NationStates Jolt Archive

On an obscure ice planet, somewhere near the Galactic rim, Cygnus Arm

On the icy surface of the iced-over planet, the odd navy-blue and purple form of the LRRSV Alexander Von Humboldt stands in sharp relief to the bright white ice. Its landing legs dig into the icy surface, lest the ship blow away. Outside, crewmen in enviro-suits march around the ice with large ground-penetrating radar emitters. They are looking for something, though they don't quite know what yet. Their Olof Palme class frigate detected strange electromagnetic activity on the surface of the planet, near its present landing site, uncharacteristic of a solid ball of ice.

"I think I've found something!"
"That's off the scale! Quick, bring the plasma cutters!"

A pair of crewmen scurry off into the ship, and emerge carrying a large box festooned with pipes and valves. They drop it over the giant orange X marked by the GPR operator. A hot blue flame spouts out from the two plasma torch heads, and slowly but surely melts through the ice.

"Hold it! Look there. What's that?"

The GPR operator points down with his thickly gloved hand to a small point of blue-grey rock in the ice.

"What in blazes is that?"
"I don't know. Hurry, melt it out!"

The plasma torch operators make short work of the remaining ice. They uncover a piece of rock, obviously from the inner glaxy due to element composition and radioactivity levels. But this was no orninary lump of asteroid. This object had what could only be interpereted as a star chart carved into it!

"Bring it back to the ship. Archaeology to ship, you won't believe what we found! Get a power lift out here!"

The power lift arrives, and a few minutes the stone is deposited on the mineral analysis table in the frigate.

"Helm, get ready to take off. Deploy a nav beacon at this spot, and then prepare to set a course for the nearest outpost!"
"Right away! Brace for takeoff!"

The frigate blasts itself into space, and speeds away from the planet. Soon, a blue hyperspace waveform extends in front of the ship, and it leaves for the nearest LRR supply outpost.

A few hours later, they arrive at the remote supply depot. The skeleton crew of the outpost quickly spirit the sample away on a resupply vessel to WWSETI and the galactic hub- sol.

Department of Astroarchaeology, Lunatic Retard Robots Institute of Technology

"Professor!"
"Yeah?"
"Research just got quite a jewl in! Come and see!"
"I'll be right there. Just let me get my stuff."

Professor Colin Brooks gathers his notebooks and camera, and rushes off to the analysis department.

"Karos! That's it! That's it!"
"Alert the fleet! Alert the fleet!"

LRR fleet headquarters, Hugo Drive yards, WWSETI orbit

"By god! They've found it! What's the first ship we can get out there?"
"The Hawking is in dock, sir."
"Send word for captain Robertson, tell him that he is to set course for the Centuri station, and make way from there to the coordinates on the stone as soon as possible, scientific priority one!"
"Right away, sir!"

Finally, the Stephen Hawking sets sail for the Centuri Station. It carries copies of all the information gleaned from the discovery on Vibro VII. The stone itself, however, remains at LRRIT.

http://homeworld.sierra.com/images/hw/story/story-guidestone-small.jpg

Vibro VII Artifact A

Message to the International Community:

LRR has recently discovered an artifact that may be of great interest to your astroarchaeological and geological minds. You are intivted to send representatives to LRRIT in order to review this artifact.

Dr Kate Emanuel of the Galactic Archaeology Department at Boomquist University picked the beeping comlink out of her lab coat pocket. She flipped it on and heard the voice of the head of her department, Sassil Nurabi. He sounded excited.
"Kate, the government has just passed the word down, LRR scientists may have found the location of Karos. An archaeology team is being assembled. I wondered if you wanted to come." Emanuel gasped. Karos.. they had found it. She had first learned about the stories of Karos years ago, treated as but rumors, the tales of an ancient starship graveyard fascinated her. The information that could be retrieved from an ancient hulk like those of the Karos tales was staggering.
"Wanted to come?! Of course I want to come. Where should I meet the team?"
"Dock 56 East. I'm glad to have you on the team."
OOC: Karos! I loved that mission... 8)
http://www.geocities.com/topnotchtoast/swstore.txt (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1997804#1997804)

Karos. thought Lord Admiral Marcharius, The starship graveyard. There was no telling what might be encountered there, what might be gained. With the impending possibility of war with the Ortagans looming on the horizon the High Domnion might need all the help it can get." he thought.

Flipping on his command channel, he called, "Commander Nevarion. Contact the Univeritus. Tell them about what we've been informed of, and that we will be sending a representative to the are along with the LRR ships. They are welcome to have they're best 2o people tag along."

Shortly, therafter the newely commissioned MC80 warcruiser Valar powered out of space dock in proximan orbit. On board was, Professor Emeritus of Xenoarchaeology Nicholai Mandari, Doctor Manuel Atta, of Falas SpaceWorks INC., and many other quickly assembled experts in the field of alien artifacts, spaceship design, and interstellar technology.

Along with the sleek deltoid cruiser, was the Mobile shipdock, MS-12. The two ships traveled to the edge of the Proxima Centauri gravity well and disappeared in streaks of blue shift light as the ships powered to hyperspace in the direction of earth.

Additionally, along with the two ships traveled a silent observer, the Warpsubmarine [/i]Phantasm[/i]. She was all but indetectable to all conventional sensor and most unconventional ones as well. She carried every manner of spying and observance device invented, but was totally unarmed.

******

Transmission: LRR-uncoded

We thank you for the opportunity to study such an important arhcaeological find. The High Dominion would be more than happy to take you up on your offer of scientific study, and also to aid in the exploration of anything that may be garnered form the tablet.

Humbly yours,
Administrator of Science and Technology,
Mindras Anaksumarr

double post.

The Hyper drive(/core) gently floated through the void along the the outter hull of the Centuri Station as two small repair ships glided up behind it two small robotic arms grabbed the two sides of the core.

http://www.n00bstories.com/image.fetch.php?id=1098455847

they slowly pushed the core along the hull toward the large Battleships the USS Tongesten the Centuri Stations biggest battleship, the two robotic arms let go of the core as it descended down towards the ship, A large Click sound resinated throughout the battleship as the Core fitted snuggly into it's holding bay, the two large slabs of blast downs slowly closed as the core was pulled into the heart of the ship where it would rest.

http://www.n00bstories.com/image.fetch.php?id=1293370702

[OOC: I just ripped Homeworld 2 off so bad >.<, gotta stop playing that demo it's getting to me, fixed the picutre so it doesn't break the forum]

Doctor Tollath Hrisal sat in a comfortable armchair, a glass of wine in one hand. Though not in the official LRR invitation, word had spread already of the artifact being linked to Karos. Now that would have been something interesting to study. That is, if it truly was what the rumors claimed it to be.

"Preparing for descent," a voice came over the comm. The touchdown was almost imperceptible, and he finished the last of the wine. The hatch opened up and his colleagues quickly strode over to the exit. He was not so quick to rise from his seat, but rise he did and eventually he stepped off of the transport and onto an LRR landing zone.

Let's see what this artifact has to offer, he thought.

bump (before bed)

LRR fleet headquarters, Hugo Drive Yards, WWSETI orbit

"Recieving a reply from Falasmayon. The long-range sensors also detected a hyperspace entry near Proxima Centuari."
"Good, they're coming. Get me in contact with their sender."
"Done."
"Mindras Anaksumarr, you are very welcome. Please send your ships to the Hugo Drive Yards, in orbit around the WWSETI planet, about 10ly out from sol. They will be breifed there, and they can follow a resupply frigate to the meeting outpost."

Landing Pads outside LRRIT, East Farthing, LRR

As Tollath Hrisal steps into the LRRIT lobby, which is connected to the landing pads by a long inclosed walkway across the university's large grass lawns, he is met by Down Under played at high volume from the lobby speakers. Students and faculty sit at the lobby tables, talking and/or eating. Some LRR fleet pilots mingle among the staff, discussing various points of interest, such as the best way to tweak a hyperdrive and how much better a singer Pete Townshend was over Roger Daltrey. A man in a purple dress shirt and vest, wearing a pair of well-worn denim pants gets up from one of the tables and walks over to Dr. Hrisal.

"Hello, Dr. Hrisal. It's nice to meet you. I'm professor Colin Brooks of the Astroarchaeology department, LRRIT. If you'd come this way, I can show you the artifact."

OCC: If you want to go to the Hugo Drive Yards, they are not over earth. They are over the WWSETI planet, WWSETI system. Soon we will have a regional space station much more conveniently located.

Doctor Hrisal took in the sights and sounds, though his stoic expressions revealed nothing of what he thought of what he took in. To Professor Brooks, however, he offered a slight smile and a nod in greeting. As he followed the other man, hands clasped behind his back, he ventured to ask, "Are the rumors true? About Karos, I mean?"

"The rumors of Karos are rumors no more, my friend. Perhaps you would like a drink......"

As he finishes, the volume of the speakers goes up even more. As the final chorus of Down Under impacts the lobby, almost all its occupants are singing loudly to the famous Men At Work tune, currently number 1 in LRR. Alchoholic beverages slosh on the floor, and next on the playlist is Pete Townshend's English Boy.

"No, bad idea. RUN!!!!!!!"

Professor brooks runs through the double soundproof doors quick enough to escape the lobbygoers' rendition of Teenage Wasteland.

for the last 7 days the engineers aboard the USS Tongesten have been tirelessly installing the Hyperdrive, for not was in vain. The USS tongesten slowly manuvered out of the shipyard it's hull glistening brightly as it was shadowed by the sun

A man in a dark blue and Black uniform sat at the center chair looking around at his crew as the moved about the bridge "comms...signal the homestation that we are ready to begin test jump"

"aye sir signaling homestation"

Paul stood at the Docking control room as overhearing the different comminucations between different ships, a tall light tanned woman looked up at paul who gave a gentlenod.

"this is docking control you are go for jump test...good luck Captain Samual"

Captain Samual nodded firmly as he pressed on the comm panel on the arm of his chair "engineering prepare for Jump test" he turn the cmm panel off as he looked at the pilot

"ensign take set course of the batte of 88c"

The ensign pressed several different buttons plotting the course for the hyper core with one final press of a button the ship shuddered as the hyper core groaned the came to life, The ship was embued in a deep green hue before it vanished into hyper space.

Captain Samual looked around the bridge or what he precieved to be the bridge, he glanced down at his hands, they we're they were pure incandescent engery competely transparent and yet they weren't. then nothing..completely blackness engulfed his entire field of vision, he blinked and he was in his bridge, his hands and the rest of his body tingled. The crew aswell seemed disoriented he stood up his legs seemed weak and numb although it was a fading feeling

"ensign where are we?"

"we are.." he tapped on teh controls" at teh battle of 88c captain the test was a success."

he sighed in relief the test was a success

"Navigation.. any signs of the Neronattio Maru" he asked, they were sapposed to rendezvous with her "yes captain she is preparing to begin tranfer of the specified cargo ..... cargo is aboard and is safely stored sir, shall I set a course for homestation?"

