NationStates Jolt Archive

Eldaimovey Advanced Research Laboratories: Project Block R-19

Amidst the din of computers and cooling equipment, half a dozen engineers and physicists paced nervously in the lobby of an anonymous research complex clustered on the south end of the expansive Eldaimovey campus. The anticipation of the group was quickly boiling from excitement to the point of fanaticism; after so many years working with nameless and faceless calculations, these twelve Schultarian scientists were eager to see the fruits of their labor come to life. Luckily for them, their patience and diligence had not gone unnoticed by the Schultarian scientific establishment and their patrons in the national government. What secrets awaited the group was surely the stuff of legend in Schultaria Prime, but even those brilliant twelve only had an inkling of what they had created.

Eagerly awaiting their colleagues while still deep within the recesses of Project Block R-19, Professor Douglass Kronsen and Director Sarnow Haarvekord took the time to reflect on their accomplishments. Nearly sixteen years and eight months had passed since Schultaria Prime's first great trial against academia was passed and in that time the nation had rebuilt its culture and scientific ethos. However, whatever progress had been earned over the last decade and six years was still tempered by the nine thousand families who had suffered from losing their loved ones. Even as the experiment of a lifetime was at hand, both professors weighed the situation heavily in their minds.

"If only Tomar was here to see what we've accomplished, he might have seen his lifelong dreams come true," sighed Haarvekord as he stared at the object which had taken nearly twelve decades of design and research to complete.

Kronsen let out a small chuckle, "Yeah, but he would have complained constantly about the money we poured into this device. He was a penny pincher and you know it, but at least you knew that once he had a goal in mind he set to it." Taking out a small flask, the elder academician took a hearty gulp and gasped in relish of his drink, "I swear this alcohol gets even more potent every time I drink it."

"Probably because your liver's finally starting to cave from the alcohol."

While the two gabbed about times gone by, the remainder of the research team had already filed into the darkened laboratory. Unpacking their equipment, Haarvekord and Kronsen gathered to meet their colleagues. As the remainder of their equipment was being set up, Director Haarvekord pulled a chair and sat in front of the gathered research team.

"Let me just say for the record that without your efforts over the last fifteen years, this project might have never seen the light of day. The raw talent of this research team, coupled with our diehard work ethic and willingness of self-sacrifice, has made possible something that no one academition in this nation ever thought possible, save for my grandfather. This test today will finally bring to light whether or not Schultaria's last one hundred and twenty years of scientific development have proven sufficient enough to bring this device to light. However I digress; let Doctor Kronsen and I show you the fruits of our combined research."

With a careful flip of the wrist, a tarp hung on a far wall of the laboratory was removed. In a flash, the wall was covered in a giant computer display flashing a schematic unlike the research team had ever seen before.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/emschultz/Core1.jpg

"This device, the fortieth and final invention of Kevem Haarvekord, has finally been brought to light thanks to your diligent efforts. What you see before you is the basis for a device that manipulates quantum fluctuations on a macroscopic scale. In essence, we have built a device which could conceivably manipulate the processes of quantum tunneling to such a degree as to commute lengths of travel and sometimes negate spatial distances altogether."

Professor Kronsen cleared this throat, "Ladies and gentlemen, what we have here is something thought nigh impossible by our scientists nearly to decades ago. With this device, we just might be able to commute the laws of space-time and develop machines with capabilities of traveling through the vastness of the cosmos at rates exceeding the speed of light."

An audible gasp filled the room...

Recovering from their shock, the dozen scientists made their way around the spacious, if albeit spartanly furnished laboratory. Thick concrete walls and heavy gauge reinforced glass separated the experiment from its creators, and for good reason. Even after nearly a decade's worth of supercomputer testing all they were really able to determine about the device was that it would operate and could possibly manipulate space as well. Exactly what it would do once it was activated, nobody chanced a guess; for the science team this was a literal shot in the dark, but everyone knew no amount of pre-testing could substitute a proper experiment. Over the public address system, the voice of Doctor Kronsen pierced the air in a canned metallic voice.

"Capacitors have been fully charged and the test probe is in position. All maintenance crews please make your final analysis and evacuate the prototype room as soon as possible; science team, T minus three minutes to device initalization."

As radiation failsafe mechanisms fell into place, the lights were dimmed in the laboratory to offer the group a better view of the test. With the seconds slowly passing by, the hum of electricity grew ever louder from the gargantuan device sitting just meters away from their consoles. One minute finally passed, and then the second came and went without much grandeur. All the while the machine, encased in thick concrete walls and lead tempered safety glass, seemed impatient; it looked as if it was a dog chained to a leash, yearning to break free yet held back by a firm invisible hand.

Reaching the thirty second mark, the device began to hum loudly and steadily prepare for its inevitable test run. Deep within its bowels, the enormous power of eight nuclear reactors began to course through the drive's circuitry. As the charge began to grow, a deep purple aura surrounded the laboratory while parts of the device began to glow in bright shades of white. Above the researcher's heads, the public address system kicked in for one final time, "Automation controls set, duration of test has been activated for one minute and thirty seconds. Quantum flux to propagate in five, four, three, two..."

The device chamber was engulfed in a brilliant flash of white while the power of four billion watts of unbridled energy began to pour out of the machine. On the far side of the drive room a flat and hazy circular portal was steadily growing, much to the fascination of the scientists. As dozens of cameras recorded this event for posterity, a small probe no larger than a third of a meter across was gently eased into the flat blue disc. Propelled by forces of physics not yet understood, the probe instantaneously began to transmit data of its surroundings. Much to the surprise of the group, the probe's radio transmissions could pass through the barrier without any difficulty.

