Skypirates: The Limit is the Stars game

[eli_gone_crazy]

Sam locked the door to his cabin behind him, immediately turning to the wheelhouse. A grin worked itself onto his features as the room came to life around him, gears and gadgetry spinning and smoking. Soon the ship was debarked and out of the relatively safe air around the city, and The Understanding was off.

Sam set the ship to a low speed and turned to the intercom, which buzzed loudly over the speakers. "Everyone to the maps room."

After checking that everything in the wheelhouse was in order, Sam quickly returned to his cabin, unlocking the door and booting up the holomap in the center of the room.

[AMimsyBorogove]

Meriwether stared a little longer, adjusting his spectacles as he peered intently at the woman's now revealed face.

...Yep, no matter how he looked at it, that was definitely who he thought it was. The question was, how? Her survival shouldn't have been possible, yet here she was. How intriguing. In this situation, a normal person would have been skeptical, doubting his eyes or that this girl was really who she seemed. It might have been an impostor, an agent from the World Government assuming the identity of a childhood acquaintance whose words he would trust unconditionally so that she could get close to him and stab him in the back. Even if she had known his old nickname, there were ways that information might have been obtained.

...

"Very well," Meriwether said, nodding calmly and giving a cheerful smile. "Whatever you say, Char!-" The pilot assented obviously, only to realize at the last moment that he was doing exactly what he was saying he wouldn't do by saying he wouldn't do it, and, furthermore, that there was at least one person listening, as his Resonance told him that another Invoker was approaching. "-ming young lady I have most certainly never met before!" He added hastily, before turning to face the newcomer.

"Indeed I am," He replied calmly, giving his usual smile. "Can I help you? Although, if there's something you need, I must ask that you make it quick. It seems we're wanted for a briefing." He gave an offhand nod to the loudspeaker which was, at that very moment, bellowing out a command for them to assemble in the mission room.

[JRPictures]

Butch looked towards Meritwether with a small smile, replying "Nah I figured I should just introduce myself since we're probably going to be working together a lot. And yeah we should probably make our way to the briefing."

Butch quietly walked off from both Meriwether and Lucy, hands in his pockets and whistling as he made his way to the map room. The mission was soon to start and he felt ready for it.

[Endless Sea]

Lucy stared after the retreating Butch, a grimace forming beneath her faceplate. Damn it, she thought. I hadn't pegged him as likely to bother coming over here. Shows what I know. I'll probably have to beat some information out of him after the meeting, see how much he heard. She glanced back to Meriwether. ...of course, this'll all turn out to be pointless if Sunshine ends up letting the wrong word slip, which is starting to seem a lot more likely than it already did. Real smooth, buddy. Muttering something inarticulate under her breath, she turned to the nearest exit and strode off.

[narrativedilettante]

After hearing the captain's instruction, Miguel became a whirl of activity. Food went into containers, cutting boards received a quick once-over to clean them, dirtied dishes went out of the way, for now. Once everything looked reasonably tidy and unlikely to spill or accidentally impale anyone in the event of turbulence, Miguel shed his apron and proceeded to the map room, to see whatever those around him thought necessary to the mission.

Anticipating the tedium of the meeting, Miguel sprinted down the corridor to the Map Room. This temporary burst of physical activity had the unfortunate effect of getting him to the Map Room slightly earlier than he would have otherwise, meaning that he would have to spend slightly more time standing around waiting for things to get started.

Miguel cursed his intelligence, and cursed his stupidity, and cursed the way that the two qualities invariably interplayed in the worst possible combinations.

[agoraoptera]

Aug would have to wait. Soren pulls himself across the ceiling several more paces, slender fingers insinuating themselves into miniscule ledges. From the inner pocket of his jacket, the bottle slides out smoothly. Mid-fall, Soren reaches out like a striking mantis and plucks the bottle out of the air. He stops, abandons the juvenile endeavour and drops lightly to his feet. Back to the Captain's cabin.

Soren slides into the cabin, offers a nod to Captain Sam Pennington and Cook Miguel, skulks to a corner. This room is too exposed. He eyes the empty bottle balefully.

