The Alien Wars 6: Da Capo

Session 606

Session Start: Mon Dec 19 12:39:24 2022
Session Ident: #TAW-Session606
<DeathStar> 5
<DeathStar> 3
<DeathStar> 1
<DeathStar> -0-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-647.2.5
* Sara has joined #TAW-Session606
<DeathStar> Location: The Aquarius
<DeathStar> *Yuki leans back in her seat while the ship flies through the Unknown Region, meeting with races, finding unknown worlds, and scanning unknown things. Right now they are following what looks to be a comet*
<Seraphna> Cookie> Space Streaky Rock in view.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Come again?
<Seraphna> Cookie> Tailed Frosty Pebble in view.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Move to shadow the comet and begin scans."
<Seraphna> Cookie> Why do they call it a shadow anyway? **moves the ship**
<DeathStar> <Samson> It's haunted
<Sara> <Erica> Uh... because you follow them like a shadow... are you especially high today?
<ChadWinters`> <Id> ...As Erica has said.
<DeathStar> *Samson works at his station*
<Seraphna> Cookie> Why do we drive in parkways and park in driveways?
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Cookie, do you require some rest?"
<Seraphna> Cookie> No I am reaching enlightenment.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Then you are applying the Socratic method?"
<DeathStar> *Yuki has deadpanned as the ship gets into position*
<Sara> * Erica just shakes her head, facepalmed
<DeathStar> <Samson> Scanning the comet now
<DeathStar> <Samson> Should we take samples?
<Sara> <Erica> Yep.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Scans first before core samples."
<Seraphna> Cookie> Take them like it’s noon at a grocery store.
<Sara> <Erica> Do what now?
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Please disregard Cookie as she seeks to attain enlightenment."
<DeathStar> *on the screen, scans begin to come up, showing various things making up the comet when something is flagged*
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Interesting.
<DeathStar> <Samson> One moment.
<Seraphna> Cookie> This is it, superpowers time due to gamma radiation.
<DeathStar> *he begins to see what it is.* <Samson> Interesting. *he brings it up* It looks like the same type of unknown material that is made up of the PAX. Not a lot of it mind you, just a little.
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Can we use this ship to stop it so we can investigate it better?
<Jackieness> <Airym> "This merits more investigation than just a core sample."
<DeathStar> <Samson> Whenever the PAX suffers heavy damage, they've had to patch it with materials from non-PAX ships until the repair systems can patch it
<Seraphna> Cookie> Now we can build a CookiePAX
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Can we approach the comet safely?"
<DeathStar> <Samson> Hm. Depends on how well our best pilot is. Mireille can probably aid in this too
<DeathStar> *Mireille snorts awake from her railing*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "I also believe that it would be prudent to use Gears for this operation."
<Seraphna> Cookie> I plan to cheat.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Erica and I could probably do it if you want to do Gears.
<Seraphna> Cookie> Is it just me or does our team have the most active Dragoon pairs?
<DeathStar> <Samson> We steal only the best
<DeathStar> *he notes while monitoring*
<DeathStar> *Ben in all that
<Sara> <Erica> Hey, I didn't steal Yuki. I just borrowed her... permanently.
<DeathStar> *Yuki laughs*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Erica, are you preapred for an EVA to the comet's surface?"
<Sara> <Erica> Sure, I can handle it.
<DeathStar> *Yuki hops off her chair*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "At your will. We will rpovide mssion support from this psition."
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Alright, Cooks, you keep doing your thing.
<Seraphna> Cookie> *singsong* Then she got the superpowers~ by punching the spaace rock~!
<DeathStar> <Mireille> I'll be helping her out
<Sara> <Erica> Roger that. *quietly* Pfft... "Cooks"...
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Well, she cooks the stuff like every night
<DeathStar> *She notes as they head out*
<Sara> <Erica> That's why it's funny. *she notes to Yuki*
<Seraphna> Cookie> Are Erica’s boobs a power?
