Scene #6291: The Arrival of the Hunter

Owner	Pose
Samus Aran	Samus Aran was on her way back from a successful extermination of Space Pirates in a distant sector. The _Hunter IV_ is flying at full speed back to the Federation starbase to refuel and get her reward. She is just relaxing, listening to classical music, her helmet off as she is just in a safe section of space. The ship sensors suddenly blare - an unknown phenomenon is sweeping across space. She gets her helmet back on and braces for impact.... Samus comes to in an unfamiliar section of space. The shockwave must've made her lose consciousness for a moment. As her ship systems reboot, a proximity alarm sounds - an unfamiliar large starship is very near. The engines haven't rebooted yet - she's stuck. She tries to get a bead on what kind of vessel this is...
Orchid	One of the things Orchid does while on duty is keep an eye on the Ad Coelum's sensors. She'll flip around to other sensors, keeping a sentient eye on a lot of stuff. It's often boring, so she'll often flip security feeds around, looking for nose-pickers. But when something appears this close to the ship, things are anything but boring. "We've got an unidentified contact!" goes out her warning over the ship's system. <<Unknown ship, identify yourself,>> goes out the signal, over subspace and radio bands. Right now Orchid is in 'gathering information' mode, so she can figure out what she needs to do.
Rhongomyniad	'An unidentified contact!' is the announcement. An armored figure pauses in her traversal of Ad Coelum's corridors, looking upward through the visor of a lion-themed helmet. After a moment of consideration, the knight turns about and returns from whence she had come. It isn't long before the goddess Rhongomyniad steps out onto the observation bridge. Her cloak swishes about her armored body, coming to rest in a way that conceals her from the neck down. The helmet's gentle turn is all the indication of where her gaze is directed, lifting to view the screens and the vessel on approach. She shifts, armored gauntlets lifting and folding over her chestplate, "Weapons do not appear to be armed. Remain cautious but do not assume hostility."
Samus Aran	Samus Aran just groans softly as she blinks - the ship is hailing. Everything is booting back up. Adjusting her helmet, and turning on voice synthesizer, she replies (in a voice that sounds neutral to vaguely male): <<This is the non-aligned gunship _Hunter IV_. I appear to be... lost. Some spatial phenomenon transported me here. Wherever here is. I have never seen a planet so big before - and I do not recognize that starship design..."
Orchid	"Weapons off, engines off," Orchid agrees with the King of the Britons. She reaches out and cancels the general alarm before it can start. "And responding to our hail," she adds, with a finger held to her earpiece. Within a second, the message is repeated on the observation bridge. Along with the other systems coming back up, Orchid is getting the signal from the smaller ship's transponder. <<_Hunter IV_, this is the Paladin starship _Ad Coelum_. Is there anything we can do to help your confusion?>> If requested, she'll put Rhongomyniad on mike, should she want help with the diplomacy and explanations.
Samus Aran	The _Hunter IV_ is a strange-looking ship - it looks vaguely like a flying helmet. Scans would reveal one life-sign aboard. And though it has armaments, they don't appear to be on, and the engines are off-line. "Three points that come to mind. Where am I? What are the Paladins? And what is up with that colossal planet below? I've seen gas giants smaller than that." A deep breath, then the question, "I suppose this means I've been transported far from home. I was returning from a long-range mission and need supplies and fuel. I guess this means I won't be getting paid for my mission anytime soon..." she ends with a mutter.
Rhongomyniad	"Mm," Rhongomyniad's gaze lowers in thought, "A weary, lost traveler." Her gaze shifts towards Orchid's station, "Provide the standard data download. This individual seems unaware of the Multiverse." The lion-helmeted figure returns her attention ot the screens for another thoughtful moment. "...It would be unjust to leave an exhausted wanderer out in the cold with no fuel or supply." A hand raises, two fingers extended, "Permit a landing. Bay 58 is available." Rhongomyniad then turns from the bridge, "I shall meet our new guest personally." As she disappears through the doors in a flurry of her mantle, she adds, "You may do as you wish, Orchid, whether it is remain here or accompany me."
Orchid	Orchid nods at the directions. <<If you'll permit a data link, I'll upload a standard packet. For now, let us provide you our hospitality; make way to Bay 58, and someone will meet you there. If you don't know about Unification, there's a lot to cover.>> Orchid will, in fact, join Rhongomyniad in meeting their guest, and gets up from her station to follow.
Samus Aran	Samus Aran nods. "Establishing data link." She receives the telemetry as she gets thrusters online and travels towards the indicated docking bay. The helmet-shaped ship arrives in the bay, and parks, hovering about ten feet in the air with its antigrav units. A platform descends from it, and a figure wearing yellow power armor emerges - and the helmet on the pilot makes it _quite_ clear that the ship is hers. The right arm of the power armor is covered in a greenish arm-cannon. The visor on her helmet shifts to white for a bit as she looks all around. "An impressive vessel. I am Samus Aran. And... what is Unification?" Again, the voice is synthesized to sound vaguely male. She does not extend her right arm.
Orchid	"Short version," Orchid starts, "Many universes, many worlds, merged into one. Longer version involves the fact that things impossible in one universe can be found in others." The reploid will extend her own hand, and likely awkwardly put it down if not shaken. "The Paladins are a group of peacekeepers, dedicated to rule of law and protecting the innocent, backed by the governments of the Commonwealth."