Somewhere in a remote section of space light years away from Schultaria Prime, the probe began to intensively photograph its surroundings and transmit the star fields back to the waiting science team. Meanwhile, the probe also contained several passengers designed to determine if traversing the unknown was safe for living creatures. All during this time, the bonds linking Schultaria Prime and this remote location in space slowly began to degrade. Rotating on its axis, the earth remained steadfast in its orbit much to the dismay of the machine. With more power being drained to sustain the connection, the Haarvekord drive began to shake violently along with the lab and the majority of Eldaimovey. Any seismometers would have instantly noticed a spike in normally stable Schultaria Prime; while moderate by earthquake standards, the vibrations were simply too much for the research team to handle.

Sarnow, waving his arms violently, yelled, "For god's sake, pull the plug! The rest of the test was a success, just abort the damn thing already!"

The rest of the team obliged, cutting the drive's power and ending the test prematurely by little more than twenty seconds. However, they knew their test had been a success; with the data acquired in those fateful seventy seconds, a wealth of knowledge had been gained that would take years to examine fully. Meanwhile an automated emissary of Schultaria Prime drifted through space, its mission done, but life far from over.

COMM-Sat 089873241, Ten Lightyears from Schultaria Prime

COMM-Sat 089873241 was like every other Outer Heaven MK II COMM-Sat. 100 metres in length, this Satelite was bristling with sensory equipment. It's hull was covered in thousands of 'eyes', each one a multi-spectral sensor. This gave the COMM-Sat a 360 degree line of 'sight'. On the top of the Satelite, a number of antennas protruded out into space, sending 20 frame per second footage of space, in every spectrum it utilised (all spectrums). On both solar panels are tractor beams, in case anything unusual is detected and required for study. Inside the Satelite, was two shield generators, the only thing protecting the Satelite from by space meteors. Also inside, was a Ring Teleportation pad. This pad was only used when an unknown type of object was tractored into it's interior.

However, COMM-Sat 089873241 was very different, in the sense that it only monitored one thing. Schultarian Space. Ever since the Contact Day Massacre, Outer Heaven MK II had deployed COMM-Sat 089873241, to watch over Schultarian space, in case any major scientific breakthrough occured, or the Indrans (or any other space Nation for that matter) entered Schultarian space. At this point, both things happend.

COMM-Sat 089873241's sensors went off the scale as a FTL Portal was activated a couple of Kilometres from COMM-Sat 089873241. It's 'eyes' all focusing on the event, sending multi-spectral footage back to Serpantis Minor. Then, some sort of probe emerged...

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Monitor Station X0-1, Serpantis Minor Fleet Headquarters

"Eamonn! Look at this!"

Anton pointed over to a console labelled 'COMM-Sat 089873241'. A klaxon was blaring next to the console, indicating a factor had been hit, which was good or bad, the footage would only tell. Eamonn rose an eyebrow.

"COMM-Sat 089873241? But that's..."

"Schultaria Prime. The Border Wars can wait, this has to be big!"

Agreeing, both Anton and Eamonn slid across the room on their hover chairs. Stopping themselves, they each began to hit buttons on the console, activating a data screen in the middle of the console, and changing all the screens around them to the footage from COMM-Sat 089873241. The large holo-projector in the middle of the room showed the real-time footage, the kind the human eye processes every milisecond it was revealed to the world around it. The hundred or so other small screens around the room showed the same footage, only in many different spectrums. The console gave off readings from what it was currently analysing.

"My god..." Anton said, gawping.

"Schultaria Prime has not only discovered FTL travel...but they've also launched a probe into deep space..." Eamonn said.

Outer Heaven MK II had made itself (unknown to the Schultarians) Schultaria Prime's guardian.

"Is this being recorded?"

"Yeah, every single bit of it."

"Good, hey look!"

Anton looked at the data screen.

"What?"

"Nono! At the holo-projector, I've just done something very clever..."

Turning, Anton watched the footage split into two. On the left, was the FTL event, and the probe. On the right however, there was a system. Quickly, the left side disspeared, and the right took up the projection. Three lines appeared, and formed a triangle around a planet.

The view zoomed in, showing Schultaria Prime. The three lines appeared again, and formed a triangle over an area of Schultaria. The view zoomed in. This was repeated, until a block of buildings was shown. The three lines appeared, isolating one building, and it zoomed in again. The projection then changed into another spectrum. Anton gawped.

A large blob of blue and green appeared in place of the building. Anton watched as it continued to change shape. The projection showed some data readings in the corner, then it switched into a few more spectrums, each with different readings. A seisometer also appeared, recording the seismic waves eminating from the building.

"Jesus, it is the Schultarians." They both chorused.

At that point, the last spectrum needed popped up, and recorded what was left. Sadly, just after, the readings went .

"What happend?"

"They probably switched it off."

"Ah."

Anton thought of something.

"We need to take the probe in for analysis." He said. Eamonn agreed. Resetting the view of the probe, Anton and Eamonn typed in some commands. They then turned to the projection, and watched the tractor beams trap the probe, and draw it closer to COMM-Sat 089873241.

"We need to compile a report, and alert the Science Labs of an impending specimen..."

"Indeed." Eamonn agreed.

