RP Concluded [Lorath Colonial] Get Off My Cloud

[DocTomoe]

Hey Everybody! It's DocTomoe here!

I just wanted to tell you what is going on in this thread, for this, we're going to be riding on the 'Soft Canon' train, with the full intent of making something that can be applied to canon. Mainly, we're going to be doing this as an open RP for the sake of getting some fresh faces involved, not having to go through the formality of character bios, and mainly, doing what this section is for, cutting the red tape.

Enjoy this bit of colonial adventure, have fun, and venture out into the frozen tundra of Tange IV. But beware, untold obstacles lay in wait beneath the frost and snow!

Prologue

Sweep and clear, scan, sweep and clear, scan, survey, document, scan, and conduct another sweep and clear. That was the song and dance for months after the NMX had swept through the Yugumo Cluster, and had driven away the populace of the United Outer Colonies from a number of their settlements and well established colonial worlds. Though, it was not the shattered broken remains of the Peacekeepers, or even the Yamataian imperialists which had taken over the duties of the UOC government which were conducting the recovery operations in the system, no, it was the Lorath Matriarchy.

There was a simple problem on the hands of the Matriarchy, a real-estate and refugee problem. Inundated with refugees from the NMX invasion of the Cluster, the Lorath Matriarchy had been able to provide for, feed, and and house the refugees for some time, but, with the rapid reproduction rate of the synthetic populace and the numbers involved, the Matriarchy knew full well that they would have to relocate the refugees, while also providing a location for their own people to spread out, as recent clutch-counts were showing a distinctive population boom, combined with the increase in Helashio seeking homes and property, the demand for new colonies was at a high, and that was what led the LSDF and the civilian space fleet of the Matriarchy to renew their expansion efforts.

What the Matriarchy knew was clear; there was no interest displayed by the Yamataian leader in the area, Morioka, in the Tange system. There was no interest by anyone really, aside from settlers wishing for backing in regard to taking control of the system, and providing the financial and material backing to hold the system and protect it as civilization was returned to the aborted colony which sat at the back door of the Yugumo Cluster.

What that meant though, was settlers had to reclaim the land, settle in, and start anew...

Date: YE 35 - Lorath Post Exile Year 549
Location: Nir-Class Colony Ship, Tange System, Tange IV

"So let me get this straight." Spoke a Lmanel clad in thick furs and leathers who stood at the service window of a makeshift quartermaster distribution center which was built out of an old shipping container. "You give me a rifle, a tool kit, a radio, a sled team, and 1,000 HS and then I'm supposed to go out in the frozen wastes out there and set up a homestead?"

"Um... yeah... pretty much." Spoke the LSDF uniform clad Helashio behind the window, who was already sounding somewhat intimidated, yet at the same time, irritated. "You signed a standard minimum obligation colonist contract, that entitles you to those initial supplies until you designate a one to four hectare area of land in which to claim as your homestead and as an area to serve as landlord over. Then you will be supplied with materials to build three initial buildings designated as sleeping quarters, supply storage, and livestock facilities."

There was a thoughtful expression on the face of the Lmanel, before a wide smile crossed her pale white features, and a gleam was clear in her amber gaze. "That's what I hoped! I was thinking it was too good to be true, but here it is." there was a joy in the Lmanel's voice, a joy that was apparent... she wanted the adventure, the opportunity, the chance to claim a place as her own, and to settle somewhere untouched and unspoiled. "Give me the goods, and I'll give the Matriarchy a new piece of Lorath managed land."

"Whoa there, you do know you're expected to travel with a team, right?" Spoke the Helashio, looking somewhat bothered by the hot-and-cold behavior of the Lmanel.

"A team? Seriously?" With that, the Lmanel's excitement was clearly doused, as she let out a huff which crystallized into a frozen mist that poured into the tundra air.

"A team, we do not want settlers venturing out on their own entirely. We want settlers going out in groups to ensure mutual survival. As a group, the settlers will go out and pick out their homesteads, document the location, and move on with the group until everyone in the team has designated their homestead. With the marker information, we will be able to air-lift supplies on-site for each settler and their home they're establishing." Came the explanation. "You should already know this, you did read the information provided in full, right?"

There was a momentary pause from the Lmanel, before she crossed her arms and looked off to the side "Pfft, no.".

