NationStates Jolt Archive

ooc- to Rutanias and Sharforgotten- where are your people in relation to me and Abbot?

ooc: still out in the corridor

ooc- ok, thanks, just wanted to make sure.

Elli nodded slightly. "Well, one of them reacted to my making a hell of a lot of noise. Maybe I can do something like that on a larger scale? It'd be risky, sure, but so is sitting around and doing nothing. Even if we don't get them all, if we can get enough to respond, it might help our chances."

She looked a little disturbed at the fact that the servitors have been eaten. "We can try with a dead human, but we may need live bait. Something tells me these things may not respond to anything dead. If we use live bait, I'd honestly feel better if it were someone with military training. From a logical standpoint, that person would stand a better chance of escaping the trap alive." Maybe that means Arxes is off the hook as bait.

"There are live food stores, also kept in stasis, for when the colonists would land," Lena-hologram says, "Those pods have not been compromised."

"Do you know anything about mechanical people? That guy Elli told me about is making me wonder," Lila said.

ooc- to Rutanias and Sharforgotten- where are your people in relation to me and Abbot?

"No, I have not," Abbot answered. "Although, I do know of men and women who have recieved bio-mechanical devices to supplement lost limbs or dibilitating illnesses. I would not think that such a combination would be possible."

"Oh, hullo!" Lena-hologram appeared on a desktop. "That's a my-bad," she giggled, hiding her smile behind her hand. "I informed the others that my sensors cannot accurately display the creatures. When I can, I'll display them as gray dots, okay love?"

OOC: D'oh, missed that.

"Ok, thank you Lena" Jenny said, eyeing her with suspicion due to this response. After Lena had dissapeared, she turned to Malcom

"The others are here, I think" she said, pointing to the blue group and the red dot on the screen "They'll need your help. I'm going to explore this ship further"

She walked to the door, following the map on her wrist. The door slid open, and she stepped through. This corridoor was bathed in a flahing red light, but there was blood on the walls here too

"Love what they've done with the place" she muttered as she walked down towards another door.

"No, I have not," Abbot answered. "Although, I do know of men and women who have recieved bio-mechanical devices to supplement lost limbs or dibilitating illnesses. I would not think that such a combination would be possible."

"Then I wonder what that guy is. I hope he's on our side, at least," Lila said.

OOC: D'oh, missed that.

"Ok, thank you Lena" Jenny said, eyeing her with suspicion due to this response. After Lena had dissapeared, she turned to Malcom

"The others are here, I think" she said, pointing to the blue group and the red dot on the screen "They'll need your help. I'm going to explore this ship further"

She walked to the door, following the map on her wrist. The door slid open, and she stepped through. This corridoor was bathed in a flahing red light, but there was blood on the walls here too

"Love what they've done with the place" she muttered as she walked down towards another door.

Lena spoke up on her radio.

"I can try and restore primary lighting to this system if you want," she said. "Also, I will be erecting security fields in the sections before you. That way, if something rushes you, it'll hit the field." She sighed, "I'd rather you take Malcolm along for assistance."

"Then I wonder what that guy is. I hope he's on our side, at least," Lila said.

"As do I," replied Abbot. "Despite the circumstances, it has been a pleasure getting to meet and interact with you. Usually, I only meet a colonist during disembarcation."

Arxes scowled at Max from beneath his hood and whilst checking out the shield systems said:
"Is this how you treat all possible allies in whatever regressed backwater you live? There's a grille in here you know, what will you do if a swarm of those things bursts out and rips me apart, what will you do then? Save me, watch me die, look the other way?" and then, finding the systems to be incredibly well designed, growled and went on "damnit! How the hell is does this crappy ship have such a clever AI, she did not come standard with this heap of scrap!"

Arxes scowled at Max from beneath his hood and whilst checking out the shield systems said:
"Is this how you treat all possible allies in whatever regressed backwater you live? There's a grille in here you know, what will you do if a swarm of those things bursts out and rips me apart, what will you do then? Save me, watch me die, look the other way?" and then, finding the systems to be incredibly well designed, growled and went on "damnit! How the hell is does this crappy ship have such a clever AI, she did not come standard with this heap of scrap!"

"I'm not a savage." Growled Max. "I'm not about to let you die. And don't look at me to answer your questions. I'm just a traveller."

Giving up on all thoughts of leaving his prison before the AI said so, Arxes sat down against the wall opposite the grille and training his autosight on it.
"When am I allowed out of here anyway? Surely you're not going to keep me in here until we land, it could be months, and besides, who knows how far from home I could be by then."

"As do I," replied Abbot. "Despite the circumstances, it has been a pleasure getting to meet and interact with you. Usually, I only meet a colonist during disembarcation."

"I'm glad to talk to you too, Abbot," Lila said, "I always enjoy meeting new people, especially ones as smart and charming as you."

Lena spoke up on her radio.

"I can try and restore primary lighting to this system if you want," she said. "Also, I will be erecting security fields in the sections before you. That way, if something rushes you, it'll hit the field." She sighed, "I'd rather you take Malcolm along for assistance."


"Thanks, but i'll be okay" Jenny replied "I'll head deeper into the ship. Are any of the elevators working?"

--------------

Meanwhile, In Space...

A small craft hurtled through the inky blackness. It was a good distance from the Whiteleaf, but it was definetly heading for the ship.

"I'm not a savage." Growled Max. "I'm not about to let you die. And don't look at me to answer your questions. I'm just a traveller."

Giving up on all thoughts of leaving his prison before the AI said so, Arxes sat down against the wall opposite the grille and training his autosight on it.
"When am I allowed out of here anyway? Surely you're not going to keep me in here until we land, it could be months, and besides, who knows how far from home I could be by then."

"And who's fault would that be?" Lena's disembodied voice asked. "Stop being a baby...aren't you supposed to be some mondo-techie super-freak?"

"I'm glad to talk to you too, Abbot," Lila said, "I always enjoy meeting new people, especially ones as smart and charming as you."

"Again, I must thank you," Abbot answered, "But I must admit, my knowledge and charm, as you call it are merely a product of my programming."

"Thanks, but i'll be okay" Jenny replied "I'll head deeper into the ship. Are any of the elevators working?"



"Dropshafts seem to be disabled..." Lena said, "Give me a second...I have rerouted secondary power to the dropshafts located 30 meters down the left corridor."


Meanwhile, In Space...

A small craft hurtled through the inky blackness. It was a good distance from the Whiteleaf, but it was definetly heading for the ship.

Bridge

"I'm detecting an approaching ship," Lena told Malcolm. "Bearing 090-230 at 100 kmps. Activating engines, preparing for evasive actions."

"You should inform her," Malcolm said.

"Right..."

Can you hear me? she radioed Jenny. There's a vessel approaching...I can't discern what kind it is...

"It may just be programming," Lila said, "But it's programming I like."

ooc- lol

"It may just be programming," Lila said, "But it's programming I like."

ooc- lol
Abbot chuckled, an appropriate response, he thought.

"I am glad," he smiled.

ooc: lol?

Bridge

"I'm detecting an approaching ship," Lena told Malcolm. "Bearing 090-230 at 100 kmps. Activating engines, preparing for evasive actions."

"You should inform her," Malcolm said.

"Right..."

Can you hear me? she radioed Jenny. There's a vessel approaching...I can't discern what kind it is...

"A vessel?" Jenny said "Okay, i'll head to the landing bay now"

She sprinted down the corridor to the elevator. Pressing a button, it began to descend. Soon she was near the landing bay. She moved up behind a ledge with a crate on it and waited for the ship to land

Just Outside The Whiteleaf...

The hurtling ship slowed almost to a halt. It entered the landing bay and touched down with a dull thump. Jenny watched as a small group of people exxited

"What?" she whispered "It can't be"

The group wore uniforms (http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/890/890093/e3-2008-resistance-2-screens-20080715043024206_640w.jpg) she recognised. The uniform of Imperial Special Operations. They were well armed too, with ISO Laser Carbines and a Gatling Laser. Jenny picked up her radio

"I think we have company" she whispered, trying not be heard. She then turned the volume down on her radio.

ooc: you didn't give me a chance to defend the ship...

ic:

Lena sent a text message, not wanting an audio conversation to be overheard.

Pull back, I'll be setting up defenses

The remaining combat servitors activated, and from all parts of the ship they assembled, creating a circular cordon from the hangar bay. Others were sent to the scattered area of survivors: one to be with Abbot, Lena-servitor and Lila, another with Max and Arxes, and another went to the bridge. One more was sent to Elli.

The remaining combat servitors activated, and from all parts of the ship they assembled, creating a circular cordon from the hangar bay. Others were sent to the scattered area of survivors: one to be with Abbot, Lena-servitor and Lila, another with Max and Arxes, and another went to the bridge. One more was sent to Elli.

"Oh" stated max, awoken from his contemplation. A figure had stepped around the corner, holding some kind of heavy machine gun.

"Who are you?" Max warily asked. The figure didn't seem threatening, but with situations like this, you could never be too sure...

"I am an 800 series *Fully Autonomous Tactical Endoskeleton," the servitor answered, "There is a tactical alert; unknown vessel has docked in the forward hangar bay."

*FATE. also, combat servitors have no names.

"I am an 800 series *Fully Autonomous Tactical Endoskeleton," the servitor answered, "There is a tactical alert; unknown vessel has docked in the forward hangar bay."

*FATE. also, combat servitors have no names.

"Uknown vessel?" Queried max. "Lena, you there? What's the scoop this ship?"

