This logfile is imported from aitelogs2 and may contain errors or wrong timestamps.
#SeekerOfBenediction – August 22, 2016
The journey into hanar space has passed uneventfully, and they are now on the final leg. Breakfast is being eaten in the main room of the quarters - the food during the past day has consisted mainly of sweet fruits, fish and locust pudding. There is also a good selection of teas. At the table in the fairly small room sits an asari, poking skeptically at the pudding. This is the first Redrock has seen of her during the trip.
She is an older maiden with light blue skin and blue eyes. A series of white markings adorn the sides of her face and she's wearing fairly simple clothes - a white t-shirt and durable beige pants. The only crew member that has been spotted by the mercenaries is the engineer, an older drell woman that has seemed entirely uninterested in conversation, even bringing her food back to the engine room with her.
Nathan stares suspiciously at the pudding, using his spoon to prod at it. He scoops up a small measure with it and raises it up, bringing it to his eye-level. "Umm... what's this called again?" He asks to the person sat next to him, casting them an uneasy look.
Jessica doesn't seem to have much issue with the strange food. She's already on her second helping of delicious locust pudding.
Jason shovels a spoonful of pudding into his mouth, a disgusted look on his face. "Local pudding..." he says as he glances over to Nathan. "But I don't want to be wherever this shit is 'local'..." he adds. He tosses his spoon down with a sigh.
Jessica rolls her eyes. "Is locust pudding. Not local... You know, like the bugs, yes?" she says before muttering something in batarian under her breath.
Jason's eyes go wide as he stares distantly at Nathan, appearing for a moment as if he might vomit. He quickly slugs down the entirety of his tea to try and wash the taste out of his mouth.
Nathan shares an equally aghast look to Jason. He slowly sets his spoon down and slowly picks up his tea... before throwing it back down his gullet, the burning sensation doing wonders to alleviate the mere thought of eating bugs. "Gah-!" He flaps at his mouth and shovels some cooler fruits into his mouth.
Ehanis grimaces. "I didn't have to know that," she mutters, even after having eaten half a serving of it without seeming to really mind it.
Korio takes a seat at the table, offering a polite nod to those already seated. "Good morning." he offers. On his tray is an even split of helpings of each of the foods on offer. None which seem to bother him all too much. After all, locust pudding is probably a pretty common thing where he's from if it's being served on a hanar ship. "It seems we will be arriving soon..." he puts out there to nobody in particular.
Namira supresses a laugh at Jason and Nathan's reaction to the food, quickly looking a little embarassed. She's only just introduced herself a little while ago. "Will all of you be coming along to the surface?" she asks as Korio speaks.
Renala has just arrived in the cafeteria, and is currently getting food. She seems to leave the pudding alone, instead taking more of the fish and sweet fruits.
Jason licks at the roof of his mouth for a few moments, taking a moment to try and cover the taste of gooified locusts with a mouthful of fruit before answering the asari. Once he swallows, he gives a few shallow nods. "That's the plan." he says, "We'll be escorting everyone to the site of the relic."
Nathan munches on a few more slices of fruit, glancing between Jason and the asari. He swallows a mouthful. "And providing support where necessary in regards to the acquisition of the relic. Speaking of," he says. "Do you know if there are any deep scans of the site? I'd like to review the infrastructure before we get there."
Namira raises an eyebrow. "Scans? No, we know very little... access to Rakhana is very restricted." She takes a bit of pudding, and gives a light shrug at the taste before taking another. Her head tilts slightly to the side as she looks to Nathan. "What does a mercenary want with infrastructure scans?"
Nathan furrows his brow slightly, unsure whether or not to mention the possibility that high-explosives may be involved or not. He glances across to Jason in a silent question.
Renala takes the seat beside the unfamiliar asari, putting the plate down in front of her. "Getting inside with the least risk of the entire place coming down on our heads," she says.
Jessica glances over to the asari with a smirk. She holds her hands up in front of her, as if cradling a ball, then jerks them outwards. "Booooom!" she says before puffing her cheeks up with air and forcing it out to emulate the sound of an explosion.