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Yes. I plan to rival her one day
<DeathStar> *after a bit, a gear can be seen heading out piloted by Erica*
<Sara> * Erica deadpans as she tries to imagine her spirit daughter rivaling her
<Sara> * Erica is careful about it, of course
<DeathStar> <Yuki> <Try not to crash while picturing it>
<Seraphna> Cookie> Train well. Drink lots of milk too.
<Sara> <Erica> <It's not my fault they're saying stuff like that with the comms left on>
<Seraphna> Cookie> And maybe eat marshmallows?
<DeathStar> *Mireille gasps and light steps out; then returns with 5 jugs*
<DeathStar> *with milk and marshmellows, she drinks while monitoring the situation*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Please keep comm channels clear. Erica's stress levels are up."
<DeathStar> <Ben> *to Erica* We're keeping pace with the comet. If you get in trouble, let me know
<Sara> <Erica> Copy. So far so good.
<DeathStar> *The comet, for it's part, is just continuing on with a lot of dust and crap in the back of it*
<ChadWinters`> <Id> It would take quite the malfunction for us to lose the comet in this ship. That or the comet's alive.
<DeathStar> <Ben> Don't jinx us
<DeathStar> <Yuki> <I guess all we need to do is burst forward and grab a sample?>
<ChadWinters`> <Id> I have to much trust in this ship for anything to happen.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> *finishes her training food, monitoring*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "We must determine if this material is naturally occurring. If so, we must trace it back to its source. However, it is possible that there is a Progentiro ship fragment embedded in the comet as well."
<DeathStar> <Yuki> <Alright.> *Erica would see scanners appear that highlight a spot of the comet*
<Sara> <Erica> Hmm. Let's get a closer look over here, Yu. *she moves in*
<DeathStar> *As they near the comet, Yuki begins to take samples; it looks like the comet likely passed through an area and picked up fragments of the minerals at some point accoring to the Gear's sensors*
<Sara> <Erica> Hmm. *Erica takes note of this, sending the data over to the Aquarius as they go*
<DeathStar> *As Yuki scoops up the samples for Erica*
<DeathStar> <Yuki> <Is it possible to trace the route this thing takes?
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Airym, can you calculate a path based on it's current trajectory?
<Jackieness> <Airym> "I can attempt to do so."
<ChadWinters`> <Id> I can assist if you would like.
<Seraphna> Cookie> Should be able to, comets can be tracked for quite a bit as they're completely moved by systemic gravity.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> <I thought she was playing the fool today><
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Your assistance would be welcome."
<ChadWinters`> <Id> The longer we follow it, the easier it will be to do so. 6It begins calculating based on the data they've collected so far
<Jackieness> <Airym> 8starts computing*
<Seraphna> Cookie> If someone ever invented instant water, what would they mix it with?
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Powder? Cocaine?
<Seraphna> Cookie> You can get water from Cocaine!?
<DeathStar> <Ben> Lets see. *he rolls his chair over to help everyone as they trace the comet. After a bit, they get the route it takes, or at least something close to it. It looks like it takes a rather decent path; Ben sees if they can spot any interesting locations along it*
<ChadWinters`> <Id> It'll be hard to determine when it happened but our best bet is to just travel along it and hope for the best.
<DeathStar> *alarms on the Aquarius and Yuki's Gear form beep while Yuki takes a core sample*
<DeathStar> *up ahead some asteroids float about*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Erica, the comet's path is taking it into an asteroid field."
<Sara> <Erica> Noted. Correcting course.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> We should do the same
<DeathStar> *To Cookie*
<Seraphna> **Cookie nods, putting in the calculations**
<DeathStar> <Ben> While we could follow the comet *He leans back in his seat, tracing some locations the comet will go by* There are some interesting points it intercepts on it's journey and comparing it with the Templar map.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Prepare to plot a couarse once Erica and Yuki are back on board."
<Seraphna> Cookie> Any stops at a planet occupied entirely by baby sloths?
<DeathStar> *Ben rolls his chair over to Airym and Id*
<DeathStar> <Ben> One of those points is into the Dark One territory
<DeathStar> <Ben> IF we did the math right
<Seraphna> Cookie> Ooo, so should we send for guest stars?
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Well it shouldn't be planet side. It'd have to be in space. Considering the size, it most likely hit a a ship that was derelict in space.