Setting COMM-Sat 089873241 to automatic, both Eamonn and Anton left, one leaving to write up a report and briefing for High Command, the other to alert the Science Labs.

_________________________________________________________________

The probe was slowly drawn to COMM-Sat 089873241. Pivoting using manuevering thrusters, COMM-Sat 089873241's entry shaft opened. The probe went through, and the shaft closed up, along with the tractor beams disengaging. Below the probe, a 'floor' slid over the shaft. Gravity generators kicked in, and the probe fell a few centimetres to the floor.

In the middle of the floor, a large circle could be seen, with safety warnings given not to stand on the circle itself. The probe was in the circle. The circle lit up for a few seconds. Then, five rings shot upward, the first about ten centimetres above the probe, the last was directly level with the bottom of the probe. Then, the circle lit up, and a large 'ball' of energy shot through the probe (Yes, Stargate tech, but I love it!). Collapsing at the first ring, the probe dissapeared, leaving an empty space inside the rings. The rings dropped, the circle lit up, and the floor slid away.

_________________________________________________________________

In the Science Labs, the Ring Transporter activated. Once the transportation was complete, twelve scientists rushed in with different equipment. Setting the equipment up, the scientists brimmed with excitement. It's not often they get a Schultarian probe to analyze...

Sensing the unfamiliar feeling of gravity, the thruster pods of the probe slowly retracted revealing a smooth and polished chrome surface. From any initial appearance, the probe looked fairly unimpressive and simplistic. Save from a few small ports designed for the device's cameras, mass spectrometers, and thruster package, the object had no outward blemishes and was in all respects a virtually seamless sphere of glittering metal. This had been done intentionally by the science team; being contacted by space based nations in the past, the designers of the probe made sure to maximize its profile as much as possible. In the right light conditions, the probe might shine as brightly enough to be picked up by extraterrestrial observation posts perhaps an Astronomical Unit or two away .

The science team had considered the possibility that the probe might come into contact with other beings, so they had designed as many scenarios as the computer could handle while still completing its mission. Programmed to be the ever vigilant explorer, the cameras and spectral scanners on board the probe were deluged with dozens of new sights and materials as it observed its new surroundings. Absorbing information at the rate of a gigabyte a second, the device's internal data crystal soaked up as much information as the probe's multitude of sensors could perceive. All the while, a small collection of insects and frogs nestled themselves in climate controlled comfort deep within the probe's shell; even though the explorers were only present to determine if quantum tunneling was safe for living individuals, they were given enough life support to last several days.

One last minute addition to the probe's collection of scientific instruments was something of a more sentimental vein. Embedded within the probe, a small holoprojector extended from a hatch covering as soon as the scientists approached within 4 meters of the silvery bauble. Using what power it could spare from its designed mission, the probe's computers cast a hologram several meters wide for the Havenite delegation. In the foreground, two men and one woman were displayed in high relief; with the exception of occasional fuzzy static and their inability to cast shadows, the three individuals were as lifelike as could be created by Schultarian science.

"We, the three Directors of Schultaria Prime, would like to extend our hands in friendship to you, the interceptor of our probe. This device, should it be found intact, is the vehicle of an experiment that has been at the forefront of our nation for nearly twelve decades. An end result of so much research, argument, and development, we hope that whoever finds this device will know that our intentions are merely of exploration and scientific discovery. If whoever acquires this device should possess the capability of someday contacting our nation, we hope that your intentions of mutual exploration and curiosity are just as great and magnanimous. Thank you for your time."

After the probe transmitted its automated message, the computer took the chance to use the holographic emitter to transmit several warnings. Even though the power system and the biological specimens were benign and developed to be as non-threatening as possible, any encounter with a foreign race had to be treated with the utmost delicacy. Hopefully the new hosts of this probe were not allergic to a few frogs and grasshoppers.

A BUMP for OHMKII and all other interested parties.

OOC: Lol *All the scientists drop de&d from exposure to Earth animals*, "Bugger, that wasn't a very nice invitation...charge the Planet-Killer...

IC: "We need to tell Fleet Command..." All the scientists chorused. As one ran out of the door nearest, the others moved in the further examine the probe. Two of them extracted the animals.

"Scan them, and then see if they can survive in a normal Outer Heaven enviroment. If they can, initiate uber-breeding, and distribute them as Wild Life and pets. This could be Outer Heaven's replacement to Liquid Snake's..." The apparent leader ordered. The two scientists nodded, and went away.

"Alright people, we have two hours to get intimate with this thing, then they're going to preserve it until the Schultarian's arrive...if they ever do..."

Eldaimovey Advanced Research Laboratories: Nakaaga Katxem Adadamma Supercomputing Laboratories

While the eager and excited scientists toasted their success with well deserved wine and champagne, work on Haarvekord's fortieth and final "face' still had to be done. The technology of the drive was so revolutionary and advanced compared to the rest of the nation that the majority of theory surrounding the invention was centered on whether the device would operate. Spending several hundred million merlons for over six billion simulated hours of computational testing and design refinement had developed a quite capable prototype; however, as much as they reveled in their achievements, one thought tugged at every mind in the science team.

Just exactly where did the probe reappear?

