Operation Ares

[srwu_npc2]

[Backdated to shortly after the Daitarn finale]

Thanks to our recent operation on Mars, a discovery was made - one of the Wulgaru ships crashed into the planet, most likely during Battle of Ceres. It didn't self-destruct like others, which means we can grab whatever data is in its stores, hopefully something useful like the location of the gate Wulgaru are using to invade the Earth Sphere from.

It's our mission to gain access to the ship's main computer before it disintegrates. Also? Teoria's assistant Daneel is coming.

[1 - combat prompt]
Approach to the wreck is easy, but the ship itself is not unguarded. A group of Wulgaru humanoid fighters is walking and flying around it - they seem confused and mostly aimless, but still they have to be destroyed or at least occupied so the infiltration party can get in.

A sandstorm is coming, and on Mars those things get HUGE. You have to act quickly!

[2 - all in one thread please]
While the fight is going on outside, the infiltration team gets into the ship on foot.


"The corridor seems stable. Good, follow me to the bridge."

As promised Daneel is with you, wearing a space suit. There is no atmosphere here so hopefully everyone brought one! From the inside, the ship is rather organic looking, with cell-like walls and hexagons everywhere. Be careful - there are signs of decay and parts of the ship may collapse under careless feet.

Also: the ship is manned. Or rather, was. Humanoid corpses wearing concealing full body suits are strewn through the corridors.

Comments

[cloningblues]

[Asagi looks around corners, a Mass Effect gun beam pistol at ready in case anyone is still alive. But that turns out to be not necessary. He looks at the bodies.]

These guys. Are they...

[srwu_npc2]

"They are clone slaves. Bred en masse and used as foot soldiers and pilots."

[break_the_nine]

[Leos is carefully moving around the bodies.]

Wow... its really a mess in here...

Do you think they use terminals like we do?

[His fingers move in a slight motion, like he's almost eager to dive into things.]

[booty_chaser]

[Ashe is there, in her Model A armor, as a bit of a security detail in case something goes pear-shaped - there were still some fighters outside, after all, who's to say there aren't more remnants inside? In deference to the fact that Model A makes her immune to vacuum, she is not wearing a space suit. In deference to the fact she still needs to breathe, at least in this form, she is wearing a small oxygen mask.

Teoria's words do seem to strike a chord with her, though]

...that's just horrible. Bred en masse, and for being nothing more than cannon fodder.

Who would do something like that?

[srwu_npc2]

"You do what you want to. If you are powerful, you can afford to do anything, and are a noble. If you are weak, you are a servant, or a slave. This is Wulgaru's way of thinking. The way Teoria disagreed with."

Daneel passes by the corpses, not paying them much attention once it's clear they are all dead.

"The bridge will have a command console, but only individuals with specifically modified DNA can operate it. This is why I am here."

[cloningblues]

[Asagi becomes quiet. This situation gives him food for thought, and not very nicely-tasting food.]

How did they die? I don't see any signs of combat.

[srwu_npc2]

"The ship is disabled, so there is nothing to sustain their lives anymore."

[herodrawing]

They're like drones in a bugs' nest... I didn't know Wulgaru were doing things this way.

It's not fair.

[majestic_keiki]

[You're interrupted by a call from the outside.]

How is the exploration coming along? We're holding position, but the storm is rapidly approaching and we're not equipped for prolonged operation in conditions like that.

[break_the_nine]

... There isn't a lot that's fair in the world Izuru.

But that's what people like us are for. To make things right.

[herodrawing]

Ah, Kei! We only just made it in... come on guys, we need to hurry up!

[Izuru quickly advances forward, perhaps one could even say - recklessly so!]

[booty_chaser]

Unfair is the least of its problems... its inhuman it's what it is! How can someone be so evil? [Something has clearly touched Ashe's nerve. However, then Izuru runs up]

Izuru! Wait! Let me go first! [Ashe goes right after him, overtaking him quickly. Model A can definitely take more punishment than flimsy space suits! She's going to dash forward a bit to check the immediately nearby area quickly - they're on a clock here]

[srwu_npc2]

"Hold it, this is dangerous!"

Indeed, the floor starts to give under the trailblazers' (which means Izuru and Ashe) steps, and some rubble falls on their heads.

1/2

[cloningblues]

...I got you, Kei. Let's move.

[Asagi is keeping very quiet about the whole issue with the Wulgaru. But just a glance at his face shows that it affects him deeply...]

2/2

[cloningblues]

Watch out!

[Asagi suddenly jumps forward, trying to grab the hand of one of the forwards and pull them to safety! Which probably means Izuru.]

[herodrawing]

Uegh!

[Pulled back.]

But, Ashe!

[booty_chaser]

[When the floor begins to crumble, Ashe dashes forward, stepping on the floor pieces an instant before they fall and bouncing off wall onto a safe ground area. Megaman, remember? She's literally made for this kind of platforming dodging! She turns around instantly and looks at everyone else across the hole]

Is everyone okay?

[herodrawing]

Yeah... somehow.

[srwu_npc2]

"I told you to be careful..."

The whole ship rumbles quietly, just for a second.

"The structure won't last much longer, but we're almost there. This way."

Daneel enters a side corridor, and after a small detour everyone is on the bridge. Ashe on the other hand can take the main route which means she's there a minute or two before others.

And indeed, here's a console.

[cloningblues]

Unlike a certain someone, I know Ashe can handle it.

[Asagi proceeds, making sure there are no hostiles. His precautions turn out to be unnecessary.]

Here we are. How long will it take, Daneel-san?

[srwu_npc2]

"Not long."

Daneel puts his hands on the console - and suddenly the seemingly dead terminal lights up, springing back to life!

"I'm looking for it now... there! Accessing data."

Interestingly, his hands and fingers don't move at all.

[cloningblues]

Do you have it? What did you find?