"Uknown vessel?" Queried max. "Lena, you there? What's the scoop this ship?"
"It is a vessel of unknown registry: it's not in my database," she answered apologetically. "There are armed personnel exiting, securing the hangar bay," Lena replied. "I have activated my defense systems."

"It is a vessel of unknown registry: it's not in my database," she answered apologetically. "There are armed personnel exiting, securing the hangar bay," Lena replied. "I have activated my defense systems."

"Hmm" Mused Max. "it's alright." I'm sure you'll do a sterling job of killing these clowns before they even get out of the hangar."

"Need I remind you that as a colony ship, I am lightly armed," she said, "And almost 90% of my combat servitors are deactivated."

"Need I remind you that as a colony ship, I am lightly armed," she said, "And almost 90% of my combat servitors are deactivated."

"That is true, I suppose" Max replied. "If you leave this guy with Arxes, I suppose I could hunt them down. I learned some tricks in the war."

"All right," Lena said, but I'm sending my servitor with you. She's an all-around servitor that can perform any ship duty."

A few minutes later, the servitor form appeared, carrying a rifle and a holstered pistol.

"C'mon partner," she smiled, "Let's go say howdy."

"All right," Lena said, but I'm sending my servitor with you. She's an all-around servitor that can perform any ship duty."

A few minutes later, the servitor form appeared, carrying a rifle and a holstered pistol.

"C'mon partner," she smiled, "Let's go say howdy."

"Alright then" Max nodded, grinning.

He turned and walked to the service ladder Jenny had disappeared down what seemed like years ago.

OOC: Ustio, are you RP'ing as the mercs/special forces/ whatever?

ooc: i would assume so, since ustio introduced them.

ic:

Lena followed quietly, her systems tuned into the internal sensor array.

"These troops have a point as far as I'm concerned. You can't just take these creatures with you to wherever you're going, but nonetheless this situation has reduced me to begging you all to release me- there's only so much heavy firepower these shields can withstand, keep in here alone and I die, let me free and I could help defend this sorry ship, please!" Arxes implored as Max and the servitor left.

"These troops have a point as far as I'm concerned. You can't just take these creatures with you to wherever you're going, but nonetheless this situation has reduced me to begging you all to release me- there's only so much heavy firepower these shields can withstand, keep in here alone and I die, let me free and I could help defend this sorry ship, please!" Arxes implored as Max and the servitor left.
"All right," Lena said, "I can be reasonable. But you must consult me before modifying any system, and wait for my approval to do so, understood?" the field deactivated.

Arxes breathed a sigh of relief and readied his weapon saying:
"Very well, I'll leave all your systems alone. Now, I may as well follow my former guard and the servitor, if that's quite alright. Now do we have any information on these intruders at all? I would also like to point out that my killing any off them woul have far fewer repercussions than for anyone else as The Mechanium does not communicate with many other governments." He adjusted his robes and set off in the same direction as Max and the servitor.
"We may well be able to goad the creatures and the troops into dealing with each other and not us."

"Here they are," Lena answered, displaying a live feed of the hangar bay through the holographic strips. "So far, I have done nothing to provoke them...it is against my programming to do so."

Abbot chuckled, an appropriate response, he thought.

"I am glad," he smiled.

ooc: lol?

ooc- this whole thing is kinda funny, to me anyway

"I'm glad that you're glad, I suppose," Lila said, "The others haven't checked in in a while, it's making me nervous. Do you know what's going on?"

ooc: I see...you mean the robot-flirting?

ic:

Before Abbot could answer, a combat servitor appeared. It seemed to be unarmed, but it's internal weapons were an impressive armament.

"Oh, wait..." Abbot told her as Lena updated him of the situation, "There is a ship docked at the hangar bay...please come with me." Abbot gathered their things and took her hand, leading her to the medical room. He sealed the door. "We are safe here. Lena will keep us apprised of what is going on."

ooc2: grr, so hard to write w/o contractions...

Elli frowned as a combat servitor joined her. "What's going on?" She asked as she arrived back in the core. Once she looked around, she realised that it was just her and the combat servitor. She must have figured that they'd have gone somewhere safe since she turned around and went back to where she'd left Max and Arxes.

OOC: sorry about not posting regularly for a bit there. RL bit me on the rear end. Ugh. Should be more active now.

"There is a tactical emergency," the servitor answere monotonically.

ooc: that's ok. hope your rear end is ok now :P

"There is a tactical emergency," the servitor answere monotonically.

ooc: that's ok. hope your rear end is ok now :P

"Tactical emergency? Explain." Elli kept walking down the corridor, rifle ready just in case any critters jumped out at her.

OOC: Well, kinda. I have a 23 month old clinging to me at the moment. A cute 23 month old, but still clingy. :p

"Tactical emergency? Explain." Elli kept walking down the corridor, rifle ready just in case any critters jumped out at her.

OOC: Well, kinda. I have a 23 month old clinging to me at the moment. A cute 23 month old, but still clingy. :p
"A ship has docked in the forward hangar bay, armed men have exited." it said stoicly.

OOC: Oh, sorry FUS. I was kinda hoping you wouldn't blow them into little bits before they had a chance to say hello.

The soldiers checked the landing bay over, walking slowly. Then, they moved to the rear of the ship, seemingly conversing with someone still inside the ship.

Jenny watched, peeping over the top of a barrier on the ledge she was hiding on

The soldiers then moved out, away from the ship. They began walking towards the door. As they did, Jenny decided to move. She slowly got to her feet, and waited for the soldiers to look away before she moved along to the next barrier.

She stepped out, looking back to make sure she wasn't spotted. Suddenly, an electronic voice boomed:

Hostile Detected. Threat Level: Moderate

With that, a turret suspended below the ship's nose unleashed a punishing volley of laser fire. It impacted around Jenny, destroying the air vent. A shot hit her, and as the soldiers moved to her, she fell back and dissapeared from view.

ooc: I see...you mean the robot-flirting?

ic:

Before Abbot could answer, a combat servitor appeared. It seemed to be unarmed, but it's internal weapons were an impressive armament.

"Oh, wait..." Abbot told her as Lena updated him of the situation, "There is a ship docked at the hangar bay...please come with me." Abbot gathered their things and took her hand, leading her to the medical room. He sealed the door. "We are safe here. Lena will keep us apprised of what is going on."

ooc2: grr, so hard to write w/o contractions...
ooc- yeah

"Good, I like being in a closed off place when bad things are happening," Lila said, "As long as I know what's going on."

Autocannons activated Lena's disembodied voice echoed through the hangar.

Descending from hidden casemates, turreted, double-barreled cannons lowered into position.

Do not move. Autocannons set to motion-detection

Lena sent a message though to everyone in the party "Here we go."

ooc- yeah

"Good, I like being in a closed off place when bad things are happening," Lila said, "As long as I know what's going on."
Abbot looked up as the warning was announced.

"Do not worry. I will ensure your safety," he assured Lila.

"Always what I want to hear from a man," Lila said. She concentrated on keeping her breathing even. No sense in hyperventilating her way into a panic attack now.

Arxes sent a message back to Lena, saying:
"Do I have permission to make quick repairs on broken servitors? We need all the help we can get,"

"Always what I want to hear from a man," Lila said. She concentrated on keeping her breathing even. No sense in hyperventilating her way into a panic attack now.

"Are you okay, miss?" Abbot asked, leaning forward. His eyes scanned across her upper chest, using his vision to monitor her aspiration. "Do you suffer from panic attacks?"

Arxes sent a message back to Lena, saying:
"Do I have permission to make quick repairs on broken servitors? We need all the help we can get,"

"Sure," Lena said tersely. "But mess with my romote command functions, or communications protocols and you're out."

"Sometimes, when I'm really scared," Lila said, "Don't worry, I think I'll be fine for now."

Max moved slowly through the vents, until laser fire could be heard up ahead.

"Damn." Groaned Max. "Come on servitor. "Those guys don't look like they mess around. If Jenny's out there alone we need to help her."

"Sometimes, when I'm really scared," Lila said, "Don't worry, I think I'll be fine for now."
"I understand," he scanned her chest once more, "Let me know if you need anything, though."

"I will," Lila said, "I know you'll take care of me."

Autocannons activated Lena's disembodied voice echoed through the hangar.

Descending from hidden casemates, turreted, double-barreled cannons lowered into position.

Do not move. Autocannons set to motion-detection

Lena sent a message though to everyone in the party "Here we go."

Hearing the voice, the soldiers dived behind cover, aiming their weapons at the door while the ship slowly faded from view. They waited for the group to show themselves

Hearing the voice, the soldiers dived behind cover, aiming their weapons at the door while the ship slowly faded from view. They waited for the group to show themselves
The weapons fired as the men moved, tracking their movements and going silent when they had found cover.

Decompressing main hangar bay. Decompression in three minutes

The large doors of the hangar opened, the void of space held back for now by a forcefield.

Explain yourselves before I shoot you into space Lena demanded.

"I will," Lila said, "I know you'll take care of me."
Abbot didn't really know what to say. Of course he would, that was his programming. Taking another hint from his human counterparts, Abbot put his arm around her shoulders, knowing that it was a comforting gesture.

Lila leaned on Abbot, not saying anything, just accepting the comfort given.

Arxes took in the information and called to Max:
"You had best go on ahead if you want to reach your friend in time, I'm going to fix some of these combat servitors and bring them with me to the hangar," he said, gesturing at the small group of beat-up servitors on the floor. And with that, he crouched down, a series of multi-jointed bionic arms and tools appearing from his robes. He immediately began fusing wiring and repairing microchips.

