Foamy surf raced up the long, flat beaches, a tumultuous ocean the only sign so far of the oncoming storm. Behind the sand lay thick jungle and swamplands. It was peaceful here, with noise only from the insects and creatures nested in the branches.
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RP: YSS Eucharis [Mission 10.2] The Search
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DocTomoe
Well-Known Member
Once out of the ship, Helen began her free-fall, pointing herself at the ground like an arrow as the air rushed past her, and she held herself rigid, causing her to gain speed so she rushed past the others which jumped. Upon reaching a mere few meters away from the ground, she deployed a momentary burst of gravity manipulation, which resulted in her landing softly upon her feet with barely a sound as the forest canopy overhead rustled with the air that shifted aside for her landing... Now, she just had to make sure the others landed without incident, then proceed with the mission.
Air wisped by as Takeyu fell through the sky; changing his course slightly so he would land in a small open patch in the forest that he could see.
He didn't want to risk landing near the beach; he was already worried enough as is about his little confrontation with Helen earlier - and he never usually got worried about what others said or ordered him to do, but for some reason her words hit him in someway he had yet to really figure out.
Nearing the ground, with just a few feet to spare, he manipulated gravity so he could land softly. He was down on his knees when he started looking around, the drone still clutched under his right arm securely. He kept one eye on the area around him, and his ears to the ground, listening.
He didn't want to risk landing near the beach; he was already worried enough as is about his little confrontation with Helen earlier - and he never usually got worried about what others said or ordered him to do, but for some reason her words hit him in someway he had yet to really figure out.
Nearing the ground, with just a few feet to spare, he manipulated gravity so he could land softly. He was down on his knees when he started looking around, the drone still clutched under his right arm securely. He kept one eye on the area around him, and his ears to the ground, listening.
Freedom Crash Site Cache
Yaiba sat hunkered down in the shelter she and the two natives that traveled with her frequented. It was one of six that they had constructed across the area. Built with a hull fragment on the top covered with several feet of dirt and plants. It afforded them protection from the elements, and from thermal scans. In the back was an assortment of items that they collected from their various raids.
It had been months since Yaiba had seen any of the survivors of the Freedom. Their failed attempt to gain surveillance resulted in them scattering for their lives. Ixta and Dilka taught her to survive on this world, and in exchange she taught them to fight the Mishhu. Together the three of them traveled never staying in any one place for more than a few days. They rarely made contact with any of the tribes.
Their attacks on the NMX ranged from attacking the traitorous Nekos that Yaiba took great delight in dispatching. Raiding supply vehicles and their crews were fair game. Most often their attacks were destroying equipment, stealing what supplies they could carry. With their limited resources they stayed clear of any armored Misshu. It was better than doing nothing, and they were slowly acquiring an arsenal of equipment. Hidden in various caches, stuff to help them. Granted Yaiba had no delusions about launching an assault against the Mishhu. The caches were just to help them stay alive.
From where she sat Yaiba could look out without fear of detection from the air. She was looking out at an annoying sight. An NMX Scout was hovering above the wreckage of the Freedom. It was not an unusual sight, the NMX periodically would fly over the site looking for signs of the crew she suspected. It was one of the reasons Yaiba had actually chosen it for one of their caches. Hidden in one of the intact SSCC's they stored items, but to get to it meant swimming into the damaged ship. Not an option while the scout hovered looking for any sign of activity.
She looked out at the trees dancing, "Storm coming, looks like we will be staying here until is passes over." she said to her companions. She settled back into the shelter and opened one of their remaining rations. There was plenty of things to eat on this planet, but unless it was cooked, it was often vile tasting or textured. She would eat it because they needed the food, but Yaiba was sorely tired of cold meals. Often she would dream of eating a hot meal in a restaurant back on a Star Fortress. Starting a fire was too much of a risk, especially with a ship in the air since the smoke would give away their location.
She looked at the package label Steak with peppers and gravy packet, Side dish freeze-dried vanilla ice cream. "Better than raw lizard again." she said as she dug in. As she ate Ixta moved to a better position to watch the ship, while Dilka set up the crude generator they had made to recharge what electrical equipment they had. But until the NMX scout moved on he would not start cranking it for fear of detection.
