#aop plot drop

[ageofpiracyrp]

EVENT: ZUYTRI GETTING MARRIED

Zuytri Pleinru had to be one of the most beloved people in the galaxy. Unfortunately, she was woefully unlucky in love. Apart from often growing tired of her paramours, she had truly questionable taste in them. 2025 would bring her eighteenth marriage.

The wedding did not have a particular theme, but it did have a vibrant color scheme of jewel-toned ruby and amethyst, with light citrine-colored accents.

The guests were dressed in an array of styles in a multitude of colors and cultural fashion origins. The bride herself was dressed in a flowing lightweight violet robe embroidered with constellations in citrine in the latest of Marloken fashion. Zuytri wore a variety of beautiful rings that she had collected over the years (none gifted from past lovers, of course).

The music varied in style so there was a little bit of everything from Earth, but tended toward swing and disco music. Something good for dancing, of course.

The wedding sprawled across most of the KBW (apart from the living quarters), and guests were treated to:

Multiple buffets with a variety of delicious interesting foods from many cultures (including both Earth and Galactic)

Photobooths with 4 cut pictures

A dance floor with tiles in the wedding themed colors and an array of twinkle lights on the ceiling

A relatively famous poet that would write poetry about the guests on the spot and type it up for the subject to keep.

Massages in the KBW's spa at no charge

Access to the KBW's new Laser Tag Game Center with free games

Access to the KBW's Bowling center with one free game per guest

Access to the KBW's Arcade (although the machines do still require pay to play because the technician didn't have time to turn that option off)

The wedding events start with a 15 minute rather tacky theatrical musical performance about the love story about and starring the bride and groom. While playing in the theater (first come, first serve seating), the performance will be played on screens throughout the KBW for all to see.

Guests included:

The crew of Prosperity

Derros Laernal

Karmel Vuker

C'tau Vuker

Eenyuh Vuker Miit

Four members of the Theme Club of Tarrk (Kjeuk, Qjun Gvuggle, Junyi Cirtu, Oplo Yk Ervjop)

Makhaira Espionage

The crew of The Steel Spider (including Barbra Murkl and Fleetwood Cofrizt)

The crew of Tyrannosaurus Pecs (including Dorian Yogart and Bucket Logt)

The crew of Qraxoldov (including Marlene Olgrubic and Fred Olgrubic)

The crew of The Dreamhouse (including Jayvon Den Meyck)

Seetha Nadar (wearing a sformer)

Ekka Riis

Blue Sreleku

Marshall Maevik

Gwen Volnal

The blushing groom dressed in an Earth style tuxedo of crimson? He looked to be an erkuss that went by the name Lenjamin.

[melishade]

For my question, have you ever worried a lot about sticking too close to the "Stations of Canon" and not having enough plot divergences? If so, which parts of canon were the easiest and hardest to diverge from?

Original Ask Post

That's a bit of a loaded question.

Because even though I figured out my ending by the time chapter 105 dropped and most of the story is done, I'm still utilizing the spine of the story and making fixes and changes based on what I wanted to see in AOT. One of the criticisms that I still get is that I'm not deviating enough from the main storyline.

Personally, I think that I've improved on making those changes compared to when I started the story, especially since chapters 2 and 3 were pretty much copy and paste of the actual episodes they were apart of. At the time in 2013, because I didn't have the full context of the story and I didn't know what the basement reveal was, I ended up following the manga after the first season ended because I wasn't going to wait for years when I had a fanfic to write. Once the manga was done, it did make me a little bit more comfortable going off the rails while trying to make it make sense in terms of the AOT world.

I think I had a lot of pretty difficult canon divergence decisions to make because I had to constantly think about how those changes would affect the overall story. For example, killing Bertholdt off and giving the power of the titans over to Porco. I had to think about whether or not I wanted to keep Bertholdt alive, especially since he had died in the show and I was already curbing a few deaths up until that point. But I have Bertholdt get shot with dark energon, and Ymir was taken back to Paradis. Porco had a role in the AOT story (Mainly getting his shit rocked), but it was still a role.

Some of the easier canon divergences were keeping Erwin and Kenny alive for a longer period of time along with just adding stuff to the time skip, like Mikasa going to Hizuru. Because the Hizuru OVA was something that I wanted to explore. It just took some time to research it.

But with AOP being a fix-it fic over all, the AU's that I have, like the Dark Timeline, War Timeline, and Peaceful Timeline, allow me to say screw the canon and go absolutely bonkers in terms of story telling.

I hope that answers your question.

[mvndrvke-archive]

tag drop for the reboot pls ignore xoxo

[deepdisireslonging]

Family Found Part 46: At the Worst

The Secret that’s been keeping Y/N and the Raw roster on edge finally comes to the surface. As threatened, Dean is at risk of losing everything… unless he can fight back one last time.

Warnings/Promises: wrestling violence, reconciliation

Word Count: 3525

Note: Oh my gosh. I keep looking at my series plot list, and it’s a little freaky to see it with so few chapters left. Pretty much everything is already plotted out, and in a perfect world I’d just write it all in a weekend and queue it to go. Probably won’t happen, but eh. Thank you guys for sticking around for this personal test of mine. Please let me know what you’ve thought about this series. DMs and anon are always open. Enjoy!

Part 1: Welcome to the Team 

Part 45: Oncoming Storm 

Despite the ruckus he’d caused in your office, Elias was not available for Drew McIntyre to beat up. Because you hadn’t seen him. Nobody had. As a replacement, you placed Bobby Lashley and Dolph Ziggler in his path for a handicap match.

“That’s smart of Y/N,” Renee noted, “McIntyre practically hates Dolph, and Lashley is a strong challenge. Together they should be able to handle his rage.”

Corey wasn’t so agreeable. “Yeah, smart. I think that Y/N gave Elias too many chances; it’s gone to his head! First, he doesn’t fight last week. Then this week he can’t be found?”

“Well someone who will be found tonight will be Brock Lesnar. As Seth Rollins said last week, tonight is the signing of the contract for their WrestleMania match. All three of our competitors will get to face-off tonight.”

Renee harrumphed. “Debatable. No one’s seen him either.”

Each time Lashley or Dolph switched tags, Drew took a second to breathe. To reset. He was wearing the men down, instead of the other way around. If he could keep this up at WrestleMania, then Elias was going to be in trouble.

Just thinking the name summoned a guitar strum. Drew stumbled in his attack as he heard the guitar and saw Elias circle the ring. Elias wasn’t singing, just strumming, but it was enough to distract Drew from a series of coordinated moves. He roared and shifted his focus back. Calmly, Elias watched as Drew took control of the match again, eventually pinning Lashley.

McIntyre’s knuckles paled with his grip on the ropes as he stared down at Elias. It made his blood boil that Elias wasn’t even bothered to react. As the drifter walked away, Drew swore that he was going to regret every note and strum.

***

Lashley and Ziggler weren’t even out of the ring yet when Sami Zayn came out to the ring. He danced his way down the ramp, then took a mic. “How would you all like to see me put my life on the line?” It wasn’t what everyone thought he was going to say, but they welcomed the thought anyway. “Alrighty then.”