The weapons fired as the men moved, tracking their movements and going silent when they had found cover.

Decompressing main hangar bay. Decompression in three minutes

The large doors of the hangar opened, the void of space held back for now by a forcefield.

Explain yourselves before I shoot you into space Lena demanded.

Max dropped down into the coridoor near the hangar bulkhead. It was here that Jenny's last position had been recorded from.

"Lena" Whispered Max. "I think Jenny's around here, injured. If i look for her it'll bring me in view of those guys. I reckon I can take a few of 'em.. Or would guerilla tactics be preferred?" He smirked to himself.

Lila leaned on Abbot, not saying anything, just accepting the comfort given.

Abbot looked down, "Your heart rate has increased," he commented.

Arxes took in the information and called to Max:
"You had best go on ahead if you want to reach your friend in time, I'm going to fix some of these combat servitors and bring them with me to the hangar," he said, gesturing at the small group of beat-up servitors on the floor. And with that, he crouched down, a series of multi-jointed bionic arms and tools appearing from his robes. He immediately began fusing wiring and repairing microchips.

"Please be careful with my Dearies," Lena said, sounding like a concerned mother.

Max dropped down into the coridoor near the hangar bulkhead. It was here that Jenny's last position had been recorded from.

"Lena" Whispered Max. "I think Jenny's around here, injured. If i look for her it'll bring me in view of those guys. I reckon I can take a few of 'em.. Or would guerilla tactics be preferred?" He smirked to himself.

At the moment the text message said My cannons react to movement. I will take control of them so they will not fire on you...I will cover you as you search. She is roughly 15 meters to your 4 o'clock

Abbot looked down, "Your heart rate has increased," he commented.


"It has?" Lila asked, then paused, "Huh, I guess it has. Probably because I like being near you."

"It has?" Lila asked, then paused, "Huh, I guess it has. Probably because I like being near you."
"Humans certainly are interesting," Abbot replied. "To be physiologically affected by the presence of a servitor..." he wondered.

Max dropped down into the coridoor near the hangar bulkhead. It was here that Jenny's last position had been recorded from.

"Lena" Whispered Max. "I think Jenny's around here, injured. If i look for her it'll bring me in view of those guys. I reckon I can take a few of 'em.. Or would guerilla tactics be preferred?" He smirked to himself.

OOC: Sharf, Jenny has falling into a ventilation shaft, so has probably gone down to the bottom of the ship.

For the first time, the soldier's voices could be heard as they communicated with each other

"Sir, they're going to decompress the hangar" shouted one of them

"I heard. Activate your magnetics"

Each of them pressed a button on their suits, causing the magnets inside of their boots to bolt them down to the floor of the landing bay. One of the soldiers shouted out at Lena

"Decompression won't help you here" he called "You'll only kill the others"

"We are interesting, aren't we," Lila said.

OOC: Sharf, Jenny has falling into a ventilation shaft, so has probably gone down to the bottom of the ship.

For the first time, the soldier's voices could be heard as they communicated with each other

"Sir, they're going to decompress the hangar" shouted one of them

"I heard. Activate your magnetics"

Each of them pressed a button on their suits, causing the magnets inside of their boots to bolt them down to the floor of the landing bay. One of the soldiers shouted out at Lena

"Decompression won't help you here" he called "You'll only kill the others"
Max, get them out of here. I'll deal with these jerks

Of course you're bolted down she said to the men But what about all these lovely shuttles etc. parked in front of you. I've released their bolts. When they come flying out, you'll be little bugs on their windshields

"We are interesting, aren't we," Lila said.
"Very much," Abbot continued. "I have never interacted with one so...intimately...? Is that the word?" he asked.

"Yeah, that is the word," Lila said, smiling.

OOC: Sharf, Jenny has falling into a ventilation shaft, so has probably gone down to the bottom of the ship.

For the first time, the soldier's voices could be heard as they communicated with each other

"Sir, they're going to decompress the hangar" shouted one of them

"I heard. Activate your magnetics"

Each of them pressed a button on their suits, causing the magnets inside of their boots to bolt them down to the floor of the landing bay. One of the soldiers shouted out at Lena

"Decompression won't help you here" he called "You'll only kill the others"

OOC: ok.

"Shit." Whispered Max. "Not much time. Lena, i'm gonna make a break for Jenny's position. Keep them looking away."

In an instant, he dove to the cluster of junk where Jenny had been. he found a floor vent, grille smashed through, with a drop of blood on the side.

"Must've gone down there." Max mused. "I'm going down."

A screeching drew his attention. More of the alien creatures had began swarming into the hangar. It seemed that the invaders were managing to hold them off, but Max couldn't tell in the melee. Neither could he stay to watch. He grabbed his rifle and slid into the dark vent.

OOC: ok.

"Shit." Whispered Max. "Not much time. Lena, i'm gonna make a break for Jenny's position. Keep them looking away."

In an instant, he dove to the cluster of junk where Jenny had been. he found a floor vent, grille smashed through, with a drop of blood on the side.

"Must've gone down there." Max mused. "I'm going down."

A screeching drew his attention. More of the alien creatures had began swarming into the hangar. It seemed that the invaders were managing to hold them off, but Max couldn't tell in the melee. Neither could he stay to watch. He grabbed his rifle and slid into the dark vent.
Training the autocannons on the creatures, Lena opened up with a continuous volley.

You killed my people! You killed my sweet children!

"Yeah, that is the word," Lila said, smiling.
"I had once heard that word used another way," Abbot explained, "So I was unsure. No one told me if the other definition was valid."

"Intimacy has a lot of meanings," Lila said, "It's a very complicated word."

Training the autocannons on the creatures, Lena opened up with a continuous volley.

You killed my people! You killed my sweet children!

The soldiers ducked as the cannons fired at the creatures. They too fired at them, taking them down. Once they were dead, the lead soldier spoke to Lena again

"Looks like you have a bug problem, Miss" he said "You want rid of 'em, close the doors and turn your guns off"

"Intimacy has a lot of meanings," Lila said, "It's a very complicated word."
"I see," Abbot said, "Complicated words for a complicated species..."

The soldiers ducked as the cannons fired at the creatures. They too fired at them, taking them down. Once they were dead, the lead soldier spoke to Lena again

"Looks like you have a bug problem, Miss" he said "You want rid of 'em, close the doors and turn your guns off"
"Identify and state your intent. I am not in the habit of letting armed men meander onto my ship," Lena's hologram appeared and demanded.

"Identify and state your intent. I am not in the habit of letting armed men meander onto my ship," Lena's hologram appeared and demanded.

"All right lady, keep your hair on" he said "Lieutenant G Thomas, Imperial Special Operations, from the Ustio System. We scanned the ship, and spotted a distinct lack of life forms aboard. We were just investigating"

"All right lady, keep your hair on" he said "Lieutenant G Thomas, Imperial Special Operations, from the Ustio System. We scanned the ship, and spotted a distinct lack of life forms aboard. We were just investigating"
"And you just show up, unannounced, uninvited, like you're the bloody Emperor of the Galaxy or something?" Lena demanded, her holographic brows furrowed. The hangar bay door closed with a loud thud. "I suppose we do need the help, though..." she sighed.

"I see," Abbot said, "Complicated words for a complicated species..."

"Exactly," Lila said.

"And you just show up, unannounced, uninvited, like you're the bloody Emperor of the Galaxy or something?" Lena demanded, her holographic brows furrowed. The hangar bay door closed with a loud thud. "I suppose we do need the help, though..." she sighed.

Thomas stood up

"Thank you for being so understanding" he said "We'll do what we can"

He signalled to the others, who moved back to the ship they had arrived in. They exchanged their Lasers for a couple of flamethrowers, before moving back into the open to begin their hunt

-----------------
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the ship...

Jenny crashed through a grate and fell a good few feet. She landed face down, and she grimaced as she attempted to regain her footing, her shoulder seeping blood. She looked up. Before her was something huge, monstrous.

"My god..." she whispered, before falling unconsious

"Exactly," Lila said.
"Is that why there are pleasure-servitors?" Abbot asked. "To keep it uncomplicated?"

"Is that why there are pleasure-servitors?" Abbot asked. "To keep it uncomplicated?"

"Most likely. Some people just like to, well, get off in the most impersonal fashion," Lila said.

Thomas stood up

"Thank you for being so understanding" he said "We'll do what we can"

He signalled to the others, who moved back to the ship they had arrived in. They exchanged their Lasers for a couple of flamethrowers, before moving back into the open to begin their hunt

-----------------
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the ship...

Jenny crashed through a grate and fell a good few feet. She landed face down, and she grimaced as she attempted to regain her footing, her shoulder seeping blood. She looked up. Before her was something huge, monstrous.

"My god..." she whispered, before falling unconsious
Lena's hologram tried to appear, but there was something wrong with the projectors in the area. There was only a staticy crackle.

"Jen-...you...ka...? Ha...n...Hel...ing."

Lena contacted Max.

"She's several decks below," she explained, "And seems to be unconcscious. I can't contact her."

"Most likely. Some people just like to, well, get off in the most impersonal fashion," Lila said.
"And thus, humans continue to intrigue me," Abbot said. "I hope my questions are not too, intrusive," he amended.

"And thus, humans continue to intrigue me," Abbot said. "I hope my questions are not too, intrusive," he amended.

"No, it's fine," Lila said, "It's not like there's much else to do here, anyway."

Lena contacted Max.

