#Snowscape – April 20, 2016

Yan Sun looks on at Artullin in silence as he tries to contact the camp. Partway through she raises an eyebrow and looks in the direction of the door. "We could probably siphon some power from the base." (Tyranniac)

Rala is still pacing around the top floor, recording the room and the elevator shaft on her omni-tool. She activates comms and speaks up as she hears some of the commotion downstairs. "What's happening? What have you found?" (Tyranniac)

Athassa is still sitting where she was put, face strained from pain but seeming fairly calm regardless. She listens in silence. (Tyranniac)

Plask shoots an uneasy glance at the door from which they came, clearly worried that the feral vorcha might decide to show up. (Tyranniac)

Jason gives Artullin a nod of approval as Yan Sun speaks up. "Ok.... So why aren't we doing this already?" he asks, "We're on a timer here. What is it going to take?"

Artullin looks to Jason as he loops the message, now abandoning the console.

Jessica continues to look around the room without a clue as to what any of this stuff is for.

Yan Sun gives a light shrug. "Depends on what kind of tech they're using - you found the generator room right? We should get down there." she looks to Artullin, hoping he'll agree on this at least.

Artullin nods. "The AI was being unresponsive... and as much as I hate to admit it, you seem to be able to communicate with it." He looks to Jason. "I think... we should do what she says. After we get out of this alive, then we deal with her disobedience."

Jason glances over at Artullin and lets out a sigh. "Alright. Downstairs." he says, gesturing back down the hall. He activates comms, "We might have a power source." he says, trying to bring Ilyna and the others up to speed, "We'll keep you updated if we come up with anything." he says. After a moment he gestures for them to start heading back downstairs. "You can get back upstairs." he

Jessica rolls her eyes. "By this you mean when I made a decision to actually do something rather than sit on my ass? Yes, we can talk about my raise later." she snorts and begins stomping off towards the elevator.

Jason sucks in a deep breath through his nose.

Artullin glowers at Jessica as she stomps away. "Are all your mercenaries this undisciplined?"

Yan Sun seems about to tell Artullin off when Jason, and then Jessica trade words, and she winces slightly.

Rala steps up to the elevator shaft and looks down. "What about the AI? Are we safe here? What are we going to do?"

Jason now turns his ire towards Artullin. "Excuse me?" he says, making sure Jessica is out of earshot before speaking up, "One. She's not one of 'my mercenaries'. She's as new and fresh off the bus as you are. Two. Keep your comments to yourself. I don't like what she did either, but let's face it: If she hadn't, then we might be up to our necks in geth right now. You certainly weren't

Jessica reaches the elevator and begins to make her ascent, muttering angrily to herself.

Athassa offers a small smile. "Athassa."

Yan Sun glances at Jessica with a sigh and then activates her comms, giving an update to the others since no one else is. "The AI is offline. We have control of the base. We should be able to recharge our power cells and take shelter here until the storm passes, and we sent a message to the camp, so... hopefully they'll come for us. Orrrr we'll have to go for a really long hike I guess."

Artullin looks down at Jason, unmoving as he speaks. "Are you done?" He asks after Jason has finished his rant. He brushes past Jason towards the elevator.

Ilyna nods. "That's good news," she says over comms following Yan Sun's update. "Is it possible to pressurize this room and bring the temperature up?" She disables comms. "I'm Ilyna," she says. "Where are you from?"

Yan Sun seems a little surprised as Artullin leaves, but certainly doesn't want to question it. She heads straight for the terminal and starts looking over the base's systems since the mercenary is no longer doing so. "I'll look into it." she says over comms in response to Ilyna, starting to type.

Jason gives a lopsided grin as he shakes his head. "So that's what hypocrisy smells like." he says before turning to Yan Sun. "You took the AI offline?" he asks, "How did you manage that?"

Artullin pointedly ignores Jason as he waits by the elevator shaft.

Athassa nods in return, her gaze wandering a bit around the room. "The Citadel. I have been on Aite for some time though. None of us are strangers to... risky ventures. I will admit I have not been stabbed before though." she says with a small chuckle, and another wince.

