Dees
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Post by Dees on Oct 5, 2018 20:37:13 GMT -8
The walk down the beach was calm and soothing. The smells of the air were crisp and clean, and the gentle breeze off the crystal water whistled around her armored helmet. She felt the urge to step off the beach and into the woods that surrounded it. A small animal trail was the perfect entry point; just barely visible and clear enough of the brush to make the trek a simple one.
It was a short journey to a small clearing. Tall grass with field flowers filled the open space. The sun dripped down through the canopy of the trees around her. She saw the shadow of De'ath pass beside her and begin to frolic as her form regained color and shape, but she passes through the foliage like a spirit. Dee smiles and looks around. The clearing is oddly still. The wind coming off the lake has completely dissipated among the trees, at least that was the assumption. So, what are we doing out here?
De'ath laughed as she spun around A test, to see how well you will do on your own. This clearing is open enough, and far enough away that you won’t look like a maniac out here by yourself.
Dee tipped her head to the side as she knelt down in the center of the clearing Ok?
***De'ath moved to the side as a Giant boar wolf emerged from the trees behind her. Remember this guy? He remembers you, and he is pissed.
He scraped at the ground and began to roar at Dee before charging at her. Dee jumped to the side and rolled out of the way, but her legs didn’t clear the beast fast enough. He clipped her and sent her skyward.
She got up in time to see the beast turn around and charge at her again. This time, Dee pushed as hard as she could to the side, clearing the boar-wolf and rolling as he charged past. She reached back to her rifle to find that it was now hanging by its strap from a nearby branch. Sprinting toward it, she unholstered her pistol and aimed, firing at the head of the beast as it spun around to make another pass at her.
It shook its head at the blaster hits and roared in a fury. Scraping the ground, it charged at her once more. Ripping the rifle out of the branches, she brought the limb down and a shower of leaves. Standing firm, she leveled the rifle and tried her best to minimize her shakiness. She pulled the trigger, and an imaginary blast erupted from the barrel down the center of the boar-wolf. It evaporated into a shower of sparks around her.
A gentle breeze blew over the grass, untouched minus a few scars from the blaster, and a broken branch. Dee looked at De'ath and grinned from behind her closed helmet. What's next?
De'ath snapped her fingers, and three First Order Stormtroopers materialized beside her, blasters leveled at Dee. Live fire exercise.
Immediately, the soldiers began to encircle Dee blasters leveled. One of them raised a hand, and they all froze. Dee took a deep breath and hit the dirt, throwing her rifle down and drawing the blaster she had just holstered. Letting loose a fury of bolts at one of the soldiers, she took him down only to be overwhelmed by a shower of shots from the other two. Searing pain pierced her as the bolts, and the soldiers faded. Close, but now you are dead. Again.
With a snap of her fingers, De'ath summoned three more soldiers who paused, blasters raised. Dee, still wincing from the pain, has the initiative to spin around and unleash a volley of bolts their way. While she takes one down and strikes another, she is taken down in another wave of blaster fire. Searing pain once again and she fell on her hands and knees, grunting through clenched teeth. Again!
Once again, De'ath snapped her fingers and unleashed hell on Dee. The girl tried to withstand another volley using the same tactics, but she yelled out. Stop, one second, let me -
No. Again! You will endure the pain until you improve your methods. Those who wish to harm you will not stop because you yell out and beg.
Dee picked up the rifle
They will torture you until you die. If you are lucky, they will kill you quickly. Now, stand up, and fight for your life, runt! With a snap of her fingers, De'ath summoned four soldiers this time who immediately came out firing at Dee. Dee jumped to the side and rolled under the tall grass, weaving her way out and around them. With their line of sight broken, they fanned out and began searching through the tall grass. Dee snuck out to the edge of the clearing and waited for the soldiers to line up while catching her breath. Three of the four were in a line to her, and she took a deep breath and pulled the trigger three times. Three imaginary blasts erupted from the barrel and ripped over the grass hitting the soldiers in their center of mass.
She ducked down and scurried away as fast as she could as the fourth soldier began running and firing at her last known location. With a better line of sight of the soldier as he raced across the field, she leveled the rifle and tracked his center of mass, pausing and jerking the trigger. The rifle shot wide, and the soldier zeroed on her position and fired a fury of rounds, one of which hit her in the head. Dee collapsed and panted, opening her helmet to catch her breath. De'ath walked over, with the imaginary soldier beside her, blaster lowered. De'ath smiled. Close, but you are still dead.
Dee punched the ground and yelled.
We're done for now. That was an improvement, but you need to get better. We will do this again tomorrow. Same time, same place if you can make it. ***
Dee spat in the dirt, her mouth overly salivating as she tried to hold her nausea back. She looked up and saw nothing but the grassy field in front of her. She wiped her mouth with her armored sleeve, shouldered the rifle, and headed for the center of the clearing. There, she knelt, hands on her knees, and she closed her eyes to meditate and clear her mind.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2018 19:48:46 GMT -8
"Feared and admired, Vejide echoes with a reflective frown, turning around what AVI had said when asking what had been a mostly playful question in her head to look at it from a few different angles. AVI's talk about heroes and villains and the powers often ascribed to them in stories and legends is somewhat funny given that he himself possesses more than a few abilities that most beings would consider to be superpowers, and even if only half of Nkosana's account of AVI's actions on Coruscant are true Vejide wonders if AVI knows that he is already capable of inspiring more than a little fear in those that might have the misfortune to find themselves in any kind of antagonistic relationship with him. Admiration, on the other hand, is a trickier, slipperier prospect given that what some find admirable others do not, but AVI already has more than one admirer on the crew, judging from how Fumnanya, Sango, and Nkosana speak about him. Think ya might already be able to cross those off your bucket list," Vejide says with a grin once she has mulled the matter over for a moment.
