The Intrepid: Episode 1 (Pilot) The Walls Have Eyes!

[Firuthi Dragovic]

The uniforms were quite loose, but that might have been intentional by design. Or maybe they just hadn't gotten the correct measurements for Heep... the ascendancy had a bad habit of standardization, always ordering equipment slightly bigger than its coalition partners might have needed.

"Oh yea... that makes sense," the feline nodded as he followed Dorian to his bunk down the hall from Heep. "Well, least we won't have to worry about explosions and stuff!"

As he chuckled at the thought of such horrible danger, the feline's EVA began to ding, causing him to jump, tail poofing as a result.

"Yes sir! Err- I mean- sergeant!" the cat pulled the device to his ear, fumbling with it even though it were attached to his arm... "Y- yes sergeant! No sergeant- wh- emergency!?"

There was a short pause and the feline cleared his throat, forcing himself to regain his composure. "I mean- understood. Sorry, I didn't mean to sound panick- no! I mean, I'm sorry, not you're sorry- I mean- yes, they're back I'm not alone. I'll tell them!"

Dorian, now at his bunk, made it a point to switch into his new uniform and gear immediately.

The looseness didn't bother Dorian nearly as much. Perhaps his people were used to looser clothing.

By the time he got his boots, tools, and everything secured, it's likely the feline would have gotten through that call. Dorian kind of expected he'd be dragged into something on short notice.

 

[Silverthunder]

Very comfortable, and protective. While it might not be a perfect fit, it is much higher quality. Heep's instructor was definitely correct when he said that the tech level he's experience on this assignment was higher than that of the Confederacy. And, anyways, it's not like his previous jumpsuit was a better fit, as that was just a standard mass-produced size.
He preps the rest of his gear, then sits down on his bed, looking around at his bunkroom. Nice, simple. A little lonely, though, as he's used to communal bunkrooms, but on a ship mostly populated with unfamiliar species, it's better this way. Hmm, maybe he could requisition some plants to put in here, if he doesn't end up being too busy to take care of them.

Dorian, now at his bunk, made it a point to switch into his new uniform and gear immediately.

The looseness didn't bother Dorian nearly as much. Perhaps his people were used to looser clothing.

By the time he got his boots, tools, and everything secured, it's likely the feline would have gotten through that call. Dorian kind of expected he'd be dragged into something on short notice.

The feline gulped, clearly not prepared for whatever the section lead had told him to do. He poked his head into Dorian's bunk room with a nervous grin.

"Hey... can you like, help me with something real quick? I-"

Down the hall, someone burst in through the main entrance into the lobby with quite the commotion loud enough for Heep and Dorian to hear, albiet not as well where Heep's bunk was located. From where Dorian's bunk was, he could see down the hall into part of the entrance. Two folks with grey markings rushed through on either side of a maglift flatbed, carrying a hefty looking droid laying on top with its tail spilled onto the floor and dragging across it.

"Help!" one of the grey suits shouted in panic. "Is anyone here!? We need help!"

 

[Silverthunder]

Trix: where do you need me? and would you per chance happen to have a gun?

"Fine right where you are ma'am!" the sergeant replied happily, adjusting and tightening his gloves as the squirrel cautiously took the lead down the dark sinister access corridor.

"I hope you're not put off by the Major by the way..." Fizzle added quietly, possibly so the warden didn't hear. "We just have a... particular leadership style where we come from. I've already been told twice I'd be removed from the ship if I didn't get my anger under control. Perhaps a joint international civilian research vessel isn't the best place for a former drill sergeant."

 

[Universe]

*I picked up my new uniform*

 

[Silverthunder]

“Fine you better not back stab me” *I said just walking out of the room*

One of the fear team members was waiting outside the command center for Universe, an equally imposing saurid like creature with a main running down her back about as big as Universe himself. Standing like a statue, and rippling with muscle, she didn't seem like the kind of fellow to mess around with under most circumstances.

She followed and escorted Universe back to his quarters, remaining outside as if to watch him.

Universe's uniforms were folded neatly on his bed. Boots, gloves, and multiple pairs of jacket and pants. All with the same black and white colors as the rest of the security team, in addition to a rank insignia over the breast pocket.

