Iron Stars - hope

You wake surrounded by trees. The signal on your dataslab has been getting stronger your last few days of travel. You're close enough to the city for wildlife to be scarce, warded off by human activity. You're likely less than a day out.

(Can I tell what information the signal carries?)

The signal seems to be a connection to the general comm server, its range fairly limited for now.

I gather my stuff. Cover my tracks. Start making my way to the origin of the signal. I know the wilderness is dangerous so I walk slowly, trying to make no noise and not catch attention. (Stealthy )

(Sneak/dex)

(8)

You don't see any dangerous wildlife this close to the city, after a few hours walking you reach the edge of the forest. To your left you see farms dotting the area, a few farmers had at work. On the right is an airstrip, though most of their planes seem to be out scouting. Guard towers are spread around the perimeter of the clearing, one quite close to you though they don't seem to have seen you yet.

I approach the tower. I want to make a living here so sneaking in do not seems like the right approach. "Hi there in the tower!!"

"Hello there!" One of the guards climbs down and approaches, "Another survivor huh? Where are you from?"

"Originaly from the city. We, the man that raised me and I, ran away from the chaos when hell broke loose and have been living here and there, hiding, since then"

"Well then, welcome to New Astria. You're a lucky young lady to have lasted so long." He looks around, noting there's no one with you, "Most aren't that lucky as I'm sure you know. You have a name we can put on the registry?"

I smile. A sad smile. "I am Hope. Is there some place to grab a bite around here? it feels like ages since l ate a proper meal" (edited)

"Hope." He makes a note on his comm pad, "We could all do with more of that. Head on into the city. Food and a room are free, but everyone able has to work. Need one of us to escort you or do you think you can make it?"

"Nah, don't want to bother you more than necessary. I think I can handle. Is there someone in particular I have to talk to get a job then? I am able so I suppose I will have to work for my food"

"Depends on your skills. Comm network will have some jobs listed or you can find someplace your skills are needed. Most people here are friendly if you need directions or help. We've all seen hard times and we all work to get past them."

"Thank. I will grav a bite then and hop in the net. I will see you around." I start walking toward the center of this new city looking for a place to eat and trying to see everything there is to see around. I am finally among people again, I am a little bit scared but excited at the same time.

You pass a couple of farms and homes on your way into the city proper. A tall wall surrounds most of the city, with gates to the north, east, and south. The gates are manned, but the guards at the northern gate wave you inside, it seems the guards at the tower sent notice of your arrival. It's early evening by the time you find your way to the mess hall, the sounds and smells of people eating float out of open doors. Lines of small huts flank the building.

I follow my nose to a public chow line. While I wait my turn I start glossing over the job related messages on the comm network (edited)

Food is still being served, but it seems most people have already eaten. A handful of the benches have people eating or chatting and a lone man eats by himself in the corner in similarly rugged clothing as yourself. There are a number of job posts for construction around town as well as a railway to a newer settlement up north in its very beginning stages of construction. A few posts call for salvage teams to head into different ruins with many warnings attached of the danger involved. A robotics shop is searching for programmers to help build expert systems to automate various functions around the city.

I send a message offering my help to the person that manage the robotics shop. I just got to the city, I am not so eager to go out again so soon. I take a plate and go to the corner and speak to the lonely man. "Hi there, may I take a sit?"

@Velrond Hexxus

Alister looks up at the woman “Sure, I suppose, Iapologize for the smell.”

"What smell?" I sit. "Do you always eat alone?"

“I just got to town this afternoon... been wondering the swamps for a while now and haven’t been to bathe yet.”

"What a coincidence, I just got to town too. I have been traveling since the incident. We avoided the swamp though. Too many mosquitoes"

Alister eyes her for any signs of being “touched” or any shred of a uniform

5:01 PM

“I’m Alister, and you are mam?”

"I am Hope" The barely 20 years old woman extend her hand. "Nice to meet you" The only unifor she was allowed to use before the scream was the school uniform.

5:06 PM

"Did you travel alone?"

