OOC:

I've run this game here before, but at Rheinmetall's request, I've decided to start a new game...

For those unfamilar with the system, spacefarers is a forum role-playing system, which originated, in an early simplistic form, nearly three years ago on the Total War boards run by Heaven Games. Since then, I spread the game to a number of other forums and it was at least moderately successful on most. As I said, I have also run more than one game of Spacefarers on this board (under the name "Interplanetary Warfare")...

It's actually quite a simple system...

Instructions...


Basic steps for joining the game...


1: You start off by creating a spacecraft, which could derive from a published work, or could be completely original. It can be pretty much anything that takes your fancy...

2: Post up a link with some basic stats (or write the stats yourself) such as size, weapons compliment, etc...

3: Provide a picture. I have included this as a separate step because it is absolutely essential that you provide a picture. It could be anything from a masterful piece of CGI to a hastily drawn doodle, as long as gives one an idea of what the ship in question looks like...

4: You're done! Just bring your ship into the game!


There are seven basic rules...


1: You are not allowed to destroy another player's vessel. Only a vessel's owner can destroy it (or allow it to be destroyed). You are, however, free to effect another's players vessel within reason for your ship's weaponry and abilities...

Note: This rule is flexible and subject to change, depending on how the story progresses... Making this rule completely inflexible would be counterproductive for the purposes of fleet engagements (particularly large ones), for example...

2: Initially, you may not use too powerful a ship. You can use any kind of ship you like, but it must not be something overwhelmingly powerful, like a massive dreadnought the size of a city, a huge Death Star-esque mobile station or a ship with an insta-kill super weapon. If you're not sure, trying looking for a ship that could be defined as a 'heavy cruiser' (a medium to medium-heavy general purpose ship).

Note: I will have the final say on whether a ship is reasonable or not. Don't bother asking me though, as you can assume I find the ship acceptable unless I actually say otherwise... Also, this easily the least concrete of the rules. For one thing, I'm sure most of you will be able to apply your common sense here...

3: The game is to be played in novel format only. Script format RPers need not apply...

4: Do not play another person's ship or characters for them... The reason I have bolded and underlined this rule is that someone always seems to ignore it no matter how clear I make it that I do not want to see this happening... Any post that contains this may be considered instantly voided!!!

5: You are allowed to use a canon ship from a published work (though I would advise against it).

6: Please don't get overly silly and/or start spamming. It really pains me to see this happen to my forum games...

7: Above all, have fun with it... :)

Note: Just as a reminder, 'OOC' and 'IC' mean either "out of context" and 'in context", or "out of character" and "in character", respectively... You can bold them and place them on separate lines as I have to make them stand out more if you wish...

With that out of the way, let's begin...


_______________________________________________

OOC:

This is my ship, the Akira class Federation starship U.S.S. Adelaide, registry number N.C.C. 81111. Obviously, it derives from the Star Trek universe...

Here are several pictures of the Akira class...

http://www.strekschematics.utvinternet.com/shipgallery/shipgallery1/akira.jpg

http://www.shiporama.org/images/akira/akira51.jpg

http://members.lycos.nl/sovereign001frontier/hpbimg/akira.jpg

Some excellent (albiet long winded) statistics for the ship can be found here...

http://techspecs.acalltoduty.com/akira.html

VERY IMPORTANT: Ignore all references to the Akira class' 'flight bay' in the above link. The Adelaide does not have a flight bay (it has only a regular shuttle bay) and it does not carry fighters!

Finally, here is the warp table (to give you an idea of what the warp factors mean in terms of real speed) can be found here...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4b/Warptable.gif


IC:

The Adelaide flew fly silently through space. From a humanoid perspective, she was big ship, but she was but the tiniest speck of matter against the vast void she had been sent to explore, with every one of thousands of points of light yet another distant star, if not another galaxy, far, far away... further than the craft could reach in a lifetime, or indeed many lifetimes. That didn't serve to quench the infinite curiosity of the humanoids serving aboard the ship however. Indeed, the distances involved only spurred them on to reach ever further out into the cosmos, to trial new engines that would carry them faster and further, to face and overcome every new challenge they were presented with. They were driven, that was one thing you could say about most all humanoids of the galaxy, not just Terrans...

At the apex of the huge, yet at the same time diminutive vessel, several officers had just reported for bridge duty. Amongst them was captain Henry Baker, a humble man in his early forties, from the Earth continent of Australia. Having just completed his morning log entry, which didn't take long as there was nothing of particular interest to note, he was now taking his morning coffee.

"Thank you," he nodded to the crewman who had brought to him. "Dismissed, crewman."

"Aye sir," the young man replied, before turning on his heel to leave.

The captain took a sip from his cup, then placed it down on the arm rest of his chair before looking up at the view screen. A beautiful golden yellow cloud filled most of the right half of the screen. Henry smiled, his emerald green eyes lighting up slightly. Amazing sights like this were a large part of why he had joined Starfleet. He was an explorer at heart... always curious and never unwilling to strive into the unknown...

"Coming up on class 3 nebula, captain," a voice said from somewhere to Henry's right. "That's, quite the breath taking sight, isn't it?"

"Indeed it is," Henry replied, still smiling.

It was the ship's science officer, Kevin Wilcox, who had spoken, a cheerful yet professional man from the southern part of one of Earth's northern islands, known as Britain. The two gold insignia on the color of the blue trimmed tunic indicated his rank of lieutenant.

As he ran a scan of the nebula, as was standard procedure, pushing some of his hard to manage brown locks out of his equally brown eyes at the same time, the sensor panel beeped as the array made contact with something else.

"That's not all that's out there," he said. "I'm picking up a vessel nearby, unable to identify as yet. Our long range sensors must be being scrambled by the nebula, that's why I didn't read them sooner..."

"I see," said Henry. "Put the ship on screen."

OOC:

Note, the vessel that the Adelaide has come into contact with will be the ship of whomever decides to join first...

So, any takers?

EDIT: I forgot to mention, Perfection is banned from this version of the game. After his shenanigans last time, and his already leaning towards stupidity this time, I cannot allow him to join this game!!! Any of his posts may be considered automatically void for gameplay purposes...

Ship stats
Name: Sphere of Fear
Size: 300m X 300m X 300m
Shape: Cube
Weapons:
1. 20 Antitachyon pulse beams
2. 10 Inversion torpedo tubes
3. 3 "special occasion" bombs

Other equipment:
Cloakin' device
Communications hacking module
Transporter
Holodeck
The Mystery Box of Mystery
High powered super Tractor Beams

Crew:
Bartholomew Finklefanny IV (captain, Chef)
The Jerkinator (action hero)
Poophead McPoopheadson (poophead, weapons guy)
Boobzillasaurus Rex (Sex Lizard)
Fifty (Sex Pig)
Kandy Kane (navigatrix)
Roberto R. Robot (Randroid android)

Ship Picture:
http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/workbook19/cube_04.gif

{I'll join soon, need to draw a ship of some sort.}

Ouagadougou
(short version, lost the long one darn...)

http://forums.civfanatics.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=172322&stc=1&d=1206466995

Destroyer

size (approx.)
300 x 70 x 50 m

weapons:
5 MTR launchers
8 versatile particle projectors
4 defense beam turrets

defenses:
fibre-woven alloy armour
negative gravity shielding

noteworthy equipment:
short- and long-range sensors
repair bay
medium-power tractor beams
AG coil

cargo:
142 000 cubic meters of cargo space

propulsion:
high-power pulse fusion reactor
AM boosters
warp generator in AG coil

crew:
70

important people:
zxcvbnm (commander)
N'gangu Tshwana (captain)
Fernando Hernandez (navigator)
Nadia Ulianov (in charge of weaponry and battles)
Qi Yaong (in charge of communication)
Yuri Vassilievits (engineer)

The Ouagadougou is one of the countless ships of the Brotherhood, about which nobody really knows what it is. Its members do all kinds of things in the frontiers, varying from smuggling to bounty-hunting and (occassionally) honest trade. The most accurate description might be a trade union-mafia-syndicate.

The Brotherhood's relationship to the more organised powers, especially Earth, the 'offspring' of which it is, is mostly uneasy. They have little respect for law and order, but their honour code makes many outright criminal activities forbidden to them, and they are a vital force in keeping the pirates of the frontiers at bay. Thus the commanders of the most remote outposts have an unspoken agreement with them: neither side gets involved in the other's affairs.

Ouagadougou, like almost all other Brotherhood ships, is an old wreck bought from a scrapyard and repaired to adequate condition by the Brotherhood engineers. Its equipment is mostly outdated but at least reliable, which it compensates by being armed to the teeth and having perhaps one of the most skilled crews in the known universe, hardened by years of living in the harsh frontier.

The ship isn't for any single purpose, but rather suitable for almost anything one could imagine wanting to do. It can beat most smaller ships in combat, save for those built for battle only, it has a decent cargo capacity it can defend, and the engines and sensors are enough for deep space exploration.

What the hell are MTR launchers? (Or more accureately, what the hell are MTRs?)

Multi-Track Recorders. Perhaps they fire 2" tape reels?

OOC:

I forgot to mention, Perfection is banned from this version of the game. After his shenanigans last time, and his already leaning towards stupidity this time, I cannot allow him to join this game!!! Any of his posts may be considered automatically void for gameplay purposes...

Oh and by the way, none of your ships are actually in the game (and thus on the Adelaide's sensors) untill you make your first 'IC' post...

Ahhh, that is good news indeed !
Now I'll just have to put my thoughts in words and find a nice picture.
Perhaps you could provide a link to the previous game (if it's on another forum) to get a feel of how it's played.

Subscription post.

I'll join. I'll see what I can draw up or use my Photoshop skills for...

This image is quite big and a .PNG file

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/stylesrj/Other/ColumnofNuclearWinter.png

The Column of Nuclear Winter
Crew: A hundred or so people
Captain: Captain R. Dragonhelper (Human)
Second-in-Command: Commander Milizee Lashee (Elite, from the Halo Series)
Important Members:
Sergeant Grigor Kalanin: Member of the Orbital Drop Shock Troops
Chuck: Heavy Weapons expert and top sniper (Halo Grunt. He's smarter than the average Grunt and not fodder)

Weaponry
1x Magnetic Accelerator Cannon (MAC)
2x Wing-mounted Small Particle Accelerators
5x Shiva Nuclear Warheads
4x Pelican Dropships
4x Phantom Dropships
4x Longsword Fighters
8x Banshee Fighters
8x Hornet Fighters
Several Point Defence Laser-Storm Turrets
Several Archer Missile pods
Lots of Covenant guns and human guns
Several Ghosts, Warthogs, Scorpions, Wraiths, etc

Engine:
Dual Antimatter reactors, cooled by "chilled ions" or something. More thrust, more coolant
Max Speed: Something fast, but below lightspeed. Uses Covenant Slipspace drives to travel long distances or to do short jumps in a system. Thrusters allow planetside interaction
The ship also uses chemical thrusters on all sides to rapidly shift the ship's direction when moving. Only used for emergencies though

Armour:
Nanohardened Titanium A armour with emergency nanite pods scattered throughout the plating to fix gaps quickly and to construct more nanites if needed (for example, a pod is lost)

The Column of Nuclear Winter is a ship modified from the Frigate in the Halo Series and it incorporates a human ship shape with Covenant technology. The Bridge is built into the middle of the ship, and where the Bridge used to be is a Laser-Storm turret, which in design is to shoot any aircraft thinking hitting the front is an easy kill for the command crews.

The Laser Storm Turrets allow point defence against any hostiles and missile threats. For plasma weapons though, the ship has to try and outrun it or shift direction to draw it away.

While far from being a carrier, the Column has four launch bays, each containing one Longsword, two Banshees, two Hornets, one Pelican and one Phantom due to space limitations and the arsenal of tanks and jeeps needed to be stored.
The Column has a large supply of food, cheaply created and stored in long-life packages. The crew gets their nutrients at the cost of taste. Even the command crew is forced to eat the same stuff the Marines eat, at the order of the Captain

The Column of Nuclear Winter is a tough package to deal with in space, but it hasn't got any energy shields and still uses human design while the ship utilises a crew and arsenal of both Human and Covenant.

(How's that?)

Gaah! I was preparing a post on an even better UNSC frigate adaption, but you DID beat me to it... :rolleyes:

I'll go with the Millennium Falcon!
http://blogs.sun.com/kevin/resource/m-falcom.gif

It's smaller than most of the other ships here, but also extremely fast. Armament consists of two main plasma cannons, but the ship is very useful for planting explosives on larger ships because of its small size and maneuverability. It also is lethal in air-to-air combat since it is larger and more powerful than most fighters. Finally, it gets great satellite TV.

I find it a coincidence you posted your post at 3:43 and your post was about Halo...

You can still make your ship and all...

Is it just me, or does stylesrj's ship look a like a huge gun?

I'll have a submition up by 11pm AUEST.

I photoshopped it months ago and I never used it for anything until now

USS Adam West
Crew: About six hundred.
Captain: Captain Timmy Turner
Second-in-Command: Commander Wanda
Important Members:
Navy SEALS Major Cosmo
Science Officer AJ

Weaponry
Whatever a Valiant class has, I 'spose.
Clones

Engine:
Anti-matter thrusters, ast best guess.

Armour:
I'd say a really hard metal I can't even contemplate.

The Galactic Republic sent a single cruiser off to explore space beyond the edge of the galaxy. It was set to run Automaticly so everyone being in stasus wasn't much of a problem. When Palpatine did in the Republic contact was lost, and the ship later went through a warp in space. It reached Earth, but time dialation caused it to orbit in 2008 instead of our present. The clone crew of the ship took specimens from Dimmsdale and left. But thier built-in obedience had somehow failed over time, and the humans took advantage of the clones after they went through the warp again, becoming a lone ship far from home.

(The warp shorts out magic, so I'm not being silly or unfair. ;) )

OOC:

Well, newsflash e350tb , you are being silly... I'm not allowing that ship... I'm just not... And I'm not going to have any paitence with this... If you continue the silliness or try to argue the point, I'll declare any 'IC' posts from you void as well... Make no mistake!

Oh and the rest of you, someone still has to make an 'IC' post for the game to actually start...

http://koti.mbnet.fi/jatt/Ship.png

A new ship appears to the scene.

Frontier 41 class armed mining barge.
Dimensions:
Length 700m
Width 300m
Heigth 250m

Crew: 5-40
Current crew:
Captain Trent Levy
Engineer Dan Plack
Mechanic Herb Olsen
Mining operator Sakarias Dover
Miner Jens Dillon
Miner Khan Dallas
Doctor Warren Askay

Equipment:
Planetary scanners
Seismic scanners
Remote drilling equipment
Mining drones
Explosive devices

Armament:
Missile launcher
500mm Devastator railgun
36x Autocannon
EMP Pulse

Defences:
Foam metal armor
Front deflector plate
Self sealing hull


A loud warning echoes on the bridge and a red light flashes. The ship shakes violently and the ships computer screeches:

"Hyperdrive failed! Hyperspace jump interrupted!"

"Oh great!" Shouts Levy. "Dan cut the power from the drive and kill the alarm."

"You've got it sir." Dan replies, flips a dozen switches while throwing a wrench at the loudspeaker. The ship ceases to shake. Trent looks at the wrench sticking out of the loudspeaker and shrugs. Everything else on the ship is already falling apart. Never mind the loudspeaker.

The rest of the crew woke up to the shaking and made their way to the bridge.

"What the **** was that? Did the hyperdr..." Herb asks and notices the loudspeaker. "Did you really have to do that? I've got enough work as it is already."

Trent: "Herb, hyperdrive."

Herb: "The hyperdrive? I just fixed the dang thing."

Trent: "You know the drill. Can you locate our position by the time Herb gets the drive running again?"

Dan: "Already on it, sir."

Dan looks at his computer screen in disbelief. "Sir? You might want to take a look at this." Dan flips a switch and the image appears on Trents screen.

Trent: "What the? I don't recogize any of them."

Trent ponders his options for a while.

Trent: "Do we still have the deflector working?"

Dan: "Last time I checked."

Trent: "Allright. Head towards the ships and keep your finger on the deflector switch."

http://images.wikia.com/galciv/images/0/04/Altarian_transport.jpg

Name: Drifter Colony 1584-A
Crew: Roughly two hundred

Equipment:
Advance self replenishing life support
Self-sufficient agricultural sector
Planetary scanners
Mineral scanners
Advance close range and long range scanners
Scavenger/mining droids
Advance communication module
Large Cargo bay
Small docking Bay

Weaponry:
Large range EMP pluse
close range rail guns
medium range missles

Defense:
Reinforced Duralthene Armor
Advanced Force Field
Anti-missile droids

History:
It's been centuries since the drifter's home world was destroyed, none even know how it happened all they know is that there civilization was forced to flee and are now scattered across space. This particular colony has adapted itself to mining asteroids, uninhabited planets, ships, etc and trading what they don't need to local species that the meet. They are non-aggressive and will rather flee than take damage to their home. Survival and profit are they only motivation they have left.

IC:

A destroyer was floating slowly through a nebula somewhere in a distant part of some star cluster... actually nobody aboard cared about it, as long as they knew the way back to the Hades system on the frontier of inhabited and uninhabited, or Navy and Pirates, both more or less adversaries to them.

The Ouagadougou had been roaming the local areas for weeks, seeking for pirates to hunt. But the ship they encountered wasn't exactly what they excepted to find.

"Zedex... whatever, another ship visible"

"What, another ship? What do the scanners say, Qi?"

"It's bigger than ours, that's all we can see in the nebula. And the frequencies show it's pretty advanced too. It's either neutral or a very powerful pirate. In either case I think we should be friendly..."

"Quick, shut down all useless systems, this means you, stop watching that Star Trek MCDXXVII (the commander pointed to the navigator and engineer who had taken the main screen for their personal enjoyment), crew prepare to low gravity. We need to be invisible as long as possible to keep the advantage in case they attack."

"Ok, Z"

---
Ouagadougou to unknown ship:
*This is Independent Ouagadougou, no hostile intentions*
---

OOC:
MTR launcher = general purpose Missile-Torpedo-Rocket launcher

AG coil = Artificial Graviton coil

"Captain, we're picking up another ship" the Tracking Officer yelled.
"We are?" The Captain replied
"Course of action sir?"
"Take a defensive position, prepare the Marines for defence and we'll open up communications"
"Aye sir" the officers on the Bridge said.

The Captain turn his chair towards the main screen. The view of space was shown on several camera views lining up around the main picture, the silhouette of a potential ship.
Running a hand over his short blonde hair, The Captain tapped a part of the screen.
The camera view from the west bow-side of the ship showed the shape of a different vessel.

"We got two of them?" he asked.
"Looks like it sir" the Tracking Officer said
"I'm calling a meeting of my most important crew members. Get me Grigor, Lashee and Chuck ASAP."
"We're paging them now" the Navigation Officer replied.
"See what you can do about the communications." The Captain said to the Communications Officer
"Right away sir!" she replied.

The Column of Nuclear Winter slowed down in space as it examined the situation.

*The Colony jumps out of hyperspace near a nebula*

"Sir we have arrived at the nebula that our sensors picked up" stated the Chief Navigator as he turned towards the colony's captain.

"Very good, Johnson would you please alert the mining operators that they may begin scanning for any usable gas or minerals." Nodding towards the comm manager.

"Sir!!" one of the many men in charge of scanning bolted out of his chair, "We've just detected multiple ship signatures in the nebula!"

"Belay that message to Mining!" The captain was out of his chair now. "I want us ready to get out of here if things go south. Don't send any messages out unless hailed first, lets not bring unnecessary attention to ourselves. Lets just hope no one starts firing so this trip wasn't a waste of fuel."

IC:

A small Banshee flies past the Falcon from behind, apparently not noticing its presence.

"What the hell was that?"
"A small Covenant fighter," Ben replied, soundind slightly confused but unfazed. "But how is it this deep into space?"
"I don't know, I'm not picking up any Covenant cruisers in the area," Han replied.
"Grealeaeaeaealp!" Chewbacca interjected, pointing desperately out the cockpit.
"Everyone looked out the window. The Wookie's strong eyesight had allowed him to see it before his human counterparts, but soon enough they saw a large donut-shaped ring off to their right.
"What the hell is that? Where did it come from?"
Everyone turned to Yoda who had been monitoring the scanners.
"Me see donut-asteroid hours ago, thought it no biggie."
"No BIGGIE!" Ben was obviously pissed. "What the . .. .. .. . do you mean, 'no biggie'? Thats a HALO RING!"
"Oops."

Lucifer
http://www.medievalfx.com/infinity/NAVN-Interceptor-Visroth3.jpg
Crew: seventy Human Crewmen
400 automated Crewmembers (various types)
1 HAL mainframe

Equipment:
4 Brigid the Sining:
http://www.medievalfx.com/reviews/IFX23-7.jpg
36 MTR
various laser cannon and antifighter artillery (Bhall's Fire)

Defense:
Defensive Sheild

Lucifer is a rebell ship. The Republic of Quebec has fallen from the ideals it once upheld, and established a dictatorship. once a key part of the Space fleet of the Repuublic, it unumously mutinied from the Fleet, and is now fighting to return justice where it is most needed.

it is, of course, hunted by the Republic of Quebec, and the crew has become adept at space combat...

'Ostie! Captain, we have other ships on the screen."
"Maudit! enemies?"
"je ne sais pas..."
"Callise... all crew to battle stations!"

Red light flashes and sirens blare as the crew runs to thier appointed place.

Begin Transmission
Lucipher to all other ships in vicinity.

This is the domain of the Indpendant ship Lucipher. we wish you no harm, but we demand that you respect our Sovriengty.

OOC:

Umm lutzj, would you kindly not take canon characters flagrantly out of character? That's what I get for allowing canon characters and ships I guess... Honestly, I think you should change your ship... That post of yours is declared void... It may sound harsh, but I have enough experience running these games to smell potentially fatal ludicrousness a mile off...

Oh and Rheinmetall, make sure you type in novel format, not script, and certainly not a mixture of both...

Please don't double post berubeg...

IC:

"What do you make of it, lieutenant?"

The ship appeared to be some kind of freighter, about size of a Galaxy class starship. It was vibrantly colored and had three jets of bright blue flame rushing out the back of what were presumably engines. In spite all its rainbow colourings, though, it looked more than a little run down...

"I don't recognize the design," Kevin replied. "The computer doesn't seem to either, although it is somewhat similar to the old Clydesdale freighter designs..."

"Life signs?" Henry questioned.

"Picking up..." he began. "A couple of dozen, maybe? I can't be more specific than that, something's interfering with the short range scan, and it's not the nebula this time..."

"I see," Henry nodded.

"Sir, they're moving towards us..." said the helmsman.

"Try hailing..."

He was cut off mid-sentence by the perimeter alert klaxon. He tapped a button on his command chair's control panel and a small image appeared of a second approaching ship, just exiting the nebula. It was small and sleek, much longer than it was wide or tall, with an almost bladed appearance to the shape of its blue-trimmed hull... It approached slowly, almost seeming to drift out of the nebula, but clearly under power.

"The power readings from the second ship are falling off..." Kevin reported. "Looks like they're going into some kind of semi-silent running..."

"They're hailing us, sir," the Greek-accented communications officer piped up. "We're receiving an automated audio message..."

"On speakers..." ordered Henry.

Ensign Albert Harris was something of a potpourri of several different nationalities. A young man from the colonies, he had only recently been assigned to the Adelaide. Henry had been surprised by how well he had settled into his new role though... The young man tapped a few buttons, allowing a brief message to come through...

*This is Independent Ouagadougou, no hostile intentions*

"I'm picking up about 70 lifeforms on that ship, sir," Kevin mentioned.

"Sir, we're being hailed by another ship!" said Albert.

"I don't believe this, he's right, there's another ship approaching..." Kevin reported.

"We're are they all coming from?"

It was Dante Keating who had spoken. He was a generally jovial young officer of the junior lieutenant grade. He was a similar age to Kevin, perhaps slightly younger, a bit of a court jester off the bridge, but extremely attentive to his duties on the bridge. An odd combination, but one that Henry had learned to deal with...

"Put the ships on screen," said Henry. "Split screen between all three ships..."

The viewscreen changed to show all three incoming vessels. The newcomer was a grey vessel and slightly menacing looking, almost weapon shaped...

"Open an audio channel to the second hailing ship..."

Henry was slightly concerned about all this activity being focused on this one tiny little pocket of space. He was worried this might be a trap, even though the wildly different designs of the three ships seemed to preclude that possibility.

Albert was about to comply with the order when Kevin gave a loud "you've got to joking..."

"What is it?" Henry asked.

"There's a fourth incoming vessel," Kevin replied, astonished. "This one's a completely different design again, looks like a colony ship..."

"That's it," said Henry, rising from his seat. "I don't like this, go to yellow alert... But don't raise shields yet..." he added, exhaling audibly

"Aye sir," came the reply from the tactical station at the back of the bridge...

A barely audibly alarm klaxon was heard in the background...

"Put the fourth ship on screen with the others," said Henry.

The fourth ship appeared on screen. It was a big, clumsy looking thing with a hull shape that near defied description. It looked like it had been heavily retrofitted.

"The colony ship is powering engines and..." he paused. "You're not going to believe this..."

"A fifth ship?" Henry asked.

"I'm afraid so," Kevin replied.

"On screen with the others," he said, settling back into his chair and taking another ship form his coffee. He was getting used to this...

The main structure of the ship was something akin to a rounded rectangular prism with two large semi-cylindrical objects that looked like engines attached to it on struts. At the front was some kind of thick spire which could have been some kind of weapon. Both engines blasted a purple, fiery substance out the back...

"They're raising shields!" Kevin reported.

"Do the same..." Henry instantly replied.

Around the ship was instantly generated a powerful energy field. It was invisible and didn't cause a strong sensor reading, which was strange because any energy field should have caused the Adelaide to shine like a lighthouse on senors. That was just one of the many wonders of shield technology...

"They're hailing us sir," Albert reported. "On speakers, sir?"

"Yes..." Henry replied simply.

This is the domain of the Indpendant ship Lucipher. we wish you no harm, but we demand that you respect our Sovriengty.

"That sounded a little bit... French..." Dante commented.

"You always did have a gift for understatement, mr. Keating..." Henry replied. "Alright, any more ships approaching?"

"I'm not reading any..." Kevin replied. "I don't if that means anything, the nebula is interfering with our long range scans..."

"Well regardless..." Henry mused, taking another ship from his coffee. "Open a channel to all five ships..."

"Channel open, sir," Albert replied a few seconds later. "They may not respond, but they should hear you..."

"Very well..."

Henry cleared his throat and put on his best diplomat's voice...

"To all vessels in this area..." he began. "This is captain Henry Baker of the Federation starship Adelaide. We are on a peaceful mission of exploration and have no hostile intention. We are not here to intentionally infringe on anyone's sovereignty. Be advised our shields are just a precaution, I'm sure you can understand. from our perspective, six ships seemingly just so-happening to stumbling across each other like this is not something that happens every day... I feel this could be a great opportunity for cultural exchange between our peoples, however... please respond..."

"Well, the olive branch is extended..." said Kevin, seemingly unsure that this would have a good outcome. "What now, sir?"

"And now," Henry replied. "We wait..."

Captain Dragonhelper swung his chair to the Communications Officer. "One of the ships sir! They're hailing us!" she exclaimed to him

"Put it on the speakers and forward it to my viewscreen" The Captain said, turning back to his screen.
Below the screen, the Navigation, Weapons and Tracking Officers were busy at their stations.
"Charge up the MAC and prepare the Particle Accelerators. If they're going to attack us, we need to be ready" the Captain said to weapons.
"Aye sir, MAC capacitors are charging now"

The message played on the screen

"To all vessels in this area..." he began. "This is captain Henry Baker of the Federation starship Adelaide. We are on a peaceful mission of exploration and have no hostile intention. We are not here to intentionally infringe on anyone's sovereignty. Be advised our shields are just a precaution, I'm sure you can understand. from our perspective, six ships seemingly just so-happening to stumbling across each other like this is not something that happens every day... I feel this could be a great opportunity for cultural exchange between our peoples, however... please respond..."

The Captain listened to it again after hearing it. "Reduce power to the MAC. But don't discharge it completely. I'm not sure about the other ships" he said to the Weapons Officer

The Captain faced the screen and started his reply in his "diplomatic" voice. There a slight German accent to this one. Although he had a normal, non-accented voice due to years of education, he still enjoyed going back to his German heritage with that kind of slight accent in his diplomacy voice

"This is Captain R. Dragonhelper of the Column of Nuclear Winter. We come in peace Adelaide. Our weapons are in charging phases only as a precaution, so don't be alarmed. We're currently on an exploration mission like you guys are and we mean no harm unless it is brought to us first. The prospect of six ships in the area is something of alarm, but you should know that we're not a hostile"

He sighed and relaxed a bit, but stayed alert.

"Sir, the crew you called are here. They were playing poker in the mess hall" the intern replied over The Captain's headset.
"Thank you Muhammad. Bring them in"

A blue armoured Elite, stepped into the room, followed by a black armoured Grunt (Grunt symbol removed) and an ODST soldier in full combat gear, minus the helmet which lay at his side. His nametag read "Grigor Kalanin"
"You called for us comrade sir?" Grigor asked. He had that kind of face that only a loser of a game of poker would show. The Grunt looked quite happy, but that was because he was Chuck.The Elite seemed to look indifferent, but that was Lashee, so it didn't really matter

"We've got a few ships in this system and I think you need to hear this" The Captain said, facing the gathered group...

A small red LED was flashing in one of Ouagadougou's control screens.

"We are being scanned, the systems were shut down not a moment too soon. Hopefully they won't be able to see what we have here" said a young yellow-skinned female human, better known as Qi Yaong to the crew of Ouagadougou.
"There are some messages coming, apparently we have been surrounded by ships. The distances vary between 0.04 and 1.09 seconds. The EM scans are unreliable but graviton scanning shows that the ships' sizes vary. There's too much mess to make an accurate reading of them."
"What shall I say to them?"

"N'gangu, can you say anything of what you suppose they might be? One is threatening us but I don't have a clue what the others want. Nadia, raise the shields, just in case." The man who spoke now was the commander of the Ouagadougou, who had bought it in the first place and owned it. Well, perhaps not "owned" as the brothers didn't really have private property in that sense, he had just paid the most for it.

"Wait, another scanning result coming..
"It shows that most of the other ships are armed, so we can't afford to take any risks, especially with one which seems to have WHAT THE HECK DOZENS OF MISSILE TUBES???" she was as stunned as everyone else on the ship
"That could destroy us with a single round if it decided to attack us, should the point-defense beams fail"

"Nadia, quick, get the guns ready too. If my years at the frontier have taught me anything it is never to trust in those who are about as powerful as you. If they are weak they are afraid. If they are strong they could just blow you up without need for calming but if they are equal, then the most cunning one wins, and I'm going to hold that position."

"So what do I say to them..?"

"Tell them the truth, they are too powerful to be pirates on the same side so if it ends up in a fight we won't be overwhelmed my numbers anyway"

---
Ouagadougou to all ships in vinicity:
*We are hunting pirates in these restless areas. Our shields are just a necessary precaution. We mean no harm to any honest citizens nor honourable smugglers. Backstabbers and pirates beware.*
---

Dan took measurements of the stars in the region, trying to locate himself on the map. Suddenly the computer alarmed him of the appearance of unidentified radiowave source. Quickly he checked the bearings of their sources.

"We're picking up radiowaves from atleast two of those ships. Perhaps a some sort of transmission, sir."

"Can you decipher it?"

"I'll try, sir."

"Half speed. I'll need to know hows the hyperdrive, before we run head first into trouble."

Trent flips the intercom switch named "Olsen" on his console. "Cap here. How's the drive?"

A crackling voice replied. "Cough! The main relay has shorted stuck. It has burned nearly all of the power supply wires. The ones that are left have hardly any insulation left."

"Can you fix it?"

"Yes sir! Have you ever had gum in your hair. Because that's excactly what peeling these wires from the molten insulation is going to be like. This mess takes longer to clean than to fix."

"How long?"

"Cough! Well, fixing the relay doesn't take long. I could temporarily rewire through the main corridor so we'd get the drive working sooner. A day, two days max."

"Pull the wires through the corridor, but try to arrange them so that nobody trips into them. I'll send Jens and Khan to help you once their shift begins."

Trent kills the intercomm, and resumes his conversation with Dan.

"Any luck with the transmission?"

"Atleast they both seem to be similar, sir."

"Could they be from the same fleet?"

"Too early to tell, sir."

"Run the weapons diagnostics, just in case, and double check that old punchy is loaded. I'm going to lunch."

Trent heads to the canteen, and curses his luck. Half a dozen unknown ships in vicinity and no hyperdrive.

"Sir we've received several transmissions, I bring them up on display:"

This is the domain of the Indpendant ship Lucipher. we wish you no harm, but we demand that you respect our Sovriengty.

The captain scratched his head, "Was that a French accent? I haven't heard that since we barely escaped that art planet that we got attacked on when one of the civilians said their five year old could paint better. That was an interesting stop. But even without the accent they could give us trouble since they "claimed" this area."

