Traverse (Tim)

[Bannanachair]

"It could be convergent evolution. There may be some incredibly distinct advantages to walkig on two feet that nobody is yet aware of which makes it so that species that look more like the three of us are more likely to achieve spaceflight than species that look like fish, for instance. If it is the case that we are so highly evolved that only a limited number of body shapes are possible, and given the sheer size of the milky way alone it makes sense that there would be a species or two out there close enough to humans to be mistaken for them at a glance. As for an empire, that's just another government structure which the early histories of all of our races had some of."

[Tikobe]

"The captain's right," Jakti points out. "The Zathrelle look human, just that they uh... You know. The ears. And you know, you Ta people look humanish. Just got that uh skin thing. Hell, most races look like humans, just different skin color. And organs. Not to mention that only the Hutoon stand as the only non-bipedal sentients in Keeper space, but they came from a gas giant so that's to be expected."

They clearly don't know about the Spider, who was humanoid but not bipedal by any means.

Chess sighs in defeat.

"Very well. Let us just hope that these were the humans that man at the docks, this 'Martin,' was referring to. I can't even imagine real humans outside of Keeper space. Most likely because that would mean there may be some of the other races, and the Keepers don't exile others so it would beg the question of why are they out here."

[Bannanachair]

"Before the formation of the KOMC humans were an industrious race of explorers. Our ship is named after one of them. Before we all adopted such an isolationist stance a couple colonies could have lost contact with the rest of us and become forgotten about. Or it could be a private enterprise of people who snuck out without knowledge of the Keepers, which would explain their knowledge of the inner workings of the KOMC and the slingshot. If we were on the other end of the galaxy I'd agree that they couldn't be true humans, but it is a possibility here."

[Tikobe]

"I hate possi-"

A flash of a red light. That wasn't there before.

Then again, neither was the bomb.

The shuttle's safety measures kicked in, restraining you to your seats while the shuttle's barrier attempted to keep it together. You spun for about five seconds, until the shuttle finally crashed into a large rock. You could see that the barrier was just barely in tact. Any longer and the whole thing might've fallen apart.

"Is everyone alright?" Chess says as he fights to free himself from the straps. The shuttle was starting to power done so the three of you could exit.

[Bannanachair]

"I'm alive and I think nothing is broken."

[Tikobe]

"How about you, Jakti?"

"Uh... Heard something crack."

"What!? Is it bone!?"

"Well, this is the one time you can ask that and not sound stupid. No thankfully, it isn't bone. Just don't know... Oh."

Jakti pulls his monitor out of his arm. It's snapped in half.

"Is that going to be a problem?" Chess asks.

"Uh... Well, it's happened before. Not to me, but I've seen it. I think it'll be fine till we get it fixed, if we can get it fixed. Doesn't matter right now. Where are we?"

Chess finally unstraps himself and opens the shuttle's emergency door. Outside you see that you have fallen into a canyon. You hear voices in the distance, and the sound of an energy rifle heating up for use.

"Crap. Someone help me out of this," Jakti says as he tries unstrapping himself, although his reptilian claws keep getting in the way.

[Bannanachair]

I take my swiss army knofe out of my pocket and, after cutting through my own straps, go to help Jakti.

[Tikobe]

As you help Jakti, you hear the voices getting closer.

"Chess, any clue about these men we hear?" Jakti asks as he finally gets freed with your help.

"The Ta aren't the best at hearing," Chess replies. "It sounds like maybe three, all male. Seems like they're not here out of good will. Can't tell which direction they're coming from, the echoing caused by this canyon is scrambling makes it impossible to pinpoint their location and from where we stand the canyon splits off into four different directions. Your orders, Captain Edwards?"

[Bannanachair]

"Arm yourselves and prepare for a fight." As I say this, I take out my gun and aim it at the door.

[Tikobe]

Out of one of the directions, you see three people, all males just like Chess said. One was human, the other was a Mrok, a gigantic furry man, and the third and final, who looked like to be the leader of this group, was a Ta. The three open fire, leaving bullet holes all over the shuttle.

"We're sitting ducks here!" Chess says. There were plenty of rocks to hide behind, some large enough to split up the battlefield so it wouldn't be a 3v3. Otherwise, this would be a straight out fire fight.

[Bannanachair]

"Run to the rocks. I'll provide cover fire." As I say that I begin firing in the direction that the earlier bullets came from.

[Tikobe]

(Enemy Attack Roll!)

The enemy's bullets thankfully don't hit you hard, although one grazed you.

