RP: Cirrus Station [Episode 8] That Sinking Feeling

[Lamb]

Blake remained in silent contemplation throughout the entire series of events. When Kokuten suggested searching the upper levels, Blake didn't make a move. When Cassefin produced weapons, he armed himself quietly. By the time he was finished arming himself, he had an idea.

"I think I may know a way to get us more information," he said, stepping forward into the group, "I wasn't a member of Squad 35 during the original attack, so there's no need to hide my face. I could slip out of the elevator in the uniform I'm wearing under my armor. It's the athletic uniform, so it's got no markings on it. These handguns are easily concealed. I could pose as a guest, or if need be; an enemy. I could use my uncommon face to blend in and gather information. If worse comes to worse, I could use the gun."

Blake exhaled sharply after his narrative and scratched the back of his helmet, where his head-stubble was itching uncontrollably. In the back of his head, he hoped that his plan was sound for that reason alone; the possible saving of the day or gathering of information slowly becoming secondary to scratching his head.

 

[MoonMan]

"What about Popjoy?" Cassefin said snidely, crossing her arms across her chest as she stared at Kokuten. "Fallen for her already, eh? Popjoy can take care of herself. Wherever she is, she's probably a lot safer than I am," Looking over to Serra, the Head Administrator didn't seem too thrilled about the prospect. "I would prefer it if the team had a number advantage... but I suppose having one remain behind would solve a few problems."

Cassefin merely nodded once to respond to Clair as she turned her attention back to Tweak. "Are you going to take this thing, or should I give it to someone else," the fiery administrator said, waving Kess's unit out in her outstretched hand.

 

[MissingNo]

"Miss Tweak, I want you to scout outside this elevator for a stairwell, if you find anything, report and return as quickly as you can. Do not take any risks, just observe, collect, and return. If you hit a spot of trouble, contact me." The Captain nodded to her, giving her his usual warm smile and then turned back to the panel he was at.

Tweak nodded and checked her armor, the suit, and her helmet briefly before starting toward the elevator door.

"Before you go, I have something for you," Cassefin spoke back up, pressing a small level along the edge of the machine. A compartment along the side opened up, revealing an extending tray holding roughly half a dozen .45 handguns and extra magazines.

Cybernetics nothing...those were what set off the scanners when the administrator had walked through! Tweak stifled a smile and took one of the guns and as many magazines as she would be allowed while leaving enough for everyone else. She silently agreed with Cassefin's next admonition that the guns only be used as a last resort while deconstructing and reassembling the weapon's basic components to make sure she knew what the mechanisms were and how it operated. As she stowed the ammo and the weapon among her armor plates, though, she got another surprise...

Cassefin stood up and looked at Tweak specifically. The red-haired woman picked up Kess' savtech device and held it out for Tweak to accept. "Your objective is to get this Savtech to their computer core. It will then attempt to override the eco-terrorists efforts at stalling security systems and hopefully regain control. You seem to be the most capable of the team, Tweak. I hope my trust isn't misplaced."

This left Tweak stunned for a moment. She looked over at Kokuten, then back at the Head Administrator, then the SavTech device, then back at Cassefin before she managed to remember to reply. Gingerly taking the device from Cassefin, Tweak nodded. "Yes, ma'am," she said curtly, checking the device to judge its fragility before tucking it away somewhere on her person where it would be least likely to be damaged. She glanced at the medic and the admin again, then turned and slipped through the gap between the elevator car and the landing like water through a crack.

Once in the hallway, Tweak combined the the electronic 'aura' detection and infrared modes in her vision to help alert her to personnel and potential hostiles approaching. Her ears ached as they tried to move under her helmet and the knit cap she wore under that helmet. The headgear dampened her hearing somewhat and not being able to move her ears wasn't helping either, but she suppressed her irritation and headed forward.

The halls were dark. Tweak almost expected emergency lighting but guessed it might be out in most places if the attackers were thorough in their disruption plans.

How about we find that funny Unique? She might know where to go.

