol empty. "Give it up captain!" A voice called from across the room. Were almost ready to drop the cloak, and collect our reward! I'm sure if you don't fuss that you'll get a fair court-martial, and at least die with some dignity. Wouldn't that be nicer than a shot in the face? Hmmm?" The Vesperon was getting annoyed. It was bad enough he had her on the ropes, but did he have to talk so damn much? Jo leapt across a small divide between consoles, landing on her shoulders and rolling to safety behind the reinforced steel, as several bolts of energy shot past, scoring the deck and hitting an already dead body, frying the panel underneath. The surge caused a feedback that shut down the lights in the entire room, and they were cast into pure blackness in the windowless room. The only light came in through the crack of the jamed door. Just then Jo heard a muffled explosion from behind a pressure-suit locker, and the flash blew the door open. As the light faded, Jo saw a shadow drop into the room. The other figure saw as well from his hiding place amongst several panels. "Johnston? That you? Why aren't you working on the cloak?" [/rp] Glad you could join us Foss!

MEDIC!! [rp] UCV 'LEO' "Stations, intruder alert. Repeat, Intruder alert." The flat, atonal sound of the general alert slowly brought Jo back to consciousness, the low thrumm of decks passing by sounding in the small lift. Her eyes slowly cleared as the numbness of the stun blast wore off. Looking down on Maddox, Jo was thrown alert, and she leapt to her feet, swaying from the bout of nausia that flooded her. "Jo...Jo to bridge. Status report... What the hells going on?" There ws no reply. The signal was being blocked by Huber's communication lockout. "Damn!...Computer, this is first officer Jo Shtann, prepare for voiceprint override of communications ban." There was a slight atonal beep, then the computer replied in it's pleasant atonal voice. "Restricted acess, Level four." Jo was at a loss. "What?" As the computer re-stated the restriction matter-of-factly, Jo was already planning. The level four restriction was clever. It meant that it required the use of both Jo's and Caine's voice. But with an intruder alert, the bridge was all but sealed off. There was no way anyone could get in there this fast, and all the officers in there save Huber were with them from the start, and Huber imself had no knowledge, or authority to do that. Especially when surrounded by the others. It had to have been done in Engineering, or one of the acess tubes. Jo took note of the sudden paleness of Maddox, and checked for a pulse. "Dammit all to hell! What next!!?" His heart had stopped. Thankfully the lift was stopping on deck two, deck one being locked down on the alert. She hefted the officer, and ran down the hallways towards medibay. Time was running out, and for all the Vesperon knew, the cloak was already down. Thankfully the halls were empty, and she didn't have to worry about judging who was a mutineer, and who wasn't. In seconds she burst through the doors, and came face to face with five different varieties of pistol, each held by one of the med staff. "Sorry ma'am, precaution. What happened?" The med pointed to Maddox. "A narco drug. I'm guessing a nasty dose too." Jo laid the man down on a bed. Lock this place down, and treat him. I have a few betrayers to find." She snagged a rifle from the medibay locker. (One of the wonderfull things about merc ships...everyone knows how to use a gun, and they are always made available.) It was a standard mark nine semi-auto. Tough, dependable, and deals a sh** kickin whallop. The next thing on her list was armor. And she was working against the clock. Huber was good, but a decent hacking platform could work faster than any human. [/rp] Caine's still waiting for the beam down to begin. Your turn Maddox. When you wake up, you'll see the meds guarding the door as one looks you over. To your right is an open panel that used to conceal a weapon unit with a rifle missing. there is another rifle inside, several empty pistol slots, and a combat knife in it's sheath. Jo is nowhere to be seen. There are four crewmembers involved. One is still on deck three, one on deck five somewhere, one in aft engineering working his post, secretly trying to down the cloak, and one in an acess tube trying to usurp controll from the bridge. Happy hunting!