With a smart click of his heels, he turned to face the stage. “I’ve got something to get off my chest. Now I’m an NXT grown wrestler myself, and I’ll be the first to admit that moving up to the main roster isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but when it comes to the ‘Authors of Pain’,” he said with quotation fingers, “I don’t see champions. I see puppets. First Paul Ellering. Then Drake Maverick. And now… Dr. M, whatever that means. So, I’m calling out you, AOP. Not your puppet master. I say that you can’t defend those titles without help. That you are not champions. And that you are cowards that hide behind someone else. That you hide because there are not two strategic brain cells between you-”

He shivered as their music interrupted. But he smiled. Everything was going to plan. They marched to the ring, circling it. They stood on the apron on the opposite side of the ring. Sami’s back was to the stage when the lights went out. When they came back up, Dr. M. was behind him inside the ropes.

“Those are some strong words, Sami,” his voice made Sami whip around. “But I know you meant every word. And I understand. You are a hypocrite. A coward that would never speak your mind out loud without Kevin Owens watching your back.” Slowly, Dr. M turned and faced Kevin Owens, who was just finishing his stealth climb into the ring. Unbothered, he turned back around. “You can lead a man to a hospital, but you can’t force him to medicine. So be it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have other patients to see to.” Giving a strong eye to Kevin, he left the ring. He snapped and AOP entered the ring, dragging in a referee.

The match that followed was rough. Akam and Rezar did not appreciate Sami’s opinion of them, nor Kevin’s attempt to attack their manager. At the same time, Kevin and Sami were standing by their proof. Without someone telling them what to do, AOP was stalling before attacks. A lucky hit took Kevin to the canvas, where he was pinned. They left celebrating like NXT days, then slipped back into their more serious mood before leaving the arena.

***

Deep in thought, you weren’t watching where you were going. You collided with something hard and tall. Something that turned out to be a someone.

“No, Seth. I can’t talk about this.” You tried to move past him, but Roman stepped in to block your path too.

“We have to talk about something.” Roman let go of your shoulders, give you range to turn back to Seth.

“Whatever they’ve offered you, it’s not worth it. Trust me.” Seth pleaded with his eyes. You avoided looking at them and focused on anything else in the hallway.

“I didn’t do it for the money or the fame. Your story was lesson enough.” Your voice dropped, weary. “That’s not what they’ve got on me.”

Seth titled your chin up. “What are you talking about? Whatever it is, we can help you.”

“No, you can’t.” Why was it so hard to breath? “It’s my fault and I have to do what I can to work around it.” The statement distracted them enough for you to get by, but Roman caught you again.

He leaned down and did his best to look you in the eye. “Y/N?”

No oxygen. No thoughts. Just the words you didn’t want to say. “It’s a contract. I pitched it to Stephanie and Hunter and thought they liked it. But they added things. Things that would rip Dean apart and-“ You broke away from his grasp. “I can’t talk about this. I’ve said too much already. You’re just going to have to let me be.”

They stayed for a minute while you practically ran down the hallway. Blinded by the boil of emotions, you ran into someone else.

“Y/N, we need to talk.” Baron loomed overhead.

“I can’t. I’m busy.” You hissed as his arm flashed out to block your way.

“Make time. I want a match. Tonight. Now would be good.”

You sighed and looked behind you when you heard footsteps. Roman saw Baron and knew why he was there. He gave you a nod, which didn’t exactly please you, but it got both men out of the way so you could think. “Fine. You and Roman have a match tonight. Now.” You stood still while Baron gloated. He dropped his arm with a chuckle, giving you room to finally escape.

***

Both men weren’t going to give an inch. Even as their energy waned, the crowd was enjoying the display of power. Roman fell into the ropes on one side, trying to catch his breath. As he got back up and looked off into the crowd, Dr. M popped up in front of his face. Startled, he fell back into Baron’s next attack. He quickly recovered but was shaken. Dr. M had disappeared. Eerie laughter came from one corner, though nobody was there.

Baron fell to the canvas. Roman geared up for a spear. Dr. M appeared over his shoulder. Roman saw him on the Titantron and spun around to attack. Baron swooped in as Roman missed with a swing, beating him to the canvas and finally winning the pin. Then he got the hell out of the ring. No need to stick around when Dr. M was doing his thing. Dean and Seth ran by him on the ramp. They circled around Roman’s kneeling form.

With his eerie laugh in full force, Dr. M left the ring. He stood at the base of the ramp. And then he was gone.

Seth and Dean helped Roman to his feet and out of the ring. “Don’t worry about me,” he said, shrugging them off. “You guys have enough to worry about tonight. I haven’t seen him, but if Brock does show up, you need to be focused.”

Seth sighed. “I take that to mean you won’t be at the signing?”

“No.”

“Then what will you be doing?” Dean asked. He read the expression on Roman’s face. And disagreed. “Really?”

“I’m going to be watching Y/N’s back. Same way I watch yours.” He tried to walk on his own but limped up the ramp.

***

Ruby had issued another open challenge. With WrestleMania not even two weeks away, in her eyes, no one was going to be able to take the title from her. She laughed with Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan in the ring while waiting for her opponent. They all froze as “I’m not like most girls,” played through the speakers. Ruby was mostly silent, and she didn’t appreciate her girls’ giggles as they wished her luck.

Their giggles turned to worried hints and tips as Ruby struggled. Nia was taking no prisoners. Several times, the bell box readied to announce a new champion. Each time, Ruby desperately kicked out. The counts got closer and closer to three. Sarah and Liv jumped up onto the apron, ready to spring at a moment’s notice. Nia moved to knock them off. The referee was checking on Ruby, giving the Squad room to attack her without repercussions. Ruby saw her fall and took advantage, retaining her title.

Like a pack of hyenas, the women laughed all the way backstage.

***

Alexa Bliss inched around a corner. She breathed a sigh of relief and proudly took a step forward without looking. She bumped into Ruby, fresh out of her match. “Well hello there, Alexa!” she tried to dart away, but Ruby tossed an arm over her shoulder. “Didn’t Liv and Sarah tell you I was looking for you?”

Alexa gulped. Then disgusted, she removed Ruby’s arm from her shoulder. “Yeah. So?”

“Well, you kept harping on ‘unfinished business’… and I have to agree,” she sighed. “We’re not done. Now I just beat Nia, since you missed it lurking around backstage, and I am still without a match for WrestleMania. And it sucks, but you don’t have one either.” She talked over Alexa’s sputtering. “I know you’re going to be busy hosting, but why don’t we help each other out? I mean, I could always beat you up here and now, or I’ll just destroy you there. But you’ll have a chance. You game?”

As Ruby caught her forearm in a vice-grip, Alexa grimaced and grit her teeth. “What do you have in mind?”

Ruby smiled dangerously. “We have a match next week. Either way, you’re going to WrestleMania. But if I win, I pick the stipulation and you don’t know until the match starts. And if you win… well, I’ll still beat you but at least you’ll have a say in which way. Sound good? Great. See you next week.”

She was off like a shot, leaving Alexa to rub some feeling back into her arm.

***

As the new Raw Women’s tag champions, Bayley and Sasha Banks had a few things to say about the former champions. “They did what they set out to do,” Sasha said. “They brought our new tag titles to the forefront of the business. Last week they had the main event of Raw. They were dominant, beating any team that came their way. And the Riott Squad proved time and time again that the women’s division was something to pay attention to.”

