Commander Shepard made the ultimate sacrifice to [red energy]DESTROY [/red energy] the Reapers. Eight years later, the survivors of the war seek to put the galaxy back together.
With a slight smile, Hestia shrugs. "They are all the same to me. Besides, we'll hit all of them sooner or later. Any have a reputation for trouble? We might want to visit a less problematic planet first, until we learn to work together."
Deception (they are all the same to me):4d3 - 8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 1) - 8 + 3 = 2
"Is there anything in the briefs that differentiates them or may hint at a priority?" Dern asks, while consulting his omnitool for exactly that information.
Using the skill stunt Takes One To Know One to use Deceit instead of Empathy.
Gir glances as Hestia as she speaks, but says nothing.
Grace Wright wrote:
Grace returns the salute, then, after the Captain leaves the room, turns to the rest of the team.
Would the Captain leave the room? Didn't we come to his office?
Either way, before we leave, or he leaves, Gir would have asked the following.
"Captain, if we have need to discuss our mission mid-transit, what areas of the ship would be secure to do so? Also, should we have need to notify you of any change of plans, is there a way to do so without arousing suspicion?"
Good point. I should have been more clear- Captain Arpin dismisses you, you are free to go where you wish, with your recessed semi-quarters being the most obvious place. He stays in his own office.
Casbin, Antibaar, Sharjilla, Chohe, Nonuel, Nepheron, Deros, Noveria, and Onterom
Gir reflects on the worlds mentioned, in case he has heard news of any of them in his travels...
[DICE=Academics]4d3-8+0
... before performing a quick search on the list, to see if he can pick up anything that stands out.
[DICE=Investigation]4d3-8+2
** spoiler omitted **
Grace Wright wrote:
Grace returns the salute, then, after the Captain leaves the room, turns to the rest of the team.
Would the Captain leave the room? Didn't we come to his office?
Either way, before we leave, or he leaves, Gir would have asked the following.
"Captain, if we have need to discuss our mission mid-transit, what areas of the ship would be secure to do so? Also, should we have need to notify you of any change of plans, is there a way to do so without arousing suspicion?"
Academics:
You have heard nothing of these planets.
Investigation:
Casbin is a pre-garden world, landing there is prohibited by law. Antibaar was one of many false-distress-signal worlds that Shepard shut down. It remains a frozen wasteland, however.
"Hmm. Well, this office remains open to you, and it is not unusual for the Captain to be in communication with the RITS until late hours. Ditto for mid-mission communication, I'll give you a private link to my omni-tool."
"Hmm. Well, this office remains open to you, and it is not unusual for the Captain to be in communication with the RITS until late hours. Ditto for mid-mission communication, I'll give you a private link to my omni-tool."
"Thank you, sir." Gir secures the link's details in his omni-tool, before continuing out with the others.
Hestia Harper wrote:
Hestia glances up at Gir, looking surprised and very pleased. "Good question, Gir."
"It comes with experience in this line of work. Speaking of, we should establish a secure link when we have the time next. We'll be thankful for it down the line."
Grace Wright wrote:
"Thoughts on where to proceed from here? Like I said, I'm familiar with more than a few of these worlds, and I've got an idea of where to begin, but I'd like to hear all of your ideas as well."
"Noveria, Nepheron, Nonuel, Chohe, Sharjila, and Antibaar all pose different environmental hazards, depending on where our target is located, that we may not have the equipment for on-hand. I don't know how we'll get authorisation for Casbin. Ontarom or Feros may be the safest starting points, from what I can gather. What were your thoughts, Grace?"
"If our hosts are setting the agenda, I think we can assume they'll provide the right gear. However, we'd probably better check it, just to be sure. As for permissions, I hope that would be arranged as well. But yea, "assume" = ass + you + me."
"Noveria, Nepheron, Nonuel, Chohe, Sharjila, and Antibaar all pose different environmental hazards, depending on where our target is located, that we may not have the equipment for on-hand. I don't know how we'll get authorisation for Casbin. Ontarom or Feros may be the safest starting points, from what I can gather. What were your thoughts, Grace?"
