Dark as night, diamond bright
Never seen such a strange delight
Slick as glass and just as fast
You'll feel the pain but it won't last
ZZ Top - Concrete and Steel
MISSION 1 - START!!
A Sargasso Shuttle that was suspiciously free of inanimate cargo was carrying the crew members of the Phoenix. It was driving across the surface of Nepleslia Prime towards the town of Handler's reach. The first thing Luca did that morning prior to the long trip was take something for his kidneys that Aiesu left for him - it'd mitigate the ache he was experiencing in his kidneys for the time being. He and the others only had time to get a quick breakfast before leaping into the back of this truck with their gear assembled from the previous three days.
Luca was riding shotgun with Lina in this Sargasso bus, within the interior of which were some hastily erected seats for the members of the ISC Phoenix with ample space underneath them for their equipment - surprisingly enough room to fit whoever wanted to be on for the ride. John was on standby back at Sargasso to bring the Big Bird if it hit the fan.
As he got bored of the untarnished savannah scenery of Nepleslia prime, he pulled up some Census data on Handler's Reach, flipping it up and passing his communicator around to others in the truck.
Allison raised her hand and Luca pointed to her. "Could be telepaths gone mad and controlling the city from a shadowy enclave!" She suggested ominously while wiggling her fingers.
Echelon then piped up: "C0ULD B3 SUBL1M1N4L M3SS4G3S 1N T3L3V1S10N." Allison nodded along to the suggestion. Melissa rolled her eyes at it and dismissed those claims.
Then Lina spoke up: "Aren't you all going there to investigate?"
"We are, but we're speculating as we get there." Luca nodded. "I mean, this is the Kikyo Sector - for all I know there's a God from beyond human comprehension sleeping beneath town and turning people into fish men."
Lina then raised her eyebrow at Luca and frowned at him. "Of course," Luca continued. "That's just ridiculous, which is why its speculation. No idea is too insane at this point, the truth might be a lot simpler."
"Well then," Lina put her two bits in, "I think it could be something like a parasite that rots your brain. I'm sure you're familiar with the sorts." Luca scowled and nodded knowingly. "Something I'm sure you can put down with ease - although I doubt your client will appreciate his mum having trans-cranial lead therapy."
"True, true..." Luca replied as the truck bumped along. He looked behind him and took stock of who had decided to come along with him in this truck. There was at least another hour until they reached Handler's Reach, and the long trip there had frayed his attention as the afternoon sun beat down upon the vehicle.
He took a swig from bottle of water, a bite from a breakfast bar and started counting heads...
Never seen such a strange delight
Slick as glass and just as fast
You'll feel the pain but it won't last
ZZ Top - Concrete and Steel
MISSION 1 - START!!
A Sargasso Shuttle that was suspiciously free of inanimate cargo was carrying the crew members of the Phoenix. It was driving across the surface of Nepleslia Prime towards the town of Handler's reach. The first thing Luca did that morning prior to the long trip was take something for his kidneys that Aiesu left for him - it'd mitigate the ache he was experiencing in his kidneys for the time being. He and the others only had time to get a quick breakfast before leaping into the back of this truck with their gear assembled from the previous three days.
Luca was riding shotgun with Lina in this Sargasso bus, within the interior of which were some hastily erected seats for the members of the ISC Phoenix with ample space underneath them for their equipment - surprisingly enough room to fit whoever wanted to be on for the ride. John was on standby back at Sargasso to bring the Big Bird if it hit the fan.
As he got bored of the untarnished savannah scenery of Nepleslia prime, he pulled up some Census data on Handler's Reach, flipping it up and passing his communicator around to others in the truck.
"So," Luca asked his team as his communicator got passed back to him. "How do two thousand and five hundred-odd people suddenly decide to stop having an initiative?"Census Data > Handler's Reach said:Founded: YE 30
Population: 2,463
Exports: Textiles, Fish, Water, Petroleum
Services: Law Enforcement, Hospital, Aged Care, Shipping
Primary Demographics: Male 50-60, Male 20-30, Female 20-30
Races: Nepleslian 58%, Geshrin 24%, Yamataian 14%, Lorath 3%, Gartagen 1%
Allison raised her hand and Luca pointed to her. "Could be telepaths gone mad and controlling the city from a shadowy enclave!" She suggested ominously while wiggling her fingers.
Echelon then piped up: "C0ULD B3 SUBL1M1N4L M3SS4G3S 1N T3L3V1S10N." Allison nodded along to the suggestion. Melissa rolled her eyes at it and dismissed those claims.
Then Lina spoke up: "Aren't you all going there to investigate?"
"We are, but we're speculating as we get there." Luca nodded. "I mean, this is the Kikyo Sector - for all I know there's a God from beyond human comprehension sleeping beneath town and turning people into fish men."
Lina then raised her eyebrow at Luca and frowned at him. "Of course," Luca continued. "That's just ridiculous, which is why its speculation. No idea is too insane at this point, the truth might be a lot simpler."
"Well then," Lina put her two bits in, "I think it could be something like a parasite that rots your brain. I'm sure you're familiar with the sorts." Luca scowled and nodded knowingly. "Something I'm sure you can put down with ease - although I doubt your client will appreciate his mum having trans-cranial lead therapy."
"True, true..." Luca replied as the truck bumped along. He looked behind him and took stock of who had decided to come along with him in this truck. There was at least another hour until they reached Handler's Reach, and the long trip there had frayed his attention as the afternoon sun beat down upon the vehicle.
He took a swig from bottle of water, a bite from a breakfast bar and started counting heads...