“Yes I did... seeing so many people today has been a little unsettling. Were you alone as well?”

"Nah. I always travel with my mentor. He raised me since my parents died in the war before the scream. Want to met him?" I do not wait for an answer and pull a jar with ashes from my backpack. "He wanted to rest in the moon. Maybe now that the chaos is settling down we may go there again someday"

gasp “I’m sorry little sister for your loss...”

"He lived a full life. Nothing to be sorry about." I continue eating. "What would you like to do now that you are not alone anymore?"

“Not completely sure... I was a fighter pilot before the scream... that may be the easiest way to earn my keep in town. What about you?”

I shrug. "Don't know. I didn't even finish proper school. I liked to play with computers and have a pretty good grasp of logic and know a few programming languages. I will try to help with that. I am not stranger to work so if that does nor work I could end up farming the land.... time will tell. For now I am happy to have a hot meal and a safe place to sleep" (edited)

5:24 PM

I finish my food and stand up. "Well mister pilot. I have to find a place to sleep now. Hope to see you around. Good luck with your flying"

“Good evening to you. Good luck. “

Your dataslab pings as the robotics shop accepts your offer. They expect you there in the morning, the shop's location is included in the message.

In the morning I go to the shop's location.

The shop is in a large open warehouse near the center of the city, just east of the large domed building in the middle. You walk in and see various drones and chassis for bots, most only partially completed. A small man is working alone near the back running diagnostics on a janitor bot that appears to be malfunctioning.

"Hi there. I contacted you last nigth about the help wanted post in the net." I wait for the man to say something. Nervous. Its my first job interview ever.

The man looks up with beady eyes, his face framed by thick poofy white sideburns, apparently to compensate for the lack on his head. "Eh? You're the help? Come, come!" He gestures for you to come closer, "Daniel Cobb, this is my shop. Friends call me Danny."

"Yes Mr. Cobb. I am new in town and was told I need to work my share. Maybe with your gidance I can be of help for you. I have little experience but I am eager to learn"

"A willingness to learn is all one needs to succeed." He sounds like he's quoting someone, "Alright new girl. Show me what you can do so I know what to teach." He points to the diagnostic machine. (Program/int)

(9)

The machine is easy enough for you to use, it seems a glitch in the coding was making the bot empty trashcans onto the floor instead of a waste compactor. You are able to isolate the glitch and its cause: a shorted wire in the main processing unit.

I smile. "Beginners luck I guess. I used to toy with the machines back then but more for fun and the heck of it than for a specific purpose"

He looks at your work, then inspects the bot. "Ah, well done young lady!" He rustles around in a disorganized pile of spare parts and tinkers with the bot for a few minutes, "Aha! That should do it! That was an easy enough fix, err, what did you say your name was?"

"My name is Hope. Do you have many people working with you?"

"No one steady, I mostly just hire help when there's too much for me to do. I'm only one man after all! Those pompous fools at the Order think they can get whatever they want, well not anymore! They can wait! I should program this bot to dump the trash on their heads! Hehehe... no, of course I won't do it, they're not all bad. You know what they can be like though." Cobb moves on to work on the next bot amidst his tirade and points to another for you to look at. "Well? You're here to work aren't you?"

"Order?... yes, I am here to work. What do you need me to do?"

"Eh? You new around here? Psionic Order. They all went crazy right? Hehe, that's what I thought too. A scant handful survived, though their explanations of how are each as unlikely as the next. Ehhh, help me figure out what's wrong with these bots. They were salvaged now the Order wants em. You diagnose, I fix!" He gets to work on the bot in front of him.

"Yes sir." I get to work too.

(Your earlier roll was good enough you don't need another) You and Cobb work together the next couple hours, a continuous one sided conversation spews from his lips unabated. You hear the same anecdote about his grandson at least three times and over the course of your time with him get the impression that he respects psychics generally but thinks they were mismanaged both pre and post scream.

I try to keep up with the old man and listen to everything he says and make encouraging noises here and there so keeps talking.

