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"I am well," comes the android's voice. Like the two ysoki, he is not inconvenienced by the sudden darkness, though the fact that it has happened, as well as the whats and whys of it, certainly intrigue him enough. "Indeed, " he agrees with Reskk's advice and does just that. "Should we investigate?"
"The Expedition seems to have a purpose other than mere exploration and boldly going where no one has gone before," Caleb finally says in an even voice after pondering the strange message for a few moments. Examining the text, he allows Lena, his internal computer's AI, to also read it through his eyes, seeking a bit more clarity within the broken words.
Having been brought up to speed with current events -more or less- and with what the Exodus is and its purpose -again, more or less- Caleb joins the others for the drill just in time for their Captain's offer to be shot by Molly. "I am fairly certain this is not standard operating procedure for a crew of sentients," he remarks, though he does look on with interest. "Nevertheless, please proceed. I am curious as to the point of this display. A bonding ritual perhaps?"
"Do you mind if I join you, Bishop?" Considering how he found himself on the ship and this time, Caleb considers getting acquainted as best he can with his new circumstances of utmost importance. That includes getting to know the massive ship they are in and also accessing any database he can get his hands on in order to catch up with what has transpired in the galaxy in the years or rather decades he has been 'asleep'.
"This is... educational," Caleb simply remarks to Bishop, watching the exchange between the vesk and the two humans rather dispassionately. "Not that Molly and Jacob's point is not a valid one though."
"And I am...," Caleb adds as soon as Reskk finishes talking about species differences, searching into his memory and finding fragments here and there, "...complicated." "And I believe the term you are searching for is feather tickler," he replies to Molly regarding a question she never asked. "Feather teaser is also an acceptable name."
"I am certain there are quarters available," Caleb interjects. And then he realizes he is not sure where he is to stay when off duty either. "Actually, Molly," he turns to the woman, "where are we supposed to stay? Being newcomers that is."
"Tree...?" Caleb repeats the word softly as a fraction of a second later his brain catches up. "Ah, three. Three asteroids," he says to the inebriated ysoki. "That is actually a very good question. More dreadnoughts perhaps? I wonder if we will be finding the answer to that question..." He stops talking as he once again takes notice of the one he is talking to. "Are you alright?"
Raising his glass to mimic the others' gesture, Caleb nevertheless does not partake of the drink. Instead, his eyes move from one new companion to the other. 'You could mingle, you know,' the AI whispers in his mind. 'Get to know your new friends? Just a thought...' There is a moment of thinking the words over before the android finally rises from his seat and moves to another one. One close to their Vesk captain. 'Really? That is the one you pick...?' "Hello, Captain," he says to the one called Tujonvrek, ignoring Lena's comment. "If I may ask, how did you become their... our Captain? Why? Is it to 'advance your ambitions'?" At the predictably incredulous look he probably receives, he simply shrugs. [b]"I should get to know you better."
"Luck and skill both I think are the reasons we survived unscathed," Caleb interjects, his tone even, matter-of-fact. He is simply stating a fact from his point of view. "We could have had all the luck in the world, as the saying goes, and it would have amounted to nothing if we were not capable at the same time."
"I do believe we have them well under way," Caleb replies with a look at Reskk. "Or at the very least catalogued and prioritized? I have also set the computers on a defragmentation cycle after they finish processing the data we managed to get from those surface guns and the dreadnaught, little though it may be."
"Thank you," Caleb says simply with a nod of his head as he takes a moment to look at Reskk work. "You are quite capable yourself." Having stayed behind to assess the damage, the android nevertheless pauses from his work to watch the broadcast on one of the many screens, taking in what is being said as best he can.
