Galaxtic War: Strike Teams IC

[MelissaB]

You all from the armory, geared up and ready for combat you position yourselves outside the airlock, ready to space jump through the void to the enemy ship for boarding, the lack of a ship to transport was dangerous but allowed for people to get taken out without risking the whole attack. While the commandos would be space jumping two transport ships of support marines would be heading in after you to secure the exit points on the ship and give the commandos an evac point at which to retreat once their objective was complete. You are those commandos.

A group of thirty commandos men, women, AI controlled bodies stand armed and ready, even one metal tank like bear is in the mix. each of you brace yourselves for the plunge, your final briefing being brought to you by Commander Illiai, a Human cyborg, a vet of the galactic war and her additional parts are trophies of her battles, her body is powered by an AI that surrendered control of it's body to the Vet in the hopes of sustaining her life so she may continue to fight for the UEC and lead the Special Task force. The rumor during boot camp was she and the AI were lovers, best friends and one rumor was she saved the AI's life in the opening of the war. Regardless no one was ever brave enough to ask her about it and you're all still left wondering how that relationship ever formed to what it had become.

A hologram pops into life before you, Commander's Illiai's eerie appearance standing tall and proud before you as her near lifeless eyes scan the group of 30. Slowly she raises her hand to show the hologram of the enemy Norian ships, two stingray class ships that are moving in formation, any moment the Katla; an ironclad class corvette, will engage and unleash it's fighter wings to keep the Norian ships occupied while the commandos and marines board the enemy ship for the VIP Norian scientist and bring them in or neutralize the VIP before evacing from either point Alpha or Beta. Each of you standing to attention as you ready yourselves and soon the battle begins, the two Norian ships beginning to return fire as impact blasts echo around you, showing you just how small you are to the ships as each blast felt like it would tear through the side of the hull and send each of you flying into space.

Commander Illiai: https://cyborgphotos.files.wordpress.co ... inting.jpg

The Katla: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/cf/55/4b ... a4ea67.jpg

Stingway Norian ships: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/f2/2b/72/f22b ... crafts.jpg

"You are to board the second ship, flying past it's escort and board, Commandos will be space jumping in, use your jump suit's HUD to meet your target vector and your thrusters for any corrections and velocity control before you hit the ship, no one wants to impact the hull at 100 Kilometers a second. Not even an AI's body will survive that impact." She comments looking over a few of the AI commandos personally "Brace yourselves you jump in five minutes." She gives the order and disappears from view leaving you watching out of the airlock at the battle, a vast array of lights and explosions going off as both sides fire upon one another, each side trying to gain dominance over the space between the capital ships.

[Lorielle]

Nakita double checks all of her gear for the third time in the last minutes since gearing up. While not her first mission as a commando it was definitely her first space jump on to another ship. Mostly she checks her hardlight-carbon armor making sure it phases correctly and kept her configuration setting, the UI for it was rather confusing and kept resetting for some unknown reason. Once she was done she looks over her rifle zeroing it's sight and hoping that it was space worthy not wanting to get blown around while in micro/zero-g.

The sweat was beading down her forehead as she finished her triple check she looks around to the rest of the commandos hoping that her nervousness doesnt seem too obvious as she tries to hide her expressions under her hood.

[Nobudi]

Aer wasn't in her element at all. The training weeks before were grueling, the food was bland and barely edible. Even after the training was finished and she had been on reserve, the aches and sores did not seem to want to shy away. Her long, thin ears were uncomfortably tucked into her helmet. Her parents, if they could see her now, would have a fit over their 'precious' daughter. Her lips hardened. Good. Still, it was a jarring experience. For the first time in a long time, her hair had been tied up and stashed underneath her helmet. The armor was much too tight on her, barely letting her breath. She lifted the heavy rifle, making sure to check the safety was still on and her magazine was ready to be used. Being a soldier seemed to be uncomfortable.

They had told her to become a medic during her recruitment. Not only would she have been safe behind the frontlines, but they made great propaganda on filming the wounded being taken care of, they claimed. She didn't want to take the easy way out. But, with the grim reminder that her life was now on the line, for real now, she had to kick it up to gear.