Bayley nodded in agreement. “Having said that, they forgot one little thing. Nothing lasts forever. The women’s division is constantly moving forward. Evolving. Growing stronger and building momentum. Getting better and better. Their time is over. We are the future. We have been through NXT, Smackdown, Raw. The future is now. And it is standing here in this ring.” They held their titles up, then dropped them and fell into a fighting stance.

With their music, Natalya and Rhonda Rousey walked onto the stage. “That may be so,” Natalya said, “but as you said, nothing lasts forever. Prove that you are the so-called best of the business.” She motioned between herself and Rhonda. “You ladies up for a challenge?”

The Boss n’ Hug Connection shared a smile. Sasha nodded. “Sure. Are you?”

During the match that followed, Bayley and Sasha showed off. The high was still real, and they were capable of riding the adrenaline without making too many mistakes. Rhonda and Natalya, on the other hand, were struggling. Both were dominant in the ring. But when it came time to tag or to work together, cracks turned into fissures. One would reach for a tag, and the other would be missing. Then Rhonda was thrown from the ring. It took her eight seconds to wobble back to the ring. At nine seconds, she was reaching for the roes to pull herself up. At ten, she couldn’t get into the ring. Furious, she stepped back, dragging Liv Morgan out from under the ring.

On the other side, Sarah Logan attacked Natalya, knocking her to the ground. The former champions disappeared as quickly as they’d appeared. Thus freed, Natalya and Rhonda met back in the ring while Sasha and Bayley rolled out and watched from the ramp. The two women began to blame one another. Defending themselves truthfully to the Riott Squad’s interference, but neither was listening. The referee pushed them apart before it turned into another brawl. Natalya stomped off, breaking through Sasha and Bayley on her way by.

***

You focused on not letting your anxiety show. The ring had never felt so large an empty. Or so foreboding. It was time to address the WWE universe. “As you all know, in just thirteen days, WrestleMania will finally be here.” Their response made your cheeks twitch with a small smile. “There are one or two spots that haven’t been filled yet, but we’ve still got two weeks. That brings us to tonight. And to a contract signing.” You took a breath to call Seth and Dean to the ring, but Stephanie McMahon and Triple H’s intros interrupted in turn.

They calmly walked down to the ring. Stephanie carried the leather folder in one arm. She sent you a perturbed smile after stepping through the ropes. “Y/N, I found this in your office and figured you might need it. It’s kinda hard to have a contract signing without the contract.”

“Oops,” you halfheartedly gulped.

Hunter stepped into the ring too. You moved to the other side, using the space like an invisible barricade. “I would like to think otherwise, but it almost looks like you don’t want this match to happen as planned. Don’t you think Dean is mad at you enough?”

“Leave him out of this.”

Speak of the devil, Dean’s music sounded. You closed your eyes. This was a bad dream. Seth followed him out to his own music. And he had questions. “So, I noticed a large absence backstage. Care to explain that, Hunter?” He joined Dean on the far side of the ring, forcing you to stand in the middle.

“That’s right, Seth,” he mocked, “Brock Lesnar isn’t here. How observant of you. No, Brock signed the contract already, as witnessed by Paul Heyman. I’ll be signing as your witness.”

You stammered, “witnessed?”

The explanation was handed off to Stephanie. “Well, given the specifics of this match, we need to make sure that the competitors are willing to endure the consequences. And that they are doing this of their own free will.”

“Consequences? Free will?” Dean shared a look with Seth, then looked at you with a growl. “What is she talking about, Y/N?”

“Go on, Y/N, tell them what this is.” Stephanie waved the leather folder in her hand. Then handed it to you. Hunter stood behind her, daring you to rebel.

You swallowed. Hard.

“It’s a contract. For a triple threat match at WrestleMania for the Universal Championship.” The crowd initially cheered, but it faded into confusion. “You two against Brock Lesnar, and against each other.”

Dean and Seth shared a look. Seth shrugged. “So? This sounds like another one of your great ideas.”

“It was.” If you could keep your breathing even for a few more minutes, maybe you wouldn’t stutter. “When I pitched it to management,” you gestured towards Stephanie and Hunter, “it was a normal match with room for a no disqualification clause. But they… it developed into more. Another clause was added.” You licked your lips desperately.

“Keep going, Y/N. You’re just now getting to the best part.” Hunter stepped closer and patted you on the shoulder to encourage you. It did nothing but make you shiver.

“As the contracts stands, whoever loses the match has to leave WWE. Forever.” The crowd gasped, though Dean and Seth were still confused. “It’s not just whoever gets pinned, which was the original idea. It’s both of the competitors who lose.” The words began to pour out. “This means, Dean, that even if you pin Lesnar, Seth would have to leave too. Or you would if he pins Lesnar. Or both of you. The original plan was to create an opening to finally get rid of the Beast. I thought… I knew between the two of you that you could beat him. I thought…” you turned back to look at the Authority. “I thought I was doing what… what was best for business.”

Stephanie barked out a laugh. “What’s best for business? Brock Lesnar is one of our biggest assets. Why would we ever give you a chance to ruin that for WWE?”

“You guys are wasting your money to pay him to do nothing. Lesnar is not a champion. He may have had the title and the crown, but like an absent king, everybody knows where the real power lies. In the people.” Rage boiled in your veins.  “Dean and Seth are some of the best here. They just don’t grovel at your feet like you’d like them too.” The word hung in the air, freezing over under Hunter’s scrutiny.

Stephanie stepped closer. “No matter how many times you use that argument, Y/N, it’s not going to change anything. Now. Seth. Dean. The contract?”

You jumped as Dean placed his hand on your shoulder.

“It’s okay, Y/N,” he whispered.

“Please,” you shook your head, mic at your side, “don’t do this. It’s a trap. Please, no.” Your shoulders slumped as he kissed the top of your head and took the contract out of your hands.

Hunter smirked as Dean twiddled with the pen. Dean looked back, asking Seth if he was in it too. Seth accepted the pen as his answer, signing after looking at Dean’s signature. You covered your face and rubbed your temples, missing any silent conversation they exchanged. Seth handed the contract back to Hunter to finalize.

“See,” Hunter said, signing blindly, “that wasn’t so hard.” He took Stephanie by the arm and gave you the contract on their way out of the ring. You glanced at the signatures, resigned to hate that you had just-

Wait.

You looked up at Dean, who was smirking. Seth too.

“Mr. Helmsley?” Your voice caught in your throat for a second. “Are you sure you want this contract to go through?” Hunter stared you down as you fought not smiling. “You see…um. You signed the wrong line. You signed as one of the competitors.” A laugh escaped you. This had just gotten interesting. “As this contract states,” you flipped back a page, “any wrestler who competes under this contract and loses must leave the World Wrestling Entertainment company forever. If you beat Seth, who signed in the right place, Brock would have to leave and you…” you shrugged. “The lawyers could read through this and double check how much of this would apply to you, but at the base understanding, you would not be able to wrestle again. No more WrestleMania moments, no more inserting yourself into matches. And, at the worst, you would also have to leave the administration.”

Behind your smile, it felt like your whole being was glowing. You held the folder out to him.

“I may make the matches, but you still outrank me. You can dissolve this contract.”

