Log:Space Team, Scene 21

Space Team 2015/10/19 Breach Griffin Quiet Malcolm Indira

21

Griffin starts looking for parachutes or jet-packs or something. But he remembers this is a spaceship not a plane. Leaping out of a spaceship is generally considered suicide.

His shoulders slump and he sits back in his chair.

Breach makes sure his sheath and holster are securely latched. No need to have a combat knife and/or particle revolver sailing about the cabin wildly during what promises to be a rocky road to re-entry. He takes a deep breath and hangs his head downward as he "braces" for impact.

Forge, however, finishes "sealing" the cabin's sun roof and wrenches his cables out of the ceiling. He turns toward the cockpit and goes sproinging across the cabin to try and enter the cockpit, eyes wide as he studies the scene before him. Metal cleats slice into the deckplates as Forge attempts to assist in making this a cleaner, safer crash landing. This presumably similar to having a kinder, gentler machinegun hand.

Quiet isn't exactly an expert at crash landing; that's not exactly something one really would WANT to be practiced at. That said, maybe she's a natural? Maybe sh is just very, very determined not to lose any more on her watch. She brings the shuttle in as low as she dares and then hits the retros, flinging out her right arm in front of Forge who's just dropped into the co-pilot's seat. It's a reflex, since he's already proven rather durable.

The already sinking craft finally stalls a meter or three above the ground and drops suddenly into a rather jarring hit on the belly, followed by a shallow bounce. The slowing thrust keeps the bounce to one and helps slow the craft, in addition to the grinding of the belly of the hull across terra firma. Quiet puts her other are up in front of her face. The controls are no longer really any use, and the skidding is out of her hands.

Forge lands heavily in the co-pilot's seat. His hands are on the control yoke immediately, his cables flying wildly around him to flick toggles, flip switches, push buttons, and pres butan. Quiet is joined in converting a crash landing into a scenario BG317/a "Rocky Road", whether or not she realizes that such a thing is a standard part of certain sections of Starguard's pilot training program.

The U.E.S.S. Pyle grinds heavily to a stop, mostly stopped by the rammed, smoking berm created by the Pyle's travel across the ground. About twelve seconds after the craft actually stops, roughly around the time your average human will start looking around to see if they've avoided aeronautical death, the Pyle offers an awful sound of metal-on-metal violence and shudders down about forty centimeters deeper into the ground. It promptly creaks and groans ominously as it starts to settle into its new earthenware parking spot.

Helpfully, Forge looks over his shoulder and cheerily calls, "Not at all as bad as you thought it was going to be, was it?"

Breach hurls a tin can at Forge's face.

The survivors are jostled violetly from the bounce, and there's a few frightened shouts. Still, everyone is held securely by their harnesses and the ship doesn't fly apart. There's a final collective shout just before the ship finally comes to a stop, then several sighs of relief. There may be some whiplash from that rough bounce, but other than that, everyone seems to be safe.

Indira clutches her harness tightly, and once they're safely stopped, she sinks forward against the it in relief. "Good job, all of you. I was not sure we were going to make that landing," she says shakily. She really didn't have a lot of faith in Earth flight technology, and was pleasantly surprised that the primative craft pulled through. Thank the Goddess.

Griffin smiles as the ship comes to a stop. Then he shouts, "I don't hear a roll call back there people!"

He begins taking off the 5 point harness attaching him to the seat. He doesn't seem rattled or shaken at all- must be all that time jumping out of aerial vehicles.

Once the Pyle stops moving, a second time, Quiet rapidly releases her harness so she can get up and out of the seat. Since Forge is talking and Breach is throwing, they must be be fine, so she looks to the other survivors; the engineers, Muller, Violet, and Indira. Obviously, she can't ask if everyone's Ok, so she just quirks a brow... over a grin... or half of one, depending on the eye of the beholder.

Startled, the survivors begin doing roll call. Indira looks over at Muller and tries to conceal her pained expression, not wanting to do the roll call herself given his misconceptions and the act she had to keep up for everyone's sakes. When it comes to her, she hesitates before saying quietly, "Cheryl Muller..."

"That's more like it!" Griffin says with a smile to the others.

He looks to Indira when the others start trying to free themselves and look away, he gives Indira a solemn nod acknowledging her own very personal sacrifice made for the well-being of their shipmates.

Quiet tries not to wince as she's reminded of Indira's ruse. As it is, her smile thins to a line. As hard as it must be for Indira, that also makes it really damned brave. Quiet reaches down to give the ambassador's shoulder a pat and a squeeze of reassurance. She's also more than a little impressed, and it couldn't have anything to do with Indira's pheromones in a closed space.

Forge gets clonked in the forehead with a tin can. He furrows his brow and wonders where Breach got a tin can from, exactly? It's not like they're common on the Pyle or the space station.