I like it, but you can use the one I made up above if you want

How about something like this: "Another life taken, another soul lost...another check in my wallet." u like?

downright evil ...I LIKE IT! [rp] Jo helped the groggy man to his feet, balancing him with her left arm while she lifted a sidearm into her right. The dart still layed on the floor, the steel needle red. "It must've been one of the new recruits. Dammit! I knew we should've screened them." Jo wasn't speaking to anyone in partcular as she led Maddox towards a turbolift. *Snik* Jo froze in place as the sound of a round being chambered echoed down the hall. It was only a smallarm by the sound, but she wasn't in armor either. "Commander...if you would be so kind..." The voice was female. Jo muttered a curse under her breath, then held out her pistol, which was promptly taken from her. "What's the plan now?" Jo felt a hand push Maddox away, then rip the scabbard that held her twin to Caine's knife off her hip. "Simple. We decloak, and turn you in for the bounty. You've been gone for two years, ma'am, and the price on your head has grown considerably in your absence." Jo could almost feel the smirk at her back. [rp] tee hee... now it's REALLY interesting

[rp] UCV 'LEO' Bridge The ship the LEO had been inadvertantly tailing passed from their short range scanners as it continued to earth, while Jo had the ship slowed in preparation of orbit, still several thousand clicks away from the moon. The ship was still in yellow status, and was constantly ducking the scanners of one ship or another. The traffic was getting thick, and Jo wasn't sure if the cloak would keep them hidden, despite the modifications. The main viewer brought up the latest close call, a Garid-class, passed by. As the ship was just exiting their prescribed "Danger zone" of detection, Maddox seemed to blanche, shaking his head. Worried they had been detected, Jo turned to their guest commander. "That's my ship. They gave someone my ship, I don't believe it." He then stood, and made his way to the turbolift. A short security officer stepped in front of him to try and stop him, but a harsh stare that seemed to say "What are you going to do about it?" sent him aside, allowing the man through. Before the doors had even closed, his voice rang out hard. The instant the doors closed, Jo turned to Huber. She didn't want Maddox doing anything foolish out of anger. "Already on it Jo." Huber was tapping away at the control panel before she even opened her mouth. For a new officer to the ship, he was learning fast. She liked that. A few seconds later, Huber reported that external comminucations had been locked down. Nodding, Jo stood, and entered the lift, a duty officer promptly taking her place. As the doors closed, Jo gave a last order. "Keep looking for Caine." She then repeated Maddox's order, and the lift dropped her off on deck 3, aft. "Maddox?" She called to the empty hall, looking left and right to see where he went. [/rp] And the chase is on

Heh, now it gets fun! [rp] UCV 'LEO' Bridge Jo shtann spun on her communications officer, a glint of hope and relief in her eyes. "Find it's source! I don't care how you do it, find where that signal came from!" Huber blanched slightly, and gave a hesitant "...aye". He then focused on the panel before him, bringing up stats, figures, replaying the signal over and over. They were minutes away from reaching where htey figured he was being taken, but they still didn't know why, or even where exactly. Huber even listened to the near second of audio that came through, searching for some hint...any hint. But all he heard sounded like someone whapping a microphone against a table, accompanied with a bunch of static...then the beginnings of laughter, that got cut off. They had nothing. "I'm sorry, Jo. We don't have enough to find out anything." --------------- GCV Mckendrick Transporter room 1 Caine's laughter faded quickly as he stood in his place, awaiting the drop. It was replaced by a stony silence, as he stared straight in front of himself, unmoving. If anyone would have seen his eyes, they would have seen a harsh, cold stare that was devoid of any emotion. [/rp] In the words of a certain desperado... "Let's play."

