EliteCommander

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Thaz - Nal Hutta

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For Thaz, this first shot would mean everything. She was still hidden, far from the firefight, but that would change the moment she took her shot. The discharge of energy would disrupt her active camouflage and reveal her, and that Rodian sniper was still somewhere, invisible. No doubt the sniper was currently looking for some way to help his boss, but as soon as Thaz revealed herself, she would be a target. Fortunately, she had a plan in mind to deal with that.

Thaz laid herself down on her stomach at the edge of the spaceport roof so that she could rest her beam rifle on it. Given that he was embroiled in a shootout, the Gamorrean was now a moving target, but Samus' disruption was certainly playing its role. The bounty hunter was doing an admirable job keeping Gorm out in the open, and actually giving Thaz a clear shot.

Jerus had already said that he was ready to make his kill, so for the sake of the job, Thaz hoped he was not lying. Taking no chances, Thaz fired two shots in rapid succession, the first piercing through the Gamorrean's thick skull, and the second hitting him center mass. Thaz quickly contacted Jerus. "I've taken the shot, make your kill!"

At the same time, Thaz pulled back her rifle while it was overheated and held her left arm out just over the edge to activate her point defense gauntlet. Her active camouflage had been disabled, but with her low profile laying on the roof, the shield could protect her fully from the direction of the hidden Rodian sniper.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Not particularly." Ko'tanza answered, albeit with some hesitation. "Well...perhaps some trouble. In a way. He grew out of wanting to be a warrior or a mage, but he didn't really grow into anything either. It seems like he does a new job every year. He trained as a scout, and Ko'tanza taught him some magic and alchemy, but then he also learned about building, and being an armorer, and even farming for a while. He seems happy enough, he just doesn't seem to like settling down. He is thinking about leaving the clans and becoming an explorer after the war is over, which...honestly seems like it might suit him. Perhaps we do end up trying too much and crowding him, but as long as he finds something he is happy with, this one would be satisfied."

For a few moments, Miruza's squirming turned into outright crying, until Ko'tanza leaned in close enough to Sabine that Miruza could see her mother's face above her. "This one known you will probably be very busy these next few days, Sabine, but maybe we could still find the time to just relax together? Things are so different now, this one knows, but this one does still think back on our journey through Elsweyr, from time to time. Even with everything that was going on back then, we still did find the time to be friends."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Dr. Fiona O'Connell - The Immaculate Aegis

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While the AI was taking time to initially catalogue the data, O'Connell moved to her laptop to get her notes ready for them to finally start coordinating in earnest. Meanwhile, Floats was already signaling to the translator, giving all the minute details it could of every aspect of the Slipspace borer. Again, it was not terribly good at explaining the complicated technology, and much of what it did explain relied upon the reader having a pre-existing understanding of concepts known only to the Forerunners, but it was at least answering on-topic.

Dr. O'Connell interjected into Dr. Mckay's question, as she had a better understanding of the technical specifications of a UNSC smart AI than the Spartans. Presumably. "Oh, an AI like Isaac isn't programmed like normal computer software. In-depth scans are taken of a recently-deceased Human brain, which are then converted into a digital framework based on the neural structure. It creates an initial seed for the AI to write its neural map. The end result is an intelligence fully capable of learning, and much more creativity than any conventionally-programmed software.

Eventually, Isaac collected his thoughts enough that he seemed ready to continue, so O'Connell addressed his question. "The Aegis actually makes use of a Human-created AI. Not a 'smart' AI like you, of course, but reasonably advanced for what it is. It might not have your kind of creativity, Isaac, but it is specialized towards the operation of this vessel, so it should be more helpful than harmful. I think we should hear what Dr. Mckay has to say and...get started.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ko'tanza did hesitate for somewhat longer than Sabine might have expected as she weighed the rist of waking Miruza in the process. It was rather likely that moving her around would wake her, but then again, she would almost certainly wake on the way back through the portal, regardless. She slowly moved her hand and motioned for Sabine to take a seat beside her.

"Sure, just be careful. If you look into her eyes for too long, you might find her too cute to want to let go." Ko'tanza grinned. Gently and carefully, she handed Miruza to Sabine, still wrapped up tightly in her blanket. "Ko'tanza can still remember when her little brother was just this size. It's almost hard to believe that this one now has her own little cub. Hmph, even her brother is old enough to have his own cubs, if he can ever find the right partner."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Eri 'Moram - Freedan Nadd's Tomb

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"Very well, Sel, Arta, Rhanic, and Jerius, you are with me. Everyone else, double back to the last chamber and set up for an ambush. Jarraj, prepare explosives in the passageway leading to the ambush, but only where safe. The passage can collapse, but ensure the chamber does not." Eri instructed, with particular emphasis on her last warning towards the Unggoy.