"Sir there's a few more":

This is captain Henry Baker of the Federation starship Adelaide. We are on a peaceful mission of exploration and have no hostile intention. We are not here to intentionally infringe on anyone's sovereignty. Be advised our shields are just a precaution, I'm sure you can understand. from our perspective, six ships seemingly just so-happening to stumbling across each other like this is not something that happens every day... I feel this could be a great opportunity for cultural exchange between our peoples, however... please respond...

"Oh good a Federation ship, they usually trade fairly and we've been treated well by them before. Just as long as no one's smuggling anything this time." The captain looks suspiciously around the room. "Any more?"

"Yes Sir.":

*We are hunting pirates in these restless areas. Our shields are just a necessary precaution. We mean no harm to any honest citizens nor honourable smugglers. Backstabbers and pirates beware.*

"Well I don't think we'll get any trouble from them. Unless we get mistaken for pirates again. Captain rolls his eyes and sighs. "Was that the last one?"

"Yes Sir."

"Good prepare to send our own message:

To all ships in the area, I am the captain of Drifter Colony 1584-A. We mean no one any harm. We are simply here to mine the area for minerals and gases, which is all legal as this area has no claim beacons. We will precede with this shortly so do not be alarmed if droids fly past your ship. We are open to any trading and will allow members of you ships aboard if they want a rest leave as our ship is similar to a city on board."

"Well there goes the message now let's just wait."

OOC: What is the Universe like in this game? What has the Earth become? Are there other sentient species?

IC:
"To all ships in the area, I am the captain of Drifter Colony 1584-A. We mean no one any harm. We are simply here to mine the area for minerals and gases, which is all legal as this area has no claim beacons. We will precede with this shortly so do not be alarmed if droids fly past your ship. We are open to any trading and will allow members of you ships aboard if they want a rest leave as our ship is similar to a city on board."
"Nothing to be afraid of, that one. I think we should turn the PD alert level to low so their droids won't get destroyed."

"It's done now, you can tell them it's free space around us." This time the speaker was another woman, with a soft slavic accent. "Ze, should we try to trade with them as our cargo bay is half full of useless junk we could unload on them?"

"Yes, Nadia, I actually think so. Yuri, have you managed to get the docking bay open?"
the commander turned towards a hairy and bearded middle-aged man

"Niet, comrade. It's still tightly shut after that ***** Vlk's ship almost made a hole in our hull."

"Vlk Kieslowskcz, the old who didn't quite understand the ways of the Frontier, well atleast he got what he deserved and we got what he hadn't deserved."

Suddenly the ship began to rattle fiercely.

"What is that?"

"I think Greg got it open, all we need to do now is to fix the hole he made..."

"I sometimes hate this old bucket.." he muttered under his breath.

"Don't we all sometimes?"

---
*The space around Ouagadougou is now cleared for passing drones. We might be interested in trading, depends on what you have.*
---

http://forums.civfanatics.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=172448&stc=1&d=1206630018
Ouagadougou on the edge of the nebula

Captain Dragonhelper perused the other communications as they came in on the speakers and viewscreen (video and just audio waves if there is no video).

"Sounds like we have a few friendlies. But can we trust them?" Lashee asked.
"One of them wants to trade. We could use better food" Grigor said
"I have to agree on that. But the better the food, the quicker it goes. But we can't pass up an opportunity like this. We can always make more of the slop" The Captain said

"We are interested in trade, Drifter Colony 1584-A. We're in need of some good food supplies. However, we're a military vessel, so we don't have much to exchange with in goods. We carry a lot of ammunition and weaponry." The Captain said to the screen, now focused on the Drifter Colony

I don't have a pic yet but I want a light Carrier/light Cruiser

It will have 5 main plasma guns and hold 20 fighters. I will try to imagine specifications but It will hold 300 men. I will get pic soon!


I like the A wing Carrier, but it is copyrighted.


I don't have paint or image shack (cuss you haxors!) But I trust that some friends can add a tricannon on the top and 2 small ones on the bridge sides.

OOC: Doodle up something using Paint. Or find a copyrighted picture and modify it. That's how I got my Frigate done... I found a screenshot of Aegis Fate from Sandtrap and modified it

To: All Ships

The Lucipher would be glad to trade with any ships in the area.

We have raided/ detroyed many pirates, and heve ammassed a collection of art and minerals and a smattering of other nicknacks.

as we are getting short of supplies, not being able to return to any Earth colonized planet, we are willing to trade/sell for any supplies.

to the drifter colony:

Would you be willing to hire us as escort/ protection?

"Might I interject Captain" came another voice, this one sounding female.
The Captain tuned towards the hologram projector next to the screen. This was reserved for the ship's AI

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/stylesrj/Other/Isis-AgeofMythology.jpg
(I found this picture a while ago and I uploaded it a while ago. It's Isis from Age of mythology. Think of the AI looking like her without that headdress thing and with long black hair.)

"Sure thing Isis. What do you have in mind?" The Captain said
"I have reprogrammed a few of the emergency nanite pods. They can't build any more pods or nanites, but we can trade these pods for the food. We can always manufacture more from the nearby asteroids" the woman replied.
"Now that's good thinking. Everyone can use repair droids, and nanites can also harden materials down to a tiny level" The Captain said.
"I have already sent the pods to the nearest shuttle bay. Mind if I use one of the Phantoms for cargo transport?" Isis replied
"Sure thing, I'll send the message now to the colony" The Captain said
Isis then vanished off the projector.

Grigor commented "Looking good... but I thought AIs would be blue or something and covered in symbols"
"That's her chosen form. AIs always set themselves to one form. In the case of Isis, she chose something that looks good and isn't blue and symbol covered. They can't all look like Cortana" The Captain replied to Grigor
"Also, it means that we can't see what she's thinking. With a normal AI, the symbols are a dead giveaway of thoughts." Lashee added.

"Attention Colony Ship. This is Captain Dragonhelper. We have found some trade goods we can use for food supplies. We've got a few nanite pods with us which can be used to upgrade armour or to repair damage to it. We're willing to trade these valuable pods" The Captain spoke into the viewscreen which was still focused on the Drifter Colony

(I don't think I know what I'm talking about with the AI stuff)

OOC:

Forgive me if Henry's personality seems a bit off in this post...

IC:

Henry pondered the situation. Intercepting and listening in on other people's transmissions wasn't a particularly noble thing to do, but it seemed necessary in this case. Thus far they had only intercepted three transmissions that hadn't been sent out as a general transmission, or directed specifically at the Adelaide, all three of which had been to the ship that had identified itself as the "Drifter Colony".

He could understand the apprehension captain Dragonhelper, as strange a name as that was, as it was the same apprehension he felt himself about the situation. None-the-less, he felt he should make a gesture of good faith, now that a dialogue was beginning to be established.

"Alright," he said slowly. "Let's stand down yellow alert, drop shields..."

"Is that a good idea?"

Tabatha Siege was proud, and rightly so. The Adelaide wasn't the most prestigious ship in the fleet, but she wasn't here for the prestige. A strong-willed woman, also an Australian like her captain, she had never quite felt that her destiny lied with her father's outback farmland. Not that she didn't feel at home there, but more that there were "greater outbacks to conqueror" as her father had rather aptly put it. Indeed, that was it exactly... So here she was, a lieutenant commander, serving out on the very edge of explored, intent on helping to tame this last great outback...

Henry could also understand her concern, but he felt the gesture was more important. None of the other ships had made any threatening moves, and it looked like some of them might not be able to even if they wanted to. This was not a coherent ambush fleet, that was plain obvious. Surely they would have opened fire by now or at least made some kind of ultimatum if they were. And their movements... the movements of five individual ships with five individual agendas, not five ships working together as a fleet...

"Maybe not..." he replied. "But I want to let them know our intentions are pure. Drop the shields, lieutenant..."

"Aye sir..." she replied after a moment... "Shields down, sir..."

"Good," he sat back in his seat. "Now, ship-to-ship, hail all vessels..."

"Channel open sir," Albert replied.

"To all ships," he began, putting on his diplomat's voice again. "Forgive us for eavesdropping, but I would say that subspace radio isn't the best medium through which to conduct negotiations... Since there are so many of us here and, I think it would be a good idea for an open conference. We invite representatives from all your ships to join us, here on the Adelaide, where we may all discuss trade further. We are particularly interested cultural exchange between our peoples. So, what say you? Shall we meet face-to-face?"

To all ships, forgive us for eavesdropping, but I would say that subspace radio isn't the best medium through which to conduct negotiations... Since there are so many of us here and, I think it would be a good idea for an open conference. We invite representatives from all your ships to join us, here on the Adelaide, where we may all discuss trade further. We are particularly interested cultural exchange between our peoples. So, what say you? Shall we meet face-to-face?

The audio and video link was shut off by Captain Dragonhelper
He looked back at his gathered crew. "Any volunteers for this mission of representation?" he asked.
Lashee immediately stepped forward from the group, almost knocking Grigor aside in the sudden shift forward.
"So we have two volunteers?" The Captain asked
"I'll go, but only as an escort guard comrade sir" Grigor said
"That's good thinking son. You'll be sent with Lashee to escort in this diplomacy mission" The Captain stated.
He threw Grigor a small package. "If negotiations so sour though, you'll know what to do" he added to the surprised ODST
"Isn't that a bit excessive?" Lashee asked, then added quickly "sir?"
"We got to take precautions" The Captain replied to the questioning Elite.

He turned towards the viewscreen and focused the audio and video onto The Adelaide. "We've accepted your offer of a face-to-face meeting. I'm sending my representative Milizee Lashee and her escort guard, Grigor Kalanin. Make sure their welcome isn't too cold please" he said to Henry

"To all ships, Forgive us for eavesdropping, but I would say that subspace radio isn't the best medium through which to conduct negotiations... Since there are so many of us here and, I think it would be a good idea for an open conference. We invite representatives from all your ships to join us, here on the Adelaide, where we may all discuss trade further. We are particularly interested cultural exchange between our peoples. So, what say you? Shall we meet face-to-face?"

"This seems like a pretty decent offer. So who will go there? N'gangu, you certainly should go, because if anyone has something to offer in cultural exchange it's you."

An old black man nodded.

"I shall be going there too, unarmed of course. We'd just get into trouble if we tried to carry sensible defenses there."

---
*We have accepted your offer, and the commander and captain of Ouagadougou are coming*
---

Dan picked up more radiowave samples while trying to comprehend the correct format. The other ships manouvered slowly on his screen. Finally he heard something that could be distorted speech. Carefully adjusting the playback settings he managed to play a part of a message. "on the Adelaide, where we may all discuss trade further. We are particularly intere"

Dan flipped captains intercomm on. "Sir, I can interpret those radiowave transmissions."

Trent rushed to the bridge with a opened can of spam in his hand, a knife on his other and a large loaf of bread on his teeth.

Dan played the message. "on the Adelaide, where we may all discuss trade further. We are particularly intere"

Trent placed his meal on his computer screen and sat down.

"Radiowave transmissions talking english? How's this possible?" Trent looked puzzled.

"Do we still have our radio equipment?"

"Herb might know better, but I think it's broken. Besides ours wouldn't pierce the interference from the nebula."

Flips a switch. "Herb?"

"What's it cap?"

"Does our radio equipment still work?"

"Radio? What in the heavens name you need that for. It's been broken for... I can't even remember how long."

"Can you fix it?"

"Fix the radio? I don't even remember where it is. Why it's so important?"

"We've got unknown ships in range transmitting audible english in radio."

"We do? Why doesn't anyone tell me anything. OK I'll see what I can do. Send somebody clean this mess while I search for the radio."

Trent switched off the intercomm and took a bite from his hastily prepared bread. "Keep monitoring those radio transmissions. We need every bit of information we can get."

"How about the intercomm, sir?"

"What about it?" Asked Trent.

"Well it can transmit radio too. Although the modulation is fixed. And it's very weak powered." Dan seemed to realize the obstacles piling on his idea. "The range is too great and the nebula is interfering. I guess it would be hopeless."

Trent pondered his options for a while. "Let's send them particles. We picked up their radio. If they are clever enough they will pick it up.

Dan swithed half a dozen switched on his console wrote a few short commands to the computer. "All channels open. All ships targeted, sir."

Trent tried to think of a suitable message. "This is Captain Trent Levy from mining barge Nubolten. We have picked up your radio transmissions. We have no means to transmit radio ourselves, but I can assure you we mean no harm."

A thin particle stream hit the hull of every ship in the area.

"Keep sending that every five minutes, and monitor the radio in case someone replies. If we don't get a response in 1 hour change the frequency and try again. I'm going to finish my meal."

OOC: I forgot to put in somewhere that the Column has stopped charging the weapons and power is back into the required places. It's a detail I seemed to have skimmed over. I don't think a MAC can be kept charging that long now can it?

"Is that really what it looks like, that someone truly pathetic is firing at us? Just when the captain and commander left and I don't know if I should retaliate or not.."

"Nadia, wait, it doesn't seem like meant to harm us, the ships around would be capable of doing much worse. Instead it looks, Fernando, can you turn the ship so that the sensors would get the stream?"
"No, I lost it.."
"Yes, I got it again, and it is a message. But why would anyone send it as a particle stream.."
"This is Captain Trent Levy from mining barge Nubolten. We have picked up your radio transmissions. We have no means to transmit radio ourselves, but I can assure you we mean no harm."
"Well this explains something."

Meanwhile, on a launch pod.

"What are they doing?? Are they trying to leave without us? Where's that ****** coherence transmitter.. ahh, here"
"WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?" he shouted at the small box.

"Z, we got something weird and Fernando tries to get the sensors to get it.. it's a message, shall I send it to you?"

"Of course... tell them that Yuri might be able to help them, if they need some. Looks like a great chance for him to earn what he's paid."

---
Ouagadougou to mining barge:
*If you have radio problems our engineer could help you*
---

"And stop loading the guns and lower the shields, we don't need to waste any more helium."

The Column's armour got a series of pings on the armour.

"Is that a micro-meteor shower?" Chuck asked
"No, it's particles. Someone is trying to communicate with us" the Communications Officer interjected
"Oh. Me don't like meteors too much" Chuck said

"This is Captain Trent Levy from mining barge Nubolten. We have picked up your radio transmissions. We have no means to transmit radio ourselves, but I can assure you we mean no harm."

The Captain switched his screen to the Nubolten's frequency. "This is Captain R. Dragonhelper of the Column of Nuclear Winter. We've picked up your particle stream. We're on an exploration mission and we can help. If you radio is damaged, we can send a repair crew to restore it to working condition. We mean no harm. Please respond" he said into the screen.
He commented to himself "Communicating with multiple vessels isn't a good idea. I really am looking forward to that conference idea"

Lashee and Grigor reached one of the wing-side shuttle bays. The Pelican was already being fuelled up and the seats were being replaced with a more comfortable design.
"Looks like we're going to the Adelaide in luxury" Grigor said, watching as two Marines carried a small footlocker marked "Officer's Liquor"
"I didn't know Officers got alcohol" Grigor commented
"They do, but The Captain prefers fruit juice whenever he can. It's bad enough we're on the same rations" Lashee said
"Yeah, but why don't we get a share of the booze ma'am?" Grigor asked
"That's because officers get special privileges and there's no drinking on duty... and we're always on duty" Lashee answered
"I wonder if there's vodka in that" Grigor said to himself as the locker was being secured under a seat

OOC:

Hey Stylesrj, strictly off the record, is that package a bomb? ;)

I kinda need to know, in case your guys end up going through the Adelaide's transporter (as a bomb would probably be detected).

OOC:
You'll find out what it is when the time comes. Bombs are something Chuck would do. The Captain uses other methods when negotiations go sour. The package will remain a mystery for now.
But everyone could assume it's a bomb, to make for that kind of distrust and all to The Captain
This is off the record of course...

Forgive us for eavesdropping, but I would say that subspace radio isn't the best medium through which to conduct negotiations... Since there are so many of us here and, I think it would be a good idea for an open conference. We invite representatives from all your ships to join us, here on the Adelaide, where we may all discuss trade further. We are particularly interested cultural exchange between our peoples. So, what say you? Shall we meet face-to-face?

"So they wish to arrange a meeting on there ship."

"Yes Sir, it appears that way."

"Very well then, alert the council heads that we'll be assembling a diplomatic party consisting Myself, a head trader, a military coordinator, and a head engineer."

"I've just alerted them Sit. They are having the party meet in the hanger bay where you will be shuttled over to the Federation ship."

"Good just reminded them to keep the pilot there in case anything goes wrong. Open up communications with all the ships":

This is the drifter colony, we accept the Adelaide's offer. We will have four person party coming aboard. We will discuss all trade agreements there. We look forward to doing some fair trade with all of you.

Dan flipped a switch.

"Sorry to interrupt your lunch, sir. Two more radio transmissions, this time directed at us."

Trent rushed back to the bridge with a bottle of milk. "Did you get them?"

"It seems I did. The other one has a different frequency, but the modulation is the same as before. There seems to be a parallel signal with it, but it's all garbled. Could be a carrier or something else."

Dan types a few command to his computer. Speech with a comically high voice filled the bridge. "This is Captain R. Dragonhelper of the Column of Nuclear Winter. We've picked up your particle stream. We're on an exploration mission and we can help. If you radio is damaged, we can send a repair crew to restore it to working condition. We mean no harm. Please respond".

Dan presses another key.

Ouagadougou to mining barge:
*If you have radio problems our engineer could help you*

"Well atleast we got through."

Trent takes a sip of milk and flips a switch on his console.

"Herb."

"What?"

"How's the radio?"

"I found the transmitter, but the power source and the receiver are missing."

"Keep looking."

Trent turns off the intercomm. "Open a channel to the responding ships."

"Right away sir." Dan types a few commands. "Channel open."

"This is Nubolten to Ougadougou and Column of Nuclear Winter. It seems we have. . . Misplaced our radio equipment and it might take us some time to put it back together."

The Pelican was loaded. Grigor and Lashee boarded it. It took off from the ground and headed to the massive doors that would lead into space. A smaller door in the set of doors opened and the Pelican flew through it. It then hovered inside the massive airlock as the door sealed, the air drained and another small door opened.

The Pelican flew out into space and the door was sealed behind it.

Lashee looked around the cargo bay of the dropship. She saw Grigor was already searching the footlocker for vodka. The cargo bay looked big, but only because there were two people in it (herself and Grigor) and that several redundant systems in the roof were removed for convenience.

Grigor raised a bottle triumphantly from the locker and stated "I found the vodka!" and pointed to the Cyrillic writing on the side to show it being Russian, and not some cheap vodka made in some other country.
The package he was given laid next to him.
Lashee picked it up and examined the wrapped-up box. "This better not be what I think it is" she said, opening up the box.
She took off the lid and examined the contents. She gasped.

"What is it ma'am? Is it a bomb?" Grigor asked, sipping the bottle
"I can't really say. The Captain is one for surprises" Lashee said, closing the lid and sealing up the package. She then noticed a note was placed inside the paper.

For best use - Place in a well-ventilated place and keep the remote on you at all times
Signed: ----

Lashee looked at the note again. "I sure hope negotiations don't go sour." she commented

Umm lutzj, would you kindly not take canon characters flagrantly out of character? That's what I get for allowing canon characters and ships I guess... Honestly, I think you should change your ship... That post of yours is declared void... It may sound harsh, but I have enough experience running these games to smell potentially fatal ludicrousness a mile off...
OOC:

I fixed it:
http://www.blake-foster.com/minotaur-space.jpg
"USS Falcon"
Serial number #1134209
355m long, 54m wide, 250,000 metric tons on Earth.

Crew: Captain Hal, his space-gorilla Chuck, Navigator Yolanda, Engineer Bob, and a number of human-led robotic marines, pilots, and other staff.

Additional Craft: 12 small fighters, 2 larger craft for troop transport, and 6 escape pods capable of carrying the entire human crew (except for Captain Hal and the robots, who have sworn/ are programmed to go down with the ship) and entering slipspace to travel long distances.

Armament: Fore-and-aft MAC cannons, an unspecified number of tactical nuclear weapons, and a number of smaller weapons for fighter defense.

Defenses: 4m depleted uranium/ titanium alloy, electromagnetic shielding, and a complex network of blast shields and auto-turrets inside to help deter boarding attempts.

IC:

A small Banshee flies past the Falcon from behind, apparently not noticing its presence.

"What the hell was that?"
"A small Covenant fighter," Bob replied, sounding slightly confused but unfazed. "But how is it this deep into space?"
"I don't know, I'm not picking up any Covenant cruisers in the area," Hal replied.
"Grealeaeaeaealp!" Hal’s space-gorilla, Chuck, interjected, pointing desperately out the cockpit.
Everyone looked out the window. The space gorilla's strong eyesight had allowed him to see it before his human counterparts, but soon enough they saw a large donut-shaped ring off to their right.
"What the hell is that? Where did it come from?"
Everyone turned to Yolanda who had been monitoring the scanners.
"I saw a donut-shaped asteroid hours ago, but thought it no biggie."
"No BIGGIE!" Bob was obviously pissed. "What the . .. .. .. . do you mean, 'no biggie'? That’s a HALO RING!"
"Oops."
Everyone on the bridge was lost in an uneasy silence, unsure of what to do. All of a sudden, the main screen flared up. Strange characters could be seen through thick static. The captain's heart stopped: he knew what was happening, but he couldn't bear to tell the already spooked crew what himself.
"Translation please."
Yolanda busily typed at her console. "It's fragmented, but the computer is picking something up."
After more typing, an eerily foreign voice came on the ship's speakers. "Attention USS Falc ... erial number #1134209 ... aggresion will not be tolerat ... repare for extermination ..."
The captain knew he had to be calm. "Get us out of here."
"Shoud I... should I ready the shields, sir?" Bill, usually the most mature, was as afraid a a 5-year-old in the dentist's office.
"Shields are worthless here. Divert ALL power to the engines. Yolanda, get me Major Nelson."
Bill was confused: these shields had withstood several MAC rounds, and were in full repair right now, a luxury the small, underfunded ship rarely enjoyed. "Excuse me, sir, but shouldn't we at least put the shields on low power?"
"You obviously have never seen a Covenant attack before. Shields don't do much against a kilometer-wide ball of plasma." Yolanda just stood there, eyes distant. "Yolanda! Get me Major Nelson!"
"Yes... yes sir." She went back to her console for a few seconds and Nelson's scarred face appeared onscreen.
Nelson had not heard the Covenant transmission, and did not need to: he understood the philosophy of a "need-to-know basis". Captain Hal only told him that they were going to return to Star Command, and to ready the crew for hyperspace.

OOC:

*Sigh* Fine lutzj... I'll allow that... for now...

By the way, can anyone suggest some more words for 'asked' (or 'questioned') and 'replied' (or 'responded')?

Stylesrj, what are the dimensions of a Pelican? I need to know wether or not it would fit into the Adelaide's shuttle bay (if not, the Pelican would have to dock at one of the ship's external docking ports).

IC:

"That was quick," someone commented as Albert's console began to beep, indicating incoming messages. "I've got both audio and video this time..."

"On screen," said Henry.

It was captain Dragonhelper again...

"We've accepted your offer of a face-to-face meeting. I'm sending my representative Milizee Lashee and her escort guard, Grigor Kalanin. Make sure their welcome isn't too cold please"

"Excellent!" Henry replied enthusiastically. "And don't worry, sir, I'll see to it personally that your crewmen are treated as honored guests of the United Federation of Planets... Will you be beaming aboard or flying in?"

"Sir, I've got another ship responding to our message," Albert cut in. "Looks like that... "Ouagadougou"... ship..."

"Let's hear it," replied Henry...

*We have accepted your offer, and the commander and captain of Ouagadougou are coming*

"Tell you're captain we'll waiting for him," Henry smiled. "And that we have both docking bay and transporter pad coordinates available..."

It didn't even occur to Henry that these people might not even have transporter technology...

"Sir! The freighter's sending out some kind of particle stream!" Kevin piped up.

"Dangerous?" Henry questioned.

"I don't believe so sir," Kevin replied.

"Shields up, sir?" asked Tabatha.

Henry shook his head. "No, let's see what they want..."

"Impact..." said Kevin overly grandly.

"There's a pattern to this particle stream," Albert instantly noted. "I... I think it's a message..."

"Can you put it on speakers?" asked Henry.

"I can try..." Albert replied...

"This is Capta.......y from mining........lten. We have picked up...................no means to transmit.......can assure you...........no harm."

"Can you clear that up?" Henry ordered, slightly irritated.

"Hang on... I..." Albert began. "Wait, I've got it..."

"This is Captain Trent Levy from mining barge Nubolten. We have picked up your radio transmissions. We have no means to transmit radio ourselves, but I can assure you we mean no harm."

"So that's why they haven't been communicating," Dante Keating commented, putting 2 and 2 together.

"I'd assume so..." Henry agreed. "Mr. Harris, can you respond?"

"I could send out a similar particle stream using the main deflector dish..." Albert offered.

"That'll do," Henry replied. "Alright, transmit the following... "Attention Nubolten, this is captain Henry Baker of the Federation starship USS Adelaide. To reiterate in case you have missed parts of our transmissions, we are on a peaceful mission of exploration and have no hostile intention. We are currently in the process of gathering representatives from each ship in this area for a diplomatic conference aboard our ship. We would be more than happy for you to join us... Perhaps we could provide you with a subspace radio..."

"Message sent sir," said Albert, seconds later.

"Well done ensign..." Henry complimented.

"Umm... thank you... sir," replied Albert a little meekly.

He was more assertive than many ensigns of his age, but he had always been bad at accepting compliments...

"Commander, the Ouagadougou has powered its defenses..." reported the helmsman.

"Thank you con," Henry replied.

"That's odd..." said Kevin all of a sudden, glancing around.

"What is it?" Henry questioned.

"I..." he began to try to explain. "Do any of you feel like you just had some kind of... lapse... of some description?"

"Come to think of it," said Albert. "You're right. For a moment there, I felt... almost like a different person."

"I agree," Henry nodded concernedly. "Something strange is going on... Could it be something to do with the nebula?"

"I don't think so, but I'd have to run detailed scan to be sure..." Kevin replied.

"Then do it..." Henry said firmly. "If something in that nebula's compromising us, I want to know what it is..."

"Aye sir," Kevin replied.

"Should we warn the other ships?" Albert asked.

Henry shook his head. "No, we don't want to alarm them over what could just be our imaginations. We won't raise shields either, so don't even ask miss Siege. No, hold our position, the conference proceeds as planned..."

Several 'aye sir's were heard around the bridge.

"Sir, the Drifter Colony is responding to our transmission," said Albert, eager to change the subject. "On speakers, sir..."

This is the drifter colony, we accept the Adelaide's offer. We will have four person party coming aboard. We will discuss all trade agreements there. We look forward to doing some fair trade with all of you.

"Transmit an acknowledgement along with transporter and docking bay co-ordinates," Henry ordered.

"Aye sir," said Albert.

"Sir, a small ship is taking off from the Column of Nuclear Winter, looks like a small cargo transport." Kevin reported. "They're heading towards us..."

"Make sure they have the docking coordinates..." Said Henry.

"I've taken care of it, sir," Albert assured him.

"I'd say this going pretty well," Dante commented.

"Agreed..." Henry nodded. "What about that last ship, the... Lucipher..."

"No response to our hail as yet..." said Albert.

"Keep tracking them," said Henry. "If they make an aggressive move, go to red alert immediately..."

"Aye sir," Kevin replied.

"Well," he said, rising from his seat. "Miss Siege, ensign, you're with me. "Mr. Wilcox, you have the bridge, continue your scans of the nebula..."

"Aye sir," Kevin replied.

"M...Me, sir?" Albert asked.

"Yes you, ensign," Henry replied simply. "You don't have to say anything, but I do want to see you down there. I feel this could be an important learning experience for you..."

Albert merely nodded. He could see the sense in that.

"Now come on, let's go," he said in a more friendly manner.

"Aye sir," Albert replied, also managing a smile.

The officers filed quickly into the nearby turbolift, the doors closing behind them once they were inside. The lift sped away, the three officers standing in silence... or near silence as Henry was polishing off the last of his coffee, which was fortunately still warm enough to drink...

OOC: Pelican dimensions:
Length:
30.5 meters (100.3 feet)
Width:
23.4 meters (76.8 feet)

That's what I found off the Halo Wiki

So what sort of game is this? Can I still join?

I think you can still join.
It's a roleplaying game. You make up characters, crew and a ship and well you do things that ships do in space

"Receiving a PSC from one of the ships, sir!"

"Hmm... Interesting. Let's hear it." Replied Trent.

"Attention Nubolten, this is captain Henry Baker of the Federation starship USS Adelaide. To reiterate in case you have missed parts of our transmissions, we are on a peaceful mission of exploration and have no hostile intention. We are currently in the process of gathering representatives from each ship in this area for a diplomatic conference aboard our ship. We would be more than happy for you to join us... Perhaps we could provide you with a subspace radio..."

Trent opened the ships log and started typing.

- Log entry 10233. Several unkn S enc by accid. HD fail. Pick up RW trans. English. Sent PSC. rec reply RW 1 PSC. Poss non H ent. Proc w cau.

"What do you think Dan?"

"It seems they are really arranging a conference, sir. I picked up these a short while ago."

"We've accepted your offer of a face-to-face meeting. I'm sending my representative Milizee Lashee and her escort guard, Grigor Kalanin. Make sure their welcome isn't too cold please"

"We have accepted your offer, and the commander and captain of Ouagadougou are coming
"

"Let's send them a message."

"Channel open, sir."

"Nubolten to USS Adelaide. Do you know anything of the other vessels in the area? We will accept your invitation once the area can be considered secure."

"Keep heading towards the Adelaide."

The mining barge adjusted it's course accordingly. Still moving very slowly.

The Tigris

Captain: Admiral Taillesskangaru
Allegiance: none (rogue ship, disenfranchised freedom-loving ex-mercenaries)
Crew: 300

Weaponry:
- EMP pluse
- Close range rail guns
- Medium and Long range armour-piercing missiles
- Plasma turrets
- Ion Cannon
- Dropships (x6) and escape pods (x8)

Defense:
- Reinforced composite armour (lacks a force field)
- Repairing Nanites on armour
- Stealth generator
- anti-missile laser defence system

The Tigris was a ship used by mercenaries under the command of Taillesskangaru. After fighting with many empires around the galaxy, the mercenaries became disenfranchised after they were betrayed by their last employers.

They now owe allegiance to no one. They sometime engage in piracy, sometime trade, but are mostly content to cruising around the galaxy helping those in need. Over the years they were joined by others - some are pirates and ex-soldiers, others adventurers, ran away convicts or asylum seekers. The Captain placed a 300 people cap on crew members.

The Tigris is mostly self-sufficient, in power and in food and water (some agriculture is practiced on board).

(The Tigris, alongside another ship (foreground) while fighting for New Earth)
http://forums.filefront.com/attachments/stl-modding-editing/59890d1197598705-official-legacy-starship-request-mac.jpg

"Nubolten to USS Adelaide. Do you know anything of the other vessels in the area? We will accept your invitation once the area can be considered secure."

"Hear? That's a great chance to get something to do!"

---
Ouagadougou to Nulboten:
*Sorry to pick up messages to others, but we have made some rough countings about the relative security of the area:
There is one Federation ship which is bound by their laws, and so would defend against any attacks.
There is Lucipher, an independent ship, a potential threat. However, it has stated no hostile intentions, and is willing to trade.
The Column of Nuclear Winter has similarly stated that it will only defend and is also willing to trade. They have also sent people to the conference, and they would get imprisoned if they attacked anyone.
The mining ship as well has acted peacefully, and wouldn't be very strong anyway. It has also sent people to the conference.
There are two unknown ships.


This means that there are two potential threats and one very unlikely threat.

In the worst case that would mean three against three. It is likely that the other ships would turn to aid those who get attacked, so there are no real threats to your secrurity. If you need any further reassurance about that, you can hire us to protect Nulboten. Base fee per hours and extra for battles.*
---

OOC:

OOC:

*Sigh* Fine lutzj... I'll allow that... for now...

By the way, can anyone suggest some more words for 'asked' (or 'questioned') and 'replied' (or 'responded')?

"Inquired", "Shot Back", "Requested", "Demanded", and "Offered" all work in proper context.

IC:

As Major Nelson readied the crew, Bill and his expert engineers had almost finished preparing the engine for hyperdrive. Bill counted down over the PA: "Five... Four... Three... Two..."
He never finished his sentence: all life the entire rear of the craft was wiped out by an intense beam of gamma radiation from a Covenant cruiser.

The Lucipher hails the Tigris

We currently have need of employ, and wich to join your mercenary group. all members of crew competant and battle hardened

Please respond.

Trying to launch the ship...

Wait! Where is the ship?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...hhhhhhhhhhh.hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.hhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

OOC: It would be extremely difficult for Ougadougou to intercept Nuboltens transmissions since the particle streams are aimed on target.

The Lucipher hails the Tigris

We currently have need of employ, and wich to join your mercenary group. all members of crew competant and battle hardened

Please respond.