<DeathStar> *Yuki eyes the comet almost hit the asteroids*
<Sara> <Erica> Hmm.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> That thing is likely to destroy itself
<Jackieness> <Airym> "That makes it more interesting."
<DeathStar> *she returns to the Aquarius with Erica*
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Our best bet maybe within Dark One territory.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Set course for the first location highlighted by Ben."
<DeathStar> <Ben> It looks like the core and samples have been retrieved.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Don't forget!
<DeathStar> <Mireille> We have our own tribe that Airym bullied.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> Like, years ago
<DeathStar> *Yuki returns and eyes all the milk jugs; Mire still munching on marshmellows* We left the samples with our people in the labs.
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Yes. We are supposed to be backing them. Considering the trade agreement we have with them.
<Seraphna> Cookie> So should we send a message back to the PAX letting Andrea and Noire know what we're up to?
<Jackieness> <Airym> "It will only be necessary if we have to go into the Dakr One space proper. LEt us hold off until we are closer."
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Do you think we'll really need them? I mean, they're a different type of sect of Dark Ones and we've had more experience with them then Andrea who is more hostile
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Better to have Erica play the diplomat card
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Agreed.
<ChadWinters`> <Id> I can replay the contact info if you want.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Right. We'll get in touch with our tribe through Id if we need help.
<DeathStar> -TIME JUMP-
<DeathStar> Date: 10-647.2.8
<DeathStar> Location: Unknown Regions
<DeathStar> *Mireille is braiding Erica's hair as they leave the "Templar Space" and near the area of space the Dark Tribes seem to control*
<DeathStar> <Ben> Alright let me give you an update
<DeathStar> <Ben> Our allies out here have informed me that the Dark Tribes have been fighting each other pretty hard the past few years and taking over each other or wiping each other out
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Which is what we were hoping for.
<Seraphna> Cookie> We probably killed off anyone powerful enough to bring them all to heel.
<DeathStar> <Ben> Correct. IT seems our tribe with our backing has been amassing quite a bit of territory while at the same time not becoming too bloodthirsty and not getting too much heat on them.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "However, that suggests a lack of unified leadership. That will make diplomacy difficult."
<DeathStar> <Ben> Not quite
<DeathStar> *he looks up* There's rumors that a new Tribe has risen up and is uniting what remains of the few tribes left.
<DeathStar> <Ben> Much like our tribe has been
<Seraphna> Cookie> So there is a leader still.
<DeathStar> <Ben> IT might come down to them and ours.
<Seraphna> Cookie> Wonder if it's Kaelan's bae.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Do we know anything about this new faction?"
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Which was always a possibility. Perhaps we can find a common ground and be done with this all
<DeathStar> <Yuki> We could use this time to try to find the location and get back out
<DeathStar> <Ben> And if the new tribe defeats ours?
<ChadWinters`> <Id> I would suggest letting our ally know that we're entering their territory.
<ChadWinters`> <Id> It would depend on this other tribe. If they're war thirsty then we can't allow it.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Try to get a more precise location."
<DeathStar> <Ben> As for the new tribe
<DeathStar> <Ben> I'll see if I can get more information
<DeathStar> <Yuki> So are headed to our tribe then to learn more?
<Seraphna> Cookie> And not getting the prize?
<ChadWinters`> <Id> We can do both can't we? Talk to them whil we head along the path?
<Seraphna> Cookie> The sentient talking sphere makes sense. Can I please draw a face on you?
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Do we have a lock on the location yet?"
<DeathStar> <Ben> IT's believed what we want is somewhere along here.... *He pings it on the space map - closer to the aggroed tribe and the main other tribe*
<DeathStar> *Aggroed tribes
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Contact our Dark One allies as we approach."
<DeathStar> *The Aquarius heads forth*
<DeathStar> <Ben> *To Erica* When we reach out, remember you should be strong and mean with them
<DeathStar> <Ben> Like a woman who is paid to whip people
<DeathStar> <Ben> My mother basically
<Seraphna> Cookie> ...I wonder if that's Angela's kink.
