FTL Online: A Multiplayer Role-Playing Experience

[EchoesofOld]

Alright, if there's Roleplaying going on, i want in! haha! seriously though, I'd love to join, if ya'll will have me.

[Antony]

Alright, if there's Roleplaying going on, i want in! haha! seriously though, I'd love to join, if ya'll will have me.

You're in. We'll see you in the #FTLOnline IRC chat room!

[Antony]

Title: Revok the Ravager! EIS

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Continued from: http://www.ftlgame.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10510&start=20#p36176

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DMCI Interface Begin
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DMCI: Turn: +1 (Turn: 10)
DMCI: Fuel: -1 (Fuel: 19)
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(Click on the above Image to see the full image)

Ens. McAliber puts the flask away and eyes the Rigger as it comes up on his screen.

The Kestrel receives a hail from the Rebel Rigger.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Captain Antony. It's been a long time.

Rebel Capt. Revok surveys the scout reports on the Federation ship

Capt. Antony: Well if it isn't Captain Revok the Ravager.

Lt. Vanguard: It looks like we might have to put these new defenses to work right away...

Lt. Vanguard primes the shields. Just in case.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Indeed, indeed. Captain Antony, pride of the Federation. Well, if they are desperate enough to call you that.

Capt. Antony: Revok, that was a nice piece of work you did in scorching that colony back on Besbin IV.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Duty is harsh. It had to be done. Besides, you have no idea what happened there. Things aren't always what they seem...

Engineer Satori: Pride of the Federation, Cap'n? If this is their best then the Rebellion has already won, surely.

Ens. McAliber finishes sizing up the Rigger's loadout.

Ens. McAliber: Single Heavy laser, drone bay, equipped drones unknown. Even if they've got an Anti-Ship though, they ain't getting through these shields without an insane amount of luck.

Rebel Capt. Revok: What do the readings say?

Engineer Satori: Their shielding appears to be overcharged above the default configuration for that hull, sir.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Are there any of our ships in the vicinity?

Engineer Satori: The nearest is about 40 minutes away, according to the last sensor sweep. Effectively, we're on our own for this one.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Damn, that's too far. Details are sparse, but High Command has stated they need to be stopped under all circumstances.

Lt. Vanguard: Sounds like you know this guy, Antony. What's the deal here?

Capt. Antony: This guy and I go way back. He's a real scum-bag. He's an old gambling buddy of mine... well, used to be. Evidently, he's joined the Rebellion.

Lt. Vanguard: I'm guessing he won't be letting us go on our way unhindered, then, despite old connections...

Capt. Antony: I doubt it. We kinda parted on bad terms.

Rebel Capt. Revok (to Satori): We can't run on this one. Charge the weapons, perhaps we can get them by surprise while I keep talking.

Engineer Satori: Roger, I'm on it sir.

Rebel Capt. Revok: So, Captain, what are we going to do now? We can either let this get bloody or we can try to find a way out of it.

Capt. Antony: Well, the last game we played, you were down 50 scrap. I don't suppose you have that on you at the moment? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Well, perhaps I do, but that's not the issue. The issue is: will you surrender, or do I have to stomp you? We can make a decent deal, we need pilots like you.

Capt. Antony: Once I destroy your ship, I'll get what I can out of the salvage.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Hah, keep on dreaming.

Engineer Satori: Weapons systems are ready to go, as soon as you give targeting coordinates Cap'n.

Capt. Antony (to Ens. McAliber): Have you selected a target?

Rebel Capt. Revok (to satori): Ok, fire when I give the codeword "sword". Aim for the shields, we need to take them down quickly.

Engineer Satori: Fire at their shields on "sword", affirmative.

Ens. McAliber: Weapons still charging Cap'n, but burst is locked in on their helm and the Artemis is ready to drop their engines once the helm's offline. Bloody well not lettin' em run like the last Rigger we ran into.

Lt. Vanguard: Hopefully they won't have any defense drones to get in the way of our Artemis...

Rebel Capt. Revok: Captain, one last time: Surrender and join us!

Capt. Antony (Turns off the ship-to-ship comm): We may not need the Artemis for this one. Let's see what they've got up their sleeve.

Lt. Vanguard: I'd almost welcome an anti-ship drone. It would give me a chance to see what these shields can handle.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Taste this, Captain Antony. May you feel the sword of the Rebellion!

Engineer Satori fires.


(Click on the above Image to see the full image)

Rebel Capt. Revok: Did they just lock on with a missile?

Engineer Satori: Affirmative Captain, they have a missile lock on us!

Capt. Antony: I don't think we've got anything to worry about here gentlemen. (To Vanguard) It looks like you're going to be able to calibrate our shields afterall.

Lt. Vanguard: Alright then, time to see what these shields can do!

Lt. Vanguard focuses on the shield console, redistributing the energy to deal with the drone's attacks.
Ens. McAliber waits for the Burst II to hit and prepares Artemis launch.

Rebel Capt. Revok (to Satori): Laser countermeasures!

Engineer Satori: They're still disabled as a result of our encouter with that drone yesterday, Captain. Don't have the scrap to repair them.

Rebel Capt. Revok takes the pilot seat.

Rebel Capt. Revok: OK, I'll try dodging manually!

Rebel Capt. Revok activates the commlink again.

Rebel Capt. Revok: I'm sorry to see you go, Captain Antony, but you will not survive this.


(Click on the above Image to see the full image)

Lt. Vanguard: Nice shooting, Mac!

Capt. Antony: Mac, did we take out their helm?

Ens. McAliber: Helm down Cap'n. Artemis is locked on engines, and firing.

Capt. Antony: OK, let's make sure that they don't escape.

Engineer Satori: Are you ok Captain? I'm sending the repair drone to help get navigation back online. I'll stay at my station for now.

Rebel Capt. Revok (coughing): Goddamn! You bastards hit me good! (to Satori) Yeah, I'm only scratched, but the helm is looking bad. No chance of dodging anything, let's prepare for the worst.

Engineer Satori: The drone should be able to patch it up nicely, and there wouldn't be room for me to work around it anyway.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Keep firing at the shields!

Capt. Antony: Mac, paint your next target!

Ens. McAliber paints the Burst II over their drone bay.

Ens. McAliber: No worries Cap'n, they're dead in the water.

Rebel Capt. Revok dons a gas mask to protect against the acrid smoke and starts to survey the damage.

Engineer Satori: I'm giving it everything she's got, which is not much against their upgraded shields.

Lt. Vanguard: Their drone is keeping the pressure on, but we should be just fine here. Gives me some handy practice too.

Ens. McAliber: No last minute FTL for these Rebel bastards...

Rebel Capt. Revok: Doesn't look to good. I'll try to patch something together, we need to avoid those rockets. Satori, did they lock on with their rockets yet?

Engineer Satori: It's hard to tell; those shields seem to be blocking our more probing scans. Captain, might I make a suggestion here?

Rebel Capt. Revok: Go ahead, anything could help!

Engineer Satori: It won't help us, but I'd suggest we get some detailed telemetry of this encounter and send it to Fleet Command; it may prove useful for rearming our other ships.

Capt. Antony: I don't think they're any threat to us gentlemen. Let's just keep their tail nailed down.


(Click on the above Image to see the full image)

Capt. Antony: Good shot, Mac! Let's alternate between their helm and engines.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Damn, another hit, to the engine. They really must fear my piloting skills. Too bad that old bastard knows how good I am. And just as I managed to patch the helm up with the help of the repair drone. Bastards!

Ens. McAliber paints the Burst II on their helm again and prepares the Artemis for engine lock.

Engineer Satori: I've sent the drone down to the engine room; I don't want to leave the weapons console, I can record the combat best from here.

Rebel Capt. Revok: Ok, maybe we can still do some good to our cause.

Rebel Capt. Revok opens the commlink.

Rebel Capt. Revok: It seems your ship is getting the better of me, Captain Antony. (to Satori) I'll try to buy us some more time, keep recording.


(Click on the above Image to see the full image)

Capt. Antony: That'll shut them down for a bit!

Rebel Capt. Revok starts coughing heavily.

Capt. Antony: They might be considering a retreat...

Rebel Capt. Revok: Captain Antony, if you don't destroy us, all of our cargo will be yours. (to Satori) Overcharge a shot, it's our last hope! 300% power, even if we risk blowing it all up!

Engineer Satori: I'll try Captain,

Capt. Antony: Mac, Your choice...Engines or Helm?

Ens. McAliber: Engines are locked in, Cap'n.

Engineer Satori curses and a small explosion is heard from the weapons console.

Engineer Satori: It's no good, the capacitors can't handle the additional charge.

Rebel Capt. Revok: That's it I assume...

Engineer Satori: I can't squeeze anything else out of this system.