Tweak looked down, checking her memory to find which way Nell had gone. Hopefully she could catch up.

 

[Stovaa]

Carefully, Stovaa selected the pistol he reckoned he could use the easiest, taking a few seconds of careful consideration before bringing it down against the wall, snapping off the triggerguard and leaving it a lot less painful to wield. He holstered the derringer-esque weapon and moved to one side to let Tweak pass.

"I'd imagine all the security headed towards the attack, so we shouldn't encounter anything outside of the control room. Anyone, I mean." Stovaa paused for a moment, thinking before speaking. "The time for this is pretty good though. Almost like it was a plan. Corridor is all clear, time to move out?"

 

[MoonMan]

The specific corridor that Squad 35 had stalled halfway upon lead into a simple, single hallway. The halls were dark, the only light illuminating the spread of walkway being a string of yellow tube lighting running along the sides of the walls, similar to the lights in the elevator. The standard CSS suit didn't come with any sort of low-light vision capabilities, but the lights did enough to show that the corridor was indeed empty. Faint rumbles and shouts could be made out on sparse occasions.

Most of the doors lining the walls were thick bulkheads, marked with miscellaneous numbers... most likely offices for personnel, as from behind a couple of a doors a few faint voices and pounding sounds were clearly discernible. Trapped employees, most likely, stuck but relatively safe in their offices. The door at the end of the hall wasn't blockaded by a bulkhead, though, a simple sign labeled "Assembly A5-6" over the door, illuminated by the string of yellow tube lighting.

"Kess should be able to lead you all were you need to go," Cassefin said as she watched them begin to make the motions to leave. "Keep your wits about you, and don't do anything to embarrass me."

 

[Kokuten]

"I only meant to sa---..." Kokuten began, turning a slight twinge of red in the eyes and in the face at Cassefin's blatant assumptions. He appeared to open his mouth to speak, raising his finger in objection, but decided to keep his words. A frustrated sigh escaped his lips as he went over to the doorway and drew his pistol. He didn't like being caught up in convoluted conspiracies with little information. Even with a sure objective, victory was in no way certain with the all the unsure factors involved.

"Alright, we'll catch up to Ms. Tweak and let Kess guide us to where we need go. This will be little different from the incident back on the Cirrus." Kokuten raised up the .45, "... With the short exception of improved firepower. Even so, ammo is limited, so make what shooting is necessary count. Like Stovaa said, the Uniques will be going where the action is, but since we don't know where the fighting is concentrated, we'll just need to stay perceptive."

He turned and pointed at Noboru and Stovaa, "Mr. Akio, Mr. Stovaa, you have point." Then pointed at Blake, "Your disguise is noted, Mr. Morris, but we need you here with the rest of the team. Serra, it may be best to leave these doors barely cracked, so that passing pirates will assume this just a damaged elevator." He pointed to each edge of the doorway, but then scanned his finger over the rest of them." The rest of you fall in, and get ready. I've not lost anyone in a combat situation before," He smiled to them through the opening in his visor, "and I don't plan to let that change today."

 

[PlaidMage]

"I knew there was something good in that briefcase," Method said smugly as she plucked up one of the pistols, tucking it into her ill-fitting uniform's belt. Since Kokuten hadn't given her orders, she followed the other Freespacer through the elevator crack easily, since her tall frame was so skinny. She put down her helmet's visor, just in case, and let her feet patter down the hall as she followed.

"Miss Tweak, Miss Tweak," she called softly. "What do you want me to do?"

 

[MissingNo]

So she wasn't going alone. Tweak looked back at the elevator as Stovaa hauled himself out, followed by the rest of the squad (except Serra and Cassefin).

This could be complicated, she thought. There was safety in numbers, but not stealth.

"Sir, I could move faster and easier with fewer people. Maybe I could take one or two and go ahead, both to scout and deliver the device as soon as possible?" Tweak glanced at Method and held up a finger. "One moment..." she said, waiting until she got an answer from Kokuten, then she would know how to answer Method. 

