trans_9 | (no subject)

Planet Designation: Agrestic Status: Terrestrial, Q-class. Non-sentient life: Extensive agricultural flora and livestock. Natural habitats have been entirely eliminated Semi-Sentient Life: None. Sentient Life: Population 18 billion. Variety of races due to history of heavy immigration from neighboring universes. Dominant race Kanil, although representatives claim no species-based discrimination exists on planet. Water: 80% of the planet's surface. Climate: Varied. Current location is warm and moderately humid, average temperature 60 degrees Farenheit. Regular rain seasons. Landscape: Mountains, plains and oceans. No deserts. All terrain has been terraformed for maximum productivity. Air: Type I (breathable) Sky: Red. Warnings: Daligig not permitted within Agrestican territory. Mission: Shore leave and refueling.

As Stacy's shuttles bring the crew down, they're treated to the sights of massive mountains to dwarf even the mightiest Earth mountain range and golden, green and purple grain fields that take up more space than some entire civilizations have managed to colonize. The shuttles finally settle at the primary port city, Rura, which is ideally situated near and equidistant to a sprawling ocean, the base of a mountain range and a swath of farmland.

The people of Agrestic, including humans, Helians, Kanil, and plenty of other races, are for the most part hard at work and rushing from place to place. Very few pay much attention to Stacy's shuttles, as travelers stopping at this city and incredibly commonplace. Those that aren't working are relaxing, unencumbered by technological gadgets - while the technology here is very advanced, it seems primarily used to aid workers in their duties, and not for leisure. Fresh produce brought into the market is scanned by tiny mechanical beetles that inspect each piece for defects, but the children are more likely to be playing with sticks and rocks than anything else.

The crew exits the shuttles to find themselves at a large air-port like building, which opens up to a farmer's market and a strip of restaurants. As they exit the shuttles, some of the human port workers apologize for any inconvenience.

"We're sorry you couldn't bring the whole ship down, but the Truce specifically forbids Daligig to enter our airspace. You're lucky we managed to get clearance for shuttles of Daligig make to come in!" they say, before rushing off to help the next arrivals.

To return to the ship, a crew member may enter a shuttle and the autopilot will zip them back up to Stacy's underbelly. The crew may make as many trips back and forth as they like.

[OOC: This post itself will be for interactions with NPCs. Please do not set up subthreads in this post unless you are an NPCer. If you would like to create a new location on Agrestic, or do an open/closed log on the shore leave, please set up your own log. This will make it easier for our NPCers to know where they're needed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"What sort of normal coffee?" Obb asked, looking at the long list of beans. "Earth-based brew? Rifarus? Wlork? We have it all," he grinned. "But I think you might enjoy Earth's. Many humans come to like that one"

He shuffled over to her, all creepy smiles. "How has your day been going?"

"Earth based," she amended, after giving the long list of possibilities a cursory glance. As adventurous as she could be, she wanted the taste of home more than she wanted to try something new. "It's been a while."

As strange as his smile was, her own smile didn't falter.

"Good. Your planet is beautiful."

There was something about the melting pot of cultures and species that appealed to the New Yorker.

"It's an honest shame," Obb agreed, setting the coffee for a quick brew. "Today's ships don't have nearly enough coffee."

While the familiar scent of coffee beans rose from the grinder, mingling with the many other scents, he smiled and turned to look out their small window.

"It is. We want to protect it as long as possible. That's why certain people won't be having their way with us!"

"From what I've heard, we were lucky to be allowed to dock here," she commented, enjoying the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee. It really had been too long. She even missed the pathetic excuse for coffee that they'd served back at the station. Although she was here with a purpose in mind, there was no reason why she couldn't enjoy herself.

"I can guess who those people are."

"We welcome everyone, aside from the obvious exception," Obb said with a wave of his hand. Elisa's coffee was ready at last, so he passed it over. "Your situation comes from no fault of your own, I assure you. Others have met the same fate."

He smiles faintly. "It is the only method we have of protecting ourselves."

"Thanks," she said, wrapping her hands around the cup of coffee and savouring it for a moment before replying. "From what I've read in the papers, it's working. Agrestic is thriving."

"It is a lovely place," Obb agreed, smiling out the window once more. Once his shift was over, he was going for a nice long walk in the nearest sunshine.

"We'd hate to see it drawn into this terrible war. It's their mess...shouldn't be yours."

"They've made it our mess," said Elisa with a touch of sadness as well as resignation in her voice. "And they've always tried to convince us that it's everyone's war. What made the people here change their mind?"

"I am sorry, ma'am." He quietly passed a scone to a little plate in front of her. On the house.

"That is their standard line. It is everyone's war, all must be drafted. We see their plea for what it is: control. This war is theater, at least in part."

"Thank you." She wasn't just talking about the scone. "We're starting to see that as well, but getting control back from them won't be easy."

Elisa regarded him carefully, considering the comment. As difficult it would be, it wouldn't be impossible, but they needed to know what else they had to face. Fighting two wars wouldn't be easy.

"How much of it isn't theatre?"

"Oh, the war goes on and on. I believe it was a small threat that exaggerated over time, the story warping on and on---you know, the Daligig and the Ohm coming from the same sector. There must be some history there. One against the other, the rest of us as the pawns."

Obb looked distant. He nearly dropped a biscuit he'd picked up for the next customer, but he quickly apologized and passed it over.

She hadn't known that - it was something else that had been carefully hidden from them - but she filed the information away. It had been a very educational trup and she was still learning.

She gave him a look of gentle understanding when he grew distant.

"You too?"

"What are you speaking of?" asked Obb, quite keen to deny it. Or perhaps he failed to understand at all. It was hard to be sure---even he wasn't sure of himself at times.

"I was talking about being a pawn in fight between the Daligig and the Ohm," she said, still speaking gently and calmly. "I'm part of a ship that's crewed by people who've been press ganged into this war. I understand."

"And I couldn't be more worried for you," Obb sighed, reaching out to pat her hand---if it was welcome. "Have faith, though. There may be a way out of your situation. Keep your ears open."