NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is just something to take me away from the dealings of LETI, if anyone wants to jump in and add something feel free.

IC: The Refridgerator looking space ship had been travelling near the speed of light for the last 25 years, its surface marred here and there from an ocasional metiorite hit. The E.S.S. Torvalds slid quietly through the cold of space heading towards Seti Alpha 5. Its mission, to investigate strange deep space tranmissions that had been picked up by a listening post past Pluto. Suddenly, a light begins to blink on the bridge of the ship and the starbord computer bank sparks to life and begins to run the ships startup program. The hulk of a ship slows down to almost a crawl as different systems come alive and the inside temprature raises from minus 236 degree's to 69. The first person of the ship to wake up is Lt. Cmdr Tomol, the ships communication and linguistics officer. She begins scanning the area for any communications, a few moments she is joined on the bridge by the rest of the flag officers, including Capain Ulonov.

Ulonov: Cmdr Tomol, any communication from earth?
Tomol: Yes, they congratulate us on making the voyage, and our orders are to investigate the source of the transmissions, and make contact.
Ulonov: Lt. Keener, run short and long range scans, see if we can pinpoint the transmissions
Keener: *still groggy from the cryosleep*
Ulonov: Lt!
Keener: Aye Aye Sir...

Space seemed to explode as Tia opened the way into normal space. The large ship emerged from singularity and Tia began a sensor scan of the area. It is a delta winged craft with the nose and tail slightly sticking out. The ship is 235 meters from nose to stern and the same distance from wing tip to wing tip.

"Alex I've found something", Tia said as she put the image up in one of the wall viewers. "It looks like one of our sleeper style ships but it's definitly not ours."

"Life signs?" Alex asked.

"It seems the sleeper units are waking them."

Alex looked at the information she was sending to his board. "Because of us?"

"Could be from proximity, though I don't think so. I think they were waking up before we arrived. They might possibly have been heading here." Tia opened the com and sent out a general hail, "This is Hypatia out of central worlds, registry AH-1033. We are an archeological expidition vessel on a peaceful mission to locate worlds for possible excavation. We are unarmed and non-hostile." She focused her scan to check for weapons and number of life signs on the sleeper vessel.

OOC: Some info on the E.S.S. Torvalds

E.S.S. Torvalds
Crew
75 (25 Naval, 15 Space Marines, 5 Diplocorp, 30 Science)
Size
300 x 100 x 50 feet (general dimensions)
Max Speed
.896 of lightspeed
Weapons
Short Range Lasers
Shields
Magnetic Repulsion
2 short range shuttles

IC: *The short range scanners start to go crazy as the Hypatia jumps out behind the Torvalds*

Ulonov: Yellow Alert...
Tomol: Captain they are hailing us....
Ulonov: Lets here it...

This is Hypatia out of central worlds, registry AH-1033. We are an archeological expidition vessel on a peaceful mission to locate worlds for possible excavation. We are unarmed and non-hostile

Ensign Praktin: Captain sensors arn't telling me anything.... I might as well get out and shine a flashlight on their hull.

Ulonov: Mr. Chov, can you tell me anything about Central Worlds?

*Mr. Chov, the lead science officer on the ship scans through the computer for any information*

Chov: Sir.. we have had no prior contact with Central Worlds.

Ulonov: Ohh good.. first contact situation... Cmdr Tomol, Open communication with them.

Hypathia, this is Edenstein Ship Torvalds, I am Captain Dimitri Ulonov, we are on a peaceful exploration mission to find the source of peculiur transmissions that one of our listening outposts picked up from the Seti Alpha 5 Sector. If you are familiar with this sector we would be intrested in having a diolouge with you.

A goodly distance from the two ships lies the source of the emissions, an object approxomately one hundred metres in diametre, but only ten metres deep. It spins slowly in space, collecting, sorting and forwarding data in a never-ending stream of information.

Its surface is dully reflective, and bears the twin fireball symbol stretched across the entirety of the flat sides, while the curving edge of the object is covered in the symbols of a long-forgotten language.

A few small antennae stick out on both sides of the disc, presumably to help fulfill whatever function the object has, and there is a docking port along the curving edge - a design quite alien to those commonly used by most nations, but one that should be able to be used without too much difficulty. If the Central Worlds ship is in contact with the other than has encountered both this metal and symbol before, the port design would be recognisably similar - as would be the unscarred surface and the lack of life within, although this specimen contains greater energy readings.

OOC: A picture:

http://www.freewebs.com/demonlordenigma/DLEMB10.JPG

Armaments: 3 Disruptor turrets, 2 ion cannons, 8 torpedo launchers (disruptor torpedos, to be upgraded to a different type later), 1 three-pronged missile launcher, 18 antimatter missiles.

Shields: Standard deflector type.

Armor: Bitanium, with an inlaid crystal matrix that dispurses energy across the entire matrix.

IC:

"Sir, we're picking up a ship. I think they followed communications signals we have been sending back home as we explore. Your orders?" Leutent Marlot asked.

"Contact them, see what they want. Keep weapons charged in case of hostile actions," Captain Serlo said.

~Electronic Communication to Earth Vessel~
Well, I see your species has managed to make it out this far from Earth. Normally, we have to go to your planet.
So, what do you want?
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

*Cloaked Scout Drone of the Dominion*

Systems... activating
Databanks... online
Navagation... online
Sensors... online
Weapon Systems... online
Propulsion... online

... Long Range Sensors (LRS) have encountered two approaching objects...
... Compiling Databanks for Star Systems... Compiling Databanks for Ship Design... Compiling complete... Star System: Milky Way: Sol Sector... Ship Design: Earth Forces: Reconnaissance Ship... Priority Tasks... Remain Undetected, Neutralize all threats to the Dominion, Make First Contact with Freindly Forces... Selecting course of action... Make First Contact, Neutralize all threats to the Dominion... Ccourse of action... Selected... Acting... ... ...

"Attention all approaching Craft this is SSD Scout Drone #A711025 requesting inquiry with Captain of approaching Craft, if their is no responce SSD Scout Drone #A711025 is athorized by Dominion law to open fire and Neutralize all threats to the Dominion.*Repeats*"

Tag mind if i join ?)

~Electronic Communication to Dominion Ship~
Dominion, aye? I thought Sarkaraset exterminated you with the same virus they used on Sarkaraseti. Did it on the same day Earth celebrates Christmas.
Glad to see an old empire here. We may not be the Earth ship, but I don't want to fight you. We're just exploring and looking for a ship that vanished while on its way to Earth to help deal with a polar bear problem.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

... No Response... Acctivating SSD Scout Drones in quadrant... SSD Scout Drone #A711025 requsting aid from all nearby SSD Scout Drones... Verification Code *******... Engaging Targets untill response is acquired... Sending Report back to Dominion Space... ... ...

~Electronic Communication to Dominion Ship~
Dominion, aye? I thought Sarkaraset exterminated you with the same virus they used on Sarkaraseti. Did it on the same day Earth celebrates Christmas.
Glad to see an old empire here. We may not be the Earth ship, but I don't want to fight you. We're just exploring and looking for a ship that vanished while on its way to Earth to help deal with a polar bear problem.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~
... Contact acquired... Non-Hostile... Ignoring Target... Engaging Second and Third Target...

Captain (SG) Bagwell commanding the Grayson Space Navy's finest Heavy Cruiser Ares. His was the first of a half dozen of ships from Grayson and its Federation allies whose job it was to explore the space around Alpha Centarui. It was in the course of these events that brought the Ares to the system in question this day.

"Sir, I reading multiple sensor contact bearing 274 degrees I make it out to be at least four contacts but at this distance there could be more." The sensor operator reported.

"Hmmm, the Valinor charts said this system was uninhabited we should check it out. ECM to maximum bring us in on an oblique angle, I don’t want us to be seen until we are aware of there intentions or get a better look at who they are. Charge the pulse cannons slowly, and open the missile tubes to space, just in case they are hostile."

A series of answers confirmed his orders as the Ares began to emit massive amounts of ECM and headed towards the contacts.

Tag mind if i join ?)

Come on in

*Indicator lights on the helm consul light up as the multiple targets*

Keener: CAPTAIN! Multiple contacts coming in!
Tomol: Sir Multiple hails coming in all at once, my computers are having trouble keeping up....

*Ulonov takes a sip from his coffee and then sets it down next to him*

Keener: Captain!

Ulonov: Mr. Praktin, what can you tell me about those ships?

Praktin: Scanning, sir... these ships are way out of our class...... It would be like shooting a bee bee gun at a freight train....

Ulonov: Well we won't need that because we are on a peaceful mission... Mr. Keener, lower the defence screens... Ms. Tulon, open up hailing frequencies, all known channels...

*The defence screens on the torvalds lower and Ulonov begins to speak*

This is Captain Dimitri Ulonov of the E.S.S. Torvalds, we are here on a mission of exploration and discovery, we are not a military vessal. We are here to investigate the source of transmissions that one of our listening posts picked up almost 25 years ago. Please respond.

*Ulonov sits back down and picks up his cup of 25 year old coffee, it has a staler taste then what he usualy likes*

Hypathia, this is Edenstein Ship Torvalds, I am Captain Dimitri Ulonov, we are on a peaceful exploration mission to find the source of peculiur transmissions that one of our listening outposts picked up from the Seti Alpha 5 Sector. If you are familiar with this sector we would be intrested in having a diolouge with you.

"We are explorers ourselves, but I am picking up the transmission of which you speak. We seek peaceful contact with other spacefaring nations. It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain, perhaps we could open a dialogue." Hypatia clicked on the wait signal indicating she was waiting for any possible response.

Well, I see your species has managed to make it out this far from Earth. Normally, we have to go to your planet.
So, what do you want?
-Captain Serlo

"Alex, there's another vessel hailing the sleeper ship. They seem to know them."

"Attention all approaching Craft this is SSD Scout Drone #A711025 requesting inquiry with Captain of approaching Craft, if their is no responce SSD Scout Drone #A711025 is athorized by Dominion law to open fire and Neutralize all threats to the Dominion."

"We're getting a hail from another vessel. No, drone. They sound rather hostile."

Alex nodded as Hypatia opened a channel to the dominion drone. "This is Hypatia out of central worlds, registry AH-1033. We are an archeological expidition vessel on a peaceful mission to locate worlds for possible excavation. We are unarmed and non-hostile."

"This is turning into a quite a party", Tia said to Alex, "I'm getting something else too. Massive amounts of ECM, not naturally occuring and closing. I think it may be a vessel trying to hide itself."

"Great Ghu", Alex replied, "Well central was sure wrong about the POSSIBILITY of life out here."

"Sir, we're detecting a ship comming in. It's attempting to use electronic interference to hide itself. Good thing our sensors are so turned to electrical charges," Marlot said.

"I'm guessing you've never seen the ion storms back home. They have to be so tuned if we wish to survive. How are they comming in?" Serlo asked.

"From the energy distribution, weapons charged. No target locks detected yet, so I would say they're just being cautious. Now the Earth ship has dropped defenses," Marlot said.

"It's a good gesture, but I wouldn't make it in this region. Don't acknowledge the ship trying to hide itself. If they wish to be cautious, give them the benefit of appearing they have succeeded. Just in case, program the computer to do a hyperlight dodge if we are fired upon. If shooting starts, every advantage is needed," Serlo said.

This is Captain Dimitri Ulonov of the E.S.S. Torvalds, we are here on a mission of exploration and discovery, we are not a military vessal. We are here to investigate the source of transmissions that one of our listening posts picked up almost 25 years ago. Please respond.

"Twenty-five years ago? We had no ships in this area at that time. Might be Dominion," Serlo said.

~Electronic Communication to E.S.S. Torvalds~
We cannot help you in that area, as we were not out here around then. I would ask the Dominion if they are the source. We're out here looking for a ship that disappeared on its way to Earth. It gets annoying to have ships suddenly vanish like that. But perhaps we can help a bit and give you an idea of the neighborhood.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

Bagwell considered the com transmissions transmitted by the ships, he was concerned about the drone's encrypted messages.

"Move us in closer but keep a good eye at that drone, if it tries to lock on to us I want it gone guns." Bagwell ordered.

"Aye, Aye sir!" the weapons officer reported.

"Sir we should be entering visual range of the vessels soon, one of them is definitely an antiquated sleeper ship, the others and the drone appear to be more modern."

"Open a channel to all vessels." Bagwell told his comm. officer and continued when she indicated the feed was live "All vessels this is the GSN Ares we are exploring this and the surrounding systems in search of trade contacts, we are more then willing to offer any assistance in exploring this system, however we are concerned about the intentions of the drone we have picked up some strange encrypted messages from it." Bagwell finished saying the message transmitted to the collected vessels.

~Electronic Communication to GSN Ares~
We're not. All indications have it as being a leftover of an ancient empire that once ruled this region of space. They were wiped out by a virus Sarkaraset, one of the two empires fromn which we are descended, created. Sarkaraset was destroyed thousands of years ago in war. Show no hostility and you should be fine.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

"All vessels this is the GSN Ares we are exploring this and the surrounding systems in search of trade contacts, we are more then willing to offer any assistance in exploring this system, however we are concerned about the intentions of the drone we have picked up some strange encrypted messages from it."

Hypatia was beginning to wonder if this was some kind of a practical joke. "This is Hypatia out of central worlds, registry AH-1033. We are an archeological expidition vessel on a peaceful mission to locate worlds for possible excavation. We are unarmed and non-hostile." She played the incoming message for Alex as she sent the standard hail.

Alex looked at Hypatia, "This is getting a bit out of hand for us, Tia."

"Your telling me", she replied. "I'm encrypting a tightbeam to Simeon."

"Is that wise?" Alex asked.

"Well SOMEONE should know what's going on."

Alex nodded, "I'm not talking about the tightbeam, I'm talking about the encryption. If someone out there can pick up on a tightbeam signal then I should think encryption would be easy. But if they can't decode it then we have a hidden signal that's unreadable going out and some of them don't seem to patient."

"Good point", she replied, "I'll tightbeam it, since it's faster but I'll leave it decoded."

She opened the tightbeam and sent the microsecond burst.

"Simeon, it's Hypatia. We've arrived at our next scheduled stop and here's what's going on..." What follows are the events up to this point, "...Please contact central and tell them that we await thier instructions. Hypatia out."
"Oh yeah, and tell Channa I said hi."

*Ulonov sat back and looked at the situation, 4 first contacts in as many minutes, he reached beside his command chair and began to scribble down some notes to keep himself straight*

Ulonov: Mr. Chov, you have the bridge, Ms. Tomol, I need a com uplink to the the ships in my ready room.

*Ulonov walks into his ready room and begins to contact the ships*

Hailing The Hypathia, GSN Ares, and Captain Serlo

As a sign of goodwill and to also illustrate our intentions, I lowerd our defence shields, although they would do little against your superior weapons. This ship was sent out on tour to investigate a transmission we recieved from this region of space 25 earth years ago.

At the moment I feel that with your races knowledge of this part of space you can help us in our quest, but at the moment, the drone ship seems to be our most pressing concern, seeing as it would not have any prior contact with us. Any assistance you could give us in this matter would be greatly apreciated.

*Ulonov takes another drink of his coffee and then sits back in his chair*

--back on the bridge--

Chov: *he pushes the com button on the captains chair* Chief Brian, please respond.
Brian: Sir.
Chov: Chief, Ready the Marines, our defence shields are down and someone may try to get aboard....
Brian: Yes Sir..

Hypatia opened the link so Alex could hear;

Hailing The Hypathia, GSN Ares, and Captain Serlo

As a sign of goodwill and to also illustrate our intentions, I lowerd our defence shields, although they would do little against your superior weapons. This ship was sent out on tour to investigate a transmission we recieved from this region of space 25 earth years ago.

At the moment I feel that with your races knowledge of this part of space you can help us in our quest, but at the moment, the drone ship seems to be our most pressing concern, seeing as it would not have any prior contact with us. Any assistance you could give us in this matter would be greatly apreciated.

Alex just sat for moment as he and Tia absorbed the transmission. "Ahh, something your not telling me Tia?"

"Like what?"

"Well last I checked we had no weapons."

"I'm sure he was making a blanket statement. Either that or he can't scan through the titanium/durantium hull."

Alex looked back at Tia, "Well I don't want anyone thinking we have weapons, it wouldn't be good for us to have them find out after a volley that we don't."

"Message from Simeon on tightbeam", she said and opened it up for Alex to hear",

"Hiya sweety. Sounds like someone screwed the pooch on this one. I've sent your message to Regulus. As soon as the beurocracy gets up off there ever widening butts and starts talking this through we should get an answer. Until then my best suggestion is to hang in there and do the best you can. Sorry I don't have anything better than that at the moment but you know the slow process of the government. Channa says hi and say hello to Alex. Simeon out."

The message was less then a millisecond long.

"Alright", Alex said, "They seem to think that 'the hypatia' is a ship, lets leave it at that for now. Open a channel and let me speak with the Captain, in the meantime dig into the archives and see if you can find anything on this sector."

Hypatia opened the com, "Hello Captain, this is Alex. You have nothing to fear from us, I assure you. This sector is largely unknown to us..."

A wait signal went up as Hypatia interrupted, "The only central worlds vessel to have come this way was an unmanned probe, specifically set to find evidence of life forms. Apparantly it ignored signals because at the time we couldn't program it to isolate man made and natural transmissions."

Alex nodded then Hypatia opened up the com channel again, "...the only information is an old unmanned probe that simply told us that the planets here were lifeless before it moved on."

Captain (SG) Bagwell commanding the Grayson Space Navy's finest Heavy Cruiser Ares. His was the first of a half dozen of ships from Grayson and its Federation allies whose job it was to explore the space around Alpha Centarui. It was in the course of these events that brought the Ares to the system in question this day.

"Sir, I reading multiple sensor contact bearing 274 degrees I make it out to be at least four contacts but at this distance there could be more." The sensor operator reported.

"Hmmm, the Valinor charts said this system was uninhabited we should check it out. ECM to maximum bring us in on an oblique angle, I don’t want us to be seen until we are aware of there intentions or get a better look at who they are. Charge the pulse cannons slowly, and open the missile tubes to space, just in case they are hostile."

A series of answers confirmed his orders as the Ares began to emit massive amounts of ECM and headed towards the contacts.
Verified... Non-hostile... Moving to intercept other incoming Craft... ... ...

Hypathia, this is Edenstein Ship Torvalds, I am Captain Dimitri Ulonov, we are on a peaceful exploration mission to find the source of peculiur transmissions that one of our listening outposts picked up from the Seti Alpha 5 Sector. If you are familiar with this sector we would be intrested in having a diolouge with you.

"We are explorers ourselves, but I am picking up the transmission of which you speak. We seek peaceful contact with other spacefaring nations. It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain, perhaps we could open a dialogue." Hypatia clicked on the wait signal indicating she was waiting for any possible response.

Well, I see your species has managed to make it out this far from Earth. Normally, we have to go to your planet.
So, what do you want?
-Captain Serlo

"Alex, there's another vessel hailing the sleeper ship. They seem to know them."

"Attention all approaching Craft this is SSD Scout Drone #A711025 requesting inquiry with Captain of approaching Craft, if their is no responce SSD Scout Drone #A711025 is athorized by Dominion law to open fire and Neutralize all threats to the Dominion."

"We're getting a hail from another vessel. No, drone. They sound rather hostile."

Alex nodded as Hypatia opened a channel to the dominion drone. "This is Hypatia out of central worlds, registry AH-1033. We are an archeological expidition vessel on a peaceful mission to locate worlds for possible excavation. We are unarmed and non-hostile."

"This is turning into a quite a party", Tia said to Alex, "I'm getting something else too. Massive amounts of ECM, not naturally occuring and closing. I think it may be a vessel trying to hide itself."

"Great Ghu", Alex replied, "Well central was sure wrong about the POSSIBILITY of life out here."
Verified... Non-hostile... Ingaging incoming Targets... ... ...

"Sir, we're detecting a ship comming in. It's attempting to use electronic interference to hide itself. Good thing our sensors are so turned to electrical charges," Marlot said.