The team's hopes were placed on the transmissions received during the fateful flight of their probe. While the primary objective of the device was to determine if solid objects could survive the quantum tunneling process, hopes of early success prompted the engineers to install several cameras embedded in the probe. Once it left the quantum threshold and reappeared in deep space, the probe captured hundreds of photographs in every available electromagnetic spectrum; in the sixty eight seconds that the probe was in contact with Schultaria, over one thousand two hundred images were captured and logged into portable data banks throughout Eldaimovey. While many were of moderate resolution, the sheer volume of data covered the probe's entire star map. For the first time in Schultarian history, local scientists were viewing the universe from a point in space completely foreign to their point of reference.

The lumbering NKAd supercomputer awoke from its mechanical slumber hungry for data and thirsty for instructions. Carefully downloading the image data from the mobile data packs, the massive machine recreated the collage of images into an immersive three dimensional star map. "By using the images captured from the probe and comparing them to known stellar positions from our own spatial observations, we should be able to determine approximately where our probe reappeared in space," noted Haarvekord, "of course this will take some time. The computer will have to sift through quadrillions of cubic Astronomical Units of space to determine even an approximate location; however, I'm confident that given the speed of this machine we should know where our portal appeared by the end of the week."

"Let's toast to your granddad," cheered Kronsen, " 'ole Kevvie pulled through again!"

Eldaimovey Advanced Research Laboratories: Nakaaga Katxem Adadamma Supercomputing Laboratories

It had been two and a half days since the science team engaged their historic test, but by now their excitement was slowly turning into hard Schultarian scientific logic. Everyone working on the project knew that one good test never meant success, but at least the results were promising enough to give the researchers a well earned bounce in their step. Even Dr. Kronsen, by far one of the most enthusiastic and spontaneous individuals ever to grace the nation's scientific establishment, also felt the need to finally start resuming work. While they waited for the supercomputer's results the researchers would examine every part of Haarvekord's fortieth "face" thoroughly; the machine they built had expanded the knowledge base of Schultaria Prime by leaps and bounds, but some of the most important discoveries were comming to light under their noses.

While the massive supercomputer was still in the throes of estimating the probe's jump location, some interesting items were beginning to see the light of day. Sifting through countless billions of bits, the NKAd had identified an object unlike anything observed from the majority of the probe's telemetry data. Although the computer, ever faithful to its primary mission, did not waver from its primary task, the gigantic mass of silicon and steel brought the data to the attention of the research staff in the form of a calculation progress update. Clouded in a choking mass of numbers, coordinates, and machine code, the data was a massive shock to the engineers who had come to review the data. Filled with equal parts caffeine and genuine excitement, the report was printed as fast as the computer could produce it for consumption; even before the ink on the paper had a chance to dry, the pages were shipped off to Block R-19.

Amidst all of the photographs, the probe had uncovered something big. Very big indeed, and quite unnatural.

A BUMP for any other nations that might have detected the event (a new post will come shortly).

Eldaimovey Advanced Research Laboratories: Project Block R-19

Three couriers from the Schultarian Intelligence Directorate, each dressed in full black with a steel briefcase in hand, greeted the fourteen scientists. Without any ceremony, they unlatched the cases from their arms and presented them to Doctors Kronsen and Haarvekord. The room's tension unwound like a great spring as the delivery personnel left; even Haarvekord, himself a Schultarian head of state, felt reservation every time he encountered the SID. As the large security doors latched behind the three cloaked agents, Doctor Haarvekord breathed a sigh of relief and spoke frankly, "I swear Doug every time I have to work with them I feel they aren't always being completely honest. They really do bug me."

Laughing, Doctor Kronsen placed his hand flat against the cold steel of one of the briefcases; the concealed electronic palm print lock immediately identified the doctor and opened the case slowly under its own power. Inside, nestled in black foam, four blue crystals no larger than the size of sugar cubes waited to be unlocked. While two of the scientists were carefully placing the items inside a nearby NEXCRA archive, Haarvekord and Kronsen set about unlocking the other two cases. One of the briefcases was an elaborate dummy filled to the brim with shredded newspaper and four bottles of deep red wine. The other, simply furnished and quite small compared to the other two, contained two holopads and the following scrap of paper.

"The ancient motto finally rings true. You are your grandfather's grandson."

-Elliot

Plugging one of the holopads into a nearby media table, Central Director Schultz appeared in full relief to the fourteen scurrying about the lab. While the researchers were still in the process of reassembling the device, they took a well earned break to listen to the adulations of their political leader and largest patron.

"Let me say for the record that your successful first test of Haarvekord's fortieth, and final, invention could have not come at a more opportune time. Next Wednesday will be the sixteenth anniversary of the Schultarian Contact Day Massacre, and I know it will be a difficult day for many of you in this room. All of us lost good friends and colleagues in that senseless and unprovoked attack, but your perseverance and willingness to persevere has paid off. Your efforts here have broken the supposedly inflexible laws of physics and advanced science in our nation by untold decades, but you don't want to hear me prattle on.

I give to you, the results of test HvKo-01."

The image crackled into static, only to be replaced by a large star field; Sarnow Haarvekord, normally stoic, could not help but utter, "Dear God. It's more powerful than we thought." While the rest of the scientists nodded in agreement, the holopad's flat male voice prattled about the supercomputer analysis.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/emschultz/jumper1sp.jpg

"In final analysis, the NKAd has been able to isolate the source of the probe's reappearance to a fairly remote section of space between the stars Sirius B and Procyon A. Approximate distance calculations place the probe's absolute distance from Sol at slightly over 3.0591 parsecs; given an approximate travel time of 1.3 seconds, the relative speed of the probe has been placed at roughly 2.2943 parsecs, or 7.5 light years, per second. Of course without further data to analyze beyond this initial test, the NKAd's estimations are only speculative. At the present moment, the target location of the probe is highly approximate and covers nearly 3.3 Undecillion cubic kilometers of unusually featureless space. In order to refine the necessary calculations, several key star points have been identified by the supercomputer; another test with a probe of higher refinement should be conducted as soon as feasible to do so.