Ex-mercenary.

Admiral Taillesskangaru calls his Inner Circle members to meeting to discuss The Lucipher.

"Let's get straight to business. Do you think they can be trusted?"

"They said they were peaceful, but they don't look that trustworthy. They're runaway criminals wanted by Quebec, you know," a tall, serious-looking, woman spoke. She is 23 years old, but looks much older. She often received many compliments from the male crews on her body, compliments she usually returns with a punch or kick to various parts of the anatomy. Some female crew members had been heard to comment that some parts of her body, specificially the breast area, cannot be real.

"I am a runaway criminal!" A short, young man said. The Admiral pick him up at a Brotherhood gulag where he (and presumably his parents) was held for Crimes Against The People, whatever that means.

"Well, you're different, kid," said the serious-looking woman, with an unusually friendly tone in her voice.

"He sure is, Kate." Kate is not is her real name, either.

"I sure am," said the runaway criminal, Alex (which is probably his real name). Kate treats him as a younger brother (assuming he is younger. No one knows his exact age - people guess anything from 10 to 25.)

"You? You're just a foul-mouthed, idiotic, annoying little ****er, you piece of ****," said Rob, a bank-robber with an IQ of 175 wanted by the Republic of Quebec for stealing $20 billion from the National People's Bank (funds set aside for officially-acknowledged corruption, accounting for 40% of GDP). He blew it all on a game of poker with one R. Dragonhelper. Rob is currently in charge of the Tigris' finances - which means, he decides if there was enough money to cover all their needs, or do they have ambush a passing merchant ship and plunder some.

People are now starting to shout all at once. The Admiral, knowing that his unruly crew is not going to stop chatting anytime soon once they get going, decided that the Lucipher can be trusted, and sends a message to invite her captain and crew to join them for dinner.

I know, terrible grammar... :blush:

OOC: When was that poker game with The Captain? I mean that better be some other R. Dragonhelper and not mine :lol:
I could do a backstory on why The Captain does not play poker, but I can summarise it quickly: He's already rich :smug:

OOC:

Pelican dimensions:
30.5 meters (100.3 feet)
Width:
23.4 meters (76.8 feet)

That's significantly wider than a Danube class (the largest auxiliary ship the Akira class carries)... Hmm, the Akira class does have a wide shuttlebay though, how tall is the Pelican? Ah, never mind, just use the docking ports... ;)

And zxcvbnm, you told taillesskangaru that there were "two unknown ships", but lutzj 's ship hasn't arrived near the nebula yet (and it probably won't untill it hyperspaces)...

Welcome to the game, by the way, taillesskangaru... :)

Also, I agree with Rheinmetall, it wouldn't be possible to intercept a particle beam transmission so readily. I'm afraid I have to void your last post, zxcvbnm...

IC:

"Should I call you captain, then, sir?" Dante wondered jokingly.

Kevin didn't respond, knowing full well it was better to ignore the helmsman's sad attempts at humor...

"We're getting a reply from the Nubolten," Dante reported, rather more seriously. "On speakers?"

"On speakers..." Kevin affirmed, odding at the helmsman.

"Nubolten to USS Adelaide. Do you know anything of the other vessels in the area? We will accept your invitation once the area can be considered secure."

"They're still closing on us..." Dante noticed. "I'll send out the reply, if you like, sir..." he offered.

Kevin waved him off. "I'll do it..."

He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Nubolten," he started, trying to imitate his captain's diplomatic tone. "This is lieutenant Kevin Wilcox of the Adelaide. Our captain has left for our trade conference, you may now address me. As far as we can see, none of the other ships in the area have made any hostile moves as yet. Indeed, all but one have declared non-hostile intentions. I'm not an expert, but I fell it would be fairly safe for you to send to your representatives to join us... We await your reply..."

He sent out the message, pouring over what he had just said in his mind, hoping he hadn't said something wrong...

"I think you handled that well, sir," Dante assured him, recognizing the science officer's concerned expression.

He shrugged. "Thanks," he replied, all too casually. "Guess I should get back to scanning the nebula..."

Dante didn't interrupt him, instead he readied the thrusters in case the Nubolten suddenly sped up, as he noted the freighter appeared to be on a collision course...

Meanwhile, Kevin focused the ship's active scanners on the nebula. As he did, his passive sensors chimed him a warning. Dante rolled his eyes at the all-too-familiar sound.

"Let me guess," he huffed. "Another incoming ship?"

"I'm afraid so," Kevin consented. "It's of a similar design to the Lucipher..."

This, could be bad, Dante thought...

"The Lucipher is hailing the incoming ship," Kevin announced. "Intercept their transmission..." Kevin directed.

"Aye sir," Dante shot back quickly. "On speakers..."

We currently have need of employ, and wich to join your mercenary group. all members of crew competant and battle hardened

Please respond.

"So much for this being their domain," Dante rolled his eyes.

Kevin recalled them claiming that too. It seemed, they had just been bluffing after all, something the captain must have picked up on earlier or he would have taken more action regarding that ship...

OOC:
Pelican Height:
10.0 meters (35.9 feet) (10.5 meters with landing gear)

"I'll place the device into something inconspicuous" Lashee said to Grigor
"Why can't I do that ma'am?" Grigor asked
"Because you didn't wash those gloves and you've got your DNA imprint all over them. I don't leave imprints behind" Lashee stated
"Because you're an xenomorph. Gotcha." Grigor said
"Bingo. Our DNA is always connected to us. We're unable to leave any part of our body behind. However Grigor, you'll have to arm the device. The remote requires a DNA imprint and fingerprint from the hand to respond and then it'll be bound to it. Sort of a trump card. It'll also tell the difference between an alive person and a dead person" Lashee said.
"How does it do that?" Grigor asked

"It has a blood detector. It can measure the blood flow and if there's blood on the hand itself, it'll definitely not register the person as alive. Pretty advanced stuff if you think about it. Although, the subject of blood can be debated. The Captain tried one of those devices for his command console" Lashee explained.
"What happened?" Grigor asked
"Well it worked, and then at one point, he was eating a jam crumpet and his fingers were covered in strawberry jam. He didn't clean them off, and he tried to access his mail. Long story short, the sensor thought he was dead, a mail was about to be sent to Fleet Command about it, but Isis managed to correct it before anything happened" Lashee explained
"Then what did The Captain do?" Grigor questioned
"He washed his hands, and removed that blood detector from his command station. It's useful, but any red material on the fingers can play havoc with it" Lashee said "But I don't think it'll be a problem here."

Lashee opened the package and removed a small cylinder from it. She slipped it into a bottle of 100-year old wine. "probably from some country we don't care about" Lashee commented about the beautiful French wine.
"Will it pass security?" Grigor asked
"It should pass security, it's not an explosive device or a biological agent" Lashee replied "Besides, who doesn't want some wine?"

The Pelican stopped in front of one of the docking ports of the Adelaide. It then turned around to have the ramp facing towards the port.
Lashee nodded and got up from her seat. Grigor put on his helmet and secured it tightly as the ramp was lowered into the docking port.
(I'll assume there's a service umbilical, so no one has to walk in space)
They entered into the ship itself. "We better get ourselves checked then" Lashee said, noticing people in yellow shirts waiting for them on the ship

OOC:

Well actually no, your ship could probably conncet directly to the Adelaide (as that little shuttle did to the Enterprise in TMP)...

This is the Pelican

http://images.wikia.com/halo/images/7/7e/D77H-TCI_Pelican_Gunship.jpg

http://images.wikia.com/halo/images/4/40/Pelican_bay.jpg

It can't connect directly with a door as it uses a ramp to transport troops and cargo across

"Incoming PSC, sir."

"This is lieutenant Kevin Wilcox of the Adelaide. Our captain has left for our trade conference, you may now address me. As far as we can see, none of the other ships in the area have made any hostile moves as yet. Indeed, all but one have declared non-hostile intentions. I'm not an expert, but I fell it would be fairly safe for you to send to your representatives to join us... We await your reply..."

Trent listened carefully. "Dan. Full steam ahead. We wouldn't..."

Suddenly the intercomm interrupted him. "Cap. I found the rest of the radio. I'll put it together right away."

"Herb, I need you to check the docking tube and adaptor right away. I'll tell you the dimensions in a short while."

"Don't you need the radio anymore?"

"We'll need it eventually, but this is more urgent."

"Allright, you're the boss and I just work here."

Herb cuts the comm.

"As I was saying, Increase thrust. If the conference has started we wouldn't want to arrive too late." Trent fell to his thoughts for a short while. Dan typed a few commands. Nubolten picked up speed considerably. The blue glow behind it's engines grew several times in intensity. Finally Trent was done thinking. "Wake up Sakarias, I will take a bodyguard with me, just in case."

"If you say so, sir" Dan queried and rolled his eyes.

Dan typed a few commands. A some sort of chat opened.

-Sakarias, it's Dan. Captain needs you.
-For what?
-As bodyguard.
-Why?
-Let me explain. The hyperdrive failed, and now we're in this god forsaken nebula with half a dozen unknown vessels. Captain is going on board of one called USS Adelaide and needs you to go with him.
-OK. I'll be on the bridge in 10 minutes.

"Sir, Sakarias will be here in 10."

"Open a channel to the Adelaide"

"Channel open, sir"

"Nubolten to USS Adelaide. We have decided to join the conference. I, the captain of Nubolten, Trent Levy will be coming and our mining operator Sakarias Dover will be joining me. Please tell the dimensions of your docking port, so we may prepare our adaptor."

"Captain Tailless is inviting you over for dinner" The Radioman spoke to the Captain.

"ask them when they expect us."

while the answer was waited for, the captain and the head of the divisions went to get prepared, donning clothes at the height of Quebecois Fation (or at least, at the height when the Lucipher left)

"Sir, it appears you have forgotten to tell the captain of Lucipher the date of the dinner", informed Alex.

"Just...tell them to come whenever they want. We'll be ready. We're always ready! We must always be ready to uphold the ideals of the Revolution, don't we Alex?"

"As you wish, Admiral. He's nuts"

OOC:
OOC: It would be extremely difficult for Ougadougou to intercept Nuboltens transmissions since the particle streams are aimed on target.
OOC:
And zxcvbnm, you told taillesskangaru that there were "two unknown ships", but lutzj 's ship hasn't arrived near the nebula yet (and it probably won't untill it hyperspaces)...

Welcome to the game, by the way, taillesskangaru... :)

Also, I agree with Rheinmetall, it wouldn't be possible to intercept a particle beam transmission so readily. I'm afraid I have to void your last post, zxcvbnm...
What was I smoking, weird, I should have noticed that...:confused:
Technically I had a pod close to Adelaide so that confused me..

Anyway, does anyone want some cheese?

:joke:

OOC:

I'd really like the remaining players who haven't posted since my last post to go before I go again...:)

Grigor was handed the remote for the device Lashee placed in the wine. He placed his thumb over it and pressed the button.
Inside the bottle of wine, a tiny LED blinked red.


Onboard the Column, Captain Dragonhelper looked at his screen. "The device is armed. Good, we have our failsafe set. Let's just hope it does not fall into the wrong hands" he commented to himself.
He then got up from his chair and headed to the officer's mess hall.
One of the officers on the Bridge stood up and stepped over to his workstation. "We'll see about that traitor" a feminine voice muttered...

The captain sat their muttering to himself.

"Why does it always take so long for the joint heads to do anything. I mean look how long it took for them to get a few people together."

The captain continued to curse and mutter under his breath. The others in the shuttle were all discussing what they hope to get, carrying out political debates, and other endless chatter.

"We are approaching the Federation ship, will everyone please remain in there seats while I take us in."


To Adelaide: We are approaching your ship, we will us the docking ports to avoid any potential confusion in the bay.

Just as the pilot finished his transmission a swarm of scavenging droids flew past the shuttle off in the search of resources.

"I guess I should warn everyone about those to."

To all ships: The colony ship has just unleashed the scavenging droids. Do not be alarmed they are only seeking resources in the nebula and are programed to not go after ships.

The captain just finished his latest bout of complaints mumbled,

"Well lets get this over with."

With that the shuttle docked with the Adelaide.

OOC:

Wait on Stylesrj, you're right, there WOULD be yellow shirts already there to escort your group. Maybe you should agree to void your last lost and I'll post again tomorrow...

A small craft was coming closer to Adelaide. It looked like a fighter, perhaps because it was an old fighter, mostly disarmed and modified for civilian purposes. Inside there were five people.

"Funny thing that we should go to a federation ship, unarmed and unshackled. Well, we haven't done anything illegal lately so they shouldn't have a reason to arrest us."

This was replied by the ship's old captain:
"Indeed, but I have a bad feeling about this, I have seen too many such injustices (he points to his forehead, on which there is a large scar) to completely trust them. Gerhard, do you have the escape gear ready if they decide that we are dangerous smugglers and pirates?" (he spits on the ground. a small robot scurries along the floor to clean it)

"Yes, two heavy-duty piercer explosives to break the hull and six miniature rockets to escape with."

"Six?"

"In case one fails."

"Good. Stay around the ship, as close to us as possible. The neural transmitters will tell you where we are and do we need to be rescued or not. Finally some use for them so my brain wasn't messed with in vain."
"So what did you tell them to do in the ship?"

"What we decided to say; to be ready in case we need to escape, and keep the projectors on power so that we can show them what it feels to be on the receiving end." z said.

"But can't they see if they are used..?"

"Only the pipes. The coils are inside enough so they can't be scanned accurately enough. When the coils are hot the pipes can be activated in seconds, at least according to Yuri."

"How about the launchers?"

"MTRs are loaded with piercing AM-EMP torpedoes. Should be enough to disable their computers. Launching them would take a bit longer because the rails aren't ready but readying them would show that we are prepared, what they mustn't know."
"Anyway, I trust that Nadia can handle whatever comes."

A few moments later the craft docked to Adelaide, leaving two of its passengers there, and began to shuttle around it in stealth mode.

OOC: I've changed my last two posts to suit the situation and remove inconsistencies and stuff. How's that?

Nubolten was closing in on the Adelaide. Trent observed the other shuttles moving near the ship.

"It might be better if we stand still and let them dock. We're too big and clumsy for delicate manouvers. I don't want to ram them."

"I agree with you, sir."

Trent opens the intercomm. "Herb, is the docking tube ready?"

"It's ready. I'll just need the dimensions for the adapter."

"Dan, scan the damn thing to get the dimensions."

"Yessir." Dan reaches for another control panel and flips a few switches. An array of antennas rise from the ships hull. Dan types a few commands and presses enter.

"Sir, I've got the dimensions. Among other things we might want to look into later. I'll send them dimensions to Herb."

The bridge door opened and a tall man carefully entered the room. Carefully not to hit his head on the ceiling.

"Ai'ght boss. You wanted ta see me?"

"Sakarias. Good to see you. Go clean yourself up a bit and grab something to eat. I'll call you on the intercomm when we're ready to go."

"Sure thing boss." Sakarias turned around and left the bridge.

"Are you sure you want to take him with you, sir? I mean his appearance can be quite intimidating to someone who hasn't seen him before."

"I don't want them to think we're pushovers at the Adelaide. Have you seen this ship from the outside lately?"

"You have a point there, sir."

"Open a channel to Adelaide."

"Channel open."

"Nubolten to USS Adelaide. We have come to the conclusion it would be wiser if you docked with us, since our craft is considerably larger. We don't wish to accidentally ram you."

"Steer next to Adelaide and stop."

Dan typed a few commands and started giving coordinates manually, drawing a flight path that would lead Nubolten parellel to Adelaide. The barge slowed down and slowly turned into position. Meanwhile Trent emptied his milk bottle.

Captain Dragonhelper returned to the Bridge. He carried a bottle of a thick green liquid with him. "Damn, all they got is this Liquid Soylent Green" he cursed.
The Communications officer got up to intercept him. "While you were gone sir, these are the transmission we intercepted from the nearby ships" she said, handing The Captain a disk, then saluting. The Captain didn't even look at her form-fitting officer's uniform.
He's already in love with someone, the officer thought

"Thanks Debra. I'll play it as soon as I can" Captain Dragonhelper replied, returning the salute and sitting back at his station.
He slipped the disk into his command station console. Isis appeared on the nearby projector. "You should let me have a look at that disk sir before playing it on Windows Media Player 700" she said
"Good idea Isis. And you really got to keep up. I use VLC. Windows Media Player just does not cut it for me" The Captain replied.

Several files came up on the command screen. Lines of code. Usual computery stuff. "Nothing bad here so far" Isis commented, scrutinising the code at super speeds.
The Captain sipped on the bottle. "If this junk was people, I'd get my money back! Sure isn't tasty" he exclaimed, throwing the bottle into a nearby trash receptacle.
"It's highly nutritious sir. Even if it goes taste like lime flavoured vomit." Isis replied.
"Like hell it does... wait, how do you know what it tastes like?" The Captain asked
"You don't wanna know" the AI replied.
"Ok, I won't pry further" The Captain said.

The screen flashed red. "Shoot! That code wasn't friendly! It just transmitted something from this station!" Isis exclaimed.
The disk was immediately ejected by the station's antivirus system- MacaNortontosh Antivirus.
The Captain turned on his chair and faced towards the Communications Console. Debra had fled!
"That woman! Where did she go?" The Captain asked
"Scanning... Inventory shows that one Pelican is missing from Launch Bay 4" Isis said

"That's the diplomatic Pelican. We sent it out to the Adelaide. Remember?" The Captain said.
"Oh right. My systems are not quite in order. Something must be wrong" Isis said
"There could have been a virus encoded in that file as well. Did you see what was transmitted?" The Captain asked the construct
"I'll see what I can figure out, but it'll take some time... wait, I'm getting reports of unauthorised activity in Hangar Bay 4. A Longsword is taking off" Isis said.

"Keep the doors shut. I'm going after her!" The Captain said, putting on his green-grey coloured helmet and running out the Bridge
"Wait! Ah crap!" Isis yelled as The Captain fled very quickly.

How could she? After all these years!? I trusted her! I even saved her life once! Why would our Communications Officer do this to us? What is her game?, The Captain thought, opening a pair of doors to the nearby armoury. "Hmm..." he hummed, looking at the array of weapons.
"The hangar doors are sealed Captain. Only you and Lashee can override my lockdown of the ship" Isis said over the radio.
With that, The Captain grabbed a shotgun, some boxes of slugs and an MA5C Assault Rifle before leaving the room. "That's good news indeed. It's time to stage an assault on a Longsword. Have Chuck meet me there"
"He already is. After Lashee left, Chuck got caught in a game of poker with his fellow Marines." Isis answered.

Elsewhere...
Lashee looked around the Adelaide. "Nice architecture. I've seen nothing quite like this, except back on my old carrier. Now that was funky. You couldn't get bored of the whole purple, organic feel" she commented
"Tell me about it" Grigor groaned as he was being escorted.
"Can we speed this up a little? The Captain wants radio contact soon and we can't keep him waiting. Who knows what he might think if we wait too long?" Lashee said to the escorting crew.

IC:

Capatin Hal knew about the attack a full five seconds ahead of time, but it was to late to save Bill now. Emergency robotic engineers busily worked to activate the hyperdrive, even as their human counterparts lay dead and dying from the radiation. The ship barely made it out of the area before another Covenant broadside hit them. Due to fuel shortages and equiment problems related to the attack, the Falcon was forced to land on a small planet, Tatooiney that had a well-stocked supply depot and a friendly outpost.

Or so they thought.

Longsword Fighter/Interceptor
http://nikon.bungie.org/misc/sloftus_longswordtour/Longsword-Specs.jpg

Several minutes ago...

Hangar Bay 4

"Royal Flush gentlemen" Chuck declared, throwing his cards down into the pile. He then dragged the winnings towards him.
"Damn! He got us again! Clever little methane sucker!" a Marine commented.
"It's all about the game Jason. Besides, I was the one who shuffled" another Marine said.
"Another round Sarge? Guys?" the third Marine asked
"Sure, I mean, if the Lieutenant is up to it" the Sergeant replied
"Naw man, I've got to get back on guard duty for the Longsword. Thanks for the game" Jason said, picking up his MA5C and heading back towards the Longsword.

"I'm just wondering sir, you got any special ones back home or on this ship?" the Sergeant asked Chuck while shuffling the cards.
"I don't really understand" Chuck replied
"You know, girlfriends. Love interests"
"Oh that! Well, there was this one Ugoggy... she was cute. But then a Brute blew her head off with a Mauler. Never saw her again..." Chuck said
"I'm sorry to hear that sir..." the Sergeant sorrowfully replied.
"It's okay. I've decided to lay off this whole love thing until we reach Balaho. It's been a long time" Chuck replied.
"Talk about it! How long have we been on this ship for? One, two years? The last time we had relief was... I can't really remember" the third Marine piped up

Just then, Lieutenant Commander Deborah Natas stepped into the docking bay. The Marines playing poker immediately saluted as she walked past. "Ma'am! What brings you here?" the Sergeant asked.

Debra ignored them. She headed towards the Longsword which Jason was guarding.
"Ma'am! I have strict orders from the Captain himself. I cannot allow you to enter" Jason was telling the officer.
Debra looked angry. Jason was thinking, Who does she think she is anyway? But she does look good when angry, the she-devil she...
The thought was interrupted by a few millimetres of soft lead and a loud BANG!

Jason slumped to the deck and Debra pushed him aside and ran onto the Longsword. Before anyone could stop her, the ramp was raised.
The Sergeant was the first to hit the radio. An alarm was sounded in Hangar Bay 4. "Unauthorised activity in the Longsword" the Sergeant yelled.
The engines of the fighter were warming up. The gathered Marines were lucky that the fighter couldn't shoot behind itself.
Chuck left his poker winnings where they were and reached for his Plasma Rifle. "I'm going to get my weapons. Hold the fort" he yelled over the klaxon and engine noises.

"Isis has the right idea. She's closing the airlock doors and the blast doors, trapping Debra in for us. Now I need to find that Fuel Rod Gun" Chuck said, running for an exit.
Before Chuck got any further, several inches of lead pinged across the floor in front of him.
"Sonuva!" he exclaimed, ducking down and risking a look behind him.
The Longsword had turned around inside the hangar and was unleashing a hellstorm of chaingun rounds from the front. The landing legs were deploying in. Chuck was lucky the Longsword was shooting at the area in general with the chaingun and not at anyone in particular. However, the barrage did divert Chuck from the exit and behind a Nano-hardened Titanium A barricade.
Chaingun rounds pinged off it. "It's a mess sir! Our own Communications Officer!" the Sergeant yelled
"But why would she do such a thing?" Chuck asked.
"Who knows. Isis or The Captain might fill us in. But we got to make sure she does not escape! She's a threat to the diplomatic summit!" the Sergeant yelled.

Now
"Lt. Chuck! This is The Captain. I'm heading to the docking bay now. What should I look out for?" came a voice over his headset.
"Sir! Debra has taken control of the Longsword and has us pinned with the chaingun. She's currently a few metres in the air and I have no access to my weapons." Chuck replied.
"Can you or anyone else get to the vehicles?" The Captain replied
"We could try and..." Chuck started, but a WHOOOOSH! cut him off

Several Scorpion Tanks, Wraiths and Warthogs exploded, leaving a crater in the hangar floor, exposing systems underneath the deck. "Scratch that sir. She's taken out our tanks. But I do see one Warthog left" Chuck finished
"Armament?"
"Ummm... it's a LAAG. Unsuitable for shooting down an armoured fighter" Chuck replied
"Captain! We've hit a problem!" came a third voice over the radio.
"Isis! This better be important!" The Captain barked
"The blast doors are opening, and so are the airlocks... without the proper decompression procedure" Isis replied.
"Shoot! Tell everyone to go EVA! How could Debra override the lockdown? Only myself and Lashee can do that!" The Captain asked
"Apparently, the bad file transmitted command override codes to a remote system. Debra must have transferred it to her data pad and cut the connection" Isis answered.

The nearby Marines put on helmets and slipped on garments which formed into an airtight suit. Not suitable for combat, but suitable for zero-gravity and oxygen environments. Chuck grabbed one of the containers from one of his own pockets as the airlock doors were opening.
Air was flooding out of the hangar. Chuck's suit came on and he saw it was airtight. He might have breathed in methane, but his skin can't handle the lack of pressure.
The Longsword quickly turned and rocketed out of the hangar. It then turned and fired a missile at the Phantom stored in the bay. Marines were rushing towards it.

The Phantom hummed loudly, explosions ripping the sides and then it exploded and fell onto the deck below. With that, the Longsword turned and flew away from the Column.

"Alert the nearby ships and the summit! We have a hostile Longsword in the area" The Captain barked to the AI. Isis set to work.
The Captain opened up his own console and changed the Longsword's FOF tag to hostile. "You got to love those weapons training skirmishes. There's no trainers for those sessions on this ship." he commented.

Onboard the Adelaide...
OOC: By the way, can we assume Lashee and Grigor have passed security and are waiting in a command room or something for the other diplomats?

IC:
"Grigor! Grigor! Your life is in danger!" came Isis' voice over the radio
"It always has been Isis" the ODST replied
"Grigor! There's a hostile Longsword in the area. Our Communications Officer went rogue Alert Lashee" Isis replied.
"Why can't you?" Grigor asked, then tapping Lashee on the arm.
"Her radio seems to be down" Isis replied. "Be careful. The Longsword is armed with a Shiva Nuclear Warhead"
"Lashee, your friend Debra has gone rogue and is considered hostile. The summit might be in danger. That Longsword has a Shiva Nuclear Warhead on it!" Grigor said to the towering Elite.
"I knew Debra was up to something. But not like this!" Lashee replied.
"Be advised Grigor. Debra also has stolen command codes from Captain Dragonhelper." Isis added "She has control over everything on the Column"
"I understand. Lashee, Debra has stolen our Captain's command codes." Grigor said to Lashee and Isis

OOC: Wow that is a long post, took my nearly an hour to type

IC:

Isis to all vessels:
To all vessels in the area. This is Captain Dragonhelper's AI construct, Isis CONSTRUCT. We have a rogue officer who's stolen one of our fighters. If you see the fighter marked as hostile, don't shoot it down! It could put our ship at risk due to the nuclear threat. Be careful and try and subdue the pilot without too much damages to the craft or the officer. We'll deal with her traitorous ways

Dan kept intercepting the radio transmissions. "Sir, I think they have a situation at the Column of Nuclear Winter. Listen."

To all vessels in the area. This is Captain Dragonhelper's AI construct, Isis CONSTRUCT. We have a rogue officer who's stolen one of our fighters. If you see the fighter marked as hostile, don't shoot it down! It could put our ship at risk due to the nuclear threat. Be careful and try and subdue the pilot without too much damages to the craft or the officer. We'll deal with her traitorous ways

Trent observes his radar screen and map. "Well they're there and we're here. That rogue fighter isn't a direct threat to us."

"Should we keep ourselves out of this, sir. It's their mess after all."

"We should. We could disable the fighter with EMP. However Adelaide..."

"Unshielded, at point blank range. It would cripple their electronics, sir."

"Yes. Arm the EMP. We will use it only if the fighter threatens us or somebody specifically asks us to intervene."

Dan reached the EMP controls. He flipped the arming switch. A red light lit, turned to yellow, and after a few seconds green. "EMP armed, sir."

"Run a check on the autocannons. Just in case."

OOC:

Sorry I took so long guys...

zxcvbnm, we have a problem, there would have been security guards there when you first docked, but I suppose we can assume the cloaked guys slipped by without the guards hearing...

Oh I didn't make myself clear about the 'yellowshirts'. The uniforms of the Adelaide's crew members are the same one you'll find in the Trek movies from First Contact onwards, where they have a tunicy jacket thing over the top of their coloured shirts (and thus the 'yellowshirts' are really more 'yellowcollars')...

http://www.shadowdalecreations.com/star-trek_first_contact_1.jpg

Oh and Baker, Siege and Harris will be wearing dress uniforms that look like this...

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/en/images/thumb/2/2e/Julian_Bashir_dress_uniform.jpg/180px-Julian_Bashir_dress_uniform.jpg

http://www.stardestroyer.net/Nemesis/Captioned/Nemesis-04.jpg

IC:

The first thing the spacesuit-clad representatives from the Column of Nuclear Winter saw as they boarded the Adelaide were several tough looking officers with side arms on their belts. Two were human, and the, third was a short, burly, pig-nosed rather unkind looking humanoid. He in particular eyed the visitors suspiciously.

One of the humans, a tall brown-haired fellow took from his belt a small rectangular device and opened it.

"Routine scan..." he explained.

He waved the device over the arrivals for a few moments, then closed it and put it back onto his belt.

"All clear..." he said simply.

"Come with us..." the pig-nosed man grunted, gesturing them to follow.

"I'm sorry about him," the second human, shorter than the one with the scanner, shrugged. "He's a Tellarite, they're damn tough, but they're not the most friendly of folks..."

"Yes, thank you for that, crewman..." the taller man said sarcastically and somewhat warningly.

He didn't want to start an argument in front of their guests.

"Sorry, sir," the crewman replied.

The representatives were motioned along the corridor. The three guards walked at a fairly slow pace, pretending to pay no mind to the small-talk going on between the representatives, though they were actually listening intently, until...

"Can we speed this up a little? The Captain wants radio contact soon and we can't keep him waiting. Who knows what he might think if we wait too long?" Lashee said to the escorting crew.

"My apologies," said the taller guard. "Hup-two people..."

The pace quickened and they soon got onto a turbolift, which sped away and soon arrived at its destination deck. Another short walk brought them to a well-lit conference room with large windows and a long table in the middle.

"Captain Baker will be here shortly..." said the brown-haired man. "After you..."

He followed the representatives into the room, the other two guards staying in the corridor. He then took what was apparently his place in the corner of the room and just stood there...

"Oh, you can call your ship now if you want..." he said quickly.


Meanwhile, captain Baker and the two bridge officers he had dragged along with him were now heading towards the very same room, now wearing clean, white dress uniforms that almost seemed to sparkle compared to the regular dark-purple and black duty tunics.

"Really? I always thought these things were more comfortable..." Tabatha replied to a comment Henry was making

"Hmm..." Henry mused. "What do you think, ensign?"

"Me sir?" Albert seemed puzzled.

"Do you see another ensign around here?" Henry asked, shurgging.

"No... well..." Albert pondered. "I don't know..."

"Well, have think about it and let me know," Henry smiled as they got onto a turbolift...

"Yes sir," Albert replied meekly, also smiling.


Elsewhere, Kevin Wilcox, merely a second after acknowledging the last transmission of the incoming shuttle from the Drifter Colony, he could only watch in amazement as a swarm of tiny craft streamed fourth from the colony ship, blasting past the Adelaide in a great torrent towards the nebula...

To all ships: The colony ship has just unleashed the scavenging droids. Do not be alarmed they are only seeking resources in the nebula and are programed to not go after ships.

"I see..." Kevin responded simply. "Very well. Prepare to dock, our security personnel will be waiting to escort you, Wilcox out..."

"The Drifter Colony's shuttle has successfully docked..." Dante reported soon after. "The Ouagadougou's shuttle is coming in to dock as well..."

"We're getting another transmission from the Nubolten..." Dante reported.

"Putting it on speakers," said Kevin.

"Nubolten to USS Adelaide. We have come to the conclusion it would be wiser if you docked with us, since our craft is considerably larger. We don't wish to accidentally ram you."

"Acknowledged, Nubolten," Kevin replied. "I'll inform the captain of your request..."

"The Nubolten's moving to come along side us," reported Dante. "And the Ouagadougou's shuttle has docked..." he added

"Alright, said Kevin. "Bridge to captain Baker..."

"Baker here..." Henry replied, tapping his com badge.

"Sir, the Nubolten wants us to dock with them," he reported.

"I see..." Henry replied. "Are all the docked shuttles secure?"

"Yes sir..." Dante nodded.

"Then do so..." said Henry simply. "I don't see what harm could come of it... Baker out..."

"OK, Dante, stand by on starboard thrusters..." Kevin began. "Hang on a minute..." he interrupted himself. "Something's going on the Column... I'm picking up explosions inside one of their hanger bays..."

"Explosions?" Dante seemed a little shocked.

"Something's taking off from the bay now..." Kevin then reported. "It looks like a fighter..."

"What in hell's going on over there?" Dante wondered aloud.

He didn't have to wait long to find out...

To all vessels in the area. This is Captain Dragonhelper's AI construct, Isis CONSTRUCT. We have a rogue officer who's stolen one of our fighters. If you see the fighter marked as hostile, don't shoot it down! It could put our ship at risk due to the nuclear threat. Be careful and try and subdue the pilot without too much damages to the craft or the officer. We'll deal with her traitorous ways.

"Did you get that, captain?" Kevin asked, having routed the channel to Henry's com badge as well as to the main speakers.

"I certainly did!" Henry replied, having reached the conference room just in time to hear one of the two representatives tell the other what was going on. "Get us clear of the Nubolten, if that missile's launched, stand by lock on tractors to keep the missile clear of the other ships, then shoot it down. If the craft itself makes a threatening move, lock onto its pilot and beam her aboard if you can, lock on a tractor beam if you can't..."

