NationStates Jolt Archive

Aboard the MSS Striker, Publius paced around the bridge. "Sir, I'd much appreciate it if you'd stop yelling, you're upsetting the-" Publius shook his finger in front of the Captain's face "I don't care! I've been waiting all my life for this, and your dumbass engineers have almost gotten us KILLED! And you're talking about who I'm upsetting?" Vibius' voice echoed from somewhere on the otherside of the door "Cool it Pub. The pills are in your upper right pocket." Publius muttered "Right, right..." As he took out a small bottle and swallowed almost half of it. "Hey! Power's back on." Vibius sighed as he opened the door and grabbed the bottle out of Publius' hand. "You're only supposed to take three." Publius ignored him and turned back to the Captain. "Turn on the beacon, we've got to get the other researchers here!"

"What's the hurry?" One of the technicians called out. "It's not like those ruins are going anywhere."
"I've been waiting my entire life for this!" Publius snarled "And I'm not going to let a bunch of tag-a-longs ruin it by forcing me to stay another second in this bucket! It's practically falling apart at the seams!" Vibius sighed and handed Publius the bottle again. This is going to be a long day... He thought as he stared out the viewport at the wasteland below....

"I'm here," Sir Alec said, running up to the two men standing on the bridge, "Sorry I kept you waiting."

"I'm here," Sir Alec said, running up to the two men standing on the bridge, "Sorry I kept you waiting."
Publius suddenly looked down in embarrassment. He hadn't meant for any of the researchers to hear his rant. "Uh...It's fine. Just suit up and prepare to land. Get everything you have. We might be there a day or two."

"Right, I'll be awaiting you at the landing bay," Sir Alec said. He went back to his quarters, suited up and gathered his belongings.

Kyle walked up to the two men on the bridge, just as Sir Alec left.

"I am also here."

Kyle walked up to the two men on the bridge, just as Sir Alec left.

"I am also here."

"Good, good. We're still waiting for the other researchers. We can't go without them." Publius told him as several men adjusted a large plate on his chest. "Careful with that! Don't break it!" Vibius looked over at him. Shaking his head, he returned his view to the planet below.

"Mr. Publius, I still do not see why your nation has called us here," the red-haired Ivan Kaskin said as he stepped onto the bridge. His armor (http://electricityandlust.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/iron-man.jpg), an unarmed version of the Duelist Prototype-1 suit, had a spotlight on its chest, one that would inevitably come in handy in the coming time. His guardian, Sergeant/Master Chief Petty Officer Lovel Griffin, wore a more powerful Mark II version of the same armor, equipped with weaponry and more physical power (and a snazzy silver paint job).

Griffin was actually mounting his powered armor right now, a more difficult task for his armed version than Kaskin's weaponless variant. Both were protected by EM shielding against radiation, a special request on the part of the Moralites that Kaskin felt uncomfortable with.

"When do we move out?" Kaskin asked the other man shortly.

"Mr. Publius, I still do not see why your nation has called us here," the red-haired Ivan Kaskin said as he stepped onto the bridge. His armor (http://electricityandlust.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/iron-man.jpg), an unarmed version of the Duelist Prototype-1 suit, had a spotlight on its chest, one that would inevitably come in handy in the coming time. His guardian, Sergeant/Master Chief Petty Officer Lovel Griffin, wore a more powerful Mark II version of the same armor, equipped with weaponry and more physical power (and a snazzy silver paint job).

Griffin was actually mounting his powered armor right now, a more difficult task for his armed version than Kaskin's weaponless variant. Both were protected by EM shielding against radiation, a special request on the part of the Moralites that Kaskin felt uncomfortable with.

"When do we move out?" Kaskin asked the other man shortly.
Publius groaned as the engineers shoved the final pieces of his exoskeleton together. "They've called you here because of an ancient civilization. From what little we've gathered from the ruins down there." Publius motioned towards the planet beneath them "We've apparently discovered an entire civilization who erased themselves in a nuclear war." Publius shrugged. "Or perhaps an accident. We don't know. And that's what we're going to find out. We'll leave as soon as everyone is suited up and ready."

A few hundred kilometers away, space was torn open and a massive gravity rift was torn open. From it came not a Greywatch ship, but a Forbidden Minstry ship. The ship was a good kilometer in length and was quick to approach the others who had gathered. Cryptic energies flowed from and gathered around the ship, giving it an unnatural aura. As it approached the others, they would all feel some unnerving force coming from the vessel. When the vessel reached the others, it came to a stop. Odd energy signatures could be read mechanical and Cryptic functions mingled. A message was put out:

We have arrived. When do we begin?

