RP: Cirrus Station [Episode 5] A Unique Encounter

"Well!" Mimi clapped her hands together in glee as she watched everyone converse. "I'm happy that we're all getting along...but perhaps it is time we started discussing why exactly we've all be summoned here," Mimi explained, allowing Kess to step forwards and finish up. "To make a long story simperingly short," Kess said in a dry tone. "Our CSS squad has been given a few more members, and our old captain Dream is no longer going to be commanding us,"

"She's been promoted to an official position working full-time in her Freespacer Shrine!" Mimi chimed in between Kess' words.

Kess sighed and continued. "Indeed. As such, CSS Squad 35 is now being led by the previous captain of CSS Squad 57..." Kess gestured towards Kokuten. "...Staff Sergeant and newly-appointed captain Kokuten Gaiasis Chiaki the 5th."

---

Almost immediately after Kess finished her announcement, several volumetric screens opened up on all sides of the rest area. The virtual bulletin board against the wall itself changed from displaying Cirrus Station news and articles to match the pictures of the rest of the screens. It wasn't just Squad 35 seeing these screens, either; the entire station filled up and came to an awkward standstill as Head Administrator Cassefin Montreal's unusually exciting face appeared before them. A station-wide announcement from the Head Administrator herself...it must have been one of great significance.

From what the volumetric images could tell, Cassefin was sitting at the bridge of the Cirrus, a place that few people have ever seen. The scenery behind her wasn't really enough to give everyone the best view; instead, the position of the recording device was set so that it would see the enormous viewscreen on the bridge. Other than that it was simply more white walls and a visibly excited Head Administrator.

"Attention Cirrus Station!" Cassefin declared, nearly shaking with anticipation. The red-headed scientist pointed towards the screen behind her, which depicted an image of three medium-sized vessels. Although too distant to be identified correctly by sight, it was easy enough to tell that they were recent models...of the more aggressive type.

Cassefin continued. "I have wonderful news! As you all know, we are currently on the fringe of the Nepleslian Colonial Expanse and our small military escort has already jumped ahead of the Cirrus' current hyperspace travel course to secure the intended arrival zone. It appears that our displayed vulnerability has attracted the attention of several unsavory characters who have come to take advantage of our distance from civilization and our escort. The Cirrus Research Station has come under attack by hostile outlaws!"

No sooner had she finished, the fronts of the imaged ships dotted with muzzle flashes as they released another volley into the off-screen Cirrus.

The announcing of Kokuten as captain was a bit of a shock, but before Stovaa had time to comment, the holo-screens appeared and his attention was well and truly grabbed.

Cassefin Montreal said:

"The Cirrus Research Station has come under attack by hostile outlaws!"

Click to expand...

Something clicked inside Stovaa's head, something deep-seated into his psyche, just as the image of Cassefin had finished, even before the indications that the ships were firing at the Cirrus, it clicked. His face twisted into a half-sneer half smile, all his muscles seemed to tense and his fists pounded the air.

"YES! Finally, I get to kill somebody!" he said, louder than he should have, though not as loud as a shout. A split second later, so vibrant he could see it, he remembered that the Cirrus had a lot of non-combatant crew, and that he may well be stuck guarding some scientists in a broom closet somewhere, rather than out killing outlaws by the dozen with his knife and whatever spoons he could get his hands on.

"I mean, I might finally get to kill somebody, sir."

As always, Stovaa was as smooth as a hedgehog made of sandpaper.

Lance visably brightened, Combat... already... good. he thought to himself, straightening his back and clenching his fists in anticipation. Looking at Kokuton expectantly, Lance awaited orders as to what they should do next, the glimmer in his eyes showing clearly.

Hmm... the admin was certainly a little overly gleeful about being shot at... eh, well, it does mean some explosive fighting, I can live with that. He thought to himself as he mentally rewound the station-wide message.

"Like hell I am." Noboru grumbled lightly under his breath. Something about the timing seemed too perfect, but his inquiries would have to wait until after the battle to come would be finished.

"Alright then, Kokuten." Noboru looked towards his new squad leader. "What are our orders?"