"Aye sir," Kevin replied. "You heard him, helm. Adelaide to Nubolten, looks like we'll have to cancel our docking plans..."

The Adelaide's port thrusters fired, sending her slowly drifting clear of the Nubolten.

"Sir, the Nubolten is arming missile..." Dante reported. "Picking an EMP signature..."

"Nubolten, this Adelaide, hold your fire, we'll stop the craft if necessary..."

He paused for a moment.

"Adelaide to Column of Nuclear Winter," he announced. "Be advised that since your traitor's craft is unshielded we can easily beam her on board our ship if she makes a threatening move... There's probably no need for bloodshed here..."

"Adelaide to Column of Nuclear Winter," he announced. "Be advised that since your traitor's craft is unshielded we can easily beam her on board our ship if she makes a threatening move... There's probably no need for bloodshed here..."

Captain Dragonhelper smiled and said "A tractor beam... now that's a good idea. Ok, you can..."

"Captain! We're picking up a transmission from the Longsword... it seems our friend Debra isn't finished" Isis interrupted
"Put it on speaker. What does she want?" Captain Dragonhelper replied

"It's simple "Captain Traitor". Surrender. You better do it soon or I'll fire this nuke and activate your device which you smuggled onboard that ship" Debra boomed.

"You don't threaten a UNSC Captain that easily" Captain Dragonhelper replied.
"UNSC Captain? Look at where we are! We're in the middle of nowhere. There IS no UNSC, only your reign. We've been flying this galaxy for two years now and we have not seen another UNSC vessel. I am tired of your leadership and of the ship!" Debra explained. "Now that I have your command codes, I can take this ship where I like. Perhaps the nearest star will suffice?"

"You might have my command codes Debra, but I have as much control over my ship as you do. Besides, I'm at an advantage. I have an AI. You don't" The Captain replied. "Besides, once that nuke is fired, you'll be out of options."


Lashee listened to the heated conversation in action. "Don't these guys know that it's being broadcasted to all the ships in the area?" she said.
"I'll tell the Captain about it" Grigor said.

"This conversation tires me. I think it's time to activate your device" Debra said, holding up her data pad. The words "Disarm MGNP-70" "Arm MGNP-70" were on it. She navigated her finger towards the Arm button on the touchscreen.

"Captain, we've got a slipspace contact. Database registers it as... a Covenant Assault Carrier!" Isis interrupted.
"That's nice to hear, but right now, we got a hostage situation on us. If Debra hits that button, several million nanite drones programmed to destroy anything and everything they can acquire will be released across the Adelaide and they'll destroy the ship and turn it into a resource pile" The Captain explained.

"You didn't tell me about that sir!" Isis exclaimed.
"Of course I didn't. It's highly classified. Military Grade Nanopaste. Designed to wipe out enemy starships and leave resources for a mining team to later on salvage. I gave a canister of it to Lashee so she could use it if negotiations go sour. But it seems the Nanopaste controls have gone into the wrong hands. Even if we disarm the paste, Debra can re-arm them with that control system." The Captain explained.


Covenant Assault Carrier

http://images.wikia.com/halo/images/thumb/c/c5/Shadow_of_Intent.jpg/800px-Shadow_of_Intent.jpg

In space...

A slipspace rupture opened up. A Covenant Assault Carrier appeared.
"It seems help has arrived for me. Captain Dragonhelper, you remember this ship?" Debra explained.
"That's The Infernal Mist! I thought it was destroyed!" the Captain stammered

"It was, but we rebuilt it. Oh and by the way. I do not control the nanopaste. I just wanted you to admit it on an open channel and to distract you long enough to get back to the Mist. Toodles. Enjoy the repercussions and don't mind us. We're only here to destroy your vessel and any other hostile forces" Debra said.
The Longsword turned and rocketed for the Covenant Carrier. Seraph Fighters came out to escort the fighter/bomber


Seraph Fighter

http://images.wikia.com/halo/images/d/d6/Seraphagain.jpg

Onboard the Adelaide

Grigor looked around the table. "I think we just annoyed a whole bunch of people" he stated. Lashee replied "I gathered that. Now we're the bad guys. But how dare that woman takes control of my ship!"
"Your ship ma'am?" Grigor asked
"Yes. I used to control The Infernal Mist. Quite a good ship too. But it got destroyed" Lashee replied.
"I think a plan might be formulating" Grigor mused

OOC: That took a bit to make, but to summarise: Debra makes threats, Dragonhelper screws up and reveals hidden plans, Covenant ship appears, Debra escapes, Column has to suffer diplomatic repercussions, which may involve death or combat.
Grigor and Captain only people who can arm and disarm the nanopaste hidden in wine bottle

Isis to all vessels:
To all vessels in the area. This is Captain Dragonhelper's AI construct, Isis CONSTRUCT. We have a rogue officer who's stolen one of our fighters. If you see the fighter marked as hostile, don't shoot it down! It could put our ship at risk due to the nuclear threat. Be careful and try and subdue the pilot without too much damages to the craft or the officer. We'll deal with her traitorous ways
"They need our help. Nadia, the weapons are activated aren't they? Can you stop that fighter without killing the traitor?"

"Not with the torpedoes. EMP, yes, but the blast itself would wreck the whole thing."
"Igor, how about the torpedoes?" she said to the intercom

"drrrzzt... what? ..fzrrrr.. hear you, too much ...srrrrr... what was it again?"

"Can the projectors disable a fighter without killing it's crew. The scanners say... 50 times 50 meters."

"rrrr.. on low energy perhaps, never tried can't ...zrfr... for sure"

"All right, let's leave it to others. Wait, what?"

Suddenly the main screen lighted up with a storm of messages:
"It's simple "Captain Traitor". Surrender. You better do it soon or I'll fire this nuke and activate your device which you smuggled onboard that ship"
"You don't threaten a UNSC Captain that easily"
"UNSC Captain? Look at where we are! We're in the middle of nowhere. There IS no UNSC, only your reign. We've been flying this galaxy for two years now and we have not seen another UNSC vessel. I am tired of your leadership and of the ship! Now that I have your command codes, I can take this ship where I like. Perhaps the nearest star will suffice?"
"Looks like someone left the channel open" Qi commented
"You might have my command codes Debra, but I have as much control over my ship as you do. Besides, I'm at an advantage. I have an AI. You don't Besides, once that nuke is fired, you'll be out of options."
"This conversation tires me. I think it's time to activate your device"
"That's nice to hear, but right now, we got a hostage situation on us. If Debra hits that button, several million nanite drones programmed to destroy anything and everything they can acquire will be released across the Adelaide and they'll destroy the ship and turn it into a resource pile...
...Of course I didn't. It's highly classified. Military Grade Nanopaste. Designed to wipe out enemy starships and leave resources for a mining team to later on salvage. I gave a canister of it to Lashee so she could use it if negotiations go sour. But it seems the Nanopaste controls have gone into the wrong hands. Even if we disarm the paste, Debra can re-arm them with that control system."
"What? They smuggled THAT stuff to Adelaide, very bad news indeed. We must warn Zedah and Tshwana."
"Did you hear that there's something extremely dangerous aboard?"

"What? Luckily we have our escape gear ready, but the others... no hope for them."

"Anyway, if they activate it it's personal. No need to save her life now." Nadia said. "Torpedoes activating, projector pipes on, targeting.."

---
OOC: Could we get some info about the carrier and the fighters? If they are very strong and don't pose a direct threat to Ouagadougou ignore the following:
---

A slipspace rupture opened up. A Covenant Assault Carrier appeared.
"It seems help has arrived for me. Captain Dragonhelper, you remember this ship?"
"That's The Infernal Mist! I thought it was destroyed!"
"It was, but we rebuilt it. Oh and by the way. I do not control the nanopaste. I just wanted you to admit it on an open channel and to distract you long enough to get back to the Mist. Toodles. Enjoy the repercussions and don't mind us. We're only here to destroy your vessel and any other hostile forces"
The Longsword turned and rocketed for the Covenant Carrier. Seraph Fighters came out to escort the fighter/bomber

"They might be strong but they weren't ready for us. Firing!"

The projectors turned towards the fighters. Because of their location only five had an aim for them but even one can carry an impressive punch to a small craft. Bursts of anti-protons spewed forth from the corners of Ouagadougou, destroying one and damaging two of the fighters.

"MTRs ready... now!"

The launchers had been filled with torpedoes which are designed to blast through a ship's armour and damage its electrical systems. They are supposed to be used when a ship's shields are down so piercing them hasn't been the main priority in making them. Nonetheless a full volley of 20 such torpedoes was lanched towards the carrier.

---
Ouagadougou to Column of Nuclear Winter:
We took the freedom to attack your traitorous officer and her allies, as we had the advantage of surprise. We suppose you don't have anything to say against that, considering that you have risked the lives of our crew by acting in such a dishonourable way.
---

IC: The instant the portside hangar was opened and the Warthogs containing half the crew started towards the outpost, Yolanda knew there would be trouble. While Tatooiney was supposedly a desert planet, her sensors picked up large hollow spaces about 142m down. Then, her second scan came in, just as Captain Hal was entering the outpost's inexplicably open hangar.

There were no signs of life in the entire outpost.


Suddenly, the radio cam on, thick with static.
"Flood!........Massiv....... Nelson!"
Yolanda was seriously afraid now. Major Nelson never went down without a fight. She quickly entered the AI console and readied what was left of the ship's defenses.


Of 11 Warthogs that had entered the hangar, only 2 came out, followed by what seemed and endless flood of repulsing biological mass. Yolanda gave the AI permission to fire and guns all along the side of the ship lit up, barely able to slow the tide of Flood. This went on for another three hours. The ship no longer had enough power to enter hyperspace, and there were only supplies for maybe a month.


The USS Falcon was stranded.

OOC: Covenant Carriers have strong energy shields, pulse lasers to shoot out missiles and also can fire plasma torpedoes, guided by a magnetic field. Or if the Covenant knew what they're doing, they'd focus the plasma into a powerful beam, which The Infernal Mist does do.
Seraph Fighters are stronger than human fighters, but they have no shields and they are armed with plasma torpedoes and pulse lasers for shooting down things

IC:
Ouagadougou to Column of Nuclear Winter:
We took the freedom to attack your traitorous officer and her allies, as we had the advantage of surprise. We suppose you don't have anything to say against that, considering that you have risked the lives of our crew by acting in such a dishonourable way.

Captain Dragonhelper listened to the transmission. "It's good to know you're trying to stop my traitorous officer, but that's a Covenant Assault Carrier you're up against. It's more deadly in a fleet of Covenant ships, but it can be deadly on its own" he stated

In Space

The Carrier powered up its shields. It couldn't leave them running in slipspace and in those few minutes, it was exposed to attack.
The Seraph fighters did their best to intercept the torpedoes until the Mist's weapons systems were online.
Several pulse lasers shot out from their emitters and knocked out torpedoes in mid-flight.
It used to be 20 heading towards the Carrier. Now it was just 5.
They impacted on the shields, which absorbed their blast.

Column of Nuclear Winter
Captain Dragonhelper looked at the attack on the screen. "Isis, Jeff. Prepare the MAC gun and warm up those Accelerators. We're going to kill us a carrier!" he barked.

OOC: A MAC gun fires a really high speed tungsten projectile. It's so fast, not even a Covenant pulse laser can shoot it down. The projectile is fast, and it is big. The force of it hitting a covenant shield can be disastrous. However, many of the larger capital ships can withstand multiple hits, sometimes up to 7 MAC rounds.
It also depends on the MAC gun on the ship itself. A space station MAC can put a round clean through a Covenant capital ship. The MAC on a Frigate would probably need 5 to take out a regular Covenant ship, whereas a Cruiser would need only 3.
The Particle Accelerators serve as secondary weapons.

Trent and Dan listened in disbelief what they heard from the radio. Just as they started to discuss the matter further, a new ship appeared on the screen. Dan intercepted a radio message meant for the Column of Nuclear Winter. Ouagadougou to Column of Nuclear Winter:
We took the freedom to attack your traitorous officer and her allies, as we had the advantage of surprise. We suppose you don't have anything to say against that, considering that you have risked the lives of our crew by acting in such a dishonourable way.

They watched in horror on the bridge as the hell broke loose. Trent reacted immediately. "Red alert." Dan pressed the alarm button. Trent smashed all the intercomm buttons at once. "Battlestations everyone! This is not a drill!"

"Dan. Turn the ship to face that carrier. Deflector up, autocannons to missile defence."

Dan frantically typed orders to the computer and flipped switches faster than he had ever flipped before. The console lit up like a christmas tree, every little light telling different things about the status of the ship. Nubolten started turning towards the Infernal Mist. The deflector plate flashed dimly in front of the ship. It was mainly a defensive device, but could be effectively used as a ramming weapon too.

Meanwhile in the central tunnel Jens and Herb were running into the rear of the ship. In the rearmost room was the starting point of nearly 700m long rail. The loading and operating room of the Old Punchy. A railgun desinged to anchor cables into planets or moons for orbital lifting. It had proven itself many times before as a capable weapon against other ships.

Khan hurried into the reactor room to handle the possible problems with emergency power distribution. He quickly glanced over the wiring and all the dials. Then flipped a few security switches and pulled a large circuit breaker.

Sakarias knocked over the table and his breakfast as he sped to the autocannon controls. He jumped into a chair and plugged himself into the control computer.

Doctor warren was sleeping, but as the alarm rang he jumped out of his bed and ran into a small infirmary located just behind the bridge. If this was for real, there was no time to think or ask questions. The infirmary was just like any other except that one wall was filled with different radar screens and surveillance equipment. Warren sat in front of the console and turned on the equipent. All of the Nuboltens sensory arrays popped up from the ships hull. The screens flickered at first, but soon Warren had every ship in the area in his view, and monitored their every action.

Soon Trent started receiving reports from his crew. "Punchy manned and ready to fire, sir", "Reactor room manned, sir. Punchy at full power.", "Infirmary manned, sir. Scanners online." Dan saw a familiar face appear on his screen, Sakarias had taken the autocannon control from the computer. "Autocannons manned, sir." Added Dan.

"Well, we're ready for whatever they might throw at us. Open a channel to every friendly ship."

"Channels open."

"Nubolten to all friendly vessels. We are ready to take any action necessary to end this threat, but will not open fire unless fired upon."

Trent collapsed to his chair. "I'd give anything to be anywhere else but here right now."

The Infernal mist showed it's broadside to the gathered ships.

"That's a risky tactic. Allows full deployment of weapons, but makes the ship a bigger target" Captain Dragonhelper said.
"MAC at 50%" the Weapons Officer yelled.
"Captain, sensors pick up high plasma concentrations" Isis warned.
"That's the plasma torpedoes. They're probably going to use the plasma guns as energy lances against us" Captain Dragonhelper replied.

The Particle Accelerators on the Column spoke. Like the MAC Gun, the Particle Accelerators fired projectiles, but at a faster rate, and with small, plasma-heated projectiles. They left a blue trail behind them in a swirl fashion. On a planet, they would make a "Pew" noise (sort of like the Railgun in Quake)

More Seraphs were launched from the Mist's bays. Boarding craft were following behind them.
The Column's launch bay doors opened and the three remaining Longswords flew out to defend the Column.
"Is that wise sir? Those are the only fighters we've got and we can't build any more." Isis warned the Captain.
"I'll use whatever I can. This is one big mess" Captain Dragonhelper replied.

Covenant Boarding Craft info (http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Boarding_craft)

Covenant boarding craft slammed into the hulls of nearby ships, screened by the fighter squadrons launched and the pulse lasers from the carrier. Several of the vessels were shot down, but through sheer numbers, the amount of craft got through.

Each time a boarding craft would hit, it would make a slamming noise and rock the ship.
A few crashed into the Column's hangar bays and unloaded there. Others hit airlocks.
Captain Dragonhelper picked up his weapons. He remembered where he was.
"I better get back to the Bridge" he said, looking down from the hangar's second balcony/floor.
After Debra had left Hangar Bay 4, Captain Dragonhelper was quick to reseal the bay and get the air flowing into it. Boarding craft were cutting through the heavy blast doors, but The Captain knew they'd get through and that others were getting through via the airlocks.
Captain Dragonhelper had given Isis temporary Captain's command codes so that she could stop Debra from doing things like:
A. Cutting life support off
or B. Navigating the ship into the asteroids or a star
or C. Activating Self-Destruct

Captain Dragonhelper met up with Chuck and they both ran out of the hangar.
A small squad of Brutes and Grunts were waiting with Spikers and Maulers.
The Captain's Assault Rifle cut down some of the Grunts and Chuck threw in a grenade. It stuck onto the nearest brute, with a "Beep" and then "Pssshhh!" which vapourised the squad and maimed others
"I wonder how Lashee is doing?" Chuck wondered
"Probably being incarcerated and being questioned for where the Nanopaste is" Captain Dragonhelper replied grimly

"Nubolten to all friendly vessels. We are ready to take any action necessary to end this threat, but will not open fire unless fired upon."
"They won't open fire... what are they thinking? The ship is going to destroy all of us if nobody does anything... at least we have the right to claim the loot." Qi mumbled bitterly but changed her mind after a second
"No, we must get their help."
---
Ouagadougou to all friendly vessels:
*We require help urgently, the enemy will destroy every ship here if it's not destroyed. Please open fire on it immediately in a coordinated attack. The Brotherhood will reward you for it.*
---
"Crew to total alert, we are attacked by a large unknown ship!" Nadia shouted at the intercom, switched to 'all'-setting. She could vaguely hear her own voice echoing from the corridors.

Numerous boarding crafts approached Ouagadougou, yet they hadn't been aware of ont thing: her point-defense beams. Activated to maximum alert level they swept through the space around destroying most of the enemy crafts. The few which made it through the laser show from hell were stopped by an intense burst of negative gravity inevitably pushing them away from the hull.
Only other ships known to use such defenses were the Galactech freighters and escorts, yet when asked where they had learnt to make them the crew said only "no comment."

"What should we do?" she asked the commander aboard the Federation ship

"What is the situation? Here on Adelaide nobody tells us anything." he replied

"There's a carrier, it's about 100 away and they just turned their side, holding most of their weapons, to us."

"Its side? Could you get behind it?"

"Behind?? But the exhausts plasma and all, wouldn't it be.."

"-Exactly what they don't expect us to do. It's an old Black Saber pirate trick. Few ships can defend from attacks coming from behind them, and the ionic clouds protect us. Firing straight to their engines makes them sitting ducks and might even blast their reactor completely if they have made the Roamer mistake."
The Roamer was one of the first warships which used thrusted pulse-fusion engines, but inadequate protection between the reactor and engines led to its destruction when an meteoroid hit it straight from the back while it was docked to a base. The thrusters broke and the reactor fuel made contact with them, causing an explosion which obliterated the ship's back and killed approximately five thousand people on the ship and base. Later any design flaws which allow the potential destruction of a ship by firing to its engines became known as 'The Roamer mistake'. Needless to say, Ouagadougou's builders hadn't done it.

Slowly Ouagadougou began to turn, and thanks to mr. Newton it could easily change its direction. The only thing left was to get behind the carrier and activate the heatshields. It would take only a minute or so.

OOC: This is space combat, so I think the ships' distances are on the scale of thousands of kilometres (tens to hundreds - ).

Ship Controller Deborah Natas sat in the command chair of the Infernal Mist. Displays hovered around her.

A nearby Brute yelled "Leader! One of the hostile vessels are getting in from behind! Theri attack vector would prove so"
"Have we launched more fighters at it?" Debra asked.
"Too many point defence lasers. An anti-gravity field prevents our boarding craft from attaching" the Brute answered
"That is clever. Options?" Debra asked
"We had built an electronic flux whip in the rear to prevent our weak point exposed. Not many ships can defend themselves from the rear." the Brute explained

"Good. Use it to disable their navigation and shields. The thruster's heat will do the rest" Debra replied.

What appeared to be a pair of prongs on the back of the ship sprung to life. It then fired an electro-magnetic beam at the Ouagadougou. A beam of that magnitude could damage armour due to the heat and the electromagnetic energy would damage electrical systems inside the ship.


Onboard the Column
Captain Dragonhelper was pinned down in the mess hall. A set of superheated spikes flew over his head. A burnt hair smell followed them.
Captain Dragonhelper stood up, let off a quick burst with his MA5C and ducked back down behind the barricade of Titanium A barricades dragged in from the corridors.

A loud flaming noise, followed by a CLUNK! was heard. A Brute Spike Grenade had lodged into the nearby walls. If the device exploded, it would send spikes everywhere and injure the defending soldiers.
The Captain grabbed it by the handle and threw the heavy thing over the barricade. It didn't hit the enemy, but it exploded harmlessly in the middle of the hall.

Chuck replied to the spike grenade with a plasma grenade. It stuck onto the nearest enemy Grunt who screamed "It's stuck!" and ran back towards his Brutish comrades who were screaming "Run the other way idiot!"
"Take that traitors! You had your chance to join humanity, but you blew it!" Chuck yelled to the Grunts.

Not taking this lightly, one of them grabbed a pair of plasma grenades and activated them on his arms. With that, he started screaming a war cry and charged the barricade.
"He's going to kill himself! Shoot him!" Captain Dragonhelper barked and the Marines obeyed.
"Taste my big blue balls!" the suicidal Grunt yelled, in reference to the big glowing blue orbs on his arms and not to the lower anatomy of a Grunt who was quite lonely in their life, being conscripted into the military and all without a partner...
A Battle Rifle round hit the Grunt in the head and he slumped to the floor. The grenades detonated afterwards, but harmlessly.
"Now if only when you shoot them in the head, they explode like confetti!" Chuck pondered.
"That would be a hell of a lot fun sir! It would also be really great at birthday parties! You shoot the sucker in the head, they explode and the kids all cheer" a marine commented. "No offence to you sir"
"None taken" Chuck replied.

If the Mess Hall could be called anything different, it'd be a Mess Hall now. It was a mess. The Brute defenders (or attackers) had died or retreated and several Grunts surrendered and were disarmed.
Captain Dragonhelper and Chuck though pressed on further towards the Bridge. And no one, especially not the squad of Jackals that were in the way would stop them...
Especially not the Kig-Yar (Jackals as they're called). The real fighting between Humans & Covenant began when Captain Dragonhelper finds Jackals in his sight. Chuck was an impressionist and also developed the hatred towards Jackals...
But The Captain knew that in order to reach the Bridge, he had to go hunt some pesky and annoying Jackals...

OOC: this got very interesting indeed...
And are you sure the carrier is 5346 m long?

IC:
The lights on one of Ouagadougou's control boards were flashing like mad.
"Commander, we are experiencing severfdrrrzzrrrr... drrrrrrrrrrrrzzz..." and the connection cut short.
"Extreme EM ratings, activate the protections now!"

"Done, manual evasion. They seem to be smarter than we supposed them to be."

"Hey, do you see that thing on the screen? There's some glow coming, I bet my life on it that if we blast a big enough bomb there the whole blob would blow all up. Their shields seem to be down when they shoot... Beehives!"

"Yuri, what? Do they have beehives or..?"

"No, shoot beehives at them!"
Yuri's ingenuity came in in just the right moment, as usual. Beehives are seeking torpedoes which are made specifically to confuse defenses. They consist of one core torpedo which has 18 rockets attached to it, which spread out when it enters the danger zone. The resulting cloud of rockets and debris usually cause the defending cannons to lose their aim and let at least a few through.

The flux whip was something the crew wasn't prepared to. The intense burst of energy might have been more than the ship could handle but the timespace warps from the NG shields caused a lot of it to miss Ouagadougou and most of the rest was absorbed to the armour serving as a faraday cage until the ship managed to slip off it. Most of the sensors were completely obstructed by the heatshield and thus remained unscathed. The ship was now going on gravity scan alone.

Five beehive torpedoes shot to the sides of the ship. They approached the assault carrier's underside. One was blasted by a pulse laser beam but the others split before meeting the same fate, and a total of 58 made it to the ship itself. Many hit the shields but a few slipped through them, hitting the hull. Their antimatter warheads were small but enough to do some harm to the ship's armouring.

"That was good. Now we need to slip away from that flux thing before they use it again."

They observed the escalating conflict. Column seemed to hold it's own, though Trent had no idea how the combat inside the ship was progressing.

Trent listened the plea from Ougadougou and watched as the ship tried maneuvering behind the carrier. He saw they were in trouble. After thinking it over a few times he shouted the order. "Target that carrier! Fire at will!"

"Open channels to all friendly ships."

"Channels open, sir."

"This is Nubolten to all friendly vessels in the area. We are engaging the hostile carrier and rely on your support to keep smaller enemy craft from flanking us."

The attack had reached Nubolten. Few boarding craft smashed against the deflector plate, but the deflector didn't allow anything to pass towards Nubolten until it was out of power. The plate shimmered dimly as the the smaller craft got wrecked hitting against it.

Warren scanned the carrier with everything he had, hoping to reveal a weakness. He targeted the ship, adjusted Nuboltens heading and pressed the firing signal for the railgun.

Herb got the signal to fire and smashed the big red button on his console. Old Punchy screamed and flung a solid 12 ton tungsten-ceramic alloyed projectile towards the carrier. Nubolten shook and got pushed backwards. The smell of ozone filled the room, and Jens activated the air circulation. Herb pressed a button and the huge mechanics of the gun rattled heavily, flipping a fresh set of rails into place. Herb checked the console. All lights were green indicating the rails were aligned correctly. The faint smell of hydraulic oil filled the room as the hydraulic arm of the loader placed the next huge projectile on the rails.

Meanwhile Sakarias had received the command. Warren was supplying targets. A group of boarding craft received a hail of bullets. Chain after chain, box after box the automatic feeder supplied ammunition to the hungry chainguns that Sakarias controlled with pinpoint accuracy.

Dan opened the hatches of the missile launcher, and let loose a swarm of missiles with small fusion warheads. Trent ran through the scanner data of the Infernal Mist.

Even though Nubolten was piloted by a skeleton crew its various automated functions allowed efficient operation of the ship under all conditions.


:OOC: Stylesrj, It would be tad easier to keep up with the battle if you described Infernal Mists actions in more detail. I don't know what, if anything at all is attacking or firing at Nubolten right now.

OOC: The Infernal Mist is attacking with fighters and boarding craft. Plasma Beams are charged and Debra is seeking out the biggest threat, as the Column isn't the biggest threat in space. I mean, it's an Assault Carrier. It's really big.

Also, the shields only go down around the area where the weapons fire. So if a pulse laser fires, part of the shield around the laser's direction will be disabled to allow the beam to pass. Then, a few seconds after the beam fires, that part of the shield recovers.

IC:
The Infernal Mist
Debra knew the ship was in trouble. Several warheads impacted on the underside of the carrier. The armour plating was damaged and some of the lower decks were exposed. Those exposed areas were quickly sealed off.
"What of the other plan, Leader?" the Navigation Brute asked.
"I was unable to steal Captain Dragonhelper's AI system. Focus those remaining teams on the Column to retrieve the AI. But be careful. I don't think The Captain will let us take Isis" Debra explained
"Don't worry. We have our best commando squads on that mission, they should be approaching the Bridge any second now" the Weapons Brute replied.

The Infernal Mist quickly started moving. An ELF (Electronic Flux) beam shot out at any ships trying to sneak in from behind. An arc of plasma shot out from one of the side turrets and hit the Adelaide's shields. Another arc shot out at the Nubolten.

A large round from the Nubolten had slammed into the Carrier, but the shields took most of the impact, but the force that got through damaged some parts of the rear armour.
Pulse lasers shot out to intercept all missile threats.

The Column of Nuclear Winter keyed in an Archer Pod sequence with the MAC. A large tungsten shell was fired from the front of the Frigate. It missed the Carrier completely... the ship had suddenly changed direction, throwing un-guided weapons off course, and even guided weapons.
The Archer missiles that didn't change course were disarmed by the Weapons Officer. They were trying to seek out the other ships.
The missiles that did change course were hit by pulse laser defences or Seraph fighters.
Only a few hit the Mist, but only on the shields.

Onboard the Column
Raffja was on a special mission. He had to go into the human ship and steal their computer. He knew that the Humans built better AI systems than the Covenant, but specifically, the AI this "Captain Dragonhelper" had was unique. It was an utmost priority to seize the system, even if he had to kill the Captain.
Raffja was a special ops Jackal. He was given black body armour which covered most of his body, except the head. He didn't like the helmet, nor did he want it damaged in combat.
He had an arm shield over his right arm which glowed a bright white. Specifications of the shield were that it could withstand a lot of damage and force. It could even survive a direct hit from an overcharged plasma pistol.

Raffja turned the corner with his squad and realised that he might have regretted turning the corner.

"Jackals!" Chuck yelled as Captain Dragonhelper entered the next corridor. The sign on the roof read "Bridge" and pointed straight ahead at another corridor.
Captain Dragonhelper stopped and turned to face them.
"He'sgotagun!" one of them yelled
"Quite so I do" The Captain yelled and fired off an entire 36 round clip into them.
Most of the bullets bounced off the shields, but some rounds went through the firing notches in the shields and hit some of the Jackals in their thin arms.
Plasma pistols dropped to the floor and even a plasma rifle.
Chuck howled in anger and charged at the Jackals. He dived and grabbed the discarded plasma rifle and opened fire at their exposed backs.
Captain Dragonhelper wanted to kill the Jackals, but Chuck was doing a fine job. He had to get back to the Bridge.
Chuck threw away his plasma rifle and followed after The Captain. None of the Jackals were in any condition to fight after the barrage of plasma fire and bullets.
Chuck swept up a plasma pistol before he left.

Raffja cursed. He had escaped the confrontation between his squad and the shipmaster and his Grunty friend. During the conflict, Raffja had ran as fast as he could to the "Bridge" as he had the education to understand and read human languages.
He ran onto the Bridge and then alarms sounded.
The door behind him sealed and locked into place. The officers were in a panic. Raffja fired his Needler into the crowd of officers who were drawing out sidearms.
One of the officers exploded in a pink cloud after having too many needler rounds in his chest.
The Bridge was coated in a thin mist of red.
Normally, a Marine fireteam would drop in, but they were already pre-occupied with the other squads around the Bridge.
The officers that could fired back, but magnum rounds bounced off the shield and into the roof.
Others were lying on the ground, clutching wounded arms or legs and trying to recover their weapons.

Raffja smiled and made a evil-sounding laugh (as Jackals have that throaty voice, so their laughs sound evil) and strode towards the Captain's console. The ship's AI appeared onto a nearby projector.
"What do you think you're doing? You might have put many of our officers out of commission, but you can't just walk up here and assume you've won" the AI warned.
Raffja ignored the Human construct.

Captain Dragonhelper threw open the bridge doors with his override code and marched in. He stepped on what looked like a severed hand and thought I'm too late
The Bridge had a light coating of blood to it and many of the officers were in no condition to fight. Those that were had fled.
This is unbelievable! Who could have done this?!
Chuck finished it for him "Jackal!" he yelled, pointing to the Captain's console. A special Ops Jackal with a white-glowing shield was busy at the console, trying to process the AI for a transplant to a computer chip. The AI though was refusing to budge, using her temporary command controls to fight back the order.
Captain Dragonhelper raised his assault rifle and was about to fire when a hair of hairy hands grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him and Chuck away...

OOC: We should wait Triarii and others to do something before getting too far into this. The traditional way to handle the combat used to be that when somebody else shoots at a ship you control, you have to describe the effects of the attck on the ship. I haven't been able to do that since I don't know what's coming at me.

OOC: I'm waiting for Triarii as well. A plasma beam is quite deadly. A Covenant Flagship can use a beam or two to destroy a Cruiser (by destroy, damage so badly it can't operate further). A Carrier is bigger than a Flagship, so the turrets would be roughly bigger or the same size.
But this is a plasma arc against Covenant shields. Star Trek and other shields might actually be stronger than Forerunner tech. If the Column was attacked by a plasma beam, it'd be torn apart. But the Mist won't attack it, because they need the ship's AI.
If you want, the beam misses your ship, because The Infernal Mist hasn't got a good AI on it and the Weapons targeting needs to be updated

OOC:

Sorry again guys, I'll make my next IC post in a few hours...

EDIT: Ok, here it is...

IC:

"Captain, the fighter is broadcasting..." reported Kevin over the com.

"I know..." Henry replied...

"It's simple "Captain Traitor". Surrender. You better do it soon or I'll fire this nuke and activate your device which you smuggled onboard that ship"

"What!?"

Henry glared at the tall security guard, who stood rigid, shocked...

"You don't threaten a UNSC Captain that easily"

"UNSC Captain? Look at where we are! We're in the middle of nowhere. There IS no UNSC, only your reign. We've been flying this galaxy for two years now and we have not seen another UNSC vessel. I am tired of your leadership and of the ship! Now that I have your command codes, I can take this ship where I like. Perhaps the nearest star will suffice?"

"You might have my command codes Debra, but I have as much control over my ship as you do. Besides, I'm at an advantage. I have an AI. You don't. Besides, once that nuke is fired, you'll be out of options."

"Don't these guys know that it's being broadcasted to all the ships in the area?"

