Merlin Industries II - The Dreams of Euphamés (DiD collaborative storytelling effort)

[Trigger1112]

"OI Trigger, Olterin get over here already!"

"Yeah I would, if i wasnt COOKING ****ING LUNCH!!!"

Trigger then noticed two things:
1.He was shouting at the ceiling.
2.The Mutton Rizzoto was dangerously close to overcooking.

Trigger activated the wall comm.

"Either I finish my shift or you can explain to the hungry hoard trying to break down the galley door why lunch will be delayed."

It was just his luck that his match in the Tournament should be scheduled just after lunch.

'Later'

Trigger limbered up on his side of the arena. It was weapons and obstacles just as he'd hoped. The weapons consisted of various blunt objects strewn around with a few dulled points and blades towards the centre. The obstacles were a few crates (the arena being a converted cargo bay) with a small wall in the middle and were meant more for obstruction than to obscure.

Trigger picked up a quarterstaff. The weapon felt precise and agile in his hands.

He saw Olterin on the other side. Trigger could see that Olterin had picked a pair of knuckledusters and a mace. He also seemed to be practicing some powerful attacks.

The bell rang.

Trigger sprinted from crate to crate, staying mobile and staying low. He could see Olterin jumping from floor to crate to wall, getting higher each time. Trigger could see what Olterin was doing and mentally berated his opponent for choosing such an obvious tactic.

Olterin leapt into the air, aiming to knock Trigger flat with the mace. Trigger smacked the back of Olterin's legs, sending him flying into a reinforced metal crate, denting it.

Trigger waited for his opponent to get up. He then used the Hidoki maneuver to dodge Olterin's punches, elbow him in the solar plexus and deliver a final blow to the back of the neck, dropping Olterin onto his hands and knees.

The fighters paused, both breathing hard.

"That's some pretty fancy stuff you did there."

"The ATF taught me a few things."

The hairs on Triggers arm sprang up. Olterin had suddenly stopped breathing hard.

"Me too."

Olterin picked up a pair of daggers and launched into a flurry of rapid attacks which Trigger struggled to see let alone parry. His hands were just blurs.

Olterin suddenly stopped dead still. Each of Olterin's blows had been aimed at a nerve cluster in Trigger's body, causing temporary paralysis. After a second Trigger just collapsed.

"I...give up,...you win." Trigger rasped.

From the balcony Duzzit's voice boomed to the crowd.

"AAAND THE WINNER IIS, OLTERIN FIREEE!!!"

Olterin helped Trigger up.

"No hard feelings?"

"Sure. Oh, and we need to talk."

OOC:I'm sorry if this is rubbish and makes no sense but English/Lit wasn't my stongest subject.

[Duzzit]

OOC(relax its fine, however remember olterin hates the ATF a lot, so dont say that he was trained by them, and for gods sake dont say that u Work for them, thats Like a death sentence around him )..


"Matches are Post Poned Until Tomorow, We will see me face off Forrester, and NightmareVS Olterin!"


I went off to my xec quarters on the Carrier to sleep.

[The Nightmare]

That was a good fight...that fight gave me a chance to study Olterin's tacticts so i can beta him in the next round...i hope the pain will be gone until tomorow...ouch...

[Olterin]

That fight... ATF training...

...memories flash before Olterin's eyes...
...My first ATF assignment... Dara... That planet... No, no, NO!
...Olterin pushes the memory away...

Watch out Nightmare, there's more you don't know about me than you think.

[The Nightmare]

atleast i know something about you Olterin...but you don't know anything about me...

[Trigger1112]

Trigger walked out of the medbay and off to work. He'd only recieved a few cuts and bruises but had those knives been sharp...

"Forget the knives, he could have killed me with a flick of the wrist in the right place."

So could Trigger, if he could remember how it was done.

Trigger got started in the kitchen. First job on the days list was fixing the freezer since no one from maintenance could be bothered. He'd almost trapped himself twice in that thing and at one point found what looked like part of tentacle. After hearing about the incident(s) involving his predecesor, he sent the possible severed limb to the medbay and set about getting it fixed.

'Later'

Never had his bunk seemed so inviting as it had after his last shift. From what he'd heard it seemed like he was getting more work than some of the captains, his body certainly felt that way. Apart from the freezer he had to fend of a quarter of the crew from his stock of fine wines because of something to do with the company's banning or running out of beer. He hadn't manged to get a straight story while he was knocking half of them out.

Just as he was lying down a message beeped on his console.

Good to hear from you after so long. Glad life among the savages hasn't dulled your senses.

As for your query, things are getting pretty bad back here in Terran space. Since that xenophobe Admiral Dietrich got on the Advisory Council the ATF have been practically running the Sol system. We both know this isn't right. The ATF should be just that, an AGI Task Force, not the powerbase of a xenophobic dictatorship.