Breach disconnects himself from his seat and stands up, eyes sweeping over the crew from behind his mirrored orange visor. He rests his hands on his hips for a few moments, gaze slowly falling upon Indira and Muller. Pursing his lips for a few moments, Breach seems to be deeply considering how to dig his way out of this mess he's gotten Indira into.

"Hey. Muller. You think you can get the ship's broadcast thing running? Maybe we can call in the cavalry?"

Muller nods shakily and unfastens his harness. "Sure, I'll take a look and see if we can call for medics." He smiles softly at Indira before making his way up to the cockpit to take a look at the comms.

Indira relaxes a little as Muller steps away, and begins to try and work the fasteners on her harness. She may be busy trying to think of how to deal with Muller, too. She glances up at Quiet as she pats her shoulder. Mustering up a friendly smile, she says, "Thank you and Special Agent Gibbs for landing everyone safely. And for everything else all of you did to get people home."

Once Muller is in the cockpit, Breach stoops in and starts unharnessing Indira. He may, inadvertantly, swat Indira's hands away from the harness. Breach looks over at Quiet and offers a brief, military smile. It may be intended to offer a combination of thanks and congratulations on a job well-done.

Forge assists Muller in working on the broadcast array. Can I get an amen for Electronics and Systems Operation?

Breach pulls Indira from her seat and straightens her up in the cabin. Looking around the cabin quickly, Breach reassesses the situation of personnel and equipment available. It looks kind of grim to him, with two or three grievously wounded patients and two or three mobile, operating crew members aside from the metahumans. Plus there's Violet and she seems to be having a problem with her brown pants.

Wait. Did that spacesuit have brown pants when we started?

Quiet nods to Breach and steps back to turn her attention to the wounded, but not before giving him a hard look. His job may be to protect Indira, but that doesn't mean she's helpless. She just proved otherwise, and Quiet thinks it a bit insulting to coddle her as if she's incompetent.

It's only a look, though, and the wounded are much more important. She makes a quick check of them, including Muller, last. This also gives her the opportunity to retrieve and re-don her helm prior to the cavalry arriving.

Since when did Starguard start offering standard issue brown pants space suits? Or slightly green helmets? There's a reflective sheen on Violet's helm that thankfully hides her face and as much as she wants to remove the helmet for fresh air, she's mortified at the idea of doing so without something to help clean up. She sways a little, unbuckles her harness, and lays down in the empty seat beside her.

Indira pulls back her hands at the swatting from Breach and just holds them up, unsure of what to do with them as he does the work for her. Once he helps her up to her feet, she appears stable as far as flight sickness goes. "Thank you, Breach," she says politely to her handler. "I most likely could have taken care of that." Her tone is grateful, and maybe a little embarrassed that Breach had to take care of her. She looks over at the wounded in concern. "So many hurt. It's amazing that you all got them this far. I wish I understood enough of human anatomy to assist."

Muller works with the wiring of the comms with Forge's help. Amen for Electronics and Systems Operations! Muller is busy with the wiring in a panel underneath the console and calls up to Forge, "Is there a signal now? Try calling Starguard for medical assistance."

"I'm sure you would have, ma'am, but I thought it best if we got you out of range of effect of Engineer Muller before he finishes fixing the commsat array," intones Breach in terse, conspiratorial tones. He notices Quiet's Look at him, but he lets it slide off of his back like water off a duck's back. It's irrelevant to his current mission - Breach squints slightly at Violet, trying to decide if she's alive or three-quarters dead - which revolves around keeping Muller occupied and away from Indira.

Forge assists in working on the electronics, fixing wires and resecuring wiring under the main panel whilst Muller works on the innards. He flips a toggle and brings up the comm array again, waiting patiently for it to finish its boot sequence. There is a long pause before Forge, sadly, replies to Muller, "We had a signal for a second. I think there's a short in there that's killing the send/receive cycle."

Quiet is familiar with anatomy, as proven by the medical attention provided, prior and now. The ambulatory crew not working on comms are gestures to help one another as Quiet goes to open the hatch. There is always the danger of staying locked up in the broken shuttle. Not to mention she expects everyone to very much want to NOT be inside it anymore. There's also no reason for all of them to sit in there. She motions to Breech to aid her with the non-ambulatory patient(s), and then gestures to Indira to aid Violet.

Muller grunts. "Give me a few minutes," he says as he starts to pull a tool from his pocket to strip some of the wires.

Indira nods softly at Breach's suggestion. "Perhaps I should depart the ship?" she offers quietly. At Quiet's indiciation, she moves over to Violet's side and lays a hand on her shoulder. "Violet, we're safe. Let's get you off the ship and some fresh air on clean earth, yes?" Maybe the clean earth is just something that would appeal to a plant.