[rp] GCV Mckendrick post-brief Caine wasted no time in getting to the Medibay for his 'shots', which were administered by an acting CMO that seemed to be giving him a sour look. It was like the man knew him, and hated him for some reason. He just hoped that didn't mean something special was put in the cocktail. In short order, Caine appeared in the teleporter room, wearing a suit of standard issue light armor, it's ceramic and steel plates shining dully in the room. He carried a small-arm on each hip, and strapped across his back was a basic over-under rifle, with a scope attached neatly to it's top. In a clip-sheath at his back, his oak-handled dagger sat ready as well, it's lazer-sharpened carbide blade sharp, and freshly oiled. He took a quick around himself at the others that had already gathered, each wearing a variety of armors, some repainted, others standard issue like his. He then threw the helmet over his head, slid down the visor, and snapped it in place. He heard the slight hiss of the air filter as it began to do it's job, and took his place. it looked like they were going to beam in groups of eight or twelve, meaning it would take a couple times to get everyone down. He looked around again, trying to see any familiar faces, but most of them were locked behind the reinforced plastic visors. But a few seemed to be gathered near him, he had no idea who they were, or how good they were, but it appeared they were beaming with him. "Alright, it's show time girls." He muttered to himself, then he spoke to the ones near him. "Anyone have experience in this type of a fight?" A couple nodded silently, but three of the people he was teamed with stood still. "Alright then, We do this right. Standard leapfrog, half move while the other half covers. We switch up once the movers get twenty yards ahead. For those needing the math, that's forty yards to a stage. Got it?" Everyone nodded. "Good." Caine reached for the nearest man, and slammed their helmets. "Let's have some fun then." Laughing, he took his place, a wide grin on his face. -------------- UCV 'LEO' Nearing terra "Status huber." Huber replied casually, as if they weren't anywhere near the hive's queen, waiting for the rock to hit the nest. "Cloak nominal, minor rad, but easily managed, status of lead is unchanged, it's heading for earth, no word from the Graff Spee, status of search for Caine is unch..." The man stopped for a second as an indicator lit for nearly a second, then vanished. "Check that, just got a brief signal, but I lost it again. It came from close by though." [/rp]

Um, heh...Chalk it up to his being out of the loop for two years I guess. [rp] Caine nodded, unsure of whether his question was answered or not. (About bringing the engineers that is ) [/rp] [ 07-26-2001: Message edited by: Caine ]

[rp] Caine beat Savage to the response, shaking his head once as he turned to Wold. "I'm guessing we want Akira alive. Besides, if we send down a few missiles, and then try to blame it on the Gamms, who's to say Earthcomm won't want to retalliate. Do you really want to start another war with them, just to avoid a different war?" He had pieced together a lot during his stay on the Mckendrick, and was finding himself more and more concerned with it's outcome. It wasn't just about his survival any-more, it's gotten too complicated for that.

well, we all need to sleep SOMETIME you know Blades, is the Mckendrick still cloaked? (Although either way it doesn't help much, seeing as the 'LEO doesn't know which ship it's looking for. It's looking for Caine, and they plan on going from there [rp] UCV 'LEO' Galley Jo was finally eating since the beginning of this fiasco, as she sat across the table from one of her engineers, who was giving a brief report. "... found neither hide nor hair of Caine, despite the help of Maddox. I don't think even he knows what he's looking for right now. The comm panel we got has been properly modified, and Maddox is doing his job so far. The cloack is still up and nominal, but we're beginning to get the pre-emp radiation. Nothing near dangerous now, but we only have eight hours left." Jo was just finishing her meal as she responded. "How far away are we from the moon?" "About an hour, maybe an hour and a half, depending on patrolls. We had a close call with another ship on a similar route, but they must have been busy with their own agenda, because if we were detected, they ignored us completely. We ran a check as per orders on it's sig. It's designation was the 'Mckendrick'. There was no sign of Caine aboard." "Where is it now?" Jo wanted to make sure there was some distance between them if they were going in the same direction. After all, a cloaked ship can only be ignored for so long. "We slowed, and are holding about two thousand klicks behind them. We didn't have to slow much though, they had a good pace about 'em." [/rp] Tee hee.

They had tried to tell Caine a few times that he was to stay on the McKendrick, but he would have nothing to do with it. He was in this as far as everyone else, and he knew he could help. Finally, with a great deal of cajoling and convincing, he managed to snake his way into the briefing. Caine didn't think he was really noticed by either Rattler, or Blades, or much of anyone else in the room. He was just another face being sent to his demise. The plan was simple enough, risky, easy to disrupt, and promising of heavy combat. When the debriefing was concluded, Caine made a quick suggestion in the hopes of getting at least a few men that he could trust behind himself. "My engineers have volunteered to join the first team, to install the porta-porter. They have combat experience, and are used to working in the field. Besides, " Cane flashed a half-smile, "The fewer of you known officers, the better the deniability of the op."