"yes..." he paused he was still worried about the sensation he felt during the jump" pilot engage.."

the ship again jumped into Hyper space again he felt all these sensations they were foriegn adn alien to him. and again he was greeted by the blakcness then the disorientation washed over him again... the test was a success but what else was they in that...plane of existance.

The Victory Star Destroyer Courage exited hyperspace in a blinding flash of white over the starfield of WWSETI. Dr Emanuel gripped the handrail of the small head and vomited her lunch into the toilet. Hyperspace had always made her sick. She straightened up and washed her mouth out to rid it of the acid taste. Emerging from the head, she saw Rath Paret leaning against the wall, talking with Ben Gleason. The two were graduate students of the university, and part of the scientific team. Filling out the team was Dr Gorst Fall of the Governmental Science Board. He was presumably already in the shuttle. Upon seeing her, Paret motioned toward the bay.
"We should get going, Doctor. We'll be in position in a few minutes." Emanuel nodded and followed the two grad students down the spartan white halls of the destroyer.

The shuttle cleared the last of the stratosphere, and Emanuel now got a good view of the landing deck. Other craft of varied type filled it, with only a few empty spaces. It was to one of these that the shuttle was directed. The two grad students were thrilled, this was their first space trip. She smiled remembering how it felt to first set feet on a world not her own. As the shuttle landed, she stepped out into the cool air, the tall Dr Fall of the GSB beside her.
http://www.geocities.com/topnotchtoast/swstore.txt (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1997804#1997804)

double post -.-

The USS Tongesten wasted no time docking with the Centuri Station's shipyard, immediately engineer crews began storing away ammunition, food, supplies, everything you could think of was stocked, then restocked. a special crew loaded one of a large "crates" onto a loader adn immediately took it down to the Stations storage bays where it could be stored adn analayzed for reproduction. the rest of the crew began opening the remainingdozen or so crates of Interceptor Fighter craft, these were the Hallmark of the commonwealth fighters during the Independance war

The Commonwealth Interceptors commonly called "Whislting Death" by Independance fighters, were the elite fighting units traveling in groups of 6, if left alone, a group of squadrons could easily take out a ship.

http://www.n00bstories.com/image.fetch.php?id=1389910331

the Interceptors were moved into the fighter bays while the engineer crews headed back to the station, in total there were of 17 squardons of Interceptors equaling 102.

after everything was loaded on and off of the USS tongesten, it set a course for WWSETI. and vanished off again into the realm of hyperspace.

Not accustomed to having a large forigen battleship in WWSETI skies, a pair of Camden class destroyers and an Explorer II class cruiser motors within range of the star destroyer in case anything goes amiss.

Meanwhile, at the LRRIT spaceport, one of the circular landing pads lights up, guiding the shuttle to a landing. A robot comes out to meet the delegation from Gurguvungunit from the long covered walkway.

At the Hugo drive yards, cargo frigates are loaded with cargo for their trip to the nearest LRR supply depot to karos's supposed location. Crates are fastened to the frigates' hyperspace pads, in hopes of bringing back samples for museums and further study of galactic races. Inside the frigates' massive cargo bay, all manner of tools and supplies are stocked away.

a small green rift formed in an empty spot of space, it grew larger and larger with every passing moment. Soon the rift was large enough to be seen all the way from LRRIT spaceport, slowly the USS Tongesten emerged from the rift. it's guidence thrusters slowly pushing it out towards the space port, She was still a good ways away from the space port but as soon as it cleared the closing rift it's sub light engines kicked in propelling the Warship forward reaching a moderate speeds.

****

the USS tongesten's manuvering thrusters glided the ship to a steady halt a few kilometers to the side of teh space port as a shuttle carrying Captain Samual docked with the station.

http://www.n00bstories.com/image.fetch.php?id=1323974338

(OOC: sorry about breaking the page but resizing it just wouldn't do it any justice)

Emanuel was slightly taken by surprise when the large gleaming robot rolled down the walkway. She wasn't quite sure what to do, whether or not to greet the robot or to simply follow it. Fortunately, Dr. Fall had done his homework.
"They're a highly mechanized society. It would be best to let me handle this," he whispered in her ear. "Greetings," he said louder. "We're the Gurguvii delegation that has come to study Karos. It was brought to our attention that we should come to WWSETI. Would you be so kind as to show us where to go from here? Perhaps our ship should dock at WWSETI station?"
http://www.geocities.com/topnotchtoast/swstore.txt (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1997804#1997804)

Hrisal cocks an eyebrow at the...unusual...atmosphere of the lobby. This was certainly not something that he had to deal with in the professional locations back home. He was a bit uncertain at first when told to run, but was quick on Brooks' heels, making it through the doors with his other two colleagues.

"This is an institute?" Hrisal asked, almost in disbelief.

the shuttle door hissed loudly as it opened the air escaping into the dock through the now broken seal. two figures stepped out of the shuttle, only their outlines could be seen through the quickly disappating mist, Captain Micheal Samual and his first mate Robert Patense.

"Rob, think we should wait here or should we look around?" Captain Samual asked as he looked around the docking bay.

"either way are you going to listen to me?" he replied flatly, raising a brow.

"Nope..." he smirked as he stepped forward through the mist from the shuttle's exhaust, continueing towards the doorleading out of the docking bay.

Professor Brooks stops running when they reach the corridor junction several meters ahead.

"You might find that the atmosphere here at LRRIT is somewhat more laid-back than at other institutions of the same nature. Now, down this hallway here is the materials analasys lab, where we are keeping the artifact."

Brooks walks down the long, steadily descending corridor to a plain, concrete landing which contains several doors, one of them labled "Astroarchaeology Dept. Artifact Repository."

He opens the heavy metal door to enter a spotless white cleanroom, radiating with light. The inside is filled with various analasys equipment, and many robots attending to the samples.

"Hi Dave. Vibro eight A, please."
"Coming up."

A covered tray containing the artifact extends from the wall.

"This is it. Although its not complete, it looks like these are the coordinates. What is missing is the rest of the inscription. As you can see, there are several areas of writing on the artifact. It seems to be a very distant version of the pre-contact written languages of Somtaaw and United Hiigarans. From what we can decypher, the label reads 'The great graveyard,' which we are pretty sure is the legendary Karos graveyard."

Meanwhile, the robot meets the Gurgvii delegation at the landing pad.

"Hello, my name is Professor Hobart of the LRRIT Astroarchaeology department. If you would please follow me this way, we can meet up with Professor Brooks in the Analasys lab. Perhaps you would like a drink?"

At the Hugo drive yards, the doors to the small diplomatic dock open to reveal a long, windowed corridor which gave an excellent view of the many space stations that orbit WWSETI. Captain Samual and First Mate Patense reach a large titanium vault door, which opens as the two Centuri Station sailors approach. The door opens to reveal a bustling lobby area, only a small fraction of the entire station. A bentusi, formerly waiting in an easychair, floats over to meet the Captain and his first mate.

"Its nice to meet you, Captain Samual and First Mate Patense, I presume? My name is Paul DeBentusi, captain of the LRRSV Carl Sagan. The ship that met you at your home port, the Stephen Hawking, has been called away, probably due to the tension between the CFA and GDODAD. We have a large and somewhat veunerable hospital ship fleet in earth orbit, and it needs protecting. If you would come this way, I can show you the Sagan and give you a short briefing. We are still waiting for a delegation from Falasmayon, and we won't take off until they get here or say they aren't coming."

bump

(OOC: what's a Bentusi???)

he watched as something floated over to him and his first mate, leaning back a little and whispered "you know what race that is rob?"

"not a clue captain...just look friendly" he replied quietly putting on a smile, as the "thing" came floating over.

he smiled as he stepped forward "nice to meet you, since you already know our names that saves us the trouble of introductions, it's a shame to hear about the GDODAD/CFA tensions hopefully they will be resolved quickly..by hopefully peaceful means"

He and Rob followed Mr. DeBentusi, Captain Samual kept an even pace with Mr. Debentusi as they walked down the corridoors.

OCC: A bentusi is a cyborg-type spacefaring being. Since they are adapted to zero-g environments, they need to use repulsors to move around in gravity environments.

IC:

They proceed down a long corridor, and at the end Captain DeBentusi motions for Captain Samual and First mate Patense to don vac suits.

Captain Samual looked at the Vac suits questionably for a few moments before looking at Rob giving a nod, signalling him to put the suit on.

"we're not going outside are we?" Robert Said nervously as he started putting the suit on.

After Captain Samual finished putting the suit on he looked at the Bentusi calmly "so whats the suit for Paul?" he usually didn't use first names for strangers unless he was quite serious.

"We'll need to take a launch to the ship. All the direct-connect berths are full. The suits should be one size fits all. Ready? Ok, prepare for de-pressurization."

The door behind them closes and seals, and the door in front opens, sucking its occupants out of the compartment. Captain DeBentusi leads them over to a Trebuchet class shuttle, with the letters LRRSV Carl Sagan writen on the side. The Sagan's shuttle was devoid of the usual twin gun turrets, trading them for more cargo room. The corvette's airlock opens, and the crew chief guides them inside. The corvette is already well stocked with supplies, and repair bots had just finished checking it over before launch.

"S-04 to control, we are ready for launch, over."
"Roger that, S-04. Releasing locks."

The magnetic locks that hold the corvette in place detach with a signifigant jolt. The motors come on-line, and the corvette motors out of its berth. It heads toward a large ship in the distance, berthed towards the end of the cavernous ship bay. The corvette approaches the ship, now looming large in the viewports. It descends down into the hangar bay, and docks with the ship itself.

"The airlock has attached. You don't need your vac suits on anymore, but its probably best to taken them off inside. Come on."

He opens a door, which reveals the interior of an extendable airlock. They float through into the interior of the ship. After they take off their vac suits, they head to the bridge, where a holographic map is already set up to show the two Centuri Station officers what the mission entails.

"Here is WWSETI, down near sol. The coordinates on the artifact point to a position, taking into account gravitational influence on the graveyard and present star positions, somewhere near the rim of the Cygnus Arm between 104.78 degrees and 108.93 degrees. Here's the same data for you to take to your ship. As soon as we have everyone assembled, we can take off for Karos."

Captain DeBentusi hands Captain Samual a disc containing the information just discussed, as well as most of what is known about the artifact.

"Perhaps you would like to get back to your ship?"

"We'll need to take a launch to the ship. All the direct-connect berths are full. The suits should be one size fits all. Ready? Ok, prepare for de-pressurization."

The door behind them closes and seals, and the door in front opens, sucking its occupants out of the compartment. Captain DeBentusi leads them over to a Trebuchet class shuttle, with the letters LRRSV Carl Sagan writen on the side. The Sagan's shuttle was devoid of the usual twin gun turrets, trading them for more cargo room. The corvette's airlock opens, and the crew chief guides them inside. The corvette is already well stocked with supplies, and repair bots had just finished checking it over before launch.

"S-04 to control, we are ready for launch, over."
"Roger that, S-04. Releasing locks."

