Scene #1265: The Apex and the Hylotl

Owner	Pose
Starbound Flotilla	Without warning, the damaged ship in orbit, with its damaged white hull, suddenly hums to life for a moment! With a brief flash, two red beams of light blast out of the bottom of it, streaking to the Earth below... Targeting, as best it can, a relatively dense forest area, with minimal population density around it, isolated where possible. Nothing happens at the site of the impact of these beams for some time, though, or at least nothing obvious! Clearly, the practical thing is to turn XCOM's satellites to observe the site of impact, and when the site itself is seen, send a team to see... The location of this operation appears to be a wide, open clearing in the middle of a forest. Unlike any of the aliens XCOM has encountered before, these appear to have beamed down using some sort of teleportation technology. And, completely unlike any past examples of alien life on Earth, the first thing they began doing is lumberjacking, which is to say, jacking lumber. The clearing is entirely artificial, and a high volume of wood harvested. Also visible is some sort of stout stone and wood structure constructed in the middle of it all. Several crafting tables are strewn about the outside, full of wood, stone, copper, and iron tools produced with modern skill from barbaric materials, as well as a hefty anvil or two. It's a tiny little stone fort of sorts, or maybe a mining operation. It actually seems pretty rustic, but the cobblestone and wood making it up seems to have been refined and structured by some kind of high-tech fabrication method. This would even seem relatively harmless, if it weren't for the fact that the aliens who beamed down to do this appear to have constructed it in the span of a few dozen minutes. It is, to say the least, /extremely/ unusual. There's also occasional bursts of energy, distorted as if through layers of Earth. Much of what they're doing is likely underground. It looks like several month's worth of normal, rustic survivalism have gone on in this area in the span of mere minutes. There's a rather obvious front entry, with a handcrafted wooden door set into the fabricated stone structure offering a rather simple and unsecured entryway. Windows at the sides give the option of entering more sneakily. There's a few signs that wildlife have attempted to halt this breach in their territory, however, and the result is shown rather clearly: Blackened craters, reminiscient of traditional human-level explosives, as well as signs of high-power laceration. They seem to have been primarily focused on rambunctious wildlife, though, not on any kind of invasion... Maybe. It's not quite clear. A variety of campfires are spread out, some lit and some not, and the place's oddly threatening sudden presence is heavily offset by how it looks fairly colonial. The structure here is about two stories tall, with a rooftop meant as an observation area from which an entrance is visible. Strangely, the architectural design is quite nice. Someone involved in this thing's creation appears to have attempted to make it rather stylish, and it uses the stone aesthetic quite well. An eye-pleasing symmetry is maintained and the silhouette is cozy and inviting. Why someone would bother with that in the first place isn't particularly clear.
Elise Leroy	Alert klaxons go off all across the XCOM base as the ship powers up. "Voodoo flight, scramble! Strike One, the unknown has fired some kind of beam into a forested area in Canada, sending coordinates through to Big Sky now! Tasking RecSat Delta to oberving the site. Will advice enroute!" says Bradford with all the near-panic energy he usually shows during an Interception attempt. Multiple things happen in the few minutes it takes the beams to land and their occupants to go about their business. Four Raven interceptors are rapidly launched via vertical catapult, they begin the arduous journey to get into a position to strike the ship in orbit, should they be given the order. Strike One hurries aboard the Skyranger, accompanied by whoever else is coming at the base, and the satellite that was watching the ship so intently, now turns in its orbit and focusess its sensor suite down towards the planet. Enroute, the Strike Team are shown high-zoom images of the area. "What the hell? THere's no impact crater... so that wasn't some kind of weapon, but look at the deforestation, how could they have happened so fast?" asks Viper as she cradles her shotgun like a little girl would a teddy bear. "Unknown. We had best be cautious." replies Piledriver, flexing her left fist with a mechanical whirring. "Cut the chatter, Bradford, sitrep?" cuts in Elise. "You'll be dropping into a densely forested region in the Yukon for this operation... we have /no/ information on what to expect, so proceed with caution. There are no civilians within the AO."
Courier Six	There's a flicker of pseudo-motion nearby to the Unidentified ships, and a third unidentified ship flashes into existance out of hyperspace. It's a dull looking cobbled together light frighter that someone has accquired at some point or another. License/broadcasting tags make it out to be owned by the Mojave Express, though. Hmmm. Shortband radio signals crackle open, and someone female inside the ship hails... pretty much everyone involved. <This is Cassidy Caravans calling unknown vessels. Howdy. You've got some mighty nervous folks down on the planet there, and we're just sorta wonderin' if you're actually there or not.> The ship is busy lowering shields in order to fire up its own transporters.
Reina Kinney	Hitching a ride onboard the Skyranger, Reina Kinney watches the images carefully, committing them to her memory as best as she can. She doesn't pay much attention to the chatter between the others, instead mentally focusing herself on preparing for whatever might be waiting for them. "It's about time we had a little action," Reina says to herself under her breath. "I haven't had much to do for awhile." Reina hears the sitrep and nods a little. "Something's definitely not right here, I can already sense it," She says audibly, although it's not said to anyone in particular. Nevertheless, there's no sarcasm here, something most who know Reina would not expect.
Vruasa Telash	THE MYRMIDON makes an abrupt appearance in general proximity to the damaged ship in orbit. It is a distinctive ship with a tremendous troll skull-and-crossbones on either side, and a Syndicate Network IFF. It lingers there for a moment, seconds before the two beams of light issue from the damaged ship. Then a SHUTTLE emerges, dipping into the upper atmosphere of the planet and holding a position there. From this shuttle VRUASA TELASH emerges, clad in a bathing suit and a button-down shirt that has been left open. His grey skin has been tinted a faint blue from sunburning, and his face is particularly flushed. That may be from something other than sunburn though. He drifts down towards the surface of the planet lazily, some kind of tropical drink with a little umbrella in it in his hand. Sipping his drink, he looks around. Who the hell comes down to a planet and just starts goddamn lumberjacking? Better yet, who the hell comes down to a planet and starts making shitty bronze age tools if they're capable of space flight? Vruasa doesn't think about it long because he can't think about it long. He floats around the stone fort, COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS that there's any actual serious business going on anywhere around this. This is because he is drunk and had his ship steered here completely on a whim. He floats up to the door of the fort and knocks on it. BACK ON THE MYRMIDON, the ship's communications expert -- The Moderator -- responds to Cassidy Caravans. It indicates that it is not the damaged ship, but that its Captain came to investigate for personal reasons. These personal reasons are not specified. The Moderator indicates that he has not communicated with the damaged ship, mostly because, and he quotes, the Captain said it would be extremely boring. He advises Cassidy Caravans to do the boring thing in his stead.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa says "So if there's no civilians then high explosives are an option?" Kotone notes as she does the last check on her SHIV, clad in Carpace armour she moves shockingly well under it's bulk then again given her nature? It wouldn't be too much of a suprise to the strike team. "SHIV's ready to go." She says she's already formed a connection to the unit and it's moving out off the transport hed of everyone else. Kotone's ready got her battle rifle out and is already listening for any sort of signals from the apprent invaders. She's clearly on edge and she's keeping to cover as she sets up to send the SHIV in first ahead of any actual personel.
Starbound Flotilla	Unfortunately, it looks like the ships Johnny can see out in space are empty and unresponsive. Luckily, they're lit from the inside, and have several windows to indicate that nobody's currently aboard. It looks like they were, for some time recently, though, and that that they've gone down! There's one blue vessel with odd fins, stacks just behins a more ultramodern white one, both with gaping wounds in their hulls but not actually breached fully.
