In reply to Batallion (msg # 20):

The doll is now standing next to Batallion staring at him with black eyes that are somehow both accusatory and questioning simultaneously.

A brief silence greets Rebecca's inquiry.

...In a manner of speaking, I suppose. I'm not really any more a part of Abraxas than Alexander is, but then, that's not quite as helpful a comparison as you might think, all things considered. The voice pauses, as if contemplating something. You may call me Sophia, she concludes.

In reply to Xander (msg # 22):

Sophia, fine. JJ zips up the suit.

Let's get on to the rondesvous point, then.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 23):

Rebecca appears behind the doll looking inquisitive at Batallion.

Why are you preparing for extravehicular movements?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:13, Thu 07 Jan 2016.

Very well then.

As soon as agreement is reached, the conventional engines rumble, assisted outside be Abraxas. It's hard to tell without any external frame of reference, but the subtle change in G forces indicate that the ships course is indeed changing.

In reply to Xander (msg # 25):

JJ frowns.

Better to be prepared, isn't it?  Ship nearly fell apart not ten minutes ago.

He stomps off to the far side of the shuttle, which isn't actually that far, but it makes him feel better.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 26):

The shuttle's primary engines shudder to life, but the frame/chassis shakes so uncontrollably that they are soon switched back off. Using only Abraxas's maneuvering jets, Xander is able to course correct toward the intended location.

Though you have no idea what your actual speed is at the moment, if you're moving up to the experimental drive's specs, you should arrive at your destination in about 5 days.

OOC: Let me know how you want to pass the time, then we'll warp there. And, note to the techies in the group: Abraxas will have a great deal of trouble decelerating the shuttle. You might want to spend at least a little time trying to fix your engines.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:36, Thu 07 Jan 2016.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 26):

She appears next to him again holding the doll this time.

The chances of getting picked up by another ship within the duration of time that you would survive in that space suit are two to the power of two hundred and sixty-seven thousand seven hundred and nine to one against.

In reply to Rebecca Taylor (msg # 28):

Other than annoying Battalion Rebecca will tinker with both experimental drives, being a part of the team that adapted both to use.  She will assist Xander whenever possible.

[OOC I don't know what if anything to roll for this I don't know how much help I am... I'm just the dumb tank ;)]

In reply to Rebecca Taylor (msg # 29):

Better than zero.

Not long after the course correction, Xander gasps and comes to, extracting the uplink jack from his skull. He promptly sets to work tinkering with the conventional engines as best he can.

[Repair: success]

In reply to Xander (msg # 31):

God that's creepy.

JJ stands behind Xander's chair, looking over his shoulder.

How are we doing flyboy?

In reply to Batallion (msg # 32):

Five days pass rather uneventfully, with Xander and Rebecca making repairs while Flux and Batallion put the stolen hyperkeg through its paces.

As you approach your destination, it becomes clear that you will need to slow down... a FEAT that will require your pilot to perform a series of actions designed to achieve this without damaging the ship further.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 33):

Battalion continues to lounge about, but will hint not subtly that someone should do something about their speed.

Xander nods, sealing up his EVA suit and strapping into the pilot's seat. As before, he inserts a cable into the base of his helmet, and slumps motionless.

The shuttle groans and spins dizzyingly as Xander carefully orients the main thrusters in line with the direction of motion. Likewise, Abraxas, activated remotely, changes its docking embrace to bring its own thrusters in line.

[Piloting: Success]

Then, both Abraxas and the shuttle begin to fire off short, controlled bursts of thrust. The crew is treated to mildly uncomfortable G forces as the shuttle gradually decelerates in stages.

This part will take a little while, Sophia informs the crew primly. It's a balancing act between slowing the craft down quickly so as not to waste time, but also not overheating the engine and thus overshooting our goal.

Almost certainly not reassured, the crew has nothing to do but sit and hope.

[Piloting: Success]

In reply to Xander (msg # 35):

Xander (and Sophia) are able to maneuver the shuttle into a controlled deceleration that brings the shuttle back within normal operational parameters, at which point the shuttle's engines take over.

Your destination is clearly visible from the viewport: a chunk of rock maybe five square miles in size. If there is a complex there, it cannot be detected from this distance by the naked eye.

It's worth noting that the console, radar, and comlinks remain damaged, giving you limited communications options with the outside world. Hopefully whoever's out there doesn't take your silent approach as a threat...

With a thought, Xander activates the shuttle's emergency short range SOS beacon.