If you can set up a false data trail then me and some like-minded associates will divert them to it, but i can't do anything about the attacks.

Yours, a friend.

This was not good. He left a reminder to talk to Olterin after his last fight and went to sleep.


OOC:Duzzit i don't work for them anymore i got 'temporarily suspended' for 'Commonwealth sympathies'.

Also i'd like if people said a few things In Character about what the new chef is like or just made up an episode or 2 in the mess hall, everyone's gotta eat.

[Abscon]

*A view of the ships mess hall, there are many recruits and veterans alike eating and drinking, though none of them are sitting. All of them with the exception of gray and James are hooting and hollering at a large holoscreen Gray has hooked up so they could better enjoy the tournament as it runs it course*

Gray looks away as Olterin finishes the fight in one clean solid blow, well placed and as vicious as it was poetic.

then with a sigh starts working on the arm repair.

"James give us a hand here"
*Initialize neural log command B4-e repair diagnostics priority alpha *

He shivers a little
"Gray that really freaks me out"

"sorry it happens when I'm tired...easier to let the subroutines handle things"

With a nod james gets to work analyzing the stream of data now flying across his hand screen.

"There that should let us get to the heart of the problem.
Alright well, the arm has malfunctioned...looks like the secondary relays all blew at the same time, too much speed on that last ditch punch."

"Hah go figure i almost had him! there's always next time although with this food there might not be a next time."

Gray looks seriously at a burnt morsel still stubbornly attached to his fork even though there had been repeated attempts to send it packing.

"Come on Gray its not that bad...just a little overcooked at the moment, Duzz says he's actually quite good, the fight must have just stressed him out some.
Ah Here's the second problem, have a look"

*A twang as the morsel now projectile flings across the room and impacts firmly on Duzzits left cheek as he came into the mess looking both tired and happy*

Pretending not to see the impact point, Gray glances at the data trying to stifle a laugh at the bewildered looking duzzit who was trying to see where the dark,sticky torpedo came from.

"Half the circuitry's fried too not that that's a problem i can repair it with time though I'll have to get some extra servo joints....these ones are too old"

"Gray?..." a voice in the distance intrudes

"I wonder if anyone aboard has any spare...."

"Gray!!" a louder voice half between laughter and anger

"maybe not...the pirates in Brennan's triumph has some high tech gear...at a good price i hear"

"GRAY!!" A voice now right next to a chuckling James

A quick glance tells Gray all he needs to know...
Duzzit is holding out the charred morsel with a look that plainly says.

*You seem to have dropped your wonderfully cooked and brilliantly prepared food on my face therefore i do hope you'll honor the cook and finish your meal or I'll find something very nasty to do to you and that involves a gallon of super glue and a very ingenious use of feathers.*

gray stands and looks like he's about speak a very long sentence to Duzzit about the etiquette of interrupting people and conversations, thinks better of it and gives duzzit a look.

*You know that i know what you meant and your lucky that i can turn off my taste buds at will because if i couldn't there would never be a rematch plus i would be in the med bay for a week which wouldn't help you because i have just sent out the message on the modified coms array and it would be very counter productive for me to be terminally ill at this time*

At this time quite a few crewmen have assembled around the large mess table watching this exchange of facial expressions and seemingly understanding most of it while having their own facial conversations between themselves

Duzzit changes tactics with an slightly upturned chin and a flaring of the nostrils.

*I'm glad you managed to get that signal out but there still is time until we get a reply and because of that you can spend some time in medical and relax as we all should do for the time being.Plus i didn't come to banter looks with you i came to have a dam fine meal in peace not to be bombarded by one.
now EAT IT before i make you eat it*

Gray modifies his face for the appropriate response, opening his mouth to slightly grin and tilting his head ever so slightly to the left.

*You can't really expect me to allow you to eat in peace? there's so much to talk about plus you brother has many good idea's on how we could improve the fighters engine efficiency not to mention getting these holo-emitters set up int he Main coms room for a new upgrade we're working on.
AND i don't think I'll be eating THAT after its been on your face*

Without further ado james grabs gray from behind and holds him still as duzzit takes position winding up for a throw and pitches the bite sized ball right on target.

A fit of coughing erupts from Gray as the small yet mighty projectile rebounds against his tonsils and goes down. this is quickly drowned out by cheers and laughter by the crew and Duzzit.

"Alright you win DuzzIt!!"
*gray wheezes as the morsel settles itself on his gastrointestinal lining*

"Couldn't sleep eh?"

"you got it, i told james to get here first and give you a hand"

"Lets get a cuppa shall we?"