The magnetic locks that hold the corvette in place detach with a signifigant jolt. The motors come on-line, and the corvette motors out of its berth. It heads toward a large ship in the distance, berthed towards the end of the cavernous ship bay. The corvette approaches the ship, now looming large in the viewports. It descends down into the hangar bay, and docks with the ship itself.

"The airlock has attached. You don't need your vac suits on anymore, but its probably best to taken them off inside. Come on."

He opens a door, which reveals the interior of an extendable airlock. They float through into the interior of the ship. After they take off their vac suits, they head to the bridge, where a holographic map is already set up to show the two Centuri Station officers what the mission entails.

"Here is WWSETI, down near sol. The coordinates on the artifact point to a position, taking into account gravitational influence on the graveyard and present star positions, somewhere near the rim of the Cygnus Arm between 104.78 degrees and 108.93 degrees. Here's the same data for you to take to your ship. As soon as we have everyone assembled, we can take off for Karos."

Captain DeBentusi hands Captain Samual a disc containing the information just discussed, as well as most of what is known about the artifact.

"Perhaps you would like to get back to your ship?"

A bump in the nite

*Remembers back to Project Genesis. Oh, those were the days. When acolytes were acolytes, a ship captain was a ship captain, and the galaxy was fresh for exploration.*

bump

"We'll pass on the drink, thanks." Paret said.
"Then please follow me," replied the robot, as it rolled down the corridors. Emanuel followed behind, and fished a datapad out of her pocket and began to read up on the Karos Graveyard and LRR as a society. After a few minutes of reading up on the latter, she figured that Paret had made the right choice in drinks. Soon, the robot led them to a stop at a large door.

Back on the USS Tongesten, Captain Samual, his First Mate Robert Patense, and several other high ranking bridge crew sat in the briefing room just off of the hallway leading directly to the bridge.

"as you can see, this whole operation could prove extremely beneficial to our entire station" Robert said standing infront of the view screen as the data scrolled slowly" and after the..incident I think our people need something to regain their confidence."

One of the female bridge officers spoke up gaining the attention of the rest " but how long of a journey will this be?, we only have 3 ships captain, thats our entire fleet. if war broke out or something we would be deffinate disadvantage."

Captain brent Samual kept quiet listening intently to teh points his officers raised.

"I think the real question is... do we have a choice?" Robert spoke again calmly" we are already behind many of the other space faring nations, they have weapons that could destroy us in single hits..they have true to life shields not the weak magnetic replusors we have, we are steadily falling behind and if the rumors are true about this graveyard, this could significantly increase our knowledge about..well everything"

"then it's decided we're going, we've come to far, fought with blood, sweat and innocent lives to turn back now." Captain Samual spoke up ending the diccussion instantly." if you have any thing else to say, come to my quaters we can diccuss it there"

The bridge officers stood up and nodded respectfull, although he could tell some didn't agree. They would follow orders, he knew that because they respected him.

he sat down at the table after the bridge crew left, adn opened a audio only channel to the space port

is there any update on our condition, and any possible timeframe for when we will be leaving?, over"

it was simple to the point, perfect for a tired man. He left the breifing room and made for his quaters to finally rest for the day.

bump

The station control recieves the Tongsten's message.

"You will be leaving for karos as soon as the Gurguvungunit delegates are briefed. Expect to leave within the day."

Meanwhile, Professor Brooks meets Professor Hobart at the door of the sample storage room.

"Oh, hello! Welcome to the artifacts analasys room. You are the delegation from Gurguvungunit, I presume? The artifact is right over here. May I introduce you to Dr. Hrisal of Rhinara?"

The station control recieves the Tongsten's message.

"You will be leaving for karos as soon as the Gurguvungunit delegates are briefed. Expect to leave within the day."

Meanwhile, Professor Brooks meets Professor Hobart at the door of the sample storage room.

"Oh, hello! Welcome to the artifacts analasys room. You are the delegation from Gurguvungunit, I presume? The artifact is right over here. May I introduce you to Dr. Hrisal of Rhinara?"

Emanuel smiled and shook hands with Dr. Hrisal.
"Glad to meet you. I'm Doctor Kate Emanuel, my colleague is Doctor Gorst Fall, and these are Rath Paret and Ben Gleason." The team shook hands with Hrisal and Brooks. As soon as the formalities were finished, the team gathered around the artifact. Paret had a scanner out and was running metalurgy and mineral tests on the stone, while Gleason took careful notes. Dr. Fall Pulled Dr. Brooks aside.
"When can the Courage get underway for Karos. You understand, we're fairly interested in having a look firsthand."

Hrisal broke out his studious pose and gave a nod and a smile at the new arrivals, shaking hands when the introductions were made.

"As are we," Hrisal added to Emanuel's comment. To Brooks, "If this is indeed what it appears to be, then have you ascertained the location of the graveyard?"

"In response to your question, Dr. Hrisal, we do think we have found the location of Karos to within range of ship's sensors. As for your question, Dr. Fall, I'm sure Professor Hobart could answer that."
"Well, considering the fact that Falasmayon doesn't seem like they're going to show up, we can probably leave within the day. These contain all the data we've gathered about the artifact."

He holds out a pair of small discs.

"They should adapt with your equipment. Now, I'm sure you are all ready to get underway. All the support ships are, last we heard, underway for our outpost nearest to Karos."

Professor Hobart and Professor Brooks head towards the door, and hold it open for the rest of the scientists. They proceed out the way they came in, and Professor Brooks heads into the lobby to collect several crewmembers of the Carl Sagan, while Professor Hobart leads them out to their shuttles. A corvette descends to one of the landing pads. It is marked with LRRSV Carl Sagan C-284280. Professors Brooks and Hobart, along with the crewmembers of the Sagan walk up the loading ramp and into the corvette.

Hrisal hands the disc he received to one of his colleagues as they headed back to the transport. With a nod, he dismissed them while he followed Brooks and Hobart. "Would you mind if I joined you?" he asked amiably.

"Oh, not at all. Accomodations aboard the Sagan are first-class."

They all take seats in the corvette, which lifts off for space. It exits the atmosphere after a 15-minute ascent, and heads towards the Carl Sagan, which has moved from its berth and into one of the major traffic lanes. The corvette docks with the massive cruiser, and Hobart, Brooks, and Hrisal find themselves inside the ship. A crewmember floats down one of the corridors.

"They're waiting for you up at the bridge. Right this way, sirs."

They follow the crewmember to the bridge, bustling with activity.

"Hello, I'm Paul DeBentusi, captain of the Sagan. I assume you two are professors Hobart and Colin Brooks. And you are?"

Captain Samual sat at his desk reading over progress reports, namely the section having to do with the Interceptors, appearently most of them were in good order except for 10 which had taken some damage to the cockpit and surrounding area.

he set the datapad down as he turned up the brightness of the lighting of his quarters.

"wonder whats taking so long.."

he opened a comm. channel to the bridge "Mr. Pantense any news from LRR?"

"no sir nothing yet"

"send a message to homestation tell them we are still in the WSETI sytem and inform me the second their is any word from our kind hosts"

"aye sir will do"

He closed the channel. He stood up and walked over to his bed sitting down on the edge of it and grabbed a book from the desk beside the bed. The title read Moby Dick. he laid down and opened the book beginning to read.

The Rhinaran transport shot off the planet much faster than the LRR Corvette did and landed in the black, Rhinaran cruiser's shuttlebay. The cruiser then cloaked and moved away from the hustle and bustle of the immediate area. Once well enough away from prying eyes, the ship decloaked and entered hyperspace.

A considerable time later, it reentered normal space in the region where the LRR disc indicated the Karos graveyard might be, and quickly reengaged the cloaking device. Cloaked probes were launched to expedite the search for the graveyard. If there was anything of worth to be found and salvaged, the Rhinarans were aiming to be the first to do it.

***

Hrisal was a little bit uncomfortable with the zero-gravity environment (OOC: which I assumed from the floating crewman. Please tell me if I'm mistaken :) ), as Rhinaran crafts were often outfitted with artificial gravity. But he managed to endure it.

When he met the captain of the Sagan, he offered a smile and said, "Doctor Hrisal, Rhinaran Dominion."

(OOC: you guys have already left? without me?)

OOC: Rhinara left. LRR's Sagan hasn't yet.

Emanuel boarded the shuttle and it lifted off in a roar of repulsorlift drives. They cleared the thermosphere, then the mesosphere and at last blasted out of the exosphere on full drives.

When they docked with the Courage, Fall handed the disc to the duty lieutenant, who wired it to the captain. Fifteen standard minutes later, the Victory Star Destroyer aligned to the proper course and jumped to hyperspace.

"USS Tongsten, you are cleared for hyperspace."

The Carl Sagan sets its hyperspace course, and disappears into hyperspace. About two hours later, it emerges at the supposed coordinates of the Karos graveyard.

The Rhinaran cruiser was immediately aware of the arrival of new ships through the probes dispersed throughout this region. As for the graveyard, it was naturally not where it was supposed to be. But the given coordinates were close enough to find the dead ships in a short time, what with all the cloaked probes being used.

The cruiser was already looking for salvageable equipment, bringing in anything worthy and small enough to fit into the ship's storage bays. When the new arrivals discover the graveyard and approach it, the cruiser would leave to avoid being caught in any intensive scans. As good as the cloak may be, they would not run the risk of being discovered.

***

"I'm curious," Hrisal said to the professors while waiting for the Sagan to get them to where they wanted to be, "how did you find that artifact? Where was it? I have not read of anything that even remotely indicated where Karos could be."

"Detailed scans of the area have indicated a bizzare sensor flux near the large hulk designated Gamma 12. One half of the sqadron is to do a flyby of the hulk and surrounding area with modified A-Wing Recon craft. If anything dangerous presents itself, the other half will be waiting nearby in TIE Avenger class vessels. Suit up people!"
With that, the 42nd squadron jumped into their respective fighters and blasted their way to the hulk. Upon arrival, Lieutenant Dors Zannar flipped a switch in her cockpit and extended the sensor pods on her A-Wing. Immediately data began scrolling across the screen.
"I'm getting a faint signature, probably a cloaked ship. Verifying... wait. Fleet, I'm picking up strange readings from this hulk. Systems are coming on line. We have launches!" Thirty or so large corvette class vessels blasted from the hulk, drive tails a verdant green. They vectored toward the unsuspecting recon craft and fired plasma type weapons. In seconds the A-Wings were dust, and as the TIEs came to engage, automated weapon systems tracked and targeted them. Miniguns fired thousands of projectile rounds into the TIEs. Fighter after fighter exploded. Only one escaped. Flight Officer Yorl Grundi poured all power to his engines and ran for his life.

OOC: Eh? What happened?

The Carl Sagan drops out of hyperspace right in the middle of the graveyard.

"Woah! That was amazing! Drinks all around!"

Cheers erupt from the bridge and sensors cew as they see that they were right where they needed to be. Professor Brooks stops his cheering to answer Hrisal's question.