Rory White	When the Skyranger opens up, one of the first out is not a person. Instead a tiny frisbee-sized robotic drone's flung out into the sky and takes up a slow circling pattern over the forest. It's extremely active, signal-wise: it's pinging the ground with all kinds of active sensors! The Saucer acts on behalf of Rory White, the blue-haired young woman in a stylized labcoat descending with the team down the ramp! After surveying the area, the little Saucer zips in closer to the strange house... hovering past the windows to get a look inside! As soon as Rory lands on the forest floor - unafraid of leaping down even 5-10 meters if there is no good landing zone - she starts speculating. "The lack of weaponry and location suggests secrecy and haste. But... how... how was this assembled so quickly?! It's as though the entire structure was fabricated at high speed... even an industrial nanofabricator wouldn't be able to do this under ideal conditions! Incredible!" And terrifying. Vaguely terrifying. "... Wood and stone construction assembled this quickly... they have a spaceship but they build outposts out of wood and stone?" bewildering. She voices what Vruasa does not. Rory approaches the grounds, but what she does next will depend on what her Saucer sees!
Alexis Maaka	Aboard the Skyranger is also Maaka, her coilgun rifle in hand and helmet folding into place once the aircraft opens up and touches down. When boots hit the ground, Alexis is off at an even pace, cloak engaging as she shoulders her EM rifle just in case. The cyborg can't help but raise a brow as she picks up the signal from the space cow...girl, but she carries on down the forest, moving quickly and quietly as she follows a trail towards the source of that signal. Having some autonomy helps, but she's not entirely going to leave the squad behind. "Nothing yet so far, keep frosty." She radios Elise's squad quietly, assuming they're right at her back. The trek to the clearing isn't long for her given her superhuman abilities, but the cyborg stops dead in her tracks just as quickly when she sees firsthand what they're looking for. "...that can't be natural." She muses to herself, lowering the rifle as she begins to travel further towards what looks like a shelter built. "/That/ definitely ain't." The cyborg concludes, joining up quickly with Rory along the way as she tries to keep from being too menacing. The cloaking device might help with that, given how she's dressed in her black armor and toting space-age weaponry.
Richard Stadler	There was a network link up (secured, of course), between XCOM proper and Fort Detrick... well, not /this/ Fort Detrick. The one that was a couple of light years away. Through the magic of Warpgates and the lesser magic of rotary wing aircraft and /very/ well trained pilots, however, travel time to the affected area was roughly similar to proper XCOM forces. Roughly. A helicopter couldn't have matched the speed of a Skyranger. The 4 helicopter flight, two UH-60s loaded with infantry and two Little Bird aircraft covering them, we're squawking XCOM IFF as soon as they entered the area of operation. There wasn't time for any more than a few false landings, and the one they had to make was close enough to the 'landing site' anyway that stealth was almost completely obliviated. But really, practice was practice, and the manuals still had to come to terms with the other side haven't presistent orbiting recon assets. The infantry unloads from both Blackhawks quickly and effectively, before forming up into fireteams, and moving forward, roughly in a semi-circle, attempting to form some sort of perimiter around the construction. They move quickly, and as quietly as possible (and it is quiet, once the helicopter's head away), before getting with in sighting range of the structure itself. The team on the small platoon's left flank moves from the woods on the Sky-Ranger's position, the first few with rifles raises over their head. Just long enough for Rick to approch from the middle of it, radio woman in tow. "Folks." He'll give a quick nod towards the team, as his small unit quickly reorients itself toward the structure, rifles pointed toward it, alert, nervous looks on thier faces. Stadler motions a bit to the distance. "AH-6s are holding back from now, but they've got the rockets needed to destroy something like this. If it is what it appears to be. Goddamn unusual, having it constructed that fast."
Starbound Flotilla	Vruasa's out in the open, being a sort of preface to things. He just... Well, he knocks! And this makes things even more interesting for a moment. Now there's two aliens here! The gray man with the orange horns, for one, and, abruptly, a more adult one. There was a bit of delay before the door opened. It's gonna be near impossible for the observers to see what's beyond the door, the lighting isn't near good enough, but Vruasa gets to see a stern-looking monkey man open the door, wearing a crimson military uniform, with an asymmetrical front panel closure and a wide belt. The large brown-furred monkeyman just sort of stares at Vruasa, expectantly. He doesn't seem especially social! This is a little weird. He does seem intelligent, though, judging by the military outfit.
Starbound Flotilla	The Saucer's pinging scans, if they're capable of detecting such data, will be able to see that this area is the top of a rather massive shaft mine extending far underground. Inside, it'll be able to see a spartanly-furnished interior. There's a glimpse of amphibian-like blue skin in there, indicating a second inhabitant, but not much. Aside from that, it seems... Tastefully furnished and decorated with simplisticly-crafted furniture, aside from having a great deal of storage space where ores and stone are already being stacked.
Courier Six	The female voice on the comms from the Caravans ship sighs, and starts explaining to the moderator that infact, yes, Johnny's on his way to do boring things or possibly attempt to stop exciting things if he has to. She also starts chatting him up about delivery contracts, maybe, hopefully, Do You Need Them? There's a matching flash next to Vruasa, and Johnny Tallbranch materialises in a digital haze of static, shaking his head. "Nnnggggffffgoddamn I need to get that tuned. Hurts like a sonovabtch. Hey Vruasa. Hey there... Monkeyman." The cowboy blinks a bit at the tower and the darkness and the moneky man. Hmmmm.
Starbound Flotilla	There's nothing around the area that could inhibit an effort to surround the location with military force. The inhabitants seem to not be reacting in any hostile fashion. While it's clear that the group hear has some weapons, it's also possibly clear that there's not enough of the group here to have, you know, guards. Or any kind of established permiter. So the combined XCOM and Air Cav should have no trouble establishing an isolating perimiter that will prevent any inopportune escapes or allow any wandering civilians.
Elise Leroy	The Skyranger lands pretty much IN the clearing. The big dropship settling into the forest floor, but keeping the jets primed for a quick egress should things go south. It lets the Strike Team + Others off. "Central, this is Big Sky. Strike Team has deployed to operation site." calls in the deep baritone of the pilot. "Copy that Big Sky. Looks like we've got some Multiversal interest here too. Picking up more orbital signatures and Stadlers helos inbound." The SHIV has been set to Weapons Safe by a manual trigger in Elise's loadout. Don't want the AI taking over and making an incident. Elise steps out last, keeping her weapons locked to their mag-clamps. She's wearing a lighter version of the Carapace suit, one that leaves her arms exposed but doens't cut down her agility or mobility. The ports of her Augmentation can be seen clearly on her upper and lower arms. The team files out with her, the most notable being the MEC as it stomps heavily. Elise approaches Vruasa and Johnny. "Strike Elements. Secure the perimeter. Nothing in, nothing out. Stadler? Deploy your boys to support my team." she says with authority. "Lets go say hello."
Reina Kinney	As the Skyranger touches down, Reina looks around a little, then snaps her fingers, causing her rifle to materialize in her hands. She steps out of the craft and surveys the general area with her rifle leading the way. The forest seems normal enough for the most part, but Reina's sixth sense is on extra high alert at this point. "What should I do?" Reina asks Elise after a moment of thought. "I'll do whatever needs to be done." The tone of voice is sincere and respectful. Still no sarcasm here.
Alexis Maaka	There's a glimpse at the fishman, then there's the monkeyman. Alexis takes a moment to decloak for a second, and her helmet folds back to reveal blood-red hair and golden eyes as she slings her rifle onto her back with mag-clamps, the weapon switching the safe the second it's back in storage. "Gents." She greets Johnny and Vruasa when she gets closer to them, and then gives a look at the monkey man. "Uh...hi there." She greets clearly enough for the apex to hear, no doubt. Not exactly 'live long and prosper' but it's friendly enough, right? Then again, there's a reason why Alexis is paid to shoot and not to talk, even if she's trying her best to not look threatening. "Got yourself a little place all to yourself, eh mate? We saw your ship on long-range sensors, figured we'd look into what the trouble is."
