RP: ISC Phoenix [Interlude 4] - A Hard Day's Night

[ShotJon]

After boarding was done and they set out, Zeta threw her stuff on her bunk. She took out her guns and ammo and took it with her. She went into the armory where she found a shelve and put her new SMG, Easy and SLP there. Only thing she kept was her knife.

She then went to have a look in the cockpit. There was quite a crowd so she moved along. She was on her way to the garage thinking. It was pretty interesting few days. Afternoon on the beach was great, the shop of Enzo's uncles. She would rather not mention many assassination attempts. But they got through them and Zeta though it helped her to get to know some of the creww better.

She got into the garage. She took of her jacket, took a tool-box from the table and returned to work on that damaged off-road. That baby still needed a lot of work. There were some things Arin will have to do, but there were also many things that Zeta could repair.

 

[TeslaTornado]

"Good," Vincent said, trotting onto the bridge and assuming his post at weapons. "Bridge's been a bit empty." The mercenary flashed his best attempt at a disarming grin like Luca's, but it just turned out to be an angry-looking grimace that was still designed to intimidate no matter how nice he actually meant it to be.

In truth, Vincent was genuinely glad to have a full-fledged bridge crew helping him out. He was traned basically in everything; he wasn't an expert at all of the ship's systems and stealth ships were notoriously finnicky to his knowledge. Most advanced duties had been left to the ship's automated programming, leaving Vincent to calculate courses and fire guns where necessary, but nothing too complicated. Now the mercenary could just focus on what he did best- shooting the fucking balls off of everything. With extreme prejudice.

 

[Scot]

The Kohanian assassin stuck around the cargo area, assuming there wasn't room to set up his little garden of 3 flowers. He spent some of his time watering and setting up the sun replicator to make sure they wouldn't die on the trip, they were kind of needed for the kind of poisons he might need. Panther then set off to explore the ship, since he was on board he might as well memorize the lay out for good ambush spots.

 

[Fian]

Arin could have sworn she saw someone in a skimpy maid costume turn the corner out of sight before she entered the Cargo Bay. The bizarreness did not stop there, two new rooms were now carved out of the bay. The first one was elongated and parallel and conjoined to the corridor, all the spare bunks and other furniture have been moved inside to create an additional crew quarters for the new arrivees. The other was a small armory in the corner of the room, Zeta had found it before she did. Both rooms were connected to life support and power and the walls are bulkhead-grade. The handywoman expected to have to rig a few tents in the bay for the new guys but whoever did this was obviously professional.

 

[Luca]

"Thanks for the help guys," John said over the intercom as he fished out the user's manual in the glovebox, "Without further ado, I think we're done here."
He started to fire up the FTL systems and would give it a minute or two. During which, John gave Uriel the basics of the controls of the Vampire Class with the aid of the guide book.

Sebastian, meanwhile, had hung up his coat and was walking around the cargo bay, he noticed Panther's garden. He smiled warmly.
"I didn't realise you enjoyed gardening," He said as he sat down on some nearby furniture, "Mind you, the plants I grew didn't kill people," He remembered how fertile the soil was back at Ralt, and how anything you planted would eventually blossom.
It was at this point Sebastian got comfy in whatever he was sitting in, and begun talking warmly about how gardening clears the mind and makes you forget about what troubles you, probably entirely missing the point of Panther's garden.

Meanwhile, Allison kept her eyes on the engine. The signs she was getting, according to her computers, were all green.
Melissa and Hitori were busying themselves by watching Seiren tinker with his guns. Melissa was content with her weapon, and Hitori found it hard to believe that you could make a Little Killer even more effective, when it does what it needs to.
"Can you even lift that?" Hitori questioned as she pointed to the Mancannon hanging on his waist.
"Y'could blow a man's 'ead clean off with that piece!" Melissa observed with a smile, patting her rifle, "'Course, this ol' gun is made fer it."