Hunter snatched the folder away and looked closely at the signature and the clause he added. He pulled it out of the folder, flipping through and scanning for any way out. The crowd was deathly silent as he considered all angles.

They went wild as he tore the contract in half.

“We’re not done, Y/N,” he said, pointing at you.

“I understand, sir.” The threat could not defeat the proud smile on your face. Or the matching ones on Dean and Seth. Dean picked you up and spun you around once they were gone. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to get you into this mess.”

He ruffled your hair, despite your protest. “What else is family for?” He lightly tapped his fist against your cheek. “Can I get a match next week?”

“Against whom and how many?”

Part 47: Resigning 

Series Masterlist 

Masterlist 

Forever Tags: @blondekel77 @hallemichelles @laochbaineann @ramblingsofabourbondrinker @savmontreal @southsidebucky @tinyelfperson @chwehansol98 

WWE/Series Tags: @a-home-for-stray-stories @badboy-sethrollins @top-1-percent @mother-forker @neversatisfiedgirlfics @racheo91 @roman-reigns-princess @secretagentfangirl @thetherianthropydaily @scuzmunkie @cait-kae @ramsaypants @sony-undead18 @brianaraydean @st4yingstrong @dopeybubbles @crystallizeme @jessica91073 @denise8691 @stalelight @kenyadakblalock @1dluver13xx @lauren-novak @lunatic-desert-child @littledeadrottinghood @livelifewondering 

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 39: LIBERTY, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, ETC.

After finishing off the mission on Dolnoh, the crew of Prosperity took on a handful of little jobs, and eventually landed on Kor'Sel'Koo.

There, Ali used his special power to imbue strength and extend the life of the crew members that wanted to - plus Karmel and Karmel's daughters (Eenyuh and C'Tau). Thanks to getting to know Karmel's family genuinely, Ali (and Skylar) have genuinely become close personal friends to Karmel and her daughters. This may be annoying because Karmel, Eenyuh, and C'Tau are all variously overbearing and ridiculous, but it also has some solid benefits. Enough money for the happy couple to live a modest lifestyle plus connections to just about any industry or type of art or technology they could want. It isn't a cheat code because they still have to pay for services, but the friends-and-family discount and special access privileges can really go a long way.

While on Kor'Sel'Koo, the whole crew spends some time doing teambuilding exercises, little errands for money, and making sure the ship is in ship-shape for travel.

An invitation comes (that Karmel + daughters also receive) for the whole ship to attend the wedding of friend to the ship Zuytri Pleinru. Apparently Zuytri has managed to find love and is overjoyed to share in the occasion with her many friends, acquaintances, and business associates. She does this every now and again, and the marriages never last, but the events themselves are fun, and Zuytri is a kind host.

Prosperity will make the trip to the wedding, which will be in the coming weeks. It sounds like many of their old friends, crewmates, and rival ships will also be in attendance. It's set to be an exciting event!

In the meantime, it's time to prepare to leave within the week for another great adventure toward the KBW on Prosperity together.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 37: THE BAT RAY

"I'm disbanding The Bat Ray as a pirate crew. We've had a good run, but I don't have enough money to keep this thing going for longer. Besides not even having The Bat Ray as a ship anymore, most of my crew are too tired. Prison was rough, and I run a tight ship. And besides..."

Julia looked over at Kenna and nodded. "I have higher priorities right now than being a ship's captain. Kenna's been making her rounds, so a lot of you already know, but we're going legit. We're starting up a gym. KJ gym." Julia gestured at Kenna. "For Kenna and me. We're co-owners. But if you see us out there, we'll be sformed. I'll be Jessie and she'll be Kelly, but it's still just us. Seetha's agreed to make sure our business doesn't fall to pieces. We're gonna be teaching self-defense to people who need it. Like kids. And people who think they're not as good as they could be at protecting themselves. But it's a business so we're charging money. I'm still passionate about it, though."

The (now former) captain cleared her throat. "But just because we're not a ship's crew anymore doesn't mean that you're not important to me. It's been my highest honor to serve as your captain. If you're ever here in Rungung again..." She wasn't going to cry. She wasn't going to frigging cry. "I hope that you'll stop by and spar with me."

---

Julia decided that it was time to focus on what really mattered: her children. Kenna persuaded her to stay in one place. The kids loved going to school and making friends. Even their son Jack was starting to be less of a little jerk.

Besides, ships were expensive, and it was going to be a lot of effort to get enough money and morale to raise up a ship again. Much of the crew were burnt out and looking for something less risky. The Prosperity was overall a less intense work environment, so it was not too difficult to persuade some of the former crew members of The Bat Ray to join them for contract positions (with options for extension).

The new electro-technical (to replace Laurie) and lead mechanic (to replace Marshall, who decided to follow Samira and work on the KBW) picks were pretty good. Nothing too bad to say about them.

Mark was a helpful find as well, as he was a good shot and got along well with the rest of the crew well enough. However, he was an Espionage, and also Gwen's ex-husband, which was complicated.

The new gunner, Leo, was competent, but had some interpersonal issues with some of the Prosperity crew members. Leo also happened to be very annoying.

Aya was a decent pilot with education credentials and flight time under her belt. She also had an unusually good understanding of the ship's mechanics and fuel economy for an operator. However, her weak point was apparently shaking another ship that had already started tailing the ship. Aya blamed herself for the ship being captured by the Galactic Police.

The doctor, Antigone, was a perfectly good doctor... but not a surgeon. Daphne isn't sure why Julia hired someone who wasn't great at surgery, but any doctor was better than no doctor at this point.

Not everyone wanted to or could join Prosperity or KJ Gym's staff, so most of the rest of the crew chose to go through either Gwen Volnal or Makhaira Espionage to assist with placement in a new crew or job. Some like Ekka (who went to be physically closer to Blue Sreleku) chose to leave work on pirate crews altogether.

---

Due to The Bat Ray's former crew members technically still being fugitives, the ones on the ship took some steps to disguise their appearances and identities a little better. Some were better than others:

Leo took on a new sformer-ed appearance altogether, and outside of the ship, has decided to use the name "Colt". (NOTE: Leo's former faceclaim Omar Rudberg is being retired, and his new faceclaim is Jordan Fisher)

Mark dyed his hair. He meant to dye it blond, but did it himself, and it went a little green... He has also started wearing violet contacts and going by "James" (like James Bond) outside of the ship.

Aya also dyes her hair to help her disguise, but it looks better than Mark's dye job. She went to a salon to do the initial bleach session and has dyed her own hair before, so the results are much less green. She has also started wearing silvery-gold contacts in public (she used to wear a different color when pretending to be an Erkuss when the time called for it). Aya has also started wearing glasses (non-prescription even though her erkuss-color contacts are prescription) and goggles outside of the hsip too. She has insisted on being called "Sonic" outside of the ship. Yes, like the hedgehog. Gotta go fast.

Antigone's sformer is a new appearance for her, and she has asked to go by "Auntie" (pronounced Ant-ee) in public.

---

The now fully-staffed Prosperity prepared to take on some new lucrative jobs. Clause Mazrinon had some particularly interesting leads for a few quick jobs that could be prepared for on Earth. Before traveling to Earth, the newly staffed crew would take time to gather supplies, bond as a group, and prepare for the next adventure.