Cobb stands back after completing the last bot. "Alright, you willing to help with delivery too? I got a cart out back. It's not far but these bones don't move the way they used to."

"I can pull a cart. Are you coming with me? I do not want to get lost in my first day"

Cobb stretches his back and you hear some pops, "I need to sit for a bit after that work. You won't get lost, it's just south of here. People here are friendly, just ask around if you need help."

"Ok. Rest then. I will be back soon." I go make the deliveries. Follow the instructions and try to not get lost.

The Order's building is easy to find with a couple helpful citizens pointing the way. You approach a three story building, the exterior is mostly stone framed by wood with some scrap metal reinforcements. One of the older in the settlement judging by its construction. A wrought iron fence surrounds it, two guards stand at the gate.

I approach the guards. "Good day. I come from Mr Cobb's shop with a delivery"

The guards inspect the cart then wave you through the gate, "Go on in, they're expecting you."

"Thanks" I go in. Watching everything around in awe.

You enter the building and a wide hallway leads directly into a glass ceilinged atrium at the center of the complex. The small courtyard has a variety plants and flowers growing and you see the glass panels on the ceiling are retractable, carefully positioned mirrors providing natural light for all times of the day. A tall slender man is currently watering a leafy bush, wearing a slightly tattered but high quality brown jacket over a green vest with matching slacks. He looks up with piercing but kind eyes as you enter, "Oh hello, those must be from Danny." His eyes narrow as he looks at you, "And you are?"

"Yes. This are from Mr Cobb. I am Hope, I am new around here and am helping the man fix these"

A slight grin spreads on his face, "Yes, I can tell you are new. Many thanks for your aid, I have been custodian of these halls and now it seems I can resume my previous position. Tell me. What do you know of our Order?"

"Of this new one? Not much. Of the old one quite bit, from stories of the crazy old man that raised me so I do not know if its actually true or tale. My parents were part of it I guess, they die in the war I almost have no memories of them."

"I see. And how did you survive the scream?"

(I have the impression he already knows I am a psychic. Does he? )

(You have the impression. No way for you to know for sure yet)

"I was lucky I guess. The man that raised me took us out of town as soon as he felt something was wrong and we spent a couple of years in the mountains hiding. How did you survived?"

He ignores your question, "What happened to the one who raised you? Does he have a name?"

"He was crazy even before the scream. On his crazy rants he used to boast being the most powerful psychic alive but he was burnt out. His names Pai Mei, do you want to meet him?" (edited)

He raises an eyebrow, "Indeed I would. Burnt out before the scream? I suppose that's what saved him."

I reach for my backpack and pull ou the jar with the ashes. "Pai Mei say hello to...." i realize i do not know the name of the guy "what did you say was your name?"

"Malbrook. Kent Malbrook. And I am sorry for your loss." He glances up behind you, "What do you think?" Another man's voice calls down, "Well we can't be as picky as we used to. I suppose she'll do."

(Have I heard the name before? Did he recognized thhe name of my Master?) I look over my shoulder. Put the jar away and look back at Malbrook. I smirk. "So, you are one of those that can tell hu?"

As you look back you see a man watching from a second floor balcony that rings the courtyard. Malbrook smiles at you, "I am metapsionic, yes. I was a professor at the academy before. Your friend there was likely before my time."

I am feeling kind of trapped now. "So... what now?... I finished my delivery. Do yoy want to send Mr Cobb some message or something?"

"Your options are thus: you may keep your secret. But if you are found out by someone they may kill you before you can prove yourself unferal. Or you become a registered psychic. Everyone will know. Some will hate or fear you, others will try to gain your favor, but no one will try to kill you. At least openly."

10:18 AM

"As for Danny, he will be paid for his services of course. We will take care of it."

I stand in silence for a second gauging my options. "So shoot on sigth or a leash are my options" I hate my options. I will change this options. ... some day. I smirk. Resigned. "Can I at least pick the color of my leash?" (edited)

Malbrook chuckles, "You may. You need not be involved with the Order if you do not wish it. But if you wish to learn and grow in your abilities as I suggest you do, one of us will teach. Three advanced psychics survived including myself and Mr. Draper up there. All of us metapsionic as that was the academy's specialty. There is a cost of course, nothing in life is free. But we will not ask anything of you that you will not be able to provide."