It is too early to have a proper mission briefing, unless Lumin Polis, slaver, is closer than he was given to believe. Soren supposes he won't have a long sleep after all.

[JRPictures]

Butch casually arrived into the Map Room, seeing that Sam, Miguel and Soren are already there.

Happily, Butch nodded to each of them, saying as nods "Captain, Soren, Miguel. Nice to see you all."

Still Butch was a little curious about his crew as it stands. Meriwether seemed untrustworthy, Soren was incredibly mysterious and Aug was interesting, for the lack of a better word.

I should be content with all this right now but I just can't shake the feeling something is off here. That mini conversation between Meriwether and Lucy seemed a little suspicious, then again Lucy doesn't seem like the sociable type based off what I've heard. She might've been telling him to go away. Butch thought. ...Eh I suppose it was nothing important anyway between them. Still I'm pumped to get into action for this mission, I'm itching to pilot Orion or at least electrocute something. Gotta enjoy being an Envoker.

[Guyshane]

The bullet impacted the gel dead center. Yes, good. Perfectly zoned in on target. This will do me well.

Number One slithered up the table leg and onto the surface. Hey boss, Captain just called for a meeting. We should probably getting there since you know...Underworld.

Yes, I am aware. I'm probably just being....what humans would call "overly paranoid" still it does not hurt to be prepared. Aug placed his hand down on the table so the smaller robot could slither on. He then proceeded to gather his weaponry. Moving quickly the assassin android made his way to the Captain's cabin and stepped inside.

"Captain" He said, nodding as he did before taking a position along the wall nearby Soren. "Doctor, I take it you are feeling well today."

[agoraoptera]

"No killing," mutters Soren in just the right pitch for only Aug to hear. His gaze, hidden though it is by the visor, is still fixated on the empty bottle. "No killing, he says. A strange man, is Captain Sam Pennington. No, Aug Infum, I am not feeling well."

With a twist of his wrist, the bottle twirls about. Soren sees this as though in slow-motion. One revolution. Two revolutions. The bottle spins off-centre, off the balance of his wrist, another revolution in mid-air, falls, falling, caught. Once more, Soren snatches the bottle from gravity's bosom, denies the floor its pleasure.

"And you, Infum. You are a grave insult to my medical profession. The only thing I ever operate on that begins dead and ends dead, but still moves around after. You don't even have the decency to pretend you have a pulse, yet you walk around in full mockery of healthy, dignified corpses. You could at the very least pretend to be dead."

[Guyshane]

Aug shrugged his shoulders at Soren's first comment. "Not killing will be an interesting experience. A new one for me." The droid replied at a similar level of volume. "But yes he is odd to say the least. Although it is likely the humans would be more likely to accuse the pair of us of being odd. I believe there is a quote that may apply: 'Lord, what fools these mortals be' I do wish I knew who had provided me knowledge of this work of the one called Shakespeare."

As the vampire twirled his bottle Aug momentarily turned his attention elsewhere. Number One.

The tiny robot unwrapped itself from its perch. 'Sup boss?

Go rest yourself on Captain Pennington's shoulder. Tell him that should he need any details on Underworld for the briefing that he may relay his questions to you and I will answer to the best of my ability. And be quick about it, before the final crew members arrive.

The robot saluted with its tail before slithering off. Aug turned his attention back to Soren with the doctor's rant against him. "I do not have to tell you that you are being irrational old friend, as you are exceedingly intelligent. Even for a Meatbag. You have never operated on me because you have never had the need to. If this another one of your attempts at humor I feel it may have missed it's mark once again."

[JRPictures]

Butch quietly sat by the seat, still awaiting the rest of the crew to arrive for the mission to be explained. Slightly bored, he simply looked around the room, watching as the captain and Miguel minded their own business while Soren and Aug looked like they talking.

Butch didn't feel bothered to do much and simply went back to his mind, thinking of whatever he liked.

----------------------------------------------

Flashback

"So this is huh? My own Flight Frame, how exciting!" Butch remarked looking upon the big mecha.