As Indira helps a woozy Violet sit up, she glances at Quiet for a moment. The look on Indira's face is...quizzical. Something only she seems to be able to observe has left her puzzled and a little surprised.

Press. *BZZT* Press. Press. *BZZT BZZT* SLAM! Well, at least the buzzing hatch switch fades out with some sparks under Quiet's fist. Conveniently, she has an alternate means of coercing egress. With a snap-hiss sound, a plane of gravitic spatial distortion forms, extending out from her left forearm. She uses this to cut around the hatch latches, seals, and hinges.

Griffin stands in the cabin looking on at the scene around him. He fights the urge to stuff his hands in his pockets. ((sorry work stuff has me indisposed. pose around me))

Breach joins Quiet at the hatch. He frowns slightly as Quiet finds it inoperable and immediately starts rooting through what remains of his loadout for a solution. Quiet promptly shears the hatch open with a plane of gravitational distortion. Very politely, Breach golf claps. Maybe he doesn't want to be cleaved in twain by opposing gravity fields?

Indira gets Violet to her feet, allowing her assistant to lean against her for balance. She waits for Quiet to clear the door before risking getting close.

While there is no problem that can't be solved by the proper application of explosives, surgical precision without seemed better for everyone's well-being. Quiet's had enough of explosions ...for the next few minutes. With the hatch open, she takes out the semi-conscious medic and the other non-ambulatory, the two most critical. Her suit tractor once again proves handy and distrubes them as little as possible as the float out after Quiet.

Outside, Quiet remains near the hatch to aid others exiting, while hovering the pair of severely injured some distance away before resting them gently on the grassy knoll.

Indira helps Violet out of the shuttle. Once they get a few meters from the ship. Violet sinks to her knees and plants her hands on the ground. Is she about to kiss the ground? Or get ill again? That sealed suit makes it hard to tell.

Taking a few steps back from Violet to give her breathing room, Indira makes a relieved sound. She looks over to the Quiet One, and then Breach. "Many are injured. How are you doing? Are you all alright?"

Breach holds up the hand that was snacked upon. It is noticeably paler than the rest of his semi-ginger flesh. He lowers it a few moments later and shrugs at Indira. "Apparently, I don't really stay hurt any more," he replies in a quiet tone that is precisely as casual as though he had commented on the weather or the peaceful, idyllic pastural scenery around them.

After a few moments, Breach moves over to Violet's side and crouches down. He wraps an arm across her shoulder and leans in to inquire, "You want to switch helmets? Or I could see what's left in my suitcase? I might have something you can wear that's less... Bulky than the spacesuit?"

Quiet gives a simple, literal hand to those disembarking. It isn't exactly a 'Thank you for flying,' but then any landing you can walk away from is much more than just a saying. In response to Madame Ambassador's question, her left arm lifts and her hand offers a thumb up. She isn't wounded, at least not anything that a few beers and maybe a hot bath couldn't cure.

Physically, that is. This isn't the first time she's seen injury or even death, for sure. It does happen to be her first solo job where she was in charge, even if it seemed slightly boring, in concept, to be babysitting a bunch of scientists and engineers. Boy did she have that wrong. Instead, she got to have them maimed or murdered, most in front of her. Sure, slap that one on your resume, Chief of Security...

Griffin turns and exits the vehicle following behind Quiet and the injured.

He says, "I'm good." to Indira. Then he turns to Quiet and the injured, "Anything I can do to assist the injured?" He asks.

Violet nods weakly. "Yes...please..." she groans miserable, and sounds infinitely grateful.

Indira studies Breach's hand curiously. She doesn't understand the significance of the color change at first. But then he explains. "You don't stay hurt? I'm relieved. But I am sorry you were hurt," she says in concern.

Breach's helmet disconnects from the rest of the Breach suit with a pneumatic hiss of depressurization. There is no real reason for this, aside from being an awesome sound effect. He hands it over to Violet before he stands up again and offers a polite, reassuring sort of smile to Indira at her words.

"Part of my job. Just so long as you and Ms. Wyndell don't get hurt, I've done my duty."

SPEAKING OF "DUTY", Breach promptly turns back toward the Pyle. He flinches when he sees the ruined exterior of the ship and rolls his shoulders a few times before he advances on it. Breach climbs back into the cabin and removes his heavy attache case from its moorings in the cargo rafters. Promptly, Breach makes for the hatch again, heading directly for Indira and Violet before he sets the case down and pops it open to rifle through its contents.

Violet reaches blinded for Breach's offered helmet. "Thanks, Mr. Mason," Violet rasps out. She releases the latch of her helmet and pulls off the helmet, taking in huge gulps of fresh air.

