StarCraft: Infection [Begins]

[Crystal Tears]

Welcome, to the Confederate Planetary Travel Database.
Choose Destination:
[. . . Mar Sara]
[Searching… Searching…]

Mar Sara
A backwater, arid world that has resource value, however, the planet has not been given much attention due to its sister planet Chau Sara, being far superior. Mar Sara is not an ideal venture world, Confederate political personal are advised to stay away.
Ticket Price:
[Commercial: 1,000 C]
[First Class: 4,300 C]

Purchase Commercial Flight for 1,000 C?
[Yes]
[No]
[Please be patient while purchase is transferred…]
[… Funds rejected.]

Travel Advisory: Do to recent terrorist activity, Mar Sara, along with Chau Sara, are off limits to civilian travel. We are sorry for any inconvenience…


Personnel Database
- Please note, the rank stated in this list is the real military, if applicable, ranking. Not their experience.
- Characters that are inactive please do not interact with until the user of said character returns.

1) No.88 / Specialist / Crystal Tears
- Active
2) O. Moragat / Corporal / Bear
- Active
3) L. Eos / Militia / Asilynne
- Inactive
4) E. Vasaile / Civilian / Mew Master
- Active
5) H. Shawnesee / Militia / Blue62
- Active
6) R. Cornelius / Head-Scientist / Blademaster
- Active
7) T. Andrews / Sergeant / Samchu
- Active
8) C. Valaek / Private / Darth CookieMonster
- Active
9) I. Vethrenia / Flight Captain / Vethrenia
- Active
10) S. Kaarn / Private Second-Class / Crazy Elf Boy
- Inactive
11) 'The Package' / Pichu Luver
- Active
12) D. Bryant / Corporal / ChobiChibi
- Active
13) L. De'Marko / Civilian / Ayeun
- Active


Name: Caden Shepard, but is known as Shepard, No. 88 or 88 (her Ghost Number is 88174.).

Age: 26

Gender: Female

Rank: Captain

Class: Military - Ghost, trained in operating Wraiths, Banshees and Vultures. She is able to pilot dropships, though their cumbersome form and lack-luster speed makes her agitated when doing so.

Appearance: Caden stands at 5’8’’, with a slim, athletic build common to women in the Ghost program. Her lithe frame, combined with her dark brown hair and hazel eyes makes her fairly attractive. Her suit (like hell am I gonna describe that XD) is a fairly new design, instead of the standard blue psi-sensitive material, hers is a deep red, and her face is usually hidden behind a full mask, which also has a tendency to distort her voice a tad.

Personality: Caden is a rather introverted woman, and is concerned only for her well being and the mission at head. She has a snarky, irritated disposition when talking to anyone, especially civilians. Though some suspect that the irritation some claim to have heard, is from her mask distorting her voice, making her sound much more robotic and by extension, condescending. Her ghost training and experiences in the program had caused her morals to become jaded and confused, but many expect that of trained killers. Despite her neural inhibitor making her far more loyal to the Confederacy then she would be of her free mind, Caden has managed to form opinions that the Confederacy would see as dangerous (though these opinions she keeps to herself). Shepard is cunning and ruthless, she keeps her mind on the mission (though that isn’t entirely her own doing), and has no time for weakness.

Home Planet: Shiloh

Weapon: C-20 Prototype, an advanced form of Sniper Rifle she received from Lt. Colonel Warfield for a particular mission she completed. The prototype’s scope shows info on the target, such as weak points in armor and range.

Relationship(s): Has been working as Cornelius's bodyguard and assassin for years now.

History: Caden was swept up into the ghost program when she was 11, and went through harsh, torturous training that resulted in her personality now. She had briefly worked with the infamous ghost No.24, or ‘Kerrigan’ before she defected and joined the terrorist organization Sons of Korhal. Most of the woman’s life was robbed from her, so Caden has no real notable memories besides missions.

Recently, she was stationed on Mar Sara to ensure the safe transport of some valuable cargo. The shipment was moved to Outpost 29 from Backwater Station, just before it fell. Caden has been on edge ever since, but she has loyally protected the shipment and prevented any infiltration into the military facility at the outpost. Though seeing the new reinforcements provided by the Confederacy, doesn’t know whether to be comforted or uneasy.