Adding to the urgency of another test is the discovery of an object within close proximity to the probe's entry point. Unusual infrared, general magnetic, and gamma radiation readings discovered a powerful object within several kilometers of the probe's field of view. At the present time we don't know much about the object, except that the device appeared to emanate significant energy readings akin to an artificial device. Further study of the probe's telemetry will be required to ascertain more about the object's intention.

Based on several sextillion calculations, the NKAd has developed several serious theories about the device's performance, but more experimentation is required to confirm any feasible results."

Eldaimovey Project Block R-19: Test Number Two

Now they had proven the device worked, the science team wrapped up rebuilding the drive and finalized preparations for a second, and far more detailed, test of the drive and its functions. The lab, unfinished and sparsely outfitted just a week a ago, was alive and bristling with dozens of electronic recording devices along with vastly more sophisticated computer control systems. Formerly blank walls of concrete were crowded with banks of powerful supercomputers connected to sophisticated monitoring equipment; for the scientists the equipment was a godsend, but sooner or later the funding would eventually be traced.

Along with the greater amount of equipment inside the lab, the science team begged and pleaded with the Schultarian Space Administration to provide the team with something vastly more powerful than their venerable, but extremely limited, spherical omni-explorer. Several tense phone calls and a dozen hasty meetings later the agency gave in to the science team's requests for a more powerful deep space probe. Douglass was especially gleeful with the news. Not only did the researchers have a better toy to play with, but hopefully they would be better capable of tracking this device through the vastness of space. Deep within the probe's titanium skin, a far more compact version of the Haarvekord device was attached to the ship's primary transmitter; if the plan should succeed, the probe's power source would be sufficient enough to create a real time data link without assistance from the ground. Provided the device worked long enough, the science team might be able to find their first intrepid traveler and its mysterious companion.

Over the public address system, the routine countdown reached its final stage.

"Capacitors are been fully charged and test probe is in position; device will activate in approximately seventy five seconds, please clear test area while final preparation stages are initialized."

With uncanny precision the device began to awaken while unseen forces of quantum energy melded with free space with deep within its bowels. To compensate for the increased mass and size of the probe, an additional two reactors were directly attached to feed the drive's already insatiable appetite for energy, and its effects were present on the drive. Before, the device had been veiled in a purple aura, but now an additional one billion watts were coursing through the machine's veins of copper and silver. As the timer approached thirty seconds thin wispy bolts of pure energy began to cascade around the device, prompting some of the more squeamish researchers to sink in the chairs next to their consoles. Meanwhile, Haarvekord and Kronsen stood in awed silence.

"Automation and sensory controls set, duration of test has been activated for one minute and ten seconds. Quantum flux to propagate in five, four, three, two..."

The room was once again enveloped in a persistent cloak of white for only a brief moment before the flat blue disc, now slightly larger, appeared at the far end of the test chamber. "Discharge the probe," announced Kronsen, "time to find out where in the hell we end up this time."

Within less than two seconds, the second Schultarian device to break the light speed barrier crossed into the unknown.

One BUMP for the evening.

OOC: SP, sorry about being tardy, but school's back, and so's the coursework, meaning I can't post often, if at all for that matter. However, your 2nd from last (actual) post has given me a great opening. Hold off posting, and I'll squeeze in.

A BUMP to breathe life back in the thread (and well wishes to OH MK II and his coursework; let it be complete, successful, and with a visible end in sight).

A BUMP to revive the RP and another sincere hope that Outer Heaven's schoolwork has shown some signs of alleviation (I can understand what you might be facing, given some recent experiences I've had with my history course work).

Eldaimovey Project Block R-19: Test Number Two

Now they had proven the device worked, the science team wrapped up rebuilding the drive and finalized preparations for a second, and far more detailed, test of the drive and its functions. The lab, unfinished and sparsely outfitted just a week a ago, was alive and bristling with dozens of electronic recording devices along with vastly more sophisticated computer control systems. Formerly blank walls of concrete were crowded with banks of powerful supercomputers connected to sophisticated monitoring equipment; for the scientists the equipment was a godsend, but sooner or later the funding would eventually be traced.

Along with the greater amount of equipment inside the lab, the science team begged and pleaded with the Schultarian Space Administration to provide the team with something vastly more powerful than their venerable, but extremely limited, spherical omni-explorer. Several tense phone calls and a dozen hasty meetings later the agency gave in to the science team's requests for a more powerful deep space probe. Douglass was especially gleeful with the news. Not only did the researchers have a better toy to play with, but hopefully they would be better capable of tracking this device through the vastness of space. Deep within the probe's titanium skin, a far more compact version of the Haarvekord device was attached to the ship's primary transmitter; if the plan should succeed, the probe's power source would be sufficient enough to create a real time data link without assistance from the ground. Provided the device worked long enough, the science team might be able to find their first intrepid traveler and its mysterious companion.

Over the public address system, the routine countdown reached its final stage.

"Capacitors are been fully charged and test probe is in position; device will activate in approximately seventy five seconds, please clear test area while final preparation stages are initialized."

