Faction All ship-shape and space ready (Rimward Rescue Service)

[Vera Tillian]

BB-610 Desbre Gensan Dash Colton Gambit Nej Tane Jessica Bowers NE-1 Tera Highwind TE-236 Ascendant Torc Valhorn
===========================================
RRS ENDURANCE
RESCUE SERVICE INSPECTION STATION
EDGE OF SUARBI SYSTEM
​

Duty tours came and went. Crew rotated in between postings and A-schools while officers were promoted, reassigned, or found postings elsewhere. New officers and new crew filtered in and Vera found herself with the job of melding them into a highly effective, efficient, reliable, and trustworthy crew ready to face the worst the Outer Rim could offer.

Pirates, slavers, crime syndicates, asteroids, wannabe imperial warlords, phenomena, ghosts, whatever freaky things dwelt in the Kathol Rift. She had to get them ready to face them all, and even worse, the routine monotony of shipboard life. Drills, training exercises, watch-standings, interpersonal frictions, safety inspections, ATN patrols, buoy repairs, tug duty, lane clearing. Nothing but sonic showers and deep space rations.

It wasn't much glamor in the Rescue Service. It was work. Hard, grimy, work. Mediocre pay, all things considered, with constant danger, and a small chance of reward. But it was the crucial work the Outer Rim needed. For the Rim to prosper, it needed to grow its own economy. For its economy to grow, they needed reliable interstellar shipping. To get the shipping, they needed safe, reliable hyperspace routes.

It was why Vera had given up a commission in the Tillian Trade Fleet, with a nice cushy berth aboard one of those refitted Venator's and a large salary and her pick of luxuries. The Tillians had thrived in the wild spaces of the frontier, fighting their way to a midsize fortune, for an Outer Rim company with second-hand ships and whose captains were more often smuggler than not. Smugglers, tramp traders, freedom fighters, Jensaarai. Her family had blazed their way through hardship, danger, legal obstacles, and more to get where they were.

Not everyone had fighter's instinct in them, or that thrill of danger, and a reliance on luck or the Force.

Vera intended to make sure they all had the chance to prosper. It was what drove the Service and attracted folks from all across the galaxy. Most from the Rim, but a few elsewhere, either seeking a fresh start with guaranteed citizenship to any of the League systems they wished, or just a chance for a new beginning. The League checked Service volunteer's backgrounds thoroughly, but only the captain's knew their crew's past, and the standing order was discretion.

A bold new future for the Outer Rim meant new futures for everyone in it. It was what had drawn so many to the Rim in the first place, centuries ago. A chance for a new beginning. To write their own destiny. Change who they were and become who they wanted to be.

"Captain, the new crew are assembling in the main supply hold," her new executive officer, an Imyni, said with a salute through the vocalizer built into his uniform's collar. "They're waiting for you."

Vera nodded and adjusted her dress uniform. "XO, you have the bridge."

"I have the bridge," he confirmed, taking a seat in the captain's chair. Vera strode from the bridge and through the corridors to the main hull, where the newcomers, not recruits, she had to remind herself, had assembled.

"Captain on deck!" A petty officer called and piped a message on a whistle. Old fashioned, useless in space, but a valuable tradition regardless.

"Thank you, Petty Officer," Vera acknowledged with a nod, before speaking louder for everyone to hear. "Welcome aboard the Endurance! We're the finest ship in the Service and I aim to make us better yet. You are going to be instrumental in achieving that goal, because a ship without a crew is a body without consciousness. Dead, lifeless, and frozen in space, just like we'll be if we aren't on top of our game every second of every minute of every hour of every day that we're out of port. I'm entrusting my life to all of you and you to me, and we all entrust our lives to the Endurance. She is about to become your whole world and I hope you come to love her as I have. Please, come forward and present your id chips for me to log, introduce yourself, accept the Endurance's pin, and our department chiefs will ensure you find your appropriate quarters. Refreshments will be served at..." She checked a screen display. "0300, in two hours, shipboard time, for a final commencement before departing port at 0500."