Engineer Satori coughs at the smoke.


(Click on the above Image to see the full image)

Rebel Capt. Revok looks out the window, gazing at the stars.

Engineer Satori: I'm sending you the tactical data now Captain, make sure it reaches the right hands.

Rebel Capt. Revok: We can't repair as fast as they're shooting.

Rebel Capt. Revok feeds the darta into the long-range comlink.

Engineer Satori: It's been an experience to fly with you, sir.

Rebel Capt. Revok (Cursing at the console): Come on, piece of shit, faster! Thank you Engineer Satori. It has been an honour and a delight to have such competent crew.

Capt. Antony: OK, Mac! Let's blast their helm and collect our scrap!

Ens. McAliber keeps the Burst II trained on the helm.

Rebel Capt. Revok: I salute you, Captain Antony. Masterful performance. Even though you are on your way to throwing the whole galaxy back into chaos. (to Satori) The data is being sent, though I do not know if it will go through in time.

Engineer Satori: We can at least go out knowing we've done everything we could - what more is there to ask for?

Rebel Capt. Revok: Living perhaps?

Engineer Satori: Well, there is that, though this might still be better than dying of old age on some dull retirement planet


(Click on the above Image to see the full image)

Rebel Capt. Revok looks out of the window, facing the incoming laser salvo.

Rebel Capt. Revok (muttering to himself): Oh well, it had to end like this I guess...

Rebel Capt. Revok tumbles out into space, the light slowly fading.

Lt. Vanguard pats the shield console contentedly, happy with how well it ran. Ens. McAliber powers down the weapons and takes a long drink from his flask...


(Click on the above Image to see the full image)

Capt. Antony steers The Kestrel in to collect the spoils from the debris field: 1-Fuel, 1-Drone Part & 17-Scrap. He pulls up the Beacon Map.


(Click on the above Image to see the full image)

Ens. McAliber puts his flask away and prepares for the disorientation of another FTL jump.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Once the debris from the battle with Captain Revok as settled, the Kestrels computer recieves an urgent sublight message.

Capt. Quigley: Attention Kestrel Computer. Attention Kestrel Computer.

Capt. Quigley: Subject: Emergency. Need: Maintenance. Engi processors locked in busy wait. Assistance required.

Ship Computer: "Message recieved. More information required"

Capt. Quigley turns to his engineer Tech Rossnu

Capt. Quigley: No! That is a person, no bolt cutters!

Capt. Quigley return to electronic communication

Tech. Rossnu: wer jump navigation computer shilta ti qe used halkvri yth shilta leor nomeno malfunctioning Engi de wer console. Captain re wux jaunus batobot si shilta ti klae wer bolt-cutters? coi geou xurwk nomeno vi quick fix

Capt. Quigley: Manual jump processing caused run-time error in ring 1 of Engi core kernel. We have no diagnostic capability with ship AI down. Please advise.

Capt. Quigley turns to his engineer as the computer re-allocates processing power.

Capt. Quigley: Only a quick fix if we don't ever want to go anywhere again.

Tech. Rossnu: sjek si tir ti remove nomeno Engi ini force hak wux geou tepoha ekess tir shio di wer jump calculations manually

Capt. Quigley: And that would most likely mean death for Debian.

Tech. Rossnu: Engi shilta persvek throdenilti krelic easily qe replaced

Capt. Quigley: Rossnu, we could replace him, but only with me. And 'I' at least want to find out what happend so it does not happen to me if we cannot save Debian.

Tech. Rossnu: algbo si mi vi technician, vur not trained ekess jehli robotic life-forms, zyak sia input tenpiswo ui limited

Capt. Quigley: Look, I know you are trying. We do not know if this is affecting any other systems. Go run quick diagnostics on the other systems.

Tech. Rossnu: sjek nomeno jahus vin engine usv vi terminal coi ornla qe easy, shar nomeno ui outside sia expertise

Capt. Quigley: May The Author help us if this took down life support.

Tech. Rossnu: si geou check wer oxygen levels harkt mojka

Tech. Rossnu heads towards the oxygen recyclers

After a worrying number of seconds the Kestrel's computer responds

Tech. Rossnu taps a console and sends a message to the bridge: lae karif lae si shilta visp, shio lyrik systems re fully functional waoli de wer problem persvek navigation

Ship Computer: "Capt. Quigley, Debian's program counter has been locked after running into a buffer overflow. This occured in a function used to access an auxillary peice of hardware. This hardware is only used for advanced FTL navigation."

Tech. Rossnu sends a follow-up message: filki ekess qe tokeq though, si geou isolate wer navigation computer ekess wer backup power grid

Capt. Quigley: Does we need this hardware now that we are simply following in the Kestrel's wake?

Ship Computer: "Negative, Capt. Quigley. It is the FTL transponder. Disable this equipment before we can continue."

Capt. Quigley yells down the length of the ship.

Capt. Quigley: Master Rossnu! Come back to the bridge... and bring your bolt cutters.

Tech. Rossnu returns to the bridge with several tool kits and a bundle of spare cable

Capt. Quigley: There, cut that data linkage!

Tech. Rossnu: tepoha wux disconnected wer console de wer main power grid?

Capt. Quigley: Good point. Please do that. My concern almost crippled us further.

Tech. Rossnu: si tor ergriff tagoa si itrewica shocked twice persvek wer last week... lae wux jalla remember...

Capt. Quigley: Not this time.

Tech. Rossnu taps out several commands on the console

Tech. Rossnu: ekess unpower mishun vi vital system rigluinic wer Captain's override password

Tech. Rossnu points to the console

Capt. Quigley inputs his 45 character alpha-numeric override password.

The lights on the console dim, but unfortunately so do the lights on Debian.

Capt. Quigley: Oh no, he was span powered! Quickly, cut that data cable.

Capt. Quigley points to a fiber connected to a small black box under the console.

Tech. Rossnu gleefully whips out the bolt cutters and severs the connection

Capt. Quigley quickly sends a message to the Kestrel computer

Tech. Rossnu: yth geou rigluin ekess zhaan diagostics shafaer nomeno Engi - jalla si clax coi ekess wer medbay?

Capt. Quigley: Computer, please reboot Engi crew member Debian. Remote root password is attached.

Tech. Rossnu: kwi, si didn't realise coi tiliw qe authot remotely

Computer logs in and forces a reboot using root access.

Crewman Debian: System:Re-initializing. File-system:Reading journal.

Tech. Rossnu: while wux tir batobot si geou remove wer severed cable vur itrewic vi z'ar ir ready ihk connection

Crewman Debian: Reboot Completed. Root password access detected. Changing password.......Done.

Capt. Quigley: Master Rossnu. Please escort Debian to the medbay for examination.

Tech. Rossnu: axun ushakal

Tech. Rossnu picks up the Engi and carries it down the corridor

Capt. Quigley mumbles

Capt. Quigley: I am sorry Debian, I needed to give your root password to the Kestrels computer to save you. I hope you can forgive me.

Capt. Quigley returns to message connection

Capt. Quigley: Computer, I ask you to please respect the privacy of that root password.

Ship Computer: "Acknowledged, root password will remain protected. "

Capt. Quigley: FIN

Ship Computer: "FIN ACK"

Capt. Quigley: ACK

Capt. Quigley walks to the Medbay

Capt. Quigley: How does he seem to be doing Rossnu?

Tech. Rossnu: mechanically jaci ui persvek good shape shar si tepoha no understanding di svanoa Engi software tawuraic

Capt. Quigley: I am glad to hear that about his mechanisms. As for his software, we will just have to let him proccess and wait. Go ahead and and get the piloting station back on primary power and take a break.

Tech. Rossnu: axun ushakal

Capt. Quigley: We will need to be rested for the next time we jump.

Tech. Rossnu returns to navigation

Capt. Quigley heads to the sensor room to wait for signs that the Kestrel will be jumping soon.

Tech. Rossnu removes the severed cable end and replaced it with some new wire from the bundle he brought to the bridge previously

Tech. Rossnu: huena tenamalo dout password ui needed ekess vers power wer system

Tech. Rossnu says, over the radio

Capt. Quigley heads back over to the cockpit.

Tech. Rossnu: wer z'ar cable ui connected vur ready ihk wux ekess activate

Capt. Quigley: What!

Tech. Rossnu points at the console

Capt. Quigley: Cut that again. That cable is what caused Debian to crash.

Tech. Rossnu does the Mantis equivalent of a shrug, mildly pleased to be able to attack something else with the bolt cutters again

Capt. Quigley: Alright, I will re-enable the power. Do NOT replace that cable until I tell you to. Do you understand?

Tech. Rossnu: axun ushakal

Capt. Quigley re-enters his Captain override password to enable power to the cockpit.

The console lights light up with a happy green glow.

