Log:Guild Expedition, Scene 7

Guild Expedition 2016/05/31 	 Star Girl Wasp Torus Sapphire Inforcer Diviak Ekhena Iv'oq

7

You must stop gagging that channel to speak on it.

Inforcer Diviak(#2778TOn)

Another obvious alien, wearing what appears to be lightweight armor with a clear blue and white color motif. The being's skin tone is a deep burgundy color, and it has large bulbous yellow eyes with vertical slits. There is a badge on the right side of the chest. He also has what appears to be a sidearm in a holster in the thigh of his armor.

Dragonfly

What is it that about Dragonfly that first draws attention? Is it her size, or more accurately the lack of it? Dragonfly is only three inches tall. Perhaps it's the quietly buzzing multi-hued dragonfly wings upon her back. Then there's her eyes, faceted like an insect and gleaming iridescently with all the colors of the rainbow. She is slender, with long light reddish-brown hair falling well below her shoulders. Her movements are graceful and fluid yet somehow indicative of a notable strength for such a diminative figure. She looks young, no more than sixteen years of age.

Dragonfly is dressed in a almost skin-tight costume covering all except her head. The torso and upper limbs of her costume are white, while the arms, legs and vee fronted collar are a sky blue. There's a glowing blue dragonfly silhouette on her chest and back. Being her size makes carrying items tricky. Dragonfly has pockets sew into her costume on both thighs, smaller than a normal pocket but looking bulky on her. Pinned to the costume above her heart is a silver brooch shaped in the form of a small wasp.

Vicki

Mid-length brunette hair and gray eyes are two of the most striking features this young woman possesses. She will never be called beautiful, but is defitely someone whose features could be considered attractive. She's got the sort of build that an athletic tomboy would have, which means that she is not going to ever be called topheavy or voluptuous. She is however in excellent shape with a trim tummy and trim hips and legs. She moves with the sort of grace that many years of martial arts training will impart upon a person. In general, an athletic young woman who takes care of her body.

Today, she's dressed in street clothes. A simple pair of black flats are worn on her feet. These serve a dual purpose as shoes that still look okay with her suit, but are comfortable enough to run in should the need arise. Her french gray suit pants are nothing spectacular, but they are loose around the ankles and calves, growing tighter up along her muscular thighs. With a black belt about her waist fastened by a silver buckle, she has a simple white dress blouse on her torso and a black suitcoat over the top of it, she has a well put together look to her. She seems to lack obvious jewelry except for the blue stone in what appears to be a class ring on her right ring finger.

Star Girl

Star Girl is a blonde-haired crimefighter, wearing a blueish-black body suit. She stands about 5' 5" tall with a slender and athletic build. Her uniform bears a white eight-pointed starburst on her chest, and the icon is echoed on her back, and on the backs of her gloved hands. The uniform is seamless and doesn't offer any hints to how is was constructed. She wears a mask that covers her eyes, ears, and neck, but leaves her mouth and scalp uncovered, allowing for her shoulder length blonde hair. The eyelets white, opaque, and very expressive.

Torus

The Demiurge Torus, a device of almost limitless complexity & infinite potential. Generally a small dark chrome colored cube, approximately 3in across. There is a glowing circle that is ever present no matter what shape or size it assumes. When changing shape, the color remains the same almost black metallic shade.

The device often is inanimate- but sometimes it seems as if it cannot sit still.

There seems to be no limit to the number of geometric shapes its surface can depict as it idles.

The shapes rise and fall from a solid surface that suddenly turns sandy- yet remains as black as the deepest night.

Inforcer Diviak takes a look at the device he's been handed. He says something and his translator converts it to English, "Hmm. I'll have to see if I can transfer this to another kind of media. But we can worry about the logistics of that later."

Shrugging, Vicki states simply, "I can provide you with one of our PDA's... personal data assistants... which is designed to read that. At your leisure. But one law enforcement officer to another... I am honored to meet you." she adds as she offers a hand in greeting. "I understand that one of the reasons I am here is because I am less... diplomatic at times than others."

Dragonfly lands on the desk so she can still her wings. The only way to quieten the buzzing (she prefers to say humming) they create in flight.