Her rank is Specialist, which is in between sergeant and lieutenant, and is a rank reserved only for ghost operatives. While she has to obey most orders a Lieutenant (or any other ranking officer gives), she doesn’t disclose operation details to anyone except those expressly involved, or when there is no point in keeping it secret any longer.

Other: Some medics suspect her outward irritation and agitation in some situations, is a result of interference of the neural inhibitor. Caden has sometimes expressed that maybe the newly emerging ‘memory wipe’ idea is better than the alternative of being openly influenced on the field. She often falls prey to headaches, and at times, migranes that make functioning difficult. None the less, she does it, somehow.


Veeto’s Cantina, Mining Outpost 034501 or ‘Haven’s Way’
12.16.2499
22:33

“You heard anythin’ from Backwater?”

Veeto’s Cantina was dirty, smoky and all around not the nicest place to be. The miners were a grimy sort, not at all friendly towards the Confederacy, so their appearance matched as such.

They had chosen (though they would claim more like ‘forced’) to mine in a deep raven, with mineral deposits all along the sides. The difficulty was the ground itself was hard and ridiculously challenging to mine, along with the narrow ramps barely wide enough to allow passage for one SCV, mining often was met with disaster.

Timothy had died today, so people had gathered in the cantina to drink to his not-so-grand memory. His SCV had malfunctioned and charged at the crystals, impaling the mechanism on the sharp, jagged shards. Timonthy had been killed instantly.

So naturally, they went from speaking fondly, or not so fondly of ‘Timmy’ to noting the eerie radio silence from Backwater Station. Now only two remained however, the rest leaving an hour ago.

“Nah, nothin’ George.” Bob answered, finishing his drink. “Confederates say it’s them terrorists… Whaddaya call ‘em? Sons of Korhal?”

“You believe that crap?” George growled in response. “Them Confed’s are all liars.”

“One of them ghosts passed through here, couple days ago. Before the last transport.” Bob noted, scratching his chin. “Whole escort with ‘er. Tanks, marines, and then some large truck.”

“Ya think that was-“

A sharp screech then a pop interrupted the miners. They were quiet for a moment.

“What the fuck was that?” Bob stood up, nearing the door of the bar.

“No clue.” George got up, moving towards the dusty, mud stained window. “Kinda late for mining eh? They didn’t lift the restriction did they?”

“No they-“

There was flashes of lights and more ‘pops’, followed by a few screams. Bob stepped back, stunned.

“That’s gunfire!” He looked at his friend. “Someone’s attackin’!”

“Who the hell be attackin’ us?” George couldn’t deny the proof but it just seemed so-

There was a bang from behind them, which made them turn slowly.

“What was that?”

“Dunno, back door, I ‘spect.” Bob gulped, and pulled his revolver from its holster. “Did Jesse leave?”

“Not that I know…” George spoke in a hushed tone, revealing his own pistol. “Think its terrorists?”

A deep, hellish growl came from the front door; the very door both of them had turned their backs too. Hot breath danced on the back of Bob’s neck, and something sticky and wet dripped underneath his frayed collar.

“No George,” Bob took in a sharp, nervous breath. “I dun think it’s terrorists..”

Outpost 29
12.17.2499
09:27

“Sir, you don’t understand…” Shepard was trying to keep her temper in check; it wasn’t wise to snap at one’s superiors, especially not those capable of sending military aid to the facility. “There’s been no word from the miners of 034501. They’ve fallen silent, like Backwater.”

“88, I am going to remind you who’s in charge.” Duke’s voice was just as frustrating over the comm as it was in person. Shepard regretted instantly that Duke was in charge of safeguarding the Sara sisters, and not Warfield. “There is nothing to be concerned about.”

“And I am going to remind you, that any scout we have sent to check on either 034501 or Backwater, hasn’t returned. Something is coming General, and while you may not give a damn about the Outpost, please remember that the reason you are here, is sitting a few rooms over from me.”

“88 I am growing tired of your blatant disregard for authority...”

“Sir-“

“Enough 88, Alpha Squadron is heading to Chau Sara, a small detachment, Bravo team, is being sent to your location. Prepare the package for transport, and at 06:00 tomorrow, you are authorized to leave.” She could see Duke’s scowl in her mind perfectly. “No exceptions.”