Vruasa Telash	"How the hell'd you set this place up so fast? This shit is pretty fucking fancy for bronze age tools." Vruasa directs at the Apex, leaning against nothing in particular in mid-air. He seems to be glossing over or ignoring all the people materializing around him in various fashions. There's way too much shit going on around here. Only Courier Six gets an immediate reaction, in the form of a nod of greeting.
Richard Stadler	Stadler does a very good job supressing the instinctual urge to look annoyed at the authoritative order. He /was/ nominally under her command in this situation, after all, and, unless the large spiders come down from the trees or the moans of zombies flowed in on the wind, that wasn't going to change. So the correct response was to nod toward Elise and agree. "Yes, ma'am." He says, holding his hand out toward the Corporal accompanying him, and taking the handset once it was slapped into it. "X-Ray 6-1 Actual, all fire team leaders. We're going with OpPlan Charlie. Establish a tight perimiter and set up any and all crew served weapons toward the target. Primary objective is to support Strike One." The Army soldiers are operating before Stadler's finished with the orders, echoing a few chrouses of positions and 'wilcos'. They're careful, in this case, to establish proper positions that won't have them shooting into each other if things went south. It would /also/ have the secondary effect of showing any ape that appeared to look out the well-camoflauged figures setting up M240s around their position, and at least one team with LAWs ready to extend tubes and burn the structure down. Stadler's viewing this from his own position as people start... knocking on doors. "I suppose the diplomatic method works." He mutters. "Leave that to the diplomats, though.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone is making use of the feeds from Rory's Drone and pause what the heck is going on here? This doesn't feel like an invasion it feels more like the aliens are trying to ... homestead here for lack of a better term and huh? Damn that's some nicer furnature than /she/ owns. She is on edge but not as much s she was before as she mvoes to press forward, and Kotone is very happy the SHIV has it's safety on at the moment. She'll follow up now at this point and moves to shoulder her weapon she's got the SHIV right? She moves on to follow Elise, yes lets go say Hello. <<Rory? Looks like they are almost homesteading? Could they be refugees? They did set down in the boonies so to speak.>> Kotone would also patch Rick's people in if they have any video devices they'd get a image oc Kotone's face for a momet before she starts giving them relvant feeds.
Rory White	Rory's donned a Nanovest from the XCOM armory over her labcoat, but doesn't bear any weapons. She might be the least armed person here! Her only weapon is sensors. She edges about towards the door and immediately profiles Vuasa's face. A match is easy enough to establish. What little data she has on the Troll's read through in a hurry. "Vruasa Telash! If you don't mind, sir... you're right in front of the door." Rory's expressions aren't much to speak of. She's kind of blank-faced. Maybe a little concerned. There's a hint of a an uncertain smile that's just a bit forced...
Vruasa Telash	"I am in fact in front of the door, yes." Vruasa answers Rory. He does not move from in front of the door. This is deliberate. He gestures towards the open door and the Apex within with his drink, "You see, I came and knocked on the door. To talk to the inhabitants of this building. Which I am currently doing."
Starbound Flotilla	The only inhabitant thus far revealed, the monkey-man, raises an eyebrow incredulously at Courier Six. "'Monkey'?" He does speak, in a way that's translated by the translation effect. But aside from that, very little. He narrows his eyes a little, but otherwise doesn't seem to react to this. It seems to evoke some kind of reaction, but whatever it is remains under the surface, hidden. Maaka's approach is spoken to more directly, after his whole body tenses up at the sight of Maaka and one hand is placed cautiously near his side... At no apparent weapon at all. "The trouble is a lack of materials. We are taking action to solve this over the next month. We will procure the materials required to forge tools to procure the materials needed to repair our ships." There's another figure coming up now. Three fins and three eyes on his head are the first thing anyone can see. His amphibious, slick-looking skin has a soft shade of blue to contrast his three red eyes, and his body is otherwise covered with what looks like a japanese martial-artist's training outfit. He's the one who speaks up with a more friendly tone. "Albert, it's rude to stand in the door being so blunt. Invite them in. Also, I checked outside of the window, I think we're surrounded. I can't tell, some of them might be cameoflaged. A few larger types coming this way though, one of them looks like a Glitch on some sort of steroids." The monkey-man backs off of the door, drawing, apparently from nowhere, what appears to be a huge steel hammer in a guarded motion. His eyes shift about in a paranoid way that's doing its best to remain dignified, but seems willing to continue talks if the others initiate them. The fishman comes to stand in front of the group more casually. "Hi. Excuse my rude friend, he's paranoid. Me, I figure if you were going to shoot us you already would have. Which one of you is in charge of the big stompy robot and the guns I keep almost-seeing? Small gray man? You humans? You in stylish coat? Should I be preparing to face death with dignity or putting the tea on?"
Courier Six	Johnny sighs a bit at the extremely armed response coming up behind them and carefully turns in place to raise his hands at the approaching horde of people. "Goddamn, nervous doesn't start to describe this." A sigh, and he looks back at the Fishman. and chuckles. "Well, as to why the army's here, the usual brand of aliens aren't quite as... uh. Personable as you seem to be." He jerks a thumb up at the sky. "I'm in the space heap next to yours I guess. Name's Johnny Tallbranch, and I'm a Courier." He holds out his hand hopefully.
Alexis Maaka	"Whoooooooaaaakay," Alexis kinda sorta remains there, albiet raising her hands up to show she's not a threat. Glancing back at Elise and the MEC, she cants a head towards the former in response to who is in charge around here. "This is technically her world. Like the cowboy said, this world's got a bit of a problem with alien incursions." Pause. "Different aliens, nothing like you two under any circumstances." She confirms, not exactly intimidated but hardly in a mood to get in a brawl here herself. "I'm Alexis Maaka, problem solver for hire." The redhead then says, holding out a hand at everyone else behind herself, Johnny, Rory, and Vruasa to play it cool. "Sorry about the edgy response, only being careful." "Noticed your ship had some trouble before we got here, anything we could help with?"
Elise Leroy	"Piledriver, back off out of sight." Elise orders. This earns a bit of an incredulous look from the MECTrooper. "Humour me, the apeman looks like he's about to start swinging." Piledriver nods and backs off toward the Skyranger. "Kotone, shift the SHIV into a patrol stance. Take it wide around the far side of the building. Everyone else, play it cool." The Commander than approaches, keeping her hands in view and her weapons holstered. "Hello. As my acquaintance explained, our usual extraterrestrial visitors are a lot more, aggressive than you are. We're just taking precautions." she nods in agreement to Maaka as well. "Elise Leroy, Commander in Chief of the eXtraterrestrial COMbat Unit. XCOM for short." she offers a hand to the Hylotl as well.
Fiora O'Brien	There is a voice that comes from nowhere and everywhere. It is haunting, alluring, hanging around the Knight of Time like a cloud as he pointedly stands in the doorway holding an incredibly dorky and out of place tropical glass with an umbrella in it. From next to Vruasa, a feminine (human) hand (and attached arm) appears, materializing to tip the glass towards the ephemeral shoulder that had decided to simply come into disembodied existance. Then the voice grumbles darkly. "So there's where all my sweet mixers went. You know, pouring a bunch of alcoholic liquor into a glass and throwing an umbrella into it isn't a 'mixed drink'. It is a sugary slurry with which you get fucked up." The voice chides. Then, the arm disappears. A moment passes, as people introduce themselves. Fiora, now in a baggy black hoodie sweater, jeans, and flip flops, resumes existing next to Vruasa, smiling cheerily at everyone. "Oh. We're doing something! I thought Captain Jerkass over here just decided to go be bored somewhere else. So... Aliens! I dig the eyes." She gestures at the Hylotl. "And the hair!" She grins at the Apex, who is obviously a stylish individual. Fiora can appreciate hair. She has a lot of it. "So, rustic living! Oh, that's a good idea, we should try that sometime, Vruasa. So, uh..." She peers around the cleering. "'Sup with the, ah, 'armed perimiter'?"
