Post
Thu Feb 22, 2018 11:48 am
#156
by Talvieno
((Important note: Gene is starting half a turn before everyone else. What this means is, I'm going to let you leave the Nemesis "early" for the current turn, so you'll be able to travel wherever you want in one turn, and start fighting with half a turn's worth of actions. This also means that, starting now, you're allowed to post in the mission thread. Good luck out there.))
You pocket the wrapper for your ration bar, get up, and leave the mess hall, headed for the hangar.
-----
The hangar, a cavernous room in the center of the ship, is abuzz with activity. A handful of engineers are working on a patchwork CASKET setting at the front, right near the lift you just stepped out of. "Gene? Gene Weber!" someone shouts - a man standing beside your ship waves his arms at you to get your attention, and you head over. As you approach, you see a bright flash from the back of the CASKET, and one of the engineers perched atop shouts in surprise, falling off the back. The man ignores it entirely. "I'm Hale," he says, shaking your hand. He then points at a wadded-up suit on a little cart beside you. "Suit up fast. You need to be out of here now. After you're done, get in the cockpit and strap in. SCAMPS or Cho will give you further instructions." Without waiting to answer questions, or even wishing you good luck, he turns and leaves at a brisk pace.
You pick up the suit and look around. The engineers nearby don't look at you - they're too busy shouting about your CASKET's PSI unit. You didn't think you needed one, and it seems they're debating this as well - but there's nowhere to change clothes. Clearly, modesty isn't appreciated here. You'll have to change right where you are.
-----
A few minutes later, you're sitting in your cockpit, suited and ready for combat. The items you've purchased are already strapped to your suit in their appropriate holsters - a Gauss shotgun, a machine pistol, and a first aid kit - along with a great many spare ammo mags. You hit the button to close the canopy, and as it does, sealing down the middle, the din of the hangar dies down, muffled. Engineers outside make hand motions at you to start up your CASKET, and you do, pressing the appropriate buttons. You've never done this before in your life, but somehow, it feels like you've done it a thousand times before. The screens about you flash and light up, and the engines sputter and hum behind you. You sit there a moment, wondering if the feeling of deja vu might have something to do with all those in-cryo combat simulations you don't remember, but have little time to ponder it: the comms crackle to life.
It's SCAMPS again. "What are you waiting for? Get moving! Your ship won't fly itself! Take off, head out the launch tube and get up into the sky. I'm transferring you to Lt. Cho, and don't think she'll let you back before the mission is complete. I expect results. Now, move already!"
Feeling a bit uneasy, you apply power to the vertical thrusters. Your CASKET lifts up from the floor, hovering effortlessly. As far as cheap fighters go, it's quite agile. You turn toward the launch tube at the front of the hangar and apply power to the engines; your ship responds accordingly. It's not much longer until you're leaving, accelerating down the launch tube - and then you're out into the harsh, bright light of Nanyej's sun, beneath the pink-orange sky.
"Hi!!!!!" It's a surprisingly chipper voice, belonging to a woman you haven't had the pleasure (or displeasure) to meet. "I'm Lieutenant Cho, and I'll be your FTO for this mission! You're Gene Weber, right? Your files said you served in the UGM - that's so awesome!!! I bet you have great stories! I wish I had time to get to know you better, but... well, SCAMPS wants me to get you out there quickly, just like he always does..." Her eyeroll is almost audible. "I guess we'll have to get better acquainted later. I'll just give you a brief summary of what's gone on so far, okay? Great! So, squads Alpha and Beta are split up right now, and they're both out of range. Alpha went up to the north to get the stellaplex from Huhoba, and Beta went back down to the nacelle. I heard from Beta just a few minutes ago, and they seem to be doing okay! You should probably visit Alpha - that way I can check up on them too! I really wish I was out there with you guys though! It's so sunny out! Anyway, just fly low, and you'll be totally fine! I'm here for anything if you need me! Stay safe out theeerrrreeee!"
You gun the engines, rocketing off down the dusty, orange-tinted canyon. Above the mountains to the north, you see a fierce battle taking place between hiltorel fighters and REKT veterans. You keep your distance, hoping none of those enemies try to attack, and speed toward your objective.
Welcome to REKT.
((You may now now post in the mission thread. This thread will be locked for the time being.))