Kokuten arched a brow at the attention he received before Cassefin's annoucement. He thought it was at least good that he wasn't going down in status. Though Cassefin's announcement seemed to throw that feeling off. He just sat for a moment staring at the announcement as the Administrator cautioned everyone aboard.

"YES! Finally, I get to kill somebody!" shouted Stovaa.

The man smiled inwardly as he saw her face paying little attention to Stovaa's outburst, feeling a little flutter within himself as he stared.

"I mean, I might finally get to kill somebody, sir." corrected Stovaa, Kokuten caught this, snapping himself from his gaze.

"Ah, just be sure your killing the right people." Kokuten nodded to the man, smiling. "I'd prefer we kick into this both feet at a time, but plan where we land."

"What are our orders?" said Noboru.

"First, we need to suit up, we'll be safest within our armor, with rifles in hand. Second, Mimi? Kess? Have you been relayed any sort of useful information, and how is the reaction to this on the rest of the station?" Kokuten said quickly, with yet a still prospering smile, he stood for a moment, brushing himself off.

Jen farrowed her brow, Looks like no round of drinks then, I was going to convince this guy to pay too, was her thoughts as the others seemed to become exciting at the idea of battle. While I don't get off on killing other human beings like the ID Sol over there, it is a good chance to do some real work around here.

Unlike most in the room she was already suited up, paint ball stain included. Though she hadn't thought much about the stain, or even aware of it at the moment. "I'm ready to go, all I need is to pick up a rifle," she said seriously, while this will be her first engagement with living pirates and not just practice, she wasn't about to make a fool of herself just yet.

"No disrespect, Captian." Serra pipped up. Pointing a thumb at the skintight jumper with metallic plating. "This is offical station combat armor for the security force. She then produced the rifle Cassifin designed, infact it was the same rifle Serra used on their last mission, the physical damage had mostly been repaired aside from several cracks in the plastic stock, and the barrel being slightly bent and bottle necked. "And this is our weapon."

"I'm with the other lady in the CSS Suit," Noboru said, looking over at Jen. "I'm already good to go; just need to get a rifle."

"Hm..." Claire frowned slightly at Cassefin's announcement. Her tone wasn't appropriate for someone whose life's work was under attack by pirates. Later perhaps. She turned to listen to some of the security making ridiculous denials for armor. Then of course, she turned and saw what this suit was about. She laughed, "I'm noticing a theme here. But it's alright." Claire looked over at Jen, "Why don't you wear it? Not ashamed of yourself, are you?" She was referring of course to the way the suit didn't leave as much to the imagination as their uniforms did. Claire of course had no problem with this whatsoever.

((Sorry for the short post. Inspiration is on vacation for me it seems.))

"Ah." Cyril said once Ms. C was finished with her inappropriately giddy announcement, his hand rising instinctively to the pistol holstered on his belt.

"You know, I was kind of hoping that I'd seen the last of those maintenance tunnels." He said to no one in particular. It was a given, based on what he remembered from the boarding assault drills back in basic, that the fighting wasn't going to be so kind as to keep itself to the nice open main hallways. He hadn't done half bad in those drills, but that didn't mean that he enjoyed it. It was vicious close stuff even in practice, and he wasn't looking forward to trying it live.

"Ah well. We might luck out yet, and actually get a pleasant assignment for a change." He said with a sigh, switching his hand from his side arm to his rifle. If things were going to go to hell, might as well go for the right tool for the job. His particular rifle was nearly brand new, being his second since coming to the station. His first issue of the cheap piece of crap had literally snapped in half about a month back.

Leaning back on his tail, he did a quick weapons check like he'd been taught. Serra was well onto setting the sergeant straight about the sorry state of equipment here on the station. No need to confuse their new leader with a second stream of identical info.

Richard, upon hearing the warning, quickly swung his skillet down to pick up his revolver, only succeeding in smacking himself in the leg really hard. After his leg stopped throbbing, he finally figuring out this wasn't working, he unscrewed the skillet and placed it in his belt.

He proceeded to pull the original metal hand out of his pocket and screw it in place. His metal hand ready, he pulled out his revolver.

"Sir! Request permission to pick up my medical supplies, for I am next to useless without them, sir!"