"Ah, yes! The discovery! The artifact was found by the crew of the LRRSV Alexander Von Humboldt, an olof palme class explorer frigate, when it was conducting spectrographic analasys of the planet Vibro VIII, an ice planet. Very good skiing, if you've ever been there."

The ship's sensors quickly take into account of everything within the immediate area of the graveyard, but they show no sign of either the Tongsten or the Courage.

"The graveyard appears to be at least the size of the inner sol system. From what we can guess, this was a major past battleground. Although we don't know anything for sure, there appear to be hulks of multiple armed outposts."
"There's also carriers and battlecruisers, from what we can guess."
"We're picking up faint return, about eight light-minutes away...looks like the Courage."
"Most of the ships, from sprectrographic analasys, are nearly dust. We'll be lucky if we can find anything that can survive transport."
"We should launch the 'vettes and take a look."
"Sounds good. Mr. Hawthorne, launch salvage squadron A, and give it a wing of super acolytes as cover."
"Aye, sir. Salvage squadron alpha, man your ships and prepare for launch. Acolyte wing 1, man your ships and prepare for launch."
"Dr. Hrisal, perhaps you would like to go along with Professor brooks?"

In the ships bay, a giant module below the main ship structure, the pilots of Acolyte wing 1 board their craft. A group of 9 acolytes launches from the ship, and starts to fly a tight circular pattern around the cruiser, waiting for the salvage corvettes to launch.

The Courage raced away at sublight speed from the drones, having only one squadron available to fight the deadly vessels of Karos.
On the VSD's bridge, Dr. Fall consulted the sensor data.
"Here... Recon 3 picked up a faint signal that gives the drones their directives. It seems to be issuing from deeper within the graveyard, but the hulks and dust clouds are blocking my data. Combat performance suggests that our fighters are in fact superior to theirs in manoeuvrability, but they have a slight edge over our lasers. The Avengers would have been able to at least thin the ranks, but the miniguns are perfect, it seems, for killing fighters. I'm no tactician, but I would guess that destroying or disabling the control centre would likewise disable the fighters and turrets.”
The captain nodded and turned to the port side crew pit.
“Nav. Turn us about, 90 degrees to our previous heading. Lay down suppression fire at the drone craft and keep us moving deeper into the graveyard, best lateral speed. Execute manoeuvre… now!” The Courage banked slightly and the speed began to drop. Soon, the ship started to thrum rhythmically as the heavy lasers and quad turbolasers fired. The enemy ships began to evade, their speed dropping. The Destroyer slowly moved deeper into the enigmatic graveyard…
OOC: Rhinara: I saw a weird sensor echo, (yours, I was doing detailed scans of the area) but the squad sent to investigate was cut apart by the miniguns and movers in the graveyard.

Alarms went off on the bridge of the Rhinaran cruiser and red lights flashed.

"What's happening?" the subcommander asked.

"Sensors are detecting weapons fire," a crewman answered. "It appears that the Courage has arrived and set off automated defenses in the graveyard."

"Pull out," the subcommander ordered helm before turning to the crewman at the sensor console. "Keep watch on any other vessels and on the defense platforms. I don't need to remind anyone that being caught in weapons fire while cloaked is not a fun experience."

***

"I would love to," Doctor Hrisal replied. Turning to Brooks, he commented, "This is most exciting. I wonder what of Karos could have survived to this day. And we'll be among the first to see it in ages."

"Then let's not waste any time. Come right this way."

Professor Brooks and Professor Hobart lead Hrisal down into the cruiser's cavernous hanger. Fighters and corvettes pack the area, all secured into their neat berths by the repair bots that fly around everywhere. A repair bot contacts Brooks over the radio.

"We've got a porter waiting for you in dock C."
"Thanks, fred. Do we need to take a launch?"
"Nope. Just keep going down the pilot access corridor and you'll be there."
"Ok, thanks."

They walk down the pilot access ramp, passing many flight-suited pilots, some robots, some insectoid, and some bentusi. They soon reach corvette dock C, just before the rush of other corvette crews commences. From the viewports, they can see a wing of 20 Super Acolytes take off out of the launch bay. The rest stay safely tucked inside their berths.

They meet the corvette crew, and board the Sherpa class salvage corvette.

"You might want to put that on there, just in case we want to do some EVA work."

Up front, the pilots flip switches and prepare to exit the ship.

"Sherpa 1, prepare for release."
"We are ready for release, over."
"Magnetic locks released. You are free floating."
"Roger that."
"You are clear for launch."
"Roger that. Clear for launch, we are launching now, over."

The corvette motors out of the access tube and into space, with its three passengers onboard.

"This is Walrus wing to Sherpa flight, we will take a loose patrol formation above and behind, over."
"Roger that, over."

"So, how about this! We'll be the first people to see this place up close in centuries!"
"What's that over there?"
"Looks like a cruiser or carrier of some sort."
"Let's check it out."

"We're doomed!" Shouted an M-3P0 droid in the sensor pit. The captain of the Courage gripped the rail and shouted down:
"No unnecesary chatter! Engineering, I need more speed. Sensors, how close are we to the transmission source?"
"Unable to determine. It is being blocked from sensors by a large derelict hulk. The transmission source is directly behind it. Sensors can't determine the range." The captain cursed quietly.
"Tactical, shield status."
"Shields are holding captain, we've managed to keep the enemy ships back. Taking fire from the minicannons though. They seem to be increasing in frequency as we go deeper into the graveyard. They might be guarding something. As far as we can tell, they are guarding the hulk." The captain mulled over this for a few seconds.
"Time to the derelict?"
"Fifteen minutes sir. At the current rate of fire from the autocannons, we'll begin losing shield strength in ten. If we divert some turbolasers, we'll be able to extend that time."
"Do it."

bump

OCC: C-3P0, right?

OOC: No, C-3P0 a 3P0 unit. An M3P0 unit is a Military 3P0 Unit. [/geekiness]
/me whistles mindlessly waiting for someone to post
It seems that we got to the 'yard, then we went off in different directions. Partly my fault, but the defenses had to be taken care of. We should try to turn this back into a co-opperative RP. Nice scheaming Rhinara. (You are scheaming, right? 8))

OCC: Hey, I'm pretty geeky too, well, not geeky.....just strange.

I'll have the Sagan try and contact you.

IC:

On the bridge of the Carl Sagan, crewmembers are busy analyzing the sensors data gleaned from the graveyard. They also try to find the Courage, but with the size of the graveyard, it is somewhat difficult.

"I think we've found the courage. Over here, in this area. Looks like the ships are mostly intact. But there's heavy signal interference in the area, and a radio transmission won't work too well."
"We should send Rob."
"Ensign R. Baley, please report to the bridge."

A few minutes later, an old model humaniform robot appears on the bridge.

"Yes?"
"We need you to fly over to these coordinates."
"Ah, right away. How are the salvage crews doing?"
"Pretty well. We already have two artifacts in storage."
"Full quarantine, right? Somtaaw had some problems with this."
"Yep, full quarantine."
"Ok, I'll be over in a second."

Rob floats down to his specially modified "Seeker" class recon in the launch bay. It had a giant frigate sensors dish mounted in the nose, and drives from a corvette. Rob floats over to his ship, and gets in. After the repair bots finsih looking it over, they clear him for launch. The small recon blasts out of the launch tube and into space.

"Ok, time for a little music."

In the CD player mounted in his fighter, he inserts "The Who's Greatest Hits." Over the fighter's speker system, "I can't Explain" begins playing.

"Ah, that feels good. Ok, now for our destination."

He points the recon in the desired direction, and it rockets off towards the courage.

Meanwhile, Hrisal, Brooks, and Hobart pull up to a large wreck in their corvette.

"Ready to leave the ship, doctor?"

Sparks fell from the ceiling and cascaded into the crew pit. A young lieutenant turned in his seat and spoke to the captain over the groaning of overstressed shields.
"Shields down to thirty percent, sir! Power fluctuations on deck 7." The captain nodded and watched as the Courage nosed over the wreck, turbolasers hitting the enemy movers and turrets. As the destroyer cleared the hulk, the captain turned to the sensor operator.
"Can you get me a lead on the signal?"
"I can't find the source. It.. appears to be behind us... Sir! The hulk itself is responsible for the turrets and movers." The captain nodded.
"Inform Salvage team A that they will be required to enter the hulk and disable the defense systems. Attach a squad of Marines to assist them."

The heavily modified recon nears the Courage.

"I've got it in visual range......there appears to be some sort of combat going on. I can't go any further. Courage, this is Robert Baley of the LRRSV Carl Sagan. What is your situation, over?"

Fire erupted from the nav console, and the officer there screamed. He clutched his hands to his ruined face and fell to the deck. His replacement, an enlisted man, shouted "Medic!" before taking the Nav.
"Shields down! We are taking hits to the hull." Shouted tactical, another replacement whom the captain did not know the name of.
"Transmission incoming from an LRR recon. I'm putting it on speakers." Said Lieutenant Uwil, one of the regular officers still in commission. A voice issued from the speakers.
Courage, this is Robert Baley of the LRRSV Carl Sagan. What is your situation, over?
"Baley, this is Dave McAddis of the Destroyer Courage. We are attempting to disable the graveyard defenses. We reccomend that no vessel move deeper into the graveyard without full cloaking screens or a Missile Destroyer until we have disabled the defenses."
***
Inside the hulk, Commander Tracy Jikka hefted her blaster carbine and pointed its light into the deep blackness of the hallway. Behind her, Sergeant Zakk of the salvage corps swung a backpack scanner's 'nose' about the hall and pointed to the right.
"That's the way to the signal generator. The best route appears to be forward about one hundred meters and right twenty meters."
"Then what?" Tracy asked.
"Then is the point that my scanner poops out. The range for non-power sources is no further than about a Kilometer, but something in this ship is playing hell with readings. I don't know what then."
OOC:What happened to Centauri Station and Rhinara?

(OOC: sorry my comp went A-WOL on me I jsut got it back from the shop today)

a bright flash streaked the void as the foreshadowed USS Tongesten exited from the hypergate. Captain Samual looked at viewscreen "ensign deploy the fighters I want 6 squadrons out find our comrades"

"aye sir deploy 6 squadrons of Interceptors for recon duty"

"good, luitent Marks send a wide band transmission broadcast "

the USS Tongesten glided towards the graveyard. the crew was a buzz with excitment.

Captain Samual stood up slowly setting a datapad down on the arm of his chair as he stepped forward towards the view screen "tactical what would you make of the bright flashes on the view screen?" he looked back at the officer at the tactical station

"they appear to be explosions sir"

"thats all nice and well tactical but who is the one getting shot at?" he raised a brow obviously not impressed by the answer.

"sensors cannont comfirm sir"

"warn the interceptors upgrade to level 2 armed the defense weaponary"

"aye sir"

The tactical office began hitting several keys on the station, the lights on the bridge dimmed as a red hue grew over the ship.

"you forgot something tactical..."

"I did sir?"