well, I was hoping for a quick fight... but oh well. BTW: duct tape and a prayer... I like that [rp] UCV 'LEO' Bridge The situation seemed diffused a little too easily for Jo, has Galcom really let it's guard slip that far since the war? Nevertheless, she wasan't about to take this opportunity lightly. She allowed Maddox to facilitate getting the comm on board, and the engineers easily found the three trackers. One was obviously a decoy, it was pretty much just stuck to the housing with a magnet. The second was hidden among some scrambling hardware, and the third was a chip that looked almost exactly like a normal part of the unit. It took a scanner to find the third... with some help from Maddox as well. Once they were retrieved, they were safely deactivated and put into storage. (No sense wasting 'em) "You have four engineers at your disposal, Maddox, I'll leave it up to you to handle the particulars. Meanwhile we're running sans cloak for the next while, and We'll have to hope that your story holds up long enough for us to repair the damaged emitters." [/rp] You can handle the comms department, I'll run the ship. Hopefully our good ol' GM will be nice to us, though I left it open in case not

it won't be that I'm afraid. If it's exitement you want... here you go [rp] UCV 'LEO' Bridge Just as the door to Jo's ready-room opened, the ship bucked under Maddox, sending him stumbling into the bridge. Klaxxons immediately began sounding, and it seemed the entire ship came alive. It was hardly a second before Jo was standing over the commander. "What the hell was that?" Jo gave her guest commander a dirty, blaming look. "It was a probe, we collided with it. We don't know how the sensors missed it though, maybe it was cloaked. Although why there would be an arthemis net here is beyond me." (Arthemis net... a grid of probes forming a sensor wall. When it is disturbed, the fun begins as an alarm is raised.) "Are there any other ships nearby?" The question was answered for Huber as a hail came over the comm. Bringing it up, Huber turned white. "Uhh... yes? And they want to know who we are, and what we're doing here. It seems they haven't checked to see if we're wanted yet but..." A second shudder went through the ship. "Check that, they just did!" Jo went to her seat, the duty officer clearing out in a hurry. "Well, let's say hi then. Drop the cloak, bring up shields, and charge the PTA." When the Nightstar carrier returned to active mode, more detail about their assailant became available. It was a patroll ship that looked unfamiliar to Jo, probably just used for local defence. (Can someone give me a ship-type that would work? I have no clue what's available.) "Uh, they're ordering us to drop shields and surrender Jo." Another shudder, a little stronger than the last, emphasized the point as a volley of PTA sped past the ship in warning. "Like hell we are, I'm too busy to be wrapped in red tape at the moment. Tell them to back off, and that our business has nothing to do with them. If they let us be on our way, this won't get ugly." Huber sent the message, which was responded to by a voice-only. "You leave no choice LEO, you are to be arrested or taken down. You have an active warrant for defection, damage to Galcom property with intent, attempted mainframe infiltration, and are suspected of the destruction of an LRT-15 transport. Lower shields, and prepare for boarding." [/rp] This should spice things up eh? [ 07-15-2001: Message edited by: Caine ]

isn't it though? [rp] UCV 'LEO' Ready-room Jo was agreeable enough to the truce, but she wasn't quite ready .to let her guard down. "Agreed, so long as you don't try and contact any outside ships with my express permission, I think we can be at least civil to eachother untill this is over and done with. Unfortunately we didn't have the time to snag any salvage for you, but we can patch up a link easily enough I'm sure. It'll just take a little longer. Maybe while you're at it, you can try to figure out why they decided to set us up as the scapegoat in this." Jo casually hit a command on the console to her desk. "How's the cloak doing Carson?" It was a second before the message to engineering was answered, but the voice on the other line was calm and unhurried. "Just fine so far, unfortunately we won't be able to extend the safe-zone of the cloak though. The only way to do that is by boosting the shielding, and that'll create a ghost signal that'll defeat the purpose of the cloak in the first place." Jo was silent for a few seconds. "Well, you might as well come up here then and hive our guests a hand with getting into GALnews. Your men can handle things for now." A quick 'aight' came over before the comm was ended. "Carson will give you a hand. Remember one thing though, we're on the clock here." With that said, Jo turned to the small vid-screen on her desk. They were effectively dismissed. (Unless you had more to say, of course.) [/rp]

