Scorched Earth

Come child, let me tell you of humanity's fall.

We had done everything we could to save Mother Earth, but it wasn't enough. People tried to build ways to escape into the stars. Some were successful, but there weren't enough ships. Some say it was the Gods that saved us. Others simply understood that in the universe


Years have past since then child. You need not worry. At first we were visitors in these alien lands, but these people helped us colonize new worlds. Better worlds. And soon child...


Notes

• Earth has been gone for 150 years. Most aliens won't mention the planet out of respect or pity for humans
  
• There is a universal translator that everyone is given to help people communicate between species
  
• Humans have their own planets, but some still live on alien planets for various reasons

Rules

• No one is from Earth. Earth is gone. Keep calm and make a planet
  
• You can steal alien species/planets from movies, shows, or games
  
• You can make your own alien species, but please do the research so their unusual biology makes sense
  
• If you make a new species please avoid cliches like "I'm the last one" or "We're all little green men". "My species is divided and at war" I'll let slide
  
• Almost forgot: NO godmod, NO godmode, NO godmodel, and NO powerplay
  
• Telekinesis I will allow to a degree. PM me if you want telekinesis and I'll see if your idea is good to go
  
• Oh my god-- NO MIND READING! That just sucks the fun out!
  
• Most important thing: the plot is there is a new race of aliens that are kidnapping entire colonies. No one knows why these disappearances are happening. All anyone knows is that no one is left behind. Tension between races is starting to build because in the beginning it's just human colonies, but as the rp continues other colonies will begin to vanish
  
• No superpowers. Depending on the planet you pick/make I will allow stronger than a human, or smarter than a human. But not to superpower levels
  
• Unsure about a species idea? Talk to me. Unsure of the science behind it? I'm sure evan..relic wouldn't mind helping
  
• The translator doesn't translate curses or insults. Keep calm and CURSE IN ALIEN!

Connor sat in a dive bar on Verta; a good place to pick up fares. While he waited he spread maps of the galaxies he'd visited and marked off first those colonies he knew were missing, and then those he wanted to check on. "What the hell has humanity got itself into now?" he muttered.

Clarke entered the bar with a sack of equipment and sat beside Connor. He sighed "while I love tinkering with the ship, those hull repairs are gonna be a bitch. Next time we should, oh I don't know, not take a fare that steals ship parts to pawn off"

"Hey, when I'm flying it's up to you to watch the passengers. You let them hurt my baby."

Clarke was about to retort when a woman approached and asked the two "excuse me, I'm looking for a Connor Drake?"

Connor looked her over. "That's me. You looking for a pilot?"

"Is there another Connor Drake?" Rebecca replied. Clarke shrugged and said "could be." Rebecca turned to Clarke and said "I don't think I asked you"

"Hey, be nice to my crew. And for your information there are many reasons people could be looking for me besides my piloting skills."

"This is your crew?" Rebecca replied skeptically "nevermind, getting sidetracked, I need you to take me to laneir"

Connor turned to Clarke. "The Orion ready to go?" When he confirmed it was, Connor turned back to the client. "Half pay in advance, remainder on arrival. Were you looking for one-way passage or a round trip?"

Rebecca gave Connor half pay and said "round trip"

"Well then, let's get this show on the road." Connor collected up his charts, noting that Laneir was one of those he had marked as 'at risk'. "Can I ask why you're headed there?" he asked, tossing a salute to the bartender as they headed out the door.

As they walked Rebecca replied "my brother was taken with the colonists from Laneir"

"Shit, they're gone too?" Connor flipped through his charts and crossed out Laneir. "No wait, shit, that shouldn't be my first reaction. Sorry about your brother."

"Thanks, and don't worry about it. Freddy was just one person. He meant a lot to me, but a whole colony disappearing is definitely more important" Rebecca replied. She then added "at least you had a reaction. Your handyman hasn't said or done anything." Clarke shifted the sack on his shoulder and said "it's not my place to say anything. The colonies are important, your brother is important, everyone is important. So what is there to say?"

"Say 'Let's get our butts in gear and go play detective'?" They rounded a corner and the ship came into view. Connor stopped and gestured at it proudly. "The Orion. Fastest ship in the system, and so simple to operate I did it all for years. You'll find her comfortable during your trip." It was a tiny vessel that looked ready to fall apart. Nearly every part was a replacement, and no two were from the same type of ship.

"So... this is The Orion huh?" Rebecca said as she looked at it. Clarke nodded and said "Yep. Sheeee's a beaut"

"She's my baby," said Connor, stopping to pat the ship affectionately before they boarded. Surprisingly, it was quite nice inside; although the patchwork building continued, it was quite cozy and the passenger cabin was well-furnished. "The galley's stocked with instant meals, but if you want anything fancier you have to provide it yourself. Now, any last things to take care of, or shall we get off this planet?"

"Let's go" Rebecca replied as she boarded the ship. Clarke raced after her yelling "hey, you're supposed to wait for the captain!"

Connor grinned as he took his seat and powered up the ship. "Captain Drake. I like it. I have a crew, that makes me a captain. Captain says, we're getting out of here!"

~^~^~^~^~^~

They were passing through a mostly empty sector. Connor activated the automatic guidance system and headed for his bunk, figuring it was a good time for a nap, but ended up knocking on the door of his passenger's quarters.

"It's open"

Connor let himself in. "Hey. I, uh, was just thinking... We left in kind of a hurry, and..." He shuffled a bit, embarrassed. "I never actually got your name."

Rebecca didn't even look up from the notebook she was reading as she replied "Rebecca Coen. News reporter"

"... You seem distracted. Want me out of your hair?"

Rebecca put the book away and said "no, I was just going over some notes. Some old reports I did with Freddy"