 

[Universe]

One of the fear team members was waiting outside the command center for Universe, an equally imposing saurid like creature with a main running down her back about as big as Universe himself. Standing like a statue, and rippling with muscle, she didn't seem like the kind of fellow to mess around with under most circumstances.

She followed and escorted Universe back to his quarters, remaining outside as if to watch him.

Universe's uniforms were folded neatly on his bed. Boots, gloves, and multiple pairs of jacket and pants. All with the same black and white colors as the rest of the security team, in addition to a rank insignia over the breast pocket.

*I wondered if the uniform has nanos*

 

[Universe]

*I finally retracted my helmet to reveal a dragon head that had really intimidating multicolored eyes turquoise scalra gold irises and silver slit pupils*

 

[Mambi]

Marius's impressive display of martial defense impressed and surprised even the drones! Though, hitting them with the grate revealed them to be quite a bit denser and sturdier than they first looked. And yet, even though he was unable to so much as dent or scratch them with his blows, the impact was able to disable some of them, at least temporarily.

Mambi's impressive acrobatic display was enough to send the container hurdling across the small room, smacking through at least a dozen of the drones.

Suddenly, the assault paused, and the drones spread away from where the container landed, backing up from Mambi and Marius and ceasing the attack. They went eerily silent... turning to stare at the container as it rolled across the floor...

<the cat looks at the duck concerned> Uh-oh...hey, they stopped! Ummm...

<taking everything in like a flash, the cat's mind races as he sees their odd reaction> W-wait a second, hold on, why are they avoiding a "biohazard" container's contents...they're robots! Something's wrong here...

The uncomfortable silence was broken by a light, constant hissing. The biohazard container began spraying a small stream of whatever chemical sloshed within onto the floor! Perhaps reverse drop kicking a safety container with potentially deadly materials inside wasn't a productive plan of action.

A green fleshy tentacle erupted from the metal floor where the container was spraying, snaking towards Mambi and Marius! The tendrils split and divided like an infestation with rapid and unnatural speed, snaking across the floor and up the walls.

The drones panicked and jumped to avoid the rapidly spreading growth. Then... it stopped just as quickly... stopping just as it was about to touch Mambi and Marius. The tendrils began to bubble and bulge like they were about to explode!

<the cat freezes as he watches the contents spread...but also notices the bots scampering away from the tendrils again...the "biohazardous" material? Again, why? He sees the buldging and realizes that this time, his curiousity just might kill the cat, for it's too late to run now! He braces for whatever will emerge from the odd material>

And it did... vibrant grasses, mushroom stalks, and small young sprigs burst forth from the vines and roots, spreading much slower across the floor. It seemed to grow and spread around the two of them, completely avoiding their biological forms. The drones were still panicking, running from the growth as it engulfed at least a dozen of the drones that weren't fast enough to escape... they, were not spared.

<the cat thinks hard...those worlds he was shown...they were barren and inhospitable! These drones were damaged by the material but he and the duck were not? This material avoided damaging organics bit instead spread the seeds of life for...OMG! He quickly calls out to the duck>

@Marius Merganser ,get close, I think I get it now!! They suck at explaining their point but I think they're terraforming dead planets to life! Wait, wait, wait...<he waves his paws at the screen as he tries to get the AI's attention> Hey, you...ARE YOU TERRAFORMING PLANET? Ummm, here...just read this...

<he quickly extends a claw and droping to the ground, thinks hard and scratches out the binary code, to try and communicate again> "01010001 01110101 01100101 01110010 01111001 00111010 00100000 01010100 01100101 01110010 01110010 01100001 01100110 01101111 01110010 01101101 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110000 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100101 01110100 00111111"

<he points to the code and rises shakily> Why delivery needed? State mission please? Ugh...<his heart pounds as he watches the robots scuttle about, avoiding the mass that now impedes their movement. He stands close to the duck and whispers> T-think I'm right? Why isn't it responding? I got a plan B if not...maybe...

 

[Marius Merganser]

<the cat looks at the duck concerned> Uh-oh...hey, they stopped! Ummm...

<taking everything in like a flash, the cat's mind races as he sees their odd reaction> W-wait a second, hold on, why are they avoiding a "biohazard" container's contents...they're robots! Something's wrong here...