Reina Kinney	"Got it," Reina says to Elise at the command to play it cool. She lowers her rifle but keeps it ready all the same, knowing that things can change at the drop of a hat. After a moment, Reina snaps her fingers and her rifle disappears. Once that happens, Reina looks to the Hylotl and says, "I'm Ensign Reina Kinney, also of XCOM." She doesn't offer a handshake right away, but stands attentively all the same.
Rory White	"Uh-uh...." Rory blinks a few times, unsure how to take Vruasa's reply. She folds her hands in front of her lap though, shoulders bunched up. Did she just commit some kind of social faux pas? Rolan's not being very helpful, he doesn't know a thing about Troll culture! Finally she comes up with a word as her frustration boils over. She raises a hand. "Share!" Share. Share what? "...Share the space, please?" Her behavior can change so quickly when she's excited! She scoots over to get a view of stranded Aliens... "Good evening to the both of you. Rory White of the Argonauts and Syndicate Network, here aiding XCOM! This is a marvelous fabrication job! How did you do it so quickly?!" ... Also maybe a one track mind right now.
Richard Stadler	"Well, we're all getting friendly today, aren't we?" Rick mutters from his post behind his own men, before sighing. "Someone needs to tell that woman that a commander's place is next to a radio and not getting herself killed. Then again, I don't see many troops of hers with plenipotentiary powers..." He says, before looking over to the Corporal. "Just talking to myself. Come on then, let's meet the riffraff. All US Army, heading out with the local commander. Hold your fire until I say otherwise." Rick's dressed like the rest of his troops, in the standard BDU pattern the Army had been using since the 1980s. The feed sent from Kotone is noted by the radiowoman with a quick tap to Rick's shoulder, who nods, and mouths something to her. Looks like, 'keep monitoring.' And, to his credit, only places his hand on the grip of the rifle hanging on an assault sling, as another person seems to just... show up from no where. "Well, I'm glad this turned into a regular 'welcome to the neighborhood meeting'. I should have brought a pie or a screwdriver set. Name's Stadler. United States Army. At the moment," He says, motioning to ELise. "we're under Commander Leroy. So as long as she's content to talk, so are we."
Vruasa Telash	"I don't actually know how to mix anything, so I just threw things together." Vruasa answers the disembodied voice, as this is a normal interaction in his life. He doesn't seem bothered by the accusation that his drink is nothing but a bunch of bullshit. Between the two of them only Fiora knows how to mix drinks, and he hasn't ever bothered to learn how. He takes a pretty large gulp of what's left of the drink after the arm disappears, and glances towards his side as Fiora decides to materialize properly. The once-over he gives her is extremely obvious. He gestures at her clothing, then at his. "You don't match." He observes. Back towards the group in the stone tower, Vruasa says simply, "If these rude motherfuckers with their military perimeters give you trouble, I'll make sure it wasn't worth it. Unless you turn out to be shitlords, then I guess... I don't know." He's clearly not thinking completely straight. Just kind of meandering around aimlessly. Knowing him though, it's probably not an empty offer. For whatever reason he seems to think the colony builders are far more interesting than the XCOM crew. This is a potentially dangerous factor for all involved. Unless Fiora goes out of her way to defuse it for some reason. With regards to the Armed Perimeter he waves broadly towards pretty much everyone gathered, "I don't know, I guess they thought this was some kind of motherfucking invasion. Hey-- hey." A glance towards the aliens, including the Apex called Albert, "Can we all come outside or go inside? It's really goddamned awkward trying to huddle in on your front porch."
Starbound Flotilla	"The usual brand of aliens that many people find first contact with in our home universe are sociopathic savages." The Hylotl says. "I can assure you we've no intention of invading your planet like weeds. Our ships are damaged and we detected vague indications of compatible materials for repair here." The fishman then backs up. "Hammer down, Albert. Look, you can definitely die with the hammer in your hands, or maybe die with it out of your hands." Albert's hammer disappears in a brief flash of light. "Fine." He says, simply. The monkey takes a militaristic stance. "Albert Petrov. Acting leader of the Apex Resistance Army." He maintains his stance firmly, some distance from the door. "Wonderful, there's a good monkey. I am Moonfin, missionary of the Hylotl and expert of the smithing arts." The fishman says. "Now, if you'd like to all come inside. If I'm to be shot shot to death today, I'd prefer to do it with a bit of poise and grace." The fishman offers a slightly slick, webbed hand to Elise first, then the rest. "A pleasure to meet each of you. Now, come inside. I'll make you tea, we'll answer your questions -- about our ships, our intentions, and our technology, all -- and then we can either die with a measure of dignity or perhaps work out something that leaves us with a more civilized arrangement." The Hylotl backs off of the door somewhat and bows a little, making a gesture to invite the group inside. "The more military-minded of you are sure to get along with Albert after you work a little through his irrationalities, I'm sure. He's an old freedom fighter, but quite the civilized kind, certainly! You can exchange war stories." He heads back into what appears to be a swiftly-furnished dining location. Removing an odd two-pronged orange device from one hand, he points it at the empty space near the table and abruptly projects a new one into existence, then several chairs in sequence. "The more scientifically or diplomatically-minded of you, I'll be happy to entertain with negotiations for how we might exchange help and explain some of what you've seen here." Albert has stayed behind briefly, muttering, "Egotistical fish." Through clenched teeth, before he follows. It's tea-time, apparently!
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa is got her weapon across he rback she takes a moment as a new alien makes themslves known and seems to be more diplomatic of the two she smiles for a moment at and seems to visably relax. She looks over to Elise nodding once. she issues the mental command to the SHIV and puts it on patrol mode, if anything crashes the party now she'll hear about it good. The SHIV rolls away and is soon out of sign having one less weapon out and about. "Kotone Yamakawa good to meet you both. I work for XCOM and I'm part of the Syndicate Network as well" <<VT's always like that Rory don't mind him he's like that. I can tell you more later.>> She accepts the invite in and moves her way in with the others. "I got to admit you were able to set up things damn fast I'd never seen someone build so quickly, I'm impressed by you both."
Courier Six	Johnny graciously accepts the invite in, and steps inside to find a nice chair to plop himself into... but it's the Pronged Device that really gets his attention, eyes flickering from Moonfin to Albert and to the device, and then to the building at large. He sniffs, and shuffles around in his coat to put away... something he might have had up his sleeve. "I gotta admit, I'm impressed by the level of... uh. Incongruity here. Ya'll got functioning and or semi functioning space ships and yer building wizard towers in the middle of a forest. Ain't one to judge but it seems a bit off."
Starbound Flotilla	"Our technology is degraded for various reasons." Moonfin speaks up as he puts the tea on. He seems to have pre-emptively set water to boil here on a strangely-fabricated cast-iron stove, the water stolen right out of aquifers the pair breached during their mining. "The same reason I've no good cups. It's a travesty to serve it out of wood, but needs must. We each have our own reasons for drifting here. Albert, for his part, had a bit of a run-in with the MiniKnog and wound up happily in possession of one of their damaged ships for his trouble. Damaged so much, in fact, that the FTL drive exploded and took out his thrusters after he made a bit of a blind jump." Albert takes a seat, grumbling gently, and jerks a thumb to the Hylotl. "Moonfin's a Hylotl Missionary. They don't get much. Don't need anything but a ship to spread the good word or something like that. He found me just after... Mnnn. We bumped into each other just outside MiniKnog space and both of our craft were broken. Blind jump took us here, and we can't jump anymore. That's why we didn't have much time or means to pack appropriate supplies for a long operation taking us through the multiverse. We don't have any materials better than what we've been using to build here. We use the best of what we have, as would any soldier." "Ah!" Moonfin speaks up again. "But enough of the grim past, it probably bores you. One of you was interested in the Matter Manipulators we have, yes?" He's peering over mostly to Rory and Vruasa.
