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Post by Brian the Flying Penguin on Jul 16, 2005 17:52:22 GMT -5
OOC: (From my aborted fan fiction) The Toads had discovered Penkoon, a desolate and icy pre-industrial world, over six years ago. The penguins who inhabited it had little technology and lived in isolated groups, dwelling underground to avoid the worst of the weather. The planet wasn’t a member of the U.A.C. and, in the normal course of events would probably have continued quite unaware of the war being waged in the space around them. But the Empire wanted workers and since planets of technical sophistication also possessing advanced defences, it was isolated, primitive worlds like Penkoon that filled the gap. Slave raiding was still difficult, given the harsh conditions and, lets be honest, general inadequacy of the soldiers employed to do it. Thermal detection equipment was baffled by the environment. Strong winds stole chemical residues. Primitive camouflage techniques made over-flights by Double-Bubbles effective only occasionally. Ground patrols were attacked by groups of surprisingly effective local troops; maser rifles were of little use in hand to hand fighting. And the cold and snow sapped the moral of poorly trained soldiers.
Characters could include local primitives (Penguins and others), prisoners brought form Urgonia and Toad Stormtoads, naval personnel and conscripts.
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Post by Brian the Flying Penguin on Jul 16, 2005 18:00:25 GMT -5
The slave ship carrying Korporal Kvetch went sub light near the edge of the atmosphere, its hold crammed full of slaves from Urgonia. Kvetch himself lounged in the command chair while the bridge crew got on with flying the ship. Strictly speaking the ranking naval officer should occupy that position, but he wouldn't be much use until his black eyes healed up.
Heh heh.
"Head fa' tha' drop zone."
Kvetch was not particularly happy about returning to Penkoon. Nasty cold place. The penguins who lived there didn't even taste nice.
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Post by Norris on Jul 18, 2005 2:50:09 GMT -5
As the Slave Ship continued forward, a Cruiser hovered alongside as it prepared to land on Penkoon.
Commanding the vessel was the cybernetic fiend of the Empire. Commander-In-Chief of the Navy and feared by all, Admiral Ximenex Terminater.
The Admiral watched through his one eye as the Cruiser slowly landed, and then noticed the slow-moving Slave Ship.
"They say slow and steady wins the race," he muttered to himself. "But it also loses the war."
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Post by Brian the Flying Penguin on Jul 18, 2005 5:38:49 GMT -5
Kvetch glanced up at the view screen as the slave ship began its descent. A cruiser? Bit odd, that. Perhaps the Major had been reinforced? He grinned unpleasantly. Bad luck for the newbies. Major Cane had even less patience than him. Any moaning about the frigid conditions... Kvetch started to feel happier about coming back.
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Post by Norris on Jul 18, 2005 9:16:14 GMT -5
As the Cruiser landed, Admiral Terminater emerged, flanked by two Stormtoads, one fat and the other with a bushy moustache. Ximenex waited for the Slave Ship to land before doing anything else.
As he waited, he snapped his grabber open and shut to prevent it from freezing up in the cold weather.
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Post by Brian the Flying Penguin on Jul 18, 2005 17:01:01 GMT -5
The base that Admiral Terminator is standing in is hardly worthy of the name. Located far out on one of the planets frozen seas, Penkoon base is a desolate place. There are three slave ships stationary on the planets frozen surface, and a scattering of prefabricated buildings anchored to the permafrost. One has satellite antenna rising from the roof. Another seems to be medical in nature. The other two could be dormitories. No other Toads are visible.
Icy crusts form on the outer hull of the slave ship as it lumbers through the atmosphere, its downward facing engines labouring to keep it in the air. It lands in rank with the other ships, lurching slightly as its hot exhausts melt the frozen ground.
Kvetch takes a look at the Admiral through one of the external cameras. Not a face -or arm- that he recognised. He also couldn't work out why a fancy officer type would even bother coming to Penkoon. He activates the comm.
"Lads, meet me at the airlock, sharpish."
He ignores the relieved glances of the ship crew as he leaves. The other members of his squad are there when he arrives, adding heated cloaks to their regular Stormtoad uniform.
"Some officer's jus' turned up. Major dun't seem ta be abawt, so I'm going ta go tawk ta 'im."
Kvetch opened the airlock and stroke out over the ice.
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Post by Norris on Jul 19, 2005 2:05:11 GMT -5
After watching the craft land, Ximenex signalled to his bodyguards that they should go and begin their inspection of the facility, starting with the airlock and foyer areas.
"I hope for the Air Marshals' sake that this inspection is worth the bother." he grumbled, still playing with his mechanical arm.
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Post by Brian the Flying Penguin on Jul 19, 2005 7:23:27 GMT -5
Kvetch grins as he approaches within hailing distance.
"Good morning sir, good morning! At what brings you to our frozen little corner of the Empire?"
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Post by Norris on Jul 20, 2005 0:48:52 GMT -5
Ximenex was silent for a moment, but then snapped his grabber shut in front of Kvetchs' face.
"Quit the cheerful-and-merry act, I'm not here for a Hippy Social," he growled. "I'm here to inspect your facility, and I do not like my being put on the spot by the rest of Toad High Command."
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Post by Brian the Flying Penguin on Jul 20, 2005 2:09:55 GMT -5
Kvetch doesn't react to the mechanical arm. He does shake slightly as he neuroprogramming stops his immediate violent responce to being insulted. Grin and bear it, the thinks, grin and bear it. And get him out of here as soon as possible.
"I'm sorry that you feuw that way sir. Since I've only just got back meself, I don't know where Major Cane is, bu' I'd be 'appy to show you around, if that''s what you want."
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Post by Norris on Jul 20, 2005 2:13:21 GMT -5
"Thank you, no," Ximenex snapped. "I wish to see the commanding officer first, but as he is not here, if you could direct me to the guest area..."
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Post by Brian the Flying Penguin on Jul 20, 2005 4:20:29 GMT -5
Again, the slight twitch which indicated Kvetches mental processes being artificially brought under control.
"Guest area? On Penkoon? I'm afraid that you 'ave bin mislead sir. Don't 'ave anythin' like that 'ere. Bit low on amenities, ya might say."
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Post by Norris on Jul 20, 2005 5:54:32 GMT -5
One of the bodyguards quickly wrote something down in a notebook and then returned to his original stance.
"Not a good start then, is it?" Ximenex raised an eyebrow, with his bionic hand moving around like a guard dog. "And who might you be? You're evidently far from officer material. A lance-corporal, I assume?"
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Post by Brian the Flying Penguin on Jul 20, 2005 6:51:01 GMT -5
This time Kvetch didn't twitch. Supressing his angry impulses was becoming a habit. Though he couldn't take direct action against someone who outranked him, there were other ways to make bad things happen to people he didn't like. Dangerous place, Penkoon.
"Korporal Kvetch, sir. 3rd planetry assault company. I'm dreadful sorry if I'm not up to your standards. The 3rd aren't known for spit and polish."
He looks over his shoulder at his squad. They stood a short distence behind him in a ragged line, weapons in hand, waiting to be told what to do.
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Post by Norris on Jul 20, 2005 9:26:49 GMT -5
"I see," Ximenex answered with a satisfied tone. And are you in charge of this platoon or have you a superior? A sergeant perhaps, or a captain?"
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