Diviak chuckles. He hesitates a moment, "Ah yes. The Earth greeting." He reaches out and shakes Vicki's hand. "I am thankful that you were able to stop in to speak with me. I often accompany Ambassador Gusdana on diplomatic missions, so I understand what you mean. I usually have to keep my...mouth shut."

Diviak adds, "One of your 'personal data assistants' would be helpful. It certainly would simplify matters."

Sitting down then across the desk from Diviak, Vicki nods and shrugs her shoulders. "Usually, I am better at keeping my own mouth shut than I was when we first met with your people. But... the Nar'qu have made us...." She pauses as she searches for just the right word, "... overly suspicious." She pauses once more and smirks, "Okay, so I say us. I should say -me-. I can't speak for the others." And she pulls her own small PDA out of her hip-holster, setting it on the desk and sliding it over.

The Inforcer takes the device and puts the data stick into it. As the information scrolls, he smiles again, "Fairly intuitive to use. If it can transmit, we can probably convert it to something I can put into our system. Thank you again." He pauses, "I was hesitant to mention this, but I'm intending to raid a Nar'qu holding in the next couple of days. My superiors would likely frown upon it, but would you like to come along to assist? You obviously have a vested interest.

Dragonfly may or may not beat Vicki to the draw. She nods, "Absolutely. Count me in."

Opening her mouth to speak, Vicki looks towards Dragonfly. She grins and looks back to Diviak, "Us. Count -us- in." she states. "You may find that we have some... fairly unique abilities that we can bring to bear. For starters, Dragonfly here is a fantastic doctor... medic... should the need arise."

Diviak nods, "I understand that you have others with you as well. If a larger contingent of your crew would like to come along, you're welcome to do so. Just be sure to give me an accurate head count ahead of time."

Star Girl had just been propositioned by an alien with eye stalks...but who also seemed to know something about her suit.

The alien calls over to the heroes, who were talking among themselves, "Let me know if you change your mind."

Star Girl says, "Look," Star Girl says, trying to manage a stern tone towards the alien. "I'll go with you to see this guy -- but just to talk. If anyone tries any funny stuff, I'll be making Swiss cheese out of them with energy blasts.""

Grimm doesn't even glance over her shoulder as the alien calls over to them. She doesn't need to to sense what he's doing and where he is. "Well, if you think this will give you a lead on your suit...it might be good to know where your abilities come from. I didn't find mine exactly comforting, but at least I know," she whispers before turning around to face the Alien as Star Girl finishes her announcement.

Star Girl's delivery isn't particularly intimidating. She glances to Grimm and nods to her, thankful for the support.

The alien looks at Star Girl and chuckles, "I think this will be an interesting meeting. I am sure he would like to meet the both of you." He motions to both Star Girl and Grimm and indicates they should follow him. He leads the two down a side corridor to a sizable metal blast door.

The alien presses a couple of buttons on the bracer on his left wrist and the door makes a 'k-chunk' sound, followed by the sound of air releasing. The air pressure must be a little higher inside. "This way, if you please."

Grimm raises an eyebrow as Star Girl nods to her, at first thinking she wants her to help out with the tough act. Because if there's something Gabrielle can do, it's scare tactics. But the alien seems compliant, so she follows him (it?) while staying alongside Star Girl. "Why do I not like the sound of that?" she whispers aside to Star Girl while keeping an eye on the alien. Her eyes glance over the blast door. Yeah, that's cozy.

Star Girl sucks in a breath, readying herself. She begins to follow the alien. As she walks, she raises her thumb and pinky to the side of her face. She radios. << Hey guys, this is Star Girl... I'm with Torus and Grimm and we're going to go check something out. If anything happens, we left with one of the eye-stalky guys, who was hanging out by the lift entrance to this level.. >>>

The heroes are led up a staircase and to another door. It's quiet back here. No one else around at all. The alien presses a couple more buttons on his bracer, and the smaller door opens up, letting the heroes into...a posh-looking living room. There's a think carpet and nice couches, and a large tank with aquatic animals in it. The liquid within the tank has a reddish tint to it.