Rhongomyniad	As the ship is landing, what stands out in the docking bay amidst the various uniformed maintenence and supply crew is that knight in full armor, framed by a great billowing fuzzy mantle. When this lion-helmed knight comes to a stop, the mantle once more closes in around her in its natural resting position. "Welcome aboard," she states as Samus disembarks. A hand emerges from her mantle, lifting to gesture, "I am the Tower that Shines at the End of the World, Rhongomyniad, the King of Knights. I wished to be present to greet you." Orchid answers the actual questions, so Rhongomyniad sees no need to repeat it.
Samus Aran	Samus Aran nods. "Interesting. That explains a few things. Is my home universe gone forever, merged into this... or is it still out there?" She nods slowly. "Kinda sound like my Federation. I am a bounty hunter by trade. A quite good one. I was trying to get back to Starbase 22 to get my paycheck.
Orchid	"Somewhere in the Multiverse, is the short answer," Orchid reports. "Oh, and I'm Orchid. Anyway, your home world may have been merged into the megaplanet, or may be in orbit around it... You mentioned that you're a bounty hunter? We may be able to arrange something. A few tests, to see if the Paladins will be a good fit for you, vice versa, that sort of thing." She seems friendly, outgoing, eager to welcome Samus to the multiverse.
Rhongomyniad	"Somewhere," Rhongomyniad intones, "It awaits you, as all things do." Her mantle parts as she lifts her hands, removing the lion-maned helmet she wears and shifting it to rest under one arm. With faintly glowing green eyes, unobscured by armor, the Lion King beholds Samus Aran the Bounty Hunter. "Make a note," the divine spirit states, "Gather the ID information of this starbase and run it through the ship's map. We may yet locate this place for our guest." This was directed at Orchid, though her eyes never move towards the reploid. Instead, she simply continues the second part intended for Samus, "As for you. Partake of our hospitality as an honored guest. There is good possibility that you will continue to find work with this alliance, so I recommend the examination Orchid speaks of, as well. I have no objection nor authority to object."
Samus Aran	Samus Aran nods. "It's a very noble name. I do hope that the ones using the name 'Paladin' are worthy of it. If nothing else, I want to get my pay - for my successful bounty trip." She taps on the arm-cannon control panel and it produces a data chip. "This has details of my ship's fuel requirements. And the information on Starbase 22. And local starcharts." She hmmmmms softly as she looks around. "So..." She looks around, the visor returning to its normal blue color. "What do the paladins do exactly? And is it native to one of these unierses that got thrown in the blender or something made in this... Unification zone?"
Orchid	"Starbase 22, Federation. I'll look through the latest maps, cross-reference with news of new unifications, there may be some false positives, but we'll be able to filter them down." Orchid seems eager to get to work. "Can you provide a copy of your maps? Just having the place-names will help with that filtering. As for pay, that's pretty good. Enough that I've bought a plot of land to build on." Which is in a ruined city, but the city is rebuilding in a way that Orchid is betting will last.
Rhongomyniad	Rhongomyniad's gaze shifts to Orchid when the more technical questions are once more addressed. Her gaze returns to Samus, a hand lifting to touch her chin thoughtfully as she regards the armored figure before her. "The Paladins uphold peace and maintain order across member worlds. We assist those in need because it is Just." The hand lowers, "We are a multiworld conglomeration of like-minded individuals who would see the myriad worlds progress and prosper without strife or tyrrany."
Samus Aran	Samus Aran nods as she provides another data chip that has detailed starcharts. "That sounds good. My speciality is less in maintaining order - and more in dealing with those who are against it. Like space pirates." And with that, the venom in her voice is audible. "Anyway. So... I suppose you'll have to check me out too? To mak sure that I'm not a danger? If I was in your shoes I'd be investigating the strange armored warrior who seems to be packing an arsenal."
Orchid	"Oh, we've been doing that," Orchid says, having pulled out a data pad. "EVERYTHING that comes in is given a passive scan for pathogens, concealed weapons, and curses. Don't ask me how that one works, I couldn't tell you if I knew." She holds up one hand. "Besides, you're not the only one with weapons built into her armor."
Rhongomyniad	"Correct," Rhongomyniad states evenly, "The two of us are quite capable. Although I can feel that your heart is just and your tone indicates a low tolerance for injustice." She nods once, "I do not feel that this will be a problem, Samus Aran." Her head inclines, "See to Orchid's questionairre for membership." The knightly King then lifts her helmet once more, sliding it back over her head. This lion face observes Samus for another moment before Rhongomyniad turns in a flurry of her mantle, walking steadily for the hanger exit. It seems she's satisfied and has said her piece.
Samus Aran	Samus Aran nods. "I guess that makes sense. And I'm not really concealing any weapons. Not very subtle about it." She wiggle the arm-cannon. "Curses?" she asks blankly, shrugging it off. "So... I guess I could talk about joining your group. What is involved?"
Orchid	"The Paladins," Orchid supplies. "Oh, and magic is real. I'm not magic, but the woman next to me is, broadly speaking. It takes some getting used to, but there are some incentives for getting certified in understanding more kinds of things."
Samus Aran	Samus Aran tilts her head as she studies the two before her - the obvious artificial life-form and the woman in the archaic but glowing armor. "If magic is something I'll need to deal with in a multiverse like this, I will definitely learn about it. Magic... doens't really exist where I'm from."