Introduction To Kess Spiro

[14:36] <@Minaplo> [Date: April 18th, 2048. Location: Cydonian Fleet Yards, Mars Orbit, Mars Sphere, Sol System.-
[14:37] <@Minaplo> [Three Superheavies glided through the void toward their new mothership.-
[14:39] <@Minaplo> [One was a Skylord: agile, lithe and wiry. One was a Jupiter, a bulky, heavy, boxy thing with one giant mono-eye. And the third was a Feranaea, large modular harnesses strapped to its body, playing host to handfuls of tiny cranes as well as several larger mechadendrites, giving it the appearance of a great mechanical spider.-
[14:44] <@Minaplo> [Both the Jupiter and the Skylord were empty and powered down; the Feranaea was guiding them into place with its cranes and claws.-
[14:44] <@Minaplo> [As the trio approached the mothership, they slowed slightly, waited-
[14:45] <@Minaplo> ["VAL-01, you are cleared for landing." Said a tac officer. A little landing platform extended from just below the ship's hangar, with enough room for all three to land on.]
[14:53] <Kess> Hoversystems, operating optimally. Maneuvering verniers… check, also optimal. The cranes folded and wiggled, even being guided into place by mechadendrites to lower the unit's profile. The Feranea ended up seeming a bit like it was preening itself, which is not a thing spiders usually do. Carefully condensing itself. "Landing!" The pilot noted with light cheer, gliding closer… It was a very precise, delicate thing, to see
[14:53] <Kess> this pilot land her superheavy. Taking extra precautions, even reaching out with dends to secure her place on the platform a bit quicker. (She had developed a habit of making shortforms for commonly-used terms. The idea of efficiency of speech duration in combat and other tight situations was both useful and entertaining!) A few more prods with them to place the unoccupied units in a guaranteed-stable position, and she came on
[14:53] <Kess> the comms a second time. "Complete and stable!"
[14:58] <@Minaplo> ["Clean docking, 01. Retracting platform now."-
[14:59] <@Minaplo> [The platform slid back into the hull, taking the Supers with it into what seemed to be a big, dark boxy room.-
[14:59] <@Minaplo> [The blast door shut behind them, sealing air-tight. The room repressurised-
[15:00] <@Minaplo> [And the 'roof' opened up, revealing the bright white glare of the hangar. The platform below them lifted them up to the hangar floor, keeping them fastened shut with docking clamps.-
[15:00] <@Minaplo> [With a hiss, the platform stopped and the clamps released. The Superheavies hung there, slightly unbalanced in the grav-free environment.-
[15:00] <@Minaplo> ["Plug them into their cages for us, VAL-01?"]
[15:11] <Kess> "Can do!" She once again replied, and… began the subtle dance of placement. Using mostly hoverdrives due to the tight space, she angled back while still curled-up, before halting the movement with a counter-pulse. Then, the arms unfurled, and soon the supers knew the cold embrace of an array of cranes and dends alike. Sliding back in place, mostly through some careful leverage, she began moving on. It was a slow dance,
[15:11] <Kess> gliding through the hangar, before making a turn. There it was, the docking point for these units. There was a bit of spacing, so she had to get creative. Pushing one out with a thrust of the dends, still hanging on, but using the weight transference to start a pivot… so she could reorient the other. The Jupiter was the throw-weight of choice due to obviously higher mass, so this worked okay so far. Careful… careful…!
[15:11] <Kess> Eventually, she set the dends a bit more rigid, and guessed at the new mass configuration. About… about so. Pulse, pulse. It ended up that the two superheavies had been rotated into place now, and spaced out correctly. …All it took was gentle pulsing ahead, and soon she was sliding them into berth!
[15:16] <Minaplo> [And within seconds, the cages locked the Supers into place with magnets and actual clamps.-
[15:17] <Minaplo> ["Good job, 01. Park yourself and disembark."]