With uncanny precision the device began to awaken while unseen forces of quantum energy melded with free space with deep within its bowels. To compensate for the increased mass and size of the probe, an additional two reactors were directly attached to feed the drive's already insatiable appetite for energy, and its effects were present on the drive. Before, the device had been veiled in a purple aura, but now an additional one billion watts were coursing through the machine's veins of copper and silver. As the timer approached thirty seconds thin wispy bolts of pure energy began to cascade around the device, prompting some of the more squeamish researchers to sink in the chairs next to their consoles. Meanwhile, Haarvekord and Kronsen stood in awed silence.

"Automation and sensory controls set, duration of test has been activated for one minute and ten seconds. Quantum flux to propagate in five, four, three, two..."

The room was once again enveloped in a persistent cloak of white for only a brief moment before the flat blue disc, now slightly larger, appeared at the far end of the test chamber. "Discharge the probe," announced Kronsen, "time to find out where in the hell we end up this time."

Within less than two seconds, the second Schultarian device to break the light speed barrier crossed into the unknown.

OOC: Woo! Easter holidays in three days time, so the coursework is gone! I can post! W00t! I am teh l88t hax0r!

"Dropping out of Subspace...NOW!"

A few KM away from the probe, a titanic vessel, 48KM in length, came out of a Subspace Portal that had formed.

This was the GTVA Colossus. The GTVA Colossus resembled a GTD Orion, although ALOT bigger, and the front part (1/3rd of the ship) was a WTD (Weapon of Total Destruction). It's Quantanium hull was covered in an assortment of Heavy Flak Cannons, Shivan/Outer Heaven Beam Cannons, Heavy Rotary Chain guns, Laser Turrets, and even a few hangars, containing hundreds of fighters. The GTVA Colossus was the biggest ship in the Empire's arsenal, and a tough cookie to look at, let alone chew.

On the bridge of the GTVA Colossus, Grand Admiral Anton Slavik smiled. It'd been many years since he'd sat on his Command Chair, and he felt more at home than he did at the State Mansion on Serpantis Prime. Slavik turned to the Tactical Officer.

"Tactical, has the probe detected us?"

The Tactical Officer nodded.

"It has sir, shall I send the message?" He asked. Slavik nodded.

"Do it, and then tractor the device in. Once that's done, set course for Schultaria Prime. I'm now putting the ship on Gamma Alert. Should any problems arise, you'll find me in my quarters."

The Officer nodded, and Slavik watched as space shimmered around the probe.

Tractor Beams, magnificent things, with all of the ones we have on this ship, we could move a small planetoid, or even rip up the surface of a planet!

Shaking his head, Slavik left the bridge.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, the message was sent into the Schultarian Device. After some decryption of Outer Heaven's Aurabesh (the way we write), this is what the message would look like:

Schultarians, this is Outer Heaven MK II. We are the ones that are responsible for the Contact Day massacre, but luckily, we're not here to create another one. Instead, we're here to celebrate your achievement of your own FTL drive. By the time you've decrypted this, no doubt, we'll be in orbit. Please do not open fire, for we have no problems with firing back.

We look forward to seeing you again on better terms, and we hope that our proposal will interest you.

Regards,
The GTVA Colossus

While the other thirteen scientists and engineers were frantically reaping the mountainous piles of data streaming from the probe's modified transmitter, Sarnow could not hold his disbelief as he watched the live video feed. Four monitors, the sum total of half of the probe's camera output, had been blocked by a craft whose dimensions were incomparable to the surroundings. Although the item was of major importance to the probe's sensors and Doctor Haarvekord, the remainder of the science team wanted to complete their primary objectives before communication was lost. No one was sure how long the mobile Haarvekord transceiver would function as the Earth began to drift from the probe's location, so time was of the essence.

As the probe's independent FTL radio transmissions approached T plus forty five seconds, warning reports and data transmission alerts flashed across the laboratory's computer consoles. Doctor Kronsen, nearly blinded with a single-minded intensity to gather as much star field data as possible, jolted himself back into reality as the room glowed red and yellow from several dozen warning lights. Fearful of losing the transmission, the science team switched gears from discovery to survival; even as the probe was being tugged silently by unknown forces of energy they did their best to evade, but to no avail. Out of options, the fourteen members consigned the probe's fate to the unknown craft; but before the transmission was lost one gigantic pulse of data coursed through the lab's computers, shorting out three of the secondary communications consoles.

"Get that data to analysis quickly," barked Haarvekord, "I want to know who took our probe and what damaged our computers. And I want it by the end of the hour!"

OOC: Hey Schul, make another post, as I said, by the time you'll have decoded it we'll be in orbit, so we'll be in a perfect posistion to post.

Eldaimovey Advanced Research Laboratories: Nakaaga Katxem Adadamma Supercomputing Laboratories

Almost as soon as Sarnow orders were spoken a torrent of raw information poured forth from R-19's data cores into the central databank of the monstrous NKAd Supercomputer. Billions of individual bits, each one bearing testament to unknown frontiers and countless hours of wonder, crossed six kilometers from the remote research site to the quarter trillion dollar computing complex faster than the blink of an eye. While hundreds of custom made processors and thousands of scientific programs woke to life within the heart of the quantum juggernaut, Doctors Haarvekord and Kronsen were already in contact with their benefactors. The decryption and analysis of those countless gigabytes of data would be a simple task compared to quelling the worry of their covert supporters. Staring blankly towards the fortieth face Haarvekord replied meekly, "I think I'll go up and get some air."