"She's several decks below," she explained, "And seems to be unconcscious. I can't contact her."

"Alright" Replied Max. "I'm headed down there now." He reached to the end of his rifle and switched on the torch that rested on the end of the barrel.

"Never again" He moaned, walking down the darkened hallway, his thin beam of light paling in comparison to the inky blackness.

"No, it's fine," Lila said, "It's not like there's much else to do here, anyway."
"I see..." Abbot said. He recieved and update from Lena and passed along the information to Lila. "It seems our cautionary measure was unnecessary." He moved his arm to open the door back into the Core area.

"Really? That's good," Lila said, "So, these people are allies?"

"Really? That's good," Lila said, "So, these people are allies?"
"I would say yes, though I still urge caution," he opened the door, holding it open for her.

Lila stepped through the door. "Thanks. Of course I'll be cautious. That's my middle name, you know. My parents were strange that way."

Lila stepped through the door. "Thanks. Of course I'll be cautious. That's my middle name, you know. My parents were strange that way."
"Really?" Abbot asked. "That certainly is strange for parents to do that."

"It was mostly my mother's fault. She was still rather drugged up at the time, I'm afraid," Lila said.

"It was mostly my mother's fault. She was still rather drugged up at the time, I'm afraid," Lila said.

ooc: seriously, lol?

ic:

"That is...too bad," Abbot searched for the phrase. "What was she on at the time?"

Arxes had been paying attention to the comms. exchange with half of his brain whilst thr other worked on the repairs. Activating the now more or less functional servitors he contacted Lena:
"Four more combat servitors up and ready, I'm taking them to follow..." he paused, unused to using names,"Max to look for Jenny. I havent altered any programming, ut I had to mix and match a few components." And with that he set off in the same direction Max had gone. Reaching the hangar and finfing the gunfire had stopped, he searched for the way down.

ooc- yeah, my character's middle name is Cautious.

"Something to help the birth, I think," Lila said, "I was a difficult child from the start, apparently."

ooc: I've completely lost the thread. It's moved too quickly. I thought we'd set a limit on posting a while back. Anyway, I'm out of it at this point. Can't keep up anymore. Have fun.

Arxes had been paying attention to the comms. exchange with half of his brain whilst thr other worked on the repairs. Activating the now more or less functional servitors he contacted Lena:
"Four more combat servitors up and ready, I'm taking them to follow..." he paused, unused to using names,"Max to look for Jenny. I havent altered any programming, ut I had to mix and match a few components." And with that he set off in the same direction Max had gone. Reaching the hangar and finfing the gunfire had stopped, he searched for the way down.

"All right," Lena answered, "I can monitor their systems and..." one of the servitors kicked Arxes in the butt, "I can take control if needed. Go on ahead."

ooc- yeah, my character's middle name is Cautious.

"Something to help the birth, I think," Lila said, "I was a difficult child from the start, apparently."

"I have supervised and attended 34 separate deliveries of humans," Abbot replied, "And not once has the child's name made any difference in the outcome."

ooc: I've completely lost the thread. It's moved too quickly. I thought we'd set a limit on posting a while back. Anyway, I'm out of it at this point. Can't keep up anymore. Have fun.

ooc: *looks down guiltily* i think we did, actually... rut, can't you try again? it's mostly my fault...we'll enforce it this time, i promise.

"I have supervised and attended 34 separate deliveries of humans," Abbot replied, "And not once has the child's name made any difference in the outcome."


"Well, that's what my mother always told me, anyway," Lila said.

"Well, that's what my mother always told me, anyway," Lila said.
Post #1.

"I see," Abbot replied. "It must be very different to rely on other people to instruct you than to be programmed with that knowledge."

ooc: Provided it doesn't go so fast, I'll keep on going. Weekends are the worst times for me to post. Family and all.

IC:

Elli had gone off on her own way after finding out about intruders on board. She kept her rifle ready, just in case she met something unfriendly. "What's the status of everyone else?" she asked the servitor with her.

Post #1.

"I see," Abbot replied. "It must be very different to rely on other people to instruct you than to be programmed with that knowledge."

"It is. It's probably a lot more confusing, too," Lila said.

ooc: Provided it doesn't go so fast, I'll keep on going. Weekends are the worst times for me to post. Family and all.

IC:

Elli had gone off on her own way after finding out about intruders on board. She kept her rifle ready, just in case she met something unfriendly. "What's the status of everyone else?" she asked the servitor with her.

"Jenny is missing, Max and Arxes are on her trail," Lena's voice sounded through the servitor. "Abbot and Lila are in the Core with another combat-servitor," 'her' voice said. "Malcolm is still on the bridge."

"It is. It's probably a lot more confusing, too," Lila said.

"Do you know, that some servitors hope to be human?" Abbot queried. "So, I suppose, they would prefer to be 'confused' instead of the logic of machines."

The soldiers moved through the tight spaces, their presence preceeded by jets of fire from their flamethrowers which drove the creatures back down the ship, away from the group

"Go on, run!" shouted one of the soldiers "Show us where you're coming from!"

The soldiers moved through the tight spaces, their presence preceeded by jets of fire from their flamethrowers which drove the creatures back down the ship, away from the group

"Go on, run!" shouted one of the soldiers "Show us where you're coming from!"
"I can track them now," Lena said, appearing as a hologram in front of them. "This corridor ends in a Y-junction within 20 meters. Take the left turn and follow it for ten meters. Use caution; I detect a very large presence."

Post #1

"Do you know, that some servitors hope to be human?" Abbot queried. "So, I suppose, they would prefer to be 'confused' instead of the logic of machines."

"They hope to be human? I suppose I can see why," Lila said, "Humans can do whatever they want, without having to obey programming."

"Jenny is missing, Max and Arxes are on her trail," Lena's voice sounded through the servitor. "Abbot and Lila are in the Core with another combat-servitor," 'her' voice said. "Malcolm is still on the bridge."

"Where was Jenny last? Can't you locate her?" Elli continues on her explorations. She's still just wandering aimlessly through the corridors, her rifle ready. "What about those intruders and the critters?"

"Where was Jenny last? Can't you locate her?" Elli continues on her explorations. She's still just wandering aimlessly through the corridors, her rifle ready. "What about those intruders and the critters?"
"Here you go," a map solidified in her path. There was a question mark for Jenny, black dots for the boarding party, blue for their people and, of course, yellow for servitors. Red dots appeared intermitently. "Sorry, I'm still having trouble tracking them..."

"They hope to be human? I suppose I can see why," Lila said, "Humans can do whatever they want, without having to obey programming."
"But...humans can harm," Abbot reiterated, "That flaw is perfected in servitors, who cannot cause harm."

"Here you go," a map solidified in her path. There was a question mark for Jenny, black dots for the boarding party, blue for their people and, of course, yellow for servitors. Red dots appeared intermitently. "Sorry, I'm still having trouble tracking them..."

Elli studied the map for a moment. "Okay." She looked toward the combat servitor. "We're heading toward that question mark. I want to avoid the black and red dots. You're leading the way." She didn't wait for a reply as she headed off, trusting that the servitor would follow along, then take the lead to get her to where Jenny's question mark is located.

Elli studied the map for a moment. "Okay." She looked toward the combat servitor. "We're heading toward that question mark. I want to avoid the black and red dots. You're leading the way." She didn't wait for a reply as she headed off, trusting that the servitor would follow along, then take the lead to get her to where Jenny's question mark is located.
Post #1

"Follow me," the stoic voice of the servitor replied, taking point and raising its arm-mounted weapon at the ready.

"But...humans can harm," Abbot reiterated, "That flaw is perfected in servitors, who cannot cause harm."
"Perhaps the ones who want to become human find that to be an acceptable risk," Lila said.

"Perhaps the ones who want to become human find that to be an acceptable risk," Lila said.
"I suppose I can understand that," Abbot replied, "I have been forced to take acceptable risks in the performance of my duties...it is somewhat analogous."

"I suppose I can understand that," Abbot replied, "I have been forced to take acceptable risks in the performance of my duties...it is somewhat analogous."

"Yeah, it is," Lila said, "I never took many risks, acceptable or not, until I signed up for this. Now look where I am."

"Yeah, it is," Lila said, "I never took many risks, acceptable or not, until I signed up for this. Now look where I am."
"In that case, you could see it as a fortunate accident," Abbot replied.

Jenny had regained consiousness, and had managed to drag herself to the side of the room. Slumped against the wall, she struggled to see what she had seen when she first fell into the room. She looked down at her shoulder. It was seeping blood, and she flickered in and out of visibility like a broken lightbulb, unable to control her ability due to the pain. She picked up the radio, but was met with a burst of static

"Damn" she said to herself, holding her hand over the wound in an attempt to stem the blood flow

"In that case, you could see it as a fortunate accident," Abbot replied.

"I could," Lila said, "I guess I will, since I haven't died yet."

"I could," Lila said, "I guess I will, since I haven't died yet."
"Please do not say that," Abbot said, with concern in his voice, "Do not use the operative yet. That implies certainty. And I will make it my goal that your death is prevented."

"Please do not say that," Abbot said, with concern in his voice, "Do not use the operative yet. That implies certainty. And I will make it my goal that your death is prevented."

"Well," Lila said, "That makes me feel safe. Thanks."

"Well," Lila said, "That makes me feel safe. Thanks."
"You are welcome," Abbot replied. He seemed to look back, "I do hope the others are safe..."

ooc: really, where is everyone?

"You are welcome," Abbot replied. He seemed to look back, "I do hope the others are safe..."

ooc: really, where is everyone?