'Well, a shady organization,' the AI in his head says in a voice only he can hear, the tone quite dry indeed. 'Now where have we seen another one like that before...' "Hmm...," Caleb mutters to apparently no one in particular as he checks at first the ship's computers and then the engines in order to make a list of damages and then prioritize repairs as their Captain "suggested" only minutes ago. "You could always lend a hand. You seem to have a way with machines and systems," the android says simply. "I would certainly not mind. And from the Captain's words, neither will he. If anything, he will probably like you more." Mechanics:
As their ship lands -of sorts- in the hangar bay, Caleb unbuckles himself from his seat and stands up, taking stock of his surroundings and the other members of the crew. It would seem sudden movements of the spinning variety did not agree with them as the sounds of vomiting and heaving are all around him. "Are you alright? Do you require...," the android asks, seemingly unperturbed by both the motion sickness overcoming the others and the puddle of Molly's stomach contents he rather gracefully manages to sidestep, ...assistance of some sort?" Mechanics:
"Yes, quite," Caleb remarks more than a little drily. "But for any... plying to come, we should perhaps survive this first." Despite the comment, the android appears unafraid as he turns his strange eyes to look at the dreadnaught rising from under the moon's surface. "Fascinating...," he adds as he attempts to scan it, perhaps find out something more about it other than the fact that it is huge and quite threatening. Mechanics:
"There," Caleb says softly after a few moments of making a number of scans and calibrations using the console in front of him. "There is a vulnerability in the turret's design. I am sending the information to your targeting screen, Jacob. Try to aim at the indicated spot, small though it is." Mechanics:
"Perhaps some more detailed information on the weapons firing at us might prove valuable," the mostly silent android finally speaks up as he takes a seat behind one of the Harridan's computer consoles, a science officer's station as it turns out, scanners and more at his fingertips. Although it does take him a moment to familiarize himself with the controls, between his own cybernetic brain and Lena, as well as perhaps, just perhaps, the ability to adapt to most situations if given enough time, Caleb begins directing the ship's scanners towards the surface to air guns firing at them. Mechanics:
Like the others Caleb directs his gaze towards the sky and the battle raging high above them, the lack of sound doing little to diminish the gravity of the situation. Still, they have a job to do, so to speak, and people to help reach safety. To that end, once the last of the survivors is safely out of the door, the android takes his eyes from the fighting above and the wreckage around them and makes for their ship, not neglecting to steal glances around them in case of any unpleasant surprises. Mechanics:
"Disagreement is a bit too... lenient a word to describe what I am hearing," Caleb says simply before joining Reskk in front of the glowing door. "I hope you do not mind if I lend a hand, so to speak," the android remarks as he begins examining the obstacle in their path. Although, unlike the ysoki, he does not use any actual tool kit, the HUD display in his field of vision activates once more as it looks for vulnerabilities and hidden locks. Mechanics:
"A Leviathan?" Although Caleb simply appears to repeat the word, the android nevertheless looks at Reskk and the scientists as he does so before following up with a question as the group starts moving out. "Does that word or name sound familiar to you?"
Like Molly before him, Caleb seeks to take advantage of the element of surprise as he raises his pistol, aims and fires at the bigger of the robots in front of them. Mechanics:
Caleb opts to ready his pistol this time and waits for the explosion soon to come and the fighting that may follow.
"Lost? Yes, we have," Caleb mutters softly, the words appearing to indicate agreement with the vesk's own, even if the tone is slightly odd. "Although I must admit finding myself on the ship was not exactly by choice as much as it was by circumstance," he adds then and shrugs, a very human-like mannerism indeed. "Regardless, here we all are."
"Thank you, Bishop," the android says simply, putting up a hand to decline the offer. "I have... been provided with one such serum, it would seem. You may as well keep yours for now in case someone else needs it." As he finishes speaking, he drinks the concoction and as soon as the vial is emptied, nanites in his body spring to life, energized by the serum, and get to work patching up his wounds. The sensation is... odd. And somewhat familiar, as if some distant memory is stirred. "Hmm... Letting the microscopic machines do their job, he turns to look at their Captain, examining him in a way and listening to what he says to Jacob. There is the mannerism of a sigh. 'That was rash,' he ponders briefly but says nothing, his thoughts echoing Lena's words at the beginning of the fight. Instead, he focuses on resting, catching his breath so to speak.
Unconsciousness or at least the appearance of it does not last long as Caleb sits up and then proceeds to carefully stand up, albeit somewhat unsteadily. 'It might be a good idea to use your gun next time, if only to soften the enemy up,' the familiar voice in his mind speaks up, its tone with a hint of dryness coloring it. The android nods almost imperceptibly to seemingly nobody as he looks around, relieved that the fight is over. It would have been... annoying to have woken up after so long only to be destroyed shorty after.
Despite the discomfort it causes, Caleb notes the damage is minor, more or less at least. Allowing himself but a moment to look for the optimal place to strike, the android retaliates with a punch, strong enough to make a fist-sized dent in the construct's outer armor.
With two of the robots apparently fighting each other for some reason, Caleb pauses for but a moment to assess the situation and shift his focus to another of the mechanical beings, at least for now. Then, moving a few steps forward, he puts himself before the construct and Tujonvrek and stands ready to finally contribute to the fight.
Taking advantage of how the robots seem to be more focused on firing at the others, Caleb moves forward carefully, perhaps slowly but surely closing the distance in an attempt to engage one of their foes in melee and perhaps have that one not shoot at his newfound companions.