Richard seemed kinda clueless as to just how dumb the comment made him appear.

"I'm ready to go, all I need is to pick up a rifle," said Jen.

"I'm with the other lady in the CSS Suit," Akio said, before going on. "I'm already good to go; just need to get a rifle."

The Doctor turned Captain grinned at both of them, pleased by such enthusiasm.

"No disrespect, Captian." said Serra, as she began to display the faults of their equipment. The Nepleslian watching intently for the moment as pulled up the armor. "This is official station combat armor for the security force."

He nodded, and then was rather suprised by the weapon she drew forth, it's form twisted, as if it had been used to hit something.

"And this is our weapon." Serra seemed to finish.

Kokuten arched a brow at Serra, almost as if he didn't quite understand her. The Patrician intrigued him, she was unlike the ones he had met a year ago. Yet, it didn't seem the time for such thoughts.

"I can understand your qualms with the equipment, Miss Evangelle, in fact, I'm sure anyone who has been here long enough knows that. However, it's our only protection against the trials ahead. So, though I mean no offense, I suggest you make the best use of the armor and weapons you have." Kokuten nodded to the Patrician. Richard caught his eye with the trouble the Mad Hatter was having with his hand and skillet.

"Sir! Request permission to pick up my medical supplies, for I am next to useless without them, sir!" asked Richard.

"Permission denied, Mr. Matthews. Just keep that revolver handy, and not pointed in the direction of friendlies." Kokuten answered him.

Speedy twitched at the overanxious admin, he didn't hate her anymore then he did now... Oh well, at lest this place will be a little less boring. Speedy drew forth his own revolver, a HHG, snapped open the cylinder, loaded a set of rounds into it, and snapped it shut. "I won't need any preparations, I'm always ready." With that, he clenched his left hand into a tight fist, deploying the blade hidden inside with a pop.

Lance stepped forward, "Sir, perhaps it'd be best if we simply made our way to the nearest armory... Just looking around, I don't think we're fully prepared to fight back three ships worth of pirates with just what we have right now, sir." he put forth, before stepping back looking at the Sergant somewhat expectantly, after shooting a quick glance at Speedy and his knife.

All the boys seemed armed. Just one quick look around almost universally confirmed that. It left her feeling slightly more perplexed, in the wake of all the other muddling things that had just quickly occurred.

A change of command, a change from Montreal's usual attitude, and a trio of attack ships firing on the station. Though why they'd announce their presence so readily, even against an unescorted space station, was very odd. Something wasn't right about this whole situation, but she'd have time to muddle over that later.

Her eyes buzzed through the crowd again, and stopped as soon as she spotted Cyril. So he was back, after getting shuffled around the squads. She did her best to discreetly catch his attention, to give him a "Haven't seen you in a while" smile, before she threw her attention back towards their new CO.

So, suit up. Well, they'd just need to get to the delivery chutes, then. She didn't exactly bring a weapon with her everywhere she went.

She glanced towards the man who had spoken up. Lance, was it? "I need to suit up as well, sir. I didn't come here expecting gunfire."

Cyril caught Keziah's slight smile. He lifted his rifle to her in a wordless 'cheers', flashing her a grin back. There was a face that had was glad to see again. Good ol' Ozzy had showed up in 74 not long after he had, so at least some of the old posse was there, but he'd more or less lost track of Kaz. He'd run into her one or twice since Prilisa IV, but dfferent patrol schedules and the fact that he had spent most of his time with the 74's inside the walls had conspired to keep their paths separate.

Cyril snapped the magazine back into the rifle, and just the magazine.
After seeing just how easy it was to brake the projector on the plasma rifle portion of the gun, he was really hesitant actually put any power through it. He suspected that it was more likely to blow up in his face then anything else, and searing hot plasma would just ruin his complexion.

Serra looked at her rifle and, blushing slightly, lowered it.

"I am sorry sir." She started, " during our last mission, I... ah... clubbed something with my weapon out of surprise... The weapon promptly fell apart in my hands, mostly due to cost cutting and shoddy materials," Serra stammered. "I just recently fixed the blasted thing, but I lack the actual facilities to repair the damage my grip did to the barrel."

