Mysterious Circumstances (pm to discuss joining)

[slippedhalo]

April swore quietly, swimming to her clothes, followed closely by Austin, she dressed in a hurry. "I can't be late for this thing, Austin. It would reflect badly...second in command and all..." She said, definitely feeling like the over achieving high school nerd late for finals because of letting go and attending her very first wild party. She barely looked back, absently thanking Adrianna, before hurrying toward the dining area, pulling Austin along with her.

Natalia applauded when the last three made it just in time, looking frazzled and slightly sheepish. "We've just cleaned up from lunch and are on our way to the bridge where our pod is." She announced.

"We? Who are those three?" Asked April, following the assembled group out into the Med Bay and toward the now unlocked bridge doors.

Nat laughed, "Indroductions later. You snooze, you lose."

 

[SlySparrow0003]

May followed towards the Med Bay, she went out into the bridge. Not really knowing what to do. She saw a row of backpacks, and guns? What was this? "What the hell is all this? What are we doing this for, war? Jesus. Someone tell me what the fuck were doing."

 

[slippedhalo]

In front of that row were nine seats with five strap harness seat belts and the modified spot bungee corded for the mermaid ball. April helped Austin strap in Adrianna before taking her seat, the red chair directly behind the Commander's, the only other chair with arm computer synching controls in case anything were to happen to Kate and a split second take over of operations would be necessary.

As Kate took the Command chair, April took 2nd's. Everyone else filed in and found a chair along the row, sitting down and strapping in. April glared at the new girl and simply stated, "We have to be ready for anything. This isn't war but it is definitive that we must survive using any tools we can bring with us, including firearms. Once we're there, on that planet, there's no going back. No Christmas wish lists to post to Santa...We use what we've got. If we didn't take it and it ain't already there that's just too bad. So, if they want to give us guns, great. Hell, if they wanted to give me ping pong balls I'd thank them for that too and I'll be damned if I can't find a way to make use of them in the only home we dead fucks have got left. You haven't been through what we have and have obviously not been briefed yet, so you don't have a clue. Just trust that we know what we're doing, sit down, strap in, shut up, and pay attention so you won't get us all killed. Got it?"

Kate began checking systems and overheard. Turning on the ear intercoms which surprised the newbies to also have implanted, she said, "Harsh, April."

April began a check of her station and shrugged, "Sorry Sir, but I don't think we have time for hand holding."

Kate looked over her shoulder, "Sadly, guys, we don't. May, you'll have to just trust us and pay attention for the moment. You'll get briefed soon." Then, she got to work.

 

[slippedhalo]

Caleb took a seat beside the mermaid ball and next to another thin guy about his age, joking, "I'll sit in the misfit section, I guess."

Adrianna smiled, "I like your sparklies."

"My piercings? Thanks. I could give you one someday if we live through this all."

Adrianna grinned. "Yes, maybe. Do they hurt?"

"Kind of." Caleb admitted.

"Is your hair naturally pink?" She asked.

"Nah! Usually, it's just brown."

 

[slippedhalo]

Although Jason wanted to get back to his farm he decided to indulge his dad. He didn't drink all that much, he was usually too busy, but he supposed a pint with the old man wouldn't hurt.He followed him out of the building and then down the street to the Pub.

Pat's was one of the oldest pubs in central and in fact one of the oldest buildings as well. It probably said something about the early colonists that one of the first buildings they had constructed was a fully functional brewery and distillery but on a harsh new world they had probably needed a way to enjoy themselves and blow off steam.

Pats was now one of the towns main meeting places and had a restaurant and a private meeting hall upstairs, but it was the front bar that they headed to. This was where all the drinking got done by the serious drinkers and where people mixed to swap stories. His dad ordered two pints of the famous Pat's strong ale and they found a quiet corner to talk.

