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Kaz !!ReO/ox958KJ

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Kaz !!ReO/ox958KJ ID:Py0uO47g Sat 23 Nov 2024 05:42:54 No.6145960 View View Report

Quoted By:

He laughs, shaking his head. “No, but they’d either be vacillating between honey and the stick. But I’m guessing that there’s more to this meeting than just a meal.”

The warmth of the moment lingers, but the time for lighter conversation has come to a close. You check your peripherals, making sure that nobody’s listening too closely. The hum of the cantina – the music, the conversations, and the kitchen noise – seems to fade into the background, even as it gives you both cover.

“I want to get your opinion on something,” you say quietly, producing your datapad and setting it on the table. “This is off the record, but I trust you to honor client confidentiality.”

Pip’s expression sobers slightly, his usual levity giving way to something more measured. He leans forward, gaze flickering between you and the datapad. “That depends,” he says carefully, “On whether or not this threatens the wellbeing of my people or the Teladi.”

“Not directly,” you assure him, your tone steady but serious. “But it might raise questions that could lead to some uncomfortable answers.”

His brow furrows as he picks up the datapad, angling it towards himself. You watch as his expression shifts in real time – confusion, dawning comprehension, disbelief, and then outright shock.

“What in the stars is this?” he murmurs, more to himself than you. “It’s…organic?”

“Aye,” you reply lowly. “We were prepping a beacon on an asteroid belt for navigation. Just rotten luck that we picked a rock that took enough offense to start shooting at us.”

The shipwright’s lips press into a thin line as he scrolls through the contents of the datapad. You had included everything – pictures, combat footage, even TRP data from the encounter. For a while, he says nothing, completely and utterly absorbed. His fingers tap idly against the table, a faint rhythm that betrays his unease.

“The hull isn’t durasteel. It’s chitinous…coral-like.” He shakes his head, muttering underneath his breath. “But it’s too uniform. This was grown. How does it even fly? It shouldn’t be capable of making those kinds of turns without liquefying its interior…”

“If it helps, the Albatross’ ECM only seemed to barely work on it,” you grouse, pouring yourself another glass of Sunny’s. “But that’s in spite of what we saw when we took a tour of its insides. Nothing but organic analogues for what should’ve been reactors, electrical systems, and fuel lines.”

For a moment, the din of the cantina seems muted, and the universe narrows to the table. Pip’s expression flickers between fascination and discomfort. “Living ships,” he mutters, almost in disbelief. “I’ve heard rumors…old spacer tales about things in the Unknown Regions. But nothing like this; far beyond anything I’ve even heard of. Hells, I’d be hard-pressed to find anything like this within our people’s records.”

(cont.)

Kaz !!ReO/ox958KJ

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Kaz !!ReO/ox958KJ ID:chWKXxya Mon 15 May 2023 22:28:38 No.5664816 View View Report

Quoted By:

Jolt-Eight reacts faster than Nine. The fighter streaks through space, blasting at the asteroid with all its lasercannons. Most miss. What few hit either glance off or only do superficial damage. In desperation, it launches a pair of proton torpedoes before breaking off from its attack run. The asteroid is fast, but the torpedoes are faster, closing in with every passing heartbeat…

“Sithspit!” Ceyla swears explosively as the asteroid turns on a dime, kicking itself into an impossible angle to allow the torpedoes to pass harmlessly above it. “How in the hell-?!”

The wounded freighter doesn’t even bother calling in a mayday. Its dorsal turret fires ineffectively as the ship approaches, buying time for what few escape pods can be launched. The asteroid spins ominously, its mouths spitting thermal projectiles that tear the ship apart in a violent explosion.

“No!” screams Convoy-Lead. His despair lasts only for another few heartbeats before professionalism wins over. “All ships, scatter!”

S-19 beeps a sharp warning. The calculation for the jump to Ulsind isn’t finished! But nobody pays the astrodroid any heed. Suzel nearly trips over himself, cursing as he launches himself into his seat, and gooses the Albatross to maximum sublight burn. The inertial dampeners only do so much, throwing you back into your seat, and poor Ceyla onto the floor with a pained yelp.

Straining against the sudden acceleration, you grab at the console and cycle to tactical overview. Jolt-Eight and Nine are in trouble – the asteroid chases Eight, who does everything in his power to try and dodge. Struggling behind is Nine, desperately trying to angle a shot. But they're running on borrowed time - there's only so many corkscrew maneuvers and escapes they can pull before g-lock gets the better of them.

“All fighters,” shouts Jolt-Lead, voice raw with grief and anger, “Target the asteroid! Protect the remaining freighters with everything you’ve got!”

>>What do you wish to do?
>Join Jolt Squadron and engage the mysterious asteroid. (Attack)
>Order an emergency jump for all ships back to Amagi. (Retreat)
>Standby for S-19 to complete the Ulsind jump calculations. (Wait)
>Custom option. [Write-in]

[VOTE OPEN FOR SEVEN HOURS]

>>5664808
From a certain perspective, this could be a very good thing to have happened. :^)

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