OOC: apologies, when the tabs take up too much room you forget to refresh them all :P

Max continued down the coridoor, weapon at the ready, until something on the ground distracted him. He bent down. More blood.

"Jenny" He whispered, "You around here?"

ooc: lol, i know what that's like

ic:

The servitor bent down, touching the blood. It paused for a moment.

"It's hers," Lena informed him, a concerned look in her eyes.

Elli and her servitor come up behind Max. "It's me," she tells him quietly. She looks at the blood, then frowns. "Can't you locate her?"

OOC: I'm around, but busy with the upcoming holidays and kids. Heh. Get distracted easily.

Elli and her servitor come up behind Max. "It's me," she tells him quietly. She looks at the blood, then frowns. "Can't you locate her?"

OOC: I'm around, but busy with the upcoming holidays and kids. Heh. Get distracted easily.
"Hrm," Lena's voice says through her servitor, "Possible...I can detect the trace of the blood; follow the servitor," she replies, Elli's servitor taking point and walking down the hallway.

OOC: I'm still here, just waiting to be found. College, Fallout and GRID have been keeping me busy. Oh yeah, and Home :(

"Hrm," Lena's voice says through her servitor, "Possible...I can detect the trace of the blood; follow the servitor," she replies, Elli's servitor taking point and walking down the hallway.

Elli followed along. "But why can't you trace her? Why is it necessary to follow a trail?" She seemed to be musing all this to herself as she kept her rifle ready. A glance behind every couple of steps assured her that all was clear behind them. For now.

Elli followed along. "But why can't you trace her? Why is it necessary to follow a trail?" She seemed to be musing all this to herself as she kept her rifle ready. A glance behind every couple of steps assured her that all was clear behind them. For now.

"Sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do" piped up max, covering the rear. "Computers can be funny like that. Anyways, I guess she can't hve gone too far. Jenny?"

OOC: I'm still here, just waiting to be found. College, Fallout and GRID have been keeping me busy. Oh yeah, and Home :(

Elli followed along. "But why can't you trace her? Why is it necessary to follow a trail?" She seemed to be musing all this to herself as she kept her rifle ready. A glance behind every couple of steps assured her that all was clear behind them. For now.

"Sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do" piped up max, covering the rear. "Computers can be funny like that. Anyways, I guess she can't hve gone too far. Jenny?"

"My sensor grid in this area is damaged," Lena 'sighed' through the servitor. "Our only recourse is to follow the traces of blood she left."

The servitor simply stopped, looking down. It was joined by the other, and together they removed the floor plating.

"She's in this recessed compartment," Lena explained. "Stay here."

The servitors descended, returning a few moments later carrying the limp form of Jenny.

"She's just unconcious, but we better take her to Abbot soon," Lena explained.

"You are welcome," Abbot replied. He seemed to look back, "I do hope the others are safe..."

ooc: really, where is everyone?

"I hope so, as well," Lila said, "Do you think I should try to contact them on their radios? Or would the thing out there use that to find them?"

"I hope so, as well," Lila said, "Do you think I should try to contact them on their radios? Or would the thing out there use that to find them?"
"I do not believe the creatures have communications access or knowledge of our language," Abbot said. "One moment."

His eyes glazed over as he accessed Lena through their wireless connection. She began to update them on the progress of the mission. His eyes came back into focus as Lena-hologram appeared.

"Sorry for keeping y'all out of the loop," she said. "Jenny was injured and Max, Elli and their servitors are bringing her back for medical care," she explained.

Jenny opened her eyes. She could see the lights of the roof pass by.

"Am I dead?" she thought, watching the lights "Is this heaven?"

She spotted something on the roof as she was carried. She recognised it, and it brought her back to reality

"Oh well, obviously not" she thought, begining to flicker again as she drifted in and out of conciousness

Jenny opened her eyes. She could see the lights of the roof pass by.

"Am I dead?" she thought, watching the lights "Is this heaven?"

She spotted something on the roof as she was carried. She recognised it, and it brought her back to reality

"Oh well, obviously not" she thought, begining to flicker again as she drifted in and out of conciousness
"Wait a moment," Lena said through the servitor. The other servitor accessed a panel and removed a medical kit. "This will stabilize her until we get to Abbot," she said, injecting her.

The group double-timed, heading as quickly as they could back to the Core. As they approached, Abbot greeted them.

"How is the patient?" he asked professionally, his eyes doing a cursory glance of her body. "Please bring her into the medical quarters." He turned to Lila, "Will you assist me?"

OOC: Away for weekend. 'family christmas meal'. :/

"Wait a moment," Lena said through the servitor. The other servitor accessed a panel and removed a medical kit. "This will stabilize her until we get to Abbot," she said, injecting her.

The group double-timed, heading as quickly as they could back to the Core. As they approached, Abbot greeted them.

"How is the patient?" he asked professionally, his eyes doing a cursory glance of her body. "Please bring her into the medical quarters." He turned to Lila, "Will you assist me?"

"Of course I will," Lila said, "What should I do first?"

"Of course I will," Lila said, "What should I do first?"
"She has several broken bones along with internal bleeding...the external abrasions are of tertiary concern," Abbot stated. "Prepare 10 CCs of Anolizine; she is unconcious but this will make sure she stays asleep during the procedure," he explained.

"We will make incisions to repair the ruptured blood vessels, then set the bones. There is a massive hemorrage in her abdomen; we need to work quickly." His hand split, revealing the surgical laser. "Preparing to make the first incision."

Elli chose to stay outside while the two worked on Jenny. Not that she's squeamish, but hey, someone needed to stand guard. She leaned up against the wall, keeping a close eye out for any intruders or critters.

Elli chose to stay outside while the two worked on Jenny. Not that she's squeamish, but hey, someone needed to stand guard. She leaned up against the wall, keeping a close eye out for any intruders or critters.
ooc: i was going to suggest that in my next post, lol

ic:

After herding Max out of the room, Abbot got down to business. His easygoing attitude and kind demeanor were replaced by the cold, precise and confident air of a master surgeon. He scanned each incision before cutting, his arms moving at blazing speeds as he worked to repair broken veins and blood vessels.

ooc: i was going to suggest that in my next post, lol

ic:

After herding Max out of the room, Abbot got down to business. His easygoing attitude and kind demeanor were replaced by the cold, precise and confident air of a master surgeon. He scanned each incision before cutting, his arms moving at blazing speeds as he worked to repair broken veins and blood vessels.

Lila prepared the anesthetic and stood by, watching carefully.

Lila prepared the anesthetic and stood by, watching carefully.
"As I finish each repair," Abbot instructed, "Begin setting the bones." He looked over at her, "There are a pair of goggles in the kit; they will let you see through to her bones so you can set them right," he explained, moving on to suturing his last incision and moving on to the next.

Elli just stayed outside, keeping watch. She doesn't seem the least bit interested on what is going on inside with Jenny. Or maybe she is, but her previous military training doesn't permit her to show that at the moment.

OOC: Don't know when I'll post again. I have a sick 23 month old. Bad cough and a 103F fever. Tylenol has had no effect. Doctor tomorrow and I'm hoping it's not pneumonia. :(

Elli just stayed outside, keeping watch. She doesn't seem the least bit interested on what is going on inside with Jenny. Or maybe she is, but her previous military training doesn't permit her to show that at the moment.

OOC: Don't know when I'll post again. I have a sick 23 month old. Bad cough and a 103F fever. Tylenol has had no effect. Doctor tomorrow and I'm hoping it's not pneumonia. :(
ooc: zomg, i hope he/she gets better

ic:

Abbot continued his work, unaware of the complex emotions that enveloped those around him.

"As I finish each repair," Abbot instructed, "Begin setting the bones." He looked over at her, "There are a pair of goggles in the kit; they will let you see through to her bones so you can set them right," he explained, moving on to suturing his last incision and moving on to the next.

Lila pulled on the goggles. The bones looked so facinating, laid bare like that. She located the worst of the fractures and set it, then moved to the next one.

Lila pulled on the goggles. The bones looked so facinating, laid bare like that. She located the worst of the fractures and set it, then moved to the next one.
"She is beginning to stabilize," Abbot tells Lila, "You are doing well; only a few more bones to set and she will be fine," he assures her.

ooc: zomg, i hope he/she gets better


OOC: Wasn't pneumonia. Just early stages of bronchitis. Ugh. She's on antibiotics now and the Motrin worked where Tylenol failed.

IC:

Elli g a little interested in what was going on in the room. She glanced over her shoulder, not caring whether she could be seen or not. It was quiet out here and she may be a little bored.

OOC: Wasn't pneumonia. Just early stages of bronchitis. Ugh. She's on antibiotics now and the Motrin worked where Tylenol failed.

IC:

Elli g a little interested in what was going on in the room. She glanced over her shoulder, not caring whether she could be seen or not. It was quiet out here and she may be a little bored.
ooc: whew...thank God. Hope she gets better soon ^___^

ic:

"Please, wait until we are finished," Abbot said, not looking up from his work. "Lena; seal the door."

"Door sealing," Lena's voice said, the hatch beginning to close on its own

Uncharacteristically quiet for so long (and, therefore almost possible to be near) Arxes had begun to get bored and took to poking and picking at how the group were handling things:
"We should really be a little more thoughtful in how we deal with this? I mean really, instead of wandering around wildly we should have some plan or something because although I certainly couldn't care less about whatever inconsequential planet this ship is headed for, I'm sure you and the inhabitants do, and if e just survive until we land then these things will pour ou into the ecosystem, incidentally, when does this voyage end?" He said, flicking between Max and Elli.

ooc: Max and Elli are in the same place right?

