RP: Terraforming Ake [Terraforming Ake] P1 - Dust Bowl Children

"Money." Came Franklin's reply to Yori's question as the elder hillbilly scooted around a little to accommodate Alice's seating arrangement. He turned once to settle his empty beer stein on the bar, but kept his back up against the wood whether for support or to keep from falling asleep and off of the barstool as the elderly are prone to. For a man who hadn't even pressed the 'fifty' button yet, he'd been pulling off the grumpy codger routine respectably well thus far, and his short and simple answer to Yori's question was good enough. Niel, on the other hand, took it as an opportunity to keep his answer to himself and refocused on the grains of some polished wooden paneling or another.

"Ah, so they sent us two security Neko's," Franklin grumbled, tilting his hat back to squint at the floating sprite that was Mako. He was unpleasantly surprised that something so small could be so loud. "One for folks and one for termites. Sure is fancy working for Origin, ain't it, boys?" He punctuated this question with a sound that can only phonetically be rendered as a guttural 'Yawugh'.

Once the Trade-speaking barmaid had resettled from the arduous task of giving a small spritz of soda water to a concoction which was otherwise a simple glass of gin and having the cute wit to call it a 'gin-and-tonic', she went ahead and threw a pair of lengthy, muscular arms around Akemi. Her sister was already drawing circles in the folds of Akemi's Origin uniform right over the tiny Neko's chest. Money was to be made, or so it seemed-- and the lusty barmaids were short tired of a porter's wages padding their shopping budget. Here was a soldier-- and a pretty one at that. So, of course, they laid it on pretty thick.

"Oh, ja." The elder sister said softly into Akemi's ear, "I'm sure you vill make us feel so very gut, Katzchen, und maybe ve might vish to pay you. But a girl must eat, you know? Don't you vant us to stay healsee und in-shape so we might..." She then whispered something almost unintelligible into Akemi's ear; though it most certainly included the words 'stamina' and 'braunshweiger'. Such it was that between playing as a one-man-band and entertaining the possibility of prostitution; the staff failed to notice the man who came in through the back.

The man who came in through the back was a tall man. Furthermore, he was youthful in appearance and handsome in a regal sort of way. With a flowing black silken bandanna framing unmarked pale skin, his covered ears and collared neck gave his face an even brighter appearance by contrast-- his eyes a pair of gleaming sapphires with an almost unnatural deepness of color. Said orbs leveled upon the table where the October Five sat. They would all five of them feel the attention drawn on them like a vice-- mixed with the marching of softly and gracefully placed shoe steps. When Daziel Burton finally parted the shoulders of Eric and Thomas to place a series of datapads on the center of the table, he'd already began speaking.

"Good evening, October children." His voice was soft, yet deep and accompanied by a gentle smile-- perhaps even fatherly if I were to be egotistic about my creation. Which I might. "I must say, your grandmother is quite the charming woman, and persuasive. It was some trouble, but I've made arrangements for your family that have come to frustrate the absolute warlocks in our Human Resources department."

As he spoke, Daziel spread the datapads around the table until one sat in front of each child. "You've no doubt noticed the other group of employees to our fair company arranging themselves by the bar over there, and perhaps you may have taken the time to do some simple math. There are five of you, there are seven of them-- and yet a standard Origin Industries preliminary terraforming team consists of nine individuals."

Burton stepped back now, and began to waltz about the table tapping at his lip, still smiling, "Troubling math indeed, I'm sure you'll find. Eric and Thomas, you two are to report to Captain Sterling Belleville in Docking Bay Twelve C for preliminary structuring as members of Terraforming Team Four."

This was the kind of man he was, a smooth talker who left no room for polite interruption. Such skills had arranged the fates of the eldest Octobers, and now focused on their spawn it was plain just how the gentleman had managed such a feat for those who'd been deemed 'unemployable'. Thusly, he went on, still pacing around the table. "Marcus and Junior are meant to appear in Docking Bay Nineteen E for Captain Muriel Bright, similar assignment. All of you shall coordinate with our new station-side supply specialist, Miss Isabelle Rampage, a name you might all be familiar with."