Laughing with a shake of her head after AVI, after talking about inner motivations and personal goals, switches to a more analytical mode and talks about analyzing the crew's reactions times without missing a beat, Vejide says, "You'll have to share your thoughts on that with me later, I'm interested to see how my gut instincts compare to your empirical analysis. Looking skeptical when AVI says Dee is not hungry and won't be joining them for breakfast, Vejide asks in an amused tone, That seems a little out of character, chuckling as she remembers Dee's enthusiasm for the breakfast they had when the crew first met her and AVI, girl seems like she usually likes to eat, ya know?"
Inside the cabin, as she is holding out her plate so that Sango can dish out some of the Ikototch toast she has expressed an interest in trying, Vejide asks, "Is Dikeledi comin'?"
Clucking his tongue with an amused grin, Sango shakes his head and says, "Not if I interpreted her hand signal correctly."
"What was the hand sig. . ." Vejide starts to ask.
Already digging into his Quor'save fried steak with gusto, Nkosana explains helpfully through a mouthful of food, "She gave him the finger."
Shrugging a shoulder, clearly unperturbed by Dikeledi's reaction to his breakfast invitation, Sango asks timidly, "How are the repairs coming?"
Vejide waves a hand to indicate she is over the whole banging on the boarding ramp incident, telling Sango, "AVI and I will have our girl back in tip top shape in another hour or two, right AVI?"
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Dees
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Post by Dees on Oct 9, 2018 20:14:27 GMT -8
AVI muttered under his breath.
No, it is odd.
Her tone of voice was different, and the snappiness and charisma it carried were well beyond what he recognized in her. The fact that he couldn’t reach her over the comms was also a bit of a concern too. What had gotten into her? What was she getting into?
AVI wondered if Dikeledi's response wasn’t correlated with the live fire exercise Dee had been putting on. Or if she was just generally uninterested in socializing and consuming sustenance for the time being.
As he processed this, he looks over and nods to Vejide's assessment.
Yes, the ramp will soon be good as new. As long as you don’t take off the shell and see the work that has been done on the inside that is. Unfortunately, that is beyond my reach so that will just have to remain a secret I suppose. Beyond that, I think there are a few little things here and there, but yes, the ship will be ready to go before mid-day I think. Though, we may need to get some touch-up paint for the blaster bolt that missed Dee's head.
AVI tried pinging Dee again, to no avail. Her comms were completely cut off.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2018 21:53:27 GMT -8
Even though she winces when AVI mentions the inevitable, and in reality inconsequential, inner scarring to the boarding ramp's insides resulting from the repairs, Vejide waves her hand to suggest she is not concerned with that detail and says, "I have some paint in the machine shop, so we can erase all of the visible reminders of what went down on Coruscant by mid-day like you said."
"Like, Nkosana asks as he happily continues to attack his breakfast with vim and vigor, what are you two gonna do after that?"
Shrugging, Vejide says, "Hang out on the lake probably. Swim, lounge in the sun, that kind of thing. Looking over at AVI, she asks, What about you, AVI?"
Sitting down after having served everyone else and preparing plates for Fumnanya, Dee and Dikeledi in the event they get peckish later on, Sango tells AVI, "If, by chance, you see Dee before me, do tell her that I would like to check her out . . ."
"I bet you would," Vejide jokes with a snicker, as unable as ever to resist the urge to indulge in a bit of juvenile humor.
So used to Vejide's humor that he simply goes on with what he was saying, Sango explains, "The possibility of internal injury is quite slight, but I would much rather err on the side of caution than regret not doing so later should something happen that could have been prevented had . . ."
Holding up a hand, shaking her head with an amused grin as the Bothan doctor begins rambling in his familiar way, Vejide says, "He gets it. We all get it. Pointing at her toast with a fork, she says, This is awesome by the way."
Smiling as he accepts Vejide's compliment and not so subtle suggestion that he move on, Sango manages to move only a slight bit off of the topic of preventative check-ups as he asks AVI, "Perhaps it might also not be a bad idea to have Vejide check your frame and systems out . . ."
"Pretty sure he can do that himself, Vejide points out, and then looks over to AVI and says, That being said, if you do want to have me . . ."
"Hey, Nkosana interjects, recalling what AVI had said about not the damage to some of his memory cores and how it meant he has yet to learn what his original purpose had been, I could maybe, like, help with the check-up too, if you wanted that is. I'm a pretty skilled slicer, the Nish explains modestly, and could see if there isn't anything recoverable in your systems anywhere that lets you know more about, you know, what your original purpose might have been."
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Dees
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Post by Dees on Oct 10, 2018 7:16:58 GMT -8
I have nothing scheduled after the repairs are completed.