---

New NPC biography:

Antigone

Updated NPC biographies:

Seetha, Leo, Mark, Ekka

Kenna

Julia

Aya

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 36: COVER ME

The rescue mission was astonishingly successful. All of the crew members from The Bat Ray made it out.

Most members of the Action Crew were "fired" from their jobs at the prison, and their employer gave them a stern talking to before firing them without pay (such extensive damage on site was essentially deducted from their wages). Ian slipped out in guard form along with The Bat Ray and Ground Crew members.

Most of those guest crew members were suffering from malnutrition; the efforts of Al and Daniel to prepare food in advance of the rescue were immensely appreciated by those crew members that needed to eat. Mark Espionage deemed Al and Daniel his top two favorite crew members for these efforts.

It was close quarters on the ship until everyone made it back to the planet Harmony, and it was a cold exit until everyone could locate warm clothing for everyone. It was a strange atmosphere, as The Bat Ray crew members were grateful, but not all of them were forthright with vocal apologies (Seetha was very much about vocal apologies). The mates of The Bat Ray did a deep clean of Prosperity one night after being docked without being asked and it was only after Daphne asked around did she find out what happened.

Not everyone was so nice. Julia, in particularly bad physical condition, was crabby at best and prone to lashing out at worst while receiving medical treatment. She and a handful of the mates had pretty worrying bruising, as not all of the guards were very upstanding.

Speaking of medical treatment, the medical professionals from both crews had a chaotic trip back to Harmony treating the wounded. HJ managed to endure a broken arm after a guard got into a physical fight with her over the poor maintenance job (the guard... also suffered a broken arm). Ian ended up stabbed on the lower right stomach by a guard. While this was not life-threatening, going through a dirty tunnel was not the best place to go with an open wound. It took two days and a half to really stabilize, and (up to) two weeks of taking it really easy before needing to just take it easy. That is until Ian would decide to transform into a new shape (whenever that would be), as their species healed when this happened.

The whole incident was so embarrassing for the prison that the trial for The Bat Ray crew members was postponed indefinitely. The investigation was so steeped in bureaucracy that the only thing that the galx could truly figure out was that someone had impersonated one particular guard on camera (the one Ian was sformed into) and a strange person that nobody had ever seen before (a temporarily sformed Zion who was positioned very well so as not to even show face) were spotted on camera apparently aiding the escape. The guard caught on camera was moved to a different job, reputation relatively untarnished but still treated with caution.

The installation company most of the Action Crew was fired from was investigated immensely and even interrogated, but nobody could figure out how the company connected to the prison break.

The prison purchased several ugly toilets from another vendor as soon as possible.

As for Makhaira, she actually cried when she saw her younger cousin Mark, and held him close for a while. Mark accepted the hug and cried too. Makhaira did not stick around long after this.

The Bat Ray would need to lay low in sformed disguises for some time, but they would return to Kraysha to regroup. Most cheered when Julia and Kenna were able to reunite in a surprisingly tender and only moderately obscene display of physical affection.

The combined crews would start the return to Kraysha on November 13.

[ageofpiracyrp]

EVENT: IF WE HOLD ON TOGETHER

October 19: The day of the big heist was finally here. All it took was acquiring a truly astonishing number of sformers and getting jobs for the Action Crew as Makhaira liked to call the ones who would be actually entering the prison. That had taken a while. But now everything was ready.

The Action Crew: There isn't a true leader of this crew, as they need to act largely autonomously with input from The Ship Crew. The Action Crew is a combination of a) crew members very good at pretending to be appliance delivery/installation people but then doing a very job of blowing up toilets/getting fired and b) sneaky people that need to round up The Bat Ray. Some of these people are good at both tasks. Most crucial of the sneaky people is Ian, who is currently impersonating an actual guard and will need to find and unlock Leo's cell. This is the most dangerous role, and all crewmates including Ian (for later) are equipped with the very best sformers the crew has to sell the image. Some of the action crew will dig with The Bat Ray down the tunnel, and some will simply be "fired" and drive away in their work truck. The ship's co-pilot is hiding in the truck so that the fired crew members can drive away carefully.

The Ground Crew: This is a motley crew, but a very important one. They start on the ground outside of the prison. Primarily led by Marshall from a technological perspective, and interestingly enough fronted by Mari from a digging perspective, this crew is going to most of the digging of a tunnel through to Leo's cell. This tunnel has been dug through once before, but it was filled up at that time. A prisoner escaping is very embarrassing, and the Galactic Union does not seem to be aware of this tunnel's existence. Also in this crew are the gunners and some other people there to help patch up The Bat Ray and assist with the big dig.

The Ship Crew: This is the crew who is in the safest position, but also the ones that need to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Led by Daphne and Robin, this is both an essential crew in case a quick escape is necessary and the ones best equipped to field communications across the different crews. Within The Ship Crew, there are people concerned with researching things like security cameras and schematics of the prisons, and others giving or drafting recommendations/orders/communications. And of course, The Ship Crew also needs Al and perhaps a helper to cook enough for two very hungry crews to fit on this ship for the day. Makhaira and Kenna are also here, and they are not getting along. Kenna is much more helpful to have around than Makhaira, though.