Yaiba sat hunkered down in the shelter she and the two natives that traveled with her frequented. It was one of six that they had constructed across the area. Built with a hull fragment on the top covered with several feet of dirt and plants. It afforded them protection from the elements, and from thermal scans. In the back was an assortment of items that they collected from their various raids.
It had been months since Yaiba had seen any of the survivors of the Freedom. Their failed attempt to gain surveillance resulted in them scattering for their lives. Ixta and Dilka taught her to survive on this world, and in exchange she taught them to fight the Mishhu. Together the three of them traveled never staying in any one place for more than a few days. They rarely made contact with any of the tribes.
Their attacks on the NMX ranged from attacking the traitorous Nekos that Yaiba took great delight in dispatching. Raiding supply vehicles and their crews were fair game. Most often their attacks were destroying equipment, stealing what supplies they could carry. With their limited resources they stayed clear of any armored Misshu. It was better than doing nothing, and they were slowly acquiring an arsenal of equipment. Hidden in various caches, stuff to help them. Granted Yaiba had no delusions about launching an assault against the Mishhu. The caches were just to help them stay alive.
From where she sat Yaiba could look out without fear of detection from the air. She was looking out at an annoying sight. An NMX Scout was hovering above the wreckage of the Freedom. It was not an unusual sight, the NMX periodically would fly over the site looking for signs of the crew she suspected. It was one of the reasons Yaiba had actually chosen it for one of their caches. Hidden in one of the intact SSCC's they stored items, but to get to it meant swimming into the damaged ship. Not an option while the scout hovered looking for any sign of activity.
She looked out at the trees dancing, "Storm coming, looks like we will be staying here until is passes over." she said to her companions. She settled back into the shelter and opened one of their remaining rations. There was plenty of things to eat on this planet, but unless it was cooked, it was often vile tasting or textured. She would eat it because they needed the food, but Yaiba was sorely tired of cold meals. Often she would dream of eating a hot meal in a restaurant back on a Star Fortress. Starting a fire was too much of a risk, especially with a ship in the air since the smoke would give away their location.
She looked at the package label Steak with peppers and gravy packet, Side dish freeze-dried vanilla ice cream. "Better than raw lizard again." she said as she dug in. As she ate Ixta moved to a better position to watch the ship, while Dilka set up the crude generator they had made to recharge what electrical equipment they had. But until the NMX scout moved on he would not start cranking it for fear of detection.
Aendri
Inactive Member
Kumiko
Kumiko followed Takeyu's lead, whether he intended to set an example or not, reasoning that he must have some kind of plan in mind. She made a point to keep the drone she'd barely finished getting put together secure; with them off the ship now, losing one of the drones would be a loss they couldn't afford. Once she made it to the ground as well, she saw that Takeyu seemed to have the defensive side of things covered (or at least he'd be trying to find anything coming after them, so she set the drone down to plug in the last bit of information needed to launch the drone.
~~~~~
Atsukoha
Suka shuddered at the sight of the Scout she could see hovering over the downed Freedom. She'd been staying in the area, salvaging the little she thought she could get away with off of the ship, but there was no way she'd be going anywhere near it with the Misshu around. She'd had more than enough evidence of their ability to track you whether you had power or not, so she would stay quite well away from there for a while. She turned back to her small shelter, and debated whether a fire was worth it, but decided against it for the time being.
Kumiko followed Takeyu's lead, whether he intended to set an example or not, reasoning that he must have some kind of plan in mind. She made a point to keep the drone she'd barely finished getting put together secure; with them off the ship now, losing one of the drones would be a loss they couldn't afford. Once she made it to the ground as well, she saw that Takeyu seemed to have the defensive side of things covered (or at least he'd be trying to find anything coming after them, so she set the drone down to plug in the last bit of information needed to launch the drone.
~~~~~
Atsukoha
Suka shuddered at the sight of the Scout she could see hovering over the downed Freedom. She'd been staying in the area, salvaging the little she thought she could get away with off of the ship, but there was no way she'd be going anywhere near it with the Misshu around. She'd had more than enough evidence of their ability to track you whether you had power or not, so she would stay quite well away from there for a while. She turned back to her small shelter, and debated whether a fire was worth it, but decided against it for the time being.
Groundside
Takeyu hadn't yet noticed Kumiko, instead still keeping an eye on everything that was going on. He often times hated being on the surface, mostly due to the strange and unusual, not to mention, unfamiliar sounds it often brought to him.