Tech. Rossnu: algbo sjek wux don't want ve ekess reconnect wer cable, tir wux tepoha tikil other orders?

Capt. Quigley: No Rossnu, just go take a break. I'll watch the con for now.

Tech. Rossnu nods and heads towards his quarters

Capt. Quigley watches the displays and listens to the sounds of the Medbay keeping watch over his injured crewman.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Capt. Antony settles into his leather cockpit seat.

Capt. Antony: Ship Computer, Please scan the giant blue gas planet at this beacon.

Lt. Vanguard: So, Captain, are there likely to be more old gambling buddies out to kill you any time soon? Because that might be good to know in advance...

Capt. Antony: Well its funny you brought that up.

Lt. Vanguard: I don't like the sound of this...

Capt. Antony: We are at a system where I believe an old scoundrel buddy of mine might be conning a bunch of gas miners.

Lt. Vanguard: Why do I get the feeling you want to interfere?

Ship Computer: "Captain, I am detecting a very large gas mining platform at the planet below."

Capt. Antony: I don't think it will hurt to check it out. Besides, the Princess needs to get out and about.

Capt. Antony sets The Kestrel on a course to intercept the gas mining platform on the planet below.

Lt. Vanguard: From what I can tell, I think we've got plenty of time before the Rebel fleet will be coming up to our location, so you're probably right.

As The Kestrel approaches the mining platform it is evident that it is a grand floating city in the clouds. The Kestrel receives a ship blaster shot over the bow. A voice comes on the comm.

Cloud City Police: Identify yourself! This is a private area!

Capt. Antony: Don't fire! We're here to see Lupon!

Time passes as the flanking police vehicles check with HQ.

Cloud City Police: You can dock at bay 84. Do not deviate from that course!

Capt. Antony brings The Kestrel deep into the towering spires of the floating city.

Capt. Antony: Dock 84? Now where would that...ah, there it is!

Capt. Antony sets The Kestrel down on the docking platform.

Lt. Vanguard: At least this give us the opportunity to stretch our legs...

The Kestrel crew and Princess gather at the lower cargo door.
As Capt. Antony opens the cargo door and extends the ramp, Echo watches from the next landing pad over.

Lt. Vanguard: I think I'm going to go take a look around, Captain. This place seems safe enough, judging from the security we saw earlier.

The four visitors exit The Kestrel and stand on the docking pad.

Capt. Antony: This place is crawling with Engi of all shapes and sizes.

Lt. Vanguard: If you need me, send me a message and I'll head back here.

Lt. Vanguard takes his camera drone to walks off into the crowded, Engi-filled streets on his own buisness.
Before anyone can go anywhere, a blast door to this landing pad opens up and a Zoltan appears escorted by city police.

Capt. Antony: Lupon III!

Capt. Antony and Lupon III approach each other carefully. Capt. Antony with his hand close to his blaster.

Lupon III: Ah, my good friend... Antony, wasn't it? It's been... a long time since I last saw you.

Echo sees the Zoltan walk out and greet the crew of the new ship.

Capt. Antony: We stopped by for a quick visit. We need some minor supplies.

Capt. Antony: This is Lt. Vanguard, this is Ens. McAliber ...and this is Princess Stacie.

Immediately, Lupon III reaches for the Princess' hand. Princess Stacie slaps him.

Capt. Antony: Oh, I'm surprised that you were not aware.

Echo emits an electronic laugh at the scene.

Capt. Antony: Slugs don't like their hands to be anywhere near the mouths of other beings.

The crew, Lupon III and police enter the blast door.

Echo follows at a distance, hood pulled low over his face.
Beyond a few corridors, the interior opens up to a huge atrium. Capt. Antony notices all of the bustling Engi and other alien races that are denizens of the city.

Lt. Vanguard (whispers to Mac): You know, it's kind of weird that all those police are just standing there watching us.

Ens. McAliber whispers back to Lt. Vanguard.

Ens. McAliber: I'm not sure if we're prisoners or not yet. The guards certainly don't look like they'd be happy for us to go anywhere by ourselves.

The police break away from the group.
Capt. Antony whispers to Lt. Vanguard.

Capt. Antony: I don't trust this guy. Why not see if you and Mac can break off and see what's happening around here. I saw an Engi on the neighboring landing platform that looked trustworthy.

Lt. Vanguard (whispering back): If you think you're ok with him here, we'll go take a look around. Send us a message if you need us.

Lt. Vanguard and Ens. McAliber head off into a side street to get the lay of the land.

Capt. Antony and the Princess follow Lupon to what is obviously the tallest spire in the city.

Lt. Vanguard and Ens. McAliber wander through the streets of the city, asking about Lupon and trying to find out anything that might give insight to Lupon's doings.
As they turn a corner, they discover a pair of angry-looking rockmen, staring at them menacingly.

Capt. Antony, Princess Stacie and Lupon arrive at a penthouse suite.

Capt. Antony: Well it certainly is quite an operation you have here, Lupon.

Lupon III: Well I've recently made a deal that will secure us a bright future here among the clouds.

Lupon leaves allowing Capt. Antony and Princess Stacie to freshen up.

Echo sees the Kestrel crew being confronted by two rockmen

Rockman Enforcer Shale: You been asking too many questions 'bout our emplyer, Humans. We don't like the kind o' things you bin implyin'.

Rockman Enforcer Basalt: And we might have to shake you up a bit to make sure you don't do it no more. It's buisness is what it is.

Echo walks over to the group.

Echo: Is there a problem here?

Capt. Antony: I do hope Lt. Vanguard and Ens. McAliber are safe. I am beginning to trust this old gambling buddy and con-artist, Lupon, less and less.

Princess Stacie: He seems like a wonderful Zoltan to me.

Capt. Antony: Yeah well you don't know him like I do. He's a real scoundrel.

Lt. Vanguard: I think "a problem" would be a good way to describe it, yes.

Echo: Can I have a word with these gentlemen before you... beat them?

Rockman Enforcer Shale: What do you want then Engi. We's got work to do here, and unless you want to join them, I'd think twice about getting in our way.

Echo: I think you wont have a problem with my speaking with them. Besides, Lupon III might have something to say when his best pilot goes missing...

Echo looks at the rockmen. The green lights indicating his eyes (The onlyl thing visible under his hood) have turned red.
He begins to sound more menacing, his voice taking a slight echo to it.

Echo: We will not permit you to harm these platforms. Be gone.

Lt. Vanguard (whispers): If this works, I have no idea how it happened.

A very humanoid looking droid enters the penthouse suite.

Hostess Droid: Greetings! Please take this bottle of Mantis Ale on the house.

Capt. Antony accepts the bottle of Mantis Ale noticing something moving within the bottle.

Hostess Droid: Will you be joining us in the main banquet hall for dinner?

Rockman Enforcer Shale: That's not how this thing works chum. We's got a job to do, and it involves making these talkative Humans here fairly unhappy. You want us to stop, you'd have to get Lupon to tell us hisself.

... (sub-story to be continued) ...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Kestrel crew barely escaping the trap head out to the beacon and prepare to jump.

Capt. Antony: That was close!

Lt. Vanguard: A close one indeed.

Capt. Antony pulls up the Beacon Map.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, my recommendation is that we overshoot this beacon.

Monitors around the ship hum to life as the navigation system's beacon map is broadcast throughout the ship.

Lt. Vanguard: I think we will need all the experience we can get, even with the bad luck we have been having...

Capt. Antony: Yes, I agree. We have a little bit of breathing room before we need to get to the long range beacon and exit this sector.

Lt. Vanguard: With that close call, lets perform some system checks.

Ens. McAliber: As long as we're anywhere but here, I'm OK with it! Weapons check commencing.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Lt. Vanguard: Shield systems energy levels stable, generators operating at peak efficiency. We are protected.

Capt. Antony: We could afford some scrap towards another upgrade to our reactor so that we could have our engines fully powered. The alternative would be to save it for the next sector.

Ens. McAliber: As good as our weapons are, more power would be better to help you dodge those shots Cap'n.

Lt. Vanguard: I agree Captain, especially without one of us manning that station.

Capt. Antony: Here, Lt. Vanguard. Take this 20 scrap and see what you can do with the reactor.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Lt. Vanguard goes to the reactor room.

Capt. Antony shuts down the reactor.

Lt. Vanguard: Ens. McAliber, come in here and keep this shield plate off of me.

Lt. Vanguard is able to reinforce the matter-antimatter injection rate by fashioning high pressure nozzles in the input streams.
The engine room is hit by a micro meteor that penetrates the shields.

Capt. Antony: What was that? I'm detecting air loss in the Engine room.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain I have just about got things wrapped up here. I am sending Ens. McAliber to the Engine Room.