Uncharacteristically quiet for so long (and, therefore almost possible to be near) Arxes had begun to get bored and took to poking and picking at how the group were handling things:
"We should really be a little more thoughtful in how we deal with this? I mean really, instead of wandering around wildly we should have some plan or something because although I certainly couldn't care less about whatever inconsequential planet this ship is headed for, I'm sure you and the inhabitants do, and if e just survive until we land then these things will pour ou into the ecosystem, incidentally, when does this voyage end?" He said, flicking between Max and Elli.

ooc: Max and Elli are in the same place right?

OOC: Yes.

IC:

"So what did you have in mind?" Elli looked at Arxes blankly. "I'm not sure where to go because we can't track these little buggers. They're probably all over the freakin' ship. Any that we get might be replaced twice over for all we know." She shrugged a shoulder to the last question. "No clue."

"Actually," Lena said, "Due to Abbot's examination, I've been able to locate them better." The hologram of the ship reappeared. "Since the boarding of those intrusive and rude men, they have been moving aft...which isn't that good of a thing..."

"And that's another thing," Arxes groaned, "Where the hell are those 'rude and intrusive men'?, they're probably the only hope any of us have, unless you want to try and fit everyone on board this thing, including your precious servitors, onto my exploration ship, which, incdentally, won't go anywhere without the fuel I landed for."

"And that's another thing," Arxes groaned, "Where the hell are those 'rude and intrusive men'?, they're probably the only hope any of us have, unless you want to try and fit everyone on board this thing, including your precious servitors, onto my exploration ship, which, incdentally, won't go anywhere without the fuel I landed for."

"I wanna kn ow more about those men before I go anywhere near them" muttered Max. "It's their fault that Jennys in the medical room right now. Lena, can you match their armour and equipment patterns with any local special ops or military forces?"

"And tell me everything that's located aft." Elli nodded to Max in obvious agreement. "I haven't seen them, so I wouldn't know if they're anything familiar to me, but I'm curious as to why they're here. Not so much who they are, but why they're here." She frowned a little. "Was any kind of distress call sent off from here?"

"I wanna kn ow more about those men before I go anywhere near them" muttered Max. "It's their fault that Jennys in the medical room right now. Lena, can you match their armour and equipment patterns with any local special ops or military forces?"

A screen appeared and displayed the security video of Lena's confrontation with the men (couple pages back...).

"That's about all I know," Lena answered.

"And tell me everything that's located aft." Elli nodded to Max in obvious agreement. "I haven't seen them, so I wouldn't know if they're anything familiar to me, but I'm curious as to why they're here. Not so much who they are, but why they're here." She frowned a little. "Was any kind of distress call sent off from here?"

"Aft houses several key systems; secondary sensor array, processor and weapons control are located there," Lena said, "As well as Main Engineering, deflector control and environmental controls. There are also two shuttle bays."

"Aft houses several key systems; secondary sensor array, processor and weapons control are located there," Lena said, "As well as Main Engineering, deflector control and environmental controls. There are also two shuttle bays."

"Basically, all the essentials." Noted Max. If anything big happens there the whole ship will be a so big hunk of metal."

Arxes tutted sarcastically and muttered about about how the ship was barely more than that anyway but mentally analysed the possibilities of any of them surviving if anything dd happen to any of those components, calculating them to be very low. Suddenly, a thought hit him,
"Wait, how many people were on board this ship when you woke up, I don't remember anyone detecting any other people on the numerous scans that have been performed since I arrived,"

Elli nodded slowly. "Okay. Well. Either we go there and stop them, and probably get overrun in the process, or we set a trap somewhere and take them out in one go. How many are there anyway?"

She looked to Arxes. "No clue. I don't think I've seen anyone but the few of us that are around here."

Arxes tutted sarcastically and muttered about about how the ship was barely more than that anyway but mentally analysed the possibilities of any of them surviving if anything dd happen to any of those components, calculating them to be very low. Suddenly, a thought hit him,
"Wait, how many people were on board this ship when you woke up, I don't remember anyone detecting any other people on the numerous scans that have been performed since I arrived,"

Elli nodded slowly. "Okay. Well. Either we go there and stop them, and probably get overrun in the process, or we set a trap somewhere and take them out in one go. How many are there anyway?"

She looked to Arxes. "No clue. I don't think I've seen anyone but the few of us that are around here."

"I have set up blockades along Bulkhead 32 on all decks," Lena explained, showing them on the display. "Reinforced forcefields along with all remaining combat and mechanic servitors."

The soldiers had advanced as far as the room where Max and Elli had found Jenny. Unfortunately, when they arrived what Jenny had seen had been waiting for them. The room was now a scene of utter carnage, blood and body parts littered the floor as the men had been totally ripped into pieces.

Meanwhile...

Jenny stirred as Abbot and Lila contined working on her...

The soldiers had advanced as far as the room where Max and Elli had found Jenny. Unfortunately, when they arrived what Jenny had seen had been waiting for them. The room was now a scene of utter carnage, blood and body parts littered the floor as the men had been totally ripped into pieces.

Meanwhile...

Jenny stirred as Abbot and Lila contined working on her...
Abbot frowned. He'd told Lila to give her the sedative. He quickly selected a dosage, much less than last time, but still a potent amount, and sedated her.

"We have to work quickly..." he told Lila.

Abbot frowned. He'd told Lila to give her the sedative. He quickly selected a dosage, much less than last time, but still a potent amount, and sedated her.

"We have to work quickly..." he told Lila.

"Yeah, we don't want her waking up now," Lila said, "There. I've finished setting her bones. What should I do next?"

"Yeah, we don't want her waking up now," Lila said, "There. I've finished setting her bones. What should I do next?"
"All that is left are the superficial wounds along her body," Abbot explained. "Spray this disinfecting spray on each wound, making sure there is an even layer, and then place the artificial-skin bandages on, like so," he instructed her, demonstrating what he meant on a wound on Jenny's leg.

"Lena, could you please try and raise communications with those men?" Enquired Max, still with Elli in the hallway.

"Lena, could you please try and raise communications with those men?" Enquired Max, still with Elli in the hallway.
"Of course," Lena said, her hologram appearing before them. "Searching for their internal frequency...found it. Men, please contact me on Channel 230" she told them.

ooc: who was in control of the men...?

"Of course," Lena said, her hologram appearing before them. "Searching for their internal frequency...found it. Men, please contact me on Channel 230" she told them.

ooc: who was in control of the men...?

OOC: Ustio North.

ooc: any idea where he/she is?

The soldiers had advanced as far as the room where Max and Elli had found Jenny. Unfortunately, when they arrived what Jenny had seen had been waiting for them. The room was now a scene of utter carnage, blood and body parts littered the floor as the men had been totally ripped into pieces.


OOC: I'm still here. I set something up for Sharf using this post.

ooc: so, are they all dead...?

"All that is left are the superficial wounds along her body," Abbot explained. "Spray this disinfecting spray on each wound, making sure there is an even layer, and then place the artificial-skin bandages on, like so," he instructed her, demonstrating what he meant on a wound on Jenny's leg.

"Right," Lila said. She started on another wound, working quickly, so Jenny wouldn't wake up in the middle of this.

ooc: so, are they all dead...?

OOC: Yes, although I will post a sort of final message that they broadcast before they died a bit later. First, Jonathan Creek!

"Right," Lila said. She started on another wound, working quickly, so Jenny wouldn't wake up in the middle of this.
"We are done," Abbot said, finishing a bandage. "Thank you for your help," he told Lila. "I will finish up with her, if you want. Let the others know Jenny is fine."

ooc: well, that sucks

ic:

"They're all...dead," Lena reported, "It looks like something killed them..right where we found Jenny."

"They're all...dead," Lena reported, "It looks like something killed them..right where we found Jenny."

"Jesus" Exclaimed Max. "Then she'd better recover ASAP because i really wanna know what it is down there that can rip apart a group of tooled-up spec-ops guys."

Elli raised a brow at the news that those guys were killed. "Doesn't sound promising." She shook her head. "I would say we could go see, but if it took out a trained group, we'd be screwed."

Elli raised a brow at the news that those guys were killed. "Doesn't sound promising." She shook her head. "I would say we could go see, but if it took out a trained group, we'd be screwed."
"I have contained the area," Lena explained, "And I don't think they've gotten past my quarantine."

"We are done," Abbot said, finishing a bandage. "Thank you for your help," he told Lila. "I will finish up with her, if you want. Let the others know Jenny is fine."

ooc: well, that sucks

ic:

"They're all...dead," Lena reported, "It looks like something killed them..right where we found Jenny."

"Well, I have some good news," Lila said through her radio, "Jenny's all patched up, she's going to be fine."

Jenny slowly came to. Her eyes flickered open, and she took a deep breath, looking up at the faces of Lila and Abbot. She cast her mind back to what happened. She remembered falling, being shot, landing in that room, that thing...that thing?

She suddenly sat bolt upright

"Where are those soldiers that came?!" she asked hurridly "There's something down there!"

Meanwhile...

A looping message would have been available for Lena to relay to the others if she could listen in on the soldiers frequencies.

