Previously on RANB:
The team, Mjolnir, and most of Macross have apparently been transported across space. Where, exactly, is still a mystery although some have theories.Icarus is currently mobile on the island's surface, looking for a bounty of sorts.
Mac and Trout are flying recon and on their way to rendezvous with Icarus. Trout has an interesting theory as to where they are: "Fenris, Trout... that's either Pluto or Charon that's rising up over Macross' horizon."
The Doc is currently performing triage in his shelter, making do with what little is on hand. SAR Team Five better get there soon or things are going to start getting messy. One nursing mother has offered her pumping apparatus in response to Doc's musings about needing suction of some sort.
Along with planetrise came a large thermal signature which is not the planet itself ....
As Icarus makes his way through the unnaturally still city, he can make out a body floating near the island ... near being a relative term. Given the apparent size and based on the perceived distance, it's likely to be an enemy ground soldier. He must have been bounced off the island's surface as he's quite easily broken out of the minute gravity provided by the island's mass. Reaching him will require leaving the island's surface - he's several hundred meters "above" the ground and slowly heading for the planet's greater gravity.
The thermal signature is giving the computers some issues. Both Icarus and Trout's systems (and Mac's, shortly after) can't decide if it's a ship or heated debris from the island. Whatever it is, it's currently in a degrading retrograde orbit around the planet - current estimates put the "splash" in about two hours.
Icarus's hands dance across his keyboard in an attempt to compile information on the object, starting with sensor data that would not silhouette the unidentified object against the planet as he waits for his team to arrive.
ReplyDelete[OOC: You guys can arrive whenever you want to, you've had plenty of travel time. Also, is Icarus focusing on the floating body or the thermal reading? The body is closer to the island, while the thermal signature is closer to the planet]
DeleteTry as he might, Icarus just can't get the sensor resolution to improve. There are a few possible reasons that he can think of: One, the object is actively jamming; two, there's as yet unknown interference from the planet and/or nearby phenomena, if any; or three, the Valkyrie's sensors were damaged during the Fold.
DeleteIf the object is jamming then Icarus doesn't have the combination of skill and ability to overcome it. If it's local interference from celestial phenomena then the Valkyrie is not equipped to detect or compensate for it. Finally, if the problem is the Valkyrie's sensors themselves then the problem is rooted deep as the diagnostic is not showing it. That means the bird needs hangar time to address.
Trout maneuvers his bird in to Icarus' IFF.
Delete"Sir. Uh. Disposition?"
He scans his instruments and frowns down at the readings.
"Have nothing on that free-floating object. We gonna get closer to put some mark-1 eyeball sensors on it?"
"Icarus, I'm with Trout on this, whatever is headed for the island , we need to know what it is. Recommend that Trout take point on this, given the condition of my bird. I'll back him up as best that I can. Should we proceed, sir?"
Delete[OOC: Just a note, the object is in a deteriorating retrograde orbit around the planet - it's not headed for the island, it's headed for the planet.]
Delete"Yeah... let's go get a closer look. Mac you hold back and keep an eye on your sensors while Trout and I burn out and see what this thing is, after we make an assessment we can decide whether to attempt a salvage or just let it burn." Icarus explains while transforming his Valkyrie into jet mode and idling as he waits for Trout to follow suit.
ReplyDelete[OOC: Has anyone given any thought to trying to recover the Doc? He might be useful if the target happens to be a ship.]
ReplyDelete((OOC) Where would we put him we're all piloting single seat spacecraft?))
ReplyDelete[OOC: You could always RTB to the Mjolnir for re-arm and re-supply. Perhaps pick up a drop ship? Trout would be happy with that, I would imagine, given his background :) The object has a TTL of two hours so you have time for minor pit stops if you wished to make them]
Delete[ooc Nah, they hate me]
ReplyDeleteAfter getting the triage taken care of, and the emergency shelter and configurations set up, the Doc returns to the radio.
*This is Doc. Any idea when we're going to get rescued? It's going to get ripe out here. Any updates would be appreciated*
Afterwards, he starts working on getting an idea if anything is outside. If he could just find a bathroom and kitchen, things would be a lot better.
Trout looks up as his radio crackles, catching up a stray broadcast.
ReplyDeleteHuh. Stuck in micro-gee. Poor bastards.
"Icarus, Trout, we've still got plenty of civilians floating around here and I think I heard the civvie that got assigned to Fenris in trouble. Should we mount some sort of a rescue?"
Wow, this rescue is taking a long time. (for fun)
ReplyDelete