Capt. Antony: Ship Computer, send servo repair drones to patch that up. Quickly...before VoV and Mac are out of air!

Ens. McAliber sprints to the Engine room.

Ens. McAliber: You drone, spread that poly-carbon epoxy!

Ens. McAliber puts himself to work right along side the drones.

Capt. Antony runs down to the engine room to assist with the repairs caused by the micro-meteor.

Capt. Antony: Sensors didn't pick up any meteor activity nearby.

Lt. Vanguard: I have just finished patching up the reactor. Powering on the reactor and shields.

Capt. Antony accesses his datapad tied into the ship systems.

Capt. Antony: The upgrades seemed to have worked

Lt. Vanguard Hits the start-up sequence on the reactor and goes to the shield room to get them charged in hopes they will stop any further hits.

Capt. Antony: We now have fully powered engines.

The Kestrel crew man their positions as the ship prepares to jump.

Ens. McAliber: I need to stop leaving my whisky in the engine room...


Click the above image to see the entire image.


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DMCI Interface Begin
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DMCI: Scrap: +17 (Scrap: 22)
DMCI: Missiles: +2 (Missiles: 12)
DMCI: Fuel: +1 (Fuel: 20)
DMCI:: Crew#1|Piloting: +3 (Crew#1|Piloting: 5)
DMCI:: Crew#2|Shields: +22 (Crew#2|Shields: 27)
DMCI:: Crew#3|Weapons: +5 (Crew#3|Weapons: 18)
DMCI: Scrap: -20 (Scrap: 2)
DMCI: Reactor Lvl.: +1 (Reactor Lvl.: 10)
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DMCI Interface End
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Continued at: http://www.ftlgame.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10510&start=30#p37474

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Visit http://webchat.quakenet.org/?channels=FTLOnline to participate!

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[deathonastick]

Hello, I have joined the chat and was told that to join, I had to post on here. So this is my formal request to join with a name that matches this forum name

[Antony]

Hello, I have joined the chat and was told that to join, I had to post on here. So this is my formal request to join with a name that matches this forum name

You have now formally joined. Welcome!

[Antony]

Title: Something Old and Something New! EIS

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Continued from: http://www.ftlgame.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10510&start=30#p36306

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DMCI Interface Begin
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DMCI: Turn: +1 (Turn: 11)
DMCI: Fuel: -1 (Fuel: 19)
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DMCI Interface End
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Click the above image to see the entire image.

Capt. Antony: Ship Computer, scan the area!

Ship Computer: "Captain, I am detecting a space station at this beacon."

Capt. Antony checks the communications console.

Ens. McAliber: Cap'n, based on the computers scans I see no weaponry. They are sitting ducks!

Capt. Antony: That's strange. With a space station that large I would have thought that they would have hailed us.

Lt. Vanguard: Have we tried hailing them? Sounds like it can't hurt.

Capt. Antony: Ship Computer, please hail the space station on all frequencies.

Admin Tellas notices an incoming hail and flips on his sensors to scan the ship type. Shortly, he opens a comm channel.

Admin Tellas: Greetings, Human vessel. What brings you to our facility?

Lt. Vanguard Sends a private message to Capt. Antony

Capt. Antony: We're just travelling though. Thought we'd make a stop here before accessing the long range beacon near here.

Admin Tellas: Do you have need of our services?

Capt. Antony notices a message from Lt. Vanguard. He proceeds to read it.

Lt. Vanguard: Should we trust him with our mission, he seems to be untouched in this war?

Capt. Antony mutes the comm with the space station.

Capt. Antony: Yes, I was noticing the same thing. We can see what he has to offer, no?

Ens. McAliber: I'll keep weapons ready, just in case though.

Capt. Antony: He might be a Federation sympthizer...

Capt. Antony turns back on the comm.

Capt. Antony: What kind of services do you have to offer?

Admin Tellas: Apologies, Human, for my lack of introduction. I had assumed you'd been directed here, knowing what we do. I am Administrator Tellas, and I oversee this facility.

Lt. Vanguard heads to the engine room, still suspicious.

Admin Tellas: If you were unaware of our project then I can understand your confusion - this station has been repurposed from its original design. It was built here as housing for the miners extracting precious metals from our star's asteroid belt, however the valuable deposits have long since been depleted. As such, my organisation purchased this station and have converted it into our laboratories. What we do here is research and design of artificial neural networks - advanced AI, to the layman. Perhaps we can integrate some of our more... civilian technologies, into some of your systems. Does your medbay have a fully interactive hologram, for example?

Capt. Antony: We have no such holgram technology in our medbay.

Admin Tellas: We will, of course, require some form of compensation for our services.

Capt. Antony checks his scrap resources realizing that they only have 2 scrap.

Admin Tellas: As you no likely have gathered, our organisation is not lacking for funds; however we do take great interest in acquiring new data, so there may be something you can provide us which would be worth our time? No doubt a well-traveled ship such as yours should have some encountered some interesting phenomena along your voyage.

Capt. Antony: What kind of data are you looking for?

Capt. Antony mutes the comm.

Lt. Vanguard: Captian, could we possibly talk to Capt. Quigley about what went wrong there? This lot may find that useful.

Capt. Antony: Yes, that's a great idea. Please hail Capt. Quigley and see.

Admin Tellas notices the comm channel is muted and sends a ping

Capt. Antony receives a ping over the comm channel and stalls Admin Tellas.

Ship Computer: "Secure connection to Captain Quigley opened on comm bank two."

Capt. Antony: Yes, Admin Tellas. We are checking our sensor data right now to see if we have anything of interest.

Admin Tellas: I will contact you again in two hours. This should give you ample time to scan your databanks, and prevent me waiting around an unknown time for you to find something worthy. Either you have the data by then, or we will ask you to move along.

Admin Tellas closes the connection.

Lt. Vanguard: Capt. Quigley, is there any value to you in the records of the AI failure on your ship?

Capt. Antony heads down to the mid "crew" deck and enters the galley.

Capt. Quigley: Kestrel, while there is always some intrinsic value in failure, it was a complete failure.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, may we recieve a copy of your records of the final experiments and AI shutdown?

Capt. Antony finds the galley in pristine order. He locates the bottle of Mantis Ale.

Ens. McAliber goes to the engine room to get his whiskey then heads down to the galley to meet Capt. Antony.

Capt. Antony: Lt. Vanguard, Ens. Mac. I have an idea. How about we dock with The Nostromo and invite them onboard for dinner?

Capt. Quigley: What purpose do you need this data for?

Lt. Vanguard mutes the comm.

Capt. Antony: We can break out this bottole of Mantis Ale.

Lt. Vanguard: Sounds good to me.

Ens. McAliber: Awesome, then I can save my own stores.

Capt. Antony: See if they are agreable, please.

Leutenant Vanguard hails the Nostromo and invites the Captain to dinner to discuss this issue. He agrees.

Capt. Antony: Ship Computer, please initiate docking procedures with The Nostromo.

Within 10 minutes airlocks are matched up and all four people are seated at the Ready room table.

Capt. Antony offers up the Mantis Ale to Capt. Quigley and sits down.
All 4 glasses are filled along with something moving in each.

Capt. Antony: Well I will admit, this is the first time that I have tried Mantis Ale. How about you Capt. Quigley?

Capt. Quigley: I am afraid that I do not have the same alcohol receptors as Humans, however I have learned to enjoy it's particular chemical structure from my engineer Tech Rossnu.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain Antony when last we spoke, Capt. Quigley was inquiring as to why we were asking for the AI data.

Capt. Antony: Ah, yes, Capt. Quigley. We were wondering if your AI research data could be made available to us. In truth, the space station that we are orbiting has some advanced hologram AI that we could use. They want in trade, however, some phenomenal data.

Capt. Quigley: Data is data and it's purpose is to be made available and studied, but this is propriatary information. I agree that this would be interesting to them, but I will need a convincing reason to part with it. Even a failure could be useful to someone who could be a competitor.

Capt. Antony: I wonder if we could all meet with Admin Tellas.

Capt. Antony turns on the video comm monitor in the Ready/Dining-room and hails Admin Tellas.

Admin Tellas opens the channel

Ens. McAliber takes another drink of his Mantis Ale and sits back to watch the show.

Admin Tellas: You have an interesting way of analysing databanks, Human.

Capt. Antony: Admin Tellas, would you be willing to shuttle over to discuss a possible trade?

Admin Tellas: Is your atmosphere generator calibrated to Federation cross-species standards, or will I need to bring my own equipment with me?

Ens. McAliber is caught on the vid screen capture pouring the distinguishable bottle of Mantis Ale.

Lt. Vanguard: Administrator, we are fully prepared to host any Federation known species.

Admin Tellas: Very well. In the name of science, I will distract myself from my work for a short time, since it would appear you have something worth calling me over for ...and I don't just mean the data, either.