Elise Leroy	Elise steps in with the others, offering a salute to Albert as a sign of respect. "Always good to meet another warrior." she offers, then looks over toward Moonfin. The Manipulator gets her attention as well, along with the attentions of Vahlen and Shen back at base. The Commander visibly winces at her earpiece. "Maybe next time Doctor." she replies to the unheard comment over the comm. "I don't see any reason to start hostilities here. I'll take a guess and say that your communications system was damaged? We've been attempting to contact you on every known frequency to no response." She takes a relaxed posture, military parade rest as it were. "So you just appeared in orbit here by sheer chance?" asks Viper, the red-headed Assault poking her head around the doorframe, only to get yanked back by someone else.
Rory White	<<All I hope is that nothing happens.>> Rory messages Kotone back, whilst heading in when there's an opening for her. If there's no seats available she doesn't mind standing - robotic legs do not tire! "Desperate fugitives from a distant conflict. I see! You did end up in the worst place to make an unannounced incursion. The sooner your ship is repaired and relocated the better. Hostile aliens with remarkable technology have been assaulting this planet for some time. They're why I have not brought my own into orbit! But yes... Matter Manipulator technology? Please, tell me more!" Beaming. Rory's positively beaming now that it's about science-y stuff! Seriously, her ears are almost sparkling merrily with interest!
Courier Six	Oh hey, that's one thing Johnny can fix, as Moonfin complains about Lack of Cups. He adjusts a knob on the heavy bracer on his arm, and then reaches under his duster again to start pulling coffee cups out of the murky darkness of the coat. "Well. I was planning on pulling these back home to hand off to an associate, but I figure if you need a set now, I can spare a few." All of the mugs have various printing, faded on the side, mostly having to do with Atomic this or PetroChem that. There's also one with a prominent 'half a poker chip'. ...They are all very minorly radioactive. Just a little.
Starbound Flotilla	"Albert had to cut off most of his communications." Moonfin says, shaking his head. "The longer-range type, anyway. Just before we jumped." "Big Ape." Albert speaks up, after giving his own quick salute back to Elise. "He is a universal ubiquity. His signal penetrates even here if you let it. The MiniKnog vehicle would have let him led them right to me again, if I hadn't cut off my hardware. It will take some time, or a proper comms officer's help, to restore communications without the potential for an attack. The Hylotl's exploded along with their main thrusters on the way in. Travel takes a toll on any soldier." There's a quick stare to Viper, then. "Yes." He says, firmly, explaining little else. "The mysteries of Erchius. It does these things." Moonfin offers, with a casual shrug.
Richard Stadler	Stadler's people remain in position, as he moves through the door himself, grip still held on his rifle, and at least ordering his radiowoman to stay outside. Really, the best way to report things had gone to pot would have been rapid automatic gunfire. Plus, with those XCOM troopers so close... this would probably be a very short conflict, all told. "I beleive that was one of the things we discussed before we arrived. Weather this was an invasion, or an attempt at finding refugee." Perhaps not the best time to disclose the way the sats had managed to get a view of the ship itself. "Nevertheless, if they came looking for you here, I'd suspect they'd have a very tough time coming after you. Without disclosing too much of things that aren't mine to disclose." His hand gives a dismissive wave when tea is offered. "Sorry. The taste just doesn't agree with me. More of a coffee man. I would make some excuse about needing to cut back on caffinee, but my current tolerence would say differently."
Vruasa Telash	Vruasa doesn't seem interested in being served tea. The hideous chimera drink he's got is more than enough refreshment for him. Still, he floats into the tower-house along with the others and crosses his legs beneath himself to sit in mid-air. He gazes blearily at Moonfin, blinking slowly. "Matter Manipulators? I just asked how the shit you set all this stuff up so quickly. I can tell it hasn't been here for long. It's all 'young'." He raises his free hand to knock on the wall lightly, with a clinking of his prosthetic arm's exterior rinking through the building. A glance is cast towards Viper, who gets his attention long enough to get an answer, "That happens a lot. The narrative of the universe often follows improbable results in the interest of a greater goal. For whatever reason it was important that these guys end up here. Or... that's my educated guess on the matter." Vruasa settles his glass at his lips again, sipping on it rather persistently. There has to be more liquid in the glass than is actually physically evident. He should've finished it by now.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa pauses for a moment at Albert and perks up. "I might be able to help with that somewhat, while it's not mine area of skill I tend to get thrown at electonics and the like a lot." She thinks for a moment longer and is alsop taking a look at the maniplators now as well this has KO's intrest and sne nods to moonfin that she too is curious. She listens intently as they talk about it and it does get the idea. "So your saying with your set up you could build a colony as advanced as your own home worlds are? Damn that's impressive." Kotone may also be getting stary eyed over this.
Starbound Flotilla	Rory gets a pleasant look from Moonfin. "Ah, the Matter Manipulator! Poetically claimed to manipulate all that matters, but only to those who remain staunch materialists. They are based on the technology of the ancients, and so they're rather a bit rare, and poorly understood. Their most notable use is storage. See as such." With a deft movement, he accepts the cups from Courier Six, with a grateful nod, which seem to flicker away in a light that darts to the Matter Manipulator slung to one side. "One's holster, one's warehouse, one's pantry, all paradoxically found in one place. A pinnacle of utility. They also work well, if coupled with crafting tools, to produce grand art, or more mundanely, to manufacture. He that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools, and these tools are the sharpest ever crafted. All is the same to a Matter Manipulator. Stone and wood are block of the world around us." Albert takes a more gruff tone, offering something more suited to Vruasa. "They're tools, based on black-box high technology left behind by unknown precursors. They store objects, help with macro-scale rearrangement of matter, and let us use crafting tools more effectively. A powerful tool for any soldier in the field."
Fiora O'Brien	Fiora follows her way in, as Vruasa points out she's not matching. She shrugs. "I'm not popping into some random place in beachwear because the last time I did that it was the north pole and I barely escaped with all my bits unfrozen." She grumbles, before tugging at her hoodie. "This is warm. So, you know, you don't match ME either." She offers, with a little 'nyeh'. Then, on to tea! Fiora accepts tea graciously, in the little wooden cup. "It's very rustic. You know, a sort of homey atmosphere. You're both very adept at building things! And adapting. Or is this futuretech stuff coming together? I noticed the door was hand-made. And most of those workbenches too!" She smiles pleasantly. "You know, I don't have any super powercores offhand, but I may have some cups..." She offers, before she sort of spaces out. She's pawing through her inventory. Give her a second. "Ah, sorry. All I've got are those Durex floor-denters that are made out of the glass that ruins the shit out of your floors and can't break. No handles, either, so, you know, they're mostly good for cold drinks." Fiora pointedly does not tell Vruasa to calm down about the goonsquad. They're a goonsquad. She's enjoying hot tea! And it's winter. Fuck yeah. Hot tea. From a fishman! They're probably crazy awesome at making tea. Either that or SHIT at it. One of the two. Thankfully, she has magic god powers so she can tolerate shitty tea.
Alexis Maaka	Alexis doesn't wait too long to accept the hospitality, even if she's geared up more for war than teatime. Grabbing a seat, she rests her rifle besides her chair as she accepts some tea, grabbing a cup and sipping from it quietly while she listens. "Where were you from, anyways? For that matter, what's this about a resistance?" She asks, the latter question directed specifically at Albert. "You weren't on the run from...whatever you're resisting, are you?" One can't be too certain of these sorts of things, and Maaka is definitely curious.