He was used to hearing the distant sounds of a reactor, the engines, machinary in motion, systems humming. Here? He heard none of that, and it made him nervous, though he hid that behind a cloak of a gentle smile.
It was then, when he looked over his shoulder, that he noticed Kumiko near him - but he still didn't know where Helens. Either I'm blind and she's nearby, or I'm just located just right where I can't see her he muttered in a whisper to himself.
When he changed his position to move over toward Kumiko, he wondered where Helen was, he couldn't see her - and he wasn't certain if it was due to the trees just being in the way or if she had landed further away than he thought. But with Kumiko nearby, and them being in enemy territory, he wasn't about to abandon her to find the officer.
Takeyu didn't say anything when he approuched Kumiko, instead he set his drone down but still kept his eyes and ears open. He would work on his drone once Kumiko was either done with hers, or if Helen or Voi came around and gave them orders to get them into the air. Regardless, he was wondering - where was Konoka and the Shoi?
Takeyu hadn't yet noticed Kumiko, instead still keeping an eye on everything that was going on. He often times hated being on the surface, mostly due to the strange and unusual, not to mention, unfamiliar sounds it often brought to him.
He was used to hearing the distant sounds of a reactor, the engines, machinary in motion, systems humming. Here? He heard none of that, and it made him nervous, though he hid that behind a cloak of a gentle smile.
It was then, when he looked over his shoulder, that he noticed Kumiko near him - but he still didn't know where Helens. Either I'm blind and she's nearby, or I'm just located just right where I can't see her he muttered in a whisper to himself.
When he changed his position to move over toward Kumiko, he wondered where Helen was, he couldn't see her - and he wasn't certain if it was due to the trees just being in the way or if she had landed further away than he thought. But with Kumiko nearby, and them being in enemy territory, he wasn't about to abandon her to find the officer.
Takeyu didn't say anything when he approuched Kumiko, instead he set his drone down but still kept his eyes and ears open. He would work on his drone once Kumiko was either done with hers, or if Helen or Voi came around and gave them orders to get them into the air. Regardless, he was wondering - where was Konoka and the Shoi?
DocTomoe
Well-Known Member
Shortly after landing, Helen's eyes adjusted to the low light conditions, which gave her a lovely view of the rather wretched jungle which would be her current operational area. It at least had abundant cover, and that left her to move somewhat freely as she faded from sight and moved to where she saw the others touch down.
It was just a matter of moments before Helen came back into plain visibility as she approached Kumiko and Takeyu, from dead ahead and what should have been plain sight. Using a mere whisper of a voice, she spoke to the pair. "Did you both land safely and with your gear?" She asked as she looked them over for a short moment, before she un-slung her LASR from over her shoulder, and preparing it for use if need be as she looked into the depths of the jungle. Inwardly, she wished that Yamataian equipment included sensor systems in the general package, but she let that thought pass as she listened closely for any signs of things that did not belong.
It was just a matter of moments before Helen came back into plain visibility as she approached Kumiko and Takeyu, from dead ahead and what should have been plain sight. Using a mere whisper of a voice, she spoke to the pair. "Did you both land safely and with your gear?" She asked as she looked them over for a short moment, before she un-slung her LASR from over her shoulder, and preparing it for use if need be as she looked into the depths of the jungle. Inwardly, she wished that Yamataian equipment included sensor systems in the general package, but she let that thought pass as she listened closely for any signs of things that did not belong.
DocTomoe
Well-Known Member
"Launch it now, if the Shoi suffered an injury during landing, or some other complication, the drone would assist us in determining the situation." Helen stated as she assessed the situation. She could see no reason why launching the drone now would be a bad idea, aside from the possibility of the Shoi finding it a bit intrusive to their authority... though... a Shoi was a Shoi, and a Taii was a Taii.
"Keep the drone close though for now, we do not want to have to use a transceiver band that would be high enough for the NMX to find interesting. Once the Shoi is with us, we can send it out farther since we'd be able to move about with a greater degree of freedom." Helen further ordered as she deeply and profoundly wished for the earlier days of the Empire, when the jungle would have been scoured by a small army of powered armor, or turned into a grassy field by a storm of nodal devices... oh how she wished for her youth.