Entry 288.9
"We're now moving down into sector F-3. More of these little bastards keep coming, but they're no match for our flamers

Entry 289.0
"We've encountered a large room. It's incredibly dark, but there appears to be blood on the floor. We can only assume -" *The Tranmission Cuts Out Abruptly*

Entry ---.-
*A man groans in pain as the recording begins* "I-I-I don't know exactly what happened. It came from nowhere, and ripped them to shreds. I'm injured, but that thing is still here. I just hope I bleed to death before it comes back. If you're listening to this, then get out of here. What-Whatever got me and my comrades -" *A piercing scream interupts the message, and it ends*

"Please, lie back, you have not recovered fully," Abbot said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You just went through major surgery."

------------

"Um...I'm picking up something on the soldier's frequency..." Lena said. It appeared as floating text on a screen in front of Elli and Max. "This isn't good..." she commented.

"Please, lie back, you have not recovered fully," Abbot said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You just went through major surgery."

"I'll be fine" she said, attempting to get up, but she had to stop when she got so far, wincing in pain

"We have to get out of here" she said, breathlessly "That...thing, whatever it was, will have no problem killing us if we don't leave soon"

Elli started to respond to Lila's report on Jenny when Lena showed them the message. She's silent for a moment, then cursed in her native language. She looked at Max. "Are there any life boats on this ship?"

Elli started to respond to Lila's report on Jenny when Lena showed them the message. She's silent for a moment, then cursed in her native language. She looked at Max. "Are there any life boats on this ship?"

"A couple" Replied Max. "Down on the lower levels. They work on a failsafe system, so they'll be ready for us."

Elli nodded. "We'll have to be ready to get to them if worse comes to worse." She leaned up against the wall. "If we could get some flamethrowers as well. They said those worked against them."

"The ship...the ship they arrived in" Jenny said, attempting to sit up again "Its not a deep-space vessel. It's a scout. That could mean there is a Capitol Ship in the area. If you can get me down to it, I might be able to pinpoint its location"

"The ship...the ship they arrived in" Jenny said, attempting to sit up again "Its not a deep-space vessel. It's a scout. That could mean there is a Capitol Ship in the area. If you can get me down to it, I might be able to pinpoint its location"

"The hangar isn't too far" Noted Max. "And hey, there might be some flamers left in there as well."

ooc: Can we be sure of the capital ship's intentions? O.o

OOC: Same as the Soldiers. Exploration. Obviously, they'll defend themselves if neccessary.

"In the interests of self preservation, I vote we set this whole ship to self-destruct and run for the lifeboats, that way we live, they die, simple enough really,"

"In the interests of self preservation, I vote we set this whole ship to self-destruct and run for the lifeboats, that way we live, they die, simple enough really,"
"...And kill me," Lena said. "The servitor does not exist without the ship, after all." She smiled weakly, "If that is concensus, I will do it."

"I will-" Abbot began.

"You'll go with them," she said, "They'll probably need your help."

"No, wait" Jenny said to Lena "If I can access your data banks, could I transfer your personality to another ship? If the Capitol Ship is in the area, it is likely that they could take you on board"

"No, wait" Jenny said to Lena "If I can access your data banks, could I transfer your personality to another ship? If the Capitol Ship is in the area, it is likely that they could take you on board"
"My AI is hardwired into the ship," Lena said. "Self-destruct means exactly what it means," she smiled weakly.

Arxes was about to make a remark that it probably would be a consensus but stopped, hit with a rare hint of pity,
"Hmm, there is a possibility that I might be able to transfer you temporarily, and I mean temporarily, into te CPU which makes up around half of my brain, I would, however, have to completely take away all of the programming which prevents me doing anything, which would be hard, although not impossible, the other option is to...""he paused for a suitable word,"transplant, the CPU on which you are stored into a servitor or, again temporarily me," having said it, and the shock of feeling an almost erased emotion wearing of, Arxes began to regret what he had said, but still, this was a very well-programmed AI, and it would be contrary to his duties as a Technomotrist to waste it. He sighed.

"I hate to bring this up, but if we use the lifeboats, are we close enough to a planet to get there safely?" Lila asked, "I just want to make sure."

"I hate to bring this up, but if we use the lifeboats, are we close enough to a planet to get there safely?" Lila asked, "I just want to make sure."
"There are shuttles and colonizing craft we could use instead," Lena informed her. She turned back to Arxes, "Your offer is appreciated...especially since we didn't get off on the right foot, but...this servitor is hard-wired. The ship's AI cannot be removed without deletion, and destruction of the vessel results in servitor shutdown...I don't know if there's a way to prevent that."

Arxes ighed slightly, then said: "very well, if there's nothing to be done. It's a shame though, to waste all your programming.

Elli listened quietly for a moment, then spoke softly. "We'll see if there's another way first. We haven't exhausted all possibilities yet." She looked between the others. "There's still the potential for laying a trap to try and get them to an airlock. If we can achieve that, we can get them in one blow, so to speak."

Arxes ighed slightly, then said: "very well, if there's nothing to be done. It's a shame though, to waste all your programming.

Elli listened quietly for a moment, then spoke softly. "We'll see if there's another way first. We haven't exhausted all possibilities yet." She looked between the others. "There's still the potential for laying a trap to try and get them to an airlock. If we can achieve that, we can get them in one blow, so to speak."

"I'm sorry," Lena chuckled, "I'm not trying to be difficult," she smiled. "The only thing that might work is to install me into one of the colony ships, but the storage needed for my AI would wipe the computer clean. I'd end up having to pilot and navigate..."

"Hm, that could certainly work," Arxes said to Lena, then, turning to Elli,
"We have to be sure they can't breathe in space, they could be astroid dwellers or suchlike, Lena, can you check if there is even a remote possibility any airlock or possible entry point could have been used? We should also analyse one of the crew and see how long ago they died."

Elli nodded to Arxes. "Naturally. If they could survive in space, though, how could they survive in a pressurized atmosphere?" She seemed to be musing to herself rather than asking anyone specifically.

OOC: I'm assuming they're heading towards the shuttle while they're talking?

IC: They had reached the hangar, and Jenny headed into the shuttle. It was small and cramped, but she sat down at the control panel

"Okay, Lena keep an eye out for a ship nearby" she asked the AI "Federation ships often use cloaking devices, and could be very close"

She tapped a few controls, changed a few settings, and then waited

OOC: I'm assuming they're heading towards the shuttle while they're talking?

IC: They had reached the hangar, and Jenny headed into the shuttle. It was small and cramped, but she sat down at the control panel

"Okay, Lena keep an eye out for a ship nearby" she asked the AI "Federation ships often use cloaking devices, and could be very close"

She tapped a few controls, changed a few settings, and then waited

ooc: i suppose

IC:

"Damn, are we gonna fit everyone in here?" Asked Max, looking around the small space. He turned and stood guard around the hangar with his rifle. "We should hurry up, this could draw attention."

"Shall I begin transferring the data, if so, a couple of tech servitors could be helpful,as long as they don't have too many safeguards. Can I also request fuel instead of a place on the shuttle? My ship has a lot of vital equipment and data i cant afford to lose, and I need it to get back."

ooc: i suppose

IC:

"Damn, are we gonna fit everyone in here?" Asked Max, looking around the small space. He turned and stood guard around the hangar with his rifle. "We should hurry up, this could draw attention."

"Well, we could just get really friendly, I suppose," Lila said, "Maybe we could fit if we squeezed in."

"Well, we could just get really friendly, I suppose," Lila said, "Maybe we could fit if we squeezed in."
"The colony ships can support twenty people," Lena said. "Those over there," she pointed, "Should provide enough room for us."

"The colony ships can support twenty people," Lena said. "Those over there," she pointed, "Should provide enough room for us."

"Good," Lila said, "Those won't set off my mild claustrophobia."

"We should hurry up, this could draw attention."

"Almost done" Jenny said, pressing another button on the console

Out In Space...

The Federal Ship hung in space, it's cloaking device shielding it from view. On the bridge, Captain Walker stood, observing the Whiteleaf. Suddenly, a red light began flashing and a warning sound blared throughout the ship

"Alert. Spacial Cloaking De-Activated. PFS Hegemony Visible"

Walker spun around as the warning sounded

"Who deactivated the cloaking device?" he shouted at the crew on the lower area of the command room

"It was de-activated from the Shuttle, sir" an Aide told him

"Lower the communications barrier, establish contact with the shuttle" he said, turning to a newly appeared screen. After a moments static, Jenny appeared on screen, with Max, Lila and Abbot in the background

"This is Captain Adrian Walker of the Planetary Federation Ship Hegemony. I order you to identify yourself immediately"

"I am Jenny Grayson, a former Federation Citizen. We are trapped on board the Whiteleaf with some sort of creature with murderous intentions. We really need help. Over"

Walker pondered the name a moment

"Grayson...Grayson..." he said. His face suddenly lit up "Grayson?!" he said to her "Sister of James Grayson, Federal Marine?"

"Yes, how did you know?" Jenny asked

The Captain saluted her. After dropping his arm, he spoke again

"Miss, your brother is a close friend of mine. He has often spoke of you. We'll send a team to get you and your friends out of there ASAP"

"Thank you, Captain"

OOC: I apolagise for my absence in recent weeks. Exams and applying for Uni have kept me very pre-occupied.

*Um, bump for Sharfghotten

"Almost done" Jenny said, pressing another button on the console

Out In Space...