AVI looks from one person to the next as they quipped around. AVI produces a tablet at the mention of reviewing his internals, but he looks up suddenly when Nkosana inquires digging into his code. He looks back down at the tablet for a few moments of silence, then hands the tablet over to Niko
Here is a small snippet of the emulator that contains my quantum trinaries, the output is modified to binary since that is what this datapad runs. If you want to play around with that, you may. However, slicing into my systems will not be necessary. There is nothing hidden from me in my head. The memories that I have lost are truly gone. Had they not been destroyed, they are at the very least in another, parallel universe.
AVI shrugs
Besides. I am content with being who I am.
AVI looks over at Sango and then over to Vejide. Since he had no facial features to express himself or give himself away, he set his tone to "deadpan."
However, Vejide has been intent lately to look at my components. Her flirtatious glances have not been unnoticed. If you would like to satisfy your curiosity, you may look over my frame if you choose.
He broke his tone and went more casual as he looked back to Sango.
As soon as I am able to locate Dee, I will send her your way. If anything, I may go search for her after the repairs are completed if she hasn't already returned. I do believe her intention was to pay you a visit, but she seems to be somewhat distracted this morning.
His voice trails off as he reprocesses her tone and subsequent communications silence.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2018 18:42:51 GMT -8
Vejide intercepts the datapad AVI hands to Nkosana, returning it to AVI as she ignores AVI's banter and instead asks Nkosana rhetorically, "How'd you like it if someone started poking around in your head just for funsies? You heard him, he's happy with who he is. No need for you to go lookin' for something that you probably couldn't find anyway, and something that AVI isn't even interested in having found."
Holding his hands up in surrender with a mildly puzzled expression on his face, Nkosana tells Vejide, "Message received, and then looks over to AVI and says, Sorry, I was honestly just trying to be, like, helpful, not just poke around for the sake of poking around."
Sango, frowning as he wonders how concerned he should be that Dee's mood appears to be even more labile than he had thought, nods when AVI says that he may look for Dee to remind her about the check-up after the repairs to the Geheim Masjien have been completed. Sango, reminding himself that he has not had a terribly long time to accurately gauge whether Dee's mood tends to more frequently be more to the sociable and manic ends of the spectrum than not, decides to worry only when he knows enough to do so based on something more solid than not joining him and the others for brunch. Finished with his own meal, Sango stands and begins taking his dishes to the sink as he tells AVI, "We all get distracted from time to time, m'boy, and there is no need to rush her along. The need for a check-up is not urgent, but Dee having some time alone very well could be, so as her doctor I advise you to give her as much time as she needs."
Once she has finished her Ikototch toast, Vejide pats AVI on the shoulder after standing, "Ready to get back to it? As they are heading back to the ship, Vejide says, I have a few welds to finish up, and then I'll look after the painting. Not sure that her read on AVI's body language is entirely reliable given that he is more likely than an organic to be able to police the little subtleties that often betray emotions and thoughts, Vejide offers on the chance her guess that he is more worried about Dee than he had let on is at all accurate, If you need any help getting the ramp back on once you're done, just holla at me. Remembering AVI's talk about adding to his earlier analysis the crew's reaction times with observations gathered during the brunch, Vejide asks, Learn anything interesting for the whole analysis of the reaction times of the crew after factoring in the observations from brunch?"
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Dees
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Post by Dees on Oct 10, 2018 20:49:56 GMT -8
AVI stood in silence. He had not meant anything by his interaction with Niko. He was, as Vejide mentioned, leery about someone poking around his code for no other reason than his uncertainty about having come across anything like it. As far as he was aware, in his own universe, there was no code like his. Not wanting to doubt the skills Niko possessed, he merely wanted to see if the man could tackle the three words he had encoded on the datapad. Though, if only for his own amusement since they would be sure to set off his paranoia. AVI offered a very rare chuckle, though it was barely a motion and hardly audible. No sense in letting his emotions get too far.
Though he was disappointed that he didn’t get any reaction whatsoever from Vejide. He was hoping for something. Perhaps she was immune to quips as Sango was to her's.
Again, with silence, he listens to the wisdom of Sango. Giving her time to herself was necessary, and how she wanted to spend her free time was up to her. There wasn’t anything to be worried about here, and if there had been, AVI was certain in Dikeledi's abilities at the very least to have discovered it and alerted the crew to it. He nodded to Sango and folded his arms across his chest.
His concern was mainly due to his own current insecurities and uncertainties. How could he make good on his promise to do better if he couldn’t even keep track of her for more than a few minutes? It bothered him more than he figured it should, and he did his best to refrain from expressing it.
Following Vejide out AVI knelt down by the ramp and began working. He nodded to her as she offered assistance getting it reattached to the ship. While he was sure he could handle it on his own, the extra set of hands he was not blessed with having attached to his body would come in handy.
He looked up as she asked him, and he paused for a moment before going back to work.
Oh, yes. Well, Niko is very much himself. So, having him react as he did seemed to stem from a long night out. But years of practice offered him a reaction that was immediate. Based on this and my time with him on Coruscant, I believe this was not his first rodeo. I don’t think I need more data on him.
Sango too seemed to play his normal role, but his casual nature stems from more than experience. I will need further data on him. How rigid is he in his pacifism? Is he willing to have the final words in his story be "and then he died too" while he remains the one good individual who does nothing when he could?