"yes the music, you never go into a fight without something to focus the mind...unless you intend to lose of course"

"sorry sir"

"Seven nation Army began playing over the speakers all over the ship, it the Centuri station's unofficial offical combat song

"Roger that, Courage. What measures are you taking to disable the defenses, over?"

From the Carl Sagan, its wing of 15 gunships takes off from the launch bay.

OOC:

Can the SCSS Colonial Tiger Sub-Space in and....help.....out?

OOC:

Can the SCSS Colonial Tiger Sub-Space in and....help.....out?

OCC: I guess.

IC:

"This is pinafore flight to Sagan. We are nearing the target area."
"You are clear to engage, over."

The 12 gunships begin to fire their cannons into the movers and autoguns.

The first of the 6 Interceptor Squadrons zoomed past the bridge of the Carl Sagan soon the remaining 5 squadrons zoomed by the hull of teh Carl Sagan transmitting tactical telemetry to it on regular intervals.

"Comm did they get our transmission?" the USS Tongesten's first officer asked as he stared at what was displaying on the view screen

"unknown sir I'll repeat the transmission"



Comrades this is the USS Tongesten what is your situation over...sorry were late the traffic was horrible.

Brent Samual



"it's away sir"

The USS Tongesten edge closer and closer to the graveyard and their business partners.

The view screen switched from it's earlier picuter to a live feed from the lead recon units. the squadron tiwsted and turned as it avoided fire from the movers and autoguns. a few moments later a transmission of recon squadron they were watch came through requesting all units move in and join the firefight.

(OOC: Sorry about that. Busy times. And yes, I'm scheming ;) )

Once a good distance away from the graveyard, the Rhinaran cruiser swung around and headed back, now decloaked. The subcommander shook his head, "What fools to fall prey to traps set by ghosts."

With a sigh, he told the comms officer to open general hailing frequencies before making his announcement: "This is the Rhinaran vessel Minthvael. We have just arrived and are detecting weapons fire. Is anyone in need of assistance?"

***

Doctor Hrisal was fixated on the debris from the graveyard, watching it from his vantage point at the viewport. He was mumbling to himself, talking about aging effects in space, structural designs of the ships in the dead fleet, power generation and sustainment systems, and all that nerdy good stuff.

"Ready to leave the ship, doctor?"

"Hmm?" Hrisal looked over at the person who asked him the question. "Oh, yes, yes. Quite. Let's go."

He took one last glance out of the viewport, however, and noticed the commotion going on in the far distance. "What's happening? Looks like...a battle?"

"If it is a battle, we're safer off the 'vette."

The corvette pulls up to the wreck, and Hrisal, Brooks, and Hobart exit the ship through the small airlock, and find themselves attached to the wreck's hull.

"Looks like a door over thatway."

Brooks leads them down the hull to a small, worn-down airlock.

"How do you think it opens?"

Back on the Sagan, the crew recieves the transmission from the Tongsten.

"The Courage is under attack by automated weapons in the graveyard, over."

OOC: Any of you ever played the sixth mission of Homeworld 2? The movers come from there. They eat 'vettes for breakfast and cap ships for lunch and fighters for dinner. I can't beat em.

IC:
Tracy Jikka looked questioningly at Zakk.
"Are you sure that you know where you're going, sergeant?" He looked at her, his gaze frosty even through the faceplate.
"I'm sure. I'm paid to be sure." He motioned down the corridor and the team continued on. Moments later, they rounded a corner and saw blinking red lights in the distance. The team moved closer, and soon Jikka could discern a thrumming sound down the corridor. She raised her carbine out of caution. In retrospect, if she hadn't, she and the Courage would have died that day. Thirteen spiderlike machines raced down the corridor, firing as they came. One drew a bead on her, but Tracy was ready. She tightened down on the trigger and sent scarlet lances of energy into the machine. It exploded, the blast shielding the team long enough that they could retreat behind a corner. As they moved back, Corporal Smithers' faceplate exploded, spraying Sergeant Zakk with gore. He shrugged off the sensor and grabbed a pistol from the dead man. The team returned fire and more machines fell back, sparking. Privates Tomassi and Villha held minicannons to their shoulders, firing into the mass of machines. The corridor was filled with light and fire as the team and the drones exchanged weapons fire. Soon, the drones began to fall back, and the team used this to their advantage. Jikka tossed a thermal detonator amongst the drones and it exploded with satisfying force. As the smoke cleared, Zakk pointed down the hall.
"That way, Commander."

A worker from the Sagan races in towards the hulk. Although not as well armored or as powerful as the Sherpa corvettes, they were atmospheric capable and could hold up to 20 fully equipped naval infantrymen, to the Sherpa's seven. As such, they are used on LRR capital ships as the primary crew/cargo ship to ship transport. All around, the gunship squadron zooms around, destroying autoguns and movers. The Super Acolytes carried by the Sagan are mostly gaurding the ship and the Sherpas, so they do not venture into the combat area. If the Sagan had carred its full compliment of 50 fighters, than there would have been more than enough Super Acolytes, but room had to be made for transporting debris.

"Preparing for impact.......we are attached to the hulk! Prepare to board!"

The Worker slams the hulk as it attaches with its four magnetic arms. The naval infantrymen start cutting through the ship's hull armor.

Captain McAddis held resolutely to his chair as the destroyer listed wildly. The bridge was manned by only one other person, the others having long died. The crewman manned the tactical crew pit alone, co-ordinating weapons from three stations. Sparks fell from the ceiling, and McAddis shouted to the pit.
"Transfer control to the auxiliary bridge!" He started toward the lift, but behind him, the crewman fell. McAddis turned. He was only a kid, the captain thought sadly. Moving to the rater's side, McAddis helped him up and pushed him toward the lift. The kid stayed, though, to help the captain up.
"Go, soldier," McAddis said to the frightened kid. The crewman moved to the lift, but stayed where he was, waiting for the captain. Behind McAddis, a Mover blasted out the bridge window, and the air began rushing out. McAddis knew he wouldn't make it in time, and that the kid would wait for him, and die as well.
"GO DAMMIT!" McAddis shouted. The kid wasn't moving. McAddis let go of the rail to which he clung. The captain's body flew out the window, and the rater fled to the turbolift.

Tracy Jikka crouched behind a barrier and lobbed her thermal detonator over. The team crouched behind a low barrier that shielded them from the new drones. These were equipped with a shield that required sustained blasterfire or thermal detonators to overwhelm. Villha fell back with a slug through his brain, and the barricade began to shudder. Jikka fired her pistol at one drone, and managed to destroy it, but drained her gun in the process. Zakk too threw down a useless weapon, and Tomassi threw her overheaded gun into the mass of enemies, causing two drones to fall back, twitching. Out of weapons, the team backed away.
"Retreat!" Tracy shouted, hating the word. "Fall back to the shuttle."

The USS Tongesten swung around to the side it's plasma mortars changing slowly



this is Tactical control on the USS Tongesten requestiong artiellary targets over (namely nothing salvagable), the captain also wishes to infrom you wounded cna be brought onboard for treatment

USS Tongesten out.



the remaining interceptors that were guarding the ship came full speed towards graveyard where the brother in arms were.

(OOC: are the movers and autocannons static or are they constantly moving?)

OCC: Autoguns are static, movers, well, move. :wink:

IC:

The LRR naval infantrymen quickly cut through the hull of the wreck, and enter its interior.

"Ok, move in towards the source of the signal!"
"Aye, sir! Bring the SBSW up front! Move, move, move!"

The infantrymen move out, toting a heavy support weapon in front of their formation.

"I see something ahead!"

The infantrymen collide with the retreating Gurguvungunit marines.

mean while outside of the wrecks The Interceptors battled with the auto cannons and the movers. Flight leader Jullia and the recon squadrons had been battling the enemy units. 102mm Reaver rounds sprayed Jullias ship as the mover destroyed one of her squadron members.

The rounds slowly but steadily turned the drone into nothing more than scrap metal. Explosions danced around Jullia's ship as she and he squadron were forced to seperate as inbound missiles jsut barely missed her ship, she began to accelate as autocannon fire slashed through her right wing causing smoke to flare out and killing her engine, she has no control over her momentum as she drifted towards a vessal docked at one of the wrecks.

Tracy blinked at the robots before her. She began to raise her vibroblade, only to see that these were friends. They bore the crest of LRR.
"We need assistance, there are automated defenses behind us, and we could use a hand. We expended all of our munitions on them, but they keep coming." Her team looked at the LRR troops beseachingly.

On the auxiliary bridge of the Courage, all was chaos. Commander Thokran Vurdaas stod at its centre, directing frantic damage control team leaders and issuing attack orders. A kid rushed into the room, panting. His uniform was burned in several places.
"Sir, the captain is dead." A momentary hush descended on the room.
"There's nothing we can do about that crewman," said Vurdaas. "Damage control, I want a report."
"Shields are down, the starboard wing array had taken medium damage. Sir! The bridge tower is gone! Casualty estimates upwards of one hundred. Atmosphere venting, closing blast doors now. Sir, we've been crippled."

"Automated defenses, eh?"

The naval infantrymen push foreward. The destroyer bots thump down the corridor, but before they get a chance to fire, two infantrymen open fire with their SBSW-3s, very large plasma cannons designed to take down tanks. The rest of the infantrymen open fire with their plasma rifles and SMGs, and manage to drive the bots back down the hall.

"Come on! We should be only a few hundred meters from the source of this transmission thing."

Meanwhile, the wing of Pinafore gunships races in at full velocity towards the Courage, destroying autoguns and movers as they go.

"Autogun, 12:00!"
"Got it."
"I see movers coming towards."
"Engaging."

The gunships sweep over the hull of the courage, blasting autoguns and movers as they go.

First Officer Patense stood over the lieutenant at the tactical display gathering the data even before the Lieutenant could process it himself.

"captain the ship Courage has taken heavy damage"

"send a transmission to the ship asking if they need to transfer their crew onto the Tongesten, ensign manuver us infront of the Courage I don't what that ship going up in flames especially when I haven't introduced myself to the captain yet"

the ensign was about to say something in protest but quickly closed his mouth and began plotting a course between the courage and teh highest concentration of the enemy fire.

the ship slowly lumbered forward once more, trails of plasma mortars disappating from the cannons as another volley prepared to fire, missiles swarmed out of the racks like locust attacking anything it's onboard computer concieved as a foe, lasers arched through the void slashing away at debris and enemy alike (althoguh carefully not to hit anything friendly).

"Sir, transmisson coming through from the Tongesten!"
Vuurdas listened to the message as the ship around him moaned in protest. He had spent three years on the Courage, and had been through two firefights. Every time, the ship had given her crew the best she could, and they had seen her through it. Not this time. Courage would join the rest of the junk in the graveyard, but it seemed that she was giving the crew time to get away, as a last service to the fine men and women that crewed her.
"Signal all hands, abandon ship. Get to the fighters and shuttles, and get over to the Tongesten. Set the guns to autofire at all enemy craft. Repeat. Abandon ship.