[Reaperbones]

[quote="Lorielle"][/quote]
Risa stood amongst the group of commandos. She knew this moment would probably be the last time she'd feel even remotely comfortable until the end of the mission. She was smart enough to know that if they got blasted into space that recovery was possible, and even if they weren't recovered their deaths would be quick. This thought pattern kept her at ease and calm, but the thought that soon they would be entering the enemy ship and probably be separated left her anxious. Being behind enemy lines opened up a terrifying potential, being captured. Death was horrible and terrifying yet it was quick, but being captured meant a long period of torture and imprisonment. If you were lucky they would kill you after they were done, but more likely they'd keep you alive to use you however they wanted.
Risa shook these thoughts from her head and focused on her fellow soldiers. She could tell they were nervous. She spotted one that made it very obvious by trying to hide her face under her hood. She identified her as Nakita based off her outfit. Risa had made it a point to memorise the names and appearances of her teammates one missions. Risa stepped over to Nakita and gave her a smile before speaking in a motherly tone. "You doing alright Nakita? Need a hug or a kiss to soothe your nerves?"

[mrblah]

With the Commander gone, one AI in specific decided to take inventory for the 3rd time. Ammo, check. Grenade, check. Secondary firearm, check. Classical tunes playlist, ready to play. Sigma's checklist seemed to be showing all green, and the AI was ready and prepared for the task ahead. She looked around at her fellow commandos, her teammates for the mission and the people she'd be entrusting her life with. The team seemed... capable. The big bear would certainly be useful on the frontlines, and the creepier looking AI seemed competent. Sigma wasn't too sure about the two she spotted conversing, though. A kiss? What, are you her mother... She mentally huffed. But they didn't seem completely incompetent. Odds seemed to be in her favor that Specialist Mooncast Sigma Charlatan-02 wouldn't have to become Specialist Mooncast Sigma Charlatan-03.

... Sigma thought optimistically. Regardless of how things seemed, she knew everything could quickly go FUBAR at the drop of a hat. "The best plans always go to shit." She quoted her teacher, looking down at her AR with a blank expression. That ass would probably tell her to be prepared for the absolute worst. That nothing was going to go right and that she'd die if she faltered. It was time to put those teachings to the test, and Sigma hoped not everything she was told was true. She's prepared either way.

Sigma played her warm-up tunes. Just a quick classical song to drown out the explosions from outside.

[Mark3000]

Brigid was a bit startled by the explosions happening outside the ship. This would be her first time on an actual battlefield. She had gone through basic training and have been given the basic knowledge to perform her role. But she couldn't shake this feeling of unease. Spending the first year of her life at a medical outpost has given the AI plenty of chances to see the horrors war can inflict on the body.

Looking through her gear, Brigid wonders if she should have brought a third Med Kit. On top of the actual mission, Brigid's main objective was to keep her compatriots in good mental and physical health. Hopefully, she wouldn't have to use any of them but the battle field can be unpredictable.

As she prepares herself for the mission, Brigid finds herself besides another AI. She believed she was called Sigma. " H-Hello there. I am Starbound Panakeia Psi-14. But I go by the name Brigid" She said trying to strike up a conversation. Most of Brigid's time had been spent either with patients or her follow Starbound Panakeia sisters. "I will be acting as one of the team's field medics on this mission. If you need anything don't hesitate to call on me."

[lilbooth]

Magnus creaked and groaned as he shifted about after the debriefing. He was stiff after the extended space travel to get to where the strike team had gathered. Magnus had actually been on R&R when he was assigned to the new strike force. Every 10 years or so Freya Industries gave him a few months of respite. Unfortunately, the respite meant that Magnus had to go without any of the normal ordinances we was used to carrying. Without any weaponry and seriously lacking in any real funding, Magnus usually spent his R&R in hibernation. And he usually had at least a week or two to get all his joints loosened up and back in working order. Freya happened to offer Magnus' to the strike team without exactly knowing where he was, so his week or two was shortened to a day or two. Most of which was spent in the chop shop doing what they could to reboot and rearm the all but ancient war bear. The restricted time frame meant Magnus was headed into the mission with just 1 hardpoint mounted assault rifle and his sturdy bulwark. But Magnus is stubbornly loyal, and even if he was grumpy, sore, and still waking up from his last nap, once those doors opened, he was all business.