"Keep the drone close though for now, we do not want to have to use a transceiver band that would be high enough for the NMX to find interesting. Once the Shoi is with us, we can send it out farther since we'd be able to move about with a greater degree of freedom." Helen further ordered as she deeply and profoundly wished for the earlier days of the Empire, when the jungle would have been scoured by a small army of powered armor, or turned into a grassy field by a storm of nodal devices... oh how she wished for her youth.
The sun was just starting to catch up, changing the sky from black to a deep blue. It would be dawn soon. Off in the distant clouds they could see flashes of lightning. A thin blanket of thick fog floated over the ground, making it hard for those in the swamp to see where they were stepping and what was lurking beneath it. The search team's noses were filled with the heavy odor of rotting wood, mud, and a swampy stench that smelled like Nepleslian man-ass and/or a football player's dirty sock drawer.
So far, there was no sign of the enemy or the survivors in the area, other than the year-old vehicle wrecks a couple miles up the forested hill.
So far, there was no sign of the enemy or the survivors in the area, other than the year-old vehicle wrecks a couple miles up the forested hill.
With the calibration done, Takeyu made one last look over of his drone, ensuring that the module was fitted properly, then launched it into the air.
He watched it for a few moments; then turned his attention to the brushing trees and kept his hand near his sidearm. He didn't say anything though at first, his attention was focused more on the storm he was hearing.
"I hope the Shoi and Miyazawa-hei are alright...." he worriedly said.
He watched it for a few moments; then turned his attention to the brushing trees and kept his hand near his sidearm. He didn't say anything though at first, his attention was focused more on the storm he was hearing.
"I hope the Shoi and Miyazawa-hei are alright...." he worriedly said.
DocTomoe
Well-Known Member
As the sky became lighter, Helen could smell the storm which closely followed the sunlight. It made her scrunch up her face a little in disgust, but she had smelled worse, so the disgust quickly passed. She reached behind her, pulling the survival kit tomahawk from her pack, before she turned to her fellow group members. "Once the drones are done being launched, I want you two to start assisting in digging in. We do not know how long it will take to find the survivors, I would like to have a source of shelter before that storm hits if we do not find them before then. Since the drones will be doing most of the foot-work for us, no reason for us to just sit here idle."
With the order given, Helen found a decent spot and began to quickly clear away some foliage, before she sunk her tomahawk into the ground before tilting it, and doing the same procedure over and over again to break up the soil. Her hands then went to work as she scooped away loosened soil, and piled it aside. Helen knew well enough that the coming storm posed more of a threat in the form of flying debris and wind, instead of the measly little matter of rainfall... unless for some reason the planet's rainfall was poisonous or highly acidic, then there would be a problem. She pushed aside the notion of deathly rainfall as she continued her work.
With the order given, Helen found a decent spot and began to quickly clear away some foliage, before she sunk her tomahawk into the ground before tilting it, and doing the same procedure over and over again to break up the soil. Her hands then went to work as she scooped away loosened soil, and piled it aside. Helen knew well enough that the coming storm posed more of a threat in the form of flying debris and wind, instead of the measly little matter of rainfall... unless for some reason the planet's rainfall was poisonous or highly acidic, then there would be a problem. She pushed aside the notion of deathly rainfall as she continued her work.
Unfortunately, the ground did not seem very stable. The soft soil moved easily, and groundwater pooled in the holes made by Helen's tomahawk.
In the distance, the sun peaked over the horizon, shining down on a massive stormfront in the distance. On the nearby beach, the water level was already rising from the storm surge.
In the distance, the sun peaked over the horizon, shining down on a massive stormfront in the distance. On the nearby beach, the water level was already rising from the storm surge.
Aendri
Inactive Member
Kumiko finished her preparations, and set about launching the drone, watching as it quickly made its way into the distance. She turned, and watched Helen's very obviously pointless attempts at digging down, and sighed. Looking around, her eyes brightened as a though came to her. "Why not use the foliage? Instead of digging in, use tree trunks or the side of a hill, and build above ourselves. If we use parts of the foliage, it won't look all that different from what's already around here."