Henry whipped around, glaring at them now...

"This conversation tires me. I think it's time to activate your device"

There was no time to find the device. Henry could only hope the woman was bluffing...

"Sir, another contact is approaching!" a voice, Kevin's, interrupted him...

"Captain, we've got a slipspace contact. Database registers it as... a Covenant Assault Carrier!"

"That's nice to hear, but right now, we got a hostage situation on us. If Debra hits that button, several million nanite drones programmed to destroy anything and everything they can acquire will be released across the Adelaide and they'll destroy the ship and turn it into a resource pile"

The security officer's head was spinning. He backed into the wall and hit it with a small thump.

"S...Sir..." he gasped. "I'm sorry..."

"Get a hold of yourself, lieutenant," said Henry sternly. "This wasn't your fault... I assume your tricorder didn't pick the device up, and if these two have any sense," he continued, turning around again to glare at Grigor and Lashee once more. "They'll have hidden their device inside something you never would otherwise have suspected..."

"It seems help has arrived for me. Captain Dragonhelper, you remember this ship?"

"That's The Infernal Mist! I thought it was destroyed!"

"It was, but we rebuilt it. Oh and by the way. I do not control the nanopaste. I just wanted you to admit it on an open channel and to distract you long enough to get back to the Mist. Toodles. Enjoy the repercussions and don't mind us. We're only here to destroy your vessel and any other hostile forces"

"The fighter is retreating towards the Infernal Mist!" Kevin reported.

Henry, meanwhile, was breathing a small sigh of relief. He still had a deadly device on board his ship, presumably on the person of the two "envoys" sitting at the conference table. The question was, what to do now? Let the envoys go in case captain Dragonhelper decided to activate the device? No, surely he wouldn't... but then...

"I think we just annoyed a whole bunch of people"

"I gathered that. Now we're the bad guys. But how dare that woman takes control of my ship!"

"Your ship ma'am?"

"Yes. I used to control The Infernal Mist. Quite a good ship too. But it got destroyed"

"I think a plan might be formulating"

Their voices broke into his thoughts. It made angry, very angry, and he wasn't one to anger easily. Indeed, even now he had as successful an attempt as he could to hide it..

"You two aren't going anywhere..." he said simply...

He tapped his com badge.

"Bridge," he said. "Put me through to the Column, and send a message back to Deep Space Five informing them of our current situation... send them all of our recent logs, warts and all..."

"Aye sir..." Kevin replied.

"Captain Dragonhelper..." he began, his diplomats tone returning. "Know at this time that your envoys are under arrest for smuggling a deadly device on board a Federation ship. Know that, if we were in Federation territory, I would be well within my rights to haul your entire ship back to the nearest Federation starbase, and no, don't threaten me with this 'nanopaste' of yours because I am not in the mood. Even now, my science officer is forwarding a message back to Federation territory informing them of exactly what has happened here today, and he will now set the ship's communications network up to transmit an emergency 'ping' if even the smallest part of this ship decomposes, so unless you want the every Federation ship in the quadrant hunting you, I suggest you refrain from activating your device..."

"Sir," Kevin spoke up. "While you were speaking the Ouagadougou opened fire on the new arrival with a massive volley of torpedo weapons... it's powering shields in response..."

"I'm coming up there!" Henry replied. "Siege, Harris, you're with me. Lieutenant," he said to the guard. "Have these two taken into custody, inform our other guests of the situation and then scour every last inch of both their persons and the route you took to get from the airlock to here and find that device. When you do, take it to the chief and tell him I ordered for a way to disarm it to be found but don't try to beam it off the ship or send it out an airlock. For all we know it could have a failsafe..."

"Aye sir..." the lieutenant replied.

He hurried over to the door and motioned for the other two guards to join him. Henry, Tabatha and Albert hustled out of the room, just as the envoys from the Drifter Colony arrived.

"Ok, here's the deal..." the lieutenant said quickly as he hurried to take any loose items he could find off Grigor and Lashee...

"Sir, the Column is charging weapons..." Kevin reported as the three hustled along the corridor.

"Keep me posted," ordered Henry.

"The Nubolten is raising shields..." Kevin replied. "They're sending out a general transmission."

"Let's hear it..." said Henry... "And raise our shields as well, go to yellow alert..."

"Nubolten to all friendly vessels. We are ready to take any action necessary to end this threat, but will not open fire unless fired upon."

"Let the Column know that's our position as well..." Henry said as they reached the turbolift.

"The Mist is turning into its broadside..." Kevin reported a short time later. "They're swarming fighters and what look like small troop transports towards the Column..."

"Hang on, we're almost there," Henry replied as the turbolift neared the bridge.

Seconds later, the doors of the turbolift opened with that familiar soft woosh and the three officers sprinted to their duty stations, just as red alert sounded.

"Report..." ordered Henry quickly as he scuttled into his seat...

"The troop ships are latching onto the Column's hull, they're being boarded..." Kevin announced. "And more are heading towards us!"

"Incoming transmission from the Ouagadougou..." said Albert...

*We require help urgently, the enemy will destroy every ship here if it's not destroyed. Please open fire on it immediately in a coordinated attack. The Brotherhood will reward you for it.*

"Siege, lock phasers and destroy those transports!" Henry shouted. "Looks like this our battle now too..."

He didn't want to help the Column, and the others could tell and understand that, but they could also understand the danger this newcomer obviously posted, that no one was safe while the Infernal Mist remained flying...

"I've tried standard hails, but there's no response..." Albert called. "I don't think there's going to be any reasoning with them..."

"Sir, destroyed two transports," Tabatha reported. "The remainder are getting close to the shield perimeter, and they're not slowing down..."

"Full power to forward phaser arrays!" Henry insisted. "Bridge to shuttlebay!" he called, tapping his com badge.

"Shuttlebay..." came the reply.

"How soon can you equip the Runabouts with a torpedo pod for combat launch?"

"Well, we've been looking to break the 90 second barrier lately..." the deck officer replied.

"Good enough..." said Henry. "Just get those Runabouts into the air..."

"Aye sir..." the deck officer replied.

He then pressed a few buttons on the console and an alert sounded in the shuttlebay, letting the deck crew know exactly what to do. There were over a dozen different alerts, including the current "heavy combat" alert, which called for Runabouts, complete with torpedo 'roll bar'...

The Runabout was less a shuttlecraft and more a miniature starship. It was big for a Starfleet auxillary, about 23-by-14-by-five-and-a-half, and came fitted with heavy-duty engines, fully capable of sustaining either full impulse or warp-4 for long periods, with enough fuel storage for inter-settlar voyages, a fairly extensive suite of sensors and two transporters. Possibly the most remarkable aspects of the Runabout, however, were its phasers, powerful enough to damage a Dominion attack ship and its shields, powerful enough to withstand a direct hit from that very same kind of ship. It could also be fitted with a 'roll bar' that housed a micro-torpedo launcher, which fired small, but powerful, torpedoes, just the thing for taking down fighters or damaging items on the surface of an unshielded ship's hull...

"Several of the boarding craft are through!" Tabatha shouted. "We're being boarded on decks two, seven and 11!"

"Intruder alert! Computer, seal the bridge with a level 9 forcefield, authorization Baker-Nine-Three-Epsilon-Sierra. Security to decks two, seven and eleven! Com, transmit the following to all ships..."

"Channel open," replied Albert seconds later.

"All ships, this is captain Baker of the Adelaide," he said quickly. "Looks like you could use our help..."

"Sir, the Ouagadougou is trying to flank the Mist..." Kevin reported. "They've just been hit by some kind of electro-magnetic surge, but they're recovering... and firing torpedoes..."

"Let's follow their lead..." said Henry. "Lock photon torpedoes on the Mist and stand by to open fire. Save the phasers for the smaller enemy fighter craft..."

"Aye sir, torpedoes standing by..." said Tabatha.

"Maximum spread," ordered Henry. "Let's try to confuse their point defenses..."

"Transmission from the Nubolten, sir," Albert reported.

"This is Nubolten to all friendly vessels in the area. We are engaging the hostile carrier and rely on your support to keep smaller enemy craft from flanking us."

"They're firing sir," Kevin announced. "Some kind of heavy tungsten spike... The Mist has taken a direct hit... minor armour damage..."

"Don't let them breathe, fire torpedoes!" Henry shouted.

All around the Adelaide, deadly orange whips of nadion energy lashed out from the ship's phaser arrays, slicing through space as the pilots of the attacking fighters tried their best to avoid them. The targeting computer, however, was relentless and, while some of the phaser blasts missed and rang out into space harmlessly, others found their marks, slicing into the hulls of the shieldless fighters and tearing them asunder.

The ship's shields flared defiantly as the fighters strafed the Adelaide, but they could only watch as a burst of what looked like dark orange energy balls burst fourth from the torpedoes launchers in the Adelaide's dorsal pod and above the deflector dish. What they actually were were highly advanced matter/anti-matter warheads, designed to direct 100 megatons of explosive force into the target, much like the shaped charges of old. They weren't easy to shoot down either, having briefly-burning but heavy duty impulse engines, which could accelerate the torpedoes to a substantial fraction of the speed of light, as well as over-powered anti-point defense shielding for each torpedo, which was what gave them their distinctive glow with the long 'streamers' and powerful ECM, which made the torpedo, even though it was easy to see, surprisingly hard to shoot down*. Best of all, their sophisticated tracking system made them hard to dodge...

Meanwhile, groups of heavily armed crewmen, both human and non-human alike, were converging on the areas where the enemy troopships had landed. Starfleet had finally learnt its lessons, and had adopted many of the innovations that the USS Voyager's 'Hazard Team' had pioneered. No longer would intruders face only two men armed with little phaser pistols, but now they would have to deal with full groups of men, each wearing easy to pull on battle jackets, leggings and helmets, which were fitted with energy absorption technology capable of dampening the effects of both kinetic-based and energy-based weapons to the point of being non-lethal, at least for the first few seconds/couple of hits. Clutched tightly in the gloved hands of each officer were heavy-duty phaser carbines capable of vaporizing entire room-fulls of people in an instant. On their belts were a pistol side-arm and a pair of photon grenades, 'DLBs' or 'Deadly Little Bastards' as they were called...

The first clash was on deck 11. The 'marines' as they were known when they were wearing their hazard garb were surprised by a group of enemy soldiers. One marine was hit and wounded as a hail of spikes rang towards. He fell to the floor in an attempt to convince the soldiers they had killed him, while the others took cover around the corners, as they had just happened to run into the group where two corridors met in a four-way intersection.

A cover-based gunfight ensued, with spikes and the occasional phaser blast ringing out across the corridor. The marines and enemy soldiers both thought to use their grenades at the same time. One of the marines tossed a photon grenade down the corridor, only to have a similar device lodge into the wall next to him.

". .. .. .. .!" he shouted, wrenching from the wall and tossing it right back, where it exploded harmlessly in mid-air.

The enemy soldiers didn't have time to consider the same idea. The photon grenade was set to explode upon impact, and it did, only wounding a single soldier, but allowing the marine on the floor enough time in the ensuing confusion to ping one of the soldiers with his carbine before darting around the corridor to join his friends...

Elsewhere, one of the Runabouts was ready for launch...

"Runabout Mount Gambier is ready to launch, sir," the deck crewman reported. "74 seconds, that's gotta be a record..."

"Execute launch!" Baker ordered.

The Runabout took off and rocketed from the bay in an instant, quickly coming about and diving towards an enemy fighter. A phaser blast lashed from the Runabout's forwards phaser array, which tore clean through the fighter's cockpit and out the other side, leaving a fireball where a fighter once was...

"This is Runabout Mount Gambier, all system go Adelaide, we are joining the battle!" the pilot announced.

"Acknowledged Mount Gambier..." Baker replied, focusing his attention on the torpedoes closing in on the Infernal Mist...

OOC:

Damn! That was long...

*After all, when have we even see a photon get shot down in Star Trek?

After slipping from behind the Infernal Mist to a bit safer area some distance "up" from it the crew of Ouagadougou had time to appraise the damage done by the attack. The armour was slightly damaged and the communicating systems were down. Otherwise the recovery had been complete and the ship kept hammering Infernal Mist's shields with its projectors.
Particle projectors are energy-matter weapons firing small charged particles at speeds exceeding 0.8c on high power. Their two main parts are coil and barrel or pipe which give the weapon its trademark hourglass shape. The coil is an accelerator where the particles are kept in magnetic fields gaining speed until they reach the border where the magnetic fields can't hold them in any longer and enter the pipe where they are guided to a trajectory leading straight to the target. The coils can be and are located relatively deep inside the ship to provide maximum acceleration time. The barrel can be turned 30 degrees to any direction and electric currents are used to fine-aim the particle bursts. The projectors can fire several bursts a second and each one can be aimed to an individual target within the barrel's restrictions, making it one of the most accurate weapons of its time, 30 years ago.
During the first ten seconds they were directed at its engines but after that Ouagadougou flew "over" it her side pointing "down" and the projectors hailing their not-so-deadly-yet rain at the Infernal Mist from a distance of less than 70 kilometres. The shots were aimed at the weapons, firing all the time to hit the lucky time when the shields are down. That phenomen had been observed by the crew when some of the beehive rockets managed to get through.

Info about Infernal Mist (http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Assault_Carrier) (not exact, though)

"Transmission from Adelaide, sir!"

"All ships, this is captain Baker of the Adelaide," ... "Looks like you could use our help..."

Trent intensely stared at the scanner data on his screen. Adelaide was being boarded and was launching large fighter craft. Enemy fighters were closing in and firing at everyone. He knew it wouldn't take long for the enemy to notice Nubolten was only protected by a deflector from the front. The tungsten penetrator had barely passed the enemy shields. They needed to hit the ship into an unshielded spot. He had seen deflector plates withstand hits from Old Punchy, but every deflector had failed soon after one or two hits. Infernal Mists shields seemed to be different, They didn't even try to stop the penetrator entirely like a deflector would. Instead the penetrator passed though, but not with enough energy to cause any significant harm. Then he noticed something strange on the shield readings of the Mist. Every time it fired, it seemed like the shield wasn't there. "Looks like that carrier has to lower it's shields when it fires!"

"A boarding craft has passed the deflector!" Dan shouted. Indeed a small craft had avoided the autocannons and slammed the side of Nuboltens left canister. The boarding craft drilled through the foam metal. As the enemy soldiers opened their airlock to board Nubolten, they were immediately sucked into a large dark vacuum.

"Tough luck for them." Dan commented. "That container was empty."

"Open a channel to friendly ships!."

"Channels open, sir!"

"Nubolten to Column of Nuclear Winter. Does the Infernal Mist have to open holes in it's shield to let it's own shots pass? Is there way to find an unshielded spot?"

"I sure hope it got through. We need a way to get past the shields to deal real damage."

Warren was looking at his screens and saw the display of Adelaide. "Impressive" he thought. The energy readings of Adelaides weaponry were insane by his standards. But he was annoyed at the same time. The Infernal Mist seemed to ridicule Old Punchy by defying it's destructive power. "The shield. It's too advanced." His thoughts were interrupted by a high concentration of energy coming from the carrier.

A stream of plasma hit the deflector plate. The readings on Khans control panel at the reactor control jumped to red. The deflector was failing. Khan quickly flipped a few switches to reinforce the plate with more power and opened his intercomm.

The ship shook violently. "Is the deflector still up?" Trent asked. "Holding, barely, sir." Dan replied.

The intercomm crackled. "We can't take another of those for a short while!" Shouted Khan into the intercomm. "Sakarias! Shoot anything that tries to touch the deflector, be it ships, missiles, anything. The deflector needs time to recover!"

Sakarias did his best to intercept the swarm of fighters. One autocannon didn't have much chance of hitting a single nimble craft, but the simultaneous crossfire from three or four turrets didn't give the enemy pilots much room for evasion.

At the railgun controls, Herb pressed a button signaling that they were ready for another shot. Trent noticed the green light and opened his intercomm. "We can't afford another shot yet. Divert the power to the deflector." Trent knew he had the weapon to drill a hole into the carrier, but he needed to find a weakness in it's shields first. But keeping Nubolten in one piece was even more important right now.

Meanwhile, aboard Adelaide the two leaders of the Ouagadougou crew were waiting to know what has happened to their ship.

"Tshwana, have you got anything yet?"

"No, my neural transmitter gets contact to the dropship only. I don't know what happened to Ouagadougou after they tried the pirate trick. I hope they haven't got destroyed."

"I don't think so. Nadia and Yuri should be competent enough to handle it. The silence worries me, though. We should try to get to the bridge to see if we can get anymore information there."

(They'll now try to get to the Adelaide's bridge)

OOC: the Infernal Mist's statistics (http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Assault_Carrier) (not exact though)

Grigor knew he was in deep trouble.
"I'm under arrest? I'll go quietly. But I wouldn't try doing anything of that sort to Lashee. She's an xenomorph" he said to the security officers.
Lashee glared at the security crews and got into a defensive position. If she had one, a personal shield generator would have been activated. Lashee was unarmed, but that didn't matter, she could be a deadly weapon.
Grigor held out the activation remote. "You can detain me, but only I can deactivate this thing" he said to the security.
He pressed the button marked "Disarm"
A voice said "Enter deactivation code. If you do not comply within 30 seconds, normal activity will resume"
"WHAT!?" Grigor yelled, looking at the device. "You got to be kidding me! I don't know the code!"

OOC: You can insert security officer dialogue in between Grigor's speeches, that sort of thing

IC:

Onboard the Column
"Captain Dragonhelper..." he began, his diplomats tone returning. "Know at this time that your envoys are under arrest for smuggling a deadly device on board a Federation ship. Know that, if we were in Federation territory, I would be well within my rights to haul your entire ship back to the nearest Federation starbase, and no, don't threaten me with this 'nanopaste' of yours because I am not in the mood. Even now, my science officer is forwarding a message back to Federation territory informing them of exactly what has happened here today, and he will now set the ship's communications network up to transmit an emergency 'ping' if even the smallest part of this ship decomposes, so unless you want the every Federation ship in the quadrant hunting you, I suggest you refrain from activating your device..."

Captain Dragonhelper was struggling to get out of the Brute's iron-grip. The transmission played on the Bridge controls. "Looks like your friends are in trouble. Let's take this human back to the Mist" the Brute laughed and dragged the Captain away. Chuck was also dragged away to a nearby boarding craft.

Raffja was still having difficulties getting the AI out of the system. But at last he managed to get the chip set up and the construct transferred. He then slipped the chip out and put it in one of his belt pouches before joining with the rest of the boarders.

Infernal Mist
The shields were failing in several sectors. "Leader! We can't take this continued fire! What is our course of action?" the Damage Control Brute yelled.
"Activate the Shield Capacitor. We'll need some Overshields!" Debra yelled.
"But that has a medium risk of damaging the generators due to the sudden surge" the Brute replied
"Just do it! We need the extra shielding" Debra replied.
A red glow went across the Infernal Mist's hull, followed by a green. Two layers of shield over their standard, blue shield.
"Overshields are online. Capacitor has overloaded. Shield generators have minimal damage" the Brute yelled.
"Good, that should make us last longer in combat" Debra replied

"Leader! We have a boarding craft returning to our ship. The pilot requests help. He has the ship's AI and the Captain onboard" the Tracking Brute yelled.
"Very good. Send out as many escorts as you can" Debra replied

In Space

Seraph Fighters joined up with the boarding craft, creating a huge, protective swarm.

Onboard the Column
The Weapons Officer got up from the ground. He was wounded, but still able to limp to the Captain's station. The ground was coated in blood, but he had to see what was going on. Several files were open on the screen and there were camera views of some of the conflict.
He coughed, and some blood landed on his stained uniform. The AI pedestal was empty and offline. "Those bastards took our AI!" he exclaimed.
He looked at the big screen. An IFF transponder was shown from one of the spacecraft being tracked. Several hostile fighters converged around it in an escort fashion.
"Shoot! The Captain is captured. But I better warn the others. The radio better work" he said, heading to the station of the Communication's Officer. The microphone and transmitter were working.

"Attention all ships. This is *cough* *cough* the Column's Weapon's Officer, Lieutenant Commander Michael Harrier! *cough* Do not fire upon the boarding craft guarded by the fighter swarm. Do not intervene or try and bring it onboard your ships. Captain Dragonhelper is on that vessel and I don't think Debra is playing around *cough*. From what I know, the Nanopaste is connected to the Captain somehow and his death might result in the activation of the Military Grade Nanopaste. Also, our ship's AI is onboard that vessel! *cough* If any of you can hear this, please do not put our Captain or AI at risk of being destroyed" he said, then collapsed on the station.
Let's hope the message gets through

IC:

Captain Hal: "How much longer, Bill?" The second mate, whose name was also Bill, was currently trying desperately to squeeze some power out of the waning fuel cells. It had taken 3 entire weeks of work to make it this far.
"45 minutes," he replied, knowing the captain wanted less.
"Make it 20," the captain ordered. He always had played this game with the engineers, arguing over the schedule, but this time his voice was ice cold. Flood combat forms were now attacking less frequently, but the ship and crew were nearly exhausted and pushed nearly to the brink. A few big attacks or an equipment failure would doom the expedition, and it was critical that they report to Central about the Covenant presence they had encountered, as well as this Flood attack, which was strangely out of place: most Flood were located thousand a light years away, and they normally traveled slowly... at least there wasn't any presence on other nearby planets... the weary captain forced himself to clear his mind. Bill was almost done.

8 minutes later, after sterlizing everything to ensure the ship carried no Flood spores, and nuking the small infested planet to prevent further Flood spread, the Falcon reentered hyperspace, heading for yet another Alliance outpost.

OOC:

By the way, don't hesitate in destroying the Adelaide with the nanopaste. Since Deep Space Five is only 30 light years away, it won't take long (maybe half a day) for the Federation to be back, in force!

IC:

The Adelaide rocked ominously as an energy beam from the Infernal Mist landed and attempted to cut its way through the Federation ship's weakening shields...

"Forward shields are down to 57%!" yelled Tabatha.

"Divert emergency power to shield generators one through six!" Henry snapped right back.

"Our photons have blown several holes in their shield grid, sir!" Kevin reported.

"Keep launching them!" ordered Henry.

"You mean you can't shut this thing off!?"

Lieutenant Vincent Paykel was pissed, mightily pissed... Not only had he let these two managed to pass right by him with a device that could destroy the entire ship, but he was sure he had forever lost the respect of his captain. Of course, this wasn't true, but trying to tell that to the lieutenant at that moment would have been about as effective as tapping an oak tree with a plastic spoon and expecting it to come crashing down. He grabbed Grigor by the collar and hauled the man to his feat, struggling to fight the urge not to punch the man's teeth out.

"You better tell me where that device is!" he bellowed. "Or I swear I wont be held responsible for what I'll do!!!"

"Oy! Calm down!"

Incredibly, it was the Tellarite crewman that was trying to be the voice of reason. He had his phaser cautiously trained on Lashee after what Grigor had just said, as did the ensign standing next to him, both phasers set to maximum stun.

"Shut up, pig face!" Vincent spat.

The ensign noticed the Tellarite gripping his phaser slightly more tightly. He knew he probably had seconds to defuse the situation...

"Why don't we all shut up?" he wondered loudly, drawing their focus to him. "I mean, we're all in danger here, right? Honestly, Vince, what's gotten into you?"

At that point, Vincent slowly released his grip on Grigor's collar and took a step back, suddenly shocked as his own actions.

"Look, I know how bad it feels to feel like you've failed your captain," he assured the stunned man. "But taking it out on him," he indicated Grigor, "isn't going to help us find that device, now is it?"

Vincent merely bowed his head in shame. Such behavior from a Starfleet officer was out of character at best and unconscionable at worst.

"Now then, Mr. Grigor..." the ensign said, turning to face the envoy. "I suggest you tell us where that device is..."

Meanwhile, Kevin watched curiously as a boarding craft departed from the Column of Nuclear Winter and headed back for the Mist, at which point many of the fighters broke off from their attacks and formed a tight protecting sphere around the ship.

"What are they doing?" Tabatha wondered aloud...

"Sir, incoming transmission from the Column," Albert reported.

"Attention all ships. This is *cough* *cough* the Column's Weapon's Officer, Lieutenant Commander Michael Harrier! *cough* Do not fire upon the boarding craft guarded by the fighter swarm. Do not intervene or try and bring it onboard your ships. Captain Dragonhelper is on that vessel and I don't think Debra is playing around *cough*. From what I know, the Nanopaste is connected to the Captain somehow and his death might result in the activation of the Military Grade Nanopaste. Also, our ship's AI is onboard that vessel! *cough* If any of you can hear this, please do not put our Captain or AI at risk of being destroyed"

"Oh . .. .. .. ...." Dante groaned.

"You took the words right out of my mouth, lieutenant," Henry agreed. "Bridge to lieutenant Paykel, be advised captain Dragonhelper has been captured, I repeat, the Column of Nuclear Winter's captain has been captured! he was one of two people with access to the nanopaste..."

"Oh . .. .. .. ...." the ensign replied for Vincent dumbly.

"I know! Mr. Keating had the exact same reaction ensign, just do something!" Henry insisted. "Find that device!"

"Aye sir!" the ensign almost shouted back. "Well, Mr. Grigor, now I strongly suggest you tell us where that device is, looks like you're in the same boat as us now..."

Meanwhile, just one deck below them, a battle continued to rage between the Adelaide's marines and the enemy soldiers. Their attacks had slowed up and the marines were beginning to force the soldiers back. They hadn't been completely prepared for the suicide tactics of the soldiers, but they had adapted quickly...

"Longstreet to bridge..." an older marine called, tapping his com badge.

"Baker here..." Henry replied.

"Sir, the enemy's running out of soldiers, we're forcing them back..."

"Good, but inform all marine squadrons not to take unnecessary risks..." Henry insisted.

"Will do sir," the marine replied. "Longstreet out..."

"You took the words right out of my mouth, lieutenant," Henry agreed. "Bridge to lieutenant Paykel, be advised captain Dragonhelper has been captured, I repeat, the Column of Nuclear Winter's captain has been captured! he was one of two people with access to the nanopaste..."

"Our Captain's been captured? What about the AI system? With an injured crew and no AI, the Column is dead in space and a sitting duck!" Grigor yelled

"Aye sir!" the ensign almost shouted back. "Well, Mr. Grigor, now I strongly suggest you tell us where that device is, looks like you're in the same boat as us now..."

Grigor said "The device is located in a bottle of wine. We brought it onboard so that we could have a drink during the meeting. It was Lashee's idea. I suggested vodka"
"I like wine and so does a lot of people. Who would suspect the nanopaste being hidden there?" Lashee replied, looking at the phasers aimed at her. "Can you stop pointing those toys at me?"

Grigor said "I can't de-activate the nanopaste, as it requires a code, and I have no idea what the code is. Captain Dragonhelper probably knows the code and if he dies, the device might be activated."
"And if you do get the nanopaste out of the bottle of wine, I recommend not opening the lid or smashing the device" he added
Lashee put two fingers to her head "Grigor, Isis is in deep trouble" she said, suddenly
"What do you mean?" he asked, turning to face the Elite
"She's been transferred to a crystal memory chip and is being held hostage by the Covenant" Lashee replied, not looking at him, but in some direction that was facing a wall.
"Shoot! Wait, how do you know this stuff? You don't have a radio" Grigor asked
"Please don't ask me that. It's very personal between myself and Isis" Lashee said.

OOC: No, it's not a love relationship. More like a friendship thing

IC:

Lashee suggested to the nearby crew "Let us get back to our dropship. The Infernal Mist is too powerful on it's own. We need to get inside with some of the best soldiers we have and wipe out the carrier's leadership. With the leadership gone, the ship can then be easily turned to our side"
Grigor added "I don't think they trust us enough ma'am"

Boarding Craft

Raffja smiled as he examined the AI chip in his talons. "Not so tough now are you?" he laughed, slipping the chip fast between his claws, as if it were a coin.
"Don't smash it Raffja. Or you'll pay for it in blood" the Brute Chieftain warned
"Raffja!" Chuck exclaimed, realising who the special ops Jackal was.
"Ah, and who might you be?" Raffja said, walking over to the Grunt.
Chuck made a spitting noise, but the wadded up saliva impacted on the inside of his breathing gear. "You monster! I want to rip out your skull and show it to your dying eyes, then cut off the top, poop in it and use it as a candle holder! You deserve it too!" he rambled to the Jackal.
Raffja laughed. "I remember you now Paypay! You have always been working for those stupid humans. What made you betray our ways?" he asked the Grunt.
"Humans made this mind-control drug they call "Chocolate." I can't help it. It's so delicious. A lot of humans have fallen victim to the delicious food. However, I'm well aware of the effects of chocolate. I have my loyalty to my family and friends." Chuck explained "Since you murdered my family, my loyalty lies with my friends. Captain Dragonhelper and myself have a lot in common in that our loved ones were murdered by aliens like you!"
"I am so sorry for what has happened" Raffja said, in a falsetto accent that Jackals can't really do with limited vocal cords. "Your family deserves it and what our Leader will do to you will be much worse than what I did to your mother"
Chuck screamed in horror, but the Brute holding him easily held him back.

The boarding craft was approaching one of the hangars. The shield around the slit was lowered to allow the vessel through. The fighters were peeling off to resume their fighter duties.

Space

One of the Column's Longswords tried to follow after the boarding craft, but it had one of the wings clipped by the shields and it peeled away. Three Seraphs came in from behind and reduced the unlucky fighter to molten slag.

The other two Longswords were doing their best to defend The Column, which was now moving in only one direction due to the lack of navigation crews. If the ship was to continue drifting, the course would be heading towards a nearby star.
Space though was crawling with a lot of Seraph fighters and boarding craft. The Covenant were pulling away from the Column and seeking out other ships.

Onboard the Column
Michael crawled towards the Weapons Station. Despite the main weapons controlled by the Fire Control Officers and Navigation, Michael still had access to the Point Defence Lasers. He switched most of them to robot control. The AI in them wasn't as good as a ship's AI, but it would scan for a hostile target, get a good reading, create a lead indicator and fire at it until it was out of range or destroyed, and then it would seek another target.
It was accurate, to a point, but it needed a more complicated AI to control it, or even a human.
That's what Michael did. He took control of one of the turrets by remote, and using the camera, started shooting at Seraphs like a first person shooter.
Where are the other officers? I can't stop the ship's drift. I'm not a navigator like that guy... what was his name? It was some kind of Chinese name. I don't even think Captain Dragonhelper could pronounce it. They all can't be dead... can they? he thought

Engineer Yuri had managed to get the auxiliary comm beacon working after some time, and Ouagadougou could yet again send and receive messages from other ships.

"Attention all ships. This is *cough* *cough* the Column's Weapon's Officer, Lieutenant Commander Michael Harrier! *cough* Do not fire upon the boarding craft guarded by the fighter swarm. Do not intervene or try and bring it onboard your ships. Captain Dragonhelper is on that vessel and I don't think Debra is playing around *cough*. From what I know, the Nanopaste is connected to the Captain somehow and his death might result in the activation of the Military Grade Nanopaste. Also, our ship's AI is onboard that vessel! *cough* If any of you can hear this, please do not put our Captain or AI at risk of being destroyed"
"The captain of the Column is on the boarding craft?"

"Yes, it sounds like it."

"And the Column itself is drifting... we need to help them. Any messages from Zedah and Tshwana?" Nadia asked

Qi replied "Not yet, they don't know that we are still alive. I'll try to contact them..."


Onboard Adelaide

Tshwana and the commander had found Lashee and Grigor of the Column, arguing with the soldiers of Adelaide:

"Well, Mr. Grigor, now I strongly suggest you tell us where that device is, looks like you're in the same boat as us now..."

Lashee suggested to the nearby crew "Let us get back to our dropship. The Infernal Mist is too powerful on it's own. We need to get inside with some of the best soldiers we have and wipe out the carrier's leadership. With the leadership gone, the ship can then be easily turned to our side"
Grigor added "I don't think they trust us enough ma'am"


"Psst, I think we could help you" the commander suggested to them, without the soldiers hearing as they were distracted.
"We were prepared to escape if we get arrested, and we have a craft just outside the outer wall. It is equipped to take us away, even with force, should we get in such a situation. Gerhard loaded one extra set of escape gear in case there would be some problems with them. If Tshwana distracts the soldiers and stays behind -is that okay with you? he added through the nerval transmitter, and Tshwana agreed- I could take both of you with me. There would be four of us from Ouagadougou in addition to whomever you might be able to get. I don't know if our ship has, wait, I get something..."
-Ouagadougou is undamaged, except the armour.
-Great. Can you get the enemy ship's shields down anyhow?
...
-Yes, our R-bombs should be enough to cleave them for some time.
-Prepare them and twenty soldiers plus six extra guns in a dropship. I'll explain later.
"...yes, we could get twenty-four to your help. All heavily armed cyborgs, with weapons designed to capture ships. How does that sound?" and quickly stepped away as one of the soldiers began to get suspicious.