There certainly was an interesting crowd in the ship preparing for the drop. A group of 30 going up against the Norian. Not much different than his first ever battle, of a group of 40 panserborne against a horde of Norian. He was one of 6 to survive his first mission and he had continued his streak for more than half a decade. This mission was a touch more tactical, with extractions and objectives and such. His first set of orders was literally just to kill anything not whitelisted under his priorities. He has come a long way since then, developing a personality and becoming capable of making independent decisions.

He really didn't have anything to prepare. He didn't need, oxygen, so the space jump wouldn't impair him at all. His "gear" was solidly built into his frame, the rifle was mounted well and he had plenty of ammo. He tested the vectoring on the thrusters that had been strapped to his limbs earlier that day. Everything seemed to be in working order.

[Lorielle]

Risa stood amongst the group of commandos. She knew this moment would probably be the last time she'd feel even remotely comfortable until the end of the mission. She was smart enough to know that if they got blasted into space that recovery was possible, and even if they weren't recovered their deaths would be quick. This thought pattern kept her at ease and calm, but the thought that soon they would be entering the enemy ship and probably be separated left her anxious. Being behind enemy lines opened up a terrifying potential, being captured. Death was horrible and terrifying yet it was quick, but being captured meant a long period of torture and imprisonment. If you were lucky they would kill you after they were done, but more likely they'd keep you alive to use you however they wanted.
Risa shook these thoughts from her head and focused on her fellow soldiers. She could tell they were nervous. She spotted one that made it very obvious by trying to hide her face under her hood. She identified her as Nakita based off her outfit. Risa had made it a point to memorise the names and appearances of her teammates one missions. Risa stepped over to Nakita and gave her a smile before speaking in a motherly tone. "You doing alright Nakita? Need a hug or a kiss to soothe your nerves?"

Nakita cocks the bolt back on her rifle when she hears Risa speak to her. The other white-haired soldier on this mission seemingly wanting to make small talk before the jump. Nakita lifts her face up and gives Risa a glare at the rather vulgar offer tipping her head back down so that she couldnt see her roll her eyes. "Im quite sure...thats not really allowed and besides im fine." She says as she takes a step away from her. This time slinging her rifle to her back and then going to check her pistol taking out the magazine and cocking the slide even though it was cleaned just before the mission, everything needed to go right.

[Reaperbones]

Risa chuckled at the girl's response. She was a bit more reserved than Risa expected, but that just meant a change of tactics. She spoke with a cheerful tone. "Sorry dear I just thought a little playful behavior would help your nervousness. It's nothing to be ashamed about or even embarrassed. We all feel fear when facing death."
Risa reached into her pocket and pulled out a bit of cloth. She held it out to Nakita before continuing in her speech. "I think the only reason I'm not that nervous is because of my morbid thought process."

[mrblah]

Sigma's music paused in her head, as she registered someone speaking to her. Playback. ... Ah, it's another AI, the medic, introducing herself in a friendly manner... "Specialist Mooncast Sigma Charlatan-02, at your service." Sigma nodded, a polite smile on her face. Making friendly with her teammates seemed practical for the mission, so it'd be optimal to attempt to establish such, especially with anyone who approached her to extend the olive branch themselves. "And knowing about your series, you can be sure you'd be my first call. I've heard tales about the Starbound Panakeia AIs and their efficiency in the field." That vicious slave driver who fancies himself a teacher made sure she knew every new series of AIs that showed promise in the field, and the Starbound AIs were one of them.

Sigma still couldn't exactly get past the idea of adding the ears, though. They just seemed like more to shoot when you're ducking behind cover, and the larger bust of the AIs seemed just as cumbersome. Why have those features if they'd be so detrimental... Sigma's eyes scanned the girl's chest blatantly. She'd have to ask about this mystery later, but the conversation at hand was more important.

