[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/tAH9pyw.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/CA03DN5.png[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/z483qc4.png[/img][img]http://i.imgur.com/BPaTq8W.png[/img]
[h3]Alexis, Omega, Nova, Tara[/h3][/center]


Earth.

Humans homeworld, according to history. She hadn’t grown up here, but the seedier parts of the planet and their dark alleyways always felt homier to her than the junk piles of Xenerth. She had certainly spent a great deal of time in the seedier parts of the planet, at least once she had finally gotten out of the ass end of the galaxy. They had some [i]really[/i] great clubs she’d love to visit again while she was here, but alas, no rest for the wicked and all that. She was here on business, as much as she’d much rather be here for pleasure.

The woman stretched as she walked, mechanical blue eyes giving her constant readouts on the surroundings. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but she always left the passive scanning functions active. Next to her, walked something that seemed to get a good number of looks from a number of people. She wasn’t surprised – the AI’s artificial body was hardly anywhere near complete. While it looked human, it looked like that human had gotten a number of bad cybernetic upgrades.

[color=#67C8FF]“Alright Meg…what all do we know about this Or’Taleen?”[/color] Alexis asked. It was rare for the AI to leave the ship for whatever reason – she much rather preferred to assist from afar. Alexis could only really guess at why she suddenly wanted to tag along. Well, technically she was still on the ship as well and anyone who wanted to speak with her there could still do so there - she was just extending her functions slightly to allow for this.

[color=#B22222]“Her name is Tara Taa'l from what Kidd and I gathered.”[/color] The AI’s single red eye turned towards Alexis as she replied with a mechanical voice. [color=#B22222]“She has been looking for a crew outside of other Or’Taleen species and has been causing a bit of a stir here. It seems most people aren’t too fond of a parasitic species walking around.”[/color] The AI’s head turned to their other companion – an ex-UGCP soldier who simply went by ‘Nova’. [color=#B22222]“Though, most are not aware Humans are unusual hosts for Or’Taleen.”[/color] A series of images suddenly popped up in Alexis’ vision as they walked. Files regarding the Or’Taleen and everything Omega and Kidd had managed to dig up. So far, Alexis didn’t see too many problems with hiring one, even if Nova seemed a little hesitant. They were good fighters, and that was all she really cared about.


Nova listened to the description that Omega gave of the Or'Taleen bounty hunter. Like some of the other crew members, Nova hadn't been to Earth for a long time now but unlike some of the others, he did not miss the planet as much. It was where he joined the military and at the time, he'd never look back. However, when it came down to it, Nova deserted the UCGP for a reason. Nova looked back at Omega, his lifeless helmet glaring back. When Nova replied, his voice was distorted and robot-like. No one on the ship really knew the reason why he decides to do this, but he definitely preferred to keep it this way.

[color=0000FF]"Or'Taleen Bounty Hunter..."[/color] He began. Even if his robotic tone was devoid of all emotion, you could tell that what he was about to say wouldn't be positive. [color=0000FF]"You think it's a good idea to let one on the ship, Alexis?"[/color] He asked. It was alarming to Nova that Alexis didn't ask any questions yet. If there was one thing that Nova did not want to be on a ship with, it was a symbiotic alien that latches onto a host for the sole purpose of completely ridding the host's identity, which was ironic coming from a guy who didn't want anyone to know his true identity.

[color=#67C8FF]“What?”[/color] Alexis turned her head towards Nova as they walked down the crowded street. Truthfully, she should probably think about the possible repercussions about letting some sort of symbiotic parasite aboard the Raid, but Alexis wasn’t exactly known to think that far ahead all that much. She did befriend an AI that joked about the ‘Machine Overlords’ at times after all. [color=#67C8FF]“It’ll be fine, Nova. What’s she going to do? Turn the whole crew into Or’Taleen?”[/color] The Captain replied with a grunt, tone indicating she found the very notion to be absurd. [color=#67C8FF]“She tries it, she’s gonna get reeeal quick understanding of how ‘1000 bullets a minute’ to the gut feels.”[/color]

[color=#B22222]“What Alexis is trying to say, Nova, is that she is aware of the risks but doesn’t think they’re relevant.”[/color] The AI replied. [color=#B22222]“I think it is an acceptable risk, though I do understand your concern. I plan to monitor her for a while to make sure nothing happens.”[/color]

Nova's hands couldn't help but twitch for his gun already. He wasn't going to take any chances in this meeting with the Or'Taleen. It amused Nova when he heard Alexis's response. Why yes, if they weren't careful, the whole crew [i]could[/i] become part of the hive mind for all he knew. [color=0000FF]"Make sure you do, Omega."[/color] He warned. He knew the AI did a good job, even if she wasn't all there yet. UCGP kills for competent AI's. Sometimes quite literally. 