<Sara> <Erica> Hmm.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> That explains a lot
<Seraphna> Cookie> ...Would a radioactive cat have 18 half lives?
<DeathStar> *Mireille holds her stomach* Ugh
<DeathStar> <Mireille> *The lights flicker* I will be back. *She sets down her 7th glass of milk and runs off*
<Seraphna> Cookie> By drink a lot of milk I meant a normal helping of milk, silly Mire.
<Seraphna> Cookie> Also... why do they put braille on drive up ATMs?
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Because blind people could still walk up to them.
<DeathStar> *As the Aquarius flies through the enemy territory, nearing the enemy tribes location slowly, so far nothing has happened*
<Sara> <Erica> *eyes Cookie*
<Seraphna> Cookie> That sounds dangerous.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Anything?"
<Seraphna> Cookie> Wait who is contacting them?
<DeathStar> <Ben> Oh right
<DeathStar> *Ben taps a button to reach out to their tribe*
<DeathStar> *The Aquarius please soothing music while it waits to try to reach out to their contactsw in the Dark Region of Unknown Space*
<DeathStar> *Mireille returns after a bit, hanging over the railing*
<Seraphna> **Cookie gives her something** It'll settle your tummy.
<Sara> <Erica> Don’t throw up on the bridge.
<DeathStar> <Mireille> I'll try. *She takes it as something appears on the screen; it looks upside down and the Dark Ones seem to have their backs to them*
<DeathStar> <Voice> It begin to make noise. <Voice 2> It seems to be THAT. <Voice> *whaps the device* Speak.
<Seraphna> **Cookie waves to Airym, Mistress of the Dark Ones**
<Sara> * Erica eyes the screen. “This is Hildegard of the Aquarius. We’re currently following a lead that extends into your space, which we have the right to traverse.”
<Sara> <Erica> Any information you have would get us out of your hair a lot faster. *she sends over a brief*
<DeathStar> *some hands grab the communicator on their side and lifts it up, turning it into so their face can be seen. Some of the technology they left behind for them can be seen as they set it up properly* So the Aqua-r-e-us returns and wishes to fly once again. We have no problem with this, just a warning and request, FEmale. Another tribe has finished uniting all the others besides our own. They will stop you and make you their mates and you will produce many warriors for them once they take your ship. You should give us one of them Aqua-r-e-uses. Maybe we can... keep them busy for you while you do your business
<DeathStar> <Yuki> I always forget how sexist the Dark Ones here are.
<Sara> <Erica> Unfortunately, I have no pitiful MALE pride that can be so easily wounded. Nor any weak balls to be kicked. That you so unsubtly appeal to us to give you powerful ships says what you are really thinking. If you assist us, you MIGHT live to see your tribe rise again.
<Seraphna> Cookie> Kaelan says a lot of the same stuff even in her head. I think they have some kind of biological tilt on breeding mass numbers. **she notes quietly**
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Ew
<DeathStar> *thinking she means the males*
<Seraphna> Cookie> Whole species.
<DeathStar> *the Dark Ones grumble* The other tribe is stronger than us and they hold more steadfast to the older ways than us who has made a bargain with female. Many do not wish to face them until they come for us, feeling unprepared. Many say we are weak for even working with you. Why should we aid you when you go to their doorstep?
<Sara> <Erica> Because we are powerful, and we can assure that you do not simply get gobbled up by the other tribes. Would you rather be slaves to them once they come calling for you, and be made to wear dresses and beg for your mama's teats?
<DeathStar> *Yuki chokes8
<DeathStar> *The Dark One looks sour, like that might have been a step too far* <Dark One Leader> We will be there. *The transmission ends, all staticy like they smashed it*
<Sara> * Erica huffs as the comms are turned off
<Seraphna> Cookie> Weird that they don't know how to fly their own ships.
<Sara> <Erica> Was that sufficiently mean?
<ChadWinters`> <Id> You may have pushed to far.
<DeathStar> <Ben> Overly. I felt insulted.
<Seraphna> Cookie> This Dark One thing is a weird boys v. girls thing.
<ChadWinters`> <Id> If I knew how to be insulted, I probably would have also.
