Shuttle Bay, Jodan
The vessel was many times larger than the Kuma the group had arrived in, the hull noticeably damaged. While some dents and scrapes from space debris and general wear and tear were to be expected, Ingrid knew this was something else. The scans were inconclusive, other than being certain that both projectile and energy weaponry had damaged the shuttle. Some of the gashes strangely resembled claw marks, as well. The main door opened at Ed's command to reveal the cluster of tunnel entrances. While the Vekimen had easily been able to navigate them when she'd been in her own shuttle, and the I'ee had barely managed, there was now a problem. In her new armor, it was unlikely she'd be able to wriggle through as easily. The crew members in Mindys would have an even worse time. Thankfully they'd all been outfitted with Support Drones for such situations.
Thankfully, Yuko's new Minkan body was dealing with her injury better than she expected/feared. The nosebleed began to dry up quickly, as the interior of the helmet cleaned itself...the lining slurping away the hemosynth while the Hei tried to recover and join the others. Okami again didn't seem too impressed by the minor injury, even as Sara checked on the Operator. The Medic seemed more interested in the bodies the team soon discovered. Hoping Yuko and Kiko would cover him, he advanced into the dark corridor leading out of the large shuttle bay, crouching down to begin examining the nearest Vekimen. It had clearly been shot, but now to determine from what...the cannons, a Vekimen sidearm, or something else?
YSS Heartbreaker, Bridge
The Taii noticed the I'ee celebrating out of the corner of her eye, although she pretended she did not, doing her best not to react. Usagi, however, giggled, drawing Rin's attention, and a few tsks. "Funabashi-Hei, please focus on your station...Blesi-Hei will require assistance with her Support Drones." Rin glared at her, before turning a polite smile towards the I'ee. "Sally, Yui, I'll transfer control of one to your station as well, okay?"
Once Ingrid deployed four of her drones, they each launched down a tunnel. One remained under her control, heading down the main path toward the living area Edtoto had described. The other four were being controlled by the Bridge to ease the load, poking through the various nooks and crannies of the cramped little ship as the images were transferred and recorded. Usagi, blushing now, focused on her screen, and Rin on hers as well. If they could get their new toy under control, the I'ee would soon find their assigned tunnel ending in some sort of control room, which seemed passingly familiar from their prior encounter. However, there was definitely something there now that did not belong.
Fused to the controls, obstructing any normal operation, was a large rectangular shape. It was metallic, welded to the Vekimen machinery...but also somehow organic, fused to the controls with flesh, something like sap or fluid splattered and dripping everywhere. The ship was powered down, and the...thing...seemed similarly lifeless. For now.
The living area was in a similar state, covered in strange slime and disturbing bits of gore. Any sort of comfortable, relaxing space Ingrid was expecting was obscured by grime...although there did seem to be a vaguely humanoid depression worn into one flat surface, as if something had laid there.
Laderen Entryway, Chudan
The corridor narrowed as it neared that split, barely wide enough to let one member of the team shift in front of the other. It had just been tall enough for them to walk without ducking, but lifting off the floor to float would require them to scrunch up a bit if they didn't want to bump into anything. The IR lights were recessed into the ceiling, the areas around them warmer than the walls, which were still faintly glowing as the team switched their vision over. The left tunnel immediately curved away, angling down slightly. As they continued, they spotted a brighter, warmer light further down the tunnel. It was hard to differentiate, but there were brighter streaks on the walls under the light. While the team considered what to do, they began picking up familiar sounds...too faint for that translation program to sort out, but recognizable to the team none the less...