"I'm guessing you've never seen the ion storms back home. They have to be so tuned if we wish to survive. How are they comming in?" Serlo asked.

"From the energy distribution, weapons charged. No target locks detected yet, so I would say they're just being cautious. Now the Earth ship has dropped defenses," Marlot said.

"It's a good gesture, but I wouldn't make it in this region. Don't acknowledge the ship trying to hide itself. If they wish to be cautious, give them the benefit of appearing they have succeeded. Just in case, program the computer to do a hyperlight dodge if we are fired upon. If shooting starts, every advantage is needed," Serlo said.



"Twenty-five years ago? We had no ships in this area at that time. Might be Dominion," Serlo said.

~Electronic Communication to E.S.S. Torvalds~
We cannot help you in that area, as we were not out here around then. I would ask the Dominion if they are the source. We're out here looking for a ship that disappeared on its way to Earth. It gets annoying to have ships suddenly vanish like that. But perhaps we can help a bit and give you an idea of the neighborhood.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~
Communication Intercepted... Target is found to be Non-hostile... Rerouting Message... *Female AI* "The Dominion is not responsible for the disturbances in this sector, and in fact we were sent quite a distance from our home bases to investigate the possibillity of hostile forces out here."

Hypatia let out a relieved sigh that sounded a bit like static coming out of the speakers but Alex got the hint and turned toward her.

"The drone has stopped targeting us and appears to be moving. I think it may be heading for the ECM pulses."

Alex sat back relieved, "That's about the BEST news I've heard so far."

"I'm wondering moving would be bad right now. I just don't want to get into the line of fire."

"Let's just wait and see what happens first. We'll move if we have to", Alex replied.

Bagwell considered the com transmissions transmitted by the ships, he was concerned about the drone's encrypted messages.

"Move us in closer but keep a good eye at that drone, if it tries to lock on to us I want it gone guns." Bagwell ordered.

"Aye, Aye sir!" the weapons officer reported.

"Sir we should be entering visual range of the vessels soon, one of them is definitely an antiquated sleeper ship, the others and the drone appear to be more modern."

"Open a channel to all vessels." Bagwell told his comm. officer and continued when she indicated the feed was live "All vessels this is the GSN Ares we are exploring this and the surrounding systems in search of trade contacts, we are more then willing to offer any assistance in exploring this system, however we are concerned about the intentions of the drone we have picked up some strange encrypted messages from it." Bagwell finished saying the message transmitted to the collected vessels.
Message Intercepted... Rereouting Message... *Female AI* "As I have said to the other vessels Captain, we were sent here to investigate these strange readings as well."

Ulonov: Hypatia, thank you for the update, do you have any experiance with the other races that have dropped in on our little expidition?
*he gets an update from Ensign Practin on the situation going on outside as well as estimated statistics from the other ships*

Looks like we have a nice mix of noncombat and heavily armed ships in our little neck of the woods here don't we?

"After further inspection you all appear to be of unknown origin and therefore probably have no prior knowlege of the Dominion, so we apologize if our actions were portrayed as being "hostile", I am Scout Drone #A711025 or Alexial for short. I am pleased to make your acquaintances but I am sorry to indicate that while you are not hostile, their are other species out there that aren't so "peacefull". We would also be interested in opening trade upon further inspection of the state of your home worlds, but for now all we can offer is our aid in the search for the origin of these strange readings."

"The Dominion is not responsible for the disturbances in this sector, and in fact we were sent quite a distance from our home bases to investigate the possibillity of hostile forces out here." "As I have said to the other vessels Captain, we were sent here to investigate these strange readings as well."

"Alex", Hypatia said, "I picked this up from the drone."

"So it thinks this may be a hostile force."

"Do you think the Kolnari made it this far? They spread to the solar winds anytime Central's navy gets close, maybe they reach out this far. It would make sense, they're known to hide around dead systems areas and then regroup after a few years."

"I doubt it, why do you ask?"

"I'm going to send it what I know of the Kolnari as a warning. If it finds them then maybe the navy will get a little help in the matter."

Hypatia opened a com channel to the probe, "Attention Dominion. There is a pirating people known as the Kolnari who scatter after several raids in our sector to uninhabited areas. I don't know if they have ever been here but it might be wise to keep an eye out for them." She sent the information she had on the Kolnari, various warships all of a similar type though altered from stolen vessels to thier purpose. Large people, about 2.5 meters in height. Very resilient as they come from a volcanic world with little natural protection form the suns radiation and multiple wars leaving radiactive traces in the atmosphere. Also extremely resilient to diseases as they intentionaly spread diseases through thier people so the survivors will be immune. She intentionaly let the communication be open so all could hear.

Hypatia, thank you for the update, do you have any experiance with the other races that have dropped in on our little expidition?

"He must still think Hypatia is this ship", Alex said. Unti we know more we won't correct anyone. Open the com again, will you please?"

"Captain, this is Alex", he said, "unfortunatly we have no information on the others. This is our first contact with anyone outside our system. We are picking up strange energy fluctuations from what appears to be the source of the signal, though we're too far for anything more precise than that."

*Ulonov walked back onto the bridge of the Torvalds as on the viewscreen the drone ship was backing away*

Keener: Captain, the drone ship has backed away, looks look they could possibly be engaging the Ares...

Tomol: Captain the drones AI has informed us that we are not hostile and they have been sent out to investigate the transmissions as well....

Ulonov: Well its good to know that we arn't hostile...

Keener: Yeah...What a relief....

Tomol: Also Captain, The ESA wants to know our status....

Ulonov: Send them a transcript of radio activity up until now.. Also send out a message to the other ships asking if they would be intrested in jointly exploring the source of the transmissions, and also if the captains would be my guests tonight for dinner. See if we can get on a good foot with these people.

*Tomol transmits the different messages to the different sources*

Ulonov: Hypatia, thank you for the update, do you have any experiance with the other races that have dropped in on our little expidition?
*he gets an update from Ensign Practin on the situation going on outside as well as estimated statistics from the other ships*

Looks like we have a nice mix of noncombat and heavily armed ships in our little neck of the woods here don't we?
*Partially ashamed and suprised* "Umm, sadly... no, my own creators have only recently meet one other sencied species, wich we were forced to commit xenocide upon" "So no, we have not meet any of these paticular species, but I would ask you, why you ask me? You don't even know the species of my creators."

"Thank you", Hypatia replied to the AI.

"Alex, the Captain of the sleeper ship wants to know if the Captain here would like to have dinner with him and the Captain of the other vessels, what should I tell him?"

"Good question", Alex replied, "I guess ... tell him I'll join him if we can dock with him."

"Captain, thank you for your gracious invitation", she sent, "Alex will join you if you have a manner with which we can dock with your vessel."

"Captain of the "Sleeper Ship" as you can tell we don't necessarily have "captains" in the normal sence, but we would be willing to send an avatar in place of a "captain" if you would be willing to receive "her"?"

Broadband Message:"We are not... HOSTILE!" "Though we will not tolerate your primitive need to be secretive or concealing, in truth we have been decoding all encrypted messages with the greatest of ease, you think that species that got this far from their collective home worlds would be smart enough to know the complexity of an AI is only matched by their inate abillities, so quit wasting your time talking behind my back when I can allready hear you and come out and say what you want to say!" *Embarrased at what she just said* "Hehe, uhrr umm, I..., didn't... mean it, uhh, that... way, hehe, geehs, what was I thinking?"

"Umm, sadly... no, my own creators have only recently meet one other sencied species, wich we were forced to commit xenocide upon" "So no, we have not meet any of these paticular species, but I would ask you, why you ask me? You don't even know the species of my creators."

"We are not... HOSTILE!" "Though we will not tolerate your primitive need to be secretive or conncealing, in truth we have been decoding all encrypted messages with the greatest of ease, you think that a species that got this far from their home worlds would be smart enough to know the complexity of an AI is only matched by their inate abillities, so quit waisting your time talking behind our backs when we can allready hear you and come out and say what you want to say!" *Flustered at what she just said* "Hehe, umm, I..., didn't... mean it, uhh, that... way, hehe"

Hypatia played the message for Alex who turned in his crash couch at the controls to look at her. "What was that about."

"I'm not quite sure. I think the first may have been an intercepted message between Captain Ulonov and us that it mistaked for when sent to it. The other I have no clue unless there was a coded message that I didn't pick up on. I think it's abilities to intercept messages are superior to my own, but then I don't have military software like CP-1024."

Alex nodded, "Well lets hope it's not losing it's electronic mind."

"Umm, sadly... no, my own creators have only recently meet one other sencied species, wich we were forced to commit xenocide upon" "So no, we have not meet any of these paticular species, but I would ask you, why you ask me? You don't even know the species of my creators."

"We are not... HOSTILE!" "Though we will not tolerate your primitive need to be secretive or conncealing, in truth we have been decoding all encrypted messages with the greatest of ease, you think that a species that got this far from their home worlds would be smart enough to know the complexity of an AI is only matched by their inate abillities, so quit waisting your time talking behind our backs when we can allready hear you and come out and say what you want to say!" *Flustered at what she just said* "Hehe, umm, I..., didn't... mean it, uhh, that... way, hehe"

Hypatia played the message for Alex who turned in his crash couch at the controls to look at her. "What was that about."

"I'm not quite sure. I think the first may have been an intercepted message between Captain Ulonov and us that it mistaked for when sent to it. The other I have no clue unless there was a coded message that I didn't pick up on. I think it's abilities to intercept messages are superior to my own, but then I don't have military software like CP-1024."

Alex nodded, "Well lets hope it's not losing it's electronic mind."
OOC:You may wan't to update your message's quote
IC:"Uhh, umm, hehehe, ah never mind"

OOC:You may wan't to update your message's quote

(OOC - I don't understand what you mean.)

Broadband Message:"I apologize for ease dropping on your communications, it's just that being from a species that doesn't keep secrets from one another, due partially to telepathy, I was never programed to understand other species need to be secretive with one another, I apologize, sorry."

OOC:You may wan't to update your message's quote

(OOC - I don't understand what you mean.)
OOC:uh doesn't matter, you got the gest of the message

(OOC - I'm still not following what the drone is talking about though. You do realize that Alex and Hypatia are on the same ship right?)

Broadband Message:"I have told you about my creators, I'd appreciate input on your races."

(OOC - I'm still not following what the drone is talking about though. You do realize that Alex and Hypatia are on the same ship right?)
OOC:No, but now that you say that it does make sense, I'm login off, tired, what time is it where you are any way?

3:12 AM. I should log off myself, I have to be up in about 5 hours.
good night

3:12 AM. I should log off myself, I have to be up in about 5 hours.
good night
OOC:an hour ahead of me is it then, obviously a New Englander, well good nite yankee

Several billion miles away from all the action, somthing strange has started to happen, an energy charge is starting to form in space, with no descernabil cause. In addition, the intersteller hydrogen that can be found anywhere in space, is being pushed away from the center of the charge, leaveing a true vacume, devoid of the slightist trace of matter.

"Sir, all of the information matches up. This is the same Dominion that Sarkaraset wiped out thousands of years ago. We even have that type of drone and the schematics for it on record," Marlot said.

"This is sounding fishy. Is this another of Nergal's tricks? He's shown he has the ability to bend time, and we don't know how far he can reach," Serlo said.

"I don't know," Marlot said.

~Open Communication to All Ships~
Since we're being friendly, time for uus to open up.
We're a species called Sarkarasetans. You may have heard of us, but most likely you haven't. We're two evolutions removed from humanity and evolved on a different Earth than the one near us. According to our star maps, there may be as many as twelve right now, but some of them are quite old.
Our species once held two interplanetary empires that stretched across large portions of the galaxy. They destroyed each other in warfare, but not before they first destroyed an attempt at a third. It is that third that puzzles us now, as the Dominion ship with us is included as part of the fleets of another species destroyed at the same time by the same virus.
However, this may be a case of development and evolutionary coincidence. The multiple Earths and multiple times humanity has shown up have suggested it is a possibility. Thus, we are forced to assume this is just a coincidence. Luckily, we're not as likely to exterminate as our ancestors were.
We would be interested in diplomatic relations if... What the? Everyone, we have an anomaly. Marlot, turn the recorder off and transmit.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

"Sir, the way it's acting... Is it Nergal?" Marlot asked.

"I doubt it. Looks graviton in nature. Scan for graviton build-ups in the area. And if this turns out to be Nergal, I wonder how he'll mess with us this time," Serlo said.

The disk-shaped objest continues to spin, and continues to sent out its encoded messages. Even if the information was successfully decoded, it would not prove to be of much use to the decoder - being in a language long forgotten by all save the race who use it.

For a long time it gave no reaction to the presence of the other ships and the drone, not responding the drone's message - although that might be the distance, since it is still a good distance away.

Eventually, however, the power level rose to fully twice what it had been. AIs began operating after their long hibernation period, conversing in the peculiar way the electronic organisms do.

...potential hostile ship now claiming to be non-hostile...
...unarmed vessels and warships...
...no reaction to presence here...
...probability of unknown vessels approaching: 86.329%...
...suggested path, notify Ancient and Venerable Master Jyranioch Language...
...agreed...
...agreed, protocols are clear...
...cross-referencing ships through webway - no matches...
...unsurprising. Only two of the Ancient and Venerable Masters have woken...
...confirmed. Most of the Great Fleets lie dormant...
...prepare for defensive action, perhaps...
...negative. Wait until hostility is demonstrated...
...agreed. Several of these ships demonstrate a greater than 50% probability of alliance preference than for Harvesting...
...some demonstrate a 74.587% probability of Harvesting preference...
...they are Organics, like the Ancient and Venerable Master's old forms...
...confirmed. The flesh is weak, fallible...
...but in some cases has greater potential than mechanics...
...truly?..
...confirmed. Ancient and Venerable Masters maintain both organic form and mechanic...
...confirmed. They are always correct. There must be truth in your thoughts...

A single burst of information was sent away from the disk, vanishing only fifty metres away into another form of communication.

"Sir, all of the information matches up. This is the same Dominion that Sarkaraset wiped out thousands of years ago. We even have that type of drone and the schematics for it on record," Marlot said.

"This is sounding fishy. Is this another of Nergal's tricks? He's shown he has the ability to bend time, and we don't know how far he can reach," Serlo said.

"I don't know," Marlot said.

~Open Communication to All Ships~
Since we're being friendly, time for uus to open up.
We're a species called Sarkarasetans. You may have heard of us, but most likely you haven't. We're two evolutions removed from humanity and evolved on a different Earth than the one near us. According to our star maps, there may be as many as twelve right now, but some of them are quite old.
Our species once held two interplanetary empires that stretched across large portions of the galaxy. They destroyed each other in warfare, but not before they first destroyed an attempt at a third. It is that third that puzzles us now, as the Dominion ship with us is included as part of the fleets of another species destroyed at the same time by the same virus.
However, this may be a case of development and evolutionary coincidence. The multiple Earths and multiple times humanity has shown up have suggested it is a possibility. Thus, we are forced to assume this is just a coincidence. Luckily, we're not as likely to exterminate as our ancestors were.
We would be interested in diplomatic relations if... What the? Everyone, we have an anomaly. Marlot, turn the recorder off and transmit.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

"Sir, the way it's acting... Is it Nergal?" Marlot asked.

"I doubt it. Looks graviton in nature. Scan for graviton build-ups in the area. And if this turns out to be Nergal, I wonder how he'll mess with us this time," Serlo said.
"Umm, about the orgin of my schematics, my creators never meet your species, but in my creators ancient legend they were given advanced technology from the few remaining survivors that talked of such an event. But they were not ment to be and fell ill to a virus well known on my home world. It seems that my creators and myself owe this third empire for their aid in advancing the creators species." *Cuts Communications*

... Sensors detecting two singularitys...
"Investigate then, don't waste my time untill you know what the problem is, understand?"
... Understood... Investigating... First Singularity: Spacial in apperance... Second Singularity: Unkown... Possible Threat: 98.62%... Moving in to investigate... Unknown Ship class found... Threat Possiblity increased to 99.99%... Retreating to safe range... Alerting AI... ... ...

Broadband Communications:"Umm, freinds I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news but, it seems that a miniture black hole is forming behind us and my drones have alerted me to the presence of a vastly supperior ship that refused to answer my drones hails." "It seems this place is no longer safe, and that i suggest that we leave immediatly."

Since we're being friendly, time for uus to open up.
We're a species called Sarkarasetans. You may have heard of us, but most likely you haven't. We're two evolutions removed from humanity and evolved on a different Earth than the one near us. According to our star maps, there may be as many as twelve right now, but some of them are quite old.
Our species once held two interplanetary empires that stretched across large portions of the galaxy. They destroyed each other in warfare, but not before they first destroyed an attempt at a third. It is that third that puzzles us now, as the Dominion ship with us is included as part of the fleets of another species destroyed at the same time by the same virus.
However, this may be a case of development and evolutionary coincidence. The multiple Earths and multiple times humanity has shown up have suggested it is a possibility. Thus, we are forced to assume this is just a coincidence. Luckily, we're not as likely to exterminate as our ancestors were.
We would be interested in diplomatic relations if... What the? Everyone, we have an anomaly. Marlot, turn the recorder off and transmit.
-Captain Serlo

"Can you read any anomoly, Tia?" Alex asked.

"No, wait, the unkown's power level has risen to fully twice what it had been.


"Umm, about the orgin of my schematics, my creators never meet your species, but in my creators ancient legend they were given advanced technology from the few remaining survivors that talked of such an event. But they were not ment to be and fell ill to a virus well known on my home world. It seems that my creators and myself owe this third empire for their aid in advancing the creators species."
"Umm, freinds I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news but, it seems that a miniture black hole is forming behind us and my drones have alerted me to the presence of a vastly supperior ship that refused to answer my drones hails." "It seems this place is no longer safe, and that i suggest that we leave immediatly."

"Anything else from Simeon?" Alex asked getting back into the crash couch.

"No. Let me see what the others do." Tia already had her calculations for the singularity jump, she only hoped that if she needed to use them that she would have the time.

OOC:Hey Yankee Boy, what you do?
IC:The Drone Squadron begin to move furhter and furhter away from the two anomalies, but kept in sight of the other ships.
"Uh, freinds you may want to react... quickly!"

[[Just an OOC note. The disk has been there since before the probe, it just powered up a bit more is all.]]

[[Just an OOC note. The disk has been there since before the probe, it just powered up a bit more is all.]]
OOC:Yes well, that may be the case but this is the first time we detected you ie you made a post

(OOC - I work for Cingular Wireless and actually New England would be nice but I'm in New Jersey.)

"Alex?" Tia asked.

"Well if that armed drone is running then so are we. Pour it on, Tia." Alex replied strapping himself in.

Hypatia engaged the engines and began coming around in a positive vertical arc, pouring on power. Alex, mercifully, passed out as the G forces became greater. 'Please Alex, hold on', Hypatia thought as she monitered the disk, checked vectors of the other ships and manuevered around. She stored the calculations for singularity in case as she monitered everything outside and checked Alexes internal moniters. The pressure was punishing but not dangerous. Oxygen levels in his bloodstream began dropping as the pressure began pressing against the lungs and she cut back some on acceleration but kept gaining speed.

(OOC - I work for Cingular Wireless and actually New England would be nice but I'm in New Jersey.)
OOC: (Hey a Jersey boy, I be Texan, yep I'm egocentrical)

IC:... AI... we are a safe distance away from the ship and the anomoly... Suggest we stop... Confirmed... Decellerating... Coming round... Formation A079X... ... ...

When the AI beleived she was at a safe enough distance she turned the squadron around and took a X Formation, in preperation for any action from the two anomolies.

"Captian Alex, are you there, if you are unconsious the second in command is prefered, and if the second in command is unconsious, anyone will do. If you are there, this is just a precationary maneuver, we are uncerain about the intentions of that disguised ship." "Yes, even an armed drone's AI can get skitish."

(OOC - Is it egocentricity or is your hat just too tight. *grin*)

"Captian Alex, are you there, if you are unconsious the second in command is prefered, and if the second in command is unconsious, anyone will do. If you are there, this is just a precationary maneuver, we are uncerain about the intentions of that disguised ship." "Yes, even an armed drone's AI can get skitish."