lookin fer mercs? I happen to know a few... [rp] The breakfast Caine managed to get from the droid was simple enough... some eggs, a few hash-browns, and juice. *Figures, where's good ol' barley in a can when you need it.* The place was surprisingly quiet as Caine ate, with only the occasional junior officer coming in from duty, or just before going on shift. He felt very much the outcast there, and was always wanting to look over his shoulder. Just as he was finishing his meal, one of the engineers came in, and upon spying Caine, moved to join him. "Any news?" The officer shook his head. "Nadda, the iron curtain is still up and strong. We aren't even allowed to do anything around here but sit in our 'guest' quarters and stare at a bulkhead. If I don't get something to tinker with soon, I'm going to go stir crazy here!" Caine just smiled. It was no doubt that he felt the same. Still, what was it said about idle hands being the devil's tools? "Ok then, how about I give you a little challenge then." He leaned forewards slightly as an idea hit him on how to leave behind a breadcrumb for his ship. He lowered his voice so that it was barely audible. "Build me a pocket beacon." "A...what, sir?" "A pocket beacon. Something about the size of a fist...smaller if possable, that will emit something...anything, that will get the attention of a ship." "Um... I don't think it'll be possable, any of the parts that could even be remotely used for something like that are restricted. Besides, isn't something like that a little Overdone?" Caine leaned back slightly. "Maybe, but at least it'll give you something to do. I don't care if it's a glorified paint can with a hole in it. You'll think of something I'm sure. I just want something that will point the LEO in the right direction." "Do you even think they'll be out this way?" "Does it matter?" Caine patted the man on the shoulder before getting up, and walking out of the room, leaving the engineer to think.

Nice [rp] UCV 'LEO' Bridge -------- Jo didn't have to wait long before the man replied. But is was something that she hadn't expected. "So you think you can boss me around? Well you have forgotten one thing. I don't know about you but your crew, they are as stupid as they look. I have here a standard issue distress beacon from GalCom. Your crew left it in the right front pocket in my pants." He removed a small metallic object from his clothing, and held it in the palm of his hand, his thumb covering a small button. "If I let my thumb off this button, then it will send out a modified signal. It will say, I quote 'Commander Maddox of the GCV-HarksRader is being held hostage by a group of raiders they are cloaked.' It will reapeat that message. Over and over." Looking to a nearby officer, he shrugged and shook his head as to say "Damned if I know" Jo had to agree, they had been out of contact with Galcom for two years... who knows what they came up with since then? Still, Jo just silently put a hand on her hip and waited. There was no way someone would be crazy, or loyal, enough to sacrifice his own life over a merc ship. She just hoped she was right. After what felt an eternity, the man seemed to be reconsidering, and finally, his hand tightened around the object. A slight whirr sounded as the cybernetic limb crushed the trigger, and he replaced it into his pocket. Jo's expression barly changed, but relief flooded through her at the act. It seemed these people still knew how to think for themselves after-all. "On second thought, your way sounds much better, now if you will callibrate your cloacking device to MK 12.7.5 then your cloaking device will scatter all high powered scans done by GalCom vessels, and thus letting you scan them with out them noticing it. The only draw back is that we will have to work quickly because your cloacking device, at this setting, will radiate us into goo in how long Smith?" "Approximately 14 hours." "So we can't dawdle. Jo nodded, and thanked the man as Huber reset the cloak. She then turned to her communications officer. "I want a level two alert, and see if you can find a way to reduce the radiation impact." As everyone set about their tasks, Jo moved towards her ready-room. "Come with me, commander, now that you've shown us a little trust it's my turn." Unshure at what she was getting at, Maddox followed her more from curiosity than anything else. When he walked through the door to the room, the first thing he saw was a large display of old pistols and rifles, along with a variety of combat knives...new and old,,,and even several decorated and etched swords. The display didn't quite fit the ship, or Jo. As the Vesperon sat behind a simple desk, she removed a knife from her hip to place it on the desk, the only part visible a decorated, polished wood hilt. She gestured to one of the seats on the other side of the desk. "You're probably wondering about the Decor... It's a fascination of my husbands. He calls them works of art... I call them an annoyance." As Maddox looks over, he can recognise a couple examples of twentieth century designs, and a couple early 24th. They were a strange mix. An M-16 next to a 24th cen pf-30 handgun... an 18th century broadsword next to a lazer-sharpened carbide fillament combat knife (Labelled 'the griffon') She then gestured to the knife on the table. "This was a wedding gift from a friend of his. It's your basic triple-dagger, but made using all the modern amenities." Maddox was looking a litle annoyed by the time Jo stopped talking. Now she just kind of sat there, looking at him as she collected her thoughts. "Umm...Jo...is it? I thought you had something to discuss with me. If it's going to be knives and pistols, I'd rather not. I don't like having my time wasted." Jo straightened in her chair, smiling slightly to herself. "Ok then, on to the chase. Starting from the top... we recieved a distress signal about two days ago, and moved in to see what we could do." Here, Jo was entering the dangerous information, but if it got some answers that would help her find her husband, she didn't really care. "The ships name was the 'Vulture'...I see you've heard of it." She took note of his change in posture, the stiffining of his back, the slight change in his face. "My husband went aboard with equipment and a few crew members, and it was business as usual as we haggled over prices and whatnot. Then a ship decloaked on our bow, and ordered us to surrender. At that time someone also pulled a gun on my husband back on the ship. Needless to say we were a little on the short end, and were forced to comply. Shortly after, communication was cut with Caine, and the vulture continued on it's way without us." Jo took a short pause. "We managed to strike a deal with the Graf Spee, " Jo saw he recognised that name too, but she continued without pause. "and followed the Vulture untill it's eventual destruction. We still haven't determined what it was that caused the structural collapse, but it wasn't a volly from this ship as the news had been broadcasting." "Since then we've followed a cloaked ship untill we came across your distress signal and lost it. Now we've calculated that it's heading for the moon...at least near as we can figure. If you have any idea what is going on, I'd appreciate your enlightening us." [/rp] Well, we just gave you some big information... your turn!

