Star Army

Star ArmyⓇ is a landmark of forum roleplaying. Opened in 2002, Star Army is like an internet clubhouse for people who love roleplaying, art, and worldbuilding. Anyone 18 or older may join for free. New members are welcome! Use the "Register" button below.

Note: This is a play-by-post RPG site. If you're looking for the tabletop miniatures wargame "5150: Star Army" instead, see Two Hour Wargames.

  • If you were supposed to get an email from the forum but didn't (e.g. to verify your account for registration), email Wes at [email protected] or talk to me on Discord for help. Sometimes the server hits our limit of emails we can send per hour.
  • Get in our Discord chat! Discord.gg/stararmy
  • 📅 October and November 2024 are YE 46.8 in the RP.

RP Honeybear don't care

"Fear. Rage. Animal frenzy and adrenaline. But flavored like Senti lust. I don't know, doesn't feel natural, and I'm not affected. So it was meant for something carbon based... Probably the Kodians, from what I felt when I turned off my collar for a few seconds. Heightened fight or flight responses, rage... Especially from the Chairman. There was nothing left. Just primal ferocity. It almost overpowered me. It's in the helmets and maybe the air. Can't tell." Her voice was soft and quiet, only audible to Sacre as she allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.

"I'll be okay, just took a cheap shot and a charlie horse." Looking up to the rapidly approaching Zanven, she offered a soft smile.
 
Last edited:
Zanven was at the edge of the crowd still as he noticed the meditative state that Aliset was in. He made his approach as something was starting to make the room feel more than just uneasy. As he did so he noticed Sacre and Anslen already nearby, and as Aliset seemingly broke from her meditation she stood up with a serious look that sent a chill down Zanven’s spine.

A blink of his eyes later and he noticed the woman falling to one knee as he moved to help her up as she asked for assistance. Before he could arrive Sacre helped Aliset up as she began to talk to her. He approached and straightened his suit jacket before he inquired about the significance of her wound from the injury sustained earlier. Then afterwards he looked on edge as he was inclined to continue. “What can I do to help?” He asked as he was seeing from the body language of those around that there was confusion and some…even fear as the night had already started to go south.
 
NARA

Nara leaned over and whispered the results of the test into Itami's ear so only he could hear. "You mind coming over to this table with me real quick?" she whispered to him again and made her way over to the table with the aerosol container in its leg. Swiftly and inconspicuously she moved to retrieve the container from the leg of the table. Hopefully Itami followed in case more strength was required. She sent a warning ping to Aliset, Zanven, and Sacre's datapads that they hopefully had on them, the message would be encrypted so only they could read it. It read, "Surprise hidden over here, might be why our Kodian friends are acting out of sorts. Keep them away if you can without causing a scene." She hoped that soon she would be able to get into this table leg and nullify the canisters threat.
 
Itami

He would follow and stand beside Nara covering what she was doing from prying eyes and being able to offer any sort of assistance she may need, be it an extra blade or hand. "Understood, Nara." While he was working to cover what she was doing, he would also be keeping an eye on anyone that might be taking an undue interest in what was happening, or those who seem to be watching far too intently.
 
Sacre looked at the information that Nara pinged to her. The question was if this was infectious. With Koda's weakened immune system, that would explain why he went down first. She took a breath, this was a important decision point. She nodded as she considered. She shook her head, and spoke into the communicators so only the team would hear. "Our mission is to protect the VIPs, Secure them."

Sacre took a breath and switched to the command channel that Chujo Ersus was on. She coded her language so that she wouldn't scare the crowd, advising him that there was a subtle chemical or biological weapon that looked like was being used and that she recommended quarantine. She updated the command net with Nara and her data. Then she waited for a response.
 
"If either of you have any cukras pills on you, the mild sedative should counteract the effects if anybody feels weird." Aliset intentionally used the Shuristan word for sugar, with a slight intonation change to indicate that she was implying to use the placebo effect. To an outside observer it would seem like her Shuristan accent was acting up. But to Sacre, it should have seemed obvious. "Mister Brax, could you come help Sacre? My hip's bothering me, and I think one of my flexors took a hit."
 
