NationStates Jolt Archive

Related Thread: First encounter at 1221
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=86813&highlight=


”We’re supposed to do what? Captain Ajax raised his eyes from the bundle of papers he was holding.

The ensign he was addressing nodded from his stiff, salute-like stance, ”Yes sir. You are ordered back to the solar system from which the bio-armor you recovered originated. It has proven difficult to reverse-engineer, and Dr. Outov says it may even be impossible to learn how this bio-armor works. High Command wants you to return… that’s all that can be said for now.”

Ajax raised an eyebrow and smirked. ”You mean to tell me that High Command wants us to return to solar system 1221? The Damnation’s End was nearly destroyed in our first encounter, and I was hoping it would be the last.” Ajax laughed and shook his head. He could not believe what he was hearing.

The ensign continued to remain in his erect position as he answered. ”I was told to relay these orders to you. If you are finished with me I would like to return to my post, sir. Ajax nodded dismissively, and the ensign turned on his heel and walked out.

The Captain of the Damnation’s End began to read his papers once more, but found that he could not continue with the days business. Ajax threw the pile down onto his desk and sighed. His face wore an expression of concern. In the first encounter with planet 1221-2 thirty-one crewmen on the vessel were killed. Ajax knew many of them personally, but he knew High Command didn’t care. They tossed his concerns aside as though they were nothing. Could Command truly be that insensitive? It didn’t matter, for Ajax had his orders.

The captain left his “ready room” of sorts and took his seat in the captain’s chair. ”Helmsmen, depart from space dock at once. Set a course for…” Ajax paused for a second, and smiled one of those “I can’t believe I’m saying this” smiles, “solar system 1221.” The ensign turned around to raise a concern, but Ajax’s slight nod quelled whatever was brewing in the young mans mind.

Lieutenant Edgar decided to speak for the entire crew. ”Are you crazy captain? What kind of order is that? We were almost killed the last time we went there. What could a second encounter accomplish?” Edgar, who was roughly 30, had bright green eyes that glowed like emeralds. Unlike most all Eurydians, Edgar had short, blonde hair. Neither of those endearing qualities saved him from the wrath of Ajax.

”What did you say to me Edgar? You called me crazy… crazy! How dare you question a captain’s order… and use that tone of voice to boot. If this were any other mission I would throw you in the brig! Watch your tongue lieutenant, do you hear me?” Edgar nodded quickly and apologized. He returned to his post as quietly as he could. Ajax paused for a moment and collected his thoughts. He then stood and turned around, as to better see all on the bridge. ”What Edgar said is probably on everyone’s mind. I do not quite understand myself. High Command ordered our ship to 1221, and that’s where we shall go. They said I would be contacted before arriving, and that more specific orders would be given then. We have three weeks until we arrive at 1221, so rest up, and prepare yourselves for the worst.” Ajax sat back down, let out a sigh, and stared ahead into the vastness of space. The Damnation’s End slowly left Conconian orbit headed for solar system 1221.

Captain Ajax sat sipping his morning tea. His hair was matted and eyes drooping as he read the ships reports of the previous day. It seemed to him that he had been reading for an hour, and so with a large, labored stretch, he stood. Ajax threw his reports on his bed and walked to the mirror in his restroom. He smiled weakly as he looked at his weathered face. He stroked his five o’clock shadow and was about to reach for his razor when a transmission blipped across the room. With a sigh, Ajax turned and went to his viewscreen.

A man appeared, who was seated in a desk. The man was nearly bald and had bushy eyebrows. There was a smile, or some imitation of one, on his face. ”Greetings Captain Ajax… did I catch you at a bad time?”

Ajax chuckled and shook his head, ”No, you caught me at exactly the right time. What can I do for you Admiral?”

The Admiral, Admiral Reid to be exact, grimaced. ”As you know you were sent on a… very strange mission a few days ago. We at High Command realize the questions you and your crew might be having. I’m here to address those questions now, as best I can.” Ajax nodded his head and kept an attentive gaze upon the man.

”You see Ajax, we’ve been monitoring 1221-2 since you first encountered it. We’ve had 6 Septum Monitors watching from a distance, gathering as much information as they could. One of the captains managed to modulate the sensors as to probe within 1221-2, and he recorded some interesting readings. It appears the planet itself is alive, and it is teeming with more of those… ‘bioships.’ 1221-2’s activity has increased steadily over the last few weeks, as though they are preparing for some sort of fleet movement. We are sending you back there to support the Monitors, should the bioships try and attack.”

Ajax bit his cheek as he took in the final bits of information. ”I understand sir. Our prior knowledge should benefit them greatly. I hope they don’t attack Admiral, for we wouldn’t stand a chance.”

Admiral Reid nodded, ”Indeed. Safe journey to you Captain. Reid out.”

The three weeks had passed with the same monotony as usual. The bleakness of hyperspace did not lend itself well to long journeys. The crew had remained solemn, almost subdued during the entire trip, perhaps they were preparing for the worst. Captain Ajax himself had been kept up late at night, for he worried what would become of him and his crew.

