The Valhalla Mission

[macrorufus]

The ANS Sleipnir sat in orbit of a moon, lying low. Its eight engines were all switched offline, her Captain and Crew all waited. This is the rendevous point for any vessel that wished to be hired by the Aesir. The rendevous point was the star system closest to the Yggdrasil system. Though nothing had turned up yet.

Surely though, with the winters so bad all over the galaxy they'd find some people desparate enough to answer their request for captains and vessels.
The Sleipnir was a transport vessel though it had the build and lines of a smuggler, especially given its cluster of engines, the motif of an eight legged horse lay on the prow of the vessel.

The Valkyries would wait, and were ready to guide the one's they'd looked to hire.

The terms of the contract were not particularly clear. It was accepted that the pay was above the norm for even a mercenary contract, though the Aesir, did not request any conditions. They would take any vessels capable of fighting, with any crews, be they experienced or not. Which gave it the appearance of some obscure hoax. Though the money was real. And that was enough for many.

[Arratra]

A ship burst suddenly out of FTL, not far, spatially speaking, from the moon and the ship.

PMCV Ultima Wing accelerated, moving for an orbit parallel to that of the other ship there.
"Looks like we're the first ones here, Cruu," the the Draconian at Sensor Ops said, "Surprising."
"I'll say," Cruurtun said, pulling up the sensor readings on his own terminal, "We're one of the slowest FTL vessels this side of the Core."

[Cobalt3924]

*From the wake of the Ultima's FTL rend in space: a second ship flew out: having drafted in their wake. In comparison to the PMCV Ultima Wing: It was absolutely Tiny. A Corvette at most. The E.H.S. Darkscythe.*

"Sucessful Draft. At least these guys were headed the same way..." Lilliana muttered to herself as she sweeped the area with her ships Sensors. She was the Only crew member on her ship aside from a handful of mechanical Drones.

[Brome Teks]

The Federation Space Ship Excalibur sits in waiting over a hundred light years away from the rendezvous point. Captain Killakril looks over his console. "All systems ready," the ship computer reports. The captain nods. He opens up the intercom. "All hands, prepare for step-through." A distortion resembling this in appearance appears before the ship. On the other side, the ships that had already arrived could be seen. From their side, the distortion would show the Excalibur in orbit around a rocky moon. The Excalibur gives itself a small boost forward, passing through the distortion and stepping in to orbit at the rendezvous area. The distortion closes behind the Excalibur.

"Step-through successful." The Computer informs the captain. "Three other ships appear to have already arrived."

"Duly noted," Killakril says as he looks over them. "Can you positively ID them?"

"Working." The computer says as it searches the considerable ship directories for matches.

[Crusadra]

From the other side a massed amount of energy can be detected before the Trader's Wind flew out, in mid acceleration.

Kingdra was upon the bridge surrounded with his fellow's and trusted friends, "Status?"
An Engineer turns and looks to him, "All is well sir. Made full jump without the slightest complication."

Kingdra smiles, "Excellent... are there any other ships present?"
Another Engineer calls out, "Yes mi'lord. Seems to be four... nothing to nasty lookin'. Probably allies-to-be if anything."

Kingdra nods and takes a seat in his chair.

[Arratra]

"Ships on the sensors," the Draconian crew member said, "New arrivals."
"Onscreen," Cruurtun ordered, as the Ultima Wing accelerated into a higher orbit.
"Here we go," Sensor Ops said, "Neutral targets, sir. They're here for the same contract by the looks of it."
"Any other carriers?"
"Negative. We've got the fighter market monopolized, it seems."

[Nelle Kozera]

Tezra looked over the main navigational display of the Quest for the End. The Quest was in route though the travel time was taking much longer than she was used to. Primary reason for this was because of the distance away from the last galaxy she had been in. She was looking at the external camera for the ship as it traversed hyperspace. A lot had changed about the Hyperdrive technology that the Arianrhod Ormr had used over the millennium. One thing that hadn’t changed was the brilliant cascading effect that Hyperspace had with its bright blue colors shifting like tentacles in branching from the ship. They where only minutes away.