AVI nodded.
He requires further data.
Your reactions require further data.
Dikeledi is an enigma, and I have insufficient data on her.
Fumnanya was unavailable and requires further data.
Overall I would determine the effectiveness of this crew to be above average based on current estimates, with room for improvement.
Satisfied with his work. He motioned for Vejide to come over.
Here, I will lift it in place, and you reattach it.
He lifted the ramp up and locked himself in place, allowing her to climb the ramp to attach it from a more comfortable position. He spoke plainly and calmly.
I feel that my own reactions require some effort and tweaking. I will take into consideration the data I have on this crew and work a sufficient pattern around that. Up until now, I have not had personal experience fighting, and even less experience fighting in a mobile frame. I require further data.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2018 21:59:12 GMT -8
Interested in hearing AVI's assessment of the other members of the crew, especially when she is pretty sure that his conclusions are free from the bias as is likely possible given his origins, Vejide has finished her welding and is fitting the last of the hull section plates that she has repaired in place by the time he has finished speaking. Taking a hydrospanner from her toolbelt, Vejide starts securing the plate as she grins and says, "Well, since most crews would fall somewhere in the average part of the curve, I guess it's comforting that your initial assessment is that we're above average. Holding up a finger when he motions for her to come and help with the boarding ramp, Vejide answers his question about Sango, He takes that whole do no harm thing pretty seriously from what I've seen. Chuckling as, the plate secured, she hitches up her toolbelt and scampers down to the boarding ramp and then to the top of it to start reattaching it, Vejide says, I mean, I guess there are probably situations that would maybe cause an ingrained sense of self preservation to kick in and override his ethical stance, but I can't see even that leading him to taking a life if it came down to his or his attacker's. Not wanting to taint AVI's analysis by sharing her observations and thoughts about Dikeledi, Fumnanya, or herself, Vejide addresses on Nkosana's response, explaining, As far as Nko goes, he was solo when undercover, so had to be on high alert all the time, which could explain why he's also more n' a little paranoid. Like many that have seen their fair share of combat, Nkosana speaks little of those times he was left with no choice but to use deadly force, and so Vejide can only share, He's said he had to use that shotgun of his a few times too, so I guess between his training and his experience, he's still got what it takes to handle things when they hit the fan."
Giving AVI a thumbs up once the boarding ramp is secured, Vejide takes a rag from her back pocket to wipe the grease from her hands, and then mops her sweaty brow after folding the rag so there is a clean section available, "What went down on Coruscant was the exception to the rule, so don't sweat the whole needing more data thing too much. Most of the time just having the appearance of being ready to handle anything that goes down is enough to keep things civil, aside from the posturing and verbal goading that comes with doing what we do. Returning the rag to her back pocket, Vejide says, I'll take it from here, the painting won't take long. Thanks for the help, AVI, she adds with a smile, and then nods her chin towards the cabin and lake as she suggests, Go on and find Dee if you're worried about her."
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Dees
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Post by Dees on Oct 10, 2018 22:31:28 GMT -8
Knowing that about Niko now...
He pauses as he lets go of the ramp and he looks around.
What happened on Coruscant makes a lot more sense now. I was ready to provide cover for him, but he took off on his own. So, he is a lone wolf type of operator.
AVI mutters under his breath.
Thankfully, not an overly confident or self-absorbed one.
He shook his head and looked back at Vejide.
No, I think Sango was right. I am going to let Dee have this time to herself. She needs a free moment or two. While having solid ground under her feet is not her preference, I know she tends to take it when she can get it. Now then, if you have the painting down, I will excuse myself. Thank you for allowing me to assist you.
With a nod of his head, he heads into the cabin. He nods at Sango and Niko as he heads to grab a refreshment out of the fridge, then strolls out quickly and quietly.
Heading for the beach, he searches for Dikeledi. His reasoning is twofold. Take care of his fellow crew and gather data.
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***Dee sat in darkness. The silence was permeating everything, leaving her with only the muffled sounds of her heartbeat in her ears to offer a link to reality.
She began to reach out and feel. She wasn’t sure how she was feeling, but little by little, the blades of grass began to present themselves in the darkness. She showed up as sparkling, golden blades ascending out of the pitch. The circle of golden light slowly expanded outward to be just out of arms reach.
What was this feeling? What this was it was like to feel the Force? This was unlike anything she felt at the Temple, but even there she never really felt like she had a true encounter. Most of it was drug induced or being at a-
She furrowed her brow as she tried to remember what he had called it.
Focal? Focus? Locus! It was a locus of energy that pulled her into it.
So, what was this?
Goosebumps raced down her body, and the circle of light stretched out a little farther. She smiled. It felt warm and comforting here. Goosebumps once again as she breathed in the fresh air.
In front of her, someone stepped. It was a light step, and it felt familiar. She looked up and saw a being of light before her. Form and figure reminiscent of one she loved.
Aponia dressed in light waving the unmoving air knelt down in front of Dee. Reaching out their hands, Dee felt the warmth that she had missed.