Sergeant Zakk lifted a ruined drone cannon with both of his hands. He found the firing controls, a simple button in the butt of the cannon. Pressing it, he waded into the melee, firing as he went, smashing enemy drones and bashing them with the massive weight of the stolen gun. He could see ahead a large computer, and he waved the techs forward, holding off drones with his cannon. Beside him, Commander Jikka held a large metal bar with which she bashed drones on their heads, slowing them or doing damage to their antennae, causing them to go inert. The techs bent over the computer, and inserted a disc. It contained a virus that was programmed to seek out centres of operation on the hard drive, and corrupt as many files in those areas as possible. Within seconds, the team noticed the effect. The drones soon stopped moving, only firing at targets. Then they lost threat recognition, and fired randomly. Then they stopped firing all together. The Gurguvii team raised a cheer. One of the LRR soldiers put some death metal on his music player.

"Ok, now that those are taken care of, let's get to this control field emitter thing."

"the survivors of the Courage are coming aboard now, medical teams are heading to teh landing bays now" Robert Patense said as he read the data pad in his hand before handing it over to the Captain.

"good, good if any of the survivors are capable of doing anything to help us on board send them to engineering or the weapon controls"

The fighters under the USS Tongesten's command continued to mop up the remaining auto cannons and movers.

"the survivors of the Courage are coming aboard now, medical teams are heading to teh landing bays now" Robert Patense said as he read the data pad in his hand before handing it over to the Captain.

"good, good if any of the survivors are capable of doing anything to help us on board send them to engineering or the weapon controls"

The fighters under the USS Tongesten's command continued to mop up the remaining auto cannons and movers.

OOC:We just killed the control field. That was the thing my techs were fiddling with! :wink:
Commander Vuurdas borrowed the comm array from a bored looking robot.
"Can I use this?" he asked, as the movers outside the viewport began firing at each other.
"Sure Commander!"
"Thanks," he said, keying the comm. "This is Commander Thokran Vuurdas late of the Victory Class Star Destroyer Courage. Our ship has been destroyed by automated weapons in the graveyard, and Captain McAddis is dead. We request pickup by any Gurguvii warship in the area, and a new craft is required to map and study the graveyard."

At Turnal Orbital Command, the command station for the fleet, word was passed down to launch the new Recon Cruiser Swiftsure.

"I don't suppose 'open sesame' is going to work in this case," Hrisal said with a hint of sarcasm, his eyes roving around to spot anything that would allow them to open the door.

***

The subcommander watched the battle on the forward viewscreen as his ship slowly moved in. No one answered his offer to help, after all, so there's not point in rushing in.

"A power source that lasts this long and is still capable of powering weapons strong enough to destroy those ships. We need some of those too," he mused.

Then he waited as the Minthvael leisurely made its way back toward Karos.

"Hmm.....now what's gonna open this door?"
"Mabye this?"

Hobart points to a small diode on the side of the door. He touches it, and it lights up.

(OOC: are the movers down and out of did you just shut down the droids?)

"Mr Patanse run down to engineering and find out the status of the reactor"

"yes captain"

the first officer Robert Patanse stood up from his chair and walked out of the bridge towards engineering

Triple Post! :shock:

Triple Post! :shock:

bump

eevil double post.. eevil

OOC:ack, triple post! I shut down everything attacking us
Dr Emanuel gripped the rail of the Tongesten's bridge as the wreck of the Courage cooled on the bridge screen Beside her, Paret looked shocked. They were the only two to survive the destruction of their ship. Dr Fall had been ripped open by a jagged support beam, his viscera smeared across the deck. It made Emanuel ill just remembering it. She didn't know what had happened to the other grad student. She collected herself and moved toward a person who looked important on the bridge.
"May I take out one of our shuttles to do a little research?" she asked him.

The cruiser Swiftsure loaded the last of her crewmembers and supplies and began cruising on her overpowered engines to the jump point. Taken from the Super Star Destroyer Valiant before she had been turned into a city on Karasitha, the engines and power core could supply an extended high speed cruise at sublight. .75 hyperdrive engines allowed the Recon Cruiser to reach any point in space at amazing speeds. They were nearly cost prohibitive, though, and only three were slated for construction. Swiftsure was the only one completed. Captain Sassur Impala turned to the nav station.
"Proceed to the jump point, full speed," he ordered the Lieutenant there. "We have a graveyard to examine."

Captain samual jumped unaware the good Dr was on the bridge, He walked over towards her, extending his left hand towards her.

"oh I didn't realize you were here miss, I'm Captain Brent Samual, I assumed the doctors have gave you the once over"

he paused for a moment thinking about her request.

"if you wish although I don't personally agree since you just escaped wiht your life, and I'd rather not lose anyone else than nessicary... but if you wish" he paused again leaning over to the officer at the tactical station, the officer too leaned towards forward as Captain Samual whispered in a low husky voice "I want the interceptor squadrons to keep just out of her sight, incase something goes amiss, I don't want this to turn into an internaional incident anymore than it already is" the Officer couldn't help but look up at the good Dr. then glance bakc down giving a quick nod.

Brent Samual stood up tall and proud again extended his arm out smiling"could the good captain escort the good dr to teh shuttle bay?"

OOC:What's with my comp! triple, then double posts! :evil:
"Of course Captain Samual, how kind of you." The two of them leave the bridge, talking in mild tones.

On the bridge of the Recon Cruiser, Captain Impala leaned back in his large command chair, surveying reports from department heads. Beside him, Commander Holly O'Bannon stood, overseeing the crew in their first mission together.
"Clearing the mass shadow, ready to jump," Lieutenant Nimur sang out at the Nav station. Beside him in the wraparound console sat Lieutenant Commander Thane Harding, at Helm.
"Would you like to do the honours, Captain Impala?" O'Bannon said.
"Thank you Commander. Commence hyperspace." Stars flashed into starlines, then the mottled blue of Hyperspace.

Commander Vuurdas and Dr Emanuel sat side by side in the assault shuttle, doing detailed scans of the wrecked movers. Two Zero-G salvage drones manouvered into position beside the wreck. They engaged their heavy engines simultaneously and dragged the big object toward the Tongesten, where Gurguvii scientists from the Courage and Centauri scientists waited to analyze the wreck. Vuurdas looked up from the sensors for a moment as the Rhinaran Cruiser cruised slowly overhead. "Little late to the party, huh?" he said to Emanuel beside him.

The LRR salvage corvettes go around and collect some of the disabled autoguns and movers, and load them into quarantine crates. The destroyed gaurd robots are also brought back, and the general consensus was that they would be a good supply of spare parts.

The LRR salvage corvettes go around and collect some of the disabled autoguns and movers, and load them into quarantine crates. The destroyed gaurd robots are also brought back, and the general consensus was that they would be a good supply of spare parts.

7 small sace craft left the Tongesten's bays as they headed deeper into the graveyard, minutes later they drifted slwly towards the floating hulk of a once would be starship, thrusters providing corrections of the ships flight path 5 large clamp like claws came out of teh from of the ships stabbing into the hull making a secure platefrom for the engineers to search in interior or what was left of it.

3 lasers pieced through the hull as the cockpit slowly moved forward into thef reshly made hole, seconds the later the from window cracked allowing teh engeers to begin teh search on foot.

"this is search party 3 begging intertoir search will reply when we found something over and out"

so began the search.

The Swiftsure dropped from hyperspace at the edge of the Graveyard. Commander O'Bannon turned to Lt. Cmdr Harding at Helm.
"Full speed toward the last known position of the Courage." She turned to a yeoman at the door. "Wake the captain." He saluted and left the bridge. The sublights sang with the high pitch of new engines, the 'Baby's Wail'. Soon they would settle into the reasurring thrum of engines that had seen stress and combat. The wreck of the old Victory Star Destroyer was growing onscreen.
"Launch all science vessels, and contact the Tongesten, I need to speak with Commander Vuurdas."

Captain Samual was touring his ship at the time the speakers came to life

"Captain Samual, a ship was just entered the area of the graveyard, requesting you to the bridge"

he glanced up at the speak in one of the corners in the hallway, he turned around beginning to jog towards an lift.

after entering the bridge he looked at his first officer

"someone said something about a new ship?"

"yes sir it appears to be same make as the courage"

OOC: The Swiftsure is a Calamari Custom Recon cruiser, superfast, reasonably well armed, and possessing a sensor suite that makes many reseach scientists quiver with envy. They're horribly expensive. Hope that clears things about the new ship up.

Dr. Emanuel watched with consternation as the ancient power core floated an undamaged mover in on its own power. Any power source that could survive millenia in interstellar space was interesting enough, one that enabled the ship to fight was beyond imagining.
"Let's try hooking up the power core to say... one of the surviving Ties off the Courage." she said to the tech beside her. He saluted and moved off. Emanuel raked her long fingers through her hair and hoped for a good shower soon.

(OOC: sorry I took so long to post the forums hate me :( [shortened version] )

Captain Brent Samual walked into teh control room of the fighter bay, a nervous ensigned yell "Captain on the Deck" at first sign nearly making him Jump , after quickly regaining his composure a young female officer with long jet black hair stepped forward saluting politely, her eyes never once meet the captain which made him rather curious, he pondered away as she began to speak giving teh occasional nod.

"the Inceptors came back in pretty good shape sir, we lost six though, " she continued on never noticing Captain Brent Samual day dreaming " I was thinking since hte area seems secure we could maybe deploy more salvage crews and find adn bring in some of the objects that could be out there"

The blinked as he was snapped back from his day dream, he nodded once more rubbing his chin ponderously and took a deep breath

"yes I think that could be acceptable, send out as many as you think are nessicary, is there anything else?"

The officer shook her head and saluted once more before disappearing off into another room leaving the Captain to his own devices and day dreams.

The LRR corvettes take small wrecks and pieces of debris in for cataloging and study.

From the Carl Sagan, a pair of salvage corvettes approach the wreck of a large carrier.

"This looks like a good spot. We're letting them off here, control."

The corvettes motor into the sufficently intact docking bay of the ancient carrier. They each push a large container, full of various computer equipment and other devices. They anchor themselves to the side of the bay.

"This one should be clear. The Sagan's sensors say its the best in terms of integrity."

10 LRR sailors exit the two salvage corvettes and detach the foreward containers. 4 corvette crew also come out to help the sailors manouver the bulky containers into position over the wreck's airlock.

"Ok, now what you're going to do is open these latches here when I open the door. Ready.....open!"

The crew chief opens the outer airlock door, and the sailors open the crate. The various pieces of machinery and other stuff float into the outer airlock chamber. The sailors enter, and drag the equipment in behind them. The other team of sailors and corvette crew does the same.

Soon, the wreck has been turned into a small LRR base. A Hammer II class corvette equipped with a harvesting apparatus and a hyperspace drive, as well as a fighter-class ion cannon on a fully trasversable mount is brought in from the Sagan.

Impala gazed out of the blue magcon field in the flight deck, watching the wreck as it loomed closer in the grip of the Swiftsure's tractor beams. Two hours ago, the sensor officer had picked up on this wreck as being a launch point for the Movers that had attacked the Courage. Curious as to whether the wreck harboured any secrets, Impala ordered the flight crews to bring it aboard the cruiser, while several salvage prowlers combed the graveyard for anything interesting.