<Seraphna> Cookie> Id, you don't even have a gender. Right?
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Continue on course."
<ChadWinters`> <Id> No, I haven't decided that I needed one.
<ChadWinters`> <Id> And Cookie, the reason why they demanded this ship was because the fleet they had was derelict. I believe it should be up and running but that doesn't make it a strong fleet.
<DeathStar> *Mireille puts on a male wig and female lipstick on Id*
<DeathStar> <Mireille> There
<Sara> <Erica> That's exactly the thing. The fact they asked for our ship is because they knew they're in trouble without it. It's how they showed us their real hand.
<ChadWinters`> <Id> They asked for you're ship because anyone would recognize it's far more powerful than what's out there.
<DeathStar> <Ben> Technically
<ChadWinters`> <Id> They just lack the tact on going about it
<DeathStar> <Ben> They wantd one of our ships, not knowing this is one of a kind
<DeathStar> <Ben> They assume we are stronger than we are
<Seraphna> Cookie> Mmm, no reason to disabuse them of that assumption. It works for us.
<DeathStar> *As they near the other tribe's space, friendly Dark One spider ships appear; equipped with what firepower that was given over the years; the spider ships look old and out of date*
<DeathStar> *even the fleshy organic look to them have an old look*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Did you actually request their assistance?"
<Sara> <Erica> This seems to be the only kind of help they know how to give. At the least, we can impress upon them the importance of the alliance.
<ChadWinters`> <Id> They have have chosen to show up out of pride.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> We'll probably need them
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Just for cover
<ChadWinters`> <Id> I would suggest that you don't out shine them too much less you attack their pride more.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "By that same token, I do not recommend sacrificing them."
<Sara> <Erica> Agreed.
<DeathStar> *They soon near an area of space with a lot of floating massive rocks; they seem to be asteroids, but they're so large they're like mini planetoids, floating around a planet down below.*
<DeathStar> <Ben> It seems the comet likely passed through this area of space
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Initiate scans."
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Airym, scan the planetoids for any signs of damage
<DeathStar> <Yuki> I wonder if that was a moon or something once
<Jackieness> <Airym> "We should be able to determine with sufficient analysis."
<DeathStar> *As their scans begin on the planetoids, it full of minerals and materials, matching something of planet or something without much is there. Including the extremely rare mineral they're looking for*
<ChadWinters`> <Id> It's a shame this ship can't recover all that we want from there.
<DeathStar> *suddenly alarms begin to off, from the dead looking planet belong; an army of Dark One ships begin to fly up, much more than their fellow Dark Ones*
<DeathStar> <Mirerille> We are out numbered.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Begin to withdraw."
<Seraphna> Cookie> **closes her eyes and sends out a psionic disruption as she lets Mirelle take them away** Here’s a old trick.
<DeathStar> *the Dark Tribe leader contacts them* <Tribe Leader> You are fleeing?!
<DeathStar> *as Cookie disrups some of them*
<Seraphna> Cookie> Focus on the ones I disrupt while we get into a position of advantage. If you want to live.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Long range fire on the disrupted targets."
<DeathStar> *The Dark Ones attack the disrupted ones, while the enemies not disrupted swoop in, moving below the attacks to come in at them from below*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Helm, take us in. Suppressing fire."
<Seraphna> **Cookie starts to do maneuvers and feeds Pepper attack runs**
<DeathStar> *The Aquarius does decent damage to the massive number of disabled ships; while the active ones attack the other tribe, stabbing and ripping apart with precise moves*
<DeathStar> *among them is a larger looking, meaner one and it takes a run at the Aquarius*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "See if we can disable that larger vessel."
<Seraphna> Cookie> I’m lining up a blast, Spirit Cannon using the big guy as a marker. **she uses Ace of Spades to find the perfect spot**
<Sara> <Erica> Also, assist our allies. Intercepting fire as much as possible along the way.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Yeah their ships aren't doing well
<Jackieness> <Airym> "If we can disable that large ship, direct our allies to board and comandeer it."