She went to work on setting up a sensor burst for the moment they existed hyperspace. The Quest had a small crew mainly because of its role. An as expeditionary frigate there was only ten crew members aboard including herself. As result of this she had to man the bridge on her own many times including this one. The ships primary AI spoke, “We will be breaking hyperspace in the next thirty seconds. All crew members should prepare for hyperspace drop.” The warning was merely tradition at this point, there hadn’t been an incident involving hyperspace transitions in over fifty thousand years.

To external viewers a low level radiation burst would fill their sensors as the Quest for the End existed from its hyperspace window, those that would be in visual range would see something else. As the vessel exist it would appear that Incorporeal tentacles where ripping opening the fabric of space in order to allow the ship to exit. As the opening expanded a sharp blue light would would come pouring out of the new opening in space in which the Quest existed from hyperspace. Once clear the window slammed shut...

“Beginning Sweep…”

Because of the sweep, others would get an exact location of the vessel because of its tachyon emissions...

[Arratra]

The Ultima Wing happened to be in line of sight of the ship, and the entire crew saw the emergence. Instantly, the entire crew exploded into motion; despite the fact that they were, technically, mercenaries, they were trained professionals.
"Unidentified ship," Sensors reported, "No match on the configuration. Standby... Whoa! FTL drive readings off the scale, sir!"
Cruurtun swore under his breath.
"Helm, pull us out of orbit and into free space. Get us out of this gravity well!"
"Yes sir!"
The Ultima Wing's four engines surged into life as the ship accelerated out of orbit and into free space, where its hyperdrive could spin up and launch the ship to FTL velocities in a matter of about ten seconds.
"Medium tachyon frequency," Cruurtun ordered, "No encryption."
"You want to talk with them," the First Officer concluded, as his Captain leaned forwards in his seat, "Sir, we have no idea if they even speak our language."
"I know."
The first officer didn't say anything further as the channel opened.
"This is Cruurtun, captain of the PMCV Ultima Wing. We received the contract information. The Admiralty also requested that we investigate," Cruurtun said, "Please identify yourselves."

[macrorufus]

The ANS Captain responded on a broad frequency to talk to all the vessels at the same time. The Captain's voice was a source of some distress, as she clearly spoke a foreign language, yet all the words were understood. Perhaps not 100%, but most. Though, one didn't quite 'hear' the words, as 'feel' them within one's head. She came across as a totally heartless person, the stare she directed across the comms channel is the same stare that would normally be reserved for people who said things like: 'What's so bad about genocide?'

"I am Captain Herja of the ANS Sleipnir. We have waited here to assemble those who wished for contracts. You receive our pay, you receive our worries. Your admiralty is of no concern. If you have other oaths, our contract will take priority. We will send liasons aboard your vessels if you do not have them. You will need them to cross the Bifrost without incident. When the liasons are aboard we will travel to the home system. Your contract begins there, I will forward course directions, or you may simply follow."
There is an accute sense of having been dismissed abruptly as she switches the channel off. From the Sleipnir small shuttles disembark and head for the ships that don't have liasons. The Sleipnir's engines activate and it begins to accelerate on a course away from the moon. Captain Herja clearly doesn't want to waste time.

[Crusadra]

After listening to the transmission... Kingdra takes off his cap, scratches his head and sighs a bit, looking to the others, "Sounds like a fun group, eh?"
The crew chuckles a bit, some laugh nervously, others just go along with his humor.

Kingdra frowns, "Prepare to accept the ship... keep a few lightly armored personal about the being... show no hostility, show how we would usually treat any other passenger upon this ship."
The crew nods, and goes about preparing for the shuttle coming to it.

Kingdra blinks a bit before turning to one of the engineers, "Also... power up the shields would you? I'd have a feeling that some of the others may be a bit... hostile soon."
The engineer nods and preps the shields as soon at the shuttle is docked.

[Cobalt3924]

Lilliana received the Communication and disengaged the clamps around the Airlock for the shuttle to dock. With a Sigh, she flicked the Broadcast through her ship.

"Attention All Drones. A Liason will be arriving shortly. Maintenence Drones one through four: Prepare the BL-7 Cabin for them and attend to any needs they require. Repair Droid Seven: you will await their arrival and lead them to the Main Deck when they arrive."