(Luck Roll! (Making this in the event that I need to consider something for tactics and all))

Jakti and Chess safely make it to the rocks

(Attack Roll!)

You strike back, giving you crew some cover. However, you did surprisingly well, considering you were able to take down the human. This seems to have angered the Mrok, however, as he take off something quite large you hadn't noticed on his back. It's another energy weapon, and it's a weapon similar to a grenade launcher. A very high tiered one. He clearly has some very rich friends. And considering he has it pointed at your direction, you can also assume that he's very mad, and very likely to use it against you.

[Bannanachair]

"Cover me; I'm headed to better cover!" I shout, running to a cluster of rocks in the opposite direction to where my comrades went. With any luck our attackers will be surrounded.

[Tikobe]

(Dodge Roll!)
(Luck Roll!)
(Holy crap, you're getting some good rolls here.)

You ran out and just narrowly escape the poorly aim attack of the ball of explosive energy shot by the Mrok that finally did the shuttle in. Thankfully, Chess and Jakti were also safe from it.

As Jakti and Chess returned fire, you notice the Ta slipping away. From the direction he was headed, he may be going after you now that you're alone, even if it means abandoning his large friend.

[Bannanachair]

I open fire on the escaping Ta.

[Tikobe]

(Attack Roll!)

You fire, but he manages to get out of cover. He pokes his head out and returns fire.

[Bannanachair]

I return to cover and, when he's done firing, return fire.

[Tikobe]

(Dodge roll!)

You hid behind the rocks and protected yourself from the bullets. As you return fire, the Ta tries to return to cover.

(Enemy Dodge Roll!)
(Attack Roll!)

Your bullet lands a good shot at this shoulder, causing him to cry out.

"Captain Edwards, where is he!? Where is Kaminski!?" he shouts from behind the rocks, his voice filled with anger.

[Bannanachair]

If I got his shoulder maybe he'll have a harder time shooting. I run up to him and, if he's armed, shoot, aiming at a limb to disarm him rather than kill him, and if he isn't, I just keep my gun trained on him to ensure that he doesn't try anything stupid.

[Tikobe]

(One of these two characters already won this one actually so no more rolling. Now it's just a matter of ending this.)

As you run up he slips away. You look around he was at, only to hear the hum of his gun behind you, it's metal touching the back of his neck. Sneaky bastard caught you.

"I know you brought a security officer, Captain," he growls. "Where is Kaminski?"

[Bannanachair]

"He's not presently here."

[Tikobe]

"That doesn't say anything!" he shouts. "'Not presently here?' Not presently here with you three? Not presently here on this planet? This star system? Where is he, Captain!? I'm losing patience!"

"That's enough!" Jakti says while coming out of the rocks, holding a gun at the Ta. "Sorry it took a while, captain. The big guy was pretty rough to take down."

"Peku?" Chess says to the Ta as he follows Jakti from behind the rocks.

"Kipo, I had thought you were on their ship," the Ta smiles. "This is very good news indeed."

"Peku, why are you here? I thought you were arrested," Chess inquires.

"Hold on, Chess. You know this guy?" Jakti asks.

[Bannanachair]

I'll let them keep talking for a bit.

[Tikobe]

"Peku and I were in a difficult position until four years ago. Unfortunately, when we were out of it he started a vendetta against everyone who troubled us. He was arrested for it," Chess explains, before looking at this "Peku." "Why are you here? I thought you were sentenced for life."

"Ko."

You had little to no idea about this term. To be fair, the Ta were a heavily traditional and superstitious people. Although it was obvious it was some kind of pledge to kill. The problem when dealing with different aliens is that they have different values: Some frown upon killing. Others encourage it. The Ta were the latter group.

"Peku! Who could you possibly hold ko against!?"

"His name is Nicholas Kaminski. He has wronged me to a point beyond acceptance. He must suffer ko, Kipu."

Chess bites his lip, before replying, "We have fought together, Peku. I am protected by nayu. You cannot hurt Kaminski if I protect him because you cannot hurt me by tradition."

"Well, then I can take a gamble, then," Peku replies. "Only you are protected by nayu, so all I need to do is work around you. You're not on the ship. Kaminski might not be on the ship."

The Ta presses a button on his belt.

"Uh... What was that?" Jakti asks.

"A signal. I also have a ship of my own. Now they know it is safe to fire upon yours and destroy it."

[Bannanachair]

I'll assume that he no longer has his gun on me because he's surrounded and grab my communicator. "Henry, this is Robert. Have everyone report to battle stations immediately. You will be under attack shortly. Your number one priority is the survival of the ship, the crew and yourself."