"What's the cost? I think its better to put the cards on the table and be straight forwarded at least among us. Its hard to make choices with half pices of info"

"The cost is the same everywhere in this city. Work. The more valuable you are to the city, the more you get from it. The same rule applies here. The work itself will depend on you, at times you will just be asked to be helpful around the city, other times we may have a task suited to your specific talents. There is a manner of danger involved but you cannot escape danger in this world. The choice is yours." He turns around and continues watering the plants. (edited)

"Well. I agree with registering. I have a commitment with Mr Cobb rigth now. Maybe in the future you see me back."

Mr. Draper appears in front of you holding a comm pad for you to sign. The entry just says Hope: Limited Psychic. Telekinetic.

"That's a pretty trick you got there." I sign

He hands you a credit stick, "For Mr. Cobb. Come back and you'll learn tricks of your own." Draper vanishes. Malbrook looks up, "I do hope you'll consider it."

I take the stick. "I will" I turn and head the way I came to Cobb's shop.

You make it back to the shop and Cobb's working near the back on a rusty dented drone, muttering to himself under his breath.

"I am back Mr Cobb. They send you this." I give him the stick. Sit close by. "What now? What's next job?"

"Ah, many thanks young Hope." He takes the stick and your compad notifies you as you receive your share. (3xp 1000 credits) "You're looking to stick around then? Hmm I don't have anything pressing right now but there's always something to be done around here. What is it you're interested in?"

"Those drones pieces you have hanging there catched my eye, do you think I could build one of those for me? I will pay for all the parts. I like your shop. If you do not have pressing work I will look for something else, but will like to stik around and gelp first with the work you can give than the other things available."

"Sure, there's a bunch of parts around here from various things just take a look!"

"Great" I spend some time building a drone and look on the net what other things the community needs people for. I am still reluctant to go to the Order.

The previous jobs are still posted and a new one asking for help setting up a production center to the northeast.

As you're looking another job is posted. An atmoflyer crashed in the plains to the north and they need someone to investigate and find out why it crashed.

Mr. Pilot

I heard an atmoflyer ceashed. I hope it wasn't you. Town is asking for a team to investigate. Would you want to fly us there

@Velrond Hexxus

7:02 AM

I send a message to the poster of the crashed atmoflyer saying I am interested in going there and see what happened.

The reply says to come to the airstrip just north of the city.

I go to the airstrip north of the city (edited)

“It wasn’t me. If you’d like to join I’m going to see if I can build a team to check it out.”

"I am heading to the airstrip rigth now. I will be there shortly if i do not get lost in the city. I would like to be part of tye team yes, I hope my inexperience do not burden you"

(I'll make a mission channel for it just for fun lol)

(

)

Auril follows you to the bathhouse, staying silent and watching with wary eyes.

"You have nothing to worry about in here. I will get you some clothes" I show her how the shower works and go to look for some clothes.

The attendants give you clothes that should fit decently, if a bit baggy on her.

"Well. What do you think if we grab something to eat now?"

She nods and heads to the mess hall where she meets up with Alister. (We skipped ahead a bit in his channel, but you could talk with them if you wanted)

(I will read what going on there first then)

You receive a message from Keaton sometime tomorrow afternoon.

8:06 AM

Alister and Hope,
    Just responded to an emergency call on the railway. Some workers were attacked by the same creatures we ran into at the crash site, about 10 of them. The foreman claimed they were acting odd 'they fought harder and longer than they should have for the resistance we gave them. Like something was driving them.' I thought this was an odd coincidence so I wanted to give you a heads up.

Keaton,
Are you planing on going out there to investigate this further?

