Deep Space Exploration

Late in the afternoon, getting close to evening. About 4PM, the weather was relatively... fussy. Sprinkles of annoying rain showers kept coming down, the occasional rainbow showing just how beautiful the planet could be however.

...But the planet wasn't going to be much of a problem for much longer for a select few individuals. Volunteers. People who decided to step forward and go on a space voyage. That's right. Space. I did say space.

The group of willing explorers would be driven to the City of Independence, escorted quite quickly (if they so desired, anyway!) and that would be that. To outer SPACE!

...Of course, that wasn't going to happen right away. Not like they'd show up and immediately be blasted off without any briefing or training.

But near enough...?

...

The great City of Independence. Oh, what a sight. In comparison to Station Square, it was not only ridiculously high tech, but it was... very tall. Very powerful looking. In terms of scale, not too huge, but it was definitely quite... mad.

Bypassing the great forcefield was an escort of sorts, a quick ticket into the city. On board? At least one of the people that wanted to do the space voyage.

It took a while but the doors to a relatively high tech looking station slid open, showing all kinds of gizmos and gadgets around. Lots of testing apparatus for space travel, it seemed.

It made sense, really.

("After all of the crap that's happened, I'll be glad to go to space for a week or two. Taking people with me will be great...") The orange cat simply thought to herself, as she tapped into her wrist device. Waiting, patiently for whoever had shown interest in some space travel.

Her feet were on a table, her boots being beside the chair, off, leaving just stockings on her feet. She stretched, yawning very lightly to herself. Recalling some... ...events, that had happened not too long ago that she was still struggling deep down to cope with, but she kept pushing. Kept trying to move on.

Her blue jacket was slung on the very chair she was sitting on, and in general she seemed to be a lot more casual than the majority of the people that would've been seen around the building.

Nearby the cat was a hedgehog wearing an odd set of armor, armor he was rarely ever seen without. And he was meanwhile welding pieces of metal together, adding finishing touches to several areas...

Clearly he took his job very seriously.

The cat gave a glance to the time. ...Hmm. Patience.

"I'm telling you, sis, we should've invited Blitz and Wags along for the ride! Sure, Blitz can go to space whenever she wants, but this is more like a road trip! We haven't had a reunion in about two years, and frankly, I don't even know what Washon'jour looks like anymore." A blue echidna known as Odepa, said to her sister.

"And I keep reminding you that Blitz has to manage an entire Corporation and Washon'jour has to keep tabs on a Security Company for the Emerald Kingdom as a Private Contractor. I've tried asking both of them for when they'll next be available for a get-together, but it just doesn't seem to happen. I miss and love them both as much as you do but the favor just isn't swinging our way." Odepa's sister, a Red Hedgehog known as Sizam, responded with much frustration.

The two were allowed on a Space Exploration within certain guidelines and parameters due to their...unnatural..skills. The two walked through an automatic sliding door. "I swear, it was alot more fun and wonderful back when we were just the Quadruple Contractors. We were feared, respected, and valued. We even got hired by the President for crying out loud!"

"Odepa, get it through your thick skull that I cherish those memories as well. Tell you what; after this exploration into wild space, I will personally track down Washon'jour and Blitz and we will have a reunion. I doubt those two meant to just leave us hanging dry, anyway."

"That would be nice for a change. *Sigh* On a happier note, why do you think they wanted volunteers? Wouldn't these guys already have Astronauts fit and ready for this sort of thing?"

"Probably due to the same reason Tango Corporation did; more 'Employer-Civilian Social Contact and Hands-On Negotiating'. Everyone knows that turned out to be a bunch of bullsh*t, even if it isn't public...yet." The two sisters continued to converse to themselves as they made their way through the building and various doors and passage-ways that made the place seem like a maze. Lucky for them, they had an escort who knew the place like the back of their hand, and could stand their constant talking. It wasn't long before they entered the same room the cat and armored man were in. To say it was awkward for the two would be an understatement. Odepa expected more people while Sizam thought they were going to be alone for a while. How the two manage to get along is anybody's guess.

Mom said that it would be way too dangerous. Sis said the same thing, but then Dad jumped in and said to Mom that he should go if he wanted, seeing as they gave Boubka the same feeling when they were gone. Mom sighed and let her child go. It still sizzled in his head.