"So dad what is on your mind? You didn't drag me in here just to celebrate although I am sure we are doing that. I know that look in your eye and it usually means you want me to do something. I am not going to be able to go back to peacefully running my farm am I," he sighed as he took a long drink from his ale. "I figured as much when I heard how many were landing. Okay what do you and the council want me to do?"

"What? A father can't want to have a friendly drink with his son? There's got to be a catch?" Asked Alec.

As their order arrived and small talk with Diane, the owner's wife, was done, Alec was caught by his son appreciating watching her walk away and he winked at his son. "I respect Pat, Jason. No harm in looking, though..."

After a few swigs of drink they stared each other down and Alec finally cracked. "Ok...Here's the thing, I'm worried about you. You're very...insular. You don't really mix socially with other young ones. I'm sure you realize how important it is to the colony that the young have families. We can only keep the colony going as long as there's new generations...So...I want to know what's going on in your head. Are there any ladies in your life? Anyone you're interested in?"

 

[Othermoose]

Caleb took a seat beside the mermaid ball and next to another thin guy about his age, joking, "I'll sit in the misfit section, I guess."

Adrianna smiled, "I like your sparklies."

"My piercings? Thanks. I could give you one someday if we live through this all."

Adrianna grinned. "Yes, maybe. Do they hurt?"

"Kind of." Caleb admitted.

"Is your hair naturally pink?" She asked.

"Nah! Usually, it's just brown."

Austin and Adrianna followed April to the landing situation in silence. April was determined to complete her mission and both Austin and Adrianna sensed that she wasn't in the mood for a chat. When the trio arrived at the bridge Austin was surprised to see three new people. He was also surprised to see they looked like the people he'd usually hang out with. After Adrianna had been safely strapped in, Austin strapped himself in. He watched as a guy in with pink hair and piercings sat down next to him and started to chat with Adrianna.

"I don't think I'd like the sparkles, but could you change my hair? It would be so pretty if it matched my tail!" Adrianna said to Caleb. She studied him more closely for a moment and noticed his makeup. "Why is your face painted like that? I thought only your women did that?" Adrianna asked curiously. "Some dudes do it too. Don't worry about it." Austin said to Adrianna, not unkindly, before turning to Caleb. "I'm Austin. It's good to have another outcast on here. I figured I'd be the only one." Austin said.

 

[SlySparrow0003]

Well good job. You talk May and you fucked it up. May thought to herself, angrily. Although she wanted to sock bitch, April in the face. Hand holding? What an ass. Wishing Cy was here. She found herself wanting to go back to her quarters and lock her doors. Ah this is why she didn't talk. She sat down on the other side of the mermaid. She didn't say a word. She just hoped this would be over soon. Feeling useless. Or in other words like an outcast. She watched silently as Celeb and the other kid about her age, interacted. She strapped herself in, and started to actually hope she would killed. Hell, be better then doing this.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate and April listened to the android com chatter on the bridge just below their pod.

Kate aligned her left arm with the computer port on the armrest of her chair and April did the same on hers as the others watched with anticipating interest. The pod felt cold as life support systems, including oxygen and heat, dropped to only pod systems without assistance from the main ship. The pod was set up for short distance travel and had minimal life support. It was not set up for comfort. April repressed shivers as she concentrated on Kate's actions in the sequence she'd recently memorized. She was ready if she had to be.

Kate was on open comm now. Her mic transmitted to all ears and the ship's bridge as she and the androids in command of the ship orchestrated system by system release of the pod and domed trailer from the main ship. "Android Command, this is Commander McHugh requesting permission to take the pod to the specified target area. Do you copy?"

"Copy that, Commander McHugh. We're going to set you up with a countdown from five. At zero please proceed to the coordinates specified in your instruction represented by a large, red X on screen."

"Understood Android Command. Ready when you are."

"And...Controls are yours in five...four...three...two...one...zero. Good luck."

...
...Kate went through this process with varying results twelve times. Each time the simulation presented a new problem to solve quickly. They still landed successfully eight out of those twelve times. Two of them, under April's emergency guidance and piloting. Once, Aziz actually piloted them to safety after a simulated explosion "killed" Kate, April and David and incapacitated Yuet and Austin.