“… Yes Sir.”


Outpost 29, wasn’t the worst place Shepard had been to in her career, the Ghost Academy was probably the worst. However, that being said, 29 didn’t exactly rank highly in comparison to places on worlds like Tarsonis, Moria, Shiloh, and even Chau Sara. Partly because the planet itself was a barren wasteland, much like Chau, however Chau Sara was at least interesting. Shiloh the woman had a soft spot for, and Tarsonis and Moria were just so chaotic that there was always something to do.

Mar Sara, and in particular this settlement: Outpost 29, was boring.

It consisted of typical shady housing that any neglected Confederate mining outpost would have, it had two bars, a couple of warhouses, one old, decrepit barracks, and a modest, if profitable mining venture in refining vespene. The gas here was particularly potent, which had paid for the massive, metal walls guarding the outpost and it’s very own starport. It also had a military facility near the ‘back’ of the outpost, farthest from the gate.

Which now was her home.

Just grand.

“Where’s the Professor?” Shepard questioned, looking at one of the other control tower monitoring staff.

“In his lab…” The man answered quietly, looking at her nervously. A ghost operative was intimidating just on principle, but Shepard wore her full gear all the time. The mask always seemed to be glaring, like she was calculating another kill. “What do you think happened to the other settlements?”

“Nothing.” Her cold reply ended the conversation quickly as she turned and headed for the elevator. “If there is any word from either Backwater or 034501, alert me immediately.”

“Yes ma’am.”


The lab itself was located in the middle of the entire facility. Around it, were numerous rooms hiding its appearance on maps, and in fact there was only one way into the lab, but two out. The entrance door worked normally, however, to Shepard’s knowledge, there was another hidden door, which only worked one way.

Admittedly, knowing him, there are probably at least one hundred ways in and out of that room. She mused, watching as the doorway hissed and slid open, revealing a room with cool steel walls and a white, tiled floor. Medical tables were neatly placed in rows; all of them void of bodies save for one that had a pale corpse with a toe-tag resting on it. The west wall had large empty tubes lined side-by-side, though when in use they would fill with a green substance. Past the medical, scientific and other contraptions in the room was a simple desk, and sitting at it was the Professor.

“You’re late.”

The woman frowned, and moved from the entrance of the room towards him, pausing only when she was next to the body. The lower half was covered by a white sheet, but the top wasn’t.

She recognized the man, and she recognized the fatal knife wound to the neck. Shepard had been the one to kill him.

“What are you doing with him?”

She didn’t know if the man glanced up from his work or not. “Ze dead haff uses.”

This was a concept that Cornelius’s had been trying to teach Shepard for as long as they had been working together. That everything, dead or not, had a use, and if it benefited his research in any way, then it was worth the time dragging back.

She hadn’t dragged the dead man anywhere; she had killed him here, in the facility, while he was attempting to sneak into Cornelius’s lab without express permission. The result had been instant death, and she had moved the body inside, placing it neatly on one of the tables.

“More uses then he had while living?” 88 questioned, her voice being distorted by the mask. “I remember you lividly calling him useless on numerous occasions.”

“.. You’ve improved him.” He noted, rather coldly. “I noticed your precision vith ze blade has improved by 2%.”

She moved away from the body, and towards the table. “I’m glad.”

“Sarcasm…” He trailed off as his scribbled something down. “Tell me, how did your chat vith Duke go?”

Damn it. Now she would have to explain the far from good news to Cornelius. She was worried about what would happen, not with the Professor getting angry, that didn’t rank terribly high on things that were likely to get her killed. Not recently, anyways.

What worried her was the sudden silence from Backwater and now 034501. 29 was surrounded by massive walls meant to protect it from terrorists or bandits, and it only had one entrance: a single, mechanical gate that disappeared into the ground when the way was open, which was most of the time.

She made a mental note to have that gate closed tonight.



- Backwater station fell silent a couple of days ago (three or four)
- 11 hours before the current RPG time, Haven's Way fell silent.
- Five days ago, Shepard and 'The Package' arrived in Outpost 29. No one besides Cornelius and Shepard know about the 'The Package'.
- Team Bravo consists of anyone who registered as military, besides the previously stated characters.
- Nothing is happening to Outpost 29, for now... >D