A mismatched mass of humanity anxiously waits in a stuffy landing bay, cleared for the occasion. Hard-bitten Zoners security teams patrol the area, though fights have already broken out. The cries of small children have already blended into the background noise of industrial fans, the murmurs of low conversation, and the shouts of a desperate group of people.
"THAT'S MY SPOT! GET THE FUCK BACK IN LINE!" A well-built man wearing mechanic's overalls shoves a shifty-looking fellow in a ragged uniform. Both of them size each other up, but drop the conflict as the Zoners rush to the opening in the crowd. They look sheepish, but continue staring daggers at one another after the Zoners have left. The shifty man pockets the shiv that he was prepared to use on the meathead, and goes looking for easier prey.
Elsewhere, a tear-stricken young woman compulsively strokes a little girl's head. She is nowhere near the start of the line. Some of the people around her are certainly drunk, while others are clearly under the influence of more powerful chemicals. A man in a poorly-tailored suit approaches her, flashing a conspiratorial grin.
"I can get you closer to the front." He mutters, so as to avoid the others overhearing. "But it'll cost you..."
He leers at her, in case she fails to take his meaning. The woman dries her tears on her sleeve, picks up a small travel bag, and nods once, pulling her daughter behind her.
Near the docking bays, the crews of the various ships split their attention between the fenced off masses, and others of their ilk. Although no fighting of any kind is allowed, two crews in IMG and Cryer uniforms are already nursing bruises and black eyes, and only the presence of a particularly well-armed group of Zoners seems to prevent an all-out assault. In the corner of the docking promenade, a crew of non-descriptively dressed individuals are fussing over a billboard. A camera positioned high in the ceiling catches the slogan: "Quick Jobs on Quillon!" A small argument breaks out about the wording, which is immediately shushed by the opening of the airlock.
"Attention! Ils arrivent!"
The security barrier slowly winds down as it is de-powered. The mass of humanity rushes toward the barely prepared crews, with all thoughts of fairness remaining back in the hangar...
// This a free-for-all storyline which recounts the evacuation of the slaves from Freeport 10, as part of the Snake Eyes event. While anyone may post, the subject matter should be limited to the experience of slaves, the crews of the rescue ships, or those with more ulterior motives. A good rule of thumb is to look at the event factions, and decide if your character belongs to one, or can directly do business with one. If the answer is yes to either question, you may post here!
As a reminder, posting here or in another rp-focused thread (e.g. a report center / message dump) is required to earn the Custom Title award for the event.
Lieutenant Vesper Agathon stepped out of his Pytho combat vessel for a quick restock at the Freeport. As his canopy opened, he quickly jumped up out of his seat and removed his helmet. He climbed up and out of the craft, disembarking via the ladder which had just been pulled up next to the ship. A Zoner engineer jogged up with a clipboard holding an invoice as he reached the bottom rung. This detailed the items for resupply, as well as any repairs or work that needed completed. Agathon signed off after briefly reading the invoice and the chief's crew went to work on refueling and restocking.
Vesper rarely made it this far into the Taus as his patrols usually stopped at Tau-23. However, he'd visited Freeport 6 frequently on his patrols and this looked nothing like it...this was barely contained chaos. Former slaves pushed and shoved to get ahead of one another and escape the cramped confines of the Freeport and their former masters. Freighter and transport captains did their best to accommodate the various individuals vying to escape. Zoner Marines and security personnel did their best to maintain order, but assaults and murders were no doubt already being overlooked due to a lack of manning, incompetence, or malice.
His last escort sortie had been a success. Departing from the Freeport had been nerve wracking. GNI ships swarmed the area, threatening their transports with their weapons. They claimed they wished for no violence, but Vesper knew the Gauls as well as any other Crayterian--as soon as you turned your back, they'd stab you right in it. The first fleet had engaged them. He'd been ordered to escort the transports to Yuma and followed his orders to the letter. Thankfully, on his return trip he saw debris from Gaul ships and not his fellow Crayterians.