Time passed, and Dee looked up to see that no one was there before her. She sighed and smiled for a moment before returning to her meditations.***
This is how she would return home. And she was willing to go her entire lifetime to make it happen.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2018 18:12:19 GMT -8
The sound of the surf and the softness of the sand enable AVI to get relatively near to Dikeledi before she notes that she is no longer alone on the white sand beach surrounding the lake. When she catches the change in the movement in her peripheral vision his presence brings, Dikeledi moves her right hand from the tablet she reads her book on slowly and subtly towards her holstered blaster while she dips her head slightly and turns her neck enough to make out that it is AVI approaching. Her right hand returns to the tablet, tapping on a minimized window in the lower right corner so that the feeds from the four R-4 recon droids she has patrolling around the cabin replaces the book long enough for her to observe nothing to be concerned about on the sensor sweeps being conducted by the droids. Tapping the window to minimize the window once more, Dikeledi powers the tablet down and reaches behind her back to retie the strings of her bikini before standing and walking over to meet AVI as he continues towards where she had been laying on her stomach.
"Guessing you aren't out here to enjoy the sand and sun, Dikeledi greets AVI when they are near enough to hear one another without shouting. Assuming that AVI is looking for De'ath rather than for her, Dikeledi tilts her chin towards a path to the east leading into the woods that surround the beach, De'ath went that way a while ago. Not mentioning the shout that she had heard earlier since it had been frustration she had heard rather than alarm and she sees as little need to mention it to AVI as she had to investigate it herself, Dikeledi asks, Fum back yet?"
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Dees
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Post by Dees on Oct 11, 2018 18:35:34 GMT -8
AVI watched as she worked on the tablet. Book, security sensors, and the works apparently. Most of it he couldn’t make out, the details lost in the distance. But it was enough to clue him into the fact she was serious about her job.
He outstretched an arm that had been carrying the cold soda, offering it to her, momentarily looking back in the direction she motioned towards.
No, not yet. It seems He, De'ath and yourself are all getting much needed away time this morning. I just came down to see if you needed anything; brought something just in case.
He looked back down the beach and lingered, trying to catch a glimpse of anything.
Otherwise, I have no need for sand nor sun. I am just here so I am trying to be useful where I can be, and cause problems where I want to I suppose.
He looks back at Dikeledi and shrugs. Knowing she was not generally one for conversation. He had little data to be gathered on her at this moment. Her words were few and well put when she had to use them. A trait he admired but had no intention of replicating in general. He loved his usage of words and knew he could ramble for days about nothing. Which is why this one intrigued him so much. She kept her cards close to her, and her poker face was rock solid.
AVI turned to head back up to the cabin but stopped halfway in his departure.
If you need anything just shout at me.
He started to turn again, but paused, his motions premeditated.
Also, I know Dee hasn’t said anything to you personally, but know that she regrets her initial introduction on Dressel. She has voiced to me how bad she feels about how she handled herself. You may not hear it directly from her, just figured I’d pass that along.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2018 19:58:59 GMT -8
Dikeledi has a cooler full of bottled water beside the blanket she had been laying on, but she recognizes the offer of the drink as a gesture and accepts it with a nod accompanied by a grunt of thanks. Using the cold beverage at first to cool her neck and cheeks, Dikeledi nods once more after AVI has explained that Fum hasn't returned, that De'ath is having some alone time, and that he is looking for ways to be useful at the moment. "Supposed to be a vacation, she reminds AVI as she opens the soda and takes a drink, lifting the can and toasting him farewell with it by suggesting, Relax, no need to worry about useful."
Stopping after starting to head back to her towel when AVI speaks again, Dikledi says, "Roger, when he says she should let him know if she should ever need anything. Pausing before continuing on to her towel, Dikeledi smiles one of her rare smiles when her guess that AVI would speak again proves correct, amusingly reminded of her high school years, the stealthily passed notes and whispered 'I think she likes you's', by the way he tells her what De'ath apparently feels she cannot in person. Tell her we're good," Dikeledi tells AVI, allowing enough amusement to come through in her tone to, if nothing else, let him know that she is truthfully not harboring any lingering negative feelings about whatever De'ath is apparently concerned she might be.
As Dikeledi sets the soda down atop her cooler and jogs towards the lake to indulge in a swim, Fumnanya returns from the city on Dikeledi's Overracer swoop bike. Checking in on Vejide's progress, Fumnanya is happy to see that the Geheim Masjien has been tended to with the mechanic's usual meticulousness, and amused when she almost immediately sets out for the city on Dikeledi's swoop on a quest to find a swimsuit so that she can laze around on the beach. After taking the groceries and other supplies he had purchased while in the city, Fumnanya changes into his swimming trunks, grabs a towel, a glass, and a bucket of ice for the bottle of whiskey he purchased for himself, and then sets out for the beach.
In the living room of the cabin, Sango and Nkosana both doze after having partaken of the remains of their spice after cleaning up after the brunch.
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Dees
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Post by Dees on Oct 11, 2018 21:53:36 GMT -8
AVI stood in silence and watched as she headed into the water. Nothing. Not a single clue or a hair out of place. He waited only a moment more before heading back up to the cabin. As he passed Vejide, be mentioned in passing
I am going to go work on finances. If you want to inspect the frame, I will be in my cabin.
A little quieter, he quipped in frustration
Not a single clue
In the cabin, he stops in the middle of the room and freezes, leaving the frame to head into the net to begin working on the finances and figure out what investments would be most profitable.
