RP Sood Zadra

Wa-wan goes where the guards direct her, subtly looking around the environment. Not that she was particularly planning to hit the place as an old personality trait nags at her from deep within her mind. No, it is more to assess the situation and her potential employer. For all the wealth Kuvexians like to display, they often just use it to project the wrong things.

Leena was not aggravated in how her question was handled, and then when the twins spoke up she stopped looking at them as they spoke about the scans and then nods some more as they say that they have the readings that they needed.

Then as she was going to ask something she felt the hand on her shoulder and then quickly twisted free and spun around, her underclothing armor would prevent a tighter grip or injury from those claws. Lenna says furiously, "I can walk you DO NOT NEED TO Carry, NOR LEAD ME."

However since Nikicon was walking out the door still, when her ear was nagged she FREAKED OUT, screaming as if something was about to kill her. Before even Lenna could say anything Nikicon had spun around aimed and fired her E2c stun pistol at Kotema! The snowshoe hare blinks looking around some as she realizes what she did and just stands there " er um whoops, er you ok??"

Lenna just stands there pinching the bridge of her nose. "I am so glad those are STUN pistols, Niki"

Kotema didn't move an inch, taking the pistol's energy blast fully in the face and the chest. Moving would have meant the stray shot could have hit Soon or her entourage behind the large alien, so it just... didn't.

There was a smell of cooked fish. Being a bit conductive meant the Silanbar looked blackened down the right side.

Narrow eyes. No sound. Still. Thoughts uncharacteristically a secret.

It just waited for the two of them to get on with their business.

...
...
...
Until a few minutes later, when they leant across to Remy's perch at the bar.

"...You'z gun is much better-er. Kotem is think Green-hair lady should does a kills, and be a captains." They smelt even worse burnt. "Better if hunam do it. I will pay two borgar."

Nikicon blinks a few times and then moves to safe and put her stun pistols away, " Er um are you ok... it should not hurt much it was just a stun pistol. But" blinks looking at the blackened scales she thinks something else happened. As Kotem walks/leans away she looks over to Lenna. "er, um I'll follow your lead Boss."

Lenna nods and then when Kotem leans back over she'll say " Ok, you lead we follow, but we are not like 3-year-olds in a candy store we don't need to hold hands. or anything like that. " pauses some and then goes on looking toward the twins. " Are you going to join us also or has the data been transferred to the junkyard already? "

When Kotem once more starts to head out Lenna and Nikicon will follow along.

Zeck looked nervous when she was grabbed and directed to the door. Her toothy grin was noticeable and she looked around however she was relived when the dragon let go only because one of her companions made a fuss. Zeck stepped to the side a bit and continued to the door until a shot rang out causing the red skinned alien girl to dive for cover. When she didnt hear the sounds of combat she peeked around her cover and looked at the dragon. "You uh shoot each other a lot?" she asked

The twins, Koloon and Sodoon, look at one another, then back at Lenna.

"We will accompany you."

"It's best we leave immediately."

They bow their heads to the newly-hired Captain and they gesture to the stairwell leading up to the next level of the Nonapus, one standing to either side of the doorway.

"Captains,"

"...and dragons, first."

Koloon looks over at the Yamataian delegation pensively, then makes knowing eye contact with his sister.

Spoiler: OOC

@Damaske @Primitive Polygon @Whisper @ajax228 @SirSkully @demibear @Arbitrated @BloodyScarlet @Miko

Laughing Nonapus

The lumbering reptile met Zeck's gaze with the embers of their agitation still smouldering, but didn't look like they were about to take it out on the crimson-skinned alien mechanic.

"...See it, out there, you going to..." They grimaced. "Some bigger guns, too."

A good of an introduction as any?... Throwing on their roughshod padded white jacket, stitched together from dozens of other ones, they seemed pretty invested in just getting this over with as fast as possible, now.

"Come, then. Ewnams. Cyap-tain. We go. Whilst light."