 

[NE-1]

The station had been a mess of activity. The port plug-in systems had not taken quite so well to NE-1's presence aboard the station. Granted the only beings that truly knew of it attempting to access the systems were security and they had quick in their dispatching of bodies to check out what was occurring.

Loud protests and attempts to assuage the aggravated or at least irritated guards had found its efforts rewarded with little more than a solid kick to its rear plating. And the recompense for suffering such undo attentions were swiftly delivered when the offending guard fell to the floor clucthing their foot.

NE-1 trudged along, hoping to find something of interest to attend to as it spied a steady stream of biologicals gathering aboard a vessel. Or the gangway to access it rather. And while most systems aboard the space-faring flying coffins were self sufficient and fed directly from the reactors, there was always the chance for wiring issues to be present.

Which was what brought the slow and cantankerous droid aboard much to the disapproval of what was formerly a double line of biologicals across the gangplank. It wandered briefly, examing the systems through its secondary and other tertiary photoreceptor settings as something behind it demanded attention.

Aboard the vessel, a line of biologicals had gathered in the main supply hold. The Gonk droid that stood behind them, seeming to blend into the space at first glance was not the typical power droid everyone assumed it to be. There was a sharp trill of sound as boots tromped across the flooring. A message delivered and explanations given about what was to be expected aboard this space faring hull.

NE-1 slowly tugged its way around and beside those assembled as the message was delivered. It stifled the urge to make its own conjecture about those gathered around it before the call to introduce one's self was given. Without fail, the droid trudged forward slowly, albeit none to quietly as it gave a hearty declaration of its presence.

"Gooonk."

It slowly came to stand before what it proposed to be someone of higher standing within the hierarchy aboard the vessel. Standing at what could be assumed attention before the captain, the droid gave another declaration of it presence and waited patiently to receive whatever the biological had to gift it.

 

[Jessica Bowers]

It was an environmental change, alright. To transfer from Coruscant to the Outer Rim was, to say the least, a lot further than any of the many prisoner transports that Jessica had ventured with and handled in the service of the CPD. She had done her homework though, before she joined this Rimward Rescue Service. She was not the kind that rushed into things without first finding out what she was about to run into. It came with the job as an officer. Intelligence was the key in most cases. She was used to work down in the mud, and against some of the galaxys most wanted that would not flinch killing an officer. One could say that she knew what danger was.

Even though she didn't get to catch crooks and placing them behind bars, the assignment was still kind of related to the police work and matched her ideals and strives to do good and make a difference out there by serving the public. It was also a chance for her to see something more than the precinct. Not that she was particulary tired of it, but she knew the work inside and out and felt a new challenge would do good. So, when seeing the add on the HoloNet the decision was easy.

It was more than you could say about the little detail of trying to convince the captain, though, for he knew he was going to lose his finest sergeant. They say third time's the charm, and it came true on her third request, although it was with great reluctance that the captain let her go. He was also keen to promise her a position if she ever looked back. After a delicious yet emotional family dinner and a crazy goodbye party on the precinct the night before her departure, she was ready to switch Coruscant for a life abroad.

"Captain on deck!"

The announcement brought he into attention from the back position of leaning against the wall of the main supply hold. Jessica had deliberately kept a low profile since arriving at the station and boarding the RRS Endurance. Putting all your trust at once into a bunch of people that you didn't know wasn't something most cops did. However, the captain instantly gained a point for her inspirational speech, she would admit that.

She gave the group a moment to form a line before she also joined in as it begun to proceed forward.

''Captain.'' she addressed the woman while standing attention, before she handed over her ID chip and introduced herself. ''Sergeant Jessica Bowers- Well, ex-sergeant. Coruscant. Far from home, I know, but... I'm glad to be here. Looking forward to get into the swing of things, captain''

A small but courteous smile shone through her otherwise formal and professional appearance. She accepted the pin and attached it to her long old black uniform jacket, now without the insignias of the CPD and rebranded with the sign of the RRS. With a nod to the captain, she left the line and strolled towards the crowd already that already made their introductions. As she passed a gonk droid (NE-1), one seemingly (although oddly) also wanting in on the action, she could not resist the urge to give it a little pat on its flat top.

