And Justice For All | Collective Dominion of X-19 Hex

[Evoros]

Two weeks had passed since the Collective set its sights on the research station. It was a target, something to loot or to capture. Forever looking ahead, they'd sent a team to assess the circumstances: measure the value of the station, of everything on it, and feed everything back to the Board.

One week had passed since the Board had received reports of abandoned laboratories, of noises in the vents and inexplicable power outages that left the station in darkness but never affected life support systems. It was a question that the Board wanted to answer. Word had been sent in response; stay. Investigate. Return only when you are done.

Three days had passed since the last communication from the station, a brief message announcing that the agents on board the station would be returning to Collective headquarters on Arkania. There was no indication of whether their return was one of success or of fear for their lives.

The next three days went by and the agents never returned to Arkania. The Collective's best technology couldn't find proof of a safe return from the station.

Now it was a danger.

Another team had been sent into space--not for the missing squad, but for the station. More agents. More knowledge. More equipment.

But the unknown is a dangerous thing. They could only search for answers so long before it grew too dangerous.

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OBJECTIVE ONE: An unknown monster habits the station via the vents. Find it, assess the threat and neutralize if necessary.
OBJECTIVE TWO: The Collective agents who first left the station never reported a safe return to land. Take a ship and investigate their disappearance.
OBJECTIVE THREE: BYOO

• Investigate more of the weird space station
• Test out the research equipment
• Fight the roomba wandering the halls

 

[Lok Xiangu]

Location: Space Station
Allies: [member="Evoros"]
Objective: Something something

It had been a while since he had done some service for the Collective. He wasn't its favorite as they still remembered what happened on Nar Shaddaa, but he was effective in combat and killing. Mercenaries and other combat oriented mercenaries served the Board well, yet they were never cared for what happened to them. Wasn't no surprise as any mercenary that was in this profession should always know that whoever their employer was they would not give one damn about them. Nor did Lok gave a feth of his assignment or whoever employed; he only cared for his pay and if one failed to deliver on time...well, they should really know what happens when a mercenary didn't get their money on time.

The Munin was paired up with an agent that was one of the Collective's best. A valuable asset she was and he wondered if she was given special treatment by the mysterious Board.

A short thought that he completely discarded and didn't mind for again.

"So remind me what we're supposed to be doing again," the wayward Mandalorian asked to his companion. He was bad at briefings in any scenario which was probably why he was never given command of anything, and he was thankful for that. He cared for himself only.

 

[Mara Kellarov]

Location: Space Station - Hangar
Allies: [member="Kaori Arai"]
Objective: [2] - Find the Missing Agents

Mara knew the lack of communication wasn't ever a good thing, especially when there were reports that a monster was lurking in the station. It didn't take much genius to add two and two together, but it was still a mystery that needed uncovering.

She hadn't been made aware of the station until it was too late, otherwise she would've advised a larger and more versatile security to be attached to the team. Better to go into the unknown with caution rather than underestimating with guesswork.

But that was the past, and now the Board had dispatched another team to investigate. Mara knew Evoros was elsewhere in the station, whereas she had been specifically ordered to track down the missing agents.

There wasn't even any indication if they had left before the communication blackout. She had no idea if any of the ships were all accounted for, the details hadn't been given in absolute detail. But if the missing crew had indeed left, then they were going to need a bigger net to cast out. The station however was a good starting point, to find any digital traces that could direct them in the right direction.

Mara cautiously walked down the ramp of her transport, rifle in hand and visor scanning around for any lifesigns in the immediate area.

"All clear."

Her voice echoed out through her helmet's modulator. Mara looked back towards her partner for this mission; Kaori Arai. The young woman still didn't trust the organization, and Mara wasn't exactly surprised by it. She was however amused at the fact that it seemed the young woman kept being paired between her and [member="Evoros"] .

It was like a pair of divorcees sharing custody of their child.

That thought always made Mara chuckle.

 

[Kaori Arai]

Location: Space Station - Hangar
Allies: [member="Mara Kellarov"]
Objective: [2] - Find the missing agents

Kaori was trying. Her trust in The Collective and her fellow agents was slim - though she was doing her best. Trust was a relative term to her anyway.

Trust was transparent, and easily lost once individuals true colors come out - and they always came out. Out of the two she seemed to always find herself paired up with, she felt more comfortable with the blonde she was currently following. There was something uneasy about [member="Evoros"] . Kaori couldn’t place it, and perhaps it was her paranoia getting the best of her, but she knew Evoros did not have her best intentions in place when it came to the Arai girl.

Though not much could be said for Kaori’s own intentions and actions. The woman was constantly playing a game with herself - keeping her composure lest the darkness that surrounded every inch of her mind be allowed out. It was unwavering, and as she nodded her head to Mara’s all clear signal she couldn’t calm the voices calling out.

Warning, demanding they turn back.