There was a grumble from the Helashio soldier as he looked in his records "Well, you better start... miss..." it took a moment before the Helashio's gaze read her name meant for usage in shared company; "Fulmar."

There was a sigh from Fulmar as she gave a light sigh; "Alright, alright, so whats the deal from this point?"

As if speaking from some set of instructions, the Helashio replied "You are to wait in the settler supply depot perimeter, you are free to gather supplies and equipment, and when all members of your group have reported in, you will be free to depart."

"Argh, fine fine, I guess I should go shopping then..." and with that, Fulmar left the quartermaster shack, and made her way over to another grouping of once-cargo-container buildings for the purpose of shopping for supplies with her 1,000 HS allowance granted to her by the Matriarchy.

 

[Deziarra]

Some time later, a woman who appeared about 22 entered the room with a man who appeared about 20 close behind her. She spoke first.

"Explorer Ahar'ria 'Windtalker' Lmanel," she said. She was 5'9" with gray skin hair dyed green, the color of her house, Lmanel. Her bond was with the wolf.

"Explorer Reg'los 'Lighthouse' Lmanel," he said immediately afterwards. He was 6'1" with slightly tanned skin and hair also died green. His bond was with the bear. He towered over his sister despite being the younger of the two.

 

[Arieg]

He was one of many faces wandering around the assembly area, one of many looking for some kind of new life.. one away from what they'd seen for the last few years. He was a Jiyuuan, a former peacekeeper that.. upon hearing his last order to turn himself over to the Yamatains, had practically thrown his insignia at his commanding officer and walked off. That was during Yamatai's re-acquisition, or as some put it.. conquest of what was left of the free UOC colonies. Now he stood with a Lorath guide in his hand, behind a pair of Lmanel and their bonded, waiting for his turn in line.

 

[DocTomoe]

Warm air poured from the window where the Helashio clerk worked at a computer console. For the pair of Lmanel, there was a sound that accompanied the process, a sssskkkkrrrt skkkkrrrrrrt that was the thrashing of a magnetic disc drive, a genuine antique of data management, and there it was, spinning away within the computer console, and what served as the main source of heat within the shed were the file-cabinet sized databanks networked in the back of the shed, using the same antiquated technology. Simply, it seemed the shed was stocked with the cheapest surplus equipment possible, and, the easiest to fix if need be.

When the pair of Lmanel announced themselves, the Helashio's finger tips clattered against the Lorath-designed keyboard, as the Helashio pulled up the data records regarding the Lmanel. "Windtalker, Lighthouse, you two are registered under our 'buddy program' I see, it seems you will be put into a group together and will not be separated." spoke the Helashio, going over the applicant information. "Your records and application seem to be in order. Do you have any questions or declarations?" asked the clerk, as he prepared the requisition slips for the two Lmanel to pick up their supplies from the depot.

Beside the Helashio clerk's window, the metal siding of the shed slid open, revealing another make-shift clerk window, as a New Tur'listian peeked her head out, as the cold air caused her pixie-cut pale blue hair to be tussled about. Her amber gaze spotted the Jiyuuan, as she waved him over. "Over here, over here, no need to wait." spoke the LSDF uniform clad Lorath, as she prepared to process the Jiyuuan's information, much as her Helashio associate was for the Lmanel.

 

[Deziarra]

"Yes, I have a question," said Lighthouse. "Could you give us more information about the path we're going to be taking?"

While Lighthouse was speaking, Windtalker got the goods and equipment for both herself and her brother.

"Thank you," he said taking his items.

"You're welcome," she replied listening intently to any information they were willing to provide.

 

[DocTomoe]

"Largely, we've left that open ended for you settlers to take on. However, there are some 'recommended' routes for you to take." Spoke the Helashio, mildly surprised by the question, since most of the 'adventuring' sorts did not even bother to ask the question of directions, and often just set out into the tundra to make their own way.

"In your supplies, you will be given a map." as he spoke, the Helashio picked up a large screened data pad, and held it up for the pair of Lmanel to see, and upon the screen was a topographical map, indicating elevations, inclines, key terrain features, and the such. "Maps will include topographical data taken via orbital and low-altitude sensor scan, as well as visual data from the low-altitude scans." While explaining the Helashio thumbed at an icon on the pad, and soon a series of lines emanated from the location on the map which indicated where they currently were, the lines seemed to spread out like a spiderweb, or shattered glass.