"Misfire." he heard his co-pilot call out, snapping him out of his reverie. "We're topped off, time to get back on the road. Our transport already has a head start and is reporting Outcast bogeys in the area. We need to pop smoke."
Agathon turned and nodded. "Affirmative, Skids. Fire up the main engines and let's get going."
He climbed the ladder, jumped into his seat and slid the helmet over his head.
"Let's hope this escort sortie is as successful as the last." he said more to himself than anyone.
"So say we all." responded his co-pilot as the canopy closed.
Capt. Thomas Dornin had been drilling all-hands for the last 2 weeks. This will not be treated as a routine work shuttle between the Taus, and the crew needed to purge preset complacency.
They were making good time; bay doors, clear corridors, keep the refugees flowing in, radio Zoner LZ when at capacity to clear gangways for closure. 6 Entrances: Aft Cargo doors, and all 2x2 starboard gangways. Double teams at each entrance, 4 other teams to keeping the souls moving in to fill every cranny this ship can spare.
Be prepared for high emotions, prepared for desperation. Stay calm, professional, and trust your comrades.
Its time.
Coming into the Zoner LZ, the second-in-command remarks they can't even see the end of the mass, "We're not enough, not all the ferry vessels in fleet would be enough."
"Steady Lieutenant. Remember every soul we move is a soul gained a second chance. It is our duty today to let that chance be realized. No, it's not enough, but remember this is only the first run; we'll learn, improve and adapt. Ready the deck."
"Aye aye sir. Intercom: All-hands, Zoner LZ acknowledged and ready. All crews prepare bay doors..."
Diary of Kirara for this mission: -LOG-
As a Major i am usually not working on Military Requests even if coming from =CR= High Command, we just are Passengers and Luxury Goods Transporters ... but this time, such request, i really hate the slavery in progress ...
Our route should be short ... we must get into Alpha if we wanna make it in time, hope the Outcast don't await us with the increased number of fleet patrols and possibly increased amount in Capital Vessels, is time to provide aid and don't see back, we are the crayter republic and the freedom and opportunity always arise with the sun
I must be ready for everything, if this is gonna be the last gleam of hope then, it must be, my life and others suffering are a priority we cannot let pass, we must support the evacuation at all costs even life itself!
*headed to the CIC on the Liner and talk with his officers about the message received, they answer she must decide and will follow everything possible in her ideals, the mission is critical and with such a small time frame, we must get it fast before outcast amass alpha with a considerable fleet the liner will not be able to hold*
Kirara: Okay crewmen, there is no time to lose, prepare all the ship for a rescue mission, everything not dispensable for this mission left it i rented some storage from Corfu for such assets, we going to Tau-37 bring only what you need.
||Some time passed away when arrived to T-37, and requested to moor on Freeport 10||
Once the crew was able to contact base station administrators and say their intentions, the huge liner passenger bays opened, Kirara wanted to fill his ship, probably some will be a little bit stretched, but in a rescue mission, every bit of space was highly valuable, there will be some injuries or people need other kind of help, the Aquaria crew was ready to bring such assistance, usually each room had a capacity for up to 5 passengers, this time were accomodated 6 or even 7 passengers if space allowed too, keeped the luxurious place on each and excellent quality and service on the ship, even a little bit stretched, the slaves gladly accomodate it with only one more wish to dream, arrive in a safe place where they could start again from zero, away from the don's who keep them slaves for much of the time.
Kirara: It's time, Helsman, new route, get out us from here, put the overdrive on the engines, we need to run, the Freeport Administration told about a high number of ships are approiching the base
*As Kirara giving that orders, keeping everyone able to be safe, send a comm message on them before she went silence*
|| Time Later ||
Kirara: Dear Passengers we are still on Outcast ruled zone, we are getting you via Tau-29 System, stay calm, we called for heavy escort and reinforcement group, we will keep you updated
Time passed and slaves become impatients, the engines keep max overthrust at such times, then a whole silence get into the ship ... once in Tau 29 they know more safer place at disposal, with Naval Forces patrolling the system, along IMG, Bounty Hunters specially the Elite Aegis Clan, and Crayter Republic were keeping the assets on that system ...
