PARIAH A SCIFI CYOA

[VampireMessageNinja]

I settle myself on asking:
“Tell me about the Raski’s military.”
“How long have you been in service?”
“What do you know about the mission?”

[abxy]

"Why are you here, how long have you been in service, and what are your talents and skills like? Just wondering."

[Comettail76]

I decide to ask these questions:

"How are you finding the Bogoria?"
"What are your talents and skills?"
"How long have you been in service?"

[Wolvine]

1: Bogoria? Why? Mission?
2: Raski? Service? Mission?
3: Why? Service? Talents?
4: Bogoria? Talents? Service?

Roll 1 says: 1, Bogoria?
Roll 2 says: 4, Talents?
Roll 3 says: 2, Mission?

"How are you finding the ship so far?" you ask, deciding its as good a conversation starter as any. Unexpectedly, the behemoth laughs, or at least makes a sound that the translator interprets as a laugh. You're pretty sure that aliens don't have the same mannerisms as humans.

"Could be better. Could be worse too. As long as I'm not thrown out into space by a mutinous crew, I'm happy." He seems rather unconcerned about the idea. You're pretty sure its a joke, but nothing in his face indicates it. "I understand why you humans aren't too thrilled to have me here. Don't worry, I'll do my best to not step on any toes." He doesn't seem keen to discuss the matter any further, so you let it drop.

"So, apart from being bigger than anyone else on the ship, what's your skillset?" You're pretty sure this guy could wrestle a grizzly bear to the ground without breaking a sweat, but that's only useful to a certain extent when you're in a gunfight.

"I've been with the military for almost eleven years now. I was RSF for five of them." The Raski's special forces are notorious, the cream of the crop, trained in both combat and tech. It speaks well of him to have been with them for that long. "Don't worry, I know how to handle myself, Commander. I'm probably the best shot on this ship."

"How much do you know about this mission we're on?"

"At this point, more than you do probably, though I doubt that's saying much. I've been told not to give you any information you don't already have for yourself I'm afraid. All you need to know is that we've lost colonies, and we're not keen on losing any more. This is the first time the Committee's pooled together its resources, hence why I'm here, supposedly keeping an eye on you."

So you're spying on us.
Why are they working together now?
Why wouldn't they let you tell me what you know?
Say nothing.

[VampireMessageNinja]

I frown. "Why wouldn't they let you tell me what you know?"

[abxy]

Say nothing

[Comettail76]

I say nothing.

[Kitty~.]

Why wouldn't they let you tell me what you know?

[Wolvine]

1: Won't tell me?
2: Say nothing
3: Say nothing
4: Won't tell me?

Roll says 4: Why wouldn't they let you tell me what you know?

"If we're working together, why are we still keeping secrets?"

"Sorry Commander, I genuinely can't answer that. Seems stupid to me too, but what do I know. I'm a military man; I get paid to point and shoot, not deal with politics." You get the impression that Agrix doesn't mix well with bureaucrats. Something to keep in mind since you're going to be meeting the Committee.

Aviator Evans's voice crackles overhead, announcing that the ship is coming into dock, interrupting your conversation. Agrix gives you another of his terrifying grins and gestures for you to lead on. You do so.

*

The Hub is every big as grey and urban and magnificent as everyone always described it. It would be almost ugly, with its sheer edges and sharp, provocative lines, but something about its harsh metal frame is charming, handsome even. Its as alien as anything out here, certainly something no human architect could have come up with. People are moving, moving with the same single-minded purpose you're used to seeing on the cities of Earth, apologizing offhandedly at every small collision, but never stopping. Its almost like being back at home.

You glance around at the streets (do they qualify as streets?) and alleys, trying your best not to wear an expression that seems too obviously tourist. Agrix, at your left, is making no such efforts; unversed as you are in the body language of the Raski, its hard to misinterpret that slack-jawed, wide-eyed look. XO Hamilton, on the right, has the tiniest of smirks on her face. You wonder if she's been here before.

The rest of your crew will remain aboard the ship, with the exception of a couple of runners to fetch supplies, in case you need to leave urgently. Agrix has been requested by name, and Hamilton was insistent that she not be left behind. You don't say so, but its comforting to have someone you can trust with you.

You set off towards the large diagonal building that houses the human members of the Committee, and are greeted by an overeager receptionist who sends you up (the rather cramped lift) immediately. The ambassadors, four of them, regard you impassively, apparently not overly bothered by your companions.

"Commander Ackermann. Welcome, come in." You step, awkwardly, into the room, unsure where to look. The ambassadors seem to move as one, some kind of horrific multi-headed political beast. "We expect you've examined the files, yes? There's little we can add to that information that has been provided for you, except point you in the right direction. As you know, this is a joint effort now." The ambassador who's talking doesn't move, but the other three shoot less than subtle glances at Agrix. "We implore you not to step on any toes."

It seems strange that they have summoned you here just to tell you to play nice. You get sent away with little else, and are halfway back to your ship when you get stopped by an anxious looking prilgun.

"Commander Ackermann?" he asks, and it takes you a minute to acknowledge him, so busy are you looking at his pink scales. Prilgun are never usually that vibrantly coloured. This phenomenon hardly lasts a second before the scales shift over to a more pale orange colour. You hear one of your crew mutter something in a disbelieving tone. "Hello, I'm terribly sorry, I was mean't to be meeting you up there."

You change colour.
Who are you exactly?
How do you know who I am?
I'm a little busy.
Say nothing.

[abxy]

"You change colour."