After the thirteenth simulation being also a successful landing with no rare occurrences and full survival of all humanoids aboard and successful touchdown of the dome, the Androids in Command finally informed the crew they were finished with simulation training and were as ready as they could be for Monday's arrival. The simulation room became like an empty holodeck again and they were all escorted back to living quarters.

A MeRP gave April three rapid learning units to take to the library. "You may keep these for future use. The first sequence of programs are designed for the recent awakeners. Have a nice day."

April turned to the rainbow haired one, "We're ready to get you all up to speed now." And, she smiled awkwardly at the shy one she'd gone off on before. "Sorry about the harshness earlier. I was kind of nervous and on edge about the upcoming landing. The responsibilities of this can get overwhelming at times...makes me a little bitchy. But, this will help catch you up on things, maybe feel less lost in the shuffle."

Caleb raised an eyebrow and asked Austin, "Is this brain scrambling stuff safe?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

"What? A father can't want to have a friendly drink with his son? There's got to be a catch?" Asked Alec.

As their order arrived and small talk with Diane, the owner's wife, was done, Alec was caught by his son appreciating watching her walk away and he winked at his son. "I respect Pat, Jason. No harm in looking, though..."

After a few swigs of drink they stared each other down and Alec finally cracked. "Ok...Here's the thing, I'm worried about you. You're very...insular. You don't really mix socially with other young ones. I'm sure you realize how important it is to the colony that the young have families. We can only keep the colony going as long as there's new generations...So...I want to know what's going on in your head. Are there any ladies in your life? Anyone you're interested in?"

Jason took another swig of his beer to collect his thoughts and to put off answering his father. The truth was he hadn't had much time to socialize with anyone lately what with running his own farm and most people seemed to shun him a little bit. Oh it wasn't too obvious but the rare times he had gone into the local Taverns and the ones here in Central, most people had been polite and friendly but wary. He knew why and that was why he didn't really want to tell his father.

There were two reasons. One was because he was a natural. A lot of people still could not get used to the fame that came along with being one. Most of the others flaunted their status of being one but Jason didn't. Unfortunately with his father being a councilor everyone still knew who he was and what he was. Of course that was the second problem, his dad.

He had learned early that there were two types of women that would try to get near him quickly. Ones that thought he could help them out because his father was on the council, or those that thought he was rich. Both quickly left when they found out they were wrong. Of course word quickly spread and women stopped hitting on him. Of course others did start looking but then school ended and he started working the farm.

"I just haven't found the right type of woman yet dad. You know there's not too many left that want to live and work on a farm any more. Sure my place is a bit bigger and more modern than what they used to be like, but try to explain that to someone that has lived in Central all their lives," he smiled painfully. "Infinity also doesn't have any girls my age. The closest woman is thirteen years older than me and she is engaged to someone else," he chuckled "And at the moment I have been too bust with this project to be worried about finding a wife dad. Maybe when everything settles down I can find someone. Hey I'm still young, I can give you Grandchildren yet."

 

[slippedhalo]

Jason took another swig of his beer to collect his thoughts and to put off answering his father. The truth was he hadn't had much time to socialize with anyone lately what with running his own farm and most people seemed to shun him a little bit. Oh it wasn't too obvious but the rare times he had gone into the local Taverns and the ones here in Central, most people had been polite and friendly but wary. He knew why and that was why he didn't really want to tell his father.

There were two reasons. One was because he was a natural. A lot of people still could not get used to the fame that came along with being one. Most of the others flaunted their status of being one but Jason didn't. Unfortunately with his father being a councilor everyone still knew who he was and what he was. Of course that was the second problem, his dad.

He had learned early that there were two types of women that would try to get near him quickly. Ones that thought he could help them out because his father was on the council, or those that thought he was rich. Both quickly left when they found out they were wrong. Of course word quickly spread and women stopped hitting on him. Of course others did start looking but then school ended and he started working the farm.