Sweating and pale with nervousness, Sarnow Haarvekord pulled himself up the six flights of stairs leading from the test chamber to the ground lobby. Overcome with the reality of the test, he stumbled out the side door and blanched as he ducked behind a tall bush. Between infrequent gasps for air and feelings of panic, he began to question the astounding visual evidence the probe acquired. "What the hell did I see? Even more than that, how did it know the probe would arrive at that particular location?"

At that moment, an epiphany erupted in his mind.

"The pulse!"

Rushing to the nearest telephone, Sarnow excitedly told the NKAd technicians to drop analysis of all but the last three seconds of the probe's transmission. Obliging, dozens of computer scientists worked furiously to retool their massive machines; in the space of ten minutes, their work complete, they restarted the computer with a series of new processing goals. By this time Haarvekord had caught his breath and had his emotions well under control when the phone rang. On the other end of the line one person in a sobering monotone replied, "We've sent the first decryption pass to your data pad. You won't believe what is says." Before he could hang up the phone, two faint words could be heard from the headset.

"Dear God..."

Looking down, the nervous Doctor and Director read the decoded text.


Schultarians, this ... Outer ... II. We are the ones ... responsible for the ... massacre, ... not here ... Instead, ... here ... achievement of ... drive. By ... this, ... be in orbit. ... not open fire, ... no problems ... firing back.

... look ... seeing you ... terms, and we ... our proposal will ...

Regards,
The GTVA Colossus

Haarvekord, a researcher who was supposed to have worked on that fateful day nearly sixteen years ago, passed out from the explosive news.

"Sir, we are now in orbit of Schultaria Prime."

Anton nodded.

"Excellent. Begin scanning the local environment, and look for a good place to land. In the mean time, keep an eye out for any transmissions from the Schultarians."

The Tactical Officer nodded. Satisfied, Anton stood up, and brushed himself off. Turning on heel, he walked into his Private Quarters.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The world darkened as the titanic vessel achieved orbit. The sun slowly disappeared behind the Colossus, making an eclipse, with only minimal light streaking through to the surface. From the Colossus came five green walls of light. These walls began to run over Schultaria, disrupting/intercepting most broadcasts and copying data off computers. A few seconds later the walls stopped intercepting broadcast traffic, but still remained, running across the surface over and over...

HIFEX Live News Report: Available on all international media forms

Less than fifteen minutes ago, the Nation of Schultaria Prime detected an artificial object some fifty kilometers in length in geosynchronous orbit above the nation at large. At the present time, little is known about the object's source; according to the Schultarian Space Administration, an object of this volume and mass would have been detected weeks in advance by deep space networks throughout the globe. However, despite the careful analysis from international and Schultarian scientific authorities, it appears this object has almost literally appeared out of the vacuum of space. In a quote given to us by Administrator Rogen Jallel of the SSA, "The object in question appears to have characteristics which make the hypothesis of advanced spacecraft a definite plausibility." If such an estimate proves to be true, this would be the third time that a space faring civilization more advanced than our current technology has been detected and verified by the Schultarian scientific community.

Early efforts to analyze the device's structure, composition, and intentions have so far begun in earnest, but have yet to return results suitable for public display. According to sources from the SSA, nearly all attempted scans thus far have either returned with heavy distortion or no data at all; however, they are in the process of contacting scientific agencies from across the globe in an attempt to alleviate the situation. In addition numerous reports are streaming in from telecommunication firms, open source virtual libraries, and internet service providers that large energy ribbons, apparently originating from the mysterious object in question, have disrupted and distorted communications throughout the nation. While service on the national level appears to be largely unaffected, it has prompted the premature closing of the Schultarian CHIMDEX Stock Exchange and early dismissal of all "non-essential" civilian employees from government facilities in Edgen, Schultaria Prime, and the Eldaimovey Advanced Research Laboratories.

Taking a look at the personal side of these events, it looks as though tentative curiosity seems to be the prevailing mood of the day. As dozens of citizens assemble in city streets and open fields to catch a glimpse of the object, the government is requesting that people practice some caution given previous historical examples. According to instructions issued by the National Assembly of Schultaria Prime, given that this week is the sixteenth anniversary of the Contact Day...

-Feed Interrupted-

One BUMP for the Afternoon.

OOC: Don't fret, I'll post soon, just too late now.

The comm. chirped.

"Sir, we've pinpointed a highly-populated area for touchdown, five KMs from where we suspect the FT Device was tested. We have your shuttle at the ready. What kind of entry should we make?"

Slavik smiled at this. Outer Heaven was a brutal nation when it came to war, and negotiations were not any difference. Slavik would make an appearance, and make sure he would with women screaming (in fear). Slavik hit the comm.

"Diplomatic/Scout. Ready four Cobra Gunships, two flights of Attack Craft, two REX's, and two fully outfitted, fully loaded Troop Transports. We're going to make an impression. I want the escort to be in a box formation, save for the Metal Gears, send them down as soon as we've hit the atmosphere. Be sure to order the troops to make a perimeter. Clear buildings etc. Don't shoot unless shot at, we'll make enough of an impression with our Scout Force, no less our Briuser Rounds and our Quantum (Outer Heaven Dictionary definition: And you thought nukes were bad!?!)."