=====
As the day went on, Dee remained motionless in the center of the clearing. She was mostly unaware of the passage of time. In her mind, she was exploring the surrounding planetary system as her vision continued to expand. To be able to do this without any other assistance was astonishing, or it would be had Dee been cognizant of the feat.
It wasn’t until she started hearing effervescent fizzing in her head. Opening her eyes, she was momentarily blinded by the light of the sun that was well beyond mid-day. She raised a hand to block the light source until her eyes adjusted.
Dee stood up and stretched, sore from kneeling for as long as she had been in the armor. The fizzing sound came back and alerted her to her need for nutrition. Rubbing her neck, she started her trek back to the cabin.
The walk was a little farther than she had expected. She didn’t remember going all that far before, but a further hour later she saw the ship over the hill. Dee quickened her pace.
On the patio, she didn’t see anyone around. She mused at the appearance of the ship, much improved since the scrap. Stepping inside the cabin, she laughed at the two asleep on the couch in their chemically induced forest clearing competitions. By her estimation, the loudness of them both had them in a close tie to chop the most wood. Dee slipped into the kitchen and made herself a sandwich with the leftovers from the night before, a task that would have been easier outside of her armor. Her hunger overcame her momentary handicap.
Grabbing the sandwich, a bag of crisps, a soda and a beer, she found an open space in a lounge chair and turned on the big screen holoviewer and turned it to the racing channel where she was able to catch the replays of the pod race from the night before. The sound was low but audible and Dee happily munched down on her meal, wiggling her armored boots as she put up the footrest.
She felt invigorated. Her morning walk was everything she needed to keep her spirits up.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2018 6:40:13 GMT -8
"Someone's awfully eager to have my hands on them, huh?" Vejide jokes when AVI says she can check his frame out later should she be so inclined, and then gives him a quizzical look when she hears him mutter something not having a clue, having no clue herself what it is that he has no clue about. Returning from the city with an orange, high waisted, one piece swimsuit, Vejide joins Fum and Dikeledi on the beach.
Sango, waking and showing little ill effects from his spice trip aside from an increased penchant for grandiloquence, greets Dee cheerfully and asks if she is feeling up to a quick check up that is quickly essentially mandatory as he proceeds with it, asking questions about everything from her unique armor and how she acquired it, why she has chosen to wear it today, and what she had been up to earlier.
Nkosana, still giggly and easily distracted from his ingestion of spice when he wakes after Sango (who had completed Dee's check up and concluded that, aside from some bruising, she appears to sustained no other injuries save for the possible psychological ones that he very gently tries to broach with her by way of saying that should she ever feel like talking about how the experience on Coruscant might have affected her, his proverbial door is always open to her) breaks into loud, surprisingly skilled opera singing while preparing dinner (Nyork chowder, baked Gumfish, and Umi-yumi for dessert) for the crew.
Fumnanya is well and truly drunk by the time Sango summons everyone for dinner, and is the last to join everyone that has come out onto the cabin's deck. Fortunately for the crew, Fumnanya's inebriation has only resulted in a lethargic, pensive mood rather than a surly and short fused one, and he eats without interacting much with anyone, the older members of his crew accustomed to how drinking to excess can affect his usual cheerful disposition and giving him the space they assume he needs without letting his mood dampen the overall convivial atmosphere on the deck.
Vejide, after the dessert has been served and everyone has moved on to after dinner drinks and conversation, heads for AVI's cabin and, after taking a few moments to examine his frame, more to see if it shows any signs of wear and tear or damage than to satisfy her own curiosity since she feels the former is practical while the latter would be intrusive, stands up and waves a hand in front of his face as she says, "Hey there, you, erm, awake? I came to ask if you might want to come out and join us chillin' out on the deck for a bit maybe?"
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Dees
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Post by Dees on Oct 25, 2018 20:31:49 GMT -8
The nightstand lit up as the holographic sphere lit up in the rainbow display AVI preferred. The orb turned to face Vejide, though the face of the sphere didn't appear to be any different once it had spun around. Plusing and bobbing, AVI replied from the holoprojector.
I am here, been busy working the markets and increasing my net worth. I might remain anti-social this evening. Currently, I have doubled the value in about 5 hours, though I lost a significant portion as I was learning the pathways. I am currently worth half of what I was paid this morning, but I think that with some precision and a little more effort, I can bring it back to its normal value in a few hours of trading.
He paused and continued to bob before continuing.
What do you think? Have you ever come across anything like it before? I know in our universe there was no such frame running around that I was aware of. However, I am not omniscient, so there is that to factor in.
He was curious to get her input. Her knowledge of mechanics was deep, so any input she had would help add to his own knowledge banks not only about himself but her thought process as well.
The frame remained cold and motionless in the center of the room.
=====
On the deck, Dee was enjoying the company of the crew as Niko and Sango wove wildly vivid and outlandish tales together. Most of it was Niko, but Sango was egging him on. Dee, figuring some of it was more fiction than fact, decided to just buy into the project and enjoy the ride.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2018 19:33:19 GMT -8
Vejide looks a bit perplexed when the glowing orb addresses her instead of AVI's frame, but adjusts to the odd situation quickly. Facing the orb, Vejide chuckles and says, "Good luck with the trading. I'm no expert, but from what I understand the markets have successfully eluded any and all attempts to find an algorithm that consistently enables anyone to predict them to an extent making it worthwhile to pursue the endeavor. Too many variables, and the unpredictable caprice of individual investors throwing frequent and unexpected curves into the mix I guess."