Nubolten couldn't do much else than to shoot the incoming fighters. Trent didn't dare to expose the ships side to Infernal Mists weapons and turn away. He would have liked to ram through the Mists shields to give the railgun a chance of penetration, but he no longer had deflector strong enough to withstand the impact, and the new readings from the mists shields seemed worrying. Trents thoughts were interrupted by an incoming transmission.


"Attention all ships. This is *cough* *cough* the Column's Weapon's Officer, Lieutenant Commander Michael Harrier! *cough* Do not fire upon the boarding craft guarded by the fighter swarm. Do not intervene or try and bring it onboard your ships. Captain Dragonhelper is on that vessel and I don't think Debra is playing around *cough*. From what I know, the Nanopaste is connected to the Captain somehow and his death might result in the activation of the Military Grade Nanopaste. Also, our ship's AI is onboard that vessel! *cough* If any of you can hear this, please do not put our Captain or AI at risk of being destroyed"

Column was in no condition to fight. Adelaide had a problem with the nanites, and Nubolten couldn't harm the Mist and was losing it's only protection against it. Ougadougou seemed to be the only ship fighting unhindered. Things didn't look good at all.

"Pull us back, All power to the deflector."

Nubolten started to slowly back away from the Mist with all navigation lights turned off. Half of the autocannons fell silent, and the remaining ones only shot when it was absolutely necessary. Only the dim glow of the monitors lit up Dans face on the bridge.

"Psst, I think we could help you"
Grigor almost jumped at the sound but he listened in to what was being said.

"We were prepared to escape if we get arrested, and we have a craft just outside the outer wall. It is equipped to take us away, even with force, should we get in such a situation. Gerhard loaded one extra set of escape gear in case there would be some problems with them. If Tshwana distracts the soldiers and stays behind

Lashee didn't hear the message. "Wait a second... Isis has been moved from the boarding craft" she said to the suspicious soldiers.
"We are in a real need to get back to our dropship." Grigor said, suddenly to the security team.

OOC: that
-is that okay with you? he added through the nerval transmitter, and Tshwana agreed-
was the commander talking to captain Tshwana

OOC: Oh right. Sorry, but isn't whispering a bit suspicious? I'll edit my posts accordingly

OOC: Tshwana distracts the guards so they don't notice it

OOC: I'm waiting for Triarii

OOC:

I think we should wait for Merciary, Thomas.Berubeg and Taillesskangaru myself, if only to confirm if their ships are attacking, have retreated from or have otherwise been destroyed by the Infernal Mist...

I'll tell you what, I'll PM them asking what they're doing about their ships. For T.B and TK it's not a problem if they don't want to play anymore (their ships can just be assumed to have fled or been destroyed), but some of Merciary's ship's crew are on board the Adelaide, so that poses more of a problem...

OOC: have you got the answer yet?

OOC:

have you got the answer yet?

Only from Merciary so far, and he's simply asked for it to be assumed that his ship fled the scene, leaving the crew members he sent to the Adelaide stranded there (presumably to be picked up later if Merciary decides to return to the game)...

I'll tell you what, I'll give T.B. and Tk a couple more days to answer, and if they don't, we'll simply assume thier ships fled the scene...

OOC:
I invited one of my friends here. He's not a good roleplayer, as he hasn't done much on on the training fields of Neopets*, but I think we should give him some time.

* The virtual pet site of Neopets has a roleplaying board and I use it for roleplaying (but usually only on weekends and it's a bit rare for me to go there now). The boards have their limitations though. They have a 400 character limit per post, so it makes for quick (they utilise a 30 second barrier (like the one here) before putting another post in), uneditable roleplaying and I found it good practice, despite the swear-filter for the most common, non-swear words like pretty or aliens (which is no longer a "bad word", but still stupid of them to make in the first place)

OOC:

Wait... so you're telling me the Neopets swear filter filters the words 'pretty' and 'aliens'? Umm, why?

OOC:

I think pretty could mean sexual and aliens could mean a term to describe foreigners, but as an insult.
Heck, you can't even crack open a beer and have good times in tavern or something because you can't discuss alcohol or drugs.

Anyway, so the Neopets boards is a training ground to learning how to roleplay. There are plenty of other sites and training grounds, but Neopets is a site I like to go to.

OOC:

Well it sounds to me like the neopets board has been raped, assaulted, brutally murdered, buried, dug up again, cloned and then raped, assaulted and brutally mudered again by the more rabid elements of the PC (Political Corectness) movement (or the fear thereof)... I mean, who the hell censors the words 'pretty' because it could be misconstrued as sexual?

OOC:
I know. I mean, you have to be over 13 to go the boards anyway.
Oh no! Some 8 year olds lie about their age! Censor the site because of some twerps who want to see adult stuff.
I mean, it's a bit hypocritical. They ban sexual words, but they dress some of the characters in provacative ways.
Ok, so they're anthropomorphic animals in skimpy outfits (which I find wrong), but there are also human faeries, all female and all in skimpy outfits (now that's not as wrong)...
I think this OOC needs to get back onto the subject of spacefaring, not about some other website.
Ummm... what to talk about though? I should make another post, but I need more content here to proceed

OOC:

Well, to get us back on topic, T.B. and Tk have yet to reply to the messages I sent them. If they don't reply by tomorrow (I'm giving them another 24 hours, and it's now 8:30 PM Wednesday evening where I live), we'lljust asume their ships fled the scene...

OOC:
Then I can continue the battles...
What's more exciting for this type of RP? Boarding action or a ship to ship combat? Just want to know

We'll see both very soon... ;)

OOC: t.b's and Tk's ships have fled.

OOC:

Well, I've given those guys enough time... So it will now be assumed their ships simply fled when the Infernal Mist showed up...

Anyway, continuing from post #108...

IC:

"Captain, are you getting this?" the ensign asked.

"I am..." Henry replied. "And I agree with Mr. Grigor... Here's what were going to do... First, find that nanopaste and, if the Column's envoys deem it advisable, send it out of the nearest airlock..."

"Aye sir..." the ensign replied. "What about the rest of your plan?"

"One moment," Henry waived him off.

"Sir, the Column is drifting away from the area and the Nubolten is beginning to back off..." Kevin reported

Henry merely nodded.

"Bridge the shuttlebay," he said, tapping his com badge. Do not launch the remaining two runabouts, I repeat, hold launch on the remaining runabouts... We need them for another use..."

"What sort of use?" the flight operator questioned.

"We're going to load them with marines..." Henry replied simply.

"Aye sir, we'll have them waiting..." the flight operator replied, not even bothering to question why Henry was suddenly ordering this. "Alright!" he called out to the deck crew. "Hold launch on these two... Open the hatches and stand by to begin loading operations..."

Meanwhile...

"Bridge to security... All available marines report to the shuttlebay and begin loading on Runabouts Murray Bridge and Whyalla at once..."

He paused for a moment.

"Bridge to observation lounge..." he called. "Once you have dealt with the nanopaste, if possible, escort the Collumn's envoys back to their dropship... we'll be sending out two runabouts to escort you..."

"Aye sir," the ensign replied.

"Com, transmit the following to the three remaining friendly ships..." he added, referencing the fact that several of the ships they had come across had promptly fled the scene when the Infernal Mist showed up...

"Channel open sir..." said Albert.

"To all friendly ships," he announced. "Be advised we are about to attempt a boarding operation of the Infernal Mist... We will be covering our runabouts as they make their move and request that you help us protect them. Column of Nuclear Winter, be advised we will begin moving to put ourselves between you and the Infernal Mist... If you can, I think it would be best if you withdraw from the area, as should the rest of us if and when our boarding ships land..."

"Helm, get us moving into position..."

The Adelaide banked and began to move faster, moving to position itself in harm's way in a downright selfless maneuver. After all, the Column of Nuclear Winter was the same ship that had overtly threatened the Adelaide by sending two of it's men aboard carrying a deadly nanopaste they could lay waste to the Entire USS Adelaide. But captain Baker couldn't hold that against them, not now...

While the other ships were busy getting damaged Ouagadougou survived intact thanks to its maneuverability and AG shields, which instead of really protecting pushed the enemy ship's projectiles away from the hull. Until it was caught in the direct aim of Infernal Mist's plasma torpedoes, which, misdirected by the shields, but not enough, hit the left weapons gallery and destroyed two projectors. Yet only one crew member was killed and two injured because the area hit was completely empty.
"To all friendly ships
Be advised we are about to attempt a boarding operation of the Infernal Mist... We will be covering our runabouts as they make their move and request that you help us protect them. Column of Nuclear Winter, be advised we will begin moving to put ourselves between you and the Infernal Mist... If you can, I think it would be best if you withdraw from the area, as should the rest of us if and when our boarding ships land..."
"Should we tell them of the plans? We could cooperate but the rescue might be hindered..." Qi thought, having the responsibility of such affairs when the leaders weren't present.

"How? They are equipped to get them away from whatever force used to hold them, and the Erlen Hoop provides safe passage through the shields for the Leech." Yuri interrupted

"Yes, in that case there can be only one sensible reply."
---
Ouagadougou to Adelaide
*There are two members of our and two of the Column's crew. We ask you to free them to be able to partake in the boarding attempt. You can have the Brotherhood's word that they will be returned to whatever trial they might face later.

If you refuse, we are prepared to free them nonetheless. They can be away in ten seconds and you can't prevent it. It would show your cooperativeness to join us to together defeat the enemy.

For that, we have prepared a boarding crew of twenty soldiers, three of whom are ghosts trained especialy for special operations such as this. We have weapons for everyone who needs them. Our radiation bombs can be used to cleave the enemy's shields for approximately three seconds in an area of ten thousand square meters.*
---

Onboard the Column

Michael opened fire with the last turrets at a Seraph. It exploded in a small orange fireball which quickly dissipated. On the screen, as a joke he put down his number of kills compared to the other turrets. The score read 6 now. On other displays next to his screen, there was simply a list of turret names and their kill scores. Everything starboard side had the most kills. Those on the port side though... not many fighters went there.

OOC: I noticed that Longswords actually look pretty small to a Frigate. But the cargo bay deceived me in Halo 3. Oh well

IC:
Onboard the Infernal Mist
Captain Dragonhelper was dragged out of the boarding craft by the Brutes. Raffja had bounced off ahead to the ship's bridge to report his victory and to give the AI to the Shipmaster.
I'm still questing their decision. Why is there a human in charge of our ship? he thought, then tapped the Bridge controls. The doors checked him out and opened with a dull hum.
The Jackal stepped into the control room calmly. The lights were off, except for the residual lighting around the doors. They were red. Locked. A table was sitting in front of him.
Raffja said calmly "Shipmaster! I have secured the Column's AI system"
"You have done well. Leave the control chip on the table. We'll be collecting it later. Leave us" said a voice.
Raffja did as he was told. He placed the chip onto the table and then walked out of the control room. As he left, the doors sealed behind him. What's happened in there? he thought.
Captain Dragonhelper was dragged past the Jackal. "Don't expect me to tell you anything" he stated to Raffja.
Chuck was also dragged past, screaming.

The Captain and Chuck were taken into the control room. The table was gone. The lights were still off. "Ah, the illustrious Captain Dragonhelper. So nice to see you. It's been a long time" said a voice from the front of the room.
"A long time? It's only been a few hours" The Captain yelled.
"Unfortunately, Deborah cannot be here to see you. You might be disappointed" the voice said.
"What are you talking about?" Captain Dragonhelper was losing patience.

"We exist together now. Two corpses in one grave" the voice said, louder
"Seriously, that's a terrible pickup line for her. Wait a second..." Captain Dragonhelper said, shocked.
The lights came on in the Control Room. The front half of the Room was not what it seemed. Green/yellow coloured domes were decorating the walls and slime was dripping from a broken conduit in the roof.
Standing in the middle of the room was a massive creature. Several limbs were poking out from it. Mostly Brute, a bit of Grunt, and even a "Human arm?" Captain Dragonhelper said, out loud.
"Debra! She's one of them! This is madness!" he then yelled.

"Madness? That... is... THE FLOOD!" Chuck yelled and attempted to run. He was successful at this as the Brute escorts were shocked at what happened to their Shipmaster.
Chuck managed to escape before the doors were sealed and locked behind him.

OOC: The Flood is a parasitic alien lifeform. They're real nasty and make horrible descriptions of people like "The armoured casket" or "The armoured coffin"
I apologise to no one for the 300 reference.

IC:

Outside the control room
Chuck turned to see if his friend was with him. The Captain wasn't there.
"They took him! They took my friend! Noooo!" Chuck cried at his loss.

Onboard the Adelaide

Lashee looked shocked now. "Shoot! This is bad!" she exclaimed
"How bad can it be?" Grigor asked
"Grigor, imagine a really large fan. Now imagine a gorilla, a big one. Now imagine if this gorilla threw it's excrement at this fan. That's how the situation on Isis is" Lashee said.
"Oh shoot." Grigor said.
The two then bolted for it. They headed back to their dropship. Security had to wait, they needed to get to their ship. In their haste, Lashee had dropped the bottle of wine. It rolled across the floor and to a halt next to an air vent. The glass didn't smash, due to new constructions in it to prevent it easily breaking from a drop.

Lashee got there first. She unlocked the doors to the Pelican and stepped onboard. Grigor followed afterwards. "Plan B?" Lashee asked.
Grigor rolled out a long case from under a row of seats. He opened it. A green glow was emitted from it. "Plan B" Grigor replied, lifting the item out.

The dropship forced its way out from the docking tube. "Forget protocol. We'll fix the damage later" Lashee said, sitting at the pilot's controls.
Grigor sat in the sealed up cargo bay, holding his new weapon: The Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle
More commonly known as the Spartan Laser
The remaining Longswords from the Column and even one of the Column's Phantoms came to escort the dropship towards The Infernal Mist.
The Carrier had stopped firing for some reason, but the shields were still holding.
"Something must be up" Lashee stated "And I know exactly what. Hold on Isis! I'm coming to save you sister!"

OOC: I feel like that dropship taking off thing needs a music track. Think of Brothers in Arms from the Halo Series. Think of the Halo 3 version of it. That's what you could imagine :lol:

IC:

After refueling, repairing, and giving their report on planet Erff, the Falcon headed on a new mission. Several foreign ships had engaged in a conflict in Alliance space and the Falcon's job was to investigate. They had instructions to help resolve the conflict, but it was too late: the ships were already in a heated space battle, and one of them was FEDERATION.

"Sir!, The Column has lost it's commander and Adelaide is planning to board the carrier. Ougadougou claim they have the means to drop the carriers shields for three seconds."

"We need only 1."

Adelaide was moving to cover the Column. Trent saw shuttles leaving their hangar.

"Sir! The carrier is stopping!"

As the boarding craft and the fighters escorting it entered the carrier it had suddenly become quiet. Very quiet. Too quiet.

"They're up to something." Replied Trent, and smashed his intercomm. "Hows the deflector?"

"We will be soon back at full power, especially now that the enemy stopped firing at us."

"Dan. Open channels to Ougadougou and Adelaide."

"Channels open, sir."

"This is Nubolten to USS Adelaide and Ougadougou. We are aware of your plans to board the Infernal Mist and offer whatever help we can. If you have the means to drop their shields we offer 500mm hole through the carrier. You can specify the exact time and location, we will handle the rest."

Lashee said "We'll be unable to breach the shield of the carrier. How exactly do you plan on boarding it Grigor? You're not a Spartan, so you can't have the reflexes and speed of one"

Grigor banged the top of the Spartan Laser. "The carrier is reloading and launching fighters and boarding craft. The shields around the hangar HAVE to drop to let them through. That's our chance" he explained
"Sure hope it works though" Lashee commented.

The Pelican was approaching the carrier. The weapons had stopped firing. Pulse lasers were still at work though, destroying any missiles. The defences though were not aimed at the larger fighters.
The Pelican flew towards one of the shuttle bays. A Seraph Fighter was going in for landing.
The engines flared and the Pelican rocketed towards the Seraph as it was passing the shield.
The escorting Longswords peeled away to resume normal duty- Smashing the hell out of those fighters!

Shuttle Bay
The Seraph passed through the shield. A few seconds later, it was recovering. The Pelican roared through the gap. However, the shield recovered completely. Only half of the Pelican had gone through.
With a silent boom, courtesy of the lack of air in space, the dropship's front half screamed into a fighter bay of the carrier and crashed onto the deck, crushing a team of Grunts who were sleeping.
The others woke up and ran away screaming in fear.

Grigor and Lashee jumped out from the destroyed dropship. Grigor had moved to the cockpit before the Pelican was sliced in half and thus he was saved.
He raised his Spartan Laser and looked around for a target.
Lashee grabbed a working plasma rifle off the deck and looked around for the bad guys. "Odd. We did a noisy landing, yet there isn't a team ready to strike us" she commented.

Elsewhere on the Carrier
Chuck ran away from the corridor. His survival instinct took over. He could mourn over the loss of The Captain later. He had to survive the Brutes and the Flood. However, he was unarmed and his methane supply was running low.
He ran for what appeared to be a few minutes before he arrived in a fighter bay. He was on the third floor. Covenant teams were running everywhere on the lower levels. They were doing their best to get out of the fighter bay.
Of course they would. The Flood is on this ship, Chuck thought.
His thoughts were interrupted when the flaming half of a Pelican came screaming into the bay and crashing onto the deck with a screech.
Sleeping Grunts fled from the scene and two figures jumped out from the dropship. "Lashee!" Chuck exclaimed. He keyed for his radio, but it was broken. His methane supply was dropping into very low levels. He quickly plugged his tank into a nearby container that was placed near the edge. The tank was rapidly filling up again.

Ground Level
Grigor used his suit's in-built binoculars on the Heads-up-display. He zoomed in on all the levels of the cruiser. The binoculars display glowed red at it reached the third level. It picked up a target. The distance was shown and the preferred angle for grenade throwing. However, the target then glowed green. "Friendly" was displayed above the target.
The identification number of the friendly was then shown. "That's Chuck's IFF tag" Grigor said. "He must have escaped his captors and they must have destroyed his radio" he added.
Lashee said "We better get to the third level then. That's the fastest way to the Bridge and where we can rescue Captain Dragonhelper and Isis"
"Let's move!" Grigor said and headed for the nearest door.
Lashee took point though. If there was going to be a barrage of gunfire on the other side, it was better for Lashee to be receiving it than Grigor.

It is a pity, thought a merchant, steering his ship with superb skills through an asteroid belt. His ship is loaded with luxury goods, from Ryenthan's blood to Altairan silk to Alpha Centaurian Inyeshvya and the gods know what else. But in war-time, no one cared for such things.

"By Beranthan, can't these idiots solve their disputes another way? Maybe an online battle or something."

"Urass sighted, captain!" said someone who I shall not name because he is not relevant to our story.

Urass is a small, rocky, cratered planet prized for its underground aquifers of fresh water. It is uninhabited, because of a lack of breathable atmosphere, but is a popular stop-over for merchant ships traveling in this region. It's name is Rigelian, meaning "gem", but unfortunately had quite different connotations in a certain Earth language.

The small merchant ship landed. The captain, in spacesuit, stepped out of the craft. What he saw made his jaw dropped.

A very large cruiser had crashed just next to where his ship landed. He wondered why he didn't see it when he was landing his ship, then he realised it must be cloaked by a still-functioning stealth generator which caused the ship to be all but invisible except when observed up-close. The cruiser was badly damaged. Its hull showed signs of being attacked by very powerful energy weapons. The captain read the name of ship printed on its side out loud: Tigris.

A search of the wreckage of the cruiser found no sign of the crew. The captain assumed they had escaped from the cruiser via escape pods. The trouble with this theory is all the escape pods are still lying unused in their respective bays.

IC:

"What... What the Hell?"

The Whyalla's pilot could only watch in horror as the same dropship that had just moments ago literally torn itself clear of the Adelaide's docking bay was cleaved clean in half by the Infernal Mist's shields as it attempted to make a run through a brief gap that had appeared in the massive carrier's shields.

"Adelaide, this is Whyalla, we just lost the Columns's drop ship!" the pilot called.

"Survivors?" Henry shot back.

"I can't tell, sir..." the pilot replied.

"Looks like we're going to have to speed things up...," Henry muttered. "Adelaide to all friendly ships," he said, having decided to keep the com channel open for the moment. "Ouagadougou, I think it might be time to put your plan into action. Nubolten, be advised we probably won't need your cannon for this... Murray Bridge, report..."

"We're almost there, captain," the pilot responded. "We have the Whyalla in sight, ready to begin boarding run on your order..."

"Stand by Murray Bridge..." said Henry. "Ouagadougou, now would be a good time..."

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a11/TheStylesjl/VladimirKorovin.jpg

Greetings comrades, my name is Vladimir Korovin and I would just love to make deals with all of you, what shall we discuss then?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a11/TheStylesjl/OmegaBattleship.jpg

As you can see this is my Merchant Battleship, it carries goods of all kinds. Weapons, spare parts, food, raw materials, televisions, plot devices, anything you can imagine! The only thing that isn't for sale is me and the ship!:crazyeye: It is a very heavy Battleship that weighs several thousand metric tonnes, it has several fusion powered cannons (six in fact, four of them can fire forwards while the other two alternate between side and back). It also carries several hundred conventional medium range missiles and a dozen long range missiles, as well as 5 nuclear missiles. We also carry a sizable squadron of fighters (about 70 fighters). The ship itself is over 300 meters long, 50 meters wide and 60 meters high. Our armor is made from thick titanium, which hardens our ship from all but nuclear or continuous heavy conventional attacks.

Our crew consists of several hundred people from the Crossroads colony. They are fiercely loyal to me and the Red Syndicate and also have a deep abiding love of wealth. The crew helps to man the weapons, deal with sales, track incoming ships, and keep in contact with Crossroads.

As for our standing, we are mercenaries/arms dealers/traders/bankers. We don't take sides unless there is money to be made. We are neutral unless attacked first, or bribed into war. We will be sure to show up at every war zone peddling our wares!:mischief:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a11/TheStylesjl/RaulColumbo.jpg

Raul Colombo: Who is this? Astrotech has no time to waste. What do you want?

Do you want some of this brand new military hardware at low, low prices?

Raul Colombo: Do I ever? Thanks dude you're a lifesaver!

See another satisfied customer.

Raul Colombo: Hey wait a minute, this Fusion Cannon is made out of cheap plastic!

*Transmission Cut*

So buy my stuff today

That is all

Edit: Added armor of ship
Edit2: Added crew

"Well they've made their move, sir. Half of a shuttle got through a shield opening."

"Those fools, sacrificing themselves in a maneuver like that. The crew on those ships must be nutjobs."

The planetary scanners made a discovery on the Infernal Mist.

"Sir. I'm picking up something strange inside the carrier. A growing biomass."

"Plant?"

"No sir, this is something different. It's moving."

Trent wondered what it could be. Because of the shields, and that he didn't have the exact location of the friendlies on the Infernal Mist, he couldn't shoot at the carrier. He had a rough idea where the carriers shield generators and reactor were, but would it be safe to taget the reactor? It would either disable the ship, or blow it up. Targeting the bridge would probably cripple the ship just as well, but the captain of the Column and their AI might be anywhere on the ship.

"There must be something we can do to help them. Do you think Sakarias would be interested in a boarding op?"

"You kidding, sir? He jumps up like an Esclian rabbit when there's a chance to relive the old days."

"Well I promised them all the help I can gather. I don't want to rise his hopes yet, so open a channel to the friendly ships."

"Channels open, sir."

"Nubolten to friendly vessels. We have an ex-mercenary marine onboard who would like to volunteer on any boarding operation."

OOC:
Just as a note, the Bridge or Control Room of a Covenant Carrier is located in the middle of the ship. That way, it is surrounded by the systems of the ship itself and prevents those cheap shots to the Bridge, unlike many UNSC Cruisers, who foolishly have the Bridge at the front and given glass windows.
The Column however has learned from the mistakes of the past and as such, the Bridge is located in the middle of the ship.

Michael Harrier heard an alarm go off in the Tracking Console. This was important news. A large contact had slipped into the area.
He took some biofoam on his wounds and limped towards the station. The sensors picked up the ship. A light appeared on the Communications console nearby.
Limping over, Michael listened to the incoming message.

Greetings comrades, my name is Vladimir Korovin and I would just love to make deals with all of you, what shall we discuss then?
We carry goods of all kinds. Weapons, spare parts, food, raw materials, televisions, plot devices, anything you can imagine! The only thing that isn't for sale is me and the ship! It is a very heavy Battleship that weighs several thousand metric tonnes, it has several fusion powered cannons (six in fact, four of them can fire forwards while the other two alternate between side and back). It also carries several hundred conventional medium range missiles and a dozen long range missiles, as well as 5 nuclear missiles. We also carry a sizable squadron of fighters (about 70 fighters). The ship itself is over 300 meters long, 50 meters wide and 60 meters high. Our armor is made from thick titanium, which hardens our ship from all but nuclear or continuous heavy conventional attacks.

Our crew consists of several hundred people from the Crossroads colony. They are fiercely loyal to me and the Red Syndicate and also have a deep abiding love of wealth. The crew helps to man the weapons, deal with sales, track incoming ships, and keep in contact with Crossroads.

As for our standing, we are mercenaries/arms dealers/traders/bankers. We don't take sides unless there is money to be made. We are neutral unless attacked first, or bribed into war. We will be sure to show up at every war zone peddling our wares

"Merchants. At a time like this, we get Merchants" Michael snorted. He took a deep breath and made a reply:

"This is temporary commander of the UNSC Column of Nuclear Winter. We've lost our AI system, most of the Bridge crew and our Captain has been captured. The second in command has not returned from her mission. We're in serious trouble. Our ship is drifting towards the nearest star and I don't know what to do to stop it. If you're selling things, can you sell me a solution? We've got nanite packs in our cargo bay if you're interested in trading, but we won't be for long if this shift keeps drifting"

I hope it works, he thought and then limped back to the weapons station to continue point defence.

Onboard The Infernal Mist
Lashee threw a plasma grenade into the next corridor. It stuck onto a Grunt. "It's stuck! Oooh ah! Get it offa me!" he screamed and ran towards his comrades.
"No! Run the other way idiot!" the Brute in charge yelled.
BOOM! Several Grunts were sent flying and the Brute's armour and shields were taken off in the explosion.

With a roar, the Brute charged towards the Elite. Lashee grabbed him by the neck and snapped it, overpowering the iron grip of the Brute with ease. "15th and the strongest" she commented, walking past the corpses and the blood splatters all over the wall.
Grigor said "I don't get what you mean ma'am"
"It's my species. I'm the 15th experiment. The other 14 were failures. Never lived long or at all" Lashee explained "I'm the lucky one"
"Oh" Grigor replied and left it at that. It's nice to know a few things about your fellow crew members. That's what Captain Dragonhelper said

A Brute Mauler went off near him. Grigor turned and aimed his Spartan Laser. He then lowered it. A black Special Ops Grunt was holding the Mauler and he wasn't firing at the two soldiers. He was aiming at a wall. "Just wanted to signal you guys. My radio is broken" the Grunt squeaked.
"Welcome to the party Chuck. Did you bring the vodka?" Grigor said
"I didn't know this was a special occasion. I sure hope there's a food nipple waiting for me back on starship" Chuck replied.
"You have worked up a big Grunty thirst. It's you alright, come on, we've got a traitor to put to justice" Grigor said.
"It's not a traitor you'll have to put down. Debra has fallen victim to the Flood and has our Captain" Chuck explained "During the distraction and realisation of their leader, my captors let me out of their grip. In the confusion, I fled the Control Room. Captain Dragonhelper didn't follow me out. He must still be trapped in the Bridge or..."
"Or what?" Grigor asked, then regretted doing that. "Oh... I see... shoot! We better hurry!"

Grigor, Lashee and Chuck headed for the Control Room. Chuck knew the quickest route as they crossed the third floor of the fighter bay. In a nearby cluster of crates, Chuck threw a grenade in. "Can't be too careful. Something might ambush us there" he said.
The destroyed Pelican was still on the deck, but a Phantom was hovering over it.
Brutes and Jackals were fleeing towards the Phantom. An incoming rocket smashed into the side of the dropship and one of the side cannons were blown off.
Just then, a fuel rod gun barrage hit the Phantom from the roof. Smaller explosions rippled across the skin and there was a loud whirring as the reactors went critical.
The Phantom then exploded into a bright blue fireball and smashed onto the deck. Flood combat forms quickly filled it up.

Lashee mumbled something. Grigor stared for a few seconds then went up to one of the doors. It opened with a dull hum and a Grunt's body was sent flying out from it. A Flood Tank form was in the room. It saw the gathered soldiers and picked up a strong scent from Lashee.
It roared in delight and charged. However, at this time, Grigor was charging up the Spartan Laser. With a WHOOMPH! it smashed a giant laser into the Flood form and cut it in half.
"You've got to be careful. Flood smell Lashee, Flood get Lashee. They don't care about everyone else when they smell her" Chuck said
"You mean we're walking around with a 8ft tall Flood Dinner?" Grigor asked
"Quite correct. But combat forms I can handle. The Infection Forms, they're nasty. They are the only real threat to my species. In seconds, they can kill us. It has been worked out that a second after attachment, it's an injury, will heal over time, two seconds, it's a serious injury which diminishes strength and takes longer to heal, three, we're in a short coma, four, it's a long coma and five is death. Flood can't control us like you guys can be, but they sure find us a good meal." Lashee explained.
"You heard the lady. We're killing ALL infection forms and any Flood Pure Form that's in that big Tank Form. They can spew out Infection Forms" Chuck said to Grigor. "And try not to take their arms off. That will cause the Infection Form inside to eject"

The corridors to the Bridge though were covered in a green slime and green pods were popping out of the walls. "We can only hope Captain Dragonhelper is human. It's a most likely chance he's been infected and brought to the Flood's side" Lashee said.

Elsewhere on the Mist
Raffja was heading for the Phantom Dropship. However, he was on the third floor of the fighter bay. He was about to open a set of doors when they did so themselves. He quickly took cover behind a series of stacked up crates and observed the incoming figures.
A gas-sucker, a human and one of those Separatist scum, he thought. He raised his Carbine and was ready to fire at the human, when a grenade was thrown into the cluster of crates. Thinking fast, Raffja ducked into the nearest open crate and sealed the lid. The humming of a Plasma Grenade went off and scorched the lid of crate.
Raffja made a loud scream, imitating dying and it seemed the figures kept moving. He waited a few units and got out from the crate. The figures were gone.

I should tail them. That gas-sucker looked familiar, he thought. He then recalled the brief moment he saw the Grunt. "A UNSC logo on his uniform! That was Paypay! I better make him pay!" he whispered and headed towards the Control Room...

Vladimir Korovin listened to the reply from Micheal Harrier. A gleam in his eye and a smile appeared on Korovin's face.

Let's make a deal then! He said, and the crewman next to him could have sworn there were real dollar signs in his eyes as he said it. He then sent this message

Welcome UNSC Column of Nuclear Winter. I see you are in quite a troubling situation, yes? We would be happy to assist in your battle, as well as resupply your ship with new fuel, new navigation systems and an AI program. The only thing we ask in return is that you send us your nanite packs. What do you say to that?

He then terminated the transmission and contacted the rest of the ship. His booming and jolly business voice said: Red Syndicate Merchants, it's time to mount up weapons systems and merchant craft, time is short and potential customers are waiting. Remain in stealth mode until I give the signal.

It was time for a sale

OOC:

I'm going to wait for zxcvbnm to post again before I do again...

OOC: Yes, I will now write what happened

IC:

"Ouagadougou, I think it might be time to put your plan into action. Nubolten, be advised we probably won't need your cannon for this... Murray Bridge, report..."
"They want us to cleave the enemy's shields... but I haven't got any news from elsewhere. It could be a very embarrassing situation if we waste our bombs to let just some ten people through. I'll ask our leaders..."
-Do you have any idea what happened?
-No. The Column's crew just ran somewhere and we stayed here, no need to escape because keeping the Adelaide's hull undamaged is more important now. We have just been drinking tea lately.
-So you won't be able to do anything useful..? Qi was getting annoyed. Using the neural link proved to be nothing but a waste of time in such a difficult situation. Being honestly annoyed at leaders was one of the benefits of being in the Brotherhood so it wasn't such a big deal.
-Frankly, no. But we sent the piercer charges to the other dropship, in the rockets.
"All right, our commander is drinking tea while we have lost half of our weapons and are going to send twenty soldiers to death... what are they thinking?"

"I think they are thinking that it's best to keep calm in a situation like this. Anyway, the bombs are ready and so is the dropship. We can send them in a couple of seconds..." Nadia replied.



The Column's Pelican got through the shields, or half of it to be exact. The rest of the invasion crew was left out so the R-bombs were directed to the opening in the ship, along with guidance to those trying to get through:
*The shields should keep down for a couple of seconds after the explosions. Zoom straight toward the centre of the radiation as fast as you can to get through. Minimise the time spent around it.*

The bombs smashed against the shields making a huge flash in all possible and some impossible colours. It would have been one of the most beautiful things in the universe if it hadn't been one of the most terrible. The radiation meters skyrocketed in all crafts around it. It was clear that to pierce such forcefields extreme force had to be used.