But he was determined to go. He walked through the big building of the City of Independence with his messy and casual clothes. He had some stuff packed in a backpack that he held tight. He knew he had to be here. He came here because he knew that he would see a particular someone. He wanted to help that someone and of course explore some space too. They weren't going anywhere far right? Space wasn't that far away right? You only needed to look up and it was there!

He opened a door and on the other side was the cat sitting. "Ebonia?" He smiled. "I'M HERE TO GO TO SPACE!" He stood in position and held his hand on his forehead. Although the fox was taller than Ebonia, he still looked younger than her. And that's probably because he was younger. Five years younger to be exact. He was only 16. But he had some experience with dangerous stuff. His body was ready enough to go. His mindset though, maybe a bit too optimistic. But he really wanted to go.

(I'm sorry if I'm doing something wrong, my head is kinda fuzzy at the moment)

"Oh, hey, I take it you're two of the people signing up for the space expedition?" The cat asked, giving a small smile. ("The last one I'll ever do as well...")

Well, the cat didn't quite hear Boubka come in or say her name, stuck in some kind of daydream. But she certainly heard the sudden YELL of excitement. Immediately the cat jumped. Literally falling off the chair with a scream and a thud. A moment passed as she was staring in disbelief at the ceiling almost. ...A sweatdrop, before she immediately shuffled across the floor, and onto her feet, "B-BOUBKA, can you be a BIT more... aghhh!" She quickly dusted herself off, adjusting the chair and putting it back into place.

"Try to be a bit more... OBVIOUS that you're in the room, please. You almost gave me a heart attack." She said, a little breathless.

The armoured hedgehog, despite the commotion, was still hard at work.

The cat simply took a moment to calm down a little, before nodding. "Okay, so, uh, well at least I know YOU'RE coming along for definite, Boubka. Do you know anyone else that might be coming along? I mean, I don't want to have to give the brief over and over again, is all."

Odepa & Sizam simply watched as the cat had an 'episode'. "And this is weird for them? Guess we still hold the number one spot in awkwardness."

"Agreed...So, how long before we actually start to prepare? 'Cause I doubt we're just gonna be sent immediately to space." Sizam inquired.

Boubka looked at the shocked Ebonia. He scratched his head. He thought he stated clear enough that he was there. She asked him a question. "Me?...Well I don't think I've invited anybody whatsoever...so yeah!" Space Space Space Space Space!~

Then he looked at the others that were there. They seemed like nice fellows. Although the one in armor just felt a bit off, it was probably just the armor that witheld Boubka from seeing the guy's eyes. Anyway Boubka was still smiling bright.

Ebonia slightly smirked at the question. "There'll be plenty of time to prepare, what, do you think they'll blast you off just for showing your face? No. Don't worry, I'll make sure you're fit to go with me."

She then stretched, before clearing her throat. "How's the suits, Paladin?"

The armoured hedgehog was still working. Amazingly while making conversation, "Making the final touches to the last one, they should be a bit tougher than the average ones." He said, firmly, straight to the point. "It'll be done in about... 5 more minutes, I'd say? Then give some time to cool down." And that was that.

"...Alright, well I guess I should use THIS time to tell you. We're going to be in space for... at the most two weeks. It'll probably be sooner than that as well. We'll be using some of the space suits that you can see here. They're designed to resist environmental problems more than normal armour would. Because of their protective properties, they'll be a little heavy, but you should be able to get used to them, they're nowhere near what my old suit was like." She explained, smiling slightly.

"Good. I can't tell you how many people I want to get away from." Sizam commented while Odepa walked over and sat on a chair.

As soon as she touched it, icicles started forming though it didn't bother her in the least. "Just wake from my nap when we start actually preparing. I'm tired from the boring plane ride *Yawn*." 

"Eh, sis? You're freezing the chair to no end."

"I know." Was all Odepa said as Ice walls surrounded her in a shell-like fashion.

"*sigh* Excuse my sister's manners. My name is Sizam Uni Wrinl. And the cold-blooded echidna is Odepa Erupe Adroopa." The red hedgehog stated as she made a small bow of sorts. "Might I know the names of our soon-to-be space companions?" Sizam was very old schooled and loved to talk with a very specific manner as best she could with her accent (British). Odepa on the other hand was...sleeping. That was fast.

Boubka listened to Ebonia and nodded. This was going to be an exciting adventure! And he wouldn't be gone for that long even! And also new peeps! One of the new peep said hello and their name. Oh right this is the time. The time to leave an amazing introduction so that they can share an amazing adventure.