<DeathStar> *the massive ship seems to have their's pinned for the most part*
<DeathStar> *fleet
<DeathStar> *Mireille sinks int othe floor to help power it up*
<DeathStar> *The massive ship stabs the Aquarius' shields, breaking a part of it to get a side of the hull*
<DeathStar> <Ben> Hull breach, deck 15
<Sara> <Erica> Redirect shields.
<DeathStar> <Ben> Cutting off the area around the tendrils
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Evasive maneuvers."
<DeathStar> *As*As they break away, the shot lines up for Cookike*
<DeathStar> *meanwhile, the two Dark fleets are still hammering away at each other*
<Seraphna> **Cookie helps Pepper fire the shot**
<DeathStar> *The shot blows away part of the massive ship's front part and a few tendrils. IT swoops downward and out of sight for a second*
<DeathStar> <Ben> We ran it off.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Get me a fix on that ship. I don't want it sneak attacking."
<DeathStar> *the bridge door opens, and a bloodied Dark One sneaks up on them, lifting some creature like weapon to smash it down on Cookie*
<ChadWinters`> 6Id watches, being nothing more than a helpless orb of sorts*
<DeathStar> 5
<Jackieness> <Airym> *forms a spirit tech weapon construct and fires at the dark One*
<DeathStar> *it jerks backwards*
<DeathStar> *The weapon embedding into Cookie's seat*
<Jackieness> <Airym> *aims and fires again for the double tap*
<DeathStar> *it dies*
<Sara> <Erica> Nice shots. *she punches it in the face for good measure*
<DeathStar> *Yuki> Eesh
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Ben, internal scans for additional boarders."
<DeathStar> <Ben> Scanning. ...
<DeathStar> *At that moment, the massive ship rises up again, Wrath of Khan style and begins to fire at them from behind*
<ChadWinters`> <Id> If you can take out that big ship, they may retreat.
<ChadWinters`> <Id> At the least, it'll deal a massive blow to them and help our allies
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Hard to port. Bring us about for another forward barrage."
<DeathStar> *The Aquarius jerks from taking hits at such a close range*
<Seraphna> **Cookie turns about in a flip and readies the barrage**
<DeathStar> <Ben> Shields ar depleting.
<DeathStar> *The Dark One keeps at it, even as Cookie does that*
<DeathStar> *moving to tendril as well, aiming right at them*
<Seraphna> **Cookie fires again before the narrative can worsen**
<DeathStar> <Ben> We have two other intruders, moving about
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Seal and isolate the invaded sections. We'll deal with boarders when their vessel has been removed from the board."
<Seraphna> **Cookie also sends out another disruptive mental wave**
<DeathStar> *so far it seems that the Dark One ship is doing better damage.* <Yuki> Cookie, try to use all our spirit weapons at once.
<Seraphna> **Cookie nods to Pepper and they unload all the guns into the enemy ship**
<DeathStar> *due to using everything they got, missiles, guns and their beam weapon, the Aquarius suddenly shuts off and Mireille is ejected comically onto Erica's lap*
<DeathStar> *the lights off*
<Seraphna> Cookie> You said use everything.
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Did you get them?"
<DeathStar> <Ben> We've depleting our spirit resources. We're unable to get scans outside
<Seraphna> Cookie> I guess? We aren’t exploding.
<DeathStar> <Ben> One moment while we try to restart.
<DeathStar> *suddenly the ship slams and jerks*
<Sara> <Erica> That’s not great.
<Seraphna> **Cookie sighs** Get Mire back in. Pepper and I will save the ship outside.
<DeathStar> *As the viewscreen comes online*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Status report."
<DeathStar> *And lights flicker back on, alarms are going off - the Dark One Ship is right in their grill, on fire*
<DeathStar> **having crashed into them from all the attacks*
<DeathStar> <Ben> Collision
<Seraphna> **Cookie takes Pepper to go outside and move the wreck away**
<DeathStar> <Ben> Hull damage while shields were down, but it's superficial
<DeathStar> <Ben> We can get it repaired at an ally's space dock
<Jackieness> <Airym> "And the enemy ship?"