heh, don't worry [rp] UCV 'LEO' Bridge Jo Shtann stood as the turbolift entered, and stepped over to greet her guests. But before she could get a word from her mouth, Maddox opened his. "Now Captain, you want to avoid those ships?" Jo knew an experienced officer when she saw one, and Maddox just removed any doubt. "Well, it would be nice of you to assist." She smiled, not fully expecting them to just give her the help she asked for. "Very well, calibrate your cloaking device to Mark 4.9.2.34. That will put us on a rotating frecuency that will sufficently cover you if you launch a craft." Jo was quick to act, sh wouldn't be so off guard that she would allow them opportunity to steal a craft and leave. "Belay that, Huber." "Do you want my help or not?" Maddox was standing stiffly at attention, like a General at Parade. He was trying to intimidate her now. "Sorry, captain, but you will have to remain on-ship for the time being." Her words were smooth, and she looked plainly into the man's face, her feline eyes meeting his. "We mercs aren't that stupid." Maddox met her gaze, and flatly responded. "Those are my terms. I give you the rotation, you let me off. I have other things to attend to..." Jo interrupted him, her voice raising slightly. "Well you've just become part of our business. Deal with it. A few of ours have been sucked into something, and I think you're on the other end of it. Untill we get out of this fiasco, you're riding with us. And fair warning..If we're discovered, you're fellow commanders will be likely to shoot us first, and study the slag after." Jo only hoped she got her point across. She couldn't really tell. She hoped he understood that he was in as much danger as everyone else. After pausing for a few seconds, her voice returned to normal. "Look, we're all in hot water here, and all I want to do is get my men back, and leave the area. Things would proceed a lot faster if we could get a little help...even maybe some information. I don't care who's on what side, or even who is right. It's plain old ordinary survival. When it's all said and done, I'll drop you off anyewhere you want that's safe." [/rp] your turn, Maddox