Vera Tillian , BB-610 , Desbre Gensan , Dash Colton , Gambit , Nej Tane , Tera Highwind , TE-236 , Ascendant ​

 

[Doctor Røyskatt ”Roy” Besh]

Doctor Royskatt "Roy" Besh waited patiently with his meager possessions and doctors bag as he waited with the rest of the crowd, looking very out of place in his 1,000-year-old clothes, looking around at all the technical innovations that had been invented since he had reappeared. In this galaxy that was foreign to him, the doctor was very much out of his depth.

When the colony sleeper ship he was on arrived at this time period and was boarded by various faction officials, the Doctor had been given a choice. Either go support the Colonist's new outpost or supporting one of the other various factions in this new galaxy, he chose neither. Instead, he chose to join the Rim Republic and its rescue force instead, hoping to make a real difference in the section of the galaxy that needed his efforts most. It would involve learning the nuances of the medical field in this new era but if he could willingly put himself into a sleeper pod that when it malfunctioned, the occupant turned into goop then surely he could learn something new.

"Captain on deck!"

Roy looked up to see the female Captain stride in and almost forgot to stand up as was customary in any Navy, listening to her speech intensely. She seemed nice enough, probably the type to hold off on shooting you out of the airlock until you really screwed up. And when the Captain's speech was finished, the line to get quarter's started with Roy having to scuttle quickly with his bags to get a good spot right behind a Blonde woman who looked like she had seen the inside of a gym many times before. When it was his turn, he scurried up to the Captain like a nervous ferret, his eyes glancing rapidly around his surroundings before he presented his ID chip to the Captain. "Doctor Royskatt "Roy" Besh, Medical Personal off of Kuat." He flashed a small smile to the Captain, relieved that his long journey to find a new home was finally over. "Happy to be finally onboard Ma'am".

 

[Vera Tillian]

NE-1 Jessica Bowers Doctor Røyskatt ”Roy” Besh

The first to step forward, of all beings, was a Gonk droid that shuffled forward and gave out a long gooonk. Vera repressed a smile and gave the droid a salute before attatching the pin to one side of the droid's frame. She stepped back and gestured for the droid to trundle forward across a line in the floor panels. "We're always glad to have droids aboard," Vera said, "You are all industrious, reliable, enthusiastic, and highly skilled at what you do."

The next person, a blonde with a Coreworld accent approached and spoke, pinning the insignia to a black leather uniform jacket. Ex-Coruscant Security according to the file. She hadn't admitted that yet, but Vera was not going to mention it outside the sealed file for the XO that could only be unsealed upon her death. "Welcome aboard, Bowers. We're glad you're with us. If there's one thing the Outer Rim is great for is a chance for a new start at life. We'll get you slotted in and sorted up asap." Vera gave another salute and beckoned for her to cross the line.

The third to approach was another with a Core accent, this time a man, who identified himself as being from Kuat. A doctor, if she remembered the file right, which he confirmed.
"Welcome aboard, Doctor Besh," Vera added, "We're always relived to have a full doctor aboard. Our medtechs are highly trained, but there are some things that simply require more than S&R and first responder training can include." She handed him the ship's emblem for his own uniform, as well as a doctor's specialization for his rank insignia. "Doctors are outside the primary chain of command, except in times of battle, as long as they do not attempt to disrupt the ship's operations."

 

[Dash Colton]

Vera Tillian Doctor Røyskatt ”Roy” Besh Jessica Bowers NE-1

The collar was too tight, the lighting was horrid, and the smell of seventeen times over recycled air tickled his nostrils. It's not like he was here against his will. He had chosen to sign up for a tour of his own free will, though his options weren't exactly many. Low on credits with a ship in a state of such disrepair that it was just as likely to crash as it was to take off on it's next flight, and with creditors hounding him, a change of pace in the far reaches of space was just what the doctor ordered.