Now, Daziel stopped pacing around the table and with his hands crossed behind his back tuned his sapphires upon the girl which shared their name. At this he finished with, "Ah, and who does that leave? The girl, Sapphire. I believe there remains a space on Terraforming Team Two, which I shall lead. So, who would like to start asking questions? Do be quick about it, I've still the others to brief."

With this, Mister Burton opened his arms wide, as if receiving the questions would be like receiving a large bear hug.

"G'day," Alice said absent-mindedly to the mini-neko who arrived. Then she realised that the voice sounded strange and looked up, only to see tiny neko talking something about security. Alice blinked and sighed, she grabbed on gin and had a swig. That made her frown too, if they had no tonic, they could have just say so and not give her Sodagin. She pushed the glass away. "Yeah, I think I am going to handle my own security." She will also have to watch her step with someone who is only few inches tall.

Then the boss came in. Alice turned around on the bar-stool to watch the man as he talked to five kids by the table. Well kids... more like young adults. The doctor then slid off the stool and gave her new boss a nod. She had questions of her own, but for now he seemed to be interested only in the "October-Five."

Akemi smirked and chuckled softly as her eyes gleamed with delight. "Well if you really want to be well fed maybe you can accompany me on my current assignment. I'm a very charitable and generous sort. I guarantee you'd be stuffed everyday and get plenty of exercise." As she spoke a hand deftly drifted down to cup and rub each of their ample rears. "You two really don't exactly seem to be starving though... Your pay would of course be highly based on your performance."

The Neko was loving this. It'd be great if she could rope the two of them into being stuck on a barren, inhospitable and largely uninhabited rock doing boring farm work, living off of rations and taking care of her.

Yori was not too surprised to see the mini that came over saying that she was security there was a decent number of Mini Neko attached to Origin Security groups, or at least that's what she heard. As a bonus though this Neko seemed rather cheerful and bubbly maybe she could help ease the tension in the group. Yori gave a soft wave to Mako and smiled "I'm Kataoka Yori. I'll be in your care it looks like." She was about to sit at the bar when Burton walked in. She managed to notice him rather quickly since she was nervously eyeing around the bar in the first place. She watched as he went over to the October group, she didn't really listen to what he was saying but tried to stay attentive for when he came over. By now she just wanted to sit down and draft up new designs, but she couldn't do that yet.

“ S.. Scars?” Is all the Yamataian muttered before the mini Neko floated over . No one had said anything about scars when he was told about his new assignment! He looked into his beer now as if it held the solution to all of his coming problems and took a healthy swig , before requisitioning himself at the nearest bar stool . “Great, now not only am I stuck planet side” he shuddered “ Now there are scars and security forces involved..it sure IS fancy working for origin as you put it. “


“ Has anyone even looked at the planet we are ending up on? How are you all so cheerful?”

"Morimoto-san," Alice said back to the scientist who seemed very interested in his beer and who seemed as if someone has ate his last cup of pudding in the fridge. "The planet needs terraforming? How nice do you think it is? Still there is only few of us going there, so I would not asssume it a death-world. Plus we have everything. Professionals needed to do the job. Even.... security so to speak." Even when half of security was busy being a pervert and second half was not even full half. More like tenth. "If we stick together and won't play lone wolf explorers, it might be a bit uncomfortable, but it should not be too dangerous. We must not take it likely though."

October Five were abit stunned but once the assignments were given out. The older brothers grumbled as Sapphire eyes lit up as she was stepping forward on her own. Not much they could do about it. As they all signed the contracts as adults.

"None at the moment... Is there a chance for our sister be teamed up another sibling? And that sibling be sent solo?" Junior spoke up electing himself as spokeperson for the group.