Rala listens to Yan Sun's response, but says nothing as Ilyna covers what she wants to hear.

Jessica emerges from the elevator shaft and rejoins the others topside, looking quite cranky.

Ilyna frowns. "It's not something you ever get used to," she says. "And I think it goes without saying that I'm used to risky ventures. We always come back alive, though, no matter how bleak it looks."

Yan Sun looks over her shoulder at Jason. "I talked to it." she says pointedly, before returning her attention to the terminal, offering no further explanation.

Jason shrugs his shoulders, looking as though that makes all the sense in the world. "Ohhhh, you talked to it. Of course. Why didn't I think of that?" He furrows his brow, "No, no, I did think of that. It just responded with: Bzzzt. Kill. Murder. Death.. Or some variation...." He gives a quick shake of his head before dropping it, "Let's just get downstairs so we can get our

Jessica takes a position near the wall and sits down, keeping quiet for now.

Yan Sun ignores Jason for the moment, continuing to type for a while yet before stepping away. Her cybernetic eye is now lit up blue again as she starts to head towards the elevator. "I think I can get a breathable atmosphere downstairs if we close it off."

Jason begins to pace. "Ilyna. Start getting everyone downstairs. Seems like we might be able to get some breathable air."

Jessica brings a hand up to her helmet. "First go upstairs. Now go downstairs. Make up your fucking mind..." she mutters to herself, already starting to stand back up just as she sat down.

Artullin is stood at the elevator shaft, having not yet climbed down.

Yan Sun nods faintly. As her frustration starts to fade so does her confidence. "Sure. We should get everyone down first." she says while studying the elevator and its access hatch, ignoring the turian next to her. She places her hands along the edges of the opening and hesitates for a moment. "Uh... do I just... jump?"

Artullin nods to her and gestures for her to head down. "Bend your knees," he says.

Athassa blinks. "I-.. uh... alright." She looks considerably more worried now than she did a moment ago. She seems about to say something when she hears Jason and starts to stand up, supporting herself on Ilyna.

Jason follows Yan Sun along to the elevator. After watching her hesitation, he sighs and places his Revenant onto his back. "Here, take my hand." he says, taking a seated position at the edge of the hatch and offering to lower her down.

Yan Sun offers Jason an appreciative nod and grips his hand tightly before scooting into the hatch, reluctant to let go the edge with her other hand. "Okay.... oookay..."

Rala looks over at Ilyna and Athassa to make sure they are coming before starting the climb down.

Plask is still over by the airlock, unwilling to leave his asari friends undefended, although he has no more combat training than they do.

Jason slowly lowers her down through the hatch. "Alright, you're almost there. Just get your feet on the ground and you'll be fine." he says, unable to keep from being supportive despite his irritation with the woman.

Artullin watches, keeping quiet.

Yan Sun scrambles awkwardly on her way down, and slips at first when her feet touches the floor, but she soon gains some stability, and lets go of Jason's hand with a nod. "Thanks." she says before heading on into the room beyond the elevator.

Ilyna stands up in turn and supports her. Once they're at the elevator, she looks over to her. "Hold onto me," she says. "I'm going to use a biotic field to bring us down."

Jessica waits near the elevator, allowing Ilyna to go first. "It's slippery." she says, "Be careful."

Athassa nods at Ilyna and grabs a tighter hold of her.

Jason grasps the edge of the hatch and quickly hops down without much trouble. He steps aside to give Artullin room.

Artullin drops into the hatch with a thud, still gripping his rifle in both hands. He nods for Jason to go ahead. "I'll wait for the rest of them to get down," he says.

Yan Sun is looking around the room, or rather, looking at whatever her implants are projecting for her, clearly quite distracted.

Ilyna nods to Jessica before making a biotic field around her. "On three, two," she turns around and wind her arms around Athassa, "one." She hops back, making them levitate in the center of the shaft. She then starts slowly descending.

Jason gives Artullin an appreciative nod before following Yan Sun through the gap in the elevator door. "Alright. How long do you think this is this gonna take?" he asks, following her gaze around.