<DeathStar> <Ben> It looks destroyed. *As Cookie moves to get it off, there's a terrible tearing noise*
<DeathStar> *as the two ships are moved apart*
<Seraphna> Cookie> <I think they tried to latch tendrils in. I’ll burn off what I can outside.>
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Proceed. Yuki, with me. We will eliminate the two boarders."
<DeathStar> <Ben> Best to keep the tendrils inside yes.
<DeathStar> *Yuki nods; Erica meanwhile would see their allies seem to have been left in a stat of disarray*
<DeathStar> *having nothing left really in way of ships and the remaining enemy ships having returned to the planet to avoid fighting the monsterous Aquarius - or are planning something*
<Seraphna> **Cookie hums as she uses focused lasers on her canons to burn the tendrils outside so they leave the hull plugged up**
<Seraphna> Cookie> <Hey Erica? We got any more of those Progen nukes we used on infected planets in the war?>
<DeathStar> *Yuki leads Airym to the first location*
<DeathStar> -TIME HOP-
<DeathStar> *After the battle, Yuki leans back, their ship next to the asteroid; their allies' ship 99% decimated, including the leader*
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Well, we have to assume the leader of the enemy tribe was in that giant ship
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Possibly. However our allies have also lost their own leader."
<Seraphna> Cookie> Unless he’s one of those cowardly types that sits back at home.
<DeathStar> *Yuki thinks* Think it's possible to kill two birds with one stone. Go down to the surface with our remaining people and talk to whoever's down there while we get the stuff up here?
<ChadWinters`> <Id> We will have to let the Suisen Empire know so they can try to send reinforcements
<Sara> <Erica> They’re not likely to look at this favorably. We failed our Allie’s, unfortunately…
<DeathStar> <Yuki> True, but if we can win a bigger tribe into their tribe.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> It might win out
<ChadWinters`> <Id> It would be helpful, yes.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> It'd at least could be a chance to end this Tribe War.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Plus that old leader was a jerk.
<Sara> <Erica> Yeah. Even so, I’ll mourn them.
<DeathStar> <Ben> Hm. IF we are to move on this tribe
<DeathStar> <Ben> We'll have to do it now while they're vulnerable
<ChadWinters`> <Id> Erica is your defacto leader. She would be your best bet
<DeathStar> <Ben> I can stay behind and bring some of the people from the Suisen to help with grabbing samples to take back to the portal
<DeathStar> *Yuki peers at Erica to see if she is up to it*
<Sara> * Erica nods
<DeathStar> -SCENE HOP-
<DeathStar> *the remainig Dark Ones under them, under a new leader, take the shuttle down while the Aquarius grabs samples, and heads for the surface, flanked by two Dark One ships.*
<DeathStar> <Yuki> So, Cooks, got any weird thoughts?
<DeathStar> *Mireille munches on marshmellows*
<Seraphna> Cookie> Many.
<Seraphna> Cookie> Like… How does the guy who drives the snowplow get to work in the mornings?
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Teleport
<DeathStar> *As they arrive on the surface, the Dark Ones there all eye them, weapons ready*
<DeathStar> *their Dark Ones take a flanking position and Yuki and Mireille eye everyone* <Yuki> They seem... happy to see us
<Seraphna> Cookie> Greetings, I bring weed and beers.
<Seraphna> Cookie> **looks to the others** Universal greeting.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> ... uh huh.
<DeathStar> *She turns to Erica and Airym*
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Do we ask them to take us to their leader?
<Jackieness> <Airym> *tilts her head* "We wish to speak with your highest authority."
<DeathStar> *many of the Dark Ones jeer at them, but a few of the males surprisingly begin to lead them without question into the caves*
<DeathStar> *going underground - if something were to happen, they would have to fight their way out*
<Seraphna> **Cookie hums, shouldering something as they walk**
<DeathStar> *soon in the inner chambers, female warriors stand about, making Yuki blink and on the throne of bones is a female Dark One warrior*
<Seraphna> Cookie> ...This is actually refreshing!
<DeathStar> *They eye Cookie*
<DeathStar> *the males with the group sputter*
<DeathStar> *Yuki glances at the others* So who wants to tackle this?
<Sara> <Erica> Yo. *she waves*
<Jackieness> <Airym> "We are here to see this conflict come to an end."