Hypatia began dumping adrenaline and pumping endorphins into her bloodstream to calm down. 'At least I can control that', she thought.

She opened a channel to the drone ship, "This is Hypatia", she really needed a chance to explain things but so far it's been a job just keeping up on everything, "Alex is unconsious but his life signs are fine. If you don't mind we'll just slip in behind you, we really are completely unarmed and only have meteorite screens."

She keyed the internal com system, "Alex? Alex? No sleeping on the job. Wakey, wakey."

[[Cunning]]


...some subjects are fleeing...
...they are irrelevant...
...maintain monitoring of system...
...both craft fleeing have a greater than 70% Harvest-decision probability...
...indeed. Size indicates some sophisticated systems...
...subjects still high probability of Harvesting decision...
...reccomend re-analysis of Harvesting considerations...
...negative. Subjects are fleeing, indicates fear and thus lower alliance or trade probability...
...confirmed. Indication of concern over comparable technology...
...informing the Ancient and Venerable Master...
...analysing fleeing subjects...
...confirmed probabilities, Harvesting more likely than alliance or trade...
...trade insignificant factor...
...alliance minor factor...
...dominating factor Harvesting...
...possible variance depending upon further action...
...probability of aversion due to caution rather than fear...
...regardless, indication of weakness...
...confirmed. Slight adjustment to probability warranted, minor alteration only...
...considerations from Ancient and Venerable Master?..
...if He comes, He comes...
...it is not for us to predict Him...
...agreed...
...it is for Him to decide...
...protocol remains the same...
...observe and neutralise if necessary...
...indeed...

Another burst of communication went sent off, which again vanished into a different form of travel - one doubtless much faster than most standard methods of communication.

Other than that, the disk simply spun slowly in place.

*As the black hole formed a small organic vessel enter the system stopping to simply scan the anomaly. Almost instantly 8 Hive Patriach's appeared Their Size dwarfing a Star the sudden shift in gravety was fenominal - the massive super organisms appeared surrounding the blackhole and their combined gravety began to simply crush the simple anomaly back into the void - it began to shrink nothing could withstand the pressure the collosal vessels where exerting upon this wormhole - for to the hive that was what it was and they knew such things brought forth creatures even the hive in its glory where terrified off, they could not be allowed to stabalise, it would not be allowed - the hive was prepared to lose everything in its endevour to ensure this, the hive had only once before managed to fend off the greatest devourer of them all - a species that could crush the great hive was somthing all should be wary off.*

Open Comms from Hive Fleet Patriach @ All localised craft:
*A deep booming voice echod seamingly causing the stars themselfs to tremble.*
WE ARE THE HIVE, WE ARE PERFECTION. TODAY WE COME TO PREVENT THE DESTRUCTION OF THIS SYSTEM AND ALL OTHERS - WE ARE THE GREAT HARVESTERS OF THIS AND ALL SYSTEMS BUT THOSE WHO WOULD TRY TO ENTER OUR UNIVERSE MUST BE HELD BACK THE GATES MUST BE CLOSED TO THEM. SHOULD THE NEED ARISE THEN THE HIVE WOULD BEG YOU ALLY WITH US IN ORDER TO REPEL SUCH AN OCCASION.
*The voice grew meek, almost childlike.*
We are the hive, we welcome you to us.



*As the blackhole blinked out of existance one of the great patriach's died its massive form slowly crumpling in on itself as the ravages of time caressed its massive form - the remaining patriachs devoured the corpse of their fallen for they would need the energy stores to return to their home where they would monitor this galaxy for further incursions. For Imodius was but a claw of the great hive sent to watch over this galaxy and only the hive understood its true purpose.*

WE ARE THE HIVE, WE ARE PERFECTION. TODAY WE COME TO PREVENT THE DESTRUCTION OF THIS SYSTEM AND ALL OTHERS - WE ARE THE GREAT HARVESTERS OF THIS AND ALL SYSTEMS BUT THOSE WHO WOULD TRY TO ENTER OUR UNIVERSE MUST BE HELD BACK THE GATES MUST BE CLOSED TO THEM. SHOULD THE NEED ARISE THEN THE HIVE WOULD BEG YOU ALLY WITH US IN ORDER TO REPEL SUCH AN OCCASION.
*The voice grew meek, almost childlike.*
We are the hive, we welcome you to us.

Alex and Hypatia weren't sure what to make of the communcation. Did the hive think they were here to destroy? Or did they come because they thought that something was coming.

"This is Hypatia of Central worlds, registry AH-1033. We have come in peace. We are an archeological vessel and are unarmed."

"I've sent" she began.

"Standard hail", Alex finished grinning back at her, "It's getting all too standard around here."

"I'm thinking of just putting the hail on a five minute interval, then we'll be covered", Hypatia told him and he laughed and nodded.

Ulonov: Raise the shields.....
Keener: Aye Aye...
*the Torvalds raises its shields as the disk spits out the high energy impulse*

Keener: Captain I have a bunch of new contacts coming in...

Ulonov: Well... boy.... Ms. Tolom, Inform the Alex, the drone, and all of our new friends that we are moving towards the disk, and they are welcome to join us, and send out a general hail to the new contacts informing them that we are on a peaceful mission... Mr. Keener, take us to 100 km of the disk....

Keener: Aye Aye sir.....

OOC: Sorry it took me so long to get back... I needed sleep.

As the anomaly is crused from existance, you find that it was not a black hole, when an energy to matter conversin occurs at the site, changeing all the energy that had been forced into the region of space, forming one of the rairest objects in known space, a white hole.

After the rather impresive display of shattering the univers, what comes through is very anti-climactic. A ship, if it could be called that, though debries would be far more corect, tumbles into normal-space.

The debris cosist of three major fragmets and several dozen smaller parts. One can detect no lifesines, power generation, or atmosphere. Despite this, there are lights on the smallest fragment, and a communacation signal is being transmited back through the hole.

"Tell those assine cromedome at the Tower, that they screwd the pooch once more, from what I can see, we lost hydrogen tanks two and three, the O2 tanks, sensores, oh, and did I mentiomn we are in three pieces !

Sorry, well se what we can doo to get his scrapheap back together, it might take a while, but as the torch survived, at least we have our drive intact.

Open up in a week or so, and will have a list of any parts we need, and an ETA for getting back home, out."

(OOC) Sorry, forgot to mention that if it was intact, the ship would only be 30 meters long, 5m high, and 5m wide, and would be even lower tech then the sleper ship.

"Tell those assine cromedome at the Tower, that they screwd the pooch once more, from what I can see, we lost hydrogen tanks two and three, the O2 tanks, sensores, oh, and did I mentiomn we are in three pieces !

Sorry, well se what we can doo to get his scrapheap back together, it might take a while, but as the torch survived, at least we have our drive intact.

Open up in a week or so, and will have a list of any parts we need, and an ETA for getting back home, out."

Hypatia played the message for Alex. He sat for a minute as Hypatia opened a channel, "This is Hypatia of central worlds. It seems your having a bit of a problem..." She suspended transmission as Alex spoke up, "Alright, we have to help them. Get us over there and we'll take a look."

"I'm already speaking with them", she said and they started moving toward the newcomers. She opened up the line again, "we're coming over to have a look and see if we can render assistance." She set the com to wait, indicating she was ready to receive.

"It's not a very advanced vessel", she said scanning it, "Are those hydrogen tanks?" She asked. Alex was studying the image and looking over the readings, "Yeah I think so. I would say this is older than the sleeper ship, though how it's still in spaceworthy condition, or was anyway, I'll never know."

"Sir, after all that has happened, are you sure you don't want to call in extra ships? And who is it the Hive is talking about?" Marlot asked.

"I don't know. Hold our ground and don't call for other ships yet. Send a hail to each ship letting them know we're analysing sensor data and will be replying momentarily," Serlo said.

Hypatia didn't know what they were replying to but that was fine. She and Alex were looking at the debris, knowing there were people alive in there. Here was something they were familiar with at least. Search and Rescue was some of the most intense training of any BB team, second only to thier primary training. She acknowledged the message and continue to move closer to the disabled (and she was being kind with that particular adjective) ship, scanning the debris and seeing how many life signs were aboard.

As ships start to close in they start to detect shortwave radio transmisions, the kind that would be used between people in spacesuits. From the rater basic metiod of lisening to the transmitions you can lern that there are only two voices from the wreackage.

Voice 1 "Yo, ape, see if we have enough reactors going to get the others started up when we get them hooked back up to the hydrogen tank."

Voice 2 "And what will you be doing, half-pint?"

Voice 1 "Not all of us can be ten feet tall you hairball, and to answer your question, i'm going to go recover the torch and Hydrogen tank before they drift to far away."

Voice 2 "Whatever, And we have the reactors we need to get the others up and running, six is cutting it close, but it will get it done. But it's going to take at least a month to get this hulk on its way, plus however long it will take to get back home."

Hypatia tuned into the short wave and cut into the channel. "Hello gentleman", came a rather soft, sultry and femanine voice, "we've come to offer assistance. I think we can get this vessel going for you in a bit shorter time than a month and I don't detect any parts that we couldn't find on board. Would you like a hand?"

Alex was already suiting up, "Warm up a skiff will you, Tia?"

"Already warming up, just waiting on confirmation for assistance."

As the Scout Drones floated in formation, Alexial moves into assist Alex.
"Why are organics so difilcult?" "I mean, why do you constently keep secrets, risk your lives, and indanger thoughs around you, *sigh* maybe I don't want to know." "As for you mystery ship, if you think about attacking us, I'll have the Draconis Fleet here in less then 30 seconds, Got That!" "Why!, WHy!, WHY! do I do these things, I'm not organic, but I feel emotion, ahh, why is it that my father made me so?" "And as for the rest of you we have a meeting to attend."
OOC:You may want to close the flood gates
"Why ME!?"
After that outburst Alexial began to drag the peices of the "damaged ship" behind the formation of Drones.

"Well", Tia said says to Alexial, "I'm not sure what secrets your referring to but as for risking our lives, at least Alex and I, to assist these people it's because we believe in the preservation of life. It's what our culture is based on. I wouldn't be here if we hadn't."

Alex shot around the wreckage pulling the larger pieces closer to the main ship while Tia released her small work drones. A hundred of the small drones skittered around picking up the smaller pieces while Tia tried to get an abstract of what the ship should like like once all the pieces were place.

"You know I was never very good at jigsaw puzzles", She admitted to Alexial, "I hope you are."

ooc> ok a few key facts here:
1: 8 ships the size of medium STARS just appeared in system - that would throw most ships sensors to hell just from the sudden change in gravety.
2: That much pressure being used as it was on the "white" hole would have not allowed it to form.
3:IF <and i mean IF> the white hole had formed anything comming through would essentially have has the same chance as a soft boiled pea against a road roller as the roller ran the damn thing over.
4: Why is no one stunned by the size of these ships - there are some ships here 10km long - great - these 8 are the size of a STAR and the are ORGANIC
5: ONE JUST DIED?!

ic> Comms from hive vessel @ all ships:
We are the hive, we are perfection, please state your purpose for being at this location.
We are the hive, we welcome you to us.

*7 of the great ships dissapeared leaving only one massive ship it scanned all the ships in the area except the Disc. The disc had been in this system for millenia, the hive had seen it here before and paid it little heed.*

Hypatia opened the com to the hive, "This is Hypatia, thank you for your welcome. I greet you on behalf of central worlds."

1. That would have no efect on the white hole
2. Gravity is only energy, energy was converted to matter, negating the effect, and creating on impressive cloud of molecular hydrogen.
3. why do you think the ship is so mangaled.
4. they have no sensors, basicly, they are blind to the ouside world.
5. see #4

(IC)Voice 1 " What the hell, who is on this channel? Actualy what are you would be a better question?" (he is refering to you central worlds)

At this point, the largest fragment, the fusion torch, comes online at a low power level, and emits a hydrogen catcher feald, and starts to funnel it into its reserves, starting to dissapate the cloud of hydrogen.

" What the hell, who is on this channel? Actualy what are you would be a better question?"

"My name is Hypatia Cade. Alex is my brawn. We're an archeological expidition vessel out of central worlds system. I've moved into a close reletive position and with the help of Alexial of the Dominion we are beginning to gather the parts of your vessel. I am assuming that you have no scanning equipement, trust me, your better off, because what just came in is something I'm trying very hard not to think about. I have my drones assisting in the operation but I'll need guidence as to where all these pieces are supposed to go."

Voice 2, "A cyborg? Thank you for your aid, just keep your,brawn, well away, we tend to get along ,poorly, with humans."

Voice 1 "If your done talking to the half-breed, you got those reactors out of everything yet?"

Voice 2 "Thats not a very nice thing to say to a lady, I'm shure its not her falt, at least she is trying to improve herself, and yes, I've started to get the rest of the surviving reactors online. What about you?"

Voice 1 "I managed to kickstart the torches reactor banks, and I turend on the catcher feald turned on so they have the fule to run for a while."

Voice 2, "A cyborg? Thank you for your aid, just keep your,brawn, well away, we tend to get along ,poorly, with humans."

Voice 1 "If your done talking to the half-breed, you got those reactors out of everything yet?"

Voice 2 "Thats not a very nice thing to say to a lady, I'm shure its not her falt, at least she is trying to improve herself, and yes, I've started to get the rest of the surviving reactors online. What about you?"

Voice 1 "I managed to kickstart the torches reactor banks, and I turend on the catcher feald turned on so they have the fule to run for a while."

"I prefer the term shell person but I suppose cyborg would be a distant relation. Essentially the ship is my body. So you are a robot race?

Voice 2 "please mam, there is no resion to be rude just becuse my coworker is an inbread moron, we find being called robots as offensive as a human would find being called a monkey, for much the same resion. We prefer being refered to as Reploids."

Voice 1 "If you are done talking to your monkey of a girlfriend, can you get back to work on geting a few more reactors online, like before I turn three hundred! Damm young fool."

Voice 2 "Just becuse I'm only a hundred and four is no resion to be rude, I'm geting the job done as I speek with the young lady. And I must make amends for my partner once more, its his age you see, he's a bit mental."

Voice 1 "Mental, mental, I'll show you mental when I tear off your arm and shove it up into your guts! "

Voice 2 "please mam, there is no resion to be rude just becuse my coworker is an inbread moron, we find being called robots as offensive as a human would find being called a monkey, for much the same resion. We prefer being refered to as Reploids."

Voice 1 "If you are done talking to your monkey of a girlfriend, can you get back to work on geting a few more reactors online, like before I turn three hundred! Damm young fool."

Voice 2 "Just becuse I'm only a hundred and four is no resion to be rude, I'm geting the job done as I speek with the young lady. And I must make amends for my partner once more, its his age you see, he's a bit mental."

Voice 1 "Mental, mental, I'll show you mental when I tear off your arm and shove it up into your guts! "

Hypatia stored that bit of information, "That's okay. Even in Central Worlds there are those who are prejudiced against shell people, not to mention that those who are more set in thier ways are more difficult to get to accept new ideas. I apologize for the inadvertant insult, I assure you it was unintended. We have most of the pieces for your vessel closer to you, we could assist you in replacing them if you'd like."

Voice 2 "Not much point in that Miss Cade, as badly damaged as we are, we were just going to hook up the hydrogen tank up in front fo the torch, use the third of tank two that you just threw at us to put ourselves into, and weld as much of the rest of the wreack ahead of us to form some armor, lite off the torch, and go hellbent for home at the highest fraction of C we can get before running out of reaction mass. It will take a few centurayes to get back home, but, what other option is there?"

~Electronic Communication to All Ships~
While all of this chatter and helping is nice, has everyone forgotten about the disc in space? I want to know what it's doing here and who sent it.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

"Sir, I see no sign of it being hostile. Orders?" Marlot asked.

"Let's try talking to it," Serlo said.

~Electronic Communication to Disc in Space~
Okay, I've noticed you're not the friendliest. And yet, not firing on us either. So, how may we deal with each other?
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

(OOC) sorry for not noticeng the request for what it looked like to begin with, It was basicly just a cylendr, 30 meters long 5 meters high, and 5 meters wide, of which, 7m were the fusion torch and assoceated reactors (20), 18m were used by the three hydrogen tanks, and the remaing 4 meters were crew area with an aditional set of reactors (10). the internal volume was only 3m across as there was a layer of depleted Uranium a meter thick wraped around the internal area, but most of that was abraded of in the wormhole (The white hole was the exit of it).
All in all, it was small, heavly armord, and mostly fuel. but, when you consider it was designed to go into an unstable artifical wornhole, those are good things.

Voice 2 "Not much point in that Miss Cade, as badly damaged as we are, we were just going to hook up the hydrogen tank up in front fo the torch, use the third of tank two that you just threw at us to put ourselves into, and weld as much of the rest of the wreack ahead of us to form some armor, lite off the torch, and go hellbent for home at the highest fraction of C we can get before running out of reaction mass. It will take a few centurayes to get back home, but, what other option is there?"

"Well, if you have stellar coordinates from galactic center then I could formulate the necessary equations for singularity. I would need to return to Central for refueling and resupply but as an archeological expidition I can function for years without the need to return to base. Once I have the coordinates I can estimate the return time. In singularity it would take approximately one twentieth to one thirtieth the time it would take for you to make under your own power. Of course I would need permission and they might have another ship take you. They could even set up an AI drone ship to take you, if you would be uncomfortable with a BB team."

While all of this chatter and helping is nice, has everyone forgotten about the disc in space? I want to know what it's doing here and who sent it.
-Captain Serlo

"Captain, my apologies, but barring actual attack it is the edict of any central worlds vessel to render assistance. This takes priority until hostility is verified. As a Captain I'm sure you know about orders", Hypatia replied.

"Captain, my apologies, but barring actual attack it is the edict of any central worlds vessel to render assistance. This takes priority until hostility is verified. As a Captain I'm sure you know about orders", Hypatia replied.

~Electronic Reply~
I know. That was also directed towards those ships not rendering help. Due to the design of our ship, the best we can do is provide a form of cover fire and shielding. Unlike some of the newer ships being designed, this thing was designed with the idea it would be shooting something.
You take care of the ship in pieces, I'll try to investigate the disc. It turns hostile, I'm calling in reinforcements. You might want to make it a point to move then, as sometimes our missiles have shockwaves. Until then, feel free to stay.
I'd turn off the annoying signature, but it's built into the system. That way, they know exactly who said what if a trial starts.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

Voice 2 "We would apreaceat the help miss Cade, but we realy dont have any maps on how to get back there from here, just head twords the core. And even if we did, most organics tend to die painfuly grusome radiation deaths about a hundred light-years out core from our homeworld, probably one of the resions we settled there in the first place."

Voice 1 "You might want to get long range com going once more the meat-sack said somthing about there being other ships here, and we might wnt to here what they have to say also."

Voice 2 "As much as I rather woulden't I have to agrie with you, let me get the last reactor started and I'll plug it's rector back in and get it started. Hows the torch look?

Voice 1 "Good, almost have enough hydrogen in its tanks to give it a test fire, see if it took any damage not being picked up in the diagnostics."

I know. That was also directed towards those ships not rendering help. Due to the design of our ship, the best we can do is provide a form of cover fire and shielding. Unlike some of the newer ships being designed, this thing was designed with the idea it would be shooting something.
You take care of the ship in pieces, I'll try to investigate the disc. It turns hostile, I'm calling in reinforcements. You might want to make it a point to move then, as sometimes our missiles have shockwaves. Until then, feel free to stay.
I'd turn off the annoying signature, but it's built into the system. That way, they know exactly who said what if a trial starts.
-Captain Serlo

"We'll render assistance as long as we can. If it comes to a fight I'll back off but I may be able to be of some assistance if it goes badly. Our drive is a theoretical possibility drive. The multiple possibilities of universal dimensional crossings are essentially pulled together at one point forming a singularity. We enter the singularity and manuever through the dimensional lines, thereby cutting down travel time. Point being it makes a rather large opening in normal space that you can't scan through, so we could use that to buy us time. Assuming, that is, that the disc can't move or moves slowly, and I wouldn't rely to heavily on that possiblity.