Monsters. There are monsters in the vents - People - missing MISSING - MONSTER.

Turn around before you end up like them.

End up like them.

LIKE THEM!

“Do you believe the reports of the monster on board?”

A subtle shake of her head, a hardening of her features she mentally ran through what she knew of their disappearance. There was no communication, a blackout - and if Kaori was to announce her thoughts out loud she would have said that there was a slim chance that the crew got out of this situation. It didn’t feel right.

They had made the plans to check communications in an attempt to see if there had been any transmissions sent out - a clue that would give way to them leaving, or a distress signal sent for help.

But from the looks of things, they’d have to restore some power before they could find anything useful.

 

[Evoros]

LOCATION: The space station
OBJECTIVE: [1] - Find the creature in the vents
ALLIES: [member="Lok Munin"]

"Monster extermination."

Evoros had dropped her hallmark smirk and casual arrogance. She wore that demeanor for missions involving espionage, assassination- there was a right and wrong way to do those, and only the latter got you killed. That demeanor was the certainty of doing it the right way.

This was not one of those missions. This didn't necessarily have a right way to do it. There was no guarantee that if she did her job well she made it out of here alive.

She'd nearly turned the mission down. Evoros was arrogant, and she was ambitious, but she was not stupid. Her life wasn't worth exchanging for a group of agents she didn't know and a monster in some faraway space station's vents. But she wasn't currently in a situation where she could afford to stand out for negative reasons. Or at all.

Shadows were where she was safest. This was safer than letting the Board grow suspicious.

"I don't need to tell you to be ready to shoot." There ought to have been more humor in those words. "First things first, we find the control room."

 

[Jaya Tandris]

Location: This weird-ass space station
Objective: [3] Become the roomba goddess Clear out the station of any potential bad guys, or monsters, or whatever the kark is holed up in here

---​

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o9Y_2ZKl04​

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Would it have been wise to scout the halls of the space station that had already claimed numerous lives of experienced and capable agents? Yes, without a doubt.

Did Jaya care? No, absolutely not.

With her gauntlets enveloping her hands agent Cupcake had taken it upon herself to sweep out unexplored parts of the space station, taking out any potential threats and generally scout around for anything of interest. All that it really meant to her however was that she would be able to do two things, punching things until they stop moving, and punching down doors if they refused to open the normal way. Or, in two very simple words: Punching things.

So far however, things had been uneventful. The mostly empty corridors were devoid of anything remotely dangerous, at the very least to the extend of what Jaya could see, leaving her to wonder whether she had made the better choice if she had joined the team that were investigating the disappearances. That didn't mean there weren't any mysteries whatsoever, though. The floors were devoid of dust, as though someone or something regularly cleaned them even after the station became abandoned. Perhaps she would be able to get to the bottom of it.

With a yawn the woman came to a stop in front of a door, taking a look inside through the small glass pane that had been installed at eye-height. There seemed to be equipment of some kind inside, and although she was not entirely certain what it was for her curiosity demanded Jaya to see what the room was about. Taking a step back, she began charging the miniature thruster in her left gauntlet, taking a stance as she prepared to bust down the door that kept her from entering. Before she charged towards it however, something bumped up against her right foot.

Jaya looked down.

"Ah, so you're the one who keeps the floors clean around here?"

 

[Mara Kellarov]

Location: Space Station - Hangar
Allies: [member="Kaori Arai"]
Objective: [2] - Find the Missing Agents

“I believe there’s something on board, a station doesn’t just suddenly go dark across the board.”

The unintentional pun went past Mara’s attention as she returned her attention to the hangar door not far away. She took lead as they pushed on, rifle remaining up and ready to fire at a moment’s notice. There was no sign of conflict, no bodies just an eerie silence that fell around them. Mara didn’t know what it was like on Evoros‘ side of the station, but everything seemed normal here.

Which worried Mara even more.

Their progress was stopped when they reached the door however, only partially open and not automatically widening as they approached. Of course, power was down and it seemed even the backup generator wasn’t enough to power the doors.

Mara grumbled under her breath, which wasn’t particularly hidden well beneath her helmet.

Holstering her rifle, Mara threaded her hands between the door’s cracks and motioned Kaorai over.

“Going to need your help with this, we need to give the door a good push before its motors can kick in.”

 

[Lok Xiangu]

Location: Space Station
Allies: [member="Evoros"]
Objective: Hunt

Right...that thing again. He knew there was a monster on board, but didn't know that was their objective again. He hoped it was entertaining. Being part of a secret organization with a board of mysterious people didn't sound that much fun at all. Sure he got paid for his services, but he'd like something exciting while doing the job. Most of that entertainment involved in firefights, and shooting people.

That was how he enjoyed his time; along with spice, alcohol, and raves at clubs.