If this succeeds, it will mean that The Bat Ray will need to wear sformers out and about for some time, but The Galactic Union finds it highly embarrassing to lose prisoners, and actually doesn't usually track them back down unless it is easy/fast. If the crew can make a clean getaway (which does seem somewhat likely with how hard everyone has been preparing, this could really work.

~~~~~

Admin note: Everyone will live, but some Bat Ray and Propserity crew members will receive non-lethal injuries. Prosperity crew members in The Action Crew or The Ground Crew may be allowed to have some minor injuries upon request/approval. Please ask the admin first by October 27th if you would like a character to sustain an injury.

The Prosperity will make it safely back to the planet Harmony by October 20. The vast majority of the Bat Ray's crew members will join them, but some may not. All will live and be relatively safe, of course, but at this stage, it can only be safely assumed that Leo is definitely joining Prosperity.

Group chats will begin on October 19th but players are allowed to start making threads that take place during or after the heist as long as they aren't too heavy on moving the plot. For example, if Robin and Theo want to take a five minute break while The Action Crew drives in their little work vehicle, or if HJ and Scout want to bond over how much they appreciate the metal toilets of the prison... go for it!

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 35: YOU HAVE [redacted] VOICEMAIL MESSAGES

"Uh..." Hero looked over at Muffy with a concerned expression. "We just received another round of video messages," she told the vanneer with with a quieter voice than usual.

"Another one? Oh, but we haven't even watched the first eight yet," Muffy said, equally concerned. "Daphne said that Stella's on her way to help now, but we're at the point where I'm about to ask if we can pull on Laurie, Sky, Robin... anyone who might have an inkling of what to do."

--

In total, there were 26 messages. The first 20 came from The Bat Ray's crew. According to Seetha, who had been the most clear about the purpose of these messages, the intent was for Prosperity to pass these messages on to the crew members' loved ones. Apparently, the galx had been too lazy to allow for each of the crew members that wanted to send a message to pick their own emergency contact, so Julia had decided that Daphne was everyone's emergency contact to actually receive the messages. The messages that were in languages comprehensible to the Prosperity were largely sterile in content. Explaining that the trial date would be on September 28th. Telling family and friends how much they were missed. Noting how important the justice system was.

The strangest parts of the whole thing were that Leo's message was addressed to Makhaira Espionage. It wasn't warm and fuzzy- just the facts about what was happening.

As for Julia's message.... She said hi to Daphne and immediately started telling her kids how much she loved and missed them. Julia closed out the message by saying with a small smile, "Beck, I don't have anything nice to say, but I do miss you... somehow."

~~

Before Hero had even finished parsing all of the messages, a highly encoded audio message came in from Makhaira split into five parts.

After that got decrypted, Daphne listed to that personally before directing the whole crew to listen.

September 7th. Meet me at the Frostbite Tavern on the outpost planet Harmony midday. Before then, tell me in the most encrypted message you can muster the name of any crew members who mentioned Julia's family members. There's a few cells on the Galx's prison planet that are more vulnerable than others. The messages that you received are relatively standard procedure if the captured have had good behavior, but we are still lucky to get those. My connections have one single contact on Void Point who was able to help us get this far. The plan is to get Mark and co out of prison by any means necessary. I have a ideas for plans based on what has worked in the past, but I need your thoughts on which we should go with- or if we need to do something different altogether. Mark needs to be able to walk around as an Espionage if we can manage it, so that limits our options. But we can make this happen. Bring that Kelly woman with you- you can send her right back to Kraysha afterward, but having her perspective will be important.

~~

The last message came from Clause Mazrinon, of all people, begging for help with a delivery job to the outpost planet of Rymoreezin that he couldn't trust anyone else to do. No travel to Earth so nothing too risky but a job that coincidentally was in the same neck of the woods as Harmony. Not too close, but convenient enough.

This could work out.

Even if "Kelly" (aka Kenna) was going to have to come with them.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 32: DIFFUSION

When The Prosperity enters the area around Kor'sel'Koo where communications transmissions are most accessible, Muffy and Hero find themselves met with a wave of messages to sift through and sort.

To Skylar and Ali from Karmel: Happy belated anniversary in Earth years. Enjoy a round of drinks at Yggld Drinks on me. [Enclosed is a gift certificate for a round of ten shots from the Water Bar and Alcohol Bar chain Yggld Bars, which is ubiquitous in every major settlement on Kor'Sel'Koo.]

To Beck from "K": If you've made it safely and find yourself with a spot of free time, I'd love if you visited.

To Ali from Zuytri: Hi, Friend! Here's the contact information for that person we were talking about that I think you might want to meet. Medri in room 806 Jallik in the Ulsgian Moon Retirement Community.

To Laurie from Viola Dessamer of Revvly Capsule Hotels: Thank you for signing up for the Revvly Capsule Hotels communications list. If you are in need of a safe space, we are always here for you. Read between the lines, and always feel free to reach out if you need a place to stay or cruelty-free, sustainably sourced, and practical meals.

To Theo from someone in the music business in Different City [the equivalent of about $200 in gixys are included]: Hello, Theo. Enclosed are some royalties from the sales of your music. It isn't that many gixys, but I'm pleased to let you know that some of your songs have been gaining a few fans. We anticipate being able to send you some more in six months.

To HJ from Junyi: Hey, bae!! It's really starting to be a long time since we've seen each other but I don't think I'll ever miss you any less. Work is going so good that I think I might be getting quasi-semi-kind of famous. I got some AH MAY ZING new tsum tsums and I stacked all of the ones I could find into a giant pyramid. Sometimes I think 'hey, Junyi, maybe you have a problem with collecting' but then I make a giant pyramid and everything is okay. I'm sending you a collection of my favorite memes that I've found over the last week and I hope that you cherish at least one of them because they made me smile and think of how nice it would be to look at memes with you. Did you know that "meme" rhymes with "steam"? I didn't know that until yesterday. Anyway anyway anyway I love you soooo much and you're sooooo pretty and sooooo good at communicating, HJ. I think about how happy I was to get to meet you all the time and how lucky I am to get to continue to talk to you.

To Robin from Jayvon: Robin, hello! Just wanted to let you know that I started a new job as a close combat officer on a brand new pirate crew, The Dreamhouse. I love it, and I'm glad that I have someone to tell the good news. If our crews are ever in the same area (I'm on Marloken right now), we should meet up and exchange stories.

To Marshall from her Dads: Marshall! We heard you would be going to Kor'Sel'Koo, so we are sending some of our favorite pictures of you and the family when you were younger and we lived there. Also, enclosed are up-to-date addresses and contact information for your cousins and other family. If you have the time, I'm sure they would love to meet up. All of us send our love!

To Daphne from Muzzain: Coast is clear still. Looking forward to meeting with you. "If you're out on the road Feelin' lonely and so cold All you have to do is call my name". These are poignant lyrics from the Gilmore Girls theme song. My name is Muzzain. Until we meet.

To Samira from Makhaira: How is your life going? We exchanged contact information a while back, but I never wrote. I don't know how much you want to hear this, but I've picked up a new hobby: pickleball. It's the one thing I'm a little better at than most of my family, but they haven't given up on playing. We installed our own court, which sounds completely rich erkuss girl of me, but I'm glad for it. What's been keeping you busy?

To Ian from Marlene: It was very nice to see you, Ian. I'm glad that you seem happy with your new crew, and I hope we can meet up again sometime. I don't like to mean ill will of others, but if I had to pick a different ship to crew on than my own, it would be Prosperity. Safe travels.

To Beck from Julia: Hey, Wanker. I know your birthday's not for a few weeks, but apparently the Three Stooges from the galx got their act together and won't leave us the hell alone. The twins wanted to make sure you got their birthday video messages. While they're starting to be rebellious little buggers (I know I'm getting old when I shake my head and sigh saying teenagers) they do love and miss you. They made me say something nice because I called you wanker but I think you're all right.