@Seth

Negative, the attack seemed to be over by the time I arrived. I provided medical support to the wounded and am in the process of transporting the more severe cases to the hospital. By the way, the creatures spines have some sort of paralyzing poison and they seem to be able to launch then at their victims. Something to be cautious of if you ever run into them again.

ok. Thanks for the warning 

Try to nit take too many risks out there

After geting something to eat I go to the airfield. I want to ask Abby how far is she from making a space worthy shuttle again.

(It was later evening so this will would be the next morning) You arrive at the airfield just after sunrise. There are a few people working on the shuttle, but Abby is in the back of the hangar, looking over blueprints of some kind.

I approach and look over her shoulder in silence.

The blueprints are vastly complex, above your level of expertise. It seems to be a component for a ship.

"Woow. That looks... complex" i kind of whisper

She jumps a little, so intent on her work she didn't see you. "Hope! You shouldn't sneak up like that!" She looks down and sighs in frustration, "Spike drive. I'm nearly there, but something's missing. If I had one of our old ones I could figure it out and start building our own. Without it it could be another year or more before I'm done."

"Sneaking is a skill that one must practice every chance one has. It has become really usefull lately. So thats what that is. Haven't anyone found one functioning yet?"

"Not yet. They were really only kept in the city and all the ones in the air crashed. Salvage teams haven't made it that far in yet."

"The city sounds dangerous. I think that a crashed one could be a better option to pursue at the time. Or maybe one in orbit?"

"Nothing like that's orbiting as far as I know. We've gotten reports of a large ship crashed in the northern plateaus. Large enough it wouldnt normally be able to fly in atmo. That would have spike for sure, though there's a good chance it'd be damaged."

"Do you think its woth the shoot? How big is the piece you need? I don't think we could haul a whole ship and it would take a team to bring back a big chunk."

"I'm not sure how big, but I'd suggest taking a team if you're interested in going. I haven't heard of ferals being out there but you never know." (Could bring npcs if you want)

"Ok, I will prepare to make the trip and see what can I salvage. I will need some explanation about this" I point the blue prints "from you so I can know what would ve useful and what not" I get ready to recieve a lesson on spike drives from Abby.

Abby shows you diagrams and pictures of what to look for, and a few different possible variations. "Do you have anyone you want to take with you? There are people around town you could hire if not."

Hope, situation here seems to be evolving. May be doing a bit of investigating after all.

I will put a new drone together real quick. Buy a couple of instapanels. Get a storage unit. Make sure my batteries are charged. And head north towards the place Keaton mention the trouble was.

7:47 PM

( Drone: Sleeper 2500 Obvservation suit 250 Medical support 2000 Expert system 5000 Storage unit 500 Instapanel x 4 200 Medicine comes included in the done kit or I have to purchase separately? )

(I think meds are purchased separately)

(

)

7:53 PM

(I buy 4 Lazarus patch)

I tae one of the instapanels and shape it like a huge roman shield. As soon as i get out the city proper i hold it horizontaly half a meter of the ground with twlwkinetik manipulation hop in with all my things as if it were a canoe and hover towards the place keton amd the others are.

(Tk doesn't work like that, you can't levitate yourself in any way until 4th level)

(Can't you stand on something yoy are making levitate?)

(Nope. You can levitate other willing people. The creator has specified you cant do that with yourself)

(It says your body in the book. But if thats the ruling you make thats the ruling.) I put my things in the thing and walk beside it then.

("The psychic cannot use this discipline to lift their own person without special techniques" You're still lifting your person, even if the technique is targeting something under you. You can join the others back up in the group thread)

The others all leave to go their respective ways. Griggs is ordering his men around and preparing the bodies to be moved back to the city while the railway workers continue working. Things have calmed down considerably after the chaos, though tensions are still a bit high with the being still out there.

I go back to town to lick my wounds, recover and gather a team to go to the crash site of the spaceship.

(Connect/cha to gather a team. How many and what kind?)

(3)

6:41 AM

(A medic, a driver, two muscle, that would be ideal :D)

Abby is willing to supply one of her pilots and you find two others of doubtful skill but look strong. You're unable to find a skilled medic.

(Sorry I have been inactive lately I have. I will ve mor active next week)

(No worries)