Sanda had been circling the party constantly. Every pass reviled more of a picture of the mood of those attending. For the most part, the guest seemed to be enjoying the party and the games going on. A few looked unhappy, but not in any malice sort of way. At least none that she had noticed so far.

When things started going wrong with the game, Sanda fought her instinct to watch the game and kept her attention on the crowds. This would be the prefect time to enact something when everyone's attention was on the game area. As she watched she noticed Itami and Nara examining a table. Keeping her eyes on her surroundings, Sanda moved over to see what they had discovered.

The Ranger got a look at what Nara and Itami were interested in. Her brows furrowed as her mind processed what she was looking at. Then she had an idea. "Look and see if there is any sort of timer or remote on it." If it was a timer, than it was probably installed long before the party. If it had a remote control, then it would have been activated at a time when it would have had max effect. Like during an intense game. If there was no timer, than it would have had to have been manually activated, or activated remotely. Which meant their target would potentially still be around. Sanda scanned the crowds again, trying to see anything that might identify their terrorist.
 
Zanven was quick to rise to the occasion as he pulled out a pill bottle and handed her two simple pain management pills…they were not high dosage by any means but they would at least allow for some comfortability to return to her.

He then came up to her other side and let her use him as a crutch as he nodded to Sacre. “Let’s get going to the infirmary, or shall I take her while you help the others with their little issue. Otherwise my only other option is to…give a distraction the only way I know how…which will be singing some very old tunes that sound like…well they sound like home to me but they will at least get attention.” He smirked as he was being a bit cocky as well as trying to make light of the situation they now found themselves in.
 
The members of TF Piglet gathered around the table fund the spray container extremely easy to remove and neutralize. The compartment it was in, while inconspicuous, could have easily been the work of anyone who had a basic understanding of woodworking. The aerosol container itself was almost comedically simple. A clear plastic spray bottle with an actuator attached to the spray nozzle. The actuator had a small communications device attached that would activate the spray when it was called. All of these things could have been picked up at most Origin Marts through out the Kikyo sector.

Chairman Koda began to come to his senses after being administered several small dose sedatives. He issued many heartfelt, genuine apologies to Aliset, Miko, and the AXL kodian whom had been injured during the bout, assuring them that his personal physician would be made available to care for them should they so choose. He quickly instructed his aids to begin ushering attendees towards the Podium and seated for the ceremony proper to begin.

"Please find a seat as the commissioning ceremony for KSS Gashmeres Hammer will begin shortly. Thank you." Blared out over the public address system set up for the event. Chair Koda made a point of asking the Yamatai Senator if he still would like to address the assembly, and whether he would like to before or after Kodas own address. (OOC @Soban)
 
Sacre nodded, the event would continue. "Find the rest of the dispensers and neutralize them. Having more than one Kodian triggered at a time wouldn't be good." She said, focusing on the current threat rather than the smell that seemed so familiar. Perhaps once she was off duty, she would be able to figure out what it was.

Anslen considered it, "I would like to say a few words. It's your ship, so your people should have the last word I think. It's the big reveal and so pride of place is immediately before launch."
 
Sacre nodded, the event would continue. "Find the rest of the dispensers and neutralize them. Having more than one Kodian triggered at a time wouldn't be good." She said, focusing on the current threat rather than the smell that seemed so familiar. Perhaps once she was off duty, she would be able to figure out what it was.

Anslen considered it, "I would like to say a few words. It's your ship, so your people should have the last word I think. It's the big reveal and so pride of place is immediately before launch."
Chairman Koda nodded, visibly grateful for the few extra moments to collect himself before addressing the crowd and the cameras. The attendees began to drift towards the audience seating as Koda and Anslen were ushered towards the podium with retinues in tow.
 