Capt. Antony: Computer, prepare the starboard docking system for an incoming shuttle from the space station.

Ship Computer: "Yes, Captain."

Admin Tellas: We will be seeing you shortly, Humans.

Admin Tellas closes the channel

Capt. Antony: Oh my... He said "we". One Male Slug will take days to clean up after. Multiple, will takes weeks if not months.

Admin Tellas' shuttle docks with The Kestrel. Capt. Antony meets the Slug delegation at the airlock door.

Ens. McAliber (whispers): At least we have servo drones to help.

As the airlock opens, Administrator Tellas is seen to be accompanied by a Zoltan carrying some electronic equipment, and what looks like a modified, much more compact version of a combat droid.

Admin Tellas: Greetings, Human. I believe it is your tradition that here I ask permission to come aboard?

Capt. Antony: Welcome aboard. That droid of yours...Does it have a restraining bolt?

Admin Tellas: The droid is my personal bodyguard; naturally you can understand someone in my position must take certain... precautions. I do not mean to offend, but I will not go without it.

Capt. Antony allows the droid to come aboard and leads the three down to the Ready Room.

Admin Tellas: Thank you. I have brought one of my engineers to help with the data transfer, in both directions - much better to connect hardware than doing it remotely.

Lt. Vanguard: Capt. Quigley, do you currently have the data in your personal possession?

Capt. Quigley: Yes, I figured it would be useful, so I downloaded it to my personal data storge.

Servo maintenance drones get busy slurping up the slime being left by Admin Tellas. Princess Stacie doesn't leave as much mess. The Males secrete far more.
The Captain and guests arrive and extra place settings are laid out.

Capt. Antony: What is the name of your Zoltan companion, Admin Tellas?

Ens. McAliber pours the Mantis Ale for Admin Tellas and the Zoltan, after recieving a look from Capt. Antony.

Admin Tellas: The one who accompanies me is known as Aren. He is one of my most senior hardware engineers.

Aren nods his head in acknowledgement.

Capt. Quigley: It is nice to see you employing a race so well known for electronic prowess in that position.

Admin Tellas: I would recommend you allow him to download the relevant sections of the data while we talk, Human.

Capt. Quigley: Ah, the data. There is still some discussion about this data.

Admin Tellas looks slightly annoyed, though on a Slug, expressions are easy to misinterpret.

Capt. Antony eyeballs the body-guard droid carefully looking for any signs of suspicious activity.

Capt. Antony: Gentlemen, surely we can come to some arrangement here.

Capt. Antony (whispers to Ens. McAliber): Can we jam that robot of his in case it gets out of control?

Ens. McAliber: Without his Zoltan I would say absolutly, but I am not sure of his impact upon our energy capabilities in this room.

Capt. Quigley: Admin Tellas, what is the focus of your orginization's AI applications?

Admin Tellas: As you should be able to determine, we are at the front of our field; our programs are in high demand and I do not lightly offer them for a mere exchange. Though, such ventures have paid dividends in the past, so I am willing to take another chance here; you are a Federation ship after all ...and that does still mean something, to some of us.

Capt. Quigley: I find those applications acceptable. Admin Tellas, my orginization does advanced AI work as well. However we work on the AI's that run the core of a starship. The AI's yours will be interacting with. My ship, the Nostromo recently had a grave misfortune with an experimantal AI of our own. This caused it to castrophically fail.

Admin Tellas: If you are suggesting, Engi, that we are incapable of designing systems which are entirely compatible with technology this old, then you are quite mistaken.

Capt. Quigley: No, in acknowledgement of the work of the Kestrel, and her AI, in keeping us safe. I am willing to share the details of the experiment and the failure state.

Capt. Antony pours Admin Tellas the last of the Mantis Ale. Several moving creatures slip into his glass.

Admin Tellas: Since you claim to also be in the field, perhaps you will realise once you know our name - for the organisation I work for is none other than Relic Systems and Technologies. Does that answer you?

Admin Tellas looks at his glass, seemingly pleased at the refill.
The live creatures swimming in the Mantis Ale have extra potent enebriating effects when consumed.
Admin Tellas downs it in one.

Admin Tellas: Perhaps you might explain to the Humans present, the kind of difficulty one normally faces in trying to acquire a ReST AI for their ship.

Capt. Quigley: Ah yes, Relic Systems. The well known and well respected author of many a fine pieces of machine learning. Their advanced AI capabilities are wonderful, turing proven, even!

Capt. Antony looks at Admin Tellas in anticipation of the effects of the potent worms.
Admin Tellas slightly changes colour.

Capt. Quigley: They are quite rare and very powerful.

Capt. Antony: Indeed (he thinks to himself).

The bodyguard-drone clicks. Just once. No other visible changes occur.

Capt. Quigley: However, they do suffer in one regard. They depend upon the primary, core AI of the ship or installation. Is this not true?

Admin Tellas: True, certainly true, though not in a way that is easy to explain... to make an analogy, if the AI core is a room, then the two separate systems would be like people in the room. Occupying the same space, but... separate.

Capt. Antony accesses his datapad and attempts to jam the body-guard drone.

Capt. Quigley: And this is what I am offering, through the crew of the Kestrel. With the data of our failure, you, with all of your vaunted wisdom in AI, will be able to create system that can work completely independently from the main AI. Think, sir, of a Medical AI that can heal the crew through a computer virus, or an encyclopedia that can still assist through a hacking attempt.

Admin Tellas: Human, Human, you are not aware that I, like all of my species, am telepathic, especially at this range...? The drone means no harm, and your feeble technologies do not threaten it. I will ignore what you just tried to do, but do not push me.

Ens. McAliber holsters his blaster that he had ready to use under the table.

Capt. Quigley: Even bodyguard AIs that can function in the total absense of signal from the master...

Admin Tellas: ...and yes, we are certainly interested in acquiring some data from a competitor, failed or otherwise. So, might we allow Aren to get to work? He has been polite enough to refuse a drink here, for I'm sure you've heard stories of power fluctuations caused by inebriated Zoltan...

Capt. Quigley: I will allow it, the data is in my internal data storage.

The effect of the potent Mantis Ale worms begin to dull the telepathic ability of Admin Tellas.
Aren moves over to Capt. Quigley. A standard data port extrudes from the Engi's chest.

Aren connects a cable and downloads the information. He quickly scans over what he has downloaded on the display in his equipment.

Aren: it would appear this data is incomplete; fragments are missing. I will need to access the original source for this exchange to be complete.

Admin Tellas: Trying to pull one on me, Human?

The Kestrel's Ship Computer, by earlier command of Capt. Antony, successfully hacks into and jams the bodyguard drone.
Admin Tellas' mind is unaware that the drone had been successfully hacked.

Admin Tellas: Because you know, I don't intend to part with valuable Relic technology without being fully compensated.

Admin Tellas slightly slurs his speech

Capt. Quigley: No, as I mentioned before. Our AI went haywire, this is all that is left. However with your great skills you can still use this.

Admin Tellas: Even so, I must be sure. Will you allow Aren access to your main databank? I give my word he will only take what we agreed.

Aren: I am only interested in getting a complete set of readings. I may be able to extract that which you were not, after the accident.

Capt. Quigley: Yes, follow me. I will prove to you that we Engi are sure of this matter.

Aren picks up his equipment and accompanies the Captain to his ship.

Capt. Quigley, Admin Tellas, Aren, and Capt. Antony walk to the port airlock.
The bodyguard-drone also moves, but now under the control of The Kestrel's ship computer.
The airlock cycles open and a very surprised Mantis meets them.

Capt. Quigley: Master Rossnu, it is ok. We are just going to the computer core.

Capt. Antony heads to the cockpit and pulls up the drone's video and audio feed on his monitor.

Arriving at the enhanced computer core of the Nostromo, Capt. Quigley gestures to the ports in invitation.

Aren hooks up his equipment to the terminal

Ship Computer: "Captain, manual control of the bodyguard-drone is at your disposal if needed."

Lights across both ships flicker off and everything is in darkness, but only for a fraction of a second. Everything comes back up and resumes as before.

Capt. Quigley: What did you do?!

Aren: Apologies, a minor calibration glitch. I have, however, downloaded the data.

Capt. Antony: Ship Computer, Please run a full systems diagnostic checking for any anomalies or viruses.

Ship Computer: "Yes, Captain!"

Capt. Quigley: Are you sastified?

Aren: I had not been informed that someone had done a hackjob on this power coupling.

Capt. Quigley quickly plugs into the Nostromo to self check his own already damaged systems.

Aren: I have the data we need. I can proceed to install the technology in your medbay at your command.

Ship Computer: "I am detecting nothing."