Sapphire looked over at the mixed-matched group that was gathering over at the bar. Seeing other females with the group. "It'll be okay. There are other females there and I'll be okay." Hoping her brother didn't ruin her chance to strike out on her own. "Besides, I'll be working in the communicationsand computers were it'll be safe."

"Dad wanted me to look after ya little sis!" Junior spoke in his authoritive voice. "Now let the man decide. Which one of us will replace you going solo."

The other three brothers just looked at Junior as he was the one that was always stepping forth as the group leader and always supported him in subduing their rebel sister.

"We knew the risk going into this Junior. Besides I can keep in touch with you guys a lot easier." Sapphire spoke a bit saucy towards her elder brother. She stood up and wobbled a bit from the beers she snuck from her brother's drinks when they were looking elsewhere. "I'mma going to join my team!" Grabbing her carry-all, She left the table. She paused to give her brothers a quick hug and moved over to join the group she was assigned to.

Her brothers sighed and said their good byes to her as they returned the hug. They took off to where they belonged. Leaving her all alone. She kept her back stiff, but she was scared and hid it by her brave front as she joined the group. Eyes wide with trepidition.

“Dont think theres any chance of me taking it likely” Morimoto muttered and gave his head a bit of a shake. “But, yes of course. I am sure we have nothing but the best personnel here” He placed his drink back on the bar. He turned and looked towards Sapphire as she approached “.. Now there is someone who may feel worse about this then I do”

Yori noticed Sapphire looking rather intimidated by the situation, so she stepped over to her and offered a smile and a hand shake. "I'm Yori, the mechanic. This is my first time doing anything like this myself I usually stay in my office." She was not used to social interaction but she figured maybe if the girl knew she wasn't the only one new to this kind of stuff she'd feel more comfortable with it all. "Everyone seems...fairly nice. If you need anything though just let me know okay? Though...we'd probably have to get it shipped form the station onto the surface."

Akemi's barmaids were beggining to get nervous. The lusty and mischevious grins they wore before were now to be replaced by nervous square smiles that flashed beneath widened eyes. All this business about going down to the surface was starting to sound an awful lot like work. And they never did actual work. Some women were CEOs or Doctors, while others might be lawyers, soldiers, and warrior-poet diplomats with military careers long enough to fashion a flowing, tacky-looking evening gown from. These women, on the other hand, were not. They were prostitutes. They spent their early life coasting by on their charms until the day which they might find a tired business executive or civil engineer looking to settle down. They would not be asked to appear in the documentary about the brave frontiersman who settled the planet Ake. They would not be discussed by rabid fans of KOgama during the behind-the-scenes look at the group's later years, in which endless speculation was made as to why Akemi would choose to work as a grunt for Origin Industries after a proud career in Star Army and a successful career as a pop singer. Instead, they would likely go home to their apartment with a cargo-handler and return to work the next day a couple hundred KS richer.
Seeing this, Daziel approached the trio of women with an easy smile; for he was both the perfect wingman and the model manager. Clapping his hands twice to drag the women out of their fear-induced daze of daymares about working in the sand and dirt, he placed his head on Akemi's shoulder and spoke between them.

"Now, now, my dears-- Miss Koga merely jests." He said, "We haven't room on our vessels for women of your class and refinement, and so with a heavy heart we must go on this journey alone-- a journey which I should mention shall be returned from with vast riches."

Immediately, the maidens began to blush as if this imagined wealth maintained a perfect youthful body through strenuous exercise. The very thought of such money brought them a feeling of immense arousal-- perhaps explaining their chosen profession. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity to move on, Mister Burton removed himself from the trio and danced away with a cheery, "Let's go, Miss Koga~"

Now following in Sapphire's footsteps, the project supervisor found himself before the group of brave frontiersmen and women who would be mentioned in that documentary years later.

"Hello, one and all!" He greeted them, arms spread as if to recieve a hug from each of them at once, "It is nice to you again to those I know, and an even greater pleasure to meet those I do not!"

This arabesque man flowed through the conversation with that same upbeat and pleasant voice, making a fast-paced speech which once again allowed not for polite interruption.