Quiet makes another checkup on the severe casualties, then sits herself down between them where she stood. Her helmet stays on, though Breach removing his only reminds her of how pleasant that fresh aid felt; or how badly she could use that bath after stewing in her own juices for so long. She keeps hers on, but lifts the faceplate as a compromise, and lets out a breath.

Inside, the comms are finally repaired as Muller cheers victoriously. "Got it! Try now."

Indira offers a small smile as Breach returns. Her eyes survey the other soldiers and the survivors. "I would say you have gone far beyond duty today."

Quiet looks to the shuttle at the good news on comms. She doesn't mind walking home, but those that can't definitely need more critical care than she can provide in the field. They're stabl for now, and should be good to transport, though. She taps idly on her right forearm with her left hand as she watches the others get more comfortable, possibly even something close to relaxed.

Her holographics activate and a larger version of her prior screen panel is projected over her. SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ALMOST BEER-THIRTY.

Breach offers a grunt at Indira's praise. He doesn't seem to believe that assessment. Particularly since he is carefully pulling out a pair of sneakers, track pants, and a windbreaker from his attache case and offering them to Violet. When he notices Quiet's display panel, Breach deadpans, "Hooah!"

Forge, in the meantime, is testing the comms array. This mostly revolves around him trying to convince Starguard that he is, in fact, Forge and not a hostile alien intelligence that just crashed into Green Acres in an attempt to kidnap one of the Gabor sisters. Muller may need to swear an oath of silence about the facial expressions Forge is using whilst he negotiates military bureaucracy.

Griffin turns when he hears Breach's 'Hoorah' and though Rangers don't 'Hoo-rah' he recognizes the call.

"Amen to that sister." Griffin says, suddenly realizing he hasn't so much as had a beer in over 50 years.

Indira stares at the displayed message with a certain expression of non-comprehension. The meaning eludes her completely.

Violet drags herself up to sit back on her heels. Her hair clings to the sides of her face with sweat, and she looks green about the gills. "You're...a life saver, Mr. Mason," she groans again as she accepts the clean clothes from him. She painstakingly gets up to her feet, looks over the ship with momentary dread, and then slowly staggers her way inside to find a place to change.

Quiet grins her uneven grin as the boys agree. She didn't really expect any different from what she knows of them. For the Ambassador, she types out a rather matter-of-fact explanation, though her grin remains.

DEHYDRATION AND LOSS OF ELECTROLTYES DUE TO EXERTION POSE A SERIOUS POST-COMBAT HEALTH RISK. THE PROPER TREATMENT IS BEER, AND LOTS OF IT.

It could be something recited rote, or made up on the spot. In either case, Quiet doesn't doubt its veracity.

Griffin puts his arm around Indira, "I guess it's jsut a human thing. But you're welcome to join us in revelry!"

He grins at Quiet, already dreaming of the foamy suds awaiting them.

"If only we had some stoogies." Griffin says wistfully as he remembers post-mission celebrations of old.

"Kinda the job, Ms. Wyndell," replies Breach. He closes up his attache case and leaves Violet to try to find a secure place to change into clean, if less-than-stylish clothes in peace. Breach's attention drifts back toward the other metahumans on the scene because, let's face it, they're more important to the comic than those generic crew members surrounding them all. Rubbing the back of his head, Breach offers, as corroboration to Quiet's statement, "America was founded on beer. It was improved by moonshine and cocktails."

"Beer? Alcohols?" Indira asks as she seems to understand. She's been to enough functions where wine was served. She's never touched the stuff. She only ever requests water. Mainly because alcohol is poisonous to her physiology. "I...believe after an event like this, even I could use a be'er."

Eventually Forge's security codes clear, and emergency services in the area are dispatched. Somewhere on the lone dirt roads, there's the sound of emergency crew sirens.

Quiet looks over at the sounds of sirens, quickly tapping out, EXFIL'S EN ROUTE. She points a finger upwards and twirls it in a Rally/Mount Up and checks her patients again. Then her faceplate is closed for the welcome party, quite intentionally. After the last of business is taken care of, then she'll get into more comfortable clothing.

You have already voted for that character today.

Griffin turns towards the sound of sirens and smiles again. He shouts to the civilians, "Alright folks! Our ride's en route! Get your luggage and get your war-stories ready to tell your friends and fam..." As he speaks he turns to the crowd, stopping short when he sees Mueller. "...ies." His smile turns sad.

He turns around, unable to face the newly widowed man...

Indira looks back towards Muller as Griffin's speech stops. She quickly taps at the neckguard of her space suit. Her helm pops up and encases her head, sealing her within. She seals up the vents to block out her natural pheromones.

The EMTs and firetrucks arrive just as Violet is coming out of the shuttle with her oh so stylish new look. She looks very frumpy in Rick's clothing. But also a thousand times happier to be out of the space suit and somewhat cleaned up. "I just want to go home..."