Torus says over their shared comm line, <<"It certainly sounded ominous. But who knows- perhaps we will learn much in this corridor, off the beaten path and behind the heavy airlock door. What is the worst that could happen? I will have my defensive systems on standby, just in case." >>

The alien says, "Ekhena, I found someone you would like to meet." A feminine-sounding voice comes from other room off to the right, "Oh? What kind are we talking about..." A tall, willowy looking alien comes into the room from that side room. It's bald, with light blue skin and large solid purple eyes. There's a certain grace to her movements, and her gender is...uncertain. At least without some kind of knowledge of alien races. She's wearing a simple loose white gown. She blinks a couple of times when seeing Star Girl and Grimm. "Terrans?"

Grimm glances over at Star Girl after the reveal of the willowy alien. "Not what I pictured," she murmurs. In her mind, she had imagined Jabba the Hut: Guild Edition.

Star Girl nods, acknowledging Grimm's comment. She relaxes a little bit, also not having expected this kind of reception. She nods to Ekhena, "Yes, ma'am. I'm Star Girl, and this is Grimm. And Torus." She gestures towards Grimm with her hand.

Star Girl nods, acknowledging Grimm's comment. She relaxes a little bit, also not having expected this kind of reception. She nods to Ekhena, "Yes, ma'am. I'm Star Girl, and this is Grimm. And Torus." She gestures towards Grimm with her hand.

Ekhena moves over toward the two humans, though it's almost like she's gliding. "Hmm. This is a find indeed." She looks over toward hte other alien, "Wait outside."

The other alien nods and heads back outside. Ekhena waits until he leaves before speaking again, "Star Girl. Grimm. Torus." She blinks again, "Torus?"

She focuses on the earring. "Ah, I understand now." She turns back to Star Girl, "I believe you are the first human to become connected to the Iv'oq. I am...impressed."

Star Girl hrms softly, realizing that Ekhena is probably complement her suit, rather than the more run-of-the-mill human inside. "The Iv'oq...?" She sighs, reluctant to admit: "I'm afraid I don't actually know very much about this suit, or where it came from..."

Grimm straightens up a bit at the thought. "Sounds like you're wearing an alien on you," she murmurs to Star Girl.

Ekhena takes a seat on one of the couches, "I am told you wish...to speak with me. What is it that you wish to speak about?"

The Torus remains silent, but it feels that its hiding place is suddenly not so hidden. It debates whether or not to make its appearance known, but it holds its tongue while Star Girl learns more about the origins of her suit.

"Well..." Star Girl begins. "I was wondering if you could tell me more about my suit..." She shrugs. "I dunno: maybe I could tell you about Earth in return? Kind of like an information exchange."

Grimm remains standing and tries to act casual. Weary of strangers offering help after being propositioned by things like Mister Eye-stalks, she keeps her senses alert.

Ekhena nods, "I...am interested in an exchange. But perhaps something different? I can give you this information in exchange for...communing with me." She pauses, "It is not physical. It is a mental and emotional connection."

Star Girl's eyelet twist, one open larger than the other as she gives Grimm a questioning look. "Erm..."

Diviak has finished taking Jackie's statement about the events from her last trip to the Guild. "I think that covers what I needed for this particular investigation. Is there anything else you'd like to know? I could give you a tour as well, if you like."

Dragonfly smiles, "I'd guess Vicki would like that as much as I would. I'm very interested in seeing the medical facilities on board the station here."

"To be honest, what I would like to know would take far too long to discuss. If you could perhaps provide us with any documentation about the Nar'qu, or perhaps other organizations and underworld sorts... that would help us to keep our own people safe." suggests Vicki. And she gestures to Dragonfly with a grin, "And yes, I am sure she would like to know how advanced your medtech is."

Diviak nods. "I can show you the medical facilities." He leads Dragonfly and Vicki to the lifts. "I can also give you some documentation on the Nar'qu. There are other criminal organizations, of course. But they are hte primary element on the side of Guild space closest to your world. There are a couple of other cartels that have divided up Guild space. The only other place worth noting is the Nova. It's a large colony ship that's been converted to a...floating city. A fair number of the criminal organizations work through there, including a fair amount of smuggling."

"Well, smuggling is an eternal thing. No matter how many laws one passes, or how many enforcers one assigns... people will always find a way to smuggle goods into and out of protected areas." says Vicki. "Fighting that is a matter of scale..." suggests Vicki. She shakes her head and then smirks, "But a city ship sounds entertaining at the very least."