Anslen nodded and mounted the Podium, "Gentlebeings, it is a huge pleasure for me to be with you today. We are here to celebrate the completion of the KSS Gashmeres Hammer and the beginning of your space fleet. Today will be a day long remembered by our children, those who's future this ship will protect. I can remember the first time I attended a commissioning like this for Essia's own space borne forces. When the time came, they preformed admirably in the defense of our home. However, despite their courage and strength, Essia was still conquered by forces beyond our control. It was by partnering with our brothers in the stars, including some from your own planet that we were able to regain what we had lost. In that time I learned three lessons I want to impart to you today."

Anslen's eyes roamed the seated spectators. "The first is that the quest is worthy. I have had the pleasure the last few days to see Gashmere and to meet your people. From the mountains to the sea, from the forests to the plains. There was nowhere that I looked that I couldn't find beauty. Beauty not just physically, but also in the hearts of the Kodians I met along the way. I remember a old mother bear who refused to take no for an answer and took me into her cave and fed me on fish and honey. Prepared not only with the skill of someone long experienced but with the love that only a family can have. Defending it is a worthy objective. Today, Gashmere's Hammer stands to defend this world from all threats."

"Second, one must always be ready to defend against enemies. Gashmere faces many enemies who will not stop until they are destroyed. When we fight others with whom we have long association, we find that while we might not agree with them, we can understand what drives them. However, in the wider galaxy threats can arise quickly and decide that we need to be conquered because it will economically benefit them, or we are tasty, or whatever reason you both can and can't imagine. For this reason it is vital that we stand strong on our own two feet. Today, Gashmere's Hammer is able to smash those enemies into dust."

"Third is that no one can make it on their own. Kodians have stood with each other against the Galaxy. During the Moonlight War, no one clan or city or nation was able to dislodge the invaders. It was only through cooperation with their brother Kodians that the shackles that had been placed on Gashmere were broken. Today with threats such as the Kuvexians, Misshuvathar, Rouge Androids, and others that want to place shackles not just on the Kodians but on all species they come across. It is vital that we join together to preserve what we love best. Today, in Gashmere's Hammer you have combined the best of what the Kodians have to offer with the best of what your brothers in the stars have to offer."

"These lessons are all exemplified by the launch of this ship today. What it defends is worthy of defense, it is ready for whatever comes, and it will stand with it's brothers in the stars. It is my pleasure to see the Kodians learning and growing to be one of Essia's brothers in the Stars. I will leave you with a final thought from a book I read long ago. 'War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.'"
 
While Itami and Nara continued to study the device, Sanda went back to circling the room. As she did so, she replayed in her mind everyone she had seen that evening. Sanda was not a Neko or a Minkan. She was a pure Nepleslian and was proud of her heritage. She didn't have a digital mind, but she did have cybernetics. These cybernetics had been recording and making a record of everyone she had seen that evening. She was now doing a scan of everyone who was still in the room against those who had been in the room earlier. Hopefully, she'd be able to get a match of potential suspects of who might have used the device to send Kodian's into a frenzy.
 
"Aah... Sir..." Aliset took the pills hesitantly, considering. If they were nanite based, all they would do is ensure for damn sure she would spend weeks in the infirmary. Ibuprofen was no more than a harsh bitterant that would burn her stomach lining, causing it to shed as though she had eaten something actively rotting, acetaminophen had no effect whatsoever, and naproxen one of her basic vitamins. Even most narcotics had little effect. Gallium would deaden the nerves. Gallium compounds acted as anti-inflammatories and narcotics alike.

"I'm not sure many medical facilities have painkillers for my species. I know there are some low level narcotics and anti-inflammatories in the medical cabinet on Starbreaker, but she's impounded halfway across the station. I'm fine, I just need to sit and stretch."

Offering both of her helpers a soft smile, she forced herself forward, twisting at the hip with an ugly snap before she gave a sigh. "Still hurts. But better. Look, they're starting the ceremony. Let's grab good seats."
 