Starbound Flotilla	The tea does go out. It's sucked right into the Matter Manipulator, and then the mugs that Courier Six provided are projected right back out, set in front of each person except those like Stadler who requested to have none. Moonfin seems pleased with this. "Please forgive the absence of milk. My stores of tea may be quite extensive, but my milk, less so. I would prepare coffee, if I could, but such absences are the woes of a missionary's life." A heavy, smiling sort of sigh. There are a few nods to Kotone and Fiora. "For us, it is important to be adept at building. Only through building can one come to understand the worth of things that are built. We are also nomadic, so a swiftly-constructed home is a practical necessity. Colonies are assembed and disassembled by whim, assuming everyone involved agrees." "We are less refugees intending to live here and more soldiers foraging for supplies." Albert explains, to Stadler. "Our ships require matter with unusual properties to re-establish their main thrusters, at least. Hull repair is also a necessity. Traditionally this type of matter is found at the core of a planet. It will take us a great deal of time to reach it, but a small sample for each of us would suffice." He frowns. "It would take perhaps a month, however, for a planet of this size. I will make no secret that I do not trust humans, or their governments, but a soldier will exchange peacefully where they can. Any trades we can establish for high-density and high-durability matter are of utmost priority."
Rory White	Cue Rory going wide-eyed and smiling brilliantly. Yes, in this one time when she is truly excited she can show normal emotion! "Wow! Wow wow! ... Nothing I know of can do that! ... But... black box technology?" Almost as quickly as her spirits soared they dwindle down in disgust and disappointment. "... They can't be replicated at all? I would love to acquire one if there are any spares..."
Courier Six	The Courier whistles a bit at the explanation of the Manipulator, and also chuckles at his cups vanishing into the device. "See, I can dothe storage bit, not so much the rest of that." He taps at the Pipboy on his arm, before he crosses his arms to listen to the needs of the crew members. "Well, that's a thing." <SCIENCE: 55> - "So, what you're lookin' for is exotic matter, or something that's will help you jumpstart boosters and jumpdrives and that sort of thing. What sorta propulsion do those beasts up there use anyways? You mentioned... Erchius. That your local variety of Star Stuff?" He also graciously takes the tea, though he does sniff at it before drinking. Who knows what fishpeople consider tea.
Reina Kinney	For awhile, Reina's been mostly quiet and logging what's being discussed. She hasn't said much about anything just yet. Until the issue of the Manipulators is brought up and Reina's eyes go wide. She mentally repeats what she heard and then perks up again. "So these Manipulators as you call them," Reina asks, "They're like an all-purpose tool or something?"
Vruasa Telash	"Sounds like building in Sburb, without all the bullshit. Where can I get one?" Vruasa asks of Albert, bluntly. He's probably not operating on all cylinders right now. He looks down at his drink. Shouldn't this have run out by now? Ehn, whatever. He sets it down to one side of him and stands up properly, which he mostly fails to do. There is a faint blur of motion as his clothes swap themselves out automatically, seamlessly being replaced with something more FITTING to what Fiora is wearing. It's a pull-over black hoodie with his vaguely draconic 'C' emblem on the front in blue, along with a pair of blue jeans that are outwardly normal but actually have some thick insulation on the inside. "We match now," He says to Fiora, "but it's less fun this way." Having said so, he captchalogues the umbrella from his drink to banish the last of his tropical look. Still has a light sunburn and an increasingly flushed face, though. With regards to the tea and lack of milk, Vruasa's sylladex automatically ejects a gallon of milk. The date on it indicates that it was taken sometime during Session 412's run, so he picked it up at least two years ago from everyone's perspective but his own. To him, it was more like an arbitrary span of time that milk could not possibly survive. It may not be a good idea to open the milk. "Using core fragments of planets to power your ships is pretty fuckin' specific. And I take it you don't have the EVA gear to take it from planets that aren't livable?" He asks, surprisingly coherently.
Rory White	"Even if they have it, without main power to the engines they seem stuck here, sir." Rory points out, looking over her shoulder at Vruasa. She's probably just trying to be helpful! Although the -appearance- of the milk drew her attention first. So many strange storage methods out there!
Starbound Flotilla	Maaka's questions get a few looks. Moonfin, as ever, speaks up first. "I was a missionary dispatched to Apex space from the Hylotl. A safe role, since the Apex and Hylotl have no particular diplomatic strains. Big Ape holds no objection to the Apex respecting the Hylotl, so long as they respect Big Ape even more. To call one place home would be nonsense. My home is the stars." "I hail from a colony in Apex space." Albert says. "And yes. On the run from the MiniKnog. We attempted to establish an independent colony of Apex, no longer under the thumb of Big Ape. Every Apex on the surface of the planet was slaughtered, forced to retreat to elsewhere, or Chosen. Due to the comprehensive dissolution of the entire command structure, the duty to continue the Resistance has fallen to me."
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa has no idea what's happened between Albert's peopld and humans in his native world and isnt' going to press it. If he can work though things to keep it peaceful? The least she can do is not add fuel to the fire of whatever feeling he has for them. She takes her tea and smiles a little. "No problem I admit this is turning out better than I had ... hoped." Ah so they are here to get some needed supplies and then move on, she gets it, still tto beable to set up shop ike that is pretty nuts and iumpressive. Rory gets a bit of an amused look on her and she'd forget Rory isn't human in this moment. <<Hey it's salvaged tech they found themselves don't get too down on it.>> "IF command allows it I thin I can try to help with the material your hunting for, Albert. Also I admit I'd be interested in getting one of these tools myself for projects of my own." She figures being open and honest is best. Then as they tell their tales she starts to look sympathic to Albert's plight, she's also drawing paraleels to certain Asian nations on her world, with the Apex.
Starbound Flotilla	Fishmen make great tea. Sure, it's all based on aquatic flora, but it actually is pretty good. Needs some milk, too bad there's none here. Definitely fine to sip and have a conversation over. "I try to establish a stylish atmosphere." Moonfin says, to Fiora. "Art is a reflection of life. To surround oneself with what is artistic is to turn inward for insightful reflection. Even in crisis, I must perform my duties and give a good impression to everyone of the Hylotl."
Richard Stadler	"Can't have it everywhere." Stadler confirms. "Though, if you're really the type that would prefer it, I can air lift some instant in. One of those things they still include in rations, thankfully. Hasn't gone out like ciggerette's, at least, not yet." He remains without tea to sip, in this case, before nodding to Albert. "An acceptable point. You need to get your ship off the ground, and, given the circumstances, you'd rather do it as quickly as you can, repair your ship, and head out. And normally, I'd be the type to debate the need for an open an honest government, that we're here to help. I'd say you'd have nothing to fear from /me/, but I'm a paranoid man who, to facilitate honesty, is still ready to shoot one or both of you if things twitch the wrong way. The fact is, however, that you're trying to dig to the core of a planet without the consent of the local town aldermans, or however the devil they do it in the Queen's dominion, much less the national governement or the Council that's in charge of.. responses of this magnitude. I'm just a middling officer, but I know enough about beauracracy that I might suggest getting the proper forms filled out before you dig past hell."
Elise Leroy	Elise hmms. "We might have a solution that'll get you both up and running sooner, if it's compatable." she presses a finger to her earpiece, "Bradford, forward the data on Element 115 to my PDA, standard secure encoding." After a moment or two, she pulls out a smallish tablet device from her service pack, and offers it to Moonfin. "Take a look. You seem like the technical type, it's all gobbledegook to me." The Pad has the readouts and basic information on Elerium. It's not comprehensive, as a full analysis hasn't been performed, but small-scale, 'personal time' examinations of it have been correlated and logged into a singular analysis sheet. "We have a stockpile of this stuff... the 'local' Aliens use it as a fuel source."