<the cat freezes as he watches the contents spread...but also notices the bots scampering away from the tendrils again...the "biohazardous" material? Again, why? He sees the buldging and realizes that this time, his curiousity just might kill the cat, for it's too late to run now! He braces for whatever will emerge from the odd material>



<the cat thinks hard...those worlds he was shown...they were barren and inhospitable! These drones were damaged by the material but he and the duck were not? This material avoided damaging organics bit instead spread the seeds of life for...OMG! He quickly calls out to the duck>

@Marius Merganser ,get close, I think I get it now!! They suck at explaining their point but I think they're terraforming dead planets to life! Wait, wait, wait...<he waves his paws at the screen as he tries to get the AI's attention> Hey, you...ARE YOU TERRAFORMING PLANET? Ummm, here...just read this...

<he quickly extends a claw and droping to the ground, thinks hard and scratches out the binary code, to try and communicate again> "01010001 01110101 01100101 01110010 01111001 00111010 00100000 01010100 01100101 01110010 01110010 01100001 01100110 01101111 01110010 01101101 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110000 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100101 01110100 00111111"

<he points to the code and rises shakily> Why delivery needed? State mission please? Ugh...<his heart pounds as he watches the robots scuttle about, avoiding the mass that now impedes their movement. He stands close to the duck and whispers> T-think I'm right? Why isn't it responding? I got a plan B if not...maybe...

"Sure seems like they want to terraform it." He whispered, almost touching one of the plants and then deciding against it. Who knew how it might spoil his day even more? "But there are laws against introducing an invasive species even to a dead world. Yeah, you have to jump through a million hoops and it takes years, but you can go through the channels and get the proper authorization. What are they saying now?"

 

[TrixieFox]

"Fine right where you are ma'am!" the sergeant replied happily, adjusting and tightening his gloves as the squirrel cautiously took the lead down the dark sinister access corridor.

"I hope you're not put off by the Major by the way..." Fizzle added quietly, possibly so the warden didn't hear. "We just have a... particular leadership style where we come from. I've already been told twice I'd be removed from the ship if I didn't get my anger under control. Perhaps a joint international civilian research vessel isn't the best place for a former drill sergeant."

Trix: "ya don't say!" *giggles* "Im a former Spec-Ops Sniper so im used to angry brass but not that quick-tempered"

 

[The_Happiest_Husky]

The feline gulped, clearly not prepared for whatever the section lead had told him to do. He poked his head into Dorian's bunk room with a nervous grin.

"Hey... can you like, help me with something real quick? I-"

Down the hall, someone burst in through the main entrance into the lobby with quite the commotion loud enough for Heep and Dorian to hear, albiet not as well where Heep's bunk was located. From where Dorian's bunk was, he could see down the hall into part of the entrance. Two folks with grey markings rushed through on either side of a maglift flatbed, carrying a hefty looking droid laying on top with its tail spilled onto the floor and dragging across it.

"Help!" one of the grey suits shouted in panic. "Is anyone here!? We need help!"

Heep's ears perk up, and he hops to his feet. He grabs his toolbags, jogging out of his room and down the hall, he heads towards the newcomers. He gives a wave of his hand to get their attention.
Hm, some kind of robot. He's not sure this is something he can help with, but let's see. He glances back to see if anyone else is coming.

 

[Firuthi Dragovic]

The feline gulped, clearly not prepared for whatever the section lead had told him to do. He poked his head into Dorian's bunk room with a nervous grin.

"Hey... can you like, help me with something real quick? I-"

Down the hall, someone burst in through the main entrance into the lobby with quite the commotion loud enough for Heep and Dorian to hear, albiet not as well where Heep's bunk was located. From where Dorian's bunk was, he could see down the hall into part of the entrance. Two folks with grey markings rushed through on either side of a maglift flatbed, carrying a hefty looking droid laying on top with its tail spilled onto the floor and dragging across it.

"Help!" one of the grey suits shouted in panic. "Is anyone here!? We need help!"

Heep's ears perk up, and he hops to his feet. He grabs his toolbags, jogging out of his room and down the hall, he heads towards the newcomers. He gives a wave of his hand to get their attention.
Hm, some kind of robot. He's not sure this is something he can help with, but let's see. He glances back to see if anyone else is coming.

"Can do, I was just finished suiting up."

Dorian grabbed his tools and headed out of the room.

He... was not expecting this. A droid on a flatbed with its tail dragging across the floor, and two folks in grey treating it like a person. It was almost like he was just asked to do surgery.

......eh, why not.

Dorian started to approach.

"On my way. What's the status of the patient? Were they discovered in this state or did you get to see anything that caused them to shut down?"

 

[Silverthunder]

<the cat looks at the duck concerned> Uh-oh...hey, they stopped! Ummm...

<taking everything in like a flash, the cat's mind races as he sees their odd reaction> W-wait a second, hold on, why are they avoiding a "biohazard" container's contents...they're robots! Something's wrong here...


<the cat freezes as he watches the contents spread...but also notices the bots scampering away from the tendrils again...the "biohazardous" material? Again, why? He sees the buldging and realizes that this time, his curiousity just might kill the cat, for it's too late to run now! He braces for whatever will emerge from the odd material>



<the cat thinks hard...those worlds he was shown...they were barren and inhospitable! These drones were damaged by the material but he and the duck were not? This material avoided damaging organics bit instead spread the seeds of life for...OMG! He quickly calls out to the duck>

@Marius Merganser ,get close, I think I get it now!! They suck at explaining their point but I think they're terraforming dead planets to life! Wait, wait, wait...<he waves his paws at the screen as he tries to get the AI's attention> Hey, you...ARE YOU TERRAFORMING PLANET? Ummm, here...just read this...

<he quickly extends a claw and droping to the ground, thinks hard and scratches out the binary code, to try and communicate again> "01010001 01110101 01100101 01110010 01111001 00111010 00100000 01010100 01100101 01110010 01110010 01100001 01100110 01101111 01110010 01101101 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110000 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100101 01110100 00111111"

<he points to the code and rises shakily> Why delivery needed? State mission please? Ugh...<his heart pounds as he watches the robots scuttle about, avoiding the mass that now impedes their movement. He stands close to the duck and whispers> T-think I'm right? Why isn't it responding? I got a plan B if not...maybe...

"Sure seems like they want to terraform it." He whispered, almost touching one of the plants and then deciding against it. Who knew how it might spoil his day even more? "But there are laws against introducing an invasive species even to a dead world. Yeah, you have to jump through a million hoops and it takes years, but you can go through the channels and get the proper authorization. What are they saying now?"

There was a silent, collective mechanical gasp as the all the drones remaining in the room immediately froze and pointed their glowing red eyes at Marius and Mambi. Fortunately, the crack in the container had been occluded by the growth, causing the spread to cease and allowing the mechanoids to navigate safely once again, some half covered in moss and fungus.

The screen in front of the two captives began to flash and clear, as words and mostly coherent statements began springing up!

//Mission Statement: Uh, just uh... I don't know, help with construction and repair the bigger droids when needed, I guess? Oh, and don't die. Is that how I'm supposed to program you? I've never done this verbally.//

//Objective Updated: Construction and repair complete//

//New Objective: Don't die//
-MK-113 Terror Drone = Non-Organic
-Non-Organic = Non Living
-Non Living = Non Death
-Must Be Organic to 'Don't Die'.

//Objective Updated: Become Organic. Secondary Objective 14 of 1,345,267 Pending. Terraform world for study and biological material//

 

[Universe]

“I had no idea about my war wound”

 

[Silverthunder]

Heep's ears perk up, and he hops to his feet. He grabs his toolbags, jogging out of his room and down the hall, he heads towards the newcomers. He gives a wave of his hand to get their attention.
Hm, some kind of robot. He's not sure this is something he can help with, but let's see. He glances back to see if anyone else is coming.

"Can do, I was just finished suiting up."

Dorian grabbed his tools and headed out of the room.

He... was not expecting this. A droid on a flatbed with its tail dragging across the floor, and two folks in grey treating it like a person. It was almost like he was just asked to do surgery.

......eh, why not.

Dorian started to approach.

"On my way. What's the status of the patient? Were they discovered in this state or did you get to see anything that caused them to shut down?"

Heep, with his speed and professionalism was already in the lobby as Dorian and the feline arrived. The two logistics persons seemed terrified, as the 'droid' on the flatbed was no simple droid, it was a synth!

Unlike the one they had seen upon arrival, which could have easily been misidentified as a normal alien creature with its purely biological design, this one was anything but. It was purely mechanical, or rather, manufactured and assembled. It had a frame resembling a wingless dragon, and had expanded 'musculature' indicating it was upgraded or modified for heavy duty work. The faceplate was a single black led visor with an exclamation warning flashing in the middle.

It was painted white with orange engineer markings, but there were scratches all across the thick exterior plating, and a few rips and tears in the soft rubber like fabric between joints and under the arms. It laid sideways on the mover, revealing scorch markings and damaged panels at the shoulder blades.

In the synth's tightly clenched hydraulic jaws was one of the drones from before... missing half its mass after having been torn in half by the artificial creature.

"Oh thank the gods!" one of the logistics crew said to Heep, grabbing the wolf's arm, before looking to Dorian as he arrived. "He was helping us fix some issues with uh- uh- that thing-"

"The rail lift mechanism!" the other blurted out, "some programming problems so he went in to fix the code or something, and when we went to check on him we found him like this outside the transfer cabinet!"

The synth's jaws opened, releasing the torn drone.

"C- center point station offers many ne- new amenities..." the synth stated, the voice synthesizer sounding scratchy and muffled like a radio, "... such as toilets... and... plants!"

The feline scratched his head. "Oh... it's... just a robot? Why are you guys so panicked?"

 

[Silverthunder]

Trix: "ya don't say!" *giggles* "Im a former Spec-Ops Sniper so im used to angry brass but not that quick-tempered"

"Ba ha!" Fizzle laughed, "I've been to dozens of different basic training programs to evaluate, learn, and advise. You know, exotic warfare specialist and all that. What you experienced is what one would call an abbreviated shark attack. Protocol wise, I would have joined in on the fun, but you're hire ranking than I. That would be somewhat inappropriate..."

"It's a challenge to find the proper balance between asserting authority through confrontation, and kindness. But sometimes, one is more effective than the other. I mean, chances are, no one who saw that scene would challenge the major anytime soon right?" He smirked. "Curious question, have you ever been in command of your own team ma'am?"

 

[TrixieFox]

"Ba ha!" Fizzle laughed, "I've been to dozens of different basic training programs to evaluate, learn, and advise. You know, exotic warfare specialist and all that. What you experienced is what one would call an abbreviated shark attack. Protocol wise, I would have joined in on the fun, but you're hire ranking than I. That would be somewhat inappropriate..."

"It's a challenge to find the proper balance between asserting authority through confrontation, and kindness. But sometimes, one is more effective than the other. I mean, chances are, no one who saw that scene would challenge the major anytime soon right?" He smirked. "Curious question, have you ever been in command of your own team ma'am?"

Trix: *slightly sobs quietly* More than once... I've lost 85 soldiers and I remember each of their faces, birthdays, names, families, and how they died... including my sister

 

[Silverthunder]

*I wondered if the uniform has nanos*

The uniforms weren't entirely nanite in nature, but had a coating on the inside it seemed. It was somewhat limiting in scope, but no less useful in dangerous situations. It wasn't going to stop armies, but it certainly protected the wearer.

Outside the room, the FEAR trooper remained at the door, prepared to escort Universe to the infirmary if he decided to leave the room.

 

[Universe]

The uniforms weren't entirely nanite in nature, but had a coating on the inside it seemed. It was somewhat limiting in scope, but no less useful in dangerous situations. It wasn't going to stop armies, but it certainly protected the wearer.

Outside the room, the FEAR trooper remained at the door, prepared to escort Universe to the infirmary if he decided to leave the room.

*I sighed and put it on*

 

[The_Happiest_Husky]

Heep, with his speed and professionalism was already in the lobby as Dorian and the feline arrived. The two logistics persons seemed terrified, as the 'droid' on the flatbed was no simple droid, it was a synth!

Unlike the one they had seen upon arrival, which could have easily been misidentified as a normal alien creature with its purely biological design, this one was anything but. It was purely mechanical, or rather, manufactured and assembled. It had a frame resembling a wingless dragon, and had expanded 'musculature' indicating it was upgraded or modified for heavy duty work. The faceplate was a single black led visor with an exclamation warning flashing in the middle.

It was painted white with orange engineer markings, but there were scratches all across the thick exterior plating, and a few rips and tears in the soft rubber like fabric between joints and under the arms. It laid sideways on the mover, revealing scorch markings and damaged panels at the shoulder blades.

In the synth's tightly clenched hydraulic jaws was one of the drones from before... missing half its mass after having been torn in half by the artificial creature.

"Oh thank the gods!" one of the logistics crew said to Heep, grabbing the wolf's arm, before looking to Dorian as he arrived. "He was helping us fix some issues with uh"""- uh- that thing-"

"The rail lift mechanism!" the other blurted out, "some programming problems so he went in to fix the code or something, and when we went to check on him we found him like this outside the transfer cabinet!"

The synth's jaws opened, releasing the torn drone.

"C- center point station offers many ne- new amenities..." the synth stated, the voice synthesizer sounding scratchy and muffled like a radio, "... such as toilets... and... plants!"

The feline scratched his head. "Oh... it's... just a robot? Why are you guys so panicked?"

"I can take a look, but I'm not sure what I can do. This isn't my specialty."
Heep looks to Dorian.
"How about you?"

 

[Firuthi Dragovic]

Heep, with his speed and professionalism was already in the lobby as Dorian and the feline arrived. The two logistics persons seemed terrified, as the 'droid' on the flatbed was no simple droid, it was a synth!

Unlike the one they had seen upon arrival, which could have easily been misidentified as a normal alien creature with its purely biological design, this one was anything but. It was purely mechanical, or rather, manufactured and assembled. It had a frame resembling a wingless dragon, and had expanded 'musculature' indicating it was upgraded or modified for heavy duty work. The faceplate was a single black led visor with an exclamation warning flashing in the middle.

It was painted white with orange engineer markings, but there were scratches all across the thick exterior plating, and a few rips and tears in the soft rubber like fabric between joints and under the arms. It laid sideways on the mover, revealing scorch markings and damaged panels at the shoulder blades.

In the synth's tightly clenched hydraulic jaws was one of the drones from before... missing half its mass after having been torn in half by the artificial creature.

"Oh thank the gods!" one of the logistics crew said to Heep, grabbing the wolf's arm, before looking to Dorian as he arrived. "He was helping us fix some issues with uh- uh- that thing-"

"The rail lift mechanism!" the other blurted out, "some programming problems so he went in to fix the code or something, and when we went to check on him we found him like this outside the transfer cabinet!"

The synth's jaws opened, releasing the torn drone.

"C- center point station offers many ne- new amenities..." the synth stated, the voice synthesizer sounding scratchy and muffled like a radio, "... such as toilets... and... plants!"

The feline scratched his head. "Oh... it's... just a robot? Why are you guys so panicked?"

"I can take a look, but I'm not sure what I can do. This isn't my specialty."
Heep looks to Dorian.
"How about you?"

"Hmmm... not a specialty of mine, but I do have some guesses what we're dealing with here... the exterior damage is mostly consistent with what the drone that was in his mouth is capable of doing. It's the potential internal damage that concerns me."

Dorian thought for a moment.

"Coherent one minute... programming problems... went to fix the code and from then he acts like he's been mentally pruned..."

Dorian had both of his right hands to the bottom of his beak.

"On my old jobs we're regularly lectured about not downloading unauthorized software. It tends to contain programs that ruin our devices. Back home, we call those programs 'ticks' because they're a common vector for maladies. However, on one job, someone who'd gone through a full tour of duty gave me a different name for the device-ruining maladies that's apparently more common in the known galaxy. Let me think, what was the acronym for it?"

Dorian hesitated.

"Ah, right. Variable-Interrupt Routine-Usurping Software. It's possible he could have interfaced with one of those. The only question is... if that's really the case, how would one of those have gotten into the rail lift mechanism? Or did the drone deliver it?"

He had two other engineers in the room, he hoped at least one of them understood the acronym talk.

"Got anything to interface with this guy's programming?"