 

[Kokuten]

"Mmm..." Kokuten gave Tweak's suggestion some thought as he stepped out of the elevator. He kept his pistol in both hands, ready, but pointed down in this situation. "While that idea presents some worth, it poses a risk that we do not need to take. While subtlety is a tactically sound move, the group that lags behind the scouting party will have nothing but rear guard duties. If the forward party was to fall under an ambush, there would be a higher risking of losing all of you, and Kess. With these confined spaces, flanking and usual ground tactics are not possible." He cleared his throat, raising a fist to the front of his visor before gripping his pistol again.

"We need to treat this as a boarding action, as this facility shares comparable similarities to a star ship. Typical boarding actions call for the squads to stay at full strength since, as I said, we are confined to a small space and face the unknown. For right now," He offered her a calm smile, "let's just move forward, we'll adjust tactics as the situation warrants."

 

[MissingNo]

A boarding action?

"Makes sense," Tweak murmured, half to herself. It didn't matter whether she agreed with it at this point anyway, though, so she looked up at Method.

"We do what he says," she answered, then turned back to Kokuten while taking out the Savtech device and asking both the medic and the AI:

"Which way is 'forward'?"

 

[AoK]

Deacon had, for the most part, remained back and silent through all of the comings and goings. The only time he had said anything was when the team had been moving through the scanners, and the Uniques had asked him to give up his weapons. The Variable Weapon had been easy, his HHG he wanted to hold onto but did finally give up, but when it came to the sword strapped over his back, he just shook his head and told them that due to religious reasons, he could not reliquish the sword to anyone.

Much protesting had ensued, but he had finally been able to keep it, if he swore to not draw it on anyone. In the elevator, he had remained in the far corner, behind where Montreal had been, and was the last to leave the confines of the car, patting Serra on the shoulder and gave her a smile before slipping out. The gun he was given was slipped into the holster that had once held his HHG, so it didn't fit well, and he had to clip the cover over it or risk losing the weapon.

Even now, as they talked strategy, his helmet's faceplate remained down, his eyes fixed ahead, ears swivelling to every sound and order Kokuten gave. He would not screw this up, not like the last time he dealt with the minions of Vinross Yu-Cranker, though in the back of his mind, he wondered about how much the gods of battle would smile on him if he could gain a trophy from Commander Bell, or even the leaders themselves. They had eluded him once, they were worthy prey...And the thought brought a smile to the hunched Kohanian's muzzle.

 

[TeslaTornado]

Noboru, in the meantime, was relishing this turn of events. He was glad to have a gun on him, even gladder to note that is was the SMoDIN's steadfast companion weapon, the .45 Zen Armaments handgun. As he moved, alongside Stovaa, to take up point in the squad's formation, he looked over the gun's mechanisms, checking every last part - moving or otherwise - making sure the safety was deactivated and planting it in his holster.

"If I may speak freely, sir," Noboru chimed in, speaking to Kokuten, "I've never participated in the clearing of a ship -" Inwardly he cringed, remembering the only time that he'd encountered shipboard combat ended in him going a little bit "battle-crazy" and venting a drone's interior components - "so forgive me if I ask questions. Basically we just sweep back and forth across the corridor until a door pops open, and then we subdue whatever leaps out, right?"

 

[Kokuten]

Kokuten stared at Noboru for a moment as he gave his take on the tactics that the Captain had presented.

"Ah... I'm not exactly sure what goes as a boarding action in the services you were in Mr. Akio. However, under the current battle doctrines set by the Marine Corps, a boarding action goes along the lines of our group moving together as one until we reach our assigned object, I.E. the control room. So, I do believe we'll be advancing corridor to corridor, instead of sticking to just one." Kokuten nodded with a smile to Noboru, and then looked to everyone else, "Are there any more questions?"

 

[Cora]

Serra was still tinkering with the mechanism for the elevator when she turned to look at Cassefin. "Administrator, I will need your assistance with this. I'm somewhat unfamiliar with elevators." She muttered, a sour look being hidden by her faceplate mask.