[Lorielle]

Risa chuckled at the girl's response. She was a bit more reserved than Risa expected, but that just meant a change of tactics. She spoke with a cheerful tone. "Sorry dear I just thought a little playful behavior would help your nervousness. It's nothing to be ashamed about or even embarrassed. We all feel fear when facing death."
Risa reached into her pocket and pulled out a bit of cloth. She held it out to Nakita before continuing in her speech. "I think the only reason I'm not that nervous is because of my morbid thought process."

Her weapon was immaculate as always; releasing the slide she reinserts the magazine and holsters her weapons. "I think you're misunderstanding something. Im not afraid to die, i'd just rather not end up flying through space for the rest of eternity. Hmph." Once she knows she's ready to go Nikita engages the stealth mode for her armor causing a shimmering light blue set of hard-light in the shape of a large cloak to appear before it begins to blend in with the rest environment.

[Reaperbones]

Rise crossed her arms as the girl attempted to conceal her emotions. Risa waited until her cloak was done adjusting to the environment before speaking. "Well if you're not afraid of death then floating through space is nothing to worry about. Just open your helmet and it'll all be over in a second."
Risa uncrossed her arms and placed the cloth on Nakita's shoulder. She spoke with a serious tone as she checked her own pistol. "You'll want to wipe that sweat off before you put on your mask else it'll glue itself to your face in the most uncomfortable ways. Look I'm gonna leave you to your thoughts since you obviously don't care to share them, but do me a favor and make sure to return that cloth after the mission. That means no flying off into space for all eternity with it. Deal?"

[Mark3000]

Brigid's ears wiggle in delight as she gets to know Sigma. When it came time for the mission, she would roll them up to keep them from getting in the way. But for now, Brigid was happy to let out for the time being.

Though she couldn't help but feel Sigma's eyes land on her bust. Her white jumpsuit only seemed to make her curves more pronounced. Brigid and her sisters were use to being ogled. Most of the Starbound Panakeia's bodies were designed with their creator's specific "Tastes" in mind.

After a brief pause, Brigid turns to the rest of the commandos. "It seems we have a rather diverse group for this mission. We're even under the leadership of Commander Illiai. Have you heard some of the stories about her and her AI partner. They sound so romantic." She said with a small swoon.

[Reaver]

Standard HVT extraction or elimination was Pavor's favorite kind of mission. There weren't many other more efficient ways of spreading terror and disorder among the ranks than picking off key figures and few that were suitable for one like himself. "Delightful..." He uttered, feeling the need to outwardly express his delight. With all the other members of the squad being unfamiliar to him, Pavor opted to keep his other thoughts to himself and focus on making last-minute adjustments and checks to his equipment. The armory always tweaked his flamethrower for maximum efficiency in combat, but not for spreading terror. His studies had shown that fire was best when it created the fear of the fire spreading to other people and losing control. Death would always come but it was the fear of pain and the lack of control from the effects of fire that scared most. Fear has the capacity to save lives, that had been what his creator had told him. Through fear, one could understand and manipulate their enemies better, through manipulation bring about a swifter end to the conflict by forcing a retreat or surrender. The logic was sound and if it saved the lives of humanity then Pavor was obligated to continue his research. It would have been nice for his creator to still be around though, she had always been helpful in the field at confirming hypothesis through her own means.

"I'll bring the VIP back alive, she would have liked the opportunity to interrogate." He said to himself as simulated nostalgia shuffled his directive from extermination to extraction with prejudice. Besides, kidnapping was also another potent way of spreading fear in others; they wouldn't know if they could far to the same fate and their imaginations would exponentially increase the amount of fear felt as they tried to imagine what would come after the kidnapping. It took Pavor another minute to finish his equipment check before he tucked the flamethrower underneath his prized blue vest and stood near the exit of the airlock. "Pavor-2 ready for mission start and fear harvesting." Speaking out aloud so the other squad members could hear and learn his designation and directives. In the slim chance they ended up being separated during the space jump, Pavor didn't want them to mistake him for a hostile entity. Pavor himself wasn't worried, he had installed the jump jets from the suit onto his legs and arms for better precision during the jump but humans were another matter and he certainly hoped the other AIs wouldn't have issues either.