"You read my mind Gray"

OOC: trying out a slightly different pattern for conversations with the bold and italics. underlined ect, it sill feels too...wall of texty any advice people?

[Duzzit]

OOC : Stop painting my guy so angry T_T he is a generally calm/lazy professional with 12 years experience, -.- Rage is, very, very rare -.-.

[Abscon]

-removed-

[Master of the Blade]

(OOC: not that it matters much, but my character's name is spelt 'Swien' not 'Swein', as some people seem to have done. I'm just picky like that.[I'm very particular about grammar and I must always be before E. Again, not that it's particularly important.])

//Open messaging system.
//Pilot Swien Luf requesting message to all participants of hand to hand competition, MI standard encode. Priority: low.
//Begin databursts//:
Sorry I've been a bit quiet lately- some of us have ships to look after! As is, I've had to hire a first mate to help me run the TP since I just installed a kitchen unit to keep the pressure off kitchen staff everywhere else. I have, however, been watching your tournament on a screen I set up especially and have to say that I'm glad I didn't take part. Makes for good entertainment though- I've recorded some of the better parts to cheer me up on longer journeys with grouchy passengers. I haven't heard from the Admiral lately, so I hope I haven't been entirely forgottern. By the way, all of my modifications to the ship have been out of my own wages and not the company's fund, just in case admiral Euphamés is wondering.://end core burst. Copy and send to all target systems. Sent.//

Swien Luf sat back at his console and activated the ship's engines, setting a course far from the center of Argon Prime, where his activities would not be picked up by any local stations, since the distance from the sector center would be sufficient to remain out of scanner range. Upon arrival, he activated a wide-band, high frequency scanner which had been rather expensive, and waited.

Not for long, however, as the dish hidden in the nose of the ship picked up an engine transmission from a strange craft... But not the one he was looking for: A quick check of the sector map showed the presence of a Khaak cluster heading his way. It hadn't seperated, so the TP could easily outrun it. Despite this, the use of the scanner had suddenly become dangerous- it was as if the Khaak were attracted to the widely fluctuating beams emitted by the scanner. Not good.

[Technojerk36]

Hey, I've been following your company since it was first founded. Congrats on having made it this far. I have not been able to apply for a job until now because of my previous job with the Argon forces.

People call me Techno or Tech 'cause of my obession with Technology (altough I also love things that make other things go boom). My real name is Blue. I was an officer with the Argon forces as a Tech specialist mostly for weapons (ie which ship should be equipped with what weapon and what that weapon is effective against) but if the engine is broken or something like that, I can fix it. I quit my job with the Argon as it was pretty boring. Since they run a military, everything is equipped from a standard configuration so there isn't much to be consulted about. In my freetime (which I had a lot of) I took some training in advanced logistics and advanced management.

I used to captain my very own M7 called Venom until a few days ago. Venom was berthed at the local EQ dock while I was inside looking a for job. I heard an extremely loud bang and went to investigate. Turns out some guy who was high on space fuel had rammed his TL into Venom. Because Venom was undergoing a refit, it only had 200 Mj of sheilds. It never had a chance. On the other hand most of the crew weren't on the Venom because it was undergoing a refit so if you ever need more talented crew members I know a few.

I'm willing to do mostly anything to start off with. I also have a tendency to tinker and upgrade things I can get my hands on. (eg In my old office I messed with my desk lamp so that it gave off more light for every energy cell that it consumed)

(OCC: I'm going to bed now so you probably won't get a reply from me for some time)

[LordForrester]

Personal Log

Well the tournament has been a success as far as drawing in new recruits to the fleet. We have had 2 new officers apply and one said he could bring some experienced enlisted men with him.

With the rapid growth of the fleet we need good men. I was able to recruit some 30 good men for working on our new ships. They are all sitting though the introduction classes right now. I will then have my men check them out to make sure that they are competent then we can send them off to there new jobs.

James came in last night laughing hard. He told me about the incident with Gray and Duzzit and the part he had played. I am Glad Duzzit and Gray seem to be getting on well with each other. Both have a good sense of humor.

James has been enjoying hanging around with Gray. He was telling me about all that he had learned working with him. He said it would really help him in his schooling.

I have to prepare for my fight with Duzzit this morning. I am sure I will be sore in the morning. I cannot imagine how sore Nightmare will be ofter two hard fights. I should be taking delivery of my new massaging Chair. I am sure I will needed it after today.

[The Nightmare]

///Log Entry\\\
Encrypting...completed.

Just heard a new guy apply for a job here...i hope he loves cooking as much tehnology...anyway Trigger will have someone to boss around and to do his durty work for him,he has done plenty i believe...

And now onboard the Healty Glow my chair was sitting all by itself and i decided to keep it company and play on my Guitar and enjoy the stars.That made the pain go away pretty fast...that is my universal cure...good music and good place to relax.