As for the signature, I should mention that to Central Worlds military. As it is now they have to state thier rank and name before and after each communication. If it were simply built into the com system it would be easier on them."

She opened the direct line to Alexes mastoid implant. "Alex, I want you in here. Captain Serlo is moving toward the disc and we may have to move quickly."

"On my way", Alex replied, subvocalizing into his molar implant. He turned the skiff as the work bots continued thier tasks. "What in the hell is THAT!"

"I assume your referring to the hive being. It's organic. I haven't tried to scan it, I don't want it upset with me." Hypatia took control of the skiff and avoided a piece of debris as Alex, momentarily stunned, just stared at it. The jolt brought him back to what he was supposed to be doing, though he couldn't help but glance at it now and then on his way back. "I almost lost you there Alex."

"Sorry", he mumbled, "I just can't get over the size of the thing."

"That's why I insist on driving", she replied with humor in her voice.

Voice 2 "We would apreaceat the help miss Cade, but we realy dont have any maps on how to get back there from here, just head twords the core. And even if we did, most organics tend to die painfuly grusome radiation deaths about a hundred light-years out core from our homeworld, probably one of the resions we settled there in the first place."

Voice 1 "You might want to get long range com going once more the meat-sack said somthing about there being other ships here, and we might wnt to here what they have to say also."

Voice 2 "As much as I rather woulden't I have to agrie with you, let me get the last reactor started and I'll plug it's rector back in and get it started. Hows the torch look?

Voice 1 "Good, almost have enough hydrogen in its tanks to give it a test fire, see if it took any damage not being picked up in the diagnostics."

"Well", Hypatia replied, "perhaps we could at least get an AI drone to jump you closer to the core and at least cut down on your travel time. Of course I can only offer."

Voice 2, on a proper com channel, not the suit to suit he has been useing "Ah, there you are, just got you on what sensors we have left, ..., ok, you managed to cram a wormhole drive into a hull that small, I meen to get the materials to build our wormgate, we had to use a farly large moon and half an asteroid belt. and even then we had to use a reactor farm the size of a major city to power the capacter banks needed to rend space in the way it does. I me..e....n, dos on a mac, what in the name of the factory that built me is that, and that, and that, ok i'm just going to turn off our sensors before they tell me how many more of those things there are.

"You know I was never very good at jigsaw puzzles", She admitted to Alexial, "I hope you are."
"As long as we have all the peices I can put it back together agian, but I'm not too sure if we can get it to work though."

Voice 2, on a proper com channel, not the suit to suit he has been useing "Ah, there you are, just got you on what sensors we have left, ..., ok, you managed to cram a wormhole drive into a hull that small, I meen to get the materials to build our wormgate, we had to use a farly large moon and half an asteroid belt. and even then we had to use a reactor farm the size of a major city to power the capacter banks needed to rend space in the way it does. I me..e....n, dos on a mac, what in the name of the factory that built me is that, and that, and that, ok i'm just going to turn off our sensors before they tell me how many more of those things there are.

"As I said before, trust me, your better off not knowing, because what came in is something I'm trying very hard not to think about. Well the offer stands, Central Worlds is willing to assist. Well, the offer stands as long as we can stay in the vicinity anyway. We can get you home faster and I assure you that there will be no strings attached. We offer as much or as little assistance as you wish to have."

ooc> ok a few key facts here:
1: 8 ships the size of medium STARS just appeared in system - that would throw most ships sensors to hell just from the sudden change in gravety.
2: That much pressure being used as it was on the "white" hole would have not allowed it to form.
3:IF <and i mean IF> the white hole had formed anything comming through would essentially have has the same chance as a soft boiled pea against a road roller as the roller ran the damn thing over.
4: Why is no one stunned by the size of these ships - there are some ships here 10km long - great - these 8 are the size of a STAR and the are ORGANIC
5: ONE JUST DIED?!
OOC: We're ignoring you, because your godmoding, and no one likes godmoders

"As long as we have all the peices I can put it back together agian, but I'm not too sure if we can get it to work though."

Hypatia closed the link to keep a tight private line open. "To be honest with you I don't know how this worked to start with. I'm pulling Alex in but I'll continue to assist with my work drones."

Voice 2 "Not much point in that Miss Cade, as badly damaged as we are, we were just going to hook up the hydrogen tank up in front fo the torch, use the third of tank two that you just threw at us to put ourselves into, and weld as much of the rest of the wreack ahead of us to form some armor, lite off the torch, and go hellbent for home at the highest fraction of C we can get before running out of reaction mass. It will take a few centurayes to get back home, but, what other option is there?"
"Uh, I could allways assist, given the trip won't take as long but you would be incarserated for most of the trip, a security matter mind you and me."

Secure Signal:"Alex, why do organics like to make things big? Except for my creators." "Why is that? Are the creators of such behemoths compensating for something?"

Hypatia closed the link to keep a tight private line open. "To be honest with you I don't know how this worked to start with. I'm pulling Alex in but I'll continue to assist with my work drones."
"Hmm, seems like basic spacial physics, uh, given that that is what the creators call it and all, hehe, no insult ment to your species, it's just that you seem to have limited knowlege, hehe, *groan*."

"Uh, I could allways assist, given the trip won't take as long but you would be incarserated for most of the trip, a security matter mind you and me."

(OOC - What are Alexial's dimensions again?)

Secure Signal:"Alex, why do organics like to make things big? Except for my creators." "Why is that? Are the creators of such behemoths compensating for something?"

Alex blinked and jumped a bit, almost hitting the side of the bay door as the voice came through his suit speakers. A voice that was not Tia's and he took a moment to recognize it then grinned.

"Well", he replied, "if you want my opinion they think the bigger the better and more imposing. Central Worlds isn't above such things I'm sad to say, though we do have small craft as well at least. The psychs say that bigger is better for the psychological impact of the crew. Organics are born on worlds, typically, with alot of space. Going from that to a small ship can cause psychological problems and sometimes even trauma. I guess it makes sense, though in my opinion it's still the 'mines bigger than yours' syndrome."

He dismounted from the skiff and made his way to the airlock heading back to the main cabin.

"Hmm, seems like basic spacial physics, uh, given that that is what the creators call it and all, hehe, no insult ment to your species, it's just that you seem to have limited knowlege, hehe, *groan*."

"Well, they aren't my species, or even anything close. But your somewhat correct, we only just gained singularity drive. Our knowledge is limited but we are learning. There's nothing wrong with that", Hypatia replied.

OOC: BAH!!! I havn't checked the forum since noon or so.. can someone give me a short update? Also I'm going to make it a closed RP.. I think we have enough people.. anyone else will make it rather bogged down.

IC: Ulonov, sitting in his command chair, puts his head in his hands as the torvalds computers are overloaded due to the sheer amount of information that they are trying to take in.

Keener: Captain, what are your orders?
Ulonov: Well lets try and sort things out first.

Voice 2 "Actualy, with all the new people sence we went into the core, it might be worthwile to stick around for a bit, see if we can't make some new friends.

Just a second, my patner has asked that I tell you that we are going to preform a short full power test on the fusion torch drive, and to ask that everyone stand well clear of downrange, which, using a line from the core to earth as north, the burn will be to the east. the test will be preformd, in three standerd hours."

Voice 2 "The resion the wormgate is so large, is that it takes a truly mind-numming amount of energy to rend space in the way that it does, even with the massive capacter banks and city sized fuision reactor farms, we can only open the gate once a week, and we packed millions of reactors into that farm.

Ulonov: Mr. Keener, back us away from the reploid ship, so that we arn't around when they test it... Mr. Cov, how are the computers doing....

Cov: Sir, they are still trying to catch up... all systems have been affected... our 25 year old systems just can't keep up with everything that is going on?

Ulonov: Has anyone headed towards the disk yet?

Kochtin: Not that I can tell sir...

Tomol: Communications are still active sir.

Ulonov: Well... lets give the computers a chance to catch up... then we'll plan a course of action.

OOC: BAH!!! I havn't checked the forum since noon or so.. can someone give me a short update? Also I'm going to make it a closed RP.. I think we have enough people.. anyone else will make it rather bogged down.
OOC:Bunch of people joined, one guy godmoded, every ones ignoring him, nothing much just chitter chatter.

"Well", he replied, "if you want my opinion they think the bigger the better and more imposing. Central Worlds isn't above such things I'm sad to say, though we do have small craft as well at least. The psychs say that bigger is better for the psychological impact of the crew. Organics are born on worlds, typically, with alot of space. Going from that to a small ship can cause psychological problems and sometimes even trauma. I guess it makes sense, though in my opinion it's still the 'mines bigger than yours' syndrome."
"Hmm, then does that mean my creators don't have this 'mines bigger than yours' syndrome then?"

"Well, they aren't my species, or even anything close. But your somewhat correct, we only just gained singularity drive. Our knowledge is limited but we are learning. There's nothing wrong with that", Hypatia replied.
"Huh, if they're not your species then what are you doing serving on one of their ships? And I'm glad you don't take offence to me calling your species unintelligent, uh I mean, uh no offence ment. Also what is your species? And what are they like?"

Voice 2 "The resion the wormgate is so large, is that it takes a truly mind-numming amount of energy to rend space in the way that it does, even with the massive capacter banks and city sized fuision reactor farms, we can only open the gate once a week, and we packed millions of reactors into that farm.
"Then why don't you use 'Instant Translocation'? Uh... can you 'Instant Translocate'? If not, then I remove my question."

"Sir, we're detecting signs of an overload in the computers of the Earth ship. They were not made for this kind of work and the amount of information they are processing is beyond their capacity. Any ideas on what we can do?" Marlot asked.

"Can you hack their system and connect it into ours? They could piggyback on our processing power to deal with the overload," Serlo said.

"Attempting now. Those systems should be amazingly easy and the current state of them should mean no defenses to worry about. It's a good thing we use compatible technology," Marlot said.

OOC: I try not to do this for a reason. Namely, I don't want MT nations realizing my people have been hacking their systems and monitoring them for years. They tend not to respond well.

OOC If they could use Instant translocation, why would they have spent the time and energy trying to build a targetable, stable wormhole?

OOC If they could use Instant translocation, why would they have spent the time and energy trying to build a targetable, stable wormhole?
OOC:If who, who you talking about, oh you, I don't know. Maybe you ain't got a decent way to Instant Translocate, I don't kniow, all I know is that I do know how to Instant translocate.

OOC: I try not to do this for a reason. Namely, I don't want MT nations realizing my people have been hacking their systems and monitoring them for years. They tend not to respond well.

OOC: Don't worry, I won't tell.... :-D

IC: On board the torvalds Cov looks astonished as the computer banks fire back up. Comm, Helm, and Tactical all go back to normal.

Cov: Captain, All systems normal.

Ulonov: Well how about that.... Reason?

Cov: The computers must of just finnished processing,

Ulonov: Well.... its a bout time I must say, remind me to file a complaint once we get back. Ms. Tolon, Contact the other ships, lets see if they are ready to head to the objective.

Tolon: Hailing all vessals, this is The Torvalds, Captain Ulonov wishes to know if all parties are ready to head towards the disk.

Ulonov: Mr. Keener, bring us about on a course to intercept the disk....

Keener: Aye Aye

Ulonov: Mr. Kroctin anything you can tell me about that disk?

Kroctin: Its round..... nothing in the databanks to compare it too...

Ulonov: Good... well lets see what the others want to do and then we'll head out, maybe one of the other ships have experiance with this kind of technology.

"Warning, test burn in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." at this, there is a flash to rival a supernova, and a tounge of thermonukeler fire. All the ships in the region are spared its deadly touch, a gas giant in the area, is not as lucky, as its atmosphere is heated to boiling by the hellish touch.

"All drive systems on-line, 10% power test, completed."

"Hmm, then does that mean my creators don't have this 'mines bigger than yours' syndrome then?"

"So it would seem", Alex replied, "I'm getting out of the suit now, so I won't have contact."

"Huh, if they're not your species then what are you doing serving on one of their ships? And I'm glad you don't take offence to me calling your species unintelligent, uh I mean, uh no offence ment. Also what is your species? And what are they like?"

Tia recalls the workers before the test and fires her engines, backing away from the reploid ship. "Wait, by my species do you mean Alex or the destroyed vessel I was assisting."

Tia recalls the workers before the test and fires her engines, backing away from the reploid ship. "Wait, by my species do you mean Alex or the destroyed vessel I was assisting."
"Uh, Alex, he is your captain right? What's he like, and are you two the same species?"

Ulonov: Good... well lets see what the others want to do and then we'll head out, maybe one of the other ships have experiance with this kind of technology.
"As I said before since I have been in this region the longest, and since I've never encountered this ship or any of it's type, chances are that the others haven't encountered this technology either." "As for what we want to do, I will send a few Drones to escort you to the craft, and if need be engage any hostile actions."

"Uh, Alex, he is your captain right? What's he like, and are you two the same species?"

"No, Alex is my brawn. In central worlds they refer to us as a BB team. BB meaning Brain/Brawn. A brain is a reference to shell people like me while a brawn is a normal human who is picked by the brain as a partner. Shellpeople can't leave thier protective shells, so the brawns do the legwork outside the ship or in the city or space station or wherever or whatever the shellperson controls.

Central worlds focuses on medical technology and social equality. Their medical advances are such that they have defeated disease, with the exceptions of virus strains that mutate or new viruses from previously unexplored worlds. They've prolonged life. The average life span of humans now is about 130 years with 180 not uncommon. They're also able to repair or replace injured areas of the body with the exception of the brain. The one thing they haven't been able to correct are congenital defects so children can still be born with deformities. When that happens the newborn's brain is tested to see if there was any brain damage. If there isn't then the infant is put into a shell and sent to the instute for special training as a shell person, starting with basic shell and implament manipulation and standard education. Once they show an aptitude in something they begin more intensive training in that area and once they're old enough to make a decision as to what they like then the choice and aptitude is matched up. After training they're placed in thier final titanium shell and the final implants, hair fine wiring directly to the brain and brain stem, are done and the shell person is placed in thier area of choice. Nancia, for instance, showed aptitude for flight and she liked dealing with people, so she joined the courier service.

Though, technically, shellpeople and softshells are the same race, there are enough shellpeople and enough of a difference that we're considered different races. The biggest problem with shellpeople is that the training and the shells and medical procedures and in some cases other things, such as my ship body, has a great deal of cost involved. Even the institute agrees it's just one step above indentured servitude, but it's not really. We have fair wages and strictly enforced bonus programs to help us pay off. Once we do we have open contracts and can sign on with anyone we like. These things are strictly watched over by SPRIM and MM. Two groups that carefully watch over shellpeople to make sure they're treated fairly.

I think that covers it."

Voice 2 "Hello out there, might I ask who is out there, we have spoken with the kind miss Cade, and would like to meet other kind beings in the area.

"Uh, that's... interesting, um, even I have a body, uh sorry, but, how can you claim to be so happy when you rely on another for the basic needs of any sencied being?" "Given the creators are very different from us, they are organic, while myself and those like me are synthetic, but our creators consider us one species, after all we were made in their image, well... not Drones their too stupid and they look more like insects then anything." "But they don't divide us by organic/synthetic either, hearing the way you're treated sounds awful, but who am I to judge, I was never born, I was created."
"You probably don't want to know about my species anyway after all were nothing but xenophobics and xenociders, we didn't even hesitate to think that our enemy at least deserved survival, but no we wiped them out, and claimed that was once theirs."

Voice 2 "Hello out there, might I ask who is out there, we have spoken with the kind miss Cade, and would like to meet other kind beings in the area.
(As the person/thing said that, a large metalic insect crwaled along the hull to the window, and as it aproached the glass, it extended it's neck and nead to see the inside, and as it did so it's large sensor eye locked on to the subject inside, while it's other eyes focused on the hull. Bring it's large scythe like appendages scraped across the hull, and as it did so, it let out a terrifing shreak in answer to the noice coming inside, then in a monotone voive it extended a greeting to the thing inside the wreck.)

"You wanted to see... what other speices were out here... I am a Drone of the Dominion... my reference code is T767492/KR Model Kika'Radra/Scavager Drone... what assistance do you require? ... ... ...

(After speaking it let out another high pitched shreak, then moved on looking for damage that required repair.)

"Uh, that's... interesting, um, even I have a body, uh sorry, but, how can you claim to be so happy when you rely on another for the basic needs of any sencied being?" "Given the creators are very different from us, they are organic, while myself and those like me are synthetic, but our creators consider us one species, after all we were made in their image, well... not Drones their too stupid and they look more like insects then anything." "But they don't divide us by organic/synthetic either, hearing the way you're treated sounds awful, but who am I to judge, I was never born, I was created."
"You probably don't want to know about my species anyway after all were nothing but xenophobics and xenociders, we didn't even hesitate to think that our enemy at least deserved survival, but no we wiped them out, and claimed that was once theirs."

"Oh no, no you don't understand at all." She pulled up a memory from her own brain, one that didn't exist in the massive data banks that she had access to. The memory was sent across the com channel, one that was obviously painful to her.

...A little girl sat in a mechanical chair in a plain hospital room. She had blonde hair and large blue eyes, a lovely child who might have grown into heartbreaker. The chair had mechanical arms that responded to voice commands and it lifted a blue teddy bear with soft fur to her face, the only part of her that still had feeling and wasn't paralyzed, and she rubbed her cheek against it.

"Why Ted? I wasn't bad. I did everything mum and dad told me and I was responsible. Why am I being punished? I wanted to find the Eskay homeworld", now hot tears ran down her cheeks absorbed by the soft furry teddy bear with sad looking eyes, "I wanted to write archeological journals and I wanted ... I wanted ... I wanted to grow up and be like mum and dad. It's not FAIR Ted, It's not fair ...

She wept into the soft fur of the teddy bear ...

Hypatia's voice came back on the com, her decibal level very low. "I was seven when the disease struck. It was a protovirus from the world that mum, dad and I were digging on. I was paralysed from the neck down before they were able to stop it. If it weren't for Doctor Kenny pushing to get me into the shell program then I would have spent the rest of my life in that chair, in a miserable room just like that. But thanks to the program I can search and write and DANCE among the stars. I wonder how I could even have tolerated only having two visual pickups and two audio pickups."

"Hypatia's voice came back on the com, her decibal level very low. "I was seven when the disease struck. It was a protovirus from the world that mum, dad and I were digging on. I was paralysed from the neck down before they were able to stop it. If it weren't for Doctor Kenny pushing to get me into the shell program then I would have spent the rest of my life in that chair, in a miserable room just like that. But thanks to the program I can search and write and DANCE among the stars. I wonder how I could even have tolerated only having two visual pickups and two audio pickups."
"But why didn't you just get a synthetic body? They are quite common for those who weren't born with genitic alterations to prevent most diseases, uh your people... do they have this technology?" "If not I apologize."

"Its just that I was created on a world where technology of all forms is excepted and where brilliant minds lead the masses in social change and reform, and technology, whether it be biological, mechanical, or a combination of the two." "You see on Draco, my home world, technology reigns supreme, while "thought" is the staple of our civilization, my species has been able to expand our knowlage due to the evolution of our own bodies and minds. You see my species has the ability to share "thought", commonly called telepathy, after that evolutionary marvel our scentific abilities seemed to become... endless." "Within years our scientist were creating new technologies that were never thought of before the evolution. Such as 'Instant Translocation', cracking our own G-nome, bio-mechanial technology, even the ability to create an intelligent machine with sencied thought." "Myself,... you see I was 'born' on a planet that offered me all the chances it offered organics, I have rights that all organics do, but I'm not one of them, I'll never be one of them, and yet they praise the creation of 'my kind', and they give us everything they give themselves, it just doesn't make since to me, but to my creator it makes perfevt since, he says 'Life is no longer defined by the proporties of life but instead by thought." "I'll never understand why some choose to give their rights to something that isn't even alive, I'll never understand, but it seems they do."

"But why didn't you just get a synthetic body? They are quite common for those who weren't born with genitic alterations to prevent most diseases, uh your people... do they have this technology?" "If not I apologize."

