∝Transmission 008: Sway Like Branches

[gauntletmods]

[a series of crackles and cracks, snippets of half-formed words in DIVA’s serene voice, before there’s a static fizzle and a pop that falls to silence. there follows a heavy sigh of resignation before the Hawking’s Commander appears on the Spheres ]

They really did a number on the old girl…

[after muttering this absently he looks directly at his Sphere]

First off I’ll congratulate the lot of you for finding the explosives we were so generously gifted with - at the least we won’t take even more damage than we already have.

On that note our systems have endured critical damage, particularly the Hawking, and to that end we’ll be docking at the nearest station for repairs. Although some of our personnel have made strides to keep us afloat, we’re in need of parts and supplies that our attackers left us without.

During our time there I expect you all should be able to mind your manners with the Alliance workforce there, and keep your noses clean. Those of you who specialize in engineering might learn a thing or two from this stay-over, at least. Commander Menaeus and I will also be assessing how best to organize our forces in the event of no doubt inevitable skirmishes in the future.

If you’ve any questions or [a pointed pause, as he’s reluctant to say this, but also to display how to access these means of contact] recommendations regarding this, messages can be left for either Leon or myself.

That is all, so prepare for docking.


DETAILS

Apologies for the delay! And no, that is not DIVA, but Commander Farix who has made an announcement.

What the Hawking’s Commander has stated is only the obvious; although the additional damage from the planted bombs has been diverted, the ships are damaged. And badly, at that. The anti-Alliance attackers did heavy damage, and many of the corridors and rooms are still littered with debris and marred with scorch marks.

Not long after the transmission, the station becomes visible. At first it’s simply a bright blue dot against the blackness of space but as they draw nearer that dot becomes larger and larger. Finally those onboard the Uesugi and Hawking can see plainly that this station is a large biosphere, very nearly the size of a small moon. As they drift above this bubble of living matter, the foreign plant life becomes more distinct, but the sheer size is only apparent as they dock on one of the station’s radiating arms.

There a repair crew awaits those who first exit either of the Alliance craft, welcoming them to the Atropos biostation before turning their attention to the wounded ships. Engineers from the Hawking are welcomed while others are prompted to head down the wide corridor to the station proper.

Following a long passage down this bright white avenue, the crew will greeted by a truly unusual sight. All around, plants tower high overhead. Trees stretch beyond the height of skyscrapers while mushrooms the size of houses cluster around their trunks. Grass looms above all but the tallest of the company, and a narrow path winds between these towering blades. An aromatic scent fills the air; almost but not quite distinguishable as anything familiar.

At the end of the path lies a round clearing populated by buildings dwarfed by the surrounding flora. Nevertheless all the comforts the crewmembers might wish for seem to be present: a cafeteria, a supply depot, and Alliance-standard guest facilities are all within a short walk. In addition to this, the people of the station haven’t neglected entertainment, including both a pub and a multi-chambered holo-suite with a variety of optional diversions.

Of course, one could just venture out into the wilderness, but the researchers there don’t recommend this. Out in the forest there are several rare and endangered species of plant that just so happen to be carnivorous. And what you might call self-defense, they call destruction of an irreplaceable organism. It just might pay to listen to those scientists.

Besides, those that stay in the clearing or work amongst the engineers will be privy to snippets of information regarding The First and Admiral Orion. Whispers and gossip drift into and out of hearing as researchers and repairmen alike keep to their tasks, from the silly (for example, the First is actually led by Orion's old lover who wants to take revenge on him for spurning her) to the more respectable (such as his achievements, including that of the IASC-Crucible incident, and his many accolades).

To clarify, any character with engineering experience may stay and help with the repairs, and not just those of the Science Division. Those who do not are to stay in the biosphere as so not to get in the way of repairs. Additionally, the kind of gossip from various people, should you bother listening to them is rather controlled, such as nothing about the Admiral's family background, or any incriminating secrets (aside from that silly tidbit of the First being led by a lover--who knows if it's real?) Things such as rumors of groups affiliated with the First being sighted in a planet nearby are also acceptable. This is to ensure no one is hearing something different from the others--unless your character would like to have a discussion about it with their friends, and compare notes, of course.

As always if you’ve got questions, comments, or want to use this entry for plotting purposes, go right on ahead. The ships will be docked at the station for at least one week, after which time repairs will suffice for setting back out.