"That's my speciality," the mercenary said to the agent as they walked down a dark corridor of the space station. The only noise was their footsteps, their breathing, and their mouths. His HUD still hasn't picked up anything, nor his sensors. All which were state-of-the-art and built by Mandalorians.

"So...you like jazz," Lok asked to the agent. It was always a good question in any situation.

 

[Jaya Tandris]

Location: This weird-ass space station
Objective: [3] Commence Operation: Roomba Uprising

---​

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With a curious look in her eye, Jaya set her foot on what bumped against it and knelt down, inspecting it. It was a roomba, seemingly untouched by whatever dangers the station posed and completely unbothered by everything that had happened. With a scoff she carefully pinched it between the thumb and index finger of her gauntlet and flipped it over, making sure it wasn't going anywhere. She had recently acquired an apartment on Arkania and still hadn't taken the time to clean it, something that by now was very much necessary and the roomba was perfect for that. Nobody here was going to miss it anyway.

"Now, about that door," Cupcake murmured to herself as she began charging up her gauntlet once again. Suddenly her arm shot forward and she began to sprint to keep up, turning into a human battering ram. The door stood no chance and it provided little resistance as she burst through, granting her entry to the room behind it. Stepping on and over the disfigured hunk of metal that had protected the entrance from intruders Jaya took a quick look around to take inventory. A wide array of weapon parts for droids were scattered around on workbenches alongside tools needed to install them. She then turned her head towards the hall once more, seeing the upside-down roomba while its little wheels were helplessly spinning.

A devillish grin took over her facial features as she knelt down once more, pressing a few buttons within the fingers of her gauntlets to release them from her hands. While massaging her wrists she walked over to the roomba, picking it up and turning it off. "This is 'Pimp My Roomba', with your host Jaya Tandris."

 

[Kaori Arai]

Location: Space Station - Hangar
Allies: [member="Mara Kellarov"]
Objective: [2] - Find the Missing Agents

Kaori’s eyes went everywhere all at once. There seemed to be a light clicking, coming from the direction of the door. As the two women approached it the clicking got louder, and it took all Kaori had to not lose all focus and stop that blasted clicking.

A logical answer would be that it had something to do with the motors and functions of the door itself, but Kaori was inclined to believe that it was anything but that. It could have been her mind messing with her, and for all she knew Mara either wasn’t hearing it or effected by it.

Kaori had done something well enough within the Collective that they felt they could send her out into the field on this mission, and she didn’t need to mess up her chances by losing her mind - more so than it already was gone.

So with a firm nod she walked over to Mara, and as Mara counted down to one, both women used their strength to pry open the door.

The clicking that once filled Kaori’s ears, crawled further past her eardrum and into her brain, seeping into nerves and deep crevices, suddenly filled the room around them, followed by a whirring of the doors motors as it groaned. It became easier for the two to move the door the rest of the way as the motors kicked in and Kaori found herself sighing in relief once the door was opened and the clicking stopped.

Kaori sent Mara a small smile, meant to be reassuring - they were getting somewhere, seemed to work well enough together, and she could only hope the woman didn’t regret having been stuck with her as a partner.

She decided then, that if the monster that lived aboard this forsaken space station found them, she would try and keep Mara alive - she owed her that much at least.
And the door was anything but quiet.

 

[Jaya Tandris]

Location: This weird-ass space station
Objective: [3] It lives! IT LIIIIIIVES!

---

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For a number of hours the sound of upbeat whistling filled the hallways around the room that was missing a door paired with a symphony of various tools being used, providing an extraordinary contrast to the dark and eerie atmosphere that surrounded the station. Inside the room itself Jaya enjoyed herself tinkering away at a roomba she had found- replacing its lacking AI core with one she found that would do the job, cutting out parts over the frame that covered the mechanical parts with a laser cutter, and fitting in various parts she had found alongside the AI core. All things considered it was a hasty job she had done, but the woman figured she could smooth out any potential issues back home. When it was finished, there was only one thing on Jaya's mind.

Taking her new baby for a spin.

Now sadly there were no bad guys near where she was, a disappointing realization she made very quickly, and so a simple test of her creation's features would have to do for now. With roomba in hand she strutted out into the hallway and took one last look around to make sure there was enough space to get out of the way in case things went wrong. It was way too narrow to be safe, but the burning desire to see a weaponized roomba in action overwrote any concern. Although, even when that wish did not exist she would have likely gone ahead with the testing anyway.

"Let's just hope the voice commands I installed work," Jaya said to herself out loud as she went through her knees to get down close to the ground. The switch underneath the roomba was flipped and set down on the floor before Jaya took a few steps backwards as it began moving.

"Flamethrower."

A soft click could be heard before a shutter opened on the side and not soon after a burst of flame shot outward, only just missing Jaya. After jumping to the side out of reflex and letting out a deep breath in relief her face lit up with joy and a big grin formed on her face. "This chit right here is why they used to call me Tamanen's finest, baby."