<Seraphna> Cookie> **stops from pulling out a bag of weed, letting Erica go**
<DeathStar> <Mireille> You were oging to give them that stinky stuff?
<DeathStar> *The female warrior on the throne leans forward*
<Seraphna> Cookie> Weed brings peace to many.
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> Have you come here to join us? You have proven yourself strong by killing the previous warrior king
<Sara> <Erica> We have offerings. *she says plainly, gesturing to Cookie*
<Seraphna> **Cookie holds up the bag** The finest doobies.
<DeathStar> *The Dark Ones eye them, looking dubious* <Female Warrior> We have such things of our own, much stronger. *She rises and walks down the skull throne* We know you outsiders have and your strength
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> Where you go, you bring change to the Dark Ones and their light nemesis.
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> So speak plainly, what do you want of my people? *She pauses in front of Erica*
<Seraphna> Cookie> ...After which I want to sample this stuff. I seek the most primo of highs.
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Can I force a name change to High for Cookie?
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Later."
<Sara> <Erica> We wish to ally. And mercy for those primitive men who aided us and yet still draw breath as a reward for our efforts.
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> *She eyes the Dark One men beside her, who are scowling, clearly wanting ot have come out on top* Ah. So no big final battle to the death. *she leans toward one* Personally, I do not mind if it ends in an alliance. You back them and it would be more of a *untranslated word* than it is worth to stamp out the tribe with you there. If it means taking them in and not fighting, then we shall
<Sara> * Erica nods, finding this to sound reasonable
<Sara> <Erica> <We can’t very well change this power dynamic at this time>
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> The question is can they handle a female warrior in charge without me being challenged all the time
<ChadWinters`> *Id tilts at bit at that last wording*
<Seraphna> Cookie> We know some people who can offer you advice on that subject.
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> So many of the males died in that battle we could rise up and take charge.
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> We shall see I suppose how it plays out
<Seraphna> Cookie> The Dark Ones of our Galaxy are female led and strong.
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> So enlightened.
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> Do they smash their weapons over their males too when they get out of line? I am debating it.
<ChadWinters`> <Id> I do not know if the ones we ally with will be ok with that.
<Seraphna> Cookie> They're a big reason why the invading tribes from this Galaxy were destroyed.
<Seraphna> Cookie> But in general, their males know how to respect strength regardless of gender.
<Jackieness> <Airym> *tilts her head*
<DeathStar> <Yuki> Lets do the paperwork for the alliance before they change their mind
<DeathStar> *The warrior just eyes them and holds out her hand*
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> We are allies, yes? Shake
<Seraphna> **Cookie shakes, and teaches her the secret handshake of the High Ones**
<DeathStar> <Female Warrior> IT is done, we are allies now
<DeathStar> -Epilogue-
<DeathStar> Location: Aquarius
<DeathStar> <Ben> We'll be here for a bit grabbing as much as the planetoid can provide
<DeathStar> <Ben> The Suisen Empire is quite interested in it
<DeathStar> <Ben> They basically said good job, Captains
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Have you been able to confirmt that it was once a vessel?"
<DeathStar> *he hands out a gold star to Airym and Erica*
<DeathStar> <Ben> It seems to be natural actually. Which gives hope that there might be other locations we can find it
<DeathStar> <Ben> The fact it's near a Dark One planet might mean something
<ChadWinters`> <Id> It's only plausible that it exists in a raw form considering it had to come from somewhere
<Jackieness> <Airym> "We need to collect more data."
<DeathStar> <Ben> The PAX originally did come from this area of space, so that means it might have been built here at some point in time
<DeathStar> <Ben> We'll see what we can learn
<DeathStar> <Yuki> *Drags Erica off* Well in the meantime, I plan to hottub
<DeathStar> <Mireille> And I plan to train
<Jackieness> <Airym> "Perhaps the Progentors had a colony or station in this sector of space."
<DeathStar> <Ben> I will see if we can discover more
<DeathStar> -TBC next Jan 1st-
* Sara has left #TAW-Session606
Session Close: Mon Dec 19 23:10:08 2022