Jason puts a hand up in defense of the others. "Only in the event that we can't find another way inside..." he adds, hoping to avoid letting Redrock get labeled as a bunch of trigger happy explosive nuts... But he certainly hopes they get to blow something up.
Nathan sighs and rubs his temple wearily as Jessica bluntly answers. He looks back to the asari with an apologetic look. "If the need of demolitions arises, I'd like to know the structural integrity of the site as to minimise damage." He pauses for a moment and offers a light shrug. "Or maximize."
Namira nods slightly. "...right. No, we don't have any scans. Hopefully there won't be any need for explosives. I don't expect there will be too many obstacles."
Korio stirs at his pudding for a moment before contributing to the conversation. "It has been many years since the buildings have likely seen maintenance- assuming the location of the relic is away from any current colonies, of course- so while I must admit explosives are not my particular area of expertise, I would recommend exercising caution if you decide the use of explosions is necessary."
Nathan hums and nods. "Not ideal, but I can adjust." He looks to Korio and lightly frowns. "You don't have to tell me. I'll resort to smaller, controlled EDs if required." He looks around to the table and shrugs lightly. "If anyone has any tech capable of doing a smaller scan in the immediate area, that would be handy."
Renala frowns. "I've brought what information I could find about pre-exodus drell techonology," she says. "If I get time to work, I might get us in without explosives."
Jason nods to Renala. "That would be ideal, obviously." he says before glancing back to Namira, "So what will your role be in all of this...?"
Ehanis is quietly eating the pudding while listening to the conversations going on around her, doing her best to forget the whole 'bug' aspect of it.
Namira looks to Jason, finishing her pudding before responding. "Since we're dealing with a Prothean artifact I'm here to identify it and make sure it's handled correctly, as well as log the finding with Citadel authorities. All Prothean artifacts are subject to certain restrictions." Her gaze goes down to the table for a moment before she adds: "And I always wanted to see Rakhana."
Korio takes a bite of his pudding. "I suppose our plan of attack will depend on the state of the building once we arrive. I have experience in regards to security-..." he bows his head in the direction of Renala, "...Perhaps not on the same technical level as yourself, but I am confident that between the group of us, we shall be able to find a way inside. Should fate be on our side, perhaps we won't even need to find a way
inside. Somebody may have forgotten to lock the door." A small tug at the corner of his lips is the only indication that he may be trying to make a funny.
Jason glances down at his tray of food at the mention of 'Prothean artifacts'. In his experience, digging up the past hasn't exactly worked out too well. He gives a quick nod. "Do you have much experience with this sort of thing?" he asks before elaborating, "...With Prothean artifacts?"
Steve is silently eating his food. He fishes a small bottle of pills from his pocket as the conversation continues, dumping a few into the palm of his hand before tossing them into his mouth and washing them down with some tea, unceremoniously.
Renala nods. "That could help a lot, actually," she says. "Especially when it comes to interpreting the circutry and schematics." She picks up a piece of fruit and takes a bite of it.
Namira nods. "Oh, absolutely! I've been on a lot of digs... Chasca, Xax V, Therum... This will my first time recovering something that's not in a ruin." Her gaze darts to Korio as she realizes her mistake, and apologetically adds. "Not... not a Prothean ruin."
Nathan listens idly along to the conversation, sucking the juices of the fruits from off his fingers with a content hum. At least these taste... non-buggy.
Jessica slurps up the last of her bug goop from her spoon and considers going for a third helping, but decides she's had enough. Despite looking quite disinterested in their discussion on relics, she remains where she is and listens.
Ehanis stands up from the table and walks over to grab more of the pudding. She'd rather eat too much than too little in case she needs her biotics.
Jason gives a couple of nods. "Well, let's hope everything goes smoothly down there..." he adds, his mind having obviously wandered somewhere else.
Korio offers the asari a gentle smile. "It is quite alright. Given the hand we played in the state of Rakhana, it would be hypocritical for one such as myself to be overly sensitive in the discussion of its current state."