"I don't know much about Feros other than that it's on the border between Alliance space and the Traverse, and that most of the planet is covered with ancient Prothean ruins. I also remember hearing something about a major incursion during the war with the geth, but I wasn't stationed anywhere near there, so I can't be certain. I can say, though, that if I wanted to hide a secret base, Feros wouldn't be a bad choice.
"Ontarom's in the Traverse, but over the last decade or so, it's become a big communications hub with a strong Alliance presence. Last I heard, they were considering building an N-school training base there. I've actually been to Ontarom, just for a short while, during a supply run just after the war with the geth. It's right hot on the surface, just about unbearable, with nothing but broadcast dishes and algae mats as far as the eye can see. I wouldn't want to live there, but with all the important installations on the surface, it might be the kind of place Cerberus would have at the very least attempted to infiltrate.
"Before we make our final decision, though, what do the rest of you think?"
"I think we should check permissions and gear and decide from there. No point going to a hazardous planet without protective gear. Want me to do that, Sarge?" Hestia volunteers. For work. A teenager.
"That sound a prudent, Miss Harper. I agree that our employers are likely to make sure we are adequately equipped for any missions on inhospitable planets, but it is reasonable to determine what those preparations consist of."
Hestia nods to Dern. "Then I'm off to check on gear."
She heads out to find the quartermaster and determine the arrangements for hazardous condition gear.
a few quick queries leads you to the quartermaster, who is not far from where you left him, although he is aboard the ship itself, doing some kind of shakedown.
"Ah. Officer Harper, right? Is there something you need?" he gives you that weird smile that all salarians seem to have.
Hestia shivers at the weird expression on the equally weird face, aware that there was likely an impressive brain behind it. Oddly, Dern's support of her idea pleased Hestia, knowing how sharp the former STG engineer was likely to be.
"Yes, quartermaster. Sergeant Wright ordered me to check on the status of protective gear for the RITS."Well, she didn't order me not to."We noticed some hazard warnings on our itinerary. Is gear available for all of us, sir?" She sticks with military courtesy, uncertain as to exactly how tight this ship is.
Hestia shivers at the weird expression on the equally weird face, aware that there was likely an impressive brain behind it. Oddly, Dern's support of her idea pleased Hestia, knowing how sharp the former STG engineer was likely to be.
"Yes, quartermaster. Sergeant Wright ordered me to check on the status of protective gear for the RITS."Well, she didn't order me not to."We noticed some hazard warnings on our itinerary. Is gear available for all of us, sir?" She sticks with military courtesy, uncertain as to exactly how tight this ship is.
"Of course. Relay Inspection Teams have first choice when it comes to protective gear, as they are the only individuals on board who are expected to be extravehicular during the course of their duties. C-Def is a bit more cutting edge than C-Def, with basic environmental armor, but above average shields."
The salarian frowns, and it's hard to not find it comical. "A restricted planet? I think that is something only the captain can approve of. I know it involves checking in with C-Sec on the Citadel for permission, so at least the proper parties are aware, but it isn't impossible. At least in theory."
Meanwhile, on another part of the ship, a set of deceptively heavy steps comes to an abrupt halt. Behind the rest of the party, Lieutenant Vaws peers over the shoulders of the assembled to glare at the Sergeant, although her question is for the general assembly of RITS before her "Alright, where's our first stop?"
Meanwhile, on another part of the ship, a set of deceptively heavy steps comes to an abrupt halt. Behind the rest of the party, Lieutenant Vaws peers over the shoulders of the assembled to glare at the Sergeant, although her question is for the general assembly of RITS before her "Alright, where's our first stop?"
Grace turns to Lt. Vaws and salutes before answering.
"Ma'am, we've narrowed our options down to Feros and Ontarom, though I'd hoped to wait on our final decision until Officer Harper returns from the quartermaster's station. Does the captain require an immediate answer?"
Meanwhile, on another part of the ship, a set of deceptively heavy steps comes to an abrupt halt. Behind the rest of the party, Lieutenant Vaws peers over the shoulders of the assembled to glare at the Sergeant, although her question is for the general assembly of RITS before her "Alright, where's our first stop?"
Grace turns to Lt. Vaws and salutes before answering.