Sir Alec came back onto the bridge, fully suited up. "Ready to go at your coomand."

Kaskin smirked. "Seem's like everyone's in a hurry, aren't they, Mr. Publius?" he said snidely.

Sir Alec frowned. "I, for one, am eager to explore this place. I always await new knowledge."

Kaskin smirked. "Seem's like everyone's in a hurry, aren't they, Mr. Publius?" he said snidely.
"As am I. But it seems that there's still two more members we're waiting for."
Sir Alec frowned. "I, for one, am eager to explore this place. I always await new knowledge."
"As do I."
A few hundred kilometers away, space was torn open and a massive gravity rift was torn open. From it came not a Greywatch ship, but a Forbidden Minstry ship. The ship was a good kilometer in length and was quick to approach the others who had gathered. Cryptic energies flowed from and gathered around the ship, giving it an unnatural aura. As it approached the others, they would all feel some unnerving force coming from the vessel. When the vessel reached the others, it came to a stop. Odd energy signatures could be read mechanical and Cryptic functions mingled. A message was put out:

We have arrived. When do we begin?
As soon as the other two researchers arrive.
Publius shifted anxiously. He didn't know when they would arrive, and had been waiting forever for this moment. But he couldn't just leave them out here...

"Where are those other two?" Sir Alec asked, "Forgive me, but I grow annoyed."

"Where are those other two?" Sir Alec asked, "Forgive me, but I grow annoyed."

Vibius looked up. "Pub's memory isn't all that. We've only got one more, some noble or other from The Second Alliance. Cedric Blake. Don't remember his title." Vibius then turned his gaze back towards the planet, his mind a thousand miles away...

"Oh, just one?" Sir Alec said, "That is better."

Unacceptable. My patience is thinning by the second and I have no wish to wait here because of others. I will deploy my own preliminary investigation team, starting now.

Anyone who could see it wouldn't believe what the ship was doing. Part of it began to shift and move as if it were a liquid of some sort. Three man-sized pods grew from the hull of the ship and proceeded to the surface of the world, not waiting for anyone to tell them to do otherwise.

"Um, did anyone see what I saw?" Sir Alec pointed out the viewscreen.

Unacceptable. My patience is thinning by the second and I have no wish to wait here because of others. I will deploy my own preliminary investigation team, starting now.

Anyone who could see it wouldn't believe what the ship was doing. Part of it began to shift and move as if it were a liquid of some sort. Three man-sized pods grew from the hull of the ship and proceeded to the surface of the world, not waiting for anyone to tell them to do otherwise.
"No one is going to get there before I do!" Publius Roared. "Captain! Ready the pods, we're going down!" The captain shook his head. "Your armor will never stand it. Use the HAWC in the hanger. Code is 774453." Publius began to run down to the hanger, motioning for the others to join him. Pushing through the hanger bay doors, he typed in the code and began to start up the HAWC...

Sir Alec ran after Publius, staying close behind. He had a feeling that following this man was the right thing to do.

By the time Publius had started up the HAWC, the pods had already entered the atmosphere. A bright white light gathered around their black hulls as they feel to the surface. A soon as they were close enough to the ground, tendrals would form on the bottom. With no ability to slow themselves, they simply smashed into the surface, leaving massive craters as they did so.

Sir Alec ran after Publius, staying close behind. He had a feeling that following this man was the right thing to do.

Vibius was close behind, quickly giving orders to the Captain. "Save another HAWC and a free pilot for the other two. We'll set up a beacon so they can find us. And please, try not to overload the manufacturing capabilities. This ship is, what, twenty years old?" Vibius opened the hatch for Sir Alec as he jumped in and strapped himself down.

Kyle followed after Sir Alec. It seemed like a race to the planet...

Sir Alec jumped into the hatch and nodded thanks to Vibius. He quickly strapped himself in, as well.

Once the pods had reached the surface, they began to change their shape. Their tendrals acted as roots and began digging into the ground, gathering soil samples. Holes opened up in the main pod bodies to gather air samples and scan the area. The pods were nothing more than extensions of the ship. Everything they saw, felt, heard... so too did the ship.