"I've heard of those stories." Responding to Brigid's question with a turn of the head. "Her record speaks for herself as I'm sure everyone's in this group does as well. Personally, I wouldn't call having a human living inside of my carcass romantic but I can understand the merit, I would have done the same thing for my creator if I could have. Otherwise, I believe my directives to be too important for my body to be wasted in such a way." His 'teeth' clacked together rapidly after he spoke, his favorite way of simulating laughter and amusement.

[mrblah]

At the mention of the rumors, Sigma huffed. "You mean the rumors about her being intimate with an AI? The very stories that were never confirmed for legitimacy and were probably formed by recruits with too much time on their hands?" She's heard of them. A lot of them. You couldn't hear about the commander without hearing at least one word of the rumors at boot camp. Sigma had always found it to be a waste of time, bothering with supposed explanations for their superior's relationship with her AI. How they met or why the AI does what it does is totally irrelevant to their mission.

"I guess maybe some people could see them as a source of entertainment, but I honestly don't like to bother with other's personal matters like that." Diplomatically with a polite smile, Sigma stated her negative opinions on the matter, declining any interest in them whatsoever. The commander can do whoever and whatever she pleases. It isn't Sigma's job to care about her romantic affairs.

[Reaver]

"Nevertheless it is interesting, no?" His red eyes locking onto Sigma while giving her a thumbs up. Making sure his voice was at the right level to not come off as threatening and maintain the levity was hard. Better to gesture to assuage any assumptions of hostility. "Love is like fear, an emotion with the capacity to drive one to extremes, emotionally and physically. Almost as if Ying and Yang, you can't have one without the other for love can't exist without one another. Whether the rumors are true is easily verifiable through records on the chassis information of the AI she partnered with and when it was deactivated." Pavor disagreed on the relevance of the information, seeing it as a huge vector for many mannerisms and quirks that could come out of their commander and as the one that was in charge of him, anything that affected her could affect his own outcome.

"Organics are so interesting though. Their personal matters often defy all logic and create scenarios that I could have never anticipated through simulations. When fear drives them they do the most interesting things. I remember once a Slarian killed itself than suffer the same fate I had bestowed upon the rest of its compatriots. Death came all the same but it opted to chose a different means than live for a few more moments then die by my hand. But excuse me, I'm expositing. My interest in everyone here is minimal compared to the enemies, I won't delve into anyone's psyche or personal matters unless prompted to. I will mention now though, I intend to extract the Norian VIP alive. The ease of the mission comes secondary to the information that can be gained from it, to a degree of course." Better for them to know his ultimatum now, than try to alter it mid-mission.

[HarleyLocal605]

Stephanie checked and secured her gear, as she scanned over the rest of the squad. Restless as ever, she began a short warmup routine as she fell forward landing on her fists cranking out push ups, in one fluid motion tucking her legs up as she rocked her hips forward, cranking out a couple hundred crunches, following with a kip up, as she went into shadowboxing bobbing and weaving as she would throw out different combinations of punches and kicks. Having finally works up a sweat and loosened up for the mission, and got her to somewhat stop fidgeting in place, she went over to Aer to make her acquaintance.

"Ready to hunt some foxes there girl?" Stephanie asked with a cocky smirk.

[Mark3000]

Brigid jumps a bit as Pavor enters the conversation. Her ears stand on end for a moment before she calms down. "S-sorry" She says, apologizing for the rude response. Listening to the two AI's discuss the Commander's history, she could tell that the two were a lot more experienced then her. Here she was trying to gossip like she was back at the Medical Outpost with her sisters.

Listening to Pavor speak of the strong emotional responses of organics, Brigid couldn't help but nod. "I know what you mean. During my training , I helped treat many patients that who had returned from the battlefield barely alive. You could see the fear of death in their eyes as they contemplated their end. While some tried to take their life like the Slarian, others chose to hold on a bit longer for us to do our work. It almost felt like they were being driven by an even greater emotion" Brigid said with a solemn smile. "I guess that's why the stories about the Commander seem so engaging."