"That was an... unusual approach to the situation at hand, Captain," Caleb simply states, his tone calm and the words obviously quite an understatement. 'Rush and unwise would be putting it politely,' Lena's familiar voice rings in his mind. There is just the mere hint of a smile as the android moves forward. The situation is what it is so he may as well commit himself. A similar HUD as before appears in his field of vision and as he turns to look at one if the constructs, the second one to start raising its firearm, optimal targets on its body are selected and several attack options are presented to him. Mechanics:
"He is certainly enthusiastic," Caleb remarks as he sees their vesk captain dart down the tunnel, seemingly not a care in the world other than glory and how best to gain it. "And I think the answer to your question, Jacob, is yes, he does want point," he also takes a moment to answer the soldier as he moves alongside the others down the corridor, knife and pistol still in their sheath and holster respectively. 'Things,' he ponders, 'and fearless ones at that. Creatures of some sort or something else, I wonder?'
"This does not sound good," Caleb points out, though the urgency behind the words should be clear enough to everyone. Looking around, the android takes a deep breath, or at least goes through the motions of one. "This is the crew of the Harridan," he replies through the comms. "We copy, Ilicia. What is the matter?" Then, as if remembering he is part of a team now, one with a captain, he turns to look at the vesk, his expression mildly apologetic.
Leaning down next to Molly, Caleb nods at her before turning to look at the open console, examining it intently. Although he does not seem to actually do anything, nevertheless a HUD that only he -and Lena- can see appears in his field of vision, as numbers and symbols come and go and certain wires and connections are highlighted and then discarded as options. Finally, he points at one of the connections and the somewhat obvious, if minimal, damage it seems to have sustained. At least minimal at first glance. Mechanics:
Unable to communicate in another way, the android settles for catching the others' attentions and pointing towards some wheel tracks leading from the science ship towards the pylons that mark a path towards apparently a cave. There are also foot prints and a path towards the crater wall, as well as a hatch above the ramp of the ship. Caleb shrugs. And then he looks at their captain and the others, waiting to follow their lead for now.
Perhaps still a little disoriented from his long "slumber", Caleb fails to notice anything worthwhile regarding the scientists' ship. Keeping his sidearm holstered, at least for the moment, the android follows along, obviously still in the process of acclimating himself to his new -very new- circumstances. "You seem to be enjoying yourself, Bishop," he notes conversationally, his tone even and perhaps a little friendly. His eyes, however, do not remain on the ysoki but instead get back to observing the ship, as well as his surroundings. Talk of comm signals being jammed always works to make someone be a little more careful. Mechanics:
"'Hidden' is not quite the word I would use, not entirely appropriate given my situation," Caleb replies to Bishop as he apparently assumes the position of the ship's engineer. "I think 'stored' would be a more... appropriate term, seeing as however I found myself on board your ship, I was... let us say, asleep at the time." As the Harridan -a rather fetching name if the android does think so himself- at first approaches and then finally lands on the moon in question, Caleb does check his weapons and armor for a few moments, making sure they are functional; after all, he is unsure of how long he and them had been in that box before he found himself awake once more. Lastly, he takes a look at the combination of personal comm unit and computer that rests on his left forearm. 'I did tell you introducing yourself would break the proverbial ice,' the familiar feminine voice says in his mind, eliciting a brief little smile from him. "I... thank you, Captain...?" There is just the hint of uncertainty at a proper response to Tujonvrek's words. Unlike most of them, he does not bother with a helmet or an air supply, even though his armor is equipped to provide both the latter and an equivalent of the former, seeing as how he does not actually breathe, nor does he suffer the usual ill effects of vacuum.
Caleb sighs, but nevertheless does not neglect to turn to the only woman among the crew and smile a thin little smile. "Thank you for the information," he says softly and quite politely. And then he turns to the other android. "The choice is yours as to what you prefer, engineering or sensors," he remarks simply. "I do seem to be even more of a newcomer than the rest of you, so you choose. I am comfortable in either position." He then gives the vesk, Tujonvrek, a glance and adds to Cane, "But I think it would be wise if you made your choice quickly. I do not believe your... well, our captain is a particularly patient one."
Slightly taken aback by the vesk captain's apparent nonchalance with which he issues him orders, the android nevertheless does not hurry to follow them. Yet. Instead he stands there for a few moments, long enough for the others to take a better look at him. Standing about six feet tall from the look of him, he resembles a fit and somewhat slender human male with raven black shoulder-length hair, more so than most androids when the complete lack of the glowing tattoo-like circuitry that is a defining characteristic of most -if not all- of his race is taken into consideration. Still, his pale skin has a synthetic look to it and his eyes certainly are not human eyes, as their colors appear almost inverted with their black sclera and white irises and absence of discernible pupils. Covered from the neck down in simple functional clothing, albeit a little out of what would be currently considered fashion so to speak, including a pair of black gloves, there is a tactical semi-automatic pistol holstered by his right hip and a survival knife resting in a horizontal sheath at the small of his back. He also appears to be holding a rather nondescript backpack. "Not that your... acceptance of my presence is not appreciated, Captain," he finally says, "but... where am I? What is this ship?" He pauses for but a moment and finally decides to ask one last -for the moment at least- question. "What year is this?" 'You should probably also introduce yourself,' a small feminine electronic voice that only he can hear -at least in this particular instance- reminds him. 'If only to make things just a little less awkward.' "Ah, yes," he says softly to no one in particular. "My name is Roo... My name is Caleb. Caleb Rook."