[15:28] <Kess> "Ack~" Acknowledged, of course. It was a lot more free-form, now. Just a mass of arms and cranes helping pull the wicked-looking metal beast along, clambering into its cage, wiggling and fidgeting into place, before locking. From there, shutdown. Power off arm interlinks, put AI in sleep mode, go through the list… eventually, the hum of its powerplant faded, and… Kess allowed herself an indulgence. One moment, the
[15:28] <Kess> machine's pilot was inside. The next moment, she was outside, floating through the air of the hangar a few meters ahead of the unit. -
[15:37] * Kess was, as you already knew, a Defector. The tall, lanky build. The four arms, the bird-like shape in a number of places. She particularly had a slight figure for her impressive-to-humans height, and it was only made more clear by her pilot suit. Slicked down and almost implying the feathers below, the suit was a bit more total and seamless than one a human would use, being made with help from unusual 'smart fluid'
[15:37] * Kess technology. That said, there were a few pieces that looked more like clothes, mainly a vaguely shirt-like top with a number of pieces of equipment on it, control gloves snugly wrapped on all four hands with nerve-sync bracers not too unlike the plugsuits of pre-Gestalt days… and some gear along the legs that made it look like she was wearing high boots over the bodysuit. The helmet… the helmet was actually
[15:37] * Kess selfsame as the traditional morphic Defector Mask - like a few other rare superheavy pilot Defectors in Starfleet, the accomodations for people like her included a specialized modification to the mask that enabled it to work with the suit harness to seal as a proper spacesuit. So it was an impassive silver wall that adorned her head as she coasted along lazily with little waves of her arms.
[16:03] <Minaplo> [She was being watched curiously by some nearby human techies: it was obvious that a Defector superheavy pilot was a rare sight.-
[16:09] <Minaplo> [One onlooker approached. A white human woman with dark brown hair tied back in a tight bun. She floated toward Kess, using a pair of magnetic boots to propel herself forward with expert skill.-
[16:10] <Minaplo> ["Ensign Grasping-the-Spiral-Truth?" Asked the woman. Kess would notice her uniform and markings- a high ranking officer in the Technical division. Probably the chief.]
[16:12] <Kess> Gentle waves of her arms to slow her movements, then pausing. "Yes! I have a shortform. You can use 'Spiro' for the house-name if you wish to for efficiency, ma'am." A slight bow, as the mask formed at /least/ humanlike lips to make clear her speech. "On Technical business, I presume?"
[16:19] <Minaplo> ["That's correct. Sadie Tyrell, Chief of Technical." Tyrell shot Kess a salute. "We have you listed as majoring as an engineer in training- I take it you won't mind if we have you work in here on your off-pilot hours?"-
[16:19] <Minaplo> ["Oh, the changing rooms are that way."]
[16:25] * Kess nodded once, then saluted. "Right! Good to meet you, Chief Tyrell. I would not mind at all, for it'd be entirely the best use of that major." But a quick glance over in the direction she indicated. "A good idea. Suitfluid gives a sensation /quite/ unsatisfying once the distraction of work leaves. Shall I with your leave?"
[16:31] <Minaplo> ["Of course, Ensign."]
[16:48] * Kess made the subtlest of bows, before… flap flap flap. It was surprisingly graceful, for how vaguely dumb it looked. She was soon coasting to the changing room. Oh sweet liberation from slippery goo. Wait for your Questant.
[16:52] <Minaplo> [Someone had kindly provided a fresh set of robes for Kess on one of the benches.-
[16:55] <Minaplo> [Showering in currently zero-g required stepping into a cylindrical room, bolting the door shut, and then relying on water pressure to blow the water at your body. The water then floated around wherever the hell it wanted, but that was kind of fun, wasn't it?-
[16:55] <Minaplo> [There were also special water-free gels and shampoos that Kess could use to cleanse the goo from her sensitive feathers.-
[17:03] <Minaplo> [But after ten minutes of scrubbing and washing, Kess would be free to blow-dry, towel down, robe up and return to the hangar- where she would find Chief Tyrell talking with a distinctive figure- a tall Defector with purple robes and vivid purple plumage.-
[17:05] <Minaplo> [Tyrell left, and the Defector- the Calligrapher-of-the-Ultraviolet-Inks, Kess knew- turned toward her. "Good morning, young one," he said.]
[17:09] <Kess> It began. She knew there was a Guide here, after all. Him and his wives and brother. …Psych up, understand that at his age he may well have gotten a longer view. A slow stride, or what affected one with little armflaps and kicks. "And to you, elder fellow." She noted calmly, if with a bit of a put on mien.
[17:12] <Minaplo> [He was silent for a moment, observing her.-
[17:15] <Minaplo> ["We are leaving shortly, be ready. Are you feeling good about your assignment which can be demanding on a young Dancer?"]
[17:18] <Kess> Observation in kind. Slowly processing, putting the factors into play. Subtle movements. Emphasis. "I'm feeling quite good about it considering my life, this assignment is more natural than the first impression suggests." She explained, even making a decidedly humanlike hand crane. Conveying a sense of casual ease. "I hope to not be of much trouble to you which could go either way, since I hear you do well with humans,
[17:18] <Kess> and my upbringing did pick up their culture well
."