DocTomoe
Well-Known Member
Helen scoffed at the matter of the hole, still clearing some of the muck from it. Even if they're sitting in muck, they'd still be a bit safer, though, she did acknowledge the notion of using foliage. "Alright, get your wire-saws out of your survival kits you two, find some trees that won't make too much of a fuss when they fall, and cut them in sections from top to bottom. Nothing too thick, just some that would make good bracing for a shelter. Until we get some conclusive data from the drone, we'll work to set the shelter up, at least to the point where we will be safer against the storm. If you need help moving what you cut, let me know, my body is designed stronger... I'll work on weaving branches to place between the supports."
She stated, it was basic delegation as she took her muck-covered tomahawk and went to work on cutting thin branches from nearby trees. Once she had a bundle, she began to weave them together to form a sheet of branches which looked rather sturdy. As she worked on that, she left her data receiver open to the stream of data coming off of the drone, passively peering through its sensors as she worked. Inwardly though, she wondered where the Shoi had gone, and she also wondered just why this specific crew of a lost ship was important enough to risk the Princess' ship... it seemed odd to her, especially considering the average number of KIA and MIA which a Mishhu-involved war produced. Though, that was beside the point as she left her mind to ponder more relevant matters... such as just why the survival kit could not include a tent.
She stated, it was basic delegation as she took her muck-covered tomahawk and went to work on cutting thin branches from nearby trees. Once she had a bundle, she began to weave them together to form a sheet of branches which looked rather sturdy. As she worked on that, she left her data receiver open to the stream of data coming off of the drone, passively peering through its sensors as she worked. Inwardly though, she wondered where the Shoi had gone, and she also wondered just why this specific crew of a lost ship was important enough to risk the Princess' ship... it seemed odd to her, especially considering the average number of KIA and MIA which a Mishhu-involved war produced. Though, that was beside the point as she left her mind to ponder more relevant matters... such as just why the survival kit could not include a tent.
Takeyu nodded and swung his pack around, and sifted through it before pulling out the saw and also the cord. He wrapped the cord around his shoulder, then took his pack and set it down beside some bushes before glancing around their area.
It took him a moment as he walked around for a bit before he found a tree whose diameter was small enough that it could be cut down easily with the saw, and yet wasn't tall enough that would make to large of a sound when it hit the ground.
As he checked the area around him, he noticed some bushes near by that were thick. "I'll use those to dampen the sound," he took the saw and set it down on a rotted tree trunk, then uncoiled the cord and slapped it around the tree, then made a loop before threading another portion of the cord through it.
He then picked up the saw; made a few quick checks to make certain nothing was in the way, then started cutting into the tree.
It took him a moment as he walked around for a bit before he found a tree whose diameter was small enough that it could be cut down easily with the saw, and yet wasn't tall enough that would make to large of a sound when it hit the ground.
As he checked the area around him, he noticed some bushes near by that were thick. "I'll use those to dampen the sound," he took the saw and set it down on a rotted tree trunk, then uncoiled the cord and slapped it around the tree, then made a loop before threading another portion of the cord through it.
He then picked up the saw; made a few quick checks to make certain nothing was in the way, then started cutting into the tree.
As Takeyu continued to damage the tree, an armored lemur thing of some sort launched itself from the branches above and slammed into the technician's face with a significant amount of force, and then grabbed his ears with its claws. The jagged and clearly irritated creature was about the size of a large raccoon.
The recently-risen sun began to be obscured by clouds and the wind began picking up quite a bit.
The recently-risen sun began to be obscured by clouds and the wind began picking up quite a bit.
Yaiba finished her meal and looked out across the sky, Damn scout is still hovering... could mean they have soldiers on the ground. she thought. She grabbed her camouflage suit made from local plants. "I am going to check out the area. I do not want any surprise visitors during the storm." she said as she threw on the suit and slipped out.
She selected one of the nearby trees and quickly scrambled up. Moving through the canopy of the trees was one of the safer methods of going about unseen. A year of living in the forests had made her familiar with the many hazards, the shredder vines that lived below and the multiple predators. She planned to make a quick circuit of the area and return to the shelter before the weather got too bad.
She selected one of the nearby trees and quickly scrambled up. Moving through the canopy of the trees was one of the safer methods of going about unseen. A year of living in the forests had made her familiar with the many hazards, the shredder vines that lived below and the multiple predators. She planned to make a quick circuit of the area and return to the shelter before the weather got too bad.
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