Eri took her beam rifle in her hands and was ready to lead the way forward, though gave one last comment towards Jerius. "If you are skilled enough with your thruster pack, then we should all be able to outmaneuver the beast. These halls are large enough to make use of them, laterally, at least. If you do not possess that skill, then you may keep your distance." She said before promptly taking the lead forward, with a particular eye on her motion tracker.

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Vael 'Virisusai - Aboard the Taris

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Vael gave a single nod. "We seek allies for this war. In your history, the inhabitants of this planet showed themselves willing to resist the Empire, before being destroyed for their efforts. You hope that the people of this universe are not dissimilar from your own."

"Although, if I may make an observation..." Vael continued, stepping up alongside Erthos. "...I reviewed your history, as you provided it to us. This Empire is new to this galaxy: a galaxy already fatigued from years of war. Alderaan has not yet felt the years of oppression you described from the Empire. Even if they already distrust this new Empire, the pain it will cause them has not yet been felt. You describe these Alderaanians as preferring peace, and only regarding war as their last resort. They may yet see the possibility of a peaceful solution to their problems with the Empire, so our goals may be more difficult to attain than expected."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Well, it will give you something to look forward to when you get back, this one supposes." Ko'tanza replied. "Though, if it happens after the invasion, then you would not be able to hold it here. A wedding in Oblivion, would that not be an exotic wedding locale? To most people, such a suggestion would sound absurd. But, for you, not only is it possible, but I doubt it would even be the strangest thing you've done this year. If the stories this one has heard are even partially true...she could not imagine having a life as exciting as yours."

With a bit more effort, it did seem that Ko'tanza had managed to coax her daughter back to sleep, at least for the moment. That could easily change from one second to the next. She resumed soon in a hushed tone. "This one really should take her back to Tamriel. It is pretty noisy here, and she will get much better rest back in the city. But, this one was wondering, have you seen Gallus around? It has been such a long time since my Tzirret has been able to see him."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Eri 'Moram - Freedan Nadd's Tomb

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The Mandalorians had not mentioned any other resistance, though in fairness, it was hardly worth mentioning at all. The ancient machines could not resist any of their weapons, and required little thought or effort to destroy. The only concern Eri had relating to them was the fact that the weapons fire might give away their approach. Based on the roar that they heard echoing from deeper within the tomb, that worry may have been well-founded.

"Then we should set up our ambush. The bridge would be the ideal ambush point, but I fear if the prey were to fall off of it, we would not be able to retrieve any part of its corpse. The last chamber we passed may make for an acceptable alternative. My team can spread out to attack from many angles, and if we set explosives in the hallway leading to it, that should not compromise the integrity of the chamber itself. While the others double back, you, me, and a small team equipped with thruster packs can find the beast and work to lead it back to the chamber." Eri recommended.

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Vael 'Virisusai - Aboard the Taris

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Vael did shake Jason's hand and, in contrast to some other Sangheili, actually applied an appropriate amount of pressure, rather than making it feel as if he was trying to squeeze his hand off. Vael was large, even for a Sangheili, so a gentle touch might not have been expected. Unlike the environment-sealed armor of Eri's team, Vael wore a storm armor variant that left his arms mostly exposed. His scales had a somewhat dull grey coloration to them, and even on just the parts that Jason could see, were marred by the remains of a fair collection of nicks, cuts, and burns gathered through a long life.

"Greetings. If my warriors speak of me, you may wish to disregard them. They speak to glorify my legend, and hide my faults. I am a warrior, and a servant of my people. You do not need to treat me as any more than that." Vael replied.

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Eri 'Moram - Dxun

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Despite the strange feeling that overwhelmed Eri, she did not much care who Freedan Nadd was. If this was his tomb, then he would no longer be a problem. All that mattered was the Tarentatek. Eri had taken the time to disconnect power from her active camouflage, and instead equip a thruster pack. Even though the fact that they were going into an enclosed space, the dimensions of the doorway suggested it would be reasonably spacious inside. At least, enough that a skilled user would be able to make better use of the speed a thruster pack could provide.

"I see. Well, if our prey is as dangerous as you claim, then we should make use of what we can. Still, too many of us in an enclosed space, and we may just get in each other's way. It may be best to move inside and find a suitable ambush point, then send a smaller team ahead to lead our prey back to it. We have explosives suitable to take down heavy armor. Though, the age of that stonework makes me think we should be cautious with it. Still, if we plant our explosives carefully, we may be able to safely bring down a portion of the structure onto it." Eri suggested.

One of the Sangheili tha had helped carry the crate of equipment, Sel, grabbed a beam rifle from the crate. "What about sniper weaponry, commander? It might work against our quarry's hide." He suggested.