Alexis Maaka	"Big Ape..." That's all Maaka needs to hear. Big totalitarian dictatorship by the sounds of it. She makes a face, before taking another sip of her tea. "I'm sorry." The mercenary says after a moment, before she looks to Moonfin. "What about humanity? What's their status in your world's timeline?" Of course, official stuff is pointed out by Stadler. THere's a point there, humans don't generally like it when someone randomly begins to mine their land for whatever reason without prior notification. She meanwhile is content to continue a breather, sipping tea as Elise offers up a suggestion as to what these aliens could use.
Starbound Flotilla	"I wasn't able to stock up on Oxygen Nanoskins." Albert speaks up to Vruasa here. He stares at the milk for a while, and then he can't because Moonfin is URGENTLY WRANGLING IT. He's already setting out more cups filled with a small amount of milk, ready to receive more tea. He seems to be quite pleased at this development! "Thank you." Moonfin says, emphatically. Back to point. "Anyway. As I was saying, we were unable to stock up Nanoskins for oxygen, so we're currently forced to operate purely on habitable planets. There are many in the Multiverse, so we made a jump to this area of space with the understanding that we would find something with breathable atmosphere. Just a matter of practicality. The fragments aren't specific. We need anything approximately like what Mr. Tallbranch says. Exotic matter. High energy or durability density are required, either to circulate it through the system or reinforce it so we can use what little energy we already have. After that, it self-sustains for a great deal of time." "Until an FTL drive explodes near it and knocks it out, of course. That's the Erchius, and that comes later. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. First our main thrusters, then our FTL." Moonfin speaks up, finally serving some even better tea using that milk.
Courier Six	Johnny does not take the milk, the salty-ish tea okay on its own. A glance over at Miss Leroy's idea and he settles in, watching Albert for a few moments more and then addresses him. "Chosen. I'm assuming we ain't talkin' like the usual Hot Blooded Adventuring Chosen that gets bandied around these young folks all the time." A sniff and he sips on his tea, something vaguely worried in those eyes.
Starbound Flotilla	"Ah! Something like that." Moonfin responds to Reina, with a pleasant smile. "Tools are always a necessity. Our crafting tables enable the Matter Manipulator's grander functions, as do things such as anvils. It is quite capable of anything on a macro scale. Disassembly and assembly of terrain and suchlike, you see? But on a smaller scale, for acts of artistry and manufacturing, a medium is required, a canvas upon which to paint. And so it is certainly quite useful for all matters of manipulation, but nothing gained without hardship is gained with value." A few firm nods to Rory. "We've no spares here, but every Matter Manipulator is found or passed down. There's a lot floating around our universe. If you assist us, helping you find them yourself is a simple matter, and can make your assistance that much more valuable. I can't offer our own stock easily, but I can offer alliance and something for the future, if you can help us."
Starbound Flotilla	"The core components are found in the strangest places. Beyond ancient gates at the edges of solar systems, within vast, ancient tombs, one person even claimed they found one at the core of an immortal star. They are quite a bit of trouble to track down, but they are not, strictly speaking, uncommon." Moonfin says, in his usual artistically gesticulating way, to Vruasa. "It helps if you kill an enemy combatant who has one." Albert says, frankly. "If you have the more practical mind of a soldier, it's the only reliable option."
Reina Kinney	"Very interesting," Reina says as she proceeds to note this information in her data journal. "There's obviously a lot more we have to learn, but this is a good start." She smiles a little. "You've been very helpful so far."
Starbound Flotilla	Albert gives a firm nod to Kotone. "If we can establish any sort of exchange, then we will swiftly ensure we do not violate further regulations of your world." There's a quick glance and a nod to Stadler there, too. "I may be a rebel by the standards of Big Ape, but laws exist for a reason, so I will follow them where I can." He turns back to Elise and her exchange with Moonfin. Moonfin takes it up. "Hmmm." He's putting a webbed hand contemplatively under a chin. "I see. I am no expert engineer, but what I have learned in my lengthy studies as a navigator show this may be an effective substitute for the exotic matter necessary to our main thrusters. Coupled with a mid-level resilience material, circulating this should get our ships online in a much better span of time. If we can get repairs to our hull..." That's where Rory would come in, here! "We can be out of your human hair, so to speak, as soon as you like. Of course, it would be quite rude of me to ask it all of you and offer nothing in return." He gestures broadly to himself and his ally. "We are each craftsmen of our own trades, and architects besides. The weapons I make may be ill-suited to your group, but perhaps you may have building and excavation needs we may be able to fulfill in exchange for a sufficient measure of your stock of this 'Element 115'? I can't offer you a Matter Manipulator, but perhaps I can offer you some of its benefits, as suits your needs?"
Vruasa Telash	"Ssso... you need to fix your engines, and then your super-engines, and then you can maybe move on. And I guess there are some guys starting some shit in your part of existence." Vruasa repeats back, probably somewhat inaccurately. He leans against Fiora, captchaloguing his drink and focusing on Moonfin and Albert as they explain the matter manipulator. Things really are starting to look pretty fuzzy. He points towards Albert, "Killin' a guy sounds like the easy way to do this, but... you really need to not tell people that, because a lot of guys would be happy to kill /you/ for /yours/." "Like some of these assholes, if there weren't people around to cause problems if they tried it." He doesn't indicate anybody in particular, letting his insinuation concerning the establishment of a perimeter stand. Nodding, more to himself than anybody else, Vruasa goes on, "So if I were going to help you, what would you be asking for?"
Rory White	"I see! ... There's no helping it when there simply aren't many to go around. With any luck some friend of mine can learn to replicate one, but for that an original's still needed. All I can offer is technical expertise and whatever services my own ship can help with, but if they're useful then you'll have my aid! ... And you mentioned FTL drives?!" Rory leans forward now, ecstatic!
Elise Leroy	"We could use some assistance if you have any experience with directed energy weaponry. We're having some issues with cooling." offers Elise, as she takes back the Pad. "We do have some /options/ but manufacturing them could be sped along, should you be willing." she winces again at her earpiece. "And I believe my chief of research would like the opportunity to study your device, even if it's just a cursory show and tell." Vahlen's ranting can /actually be heard/ from the earpiece, which causes the Commander to take the thing entirely off her ear. "I really need to put a mute fuction on her line."
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa nods in agreement to Ablert. "I think I get it, there's law and order and there's the law to the point it crushes the life out of a culture or species." These two have certainly proven to be interesting and she's very glad Elise has shown she's quite level headed. She'll leave the development of agreemnts save grunt work on her end to Elise at this point but she does seem to be enjoying her tea. She gets a sheepish look on her face. "Don't mind the Doctor she's really into her job."
Starbound Flotilla	The Hylotl tilts his head at Maaka. "Ah, humanity? Most of the survivors are prisoners or military. Earth was very recently destroyed in our home world. A tragedy, it was the jewel of their empire. Few nomads escaped, the rest were primarily inhabitants of penal colonies or expansion elements of the USCM. They are far from wiped out, but it is a very heavy loss." The fishman shakes his head somberly and his fins droop slightly.
Starbound Flotilla	Albert nods firmly. "Chosen. The title given to those who are selected to be sacrificed in the name of science. The MiniKnog claims to honor them. Their bodies are twisted in disgusting genetic and cybernetic experiments, towards vile ends. Their 'noble sacrifice' is glorified, but it is just a means of silencing dissent." He takes a harsher, more militaristic stance. "It is this practice that the Resistance most intensely opposes, and the cause we have to wage our war against the MiniKnog."
Courier Six	Johnny grunts a bit at Albert's response. "Yeaaaaah we got some of that goin' on back home too. Well, we did, and we still do, depending on who you ask." He sips at the tea and smiles at the blossoming diplomacy from the folks who had been ready to nuke the site from orbit a little while ago. His own radio squawks a bit, and the Courier grumps. "My associate is reminding me that while technical exchange is all well and good, there might be a chance at fair trade and business here. You said you need parts and supplies to make things work. I happen to know a decent place to salvage if you don't mind a teensy bit of radiation." Siiiiiip.