Capt. Quigley: Please leave, after that I really need to go over our systems, in as bad a state as they are. You have what you need from me.

Capt. Quigley has his fierce looking engineer escort his "guests" to the airlock.

Capt. Antony meets Admin Tellas, Aren and the bodyguard droid and escorts them to the medbay.

Capt. Antony: You have the data that was promised. Now fulfill your end of the bargain.

Admin Tellas: I wish to express our apologies again for that little flicker, Human.

Lt. Vanguard tells Ens. McAliber to do a physical check on the weapons while he checks the shields.

Admin Tellas: Aren is exceedingly competent, but even he could not have predicted your... friend? let a Mantis rewire his consoles. We are ready to install the equipment at your command.

Capt. Antony: Please go ahead and install what you had promised.

Aren nods and proceeds to hook up his equipment. Several minutes go by, and power to the medbay is cycled twice, before he signals he has completed his work.
The Kestrel's maintenance drones are becoming increasingly overwhelmed with the slime trail clean-up job.

Capt. Antony: So what does this enhancement do?

Admin Tellas: Since this is a fresh install, there are certain... configuration options which need to be set.

Ens. McAliber messages Lt. Vanguard that the weapons appear to be functioning normally.

Admin Tellas: The main two are - do you want it to respond to voice, or be console-activated only? Also, what appearance would you like the ai to adopt?

The Kestrel's Ship Computer proceeds with deeper scans of its systems.

Lt. Vanguard also sends a message to Ens. McAliber saying that the shields appear to be fine. The two head to the medbay to check out the new AI.

Capt. Antony: Voice would be good.

Admin Tellas: Due to the complex nature of this AI, the appearance cannot be changed once set - it would be like you seeing a different face in the mirror.

Capt. Antony: Appearance?

Admin Tellas: Appearance, yes. I did say this was a holographic medical AI - it will be projected into the room using this emitter that Aren has installed.

Capt. Antony: We'd prefer a Human female.

Ens. McAliber: Sure would be nice to see a woman around here Cap'n, even if it is just a hologram.

Aren taps out a few more commands

Aren: it is done. The system is ready to be used when needed.

Capt. Antony: Does she have a name?

Admin Tellas: This is the 3rd iteration on this AI design - we call it R3 for Release 3, but you are free to call it what you like. Though again, once set, this cannot be changed.

Admin Tellas: If there is nothing further you wish to discuss, it is about time we returned to our work, Human.

Capt. Antony: Also, we have holo-emmitters in the officer rooms and the recreation room. Will the doctor be able to be integrated into those systems so that she isn't confined to the Med bay?

Aren: limited capability may be possible; however do not expect fully interactive functionality in those rooms, for your technology is years out of date.

Ens. McAliber: Great!

The Kestrel crew escort Admin Tellas, Aren and the bodyguard-drone to the airlock.

Admin Tellas pulls out a datapad and taps out several commands. He gives the Slug equivalent of a smile before speaking.

Admin Tellas: I hope your computer enjoyed playing with our drone. I'll be taking command of it again now.

Ship Computer: "Captain, I have lost control of the drone."

Admin Tellas: Thank you for your hospitality, Human.

Tellas and the others board their shuttle.

Capt. Antony turns to Lt. Vanguard and Ens. Mac.

Capt. Antony: Well...that was quite a character.

Lt. Vanguard: Absolutely, one of the first Slugs that I have meet that has not seemed to want to stab us in the back.

Capt. Antony: So it may have appeared on the surface.

As the shuttle returns to the station, the station's shields are seen to power up. Noticably. With the tell-tale green sheen of Zoltan overcharging.

Ens. McAliber: He did finish off the last of that Mantis Ale though.

Lt. Vanguard: Well, that is new. They did not have that on when we got here.

Admin Tellas sends a comm request to the kestrel

Capt. Antony responds to the hail.

Admin Tellas: I would like to thank you again for your hospitality, Human.

Capt. Antony: Yes, Admin Tellas...

Admin Tellas: It has been some time since I have enjoyed Mantis Ale. I will not quickly forget this day. You may wish to think about how you will compensate your Engi friend. Though, seeing as it was data about a malfunction, he shouldn't mind too much Aren not leaving a copy when he downloaded it.

Capt. Antony pulls up his datapad and checks out the current state of The Kestrel.

Admin Tellas: Business is business, Human. We wish you a safe flight.

Admin Tellas closes the channel

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, we must hail Capt. Quigley, his data has been stolen!

Capt. Antony hails Capt. Quigley.

Capt. Quigley: Yes, Capt. Antony. We are just now getting everything stabalized after that "calibration". I take back my compliment of that Zoltan.

Capt. Antony: Have you found anything suspicious?

Capt. Quigley: We honestly have not had time to do more that lock down the bare essentials...why? Why do you ask?

Capt. Antony: It's just something that Admin Tellas said when he hailed us just now.

Capt. Quigley: What was that?

Capt. Antony: He mentioned something about your data.

Capt. Quigley: Our data? Why it is ....... GONE! It is lost! All of our work on that AI, all the records are missing!

Capt. Antony attempts to hail Admin Tellas but there is no response.

Capt. Quigley: It is of no use Captain. They took advantage of our desperate state. Business is business.

Ens. McAliber: Cap'n, we've been had! That devious Slug just couldn't resist his nature.

Capt. Quigley: I am sorry Captain.

Capt. Antony: Capt. Quigley, I do apologize.

Capt. Quigley: I appreciate all of your help, I appreciate your computers help in saving Debians life. However we have nothing left of value and no desire to be a part of your dealings in the future. We will follow your jumps, as that is all we can do now.

Capt. Quigley shuts off the comm channel.

The Kestrel crew reflect on their falling out with their new found friends.

Capt. Antony: Lt. Vanguard, Ens. McAliber...I can't beleive it! I should have know better than to trust a Slug.

Ens. McAliber: I'm stll in disbelief myself.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, there is no way that you could have known.

Ens. McAliber: I knew it was going to well.

Capt. Antony: Well, I think it best that before we jump, we at least give the Medbay a once over to make sure that there are no more surprises.

Capt. Antony, Lt. Vanguard & Ens. McAliber head to the medbay with scanners.

Ens. McAliber: Surprises would be the last thing we needed now Cap'n.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, I am detecting a grid of holo-emitters in this room that did not exist here prior.

Capt. Antony: Yes, of course. That is what is required for this new AI technology.

Ens. McAliber: Odd. My scanner isn't picking up anything.

Ens. McAliber makes some adjustments.

Capt. Antony: According to Admin. Tellas, the AI will also work with our officer room holosuites as well as the one installed in the recrreation room. Didn't we get an instruction manual?

Ens. McAliber: I'm worried about this. The Slug double crossed us once already

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, I believe that the system is voice activated.

Capt. Antony: uh, hello...

Nothing happens.

Capt. Antony: Mac, maybe it only responds to medical emergencies. Take out your utility knife and cut yourself.

Capt. Antony pulls out his data pad and checks all of the ship's systems.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Capt. Antony: Hmmm, let me see. What can be the problem here.

Ens. McAliber takes a utility knife nervously. Still not trusting the fancy medbay tech installed by the treacherous Slug

Lt. Vanguard: Um, Captain, the Medbay is unpowered.

Capt. Antony: Ship Computer, please power up Medbay!

Ship Computer: "Yes, Captain."

A subtle hum is heard as a small light activates on each of the holo-emitters.

The three officers of The Kestrel stand in the Medbay looking at each other.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Capt. Antony: Well this is...impressive.

Ens. McAliber maintains his guard.

Holo. Doc.: System intialisation, step 2 of 4. Desired name?

Ens. McAliber: I grant you that it does look impressive Captain.

Capt. Antony falls back startled at the strange voice never before heard aboard The Kestrel.

Capt. Antony: Desired name? Lt. Vanguard, think of something.

Ens. McAliber: That is an incredible voice.

Capt. Antony: Ensign. Mac, any suggestions?

Ens. McAliber betrays that he is indeed impressed.

Holo. Doc.: Please format your reply as 'select name' followed by the name you wish me to adopt. If you are having trouble choosing, a default name may be set. Would you prefer this option?

Capt. Antony: Ahem..."select name" Aki.

Holo. Doc. Aki: Name selection accepted. Initialisation stage 3: select response level.

Capt. Antony: Response level?

Holo. Doc. Aki: The available options are:

Holo. Doc. Aki: High; I will be present any time the medbay is powered, regardless of wether there is a need for medical assistance; Medium: I will be present only when there is an injured being in the medbay; Low: I will only be present if summoned directly, regardless of everything else.

Capt. Antony turn to his officers.

Capt. Antony: Well, with a level 10 reactor we certainly have the power to spare.

Ens. McAliber attempts to scan the Medbay thoroughly.