Eri took just a moment longer to think. "That is a fair point. There is little a beam rifle cannot pierce. Though, without Thaz, we do only have the one rifle. I will wield it." She approached Sel and exchanged her concussion rifle, and its spare ammunition, with his beam rifle.

"This weapon will likely be effective." Eri remarked to Jerius. "It is not precisely an energy weapon like your blasters. It does superheat its target, but more as an effect than as its primary method of damage. It accelerates particles at extreme velocity to penetrate its targets. Although, it does not create large wounds, so it may still not kill our prey on its own."

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Thaz - Nal Hutta

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What Thaz saw from Samus was...strange, to say the least. Had the bounty hunter actually turned into a fairly small ball? The colors were certainly familiar, but as Thaz had not seen the transformation, it was possible that this was some sort of remote-controlled drone. Regardless, it did not change what Thaz needed to do. No, what did change the situation for her was the fact that a shootout broke out from within the shop, before she or Samus had a chance to do anything. She could no longer see the sniper, but that was not the only concern.

Once again, Thaz contacted Jerus. "Um, update here: a shootout just broke out. And we didn't start it. Might want to get to your target soon, Jedi, or ours might die early without us doing anything."

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Vael 'Virisusai - The Immaculate Aegis

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For Vael, the task he had been given fell far outside the domain of his usual responsibilities. In fact, the Shipmaster had not actually given him an official order to take on the mission; rather, Falul had spoke to him as a friend, instead of as a superior, and asked him to take on the mission voluntarily. This was a diplomatic mission to a planet called Alderaan, with the purpose of gaining allies against their enemy, Anubis. It was a sensible goal, considering their circumstances, and since Special Operations Commander Eri 'Moram was already on another, similar mission, Falul trusted Vael to be able to judge the honor of these Alderaanians, and their worthiness as allies. While Falul himself might have been a more appropriate representative, there were still many concerns within the fleet that required Falul's personal attention.

Vael would be the sole representative sent by the Immaculate Aegis, though he was armed and armored in his gold, custom combat harness. His armor had the most powerful shielding available to a Sangheili combat harness, and had a drop shield equipment module. For his weapons, he carried his twin energy swords and a plasma rifle. Although, they were not expecting any combat on this particular mission. A phantom brought Vael to the Arquitens-class cruiser, though it left as soon as he was on board.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ko'tanza laughed as well, more obviously than Tzirret. "Sabine does not speak unfairly." She commented, nudging Tzirret's side. "Pursuing the healer's trade was certainly helpful for him. Unless the injury is as obvious as a gaping wound or a crossbow bolt through the leg, there is a lot of talking to people. And even if the problem is easy to identify, it does help to have a good bedside manner. Besides, people always want to be nice to their healers, so everyone is always just so nice to Tzirret."

Grinning, Ko'tanza leaned in and kissed Tzirret's cheek. "Though, Ko'tanza thinks they would anyways, just because of his adorable face."

If there was one familiar thing about her, it was that Ko'tanza still enjoyed teasing Tzirret, intentionally or not. "So Sabine, when will we get to meet this brilliant scholar of the Dwemer you fancy so much? Have you already told him of your desire to marry him? Oh, this one is still just so happy for you; maybe there will be a few little Breton children in your future, after all of this is over?"

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

Dr. Fiona O'Connell - The Immaculate Aegis

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Dr. O'Connell cleared her throat, somewhat awkwardly. "Well, first, you might want to take the time to listen to the suggestions of myself, and these fine gentlemen." She said, gesturing to the other scientists in the room. "Simply improving the power feed won't do the trick. I know, that was the first thought I had too. But, when the Aegis' AI performed simulations on the actual hardware, the increased throughput caused errors in reconciliation that, retroactively, pulls the ship out of slipspace far too early. Strange, I know, but there's a lot we don't know about the nuances of reconciliation. I am afraid it won't be that easy. Oh, um, that console you are in isn't actually connected to the Aegis' systems, so the simulations you can run on it might not be perfect. On the Shipmaster's request, I had the Aegis' AI make a download a copy of the ship's system architecture into it for us to experiment with. He wanted to observe proper security before making any drastic changes, you understand. Any changes that any of us want to make will have to go through the Aegis' own AI."

Pausing a moment, Dr. O'Connell rushed over to her laptop and connected it to the system Isaac was in, then plugged in a small, but high capacity storage drive, much like the device that usually contained Issac himself. "But, like I said before, I do have access to some data that may help. All of the data on Covenant technology, Forerunner technology, all of the technological progress we have made in the last six years. At least, everything I personally have access to, which is still quite a lot. Just...be aware, this is a lot of data, and it is going to take a while to sort through it. Even for you."