Starbound Flotilla	"Transport, primarily." The Hylotl replies, to Vruasa. "To allies, to targets, to all the options we might have to restoring our ships and regaining our path. I understand you have a craft of your own. If you granted us your assistance in tracking down a few targets that we believe would allow us to establish a more steady foothold in our efforts, on a later date, that would be the ideal." Albert gives a firm nod to Vruasa. "That is correct, yes. We can move on after our main thrusters are repaired, but FTL is something we will need to find another time, elsewhere, I expect. As for the advice, I was of the understanding that killing me and stealing what I own was not particularly out of the question in the first place." Dude's pretty damn paranoid, it seems.
Starbound Flotilla	"FTL, yes. As I am sure you are quite aware, traditional faster-than-light travel is completely impossible." Moonfin says, while he gets up and refills his own tea, to Rory. "Erchius is a material unique to our universe which alters that rule and allows us to reach lightspeed. However, only when in crystal form, and there seems to be none in this universe. We will be pursuing alternatives as best we can, though, once our more traditional thrusters are repaired." He's sitting back down now, with a friendly sort of smile. "I'll make sure you hear anything we find, you seem quite interested in these sorts of things."
Starbound Flotilla	Albert gives a quick nod to Elise. "Energy weapons are within the ability of the Matter Manipulator to generate if the appropriate tools and materials are at hand. Our home universe's energy weapon technology would require Aegisalt and a dedicated replicator, but if you have the required materials, our own design properties may help. Unlike the Novakid race, I am no gunsmith, but I know enough of the trade to give you some insight. As for demonstration, as long as the woman in charge of your scientific endeavors is not like the MiniKnog and doesn't intend to disassemble my Manipulator, I'll allow an examination." "Ah, if anyone could replicate the technology of the ancients it would be a human, I have always hoped." Moonfin speaks up briefly, with a dramatic tone. "Such is their spirit and their fate that it would be quite fitting."
Vruasa Telash	"Transport? That's fuckin' all? Yeah, I can do that. Hang on..." Vruasa produces a CAPTAIN'S COAT from his sylladex, rifling around in the pockets for something. He pulls a very minimalistic headset that fits over one ear out of a pocket. It seems like a spare, and it doesn't look like it's been used at all. The coat disappears into the sylladex again, and he shoves the headset towards Albert clumsily. He's really not very coordinated right now, especially with his mechanical arm. He says, "Just use this to ring up my First Mate. Identify yourself as... fuck, I dunno." With regards to killing and stealing Albert's stuff, the Knight waves dismissively at him. "I'm not the most morally sound person here, but I don't feel like that kind of unambiguous villainy. Probably wouldn't seriously risk my life to save your hide, but I'm not going to kill you and take your shit either. I came here because I was bored, the technology you're carrying being pretty cool-looking is just icing on the adventure cake." "And, I've gotta be fuckin' honest with you here, I've got pretty much everything I want already. Like... my friends and I unironically gift each other photo albums and random garbage because we don't have anything better. Wanting something and not having it isn't an experience I feel like throwing out a window yet." He explains, completely seriously. Bizarre.
Starbound Flotilla	"Parts and supplies are something we will have no lack of need for." Albert is turning his attention back to Johnny. "Especially in the coming days. My ship is miniscule and requires expansion if I am to house the rising ride of the Resistance. Should your associate have a job suitable for a soldier, we will establish an exchange when it comes time." A firm sort of definitive nod. "I understand your world has experience with the creation of spaceworthy materials, from what you have said. They will be what I will seek, when it is time."
Elise Leroy	Elise nods towards Albert. "She's very spirited, but I'll make sure she understands that this is a look but don't touch exchange." she replies. "We can provide schematics for what we plan, and amounts of the Alloys we're using to fashion the casings, along with the various chemicals and other doohickies they're cooking up in the lab." she sighs. "To be honest I only half understand a fraction of the stuff that comes out of Vahlen's mouth most of the time."
Rory White	"That... is even a practice anyone ever considered?!" Rory is horrified! Though it's not an expression she's goot at showing, her face simply scrunching up, it's notable enough just from her tone! She's staring Albert's way rather wide-eyed moments later. "... And your movement was attacked because of it... then the Big Ape you referred to is their leader?" But now there's an explanation to her question and her attention goes right back to Moonfin! "Oh, I am! And my colleagues will be frantic to hear anything of this topic! ...Unfortunately, Moonfin, I'm not exactly human, but you don't mind if I try hopefully!"
Alexis Maaka	"Why destroy when you can mutally benefit?" Alexis comments lazily, "I mean, we both got stuff the other side wants. It'd be a waste if things were settled in gunfire when both sides are willing to talk terms." She says, teasip. Vruasa's little spiel draws the most minute of snorts from the cyborg, an amused smirk crawling across her lip for a moment before she nods to Albert. "Our top scientist is on the level, don't worry. We'll make sure this stuff doesn't go into the wrong hands in any case. She doesn't stay all smiles for long, however. These Chosen give Maaka enough of a reminder of old times that she fights to keep from shuddering, the cyborg shaking her head in digust. "I can imagine, I've been under the knife before, so to speak." She motions to her cybernetic eyes, "And these are the least of it. Thing is, this wasn't by choice."
Richard Stadler	Richard Stadler seems to be mostly silent as the talk goes on, but does speak up when they mention the horrors science has brought upon so many people. "I'm aware of some organizations that treat people and their actions with, aganist, and transforming into monsters as a type of combat data. I can't say I'm happy to hear that there's government sponsered programs in such a place that has spaceships. Bio-Organic Weapons are not pleasent things I want being dropped from orbit." He manages to say. He /doesn't/ say that XCOM had hired those same sorts of people. Not the most tactful declaration he could have made.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa listens to Albert and gets a look of horror on her face as he explains what happened to them. She shudders and just is left scared really a method to shut up people like that? It was ruthless and effienct, rather than just shoot a rebel, they used them as raw material. She moves to try and comfort Rory as sh emovces to place a hand on the other woman's shoulder. "IT could be like the concept of Big Brother, in this old novel I read in schoo. He didn't exist and was just a figure head for a Dicatorship."
Starbound Flotilla	"We'll appreciate it much. Thank you." Moonfin remains as polite as ever, giving a pleasant little bow to Vruasa as Albert takes the headset. "We'll use this to get some more effective communications set up. As for your boredom, I strive to be, at the very least, engaging. To be mundane, to seek no distinction, to give no artistry to your work is equivalent to never working at all." More dumb wordiness from the fishman. Albert remains mostly quiet.
Starbound Flotilla	"Moonfin will handle most of this. He's the only one with engineering expertise, though we of the Apex have our own mental enhancements, courtesy of the MiniKnog. I am confident that we can bring you to an age of superior firepower in short order." Albert says, with a sort of military firmness. "You've our gratitude for making this arrangement." "And not deciding to shoot us." Moonfin interjects. "Also that."
Elise Leroy	Elise gives a salute to Albert, a quick one, then smirks. "Thank /you/ for not giving us a reason to shoot you." she returns good naturedly. "I'm sure we'll have a productive relationship, for however long it lasts."
Starbound Flotilla	Albert is the one who finishes off this discussion as people discuss the MiniKnog. "You now understand why I retain the rebellion's duty. The MiniKnog are a brutal threat to my people. I will trawl this Multiverse for all its powers, build every alliance I can, make every deal that duty demands of me, and ensure the political entity of the MiniKnog is dissolved in its entirety. But the one who must die is Big Ape." He shakes his head seriously. "The man exists. I have seen him. I have spoken to him. His signal penetrates everywhere. There is as much doubt that he exists as there is doubt that he should die. So I intend to scour every inch of the multiverse to build what I can to restore the Resistance." Dang! Intense dude. His looks are FIERCE.