Inside a box within the ship's cargo hold something stirs. Or rather someone. And he does not so much stir, not at first, as come online, eyelids opening after years and years of slumber and eyes of black and white seeing once more, easily piercing the darkness within the container. "Hmm..." Looking down at himself -there is room enough for that at least- he finds he is pleased to see that he is dressed. His hands too, much to his... well, delight would be too strong a word, but it probably fits well enough. And there seems to be a backpack alongside him. "We did think you would need some things when next you awakened." The voice -familiar, so very familiar- surprises him at first, at least until it introduces itself. "I am Lena. I suppose I am your computer. But we will have more time to get acquainted later. Now, you really should get out of this." Smiling thinly, the man, or rather the android, nods in agreement, even though Lena is not exactly able to see it. And then feels for the inside of the container he has found himself in. There is actually a way to open it. From the inside. And open it he does, rising and stepping out of it, backpack in hand, as soon as he is able to. Then he takes a few moments to look around, take in his surroundings. "A ship," he concludes, but that information hardly helps as much as he would like. Very well, he is in a ship. Where though? When? How? As he ponders these questions, he starts moving around. Thankfully, it is not a very large ship, which means he does not get lost all that much. Not only that, but it does not take him too long to find the bridge. And with it two humans, a man and a woman, an ysoki and a vesk. 'Quite the crew,' he thinks. "Good...," he begins, quickly pausing as he realizes he has no idea what time it is. Difficult to tell under the circumstances really. "...day," he finishes. "As in the 24-hour period, not the specific sunlit part of it." He feels he should be specific.
"Simple business really," Caleb answers with a shrug and an incredulous look towards his companions. "We have a meeting with the esteemed Popara the Hutt's respesentatives."
With quite a few time until they arrive at their destination Caleb finds himself sparring with the newly unfrozen Jedi, even inviting Mao to join them. Between themselves and a bit of improvisation he shows the others the basics of both blocking a lightsaber, as well as deflecting a shot from a blaster. The Kel Dor is a quick enough study, being the more combat-inclined of the three, but even the more diplomatic Quen seems to pick it up quickly enough. Still, it would require more practice if they are to use such skills at a moment's notice. "Should it? I do not recall Master Wolf saying so," Caleb says conversationally, having just finished a sparring session. "Perhaps we should add one or two? Being respectable ne'er-do-wells and all."
"Well, I would be interested, I guess," Caleb says with a look at the ship's controls. "I am a bit curious to see how it goes. Just do not ask me to do any daring maneuvers." He winks. "Yet."
"Not me, no," Caleb replies with a shrug. "I was more the sneaky con-man type of scoundrel rather than the devil-may-care pilot type."
"Scoundrels, huh? Rogues and ne'er-do-wells," Caleb quips with a smile. "Yes, I believe I remember how that goes. I may be a little rusty though." He shrugs. "But I bet it is like riding a bike. Probably." "Were I still a betting man that is. And if I were one, I would make another bet. That we are not the only ones who know and are interested in the information this Hutt has." "So, what I am saying is that finding ourselves face to face with other interested and not so friendly parties is rather likely."
"Well, that must have been some rest from the sound of it. At least you have not been sleeping the years away as a carbonite popsicle though." Though far from cold or cruel, the other Jedi's tone does have more than a hint of irreverence. The smile on his face though is friendly enough, if a little mischievous. "I am called Caleb. Caleb Rook. Come on Mao, where are your manners? Introduce yourself." He shakes his head. "And to think Master Wolf calls me rude. Or is it snarky? I keep forgetting." He shrugs. "Probably both, depending on the occasion." Regarding the ship:
Quick backstory for Caleb: A con-man when he was younger, upon realizing he could use the Force, Caleb only saw it as one more tool at first. Still, he did use his skills, mundane and otherwise, against affiliates and sympathizers of the Empire rather than the common folk. But as it usually happens when one pushes his luck a bit too far, he did eventually find himself in trouble, Imperials knocking at his door so to speak. He did manage to escape then, only to find himself trying to con a Jedi for a ride off-world. What can I say, other than that the Force works in mysterious ways? Recognizing his abilities the Jedi took him under his wing so to speak, training him despite his age and soon enough bringing him to the Jedi Order, or rather what remains of it.
Not wanting to be the one to start a fight, Caleb assumes a more defensive stance, appearing non-threatening but ready to act if need be. He brings to mind his holstered pistol, hoping he will not need to draw it.
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