"Oh no need to apologize. We don't have that technology yet. My company can make bodies that shell people use but as yet they're to heavy and it can't contain our physical bodies. That means we have to run the bodies from where we are. We have full sensory abilities but only limited range using a com type control and sensory feedback. We're not as technologically advanced as you are."

As for rights, we DO have the same rights. It's just that there is some prejudice from some people. Organics are like that. Even the reploids, our broken down friends, who are androids show prejudice. They refer to Alex as a monkey and myself as a half-breed. But it doesn't bother me. I won't be brought down because of someone else's narrow vision."

"Uh, didn't we make a plan to meet each other face to face?" "I think we did, but there is one problem, uh, hehe, the creators didn't see much use in putting clothes on an avatar that wouldn't leave it's craft, Hehe, so I think I'll need some clothes should we meet, that is if walking around your ship nude isn't acceptable, *laughing*."

(As the person/thing said that, a large metalic insect crwaled along the hull to the window,

(OOC Note, it's more of a breach in the hull then a window, rember, the ship has been torn open and the atmosphere has vented)

And as it aproached the glass, it extended it's neck and nead to see the inside, and as it did so it's large sensor eye locked on to the subject inside, while it's other eyes focused on the hull. Bring it's large scythe like appendages scraped across the hull, and as it did so, it let out a terrifing shreak in answer to the noice coming inside, then in a monotone voive it extended a greeting to the thing inside the wreck.)

"You wanted to see... what other speices were out here... I am a Drone of the Dominion... my reference code is T767492/KR Model Kika'Radra/Scavager Drone... what assistance do you require? ... ... ...

(After speaking it let out another high pitched shreak, then moved on looking for damage that required repair.)

What it sees as it looks in side can best be described as a nine foot tall gorilla,sitting in a small room with cableing and parts of consoles scatterd evrywhere, and as the drone scrapes at the hull turns in its seat, it's left arm shifts , for lack of a better term, into what is unmistanenably the buisness end of a weopon. But as the drones mesage stars to come throug, it's weopon, shift back into its hand, and it nods, and says "I can handel the repars up here, but my partner migh need some help with hooking up the hydrogen tank, just head twords the torch, and thanks for the aid."

(OOC Note, it's more of a breach in the hull then a window, rember, the ship has been torn open and the atmosphere has vented)



What it sees as it looks in side can best be described as a nine foot tall gorilla,sitting in a small room with cableing and parts of consoles scatterd evrywhere, and as the drone scrapes at the hull turns in its seat, it's left arm shifts , for lack of a better term, into what is unmistanenably the buisness end of a weopon. But as the drones mesage stars to come throug, it's weopon, shift back into its hand, and it nods, and says "I can handel the repars up here, but my partner migh need some help with hooking up the hydrogen tank, just head twords the torch, and thanks for the aid."
OOC:OK, breach then
IC: (As the Drone glided it's way to the "torch" it encouted much debre, as it made it's way to the "torch" it's sensors located the second subject, and then it called out)
"What repairs are needed? ... ... ..."

"Uh, didn't we make a plan to meet each other face to face?" "I think we did, but there is one problem, uh, hehe, the creators didn't see much use in putting clothes on an avatar that wouldn't leave it's craft, Hehe, so I think I'll need some clothes should we meet, that is if walking around your ship nude isn't acceptable, *laughing*."

"Well I can't meet you 'face to face'. My physical human body is locked in a titanium shell which is encased in a titanium column. Central Worlds makes it a serious business of protecting shell people. We're a great asset to them. Unless I used the moto-prostetics body I was talking about, but I would have to shut down most of the ships systems to work it, which I don't think would be wise right now. As for your clothed or not, well, if you have a pleasant female avatar form I'm sure Alex would be most appreciative if you didn't wear any. We've been in space for over three years now," Tia replied giggling, "I'm sure we can find something to wear here though."

"Well I can't meet you 'face to face'. My physical human body is locked in a titanium shell which is encased in a titanium column. Central Worlds makes it a serious business of protecting shell people. We're a great asset to them. Unless I used the moto-prostetics body I was talking about, but I would have to shut down most of the ships systems to work it, which I don't think would be wise right now. As for your clothed or not, well, if you have a pleasant female avatar form I'm sure Alex would be most appreciative if you didn't wear any. We've been in space for over three years now," Tia replied giggling, "I'm sure we can find something to wear here though."
"*giggling* Thank you, you can tell Alex not to waste his time on hopless fantasies like that one, hehe, and the avatar I have is female, *giggling* so thanks for the warning."

"Uh, If you ever find your way to Draco, I'd be more then willing to convince my creator to "operate" on you." "Puting your conscientiousness into an Avatar, inplace of that outdated "shell", you could be free, and live life in a new body, with all the capabilites of a organic one, and more." "Hehe, that would be great wouldn't it, no longer traped in a titanium tube, free to walk the worlds, you'll still be able to pilot but not as you do now but you'll have much more freedom then you could ever dream." "What do you say?"

"*giggling* Thank you, you can tell Alex not to waste his time on hopless fantasies like that one, hehe, and the avatar I have is female, *giggling* so thanks for the warning."

"Oh don't worry about Alex. He's a perfect gentleman really, I'm actually rather fond of him to be honest." Tia lowered the decibles again, approximating an over the com whisper, "There are times I wish the moto-prostetics body wasn't so heavy." Her tone when she said it gave the impression of blushing.

"Uh, If you ever find your way to Draco, I'd be more then willing to convince my creator to "operate" on you." "Puting your conscientiousness into an Avatar, inplace of that outdated "shell", you could be free, and live life in a new body, with all the capabilites of a organic one, and more." "Hehe, that would be great wouldn't it, no longer traped in a titanium tube, free to walk the worlds, you'll still be able to pilot but not as you do now but you'll have much more freedom then you could ever dream." "What do you say?"

Hypatia's first reaction was one of utter horror. The typical fear of being removed from her shell and the life support she needed to survive coming to the surface. She quickly repressed it, knowing that she was only trying to be kind. "I don't know. I would have limited audio and visual capabilities and I wouldn't have access to my data banks. I couldn't dance among the stars. As I am I see anywhere in and outside of my ship body and through my scanners with microscopic and binocular vision. My audio pickups are far superior to a softshell body. I don't know if I'd actually like that."

"What repairs are needed? ... ... ..."

"He said you were heading this way." a human like figure states as he tosses a 3 inch sphere at the drone. "You can help by takeng that up to the fuzzball and telling him that we need to trade reactor number 16 for one of the one he has up there, the hydrogen feed got crimped and I can't get it to stay running." after he says this, he goes back to welding a connetction between the hydrogen tank and the torch.

The drone, on catching the tossed sphere, would be suprised to note that the sphere, no larger the 8 square inches, has a mass of over 200 pounds.

Hypatia's first reaction was one of utter horror. The typical fear of being removed from her shell and the life support she needed to survive coming to the surface. She quickly repressed it, knowing that she was only trying to be kind. "I don't know. I would have limited audio and visual capabilities and I wouldn't have access to my data banks. I couldn't dance among the stars. As I am I see anywhere in and outside of my ship body and through my scanners with microscopic and binocular vision. My audio pickups are far superior to a softshell body. I don't know if I'd actually like that."
"No, no, no, In my haste I forgot to tell you some of the most important features." "You say you don't want to lose your link with the ship and data banks, it won't be lost, given you'll have to "hack in" to operate the ship the way you do now, and as for the data banks you would also have to "hack in" to access them." "But the Avatar, is as light as any normal body, but it has triple the strenth and speed, and it also has limited binocular and microscope vision as well." "But the dissission is still up to you, but should you decide to do it, all you need to do is contact me and I'll have my creator "operate" on you." "Oh and PS," Alexial's voice sunk to a whisper, even though she knew it wasn't nessecary. "The body is also Bio-mechanial, so that you can "get to know" Alex better, giggling."

"He said you were heading this way." a human like figure states as he tosses a 3 inch sphere at the drone. "You can help by takeng that up to the fuzzball and telling him that we need to trade reactor number 16 for one of the one he has up there, the hydrogen feed got crimped and I can't get it to stay running." after he says this, he goes back to welding a connetction between the hydrogen tank and the torch.

The drone, on catching the tossed sphere, would be suprised to note that the sphere, no larger the 8 square inches, has a mass of over 200 pounds.
Upon cathching the sphere with it's metallic tendrils, the Drone carried it as if it was lighter then air.
"Roger, Roger... ... ..."
The Drone then brought it before the second target.
"Trade reactor, trade reactor... number 16... hydrogen feed...crimped...will not run, will not run... ... ..."

OOC: Drones are incredably strong for there size, they can lift 300x their own mass.

"No, no, no, In my haste I forgot to tell you some of the most important features." "You say you don't want to lose your link with the ship and data banks, it won't be lost, given you'll have to "hack in" to operate the ship the way you do now, and as for the data banks you would also have to "hack in" to access them." "But the Avatar, is as light as any normal body, but it has triple the strenth and speed, and it also has limited binocular and microscope vision as well." "But the dissission is still up to you, but should you decide to do it, all you need to do is contact me and I'll have my creator "operate" on you." "Oh and PS," Alexial's voice sunk to a whisper, even though she knew it wasn't nessecary. "The body is also Bio-mechanial, so that you can "get to know" Alex better, giggling."

Tia was quiet for some time. She opened the cam in the main cabin to look at Alex. He's in his late twenties with a fine boned and kind face framed with wavy black hair and sea green eyes. His finely toned body showed through the tight ship skinsuit. Then a thought occured to her and she opened the cam to the main cabin from another angle. She zoomed in on the sad looking blue teddy bear in the specially made glass case, sitting where he had been for ten years, since she graduated at eighteen. Finally she got back on the com...

"Alexial? Would I be able to hold Ted again? And actually feel his soft fur? And would ... would the procedure ... would it hurt?"

"Did that ham fisted idiot break another one?" the big ape says as he catches the sphere the drone tosses at him. He then proceds to reach into a twisted mess of wires and cableing, to pull out an identical sphere. "Tell him to be more careful with that one, or I'll rip out his reactor and us it for the job. It's not as if we have that many of them in reserve, he brakes any more, and we will have to start figureing which systems we can do without."

OOC I expeted that, but how often do you expect an object the size of a baseball to weagh 200 lbs?

Tia was quiet for some time. She opened the cam in the main cabin to look at Alex. He's in his late twenties with a fine boned and kind face framed with wavy black hair and sea green eyes. His finely toned body showed through the tight ship skinsuit. Then a thought occured to her and she opened the cam to the main cabin from another angle. She zoomed in on the sad looking blue teddy bear in the specially made glass case, sitting where he had been for ten years, since she graduated at eighteen. Finally she got back on the com...

"Alexial? Would I be able to hold Ted again? And actually feel his soft fur? And would ... would the procedure ... would it hurt?"
"Yes, an avatar has a suffisticated nervious system, so yes you would be able to feel with your new skin. No, the opertion is painless, thats what Iv'e been told at least, you see the operation is relitavly simple they put your brain into a "brain case" a complex machine that translates the electrical impulses of the brain into digital impulses, they then connect you into an avatar." "Theirs no complex training either, because of the "brain case" you control the avatar like you would you're own body."

"Did that ham fisted idiot break another one?" the big ape says as he catches the sphere the drone tosses at him. He then proceds to reach into a twisted mess of wires and cableing, to pull out an identical sphere. "Tell him to be more careful with that one, or I'll rip out his reactor and us it for the job. It's not as if we have that many of them in reserve, he brakes any more, and we will have to start figureing which systems we can do without."
"Roger, roger... ... ..."
The Drone then took the sphere back to the other target and repeated the message.
"Big one says... "Did that ham fisted idiot break another one?"... "Tell him to be more careful with that one, or I'll rip out his reactor and us it for the job. It's not as if we have that many of them in reserve, he brakes any more, and we will have to start figureing which systems we can do without."

OOC I expeted that, but how often do you expect an object the size of a baseball to weagh 200 lbs?
OOC: "Well, it's all relevent, given you run on a hydrogen tank, the true energy core should be hyper-concentrated." "What's it made of? A high carbon Hydrogen Carbonate?" "Maybe even a commonly unstable element, like a heavy concetrated uranium plutonium? What is it made of exactly?

OOC its actualy just your standerd Hydrogen to HElium fusion, its just that, from what I can see where most people went for bigger and more powerful, I RP them as takeing a perfictly good 300 megawhatt reactor, and spent the next few centurys mkeing them smaller, till they reached a threshold, the reacting chaber itself is only about an inch across, puting the sides of the chamber in contact with a star. this is only posabul because I gave them an Unobtanium metal that reflect energy so closely to perfectly that it might as well be. on the other hand, to prevent it from being a godmod object, it comes with some truly monsters drawbacks, the coting used for the reactor is only a few atoms thic, but it still accounts for over 99% of its weight, it is as shaterable as glass, and can't be made in any gravity well. The rect of the reactor is just armor and power leads.

"Yes, an avatar has a suffisticated nervious system, so yes you would be able to feel with your new skin. No, the opertion is painless, thats what Iv'e been told at least, you see the operation is relitavly simple they put your brain into a "brain case" a complex machine that translates the electrical impulses of the brain into digital impulses, they then connect you into an avatar." "Theirs no complex training either, because of the "brain case" you control the avatar like you would you're own body."

Tia didn't know what to say. Her body may be inert by her brain was intact and working fine. 'But to feel', she thought, 'to walk, to feel ted's fur again and to be able to hold Alex.'

"Well that is something to think about. I'll need to buy out before I can do anything, but it's something to look forward to."

OOC its actualy just your standerd Hydrogen to HElium fusion, its just that, from what I can see where most people went for bigger and more powerful, I RP them as takeing a perfictly good 300 megawhatt reactor, and spent the next few centurys mkeing them smaller, till they reached a threshold, the reacting chaber itself is only about an inch across, puting the sides of the chamber in contact with a star. this is only posabul because I gave them an Unobtanium metal that reflect energy so closely to perfectly that it might as well be. on the other hand, to prevent it from being a godmod object, it comes with some truly monsters drawbacks, the coting used for the reactor is only a few atoms thic, but it still accounts for over 99% of its weight, it is as shaterable as glass, and can't be made in any gravity well. The rect of the reactor is just armor and power leads.
Intensive gameplay to bad ain't posible here in the real world and all, would be cool huh?

Tia didn't know what to say. Her body may be inert but her brain was intact and working fine. 'But to feel', she thought, 'to walk, to feel ted's fur again and to be able to hold Alex.'

"Well that is something to think about. I'll need to buy out before I can do anything, but it's something to look forward to."
OOC: Sorry for correcting your spelling
IC:"What do you mean "buy out" can't you leave the shell at any time? Or is that were the servant reference comes from?" "If you ever do "buy out" all you need to do is go to (coordinates to Draco). And look for a professor Rec'kra Dran'ja, he is my creator."
OOC: I don't know how spacial coordinates are typed

IC:"What do you mean "buy out" can't you leave the shell at any time? Or is that were the servant reference comes from?" "If you ever do "buy out" all you need to do is go to (coordinates to Draco). And look for a professor Rec'kra Dran'ja, he is my creator."

Hypatia sighed. "NO. I'm not a servant. The cost for the medical procedure and the cost of this vessel which was given to me and the cost of the schooling has to be paid off. As for leaving my shell, the anwer is no, I can't leave it at anytime. The shell provides the life support systems that sustain me. Without them I would die. That's why I was shelled to start with. The proto-virus left me paralysed from the neck down. Completely paralysed. Any shell person removed from thier shells would die. The brains are active and healthy but the body's aren't."

All but one of the giant organic ships left the system as suddenly as they had appeared - from the remaining one thousands of meter long organic objects swarmed out spiraling into the gas planet, it was likley they would all die in such intense heat and yet they continued comming a never ending spiral of organic bodies seething into the flaming planet as the last trickle spilled out of the gigantic ship it lurched very slighly before launching a 4km in diameter ball into the flaming planet. As it struck the planet the massive super ship jolted before well jumping out into space dissapearing almost instantly.
The gravatational forces where restored, sensors returned to normal. Over the comms a horrifying scream was broadcaste as the orb rose and fell in the flaming planet as if trying to escape its tourment but to no avail it sunk below the surface.

Hypatia sighed. "NO. I'm not a servant. The cost for the medical procedure and the cost of this vessel which was given to me and the cost of the schooling has to be paid off. As for leaving my shell, the anwer is no, I can't leave it at anytime. The shell provides the life support systems that sustain me. Without them I would die. That's why I was shelled to start with. The proto-virus left me paralysed from the neck down. Completely paralysed. Any shell person removed from their shells would die. The brains are active and healthy but the body's aren't."
"So your a prisoner, trapped in that shell for survival, my creator taught me that life is not only about survival, that if one is a prisoner in there own body then, they aren't alive, and that it would be better for them to leave such a body behind to seek a new one." "So why can't you get the operation before you buy out? Then you could buy out after the operation, so you only need to say the word, and your there."

All but one of the giant organic ships left the system as suddenly as they had appeared - from the remaining one thousands of meter long organic objects swarmed out spiraling into the gas planet, it was likley they would all die in such intense heat and yet they continued comming a never ending spiral of organic bodies seething into the flaming planet as the last trickle spilled out of the gigantic ship it lurched very slighly before launching a 4km in diameter ball into the flaming planet. As it struck the planet the massive super ship jolted before well jumping out into space dissapearing almost instantly.
The gravatational forces where restored, sensors returned to normal. Over the comms a horrifying scream was broadcaste as the orb rose and fell in the flaming planet as if trying to escape its tourment but to no avail it sunk below the surface.
"Does anybody know what just happened to the orgaic ship?"

(OOC) It crashed into the super-jovan planet, that , due to the energy of it recived from being in the path of my test burn, has crossed the threshold into self sustaning fusion, in other words it's crashing into a planet that is slowly changing into a small star.

It won't stay a star for long, even with the extra energy it picked up, it should only stay self sustaning for a centuy or two, before it degrades into a brown dwarf.

The test burn was the last post on page 7, so it might have been missed.

"OK, but why did they want to make a star out of a planet?"

"So your a prisoner, trapped in that shell for survival, my creator taught me that life is not only about survival, that if one is a prisoner in there own body then, they aren't alive, and that it would be better for them to leave such a body behind to seek a new one." "So why can't you get the operation before you buy out? Then you could buy out after the operation, so you only need to say the word, and your there."

"Alexial, you have to stop thinking in terms of what your people are capable of for a moment. Central Worlds doesn't have the capability of creating biological bodies. The only brain removals for implantation elsewhere is for the legions cyborgs. With OUR technology level we are grateful for the freedom it gives us, otherwise we would truly be prisoners in our own bodies and wouldn't live very long.

Now as for your proposal of having the procedure done and then buying out the contract I can look into it. I'm not particularly worried about buy out since I own majority stock in moto-prostethics. If I don't have the credits to buy out by the time I get home then I'll be close. This was Alex and my last stop before heading home, once there I can check my balance to see if I can buy out now and then see about doing the procedure and then buying out if I need to go that route."

"Alexial, you have to stop thinking in terms of what your people are capable of for a moment. Central Worlds doesn't have the capability of creating biological bodies. The only brain removals for implantation elsewhere is for the legions cyborgs. With OUR technology level we are grateful for the freedom it gives us, otherwise we would truly be prisoners in our own bodies and wouldn't live very long.

Now as for your proposal of having the procedure done and then buying out the contract I can look into it. I'm not particularly worried about buy out since I own majority stock in moto-prostethics. If I don't have the credits to buy out by the time I get home then I'll be close. This was Alex and my last stop before heading home, once there I can check my balance to see if I can buy out now and then see about doing the procedure and then buying out if I need to go that route."
"I, understand, fogive my... impatience, it's just that, ... never mind I don't want to bother you any furhter." "I'm sorry for hassling you, sorry." "You still have the proposal, no matter what your decision is."

(OOC) I think he was trying to stop it, but I think that he is in over his head, oh, once the proto star his about three to four thousend degress F, there is going to be a rather impressive rediation bloom. So, any idea whene we should roleplay that as happining?

OOC: maybe some time within the next seven posts

OOC: I'm still waiting on a reply from that disc.