"I am Daziel Burton, and I have been selected to lead this expedition to the surface. Momentarily, we shall all be moving towards the loading bay to mount up our three Mules and trek down to the surface of Ake, which I am told resembles something of a bread pudding baked to perfection." These words were all accompanied by grand gestures, appropriate for such a preformer's speaking tone. A upwards-pointing index finger here, a sweeping arm there, the executive before them was essentially a library of sign language. "It will be my duty to conduct you all safely across this dangerous confection, both as the able hands of The Company and the watchful eyes of your supervisor. As I'm sure you are all aware, the atmosphere presently consists of what the boys in labcoats are calling 'toilet cleaner'. Be that as it may, we shall endeavor to clean up the air above this great dessert-desert and ensure that it will be a home to many in the years to come. Of course, there is one troubling bit of business about the whole thing..."

Now, and only now was there pause for something like a polite interruption. On the other hand, everyone probably wants to know about this whole troubling thing. So I will assume that we all just let him keep on here, lest we miss out on this troubling bit of business.

"It seems..." Daziel started slowly, clasping hands together over his chest, "The last fellows who went down met with some sort of tragedy. Disappeared, without a trace, as it were. Vanished, to use the technical term. Poor chaps. Now, as that pertains to us; our first and foremost order of business upon the surface shall be to know well the whereabouts, howabouts, and whyabouts of the ill-fated souls who went before us-- and knowing such abouts we shall endeavor to eradicate this shadowy force which devours terraforming teams whole. We will of course be armed with the finest weapons our company proudly produces; Peashooters, Showstoppers, Slappy's, Fatboys, and other affectionately named creatures of destruction. You'll all have your pick of litter. We'll discuss bunking arrangements and daily equipment procedures on the way down. As for the mission itself, are there any questions or comments?"

"I got one." Spencer spoke up, raising a scarred hand like a student in a classroom, "You ever shut up, or kin we expect this shit twenty-four hours a day?"

"Ah!" Daziel closed his eyes and nodded his head as if this were actually an excellent question. "As we come up to the interim between your question and another question, you may find that I shall shut up presently."

And then he shut up.

"Well first sir," Alice spoke up. "I was informed that we are leaving the station right now, I have my things close by, but I would like to go through medicine stock and what machines we have. If I am to run a solid infirmary, I want to know I have all I need. Especially if the atmo is not breathable, we will need enough oxygen masks, breathing apparatus and stuff to clean lungs. Hell even artificial lungs, if someone gets his or hers damaged. I am not comfortable with leaving without doing a thorough inventory check. It is nice that we will have ton of guns, which will be useful for sure, but I will need equipment to fix people, should someone get hurt. Isn't that why your great company asked for a doctor from SSS?"

"You sure we can't bring those two along?" Akemi asked incredulously, deciding to be annoying. "I bet we could squeeze 'em in. Just think of them as my luggage and put 'em in a box. I'm sure they're used to tight fits. I'm willing to split my vast riches too." The Neko didn't have any more serious questions or concerns so she went with whatever came to mind. This was pretty serious in its own way anyway. How could she pass up on having two personal slaves? There was no guaranteeing her companions would be entertaining and making sure people had a good time was what they were all about.

Sapphire looked at Yori when she spoke and approached her. She took Yori's hand and gave it a firm shake with a semi-firm grip to show confidence that was clearly missing. "Sapphire October. Communications and computers." Giving the older lady a tentive smile. "I'll probaly be handling all that stuff." Feeling abit more bolder and was getting ready to reply, when the Supervisor spoke up getting everyone's attention.

Sapphire stood next to Yori, listening to the speech that sounded like the dude was running for mayor of the town. She listened to the others and gave a soft giggle at the one asking if the Supervisor ever shut up. Bowing her head in embarrasment, letting her hair hide her now pink face.