----

Alien Quarter

The capitalist comforts the off-worlders had been exposed to around the spaceport rapidly disappeared, as they were dropped off in this new area by one of Soon's land-pods. The atmosphere condensers were cheaper here, and there was a distinct smell of ozone building up from the crunchy permafrost below their feet. Humanoid faces were non-existent, replaced by the leering triangular heads and Rixxikor and various other Kuvexian thrall races, bundled around corroded metal heat lines and immense ramshackle tower blocks of broken sheet metal.

Tension loomed. They might have been here on official business from the planet's ruler, but that didn't stop those chittering voices from going suddenly silent as the group passed. Even when the odd wandering Silanbar was encountered, the thinly veiled aggression in their posture was very much extended to Kotema, just like the rest of them.

"...Don't get your monies out. Not even in-fronta the Graxlat." Her head coiled around to look behind her, whilst her body kept moving the other way, looking particularly sinister in that ragged coat. Their own tremendous girth seemed only concerned with staying close to Koloon and Sodoon, perhaps still taking it a little personally that Leena and Nikicon refused her protection... "...Oxy-gen... in air... lots... That is why... cold... Don't use your gun, unless you really gotta..."

There was no pavement or street signs. But the ship dump wasn't that hard to find, considering the stacked hulls were huge. They just had to keep their heads low a little longer...

Lenna hearing that the twins were going to be going with them, Lenna would nod and then look over toward Nikicon and then says " Let us go, besides the ship will not fix itself sitting around." Then she walked from the room out to the next level and then followed Kotema as she lead them back outside into the awaiting land pod, and then out toward the dealer. Lenna did look unnerved at the poor condition that was seen in this area, and the hair on the back of her neck was raised from the passive aggression that was being shown to her.

Nikicon nodded and then smiles as she moved to the door after her captain as she said "Right will do, Captain." Walking out behind Lenna as the group made their way up to the land pods, and then moved out to the new area. Stepping out she shivered some more as she felt the cold and whined softly looking around. Feeling the tension she moved a little closer to Kotema even though she made her feel worried, that was overshadowed by the fact that she also made her feel a little safer after seeing Kotema take that stun blast and shrugged it off.

NSS Surprise, In orbit above UX-3, Sood Zadra

The small Nepleslian ship came out of hyperspace and began an active scan of it's surroundings. On the bridge, indicator lights began blinking at the navigation station as its sensors came alive marking many ships surrounding the planet. Seemed as if UX-3 was the place to be. The NSS Surprise let its engines and began to move closer to the planet. The NSS Surprise, a Longsword Class Frigate of the Nepleslian Navy, was a fine ship, even if a little on the smallish side. Still it should be more than enough to deal with anything around here if things went south.

Standing in front of his captain's chair, Jack eyed the view screens with a curious face. That cargo ship just leaving the station. That would be a fine prize. A shot or two to disable its engines then a boarding team docking on the port and starboard sides. It would take probably 20 mins all told. Jacob "Lucky Jack" Canterbury loved a prize. Some had described him as more of a pirate than a Navel Officer. But given the choice between attacking an enemy cargo ship or an enemy frigate Jack would choice the frigate every time. That was were the real job was. Boarding an enemy ship at capturing it intact, that was the kind of mission for him. This wasn't the sort of mission he was use to. Diplomacy.

Long story short, Soon Bardoon, Baroness Soon Bardoon had taken control of the planet and had declared it to be a neutral planet. At the time, the Imperium hadn't taken it very seriously as they didn't trust any Kuvies. But after the Battle of Glimmergold and the end of the war, Soon again stated that Sood Zadra was an independent planet and it wished to be recognized as such. The Admiralty had send him to try to investigate the validity of Soon's claim. Mostly they Admiralty wanted to be sure that it wasn't a Kuvie staging area and most importantly, that Yam wouldn't get their first and pull some deal with them would be of better benefit to Yam over Nep. Damn Politics.