OOC: Haven't heard from them for a while, maybe they gave up

[/color=blue]"I, understand, fogive my... impatience, it's just that, ... never mind I don't want to bother you any furhter." "I'm sorry for hassling you, sorry." "You still have the proposal, no matter what your decision is."[/color]

"No, no", Tia replied, "no need to apologize, it's not a bother. I just didn't want you to get the wrong impression of Central Worlds. They are doing all they can, within thier limits, to help people. I do intend to go through with it. I just need to check protocols, though I doubt there'll be any since nothing like this has ever occured. By the way, when I DO do this ... would you, or could you be there?"

[[OOC: Still here, just busy. Will find time to post tomorrow]]

"No, no", Tia replied, "no need to apologize, it's not a bother. I just didn't want you to get the wrong impression of Central Worlds. They are doing all they can, within thier limits, to help people. I do intend to go through with it. I just need to check protocols, though I doubt there'll be any since nothing like this has ever occured. By the way, when I DO do this ... would you, or could you be there?"
"Uh, ... usally the operatie is in an "operation pool"... alone, a large pool filled with an anti-bacterial fluid to prevent infection, but I will be there on the edge of the pool waiting for you." Alexial's voice is filled with worry and sincerity.

"Uh, ... usally the operatie is in an "operation pool"... alone, a large pool filled with an anti-bacterial fluid to prevent infection, but I will be there on the edge of the pool waiting for you." Alexial's voice is filled with worry and sincerity.

Tia's reply showed relief, "And I'll still have full access to my ship body right?"

(OOC - sorry for short replys but either nationstates is having issures or the servor here at work is.)

Tia's reply showed relief, "And I'll still have full access to my ship body right?"

(OOC - sorry for short replys but either nationstates is having issures or the servor here at work is.)
"Yes, you'll still have full access to your ship body, but you will need a 'hack path'. Four wires that plug into the back of your neck, that will allow you to hack into the systems of the ship."
OOC: It's nationstates, my servor here at home is doing the same thing.

"Yes, you'll still have full access to your ship body, but you will need a 'hack path'. Four wires that plug into the back of your neck, that will allow you to hack into the systems of the ship."

"Ahh, yes, we are familiar with that. There are humans who do that, although in the case of normal humans it's both dangerous and illegal. It's illegal because it is dangerous. I assume the danger factor is removed or lowered with your technology."

The disk continued to spin slowly in the astral blankness, stars reflecting gently off its metal surface.


...they appear to be trying to communicate again...
...have we finished analysing their language?..
...indeed. Their language is a primitive thing, it did not take long to learn...
...it is Knowledge. Regardless of the relative simplicity we are under edict...
...indeed, it is our orders...
...indeed, it is the will of the Ancient and Venerable Masters...
...there is one ship that appears to be pre-emptively threatening to send in a force...
...the one screaming denials about being hostile...
...one that fled from us when we awoke...
...paradoxical nation, high probability of Harvesting, after analysis...
...confirmed...
...interesting message to us, one wanting to know how we would deal with them...
...decision..?
...we have not been authorised...
...is the Ancient Master awake, or hibernating...?
...he is awake, but Researching...
...understood, he will probably take the time to give us directives...
...indeed, he would be most upset if we were to act against His desire...
...confirmed, nation asking as to how deal with them is interesting...
...lower probability of Harvesting..?
...indeed, curious despite any possible risk...
...it is always depressing that people have forgotten about the Ancient and Venerable Masters...
...indeed, but they have been hibernating for carefully counted millenia...
...if these ships turn hostile, what reaction..?
...we are more than capable of defeating several...
...and the others..?
...there is a high probability of our success, it is unlikely they have weapons suitably designed to counter our shielding or weaponry...
...if we achieve full power...
...indeed, what are we currently running at..?
...0.03%, enough to run communicative and scanning systems (24% current), maintain Living Metal (12%), and ourselves (60%), plus extraneous systems...
...maintenance..?
...the Living Metal will repair any damage...
...time to complete weapon-ready status..?
...15.76 MTU...
...to total power for all systems..?
...47.26 MTU..
...they will not be able to do significant damage to us in that time...
...indeed, if they attack, we will counter-strike...
...if they prove to be more of a match than we anticipate..?
...the Ancient and Venerable Master will arrive...
...they will not be able to stand before Him...
...has he replied yet...
...negative...
...then we maintain silence...
...confirmed...

[[OOC Notes:
Firstly, I apologise for the length of time that I haven't been able to reply.
Secondly, a single MTU (Minor Time Unit) is roughly equivilent to half a second (their latent power in battery systems, so they do not have to start generation to power-up, although they would need to in order to maintain a high power output)]]

"Ahh, yes, we are familiar with that. There are humans who do that, although in the case of normal humans it's both dangerous and illegal. It's illegal because it is dangerous. I assume the danger factor is removed or lowered with your technology."
"Yes, but there still is a danger should it be used 'illegaly'."

The message was played on a broadbrand open signal, it appeared over the termanals of all ships in the area, and alerted the proximity of the Draconian Fleet.

"static ... Alexial are you there? static ... Answer, are you there, static ... this is the 3rd Draconian Fleet static ... requesting an update. Our long range sensors have detected an increase in activity in the region, static ... do you need back up? Answer Alexial? Are you there?" "Damn it either she's destroyed or disabled, send the Carrier 'Dragos Jan'Dra' with a full contingent, of Dracos, Wyverns, and Dragoons." "If you're their Alexial hold on static ... relief will be there momentarily."

The Carrier 'Dragos Jan'dra' seemed to materialize out of nowhere with a squadron of Dracos and Drones in escort.

(OOC: Dracos are interplanetary mobile suits, Wyverns are heavy combat support craft, and Dragoons are anti-ship fighters.)

"This is sister unit SSD Scout Drone #A765049 AI Nai'ra." "Calling sister unit SSD Scout Drone #A711025 AI Alexial." "Are you there Alexial answer if you can."

"This is Captain Du'ruc Hai'dra hailing all nearby craft." "State you business in this sector, and the worlds you derive from, failure to comply will result in termination."

As the small fleet approached tensions rose, and so did emotions.

"This is SSD Scout Drone #A711025 AI Alexial speaking, there is no need for hostile action as of now. These ships are here for much the same reason as I was dispatched, to investigate the strange signal in this area. It also appears that there are other intelligent species in the universe, other then ourselves."

"Glad to hear from you Alexial, it's been too long time since I last heard your voice, and I extend my greatest of apologizes, in believing that any of you were hostile."

"Thank you, Hai'dra, your concern was sweet."

"Nai'ra I didn't know you were transferred to the 3rd Fleet." "When did that happen?"

"Oh it happened right after you were dispatched to the area, the 3rd Fleet was in need of an AI to direct the Drones, so they sent me." "Glad to see you sister, is everything acceptable here?"

"Yes, more then acceptable sis', hehe."

...they are hostile...
...it is confirmed...
...they have not attacked us, but have insisted upon our identification...
...we cannot identify ourselves, we have not received permission...
...reactions..?
...await instruction, set all systems to readiness and inform the Ancient and Venerable Master...
...agreed...
...confirmed...

The disk once again sent its strange form of message, which changed type after fifty metres into something capable of travelling far faster than light. Other than that, the object did not react.

"Umm, getting a bit crowded around here Alexial. I hope the disc doesn't get nervous .... nervous .... "

Hypatia opens a channel to Captain Serlo, "Captain, I had an idea. There are a large number of ships here now and the disc does show signs of energy. Why don't you let me send a few worker bots over. They're only one meter long by half a meter high and wide and shouldn't be a threatening as full sized ship. I link in to them, though they're scanners aren't as good as my own. At least it would be a less threatening first step."

*To Alexial* "Maybe that would be less obtrusive and better received by the disc."

Hypatia tells Alex her idea and he nods. "I know I would feel less threatened, of course I'm just bit smaller than the disc is."

"A bit?" Hypatia replies in a teasing tone, "Egos don't count in overall size and mass equations."

Alex laughs, "Shame, if it did then some of navy ships would be unbeatable."

"Agreed, just be carefull, ok?"

~Communication to All Ships~
Try to give the thing a respectful distance. Very few of us present are actually armed and, frankly, if this turns into a shooting match I'm not going to be able to protect you.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

"Sir, I'm beginning to think this thing is able to listen in through our hulls," Marlot said.

"Power up the jump engines. The resulting graviton buildup should disrupt any listening abilities. If they want to know what we are saying, they can ask us. Can they translate our speech?" Serlo asked.

"Not unless they have a Sarkarasetan. The most advanced beings we have met cannot translate our language without help, and they can alter the timeline," Marlot said.

"Damn temporal tech," Serlo said.

~Communication to All Ships~
Try to give the thing a respectful distance. Very few of us present are actually armed and, frankly, if this turns into a shooting match I'm not going to be able to protect you.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

"The Draconian 3rd Fleet does not need the protection of an inferior alien." "And we will not show weakness, infact I will move my ship into striking range, and should those aliens choose to become hostile, I ... will destroy their ridiculas craft, and move on to any other hostile aliens in the area, do you understand me ... Captain?"

"Now, as our sensors have been disabled, we have no idea where you are, how may of you there are, or even if you can back up you threats agenst even our shatterd hulk of a ship. But, as Alexial is both a fellow A. I., and has been very kind, we will give you the information you rather rudely demanded. This is wormgate scout X-35, out of Valegarder. (I leave it to your imagination to decide what happend to X's-1 through X-34) We are currently engaged in repares to our ship. Afterwords, we are to engage in diplomicy with any sentiants that we encounter enroute to the galatic core."

"The Draconian 3rd Fleet does not need the protection of an inferior alien." "And we will not show weakness, infact I will move my ship into striking range, and should those aliens choose to become hostile, I ... will destroy their ridiculas craft, and move on to any other hostile aliens in the area, do you understand me ... Captain?"

~Electronic Reply~
Inferior? Please. My people where charting these stars before yours even formed from the murky soup of whatever backwater planet you came from.
If you want to sacrifice your people, go ahead. I'm not going to stand in the way of mejnotis. Just don't expect me to help when you start losing lives.
I swear, young species these days.
-Serlo
~End Communication~

~Electronic Reply~
Inferior? Please. My people where charting these stars before yours even formed from the murky soup of whatever backwater planet you came from.
If you want to sacrifice your people, go ahead. I'm not going to stand in the way of mejnotis. Just don't expect me to help when you start losing lives.
I swear, young species these days.
-Serlo
~End Communication~
"My people were contemplating the meaning of life and understanding our own anatomy when your ancestors first climbed down from their trees, as for the age of my species we have been evolving physically and mentally for the past 16 millennia and as for the level of our technology we were breaking our G-Nome when you where using sticks and twigs to prod insects out of their holes!"

"Chuckling, Please forgive Hai'dra's ... behavior, he has been looking for a competent foe to match his wit with, but as for now it is probably wiser to ignore him, for the sake of both our species, do ignore his arrogant remarks."

OOC: Okay, even OOCLY I find this comical. The information presented in the replies is accurate. Just ask yourself what happens when empires that far advanced fall apart and the people don't organize for over 3000 years.

"My people were contemplating the meaning of life and understanding our own anatomy when your ancestors first climbed down from their trees, as for the age of my species we have been evolving physically and mentally for the past 16 millennia and as for the level of our technology we were breaking our G-Nome when you where using sticks and twigs to prod insects out of their holes!"

~Electronic Reply~
Wow. A measely 16 millenia. Our species was sending scout ships into this region around that time. I've got antique star charts covering lightyears that more than twice the age of your species.
Now, you want to go towards it and get shot up, or do you want to let those of us with experience in handling cases like this take the lead?
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

"Chuckling, Please forgive Hai'dra's ... behavior, he is very defensive about our species, and it is probably better to ignore him, he will become bored with you sooner or later, hopefully."

~Electronic Reply~
Eh, we're the same way. Part of our surviving heritage. Besides, it's fun to have a... "pissing contest," as the human phrase goes, now and then.
Now, if only I can get rid of that damn signature.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

Alex looked back toward Tia, "What's going on out there?"

"Sounds like the testostarone levels in the region have peaked to me."

"Any reply from Serlo about your idea?"

"Yes", Hypatia said with a sigh in her voice, "he suggested the everyone keep away from the disk.

Alex nodded, "How much longer until we're done with the damaged reploid vessel?"

"Well, they won't let me help them fix it, so I'm about finished collecting the pieces and moving them in close thier ship."

"Well", Alex replied, "once we're finished we'll see what the next step is. I'd hate to pass up investigating the artifact."

"I don't think it's dead, whatever it is. I keep getting power spikes and fluctuating power signatures. I think it knows we're here and just isn't talking."

Alex sat down on a chair across from Tia, "Your saying it's sentient?"

"No, I mean I don't know. Sentient or A.I. doesn't make much difference. Give us a dead world and we have the training and equipement to reconstruct what they were, how they were, how they lived. But if this thing is as powerful as I suspect then WE certainly aren't the ones to be investigating it. We don't have the force necessary."

"Maybe we don't need force. If they're watching and this advanced then maybe contact can be made."

"Possibly", Tia replied, "But if they're aggressive then we don't have the skills or equipement to handle it."

Alex nodded and sat back, obviously lost in thought.

OOC: The message about keeping back was intended to be a reply to that...

~Electronic Reply~
Wow. A measely 16 millenia. Our species was sending scout ships into this region around that time. I've got antique star charts covering lightyears that more than twice the age of your species.
Now, you want to go towards it and get shot up, or do you want to let those of us with experience in handling cases like this take the lead?
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

"Errr, that's it this is Draconis Federation Space, it has been for 120 years, so either let the regent millitary forces deal with this threat, or I can inform fleet that our territory has been invaded by hostile inferior beings, you may have had a head start technology wise, but your dead last in genetics."

~Electronic Reply~
Eh, we're the same way. Part of our surviving heritage. Besides, it's fun to have a... "pissing contest," as the human phrase goes, now and then.
Now, if only I can get rid of that damn signature.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~
"Yes but you do not understand Hai'dra or our species, except for me and my sisters the rest of our species takes everything personally, hehe, kinda childish if you ask me, but if you want peace with my people it's probably best to ignore Hai'dra's arrogance, given his' a great man and all, but very very arrogant." "hehe, hope you understand."

"Errr, that's it this is Draconis Federation Space, it has been for 120 years, so either let the regent millitary forces deal with this threat, or I can inform fleet that our territory has been invaded by hostile inferior beings, you may have had a head start technology wise, but your dead last in genetics."

"Dead-last in genetics? Sir, may I fireball these arrogant frejkols?" Marlot asked.

"No. Besides, I cannot risk you potentially exploding from the vacuum just for a little revenge. We've lost enough good mages due to that," Serlo said.

"So, a reply?" Marlot asked.

"Yes. Try not to instigate a war," Serlo said.

~Electronic Reply~
It's your lives to throw away. About the only superiority of your genetics I can see right now is how much spacial dust it shall be spread around in when that disk uses your ship for target practice.
Hell, go right on ahead. I think we'll just sit back and watch. I could use the break for a snack and a show anyway.
If you wish to sacrifice any other people to actions anyone with any form of experience in dealing with spacial derelicts knows enough to avoid, let us know. We have thousands of them that are very trigger happy and might enjoy the break from their normal existances of floating around undisturbed.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

"What about the disk?" Marlot asked.

"If it wants to communicate, it will. If not, it's not worth the waste of effort and weaponry on unless it decides to shoot. Standard procedure," Serlo said.

"Yes but you do not understand Hai'dra or our species, except for me and my sisters the rest of our species takes everything personally, hehe, kinda childish if you ask me, but if you want peace with my people it's probably best to ignore Hai'dra's arrogance, given his' a great man and all, but very very arrogant." "hehe, hope you understand."

~Electronic Reply~
Arrogance is nice to have around. But there are times when arrogance is suicidal.
I wish you the best of luck if you approach the disk. Hopefully, we'll both be around after this is all over to sit down and talk.
-Captain Serlo.
~End Communication~

~Electronic Reply~
It's your lives to throw away. About the only superiority of your genetics I can see right now is how much spacial dust it shall be spread around in when that disk uses your ship for target practice.
Hell, go right on ahead. I think we'll just sit back and watch. I could use the break for a snack and a show anyway.
If you wish to sacrifice any other people to actions anyone with any form of experience in dealing with spacial derelicts knows enough to avoid, let us know. We have thousands of them that are very trigger happy and might enjoy the break from their normal existances of floating around undisturbed.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

"Stay out of Federation buisness, frac'drai, you'll learn soon enough the error of your way."

~Electronic Reply~
Arrogance is nice to have around. But there are times when arrogance is suicidal.
I wish you the best of luck if you approach the disk. Hopefully, we'll both be around after this is all over to sit down and talk.
-Captain Serlo.
~End Communication~
"Yes, but don't think Hai'dra suicidal, he may be arrogant but he'd never risk the lives of his subordinates without just cause. He doesn't act out of his own advancement either, ans he can act quite reasonable at times. Some would call him attractive for those qualities, so please understand that Hai'dra never does anything with out purpose, and acts for the greater good."

The one hundred workerer bots moved away from the ruined craft. Most of them headed back to the ship but three of small bots broke away and moved toward the disc.

OOC: I have a distraction for the DLEA troops in mind. It'll involve bringing in a puppet that will keep them distracted for awhile before it leaves. You think that's agreeable?

IC:

"Stay out of Federation buisness, frac'drai, you'll learn soon enough the error of your way."

~Electronic Reply~
In our experience, genetically advanced people generally don't throw insults like that into communications over such a little matter. And if this is your business, then why are you not attending to it?
-Captain Serlo
~End~

"Was that really necessary?" Serlo asked.

"No, but it was fun. I stated perfectly well that we were going to let them go in unmolested," Marlot said.

"This starts a war and we survive, I'm making sure you go down for it," Serlo said.

"Yes, but don't think Hai'dra suicidal, he may be arrogant but he'd never risk the lives of his subordinates without just cause. He doesn't act out of his own advancement either, ans he can act quite reasonable at times. Some would call him attractive for those qualities, so please understand that Hai'dra never does anything with out purpose, and acts for the greater good."

~Electronic Reply~
It is up to him. In either case, we won't be approaching or retreating from the disk, nor will we fire on it or anyone who does close. Regulations. Now, hopefully that last reply wasn't too insulting.
-Captain Serlo
~End~

"If the two egos are finshed butting heads, can we turn to something a bit more important? Such as the disk that, hu? Is anyone else detecting enough hard radeation to make me very nervios of the fact that our hull is coated in uranium? Or that the amount is rising? Or that, that, oh cra khssssssssssssss." Transmission termanated.

At this point, the super-jovan gas giant, that untill recantly, when it was bathed in the wake of a fusion torch, never had the mass or energy to cross the threshold into being a star, crosses. The upper 200 miles of atmosphere are blasted outwords as a mass of near fusion temperature plasma. The remander of the planet colapse inwords, releising indescribable amonts of energy, as the system changes to a bynary star system.

Reploid Rebelion At this point, the super-jovan gas giant, that untill recantly, when it was bathed in the wake of a fusion torch, never had the mass or energy to cross the threshold into being a star, crosses. The upper 200 miles of atmosphere are blasted outwords as a mass of near fusion temperature plasma. The remander of the planet colapse inwords, releising indescribable amonts of energy, as the system changes to a bynary star system.

As the planet collapses, "ALEX HOLD ON!"

Hypatia hits maximum burn as Alex dives for the crash couch, barely making it but landing face first and holding on. Most of the workers are destroyed except the three already sent toward the disk.

OOC: I have a distraction for the DLEA troops in mind. It'll involve bringing in a puppet that will keep them distracted for awhile before it leaves. You think that's agreeable?

IC:~Electronic Reply~
In our experience, genetically advanced people generally don't throw insults like that into communications over such a little matter. And if this is your business, then why are you not attending to it?
-Captain Serlo
~End~
OOC: HUH?
IC: "Laughter, I like you dreg'sah, I truely like you, laughter, you are quite the comedian."