The droids responded with a Unified <CONFIRMED> as Lilliana waited for the Vessel to dock.

[Brome Teks]

Captain Killakril quirks a wing. “Well, this ought to be interesting… Can we get a scan of the shuttle’s physical dimensions?”

One of the crew members quickly pipes up. “It’s not too big. We can make room in the ventral landing vehicle bay.”

Killakril nods. “Very well, make it so. Have someone set up one of the interior cargo bays as a living space. Hope they don’t mind somewhat cramped quarters…”

The Excalibur would open up one of it’s ventral bays, the shuttle would find room next to a set of what looked like saucer shaped, long range SSTO vehicles. Behind the shuttle, the doors would close, and the force fields holding the air in would shut off, letting the doors do their job now.

Back on the bridge, the Captain would look to his computer terminal. “Query: What are the current results for the starship search?”

The computer chimes back. “Search results: Vessel 1: Se’Rallies Confederacy Cruiser, Current designation: Trader’s wind. Additional information ready. Vessel 2: E.S.H. Frigate class Darksycthe, though that ship was officially decommissioned some time ago. Scans indicate it was refitted. Vessel 3: Paramilitary ship, identifying itself as the Ultima Wing. Warning: Ship is mercenary operated. Vessel 4: Class unknown. Ship identifies itself as the “Quest for the End.” Vessel 5: Class unknown. Ship identifies itself as the ANS Sleipnir.” If there were other NPC ships there, the computer would list off what it could find about them too.

“Quite a motley crew we’ve got here… What is that merc ship doing?”

“Trajectory indicates that it is exiting planetary orbit in response to the Quest for the End. Reason: unknown.”

“Hmm… can never tell with mercs… Keep the buffer for the shield systems and weapons at full. If they turn hostile, go to DALAS 1 and await my orders.”

“Confirmed. System ready.”

[Arratra]

"I've got a bad feeling about this," the First Officer said, as the Ultima settled onto a heading parallel to the ANS ship.
"I know," Cruurtun grumbled, "Open the bay... but prep the fighters and shields. And ready the troopers. If they try to take over, we kick them off the ship; it's ours, not theirs. Welcome the liason aboard, too... but don't let them anywhere near an input.

The lateral docking bay of the Ultima cranked fully open to accommodate the shuttle, an energy skin forming over it in order to hold the atmosphere in. The Ultima's infantry group sprinted to their posts, collecting their weapons. Every one of them was tense, even the heavily armoured Shocktroopers. Most of the Draconians were equipped with Talorna's Strike shotguns, a precaution against hostile takeover, but some carried assault rifles grabbed from the armoury, and a few of the Shocktroopers carried devastating rotary guns.

[Nelle Kozera]

“Rather interesting message.” Tezra said to herself as she over looked the sensor the data pouring in. She had ignored the message coming from the Ultima Wing. But she already had a Liaison so instead decided to respond to it. The Quest for the End began moving in the direction of the ship that had recommend that they follow.“Investigate what exactly?” Her transmission was over open unencrypted channels aside from Quest for the End all other Identification data was using a encoding protocol that alien in all aspects And currently indecipherable.

“If you wish to know my name, you may refer to me as Tezra.” She intentionally left off the flamesinger aspect for cultural reasons. For her, one’s second name was only to be reveled in person once some level of trust was gained between two people.

Aside from the brief message the Quest for the End broadcasted stand greeting and Hand shake Protocols to all remaining ships. Standard First contact procedure…

[Arratra]

"Our worlds have been experiencing unexplained cooling," Cruurtun said, "Anything suspicious is worthy of our attention, especially since it seems everyone in our area is experiencing it."
"Handshake signal," the Comms officer said, leaning forwards in his seat.
"Hold course," Cruurtun ordered, crossing his arms.

[macrorufus]

-Ultima Wing-
The shuttle docked, disgorging another woman. She ignored the weapons pointed her way, and focusing her gaze on the senior-most officer, strode over to him.
"I am Liason Herja. I am here to ensure that you have the correct navigation and access information to travel on the Bifrost. You may ask me what questions you will."
It would be of some surprise to find that the liasons all looked like Captain Herja, or perhaps Captain Herja looked like the Liasons.