"How does it look Tom?" Jack asked his executive officer. "Looks pretty busy out there, sir. Although I don't see any big warships. Those space stations look pretty formidable though." Jack nodded and continued to study the displays. The communications officer turned around in his chair and motioned to him. "Sir, It's the locals. Sounds like they want to know what we're doing here." Jack nodded and placed his hands behind his back. At a nod from the coms man he spoke. "This is Captain Jacob Canterbury of the Nepleslian Space Ship Surprise. On behalf of the Nepleslian Admiralty and the Democratic Imperium of Nepleslia I am here to investigate the claims of Baroness Soon Bardoon on UX-3, Sood Zadra, and it's neutral status. I wish to speak directly with Baroness Bardoon at her earliest convince." Jack made a motion to cut the com before taking a deep breath and sitting down in his command chair. Now all he could do is wait for a response. "Damn Politics." he muttered.

"Nepleslian Ship Surprise," the traffic controller spoke Trade, but with an odd, soft, purring accent, "You are clear for Landing Array Six, Pad Nine. Approach 135 degrees." The owner of the strangely accented voice was not on screen- only flight path information, weather, and imagery of the landing site was transmitted for visuals, but anyone who had dealt with them before may have realized the speaker was Elefirn. Still, despite the purring consonants and thick, wet vowels, the controller's Trade was impeccable. "Welcome to UX-3 III."

There was no further communication, however, about meeting the boss herself. Perhaps that would be arranged at a later time. For now, however, clearance to land had been granted, and Landing Array Six began to fill the viewscreen, larger and larger on approach. The ships docked there were, for the most part, alien to the Kikyō Sector- not even Kuvexian, but true outsiders. There were Kuvexian ships, of course, and Elefirn as well, and curiously an Origin Assayer. However, one ship, among them all, stood out- the dagger-like form of a Plumeria gunship. The Yamataians had, indeed, got there first.

NSS Surprise, In orbit above UX-3, Sood Zadra

That had not been the response he was expecting. Jack sat frowning drumming his fingers on the armrest. The crew around the bridge sat somewhat tense. They all knew how devoted to the Navy their captain was and any slight or disrespect to the Navy was the unpardonable sin. This was in uncharted waters. The crew breathed a collective sigh when they heard Jack say, "Well, what else do you expect from foreigners." As if that excused them for any lack of protocol in the matter.

Jack was a little unsure how to proceed. This wasn't as cut and dry as a fight or a cutting out expedition. This was politics. The worst kind of warfare. Still, he would preform his duty to the best of his abilities. For starters, he wasn't about to just land his ship on some strange planet where the neutrality status was in question. He would find an area in orbit, out of the way of the traffic coming and going but close enough to be on hand in case anything went wrong. He would take a shuttle down, armed with an honor guard and a squad of Marines.

He noticed the dagger-like shape of the Plumeria gunship. So the Yamatains were here as well. No surprise there. If Yam thought the Bareness had a legit claim it might make his job easier. Yam certainly wasn't going to recognize them if they weren't on the level. Of course, he couldn't base his decision and recommendation to the Admiralty based solely on what Yam thought. He'd lose his ship for that. Unlike a lot of other Captains, Jack didn't have a big problem with Yamatai. He had several family members who proudly served in the Star Army of Yamatai. And from most of his interaction with them, they were fine soldiers. Oh there were some that gave Yam a bad name, but the same could be said of Nep.

Jack stood, "Mr. Calamy. You have the bridge. I'm going planet side. Keep the Surprise out of the way of traffic but remain on station. Have the Marines stand by, but make sure they know they most likely won't get to have any fun. If they are needed, then things have gone terribly wrong. Half hour check ins."

Half an hour later Jack's shuttle was landing beside the big Plumeria gunship. Jack was in his dress uniform complete with saber. The doors opened and his party exited the shuttle. It consisted of a squad of Marines, 2 in power armor. He also had an aid, young Ensign Doyle and one other man. The man wore dark fatigues and a camo-cloak. His rank pins indicated he was a sergeant and curiously he sported a very similar face tattoo to that of the Captain. Jack was the last to exit the shuttle, standing tall and commanding as he survived the surrounding area. His gaze lingered on the Yamatai gunship, admiring the ships smooth lines, before focusing on whatever welcoming committee was waiting for him.

