Just Passing Through...

[thespaceopera]

Who: The Interceptors… And You!!!
Broadcast: Yes -- ONLY over the private, non-Atroma network!
Action: Planetside
When: Network contact is RIGHT NOW, any planetside action begins ICly 2 days later at least.

[ Well, Fleet, long time no speak -- when it comes to addressing anyone, anyway. ♥ On the exclusive network, safely away from Atroma, an audio message appears, from your faraway pals! And on the other line is the very obvious voice of one particular Interceptor super scientist lady. ]

Drift Fleet Twelve, this is the Interceptor fleet. Based off our own trajectory, we're predicting that you guys are in the RR-0451 Aquilae system and - more importantly - near Libuscha IV. Can you confirm? A crewmate and I are in a shuttle right now, and we've got some... digging we'd like to do there.

[ There’s a new voice, one that Drift Fleet Twelve hasn’t heard before, in the background. And he sounds amused? ]

That’s one way of putting it… [ Can you just see the smirk now? The scientist continues as if there’d been no interruption.]

I'm attaching a file with some notes we've taken on a particular metal alloy that's naturally occurring and very abundant on that planet. It's apparently not that hard to find once you get far enough below the surface, and we have intel that there are vast cave networks. Have any of you guys seen those by chance?

And, uh… before we leave, we're probably gonna need to refuel while we're at it.

I told you we should have gotten gas before we hit the road, but did you listen to me? Nooooo...

Anyway! Since we'd be in the neighborhood - literally - we thought it might be a good chance to swing by and say hello, maybe share some stories, exchange some presents… [ Hey, someone mentioned ribbons to them - and they're happy to share this metal alloy, so… win/win? ] Discreetly, of course. What would Big Brother think if he knew, after all?


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(( You can directly respond to this post if you wish to speak with the Interceptors over this newfangled secure network you created!! If you have a preference as to who responds, let us know somewhere in the comment or subject line.

If you wish to join them planetside to scour the caves for metals, help them restock and refuel, or just to try asking them some questions, each will have their own toplevel comment soon. And if for any reason you want to use this post for mingle purposes amongst yourselves, feel free to do so! ))

Comments

Dr. Mrs. The Monarch

[queenmonarch]

[ Sup, Fleet? It's your regular Interceptor contact }|{, hanging out on the ice planet!

She'll meet up with anyone who requests to do so, provided the reason is a good one. If you're interested in that metal alloy and want to go digging with her, then grab a pickaxe and let's get going! Got some fuel or supplies to spare? Hit her up! And if none of that appeals, or you just want to see her in a less business-related setting, you're very likely to bump into her in nicer bars and taverns (drinking like a damn champ).

Maybe you've already arranged a meetup? Maybe you happen to bump into her? Regardless, she's here to answer questions and pick up some things! Take the opportunity to ask some questions while you can, pick her brain a little... or just enjoy her company~ (good luck with that one) ]

[goldenglasses]

Heyyyyyyyy! [Vash is always happy to hear from the Interceptors. He's a bit disappointed to not hear Kid's voice in the broadcast, but he's still happy to hear any of them.]

Yeah, I've heard of the cave systems and even heard that there's some sort of wish tree down there too. Haven't found the tree, but I'd be happy to help you guys dig if you need a hand.

I hope the fleet has been well.

[queenmonarch]

Wish tree? Is that some sort of local legend or something? Hm, either way, we do need to get into those caves. And if you're up for helping, I'm not about to say no.

We've been... all right. Building and rebuilding still. For the most part. [ She actually sounds like she's smiling a little. ] Oh and by the way, Angel gave me specific instructions to tell you she says hello.

[goldenglasses]

Yeah, but I think some people in our fleet have actually found it.

Is that what the ore is for? [He'll have to take a look at those notes she sent over later.] Helping to rebuild? [And it probably isn't much of a surprise when Vash perks up a bit at hearing Angel mentioned him. He doesn't have a favorite or anything. No way.] Aw! Thanks! Can you tell her hello for me too? And that I hope she's doing well?

I could meet up with you when you get here. I can give you a few of the gifts our ship has too.

[Digging after a meetup is arranged over network?]