To Marshall from Oplo: You fixed our air conditioning, correct? Can you send tips?

To Daniel from Seetha: Hi, Daniel! I've missed talking with you so much, I've come to realize. I wanted to tell SOMEONE that isn't being a big meanie (Leo, he's being a big meanie) that I have a boyfriend now! :) His name is Frodo and he's so darling. I think you'd get along famously if you met. My captain is getting sentimental and sending messages to your ship, so I thought I'd send them too.

To Ryder from Seetha: I heard how Leo treated you from him and I am APPALLED. I know it was a while ago, but he's been so bratty and callous to you and also sweet Daniel and Ian. It sounds like he's cleared the air before, but it still doesn't sound right to me. Let me know if you need me to get a real apology out of that meanie on your terms. I know he'll actually mean it because he's apparently stopping his weird bedroom behavior and slowly but surely coming to terms with that. My goodness. You don't deserve that weird behavior.

To Skylar from Kenna: [It's just a picture of French fries with a digital smiley face drawn over]

--

By the time the crew touches down on Kor'Sel'Koo on 3/22/24, all of the messages have been sorted and provided and we pick up a new crew member: Mari, a quirky mate who is 4'6" of apparently pure enthusiasm.

The crew doesn't immediately settle down, as there are messages to read and Gilmore Gilrs to figure out.

--

Muzzain, the far'ly'dae one who ordered all of that Gilmore Girls merchandise, is staying temporarily in Wuunzek, a smallish city about an hour (by underground tunnel train) from Twarvu.

Wuunzek includes a variety of amenities, including Yggld Bars, the Inspired By Earth Waterpark (it's got a lazy river, a waterslide, and a wave pool), an enormous vitamin store aimed at Ly'Daesun called Yonrur, and more.

Wuunzek Population: 89% Far’Ly’Dae, 9% Erkuss, 1% Vanneer, 1% Carrek.

The process of getting the Gilmore Girls merchandise to the right place now will be... annoying because most of it actually needs to go to Twarvu. While it would normally take an hour and a half, the crew will probably take a full 24 hours to get their surreptiously.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 33: BOUND

April 22, 2024.

Daphne Rux's 43rd birthday would not be one of her favorites. It had been nice to have so many birthdays on the ship in succession, but Daphne rarely wanted attention drawn to herself on the date, so she had been spending much of the day holed up in the captain's quarters doing research.

A tap on the door.

She ignores it, absorbed in what she was doing.

Two more taps.

"Yes, come in," she sighs, not looking up.

The door opens to reveal Muffy and Hero, both looking grim. Daphne gestures at them with concern, and offers them something to drink by gesturing to the grape-like soda cans currently sitting on her desk. Hero accepts one, but Muffy shakes her head.

"It isn't good news," Hero said, much quieter than usual.

"How... not good of news?" Daphne asked, curt in tone but still concerned. "Did someone get hurt? Did we leave HJ or Greg somewhere? Tell me. Please."

"Not anyone on our ship. Our crew is well. It's The Bat Ray." Muffy pressed her lips together, not sure how to continue.

"What do you mean it's The Bat Ray? Did Julia do something stupid and get all of those people hurt or- Muffy, what happened to Julia!?" Daphne wasn't completely unhinged, but her pitch was starting to raise.

Muffy waved her wing around carefully. "Everyone is alive. A couple of the crew may have gotten injured but- Those galx that we all thought were so foolish managed to capture their ship."

Hero cut in. "We spent all day together decoding the weird video message that we got. It was from Kenna."

Pursing her lips, Daphne said, "Show me. Please."

Hero placed a screen tablet in front of Daphne.

"We thought we could evade them, but it was like a game to them- trying to capture us. They looked so pleased with themselves. Officers Yrgus, Gekro, and Imontz. The Romoquele- Imontz- was the most dangerous. Not because of how he looked, but how he didn't seem to comprehend that he had just apprehended a bunch of people that had others who cared about them. I know I may not look like it, but there are a fair amount of people who are valuable to me. Most of them are on that ship, with me now, or on your ship. I'm the only one who managed to get away. We put it to a fast vote. We were so pressed for time. Who would make sure the kids would get away safe? I voted for Seetha. Everyone else voted for me. They said they all knew the captain would never give it up. Julia said it was only right to- make sure the kids had a parent with them who would love and protect them. Everyone agreed that I was the only choice. I couldn't argue with them. I had to be there for my kids. I'm making my way toward Kraysha. Very slowly. I need you to send a message to Julia's family. I don't know how to reach them. You're the only ones that I know how to contact that can notify them. I don't think you'll be able to respond to this message but... The Bat Ray's crew lives. I expect they''ll go on trial by the end of the year. They might call some of your crew as character witnesses. I don't know what's going to happen, but you may want to prepare."

The camera panned to Jenn and Jack sleeping- with Jack napping on his sister's shoulder.

"Tell Rebecca that I wouldn't dare let anything bad happen to them. We'll reach out once I'm on Kraysha."

Daphne pursed her lips. "We show Robin first. Then we show the whole crew. There's nothing we can do now except tell the Derringers carefully, but we can't keep this from the crew."

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 31: THE POSSIBILITIES

Zuytri welcomes visitors to the KBW, and seems relieved that people actually seem to want to visit her. She ushers Skylar and Ali to the side to tell them how happy she is to know that those two are still going strong. It might be clear to an emotionally intuitive person that there is both jealousy and genuine appreciation to see love in action. Zuytri has surprisingly been (mostly?) enjoying being single since the last visit. The reopening of the KBW has been keeping Zuytri busy.

She murmurs to her friends that there is something that she needs to say

"This is... something that I've been wanting to show you for a few months but haven't worked up the nerve to ask about. Your Comms team alerted me that you'd be planning to stop by, but I don't want this to just be a one night sort of deal. Okay! Okay. So. I didn't want to discuss this before. I really don't like the topic. But- but I almost broached the topic with Karmel. A couple of months ago. It's still on her mind. I worry about her a lot. But... there is something I've never told her. Ever. I didn't want to tell her but there was a lead that I had that I just... never told her about. I tried to forget about it, and it almost worked. About- about djayyar like us. And extending lives. But there was a ship a while back. Not a pirate ship- legitimate business. It was this djayyar captain named Nyessanie. Basically operated a traveling mechanical service- not like Derros. More like if your mechanics went around to help ships as small as Derros that needed help. But... she adopted kids. This went on for years. Centuries. All of this happened before Karmel was even born. A lot of those kids went into the family business. Those kids of hers- a lot of them were djayyar. But not all of them. Not all. Few of those kids... lived a really long time. Too long." Zuytri swallowed hard. "Nyessanie passed away a while ago. Certainly over a hundred years ago. About a hundred twenty. I never met her in person, but I heard stories. Always really admired her... Honestly, Karmel maybe even knew of Nyessanie, but I'm not sure she connected the dots. Or maybe Karmel already knew all of this and it didn't go anywhere." She exhaled, shaking her head. "But I can tell you that Nyessanie's youngest is still alive. Erkuss. One hundred and seventy-six years old." Erkuss seldom live past 150. "Moved to one of the moon retirement communities of Kor'Sel'Koo with that healing low gravity a few years back. We never... talked, but I kept tabs."

Well, of course that's all very interesting news, but what's also interesting (in a bad sort of way) is the (EXTREMELY WEIRD WOW) news that Hero had to share with the entire crew. Apparently, some overzealous trio of space galx cops has been questioning the Gilmore Girls-wanter about Illegal Earth Goods, so it isn't safe to travel to Kor'Sel'Koo just yet.

The KBW isn't the worst place to stay, after all. And the Qraxoldov crew isn't such bad company, right? They even seem excited to see Ian again and catch up on what's been happening.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 30: EXPEDIENCY

It has become apparent that the GEE has made a massive difference for the Prosperity's travel experience, and it's only a matter of time before other pirate ships get a hold of this thing. Part of the nonmonetary terms of the deal with Derros is that Daphne agreed to be a reference to other ships looking to purchase this thing. She has and will continue to inquire with the engineering, navigation, and piloting crews about technical specs and ship experience to be able to continue to give these good references for Derros.