"Yep." replied one of the engineers. "It's all yours now. The Mexa-One is its issued name, but feel free to call it whatever you like. It's got a lot inside it, from the missiles and bullets to even a large makeshift knife in case of close quarter fights. The rocket boosters to make it fly should last you at least 10-20 minutes in the air. So hopefully you'll keep that in mind."

"Oh yeah don't worry I can handle that." Butch replied, activating a bit of his envoker power as his hand glowed electricity.

"You're an envoker? That should be a treat." the engineer remarked.

"Oh yeah I can control electricity reasonably well. I can just imagine how handy my power will be with this by my side." Butch commented, smiling gleefully.

"So what are you gonna call it?" the engineer asked.

"I think I'll call it Orion."

"That's a pretty neat name." the engineer noted back.

"Yeah I named it after the star constellation. Me and my family used to look up at it any time it was in the sky at night. It was a nice reminder of how vast and huge the galaxy is and how much we'd all love to get out there someday." Butch explained, smiling faintly as he looked towards the mech.

Flashback Over

[agoraoptera]

"I know not of that which you speak: the Spear that shakes," Soren says, keeping his eyes directed at a point on the wall. "You probably don't remember because I must have disabled your memory core when it happened. Operating on moving patients does not work well... I joke, Infum," Soren raises his cross and exhales at Aug, perhaps in the hope of triggering disgust in the droid's olfactory senses.

"But I am aware." Soren drops his voice another notch. Even he can barely hear himself now. "Underworld 003. I share your concerns. It is likely they still recall you, and me. Spectres are... food. But not quite. Something more. They will know. Speak to the Captain on my behalf; if we must approach the prison, then we must, but there are always alternatives. For now, we wait."

[AMimsyBorogove]

Meriwether sighed to nobody in particular - an action which seemed to be repeating itself a lot more than usual, recently - watching as the surprising former acquaintance he'd only just bumped into hastily left the hangar. His head was still spinning from the impossibility of it all. Why was someone like her even still alive, let alone here? Usually, the World Government didn't allow its mistakes to go unnoticed, or uncorrected, for nearly so long. However, he supposed, there was no sense pondering the impossibility of the situation. All he could do now was to try to make up for his shortcomings in the past.

A few minutes of deep thought later, and the redheaded pilot found himself slipping his way into the Map room, not really focusing on where he was going as he simply slumped into a chair in the nearest corner and awaited his instructions. There was far too much on his mind to leave room for anything less important than his mission, and the opportunity for his atonement that had unexpectedly presented itself.

[eli_gone_crazy]

Sam watched the tiny robot scurry back to its owner as the last crewmember, Meriwether, slipped inside. The robot, the cocky little cove, had proffered information from its owner. Sam had sent the little bot back, with orders to arrange a meeting that night. I suppose we'll see how trustful my crew is soon enough.

Turning to the assorted pirates, Sam smiled. "Thanks for coming. I'm Captain Pennington, for those of you who haven't met me. As you well know, this ship is mine, and she is the Understanding. Now, we have a mission ahead of us, one that I would like to have completed as quickly as possible.

"First of all, no killing unless it cannot be avoided. I understand your bloodlust, but I won't have my ship threatened because of someone's idiocy. If you have to kill, you better damn well clear it with me."

He surveyed the room for a moment, watching their expressions. "Now that we're all on the same page, Lumin Polis is a slaver. His ship is manned by slaves. None of them want to be there. You will not send them to an early death unless your own life depends on it.

"One exception. The flight frame pilots. Take them out.

"Polis will be brought to me, alive. We will then make for the Underworld 003. There, we will deposit the slaver, as well as any of his crew we find to be valuable, in order to get the bounty on their heads. Then, we will make for Norhime, and deliver the rest of the hostages and slaves to their home, hopefully collecting a decent bounty. Any questions?"

[JRPictures]

Butch listened up carefully to Sam's outline for the mission, echoing his sentiments on not killing anyone unless it's truly necessary.

As he kept listening, he nodded towards the mention of the Flight Frame pilots and needing to take them out. If there was anything that would complicate the mission it would be enemy flight frame trying to take them down.

As Sam finished talking, he asked if there was any questions. Butch simply stood up on his seat and replied back confidently "None from me Cap."