[fightorflug]

[Flug may have loathed social events, he may have loathed going out of his way to meet people and he especially hated how uncomfortable it sometimes felt to be the only professional villain for miles around-- but he knew business and more than that, he knew how to network. This is the chance he has been waiting for; a third party to plot against Atroma with! He can’t afford to waste it.

After a short to the point offer to help collect alloy in exchange for information, Flug packed up a pick-axe, a few ribbons—Shiro mentioned the secret they hid might have to do with a code; perhaps an outside source could give better confirmation to that effect- and simply because he could, the mist rifle he invented. He is… fairly certain the person before him is who he arranged to meet, but even if he runs into trouble locating his contact, he can count on them finding him.]

“..Should I be referring to you as anything in particular?”

[The 'man wearing a paper bag' isn’t a very common description.]

[ sounds good! ]

[queenmonarch]

[ She knows how it feels to be the only professional villain in a fleet full of people who run the gamut between painfully normal and idiotically heroic. She's been out here for a good ten years, so some of that aggravation had to be put aside in the name of finding a way back home, but... well, her eye-rolling muscles still work, that's for sure. Which is good, since from what she can tell of this twelfth fleet, they're just as hero-filled as her own. Wonderful. But if working together means finally getting out of this bullshit, she'll suck it up for now.

She's got a pick-axe of her own, which is resting on top of a bag with an embroidered symbol that looks like a butterfly, full of God knows. She uses a cellphone-sized device to snap a picture of the caves entrance, slips it back into her pocket when she hears someone approaching. "Man wearing a paper bag"... interesting, but yes, definitely a clear identifier.

She's about to give some sort of generic greeting, but his question stops her. He's... actually the first person from the twelfth fleet to ask what he should call her-- like, individually! And that's pretty complicated these days. After a moment's hesitation, she shrugs, playing it off like nothing. ]

"It's Dr. Mrs. The Monarch. Angel calls me 'Missus,' which is shorter. Or 'Monarch' is fine. And what should I call you?"

[fightorflug]

"Dr. Mrs. The Monarch, then" [He nods cordially.]

"We have our titles ignored enough by Atroma without doing it ourselves." [Honestly, the network didn't even include his title in the database; he didn't suffer years for his doctorates to be ignored! He wagers she didn't either.]

"I am Dr. Flug Slys; Captain of SS Red Fish. Ah, Flug is fine."

Duo Maxwell

[divine_braid]

[It seems Butterfly Lady had a new friend this time around.

An 18-year-old with a braid and an attitude was checking out the shops, acting like it had been ages since he'd been allowed out in the wild. Which might as well be true. He could be found at night hanging out in some bars, getting food. He wasn't much for heavy drinking, but he wasn't too bad at it, either.

As he was new, he wasn't expecting to have anyone looking for him. Would the Drifters think he was one of them or with the Dr? He was curious, and was pretty willing to play around.]

Re: Duo Maxwell

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim has heard the transmission via the ship's network; apparently it was new and the only way to hide from those who had taken them so he was instantly interested but all set to sit back and follow the current 'contestants'? leads. That was until when on his first trip off the ship he heard a voice that he swears he also heard on in the background of the transmission. He may be wrong but after tailing the fellow teenager he decides to take a risk.

Force of habit means he's silent as he slides up behind Duo.]

Are you here for the dig? or perhaps to refuel and share some stories.

[He refers back to the words of the transmission.]

[divine_braid]

[Okay... props to this guy. It was hard to sneak up on Duo, and, to his credit, he didn't outright flail in response, but he definitely looked surprised.

He smirked at the question, though.]

Oh, definitely. I heard there's some interesting stuff down in those caves. [He crossed his arms, amused look on his face.] Refueling's important, though. It's tough when your partner insists you have enough gas, and then suddenly you don't.

[So, yeah... definitely the voice Tim heard.]

[permanentlyexhaustedbird]

[Tim smirks, he doesn't always sneak up on purpose but he will admit it's always a little amusing when pulls it off, even after all these years.]

I will admit, I'm new so refuelling hasn't exactly come up yet but I can't imagine it's a good habit to acquire when the alternative is being stuck in space. It's not exactly comparable to a car running out.