Sitting down and leaning back with her hands to support her after AVI asks if she has ever seen anything like his frame, Vejide frowns in thought as she studies the frame in silence for a moment. Shaking her head after she has contemplated the matter for a moment, Vejide says, "It's nothing like any of the public offerings the big robotics corporations have ever released. Could be a custom, off book project for a private contract I guess, or maybe even the work of a particularly talented individual or team unconnected to any large corporation. Best guess? Based on the design, it's almost certainly a scout or an assassin droid design. Something specialized, limited production run. Nothing about it suggests mass production, the complexity and durability would be too cost prohibitive for anything like disposable infantry units or the like. Tilting her head to the side, she asks, Was this the only frame you and Dee came across? Or were there any others?"
Dikeledi, perhaps predictably, is the first to call it a night. When a break in Sango and Nko's spirited and increasingly tall tale telling presents an opportunity, Dikeledi announces that she is going to get some sleep.
Fumnanya, drunk, morose and drowsy, follows Dikeledi's example not long after she has gone inside, nearly toppling over more than once as he unsteadily weaves his way inside and to his room. Collapsing on his bed without undressing or bothering with getting under the covers, Fumnanya sinks into an inky black sleep that is mercifully free of any dreams or nightmares that linger long in his memory when he wakes the following morning.
Their spice supply exhausted, Nko and Sango bid Dee a good evening when it seems that the party has reached its end, heading into the city to replenish their spice supply and seek out another party so that their persistently festive mood is not squandered. When the sun returns, neither Nko nor Sango have yet returned along with it.
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Dees
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Post by Dees on Oct 29, 2018 12:39:43 GMT -8
Vejide looks a bit perplexed when the glowing orb addresses her instead of AVI's frame, but adjusts to the odd situation quickly. Facing the orb, Vejide chuckles and says, "Good luck with the trading. I'm no expert, but from what I understand the markets have successfully eluded any and all attempts to find an algorithm that consistently enables anyone to predict them to an extent making it worthwhile to pursue the endeavor. Too many variables, and the unpredictable caprice of individual investors throwing frequent and unexpected curves into the mix I guess." While that may be the case, I can park myself right on the trading floors of four different worlds and make adjustments the very instant they are needed. Surprisingly enough, most of the bulk of trades are done with computers and dumb AI. I think you would be surprised how many other AI I run into, and it gives me something of which I can base my own trading scripts. They have dense firewalls, but not impregnable. I just happen to be a bit more clever than the programmed systems doing the security and trades. Either way, it’s a fun side gig at the moment.AVI watches her as she looks the frame over and reads her as best as he can as she speaks. He takes a few moments to respond as he peers back into his own memory banks. "It's nothing like any of the public offerings the big robotics corporations have ever released. Could be a custom, off book project for a private contract I guess, or maybe even the work of a particularly talented individual or team unconnected to any large corporation. Best guess? Based on the design, it's almost certainly a scout or an assassin droid design. Something specialized, limited production run. Nothing about it suggests mass production, the complexity and durability would be too cost prohibitive for anything like disposable infantry units or the like. Tilting her head to the side, she asks, Was this the only frame you and Dee came across? Or were there any others?" That is all possible. We found it in an abandoned bunker that the Empire was in the process of excavating. It was older than the Empire though. The technology to get down into the cavern systems was very old. I can’t put a date on it, but it was not time relevant to the past thousand years of republic technology at all. So, it is possible it was a private organization or a smaller group that put it on. As far as the purpose, I would agree that the design fits those properties. There are blades hidden in the forearms that shoot out through the wrist and back out the elbow. The tactical prowess is not like anything I have come across. The modularity of the armor also suggests an upgrade path or a chance to add variation in the functions as well, though I did not come across much of that in the bunker. The armor I have was printed at the Jedi Temple we were at.But there are others. The room this frame was in had seven others, though six were less functional as the Empire had disassembled parts to do their own inspections. That I have seen, there is one more ready to be activated. However, there were other rooms similar to the one I was in that suggested to greater availability. Regardless, there are parts for replacement if needed, and there are potentially additional frames if this one is destroyed. As long as I am still functional in some way is all that matters to me.He finally paused, realizing he was droning on a little too much and perhaps divulging too many details that were unnecessary or uninteresting. However, it provided him a decent enough segue to gather data. The orb of light pulsed an array of brighter colors and his tone was chipper. What of yourself? Are you the only version that was released or are there sub-variants similar to yourself?
He realized his overly wordy question sounded more dumb than clever Do you have siblings or family?