[17:25] <Minaplo> ["Encouraging ~general optimism for a unified galaxy~. It is rare that Defectors in Starfleet enter the Superheavy careers, curiosity and awkward wondering at the general fit abound."]
[17:27] * Kess actually laughed, which really was more of a fluttery trill. "Very. I admit some fascination with the sorts who join Starfleet ~a sample of the awe of celebrity~, and my technical aptitude suits Superheavy corps work very well." Pause. "reassurance (though he could tell it had an unmistakable tinge of youth)"
[17:33] <Minaplo> ["Starfleet take only the best, and it would be disappointing if you did not equal them."-
[17:33] <Minaplo> ["Including yourself, but a paternal expression of faith. You haven't travelled interstellar often, have you?"]
[17:37] * Kess thought long enough for a notable delay. "I have not, much. A trip to Seven Sisters awkwardness considering it was a school trip, mostly. Learned there, but… I cannot say I have that experience knowing he had far more of it by design."
[17:38] <Minaplo> ["Well, so long as you don't get way-sick, it shouldn't be a problem desperately hoping you don't get way-sick"]
[17:40] <Kess> A smaller laugh, comparable to a human chuckle, with the matching tone downshift. "I'll spare you the details if that happens doubting it will but taking the perspective that problems are met best when they're not ignored."
[17:41] <Minaplo> ["Agreed, agreeing."-
[17:42] <Minaplo> ["Still. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of a proper adventure in space, the excitement of an adult wanting to share a hobby with a child."]
[17:49] <Kess> "Brightness and admiration I look forward to it as well! Let us see how it compares to your memories in time."
[17:54] <Minaplo> ["How much do you know about the Fleet, before we settled with the Twiceborn? A sense of wistfulness."]
[17:56] * Kess raised a finger on her main hand. "Less than is maybe appropriate? Not overly concerned about said appropriateness, yet it seems the best description of her ignorance But at least some basic facts."
[17:58] <Minaplo> ["I see."-
[18:00] <Minaplo> ["It was a very different world to the one you know. Much more unpredictable. Full of mystery and danger, so much danger. Does that frighten you? "]
[18:03] <Kess> "Some. realistic attitude about fear. But yet, I've practiced, I've trained. knowing the first encounter is different, but with all due hope." Still, she briefly turned to look at the walls of the hangar, thinking. "Constant travel, would be different indeed, though if only as curiosity about changes in upbringing."
[18:06] <Minaplo> ["I am glad that you don't take the Twiceborn for granted, obviously wrong to do so."]
[18:10] <Kess> She briefly tilted her head. "I suppose not! knowing what he meant yet finding it odd to think of that way." Beat. "Considering that actually taking for granted that you don't take things for granted is amusing." …Beat part deux. "Actually this kind of meta-conceptualization is a bit too recursive and slightly embarrassing."
[18:14] <Minaplo> [Defector body language was subtle, but there wasn't much mistaking the next one: Violet reached out a hand and placed it on the top of her mask gently.-
[18:14] <Minaplo> ["Shhhhh. Shhhh. Don't overthink it."]
[18:15] <Kess> Fidget. Fidget fidget. "Right! amusement even at her own embarrassmentwarmth at interestingly paternal gesture."
[18:23] <Minaplo> ["I have other duties to attend to. I trust that you can manage yourself for now, would be surprised and disappointed if it were otherwise?"]
[18:27] <Kess> "Oh, I don't doubt you do. I'll get to quarters and check my manifest, myself agreement with that impression. The idea is shocking that anyone would get this far and need it."
[18:33] <Minaplo> [Violet nodded. "It was good talking to you, young one."-
[18:33] <Minaplo> [And with that, Violet floated away…-
[18:33] <Minaplo> [Leaving Kess in the Superheavy hangar bay without any actual directions.]
[18:35] * Kess was intrepid and sharp, though. She assumed, blithely, that getting to quarters and getting her duties manifest would just be prudent even without orders. …So with little coasting flaps, Kess set out to do exactly that, noting what looked like a path to the corridors of the ship and heading off into such! Finding a Simurgh terminal was probably prudent.
[18:42] <Minaplo> [Fortunately, once she'd left the hangar, every corridor wall functioned as such.]