Capt. Antony: "Select Response Level" High.

Ens. McAliber: Everything still checks out Cap'n.

Holo. Doc. Aki: Accepted. Initialization stage 4: select integration level. The available options are: High; I will have access to all of the ship's systems, and in emergencies such as the crew being incapacitated, may assume control of the computer. This will require the Captain's override password to be entered at this stage. Medium: I will have access to the ship's systems excluding those requiring officer commands. Low: I will have access to the medbay's systems only.

Capt. Antony: "Select Integration Level" Medium

Holo. Doc. Aki: Accepted. Stand by for final system activation.

Ens. McAliber: Is this really wise Cap'n? The Slug betrayed us!

The medbay's lights go off and come back on as the whole system is restarted.

Capt. Antony: I wonder what she's going to look like...

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, are we actually going to give this new AI contol over ship systems?

Holo. Doc. Aki appears suddenly, without warning.

Holo. Doc. Aki: Greetings, Captain, and others. What troubles you?

Ens. McAliber appears stunned.

Capt. Antony is equally stunned.

Lt. Vanguard is in a daze.

Capt. Antony: Gentlemen, I know what you are thinking, this holo doc is not to be abused. That is of course, on every second Tuesday of the month...

Holo. Doc. Aki: Am I required for a medical reason or is this a social call?

Ens. McAliber stares silently.

Capt. Antony: Are you programmed for social calls? I guess stress relief is a medical necessity.

Holo. Doc. Aki: I am capable of many different kinds of interaction; my primary function is medical aid however I am essentially a shard of a full-scale crew simulation AI. While my performance in non-primary roles may be substandard, the potential exists, and I will only improve over time.

Capt. Antony reaches out to touch the arm of Holo. Doc. Aki. His hand does not pass through the hologram but actually feels resistance.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, this is quite extraordinary. This system has patched itself into our food materializers and the doctor is seemingly organic.

Capt. Antony: Are you saying that when the doctor materializes, she is using matter from our food storage unit to integrate herself into actual flesh?

Holo. Doc. Aki: Nothing so impractical, Lieutenant. What you are actually experiencing is texture simulated by a localised shield emitter, which allows me physical interaction.

Lt. Vanguard confused, checks his sensors.

Lt. Vanguard: So why, Aki, have you patched into our food storage unit used for the materialization of food?

Holo. Doc. Aki: Lieutenant, if you have more specialised equipment on board for synthesising medical compounds, then please make it available to me; otherwise the food materialiser will have to suffice.

Lt. Vanguard: Ah, I see. If you'd like we could have a food materializer installed directly here in the Medbay.

Lt. Vanguard once suspicious now relaxes to the idea of having granted the holo-doc medium integration level.

Holo. Doc. Aki: The medbay itself does have a nanobot suite for medical aid, though this is not very portable, so the ability to make easy-to-move medicines may be of use.

Capt. Antony: Well gentlemen, we can stand here or day or we can tend to the cut on Ens. McAliber's hand.

Ens. McAliber: It's just a scratch Cap'n. I've been hurt a lot worse.

Holo. Doc. Aki disappears and reappears next to Mac in an eyeblink

Ens. McAliber pretends not to be startled at all.

Holo. Doc. Aki: It could get a lot worse too, if you walk around with an open wound. Take a seat and I'll patch you up.

Ens. McAliber can smell the light odor of perfume.

Capt. Antony and Lt. Vanguard huddle in to see Holo. Doc. Aki at work.

Holo. Doc. Aki removes a nanobot-infused dressing from a storage container and efficiently applies it to the wound.

Holo. Doc. Aki: You can remove that in 2 hours.

Holo. Doc. Aki looks across the slightly stunned faces of the crew

Holo. Doc. Aki: It seems to me that you are not very comfortable with my way of moving around the medbay. Would you prefer me to use a more inefficient, "walking" style of motion? Of course, this applies only to non-emergency situations. Visual comfort is not a high priority in an emergency situation.

Capt. Antony comes to assist the speechless Ens. McAliber.

Ens. McAliber: It feels perfect already.

Capt. Antony: Ah, thank you.

Ens. McAliber: I think you can tend to my wounds anytime.

Ens. McAliber seems to have forgotten all about his distrust of the Slugs.

After a good night's rest, the crew greet the new day and return to their stations.

Capt. Antony pulls up the nav computer and checks the Beacon Map.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Capt. Antony: Well this is our final jump before we leave this sector.

Capt. Antony checks his Scrap Account.

Capt. Antony addresses Lt. Vangaurd and Ens. McAliber on the comm.

Capt. Antony: Gentlemen, we have an opportunity before us. Although we could high-tail it out of this sector, the nav computer is showing that we can hit two more beacons before exiting. The only drawback is that as we exit, we will be surrounded by the pursuing Rebel fleet.

Ens. McAliber: In the long run, exploring most of this sector would be ideal. On the other hand, letting the Rebel forces capture the exit beacon might set us back mightily.

Holo. Doc. Aki speaks over the comm panels

Holo. Doc. Aki: I would like to point out that this exit beacon is right next to the ReST station. As such, I have quite detailed information on it, including jump calculations. What I am saying is, even if the fleet should attempt something, I will be able to assist your computer with setting up a jump, if we are in the right area.

Capt. Antony sits stunned in his pilot's chair as he is being schooled by the ship doctor in matters relating to navigation.

Ens. McAliber: Fortune favors the brave Cap'n. I'd say we explore those beacons of opportunity, come Hell if it must.

Capt. Antony: It is settled then.

Capt. Antony powers down the medbay in order to fully power the engines.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, I have done some calculations and I agree that we can explore a bit further.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

The Kestrel prepares to jump.

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Continued at: http://www.ftlgame.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10510&start=30#p38020

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[spartaguy123]

Hello!

I would like to join your travels in FTL Online!

I hope this will be a fun experience.

[Antony]

Hello!

I would like to join your travels in FTL Online!

I hope this will be a fun experience.

Welcome aboard.

[UltraMantis]

Role-playing Guidelines and Conventions.
This is already mentioned in the first post, but it would be handy to post on it's own.

Some special conventions are used when roleplaying, esp. since it's not unusuall for one player to voice and act more than one actor, and since narration and descriptions are as usefull as dialogue.

Speaking Out Of Character (OOC) - For OOC chat use double parenthesis (())

Use it to ask questions, make suggestions, give directions to others or set the scene. Or for non game related, rl stuff. For example:

((is there anyone on the mining station or is it abandoned? please clarify))
((what race is that character?))
((i goofed there, that was supposed to be bounty hunter not a punter LOL))
((you need to respond to the hail. my character expects it))
((damn. my neighbours are having a huge fight. gotta love family moments like that ^^))


Speaking In Character (IC) - Simply talk normally.

The only guideline is that you should use a RP nickname. So if your nick is Bob but you will play a Mantis Pirate, change Bob to Xzlnzknik (or whatever is appropriate). Afted editing the name will be changed to Mantis Pirate Xzl'nzknik. Note that IRC does not allow spaces, and nicknames can only be 16 chars long.


Performing Actions - prefix /me in front of the action performed.

Actions (aka 3rd person talk) are used when you want to do something rather than talk about doing it. It is similar to narration but it focuses on a character rather than the setting or story. For example:

/me rushes to the engine room to help put out the fire.
/me holsters his blaster and sits down.
/me tries not to show any fear as he realises there is an enemy boarding party on the ship.
/me curses the emotionless AI craft as it approaches the Kestrel, weapons hot. (It would make sense to follow this line with some acutal cursing)

The above examples will have your nickname replace the /me prefix.


Narration - enclose narration in brackets [] and prefix /me in front. See examples.

Use narration to describe scenes, events or non-verbal interaction. Narration is impersonal and does not focus on any character. It's purpose is to move the story along without any dialogue or action. Your nickname is disregarded in this case. Examples:

/me [The Kestrel crew experiences a tense moment as the ship quietly aproaches an abandoned space hulk.]
/me [The broadcast beacon is deployed, and “LONG LIVE THE REBELLION!” can be heard broadcast on all frequencies across the sector.]
/me [The men make their way down to the lower deck...but before they find their guest, they are propelled backward by the shockwave of an explosion.]
/me [As the unfortunate dealings with trecheraus Slugs fade from memory, Capt. Antony manages to relax and look forward to reaching the Federation Outpost. A notice appears on his screen. Even before the Ship's Computer can finish it's warning monologue, the Captain becomes very nervous.]


Subbing

There are several ways of substituting another character for your own. This allows you to play more than one role simultaneously... if you can handle it.