Then Hitori noticed something which Arin also noticed, "Say, we didn't have a place like this on our ship before," She frowned a little, "Crane?" She asked for the chef's presence.
"Yes?" He responded promptly, smelling of melted cheese.
"When did we get this new room in the cargo bay?"

"Well," Crane started, then paused, pointing his finger upwards whilst his eyes were rolling, looking for an answer. He closed his mouth and scratched his head, then shrugged, shaking his head, "I really dunno."

During all of this activity, Luca turned to his newly acquired rogue, "Enzo, take us out with some Jazz."
The ship then went FTL, away on its course.

KRAKA-THOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo...

 

[Moogle]

Seiren didn't answer the two ladies for about two minutes to finish what he was doing to the Little Killer before snapping it into place near his elbow.

"One," He began, "I CAN lift the cannon. See-URG!"

He spent more or less twenty seconds trying to lift the heavy gun into a suitable firing position, then placed it back on the ground.

"Two, I made the pistol do this-"

At that, the inventor twisted his wrist slightly clockwise (from his POV) and the Killer popped up and into his hand, still connected to the track on his arm.

"Ta-DAA!"

But of course, he wasn't ready for the turbulence from the jump, so he tripped and fell flat on his face.

Thank god he keeps the safety on.

 

[Blackbird Lore]

Uriel stood back and to the left with the book open in his hands, and his ears open to the words of John the pilot. He nodded every so often, and gave verbal confirmations half as often. His focus was set, and the Patrician was glad to have something to engage his mind. It wasn't long before he was trying to anticipate the appropriate shift in the controls and buttons to press to get what he wanted- and often his theory was correct. Of course, he was only at the theoretical stage right now. He'd prove himself soon enough.

 

[Fian]

Arin stifled a giggle when she saw Seiren testing his Little Killer mechanism, both from the admirable ingenuity and clumsiness of the inventor. The small Geshrin could get the drop on an unsuspecting target with something like that, a little killer indeed. She had just finished setting up the firing range, suspended paper targets in front of a metal wall. Behind the wall was a shield generator from one of the gutted Dark Demons, the weak repulsor field generated would slow the projectiles enough to stop them from ricocheting around the cargo bay.

"Why don't you try it out?" Suggested the NAM Representative to the inventor, then repeating a common maxim. "Trial and error."

 

[Scot]

The Kohanian replied while he was giving one of the flowers some water, "These do not have the intent of killing, human," Panther seemed to take offense of the human Sebastian's statement. As he spoke he arranged three potted flowers around the sun lamp, the purple flower was a little out of the light.

 

[ShotJon]

Zeta worked on car for hour or two. She was kinda lost in her thoughts to notice. She was thinking about what she got herself into. Joining a crew of saviour of the unvirse and his band of merry men and women. Oh and Enzo. She musn't forget him. Band of merrry men and women and Enzo. Now that is perfect.

She was also thinking about Luca. He seemed so perfect. Charismatic, good-looking. He was also very good person or so it seemed. He was also genius. He played a dork, but he did only to fool his adversaries. Or so Zeta thought. He was really strange person and she would like to know if he hides something and if yes, then what?

But enough thinking. Her stomach growled in discomfort. Pretty strange, it was only few hours since she ate a large bowl of chilli. Well no point arguing with my own body, she thought. She went to at least clean her hands and face and went for kitchen. "Mister Crane? Are you here?" she asked when she got there.

 

[Moogle]

"You're right, although the initial design and function of the gun hasn't been altered much. I should still test how well the quickdraw mechanism works." He replied retracting the gun for a moment. With his arm by his side initially, he flipped it out (and at the same time, activating the track) and fired. However, the Killer was somewhat inaccurate at the range he was and missed the target.

