[center][h2][color=lavender]Zaeli Ashren[/color][/h2][/center][hr]
This had all turned a bit spookier than Zaeli had been anticipating. She'd expected an easy shakedown run, a chance to get to know her new crew members and gain some experience while seeing someplace new, not... scouring a retrofitted orc warship for survivors where something had clearly gone [i]very[/i] wrong.

Zaeli geared herself up in her space suit, not knowing what kind of environment they were about to walk into. It was somewhat snug-fitting, easy enough to move in, and would offer her at least a little protection if it came to a fight, but Zaeli couldn't help but hope whatever was responsible for this had moved on. She was no soldier, and while she knew how to use the handcannon strapped to her thigh, it would be better for everyone involved if her ammunition remained unspent.

Valiane seemed to know what she was doing, at least from what Zaeli had gathered during the long flight. Very cool, very composed. The file she'd perused on her had only covered her skillset, not her background, but on the surface she seemed like someone who could handle a mission like this confidently. [i]Maybe I'll just follow her lead. Observational learning.[/i]

Waiting near the airlock, Zaeli re-checked her computer to ensure her uplink to the [i]Ionera[/i] was stable. She hadn't given up trying to find a personal device among the [i]Prudent[/i]'s life signs to open communications with, but so far she'd had no luck there. Her backpack was loaded up with a few portable kits for electronics, mechanical tools, a basic medkit, and some spare ammunition, everything she thought she might need.

Clicking her harness-mounted flashlight on and off once to check, Zaeli glanced around at the rest of the crew, unable to hide a bit of nervousness.