Prowler 21-Isk drifted up beside a huge checkered wreck which glowed green with an inner light. At the controls of the prowler sat Beth Ivanova, an accomplished but insubordinate fighter ace serving a third disciplinary duty on a fleet prowler. Lieutenant Smyth, that pretentious b*****d, had left another one of his bloody bugs in her bunk, and scared the hell out of her. So she had punched him in the face. She didn't mean to break his nose, it just happened. Felt good though. Suddenly, her console lit up like a christmas tree.
"We've got activity, MAJOR ACTIVITY!" she shouted to the other two in the prowler.

A pair of salvage corvettes, escorted by a trio of Super Acolytes, picks up the Prowlers.

"Hey, some friendly ships. Oy, prowlers, what's up?"

"We've got major activity on hulk 97-J, one of the launch points for movers," Ivanova said over the comm, watching as reading spiked on the hulk. "No launches, but we think we tripped something."

Dr. Emanuel sat in the cockpit of Iceblade Six, a Tie Avenger off of Courage. Barely rated to fly the swift vessel, she swerved and swooped, barely in conrol. Emanuel spun a dial on the power allocation board, and the lasers recieved full power from the Mover power core. She pulled the trigger. Four green lances of energy, far brighter and longer than normal, lanced clear through a piece of floating debris, to strike a hulk behind it. Of the debris, all that remained was a fine metal mist, slowly expanding in space, while the hulk showed clear blast scarring, as it would from a normal hit. Emanuel was about to shout her discovery over the channels, but a blinking caught her eye. The lasers were redlining, and the power transfers were overheating.
"All ships, get clear, I've got a system meltdown, repeat. System meltdown underway!" The lasers whined, and she cut power. This proved too much for the overtaxed power grid, and the Iceblade Six's computer began a shutdown of all systems. It wasn't fast enough. A cascade faliure worked it's way through the systems on the little fighter, and Emanuel jerked the eject lever. Space exploded around her, and she thought that she had died. When the light cleared, she still saw space around her, and her body felt pressed into the acceleration couch. Quickly Emanuel's faculties returned, and she realized that she had ejected, and Iceblade Six had exploded.
"Guess that's that for Mover power cores on our fighters," she said ruefully.

"We've got major activity on hulk 97-J, one of the launch points for movers," Ivanova said over the comm, watching as reading spiked on the hulk. "No launches, but we think we tripped something."

Dr. Emanuel sat in the cockpit of Iceblade Six, a Tie Avenger off of Courage. Barely rated to fly the swift vessel, she swerved and swooped, barely in conrol. Emanuel spun a dial on the power allocation board, and the lasers recieved full power from the Mover power core. She pulled the trigger. Four green lances of energy, far brighter and longer than normal, lanced clear through a piece of floating debris, to strike a hulk behind it. Of the debris, all that remained was a fine metal mist, slowly expanding in space, while the hulk showed clear blast scarring, as it would from a normal hit. Emanuel was about to shout her discovery over the channels, but a blinking caught her eye. The lasers were redlining, and the power transfers were overheating.
"All ships, get clear, I've got a system meltdown, repeat. System meltdown underway!" The lasers whined, and she cut power. This proved too much for the overtaxed power grid, and the Iceblade Six's computer began a shutdown of all systems. It wasn't fast enough. A cascade faliure worked it's way through the systems on the little fighter, and Emanuel jerked the eject lever. Space exploded around her, and she thought that she had died. When the light cleared, she still saw space around her, and her body felt pressed into the acceleration couch. Quickly Emanuel's faculties returned, and she realized that she had ejected, and Iceblade Six had exploded.
"Guess that's that for Mover power cores on our fighters," she said ruefully.

OCC: Is the hulk supposed to be the one that we are turning into a base?

Nope, just some graveyard secrets.. all will be revealed in time, small butterfly.
I'm in a wierd mood today... best if you ignore most of what I say...

Shuus Nan cut all engine power on his A-Wing and allowed himself to drift. He tuned the sensors up to maximum and ran a deep scan, a maneuver called 'bird watching' by recon pilots. As the scan commenced, he sipped a drink packet and watched the wreckage of the endless graveyard drift.

Beth blinked the lights from her eyes and turned to the salvage team behind her.
"How about you guys suit up and have a look at that wreck, huh?"

From the deck of the Swiftsure, Commander Yuress Bhortuga, the resident scientist on the cruiser, studied the wrecks. He could see on his screen that some bore a similarity, as though from ships made by the same ancient race. Perhaps this had been a battle site, or a scrap heap of an ancient empire. Fascinating.

OOC:This ought to get better real soon. :)

The LRR corvettes continue to sift through the wreckage, setting up bouys here and there.

One of the Sherpas detects something on the sensors.

"Looks like we've got some active powerplants in the area."
"Amazing! How could they have survived for so long?"
"I dunno. Let's try to get one."

Shuus watched with satisfaction as twelve pings made themselves known on his sensor board. Each ping represented a power source within the wreck, and to each source, a prowler was sent by the Swiftsure. He crumpled his drink packet and hit the thrusters, arrowing deep into the graveyard, beyond the main activity.

Beth Ivanova held a hi-beam flashlight, playing it's glow across the floor and walls. Behind her, the team had fanned out, and were moving in different directions. When the last salvage guy left her, she drew her service blaster, hoping she wouldn't need it. Her comm unit beeped, and she chinned her mike.
"Ivanova. What've you found?"
"Marakowski. I've got some kind of working computer terminal, lemme see. Yeah, it works. Running. Um... I can't read the language. I'll need a tech."

Outside, a Sherpa class corvette attaches to the wreck that Ivanova and her team are in.

"Ok, let's have a look."

Three of the crew, all robots, except for an insectoid, exit the craft, and head towards the wreck, with a big gash in the side which allowed easy access to the corridors. They head towards the source of the power reading.....

Hurlesh Mijagga ran the translation algorithm through the alien system. Gradually, the sigils on the screen changed into Basic characters, but large blocks remained untranslated. Hurlesh frowned, and he tapped the run key again, and more sections translated. By now, it was devolving into a basic program language.
{Run/insert_var YES/NO}
{System display/editٸﻼfфield/button/enter/}
{Run ProgrЖφm?___
He typed a run command, and the screen lit, changing from a programming interface to a graphical one. Each icon was marked with a label, and when the translator ran through the new screen, it managed to translate the entire text.
Hurlesh hit ENGINEERING.
Information on the hulk-- no, ship, lit the screen. Hurlesh tapped the pilot beside him-- Ivanova? on the shoulder, and she turned to look.
"This is the Engineering screan, it shows vessel status." Hurlesh said quietly, gesturing to the screen. Ivanova gasped. Outlined on the screen was a representation of a massive, slab shaped vessel. The majority was red, but a tiny patch glowed a cool blue. When Hurlesh zoomed in on the blue section, they saw that it was the nearly one hundred metre hulk within which they stood. Ivanova stared. Hurkesh did some quick math. The ship on the screen was over thirteen kilometres long.

The LRR corvette crew proceeds through the wreck, and from around a corner, they see a dull light. They head for it, and run into the Gurguvungunit crew.

Meanwhile, outside, Sherpa class corvettes zoom around, and look at things. Pictures and small artifacts are taken back to the Sagan. The newly established base tests out the computer equipment and sensors dishes, skillfully placed in already-existing sensors appendages.

Of particular interest is a cluster of what appear to be pieces of the same ship, extending for 50km at the heart of the graveyard, the ship that the Gurguvungunit crew and the LRR crew landed on. Deep scans are performed by the Sagan and specially modified Hammer II corvettes. Soon, a hypothesis for the graveyard comes into focus.

A photo of the graveyard. (http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/hw2/images/comp_K_slabs.jpg)

Some preliminary analasys sheets drafted by the Sagan's AI and the astroarchaeology team:

http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/hw2/images/comp_prog_hulks_01.jpg

http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/hw2/images/comp_oracle_data.jpg

http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/hw2/images/comp_KarosHulks02.jpg

Here systems are compared to those on the LRRSV Hiding Out, the giant LRR mobile station.

http://well-of-souls.com/homeworld/hws/hw2/images/comp_RC_DC%20ship01.jpg

One of the AI's artwork, this piece featuring a Montpilier class fleet replenishment frigate.

Aboard the Carl Sagan, the chief astroarchaeologists, Professors Colin Brooks and Hobart, return from their excursion to the bridge. They take seats at a small bridge table.

"What do you figure it is?"
"Its pretty hard to tell. It doesn't look like all this stuff dates from the same era, but similarly dating ships seem clustered around eachother. An exception are these large objects that strike us as defense stations. They're of different designs, but the designs seem to stay largely the same over time. We think this might be the remains of a huge border war, but we can't be sure."
"There are many junky elements to this place too."

... It seems evident, madame Chief of State, that the Karos Graveyard poses a great scientific find, which the Swiftsure is not equipped to study. I would recommend that no fewer than three dedicated science vessels, carrying the foremost archaeological minds in the nation be dispatched to the Karos Graveyard to study the fragmented vessel that we have taken to calling Lighthouse. I further recommend that all enemies of the Gurguvii state be discouraged from studying the Graveyard, as it contains technology far beyond what Gurguvungunit or its contemporary nations have developed. Further...

The report by Captain Impala was wired to the holocomm buoys that facilitated information transfer through the wormhole between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. decompressed by a program on Chief of State Ana Verila's computer, it appeared in full on her holopad. She emailed a query to Scientist-General Uhal Roke on the status of his science fleet.

Out of sensor range from the Swiftsure, Shuus Nan scanned the giant wreck before him. Sure, leaving sensor range was probably a stupid move, but it was a calculated risk. Seeming to be made of two slabs with a trench down the middle, the gargantuan objet seemed to have a smaller ship docked with it.
Smaller in comparison, amended Shuus. It was about 3/4 the size of an Imperator class Star Destroyer, large for most ships. He scanned the object, but before the scan was complete, his computer reported a signal from the object. Then, before Shuus Nan's horrified eyes, the screen was filled with a numeric code.
0001100110011001100101111111111111111111111111111111111111100
0011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111001
0101010101011111000111111001010101110101011001010100101000011
1111001010111100001010010100111100001111100101010111001011100
0000010000000000000000000000001111111111111111111111111111111
0010111111111111111111100101011111101011111111111111111001010
1010101010101001011111111111110001010
Finding the main computer inoperable, Shuus engaged the secondary, and sent an S.O.S to the Gurguvii Fleet on a coded channel.
The secondary computer's battery was dying.
0000011010000111110010100011101010010101010101111100011111001
0010010101011100101000111001110000011111010101111000111100101
010101000111111000111101001010100001111

OCC: Lighthouse? The LRR crews call it Lifehouse.

*Syntheszer demo begins playing in the background*

OOC:Why did that break screenwidth?
no images.