Athassa floats down alongside Ilyna.

Yan Sun doesn't seem to have noticed Jason until he speaks up, and her head snaps towards him. "Huh? Oh. We'll need to repair the power conduit to the life support. I should be able to handle that. Someone needs to seal the room as well, so we're not venting the air we pump in. Yeah, that should be about it."

Jason nods a few times, actually understanding some of that. "Yeah, sure... Artullin can handle that once we get everyone in." he says, glancing about the room, "...And then we just wait."

Ilyna looks off to her side as they descend, and they land to the side of the hatch. Ilyna made the landing slow enough to not put too much pressure on the other asari's injured foot. "I need some help... getting her into the... elevator," she says over comms between panting breaths. She lets go of Athassa, moving to her side to keep supporting her.

Artullin looks up through the hatch. He holsters his rifle. "Can you lower her in?" He asks.

Jessica remains beside the elevator, waiting for Plask to climb down before she does. "We don't have all day..." she says.

Plask turns to Jessica and nods with a grunt before scurrying over to the ladder and starting to climb.

Jessica gives Plask a few moments before starting to climb down herself, taking the icy rungs slowly.

Athassa sits down on the edge of the hatch with a quiet groan. "I can-... ngh... I can lower myself down." she says before starting to gather up a weak biotic field, slipping down the short distance and slowing herself a little as well. She is hopefully stabilized by Artullin on her way down.

Artullin reaches up to help Athassa down, surprisingly gentle with his actions. He would make to carry her in his arms, turning towards the generator room. "I'll take you in," he says simply. Not a suggestion.

Ilyna climbs down once Artullin has walked off, and follows them into the generator room.

Yan Sun heads off into the smaller room, getting to work on the power conduit immediately.

Athassa seems surprised as Artullin catches her, but doesn't seem to mind. "Oh. Alright then."

Jason gestures towards the consoles as Artullin enters the room. "We need to seal the room as soon as the others get down here, think you can handle that?" he asks, "Yan Sun thinks she can get us some breathable air in here."

Rala climbs through the hatch next, landing without issue and moving on into the generator room.

Artullin makes to gently set Athassa down in the room, off to the side. "No problem, Wolfe." He nods, looking up as he kneels besides Athassa.

Plask follows after Rala.

Athassa offers an appreciative nod as she is set down, her gaze moving to wander around the room.

Jessica climbs down through the hatch last, bending her knees as she lands with a grunt. "Aside from our popsicle friend upstairs, that's everyone." she says as she steps through the elevator doors.

Yan Sun is still off in the smaller room, unseen to the others as the door has closed behind her.

Artullin stands up and wanders over to a console, seeing if he can't seal the room via it. If not... well, omni-gel will have to do.

Jason gives Jessica a nod and glances over to Artullin. "Alright, lets get this place locked down so we can remove our helmets."

Ilyna walks over to sit down beside Athassa, as there's not really anything she can do to help.

Artullin hurms, not really knowing what he was expecting. A lapse in judgement, he'll pin it on. He nods to Jason. "Alright," he says.

Jason moves over towards Ilyna, but opts to stand. "You doing alright?" he checks in, looking down at the asari, "Didn't take any bad hits back there, did you?"

Artullin moves off to start sealing the doors, a mixture of sealing the door with his omni-too and using gel.

Artullin nods. "We're good here, Wolfe," he says, stepping back to admire his work.

Rala is walking around the room, studying it with fascination. "This place can't have been cheap..."

Ilyna pats the middle of her padding above the chests. "It didn't go deep, I think," she says. "I wasn't prepared for using my biotics that much today, so I'm exhausted."

Jason gives a couple nods, resting a hand on his hip. "You hear that, Yan Sun?" he announces over comms as he hears Artullin, "Room is sealed. Lets get some fresh air in here." He gives Ilyna an apologetic tilt of his head as his attention is pulled away. "Well.." he begins as he paces around to her side, opposite of Athassa, "...Just hang in there. They'll send help. Couple more hours

Jessica watches Artullin work, not having anything to do herself. She remains silent and awaits the opportunity to get her stuffy helmet off.