There is a shudder as the ship drops out of FTL, the sound of the exit quite loud compared to a bigger ship. About half a minute later Aron enters the room, looking around at the team. "We have arrived over Rakhana. I would advise you to start preparations once you are done eating. We set down soon."
Jason raises a hand in greeting to Aron. They're quite close now, after all. I mean, he saw Jason in his skivvies! "You got it." he says before giving a glance around the table. "You heard him. Finish your breakfast and gear up." He takes one last bite from his fruit and stands up to put his tray away.
Nathan stands up and lifts up his tray, taking it to where ever it needs to go. "Alright, show time," he says casually. He grins as he sets down the tray and makes his way toward the cargo-bay. "See you all in a mo!"
Ehanis sighs. "Yeah, yeah," she says dismissively. She sits back down at the table with a plate containing more pudding than her last.
Jessica sighs and stands from her seat, wordlessly heading back to the cargo bay to retrieve her gear.
Steve gives Jason a nod, but continues to eat his breakfast. Can't fight on an empty stomache. "This ain't too bad..." he says, glancing over to Renala as he gestures to the pudding with his spoon.
Renala chuckles, glancing towards the youngest asari's plate. "I may have misjudged it, yes," she says before taking another bite of the fish.
Aron raises an eyebrow at Ehanis' attitude, glancing at Jason. He hasn't forgotten the lack of cohesion the team displayed yesterday, but he leaves it unsaid, heading back up the stairs now that the team is informed.
Korio scoops one last mouthful of pudding into his mouth before rising from his seat. He offers one last bow of his head to the asari as he departs from the table to get ready.
Jason doesn't let the look go unnoticed. His own gaze moves to Ehanis and he gives a short sigh. "Hurry it up." he adds as he passes the table on his way out towards the cargo bay from putting his tray away.
Namira gives Aron a nod before he leaves, and goes to take her dishes away before heading back into the door opposite Redrock's living quarters.
Nathan has already clambered up onto the top of the truck when the others enter. He's sat on the side of the truck, not dissimilar to the night before. His gear is still in its duffle-bag, off to his right. It seems he's getting ready to help haul down the gear for people.
Jessica is the first to arrive after Nathan and she stands just beside the truck. She gives a silent nod to her wheeled crate, although she's mostly expecting a snide remark. Without even giving Nathan a chance to respond, she simply sighs and begins to climb into the truck to get it herself.
Nathan remains tight-lipped and tugs it closer to the side for her to get. He simply offers a small smile and a nod, before turning toward the entrance to the cargo-bay. "Alright, who's next?"
Jessica gives a short, almost non-existant appreciative nod to Nathan before hopping back off the truck and hauling her crate away with her.
Korio is next in line. He directs Nathan towards his crate, having accepted that Nathan took it upon himself to unload the truck. "Much appreciated." he says pre-emptively as he waits patiently.
Renala leaves her plate where plates are to be left before making her way down to the cargo bay to retreive her gear.
Nathan nods and tugs the crate along. He's somewhat more hesitant than he usually would be, given his arm, but he manages to lower the crate down to Korio's level. "Here you are," he says with a thin smile.
Korio collects his gear and, as per usual, bows his head respectfully to Nathan before silently moving on to gear up.
Jason steps up next. "Looking forward to stretching my legs." he says with a sigh as he joins Nathan up on the truck. Given Nathan's recent injury, he sees no reason to make him carry more than he needs to. He grabs his crate and climbs back out of the truck. "You know they're on the upper decks living in luxury while we're cramped together like a bunch of sardines down here." he tells Nathan with a smirk, "The entire upper
Nathan helps Jason regardless, even if he has robo-arms. He cracks a grin. "Tsk, typical. The hard workers live like ants, the loungers live like kings." He tisks and waves a hand dismissively. "Well, let them have it, I say. being cramped up builds character." He chuckles and leans back onto the truck, kicking his legs idly.