-Quest For The End-
Liason Herja stepped aboard, introduced herself rather abruptly, and demanded to see the Captain. If she got to see the Captain, she'd tell Tezra that she needed acess to a communications panel to transmit access codes.
She's all business, and about as warm as a Siberian winter.

-Excalibur-
The liason that got aboard the Excalibur showed her surprise at the Zrackli.
"Such small Einherjar! I would be pleased to meet the captain of such warriors. I'll need to pass him some sensitive information, since I suspect that I will not be able to use a communications panel."
Herja smiled briefly, though it didn't do any wonders for her. She had a face that didn't smile well, since it probably had never had to do so.

-Trader's Wind-
The Herja that stepped aboard nods politely at her 'escorts' or 'guards' whichever term one preferred to use.
"I will see the Captain. I need to impress upon him the requirements for access to communications."

-Darkscythe-
Herja grumbles quite vocally about the droids.
"Was a time when being a valkyrie meant I'd lead the dead heroes, not some tin men."
She addressed the droids quite abruptly.
"The Captain. I need to see him about communications. Now."

((ANS Sleipnir will bring the vessels to the edge of the Yggdrasil system, you travel together for quite a while, so you may or may not interact with each other. If you're otherwise satisfied, then say so. When all are done, we'll fast forwards to the actual system itself. Feel free to ask the Valkyries any questions etc, or talk amongst yourselves.))

[Crusadra]

The guards do as asked. It takes a few moments to get to the bridge from the docking section of the ship. The guards were a random assortment of beings, out of the five two were King'ras, a Coyotous, a Dracous and a King'Coyo. The escort is lightly armed, with simple blasters.

Once on the bridge, Kingdra looks to the Herja, and gives a bow, "Hello. I am Lord Kingdra of the Trader's Wind." He'd stand straight an properly, "As you are on my ship I would be thankful if you followed proper etiquette as anyone of my many crewmen." He'd head for and then take a seat in his chair.

The guards would take different points in the room... the two closest Kingdra would set a chair about 3 yards in front of him, "Please... take a seat. My men tell me you wanted to speak to me of something."

[Arratra]

The officer, one of the heavily armed stormtroopers, waved a hand.
"Come with me," he said, "The Captain wants to express that while he has accepted this contract, this is still very much our ship. He does not want you implanting anything into the computer systems."
He stepped through a hatch, which snapped open quite quickly, the thump of his heavy footsteps accidentally highlighting just how heavy the armour was.
As they proceeded towards the bridge, which was at the front of the vessel, the officer continued to speak.
"You have placed us in a very awkward position," he said, "You must understand that some acts are unethical by our standards, and we will not follow through with them. It is our business policy, and a contract that is taken on by employing us. To avoid confusion, you should speak to the Captain."

At this point, they reached the Bridge, and Cruurtun stood up from his command seat.
"Liason," he said, "Welcome aboard. Yes?"
The Shocktrooper had lifted a hand, and he now spoke.
"I told her about the waiver... in part. I thought you'd better explain the rest."
"Thank you," Cruurtun said slightloy wryly, before turning back to the woman, and clearing his throat, "Now, by employing us you are waiving the right to command us to perform acts counter to the Senate War Accords, or against Draconian honour. Giving such a command means the immediate termination of the contract. Additionally, this ship belongs solely to myself and my crew, and attempts to take over, by subversion or by force, also warrant contract termination. However, the contract may be ended at any time, by you, should it be deemed necessary, but full pay for our time and expenses must be provided. We also reserve the right to end the contract ourselves, forfeiting all pay from the contract. However, termination via the terms presented in the waiver means that all pay thus far is kept by the crew. Should the ship and/or the fighters be lost in combat, replacements or funds to replace, should be put forwards by the employer."
He paused for a moment, then grinned sheepishly, "Sorry, I just needed to get that out of the way."

[Cobalt3924]

<CORRECTION: CAPTIAN LILLIANA IS FEMALE. FOLLOW>

The droid turned and lead the way through the ship to the flight deck, where Lilliana was waiting.

"Nice to meet you. Not often I have other Living things on my ship: especially other Sentients. I'm Lilliana Scarblade."