~Electronic Reply~
It is up to him. In either case, we won't be approaching or retreating from the disk, nor will we fire on it or anyone who does close. Regulations. Now, hopefully that last reply wasn't too insulting.
-Captain Serlo
~End~
"Agreed, just try not to force his hand, please."

As the star was formed and the wave of radiation Alexial and the rest of the fleet translocated to a safe distance.

"Oh rak'u, evasion pattern omega."
"Tia are you ok? TIA! Are you out there?"

Hypatia felt pain as the sensors on her hull sent the messages to her. 'I know, I know', she thought as she arced gracefully over the damaged reploid craft and manuevered expertly through the debris.

"Tia are you ok? TIA! Are you out there?"

"A bit singed, but okay."

She looked into the pilots cabin and saw Alex as he was standing, now that she was slowing down. His face was covered with blood and her heart skipped a beat.

"ALEX! ALEX ARE YOU OKAY?" Her voice was panic stricken but still coming across the com to Alexial, having forgotten to switch on the speaker in the pilot's cabin. She switched to the pilot cabin speakers, "ALEX, ARE YOU OKAY?"

Alex nodded and reached up to his face. "Ahhowww, I ding I brode ma node."

Hypatia calmed some, "What language is that?" she asked, "Are you okay? A node? What node?"

Alex took his hand away and pointed as his nose, still bleeding. "Ma node, ma node."

"Ohhhh, you broke your NOSE. Head down to the med room, I'll have a pain killer ready. You'll need to set and splint it though. I'm soooo sorry."

Alex waved his hand, "You did grade", he said, giving her a thumbs up.

Hypatia switched back to Alexial, "Sorry about that. I saw Alex was rather bloody and got upset. He's okay though, we think it's just a broken nose. That and the G forces from the accelaration creating so much pressure and more bleeding than normal made it look worse."

The three worker bots were making thier way toward the area on the disk-like craft that appeared to be a dock and Hypatia began using thier scanners and cameras to examine the disk more closely.

Near the epacenter of the blast, several things are happening, the first being, the cockpit of the X-35 is caught up in the wave of expanding plasma and caried outwords far faster then it realy should be. Another event is the breach of the twenty fusion reactors powering the torch which results in a remakably impressive exploshin. Remakably enough, even this blast is overshadowed by the detonation caused by the dalouge fo energy that pounds into a three meter long section of the uranum armor, causing it to undergo a near total fission reaction, generateing more energy then was relased by the new stars birth.

"A bit singed, but okay."

"ALEX! ALEX ARE YOU OKAY?" Hypatia calmed some

"Sorry about that. I saw Alex was rather bloody and got upset. He's okay though, we think it's just a broken nose. That and the G forces from the accelaration creating so much pressure and more bleeding than normal made it look worse."

Weeps with joy "Chokes up, Thank Gaia and Trag'Oul , that both of you are ok, I hope there's no scaring from Alex's broken nose." Weeping

Upon closer analysis, the numerous symbols that cover the curved edge of the artifact contain even more glyphs within them, presumably some kind of message to those who would approach. Unfortunately the language is untranslatable, it seems to share no roots with any other known language, no similarities or comparisons can be seen.

If the drones are able to detect it, the disk has been around for a very, very long time. Its faintly gleaming hull may well be older than entire civilisations but despite this shows no signs of decay or scarring, interestingly its surface is unmarred despite the possibility of asteroid/comet hits.

Along both the curving and flat edges there are numerous small holes, each no larger than ten centimetres in diameter, through which nothing could be seen. However, sensors would detect Living Metal behind them, although there is not enough power running within the disk to activate the substance, only enough to keep it maintained.

Across the hundred-metre-long flat surface is inscribed the symbol of the Arcane Order, although it is extremely unlikely that any would recognise it as such. Two fireballs chasing one another, one small and one large, in an ouroboros cycle.

The docking port itself is vaguely similar to generic systems used by most races, but appears to be designed to a different generic standard. Whatever the real reason for this, it could be hypothesised that the disk was manufactured by a race whose allies used a different type of docking port to those races that commonly inhabit this section of this galaxy.

Apparently something within the disk recognises the threat demonstrated by the detonating planet for the power systems increase further - perhaps thrice what they were at directly prior to the planetary explosion although it is hard to tell. A complex web of shielding spreads across the area for fifty metres around the disk, resisting the approaching debris with apparent ease. One side effect of the shielding is that the drones would lose their communication link to their parent ship, effectively cutting them off. Similarly, as the shield becomes active they are lost from sight behind the bright array of shielding energy.

"What happened to the reploind ship" "Did anyone see it?"

"Tia, I forgot to introduce you to my sister Nai'ra, she was created before me so you can say she's my older sister."

"Hello Tia, I'm Glad to make you acquaintance, I know nothing of your people or you but I am honored that you would consider us friends."

"Hey Tia, I told my sister my plan for your operation and she is sure that our creator would be willing to operate."

"Yes, Father is quite the doctor, I've seen him work personally on hundreds of synthetic bodies, and I'm sure that your operation will be a success."

Weeps with joy "Chokes up, Thank Gaia and Trag'Oul , that both of you are ok, I hope there's no scaring from Alex's broken nose." Weeping

"We're okay, really. I don't know if it will scar or not but under the circumstances I think we all got off lucky if that's the worst that happens."

She open a broad band com channel. "I'm getting readings on the disk from the bots. I'm seeing more glyphs, recording them for further analysis. It's incredibly old, I can't get an exact dating but I'm sure it outdates some civilizations. No decay, no scarring. It must be extremely tough or some defense system is still online protecting it from meteor, asteroid and possible comet strikes. I see numerous small holes along the curving and flat edges ten centimeters or less in diameter. What looks like .... living metal is the best way I can describe it. Still a low power output but it seems to keep the metal maintained. I'm recording the image that I assume is the civilization who created it. Two fireballs chasing one another, one small and one large, in an ouroboros cycle. The docking port is similar to generic systems, though slightly different. Probably a race slightly different from the standard in this area...."

Apparently something within the disk recognises the threat demonstrated by the detonating planet for the power systems increase further - perhaps thrice what they were at directly prior to the planetary explosion although it is hard to tell. A complex web of shielding spreads across the area for fifty metres around the disk, resisting the approaching debris with apparent ease.

"Well", Tia says, "That answers the question about no scarring on the surface. I've lost contact with my bots."

"What happened to the reploind ship" "Did anyone see it?"

"No I was either running for my life or getting readings from the bots", she said as she scanned for the reploid ship.

"Tia, I forgot to introduce you to my sister Nai'ra, she was created before me so you can say she's my older sister."

"Hello Tia, I'm Glad to make you acquaintance, I know nothing of your people or you but I am honored that you would consider us friends."

"Hey Tia, I told my sister my plan for your operation and she is sure that our creator would be willing to operate."

"Yes, Father is quite the doctor, I've seen him work personally on hundreds of synthetic bodies, and I'm sure that your operation will be a success."

"Hello Nai'ra, it's a pleasure to meet you. My people would love to be friends. I would like to arrange for an official meeting but we would be present. I mean Alex and I would be present.

I am VERY interested in the operation. I will set it up if not immediatly then soon. As I said I just need to check protocols but that may be a moot point since I may have acheived payoff while Alex and I were out these last three years."

"I personally am quite intrigued with your species genetics and physiology, I would love to be present for the operation." "I also wonder how you reproduce? I wonder if it's enjoyable?"

"-Age will repeate to act as a homeng becon.

Miss Cade, does that offer of assistance still stand? Don't bother trying to respond, I doubt that our recever is intact, or that I'll still be aware enough to respond. My partner is dead, powers down to far to restart anything, and I am pinned to my chair by debries. I will have this masage repeat to act as a homeng becon.

Miss Cade, does the-"

Immediatly Hypatia altered course toward the ruined vessel. "Alex", she said as he was finishing in medical, "the reploid vessel was caught in the explosion. Suit up, one alive for rescue, readying the skiff."

Alex didn't hesitate as he finished placing the nose splint while moving to the main cabin to get his suit on. "One alive and they're on a repeating distress call. I'll try to reply but they're system may be down."

"Understood, I'll see if there's any particular requirements on our way back and we can deal with it then."

"Okay", Hypatia replied then opened the com. "This is Hypatia, we're reading you. If you can read me, Alex will be there shortly to bring you in. We'll see to it you get home." She repeated the signal as Alex suited up and ran down to the skiff. Once on she opened the bay doors and Alex moved toward the ruined vessel to search for the survivor.

While Alex searched and Hypatia tried to help by sifting through her reading she opened the channel to Alexia and Nai'ra. "Well I'll send you what I have", and she did. Files on reproduction as well as using the act for pleasure including socially accepted norms and abberant derivatives. "I'm afraid I've had no experience myself so that's the best I can do. I understand it's very pleasurable though."

OOC: Not needed now...

IC:

The DLE ship, surprised at the star's ignition, only had enough time to power up their jump engines before they were hit by the debris. But, to anyone watching, it almost appeared as though the debris opened a hole for the ship, closing the hole once it had passed. Anyone who scanned the ship would detect a massive, but very unstable, graviton field surrounding it.

Meanwhile, in the ship, the crew was busy checking the computer. When the hyperenergized particles had hit their graviton field, sparks had flown from the main computer. They knew one of the ship's systems had shorted from the smell of burnt silicon, but they were trying to find out which one.

"Sir, I found it. Communications," Marlot said, holding up the blackened memory board.

"So we can still communicate, but nothing will be stored?" Serlo asked.

"It's worse than that. The system was set up to require the memory to run. We have a spare on the ship, but it's going to take me a couple hours to get it in place. If we need to communicate, we'll have to use the backup. But I think the other ships will severed misinterpret what it means if we try them," Marlot asked.

"I understand. Major Brenoc, get up to the cockpit and begin imputting a Men Code communication. Aim us toward the nearest DLE ship before sending. If we're lucky, they're within range to detect it and will be here shortly. Just in case, keep it on a repeating pattern. Be prepared for the ships here to potentially respond with hostility to us firing one of our turrets," Serlo said.

Ten minutes later, a panel on the top of the ship openned, facing away from any ship there. A disruptor turret's barrels exited out of the panel and began firing, it using a repeating pattern that carried a communication in the pattern. To all appearances, the ship was firing at nothing, and the pattern would reveal an untranslatable communication being sent out, as the language of the communication was Sarkarasetan and had few comparisons.

"Captain Serlo's vessel is firing."

"At who?" Alex asked as disembarked the skiff and looked for a way to enter the wreckage.

"At nothing it would seem."

"Non communicative space stations, now invisible attackers? Have you got anything else on that disk?"

"No", Hypatia answered, "I'll have to wait for it's shields to go down before I can regain control of the bots."

OOC Anyone actively serching for the ship can find it rather easly by the fact that there is a clear area extending away form it in the rapidly cooling plasma.
A cheak by any sensor setup that is in use here, would reveal the cause to be a very weak E-M sheild, normaly desinged to scatter an energy shot over a larger area, but in this case, it served to help keep the brunt of the plasma away from the hull. This saved what was left of the ship, but its going to make any atemts at resque very diffacult, as the hull is basicly a lightning bolt looking for something to discharge into.

While Alex searched and Hypatia tried to help by sifting through her reading she opened the channel to Alexia and Nai'ra. "Well I'll send you what I have", and she did. Files on reproduction as well as using the act for pleasure including socially accepted norms and abberant derivatives. "I'm afraid I've had no experience myself so that's the best I can do. I understand it's very pleasurable though."

"Blushing, uh why did you send me these, uh, I don't Remember asking for such data. Did Nai'ra put you up to this?"

"Hmm, interesting, you reproduce much the same way we do, that should prove 'useful', thank you for the data."

"Tia do you need assistance with the reploids? And next time don't fall for one of my sisters tricks. But thank you for the, uh ... thought."

"Nai'ra here, thanks again for the data, do you require assistance with those aliens?"

"Captain, Serlo's ship is firing, what should we do?"

"There firing away from everyone, see if you can't discover a transmisson in that blast, but be carfull."

"Aye, aye, sir."

OOC Anyone actively serching for the ship can find it rather easly by the fact that there is a clear area extending away form it in the rapidly cooling plasma.
A cheak by any sensor setup that is in use here, would reveal the cause to be a very weak E-M sheild, normaly desinged to scatter an energy shot over a larger area, but in this case, it served to help keep the brunt of the plasma away from the hull. This saved what was left of the ship, but its going to make any atemts at resque very diffacult, as the hull is basicly a lightning bolt looking for something to discharge into.

"Alex hold on, I've got the ship. It's electrically charged, it'll discharge if you get to close."

Alex climbed back on the skiff and took at look at the readings. "Not to mention hot as hell. How long can my suit hold out in that temperature range?"

"About 10 minutes ... why?"

"I have an idea."

Tia groaned, "Your last idea almost got you eaten by that thing on Nindaris 2."

"Yeah, but I got the colonists out didn't I?"

Sighing Hypatia asked, "What is your idea?"

"I'll move the skiff in at full speed then push off just before discharge. The discharge will blow the skiff but leave me free to get to the ship. I'll go on momentum and use the thruster pack to get into the ship. Once I'm in you start moving forward. I'll grab our friend in there and use the pack to get back."

"Are you insane?"

"Hey", he replied, "those who fail are insane, those who succeed are heroes. Ready?"

Tia fine tuned her sensors, "Ready."

Alex gunned the skiff toward the ship, waiting for Tia to tell him when to let it go.

"Blushing, uh why did you send me these, uh, I don't Remember asking for such data. Did Nai'ra put you up to this?"

"Hmm, interesting, you reproduce much the same way we do, that should prove 'useful', thank you for the data."

"Tia do you need assistance with the reploids? And next time don't fall for one of my sisters tricks. But thank you for the, uh ... thought."

"Nai'ra here, thanks again for the data, do you require assistance with those aliens?"

"What I need is someone to beat some sense into my brawn", Tia replied in a tight voice filled with worry.

"Oh and concerning the information I sent you Alexial I had just assumed that your sister was asking for cultural information as part of an exchange about cultures. I apologize, I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone."

OOC, When you RP your brawns approch, do you mind if I RP what he finds inside?

OOC, When you RP your brawns approch, do you mind if I RP what he finds inside?

(OOC - I would like a description actually, yes.)

"NOW!" Tia yelled.

Alex leaped from the skiff giving one quick burst from his pack to slow him just a bit so the skiff could get ahead. He watched as the discharged blew the skiff to pieces and then let his momentum carry him forward. Once he was close enough he made a couple of quick corrections and grabbed onto the hull, looking for a way in.

As soon as Alex was on the ship Tia began moving forward to be ready to take them inside once Alex got him out.

When Alex looks inside, he is shocked by the sight, aperntly, when the suvivor said he was pinned, he ment it far more litteraly then anyone would have thought. A peice of the ships framework had been torn free in the blast, and had been driven through the left side of his chest, the end having melted into the wall. However upon seeing Alex's entrence, he waves and says "Thanks, uh, do you think I could get a hand with this?"

(OOC) I posted a descrption a few pages back, but to spare you the task of going back to it, the suvivor can be best decribed as a nine foot tall ape, wearing very thick (Four inches) body armor over his chest and limbs. He was referd to as Voice 2.

Alex moved into the area and activated the external microphone. "Sure thing", he replied as he activated the suit welder/cutter torch, "My name's Alex, Tia's brawn, might I have your name?" he asked as he set to work cutting the beam, "This won't heat up the metal, it's a cold fusion welder."

"The name is Spark Mandrell, and I'm less worried about heat, then I am about the fact that it breached the secondery matter feed to my fusion tank."

OOC Radio would work better, there both in a vacum

"Fusion tank", Alex said questioningly, "well I'm not removing the beam from you yet. I want to cut it on both sides then we'll get you to medical. Once there we can get a closer look and figure out what to do."

Alex subvocalized into the molar implant so Tia, alone, would pick him up, "He's injured. You said they were android, or assumed so?"

"Yes", Tia sent to his mastoid implant in the ear.

"He said that the beam that hit him has breached the secondery matter feed to his fusion tank. I'm cutting the beam on both sides to get him across then I figure we can get a closer look."

"Alright, hurry Alex, tempus fugit."

He spoke out loud again so the suit external would pick him up. "Okay, just another minute or two then we'll cut the back side."

(OOC - by external mic I mean the radio that broadcasts in the suit as opposed to the molar implant that all brawns have that only go to the brain ship. Just as they have the mastiod implant to receive only the brainship transmissions as opposed to the suit radio. Sorry for the confusion, I was just trying to differentiate.)

"No problem, and it's less of a matter of going up in a colum of thermonucler flame, then it is a matter of not having enough power to run. But caution is never a bad idea, as we would be just as dead if you manage to set of the hydrogen thet is leaking out, and I can't realy stop it untill this is gone.

OOC Sorry, just wanted to make shure.

The front was cut and Alex moved to the back. "Yeah, okay. Listen, I'm neither and engineer nor a doctor. I'm trained in rescue, piloting and archeology. Tia and I are actually with archeology and expidition. We're trained to research ancients cities, peoples and artifacts. So just keep an eye on me and make sure I don't cut anything or anywhere that would be bad. I hate to sound short or rude but this suit isn't meant for this kind of heat. Tia will be right outside to pick us up but I have about ahh..."

"Three minutes", she replied, "HURRY."

"About three minutes before I start cooking."

"Ah, sorry, If you can cut about halfway through, I should be able to break whats left without further damage to anything vital."

"Alright." After another minute he said, "Okay, I'll continue cutting but I'm about halfway through. Give it a try."

Sparks responce to the order is to grasp the section ahed of him with his hands, and to start pulling on it, Alex can actualy see the inch of steel remaining after his cutting, starting to streach like taffy under the strain being put on it, looking at him, spark says "Your almost out of time in that suit there, go ahead and get out. I can deal with this much on my own, and meet you outside after you get a chance to cool down."

"I still have some time", Alex replied while still cutting, "once we get out there I'll use the suit's thrusters to get is to Tia."

The beam, suffring under both the stress being put upon it by Spark, and the cutting being done by Alex, finaly gives way silantly. Riseing to his full hight, Mandrell reaches for one of the surviving bulkheads, and pulls out a box, the attached cables snaping under the pull. "I have everything worth saving, you want any soveniers of you trip on Reploid air? If not, we might want to go before you cook."

Alex nodded, absently trying to wipe the sweat from his eyes only to bang his hand against the faceplate. He blinked rapidly then made his way out with spark. Outside Tia was a huge hulk against the black starscape, "Have I ever told you look beautiful, Tia?"

"Only when you've done something stupid and don't want me to yell at you, get in here."

He stood behind Spark and activated the thrusters, aiming for the bay opening. Once through Tia quickly closed the bay doors and pressurized the room.

"This way", he said as he took his helmet off. On his nose he wore a yellowish white splint and blood and sweat glistened wetly under the abused orafice. His eyes were surrounded with purplish-black bruising. He led the way to the med room. "Have a seat on the table", said, "let Tia look you over."

"Hello, Spark", came the sultry woman's voice from the speaker in the room, "let's see what we can do for you, alright?"

Tia began moving toward Alexial and Nai'ra, feeling safer with them as she waiting for Spark to relax and allow her to scan him.

"No problem" After he sets down the box he had been holding, he sits on the table, when his armor disapers in a flash of orange light, leaveing him waring only a jumpsuit.

Alex finishes removing his suit, leaving him in his own jumpsuit as Tia scans Spark. "Well", she says in a thoughtful voice, "I'm afraid I have no idea what I'm looking at." The room darkens and four of the walls light up with scans of sparks from four different sides. "Here's what I'm seeing. Now if you can tell us how we can assist, we'll do all we can."

As he looks over the scans, he says "Ok, it look like the secondary feed is torn open, by nither the reserve or the tank have been damaged in any way, but, the control runs to the feed were also distroyed. When we take this thing out" He getures at the peace of metal still embedid in him. "My self-repair shold be able to fix the problems as I get some rest.The only risks that I can see is that I'm leaking out hydrogen, so if you have any way to keep me from exploding untill it either gets stoped or fixed, it would be nice.

"Well, medical is a self contained room. If you can pull it out then I can vent the room and keep the hydrogen from building up. I'll seal up the equipement to make sure there's no chance of anything setting off the few fumes that may linger", Tia said speculatively.