Sood Zadra Diplomatic Quarter, Landing Deck

As 'Lucky Jack' was examining the Plumera, there was another set of eyes on him- A person with rabbit ears and grey hair standing on the far side of the ramp, saying something into a communicator and looking right at the Nepleslian marines as they exited the shuttle. It was too far away to hear what they were reporting, given the bustle of the star port and the general commotion of the alien city. But the way they looked a bit cold in that massive yellow padded jacket, it said they were not likely to be a native working for Soon...

///

Alien Quarter

Trek through the cold and suspicious shanty town thankfully over, Lenna and Nikicon passed a pair of golden-armoured Kuvexian security robots, which Kotema spat at without breaking her stride. Damn metal things took the jobs away from actual, decent, Kuvie-worshiping lizards.

The chain-linked fence looked ramshackle, but following the footprints of countless others led them to a large and mostly intact egg-shaped hull, badly painted with a rusty red and decorated with neon green symbols of an alien language. Even in overcast daylight the markings were glowing slightly, which made it possible the enamel itself was radioactive...

One clunking airlock later, they were hit by a much warmer, environmentally controlled interior. It stunk of engine oil and other industrial runoff, but thankfully not that special kind of Rixxikor absolute filth. Presumably the guard robots kept that sort of thing at arm's length.

A wide selection of ships parts and even firearm components were set up upon rows and rows of metal shelves, feeling like a sort of ancient supermarket-type situation. Salvaged Yamatai batteries and communicators, packs of molecure tape, Nepleslian rations, alien handguns and bio-ammo... Seemed like they had a little bit of everything, recovered and possibly stolen from all over.

The proprietor was behind a thick wall of armoured glass in a little booth at the far left-hand side, a Graxalat who was very much just staring at his personal computer and ignoring them for the time being.

"...Okay, you can flash your monies now..." The dragon suggested, taking in the situation and observing just how empty the place was. "But do not try and selling me for ship tool-things. Or I am kill."

The twins looked at one another, matching-eyebrows quirked, when Kotema made her rude gesture. Those golden-armored war-drones lowered their chunky heads deferentially as they passed the blue-skinned pair. Perhaps they didn't care that Kotema spat at them, or perhaps the two of the Baroness's henchmen dissuaded, or at least distracted, them from responding. Either way Sodoon smirked at Koloon, who mirrored her in turn.

They also wrinkled their noses in unison, when the inner doors of the airlock opened. The heated interior would have been a welcome change from the harsh cold outside if it the chemical smells didn't ripen to oppressiveness in the heat. At least it covered up Graxlat-stench well enough. Mostly.

Alastair followed along with the group as instructed. His ever watchful eyes looked for further details and information he could include in his report. He was starting to get use to his new surroundings. The commanding nature of Soon was refreshing and Kotema spitting on the locals put a grin across his face. There was a few times Alastair wanted to tell Hoshi what he really thought. While he looked up to her at times, other times he seen yet another reckless captain of Yam. This only strengthened his resolve to push to make a difference, his sight now set on becoming the Provost Marshal. He'd bring order back into the ranks of Star Army.

As Alastair was brought to a ship of questionable quality, he took note of the just arrived Nep ship. His crew had given him a heads up that the ship had requested landing so he was aware. His smile would quickly be replaced with one of complete dread. As the ship door opened, his urge to clean went over eleven. "Dear god, does no one clean around here? His eyes looking around at the piles of stuff, some of which he hoped was useful. As he took a few steps forward, his shoe slightly stuck to the floor. He looked down in complete confusion. "I will give all the money if by some random chance there is a freaking mop in that pile of junk." He caught himself and paused for a moment. After he composed himself he continued. "Forgive my outburst, I am not use to having this amount of assorted items to pick from. Everything is so regulated in Star Army this level of freedom overcame me. Though I am unsure what all I could make use of."