Dragonfly listens but the talk of criminals and crmes isn't of great interest to her. Which is why she's pleased Vicki is along.

The lifts head upward several floors, and the doors open to what is very clearly the medical wing. Diviak says, "The Nova was supposed to originally move a race from their dying world. The race...disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The ship was found many years later...though estimates put it at perhaps a couple of thousand years. The new owners were the ones who converted it to a 'home away from home'. So it attracts a number of cruise-goers, especially those who like an element of danger to their vacations."

Diviak leads the two into the medical facility. He looks to Dragonfly, "I think you'll find this more to your tastes." The medical wing is all stark white. Several technicians and doctors are moving around in the hallway. "I know someone in their imaging department. I can probably get a demonstration."

Dragonfly bobs in the air, "Thank you, Inforcer Diviak." She looks at Vicki, "I could keep myself busy here for hours. And I remember what Dorian said but I'm sure I'll be safe here if you would like to take the tour with the Inforcer and come back for me when you finish."

Inclining her head, Vicki shrugs, "I can hang here for now. I don't want to split up." she adds. She's capable of patience it seems as she just leans on a nearby wall to keep an eye on things.

The Inforcer nods, "I can't really allow you to be in here without my presence, anyway. I'm already...bending regulations as it is." The three of you move to the side as a Lancian is moved down the hall on a hovering platform by a couple of the medical staff. He leads the two of you toward the imaging station.

Dragonfly tries to control her reaction when she sees the Lancian but the increased buzzing of her wings gives away the tension she feels. Without thinking she takes the final step in her Dragonfly transformation and her human eyes swell to become faceted and bug like.

There's some shouting coming from down the hall to your right. Not only that, but it sounds like...an energy weapon discharged?

"Inforcer. Please tell me local surgical implements sound a lot like blaster weapons..." suggests Vicki as blue armor plates grow over her uniform. She is already moving towards the sound of the weapon discharge. "If not, you may wish to start evacuating civilians."

Dragonfly darts off at high speed towards the sound. If it is energy weapon fire... she's sure it shouldn't be happening in a medical facility. And... Lancians!

Diviak stops, having heard the sound as well. "No...but that sounds like a weapon. Likely a pistol." He draws his own weapon and follows after Dragonfly.

Dragonfly enters what must be the emergency room. There's an alient with four eyes in a horizontal row waving an energy pistol around at the medical staff, who have taken cover. The alien looks like he's already bleeding heavily. There's a pool of dark blood around his feet, as well as drips that lead down a hallway.

"Whoa there. Easy now.." says Vicki as she rounds the corner and comes into the room. She lifts her hands to show she is not carrying a weapon. "Can someone translate? I think this is a misunderstanding of a sort." She's preparing to wall off the guy, to create an energy field to seperate him from the others if possible. But not doing it -yet-. Because that might just provoke things and make it worse.

Dragonfly doesn't slow down. She angles her flight, making turns in the air that the theory of inertia ought to make impossible to take a high route, so if the alien gets a shot off it will be aimed ceiling way, and then cuts back down snatching at the pistol as she passes the armed but injured alien being with the intent to take the pistol away from him.

Dragonfly grips the pistol in both arms and reverses flight direction in less then her own shrunk body length. Flying back the way she came she stops by Inforcer Diviak and offers the weapon butt first to him. "Can you tell him/her/it that I can treat those wounds if allowed, please."

The gunman's weapon is torn from his hand, and he collapses to his knees. A couple of the medical technicians rush over to both restrain him and look after his wounds. Diviak takes the weapon, "I'll let hte medical staff know, in case they need assistance."

Ekhena's offer hangs in the air while Star Girl considers it.

Dragonfly turns to Vicki, "Hey, what do you know? I did it. Without thinking. Maybe that's the answer. Let old habits loose. Because the last time I tried to do the heroine act I over-thought the situation and made to total mess of it."

"Ekhena," Star Girl begins, pausing as she tries to find the right words. "Humans... we don't share our thoughts and emotions so easily..." She looks over to Grimm for some help in explaining. She continues: "Please don't take it personally... but I don't think I could do that..."