[color=0000FF]"Where is this ' Taara Taa'l ' anyway?"[/color]

A small smile formed on the face of the AI’s artificial body.

[color=#B22222]“You sound like you don’t believe I can! I watch everything on the ship. Even you. In your sleep. And when you take off your armor, ‘Nova’.”[/color] If it was possible for an AI to be coy then that smile definitely meant she was. Whether she was telling the truth or not, was an entirely different matter.

[color=#67C8FF]“If she accepted Omega’s little message, then she should be waiting on us in a little café. Omega’s idea, since you’re not too keen on meeting her in general.”[/color] Of course, having a meeting like this out in the open was mostly for Nova’s sake. She’d have preferred a much less open area herself, but Omega had insisted.

Nova looked at the AI, his faceless mask seeming to be glaring at her. He decided not to try and call her bluff. Rest assured he would be accessing camera logs later to check that he had not made a mistake at some point. Nonetheless, still a task for later. Right now, Nova's priority was not becoming an Or'Taleen. [color=0000FF]"Regardless, it's a tactically superior choice to make meetings in the open. Reduces the odds of someone trying to pull something immensely."[/color] The soldier replied.

[color=#67C8FF]“It’d also be a tactical advantage if we were somewhere less crowded so we could get rid of her easily and not drag any bystandards in if she was a problem.”[/color] Alexis grunted in response. She supposed that did work both ways though, and at least like this it was more difficult for either parties to try something. Still, she didn’t think anything was going to happen. Call it a gut feeling or whatever you wanted. [color=#67C8FF]“Just don’t piss her off, and things will be fine. If not, then I blow her head clean off her shoulders.”[/color] She was of course, referring to the ‘Hornet’ she kept in her jacket at all times. No way in hell she was ever going anywhere completely unarmed.

[color=#B22222]“Hmm, we’re almost there I believe. I would keep it down…you know, unless you purposefully want to anger a symbiote. Then by all means! I’ll make sure to keep detailed notes of what happens~”[/color] The AI seemed almost a bit too amused at the thought.

When the three entered the cafe it wasn't hard to pick her out from the crowd. She sat on a stool off to one side ignoring the unpleasent glares she was getting from many of the patrons. The armor plates that were usually spread were packed closely together on her back so as not to get in other way and cause a disturbance. It looked like she had some kind of card cased backpack on. She could have distributed it across herself as body armor, but that isn't very casual and really only called for in battle.

Her expression seemed unamused by her present circumstances. It was just this stigma against her kind that she avoided places like this. But those were the terms and surely it was chosen to detur her from infecting the crew or something. Human's really knew nothing about the Or'Taleen. Noticing the trio approaching she remained in her seat but extended a hand in greeting, familiar with the custom of shakin hands. [color=pink]"Captain Alexis I persume. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. As you can imagine it isn't that easy to find someone who is willing to give me a chance around here. I appreciate you setting aside some of your time to talk."[/color] Already Tara was appearing more chatty that most reports of her kind. Conversation with other species was usually kept to a minimum, just enough to get the job done and part ways.

Alexis reached forward, taking the handshake with a friendly though firm grip. As the Or’Taleen introduced herself, Alexis definitely found herself staring a little.

[color=#B22222]“Ah…oh dear…”[/color] Omega sighed. Knowing Alexis, she knew exactly what the human was thinking. A small message appeared at the corner of Alexis’ vision as Omega sent her a small message. 
 