"I just haven't found the right type of woman yet dad. You know there's not too many left that want to live and work on a farm any more. Sure my place is a bit bigger and more modern than what they used to be like, but try to explain that to someone that has lived in Central all their lives," he smiled painfully. "Infinity also doesn't have any girls my age. The closest woman is thirteen years older than me and she is engaged to someone else," he chuckled "And at the moment I have been too bust with this project to be worried about finding a wife dad. Maybe when everything settles down I can find someone. Hey I'm still young, I can give you Grandchildren yet."

Alec handed Jason a data chip, carefully glancing around the pub to be sure nobody else saw the exchange occur. "Don't tell anyone of this. Destroy it once you've looked at it in private. I copied it from Central Ops in The Capitol Building while the androids were not paying attention. It's information on and photos of the current batch of people on the coming pod. I don't think anyone is aware of the strings I've pulled this time to ensure the majority of this crew be made up of physically attractive, intelligent women between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five. But, it's obviously paid off, Jason. Take a good look at these ladies and their files. I'm certain more than one of them would fit your type."

Standing, Alec patted his son on the shoulder. "But, this conversation never took place and you know nothing of a data chip containing all their personnel files, right?"

 

[SlySparrow0003]

May hesitated before responding, she could relate a lot. Ever since she started talking, cussing came like a habit, or she was a little bitchy. "Oh...it's okay, sorry about freaking out..didn't know what was really going on..." She stood there awkwardly for a second before walking away. She sat down on the couch and put "Wall-e" in and started to watch it.

 

[slippedhalo]

April waved the machinery. "What's your name?"

Caleb answered, "She's May. I'm Caleb. That's my sister, Jocelyn."

"Thanks, Caleb." April said. "Guys, you don't have time to lounge around yet. You're playing catch up. "Rapid Education in the library in fifteen minutes. After that, we can relax a bit."

Caleb nodded. Jocelyn moved to follow April then turned to May, "I guess she's serious about being second in command." She noted.

 

[SlySparrow0003]

May, slumped at her words. "Yeah I guess so" age said slightly laughing. God it was beginning to feel like she missed a day of high school. 15 minutes later all were gathered in the library. May slightly irritated but curious on whatever this was, yet this time she thought it was best to not speak.

 

[slippedhalo]

Each of them was shown the website designed by Aziz and Yuet which explained their current situation and who was whom, including their personal and family backgrounds, more clearly. Then, they were shown the R.E.Systems.

April pointed to one as Aziz set it up. "I won't lie, they scrambled Erik up a bit, had him thinking he was a real Viking for a few hours, made me a little sleepy but was otherwise fine. Austin...I still think it affected him somehow but he's not admitting it. Aziz...he had a bad headache and slept long afterward. So, yeah, these rapid learning programs aren't perfect but it's pretty awesome not to have to spend years studying to become an expert in an area. Just a few intense hours and it's over. Yuet is around your age. She was still a freshman in college. A few hours with this...Boom! She's a qualified physician. And, she's good at it, too!" April explained. "We need people with animal and grain expertise, more than just Natalia, to help in dairy farming and food production. It may not seem sexy or exciting but I think none of us look forward to starving down there so this kind of work is essential." Explained April. Aziz and Nat were with her to help in the cram session.

Natalia snorted and rolled her hips with a smile, "Speak for yourself, April. I find farming verrry sexy."

This got chuckles from those assembled.

Caleb surprised Joce by raising his hand. "I'll learn whatever. These things sound cool. But, whatever I learn...can you throw in Spanish? I've always wanted to be fluent in Spanish.

Aziz laughed, "I'll see what I can do for you, Caleb. I'll even throw in some Hindi and Urdu also as a bonus."

Caleb was the one laughing now. "Alright, cool. And, Yuet? What's her native tongue?"