After a time, the ship was able to get into Coronado System, the major Kirara talked again, saying they are now in safe heaven place ...
The Slaves and Crew can now feel safer, and for all the things they passed, the Liner stay stationed in a small concentration camp listed, from there the =CR= Goverment would welcome them, and put them into society as a new people, some of the slaves were injuried, some of them have nothing than what they wear, from there, they will be sended to different places, such campament was mainly to avoid any people or incite the propagation of a virus and because they need a place to register them and let them a chance to become citizens
||The Aquaria returned to Freeport 10, the Window of Slaves rescue closed||
In the return, we were allowed to return and refill our ship, till no slaves left on deck nor on Freeport 10 Station, we did not found anyone in there, our liner with usual normal capacity in his 250 rooms, were ready to go, we are now wasted, Kirara has not sleep over nearly 2 days ... of the rescue ... but we cannot allow such slavery keep running without help and window where we can get them ... our officers are fighting, the battle become more intense ... on our scanners we saw how some ships went on last message help, all that crew will be remembered, all who give his life ... but we will prevail, we had some downs, yes, but ... they suffered more, the resscue of slaves mission was a complete sucess ...
Kirara Lockhart |08-09| 09 | 834/850 A.S/A.G.S | Diary log
Crayter Republic - For those we left Behind, For Those we saved, For those we protect!
As his eyes roamed over the tightly packed room in front of him, the Captain took in as much as he could with the limited time he had. The former cruise liner had been almost completely stripped of any of the creature comforts one would expect to see on a Lucullus-class vessel, even walls that weren’t needed for structural purposes had been stripped out to provide more room for the mass of refugees that now filled the ship. Looking over the huddled, desperate people that had been practically stuffed into his ship, he lets out a sigh and turns to the Marine next to him, speaking with a deep baritone voice.
“Keep an eye on them Lieutenant, I don’t expect any trouble from them, but we didn’t have time to do thorough weapons checks, and these people are desperate. Make sure no rioting starts and keep an eye on the less reputable looking ones, I won’t have any of them taking liberties with the other refugees that are easily exploited.”
Having received his orders, the Lieutenant snaps off a crisp salute and distributes his men around the ship to watch the passengers. The Captain turns away, muttering to himself as he does. ”Some of these people aren’t even going to make it through the trip.” Making his way to the bridge, he takes his seat, nodding at the Helm Officer once he’s seated. “Take us out once the mooring fixtures are retracted, then make best speed for Quillan.”
Following a tense but mostly uneventful journey through the Taus to Languedoc, the Captain looks down as the ship starts to offload the huddled refugees to the shuttles that had been waiting at Quillan’s orbital mooring station. “So Agent, what is meant to be done with these people now that we’re here?” Turning to the man in a crisp Intelligence uniform that had walked up to him, he gives the tall, thin man a moment to respond.
The Agent clasps his hands behind his back, looking out over the mass of people. “The Directorate has decided that we need to keep a control group so we can compare with those that we take for testing purposes. Orders are to have those control groups be made up of the families, and to pick test subjects from those who are alone and won’t be missed.”
The Agent turns his head to look at the Captain again. “Fortunately our contacts in the underworld have been able to acquire a decent supply of Cardamine, so we can keep most of these people alive for at least the rest of the year without any issue. Sadly some of them are already too sick to help, but that will be a small amount and we can keep anyone else from getting sick now that we can quarantine them properly.” The Agent returns his attention to the crowd of people, now almost all of them having transferred to the shuttles at this point, and the Captain takes that moment to voice his own thoughts on the matter. “I understand the need to perform these experiments, but these people need our help too, hopefully we can keep most of them alive.”
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