"Ma'am, we've narrowed our options down to Feros and Ontarom, though I'd hoped to wait on our final decision until Officer Harper returns from the quartermaster's station. Does the captain require an immediate answer?"
A flicker of something akin to respect goes through her eyes for a moment. It doesn't take a min trader to tell that she is used to people quailing in her presence. "No, but please let me know when you've finalized a planet. We're almost done with shakedown."
Meanwhile, on another part of the ship, a set of deceptively heavy steps comes to an abrupt halt. Behind the rest of the party, Lieutenant Vaws peers over the shoulders of the assembled to glare at the Sergeant, although her question is for the general assembly of RITS before her "Alright, where's our first stop?"
Grace turns to Lt. Vaws and salutes before answering.
"Ma'am, we've narrowed our options down to Feros and Ontarom, though I'd hoped to wait on our final decision until Officer Harper returns from the quartermaster's station. Does the captain require an immediate answer?"
A flicker of something akin to respect goes through her eyes for a moment. It doesn't take a min trader to tell that she is used to people quailing in her presence. "No, but please let me know when you've finalized a planet. We're almost done with shakedown."
"Understood, ma'am. I'll have an answer for you as soon as Officer Harper reports back. And please, let me know if I can be of any assistance en route to our destination."
As silence falls in the room, the person in question saunters in behind the Lieutenant. "The quartermaster has all the gear we'll need, Sergeant, but special permits are outside his purview," she reports brightly, "With all the planets to choose from, I'm sure there's plenty of time to get the permit for one, right?"
As silence falls in the room, the person in question saunters in behind the Lieutenant. "The quartermaster has all the gear we'll need, Sergeant, but special permits are outside his purview," she reports brightly, "With all the planets to choose from, I'm sure there's plenty of time to get the permit for one, right?"
"There should be time in the future to get a permit to land on Casbin if we end up needing to make a stop there. As of right now, my thought is to pay a visit to Feros and start our investigation there. It will likely be necessary to make a stop on Ontarom in the near future, but I don't feel like boiling in my hardsuit quite yet."
She smiles brightly at the group, then turns back to Lt. Vaws. "Unless there's any objections from my team, I believe we'll be setting our course for the Attican Beta Cluster in order to conduct operations on Feros. Does that sound agreeable, ma'am?"
As silence falls in the room, the person in question saunters in behind the Lieutenant. "The quartermaster has all the gear we'll need, Sergeant, but special permits are outside his purview," she reports brightly, "With all the planets to choose from, I'm sure there's plenty of time to get the permit for one, right?"
"There should be time in the future to get a permit to land on Casbin if we end up needing to make a stop there. As of right now, my thought is to pay a visit to Feros and start our investigation there. It will likely be necessary to make a stop on Ontarom in the near future, but I don't feel like boiling in my hardsuit quite yet."
She smiles brightly at the group, then turns back to Lt. Vaws. "Unless there's any objections from my team, I believe we'll be setting our course for the Attican Beta Cluster in order to conduct operations on Feros. Does that sound agreeable, ma'am?"
"Very well, to Feros, then." Her manner is once again brusque, and seems even more so for the hint of change shown before. But she is moving with a speed that indicates someone who is happily finally on their way to their destination.
Not long after consensus is reached and Lt. Vaws goes about her way, Captain Arpin comes on the ship-wide broadcast network.
"Attention, crew of the Dolphin . We are going to be visiting several relays in succession this time around, as there have been complaints of bad calibrations before system-jumps. We're going to make sure this is because of bad pilots and not issues with the relays themselves. The Attican Beta cluster will be our first stop on this tour of duty, as chosen by our new RITS. They will be acclimating themselves to the ship while on transit, so if you see them say hello, but keep the ship running tight and smooth. As shakedown has been completed, we will be heading out in 5. Captain Arpin out."
Hestia puffs a sigh of relief. "Excellent, that's decided. This is going to be fun! Anybody else up for a tour of the ship? Self-guided, most likely, but I'd like to see the layout and gear."
Hestia puffs a sigh of relief. "Excellent, that's decided. This is going to be fun! Anybody else up for a tour of the ship? Self-guided, most likely, but I'd like to see the layout and gear."