"Hello. I'm Boubka." ...What? He couldn't think of anything more at the moment. Maybe shake a hand? He offered his hand for a shake.

Okay this was already going off gr8. How could he match her amazing British accent? Not. Now he was second tier and he would sit in the back of the space ship. Oh wait but the back of the space ship would be amazing too! So it didn't really matter to him anymore. He was just smiling again.

"You could get away with letting them wear your suit, Ebony." Paladin spoke, turning around, having finished his work. "Your suit is the same as everyone else's right now, remember? I haven't had nearly enough time or resources to make another one of your old model. So just give them some small test runs."

Ebonia nodded, "Good point... alright, so, since you're all working with me, and technically are now part of the City of Independence, you get a PDCD. ...Uh..." She points to the device on her wrist. "One of these things. You can use it to store information, keep in touch with me, and other things. Everyone in the City of Independence has one. At least, mostly everyone." She gestured to a small stack of them.

The cat then stepped over to the other suits, and lifted one up, easily. "Slip one of those on, and then put the suit on top." She explained, holding out one of the relatively clunky and heavy power suits.

"Of course. And before we move on, is it possible to color them? My sister would try to do so anyway and I don't trust her to keep to herself." Sizam politely asked as Odepa could be seen, faintly, moving around in her Ice Shell. Don't let their deminour fool you, though. They're crazy when they want to be.

"And are you sure these things are safe? Just curious since half the things I use from other people don't work." Sizam inquired as she held up a suit that seemed to fit her size.

"Okay! Give me a minute!" He walked to the stack of these so called PDCD's and clicked one onto his arm. It looked really pretty and also very distracting. "Oh cool! What does thi-" He suddenly realised he was distracted again. Get to the point Bou. Ebonia is probably waiting for you. He quickly walked to her and took the helmet she was holding out.

He pulled it a bit towards him so that Ebonia had no influence on the weight of the helmet. The helmet quickly dropped a few inches before Boubka steadied his grip. "Woah! These things are quite heavy! You seem to lift them up with ease! How'd you do that?" Then his mind began to work. He should probably first put on the suit and then put the helmet on his head. He tried to step into the suit. It was kinda hard to get in.

"You can change their colour - Paladin can easily do that for you if it matters that much." Ebonia said, with a nod of confirmation.

"You'll be lucky." Palaldin shot, before chuckling quietly. "Nah. I'll do it, it'll take like five seconds. What colour you want?"

The cat simply glanced to Sizam, "And yeah, they're crafted by Paladin here for the most part. My old suit was so powerful it could probably have survived a nuclear blast. Shame it's gone now. These ones aren't designed for tanking physical damage or anything but they'll do a great job. They're perfectly safe, don't worry. I'd be able to get sued for more money than you can imagine if they weren't. Heheh..."

"We're talking millions." Paladin quietly added.

The cat simply brushed her hair aside again, "And yeah. They're heavy, of course! Means they're gonna protect you good, I'd hope." The question however was a bit... out of nowhere. "...How? Uh... I... kinda just do? I'm one of the strongest people I know. Not to brag, or anything!" She quickly put her hands up defensively, hoping not to seem egotistical. Which she wasn't.

As soon as Boubka was suited up, the cat nodded...

And power had been fed to the suit. Slowly the user interface came on, showing all kinds of stats. Temperature. Atmosphere pressure. There were even some kind of mini icons at the bottom. And an amazing feature seemed to be the complete lift of strain. It was hard to get in, but the weight almost vanished entirely from Boubka's body.

"Before you do anything... you're using assist mode by default. That means that the suit will aid your movement as much as possible. You can set that to be manual, where you'd move it all yourself, but I'd say stick with assist." She said, scratching the back of her head.

"The PDCD can be used to override the state of the suit as well. You can access it by lifting the panel on your right wrist - it should be locked in place very firm." She said, explaining quite a lot of information already. "From there you can do everything suit related. Including an emergency detach, which will make it fall to pieces and off your body. But that takes a few safety checks. Obviously. I mean accidently doing that in space? Not very good."

She then tapped the visor on Boubka's head gently. "Can you see alright in there? There's a lot of ways you can look through that. Night vision. X-ray. Thermal... They're designed for this. Just - uh - be careful when you change the mode. You don't wanna blind yourself." She cautioned.

"...Am I babbling?"

Paladin nodded. "Mhmm."

"...Oops." Ebonia chuckled nervously. "Lot to take in, huh."