 

[Lamb]

Enzo finished up a heavy jazz piece on the guitar and began plucking strings idly while everyone spoke amongst themselves. While plucking, he inserted himself into the conversation around him, "Don't forget to tell him about reversing the gravity plating to dodge oncoming projectiles..." he paused, "It's the only things I know about this ship. Say, P'vone. I've got a question: What would one has to do to gets a dinner date wif that broad Mel? I woulds just gos ahead and ask for some of the ole' squeez-n'-cheez, but a broad likes dat ain't meant for it, see? A broad that fine you gots to romance. Don't get me wrong, if she presenteds herself tos me, I'd take, but she deserves a little pampering, yeah? Do you mind helpins me out wif that a little?"

 

[Luca]

"Ask John," Luca motioned to the pilot, who was continuing to pilot the ship through space, "He's had more time with her than me, right?"
He remembered the time during Mission 4, where they were left behind in the shuttle, apparently spending time together shooting wildlife.

"We, uh, just," John stammered as he went pink, "Held hands, what do you think we did, aside from shoot up wildlife?"
"I have the suspicion you got busy with Mel, not that I mind," Luca smiled as he waggled his finger in his direction, "I think it explains the injuries."
"Hey, I got these from some crazy octogenarian with an axe," He pointed to the scar on his face, which went under the left eye in his ever-present sunglasses. He then swivelled around towards Enzo, pressing his fingers together, "As for Mel, here's some relationship advice, uh - she likes a man she really can dominate and reign over."

Meanwhile, back at the makeshift garden, Sebastian blushed somewhat, "Ah, heavens forbid, I'm too used to making concoctions with plants back in my mercenary days, or growing vegetables," He sighed lightly, "You see, the weather at Ralt doesn't really lend itself to making a garden for presentation. Too much snow, and even in Summer the weather doesn't quite get hot enough..."

Luca tilted his head at John's mention of Melissa being dominant. Blinking, he asked, "Come again?"
John shrugged belligerently with a smile, "That's the truth," He then noticed Melissa stomping in, "Speak of the maker."
"Oi, boys, are you lot aware that there's been some additions to the ship?" She said, "We got extra sleepin' space, a firin' range, and Seiren's tinkerin' away in a workshop! All in the cargo bay!"
Luca swivelled around, surprised, "Wait, we have?" He frowned and checked the intercom, "Dad, did we get anything new in this place?"

Dad snapped up from his meditative ramble, and checked the intercom, "No, I didn't call for anyone to give us a fix, why?"
Luca froze for a moment, "Allison, did you do this?"
"No, me and Crane kept an eye on Nyezeh," She responded over the din of the engines, "And the ship, of course."

"Valo?"
"No," He responded.

"I don't think we should dwell on it," Sebastian concluded over the five-way on the intercom, "Besides, it's good living space, the workshop will be useful, and I'd say a firing range is a good place to brush up. We even have a garden. Anything more and we can make a living here."

"I suppose we can take it in our stride," Luca sighed, "I suppose I can put the range to use."
He got up and walked over to the range, eyeing the new 'buildings' within the cargo hold suspiciously. He watched Seiren fire away at the rewired Super Demon, with the shields flecking off the small arms fire with ease. Luca decided to take shots at it, making fairly accurate shots to the head and chest, "Lean into the gun and use the iron sights provided," He advised.
Hitori walked in with her own .22 Revolver, and started firing shots too, "Want to wrestle later, knifeplay practice and that?" She asked the captain.
"Sure," He responded.

As Zeta fixed the car back into a workable state and complained about her hunger, Crane popped his head out of the kitchen, "Yoohoo, oh - Zeta, right? Need a bite to eat?" He smiled warmly, still smelling of cheese and cauliflower, "Maybe you can help me out a bit with dinner. I just need an extra set of hands. I just need to put the trimmings on this Cauliflower, Mash-Potato Cornmeal adorned with melted cheese."