Grace shrugs. "I'll come along. It's never a bad idea to familiarize yourself with the ship you're serving on. This should be interesting."
Tagging along to keep an eye on a certain young biotic: also never a bad idea.
"It would certainly be good to learn about the crew and the capabilities of the ship. I wonder how this ship has been outfitted in terms of munitions..." His large eyes glisten in anticipation of seeing some Alliance torpedoes.
Soon, the ship begins to rumble as the engines come to life- a deep THRUM seems to come from all around you and then quiets down. The artificial gravity and inertial dampeners kick in, and the slow lurch you all feel vanishes. You hear distant conversation- the quick-fire question/answer/report of a crew whose ship is leaving the dock. You're on your way out of the Citadel and heading in the direction of the mass effect relay- one of the only ships with permission to do something that was taken for granted just a few years ago. Just like that, you are on your way. A youngish crewman gives you a nod as he passes you in the hallway, moving smoothly to his station somewhere in the ship. From his cadence and professional friendliness, you get the feeling that you do indeed have the run of the ship- any busy crew people will simply manouver around you if necessary.
Dern looks about thoughtfully as the crew efficiently goes about their business. "Well then. It appears I have some time to finish my reading on yahg biology. Shall we settle in until we approach our destination?"
The ship glides smoothly through space, meandering to the mass effect relay. Traffic isn't what it used to be in this day and age, but you wouldn't know that from the way the crew handles the ship. Exquisite care is taken, and there is a smooth acceleration as the mass effect occurs and you travel between systems. At that speed much of the responsibility on the ship transferes to the bridge crew, and hallway traffic increases. A woman with an unfortunate resemblance to a weasel, with her small lips and eyes and over large nose clears her throat, revealing her presence as if she had been standing there the whole time.
"A tour, is it? I can help with that. I've been a crewoman on this ship for long enough, and unless i miss my guess, you will be pushing off as soon as we arrive, being RITS and all. Her conspiratorial wink is endearing, despite her unattractiveness.
"A tour, is it? I can help with that. I've been a crewoman on this ship for long enough, and unless i miss my guess, you will be pushing off as soon as we arrive, being RITS and all. Her conspiratorial wink is endearing, despite her unattractiveness.
Grace extends a hand in greeting, flashing a friendly grin.
"I'm Sergeant Grace Wright. This is Officer Hestia Harper and Specialist Gir'Rimas nar Mesa. What's your name, spacer? I've been looking forward to the full tour."
"Indeed!" Hestia interjects, skipping preliminary niceties but showing plenty of puppy-like enthusiasm, "Will you show us the whole ship? I'd love to see engineering! This is supposed to be quite the ship."
Yes, please. Dungeon Master Player 15/Dungeon Master 13/Monk 2(I'm out of practice!)
Grace Wright wrote:
Who is that masked DM? wrote:
"A tour, is it? I can help with that. I've been a crewoman on this ship for long enough, and unless i miss my guess, you will be pushing off as soon as we arrive, being RITS and all. Her conspiratorial wink is endearing, despite her unattractiveness.
Grace extends a hand in greeting, flashing a friendly grin.
"I'm Sergeant Grace Wright. This is Officer Hestia Harper and Specialist Gir'Rimas nar Mesa. What's your name, spacer? I've been looking forward to the full tour."
She shakes all hands-even those that aren't offered. "I'm Officer Richards. I handle certain...requisitions...with the salarian you already met. Come on, we'll start with the mess. The quarian looks starved." She playfully pokes at Gir's belly and then leads you to the ship's small lift, pointing out the men and women's bathrooms on the way, as well as the bunks for the majority of the officers and specialists of the ship. You are taken one level down, where the mess and engineering are located- two flavors that don't necessarily go better together, Richards explains, but the responsibilities of each mesh well. The coolant storage room doubles as a second refrigerator, for example, and the food storage containers can be almost instantly recycled into raw materials that are needed elsewhere on the ship. The natural popularity of the mess also breaks up the lonely monotony of engineering life. As it isn't really time for chow yet, Richards sees about refreshments for everyone. "Sweet or savory?"