NARA

Nara almost rolled her eyes with how easy to remove the container was. She neutralized the container while simultaneously noting the simplicity of the compartment in which it had been hidden. "I wonder who did this? Amateurs." she scoffed quietly. Her curiosity piqued when Sanda mentioned a remote, "There does seem to be a small communications device on it, good call." she said as she looked it over for any obvious identifying marks. "Seems like someone tried to take out our VIPs with a trip to Origin Marts." she thought and shook her head. Nara reported to Sacre, "The scan results said there was only one, but I can run another just to be on the safe side." With that Nara initiated another scan with the expectation that the first scan had picked everything, but surprises happen and its better to be on the safe side.

With that she came out from under the table and concealed the container from prying eyes. "We should get this back to someone who can take a better look at it. Maybe pin down who's responsible for this." she whispered to Itami. "We definitely earned a new book after this."
 
Itami

He listened to both Nara and Sanda, all the while his mind was going several steps forward already, when Nara brought up the fact that someone was trying to take out the VIPs. "The Kodian VIPs specifically, though if this was something I would use, it would be a distraction, not the main event." He looked around once more as the main event seemed to be ramping up. That made the most sense to him, if this was the only one, then whoever the culprits were had to have used it as a distraction, either to put everything on high alert to cause distress or to pull attention from whatever else they were doing. "I would definitely run a scan for any anomalous readings, Nara."

"TF Piglet, this is Itami Nariaki, I believe this was a distraction with a much bigger plan in mind, please be on guard." He looked over to Nara and even offered her a hand to stand. "I would have to concur, my dear friend."


77

77 was listening to all the chatter over the comms between the TF members, when he heard the "bodyguard" speak, under his helmet he smirked. So, he was more then a simple bodyguard what a surprise. While on the ship he would run his own readings for any anomalous readings, sounds like things are getting started at least after all the brief chaos during the games.
 
Chairman Koda took to the podium, the guise of a statesmen falling over him quickly. A small tug of his tunic to eliminate any stray wrinkles. He began with a solemn, booming voice.

"Good evening, fellow Kodians, distinguished guests, and members of the Yamatai Empire. It is my great honor to stand before you today, to witness the launch of Gashmere's Hammer, a symbol of our strength, perseverance, and unity. But as we look to the future, we must also remember our past, our traditions, and our cultural identity. The values that have sustained our people for generations are as important now as they have ever been. They are the foundation upon which our society is built, and they are what sets us apart from all others. As we all know, Gashmere has been plagued by civil strife. However, despite these challenges, our partnership with the Yamatai Empire continues to thrive.
I stand before you as an equal of the Kodian people, and I am proud to say that our traditions and cultural identity remain as strong as ever.

Today, we will once again perform the Kodian ritual known as the Bloodening. This ritual, in which a vessel containing the blood of the five oldest living Kodians is broken on the ship. This symbolizes the dearest wish of our elders, that their blood be spilt, so the blood of our youth need not be. "


Koda took up a crystal flask, roughly the size of a softball, a scarlet liquid clearly visible within. With a heave of his massive shoulders, he cast the orb towards the bow of Gashmeres Hammer. The crystal shattered on impact, the blood ran down the armored box in thin trails of crimson. Koda then turned back to the podium and the crowd.

"Gashmere's Hammer is more than just a starship, it is a symbol of our resilience and our determination. It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to our people, our planet, and our way of life. So as we gather here today, let us celebrate not only the launch of this magnificent vessel, but also the continued growth and prosperity of our people. Let us recommit ourselves to the values that have sustained us for generations and work together to build a brighter, more prosperous future for all Kodians.
Thank you, and may Gashmere's Hammer serve as a shining example of our strength, resilience, and unity for generations to come."


With that, Koda stepped away from the podium as Gashmeres Hammer began to leave the dock under its own power. Koda stepped down from the stage and made his way to his shuttle. Where he boarded and the shuttle began to make ready to leave as the various attendees followed suit.

Mikhail sent a message to the members of the TF.

"Everybody get back on the shuttle. We will debrief dirtside."
 
Last edited:
As the various attendees to the launch began to filter out of the bay and back towards their respective modes of transport, various gasps and applause broke out.

