Thread: Carnal Universe (PsionicCuttlefish & Queen Chaos)

There was a distortion in the space surrounding the frontier planet designated EXS-1-17, and moments later a ship warped into the star system. It was a small frigate, big enough to house over fifty soldiers when at full capacity, along with two drop-ships and several ground vehicles. It was an old ship, several decades out of style but retrofitted with the latest technology. New canons and lasers bristled along the hull, while new shields flared every now and then to protect against drifting space debris. However the pride of the ship and its captain was its advanced manoeuvrability and speed, unmatched by any other ship it had recently encountered. The name of the ship is painted on the side in huge white letters Gungnir , for it flew as swift and as straight as Odins mythical spear. Systems clear, its just us. The young blonde pilot called out across the bridge. She tapped the holographic display of planets in front of her, cycling through various scans. A few anomalies, but nothing to worry about. In the seat next to her was a redheaded co-pilot, tapping her displays as she manoeuvred the ship. Bringing us into a holding pattern. She called out. Behind them was the rest of the bridge, the walls lined with various unmanned terminals and, in the centre was a large round table. Its surface was a screen and it served as a command unit for the ship as well as for any ground teams. Karla. Called out the ships captain and mercenary extraordinaire, Cassandra . Leaning over the command unit, her eyes scanned the detailed map of the colony on display. Her lithe body was covered in from fitting body armour, a mixture of armour plating, technology and soft, tight multipurpose fabric designed for the rigours of space. Karla , the blonde pilot, stood and slipped from the cockpit, sauntering over to her captain. Joining her at the command table, she looked over the map. So what do you think? Cassandra asked. There was a long pause, Karlas face thoughtful before she replied. See this? She tapped a green mass on the map. There dozens more of varying sizes covering the colony. As her finger pressed on one, a small screen popped up with information. Parasitic plants. You remember the ones we encountered back in Vesten? How could I forget? Cassandra grinned. Well these are the same, but theyve been sent into overdrive. My guess is that theyve taken the colony. Karla explained. I sense a but coming. But the question is why. Karla said. This colony has been here for fifteen years with little issue from the surrounding jungle. Foul play? Cassandra offered. Karla nodded. My guess is a small group, either rebels or non-humans, used toxins to accelerate the plant growth right into the colony, clearing the way for them to find the data core. Itd take them weeks to bypass all of the security, so theyve got to still be here. Luckily for me Ive got this. Cassandra said, holding up a small rectangular device on a chain around her neck, which would allow her to pass through all of the security at the research facility with ease. I want you to run tactical support, Ill take Jade and Lissa with me. Oh I like those two, try and bring them back. Karla called after her captain as she turned to leave. No promises. So were going to drop you guys on the roof of the colonys town hall. It seemed to be the centre of all the plant life and the most likely place to find any civilians. Cassandra watched the two women across from her as she explained the mission, the drop-ship rocking slightly with turbulence. Lissa held a sniper rifle across her lap, pistol holstered at her waist and various explosive devices clipped to her camouflaged outfit. Jade on the other hand covered her feminine form in bright, high-tech and heavily plated body armour and carried a shotgun. Your mission, Cassandra continued, is primarily to be loud. Cause some pain to the plants and act as a distraction so that I can slip into the research facility. If you find any civilians then do your best to extract them but dont take any risks. Well meet in three hours on the norther edge of town. Understood. You got it boss. Jade said, while Lissa nodded. The plants are parasitic, but they should be harmless for the most part. Nothing you cant handle. These days the lie came easy to Cassandra. They didnt need to know the truth as long as the job got done. The rear doors of the drop-ship opened and Jade led the way out, followed by Lissa. Moss, vines, thick tendrils and exotic flowers seemed to cover most of the colony. The two women were wary as Jade led the way through the rooftop access door, shotgun ready. They both took a deep breath, inhaling a strange floral smell. Hey Karla, whats this smell? Lissa asked over comms. Appears to be pollen. Scans show that it should be harmless. Karla reported from the Gungnir. Should? Laura said with a humourless chuckle. Thats really inspiring. The two women began sweeping through the offices on the top floor, casually shooting the vines and tendrils, blowing chunks off and causing as much damage as they could. Upon opening a door, Lissa found a room packed full of flowers and tendrils. They seemed to move of their own accord, reaching towards her. She was quick to grab a grenade and toss it into the room before slamming the door shut. Crouched behind a ruined truck, Cassandra watched the research facility. The entrance was covered in vines and flowers. As the drop-ship flew away, the sound of its engines receding, she listened to the sounds of the jungle that surrounded the colony. Strange bird calls, the sway of leaves in the wind and the howling of alien creatures. It was suddenly interrupted by distant gunfire and explosions. She watched, as slowly the vines covering the entrance to the research facility peeled away, moving towards the gunshots. Looks like its waking from hibernation. Came Karlas voice on their private channel. You sure about this? Its the best option. You know that the job comes first. So where am I going? Cassandra asked as she quickly ran from the truck to the vault-like door of the facility. It was surprisingly quick to open for her and then close behind her. Static came over the comms and snippets of Karlas voice. Great Cassandra sighed as she wandered the dark halls of the facility, power flickering on and off. She soon found signs of whoever else was in their with her and followed the trap of carnage they had left behind.