Ilyna nods. "I will," she says, "just... make sure I'm awake if something happens."

Artullin waits a few moments before reaching up and taking off his helmet. He tucks it under his arm and looks around, his mandibles twitching.

Jason gives a short chuckle but nods. "Sure thing." he says. He glances up as the vents get to work. "Sounds like whatever you did is working." he announces over comms. Once Artullin removes his helmet and doesn't instantly turn into a snowcone, he follows suit and takes his own off, sucking in a deep breath as the air fills his lungs.

Yan Sun emerges from the other room a moment later, a small grin on her face. "Got it!"

Jessica smirks as Yan Sun reappears. "Nice work, kitty cat." she says as she works to remove her own helmet. "Much better."

Yan Sun reaches up to her helmet and disconnects it with a click before taking it off and walking over to one of the windows looking out into the bubbling water. The lights of the base reach a small distance out in the water, and the ice ceiling can be just barely seen just above, thinner here than where their own research camp was built.

Rala looks around at some of the others before focusing on Jason. "I guess there's not much else we can do but wait for the storm to pass, and hope the others got the message you sent..."

Ilyna unseals her own helmet. She takes it off after breathing the room's air through the helmet for a few seconds to test the temperature.

Artullin walks over to the console and kneels besides it. He plucks up the antique rifle he left there. He starts to examine it again as he stands, setting his helmet atop the console.

Jason gives Rala a nod as he finally takes a seat beside Ilyna, settling down with an exhausted groan. "That's about the long and short of it. We're at their whim for now. If it starts looking like they're not getting our message, then we'll have to come up with a plan to make our own way home..."

Jessica slowly crosses the room to take a position beside Yan Sun at the window. "Not bad, I suppose. You know, for a complete and total idiot." she compliments as she watches the water.

Ilyna places her helmet in her lap. "We could search the rest of this place should it come to that," she says. "Maybe there's a vehicle that still works. It's unlikely, though."

Athassa takes of her helmet, taking a deep breath and leaning her head back to rest.

Jason nods again. "We can worry about that when the time comes. I'm confident that they won't just leave us out to dry, though. They'll come." he says, leaning his head back against the wall.

Artullin examines the weapon for a few moments more. Eventually, he sits down and places it on his lap.

Yan Sun glances at Jessica with an apologetic look. "Thanks..." she says quietly as her gaze returns to the window. "...and thanks for sticking up for me."

Jessica shrugs her shoulders dismissively. "I didn't have a choice, did I? I saved your life. That means you owe me a lifedebt, yes?" she says before glancing over at Yan Sun, "Have to protect my property, yes?" she adds with a wink, a slight smirk returning to her face.

Ilyna nods. "Yeah, I'm sure they'll at least send out a search team," she says. "If our broadcast doesn't reach them, I mean."

Yan Sun rolls her eyes, but is unable to hide the small grin that forms. She continues to look out at the water, her gaze going a bit distant. The glow of her eye has still not subsided.

Artullin is sat in silence, keeping the antique close.

Jason has remained parkd up against the wall, rhythmically tapping a gauntleted fingertip against the plating on his thigh. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Jessica has, on the other hand, spent every ounce of energy trying to keep herself from ripping Jason's hand off, as the only thing she can hear now is the constant tapping. It drowns out everything else in the room, her focus only on the annoying, constant, unending sound.

Ilyna has slept for most of it, and still is. Unless pushed back, she is leaning against Jason with her head resting on his shoulder. That haappened after she fall asleep.

Jason is a suitable pillow.

Yan Sun blinks, the light in her eye disappearing, and then nudges Jessica in the side, leaning forward a bit to look at her face. "You okay?" she says with a smirk.

Artullin has been sat, simply examining the rifle for about an hour before taking a nap. He is still snoozing quietly.

Jessica just stares distantly at Jason's hand. "Fine." she says through clenched teeth. She seems to ease up slightly as she lets out a sigh. "How are you doing?" she asks.