 

[Dragonnova]

Claire deigned to actually not point her pistol around as she stepped out of the elevator behind Kokuten. Her reasoning was soon echoing into Kokuten's communicator; "Sir. Should we not try to keep a low profile? I know it's a bit chaotic, but if we're waving our weapons around, we'll can easily be mistaken for attackers and shot on sight if we run across any uniques since we WERE supposed to be disarmed." She didn't put her pistol away, but she kept it at her side and behind her leg slightly so as to not make it readily noticable. She didn't think stealth was this squad's strong suit, but if they could manage to not draw attention to themselves, it would make things a lot smoother for the aftermath.

"These are just pistols sir, we are not armed for an assault and there is no reason for us to treat this like a 'boarding action'. These are for, and only should be used for, self defense in the case someone fires on us. We still have armor so we are capable of living long enough to find cover and return fire in the case of someone deciding to attack us." Whether or not they should stick together or split up was not argued, as both were dangerous. Ideally, with the power cut to some areas most people wouldn't shoot first for risk of firing on friendlies by accident.

 

[Lamb]

Blake lifted his pistol to his visor and examined it closely. "They don't seem all that threatening to the Uniques," he remarked, stiffening his arm to heft the pistol and feel its weight. "They probably wouldn't like it, though. There's no predicting how they'll react. They may be potential allies, or they might be our true enemies..."

The young marine sighed, having to agree with Claire; yet wishing he could agree with Kokuten-- based on the idea that he actually knew how to preform a boarding action. "I think that she may be right, Captain. Does our plan have those facts in mind? If so, how?"

 

[MoonMan]

"Forward would be just down this hall," Kess replied to Tweak's inquiry, a faceless voice wafting in grainy quality from the device in the disguised neko's hand. "Now that the elevators are not functioning, the most direct course to their core computer will be through the nearby factory wing." The door in question that Kess was directing them to was the large open bulkhead at the end of the hallway. The assembly area was obscured from their current position, too far away to make out specific forms. The faint sound of shouting could be heard echoing in from the area, however. "Just be sure not to drop me."

---

With the others beginning to make their way out of the elevator, Cassefin seemed to be quite content with simply standing in a corner of the elevator. Serra's call for assistance solicited a long groan from the administrator as she adjusted her spectacles on her nose. "What are you doing Evangelle," Cassefin questioned the Elysian sternly, as though she were doing something naughty. The woman didn't seem in a particular hurry to move to assist Serra until she knew what exactly she was helping with. "If you're planning on getting me to go with them, you can forget it; I'm much too important."

 

[Cora]

"I wouldn't dream of putting you in danger, Ma'am." Serra said, looking over her shoulder. "I just require some assistance rewiring the elevator so we can use it to move somewhere, I am skilled, but electronics aren't my main forte."

 

[MissingNo]

"Forward would be just down this hall," Kess replied to Tweak's inquiry, a faceless voice wafting in grainy quality from the device in the disguised neko's hand. [...] "Just be sure not to drop me."

Tweak glanced at Kokuten and the rest, then started moving toward the bulkhead in question, as directed to by Kess.

"These suit helmets have HUDs, right? Are you able to interface with them?" she asked as she neared the factory wing. "If you can put messages on the HUD, or use the team radio, then I could put you somewhere more secure than my hand."

 

[Kokuten]

"Fair points, Ms. Winters, but I'll have to disagree. This is to be treated 'like' a boarding action, it is not actually one. At any rate, whether you decide to keep your pistol out is up to you. Respectively, I prefer to have my weapon out for any situation. If we spot Uniques, we can holster them, if we spot pirates then we can be ready in advance. Besides we are in a hostile situation, and will garner attention no matter what." Kokuten explained before looking back at Noboru and Stovaa and pointed down the hall towards the bulkhead. "Alright, let's move out, if we have any more questions, direct them while we advance. Mr. Akio, Mr. Stovaa, you two will secure and open the bulkhead at the end of the hall. Everyone else, fall in behind them."