But nonetheless, the radiation had instantly killed the crews of many Seraphs at the fighter bay and around it, and the other crafts could get through. Including the Ougagadougou's twenty soldiers.

OOC: they will now join the attack. You may write what they do. They are 17 normal soldiers armed with magnetic assault rifles and three Ghosts, genetically enhanced cyborgs with stealth equipment and peculiar helmets with 52 glowing green dots, like night-vision goggles, on them, making them able to see to almost every direction around them.

Welcome UNSC Column of Nuclear Winter. I see you are in quite a troubling situation, yes? We would be happy to assist in your battle, as well as resupply your ship with new fuel, new navigation systems and an AI program. The only thing we ask in return is that you send us your nanite packs. What do you say to that?

Michael made his reply after forwarding the Communications Console to the Weapons Console. "Our ship has enough antimatter to last a few years, so the fuel situation is fine, but I'll surely appreciate the new AI system." he said to Vladimir.

Docking Bay 2
There were nanite packs already set up inside the bay. The Phantom dropship came down from one of the mounting brackets and hovered over the large canisters. The dropship was painted in an olive-drab colour to represent the Covenant Separatists and their alliance with the Humans. It also made it easier to tell the difference between a Loyalist Phantom (which was purple) and a Separatist Phantom.

The dropship, using orders from the Bridge picked up the canisters using the grav lift and then headed outside the Frigate towards the Merchant Battleship.

OOC: You got a better name for the ship?

IC:
Onboard the Infernal Mist

The next set of doors opened. They ground along their rails. Covering the rails was a thick amount of Flood slime. There was a small explosion and the floor above the corridor collapsed downwards. Several Grunts and a Brute were killed. On the floor above was a squadron of Flood Combat Forms.
They noticed the extra meat below, especially Lashee. They started to charge.
Chuck fired the Mauler and cut a flood form into pieces, but then one of the Brute Forms knocked him aside violently with a tentacled arm.
Grigor tried to push a Flood form away by whacking him with the Spartan Laser. Of course, he was only human. The melee attack did nothing and he too was thrown aside.

Lashee knew she was in trouble now. She cut into the forms with the plasma rifle. When one form got too close, she gave it a heavy whack with the bottom of the plasma rifle which cut the Flood up violently and threw it back into a cluster of others.
A plasma grenade was thrown from another direction and latched onto Lashee's head. It then exploded, killing the combat forms surrounding her.

Elsewhere
Raffja saw those soldiers struggling against the Flood. "This oughta take care of them" he said, throwing a plasma grenade at the Elite. It exploded, shrouding the area in a green mist and splattering the walls with dark green blood.
When the mist cleared, he saw the Elite was alive and without a scratch.
"No way-" he started, but two invisible hands grabbed him and took him away. During his grenade throwing and waiting, he never did notice the Ghosts that had arrived from the Adelaide.

Lashee stood, looking at the pile of mangled and vapourised corpses and knew someone had stopped them. Grigor and Chuck were clear of the blast and they could only stop and wonder what happened.
Chuck then noticed Raffja, but he was detained by a pair of arms. Some reinforcements had arrived. "Ha! Not so tough are you now Jackal!" Chuck squeaked.
"We're from the Adelaide. We're here to rescue your Captain and your AI system and remove the threat of the Carrier from this area of space. We're wary of what you did to threaten our ship, but for now we can only put it aside so we can remove this threat" the Ghost leader said to the three crew members from the Column.
Raffja was hissing. "What will you do to me?" he asked
"That's up to the crew from the Column. They might release you, kill you or detain you" the Ghost holding him said
"I say we detain him, let Captain Dragonhelper deal with it, if he's alive. I'll deal with this Jackal myself if I have to" Lashee said. "If you've got a working ship, take the Jackal back to our ship. Before it drifts into the sun of course. I have no idea what's going on the Bridge and I can't contact the Frigate. Grigor, what about you?"

Grigor keyed his radio. "No signal. Must be the shields" he replied, grimly.
"We'll deal with the mess later. I just hope Michael Harrier isn't the run taking command. I don't like the looks of that guy. Debra sure was a surprise to us all, but Michael, can he really be trusted?" Lashee said.
She looked at the soldiers from the Adelaide who gathered in the corridor. Some were covered in a green mist due to combat with the Flood. Some even had blue on them, as Grunt blood was brightly coloured.
"Let's go save the leading officer" Lashee said, pointing towards the next set of doors which might lead to another hallway which might lead to a set of doors to the Control Room. Covenant ships sure had a lot of corridors.

OOC:

In case you guys are wondering, the Adelaide's four runabouts are named Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Murray Bridge and Port Pirie, after what currently South Australia's four most populous cities after Adelaide itself...

IC:

All four of the Adelaide's Danube class runabouts were now in active combat. One of them wasn't fairing so well, however...

"Gambier to Adelaide!" one of the two pilots called out as the tiny ship was battered by another weapon discharge. "Our shields can't take much more of this!"

"Just bring her back in!" Henry shot back. "I don't want to lose a runabout..."

"Aye sir..." the pilot replied.

The small vessel curved around, doing its best to avoid oncoming enemy fighters, before making a beeline towards the Adelaide, even as drive plasma spewed from a damaged warp nacelle...

"Are the Whyalla and Murray Bridge still in place?" questioned Henry.

"They're waiting for the Ouagadougou's signal, sir,'" Kevin replied.

"Sir, transmission from the Nubolten!" Albert cut in.

"Nubolten to friendly vessels. We have an ex-mercenary marine onboard who would like to volunteer on any boarding operation."

"By all means," said Henry quickly. "If you have a way to get your man over there, of course..."

"Sir, the Column is still drifting..." Kevin reported.

"They're transmitting..." added Albert.

"This is temporary commander of the UNSC Column of Nuclear Winter. We've lost our AI system, most of the Bridge crew and our Captain has been captured. The second in command has not returned from her mission. We're in serious trouble. Our ship is drifting towards the nearest star and I don't know what to do to stop it. If you're selling things, can you sell me a solution? We've got nanite packs in our cargo bay if you're interested in trading, but we won't be for long if this shift keeps drifting"

"Get a tractor lock on them..." ordered Henry. "Bring their ship to a halt and reposition it to where we can afford it the best possible protection..."

A blue cone of energy flew out from a point in the Adelaide's hull and impacted with the Collumn of Nuclear Winter. Almost at once the Collumn stopped moving and actually began to slowly move in the opposite direction, back behind the starship defending it, Henry Baker's USS Adelaide...

So far, they were ignoring the transmission from the newcomer, only bothering to send back a standard Federation greeting. Who in their right mind would offer trade during heavy combat? Ok, so maybe the capital ship they were facing had stopped firing at them, but the Adelaide was still lashing out with bright orange phaser bursts at any and all incoming fighters, and the other three friendly ships, even the Column, were giving out their fair share of flak too...

"The Ouagadougou is transmitting..." reported Albert.

*The shields should keep down for a couple of seconds after the explosions. Zoom straight toward the centre of the radiation as fast as you can to get through. Minimize the time spent around it.*

"Baker to boarding runabouts!" shouted Henry. "Stand by to begin your run as soon as soon as you see those explosions!"

The pilots didn't have to wait long. Seconds later a bomb... it might have been multiple bombs... Smashed into the Infernal Mist's shields, causing both a blinding flash and the a large percentage of the Mist's shield readings to momentarily disappear...

The sensors on the runabouts also detected intense levels of radiation, levels that would have been extremely hazardous if not instantly deadly if it weren't for the shields of both craft. The radiation didn't stop the pilots, as they at once gunned the impulse engines of both runabouts, flying a parallel course through the opening, along with the Ougagadougou's boarding craft, which flew between and just above them.

Henry and the Adelaide's bridge crew watched as they just barely cleared the Mist's reforming shields. It was up to them now... 15 brave marines, nine on the Murray Bridge and six on the Whyalla, along with the Ougagadougou's 20 soldiers...

Amongst them was lieutenant Rufus Longstreet, who had been only minutes ago been fighting off an enemy on board his own ship. He knew this wouldn't be quite so... not so much easy... but rather, predictable... He knew this wouldn't be quite so predictable as the combat on board the Adelaide had been. He and his marines, around a quarter of the Adelaide's compliment of 60 marines, who were themselves around an eighth of the Adelaide's crew...

"Ok, troops, prepare to deploy..." he said overly grandly. One marine made a point of rolling his eyes, whilst the others merely held their peace as their runabout, the Murray Bridge, roared towards the Infernal Mist's fighter bay, side-by-side with one of its sister ships, the Whyalla...

"What the hell is going on in there?" the Murray Bridge's female pilot wondered aloud as they saw an explosion inside the fighter bay.

"I don't know, but you'd better stand by on phasers..." Longstreet warned. "Whyalla, that goes for you too..." he said over the com.

As the runabouts got close, they saw a vast number of strange, but obviously hostile creatures in the bay. Having no idea what they were, Rufus decided to go for the 'better safe than sorry' approach and had both runabouts phaser the inside of the bay before they touched down...

The Whyalla was the first to land, followed by the Murray Bridge and the Ouagadougou's dropship, which landed almost at the same time. The marines and soldiers were quick to scramble from the vessels.

"Keep the engine running..." Longsreet told the pilots.

"Will do, sir," the Bridge's pilot replied.

"You got it, sir," the Whyalla's pilot replied.

The Adelaide's marines reported to Longstreet to get their ordered. He told them to fan out in groups of three, and were quick to do so, the five thrown-together teams moving rapidly to secure the fighter bay.

"Longsreet to Adelaide..." Rufus said, tapping his com badge. "We've arrived, sir."

"Any sign of Lashee and Gigor?" Henry questioned.

"None, sir," Longsreet replied.

"Sir, there are some very strange life form readings around here," the Andorian next to him spoke up as he examined a tricorder with one hand, his other gripped firmly around his phaser carbine. "Non-humanoid..."

"Stay sharp..." Rufus insisted. "Captain, we're picking up strange lifeform readings..."

"Be careful, and advise all teams to keep an open com link..." ordered Henry.

"Yes sir..." Longsreet replied.

They, along with the soldiers from the Ouagadougou didn't take long to catch up with Lashee and Grigor, as they had left a trail of dead bodies in their wake, some the same sort that Longstreet and his marines had fought on the Adelaide and some not. They didn't encounter too much resistance, though the enemies they did encounter seemed to have a strange tendancy for their innards to fly everywhere, coating both the walls and the soliders with green and blue slime, depending on exactly what it was they were fighting. The three strange looking soldiers identified as 'ghosts' scouted ahead, seemingly naturally faster than the other soldiers and marines...

By the time Longstreet first saw Lashee and Grigor for himself, the ghosts had taken care of what was apparantly an assasin skulking behind them. He walked amost casually over to them, wiping some green slime off of his helmet as he did.

"Rufus Longstreet, USS Adelaide..." he curtly introduced himself.

Just then, a marine scuttled up behind him, the same Andorian who had been fighting by his side a few moments ago...

"Status?" Rufus questioned.

"Crewman Pendleton's more badly wounded than we thought..." the Andorian replied. "He's quickly losing his ability to walk... We've got a couple more minor injuries on both us and the soldiers from the Ougagadougou... nothing serious..."

"I see..." Rufus nodded. "Tell crewman Cutter and ensign Jameson to get Pendleton back to the runabouts if they can... Now, as I was saying," he said, turning back to the Column's two crewmembers. "Mr. Grigor and miss Lashe I assume..." he nodded. "And who's this?" he asked, indicating the man one of the ghosts was holding...

Chuck looked at the newcomers. "Grigor is only a Sergeant. I'm Lieutenant Chuck. My Covenant name is Paypay. I've been working for the UNSC for a few years now." he said to Rufus.
Lashee said "Of course, Chuck forgets that I'm the Commander of the UNSC Column of Nuclear Winter. I'm second in command to Captain R. Dragonhelper"
"Of couse Ma'am. That filthy Jackal over there is Raffja! He killed my parents and ate them in front of me! I think torture will make him pay for his atrocities as death is too good for him!" Chuck yelled, pointing at the Jackal the Ghost was holding

Raffja snarled. But he couldn't fight back. He might have been stronger than an average Jackal, but he was powerless against the iron grip of the cyborgs.

Lashee said "Now that introductions are out of the way, we should really get to the ship's control room"
Lashee went up to the next series of doors. They were locked. "This used to be my ship. If I know anything, the old command codes and overrides should still be in place, even if there is a chance they did change the codes" she said, looking at the control panel.
She rapidly pressed the keys.
The doors slid open, albeit a bit slowly because of the flood slime in the rails creating friction in an otherwise frictionless surface.
However, the corridor directly to the Control Room was covered in a green fleshy substance. Flood pods were pulsating all around.
Grigor took point and went up to the locked doors to the Bridge. Lashee opened up the control panel and put her code in.
The doors remained locked. "Time for the override then" she said, pressing a few more buttons. The panel beeped twice. Lashee pressed a string of keys and then pressed a button. She then entered in the same string of keys again.
The doors slid open, slowly. The bridge was dark, but not too dark where shapes could be seen in the blackness. Residual glow came off from other doors, mostly a red glow though
Lashee said "I can't see a thing" as she gazed into the black void
Chuck said "You have no night vision, that's why you can't see a thing"
Just then, a huge tentacle lashed out and grabbed Grigor, Chuck and Lashee.
The lights came on and a huge Flood form was shown. It took up half of the Bridge in its entire mass. Several tentacles were lashing about the Bridge.
Weapons were knocked off the soldiers and others were knocked back.

In another tentacle raised above the ground was an unconscious figure. Captain R. Dragonhelper of the Column of Nuclear Winter.
"You will join your voices with mine and sing victory everlasting" the flood form boomed.
"We will never join your collective of zombies! I like my free will!" Grigor exclaimed
"And I don't want to be bloated up and exploded on my friends!" Chuck added, referring to the Carrier Form that Flood make Jackals and Grunts out of. Those waddling sacks would explode and spawn more infection forms.
The Flood could infect a body very quickly with the Infection Form. A single infection form burrowing into the chest can cause rapid mutations in a body until it becomes a combat form.

Onboard the Column
Michael Harrier noticed there were less fighters now as they retreated back towards the Mist. Boarding craft also followed. The craft that were leaving were not heading towards any of the ships, but towards the protection of the asteroid field.
None of the Carrier's escape pods were firing.
"What's going on in there?" Michael asked himself. He looked at the Previous Communications list on the hard drive. He skimmed through the list and stopped at a file that was labelled "Truth"
He noticed the description of it reading "If this file is found, then I am dead. Please send to Captain R. Dragonhelper or Milizee Lashee"
Michael opened up the file. It was a video and audio.
Debra was shown to be in her quarters, pacing around the camera drone. She seemed to be struggling to say something.

"I don't know if this will get to anyone, but here goes. I am losing myself... forgetting things... the Flood... Gravemind... he's returned... I don't know how long I can resist his influence... but... tell the commanders... I'm so sorry for what might happen"

The video was then cut off suddenly. Michael said "Oh my god. This is bad. I've got to contact someone. But who will listen?"
He paused. "Wait, I'm now commander of this ship. I might not have the skills for the other stations, or an AI, but as soon as I get those replacements from that damned merchant... imagine the possibilities" he said to himself.
"Yeah and I better get those replacements soon. If the commanders are alive, I don't want them back onboard"

Hi, Can i Join?

OOC:
Ah welcome to the party. Bring Your Own Beer (BYOB) :lol:
Use OOC: to show you're typing out of character and post stuff about your ship and crew and stuff before making an In Character (IC: ) post

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n252/mjwhear/EnterpriseE2.jpg

Name: Yamotto
Class: Sovereign Class Starship
Length: 685 meters
Width: 250 meters
Height: 88 meters
Decks: 24 (original configuration), 29 (refit)
Maximum Cruising Speed: Warp 9.985
Armament (standard): 16 phaser arrays, 4 forward torpedo launchers, 6 aft torpedo launchers, firing both Photon torpedoes and Quantum torpedoes
Defenses: Deflector shields

OOC:
Nice ship! I like the picture. Looks fast. Any important crew members we should know about?

I should really stop doing Triarii's job

OOC:

Pah, you can find that picture with a quick search in Google Images... :p

Anyway, I'm seriously considering not allowing this ship. I've often thought that the Sovereign class was too powerful for the early stages of a Spacefarers game... Perhaps you could scale back to a Galaxy or Nebula class? Hell, you could even go with a lighter ship... I personally think an Intrepid showing up would work pretty well here, given that Intrepids are the fastest ships in the fleet and so would naturally be the first on the scene after the Adelaide sent its message back to Deep Spce 5...

It's your choice though, I just don't feel comfortable allowing a Sovereign in just yet...

OOC:
Google solves all, but I don't search for Star Trek in Google :smug:

OOC: My ship has 855 personal (200 Troops, 725 Crew and 130 Engineers)

Vladimir Korovin stood on the SS Syndicate (OOC: The ship's name) and observed the merchant ships arriving on the Nuclear Winter. He then opened the communications channel

Packages have been delivered in the cargo bay, some sort of infection was detected and since they consisted of poor people we decided to burn them. Now fufill your end of the bargain

Vladimir closed the channel and turned to his crew. Arm the anti-ship missiles, we need them to help kill off that infection of poor people (before they cause property values to drop), plus we must make sure the other end of the bargain is fulfilled

OOC:

Umm, Mjwhear, I just said I wasn't allowing you to have a Sovereign class ship...

OOC: Hmmmm.....I guess i could go for a weaker ship until we go higher in the Space Age

[QUOTE=lutzj;6656810]OOC:

I fixed it:
http://www.blake-foster.com/minotaur-space.jpg
"USS Falcon"
Serial number #1134209
355m long, 54m wide, 250,000 metric tons on Earth.

How did you build that?

The Column's Phantom pulled into one of the docking bays of the SS Syndicate.
It hovered in a spot and activated the gravity lift. Large canisters were lowered down onto the deck, each marked with "Emergency Nanite Pack". Designed to use nearby materials, the Emergency Nanite, unlike the Military Nanite was designed to replace lost armour in combat and if the need arose, create more emergency nanite packs.
However, their ability to create more nanites was removed from the programming, so that way the Column could continue trade

Michael Harrier smiled as he examined the camera footage from the docking bay. He switched the views back to his own ship and saw the packages being delivered. His smile got wider as he saw that one of the packages contained a brand new AI system.
He was almost ready to leave. He had to get the AI to the Bridge and find some way of reprogramming it, as it may have hidden loyalties.
He could also wait for the replacement bridge crew, but their loyalty would be hard to shake off.

Onboard the Infernal Mist
"What have you done with our AI?" Grigor demanded
The creature shifted a tentacle. Clutched in it was a small crystal chip.
"I could crack this chip now and destroy the system. But that would be wasting the tasty treat inside." the Flood Brain boomed
"You eat computers?" Grigor said
"Of course not. That isn't very appetising. However, your AI happens to be of the same species as your tasty friend I am holding. The only thing holding me back from eating it now, is their link" the Brain Form explained.
"Their link?" Grigor questioned
"All Lasheenians have a special mind link with another. They evolved this during the Great Feast and many escaped our clutches due to this co-ordination" the Flood said
"Impossible! Isis can't be Lashee's species! She's a computer! 1's and 0's!" Grigor yelled
"Don't talk about her like that! She worked alongside me during the Great Genocide as we were escaping. Her intelligence served well, despite being very weak" Lashee snapped at Grigor
"It's impossible! Captain Dragonhelper said that the CONSTRUCT Program was a complete failure. There was no way the body could be transported into a system and stored and then reappearing on the other side without destruction or loss of the body. It defies physics and nature!" Grigor yelled
"I have read your "Captain's" mind and it's astounding. The project was a huge success and your friend "Isis" was the first test subject, due to having non-human characteristics and being able to be a lab rat without pay. After it's success into the process, Captain Dragonhelper was running low on funding as the process was costly. He abandoned CONSTRUCT and the tropical island he inherited from his grandfather and joined the UNSC" the Flood Brain explained. "But enough talk. There is much talk and we all have listened. You will get your AI out or I will FEAST upon your BONES!"

"Never!" Grigor yelled.
Lashee groaned. "If you've read our Captain's mind, then why do you need to know?" she said to the Flood.
"I know all about how it's done. You place the chip into the projector and if the construct wants to leave, they simply "step out". But the problem is your friend is defiant and will not step out. You will tell it to step out of the system or else I will eat you all, one at a time" the Flood said

Lashee made a gulping noise (due to having nothing to swallow)
The chip was placed into the projector. Isis appeared on it. Grigor yelled "Step out of the projector! I want to live!"
Lashee groaned. "Even if he kills us all, the Flood still won't get you out! Don't listen to the Flood Brain!" she yelled to Isis
"You're quite selfless ma'am, but remember that the first instinct for us humans is survival! I want to survive dammit!" Grigor yelled
"Why didn't you say so if you wanted to live? I could just do this" Lashee said.
Grigor slipped through the tentacle, along with Chuck.
They landed on the deck with twin thuds.
Lashee however didn't land with them. As she had fell, the flood tentacle grabbed her.
"Nice try Lasheenian with the shapeshifting. You put a large hole in my grip, but it was futile" the Flood said.
The form reached out to grab Grigor and Chuck, but they quickly dived for cover by the unlocked door, next to the group of soldiers who were recovering from the attack or searching for their weapons or taking up defensive positions around the room as they took aim at the Brain Form. They wouldn't shoot at it, as they might harm the Captain and Lashee.

Isis looked at what was going on. She searched through the ship's systems, but then noticed that the projector was the only part of the system she was part of. The projector was only connected to the ship via a power cable, and computers cannot be transferred over power cables.
If I step out, the Brain Form is going to kill me and every one, Isis thought. But if I don't do something, they'll all die, yet I'll live, or the thing might be so frustrated that it destroys the memory chip and the projector. If only I had more control over this ship.
She looked at the ship's control panel.
It sounds risky, but maybe I can appeal to the Brain form's demand, but I could quickly transfer myself to the ship's control systems... but what would the odds be? I should calculate them. I sure hope this can be resolved soon

OOC: I think i will go with a Nebula Class Starship

OOC:

Ok, feel free to join in... :)

IC:

There was surprise amongst the defenders as the Infernal Mist's fighter squadrons began to pull away from the battle and return to the carrier...

"This is Port Pirie... the enemy fighters are retreating..." reported the somewhat astounded pilot.

"The boarding craft are detaching our hull as well, sir," said Kevin. "Same for the other ships in the area..."

"Port Pirie, return to our position and hold defensive formation..." ordered Henry.

"Aye sir..."

"Baker to boarding runabouts... Be advised, enemy fighters are retreating... Be on the look out for any attempting to attack you while you're sitting in that bay..."

"Don't worry, sir," the Murray Bridge's pilot grinned. "If any of them get too close, they'll be in for a type five surprise..."

The two runabouts had, since the marines had disembarked, been rotated and were now pointing their weapons out into space... They held their fire for the moment, not wanting to attract the attention of the incoming fighters, but they were ready, though one had had to lower its shields while a wounded marine was brought aboard...

Meanwhile, Rufus Longstreet could only watch as the scene before him unfolded. Having since retrieved his phaser carbine, he placed his side arm back on his belt. He held back from firing though, not wanting to hit the victims this... thing... had snatched up in its long tentacles.

"This is incredible..." the Andorian was saying, using the moment to get a scan of the beast.

Rufus, however, wasn't interested in that. He was more intrigued by the conversation they now having. He set his com badge up to record sound, stepping away from the yammering Andorian. He also listened carefully himself, hoping to hear something that might get them out of their bad situation... So far, though, all he could think to do was order his marines to take cover and hope for the best...

I've had a bit of a change in mind and i will go with a Nova-class starship

OOC: In this roleplay my name is Mjcommie.

IC: -This is Captain Mjcommie of the Equinox, to all ships, I come in peace! Were in need of supplies and repair, Our ship is heavily damaged an is in need of Assistance-

OOC: This is the crew:
Captain: Matthew.Mjcommie

Commander: Tobias.Johnson

lieutenant: Seth.Crasher

Weapons Expert: Le-Frenchie

Engineer: Bob

OOC: How do you like that

OOC:

One problem... The USS Equinox was destroyed by Voyager... You'll have to change the ship's name...

Bugger, ummmm..........How about USS Destroyer

OOC:

*Groan* do I have to hold your hand or something? As if the Federation would name a ship that... Come on, it isn't hard... Look, how about USS Aurora or USS Solstice?

OOC:
Go with your original idea of the Yamato, Mjwhear

Isis pointed in a direction with a hand and looked at Lashee. The Elite nodded.
"What are you doing?" the Flood Brain asked.
"A crash course in survival" Lashee replied. "Tell me, what makes you think that a mind controlled autocracy works?"

Isis jumped from the projector. There was a large flash of orange light as rings projected out from the device and formed on the ground. The rings then formed the image that was on the projector, but at a larger scale, showing Isis to be at average human height.

"The system works because I know what is best for all living things" the Flood said.
"And what might make you the judge of that?" Lashee asked.
"Stop distracting me. I know you're hiding something. Just get that damned construct out!" the Flood boomed and lowered The Captain towards it's "mouth"

Isis touched the computer screens on the main part of the Bridge. The navigation screen was brought up. She then touched the top of the Bridge's projector. The same orange light discs surrounded her and took the form apart and recreated it on the projector.
"You were a few seconds too late, Flood" Isis said proudly standing on the main projector.
The form looked at the screen raised up. It showed a 2-d map of space with the asteroid field shown as jagged shapes and a large orange circle in a corner that represented the sun.
A series of dotted lines were drawn from the representation of the Carrier to the star.
The flood form screamed, and it dropped Lashee in the screaming. "NOOOOOO!!!!" it yelled.
Lashee bolted for cover by the door as tentacles were thrown wildly.
"Open fire! Destroy the monster! Overwhelming firepower! Someone get Chuck some explosives!" Lashee yelled.
The soldiers fired with their weapons. Lasers, bullets and even a grenade were flying.
"But what about your Captain?" the leader asked.
"It's already too late for him! As I was grabbed the second time, I noticed something was wrong with Captain Dragonhelper. He's part of the Flood now! His lower body was part of the tentacle and well hidden!" Lashee explained over the gunfire.
Chuck had obviously found something that could explode as a plasma grenade stuck to the Flood Brain Form. Blood and gore were splattering everywhere. The other doors unlocked and Flood Combat Forms marched in to attack.
An Infection Form dropped onto a soldier. He rapidly mutated as green pods popped up around the chest and then spawned feelers and a large whipping hand in under a minute.

"Every loss we take is another for the Flood, we must get out of here, Isis has set a course for the sun. As long as there is no Flood on the way out, we're fine. A single Flood spore can destroy a species!" Lashee explained, heading for the exit.
Grigor, Chuck and the Ghosts and many of the remaining Ouagadougou soldiers followed, while others gave covering fire.
"You were lucky to escape Chuck. If you stayed in that room, you would have joined the Flood. Captain Dragonhelper was a great man, but the Flood Form had already got to him and USED him as a way of getting us to talk. It didn't work out as planned for the Flood" Lashee explained as they reached the fighter bay. A Covenant Phantom was coming back in.
"There's our target. We must strike fast. Don't try this yourself. That is a big drop" Lashee said, jumping down from the third floor to the second. She rolled and grabbed a plasma rifle and opened fire on the Brutes and Grunts charging out.

Chuck and Grigor took the long way down and blasted any Flood in the path. By the time they got to the dropship, it was ready to go. "What about Isis?" Grigor asked.
Lashee held up a Covenant data cube. "There was a projector connected to the system right next to the docking clamp controls. It's not quite a UNSC data chip, but these Covenant chips can store a lot more" she explained. "Come on, we have to get onboard and get out of here in the next few minutes. I can see the star getting closer"
The soldiers that took Raffja jumped onto the Phantom with the Jackal in their grip.
The Phantom turned and rocketed out of the fighter bay.

OOC: This is the part where everyone onboard the Mist escapes, via their own craft or by stealing Covenant ships. Since it is a course for the sun, it's logical that the shields will be down, except for the fighter bay shields which allow vehicles to pass through, but not the atmosphere.
Also, the escaping craft have no Flood lifeforms on them. They were purged or in the case of escape pods, the pods were destroyed, rather than be used for the Flood, courtesy of Isis' last minute things before leaving

IC:
Meanwhile on the Column
Michael looked at the situation that was going on the Carrier. The ship was shown moving very quickly. Escape pods and dropships and boarding craft and fighters were leaving at a faster rate.
A UNSC transponder was shown on the display and it was registered as a Phantom.
Several other UNSC IFF transponders were shown as well.
"Grigor Kalanin" one read and the other read "Chuck/Paypay"
"No! They've probably got Lashee with them as well! My command is ruined! I must stop them!" Michael said.

He punched the button for communications and patched in to the SS Syndicate.

"Attention Vladimir Korovin. We have a Phantom heading towards our ship that contains traitors and fugitives. We've marked it out for you on the displays. You have to capture them and put them away somewhere secure, lest they incite a rebellion onboard my ship! They are a threat to everyone in this area and also to your market. That's right, they are Communists as well! You're the only one who knows how to deal with rebels and Communists!" Michael explained to the merchant's voicemail

He closed the communications screen and hoped his recording would get through in time. "I have command now and nothing will stop me!" he said to himself and spun on his chair at the Weapons console. He just needed the Syndicate crews and he could take his place at the Captain's chair...

Vladimir listened to the transmission and rage appeared on his face. COMMUNISTS!? ON MY SPACE? he bellowed. It's more likely then you think an adjutant replied.

Bring thrusters to full power! We'll teach those commies to restrict the free market! Korovin said, and again those dollar signs returned, only blazing red

The SS Syndicate moved toward the ship, intent on their commie stomping mission

OOC: USS Aurora is fine

OOC:

See if you can spot the Company of Heroes references...

IC:

The marines and soldiers continued to watch the scene unfold, cautiously aiming their weapons at the beast. They were all terrified, but none showed it. None of them spoke either; even the talkative Andorian had shut his face.

"Stop distracting me. I know you're hiding something. Just get that damned construct out!"

So human... Rufus thought...

"You were a few seconds too late, Flood"

Sure enough, nearby a screen flickered on showing a small symbol, presumably the Infernal Mist, with a white line tracing a path to the very heart of a nearby star system, a good light-year and half away. The AI had hacked into the Infernal Mist's navigational controls, it seemed...

"NOOOOOO!!!!"

The woman it was holding, Lashee, fell to the floor with a sickening 'thud'. She didn't seem injured though, bolting for cover as tentacles failed madly...

"Open fire! Destroy the monster! Overwhelming firepower!"

"Do it!" Rufus shouted.

In an instant, saturated orange blasts rang out from over a dozen phaser carbines in quick succession, the thin beams slicing cleanly into the monster, causing to roar with rage and howl with pain... Some of the marines switched to wide beam, burning great swaths of the creature's outer flesh away, while other stuck with the narrow beams and began to slowly adjust their aim, cutting through the creature like a plasma torch through sheet duranium...

One of the marines, a woman with brilliant red hair, plucked a grenade off her belt...

"De Nicola, Willams! Photon grenades!" she bellowed.

The two marines either side of her quickly snatched up their own grenades and, in a remarkable display of synchronization, the three released them at the exact same instant, sending them tumbling through the air... A eerily beautiful sight that they saw, as if in slow motion. The creature must have seen then too, but it was powerless to stop them now, wounded and most of its tentacles destroyed. They exploded immediately upon impact, sending miniature matter/anti-matter blasts ripping into the creature, shredding it asunder...

With one last mighty scream, the creature fell, and the doors to the bridge suddenly slid open, sending more monsters spilling into the room, where they were met by a devastating storm of phaser and projectile fire...

Other creatures dropped from above, latching onto the soldiers below and instantly beginning to grotesquely mutate then in a process all too familiar looking!

"My God, they're being assimilated!" a marine shouted.

Rufus, subconsciously fighting still, could consciously only see one of his men being rapidly taken over. His screams of agony as his body was irreparably changed... His cries for help...

Rufus could not bare the sight. Raising his phaser carbine, he did his former comrade one of the greatest services of all... He released the young man, vaporizing him and the form attached to him entirely... And then he ran, hearing a voice in the background... Lashee's... Though the words were merely a blur...

"Go! Jesus, gooooo!" he yelled.

The other marines didn't have to be told again. Covering the other soldiers, the remaining marines backed out of the room and took off at a run down the corridor... Suddenly, the talkative Andorian screeched to a halt and turned. There was lieutenant Longstreet, and another marine, in the process of being assimilated...

"Go! Just go!" Rufus screamed through his agony.

He'd never felt this much pain... Or this much rage... His free will was being taken from him... His body was being forcibly mutilated against his will... Lesser men might already have given up... But not Longstreet... With all of his remaining strength, he snatched the remaining photon grenade from his belt, having already used one earlier, then, with a quick flick of the wrist just before he lost control of his hand, smashed the grenade into the floor where it detonated. He felt vindicated, a surge of pure ecstasy washing through him as he welcomed death.... as his last physical sensation was an intense wave of compressed air rushing past him...