Alien Quarter

Kotema sniffled their prehensile snout and gave Alastair an obscure look, as if highly suspicious of that kind of observation.

"Maybe if yous spend less time cleanin' and mo' time marchin', yous Yams have bigguh empire." Their hood was still shawled around their neck, giving them the impression of big horns underneath when their ears perked up. "But I nots expect you undastand. Kuvex realise their hand-me-downs is treasure to someone... That's why my Soon is worth a Kotema for a serving them..."

Still looming over him in the gloom, their head seemed to get lower and lower on the meat-crane that was their neck, until they were finally eye-to-eye. The unimpressed expression still didn't change, glinting something toothy but not quite a smile... Maybe they were batting their eyes just a little?

"...Pale space man has engine bits and gun bits he thinks is garbage?..." Her voice was too hoarse to whisper. She kind of just breathed on him more. "Pale man is... give... Kotema?..."

Lenna and Nikicon moved through the street as fast as Kotema lead them and once passing the two robots and heard Kotema spit at them and remark, Lenna would just shake her head some in agreement whereas Nikicon just looked completely confused over the matter. Approaching the junk dealer's place Lenna remarks "well lookie there it's Eggbert Niki." Confused Nikicon looks around and says " who?" Lenna just smiles and then moves into the airlock.

Once the warm air hits them Nikicon smiles but then the smell hit her and she whimpers and moves to cover her nose, but then stops as she realizes it was just the normal smell of well-used parts, her eyes grow wide as she looks around the items and goes " oh I can use that for this project, that for another one, and OH that one would be perfect for this one. " then starts to hops around looking at random items and even going as far as sticking her head into shelves looking around and examine a few parts here and there.

Lenna sighs as her friend runs off and says " welp there she goes good luck getting her back without a few hundred parts in her paws." She sighs some and looks at the twins some and says " Well I have not a clue as to what your scans of the Sobek showed, but I am sure you might know more about what we need to fix it up than Niki, or myself so I'll follow your lead. Also, we might want to look into possibly replacing the non-functional point defense turrets while we are at it. "

In a random part of the junk dealer room, there was an "ah shit!" CRASH! of random parts falling, then followed by a "wasn't me." As Nikicon accidentally knocked over a pile of random parts that were stacked on the floor nearby her.

Laughing Nonapus
With Kotema out of her hair and the green-woman's pistol still sitting happy in its holster she decided to order another drink, why not indulge a little while she was here? After a contemplative sip Remy reached beneath the waves of green hair, adjusting the small communications relay that was disguised as a rather Nepleslian earring, all boxy and industrial but small enough to not draw too much attention.

"Good work hun, come in out of the cold when you're ready, I'm at the Laughing Nonapus," Remy murmured to her yellow-clad compatriot on the other end of the call, lips curling into a happier little smirk as the woman relaxed back onto her bar stool.

She didn't pay Morgan nearly enough, that needed to change, the bun had long since proven herself a valuable ally.

Quite subtly, Remy cast her gaze over one shoulder to where the baroness was no doubt throwing more food at her golden guards, observing the bar's owner and being sure to make note of any little mannerisms she could gleam further information from. Though it was mostly just the hybrid woman continuing to abuse her security so far...

The Calm after the Storm
Soon was actually finished berating her subordinates by the time Remy had acknowledged her, and was then standing up behind her desk taking a few calming breaths as her flunkies offered her a drink, which she accepted, and a refill of the molluscs-in-broth that she had specifically requested refilled, yet crossly refused. Another breath, and Soon's expression changed, softening, lightening, the storm-clouds that were once there now as if they'd never existed. She sashayed, some less-charitable might say slithered, across the Nonapus's lowest floor to the bar area where the two women had convened.