"That shoud work Miss Cade, thank you." as he says that he reaches down, and with a cry of pain, pulls th remnat of the fragment out and proceds to lay down on the table. reacheing out, he grabs the oxagen mask and placesis it awkwordly oer his mouth. To Alexis look of confusion he responds "My reserves are getting a bit low, and I need something to burn as I'm getting repaird, and whal oxagen is a bit heavy to be prefered, I can still use it to keep going." After he finishes speeking he closes his eyes, and starts to sleep.

Alex pats him lightly on the shoulder, smiling and heads out. Tia vents the room, keeping a constant flow going. "Just speak and I'll hear you Spark, I'll have Alex get you when your ready."

Alex makes his way to the mess and gets a cup of coffee, breaks the heat seal and goes into the main cabin to sit down and drink his coffee.

"I'm going to contact Alexial and let her know we're okay and that Spark should recover."

Alex nodded a bit tiredly, "Tell her I said hello."

"I will", and with that she let him drink his coffee.

"Alexial? Alex is back with Spark and he should recover. Alex says hello, too. I hope you don't mind if I stay close to you, I feel safer."

The shielding systems running around the disk finally die off, revealing that the power increase was more like five or six times the ouput prior to the star's detonation, rather than the three times when the shielding was initiated.

Its metallic hull remains unchanged, despite the heat given off by the defensive energy used as a matter shield. If anything, it appears more brightly polished and gleams brighter, reflecting more than vague blurs and pinpoints of light.

Of the drones, however, there is not sign. No debris litters the space around the disk, no machines buzzing around and certainly no signals back to the drones' parent ship. It is as if they simply ceased to exist.

From deep within the dying gas giant a movement occured, somthing was stirring deep within the fiery mass. From below emerged a new hive ship, it was unlinked to the hive and as such learning, learning everything it could.
The first thing it learnt:
Heat is good.

It spiraled up into space seeking a food source, it was starving. Searching it found a trace in the distance of somthing radioactive. It didnt know what it was but to the creature it would be like a human sniffing the warm smell of freshly cooked food. The 25m long organic ship looking not too discimilar from a cuttle fish moved out of the giant towards food. It had lerntsomthing else:
Feed.

It had already learnt 2 of the most important rules to the hive collective and soon it would learn many more. It moved slowly tentitivly out of the gas giant into the cold of space and towards the ships currently orbiting the disk.

ooc> so who has any sort of radioactive stuff on board? Im talking anything here from nova bombs to a nuclear propulsion system to simply having depleted uranium shells in weapons.

[[OOC: You would not be able to detect anything about the interior of the disk as its systems are on-line and resist detection. Plus most radioactive material would be kept shielded, so you wouldn't be able to detect it on most ships anyway]]

( OOC - The ships like Tia have thier singularity drive which uses control release energy. A hyperdrive for shorter distance movement or when singularity is out due to sensitive materials or people on board and a thrusters for in system manuevering. They do use a small cold fusion reactor for all onboard system power but it's in the center of the ship and heavily shielded since there are no techs onboard. It's only checked when in dock.)

ooc My ship was coated in DU, but most of it has been distroyed by this point, and what hasan't been distroyed, is farly scatterd over the system. Also, there are eleven foil thin sheats of trans-uraniecs, but even if you lumped it all together, it wouldent even be half a cubic inch.

The DLE ship's communication's suddenly powered up, the blank screens suddenly showing data feeds again. Taking the opportunity, Serlo ordered the pattern of shots discontinued. If a ship was in range, it would have been here by now.

~Electronic Communication to All Ships~
We just repaired a communications malfunction on our ship. Our firing was to send a signal for another ship to come in and help us. Sadly, it appears none are in range to pick it up on sensors.
What all has happened since we've gone silent? We've been too busy to pay attention to sensors.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~

We just repaired a communications malfunction on our ship. Our firing was to send a signal for another ship to come in and help us. Sadly, it appears none are in range to pick it up on sensors.
What all has happened since we've gone silent? We've been too busy to pay attention to sensors.
-Captain Serlo

"This is Tia. The reploid ship is destroyed now. Completely that is. I have the sole survivor onboard. I lost 97 of my bots in the explosion. I don't know what happened to the last 3. They were close to the disk getting information and were shielded from the blast I'm sure, but they still vanished. Alex broke his nose when I had to accelerate away. We got off lucky overall over here and I'm fully functional."

"Alexial, Nai'ra? The body I would get, can I control the functions? A shell person can control thier adrenalin and endorphins in order to remain calm in a situation."

"Alexial, Nai'ra? The body I would get, can I control the functions? A shell person can control thier adrenalin and endorphins in order to remain calm in a situation."
"About the respnoce before It's ok, just ask me if I requested any data first."
"Hmm, I not sure my sister should know."

"Hmm, yes after seeing father operate on many sythetic bodys, they do have the ability to regulate more then just those chemicals, but they are quite complex, technically speaking, but you should be able to control your adrenaline and endorphine levels with a little thought."

The DLE ship's communication's suddenly powered up, the blank screens suddenly showing data feeds again. Taking the opportunity, Serlo ordered the pattern of shots discontinued. If a ship was in range, it would have been here by now.

~Electronic Communication to All Ships~
We just repaired a communications malfunction on our ship. Our firing was to send a signal for another ship to come in and help us. Sadly, it appears none are in range to pick it up on sensors.
What all has happened since we've gone silent? We've been too busy to pay attention to sensors.
-Captain Serlo
~End Communication~
"We are not sure, your firing overloaded our sensors while we tried to translate it, you should have used a signal light instead, or are you too advance to have a simple back up?"

"Nai'ra that information that you requested, did you want it as part of a cultural exchange?"

"Nai'ra that information that you requested, did you want it as part of a cultural exchange?"
"Well, it is partially a subject of cultural exchange, but it also a chance to gross out my little sister, she's so skittish about the subject of sex, chuckling, and thank you for your assistancem, couldn't have accomplished it without you."

.... Moria knew they were about finished but she had one last chance. "Mac? I have an idea."

"Nows the time", Micaya replied.

"Well I know where Tia's last jump was before heading back to central. What if we try it and see if she's there."

Micaya looked back at Moria, "Worth the shot. Let's do it."

Moria made the calculations, opened the singularity point and dove into it....

"Well, it is partially a subject of cultural exchange, but it also a chance to gross out my little sister, she's so skittish about the subject of sex, chuckling, and thank you for your assistancem, couldn't have accomplished it without you."

"Why do you want to gross her out?" Tia asked.

In the sickbay, Spark gets up from the madical table. "Miss Cade, I am suficantly repaird so as to be of no danger, and I was wondering if there was anything that a traind enigener, even if it is on a generaly lower tech leval then your own, and ten fusion tanks, good for 3,000 megawhatts of power, can do to be of asistance?"

In the sickbay, Spark gets up from the madical table. "Miss Cade, I am suficantly repaird so as to be of no danger, and I was wondering if there was anything that a traind enigener, even if it is on a generaly lower tech leval then your own, and ten fusion tanks, good for 3,000 megawhatts of power, can do to be of asistance?"

"Hello Spark, I'm glad your feeling better. I'll have Alex come down and bring you to the main cabin. Perhaps you could look at the many pieces of the worker bots I've been accumulating and see if you can get any more working. I only have about a half a dozen left on board."

"Alex", she said over the main cabin speaker, "Spark is awake and would like to help if he could, I've asked him to look at the bots."

"Thank Ghu", Alex replied standing up and heading toward medical, "because all of these parts look the same to me." Alex made his way down and smiled as he entered. "Great to see you up and about. I hope you can get further than me on these things."

"I have no problem with doing that, might you transfer the files of what you have to me, so I can see what I have to work with?"

"Of course", Tia replied.

Alex led Spark to the main cabin. The cabin was a neutral beige color with a couch, table and computer terminal. The rug was soft and the lighting bright enough to work comfortably but not to bright. The only things that seemed out of place were a strange symbol on one wall, a soft, blue teddy bear behind a glass case on the wall opposite and a titanium pillar in the center.

Alex bowed to the pillar, "Our guest has arrived, milady."

"So I see, set him up at the terminal and I'll put up the schematics."

Alex seated Spark at the terminal and it came on. "As you can see it's very basic. Several appendages for various tasks, including grippers, a small laser cutter/welder, scanners, maneuvering thrusters for space work with a small fuel tank, wheels for inside maneuvering, audio pickup, transceiver and video feeds and limited memory capacity and AI for basic problem solving."

"We are not sure, your firing overloaded our sensors while we tried to translate it, you should have used a signal light instead, or are you too advance to have a simple back up?"

~Electronic Reply~
Sorry about that. I would have used one, but no ships are known to be in range. The weapons have enough power to travel farther, which gave us hope of actually contacting a ship. It the damn communications system hadn't shorted, we wouldn't have needed to communicate in that way at all. Currently, it's looking like the surge protection system is faulty.
No level of advancement can make up for shoddy products. When we get home, the government will hear about this a certain company won't like the results.
The good news it the signature is gone.
~End~

"Huum, looks like a farly basic design, shouldent be to hard to make, but what can I do to make it better?" He says as le starts to look through the listing of avaubul parts. "Hu? If she has a decent, yes, there it is, I can modify that so it should work, and that will let me get enough power to run it, but I might have to take something out, need to see how big this will be before I start to worry about that though. Better check if she has what I would need to make the guide points for the system, yes, looks like she has what I need there. Need to make a test system, both to make shure it would work, and to see if she would be intristed in it." All this is mutterd to low to be heard by alex.

"Why do you want to gross her out?" Tia asked.
"Because she's my little sister." "And she's so adorable when she's embarrasd."

The small hive creature began moving towards the ships in an erratic manner looking for somthing to feed on, it was soo hungry after the birthing and began to absorb part of a vapour trail in a vain attempt to get some nurishment. Across open comms it began to moan of its hunger.

All channels became flooded with the sounds of whale song temporarily until they became quieter as in despiration the small creature began to move towards the gatherd ships.

ooc> Radiowaves cannot be stopped by sheilding only particles the waves still escape they are simply harmless. Doesnt matter howmany layers of material are around them but they cause no damage to organic matter.

"Huum, looks like a farly basic design, shouldent be to hard to make, but what can I do to make it better?" He says as le starts to look through the listing of avaubul parts. "Hu? If she has a decent, yes, there it is, I can modify that so it should work, and that will let me get enough power to run it, but I might have to take something out, need to see how big this will be before I start to worry about that though. Better check if she has what I would need to make the guide points for the system, yes, looks like she has what I need there. Need to make a test system, both to make shure it would work, and to see if she would be intristed in it." All this is mutterd to low to be heard by alex.

Another screen came on and gave a listing of various parts that any vessel in A&E carried for replacing broken equipement at dig sites.

"Because she's my little sister." "And she's so adorable when she's embarrasd."

"I was an only child and shelled when I was seven. I guess I just don't have the relationship experience to understand that."

The small hive creature began moving towards the ships in an erratic manner looking for somthing to feed on, it was soo hungry after the birthing and began to absorb part of a vapour trail in a vain attempt to get some nurishment. Across open comms it began to moan of its hunger.

All channels became flooded with the sounds of whale song temporarily until they became quieter as in despiration the small creature began to move towards the gatherd ships.

Tia picked up the odd noise and began running a system's check. "Alex could you take a look at what I'm picking up on the scanner."

Alex sat down and looked at the information she was getting on the the form coming toward them.

"I was an only child and shelled when I was seven. I guess I just don't have the relationship experience to understand that."
"Well you will be our sister once you have your operation, I'll enjoy meeting you and sharing the bueity of sisterhood with you on my home planet Draco." "Then you can feel the touch of your man, Alex I belive his name is, hehe, tantalizing thought is it not?"

The small hive creature began moving towards the ships in an erratic manner looking for somthing to feed on, it was soo hungry after the birthing and began to absorb part of a vapour trail in a vain attempt to get some nurishment. Across open comms it began to moan of its hunger.

All channels became flooded with the sounds of whale song temporarily until they became quieter as in despiration the small creature began to move towards the gatherd ships.
"What the hell is that sir?"

"I don't know, but if it attacks blast the thing out of the sky, you understand that ension?"

"Yes, sir, I understand, sir!"

"Good, keep and eye on it as well, don't want it spprising us."

"Yes, sir."

"Sir, we're detecting a Hive creature moving towards another ship. You're orders?" Marlot asked.

"If it attacks, render assistance to the attacked ship. If it doesn't, don't bother it. In either case, we have a job to do," Serlo said.

~Communication to All Ships~
If that strange creature out here attacks any of you, we will fire on it. We cannot sit back and let people be attacked, no matter our personal opinion of them.
Serlo.
~End Communication~

"Well you will be our sister once you have your operation, I'll enjoy meeting you and sharing the bueity of sisterhood with you on my home planet Draco." "Then you can feel the touch of your man, Alex I belive his name is, hehe, tantalizing thought is it not?"

Tantalizing it was, and frightening too. But she wanted it more than she had wanted anything. It hadn't been fair. Yet she still wanted the freedom to dance among the stars and here was an opportunity to have both. "I can't wait", replied, the mixture of anticipation and fear evident in her voice.

If that strange creature out here attacks any of you, we will fire on it. We cannot sit back and let people be attacked, no matter our personal opinion of them.
Serlo.

"Thank you Captain. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated...."

Suddenly an area of normal space seemed to explode as a singularity point formed. The ship that came through was almost identical to Hypatia and began transmitting immediatly. "It's Moira, are you out here sweetpea?"

Hypatia gasped and activated the cabin com, "Alex, Moira is here."

"Hi Moira, what a.." suddenly Tia noticed how Moira was drifting and listing. "Moira? What's wrong?"

Moira began getting the scanner readings and seeing all the ships in the area, "Oh my, all these people."

"It's okay Moira. Everyone, this is Moira, she's exploration division. Moira what happened?"

My last jump before returning to central had a fighter that wanted to board or destroy me so I jumped out to central space. That jump point, by the way, and I'm glad I got here before you headed back, has a group of Kolnari pirates. They were going to force dock so I jumped again without calculations right into another area of space with a different fighter type who wanted to board or destroy me and I jumped again. The last jump I had a chance to get my bearings. I had just enough fuel to reach here, but that was it. Foster is hurt, sweetpea. He's worse than I thought."

"Oh no, is he in medical at least?"

"Yes, Micaya is with me."

That caught Hypatia's attention, "Quester-Benn?"

"Yes."

"Micaya Quester-Benn as in, THE General Micaya Quester-Benn?"

"The same."

Hypatia didn't know what to say to that. She began moving toward Moira, "I'm going to try and stop your listing and momentum."

"Alex, did you know General Quester-Benn is with Moira?"

Alex looked up, "THE General Quester-Benn?"

"Yes."

"Why would she be on an exploration team? And what happened to Foster, did he transfer?"

"No he's injured."

"Hell", Alex replied and stood up then sat down. "What should we do?"

"I'm going to try to stop her first, she's out of fuel, drifting and listing."

Alex looked over at Spark, "Hang on, buddy, this might get bumpy."

~Communication to All Ships~
If that strange creature out here attacks any of you, we will fire on it. We cannot sit back and let people be attacked, no matter our personal opinion of them.
Serlo.
~End Communication~
~Communication to Serlo's ship~
"An honorable statement, but given the design of the creature it seems to be melee in nature, and if it were to attack a ship, and attach itself to the hull, and if you fired on the creature you would most likely destroy the ship and it's crew as well. Though we do not see eye to eye, the only way to protect these non-combatants is to lure it to our ships should it make a move for the non-combatants ships, it would be more intelligent to lure it to our ships. Given our ships are millitary craft, and are built for combat, should it attack either one of us we can destroy it in a cross fire, agreed?" "Captain Serlo, do we have an agreement to protect these non-combatants even at risk to our own ships?"
~End Communication~

"Tia it's me Alexial, is that ship a freind of yours? Do you need any drones to help stop it from drifting? I'm sending three drones to stop their movment."

"This is Nai'ra, so these are of your species? I'll help them get saftly behind my formation."

At that moment Alexial and Nai'ra ordered several drones to assist the new ship. When three of Alexial's drones approached they acctivated their grappler arms and grabed the ship with out a moments passing. They then brought the ship close next to Tia's ship and formed a protective formation around the two ships in responce to the orders of Captain Dur'uc and the approaching creature.

"Alexial again, here they are, you want us to dock them to you?"

"Naira, I'll use my drones as a sheild should things go for the worse with our bug freind there."

"Hey, so you gonna introduce your freinds to me or what?"

"Yes, is this pilot also in a shell?"

"Tia it's me Alexial, is that ship a freind of yours? Do you need any drones to help stop it from drifting? I'm sending three drones to stop their movment."

"This is Nai'ra, so these are of your species? I'll help them get saftly behind my formation."

Hypatia's heart leapt with joy as the two assisted her.

At that moment Alexial and Nai'ra ordered several drones to assist the new ship. When three of Alexial's drones approached they acctivated their grappler arms and grabed the ship with out a moments passing. They then brought the ship close next to Tia's ship and formed a protective formation around the two ships in responce to the orders of Captain Dur'uc and the approaching creature.

As the drones moved toward the new ship a com opened up from it, "AH, would care to tell me what's going on?" The voice was female, but not the soft, alluring voice like Tia's. It was harsh and the words were bitten off quickly.

"It's okay General, they're friends that I've made out here."

"Well", the General replied in a softer though still gruff tone that was probably from years of yelling orders, "in that case I apologize to your friends and will take any assistance possible. I don't suppose we'd be lucky enough to have a doctor out there anywhere?"

"Alexial again, here they are, you want us to dock them to you?"

"Naira, I'll use my drones as a sheild should things go for the worse with our bug freind there."

"Hey, so you gonna introduce your freinds to me or what?"

"Yes, is this pilot also in a shell?"

"I can dock if I need to easily enough and I appreciate all the help. General Quester-Benn is a bit of legend in central. General this is Alexial and Nai'ra."

"It's good to meet you both", came the rough voice.

"And yes, Moira is a shell person. Moira this is Alexial and Nai'ra."

A softer, though definitely older voice than Tia's came online. "It's a pleasure to meet both of you and I can't thank you enough for your assistance. As the general indicated we're in need of medical assistance if you have any available. My brawn is injured."

"Moira is the one who gave me Teddy when I was seven. She was a friend from the time I was two, always taking time to talk with me and play a game or two when she stopped by. I've known her the better part of my life."

"Hello Moira, good to see you", came Alexes voice.

"HELLO Alex. I see you and Tia are getting along well."

"Tia's wonderful, Moira, what's wrong with Foster?"

"I thought he had a concussion but I think it may be worse. I'm beginning to think about cold sleeping him until I can get help for him."

"Moira, Tia has plenty of fuel, I'm going to see if I rig something to transfer some of her fuel to you if that's alright with her."

"Oh yes, if you could that would be wonderful."

~Communication to Serlo's ship~
"An honorable statement, but given the design of the creature it seems to be melee in nature, and if it were to attack a ship, and attach itself to the hull, and if you fired on the creature you would most likely destroy the ship and it's crew as well. Though we do not see eye to eye, the only way to protect these non-combatants is to lure it to our ships should it make a move for the non-combatants ships, it would be more intelligent to lure it to our ships. Given our ships are millitary craft, and are built for combat, should it attack either one of us we can destroy it in a cross fire, agreed?" "Captain Serlo, do we have an agreement to protect these non-combatants even at risk to our own ships?"
~End Communication~

~Electronic Reply~
I didn't sign up to hesitate just because I might die, and neither did my crew. We've got an agreement. If we have to fire our missiles at that thing, we'll wait until no one is close to it. They tend to pack a punch. If you have to when it is near us, target our engine core. We have an antimatter reactor near it and you can cause a large antimatter explosion. That should take it out.
~End~

"Sir, you're orders?" Marlot asked.

"Power weapons, extend all disruptor turrets. I'll get us close to it, you open fire as soon as we start moving. Use the targetting computers and don't shoot when you can't be sure you'll hit it," Serlo said, already punching in the orders to move.