"None for me. Thanks." Hestia quivers like a racehorse before the break, clenching belly muscles making it impossible to think of eating. "Do you know, did this ship have a different name before... Well, before?" Her eyes restlessly search for any sign that this was a familiar ship once upon a time, back in another lifetime.
"None for me. Thanks." Hestia quivers like a racehorse before the break, clenching belly muscles making it impossible to think of eating. "Do you know, did this ship have a different name before... Well, before?" Her eyes restlessly search for any sign that this was a familiar ship once upon a time, back in another lifetime.
"You mean back in the orange and white days?" Officer Richards makes a mou as she thinks before replying,"I think it was the Pulse way back when...tried to pinch some kids or something like that when it was recycled. Ugly op."
She shrugs as she takes a healthy sip of her vanilla scented nutrient beverage.
"The Pulse," Hestia murmurs to herself, "Excuse me, Officer Richards, but is there a ship's library?"
Does Hestia recall anything about this ship from the old days? Does she think she ever traveled on it? Academics(recall):4d3 - 8 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 2) - 8 + 1 = 1
Grace shoots Hestia a brief but stern look as she pours herself one of the vanilla nutrient beverages, attempting to change the subject.
"These drinks don't look half bad. When I was stationed on the Peleliu, all we had was recycled water and nutri-paste."
Richards lets out a laugh that is surprisingly musical. "What do you think this is? That said, they do have a way with even the most basic of supplies on the Citadel, and that's filtered through to here. If you close your eyes and don't breath through your nose, this stuff tastes like milkshakes."
"The Pulse," Hestia murmurs to herself, "Excuse me, Officer Richards, but is there a ship's library?"
Does Hestia recall anything about this ship from the old days? Does she think she ever traveled on it?
[dice=Academics(recall)]4d3-8+1
"A library? Wow. You stumped me kid, I gotta admit." Richard's brow knits in thought. "I think there might be some stuff regarding the history of the ship in the maintenance logs- those don't get wiped in case the ship has a history of hiccups. But what has you so curious?"
Her smile is innocent enough, but her eyes hold concern.
You don't think you ever travelled on this ship. The name is just too bland to really stand out in memory, but this is most definitely was a cerberus vessel. You can see the wood paneling in the mess, and the seats are far more comfortable than anything the alliance put together outside of maybe a captain's quarters.
"I like ships," she replies, "I like to read. I like to learn. I don't drink or gamble, so reading is a great way to pass the time on long trips." She shrugs, smiling. "What else is there to do with time off on board this ship, Officer? Any rec facilities?"
Gir was relaxing into the feel of being on a moving vessel once more, particularly such a smoothly run one. Ex-Cerberus vessel or not, it was still a feeling that couldn't be beaten. Though it could certainly be interrupted.
After Officer Richards' overly-friendly introduction, Gir tends to keep either Hestia or Grace between him and her, though he tries not to be obvious about it. He passes on the drink.
"I'd be interested in those logs as well. It always pays to know a ship's ins and outs." Gir added amiably. He aimed to learn as many as possible before the journey was out.
"I like ships," she replies, "I like to read. I like to learn. I don't drink or gamble, so reading is a great way to pass the time on long trips." She shrugs, smiling. "What else is there to do with time off on board this ship, Officer? Any rec facilities?"
"Well, there's always the shooting gallery. The smoke grenade range plays almost exactly like skee-ball. And one of the antennae doubles as a basketball hoop if you can go for a spacewalk...although that usually only happens while RITS are..you know...doing the RITS thing." She has the grace to blush a bit.
Gir was relaxing into the feel of being on a moving vessel once more, particularly such a smoothly run one. Ex-Cerberus vessel or not, it was still a feeling that couldn't be beaten. Though it could certainly be interrupted.
After Officer Richards' overly-friendly introduction, Gir tends to keep either Hestia or Grace between him and her, though he tries not to be obvious about it. He passes on the drink.
"I'd be interested in those logs as well. It always pays to know a ship's ins and outs." Gir added amiably. He aimed to learn as many as possible before the journey was out.
"I'll find them when I can, but you may want to check with either maintenance or engineering itself if I take too long for you."