Soon took up a position very close to Remy, at an angle to Wa-wan and smiles. She looks genuinely happy, with less than a trace of Stepford. The again, she could just have had a modification that makes her good at smiling genuinely. She stands, her hip pressed against Remy's holster and sips her drink. Looking down the stem of the glass, over the rim, she stares at Wa-wan, smirking once she finishes drinking. "Now, tell me. What are you doing here, and why did you leave so much off your resumé, hmm?"

In the background, cleaning drones impassively reverse the destruction in the radius of Soon's wrath without heed to it, like a weary crime-scene cleanup crew on their last stop of the shift.

Landing Array Six
The twins were unavailable for the red-carpet welcome that Quallox Vaibal had afforded the Yamataian delegation. However, that doesn't mean that only ominous rabbits in the background were all that was there to meet them. An Elefirn greeted them, accompanied by another of her kind as well as a young adult apparently-baseline human male of a uniformly-grey-toned ethnicity not found in Nepleslia, in an equally-alien military uniform, flanked by a pair of Soon's Kuvexian heavies, themselves flanked by a pair of golden Kuvexian security drones. The Elefirn bowed dramatically and gestured with a broad flourish towards an equally luxurious, well-heated vehicle as the one for the Yamataians that sat waiting for them. "Forgive us," her Trade was just as impeccable and just as accented as the Controller's, "But the Baroness's schedule is rather full. Let us see to your accommodations while you wait for an opening."

Somehow Soon Having Alastair's SYNC Profile
"Oh, I thought of another demand. Instant visas for all Kuvexian civilians currently on any worlds repatriated into the YSE! Thanks so much, dear."

Landing Array Six

Jack turned his attention away from the Yamatai ship to the Kuvexian welcome party. Jack listened to their welcome but didn't immediately respond. He stood there, tall and imposing, his hands clasped behind his back with one hand tapping it's fingers against the other. Finally he returned the bow, not anywhere near as dramatically or with any flourish. "Thank you for your hospitality. I am sure the Baroness is very busy running an organization the size of the Quallox Vaibal, but I do hope that she will be able to find time for us soon, as a treaty between our two governments is of paramount importance if they are to work together peacefully... And for increase in profits."

Jack still made no move to get into the waiting vehicle. He stood there seemingly oblivious to the cold winds as he looked again towards the Yamatai ship. "Mr. Doyle." Jack said without turning his head. The young Ensign stepped forward. "We may have a long wait before the Baroness is free to see us. Go over to the Yamatai ship, give their Captain my complements, and ask if their Captain and XO would do me the honor of dining with me aboard the Surprise tomorrow evening or the day after, duty permitting of course." "Aye Sir, Complements. CO and XO. Dining aboard Surprise. Tomorrow or day after. Duty Permitting." Repeated Doyle. He saluted his Captain then turned and headed off towards the Yamatai ship. No other words were spoken, but one of the Marines fell out and went with the young Ensign.

After the Ensign left Jack seemed to look around as if noticing it was cold outside. "It does seem to be a bit chilly out. Perhaps we should move to the car while we wait for my aid to return." As the Nepleslian honor guard climbed into the car ahead of their Captain, Jack turned to the unknown alien in the strange uniform. "I've never seen that uniform before. Where do you hail from my good sir?" Jack asked with a smile on his face.

Outside YSS Kōun

Young Ensign Doyle waisted no time moving over to the Yamatai ship. It was too cold outside to doddle around. He approached the boarding ramp where two Neko guards stood armed at the bottom of the ramp. They raised their weapons as he approached. Doyle didn't see any officer insignia so he didn't salute. "What ship is that?" He asked. "YSS Kōun." One of the Neko answered, "Taii Alastair Belmont Commanding." Doyle nodded and made a mental note to inform his Captain when he returned. "Ensign Doyle, NSS Surprise, Captain Jacob Canterbury Commanding." Doyle identified himself. Captain's complements to Taii Belmont. He would like to invite the Taii and his XO to diner aboard the Surprise tomorrow night or the day after duty permitting." The Neko's informed Doyle that the Taii wasn't aboard at the moment, but that they would pass along the invitation. Doyle nodded and hurried back to his Captain.