I haven't seen Olterin after his fight considering how fast it was i recon he isn't that much tired like me...The Admiral should thank me from saving him from much much pain.Thats it for now The Nightmare sighing off...

///End Log\\\

[Trigger1112]

Trigger had been checking his inventory after the last pirate (read ATF) attack when an anouncement came over the PA.

"Chef Trigger you have some new recruits to assist you, please make sure they are brought up to speed."

"Excellent." (Burns style)

'Later in the mess hall'

"Atten-tion, maggots!!"

All of the new recruits stand straight.

"Normally new recruits are personally tutored by experienced officers in thier future jobs but since there are so many of you at once the only positions currently available are in the galley. During you're time here you will learn the rules and establish a reputation until a post becomes available. I will personally evaluate your suitability as a company employee so i expect your best while on the job.

Now could all those with professional cooking experience follow me, we are going to get aquainted with the galley. As for the rest of you, the cleaning equipment is in the closet on your left."

'In the galley'

"Now. i am going to make the risky assumption that 'professional' doesn't mean you got stuck with mess duty one night when the company cook got injured, so you are going to make the command staff's dinner. It can be anything you like but if I hear ANY negative comments then the person or persons responsible will be scrubbing the Healthy Glow's cargo bay PERMANENTLY!!!"

'Later'

Trigger walked back mto his quarters, exhausted. Giving the recruits thier introduction had doubled his workload, that one of then almost started a fire didn't help, though his dish wasn't too bad.

(answerphone voice)"You have one new message.BEEP.Message one.BEEP."

The next Tournament match will take place at 5.00pm.

"You have no new messages.BEEP."

"Maybe i should put some money on that."

Having had it for a few days Trigger realised why this form of message announcement had fallen out of fashion. That beep was really getting on his nerves.

"My goodness, I've gone soft. This is no time to be betting on fights or worrying about beeps, i need to concentrate on my mission."

With that he started formulating a plan that would weaken if not completely bring the ATF to it's knees. A plan that started with a message.

I need any information you have on Dietrich's plans for the next few months. I have an idea but it's going to take a while to get everything in place, assuming I can convince the right people.

Yours, a friend.

OOC:It's been a while since Targ posted a DID update, i hope everything's OK.

[Duzzit]

Guys, Sorry Ive not posted in a while, hectic shit. Will post tomorow.

[Master of the Blade]

OOC: Trigger, I share your concerns. I hope Targ hasn't gone and got himself killed.

//Captain's log, Merlin Industries Luxury Taxi
//Security: Med.
//: More hands on board really makes a difference. The extra efficiency with which operations onboard is so noticable that I have seen fit to add a bonus to my assistant's pay. Also, I have seen fit to provide in-flight snacks to my passengers, which prevents complaints. All in all, things are going pretty well.\\Saving...Encoding...Complete

//Pilot Swien Luf personal log:
//Security: Modified: ECv2.7, high
Haven't heard from the Admiral in ages. I hope nothing's happened. Have been working on modifying a scanner so that its locator signal doesn't attract khaak. I don't know why it does it, but I reckon a simple frequency change should do it. The rest of the higher-ups in Merlin Industries seem to be too busy with their hand-to-hand tournament to bother with me, but I would bet quite a lot that Olterin will still be keeping security standards up. Either way, during this tournament is when the fleet will be at its most vulnerable. I hope we are not attacked again. Not least because the Admiral has information potentially regarding the Xperimental Shuttle.\\Saving...Encoding...Complete...Embedding into datastream...diversionary codes active...com../Error: unauthorised access during diversionary coding...tracing...source unit: SolAgovT143F...uploading target info...no encoded data has been compromised. ECv2.7 operating at 100%. Blocking...Complete...Closin//

That should not have happened. Something is not as it seems. These were just some of the worries on the mind of Swien Luf as he contemplated his predicament. In a passenger transport, with no means to investigate. And being hacked by what is almost certainly an ATF computer unit. What will come next? Another attack on Merlin industries?

[Trigger1112]

Targ I still want to take part but I need an update.

[The Nightmare]

OWNED....i mean deleted

[Olterin]

WTB: Update

The XO paced around the bridge, wondering where the Admiral has gotten to...

"Comms, send a fleet-wide message: 'Admiral Euphames is to report back immediately'. Also, please scour all the sectors for a blackbox, we need to be sure..."

[The Nightmare]

///Begin Message\\\
To:Olterin
By:Nightmare
Topic:long lost boss

I'm firing the engines and warming the jumpdrive and begining search for The Admiral.Maybe he took that lost at the tournament pretty hard???Anyway im going to check his last co-ordinace.Good luck in the search.

///End Message\\\