===== Dee took the lull in the activities to go finish up a few chores. Laundry was a simple one, though fighting with the stillsuits to get them prepped for wash was annoying. With the house quiet, she jumped into a free shower and relaxed for a while under the hot water. She was leaning against the wall as the water rushed over her, struggling to catch her breath. She tired yawning and sighing, but nothing could shake it. While the fun evening was enough to keep her mind occupied and her anxiety diminished, the little bit of alcohol she had was enough to bring back the feelings once the activates had ended. Her mind was foggy and racing, and she couldn’t bring herself to focus on any one thing for more than a few moments before she was inexorably pulled away mentally to other things. The water started to get cold and she realized she had lost track of time. Hurriedly, she gave her hair a second wash and scrubbed off quickly before the water turned to ice. Fresh fuzzy pants and an oversized shirt was all she needed to get some sleep for the night. She hung her stillsuits to air dry and put in another load of various goods and plopped in the chair in the living room to watch some holonet vids while she waited. Dee clicked the first video that interested her and leaned back. Sleep overtook her before the ads finished playing.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2018 18:41:46 GMT -8
Vejide sounds amused, though she is as yet clearly still more than a little skeptical as she jokes, "Well, if that side gig proves profitable, maybe we should consider adding financial advisor to your responsibilities. Stretching her legs out in front of her and crossing them at the ankles while listening to AVI explain a bit more about what else had been found along with his frame on Endor, Vejide nods when he has finished speaking, Things going down like they did on Coruscant is pretty rare, so you probably won't need to make any return trips to Endor for spare parts any time soon. And, she shrugs her shoulders, unless you're married to that particular frame, you could always set up shop in a mass market frame if needed. Be easier to lay hands on what you need for routine upkeep and more extensive repairs if needed."
Removing her spectacles and cleaning the lenses on the hem of her shirt after asked about her family, Vejide answers without any discernible hesitation despite the obvious mild discomfort the subject seems to incite, "I'm one of three variants produced. Got an older brother and a younger sister. I'm the lone buggy one, kinda went off script though, she says with a chuckle, didn't stay on the square like our makers and the other variants all have. Putting her glasses back on, having obviously elected to find the humor in the situation, Vejide explains, Ready for this? My Da sells airspeeders, and Ma is a happy homemaker. My brother is a pharmaceutical sales rep, and lil' sis designs maternity fashions for a little independent company, of all things. Sitting up so that she can hold her arms out at her sides with a grin, Vejide concludes, Short version of the story, I fell in with the wrong crowd and then fell off the straight and narrow. To change the subject, she takes AVI's asking a personal question as a sign that he isn't averse to answering any she might ask and so asks, Joining a smuggling crew, that your idea or Dee's? Any particular reason you two didn't look at more square options, or did none of them pan out and smuggling was just a fall back option?"
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Dees
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Post by Dees on Nov 2, 2018 10:49:24 GMT -8
AVI noted the considerations of utilizing other chassis for mobility and scheduled a task to begin looking for possible alternatives should such a need case arise in the future. He wasn’t exactly ready to vocalize it, but he was married to his current frame, though it was more of a passion for its functionality and form more than anything. Perhaps a chassis with greater computational ability would be beneficial, but the versatility and mobility were freeing.
The multicolored sphere waxed and waned in size and brightness intensity as Vejide talked about her siblings. He was glad she was neither bothered too much by the probing inquiry, nor was she annoyed by how he jokingly phrased it. Though her self-reflection of situations was enlightening, it was sobering. Something to follow up on at a later date perhaps.
He then considers her question as to his and Dees' current status for only a few moments.
Being from another universe, we lack the proper paperwork to hold a more solid role at any company. This universe's equivalent shipping company we worked for is defunct due to the First Order, and her people have left the galaxy. We only had an alias we could use, ergo our current bank accounts, and we possibly could use existing ID's, but even those would be sketchy for larger organizations.
In our Universe, the Galactic Empire still retains complete control, though fewer planets being exploded and what not. Dee and her spouse have a home on Alderaan, in a beach home on a like not unlike the one we are at now. It is a shame that planet was destroyed in this universe, but I digress. The option to work for the Eff Oh was limited before we found out they were the reason for the departure of the Company from the galaxy and was solidified when they attempted to kill us.
The resistance forces in this galaxy are currently limited to the sheer strength the Eff Oh flexes. The Jedi are limited, with several key Masters being killed on Felucia recently from what I understand, so their power is weakened as well.
So, with limited documentation, the current political struggles, and danger of the First Order, picking a smaller operation just made more sense until we can find a way back home. Plus, Dee needs space or she goes planet crazy. If we can make money quickly, we can sit and relax a bit.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2018 18:59:46 GMT -8
AVI's detailed reply to the question about why he and Dee chose smuggling as their way to make credits makes sense, and gives Vejide plenty of additional information to chew on in the bargain. That Dee is married is something of a surprise, and Vejide briefly wonders whether her spouse's counterpart in this universe is out there somewhere, and if Dee has thought about finding out the answer to that particular question, but thinking about all of the ways that could be a bad idea makes her head hurt enough that she doesn't bother asking AVI about it in the end.
After mulling over all that AVI has said for a moment, Vejide laughs a bit at the oddity of it all and says, "Wow. That's. . . a lot to take in. Pursuing the thread that, in her mind, seems to be one of the more important ones, she asks, So, finding a way back home? Do you really think . . . trailing off when, as AVI and Dee have already crossed over from one universe to another, it would seem that it is at least possible that they can actually find a way back despite the fact that doing so would mean intentionally doing something that, so far as she knows, has only ever been achieved accidentally, Vejide alters her question to, How would you go about doing that? What all would you need?" AVI's interest in accumulating credits makes a bit more sense to Vejide now, as she imagines that he and Dee will need to fund their research and procure whatever they will need in the way of equipment if they are to ever get back to their home universe.
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