"Oh look, they are having a fireworks show!" An Ensign in a Star Army uniform pointed up, the transparent ceiling of the bay looked out on an epic panorama. The Gashmeres Hammer engine effluence was in full display, the points of violet energy propelling the cruiser towards the Izanagi Dreadnaught, Battle of the Binary Stars. Brilliant starbursts began to appear around the dreadnaught as its multitude of weapons batteries began to open up, brilliant lances of energy piercing the darkness and causing detonations of various size and color. The explosions began to close in more and more on the dreadnaught, soon they were licking at the various shields around the ship as a sense of apprehension and fear began to overtake the room.

"Please evacuate the platform. This is not a drill. Proceed to the nearest transport or escape pod and evacuate the platform." A synthetic voice echoed through the stations interior. Small and large craft began to visibly pull away from the Orbital shipyards as asteroids, that had been pulled in to mine for ship building, were propelled towards the yards.

"BRACE BRACE BRACE" Came the synthetic voice again as the entire launch area shook violently throwing most from their feet. Power was lost. Gravity gone. The view of the outside began to slowly spin. The hiss of escaping atmosphere could be heard from dozens of different places. As the BOTBS and Gashmeres Hammer came back into view, all of their weapons were violently, desperately, attempting to stop the deluge of asteroids towards yards, and ...... Gashmere. Strikecraft and Mecha had been launched.

It was a losing battle. As the Battle of the Binary Stars gently floated to interpose itself between the assault and the planet, a massive anti-matter explosion detonated near its hull. Her shields flickered, then failed. Hundreds and small asteroids peppered her hull. Then, the coup de grace. An asteroid, roughly 7 miles across, slammed into her hull near the apex of her two arms. The dreadnaught seemed to absorb the blow handily. For a moment. Then internal explosions, visible even to those at the launch, began to cascade through her hull. Then she broke apart..
 
When Sacre looked up, she instantly knew that this wasn't a drill. "Evacuate the VIPs." She said, moving inward from the perimeter she had been working. The station bucked and rolled, throwing people into the null gravity. One person had their legs crushed by a door that slammed shut to prevent all of the air from escaping. Others seemed dazed and hurt. Sacre twisted, using her own long body as a sort of lever to grab onto a railing. She needed to get to the wounded, she pushed off gently. Her zero gravity training paying off, landing on top of the stage she looked around for wounded.

Anslen had thought for a moment that it was fireworks. But then there was a worrying announcement, and then the brace, unsure of what to do, he grabbed the side of the stage with his tail. His tonged flicked out nervously, tasting the air. The familiar scent was closer now, he looked up at the stage to see the Separa'Shan Taii with the order of the blazing sun. She looked familiar, but he was pretty sure that he would have remembered a Separa'Shan with scars like that. He pushed himself to join her on the stage. "What can I do?" He asked.

Sacre turned to look at the senator, actually seeing him up close for the first time. Her tongue flicked out, the familiar scent that had been mysterious now confirming what her eyes told her. "Dad?" She said in Essian, completely caught by surprise by something her mind couldn't completely process.

It took a moment for Anslen to process, then everything clicked, "Sacre?"
 
When the station had rocked, Aliset had, indeed, been thrown from her feet and hit the deck hard, bouncing off as alarms blared, and some deep seated instinct kicked in. She immediately grabbed a nearby object, some woman's purse, and hurled it skyward to allow herself to catch the floor panelling. Her slight magnetic field allowed her enough traction to chase after Sacre and land on the bulk head above the man she was treating.

"Sacre, I'm gonna go help damage control, see if we can get these hull breaches sealed... Wait, you two are..." Looking between Sacre and Anslen, she could see the resemblance, and the recognition dawned on her. "You told me he was a Smith... Never mind. Senator, I'm gonna marry your daughter when this is all done. Get to a shuttle, I'll be back as soon as I can."

With a deft movement, she reached up to Sacre, flipping the necklace out of her blouse, and then stole a kiss before leaping off the wall and deep into the dying station to go buy time for everyone else.
 
RPG-D RPGfix
Back
Top