[18:44] * Kess gladly peered at a lightbar (knowing what it was, having looked over the Minerva-class specs in maybe a bit too much detail). "Simurgh! Please direct me to the quarters of Questant-of-Inner-Spheres." Why bother with ranks or housename? It was sufficiently unambiguous without using shortforms the Simurgh didn't yet know. It's a smart ship, it can manage.
[18:54] <Minaplo> [The bar lit up, arrows pointing in the proper direction.-
[18:54] <Minaplo> ["Oh, you already know how to use it." Said a voice from behind.]
[18:55] * Kess !. There was an almost unconscious AT impression as if she could just pronounce that. Now it's possible…! …But, she turned, surprisingly quickly from the usual trope of doing so slowly. "Ah, hello! I take it many don't?"
[19:00] <Minaplo> [She found herself looking at a tall young human, black-skinned with short hair; he had a soft smile on his face. "Mostly for those who find this as their first posting. Questant-of-Inner-Spheres, yes?"]
[19:11] <Kess> "Yes!" She said succinctly, evaluating him. Profile, profile… Drawing a slight blank. "I read the deck plans, internal design logs. With an eye toward familiarization, anyway - it's still a dry read. So I practiced, in a manner of thinking!"
[19:14] <Minaplo> ["Oh. You're pretty prepared. That's good, for an engineer."-
[19:15] <Minaplo> ["I'm Idris. Idris El-Hashem, Starship Evangelion." He placed his hands across his chest and bowed shortly, in the manner of a Defector (even if he couldn't mimic the plumage action…).]
[19:17] * Kess was aware of the limitation and appreciated the attempt anyway! She likewise did the same, feathers briefly shimmering different tones of blue in response. "…The evangelion! How lucky and intriguing~" There was a strong temptation to uncache her notebook. A strong temptation to ask rapid questions. Patience, patience! -
[19:18] <Kess> …Still, the agitated nearly seafoam-like oscillation in her plumage colors was tantamount to uncontained excitement. Even a human'd probably notice.
[19:22] <Minaplo> ["… Lucky?" Said Idris, eyeing her feathers as though he was trying not to be seen looking.]
[19:27] * Kess knew he would, once she realized it was happening. "Apologies! I have an interest in the experience. The existence! The lives and times and so many details of personal import. Interest, overflowing breathlessly!" …So this is what happens when a Good Speaker runs into Issues expressing themselves.
[19:35] <Minaplo> ["Oh."-
[19:35] <Minaplo> ["Oh."-
[19:35] <Minaplo> ["You want to know what it's like being an Evangelion?" He quirked an eyebrow.]
[19:39] * Kess clasped her hands together! In two pairs. "Yes! Sometime! …I'm trying to pace myself. Too much intensity would be a bit fangirl of me. And that would be bad. You have an important job and have gone through rigorous training and have a good level of authority beyond mine and moreover it would simply be improper to practically make you more of an object of study than the person you are! …I'm new at this part."
[19:48] <Minaplo> ["…"-
[19:49] <Minaplo> ["Well, that was a lot, but at least you're considerate. I have an idea."]
[16:47] <Kess> "And that idea is…?" Kess said, her higher plumage wiggling a bit.
[16:50] <Minaplo> ["We're scheduled to stop at Grand Junction Station in the Zeruel System for a few hours. I'm interested in seeing some of the sights. If you join me, I'll be happy to tell you all about being an Evangelion."]
[16:59] <Kess> "Ah, quite interesting indeed." Kess nodded her head, fanning the plumes previously wiggling. "I will probably be less, well. Fangirl-like after some time to get to know you. I learned early that too mcuh fascination at the nature of a person precludes treating them as a person…"
[17:00] <Minaplo> ["A good lesson to learn. After a week of working together, that instinct should be pared back, yes."]
[17:08] <Kess> She clasped her upper hands together and wrung them a bit. "Indeed. And if you've been to Zeruel or read more about it, you may well have some fun showing the best places, too!"
[17:16] <Minaplo> ["Quite right." He said with a grin.-
[17:17] <Minaplo> ["For now, though, I should leave you to it. It was good to meet you, Questant-of-Inner-Spheres."]
[17:18] <Kess> A quick bow. "Same to you, Idris." And after a moment to let him gesture as he would, she turned her gaze to the arrows, again. …Even voicing a brief. "Apologies for the distraction, Simurgh."
[17:22] <Minaplo> ["Apology accepted." Said the computer. The arrows continued to flash.-
[17:22] <Minaplo> [Next to her, Idris bowed again, then vanished.]

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