The Andorian sprinted to catch up with his colleagues, who had failed to even notice their commander was missing. Everything after that was a blur... passing by in what seemed like mere seconds before the Whyalla and Murry Bridge rocketed out of the fighter bay, hot on the heels of the other two craft that had just left, one a commandeered enemy vessel and the other the Ouagadougou's dropship.

"Weeeeehaaaaaw!" cried the Murray Bridge's pilot as the Infernal mist blasted into hyperspace, only to reappear on the Adelaide's long range sensors at the centre of the nearby star system, disappearing quickly into the solar corona...

"Status, Longstreet!" Henry called concernedly.

"Sir..." said a voice... "This is ensign Vata... Lieutenant Longstreet... Is dead..."

"What!?"

"It's... complicated, sir..."

"Just give me the highlights, ensign!" growled an extremely cheesed off Henry Baker...

"Well..." the inexperienced Andorian tried to explain. "It was... He was... There were creatures on board the ship that tried to assimilate us in a manner similar to the Borg..." he explained, suddenly finding the strength. "Lieutenant Longstreet was taken, but while he was being assimilated, he found it within himself to... active a photon grenade..."

"Oh my..." someone gasped.

"Well..." Henry slumped down in his chair. "Was the mission a success?"

"Negative..." replied Vata. "Captain Dragonhelper was already taken long before we got there..."

"Well... then there's nothing more you can do..." Henry sighed. "All runabouts, this is captain Baker, imitate docking procedure as soon as possible..."

The Phantom roared through space.
Chuck said "This is really bad. I can't believe it, our Captain is dead"
"I know it's terrible, but we're not out of the woods yet. We can grieve over losses when we're on solid decking and behind several metres of nanohardended titanium plating!" Lashee said.
"Says for you, you probably never felt the loss of your commanding officer and your best friend. The only one who actually cared for you, despite being different species. Do you know how it feels to Chuck? I might be still a little Green (as in combat experience etc.) on this ship, but I know what Chuck might be feeling" Grigor said to Lashee. "You just can't wait to get onto the ship and take command eh?"

Lashee sighed. "The last thing I want is to be thrust into the command position. Despite my strengths and abilities, I deliberately allowed myself to be under the command of Captain Dragonhelper. When I lost the Infernal Mist, I knew that I was not ready for commanding a ship. It was several years ago when the Covenant was whole. I was flying my ship near a Halo installation that our Luminary had picked up. I didn't tell the Prophets about it though. Our ship had been separated from the battlegroup in slipspace, which led to the discovery. Apparently, my path crossed with the Column of Nuclear Winter's and I was thrust into their slipspace direction. We immediately went to battle, but I messed up on a tactical detail and our ship took a direct hit from the Column. The Mist crashed into a Flood-infested Forerunner mining platform. I barely escaped with my life. My former friends and colleagues who were onboard were dead. I was the only survivor from that disaster and Captain Dragonhelper picked up my escape pod.
I was saved from interrogation and imprisonment when Isis recognised me. After years of separation, our paths had crossed again" Lashee explained in great detail.
"I knew that I was not ready to lead ships. After what I did to the Mist was a great dishonour to me. A Carrier should not lose to a Frigate, but Captain Dragonhelper showed me that I was wrong. I should have launched boarding craft and fighters, but I thought wrong and I paid the price. I never thought I'd see my ship again, but there it was and now it will rest in peace"

"Very touching Lashee. I'm sorry I misjudged you" Grigor said

In Space...
The Infernal Mist went straight into the sun of the solar system and was vapourised quickly under the high heat. Anyone left onboard was already burned to a crisp before it went into the star and now was being added to it as fuel. The starship's remaining fuel would further add to the star's power and perhaps increase the lifespan by a few nanoseconds, but you wouldn't count on that happening. Stars are big things after all.
The Flood on the ship never made it off in time as as such, the threat of the parasite was removed from that particular quadrant of space...

OOC: Sorry, the dreaded RL got me. I'll be back if things work out.

OOC:

Two things before I post again...

1: I have to ask, what exactly happened to the bottle of wine with the nanopaste inside it in the end?

2: How long would you guys estimate it's been (in-game of course) since Debra first took off in her stolen Longsword and made her threats?

OOC: are the Ghosts disarmed, because if they aren't, escape would be no problem?

OOC:
You don't detain an armed person. We can assume the Ghosts were disarmed and their weapons are for sale for outrageous prices. Same with Raffja, Chuck and Grigor. Their armour remains on them though as part of clothing, so if there were any weapons hidden inside the armour that the soldiers didn't get to...
We'll see if Stylesjl agrees with me of course. Can't really say for sure or hijack everything he has unless he approves :lol:

1: I have to ask, what exactly happened to the bottle of wine with the nanopaste inside it in the end?
It's still on the ship, you just have to swipe it off the table and throw it out an airlock. I think that's where it is, either that or you search the place where alcohol is stored and easily accessed and throw the bottle out the nearest airlock

2: How long would you guys estimate it's been (in-game of course) since Debra first took off in her stolen Longsword and made her threats?
I estimate 1-3 hours. Maybe 4

OOC:

I estimate 1-3 hours. Maybe 4

Yea... That sounds about right... I only ask because when the Adelaide transmitted back to Deep Space Five (30 light years away), I caculated that, assuming the transmission was ten times faster than warp nine (210,000 C), it would take about and hour and twenty minutes for the message to reach Deep Space Five and the same about of time for them to reply...

Anyway, I think I'll wait for zxcvbnm and Rheinmetall, since they haven't gotten to post in ages...

IC:

OOC:
I follow the 2-post rule. I wait for two others to post their actions (not OOC stuff) before I make my reply. Standard procedure right?

OOC:

How did you build that?

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/hammer-1.jpg
+
http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/967/15022257.JPG
+
http://scrapframes.com.au/estore/images/KFE%20ass%20metal%20sheets.jpg
+
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/files/images/migrated/MultimediaFiles/Live/Image/7547.jpg
=
http://www.blake-foster.com/minotaur-space.jpg

OOC: In lego, do you have a Instructions booklet?

OOC:
Can you please roleplay. Who cares on how that ship was built. Seriously!
Sorry, I get angry when there's nothing going on for days!

OOC: Sorry. Been pushing 12-14 hour days at work. Hard to fit forum games into that equation.

I finally got my basic ship online... I will be a mercanary.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/3909/shipqq6.png
By lorddwarf (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/lorddwarf) at 2008-04-22


It has 1 retractable Death Ray, Just big enough to wipe out 10 unshielded small craft or 1 Destroyer with shields. Ten hits for a light cruiser to remove shieid.

About 50-100 fighter pilots that is the main firepower.

2 Stinger Cannons, just good enough to blast sheilds off destroyers in a couple hit.

20 antifighter guns.

300 personel? (300-600)

OOC: Tooo strong! death rays aren't allowed!

OOC:
I think this board needs a revival. I would post, but mine is the last post so far

OOC: Tooo strong! death rays aren't allowed!

Death rays are in name: only at max kills 5 people in a 5ft radius!

can only drain life force or sheilds. Major limitation.

So the only offense I have are 2 minor turrets and a small army of fighter pilots.

OOC: I have to agree with Charles. I think the Death Ray is fair, as long as it's as strong as the weapons we're already using and not stronger. Death Ray is just a name. I could name the MAC on the Column, the MAC of Ultimate Destruction, but it does not immediately make it overpowered. It's just a fancy name for a gun which shoots high velocity projectiles.

OOC:

I think this board needs a revival. I would post, but mine is the last post so far

Well I was waiting for Zxcvbnm and Rheinmetall to post...

Also, I think, given that Li's death ray can't cause hull damage that it's fine... However, there is a big difference between killing 5 people in a 5 foot radius and wiping out an entire destroyer, so which is it?

OOC: I'm losing inspiration for every day we're idle. Since Stylesjl hasn't posted in a while, I might have to resort to a bit of powergaming by using his characters on his ship (or the guards or something). I have consulted him about it and he hasn't got back to me yet

A new ship warped through the gate... its the Silver Belly. It flew through the dark nothingless towards a far planet ready for contact after years stranded in the warp plane. Captain Horance Tortan, 63, was once just a gun leader, First Mate Johnathan Corance (45) was once just a polisher. (:p). Head of Maintanance Jessica O'Neal (50) was once a co-ordinace caller. All their lives are changed by that day...

30 or so years ago, more than 2 generations to the crew, the battle of Cornak called their ship into battle. Hundreds of fighters died to defend the homeland, and while following an flanking Warp order the warp stabalizers malfunctioned. Warping itself and 10 other ships they tumbled into timeless space...

Only Silver Belly survived, all the other ships lost power as Time was drained by the larger ship and crew, the food is rationed, and even growed as they passed year after year.

After 20 years all of the original Adult Crew died. A new generation is here.

5 Years before freedom another generation is born, 15 suicides are known.

Now, with a crew of 50 old-timers, 300 of the new generation and 400 babies, tottlers and cadets, the Silver Belly prepares to settle its younger crew in call in new ones in search for a job as a mencenary.


(low on fuel, people in their 40s, lots of suicides, I need to refuel and restock in the nearest planet before I am functional. Also the empire that she used to belong to is gone, and of course I am not awsome yet, and can still be trumped by AAA (awsome anti aero guns)extension on ships, Post away!)

OOC: That looks better

OOC:

Should I post next? I'd still rather Zxcvbnm and Rheinmetall post before I do again (since they haven't made many posts lately), but I will if I have to...

Nuboltens crew couldn't do much else than watch as the others boarded the Carrier. Atleast Herb had managed to fix their radio equipment during this time. Some time after the boarding the carrier plunged towards the nearest star while a handful of craft escaped it's hangar. Dan monitored the radio transmissions. Suddenly the newcomer merchant vessel was ramming one of the escaped craft.

"What the?" Trent exlaimed.

"I don't know exactly what's going on, but the Column just declared that one of the escaped craft is piloted by traitors and communists."

"Traitors and communists my ***. If there's anyone onboard they're either from the Infernal Mists crew, Adelaides crew or Columns crew. If they we're from Infernal Mist, someone would be shooting at them already so it's unlikely."

"Do you think they might be attacking friendlies?"

"That is a possibility. This Vladimir fellow seems able to do anything for profit."

Once again Trent didn't know whether to act or remain neutral about this whole affair. There was more to this than what was visible and getting involved might have serious consequences.

Warren had been listening and monitoring things all the while and interrupted Trent's thoughts. "Sir. The people on that phantom are the Column diplomats from Adelaide."

That didn't make much sense to Trent. "This cannot be about the nanopaste smuggling. Dragonhelper is dead. Why would the Column want to get rid of it's own officers and crew who helped to destroy the Infernal Mist."

"Commanding officers perhaps, sir?" Dan replied.

Trent thought intensively.

"That might be it Dan. Mutiny."

Trent was still thinking about it but issued an order. "Target the Merchant vessel and open a radio channel."

"Channel open, sir."

"This is Captain Trent Levy, commander of mining barge Nubolten. Cease your hostile activities immediately or we will see to it that your profits will plummet."

Trent reasoned that by threatening his profit margin might make Korovin more eager to listen.

Michael Harrier wasn't good at cracking codes. He was having a bit of difficulty with the reprogramming. Perhaps I should get one of the techs up here to examine it. Use false information... nah, they might figure out my plans. he thought. He gave up and put the AI into the info slot. He looked at the wounds in his body. I should see a medic soon. This biofoam won't last too long

Something rattled in the air vents above. Michael turned and raised his pistol at the sound. Nothing. But you can't be too careful he thought, walking towards the main exit. He had his pistol drawn. The rattling sounded again at the exit. He fired a shot into the air vent. The bullet ricocheted off the plating and stopped in a corner. Oh yeah, air vents are titanium. How could I forget such a thing?

The AI said to Michael "What are you doing? Live fire in the bridge isn't very profitable. You could hurt yourself worse than you already are."
Michael turned and got ready to yell back at the AI, but then it added "Remember, Crossroads is running a sale this time of the orbit. Remember to grab a bargain!"
"Mr. Dollar sign, I've had enough of this. Prepare the ship for an immediate departure!" Michael yelled.
The AI said "Unable to comply. Exchange is not complete. Order suspended"
Michael said "I don't care about the trading. We're getting out of here. This is my ship and I don't care about the profit margin of your leader"
"Profit Margin. Override Accepted. Please enter new password" the AI declared.
Michael was shocked by this announcement. After realising what it said, he then said a new password.

In some prison cell on a merchant vessel
"Never gonna give you up! Never gonna let you down! Never gonna run around and hurt you!" the music played over the loudspeakers in Grigor's cell.
"I'll buy the freaking soundtrack if you just stop playing it!" he yelled
"This song is a quality Rick Astley. Back in the 21st century, people would listen to this song..." the computer spoke
"YOU'VE PLAYED IT FOR THE PAST HOUR! I THINK I KNOW QUALITY WHEN I SEE IT!" Grigor yelled.
"How would you know quality, Commie? You probably think quality is living together in a mud hut with several friends for some "global collective" and not buy a thing" the computer answered.
"I am not a Communist! I just have been travelling in space for some time and haven't been in touch with a major trading junction" Grigor roared back.

"He's been arguing with that computer for an hour now" Chuck mumbled. He was pacing around the cell, occasionally checking his methane supply. It was running low and the Syndicate sold no methane readily available or in good quality. The computer said the ship would get more methane next time to his standards, but machines had no sympathy to the lifespan of customers.

In space
The Column's engines were warming up. Syndicate ships were confused on what was going on and took up positions around the ship. The Column was slowly starting to move.

OOC:

Stylesrj, in your post, Chuck grumbles that Gigor has been "arguing with that computer for ten hours now..." and that there are now multiple Syndicate ships of some description taking up positions around the Collumn...

1: Does this mean a lot of time has past since the Infernal Mist was first destroyed? I so I'll assume the Adelaide withdrew when the Syndicate ship first arrived and met up with commodore Fitzpatrick's ships...

2: Does this mean there are a lot of Syndicate ships about now, or are they just the first ship's fighters?

OOC:

1. Sorry I forget that there is a timeframe here. I'll reduce it to an hour.
2. Syndicate Fighters of course

OOC:

Well that's still plenty of time for the Adelaide to have fobbed off in... :)

I'm thinking I could well have the Adelaide retreat, actually. After all, because the Syndicate ship has not made a direct threat to the Adelaide (as opposed to the Infernal Mist, which attacked everybody), captain Baker might well want to run for his support (cmdre. Fitzpatrick's ships), rather than stick around this time...

Then again, if the Syndicate ship does attack the Adelaide (you could make that happen, perhaps they suddenly remembered that the UFP are a bunch of 'flithy' communists?), captain Baker would probably feel compelled to stick around and help protect the other ships in the area (Nubolten, etc.)...

OOC:

I heard from Stylesjl he wasn't interested in continuing. But I can't believe it yet until he posts it. I mean, I might be his brother, but I can say the wrong thing at times

OOC:

Ok... Well, what do we do now then? Someone's going to have to take over control of the Syndicate ship I guess...

OOC: I'm back, for at least some time.

IC:

The Ghosts had kept silent in the cell of the Syndicate ship. Seeming almost lifeless they lay on the floor, waiting for something.


The communications had been hindered by the ship's shields, but finally they got the message through:

- Get some help on this @#*!&$ reddie ship, they've confused us for commies!
- Commies? Us? Commies? Are they crazy or what? Even Friedman wouldn't have got that idea... anyway, I'll send some help, to teach them who are the commies.
---
Ouagadougou to SS Syndicate:
*You have several members of our crew detained in your ship. We demand immediate release or we shall blow you up completely. You have one minute to reply, or we shall fire. Then you'll see who are forced to share what they have. Yes. This is a threat. And we will blast you to the stone age, forcing you to be commies just to survive.*
---

OOC:

I feel bad only making a token post at this point, but I'm tired this evening and I'll make another post that goes into more detail about the events of the past hour and before (with particular focus on Deep Space Five) soon... I've decided that the Adelaide has stuck around, by the way...

IC:

For over an hour, the Adelaide had sat, floating in space, waiting for someone to make the next move. They had tried unsucessfully to hail the hostile vessel numerous times, and were continuing to do so on various frequencies, though ensign Harris didn't expect anything to change... The Murray Bridge and Wyalla had long since redocked with the Adelaide, and all the surviving away team members recovered and debriefed...

They had also recieved a transmission from commodore Trevor Fitzpatrick of Deep Space Five... The station had recieved their transmission and at least two starships had been scrambled to assist them... Henry had thought about retreating and meeting up with them, but he decided to stay... If this ship went on the offensive, Henry felt obliged to protect those who had today become his new friends and battle companions...

OOC: Think this thread needs a reboot.

OOC:

Hmm... It does seem to have rather ground to a halt (which is party my fault)...

Here's an idea... Why don't we retcon back to where the Infernal Mist blew up and pretend like the Syndicate ship never existed? I have a great idea for moving the story foward that won't invovle us sitting around like stunned mullets...

OOC: Good idea. I would RP more, but school has gone into the way and I discovered yet another online nation building game and it has some really good roleplays.

OOC:

Well, why don't you repost post number 167 on page 9, cutting out the references to the SS Syndicate (which is actually most of that post) and we'll go on from there?

OOC: Not at this moment. Birthday celebrations and stuff. Let's just say a time warp happened and everyone forgot the hour leading up to now. And in this warp, the Syndicate was destroyed?

OOC:

Let's not over complicate things... This retcon needn't be part of the story itself... Just repost post number 167 when you've got the time (with the Syndicate references removed) and we'll go from there...

OOC:
#167 has been changed. But at what cost to coherency?

OOC:

I don't think it matters much... We'll just pretend like the Syndicate never existed...

Anyway, since I already posted my ship's reaction to the Infernal Mist's destruction in post 166, I'm introducing my own story arc now and I'm going by the assumption that the whole operation from the time the Adelaide first transmitted to DS5 to now was 2.5-3 hours...

IC:

As the last remaining Runabout docked with the Adelaide, Henry sat silently on the bridge, musing to himself how he would best explain his actions in his official report... Damn did he ever hate paper work... And losing crewmen was only going to make things worse, not to mention the emotional impact it was having on him personally... Rufus Longstreet was a friend of his... They regularly met for Velocity matches on the holodeck, matches Rufus always won... His thoughts were once again broken into by the voice of Albert Harris, however...

"Sir," he said. "We have an incoming transmission... It's from Deep Space Five, but, wait... It's a distress call, sir..."

"What? Henry was confused...

"On speakers, sir..." said an equally flummoxed Albert.

"Mayday! Mayday *crackle*!!! This is *crackle*modore Trevor Fitzpatrick of the Federation...*static*Space Five! We are under attack from multiple *static*! Repeat are under *static* *crackle* heavy losses from multiple unknown craft!!! Request immediat..."

The transmission gave way to static... Henry was stunned...

"What do we do, sir?" Dante hurriedly asked. "Sir!?"

"Get our friends on open com channels!" Henry blurted out. "Let them know we have to leave!"

"Sir, at this range," Tabatha began... "Even at maximum warp, it'll take us nine hours to make it to Deep Space Five..."

"I know that, but we have to help them if we can!" Henry shouted back. "Now get me those other ships!!!"

"Channel open, s...sir..." a slightly frightened Albert stuttered, fumbling with his controls...

"All allied vessels, this the captain Baker!" he bellowed. "One of our starbases has come under attack and we must assist them! Know that you are welcome to join us if you wish and we will provide the Column of Nuclear Winter with a tow if necessarily... After what we've been through, it's the least we can do..."

"Sir, we might be towing the Column into a battle zone..." Kevin pointed out.

"You want to leave them stranded out here, lieutenant?" Henry answered back. "Besides, they can always say no... Enough... we're wasting time! What say you? We're transmitting a copy of the base's transmission as of now..." Henry added, tapping at his armrest control panel...

The Phantom flew into the one of the Column of Nuclear Winter's hangars. Several soldiers were waiting for them. "Howdy boys. We're back. We'll take it from..." Lashee started, but then was interrupted. "You are under arrest by order of Michael Harrier. Your charge? Treason! By order of the UNSC, you are discharged from your position as Commander, pending trial on Earth" the soldier explained in a harsh tone.

"This is an outrage!" Grigor yelled.
"Michael discovered a Covenant transmitter in your quarters, Milizee Lashee. It was online and broadcasting. We all saw the evidence" the soldier said.
"Lashee would never do such a thing! We trust her with our lives!" Chuck yelled, getting in front of the Elite.
"Are you resisting her arrest?" the soldier asked.
"Damn straight we are!" Grigor yelled, also getting in front.
"You are charged with assisting a wanted criminal. You both are under arrest"

Lashee asked "Before I get arrested, first I must apologise"
"Apologise for what? Leading the Covenant to us? You have gone too far, traitor!"
"Apologise for this" Lashee stated.
The Elite jumped into the air and kicked the soldier down with a powerful blow. The others opened fire, bullets going into Lashee, but she kept running. She tackled one of the shooters and swiped his sidearm before she slid into a maintenance accessway.
Bullets ricocheted off the metal plates, but Lashee had escaped.

"Seal all exits! Inform the Captain, now! Milizee Lashee has resisted arrest and has gone rampant in the maintenance accessways!" a soldier yelled through the microphone.

Chuck and Grigor were not fast and were surprised by Lashee's action. They were quickly detained by the remaining soldiers and thrown into the Brig.

Bridge
Michael booted up the new AI program. A marine had found it in a magic marker labelled box in a storage hold. It was a Backup AI, standard UNSC military AI. It wasn't a "smart" AI but it could fly a ship and operate many systems. Captain Dragonhelper must have thrown it out and left it there many years ago, Michael thought. The AI took up a form of a model solar system of the Sol region. Earth was missing from the set of planets, as per Cole Protocol, and it used a synthetic female voice.

Michael got an urgent transmission from a hangar. "Milizee Lashee has resisted arrest and has gone rampant in the accessways. We're sealing them now. Chuck and Grigor have been detained for resisting Lashee's arrest" it said.
Damn that Elite. Always resisting when the odds are against her, he thought. But I will have this ship!

OOC:

I've already done half of the last four IC posts (166 and 205), so I really want zxcvbn and Remintall to go next...

"Adelaide has received a distress signal, sir. They are answering and leaving the area, and have asked us to assist."

Trent pressed the intercom. "Herb, What's the satus on the hyperdrive?"

"We're almost done with the temporary wiring. We'll double check the connections. 15 minutes max."

"Good. You've got 5."

"Five!" Herb shouted. "Sure thing boss, let me just duplicate myself first."

"Just get to work, it'll be done faster that way." With that Trent closed the intercomm.

"Open radio to Adelaide."

"Channel open, sir."

"This is Nubolten to USS Adelaide. We will follow your lead in 5 minutes."

OOC:

Ok, now zxcvbn needs to post... :)

IC: This is Mjcommie of the U.S.S Aroura, we heard that you in need of help! How can we assist you?

"Johnathan!" cried Jessica ,"Open the rad-com! We see a battle! And battle means ships! Friendly or"
"Foe, I know, Squad Terrance and Cory out with the rad-coms!"

A group of 5 ran toward an old, almost obsolete 'jet' and flew out, it fired channel-seeking missles and connected... (you write! Who did I connect? Hmm?)



A new ship warped through the gate... its the Silver Belly. It flew through the dark nothingless towards a far planet ready for contact after years stranded in the warp plane. Captain Horance Tortan, 63, was once just a gun leader, First Mate Johnathan Corance (45) was once just a polisher. (:p). Head of Maintanance Jessica O'Neal (50) was once a co-ordinace caller. All their lives are changed by that day...

30 or so years ago, more than 2 generations to the crew, the battle of Cornak called their ship into battle. Hundreds of fighters died to defend the homeland, and while following an flanking Warp order the warp stabalizers malfunctioned. Warping itself and 10 other ships they tumbled into timeless space...

Only Silver Belly survived, all the other ships lost power as Time was drained by the larger ship and crew, the food is rationed, and even growed as they passed year after year.

After 20 years all of the original Adult Crew died. A new generation is here.

5 Years before freedom another generation is born, 15 suicides are known.

Now, with a crew of 50 old-timers, 300 of the new generation and 400 babies, tottlers and cadets, the Silver Belly prepares to settle its younger crew in call in new ones in search for a job as a mencenary.


(low on fuel, people in their 40s, lots of suicides, I need to refuel and restock in the nearest planet before I am functional. Also the empire that she used to belong to is gone, and of course I am not awsome yet, and can still be trumped by AAA (awsome anti aero guns)extension on ships, Post away!)

"All allied vessels, this the captain Baker! One of our starbases has come under attack and we must assist them! Know that you are welcome to join us if you wish and we will provide the Column of Nuclear Winter with a tow if necessarily... After what we've been through, it's the least we can do..."
"Hmmm... they are the Federation after all, but they've left us alone to our business for quite a long time... and we could earn a bit from this... any news about Tshwana or our commander?"

"Yes, they are coming from Adelaide now that the battle is over."

A few moments later a creaking sound indicated that the rusty hinges had locked the dropship into its place, and after around a minute the two men arrived at the bridge.

"Finally. Was the tea good?" Nadia muttered

"No need to be bitter, we couldn't come during the battle." Tshwana said "No, we really didn't want to use the rockets, they are far too uncomfortable even by our standards. So the Federation is in trouble?"

"Yes." Qi replied, "A base of theirs, not too far from here, has been attacked by someone and they now ask for help."

"Our ship is damaged and we need repairs, but I think we can afford to go there. If they are the Black Saber I might finally get my revenge." the commander concluded. "For what they did."

The crew of Ouagadougou hadn't been able to know much about the man who suddenly appeared on Styx III about ten Earth years earlier, using a fake name, but with loads of money and not so legal stuff. The only thing they had later learned was that he had formerly been a Black Saber pirate, of the feared Clax family, but left it after a disagreement of some kind, and joined the Brotherhood.

"Tell them we are coming, with the usual conditions."

"Omdurman and Maputo are only five years away and they told that they'd come if they get paid well enough."

"Good. Tell them to come with us. If they don't pay we can make them to."

---
Ouagadougou to Adelaide:
We will come to your help. To make sure this isn't a trick to get us, we'll have other ships coming as well, so don't try anything.
---

OOC:

Ok, good, the gang's all here now... I'll post again either later this evening or tomorrow...

OOC: It's been a good run, but I'm pulling out. Sorry.

IC: The Column of Nuclear Winter started shifting directions, away from the main group. All of a sudden, the engines had shut down. Then, there was a bright flash of light as the entire ship was vapourised by the unstable antimatter in the core...

A later report would show that the ship was completely destroyed and there was not a trace of it or any crews that might have escaped. The destruction of it was so powerful that even if there was prior warning, it was too late for anyone to do anything. Antimatter worked like that...

OOC:

Eh, it's my fault really, but with Zxcvbnm and Rheinmetall post only sporadically, it seems like it would be a good idea to shelve this game and perhaps either revive it later or start a new one some time...

What do you think? Until next time?

OOC: Meh. Better luck next time I think :)
I just don't think people liked me being in the RP. Probably turned them away because of what I did to several DYOS threads. Well I didn't do much, the others found something to hate about me and got those threads locked.

Anyway, I think another Sci-Fi RP should be made... but I shouldn't join it until sufficient people have joined.

OOC: Stylesrj, don't beat yourself up with it. I liked what you did with this game. I'd post but I don't know where to go from here.

Yeah Stylesrj, Don't be down on yourself, I think you came up with awesome ideas and plots for this game. I'd really enjoy it if you continue with this thread

OOC: You can continue with the game. I'm just not going to be RPing further. You still have to save that Federation outpost right? Work from there

OOC:Since Stylesrj isn't playing in this rpg, I was thinking that we should continue on and i was thinking that we should have a BORG plot that they come in 4 tactical cubes and 1 Sphere and that we engage them, so what do you think

Heck! No One Is Responding To My Call: Uses Nuclear Core To Create A Uber-black Whole If No One Talks To Thy Ship!

OOC: Isn't it spelled Black Hole (Not Whole)

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/9919/kfstarshipdq9.jpg

Name: I.A.D (Ion Armed Destroyer)

size: 210 x 180 m

weapons:

1 RIPPER Ion cannon
30 EMP turrets
a very large number of missle turrets
a very large number of laser turrets


defenses:
fibre-woven alloy armour
shock field shielding

noted equipment:
long-range sensors
repair bay
medium-power tractor beams

cargo:
30 x-wing fighters

propulsion:
pulse fusion reactor
AEGIS boosters
warp generator

crew:
75

important people:
Ricky Carisen (commander)
Rigon Legacy (captain)
Delvel Kee (navigator)
Benn Rickson (in charge of weaponry)
Yalo Uri (Tenisian pilot)
Kel Johanson (top soldier)
Rugin Koho (Tenisian medic)

Is this still running...?

[OOC] Even if some of us aren't participationg anymore, nothing prevents you from starting your own storylines.

I'm Quiting out of this, Sorry :(

OOC: Very well, I'll fill the empty spot.

http://i31.tinypic.com/11wd6xh.jpg

Ship: ISS Roterregen
Class: Unknown
Ship Capatain: Cpt. Galvin C. Maldor

Size: LEGNTH: 464m WIDTH: 316m HEIGHT: 87m

Arms (the dots show the location of the weapon of the same color):

x8 broadside type-XV blaster cannons (4 each side)
x8 broadside gunner turrets (4 each side)
x4 heavy blaster cannons (on top)
x8 Anti-fighter laser cannons (on top)
Other weapons possible.

Crew: Unknown

Notable Crew Members:
Captain Maldor
Commander Banks (second in command)
Lieutenant Rutherford (weapons officer)
Lieutenant Gamma (electronics officer)
Engineer Collins (head engineer)
Major Gabriel (head pilot)
Dr. Stryker (chief scientist)
Dr. Nato (head medical officer)

Engine

Cruising Speed: Warp 10
Max Speed: Unknown

Defense:
High capacity shield system
Backup medium capacity shield system
Duranium hull w/ 9 cm. high density armor

Aircraft:
2 fighter/bomber squadrons, 5 fighters each


Info:
The ship Rotterregen is an exploration/combat ship designed by an unknown government. The ship is an expirimental ship with many new technologies put to us in it, including a new double-shield generator and a more powerful engine. The ship is hard to hit, takes a lot of damage, and can pack a punch for a ship it's size. The ship was partaking in combat with an enemy fleet when a wormhole opened up, damaging both fleets and transporting the Rotterregen to a different galaxy. Now the Rotterregen seeks to return to it's own galaxy by finding the wormhole that brough it here, but it won't be so easy...

OOC:And now, I begin the story!

IC: The ship called the Rotterregen appeared in view about 20 light years away from the planet Adelaide. At first, the ship was flipping slowly, but soon the engines fired up and the ship stabalized. Meanwhile on the bridge, the head command of the Rotterregen picked themselves up. The first to rise was the second-in-command, Commander Banks.

"Sir, are you alright? Sir? Damn! Somebody get the..."

"I'm alright, Banks, calm down," Captain Maldor said as he got up. He looked around the bridge as everyone else began to rise, some shaking their heads. The only one still standing after going through the worm hole was the electronics officer Lieutenant Gamma, the only robot on the ship.

"Commander Banks, you are bleeding," Gamma said calmly, pointing at Bank's head. The Commander brushed his forehead and looked at his hand, which had blood smeared on it.

"Banks, head to the Medical bay. I can take things from here," Maldor said to him. Banks nodded his head and walked to the elevator in the back of the bridge. "Gamma, what is our status?" Maldor continued.

"Our shield's down, but our hull is undamaged," Gamma replied. "Our intership communications were temporarily disabled, but all systems are back online."

"Very well," Galdor said as he picked up his comminicator. "Collins, what's the status of our engines?" he radioed to the engine room.

"Sir, Collins was knocked unconcious," said a different voice. "He's being taken to the medical bay."

"Who is this?" Maldor asked, sounding worried.

"Thompson, sir," said the voice. "As for the engines, the wormhole shut down our starboard engine. We can't go past Warp 6 until we get it back online."

"And the power core?"

"Fully functional."

"Thank you, Thompson. Maintain the engines until further notice."

"Yes, sir!" Thompson said as the communicator clicked off. Maldor noticed that Rutherford was also up. "Rutherfored," Maldor said. "What's our weapon status?"

"Believe it or not, the weapons are still at full power," Rutherford said roughly. "So is our docking bay and our fighters."

"Fine, split weapon power with the engines," Maldor ordered. "Gamma, where is the nearest planet? We may need a new warp core."

"The nearest planet is about 20 light years away, but that's not all on radar..." Gamma said. The bridge went silent as Galdor asked, "What do you mean?"

"There is a ship heading in our direction. It doesn't have any allied markings."

"Is it a Syndicate ship?" Maldor asked.

"No sir, it doesn't have any Syndicate markings," Gamma replied

"Is it a Deglian ship?"

"No, none of their warships move that fast."

"Very well, hail the ship," Maldor oredered. As a comm channel opened up, Captain Maldor said, "Greetings, this is Captain Galvin Maldor of the ISS Rotterregen. Please identify yourselves."

OOC: So who did the Rotterregen meet? We'll find out...:mischief: