Survey Says!? Arrival in Vashtalia

[Solem'cleavu]

It would be a rather nice sunny late morning with the sea breeze blowing just right when the group had materialized from the 'port on the teleportation pad just outside one of the many Vashtalian guard outposts. This particular outpost being one of the larger ones as well as being situated on the outskirts of the Port City of Pharanel.

The various guardsmen on duty immediately standing at attention giving a salute once they had recognized the two Dragoon-class soldiers Limara and Kaisanu. After returning their salutes Limara had turned to the extra person that decided to accompany them. "Well Miss Nine, you decided to come along as well I see. Was wondering when you were going to work up the nerve to do so since I couldn't help but notice you watching us from around a corner."

[Cptdragon9]

Nine looked a little squirrely, even maneuvering a bit to have the Colonel between her and their Vashtalian guide. The Colonel didn’t dare chuckle though; not that he didn’t find the whole thing almost comical, but that he was sure that Nine’s pride wouldn’t take it. “Nine is doing what she was bred and conditioned to do, evaluate the situation. I promise she’d do no action though, will you?”

His gaze had rolled over to the petite mutant whom merely nodded as she shoved her hands into the pockets of the jumpsuit. While the rest of the party was in uniform (for the most part), she’d opted for her work clothes, allowing for freer movement and less likely to snag on stuff, should she have to go into action. But the Colonel was right, this was a recon mission, in more than one way. She could gauge the strength of their new friends and possibly see if there were any details they might have left out of their introduction. She’d get a better glimpse of how their internal structure operated, and possible a look at their defenses.

Might even see a dragon or two. Those she was greatly impressed with. It would take a pretty good crack with her talent to knock one down outta the sky, but once it was on the ground, she wasn’t sure she could hold on to a standstill. At least not now, not without a generator to pull from like the one that had been on the Clandestine, and she didn’t try other sources. Less reliable. More fluctuations. Much more dangerous.

For now she trailed just off the Colonel’s left flank where she was suppose to be. She knew that he’d stuck his neck out ofr her on more than one occasion, so keeping him alive, hale, and hearty was paramount. He seemed to be enjoying himself, taking a moment to allow the breeze to whiffle through his hair. “Do you have a naval fleet as well?” he asked, curious.

[Solem'cleavu]

Limara, however, did let out a bit of a chuckle at the whole situation. "Well she can do whatever she wants within reason of course. Just as long as she doesn't run off and nearly get herself drowned again at the very least. Come though, let us get all of you processed then shall we?" He purposely let the Colonel's last question hang for a while in preference to getting them all filed into the guard station. "Processing" them all didn't take too long, mostly each visitor getting interviewed with a few basic questions regarding their visit along with confirmation of their stories from Limara and Kaisanu and cross-referenced with the documentation they were sent ahead of time regarding this visit.

Afterwards each one had their likeness taken not with any kind of camera in the traditional sense but specially created crystals, not unlike those embedded in the psi-comm units that all the Vashtalian's wore somewhere on their body, which embedded a copy of their features within themselves and then were stored for safekeeping. All in all the process took about an hour as there was enough staff on hand to handle all the visitors at the same time.

Once back outside though it was Kaisanu who decided to answer the Colonel's previous question even as Limara was leading the group out of the area to a spot where they could take wing and fly to their destination. "I apologize for the delay in getting your previous question answered Colonel but we had to get that taken care of. Now in regards to any kind of naval fleet military wise we do not have one and we don't really need to have one either for reasons that Mr. Anso there could no doubt tell you. After all I'm sure there had to be mention of a certain pirate attack that was repelled in his report to you from his last visit? Now that being said merchants do have their own trade fleets that are used to transport certain goods that are either not viable candidates for teleportation either due to size or cost effectiveness. Food and other perishable items however are always teleported over and make the merchants quite a bit of profit."

[Cptdragon9]

It was a comfort to know that “processing”, at least in the normal sense, was pretty much the same cross culturally.  The Colonel was more than versed with the process; sign this, pose for that snapshot, Q&A session, full-body scan.  It might vary from world to world, but it seemed that most of the more advanced civilizations had a thing for screening out the unwanted.  Okay he might have been a little worried that Nine had barged on the scene, like she was prone too.  More often than not she’d just show up at a meeting, or a party; thought she would hang around the periphery, just watching more than anything.  The Colonel understood why, she was learning, processing.  Having been grown in a tank and raised in a lab, then enlisted and assigned to field duty, the mutant really hadn’t learned social pleasantries.

It was nice that she hadn’t sparked off some sort of intercontinental occurrence.  In fact it seemed that the Vashtalian folks had taken a cotton to her.  Granted she was… odd, but she could also be dangerous.  He would have to watch over her during their visit.  “I’ll make sure she minds her manners,” and he gave her a stern look.

She stuck her tongue out back at him.

The answer for the fleet was straightforward enough though, even with an affirming nod from Anso himself (I had him in the group, yes?).  “Hrm.  Seems you teleporting your goods would take away from any captain trying to make a profit for himself.  Have you had much trouble with your human populous?  Protests and riots and such?”
 

[Solem'cleavu]

((yeah you had Anso in the group.  Was Colonel, Anso, BS, that edward mulls dude and now Nine))

Kaisanu had just shrugged.  "Not really for it is quite common for trade ship captains to have their ships refitted for transportation of travelers who wish to visit other places by ship.  Some of the larger vessels have full capability to transport both goods and people rather comfortably as well.  Basically there are quite a few ways for ship captains to miss out on some profit but make it back in other ways.  On top of that should their routes take them through especially dangerous water the Vashtalian Central Government does offer their employing company stipends and bonuses upon the successful delivery of cargo and the safe return of the ship and crew.  Bonuses which are then given to the captain and crew of that particular ship, after the trade company takes their cut of that additional profit anyway which is legally no more than 10% of that money."

[Cptdragon9]

 

 

Was Colonel, Anso, BS, that edward mulls dude and now Nine))  ((yeah you had Anso in the group.

((I might have to add a couple more, once I get a chance to dig back and unearth them.  He Has to have more than two advisors…)

 

 

 

 

“So you do not solely reply on teleports to transport goods then.  And I imagine that some folks might not trust the technology and would rather rely on something a bit more solid.  I understand now.”  The Colonel gave a soft smile.  “Maybe in the near future we can likewise transport good with our shuttles and freighters.  Just to give folks another option.”

 

 

 

 

Nine had tried her best to behave herself, but as much as she lingered around the edge of the group, the more she was distracted by all that was going on around her.  What really was tweaking her senses was the vibration of the place.  No, she couldn’t pin it down to anything solid, but there was an ambiance of sorts; akin to what the jungle was like, only somehow tempered.  Instead of yelling at her, this “noise” as it were was like a stead whir of a fan, or the hum of a turbine, reminding her of her days in suspension as she freighted the Clandestine from world to world propelling them along through space.

 

 

She wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad sensation.  It definitely appealed to her, enough so that as the group slowly moved along, Nine drifted further and further away.  She wasn’t trying to actively ditch them, but she so very much wanted to follow the thrumming; wanted to find out where it was coming from…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Solem'cleavu]

((would make sense that Nine may be feeling the undercurrents from those massive seals scattered throughout the nation.  There is a lot of energy collected around those points after all.))

 

Kaisanu had quirked a brow.  "It is not that our populace is scared or untrusting of the teleportation network far from it everyone uses it at some point.  In addition everyone in this nation knows at least some magic even if it's as minor as a simple light spell.  It is just that some people simply like travelling by ship for the experience and whether goods are transported by ship or by teleport is entirely dependent upon the type of goods being transported and the merchant's judgment.  Like I said perishable items such as food are always transported by teleportation so that even the furthest market gets the freshest ingredients and food that our nation can produce no matter where it comes from.  For that matter goods that are specially ordered and/or are on a time-sensitive delivery schedule will also be transported via teleport without exception.  It's just good business."

 

Captain Limara, who had been listening to the two chat as they walked, simply chuckled before he stopped in his tracks, turning to face the group.  "Well if all of you are done discussing the pros and cons of transportation via ship or teleport I believe it's time we headed over to our destination.  Kaisanu..."

 

"Of course Captain."  With a slight bow to the group Kaisanu went to join her Captain as both walked to a spot a bit further away from the group before assuming their respective natural forms.  Limara himself simply towering over the group as he indicated with his nose the two rather large baskets, not unlike those found with hot air balloons only larger, effectively telling them that they should get in and prepare for flight.

[Cptdragon9]

 

Her mind was already scrambling for a means to defend from such measures, even going as far as testing the material underfoot.  Enough to be creepy, especially when you began to think of what would happen if they took a wrong step, or flapped those wings, or heck just decided to roll over on ya.  Real big.  For one, they were big.  Nine might have drifted a bit apace from the group, but when their escorts transformed into those great beasts; well that caught even her easily distracted mind.

 

 

That proved to be even more of shock than the dragons.  She had used planetary pull before to help change trajectories in space, a sort of magnetic slingshot effect that saved on the turbines.  What was under her feet was much more massive, and she would have sworn it was alive.  She had to break contact right away, pulling herself almost completely inside herself to keep from overloading.  Of course nobody normal would notice, except for maybe a bit of a miss- step in her stride as she hurried to catch up to the great lizards.  It took another moment to make sure that she was secure, that she wouldn’t lose it and cause some sort of cataclysmic event, before she climbed into the basket.

 

Of course it would be, but the man often erred on the side of caution….  Anso even wrapped a hand around one of the cane supports and gave it a shake, making sure it was sturdy enough for all the weight.  In fact they seemed to hold themselves to much aplomb as they all stepped into the wicker baskets.  At least the Colonel and company weren’t as squirrely about the presence of what essentially were gigantic meat-eating creatures.

 

 

 

[Solem'cleavu]

There were no handles on the "baskets" however both dragons gripped their respective cargo on the sides with their front talons.  A spherical barrier immediately being erected around each as they were lifted up from the ground as much to protect their passengers from the air when they take flight as to ensure that none of their passengers accidentally fell out.  Once that was done however both dragons had crouched down and spread their massive wings in preparation for take-off, Limara calling out to the group.  "All of you might want to hold onto something this might get a little rough at first."

No sooner said than both dragons had launched themselves skyward hard.  Great wings beating at the air to gain altitude but eventually they leveled out and were heading in a roughly southern direction along the coastline.  While they didn't really get high enough to get above the few clouds that were in the sky at the moment it did seem like it wouldn't have taken much longer for that to occur if they had continued ascending.  The "baskets" bobbing up and down, to and fro, rather gently for the most part despite how hard those wings must have been needing to be flapped to maintain altitude between bouts of gliding on the air currents.

[Cptdragon9]

The “takeoff” was an eye-opening experience.  Most of the Colonel’s cadre had been on a shuttle or two that rattled about upon takeoff at one point or another, especially those that left planet-side for space and back, so the actual sensation wasn’t as foreign, though the view was a bit more open than being walled up in a tin can before being sling-shotted into space.  Still it was impressive, thought the “oohs” and “aahs” were kept internal.

What Was out of sorts, at least to Nine, and even to some degree Mr. Sachell himself, was the reaction they had to the magics being employed.  It wasn’t necessarily bad; at least once the initial shock of the spherical ward was weathered.  Nine would have said that it was electrifying.  She could feel it ripple along her skin, like static.  Of course she didn’t complain, that would have been admitting weakness, and she sure didn’t like doing that in front of the Colonel’s selected.  Besides it didn’t so much as hurt as just felt weird.

 

Sachell had also felt it, but didn’t attribute it so much to the magic as the possibility that he needed some time to realign the servos again.  It was almost a daily chore now, having to run diagnostics at least once a day, do a hard reboot every two.  He figured that the planet was giving off some sort of static discharge, one that might well be attributed to the temporal flux that seemed to be spitting out folks from other worlds also on nearly a daily basis.  He had a few programs monitoring both effects, hoping to come up with some sort of logical reasoning as to the fluctuations, but so far he hadn’t come across any such pattern.

 

For now, like Nine, he weathered the storm.

[Solem'cleavu]

In all it wouldn't take them long to reach their destination, about an hour later and their militant visitors were set on the ground before Limara and Kaisanu themselves had landed a bit further down and reassumed their humanoid forms.

What lay around them would be the edge of a vast plain with the coastline easily in view albeit rather rocky the closer one got to the coast ending in what would look to be a 20ft drop just before the sand bar that would normally separate the grassy ground from the sea water.  Limara coming up next to the Colonel at that point.  "Welcome to the Svenil region of the Vashtalian coastline.  Not much to look at but it is flat for the most part and doesn't look like it would take much work to maintain unlike your current location if I do say so myself."

[Cptdragon9]

 

They were already taking notes, even before they landed as the dragon’s circled around for a landing.  Clicking noises from the cyborg’s chassis indicated that he was taking photographs while he scanned the area, processing what the broad-spectrum wavelengths revealed to him.  Once they were on terra firma they were all aflutter with excitement.  There was lots of open terrain, and plenty of room to build and expand, with no forest in the way.

 

Questions were already brimming, and even though there was supposed to be some sort of order and ranking, the Colonel’s subordinates just couldn’t help themselves:

 

“How stable is the geothermic rock underneath?  Is it stable enough to quarry and use for building materials?”

“What kind of wildlife hangs around here?  Large predators to worry about?  Enough edible plants and animals to sustaine the colony?  How much marine life?”

 

“What’s the weather like?  How cold does it get?”

 

The Colonel even had to rest his hand on the shoulder of his ensign, the young man nearly reminiscent of days gone by.  “Easy folks.  We’re just looking around.  Let’s compile a list of questions to turn over in our requisition and documentation so that these fine folks can reply in a less hectic atmosphere.  As it is I’m sure that Mr. Godwin will be able to deduce many of our answers in his investigations.

 

One question did stand out a bit from the others and he turned to two dragon folk.  “Will you be wanting to use one of your spells to move the bivouac?  Otherwise it would be months for us to break down and relocate via hovercraft and shuttles, of which we only have six of each functional.  I am assuming that you would be wanting to shift the ship as quickly as possible from its current location once and if we decide to relocate.”

 

[Solem'cleavu]

Kaisanu was actually the one to step forward and answer the Colonel's question, seeing as how Limara seemed to wander off towards the cliff edge.  "Indeed, if all of you will simply make note of your questions for future reference I will be sure to send word to Lord Kelinium and Lord Clawrift so that we may make time later today to get to them.  Now, in regards to your question Colonel I believe using our magic would be the fastest way however your people will first need to break everything you want moved down and sorted into distinct piles.  This will make it much easier for our mage orders to get materials moved.  Transporting that great hulk of a ship that's still left all at once will not be possible simply due to it's size and weight.  Lifting it out of the ground is one thing.  Actually teleporting it is an entirely different matter.

I also believe that Lords Kelinium and Clawrift will need to meet with you anyway later today Colonel to get your input while drawing up contract forms for your use of this land.  The Vashtalian Central Government would like this possible agreement between us to be as fair as possible for all involved and the input of you and your people will be of great help in that.  So when you are done looking around we will head over to the castle."

[Cptdragon9]

 

There is something to say about a crisp ocean breeze.”  And it isn’t as infernally hot as the bivouac.  This is at least open enough to use solar to get the small generators up and running.  We make sure that what we scan here will be able to sustain our company, water especially.  He took a few more minutes to take in the terrain. “As to the local, I don’t see much of a problem.  I might have to ask after some of the more delicate projects our science department has in the works, but for the most part we should be able to divvy things up, once we decided on a plan.”  Much of the shell has been cut and refurbished into cubicle and living quarters so segmenting them will not be as difficult as I believe.  Might take use a few weeks to sort and order while we gut the ship.  “We can do that.  The Colonel had nodded as Kaisanu requested a breakdown of essential materials.

 

While the Colonel discussed things and the rest of the troupe either listened in or took in the sights, Nine likewise headed over to the cliff, nearly mesmerized by the churning water below.  Of course this was a far cry from the ship. The mass of that body of water alone was impressive.  She could feel it roll and wallow as if it were a living thing, as much as the jungle had felt to her back at the bivouac.  At least she didn’t go diving off the cliff, that seemed rather foolhardy, so she just sat right at the edge, letting her legs dangle over the edge as she felt the breeze push up from below, smell the salt water as it rose up like a mist.

 

[Solem'cleavu]

At the mention water Kaisanu simply pointed east-northeast.  "If it's water you need to make sure of I can tell you that there's an underground reservoir about a mile that way.  Additionally I'm sure your people would be able to figure out how to make the sea water fit for drinking and other uses quickly enough as well."  Kaisanu had then listened as the Colonel listed the rest of the items especially the moving of materials.  During this time however a small gemstone set into one of her earrings would begin flashing a bit the major nodding a bit seemingly to herself before the light faded from the gem.  "Well Colonel looks like I have some initial information for you in regards to preliminary terms of our potential agreement.  All of which is negotiable once you meet with Lords Kelinium and Clawrift.

As it stands now should you agree to move your primary station from it's current location to here everyone who will be permanently stationed over here will need to be processed in as either refugees or be considered as immigrating to this nation.   Due to this you will be given temporary citizenship however like Miss Olivia over in Stren you will not be beholden to our laws unless you visit your neighboring regions nor will the Vashtalian Central Government deign to interfere in the workings of you and your people.  That is pretty much all I have for you for now.  Once all of you are done here we really should head to the castle so you can speak with Lord Kelinium in person and work out the rest of the details so that you may come to the best decision possible for your people."

 

 

 

In the meantime Limara would himself just plop down on the cliff edge next to Nine. "How are you feeling young one?  Still recovering from your ordeals?"

[Cptdragon9]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trying to round up his men was much like trying to herd unwilling chickens back into a pen.  His techs wanted to take samples right off the bat.  Sachell had already loaded up his chassis with rock and soil samples and he had one wand lofted in the air to pick up contaminants.  This however gave time for Nine to socialize.  She didn’t often; being isolated in the tank for months at a time has a tendency to make actual conversation awkward and stilted, and without her brother around she wasn’t sure how to act with these dragon folks.

 

Especially since they seemed to know so damn much about her current condition.

 

Not that it was exactly a secret.  Rumors buzzed around the bivouac enough that anyone could overhear, and she was sure that the Colonel was concerned enough that he might even have asked these nice strangers to see if they could help speed things along.  Only Nine didn’t really Want to speed things along.  After having a taste of what nature offered on this planet, she didn’t relish being crammed back into a spaceship, not matter what she’d been conscripted to do.  No, she’d rather much hang out here by the rocks and dangle her toes over the edge.

 

But the guy Was trying to make conversation and it probably would have been rude to ignore him.  It was His planet after all, and they were the intruders and somewhat defenseless to boot.  Sigh.  “Better,” she replied.  “’Think the fresh air is helping a bit.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Solem'cleavu]

(( To be fair Limara wouldn't know much of what's been going on with Nine.  I imagine he's mostly referring to when she decided to go for a swim in the river and he had to go pull her out.  Plus he could probably tell just by looking at her that she wasn't feeling 100%.))

Limara had simply nodded.  "That's good and what are your thoughts on the potential move?  As in if it came down to your choice based on the feeling you get here as opposed to where you and yours crashed which one do you like better?"

 

Kaisanu for her part was helping the Colonel with his men, even going so far as to help collect their samples so they can get done and ready to go.

[Cptdragon9]

 Again Nine gave the dragon man a strange look.  She would never have that kind of luxury.  She was merely a grunt, a tool to be used.  She might have limited leeway when performing her duties as to attack, route and defense of a point or outpost, but for the most part she merely nodded her head when told what the next mission would entail.  Much like this move.

But if she had her dithers….

 

“It would be better defended out here.  We could easily see any attacking forces and w would have more room to spread out….”  It was a logical reply, though in truth she loved that jungle, almost as much as she liked the churning waves smashing against the rocks below her feet.

 

 

 

Finally the Colonel had all his little ducklings back in a row.  Anso and Sachell were already comparing notes on what intel and samples they’d collected, making general observations that would soon be either verified or denied by lab testing.  In fact the only one that was missing was Nine, and it seemed she was making conversation with the other Vashtalian escort.  That was rather interesting, especially since the girl didn’t get out much, and when she did it was to strike out on her own, not to socialize.

He was going to have to keep a close eye on her.

“I think we’re all ready,” he announced
 

[Solem'cleavu]

At first Limara had merely smirked at Nine's reply but soon that gave way to a loud and hearty guffaw even as he slapped the girl on the back.  That slap wasn't hard enough to knock her over but it probably would have stung slightly and above all it was obvious that it wasn't out of malice as the captain spoke up.  "Well said!  Spoken like a true soldier haha!"

 

Looking behind him then as he heard the Colonel say they were ready to go.  Kaisanu for her part was actually standing a bit behind and to the Colonel's left and was actually just shaking her head at her captain's antics.  Limara simply returning his attention to Nine.  "Well looks like your team is ready to go and waiting on us so I suppose we should get going."

 

The dragoon squadron captain getting up from his own seat before reaching a hand out to help Nine up.

[Cptdragon9]

 Nine really hadn’t quite ferreted out this Limara guy.  At first she thought it would have been some sort of stuffed shirt, but judging by the poundage that had slapped her back, followed by that raucous belly laugh, this officer type seemed more comfortable in the trenches with his troops.  She had flinched, of course, but hadn’t run, or punched him.  Instead she stared at him for a moment, then found herself joining him.  Laughing seemed difficult for her, and not nearly as loud,

 

It was kinda nice.

Pity it was over too quickly.  She had more or less ignored the action of rounding up the troops, determined to winnow as much exposure as she could from the spray of the ocean slapping against the rocks below, but eventually she hung her head and staggered back to her feet, using his hand only briefly to balance herself before letting go as if his touch burned her.  “Yeah, I guess we should.”  She didn’t bother to correct him.  She never felt that she was “one of the guys” or even one of the crew.  She and her tank- mate were outsiders, looked down upon.

 

Not human.

 

Eventually they met up with everyone else, all ready to move on to the next stage of their excursion.

[Solem'cleavu]

Soon as Limara made his way back to the others he just looked over everyone gathered.  "Well it does indeed look like everyone's ready to go.   Kaisanu..."  Finishing his sentence with a nod to Kaisanu even as he was saying her name.

 

"Of course Captain."  The Major nodding in return before going through the slight motions of the teleportation spell.  Shortly thereafter the entire party had vanished, next stop Castle Vashtalia.

 

((obviously another thread will be in Castle Vashtalia =P))