Guns, what ever the slang they used for them, gave her jolt that this whont be anything going to a planet and the atmosphere was toxic to boot. If it came to a firefight with weapons, all she could do was send lead or destructive energy towards the enemy. But who would want to steal stuff that was mission specific.

Even the beer she took, more like stole, didn't have its usual effect on her. Normally any alcohol made her fearless, but toxic air, guns and being on her own from serious adult guidence made her stomach go queazy even if she hid it and being with strangers from across the galaxy. This was the time she wished she broke the rules and stashed one of those mini-bottles of serious liquors upon herself for the liquid courage it provided.

She whispered to Yori, "can you get me a one of those mini-bottles of booze, please?" Well at least if she was going to be treated like an adult, she would jump in with both feet and damn the consquences! Even if she was still concidered a minor.

Yori listened to Daziel's speech trying to keep up with everything that he said, nodded as she made sure of the information. She had mixed feelings about the fact that weapons would be provided though. While happy that they would be providing something a little more robust than what she was given in standard issue, that did mean that this would be dangerous. She just knew she was glad she finished the basic model of her suit and had a working prototype that could take some light fire, just in case.

She looked to Sapphire at her question and thought a moment the girl was defiantly under age but definitely stressed as well, something Yori understood too well in the current situation. She decided one drink couldn't hurt that much and got two bottles of beer and paid for them, handing one to Sapphire while not too many people were looking, then went to open her own bottle and have a drink. Normally she didn't drink but it sounded like a lot of tough work was ahead.

Sapphire smiled her thanks as she accepted the beer. It was better than nothing. She discreetly drank from the beer bottle, feeling the liquid courage seep into her system. At this slow rate of alcohol consumption, she would be plastered for the ride down to the planet.

Mako had sat herself on an empty spot on the table after exchanging greetings with those thay had greeted her. Now she listened to the others talk about various things pertaining to the mission.

As one of the barmaids passed she waved and ordered a drink.

"Doctor Mason, I'm sure you will find the medical area to be more than suitable once you've set it up." Daziel informed Alice with an eager grin. He snapped his fingers twice and Akemi's would-be slaves were quick to refresh drinks and settle a shot-glass full of something brown and sweet-smelling in front of Mako. He went on, as if this whole finger snapping and waitressing business were an incidental affect, like operating a slot machine or tossing out a wadded up wrapper. "I will, of course, discuss with you exactly what we'll be up to as we make our way down to the surface. As we are all here, we should leave momentarily. However..."

Mister Burton aligned himself with the bar and withdrew a flask from his coat. With his attention turned on the bottle he was tilting into the flask, he spoke over his shoulder and explained, "As for you, Miss Koga, you may as well give up on it now. Every spare centimeter on board is valuable and there are only accoutrement for nine people on our space-faring wagon-train. We've no room for dancing girls... They don't produce quite enough milk, I'm afraid you'll find..."

Mako rubbed her hands together and grinned as the drink was set out in front of her. Luckily this place seemed not to have mini sized glasses, so this was a proper big person drink, well a small big person drink. She reached into a pocket in her uniform and pulled out a little telescoping straw, extended it out and floated next to the cup, dipping the straw into it and taking a long drink of the dark, sweet, sugary, carbonated drink, then let out a sigh of content. She loved root beer.

Now with her drink before her, Mako was perfectly happy to float there sipping away and listen in.

"Well that bites," Akemi responded briskly. "I've got a question then. What do we have for entertainment?" She didn't really expect to be provided with anything, but she was curious to see how their boss would respond to having his chain yanked some more given his lofty demeanor.

Seiji sat there and watched Daziel as he gave his speech wordlessly. He had to give the man credit , he could really work a crowd. His empty mug now forgotten he spoke up “ E Eradicate ? Shouldn't a full security team be going ahead first?! We only have one and a half members of one!” Seiji looked a bit shocked at the concept of armed conflict “ And how long are we expected to be down there? How long does the process take and how much of it can we do from here?” He looked around at his would be team members, completely unable to believe they where all so very calm after the announcements.