The pay wouldn't turn around his fortunes by any stretch of the imagination, but it might keep his ship afloat for another few months upon his return. Not having to worry about where his next meal came from and whether there was a debt collector around the next corner was a nice added perk. Thankfully his years - ok who are we kidding a year at best, depending on what planetary cycle you look at - at Corsec and certification in zero gravity maneuvers gave him just enough qualifications for a lowly ensign commission.

Just enough of a title to lead a boarding party or inspect a derelict ship, but not enough of a rank for anyone to miss him. Apparently boarding party work was bit dangerous and came with a modest - very modest - hazard pay, which Dash was in no position to turn down. He was here to do a job, get paid, and leave once his tour was up.

He did his best to suppress the shudder with the showmanship brought on by "Captain on Deck!" and wondered privately how long such displays and traditions would last once the ship was underway in the outer rim. It was all well and good, but out there, in the vast, empty space of the outer rim, decorum didn't get you very far.

Pirates - or worse - don't care if your uniform is pressed, your boots are shined and how long you hold your salute mate, he mused to himself.

After a a droid and a pair of humans made their first impressions, it was Colton's turn. He took a few brief strides, stood tall in front of the captain, his boots clapping at attention and gave his best formal salute. It may have been a bit out of practice, but the effort was there... though he didn't remember his arm feeling so stiff the last time he gave a proper salute.

"Ensign Colton, reporting for duty Captain," he said, taking the pin and placing it on his lapel. A quick nod kept things formal - he wasn't one for small talk in such a formal setting - and finished off a more casual salute, before making his way to the others, awaiting quarters assignments and refreshments...

Too much to hope for Bantha Steak, I assume? he thought to himself privately with a grin.

 

[NE-1]

Vera Tillian Jessica Bowers Doctor Røyskatt ”Roy” Besh Dash Colton

There was a hand that patted the top portion of his shell, and had it not been for attempting a peaceable greeting, the droid might have extended the manipulator arm and returned said pat. Biologicals had a strange idea of what was and was not permissible between acquaintances.

Instead it heartily gonked in accepting the pin, slowly shuffling forward on the line before yet again slowly shuffling about to watch everyone come forward to accept their pins in respective order.

 

[Nej Tane]

A sort of pensive, passive annoyance emanated from Nej.

He was staring at a litany of tools, parts, and screens inside the Engineering deck. He had brought himself down here to be acquainted, and as one of the senior Engineers, he was going to be in charge of the tool room, and the work logs. While seemingly boring and innocuous, engineering and the proper application of work, and the management of both, meant a smooth maintenance cycle.

He hadn't worn a uniform in quite some time, what felt like lifetimes ago. Before everything else.

He pushed away such thoughts, and turned his head as the general call was sounded, and the Captain had spoken to assemble in the main hold.

---

As the Captain finished her speech, Nej politely and respectfully stood, his hands clasped in front of him. His uniform was immaculate, meticulously washed, cleaned, and all loose fibers burnt away with a lighter, and brushed away. His pins were shined, his rank was bright and displayed. Nej knew the chance he was being given may very well be his last, and with the laundry list of his previous crimes- he was more than grateful to be here.

Nej approached the Captain as ordered, rendered a salute, and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Nej Tane- pleasure to serve, ma'am."

He held out his ID chip. No fake names, no aliases- he was really going as himself. And that meant all the ugly things he did coming with him. He waited for the pin, and to be awarded the ship's pin. He didn't give too many others too much of a once-over. He'd meet everyone in due time, hopefully.

NE-1 l Dash Colton l Vera Tillian l Doctor Røyskatt ”Roy” Besh l Jessica Bowers

 

[Jessica Bowers]

Like with most droids, but especially one lacking a proper face like the GNK-series, it was hard to tell what they felt and it this one appreciated the pat or not. At least, that square-shaped two-feeted box didn't protest with his gonks.