 

[Lamb]

Although he never replied to John's advice, a stiff smirk began to creep along Enzo's face as he considered the relative ease of allowing a dominating woman to take control of him. The plan was complex and multi-faceted. It could be boiled down to two simple rules: One-- Appear weak enough to be inferior to her and constantly in need of her help, without appearing so weak as be dependent of her. Two-- Find every excuse to make time with her. Enzo decided to ask for rifleman's training from Mel. The results would be two-fold: he could win her heart, and cover one of his primary combat weaknesses in one fell swoop. His fingers continued scraping against the strings of the guitar as the ideas formed in his head.

At the intellectual climax of his ingenious plan, he turned to Mel and began working on his plan, "Well, if it isn't my favorites Spacetime Gal Singin' Gal! I meant to asks yous: If yous has any free time overs the duration ofs this trip, wouldya mind maybe showin' me the ropes wif a rifle? I'm a pistol man myself. I've always been a forces to be reckonsed with when I gots a good handgun, yeah? But rifles always feel clumsy in my arms. You gots a good handle with that stuff. Maybe you could take time outs of your busy schedule to lend a poor theiving bastard a hand?"

 

[Fian]

Seeing that other people including the illustrious (and lechery) Captain Luca had joined in the target practice, Arin decided to join in a show of solidarity. Using a standard ESG in a standard firing pose she let off one standard shot which hit, sub-standardly, in the empty space above the Super Demon's left shoulder. The Representative then emptied the rest of the magazine in full auto, as the name of the weapon implied, catching the Demon in a swarm of bullets was a lot 'easier'.

"The Easy Submachine Gun has a bad reputation from the people whose job is to shoot straight." Arin represented to the crew present. "But for the people with other jobs..." She twirled the weapon (an 'easy' thing to do with the ESG's integrated pommel) and then in one deft motion holstered it. "... It comes highly recommended." Cue a smile worthy of a Holo-video advertisement.

 

[Luca]

DAY 2

On the second day of space flight from Nepleslia Prime, the ISC Big Bird came close to the former Freehold Factory. Now just a burnt out shell from the old Yamataian attacks.

"It's hard to believe so much senseless butchery happened here," Sebastian looked at the visuals on screen of the debris and ruin floating through space. Occasionally, a small bump could be felt on the ship as a small piece of rubble bounced off the ship's shields.

Then, a rock which was a little bit bigger than usual hit he ship, unbalancing everyone somewhat. Luca frowned, shaking his head.
"John, I think you should let someone else take the controls for a while," He directed commands to his crew, "Vincent, see if you can blast some of the bigger bits of debris, clear a path or something to help out."

Meanwhile, the radar was not picking up much activity, aside from the fact that there was debris and wreckage strewn everywhere.

 

[Blackbird Lore]

Uriel was more than eager to take the controls of the Big Bird, and said as much. He was present, as he had been for the majority of the last twenty-four hours, but broke his nigh permanent silence to request helmsmanship. "I'd be glad to take the controls, Pilot John."

 

[Scot]

Panther had just ignored the human's rambling and finished his plant duties. He then stood up and grabbed one of the packs that had contained the clothing he stolen from a charity organization and headed for a unoccupied room. On his way out he stated, "What you see is my job pink skin, these flowers can either save or kill you when put to use properly."

 

[Fian]

Arin leaned into the doorway outside the bridge. "I'll be in the engine room." Along the way there she shut off the M1 Demon powering the improvised firing range and then anchored it to the floor. While the new bulkheads were holding up just fine, the Representative noted the new setups of Panther's garden and Seiren's workshop. A section from Spaceship Operation 101 came to mind. "Hey!" She shouted then clapped her hands twice to get their attention. "We are going through a rough area, please make sure your equipment is properly stowed and bolted down!"

 

[Moogle]

"Just a sec'," Seiren mumbled in response, waving his hand at her while screwing in something to his GP-13. Moments later, the gun had a finished attachment to it, which he connected to the track on his left arm. He didn't bother to test it and instead packed up his tool case and strapped it into the ground using the convenient belts that were embedded in the bottom of the cargo bay.

"Thanks for the heads up!" He told her before heading upstairs to wander about. It's not like he had much else to do for the time being.