A trip from Kraysha or Kor'Sel'Koo to Earth used to be considered one of the quickest journeys- a week. Arjbo was not anywhere close to Earth, and the journey ended up being just five days including buffer time to navigate around what looked like Ayshena's ship.

The Communications department is busy, as they manage to get a message from the KBW (Kuiper Belt Waystation). Zuytri's message is interesting: Prosperity! If the rumors are true, I heard that you were in the area and possibly going to Kor'Sel'Koo afterward. If you have time, would you be able to stop by my precious KBW for a little longer than you were planning? There's something that I've been wanting to discuss with Ali and his boo. Nothing awful, I swear, but it would mean a lot if you have some time to spare. Qraxaldrov is docked here too, by the by, so we can make it a little gathering for everyone else. Hoping to see you soon! Kisses -- Z

It really is great timing to have ship that can get places so much faster than it used to, isn't it?

(And yes, every time the GEE launches, the nearest pairing of damartrekt/djayyar will experience the same symptoms)

Here is the schedule:

February 14: Depart from Arjbo

February 19: Arrive on Earth (Connecticut); Marshall and HJ go to visit HJ's parents while the others prep for the heist.

February 20: "Heist" day - acquire those Gilmore Girls box sets- mostly by legal means

February 21: "Heist" day 2 - acquire those Gilmore Girls box sets- we will go through dumpsters if we have to

February 22: "Heist" day- The Quartermaster will lead the charge to buy up a ton of DVDs so the crew can make some extra DVD-only sets (we won't lie and say they are fake). "Free" afternoon the crew starts to burn the DVDs - We will take people anywhere else they seem to need or want to go (if Marshall and HJ are ready at this point, they can be picked up too). Traveling in groups recommended, please.

February 23: Free morning for Beck and the co-pilot while everyone enjoys their time wherever they are. Afternoon, the piloting crew picks everyone up.

February 24: Travel to KBW - arrive early in the afternoon.

February 24 - March 2: KBW

March 3: Travel to Kor'Sel'Koo

March 4: Arrive on Kor'Sel'Koo

Players can start plotting or playing out threads as early as February 24 provided nothing takes place on the KBW.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 29: DESTINY

Are there coincidences? Or is something bigger than ourselves driving our stories along?

The Engineering team (mechanics, electrotechnical and engineers alike) on Prosperity eventually figure out how to install the new Gravity Engine Exploiter on the ship. These things are seriously rare and take a special kind of quirky crew to make work. While the GEE came with instructions, they were not the most intuitive. For such a strange and sophisticated piece of technology, only an engineering team like this could stand to make it work so perfectly.

So on the equivalent of February 10, 2024, the crew tested out the GEE with Derros on board (and with one less crew member, Gwen). Time dilates strangely between Touchpoints. While travel isn't exactly instantaneous, crossing the galaxy in a few hours or so with only the longer journey from the Touchpoint to Merris to worry about it is quite impressive.

Everything goes according to plan to start until the ship starts to reach top speed and Theo notices that Ian (newly human) is glowing. And not just any kind of glowing, but identically to the ship's physician and surgeon, Samira. Regardless of how much of her glow Samira is containing, Ian is glowing as brightly as an uninhibited djayyar might in the exact coloration of Samira's moods. Samira notices something unusual too. The counting.

The same thing happens to Stella and Ali. Stella full-body glowing the same colors as Ali does and Ali hearing the counting. But it isn't just any counting- it's the same counting that Stella experiences all day ,every day.

Nothing else seems to have changed. This strange change does not turn off the entire time while using the GEE. Any medical examinations do not indicate any other changes or problems with the damartrekt or djayyar. All bodily functions are normal. It's just the glow matching the djayyar's mood and the counting matching the damartrekt's age.

The strange changes end as soon as the GEE is turned off upon getting to the other side of the Touchpoint (which only takes a few hours, and cannot be aborted after starting).

How strange.

The crew will enjoy a nice (if somewhat boring to many- except Derros) trip to the Crystalline Port, which is quite literally a spaceship and boat port overlooking some very dangerous-looking crystal stalagmites. It's pretty, but there's not much else to do here besides look at the water and crystals.

And to ponder what just happened.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 28: COSMOS WITHIN YOU

Arjbo is an outpost planet with some serious engineering to make it livable. While the planet's natural resources are extremely lucrative in the global economy, the sparse atmosphere and strange weather make it an uncomfortable place to live un-aided. A few eccentric, entrepreneurial engineers spearheaded the design of a wondrous bubble city.

Arjbo (named the same as the planet) is the only settlement with more than five people on the planet, and what a glorious little city it is. Tourists love the play on gravitation that the planet's unique location and the ingenuity of its engineers allow for. The business district, industrial district, and some of the residential districts do not have access to the city's most unique attribute. The leisure district allows individuals or small groups to manipulate the gravity around them to levitate or descend. Imagine going to a nightclub where a waiver, helmets and wrist guards are required before entry because guests are going to dance on the ceiling.

Derros greets the crew of Prosperity at the landing dock. He has some new engineering equipment that he has been dying to test with someone he trusts.

It is relatively well known that there are various points in the universe called "Waypoints" or "gravity epicenters" or "Touchpoints". These areas, which Arjbo is contained within, have a unique relationship with gravity due to their positions relative to what else surrounds them in their little corner of the universe. Space travel tends to go a little faster when passing through these for navigators, but until relatively recently, few people have truly been able to exploit these Touchpoints.

The gist of it is... something big enough can travel between the Touchpoints with the right equipment. And with the engineers of Arjbo only too thrilled to have a good time with gravity, they have released Gravity Engine Exploiters (GEEs) for sale to a few reputable dealers... and Derros is one of them. He has been itching to test this thing out while few people are utilizing them right now.

He is willing to help install this at cost... but only if he can hitch a ride to somewhere he really wants to go right on the other side of a waypoint... typically a two month roundtrip journey compressed into a three day journey. Derros believes in this technology, and would love to see the Crystalline Port on Merris (in the middle of nowhere, essentially) without it being a huge hassle.

After getting wind that it's Skylar's birthday, Derros jokes that if the Engineering crew of Prosperity is interested in testing this out, it could be like a birthday present for Skylar, right?

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 27: BEAM ME UP

After an extended stay in a strange canal city, the crew of Prosperity makes their way to their next journey. The crew does not seem like they will miss the Theme Park Club of Tarrk very much- notably except for HJ. The human mechanic will be maintaining a long distance romantic relationship with Junyi, who does not want to be too far away from her sister.

Now that the Prosperity group will has successfully delivered all of their goods (including the ones that required some serious investigation to track down the owners), the crew is mostly happy to leave behind Sturn... and Makhaira. On to the next job: Arjbo.

Derros, the crew's supplier, has suggested that the crew make their way over to Arjbo to test out some new technology that will apparently boost the speed of space travel in some way. Derros wasn't able to explain it to Daphne, but most of the Engineering department would be able to understand that the equipment has some interesting implications for cutting down travel time. By compressing space more effectively and precisely in specific applications, a ship should hypothetically be able to essentially jump from one spot to another in specific points in space. The gravitational positioning of these points in space allow them to become waypoints. Derros has been dying to get his hands on a bigger ship to test this out, as his little ship isn't equipped to handle such intensive equipment. Derros is also willing to purchase and install the equipment at cost if he's allowed to complete some errands...

The crew will arrive on Arjbo on January 27. Arjbo is a planet that isn't perfectly terraformed overall, but has a lovely (and safe) domed city that has some interesting gravitational controls. Floating around the dome at one's leisure is very possible. A lot is possible (and fun!) on Arjbo.