I'm Robin by the way.

[Audio | Private Network]

[padadin]

[What a pleasant surprise! Shiro tries to keep it professional, but you can tell there's a smile in his voice.]

Copy, Interceptor Fleet. Location confirmed - we're having a white end of the year. And I do have those presents for you.

[divine_braid]

[Surprise, Shiro! You get the new guy!]

Oh, hey... I've heard you before.

[padadin]

[He's been curious about who else has escaped, can't deny it.]

You probably have. But this is the first time we've talked, I believe. [The signing names on texts have always been the ones he knows, Angel and Monarch.] I'm Shiro.

[divine_braid]

Yeah... first for me, definitely. Doc needed a good pilot for this one, though, so I came along.

I'm Duo. Nice to talk to you. You planning on visiting the planet?

voice;

[necromanswers]

[well, well, well. what a useful network this is. so this is what Shiro was talking about, huh?]

Double-confirmed. It's a pretty rad system, if you've got magic users around.

I'll look into the alloy. Do you know what it's used for?

[time to study that attachment...!]

voice;

[queenmonarch]

Neither of us are magic users, but that's good to know. I'll pass that along to the others when we get back.

[ The file has some pretty generic info about the alloy. Highlights include that it's conductive, incredibly malleable, and can endure some pretty extreme temperatures without warping or breaking down. When exposed to extremely high temperatures, it turns dark blue / purple - there's even a picture included, and it's actually kind of pretty~ It does list some uses for the metal, but they're pretty generic and universal: "art, mechanics, engineering, conductivity"... things you'd typically need bendy metal for. ]

The alloy's got a lot of different uses. We need it to repair a few things on our ships, make a couple improvements here and there... And, funny you should mention magic. Some of my intel says that it reacts to certain kinds, though God only knows what kinds, or if that's really true. I'd like to confirm it for myself, 'cause that could open up all kinds of possibilities.

[necromanswers]

[Oooh, the metal looks fun to play with. Both from the mechanical and aesthetic perspectives. Maybe it could be melded into some cool weaponry? Or like, magical ship parts. But that's more for the engineers.]

I can throw some magic at it if you want. I'd be interested in seeing what happens, too.

[queenmonarch]

Sure. We can dig some up, throw magic at it, take some notes... Sounds like a good time to me.

[ She sends along some coordinates: a pretty generic cave entrance just outside of a large-ish town. ]

I've never been to Libuscha IV, so if you've already been to this spot and it sucks, we can go somewhere else. Anyway, we'll be in the area in about forty-eight hours. We can hook up around then. Whaddya think?

[Voice]

[sandywolf]

... Interceptor Fleet? Not a part of our current predicament, I would assume, but not far removed from it?

Re: [Voice]

[divine_braid]

Definitely close enough. We've talked to you guys before. Nice new network you all got set up.

[Voice]

[sandywolf]

Ah. I'm not very recently arrived, but still haven't been here very long so I could have missed your previous communications.

The network was Captain Shiro's idea and it took some effort, but I think it paid off indeed.

voice;

[abracafcku]

So you're the ones I keep hearing whispers about. They got this nice shiny network all set-up for you and everything, which means I'm guessing you're a pretty big deal and all since they want to keep you guys hidden from our space overloads.

[Which means he only has one question.]

Who the hell are you guys and what the flying fuck is going on here?

voice;

[queenmonarch]

Well, I guess we are kind of a big deal, sure.

[ She's teasing. Mostly~ ]

We're called the Interceptor Fleet. We were in the same position as you guys for a while. For now, we're happy to be a thorn in Atroma's side while we all try to figure out how to get the fuck back home already.

As for what the flying fuck is going on here, d'you mean right this second, or like an in general sort of thing? Those are pretty different answers.

voice;

[abracafcku]

Okay, so you managed to get away from the asshats running the show, but still can't escape this reality?

[Lame. He was hoping for more than that. The idea that they're still stuck even after escaping the Atroma's reedy little grasp is not comforting and it means he needs to rethink some things about his spell.]

And to answer your question? Both. Answers to both would be fanfuckingtastic.