<INFORMATION: LIASON WISHES TO SPEAK ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS>

"Thank you RD-7. Now: What are these communications you wish to talk to me about?"

[Brome Teks]

“Captain, the liaison wishes to speak with you,” one of the crew members on the bridge says.

“That so? Very well then.” the captain gets up from his chair. “Hopefully this won’t take very long. Number One, you have the bridge.”

“Aye sir,” The executive officer replies. Captain Killakril exit’s the bridge and heads to one of the movement trams outside the bridge. The ship may have only been 200 meters long, but to someone as small as a Zrackli that may as well have been several kilometers, especially given that there weren’t too many places with room to fly. The tram takes the captain to just outside the cargo bay where the liaison was waiting.

“She says she has sensitive information to give you,” the cargo bay quartermaster informs the captain.

“Duly noted.” The captain nods. He opens the door and flutters into the cargo bay, which was roughly the size of a small human bedroom. He perches on a stack of cargo containers at about eye level to the liaison. “Greetings, I am Captain Killakril, Welcome aboard the Federation Space Ship Excalibur. I have been informed you have sensitive information to give me. What is the nature of this information, and would you allow it to be handled by the shipboard AI and computer systems?”

[Nelle Kozera]

One of the crew members Directed Herja to the captain. The Captain was sitting in the primary navigation chair. "My crew informed me you had access the communication systems." She pushed a floating console over to her. Should Herja try to access to systems she was not permitted, meaning systems other than commutations she would find herself entrapped in an Inertial stasis field.
While the captain turned back to her console she sent information request pings to the other ships.

Things that the pings asked for where Captain name, nation of origin, species information. Request for dialog between ships....

[macrorufus]

-Trader's Wind-
Herja nodded politely and sat.
"Very well. Lord Kingdra, I would request a need to use a dedicated communications panel. In order to enter the Yggdrasil system, we will need to pass Heimdall Station. This is the station that guards the entry point into our system."
Somehow, Herja is phrasing everything /just/ right, and using the correct terms and mannerisms. Yet somehow she also managed to make it sound like it wasn't so respectful. Of course, it was so unnoticeable that to draw attention to it would seem rather petty.

-Ultima Wing-
Herja glared at the Captain.
"It would be necessary then to clarify what you define as unethical acts, or acts that go against your War Accords before we continue any further."
The liason looks pretty angry, but then again, she always does. She does smile eventually as she reasons out the demands.
"Actually. This isn't something I am authorised to deal with, you'd have to talk to my employer. Whom, we will meet at Heimdall Station. In the mean time, I need to communicate with said station, to ensure we don't get killed on entry to the system."

-Darkscythe-
A brief smile from Herja was forthcoming as the valkyrie greeted another female.
"Captain Lilliana. Greetings. I require a communications channel to talk to our station guarding the system."

-Excalibur-
The liason looks at the tiny Captain.
"I was originally going to request a communications panel, though I now see that would be impossible. So, I will give you the communications codes and checks verbally, since again, the little code book I have is not small enough. So in answer to your question, yes. Running it through your AI will have to do."

-Quest For The End-
"My thanks Captain. I will be using this system to communicate with our station that guards the entrance to the Yggdrasil system."
The liason frowns.
"Certainly, you've responded to our requirements faster than the others."

[Brome Teks]

"Very well. Computer, prepare to record the code."

A holographic representation of the AI appears in the cargo bay. "Ready," it says in a neutral voice.

Once the code was given, the Captain addresses the Liaison once more. "You have my apologies that we couldn't give you larger, more appropriate quarters, but the Estoc class cruiser was not designed for diplomatic functions. We'll do our best to accommodate you here, though. Is there anything else you need me here for?"

EDIT: (Forgot the handshake)

The Excalibur responds to the handshake, Identifying it as the Federation Space Ship Excalibur, Estoc Class 6-F, ID number 1492549121, Serving under the Arrkrick Greater Star Federation. Commanded by Captain Killakril (decorations listed), Launched 3 years ago after extensive refit. Basic biology of the Zrackli was available for download.