Substitute In Character Dialogue - sub nickname

This is used to talk through the mouth of someone else. Only the main Kestrel crew and the characters involved in the current scene may be subbed. Subbing is not allways appropriate but it's a way to include characters without actors present. For example:

sub Lt_Vanguard Shields are holding Captain.
sub Reb_Cap_Markus No surrender! EVER!
sub Ens_Mac I've never met a Rebel this nuts. He must be a fanatic!
sub mac Well if he insists on going down... his choice.

-will become:
Lt. Vanguard: Shields are holding Captain.
Reb_Cap_Markus: No surrender! EVER!
Ens. McAliber: I've never met a Rebel this nuts. He must be a fanatic!
Ens. McAliber: Well if he insists on going down... his choice.

Notice that some characters (typically the main crew or reccuring characters) have aliases. Lt. Vanguard and Ens. McAliber in the above examples are such characters. The full list of aliases is further below.
It is very important to get the correct alias when using sub, otherwise the result might look weird.


Substitute Actions - /me sub nickname

Very similar to substitute dialogue. You use it to have the subbed character perform an action. Your nickname will be replaced with the one used. Examples:

/me sub Ens_Mac rushes to the engine room to help put out the fire.
/me sub Capt_Antony holsters his blaster and sits down.
/me sub Lt_Vanguard tries not to show any fear as he realises there is an enemy boarding party on the ship.

-they all become:
Ens. McAliber rushes to the engine room to help put out the fire.
Capt. Antony holsters his blaster and sits down.
Lt. Vanguard tries not to show any fear as he realises there is an enemy boarding party on the ship.


Special Cases

Playing the Ship Computer - sub Computer

The Ships Computer is a special case. It is not really a character in its own right, but it can be used and interacted with. Any player can sub for the Ship Computer, and it works like subbing for another player. The difference is that the Ship Computer has specially formatted dialogue, and cannot perform actions. Examples:

sub Computer Warning! Radiation leak detected.
sub Computer Captain, i am picking up a faint signal. It seems to be of Slug origin. Coordinates follow:

-this becomes:
Ship Computer: "Warning! Radiation leak detected."
Ship Computer: "Captain, i am picking up a faint signal. It seems to be of Slug origin. Coordinates follow:"


Including Images/Screenshots - img hyperlink

Screenshots are commonly used to aid roleplay and inform the players of the status of the game in FTL itself. When posting a screenshot simply prefix img and paste the link. The script will do the rest. For example:

img http://snag.gy/C7slp.jpg


Alias List

Use aliases when subbing for these characters. Note that it's not allowed to sub for someone who is present. Subbing requires knowledge of the character if it's to be used extensively, and generally requires approval.
Aliases are CASE SENSITIVE.

Capt. Antony:
Capt_Antony
cap
Lt. Vanguard
Lt_Vanguard
vov
Ens. McAliber
Ens_Mac
mac
Ship Computer
Computer
comp

More will be added as needed.

Conclusion
I hope this post will help establish and clarify the conventions used when RPing. Once picked up it's easy to use and makes roleplaying faster and more streamlined.

Any questions or suggestions, drop me a PM or look me up on IRC.

Have fun.

[Antony]

Title: Out of the Frying Pan...

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Continued from: http://www.ftlgame.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10510&start=30#p37474

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==================
DMCI Interface Begin
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DMCI: Turn: +1 (Turn: 12)
DMCI: Fuel: -1 (Fuel: 18)
================
DMCI Interface End
================



Click the above image to see the entire image.

As The Kestrel exits their FTL jump sirens go off. They have jumped far too close to a star.

Capt. Antony: Lt. Vanguard, keep shields at maximum! Ens. McAliber, scan the area for any signs of trouble. It's going to take some time for our FTL engines to recharge.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, I'm useless here at shields. I can be of best use going to engines to try to get our FTL recharges as fast as possible.

Capt. Antony: Lt. Vanguard, if you sure that manning shields won't be of any benefit, then go ahead.

Ens. McAliber: Captain, I have bad news for you. An automated Rebel ship, an Auto-Scout, has emerged and seems to be unafected by the heat of this star.

Capt. Antony: Ens. Mac, What kind of weapons are we dealing with?

Ens. McAliber: It appears to have an ion blast and an antiquated missile system. I have further bad news. It has cloaking technology.

Capt. Antony: Mac, do your best to take out that ships's weapon systems.

Lt. Vanguard: Aye-aye, Cap'n.

Lt. Vanguard set the shield system on auto and runs back to the Engine rooms to help recharge the FTL drive. Ens. Mac targets both The Kestrel's Artemis and Burst Lasers Mark II at the Auto-Scout's weapons control system

Capt. Antony prepares to dodge as many ion and missile projectiles as possibe.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Ens. McAliber: Captain! The Auto-Scout went into immediate cloak! I have nothing to target and our weapons are not charging!

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, I am on my way to Engines. Just about to pass through weapon's control.

Holo. Doc. Aki: Captain, if I may - this model of drone is quite outdated; I can tell you for example that its cloaking technology is only functional in short bursts, originally intended to dodge individual salvos of heavy fire.

Ens. McAliber: Captain, we should be prepared to deal with solar flares. We could be affected this close to a star.

Capt. Antony: I could vent all rooms but piloting, weapons and Engines in the event that we do have a fire cause by a solar flare.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, that is a sound strategy.

Capt. Antony vents all non-occupied cabins to space making sure that Lt. Vanguard has reached the engine room in time.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Lt. Vanguard: We should be prepared to make a quick escape, once the drone has been destroyed. Staying to long this close to a star could be the death of us.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Ens. McAliber: Captain, their first ion blast missed but their missile hit us directly in weapons control.

Capt. Antony: Lt. Vanguard, We need are weapons. Please assist Mac with repairs.

Lt. Vanguard: Heading over to assist, Captain!


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Ens. McAliber: Weapons should be fixed soon, now that Lt. Vanguard is here. Another hit to weapons's control...but not before our Artermis disabled their weapon's system entirely.

Holo. Doc. Aki: Captain, I have been analysing the blueprints I have of this type of drone; apologies for the delay as this is outside my primary functionality. However, I can tell you that these drones are programmed to carry 10 missiles at a time, and return to their automatic rearming depot if they run short. So, I would say that this is a reasonable approximation of its ammunition count.

Capt. Antony: Well it's already fired 2 and both have hit us where it hurts the most.

Lt. Vanguard: And it probably has shot missles at other ships and hasn't had a chance to refill.

Capt. Antony: Conserve missiles, repair the Burst Laser Mk II and target its shields so that future volleys will destroy it. I don't want to be here any longer than we have to. Lt. Vanguard, as soon as repairs are complete, please return to ...

Ship Computer: "Warning! Warning! Solar Flare is Imminent!"


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, I returned to engines and was greeted by a fire due to the solar flare activity just now hitting the ship.

Capt. Antony: OK, Vanguard, stay out of Engines at let me vent the compartment to space.

Ens. McAliber: Seriously, I need to stop leaving my booze in there.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Lt. Vanguard: Captain, the fire in Engines is out!

Ens. McAliber: The Auto-Scout is almost destroyed. Just one more volley!

Capt. Antony: Vangaurd, I am repressurizing the engine room. It will require immediate repairs due to the fire.

Ship Computer: "Warning! Warning! Solar Flare is Imminent!"

Capt. Antony: Not yet


Click the above image to see the entire image.

Ship Computer: "Enemy Ship Destroyed!"

Capt. Antony: OK, gentlemen...we have a small fire in the starboard airlock but that will be out soon. Please both get into Engines and fix the drive so that we can jump out of here before the next solar flare.

Lt. Vanguard: Acknowledged, Captain!

Ens. McAliber: Heading right over!

As the Rebel Auto-Scout explodes, 3 fuel, 2 missiles and 14 scrap are thrown in the direction of The Kestrel. The Kestrel sends out grappling hooks to gather them all.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

While repairing the engines, Mac searches for his booze stash, and finds nothing

Lt. Vanguard: OK, Captain, the drive is ready to go. Punch us out of here!

Capt. Antony pulls up the Beacon Map and plots a course to the next beacon.


Click the above image to see the entire image.

With Ship and Crew injured, The Kestrel hastily jumps to the next beacon.


==================
DMCI Interface Begin
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DMCI: Missiles: -1 (Missiles: 11)
DMCI: Scrap: +14 (Scrap: 16)
DMCI: Missiles: +2 (Missiles: 13)
DMCI: Fuel: +3 (Fuel: 20)
DMCI:: Crew#1|Piloting: +1 (Crew#1|Piloting: 6)
DMCI:: Crew#2|Repair: +1 (Crew#2|Repair: 3)
DMCI:: Crew#3|Weapons: +3 (Crew#3|Weapons: 21)
DMCI:: Crew#3|Repair: +2 (Crew#3|Repair: 3)
================
DMCI Interface End
================


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Continued at: http://www.ftlgame.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10510&start=40#p38029

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