After getting an acknowledgement, Slavik straightened out his uniform, and entered his private turbolift. Declaring his destination, the doors slid shut, and Slavik felt his stomach compress on his windpipe.

________________________________________________________________________________________


The force left the Colossus. Slavik was in the middle of the formation, and noticed the practiced precision. Either side of his Shuttle were the Troop Transports, both filled with troops and an APC (All-terrain Personnel Carrier). The Gunships made the corners of the box, with two infront, and two behind. Forming each side half a flight (twenty five) Viper Attack craft. All craft were perfectly in line, and covered Slavik's shuttle well.

"We're hitting the atmosphere sir, Metal Gears have just been launched."

As the screen began to heat up, and the planet turn to fire, Slavik smiled, and watched the craft dissapear into little fireballs. Behind them, two towering Metal Gears plunged from space...

____________________________________________________________________________________________


"Move move move!"

Slavik walked off the ramp of his shuttle, onto the Schultarian ground. Around him, troops filed out, screaming at civilians, and making a perimeter. Two APCs rolled around, gunners in place, keeping the area secure. As Slavik began to walk toward the perimeter, he looked up and saw the Viper Attack Craft zoom through the air at near unseeable speeds, followed closely by four Gunships.

Slavik felt the ground shale, and watched as the two REX's stomped about on the outside of the perimeter, roaring at any people it found, and shaking some buildings down to it's foundations. Slavik grinned.

"This has got to get their attention."

Northern Cosmodrome (Tholoketsanni): Eldaimovey Advanced Research Labs

As the small contingent of maintenance workers and field researchers speedily left the landing area, SKC forces were en route to meet and identify the series of unknown craft that had so rudely made their announcement. The broad scale transmission, now finally decrypted and distributed throughout the chains of command of the defense forces, arrived only minutes prior to their scheduled encounter. Bashar Colonel Forwa Len'nai, adjunct chief of military security and leader of the 4th Otkron's third Brigade, was in his command vehicle at the front of the convoy when the orders poured in.

-Foreign element intentions apparently non hostile; current deployment appears to be a ruse or an element of diplomatic bullying. Do not engage or initiate conversation to any foreign elements. If they speak to subordinates, tell them to refer to your authority; if they speak to you, respond with silence and offer them the following information via datapad...

The Central Directorate will not speak, nor will they defer, to any individual who wishes to "discuss" diplomacy using military force. Your message has been received, but we will not accept your offer until you have shown tact. We do not mind death, for we know that all things in this universe are temporary.

Sighing in relief, he wrote the change of plans just as the sight of the Havenite presence began to fill the cab windows of several dozen impressed military drivers. As the vehicles halted half a kilometer from the unofficial exclusion zone, Len'nai issued his orders unwaveringly to his brigade of two thousand Otkron troops. "Standing orders are to be followed under pain of immediate combat retribution: Do not engage or make contact with opposing force unless fired on first, keep your weapon shouldered and at parade rest at all times, and defer any questions they might have should they attempt to converse with you to a higher authority. Silence, Relaxation, Deferral. Our base camp to be established 500 meters from center of exclusion zone."

Approaching the edge of the launch complex, the brigade of special forces came to an abrupt and curious halt. Instead of the unusual military parade formation of a single thin line or even the combat preparation of building foxholes, the troops shouldered their weapons and began to set up field camp. However, unlike any combat field camp, the Colonel had ordered his soldiers "to make this a welcome home" and liberally applied his orders; within an hour, the soldiers had set up a small tent city complete with a soccer field and a bar among other things. While two hundred at a time remained in parade formation with their weapons shouldered to secure the city, the rest were given a good time. And he preferred it to be that way.

"Let them come to us," he thought to himself as he established himself in his quarters, "Or I'm going to need a stiff drink to distract myself."

Slavik was outraged.

"Soccer!?! They dare insult us with such a sport!?! Order the Metal Gears to trample that pitch up IMMEDIATELY! If we trample on any of their soldiers, it's their own fault! Squad two, guard me! I'm going to meet these hooligans!"

Not wasting any time, Slavik began walking past the perimeter with thirty soldiers behind him. Slavik watched the Schultarian soldiers parading about, and laughed.

Meanwhile...

The two Metal Gears came from either side. Converging on the pitch, both Metal Gears roared, before commencing trampling. Both Metal Gears stomped onto the pitch, crushing the Goal Posts under their huge feet...

Bump.

An evening bump.

Northern Cosmodrome (Tholoketsanni): Eldaimovey Advanced Research Labs

Bashar Colonel Len'nai was not pleased about the situation, but he did not let mere temporary rage get the better of his emotional situation. Sucking in several deep breaths, his skittish command staff began sheepishly asking for orders. Even with the best amount of training very few of these freshly minted officers had encountered a real threat to their lives. As his junior officer corps began to regain composure Forwa rebuilt his patience; with the troubled calm engendered by rage, the veteran Colonel asked his staff flatly...

"Are there any casualties?"

The officers, nodding no so vigorously as to deliver a scream of sight, gave assurance enough to the Colonel and his weary mind. Breathing a sigh of relief, he noticed a small cadre of humanoid figures approaching the base camp. Smirking, he understood that this was either the leader of the group, or a small force determined to mop up what living things that were not interfering. Either way he didn't truly care about them, "I'd rather be a martyr and have them bear the sins of killing innocents than for me to cast the first stone in this war. And right now, we're coming up roses in the eyes of humanity."

All his command staff could do was nod in terrified unison.