[Arratra]

Much of the information asked for by the handshake signal was sent as an automated response from the Ultima Wing's transponder. It did, however, forward the handshake signal's requests to the Comms officer, who sent a quick text reply of "standby; talking to our Liason".
"I'll open the channel," the Comms officer said, shifting the camera on its adjustable boom so that it was sitting next to his head. It immediately projected a holographic screen, ready to receive the communications instructions and signal.
The Comms officer, one of the diminutive Gekko race, held his fingers hovering over the keyboard, ready to input the frequency and type of communication that was called for.

[Cobalt3924]

(Edited for Handshake)

"Of course. I'll have a Communications Feed connected to your quarters. I do have to warn you though that once we arrive in the system: I'll have to skim for fuel and it does tend to disturb my passengers a bit by skimming the surface of a Star. This ship uses a Fusion Scoop for fuel."

She bowed politely as a drone led the Liason to her quarters, where a Control Panel was prepared with all the Comms Codes she'd need.

"Do make yourself at home. Not often I have guests."

Lilliana turned and sent out her Handshake Signal to the other Ships.

<Handshake Signal Identified. Ship Class: Emperors Holy Service: Darkscythe, Officially Decomissioned Chaor-Class Corvette, but repaired and resupplied as a Third Party Vessel. ID Code 39624776425. Serves Nanid Construct Captain Lilliana Scarblade>

[Crusadra]

Kingdra chuckles a bit, giving a toothy grin, "Of course... my secondary will help you with that."
A female King'ras steps forward, "You can call me Bri'nna, and you can talk to Lord Kingdra like his rank implies, Bit-"
Kingdra grabs her by her collar and gives a yank, "Gack!"

Kingdra huffs at her, "I don't want you or anyone bad mouthing our guest, else they'll end up in the Brig for a week and will end up working on polishing the armor... in a suit, -IN- space for the next month."
The crew gulps and nods, Bri'nna nods rapidly before she was released.

Kingdra sighs, "I am sorry... ah... didn't get your name... it is common courtesy to give your name when a name of the other is given..." He'd give the Herja a brow raise, with a slightly amused expression.

[macrorufus]

-Excalibur-
"My thanks Captain. That is all I require. When we reach the system's perimeter you'll know, and at that point we'll want to send the code at regular intervals."

-Ultima Wing-
Herja passed the code on to Captain Cruuton, with a small warning.
"Just be sure not to start transmitting it till we're at the system's edge. After all, the station knows we're arriving."

-Darkscythe-
The liason nods.
"Thank you for the panel. I believe that this will be sufficient. I will be sure to inform you when I start transmitting the codes."
There's a brief pause, before:
"Thank you, it is not often I have to be a guest."

-Trader's Wind-
Herja looks impassively at Bri'nna during her outburst and back to the Captain. She smiles.
"I'm pleased to see you maintain your authority easily. we have already met. I am Herja."
Despite the odd wording, this is a genuine compliment.

[Crusadra]

Kingdra smiles and nods, "Thats better... I thank you Herja. I hope you would be willing to forgive Bri'nna, she's young and still learning about such things as this. Anyways... Bri'nna will handle things from here and if she should get out of hand my security forces will take over for her." He'd give Bri'nna a smile, blowing a ring of smoke at her, a few of the engineers shiver as the turn back to their duties.

Bri'nna gulps and fans the smoke away, "Y-y-yes, mi'lord!" She'd bow and looks to Herja, "W-what communication devices are you used to? SRC equipment is fairly different compared to most if not all others." She'd seem timid and quite frightened by the smiling Lord, who was currently watching how things were preceding. The Guards were watching too... but they glanced between her and Kingdra, whispering to each other and if listened closely enough... they were making bets and as soon as Kingdra glanced their way... they were silenced.

[Arratra]

The Gekko input the frequency, but refrained from hitting the transmit button for now. He swept the program to one side in order to answer the handshake signal.
-PMCV Ultima Wing, refitted Reverent Wing-class pocket carrier. Private military contractor vessel of Draconian Legions origin. Operates under Draconian doctrines. Captain Cruurtun Greatblade is current CO, and his service term began three weeks before this vessel was purchased by him and refit began. Ship's ID number; 2203726.-

[macrorufus]

((Reminder that I'll skip ahead to the edge of the system if everyone's ok with that))