A half-hour passes as Redrock gears up for the mission, joined by Namira, the archeologist. Not long after they are done the ship starts shuddering as it descends into the atmosphere of Rakhana. The lack of windows in the quarters and cargo hold means no glimpses of the planet has been caught. The door to the cargo hold slides open and Aron enters, flanked by two other drell, both wearing blue-gray medium hardsuits with
sealed helmets. Each of them carry compact carbine of hanar design. Behind them Zelyner enters, looking much like most hanar to humanoid species, its pink body hovering a tentacle-length above the ground thanks to the anti-gravity generator it is wearing. The hanar's voice, or rather the voice output by the translator sounds distant and disembodied, as hanar often do: "This one greets the mercenaries. Is the human's team
Jason locks his helmet into place as he passes a glance over to Zelyner. Looks a whole lot less intimidating out of water. "Good to go." he acknowledges, his gaze sweeping over his team briefly.
Ehanis is currently checking over her hardsuit, having just put on the final piece. She does give a nod at the hanar's question before putting her own helmet on.
Nathan stands, his armour gleaming with that newly refurbished shine. The pattern has changed too, to a myriad of autumn colours in a dense camouflage pattern. His helm is mildly different, with the rebreather now attached directly to the mouth area of his helm. The matte black visor peers at the hanar emotionless like as he attaches his M-55 to his back. Already
armed in his various grenades, M-100 and his Predator, he looks ready to fight a war. At the small of his back is a case, carrying his tools and charges. "All set and ready to go, boss," he says with a thumbs up and a hand on his hip.
Renala is tapping on her omni-tool, performing the numerous tests. She's sitting on the edge of the truckbed, helmet lying beside her. "As ready as I can be," she says.
Korio is geared up and ready to go. His light hardsuit is matte black with a grey undersuit. Thick grey stripes adorn his black gauntlets and boots. On his back is a collapsed M-97 Viper and on his thigh a Phalanx. He seems a bit more anxious than he has in the past. Perhaps eager to get the mission underway, or maybe just excited to lay eyes on the homeworld of his people for the first time. "I am ready."
Jessica is seated beside Renala in her grey hardsuit. It's in the same condition as previously. Scorch marks have washed away small patches of grey all throughout the plating. The insignia on the upper left of her chestplate is still visible, however. Matching the insignia on her sidearm. Her Redrock-borrowed Avenger is layed out across her lap. She remains silent, but gives a nod of her head, indicating she's ready.
Steve is stood just beside Renala and Jessica, fully geared. "Let's get this show on the road." he says as he gives one last look over his SMG.
Namira is sitting in the back of the truck, having taken one of the innermost seats. Under her seat is a duffel bag. She's looking through something on her omni-tool.
Aron heads towards the front of the truck, climbing up the ladder on the side of the unusual-looking cabin.
Renala nods and disables her omni-tool. Her armor is of a green color, which is totally how it was when she bought it. She climbs into the truck and finds the nearest seat, bringing her helmet with her.
Steve loads up beside Renala, holstering his SMG on his right thigh. His Carnifex takes up the space on his left thigh.
Jason remains silent as he awaits further orders from the hanar, simply resting his Revenant across his arms.
Nathan pops into the back of the truck, taking a free seat next to Steve. He makes himself comfortable as he can.
Zelyner stops in front of Jason. "This one is glad to hear the mercenaries are ready. The Seeker of Benediction will land soon in Pilgrim's Haven, and we will begin our journey. This one believes the mercenaries will do their job well." the hanar says before floating after Aron, up to the top of the cabin, where a hatch is opened and it descends into the water inside.
Jessica stands up as the others begin to shuffle around and takes a seat across from Nathan, looking over her borrowed Avenger.
Steve gives a glance over at Nathan, offering a smile from behind his recon hood. "Suppose we ain't spoke since we had that drink together, have we?" he asks, "Glad to see you got the job. Run into those four-eyed assholes lately?"
Nathan looks to Steve, chuckling under his helm. "Suppose we haven't. Good to see you again, mate." He then waves a hand idly in the air, shaking his head. "Nope, ain't heard a peep outta them. Buuuuuuut, if they do turn up...". He shrugs lightly and leans back confidently into his seat. "I won't go so easy on them next time. If it turns into a dance, maybe I'll
Aron returns to the back of the truck, looking over the Redrock personnel. "Remember - prolonged exposure to the air is unsafe. Use breathers as often as possible."