Just for good measure, can we hail them with Abraxas' radio, Sophia?

Beneath his helmet, beads of sweat trickle down his slack face.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:15, Fri 08 Jan 2016.

In reply to Xander (msg # 37):

The S.O.S. beckon silently activates as the ship approaches the lonely rock, but radio communications remain stubbornly unavailable even via Sophia's instruments.

We... might be subject to a scrambling effect. the voice says helpfully.

Lacking other options, the shuttle makes its course toward the rock, looking for a place to land.

OOC: Any preparations you want to make before going in for a landing?

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 38):

As the shuttle approaches the rock, the available space onboard is quietly and quickly filled with armed soldiers that look like JJ.

He shrugs.

Better safe than sorry.

In reply to Batallion (msg # 39):

Rebecca positions herself infront of the armored soldiers.

A wise position.  I will make first contact. 

Xander, currently engaged with controlling the craft, is unable to move his meat sack.

In reply to Xander (msg # 41):

The shuttle closes in on the hunk of rock, a process which takes a deceptively long time now that you're traveling at normal interplanetary speeds once more. Space becomes tight as Battalion creates an army of clones, and a sense of light-headedness pervades the crew as the life support systems struggle to keep up with needs of so many extra personnel.

Presently, the shuttle is close enough to the hunk of rock's local airspace to make out a few key features: a large, domed structure nearly a square mile in size is the tallest object to be seen, and the rest of the space seems to be taken up by a network of greenhouses and enclosed roadways.

There is no docking facility to be seen, nor anywhere obvious to dock the ship. This puzzles all aboard for a moment until they witness the domed structure swivel and swirl to create a small opening at the very top. Equally obvious are the antiaircraft batteries dotting the perimeter of the dome, and the fact that they are pointing directly at you.

At least they're letting us in! the AI chirps helpfully.

***

The shuttle lands in an isolated docking area nestled just within the top of the dome. A shuddering sound and a hefty CLANK follows the moment the ship touches down, indicative of magnetic docking clamps. Outside the shuttle, a group of five people are approaching the loading dock. Three of them are obviously soldiers -- armed with blaster rifles -- while the fourth wears a lab coat. The fifth is dressed in a uniform much like Captain Blaise's, which means she is probably armed as well.

They come to a stop not far from where the boarding ramp would extend were you to open it, and there they wait patiently... for now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:09, Mon 11 Jan 2016.

In reply to The Watcher (msg # 42):

I would rather not let them know we have a full... Battalion on ship.  I will phase through the wall and make contact.  If all goes well please dismiss your troops and join me.  If not...

As they await by the side of the ship a small albino child materializes directly through the wall and lands lightly on the ground.  She makes a salute at the woman in the same uniform as Blaise.

Rebecca Taylor, operative from the Mastodon.  Reporting for a rendezvous, healing and repairs.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:20, Mon 11 Jan 2016.

In reply to Rebecca Taylor (msg # 43):

The soldiers train their weapons on the little girl immediately, but the man in the lab coat merely folds his arms and smiles, intrigued. He may or may not have mouthed the words "it worked"... it's hard to say.

The woman to whom Rebecca addressed her report nods curtly.

"Welcome to headquarters, Agent Taylor. I am Director Kelce, head of operations. We have been expecting an envoy from the Mastodon, but... not aboard a craft such as yours."

She gestures to the shuttle and to the battlesuit dismissively.

"These craft are hardly a replacement for an Interdictor-class capital ship. What happened to the Mastodon, and where is Captain Blaise?"

The woman holds up a hand, forestalling a response.

"Belay that. We'll cover it all during debriefing," she countermands herself, turning to the soldiers. "Help them disembark, transfer the wounded to the infirmary and the shuttle to maintenance -- Dr. Hawkins, supervise that, would you?"

The man in the white coat nods.

"I will accompany Agent Taylor and the healthy members of her crew to debriefing. Get to it."

The soldiers and Dr. Hawkins hurry to obey, shouldering their weapons and walking over toward the shuttle in expectation of the boarding ramp being lowered presently.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Mon 11 Jan 2016.

In reply to Director Kelce (msg # 44):

Rebecca knocks on the door and yells out.

ALL CLEAR. 

The doll, disappears from inside the ship and appears in her arms.

She walks over to the Director and holds out a tiny hand.

I did not catch your name.

She allows herself to be lead to the debriefing without further fuss.