The Federal Ship hung in space, it's cloaking device shielding it from view. On the bridge, Captain Walker stood, observing the Whiteleaf. Suddenly, a red light began flashing and a warning sound blared throughout the ship

"Alert. Spacial Cloaking De-Activated. PFS Hegemony Visible"

Walker spun around as the warning sounded

"Who deactivated the cloaking device?" he shouted at the crew on the lower area of the command room

"It was de-activated from the Shuttle, sir" an Aide told him

"Lower the communications barrier, establish contact with the shuttle" he said, turning to a newly appeared screen. After a moments static, Jenny appeared on screen, with Max, Lila and Abbot in the background

"This is Captain Adrian Walker of the Planetary Federation Ship Hegemony. I order you to identify yourself immediately"

"I am Jenny Grayson, a former Federation Citizen. We are trapped on board the Whiteleaf with some sort of creature with murderous intentions. We really need help. Over"

Walker pondered the name a moment

"Grayson...Grayson..." he said. His face suddenly lit up "Grayson?!" he said to her "Sister of James Grayson, Federal Marine?"

"Yes, how did you know?" Jenny asked

The Captain saluted her. After dropping his arm, he spoke again

"Miss, your brother is a close friend of mine. He has often spoke of you. We'll send a team to get you and your friends out of there ASAP"

"Thank you, Captain"

OOC: I apolagise for my absence in recent weeks. Exams and applying for Uni have kept me very pre-occupied.
"Wait, have you downloaded my matrix into the computer yet?" Lena asked. "If so, guidance, navigation, propulsion and other key systems will be transferring to me."

ooc: sorry for being gone, too. basically the same reason

"Wait, have you downloaded my matrix into the computer yet?" Lena asked. "If so, guidance, navigation, propulsion and other key systems will be transferring to me."


"I'll do it now" Jenny said, tapping her wrist device a few times "There, it should transfer shortly"

"I'll do it now" Jenny said, tapping her wrist device a few times "There, it should transfer shortly"
"All right," Lena said, her eyes closing, "As soon as it is complete, ship functions will begin to deteriorate, culminating in a loss of reactant stability and core overload. I will bring the colony ship out of range before that," she explained.

"I'll do it now" Jenny said, tapping her wrist device a few times "There, it should transfer shortly"

"Christ, I think I can hear something coming" Shouted Max. "Whatever you're doing, do it now!"

"Then we'd better get to those colony ships" Jenny said. She looked around the shuttle. The Marines had left their weapons here. She grabbed one of the M2282A1 EDPWs (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14401787&postcount=6) from the rack and cocked it before exiting the shuttle

"Lena, are those colony ships ready?" she asked

"Then we'd better get to those colony ships" Jenny said. She looked around the shuttle. The Marines had left their weapons here. She grabbed one of the M2282A1 EDPWs (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14401787&postcount=6) from the rack and cocked it before exiting the shuttle

"Lena, are those colony ships ready?" she asked
ooc: we're in the colony ship

ic:

"Transfer complete...the vessel will reach critical mass in 20 minutes," Lena informed them. "Activating engines, starting navigation and guidance systems. Opening bay doors." She turned to Jenny, "You better get in, we gotta do this fast."

ooc: we're in the colony ship

ic:

"Transfer complete...the vessel will reach critical mass in 20 minutes," Lena informed them. "Activating engines, starting navigation and guidance systems. Opening bay doors." She turned to Jenny, "You better get in, we gotta do this fast."

ooc: I thought we were in the Marine's shuttle? Never mind, it doesn't matter really

Jenny dashed into the colony ship, tapping her wrist device again

"Captain Walker, can you hear me?" she asked

"Loud and clear, Miss Grayson. We're waiting for you" replied Walker

ooc: I thought we were in the Marine's shuttle? Never mind, it doesn't matter really

Jenny dashed into the colony ship, tapping her wrist device again

"Captain Walker, can you hear me?" she asked

"Loud and clear, Miss Grayson. We're waiting for you" replied Walker
"Sealing hatch," Lena said as the door closed behind Jenny. "Launch prep complete, decompressing bay," she announced, the forcefield deactivating. The ship hummed as the engines lifted it off the deck and into space. "Critical mass in 15 minutes," she warned.

"Sealing hatch," Lena said as the door closed behind Jenny. "Launch prep complete, decompressing bay," she announced, the forcefield deactivating. The ship hummed as the engines lifted it off the deck and into space. "Critical mass in 15 minutes," she warned.
ooc: Max was in the hangar :'( meh, what's a continuity issue eh :P

ic: "Damn that was close. Whatever was out there was ready to tear us to shreds." Noted Max.

But his words died in his throat. A black shape was sliding out of the open hangar behind them. Huge, almost the size of an elephant.

"Christ, it's moving fast!" shouted Max. It's gonna reach us before we dock with the other craft!"

ooc: Max was in the hangar :'( meh, what's a continuity issue eh :P

ic: "Damn that was close. Whatever was out there was ready to tear us to shreds." Noted Max.

But his words died in his throat. A black shape was sliding out of the open hangar behind them. Huge, almost the size of an elephant.

"Christ, it's moving fast!" shouted Max. It's gonna reach us before we dock with the other craft!"
"Remote link; closing hangar bay," Lena said, "Setting engines to full..."

ooc: Max was in the hangar :'( meh, what's a continuity issue eh :P

ic: "Damn that was close. Whatever was out there was ready to tear us to shreds." Noted Max.

But his words died in his throat. A black shape was sliding out of the open hangar behind them. Huge, almost the size of an elephant.

"Christ, it's moving fast!" shouted Max. It's gonna reach us before we dock with the other craft!"

"Sir, we're getting unusual energy readings on the long range scans" Walker's Lieutenant informed him

"Set the defencive weapons to cover their approach. You are clear to engage whatever is following them" Walker told him "Make sure they survive"

Seconds later, the ships heavy cannons released a huge burst of laser fire at the black shape, pummelling it with repeating blasts

"What's going on?" Lila asked, "Who's shooting at who?"

"What's going on?" Lila asked, "Who's shooting at who?"
"It is all right," Abbot said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Lena was sitting at the helm, "Everyone, stations. I can fly and shoot this bucket, but I'd enjoy some help...someone get weapons."

"It is all right," Abbot said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Lena was sitting at the helm, "Everyone, stations. I can fly and shoot this bucket, but I'd enjoy some help...someone get weapons."

OOC: Okay, i'm not sure what's happening here. I thought the 'thing' was outside the ship?

OOC: Okay, i'm not sure what's happening here. I thought the 'thing' was outside the ship?
ooc: it is, and we're flying away from it. we can shoot while we run

ooc: it is, and we're flying away from it. we can shoot while we run

OOC: So why do we need to get weapons? If it's outside the colony ship we can hardly open the windows and shoot at it, unless the colony ship has built in gun systems?

OOC: So why do we need to get weapons? If it's outside the colony ship we can hardly open the windows and shoot at it, unless the colony ship has built in gun systems?
ooc: yes, that's what i meant. i meant, Weapons Station.

"'It is all right,' Abbot said, placing a hand on her shoulder."

"Ok, yeah" Lila said, taking a deep breath, "Calm, I will be calm. Thanks." She reached up and covered the hand he had on her shoulder with her own.

"'It is all right,' Abbot said, placing a hand on her shoulder."

"Ok, yeah" Lila said, taking a deep breath, "Calm, I will be calm. Thanks." She reached up and covered the hand he had on her shoulder with her own.
Abbot took her hand in his and held it there, remembering the gesture from ages ago. It meant reassurance, he thought.

"So, um," Lila said,"I'm not real good at shooting things, but is there anything else I can do?"

"So, um," Lila said,"I'm not real good at shooting things, but is there anything else I can do?"
"Do you know anything about ship systems?" Lena asks distractedly. "The less I have to monitor myself, the better. Take the Ops Station and keep an eye on our systems so I can concentrate on flying," she requested.

Jenny sat down at one of the gun stations, quickly using her knowledge of computer systems to activate the gun. She aimed it at the shape and fired into it

"Captain Walker, this is going to be close. Are you ready?" she asked

"We're ready Miss Grayson, just come to us" he replied "Docking bay 1 is open and we're standing by"

"Do you know anything about ship systems?" Lena asks distractedly. "The less I have to monitor myself, the better. Take the Ops Station and keep an eye on our systems so I can concentrate on flying," she requested.

"I know about that much, yeah," Lila said. She sat down at the Ops Station.


ooc- Ops Station is monitoring internal systems, right?

"I know about that much, yeah," Lila said. She sat down at the Ops Station.


ooc- Ops Station is monitoring internal systems, right?
ooc: yeah, think 'Star Trek'

ic:

"Thanks," Lena said as she continued to pilot. It may have been disturbing, as she never lifted her hands to the controls, yet the ship still seemed under her command.

ooc- thanks

Max took the opposite gun turret to Jenny and also began firing at the alien. The combined force of the projectiles slowed the alien. Stopped it. Pushed it backwards. Its momentum was lost.

As it was forced back into the bright hangar, Max turned and shouted "Lena! If you can, shut the hangar 1 doors now!"

Max took the opposite gun turret to Jenny and also began firing at the alien. The combined force of the projectiles slowed the alien. Stopped it. Pushed it backwards. Its momentum was lost.

As it was forced back into the bright hangar, Max turned and shouted "Lena! If you can, shut the hangar 1 doors now!"
"Closing hatch..." Lena said. Her eyes snapped open. "Remote link has been severed. Powering up engines...reactant overload in 5 seconds...4...3...2...1..."

There was a stupendous flash of light as the mothership's engine core overloaded, and seconds later, a massive wave of energy rocketed the colony ship. Lena fought for control, pivoting the ship to ride the wave of energy.

Arxes sighed, contemplating methods of returning home and counting how much data he had stored from his ship.
"Well," He said, "Let's hope it's dead."