Both of the Savtechs looked very alarmed at first when they heard the announcement, upon which they appeared to 'freeze' up. This must be due to a massive amount of processing the two Savtechs were performing to learn exactly where they stood in the situation...apparently, running through data took priority over exact life-like animations from the station's volumetric projectors. After a moment or two as their CSS squad caught up to the moment and began making their plans, Kess and Mimi returned back to normal movements, both of them heaving sighs of relief.

Kokuten said:

"First, we need to suit up, we'll be safest within our armor, with rifles in hand. Second, Mimi? Kess? Have you been relayed any sort of useful information, and how is the reaction to this on the rest of the station?"

Click to expand...

Mimi's first reaction was to put her hands to her mouth and stifle a giggle. Kess simply smirked and crossed her arms. "I'm afraid that won't be necessary, captain," Kess answered Kokuten. "We...uh...happy? That you're all so enthusiastic, althou-"

Before the Savtech could finish and explain their bewildering reactions to such a threat, Cassefin's voice shrilled back to grasp the attention of the station.

"As you can see, these black-hearted villains have reached optimal range for the Cirrus Station's devastating newly-developed super-weapon...and now seems to be the perfect time to put it through its first live test!" Cassefin through out an exaggerated pointing gesture forwards, towards the images of the three pirate vessels. "Peke! Dick! Prepare to fire..."

"...THE CASSEFIN CANNON!"

---

Things stood still for a handful of seconds, the ships floating menacingly on the screen as the station held its breath for the ensuing display of so called 'super-power'. They wouldn't be waiting too long... suddenly, from somewhere offscreen, an enormous cylindrical object careened towards the trio of vessels. As the object grew more distant, it became easier to see; a large slate-gray rock, shoddily molded into an imperfect cylinder, no doubt made so in order to fit into the massive rail-gun that was the Cassefin Cannon. When the enormous hunk of asteroid got closer it became clear just how large the object was as it easily dwarfed the largest of the three ships.

Apparently the discharged Cannon round was a complete surprise to the pirates. Leaving them little time to react, the round collided with the vessel in the center of their formation and carried the unfortunate ship with it along its planned path, the collision and subsequent explosion barely so much as slowing down the velocity of the enormous hunk of rock. There was little more than a few scraps of wreckage left over from the pirate vessel when the dust had settled.

"YESSSSSS!" Cassefin cheered, cocking a clenched fist enthusiastically. "Alright! Begin loading another Planet Cork into the Cassefin Cannon! We shall destroy the remaining two, post haste!"

Of course, due to the fact that each of the gargantuan shells for the Cassefin Cannon had to be manually loaded into the barrel of the free-floating cannon platform by teams of Wolverine construction vehicles, it took nearly 15 minutes to 'reload' the extravagant weapon. By then, the other two pirate ships had already turned tail and ran. The slowness of the reloading ground into Cassefins patience, and by the time it was through, her cheerful mood had gone rather sour.

"Well...I suppose one test is better than none. Alright everyone...as you were."

The volumetric screens littering the Cirrus Station faded...and things returned back to the moment they had been before the attack had ensued.

---

"Well," Kess said, a little amused by the spectacle she had just witnessed. "I guess we won't be fighting any pirates today. Captain, if you and your squad are ready, we'll need you all suited up." Kess waved a hand towards the opposing wall, where Mimi stood with a smile, presenting the Pnuematic Delivery System tube to her squad.

"Once you all are done, we'll move to today's assigned patrol area. It will be a little different for some of you as we will be patrolling the Armament Development and Evaluation laboratories...a first for a handful of you. There are some special rules in addition to our old rules for us to follow as we perform our regular patrol work." Kess went on.

Noboru stood in what could only be described in his "fish out of water" pose; his bug-eyed goggles seemed impossibly larger and his jaw gaped about to the base of his neck. He stared at the viewscreen even as it went black and faded out.

He then turned back towards the rst of the crowd, still holding up a feebly pointing hand. "What... the fuck... was that!?"

Speedy sighed. He mumbled "I hate narcissists..." As quickly as he was he unloaded his weapon, and stuck it back in the holster. "I'd call that even more proof (if we didn't have enough) that the boss lady is insane."