The LRR crew walks through the abandoned corridors of a section of the massive ship. They see a light peek out from behind a corner, and go check it out. They find the Gurguvungunit crew.

"Hey, folks. What'cha doin?"

Commander O'Bannon sipped coffee from her steaming mug on the small bridge of the Swiftsure. It still smelled of disinfectant and oil, residue of the fabrication process. The odd starscape, backed by the galactic core rising in the distance over a titanic wreck mesmerized her. Suddenly, the voice of the junior comm officer broke into her thoughts.
"Distress call! It's from Recon A-Wing 11, deep in the graveyard. It's encrypted."
"Onscreen!" Holly ordered.
"This is Flight Officer Shuus Nan. I've found something, but it overloaded my computer. Backup is failing. I can survive off of air in the cockpit for twelve minutes, but beyond that, I don't think I'll live. It is imperative that the Swiftsure jump here. Why, I can't say but--"
The comm fizzled out.

Beth Ivanova explained quickly what they had found.
"It appears that the majority of local wrecks were from one titanic spacecraft which was destroyed long ago. What its purpose was is unclear, as is the method of its destruction. We've ruled out a junkyard; why not scrap the ships? The resources for Lighthouse would have stripped a moon."

"That's what we thought, but its good to know you guys have some better evidence. So, do you think we should explore this thing's interior?"

"Hey, yeah. Why not?" replied Beth lightheartedly. She, the tech and two salvage guys followed the LRR team down the corridors of the wreck, lights playing on the ancient corridor walls.

"Ugh. You are not going to like this, sir." Captain Impala pivoted and gazed upon the tech crew gathered around the A-WingR formerly belonging to Flight Officer Shuus Nan. Impala peered inside the cockpit. Indeed, he did not like what he saw. All recording instruments had been destroyed, melted from some unseen heat. Even the ticker tape readings had been charred beyond recogniton. Had the computer overload caused the A-WingR to lose power control, or had it been a weapon directed at the little snoop fighter?
Flight Officer Nan appeared at Impala's shoulder.
"Looks a right mess, doesn't it sir?" he wheezed. Impala nodded.
"Indeed Flight Officer, it does. Can you tell me all that you remember of this?" The other seemed to consider for a moment.
"Well.. I was unconcious when this damage took place, I would have noticed the sensor board melting. I don't remember any power surge that would indicate a weapon, so my guess is power overload." The techs looked up.
"That's what we have too. There's no stress on the hull, and it looks like the wire sheaths got fried. Nothing indicates a weapon." Impala nodded absently. He keyed his commlink.
"Bridge: Set course for the hulk."

"Hey, yeah. Why not?" replied Beth lightheartedly. She, the tech and two salvage guys followed the LRR team down the corridors of the wreck, lights playing on the ancient corridor walls.

They walk down the corridors, and after a while exploring, they come across an area designated by the LRR crew's equipment as habitable.

"Wierd. Atmosphere is still in this thing."

Ivanova leaned tiredly against the outer wall of the 'code room', where Hurlesh had decrypted the computer aboard the hulk. Every time the Gurguvii and LRR crews went off down one of the corridors, they ended up back here. Beth picked up her scanner from the floor, where she had flung it about an hour ago. She keyed it to a wide spectrum spatial scan, the only one she hadn't tried.
The thing went mad. Lights and pointers appeared on the map and a small siren went off.
"Quantum fissure detected. Alert. Alert. Quantum fissure detected. Quantum fissure is type D. No danger to carbon based life forms. Appears to be drawing power from unknown source."
Beth stared. Grabbing Hurlesh by the arm, she sprinted to the computer terminal. The ship was still displayed there, with captions leading to different parts of the ship. One led to their position. Hurlesh hit Translate.
The caption read:
Extra-Galactic Drive
Power Draw: Minimal
Power Flow: Error
Fissure Stability: Stable
Fissure ڰ۩۝: Error
"Guys!" Beth shouted to the LRR salvage team. "You'd better see this..."

I'll be gone for the next two weeks, just thought I'd say so you didnt wonder.

Ivanova leaned tiredly against the outer wall of the 'code room', where Hurlesh had decrypted the computer aboard the hulk. Every time the Gurguvii and LRR crews went off down one of the corridors, they ended up back here. Beth picked up her scanner from the floor, where she had flung it about an hour ago. She keyed it to a wide spectrum spatial scan, the only one she hadn't tried.
The thing went mad. Lights and pointers appeared on the map and a small siren went off.
"Quantum fissure detected. Alert. Alert. Quantum fissure detected. Quantum fissure is type D. No danger to carbon based life forms. Appears to be drawing power from unknown source."
Beth stared. Grabbing Hurlesh by the arm, she sprinted to the computer terminal. The ship was still displayed there, with captions leading to different parts of the ship. One led to their position. Hurlesh hit Translate.
The caption read:
Extra-Galactic Drive
Power Draw: Minimal
Power Flow: Error
Fissure Stability: Stable
Fissure ڰ۩۝: Error
"Guys!" Beth shouted to the LRR salvage team. "You'd better see this..."


"Woah!"

Immediately, a swarm of salvage corvettes was around the wreck. They locate the section of the ship with the extra-galactic drive, and bring it to the Sagan.

OCC: Let's assume the drive is brought back to LRRIT, where it will be studied by LRR and Gurguvungunit scientists. We can RP that when you get back.

Ivanova leaned tiredly against the outer wall of the 'code room', where Hurlesh had decrypted the computer aboard the hulk. Every time the Gurguvii and LRR crews went off down one of the corridors, they ended up back here. Beth picked up her scanner from the floor, where she had flung it about an hour ago. She keyed it to a wide spectrum spatial scan, the only one she hadn't tried.
The thing went mad. Lights and pointers appeared on the map and a small siren went off.
"Quantum fissure detected. Alert. Alert. Quantum fissure detected. Quantum fissure is type D. No danger to carbon based life forms. Appears to be drawing power from unknown source."
Beth stared. Grabbing Hurlesh by the arm, she sprinted to the computer terminal. The ship was still displayed there, with captions leading to different parts of the ship. One led to their position. Hurlesh hit Translate.
The caption read:
Extra-Galactic Drive
Power Draw: Minimal
Power Flow: Error
Fissure Stability: Stable
Fissure ڰ۩۝: Error
"Guys!" Beth shouted to the LRR salvage team. "You'd better see this..."


"Woah!"

Immediately, a swarm of salvage corvettes was around the wreck. They locate the section of the ship with the extra-galactic drive, and bring it to the Sagan.

OCC: Let's assume the drive is brought back to LRRIT, where it will be studied by LRR and Gurguvungunit scientists. We can RP that when you get back.

The Dreadnaught Berth hung listlessly in space, the great ship dwarfed by its dock, and haloed by spinning debris.
The Swiftsure was alone.
"Helm, take us in, full sublight. Sensors, I want an active scan of the entire wreck," Impala rapped out orders to his crew. "Commander O'Bannon, I want the secondary computer core to be disconnected from the main rig in case of trouble." The Cruiser slid through blackest night, wafting its way across the stars.
"We're in deep-scan range of the Dreadnaught, sir," a young ensign sang out.
"Incoming transmission."
"Onspeaker,"O'Bannon ordered.

The Keeper is Aware.
The Keeper Understands.
The Keeper has Seen the Enemy.

"There is a sub-vessel launching from the Dreadnaught Berth! We are under attack!"

Aboard the Sagan, the sensors operators pick up the smaller object moving away from the huge wreck.

"It appears to be a dreadnaught-type thing."
"Just what we need."
"We can hyperspace out to Starchaser 6 immediately."
"Swiftsure, this is the Sagan. I think we have enough to get out of here. Starchaser 6 is the closest shipyard base."

Aboard the Sagan, the sensors operators pick up the smaller object moving away from the huge wreck.

"It appears to be a dreadnaught-type thing."
"Just what we need."
"We can hyperspace out to Starchaser 6 immediately."
"Swiftsure, this is the Sagan. I think we have enough to get out of here. Starchaser 6 is the closest shipyard base."

Aboard the Sagan, the sensors operators pick up the smaller object moving away from the huge wreck.

"It appears to be a dreadnaught-type thing."
"Just what we need."
"We can hyperspace out to Starchaser 6 immediately."
"Swiftsure, this is the Sagan. I think we have enough to get out of here. Starchaser 6 is the closest shipyard base."

"Tell the Carl Sagan that we are perfectly capable of handling this ourselves. The vessel does not appear to be heavily armed, nor does it appear to be very large."
The Comm operator sent the message.
The Keeper began to glow a bright gold.
"Captain, we're being held in place by a hyperspace inhibitor field," shouted an ensign, obviously terrified. Impala considered for a moment.
"Hail the Keeper. Transmit a basic binary friend transmission." The Comm operator bent to his task once again. A few tense seconds passed.
"Sir! The Keeper is FIRING!"
"Battle Stations! Shields up!" The crew of the Swiftsure reacted instantly. Shields went up, wrapping the cruiser in a cocoon of energy. Weapons fire hit the shields. Impala smiled. Ion beams were easily deflected. Their short fire time made them rather weak against well shielded vessels. Impala's face turned to stone, however, when the beam continued, chipping away at his shields.
80 percent, the readout blinked
70 percent
60 percent
"Return fire, all guns, all fighters!"
50 percent
40 percent
Impala's eyes turned to chips of viridian ice.
30 percent
"No noticable damage to the Keeper, sir!"
20 percent
"Pull back, full engines. Comm, call in the sector fleet," Impala bellowed.
10 percent
"Heavy damage to the forward ridgeline!"
5 percent
"Hull breaches, decks 30 through 35!"
0 percent

"Tell the Carl Sagan that we are perfectly capable of handling this ourselves. The vessel does not appear to be heavily armed, nor does it appear to be very large."
The Comm operator sent the message.
The Keeper began to glow a bright gold.
"Captain, we're being held in place by a hyperspace inhibitor field," shouted an ensign, obviously terrified. Impala considered for a moment.
"Hail the Keeper. Transmit a basic binary friend transmission." The Comm operator bent to his task once again. A few tense seconds passed.
"Sir! The Keeper is FIRING!"
"Battle Stations! Shields up!" The crew of the Swiftsure reacted instantly. Shields went up, wrapping the cruiser in a cocoon of energy. Weapons fire hit the shields. Impala smiled. Ion beams were easily deflected. Their short fire time made them rather weak against well shielded vessels. Impala's face turned to stone, however, when the beam continued, chipping away at his shields.
80 percent, the readout blinked
70 percent
60 percent
"Return fire, all guns, all fighters!"
50 percent
40 percent
Impala's eyes turned to chips of viridian ice.
30 percent
"No noticable damage to the Keeper, sir!"
20 percent
"Pull back, full engines. Comm, call in the sector fleet," Impala bellowed.
10 percent
"Heavy damage to the forward ridgeline!"
5 percent
"Hull breaches, decks 30 through 35!"
0 percent

OOC: Sorry for the long delay. I've been busy. :oops:

bump for post tomorrow