Jason gives Aron a thumbs up before climbing into the back of the truck. "We'll keep that in mind." he says, settling into the unclaimed seat beside Jessica. He rests his Revenant on the seat beside him.
Korio climbs into the truck last, his gaze moving back towards the door every so often as he awaits his first glimpse of Rakhana.
Aron gestures for the two drell guards to get into position before walking out of sight. Seems he's going to be in the front of the truck. One of the drell guards climbs into the back of the truck, taking one of the rearmost seats while the other uses the ladder to climb up on top.
Nathan looks around at the assembled team, nodding slowly. "This should be fun," he says aloud, resting a hand on his leg.
Korio's gaze moves to Nathan. 'Fun' wasn't exactly the word that came to mind when preparing to tread across his mostly-dead homeworld.
Jason leans back in his seat, settling in for the long haul. "Just keep your eyes peeled. First sign of danger, speak up. No telling what we might come across out there."
Renala looks up from her omni-tool for a couple seconds to nod at the drell guard sitting down across from her.
There is a loud thud as the ship makes contact with the ground, and not long after a quiet whirring as the walls suddenly start to rise around them-... no, the floor is lowering. A cargo elevator of sorts. The floor outside the truck is the first part to be lit up by bright orange light as they sink through the hull of the ship, and soon wind can be felt. It's not long before the lift is fully lowered, and their first glimpse
of Rakhana comes into view. They find themselves on a landing pad atop a hill. Prefabs dot the area around them, all of them covered in dust, much like the landing pad appears to have been before the Seeker's thrusters blew it away. The truck comes to life, and rolls of the landing pad, down a dirt road through the small, seemingly empty settlement. Little can be seen of the surrounding area due to a metal wall that surrounds
Nathan offers Jason a thumbs up and a nod. "Gotcha," he confirms, settling himself down. He decides to run another diagnostic of his HUD, in particular of his IFF.
Korio's attention darts around. His usual calm demeanor cracking for the first time as his gaze scans about, taking in the sight of the drell homeworld. He settles back into his seat as he realizes he'll be offered little in way of views until they exit the walled settlement.
Ehanis looks around the landing area curiously. "It looks more miserable than I imagined," she mutters under her breath, easily drowned out by the sounds of the vehicle.
Jason grips his Revenant, bringing it over between his legs and leaning the stock against the floor to keep it from bouncing about during travel. "Looks like this place hasn't seen any activity in a long time..." he muses aloud as he looks at the dust-covered prefabs they pass.
Nathan glances up. Despite the rather drab appearance, he still seems interested in watching the world go by. A new place, a new story, after all. "Jesus..." he mutters.
Jessica's gaze darts about, unable to hide her fascination despite the disinterest she has previously shown. Every bit as interested in Rakhana as she was in the frozen snowball, she looks from one prefabricated shelter to the next. After a few moments, she brings up her omni-tool to capture a few photos, sure to be off-center and blurry given the motion of the truck.
Steve stretches out a bit, leaning into his seat to get comfortable. If you've seen one barren desert world, you've seen them all. "I don't think we're gonna need to worry 'bout activity out here."
Korio's gaze travels to Ehanis as a small sigh escapes him. "It is as you say..." he admits, "...But hardly unexpected. Still, many of my people find a way to continue to live here despite the less-than-ideal circumstances."
Nathan folds his arms across his chest. "Have to give it your people... they're tough as balls." He leans his head back against the wall, finishing his diagnostic.
Ehanis tilts her head. "Doesn't the air hurt them too?" she asks. "Or does that warning not apply to you drell?"
The guard at the back of the truck remains silent, weapon in hand, as they drive through the empty street. The truck comes to a stop at the metal gate at the settlement's exit. The door of one of the nearby prefabs - dusty like the rest, but with the windows cleaned. A drell man, roughly in his sixties by the looks of him, steps out, walking towards the truck at a slow pace. He's wearing a tattered robe, and a wide smile is
on his face. When he comes within speaking range he spreads his arms wide. "Welcome! Welcome to Pilgrim's-..." he's interrupted by a sudden cough, but after a moment he finishes: "Pilgrim's Haven!"
