Current Mood:  sleepy
Current Music: AC/DC - Live - Hells Bells (Squid's Redoubt)
There are times even I defer to a higher power when I do things. To get the full gist of this one, you might need to read this: Sins Lore Page Don’t say I didn’t warn you what drugged Squid do.
“Cold Day in Hell” ACT I: The Snow Gathers EXT. Bridge, The ship “Oh Hai” - space FADE IN: At least a hundred men and women run around the packed confines of the almost opressively-dark panels and relaxing-couches which double as acceleration benches. The bulk of the bridge crew are women in their early teens to mid-twenties and when they pass each other, they hardly seem to talk so much as gesture a moment in the broadest sense, then move on. Almost all of then have clear marks of cybernetic augmentation, whether it be as mild as a metal-ridged finger stroking under a control or as grand as the one poor unfortunate seated down the dias at the Captain’s left whose entire face and upper torso were simply reworked in forms almost but not completely unlike her original shape. She is HEXETER, sensors technologist for the Oh Hai. Across from HEXETER, long metal fingers spread like a spider’s legs and with all the delicacy thereof is SISSAL, imperious, cruel, and tied directly into the neural network of the ship’s weapons and defense systems. Atop the dias, seated in a piece of equipnent clearly transplaned from another machine and as hideous in the light of this silver and gleaming wonder as an open wound on a white, bloodless corpse is the man they are calling VRAI. They call him a man, but he is not rightly named such, because he is a Vasari and in no way belongs in this place. The reptilian face with it’s extended features, the hissing, unctious voice as he deals with the petty business of the ship. VRAI is not happy at all. The flick of one, leathery, near-black and bladed claw throws a battle-maiden crewmember across a consone at the bottom of the stairs. VRAI Idiots and fools! Have you people ever planned for travelling across the galaxy for a thousand years and what you’d bloody damn well eat once you got there? It’s as if —
HEXETER (cutting him off) As if we were absolutely psychotically and obsessively focussed on the end and by some slight alchemy miss that even we have need for resources and down-time for maintenance? VRAI (ironically) So you can listen with those cute little ears you’re burdened with. I was beginning to wonder if they served any purpose but to keep your hair elegantly coiffed. Hexeter turns to toss a dazzling, radiant snile over her perfect shoulder. HEXETER Of course, Lord Commander. VRAI You make my office seem so dirty. HEXETER Given that it’s the only one in the entire task force, it should be. Hexeter throws her arm up in mock, elaborate disgust. VRAI One of the people on this ship have had extensive run-ins with … Whatever you can call the thing out behind us. That person would be me. Consider it a psychic advantage to not being stuck with that burden! HEXETER (drily) Of course you’re right, Lord Commander. Such awareness of species-wide cowardice is hardly to be thought of more than one is able. SISSAL Leave the Vasari insect alone, Hexeter. I’m certain that he only means to protect the delicate lines of we wee women-folk through the galactic might of his — (snicker) — empire.
The flash of reflectance in his eyes almost gives away Vrai, but he eases back into the seat, various tubes and such penetrating the whole surface of his back, moving as he does. VRAI Sissal, range to destination. SISSAL Thirty-minutes more to the gravwell you’ve designated as Locus Major on the map you uploaded to us. VRAI Fleet readiness? HEXETER Six disciple vessels proceeding us along the phase channel. Once we arrive, they will fall into array around the — Oh Hai — and thereafter be given near free reign to seek and fire on their own targets. VRAI Perfect. Let’s hope we can pin down some of these supply lines with just a single capital ship and a fistfull of ships I barely recognize as worthy of kicking as I walk by. The SHIP’S HOLOPOOL ignites as a five foot wide oblate pool in front of the dais, moving upwards and spreading to reveal the new gravwell and, within it, a scout vessel already chaging engines to white-hot blazing to re-enter phase space and avoid the carnage to come. As the scout flashed out, surrounding it’s phase-ripple the Oh Hai’s complement appeared before the beast itself. Facing them through the holopool are three siege frigates and a couple light frigs. None of them look like they’re in that great shape. None of them look ready to fight. It’s the main wave gun on the Radiance-class capital that answers silence with flame and screams. And the dance begins. | 