[i][color=#B22222]“Think about why we’re hiring her as an asset, please.”[/color]
[color=#67C8FF]“I am definitely thinking about her assets and my assets working together.”[/color]
[color=#B22222]“Alexis, no flirting with the parasitic alien or so help me the airlocks will suddenly fail.”[/color]
[color=#67C8FF]“Jeez, okay okay, mom.”[/color][/i]

[color=#67C8FF]“Heh,”[/color] Letting go of Tara’s hand as the brief mental exchanged finished, Alexis took a seat next to the Or’Taleen. [color=#67C8FF]“Wasn’t given much of a choice.”[/color] Omega’s further pleads fell on blind eyes, causing the AI to simply take a seat on the other side of Alexis and monitor the conversation in case she was needed. [color=#67C8FF]“I had a little fairy pestering me for a month over hiring more crew. Who still won’t shut up.”[/color] Alexis suddenly winced, blinking her left eye a few times as Omega smiled innocently at Tara.

[color=#B22222]“Pleasure to meet you, Tara.”[/color] Omega replied. [color=#B22222]“I am Omega. The AI of the ship as well as the one who arranged this meeting since Alexis is far too incompetent to hold a proper conversation with someone.”[/color]

[color=pink]"I see. It's good to meet you both."[/color] Alexsis staring wasn't anything out of the ordinary for Tara so she didn't really notice. The alien wasn't quite sure how to respond to the exchange of the captain and AI. She felt as if she were missing something and her gaze wandered for a morment. 

Her more experienced host felt the need to point out the likely reason to her. [i][color=deeppink]The woman is a cyborg. Judging from the glow in her eyes she likely has cranial implants and can communicate with the AI directly without needing to speak.[/color][/i] There was a pause as their gaze moved to Nova. who had yet to speak. The expressionless helmet and armor didn't hide him from her extra sense. His emotion was like reading a book. [i][color=deeppink]"Yeah he doesn't trust you. I know you don't intend to, but don't give him a reason to shoot us."[/color][/i]

The last part went without saying. They had the same body and thus the same senses. Either way Tara simply watched Nova and waited for for him to say or do something. That seeming a little rude of her she shortly offered her hand to him to shake as well. [color=pink]"You came in with the other two so I assume you're with them. What shall I call you?"[/color]

The soldier didn't partake in the immediate exchange. After all, Alexis was the captain so there was no need. However, when Tara turned to greet Nova, who stood at the side of the table with his arms folded, he reluctantly shook her hand. [color=0000FF]"Nova."[/color] He replied quite simply. Nova slunk his arm back and stood as he previously did, watching the alien. [color=0000FF]"Why do you want to join us?"[/color] He inquired. Nova didn't want to be on the ground any longer than he needed to be. The sooner they were away from UCGP, the better.

The question was somewhat difficult to answer. At least not without explaining a deal about herself and her host. [color=pink]"I suppose I would need to let you know more about myself. I'm not sure how familiar you are with how Or'Taleen reproduce other than us infecting a host body. Who and when that occurs has changed quite a bit from our early days of space travel. But a stigma is hard to change when there are so few of us and we aren't very communicative."[/color] She shrugged slightly.

[color=pink]"Not every host is unwilling. Mine for instance chose to become an Or'Taleen. Though one could say that was under duress, that alternatives were not very good. She was a pirate by the name of Tara Hadart. Once she was turned into the authorities she didn't have much chance of ever being free again."[/color] She could hear her host grumbling in the back of her mind. [color=pink]"All that to say the results of a willing host are not always predictable. For me it meant that most of my host's consciousness stayed intact and we share one body. She's taught me a great deal and mentored me these last thirteen years. Being so close to a human mind puts me in an odd position where I don't always feel in place with my own kind. if that makes sense. So here we are."[/color]

Nova looked off for a moment. [color=0000FF]"Hmph, maybe not being close to more Or'Taleen isn't such a bad thought."[/color] He commented.

Omega’s single eye widened considerably at Nova’s comment. Before she could do anything though, Alexis decided to do something herself in her usual not so friendly fashion. The human exhaled, shaking her head slightly before reaching into her jacket and pulling out her pistol followed by slamming the butt of it right into Nova’s helmeted head. It wouldn’t likely hurt the soldier much considering his armor, but it’d remind him not to open his big mouth again. She’d have said something else but Omega was telling her to keep her cool and reminding her to go over the details they discussed.