The Damnation’s End was nearly upon solar system 1221. Ajax, who was in his ready room and had received a message from Lieutenant Edgar regarding their imminent arrival, stood and walked to the bridge. Taking his seat in the captains chair, he motioned to Edgar to come to his side. "Lieutenant, I don’t want us exiting hyperspace on top of 1221-2, try and get us as near to the observation party as possible. Also, inform the lead Monitor that we’re about to arrive… wouldn’t want to spook them."

Edgar nodded and walked off, quietly giving orders to the other crewmembers on the bridge. Moments later the helmsman called out that a jump was imminent, and within a second, they were inside 1221. It didn’t look any different than the first time. The same blinding sun, the same star configuration, and the same massive gas giant looming in the distance. The Damnation’s End managed to jump within a hundred thousand kilometers of the research fleet. Ajax hailed the lead ship, known as the Charybdis.

”Greetings captain Reyburn, I am Ajax. It is good to finally be here. I hope my crew and I can be of assistance."

Rayburn’s face appeared on the view screen. Captain Rayburn was a veteran commander. He was around 45 years of age, and his face, while still handsome, was starting to show its age. He sported bright orange eyes that seemed to glow as bright as the sun just mentioned moments ago. He was well respected by everyone who knew him, especially his crew.

”Welcome to 1221 Captain Ajax. We greatly appreciate you… stopping by to give us a hand. he flashed a quick smile and Ajax chuckled softly. ”As you’ve probably been told, activity from 1221-2 has increased steadily over the last few weeks. Bioship patrols have been steadily pushing our Monitors further and further away from 1221-2; luckily, we haven’t been detected yet. I’m going to send over all information regarding the planet… you will probably find this stuff to be quite interesting. I’ll let you mull over it for a bit… contact me when you’re finished."

Ajax nodded and Reyburn’s face disappeared from the screen. Edgar began to receive the data transfer, and he called out to Ajax, his bright green eyes flashing with interest. The report held something very interesting indeed.

"So… not only is the planet itself alive, but it’s home to over 10 billion alien beings? It’s been recorded that there are over 15,000 of these Bioships under their control… this is truly… unsettling." Ajax looked on at the report while Edgar continued to read, his eyes wide with astonishment. These creatures must have endured through this universe long before Keer ever built his palace, Rigard. These beings were old, there was no doubt about that, but what were their intentions?

More questions of that nature raced through Ajax’s mind as he continued to analyze the data before him. Interestingly enough, those questions he had were to be answered within moments. Edgar, who had moved over to the communications console, shouted to Ajax with a certain amount of astonishment. ”Sir… were picking up a transmission from 1221-2! It seems to be… hailing us.”

Ajax rushed over to Edgar’s side. ”Well… c’mon man… put it through!” Edgar tapped a few buttons, and instantly the entire ship was filled with a dark, deep, ominous voice. It seemed to be emanating from within themselves, as though by opening the comms. channel, they opened their souls to the voice that was addressing them.

"Hello Eurydians, I never thought I would see the day when you pitiful beings would find my home. It has been over a million years since our last encounter. That fool Keer thought he had rid the universe of me. He was mistaken." Ajax had a strange look on his face. This being was speaking of old Eurydian myth and religion… something alien beings should know nothing of. How is it then that this being knows… everything about Eurydian history?

The being continued, ”I remained behind after all of my brothers and sisters left this corner of the universe, and even remained after my father departed this realm. The fool left you… not even knowing that I was still around, rebuilding my forces and fortifying the Hellspire. It seems that now the story has come full circle… for it was Keer’s own creations that woke me, Uther the Destroyer, up. Be proud gentleman, for you are the universes undoing!

Uther laughed maniacally for a few moments, and then all communications from 1221-2 ceased. Instantly the planets surface changed. What was a moment before an undulating mass became hardened and unwavering, as though the planet was becoming “armored” against a possible attack. Bioships of all shapes and sizes sprouted out of 1221-2 like the planet itself was sloughing of a layer of its own skin. Thousands upon thousands of ships came barreling towards the Damnation’s End, hell-bent on the vessels destruction.

A double post... :roll:

Ajax’s eyes twitched involuntarily as the alien vessels approached. The captain could not utter a word, for the sheer immensity of the alien fleet captured his mind. He could do nothing but watch. The ships seemed to work like a flock of birds, following each others movements precisely, like small cells of one gigantic being, undulating and pulsing with life.

Captain Reyburn’s face appeared on the screen, snapping Ajax out of his trance. ”Captain!” Reyburn shouted in a wild tone, ”I suggest we vacate the area immediately!” Ajax nodded and ordered Edgar to power up the jump engines. The Monitor’s made it out first, with the Charybdis taking up the rear. The Damnation’s End was slower to reach hyperspace, but it too finally escaped from 1221.

”Captain Ajax… I’m worried that if we went strait back to Eurydice, we’ll bring the aliens with us. I don’t know what to do though… any suggestions?” Reyburn bit his lip and squinted his eyes as he attempted to wrestle an idea from thought into words.

Ajax huffed and rubbed his chin, ”Well… supposedly this being is the son Keer, and so he knows where Eurydice is. Still it would be best if we avoided our home. We’d probably do better elsewhere, trying to destroy 1221-2 or something."

It was decided upon to lead the alien ships that were following Ajax, Reyburn and the others on a wild chase through the galaxy until the small flotilla of vessels could decide what to do.