Aziz nodded, "Great idea, I might try that myself tomorrow. Chinese, she speaks Mandarin Chinese. I'll throw that in also."

Aziz noticed May watching the programming of the machines over his shoulder and he made room for her to look. "Do you like technology? Would you like study in technician and machine repair?" He asked her.

 

[SlySparrow0003]

"Yes!" May exclaimed, she pulled out the tv remote and pressed a button. 45 seconds later, Cy came rolling in. "Hiiiiiii, hi you" it said excitedly. "I built this with a few parts of a cart, a TV chip, and TV parts. It's simple but I didn't push myself, I'd love to do technology." May said, turning back to the machinery program.

 

[slippedhalo]

"Yes!" May exclaimed, she pulled out the tv remote and pressed a button. 45 seconds later, Cy came rolling in. "Hiiiiiii, hi you" it said excitedly. "I built this with a few parts of a cart, a TV chip, and TV parts. It's simple but I didn't push myself, I'd love to do technology." May said, turning back to the machinery program.

Aziz was impressed with the tiny robot and nodded as he set up programming for the second R.E.Machine. "Ok, that's your knack, so we'll built on it. Technology will be your second specialty. You'll also learn about the farming equipment and the processes they assist with in order to better service them in the years to come when they need repairs and upgrades. Ok?"

He turned to Jocelyn, "What's your interest?"

Jocelyn gestured to herself, "Art." She said.

He nodded in understanding but said, "I sympathize. I'm an architecht. I may never get to design another grand structure just for beauty's sake again. Things here need to be utilitarian in nature more than aesthetically pleasing...I bet they don't have a tattoo studio down there, though. May could probably make you a nice tattoo inking needle and such...I'll build you a tattoo studio somewhere in our village on the colony if you spend at least fifteen hours per week helping on the farms of our people wherever needed. Alright?"

Jocelyn considered this and nodded, "Alright, that sounds like an ok deal. No rapid ed needed for me then, right?" She asked, not really fond of the idea of jamming information rapidly into her brain.

Aziz agreed, "Right. You don't have to learn anything rapidly. Just follow directions and be useful when we need a hand. Ok?"

"Ok." Agreed Joce. She sat back with the book she'd started reading earlier while her brother and May hooked up to the machines which would be keeping them fully occuppied until evening.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate was in the bedroom with David. He was trying to get her to relax but she was watching their simulations in video form, reviewing every mistake or accident, going over every possible scenario and imagining all the ways things could go wrong. "I should have gotten us safely landed far more than just half the time. 50%is terrible...Yes, I know April increased our odds and Aziz stepped up that one time... Yes, I know...They shouldn't HAVE TO! I should be BETTER at this!" Tears welled up in her eyes as she added, "...What if I get us all killed?"

 

[SlySparrow0003]

May liked animals but she wasn't keen on doing farm work. Building and technology was her thing, not feeding horses. "I can build an ink needle, really simple I guess." She turned to her computer and began to get started. Hours seemed to pass as new knowledge filled her mind.

 

[Othermoose]

Kate was in the bedroom with David. He was trying to get her to relax but she was watching their simulations in video form, reviewing every mistake or accident, going over every possible scenario and imagining all the ways things could go wrong. "I should have gotten us safely landed far more than just half the time. 50%is terrible...Yes, I know April increased our odds and Aziz stepped up that one time... Yes, I know...They shouldn't HAVE TO! I should be BETTER at this!" Tears welled up in her eyes as she added, "...What if I get us all killed?"

"You're not going to get any of us killed. That simulation was made to be way harder than the actual landing will be. Plus it was your first time piloting the ship. As far as I'm concerned you did amazing." David said pulling Kate into a tight embrace. "Before I was in the academy, I'd never even held a gun before. So on the first day at the firing range, I was pretty nervous. My first day, not just my first clip, but the entire day at the range, I didn't hit the target once. You landed us perfectly half of every time, even when the deck was stacked against you. You did better than I ever could. You've got this Kate." David said before giving Kate a gentle peck on the lips. "How about we relax a little bit? You're just stressing yourself out right now. It's been awhile since we watched a movie together." David said hoping Kate would agree to a short distraction.