Ekhena tilts her head, "I do not understand. You already have. With the Iv'oq."

Star Girl is at a loss for a moment. "This is different," she says eventually.

The alien takes a deep breath, considering. "How about this as an alternative? I could commune with the Iv'oq itself."

Gabrielle shrugs at Star Girl's look for help. "Most humans aren't used to...communing," Gabrielle helps. "We're a very private people." She's seen a lot of dark minds and sometimes thinks thoughts are better off left alone. When the Iv'oq communion is revealed, Gabrielle's jaw hangs open a bit. "What exactly is the Iv'oq...is it a sentient being?"

Ekhena silently nods in answer to Gabrielle's question.

Star Girl's eyelets narrow. She's back on guard a little bit. "I... don't think I'm comfortable with that... I've had a bad experience in the past, with someone trying to muck with my suit." She pauses. "Maybe if I understood better... why are you so set on this communion?"

Ekhena takes another long deep breath. "I am a collector. A collector of sensations. Of feelings. I collect...and can recall...the feelings of every being I have communed with. Every new species that I encounter, I try to experience once at least."

The face Gabrielle pulls at hearing that...it starts off ponderous, then a little grossed out at the potential. "Oh...man..." she murmurs to herself.

"I... I'd have to think about it," Star Girl says, sounding a little uneasy. "Are you sure there's no other way?" . o O ( I've got the latest season of Throne of Swords on my PDA... bet they don't have that up here... )

The Torus almost leaps at this notion. His own directives lie very much in line with the alien before them.

The Torus disappears from Grimm's ear. She'd likely feel a slight sensation from the air rushing in to fill the small void left behind.

The air above a cushioned seat warps and ripples for a second before splitting open.

Suddenly, sitting very comfortably on the couch lies The Mechanic.

He speaks aloud in a rich baritone voice. "Well now things have gotten interesting. You are a Keeper of Memory?" The way he phrases it makes it seem more like a title or station and not a turn of phrase.

Ekhena turns, "I am more. And less. But that is close enough."

Star Girl remains quiet for now, interested in how Torus and Ekhena will interact.

She returns her attention to Star Girl, "I understand your apprehension. You can think about it. I will tell you all I know of the Iv'oq if I am allowed to commune with it. And that sum of knowledge will be greater once that connection is made. No harm shall come to either you or the Iv'oq."

Grimm scratches at her ear after the strange sensation. She blinks as the Mechanic shows up again. She leans over to Star Girl and nudges her with an elbow, whispering aside, "Who's -that- guy?"

Star Girl whispers back to Grimm. "I dunno -- isn't that just another shape for Torus...?"

"Ah, so good to see someone in the same business. Though I have only recently taken to such a calling." The Mechanic says under shifting facial features. Oddly enough- with so few humans nearby, a few features are noticeably inhuman, others are taken from a the 2 women present though edited a bit to become more masculine.

Despite the very alien confines, he seems right at home. He looks to Star Girl with understanding. Sharing one's self is no small thing.

He taps his fingers on the couch three times before speaking, "Perhaps we might broker a different deal in exchange for the information my associate Star Girl seeks. I've been many places, and can aggregate my memories to provide a ... linear experience, and segment away that which my StarGuard if you like.

On the comms, The Mechanic says in response to Grimm and Star Girl, <>

Grimm looks completely shocked by the potential revelation. "It is??" she whispers a little too loud.

Ekhena raises a brow and looks to the Mechanic, "You are offering to commune with me instead?"

"Er..." Star Girl says to Grimm. "I'm not entirely sure." She's maybe a little embarrassed by her ignorance.

"Perhaps, though- with a caveat. I retain the memories of all my trips, and those of my companions as they experience our... ventures." He opens his hands and a hologram of the Milky Way and hundreds of points of purple lights indicating places he has visited. "This is no small trifle- but..." He looks to Star Girl, "understanding ones origin is also no small thing. I will commune in Star Girl's stead, but I wish to experience some of your ... communal experiences as well- to enhance my own collection."

Ekhena considers it for a moment. "Very well. I accept your offer."

A smile flashes across the Mechanic's face- though the mouth within is filled with rows of inhuman teeth. "Excellent. How stupendous a day is this?" He asks looking towards his companions.