Butch felt quite ready for the mission after saying that, after all it was gonna be a bit of fun, hopefully.

[Endless Sea]

Leaning against the wall of one of the darker corners of the room, Lucy raised her hand. "You're new to this sort of thing," she said, "aren't you? Because if you're seriously asking a ship packed full of soldiers and frame pilots to go on a bounty hunt and not kill anyone, you've got to be either an extremely ignorant newbie or a colossal idiot. We're a pirate warship, boy; taking lives is what we do. If you didn't want anyone getting hurt, you should've found a different ship to captain."

[eli_gone_crazy]

Sam turned to the pilot, eyes narrowing. "Pendragon, you will not address me like that. It's Captain Pennington, or Captain, if you must shorten it.

"This is a smuggling ship, not a Man-O'-War. She lacks the manpower and defense to withstand a long, drawn out fight. I don't give a damn about your safety. I want my damn ship in one piece. I will not risk the entire job so you can get your blood sated. If you don't like my method, get your ass off of my ship."

[Guyshane]

Aug mimicked clearing his throat so he could interrupt the conversation. "Personally I take find the challenge of limited casualties to be an interesting one," he commented stepping forward so as better to loom. He looked over at Lucy. "If you are lacking the courage and skill to pull off such a task perhaps you should find a career besides piracy. Besides, as one of the Frame pilots you have the easiest mission parameters of any here."

Aug took another step forward so he could address Sam. "Captain, leaving the crew alive may pose its own set of problems, there are documented cases of the victims of kidnappers developing sympathy for their captors that can lead to a form of loyalty. We may be pursued by those you hope to save."

He let Number One down onto the table. Schematics

On it. Number One then accessed a hologram...of The Understanding.

"Wrong schematics, 1."

Sorry boss. This time the drone displayed available information on the target's ship.

[eli_gone_crazy]

Sam nodded, "That's why we have the Underworld 003 to keep them in line. I'm sure you and Rosencreutz can take care of anyone that decides that they'd like to join Polis in prison."

[JRPictures]

"If I may quickly interject." Butch stated, standing up "As part of the Skypirates Guild, this ship and its crew are dedicated to helping others in need and fighting the World Government and their actions. Sure we may use violent methods to achieve some of these goals, but killing someone is on a different level. We'll have people's lives on our conscience if we kill them in cold blood. I may be willing to kill, but only when it's truly necessary. And being a Flight Frame pilot means I am always in such a position to kill someone. This mission is no different."

[Endless Sea]

Lucy smirked and raised an eyebrow behind her helmet. "Whatever you say, captain," she said. "But no matter what you intend the ship to be used for, the fact remains that you're asking us to hunt down a slave ship, and that means either heavy fighting or something a lot more subtle than, say, a flight frame can provide. If you don't want picking any fights out there, you probably shouldn't have called us in. And as for you two-" she eyed Aug and Butch- "I'd think I wouldn't have to tell either of you the how frame combat works. Battle frames are built for trashing things, collateral be damned. If anyone's asking for something more precise, again, you shouldn't have called us."

[eli_gone_crazy]

Sam took a deep breath, and pushed his hair out of his eyes with one hand. "All right then, Pendragon. Since you can't control your own flight frame, you can take care of the other flight frames and cannons. If that is too much direction for you to handle, Norhime is still within your flight radius."

[Endless Sea]

Chuckling, Lucy replied, "I think you should be more worried about the other pilots than I, captain. If they're still green enough to think combat frames are so precise, they're bound to blunder into much greater trouble than you seem willing to deal with."

[eli_gone_crazy]

"You are dismissed, Miss Pendragon." Sam turned to the rest of the crew. "As are the rest of you, barring any questions or concerns."

[JRPictures]

Butch sat back down, staring to Lucy quietly replying "I'm perfectly aware of what piloting a Flight Frame entails. I've been in mine plenty of times, trained in it a lot. Besides we have our orders and the Flight Frames that the slavers have are targets we must take out. Which will obviously require us to kill them. Our mission should be our concern right now. Nothing else."

Butch turns to Sam, replying "I have nothing else left to say. I'll be down at the hangar to get ready and dressed."