Yan Sun shifts a bit. "I stopped browsing the mainframe data an hour ago." she admits. "I've just been browsing through the same stuff over and over to stay busy." Her gaze wanders to some of the resting mercenaries before her gaze falls to the floor. "I've never been in a situation like this before..." she says with a small shrug, trying not to show how anxious she really is.

Jessica gives a slow nod. "Me neither..." she admits softly, "...Scary situations? Yes... But this is a whole different level..."

Artullin snoozes, his mandibles twitching from time to time. Jason's tapping has no effect on him.

Yan Sun 's gaze wanders to the elevator door, and then up at the ceiling before going to Jessica, studying her with a frown. "They'll find us... yeah?"

Artullin is awake within an instant, glancing around. "Was that-?"

Jason snaps upright, the rhytmic tapping coming to a sudden stop. "That was definitely Uvena!" he says, but quickly gives a glance down to Ilyna. He gives a gentle shrug of his shoulder to try and nudge her awake. "Ilyna, wake up. It sounds like they sent a rescue team." Wasting no time, he activates his comms, trying to get a message back to them. "You're breaking up, but we can hear you

Ilyna wakes up to hear anything said after (and including) 'rescue team'. "How long did I sleep?" she asks groggily, a sheepish smile forming as she lifts her head from Jason's shoulder.

Jessica cocks an eyebrow, her smirk growing as the voice comes through. "I'm going to guess.... yes." she says.

Yan Sun perks up at the sound of the comms coming to life. Her eye lights up with a blink and she gets on her feet. "I, uh... okay... okay... maybe we-..."

Artullin stands up and grabs his helmet. He seals it and draws his rifle, aiming at the doorway to the elevator.

Jason sighs as Nathan's response comes in muddied. "We're in a-..." he startles as the thumping sounds out, "...We're in a research station, but it sounds like something happened upstairs! Tell me that was you guys making your big rescue!"

Jessica hurries to her feet shortly after Yan Sun, glancing upwards with a concerned look on her face. "What was that...?"

Rala looks up at the ceiling with a concerned look. "Could be the vorcha..."

Ilyna looks up at the thump, and starts getting back up to her feet.

Yan Sun glances at Rala. "Orrr it could be the rescue team. I like that idea better."

Plask stirs and gets to their feet with a snarl at the thump. "Or geth..."

Jason slaps a gauntleted hand against the wall and begins to climb to his feet, scooping up his gear and attaching it once he's upright. "Let's get up there and see what the problem is." he sighs as he starts to replace his helmet. "It's going to vent the atmosphere, so everyone get ready."

Ilyna picks up her helmet off the floor and puts it on. She looks around to see if anyone is still asleep.

Jessica lets out a loud sigh and begins putting her helmet on once again. "Upstairs. Downstairs. Helmet off. Helmet on. Go this way. Go that way. Do this thing. Don't do that thing." she mutters under her breath.

Athassa is indeed still sleeping.

Yan Sun jogs over to her helmet and puts it on. As soon as it is sealed she activates her omni-tool and starts typing.

Ilyna crouches down beside Athassa and pats her shoulder, giving it a gentle shake. "Wake up," she says.

Athassa opens her eyes with a "Huh?"

Athassa nods and reaches for the helmet next to her, putting it on.

Artullin has listened to the comms, shaking his head slightly. However, the general consensus is to check upstairs.

Ilyna gives a small smile before standing up. She walks over stand near the elevator doors, but not in the way of the techs.

Jason takes a position near the elevator, gripping his Revenant in both hands, and gives a nod to Artullin. "Open up the door. Let's get up there. If it is trouble, we'll take up defensive positions and hope to hell that the rescue team gets here soon."

Artullin nods and moves to the door. "Alright, opening it up," he says before he starts to remove the omni-gel. His rifle remains planted firmly into his shoulder.

Jason sights his weapon on the elevator doors and waits for Artullin to finish unblocking it.

Yan Sun continues to type on her omni-tool, although she glances at the door once or twice.