[color=#67C8FF]“You can ignore the tin can.”[/color] She said, resting the pistol on the table in front of them. Needless to say, it earned more than a few gasps and shocked stares from the patrons. Ugh, it wouldn’t have mattered if they were somewhere less ‘reputable’. [color=#67C8FF]“I honestly could care less about why you wanna come along as long as you ain’t gonna stab us in the back. I only care about two things. One,”[/color] She held up a single finger, leaning over slightly onto the table. [color=#67C8FF]“Whether or not you can fight. Omega says Or’Taleen are good at it, and since I’m throwing together a little crew, I need people who won’t get killed on their first job.”[/color] She held up a second finger. [color=#67C8FF]“Two, whether or not you can help run a ship. If you can do that, then I don't care about what your background is or whatever else.”[/color] She held out her hand this time, hoping to have reached at least some sort of agreement.

The soldier readjusted his helmet and glared at Alexis for a second. [color=0000FF]"What?"[/color] He said, even though Nova knew full well why he got the knock on his cranium.

The first question seemed somewhat silly considering what she was. [color=pink]"I can do both. Or'Taleen are bred to fight and I've learned to captain from my host. Our arrangement may not have been ideal but we make a great team."[/color] She took the hand. Seemed that Alexis didn't need a terrible amount of convincing.

[color=#67C8FF]“Great, welcome aboard and all that.”[/color] She gave the Or’Taleen a friendly, firm shake before standing up. [color=#67C8FF]“Alright, c’mon then.”[/color] Alexis replaced the gun back inside of her jacket. [color=#67C8FF]“Don’t want to stick around here longer than we’ve gotta. Places like this uptight café make me twitchy.”[/color]

[color=#B22222]“Sorry, Nova,”[/color] Omega said with a small smile as Alexis got up and made her way towards the exit. [color=#B22222]“We can discuss anything else once we’re aboard the Raid, Tara.”[/color]

With Alexis declaring their departure Tara didn't waste time talking. Seemed they were in a rush for whatever reason. Following behind Tara and the group headed to the Raid.

[hr]

Getting back to the Thunder Raid didn’t take too long. Just a quick walk over to the spaceport and hopping onto a shuttle back to the Cruiser. For the most part, Alexis was glad to finally be done with that whole thing. She still wasn’t fond of the whole becoming some sort of captain thing, but Omega had been pretty insistent. She had managed to hire a few others over the last few years, but apparently Omega said they could use more. She kept quiet for the most part on the way back, as she had never really been one for small talk. Omega tried to at least make small talk with Tara on the way back to try and make the Or’Taleen feel a bit more welcome.

The trip, thankfully was over fairly quickly.

[color=#B22222]“Hum…”[/color] As the group stepped off the shuttle and back onto the hangar of the Raid, Omega squinted as she read through a few files Edstein had recently sent to the bridge. [color=#B22222]“Ah, it seems Edstein has found us a target.”[/color]

[color=#67C8FF]“Ah, great…”[/color] Alexis grunted, pulling off her jacket and slinging it over her shoulders. [color=#67C8FF]“Guess I gotta go talk to him.”[/color] Urgh, She had her fill of socialization already for today. The trip to the more reputable parts of any planet always grated on her nerves.  [color=#67C8FF]“Once I talk with Edstein I’ll talk to you more, Tara. Feel free to do whatever…just uh, don’t touch the Mech.”[/color] Alexis started walking towards the bridge and her quarters. What she was talking about should have been fairly obvious – the ten foot tall suit of armor currently suspended above the hangar floor via several cranes and other machinery. It seemed it was in the middle of being reworked or at least maintained.

Omega’s artificial body simply stood there for a few seconds, seeming to wait to see what Tara would do.

Nova remained silent for the whole journey back. When Alexis walked away from the group in the hanger, Nova jutted a thumb over his shoulder to the hoverbike behind him in the far corner of the hangar. [color=0000FF]"That's mine..."[/color] He said. With that, he walked the opposite way to his quarters. Before he left the hangar entirely, he looked over his shoulder. [color=0000FF]"Oh, and Omega... Don't look in my quarters again..."[/color]

The Thunder Raid was a fairly nice looking ship Tara had to admit. The other two left Omega alone with Tara. After a few moments of awkward silence she spoke up. [color=pink]"So where will I be staying? I can drop off my things there and head to wherever I'm needed after that."[/color] The plates that had so far been holding to her back began to expand and a few held a bag that had her things in it. Her people weren't big on carrying or ever posessing a lot of things. Bringing it around to in front of her she took the bag in her hand.