 

[SlySparrow0003]

May got up from her computer, rapid eduction was complete and she felt like a engineer herself. She got up and requested pot roast. And sat down at the table. Tired and hungry from sitting at a computer for hours. "Coffee to please, black coffee nothing else." She said to the MeRP. Cy followed the MeRP in the kitchen, on it heels the whole time.

 

[slippedhalo]

"You're not going to get any of us killed. That simulation was made to be way harder than the actual landing will be. Plus it was your first time piloting the ship. As far as I'm concerned you did amazing." David said pulling Kate into a tight embrace. "Before I was in the academy, I'd never even held a gun before. So on the first day at the firing range, I was pretty nervous. My first day, not just my first clip, but the entire day at the range, I didn't hit the target once. You landed us perfectly half of every time, even when the deck was stacked against you. You did better than I ever could. You've got this Kate." David said before giving Kate a gentle peck on the lips. "How about we relax a little bit? You're just stressing yourself out right now. It's been awhile since we watched a movie together." David said hoping Kate would agree to a short distraction.

Kate let David's calmness take over the situation. She needed to let it go for the moment and not to obsess over every tiny detail of the mission. Closing her eyes, she leaned against her guy, nodding her willingness to listen to him. "Yes, alright, Love. That sounds like a good idea. I need to get my mind off of this."

 

[slippedhalo]

May got up from her computer, rapid eduction was complete and she felt like a engineer herself. She got up and requested pot roast. And sat down at the table. Tired and hungry from sitting at a computer for hours. "Coffee to please, black coffee nothing else." She said to the MeRP. Cy followed the MeRP in the kitchen, on it heels the whole time.

Natalia sat at the table writing in her native language of Russian in a notebook she'd foind in a drawer. "Hungry, eh? How did the training go?" She asked May.

 

[SlySparrow0003]

"It went good, exusting, but it went pretty good, I feel like a engineer myself. Haha" she took a sip of her tart coffee, and closed her eyes as she heard "Ahhhhhh!" From the kitchen, as Cy came around the corner with a pan on his head and a MeRP following. "Oh god" May said irritability as the MeRP chased the squealing Cy around the room. She got up and plucked the pot off of Cys head, who proceeded to try and swat her hand away, May handed the pot the MeRP, who hovered away silently. Cy angrily rolled around the kitchen. May say down and sighed but laughed.

 

[Othermoose]

Kate let David's calmness take over the situation. She needed to let it go for the moment and not to obsess over every tiny detail of the mission. Closing her eyes, she leaned against her guy, nodding her willingness to listen to him. "Yes, alright, Love. That sounds like a good idea. I need to get my mind off of this."

"Well of course it's a good idea. I came up with it." David joked kissing the top of Kate's head. "How about I grab us a tablet and some snacks, and we have our own private showing in here?" David said carfully sliding out from underneath Kate and standing up. He leaned down and softly kissed Kate's belly. "Is the little guy demanding anything in particular, or will popcorn and coke work?" David asked gently patting Kate's baby bump.

 

[slippedhalo]

"Well of course it's a good idea. I came up with it." David joked kissing the top of Kate's head. "How about I grab us a tablet and some snacks, and we have our own private showing in here?" David said carfully sliding out from underneath Kate and standing up. He leaned down and softly kissed Kate's belly. "Is the little guy demanding anything in particular, or will popcorn and coke work?" David asked gently patting Kate's baby bump.

Kate thought about popcorn but wasn't moved by the thought. "Popcorn isnt the salty treat we're after. Chips, I mean fries, Americans call them fries, right? Is it possible to get loads of fries?" The belly responded with a kick of excitement. "Little guy agrees, daddy."