[rp] UCV 'LEO' Bridge "Cloak active and nominal." Everyone on duty was as nervous as Jo was, if they were to be discovered this close to Earth, they were likely to be arrested on site- possably even outright attacked. It had been two years since she and Caine disappeared from the system, leaving the academy to pursue their own interests. "A difference of opinions" Was what Caine called it, while Earthcom called it plain old ordinary treason. The charges were false, of course, but there was no evidence to clear his name. That was burned long ago. It didn't bother Jo much though, the mercenary life leant itself to their talents nicely. "Allright everyone, now the fun begins. We're entering the patrolled zones. I don't want us to come within fifty clicks of ANY ships, patroll or otherwise. The Graf-Spee hasn't contacted us, and as far as we can tell it has buggered off. We're on our own here, and we're flying into the hornet's nest just when it's about to get whacked by a rock." Jo thought for a few seconds before turning to her security officer. "Darla" "Ya?" The well built woman came foreward. "Head down and invite our guests up, they might be of some help." Nodding, the woman left the bridge. -------- UCV 'LEO' Deck three, guest quarters. Darla nodded to the guard sitting outside the door that led to their guests. They had been surprisingly quiet since their arrival here. Darla knocked on the door and waited for a response. [/rp] She looks built like China, but with blond hair pulled back into a neat ponytail, and in a uniform

Caine woke up from troubled sleep. He guessed that being virtually held prisoner makes it difficult to get a good night's sleep. After calling on the lights, he stood up and made his way groggily to the bathroom. "Well, at least things are quieter now, I haven't heard an explosion, or klaxxon in hours." Now clean-shaven, and his hair a little more ordered, he called up the vid screen he had been watching the night before. After punching a few commands, he was satisfied that there was only one more broadcast involving the LEO, and it was just an edited, late-night version of the one he had already seen. Although he still had trouble resisting a brief chuckle when the ship was defined as a Mergeron. Finding the door to his room once again unlocked, he left in search of the few people he could call allies. Kathy, and the three engineers that accompanied him to the Vulture. One of the Engineers were still in the med-bay, accompanied by Kathy. He was stable, but his leg would be a while in healing enough to leave still. As he entered the Medibay, Caine smiled at the muttered curses and complaints that usually accompanied his CMO's work. "Dammit, What do you mean that equipment is restricted? I don't give a damn who has to authorise..." Muffled speaking could be heard in responce. "Well if you want him gone so badly, clear me so I can treat him properly!" As Caine rounded the corner, he saw Kathy tearing hunks out of a younger intern who was looking very apologetic, and a little white. She was standing beside a bed which held the engineer, who was sitting with a miserable expression on his face, a cast over his left femur. Finally she threw her hands up in resignation, and told the man to go to his quarters and sit. He would have to wait for the CMO before he could be healed properly. As he walked by, he muttered something about her yelling hurting his ears more than the break his leg. Smiling, Caine walked up to her. "Anything interesting to tell me?" "Nada, and they won't give me acess to the tools I'd need to fix the implant either. They're taking things really serious here." Caine nodded. "Well, I'm working on it, so be patient, please. And tell the same to the others, I don't want any of my men trying to sabotage this out of spite. Something important is happening here, one that goes beyond money." She lifted an eyebrow before giving him an 'aye' and returning to her work. Caine then left the Medibay, and returned to the bar where he asked the server-droid what there was for breakfast.

[rp] UCV 'LEO' Officer's quarters Jo woke up a couple hours before she was due on shift, and instinctively rolled over to lay her arm across Caine. It fell on a bare section of bed. Opening her eyes, the memories of the last day and a half flooded back to her, and she hit the bed in frustration. Sighing inwardly, she got up and prepared to go on shift. When she walked onto the bridge, her duty officer stood, and saluted. "Any news?" "No ma'am, our guests haven't even tried to send out a message yet. We've had to cloak several times to avoid the earthcom patrolls, but so far it hasn't been too bad. But we'll have to enter a constant cloak soon. We're nearing earth. We'll be at the moon in about four hours, and still no sign of Caine." Jo dismissed the oficer once his report concluded. She then sat at her chair, and resumed her brooding. [/rp] just letting you guys know I'm still around, and waiting for sumpthin' ta happen