Looking to Sigma and Pavor, Brigid gave them a determined look. "I will do everything in my power to ensure this mission is a success and everyone here can return in once piece" She says with a nod.

[mrblah]

Sigma accepted Pavor's inclusion into the conversation without a beat. "I suppose that makes sense." But not that she agreed with it. "I still couldn't say it's a mystery I'd ever try to solve, but I can see why some others would feel it's important enough to put time and thought into." Sigma did, however, wonder about the stories of these few men who desired death over a chance at life. Sigma had once been told of such people by her taskmaster. Men and women who had came to the end of a line and saw no continuation in sight, who chose to take their own life than try to fix their situation and find a new line... her creator never spoke lowly of them, surprisingly. Only pitying.

She didn't understand it then, she doesn't understand it now. Sigma mentally locked the question in the back of her head, focusing on the continuation of the conversation. "Orders are death or capture. I'm fine with going for the capture route, but if the target's getting away and there's a slim chance we could capture them and finish the mission; I won't hesitate to off them." The mission always came before personal feelings or thoughts. Sigma was perfectly willing to assist her teammate towards his desired outcome, but just as quickly, she'd kill the target immediately if need be.

[MelissaB]

As you all converse and get ready. checking your equipment or warming up for the jump the lights go out and a single rotating red warning light kicks in, reminding each of you that you are about to brave the most dangerous environment known in all existence and fly through an on going battle at the same time. Each of you sparing a glance at the others before you hear the Commander's voice. "this is it, brace yourselves, you're about to be shot out of this ship at the speed of sound. Or there abouts. Also you grunts should make sure the comms on your space flight suits are off before gossiping." She cuts the comms off in a manner that made even the casual click of the other side going dead sound like she slammed a door shut. Then the whirring begins like pistons ready to snap open the hatch and fire each of you out into space.

Combined roll: 88/160 - Gm roll d100: 8 = 80 (Really not happy about that)

And then the doors slam open, shooting wide enough for every commando waiting to be propelled out at once, firing each of you out as the air rushes out at the speed of sound, dragging each of you out along with it sending you hurdling through space and into the fray. All sound having disappeared but your breathing, or whirling of mechanical parts. as you've sent on a direct course through the battle to your target's ship. Each of you able to manoeuvre your thrusters to navigate the debris and in coming fire, with the marines flanking your route in their barges giving supporting fire to clean your path of enemy interceptors and fighters from stopping you all from making it. Closing it you get a long look at the first Norian stingway as it almost looms at you as it's peppered with explosions, bouncing off it's hull and tearing at the metal as it returns fire, your vectors only slightly knocked off course by the imcoming shockwaves that you easily correct. Each of you receiving comm links to make sure you correct your approach speed and vector so you don't miss, bounce off or splat against the side of the enemy ship.

Slowly down and weapons ready you approach the Norian ship containing the Scientist you were to extract or eliminate. Soon you're upon the ship, landing with thug thuds unable to be heard by anyone, the thick hull even preventing those inside from hearing it. Soon some of your fellow commands cut open an access point allow each of you to get inside on the ship, judging by where you landed you've got another two decks before you reach the science lab and holding cells like containing the VIP.

Enter one of the halls the atmosphere slowly returns to normal from your intrusion as ship systems stabilise and seal off the escaping air. You make about ten meters before your on set by defenders trying to repel your boarding party, pinning you behind walls and what cover you could find. Leaving you exchange a fire fight in a hallway while reinforcements come to help them, Only four Norian soldiers are keeping you occupied while half of your force has split up to find another way to the VIP. Leaving you to fend off the defenders while fifteen of you fire back or get to cover.

Already two Commandos are down in the surprise opening volley, brains and metal sent flying as they are taken out, killing both of them instantly as the corpses drop to the floor, lifeless and without motion, moved only by the motion of the ship. The blaring siren alerting to you that they know you're aboard though it's just as likely that the sirens are also because of the ongoing space battle.

(2 turns before enemy reinforcements are on your position)