Jessica dropped her duffle bag on the floor and leaned back against the wall. She brought up a small datapad from inside her jacked while her eyes casually went from scanning the screen to glance at the people that she, in one way or the other, was supposed to work with during this tour. A varied bunch of people and mostly guys. From that strangely clad man who she overheard was a doctor, to a guy who at least tried to uphold some form or professionalism but lacked it sorely, to another guy who despite a tidy uniform had an aura of shenanigans around him. Nice. For a moment, she wondered if anyone in this lot in front of her had less than five articles in their criminal records. Well, except for the droid then and maybe the doctor. Time would tell who was to trust, that was for sure.

After installing themselves in the quarters, where that now would be, it would be welcome with refreshments after the long journey from Coruscant.

Vera Tillian , NE-1, Doctor Røyskatt ”Roy” Besh , Nej Tane , Dash Colton ​

 

[Vera Tillian]

Jessica Bowers Nej Tane Doctor Røyskatt ”Roy” Besh Dash Colton

"Welcome aboard, Ensign Colton. We're glad to have you aboard," Vera replied with a salute. "Your experience and skills will be invaluable for the challenges we will undoubtedly come across." She waited as he slipped aside to go join the others. One of the other new crew members approached and introduced himself.

"Spacer Tane, welcome aboard. We're glad to have you here helping keep the engines up and running." She let him pass by to join the others as well. The process continued, somewhat briefly, but not overly long until everyone was initiated aboard the ship and wore their new pins on their uniform.

It was not long before they moved to the main area for the reception while the station prepared for undock. Most of the pre departure was done by droids, so the crew weren't entirely needed yet, and the previous watch was still on duty. The culinary specialists had put together as much of a feast as could squeezed aboard the vessel, with Vera supplementing her own funds stored away for these occasions.

She beckoned for everyone to file in. "Welcome in! Meet your crew, eat your fill, for it'll be space rations for quite a while!"

 

[TE-236]

Vera Tillian Jessica Bowers Nej Tane NE-1 Dash Colton Doctor Røyskatt ”Roy” Besh

Dead, lifeless, and frozen in space, just like we'll be if we aren't on top of our game every second of every minute of every hour of every day that we're out of port.

TE-236 tilted his head when the captain said this. "Us Droids will be fine. We can survive the vacuum of space." Gin said, in his monotonous know-it-all voice. "Besides, I calculate the odds of that scenario occurring is 1 out of 10,875.2 percent. The odds are in our favor."

Please, come forward and present your id chips for me to log, introduce yourself, accept the Endurance's pin, and our department chiefs will ensure you find your appropriate quarters.

TE-236 stepped forward, and got in line. Their crew was an odd one, from what Gin analyzed, each of them with different specifications and skills. Once it was Gin's turn in line, he stepped forward toward the Captain. "I am TE-236, designated as tactical and analytical officer for this vessel, reporting for duty, Captain." Gin said to the Captain, holding out his ID chip for her to log.

 

[Vera Tillian]

TE-236 Nej Tane Jessica Bowers NE-1 Dash Colton Doctor Røyskatt ”Roy” Besh Jaeviko Fitzsix

Vera tilted her head and stifled a smile, choosing to nod instead. "You will likely survive, but how long can your charge last in a vacuum if nobody finds you?" She gave a pointed look, but she magnetized the pin to his frame, next to the pin from the Frontier's Hope. "I'm glad to have your analytic skills back aboard with me, TE-236."

Her comm chimed and she stepped away to the side of the room to listen

"XO to the Captain," the voice on the other side said.

"Go ahead, XO." Vera replied, holding the device close to her ear.

"Service HQ has just informed us that the Voyager is overdue for her regular check-in." Vera frowned and something in her gut churned. The Voyager was one of the Endurance's sister-ships, of the same class and shipyard. They were even commissioned within a week of each other. Her mind raced through the standard protocol.

"Keep me informed, XO, and prepare the ship for emergency undocking. Put us in a one-hour jump readiness status and start charting courses to their last known position. As soon as Command gives the order, I want us undocked and accelerating at full power to a safe jump zone with the shortest possible vectors. Captain over."

"Aye, aye, Cap'n. Bridge out."

Vera turned back to the others and forced a broad smile. They were not yet ready for a missing Service ship, but they would have to make do.