"These lines indicate areas which have been swept by LSDF power armor troops. They have been confirmed clear of any remaining hostiles from the invasion, any insurgents, or colonial stragglers which could be wanting to start a fight, at least at the time in which the sweeps were conducted, which was anywhere between a day and a month ago depending on the location. Locations which have been swept are recommended as safe for exploration and closer evaluation." stated the Helashio before he touched on the next matter; "There are also terrain features which have been observed as favorable for travel, and have been marked on your map. Most notably, there is a basin syncline which runs from a location about thirty kilometers north from here, and runs in a north-western direction for about two-hundred kilometers, and ends in a wide canyon in which we have detected liquid water, and above-freezing temperatures. It seems to be a thermal hotspot, and could prove promising for a colonial town. There are a few other points of interest around as well, each of which will be listed on your maps."

With the lengthy explanation complete, the Helashio felt a little spent, but he soon set aside the data pad and gave a light nod. "We let our explorers and colonists do as their instincts drive them to do, we just ask that you report in, keep in touch, and provide periodic updates to our database in regard to what you find out there."

 

[Deziarra]

Windtalker and Lighthouse got together and looked at the map closely. Although they were adventures, they were also explorers so they were not going to rush in foolishly without taking the time to prepare. They paid particularly close attention so the thermal hotspot where a colonial town could be built.

"Bringing other adventures with us will lessen our share of the profit, but it will increase our chances of getting there," said Windtalker. "We should see who wants to come with us before starting our journey."

"The more the merrier," agreed Lighthouse. "Even if we share the location, there should be more than enough riches for all of us."

The matter was settled. Windtalker help up the map for the other adventures in the room to see.

"We are headed her," she said pointing to the thermal hotspot. "If any of you want to come with us, we will give you an equal share of the profit."

 

[DocTomoe]

There was a sort of silence on the part of the clerk, who watched the pair of Lmanel with a bit of skepticism as he scratched his nose and waited for them to move along, and once they had, he put up a sign indicating 'Next Window Please', the next window actually being an automated voucher and information kiosk installed beside the actual manned help window.

Within the area designated for trade, commerce, and official dispensaries of supplies there was a steady bustle of civilians from within the Lorath Matriarchy, foriegners which had received the proper clearance to be attached to the expedition, and military personnel clad in a combination of synthetic polymer backed leather trench coats, and woolen greatcoats. Generally, the atmosphere could be summed up as busy, enough so that it was clear there was an eagerness amongst those gathered, an eagerness to spread out beyond the confines of the base camp, and begin proper colonization efforts. That desire to move out into the wastes was underlined by the hulking old-fashioned construction machines which were parked adjacent to the supply depot, alongside a few dozen of the Matriarchy's Paa-Zem type construction pods.

Though, there seemed to be a location in which most of the settlers came and went from, and that was another of the converted cargo containers, in this case, one which had been converted into a large kitchen, with a long service counter where the settlers were being served an assortment of simple dishes, mainly soups, savory gravy-soaked dishes, and flat-bread wrapped masses of vegetables and meat. None the less, there were people gathered there, eating what for some would be their last hot meal that was made by someone other than themselves.

Amongst the crowd, there was a Helashio who had just sat down on his own. There was one thing that set him apart from the LSDF-trained Helashio which were present, and even the civilian Helashio which scurried about; the fact that he looked 'healthy'. Broad shouldered, eyes which were focused and attentive, and a lack of the distinctive 'slouch' that the bulk of the Helashio population seemed to have as a part of their cultural identity which leaked through even in their posture.

At a glance, any of the natives to the Matriarchy would know, it was a Helashio which was never a slave, and had never lived a day of confinement in his life, it was one of the free roaming Helashio which had lived on Lor and had elected to live separately of the other members of their species, in the wilds of the planet, in their own primitive culture; that was until the events of the moon-drop, and the evacuation of Lor which took place in expectation of the SMX attack which never came to finish the job.

There was something that was told though, just from the look the Helashio spared to those seated in benches adjacent to where he sat; he was looking for people he could trust to travel with, not social trust, nor the trust of friendship; but the trust of them being able to stay alive and productive out in the wilds which were outside of the camp.