Korio allows a small chuckle to escape him, but bows his head to Nathan. "That is how one might put it. Another might say 'stubborn'. There is no denying, however, that this place holds great meaning to my people." His attention shifts from Nathan to Ehanis as she speaks up, "It does, in fact, hurt them as well. They are undoubtedly more hardened to the effects of the exposure, but not immune. Unfortunately. Despite the
sadness it brings me to see it in such a condition, it is a great honor to have the chance to view it in person. I-... thank you all for allowing me this." he says, his gaze drifting back towards the prefabricated shelter as the old man exits. He tilts his head curiously. "I thought we weren't expecting the area to be inhabited...?" he says softly.
Jason offers a smirk to Korio and a nod, but his attention is quickly pulled towards the drell approaching the truck. He gives a quick glance around at the others in the truck. "Eyes peeled..." he reminds before looking to the drell guard. "Were you expecting this...?"
Jessica swivels around in her seat, now on her knees as she looks over the side of the truck that serves as the back of her seat, and begins snapping photos of the old drell as well.
Aron can be heard dropping from the ladder with a thud, and approaches the back of the truck. "Hello." he says, gesturing at the ship. "This is the Seeker of Benediction. I am Aron. I believe you have been told to expect us?"
Rhame nods. "Of course! Of course! That explains it. Visitors are very rare outside of pilgrimage season. It's nice to see a friendly face. You are welcome to join me for tea or-"
Aron shakes his head. "We must be on our way immediately. If you talk to our crew on the ship, we have brought some supplies to last you until the next shipment."
Jason eases up slightly as the guard confirms that they were expecting to run into people, but he continues to glance about for any other signs of life. Or an ambush.
Korio tilts his head to the side as he listens to the interaction. "You have traded supplies for permission to land here...?" he asks as he looks to one of the guards, "Has the Seeker of Benediction traded with this settlement in the past?"
Rhame is quite obviously disappointed, but hides it quickly and nods. "Of course. I will open the gates for you." he says before heading over to a control panel near the gate, a hand going up to cover his mouth as he goes into a coughing fit, keeping him from pressing any buttons for the moment.
Aron looks in at Korio in the truck, shaking his head with a small smile. "Rhame? he has maintained this settlement for many years. It is the primary landing site for ships during pilgrimage season. In other times it stands empty, aside from him. It is a solitary life. Some gifts for the old fool seems a fair tribute." he says, glancing at the old drell by the gate controls.
Korio glances towards Rhame, studying him in silence as he struggles to operate the gate. "A large sacrifice he makes for the sake of others. Solitary indeed, but worth honoring."
Nathan hums quietly and looks across to Aron. "Brave ol' bastard," he says with a nod. "I'm not sure I know many people willing to make that sacrifice."
Steve cocks an eyebrow. "Sounds like a waste of time if you ask me..." he mutters, "Wastin' away your life so others can come look at some husk of a planet?"
Jessica glances over her shoulder at Steve with a frown. "Is important for people to know where they come from." she says before returning to her photo session. "Just because you are unable to understand, does not make it any less important..."
Renala keeps watching the settlement. "That makes the road leading from here an ideal place to set up an ambush," she mutters.
Rhame opens the hatch to the controls, pressing several buttons. As he walks back to the truck the rusty metal gate can be heard opening with a sustained metallic groan. He raises a hand in goodbye to them. "Take care out there, and Arashu watch over you."
Aron immediately starts heading back to the ladder at the front of the truck, but for a brief moment a disgusted look can be seen on his face at the old drell's mention of one of the old gods.
Korio doesn't bother getting mixed up in Steve and Jessica's exchange of words. He merely bows his head respectfully to Rhame. "And you as well, brother."
Jessica takes one final photo of the old drell before raising her arm high into the air and waving to him.
Rhame returns Korio's headbow, and chuckles quietly as Jessica takes a photo, which causes another series of coughs as he heads back to his prefab when the truck starts moving.
Renala waves at the drell as the truck departs through the gates. She keeps watching their surroundings.