As soon as Kyle was in, Publius rushed the HAWC out of the airlock, clipping the opening hatch. "PUB! Slow down! You can't study anything if we burn up before we even reach the surface." If anything, this seemed to make Publius push the HAWC to go faster, red lights flashing, and the small quarters almost falling apart. "Warning: Shields offline." The computer droned. "Damage critical. Pull your HAWC out of combat." A gigantic rumble shook the HAWC. And then it stopped. "HAWC damage beyond repair. All systems shutting down." Publius shook quietly, visibly frightened. "D-d-did we make it?" Vibius gasped in pain, pulling off his straps. Putting his hand on Publius' shoulder, he sighed. "If you ever do that again, I'll shoot you myself." Pulling open the hatch door, he walked outside to the gray wasteland below. Two rising columns of smoke rose into the air in the distance. A large, crumbling palace lay about a mile away. "Yeah, we're here."

"Wow. That was an... interesting ride." Sir Alec climbed out of the hatch. "Well, this is desolate. Interesting."

OOC: CM, taking scans and samples. You need to tell me what's around me.

"Wow. That was an... interesting ride." Sir Alec climbed out of the hatch. "Well, this is desolate. Interesting."

Publius nodded, slowly stepping out, his whole body still shaking under the exoskeleton. "C-completly desolate. Filled with radiation, not unlike that from military grade Nuclear weaponry. The only interesting thing is: We didn't do it. N-nothing here has suggested any level of technology even close to nuclear research. Which is why we're here."

OOC: CM, taking scans and samples. You need to tell me what's around me.
OOC: I know.

The ground was completely lifeless, saturated with several types of radiation, none of which came from the nearby star, and left with no real use. The air had little moisture in it, and, like the soil, was crawling with radiation. Oxygen and carbon dioxide were strangely lacking on such a life-filled planet.

Sir Alec looked around, processing the information he had been given. Nuclear energy from some unknown source? Very intriguing.

The pods found nothing of any real interest and they opened up like blooming flowers. They released several small black orbs which all began to scatter and search the surrounding area. The now open pods shifted again, this time into dog-like figures. The newly formed pods, now in their dog-like form, quickly ran to where the rest of the group was gathered with unnatural speed.

"What are those things?" Sir Alec asked, staring at the black, dog-like things.

The pods found nothing of any real interest and they opened up like blooming flowers. They released several small black orbs which all began to scatter and search the surrounding area. The now open pods shifted again, this time into dog-like figures. The newly formed pods, now in their dog-like form, quickly ran to where the rest of the group was gathered with unnatural speed.

"Vibius! Over there!" Publius shouted, grabbing onto Vibius' exoskeleton. Looking through his scope, a puzzled look took hold of his face. "Their...Some kind of dog...I think. I can't tell." Publius shook his head. "Dogs couldn't survive out here! It's obviously those Graywatch fellows, sending them to kill us!" Vibius glared at Publius "Are you sure that suit's stopping the radiation? You usually aren't this paranoid, or hasty. I say we wait." Moving his gun up across his shoulder, he waited for the racing dog-like creatures to arrive...

"Are those dangerous?" Sir Alec readied his gun, just in case.

"What are those things?" Sir Alec asked, staring at the black, dog-like things.

Vibius shook his head. "I don't know. Pub, take your pills. Right arm control panel."

Kyle took his pistol out of its holster, quickly loading in the 24 round clip, and readied his shoulder cannon. "They look dangerous to me, sir."

OOC: Greywatch? I stated this is an FM ship.
IC:

Once the creatures reach the group they came to an immediate stop. One of them opened its maw, gaping wide. I currently have my own eyes and ears spreading themselves over the surface but so far they have not found anything of interest. I do hope you have had better luck. It was the same voice as before, the voice of the ship sitting in orbit.

"Are those dangerous?" Sir Alec readied his gun, just in case.

Vibius scoffed, his voice confident, and somewhat scornful. "This isn't a movie. If the guy with the rifle who knows how to use it can't kill 'em, the researcher with the little pistol sure as hell can't."

"Well, then. Here's to hoping they don't kill us all." Sir Alec shifted his stance, keeping the dog-things in his sights.

"I think its talking to us..." Kyle said, his in-suit computer processing the noise.

OOC: Greywatch? I stated this is an FM ship.
IC:

Once the creatures reach the group they came to an immediate stop. One of them opened its maw, gaping wide. I currently have my own eyes and ears spreading themselves over the surface but so far they have not found anything of interest. I do hope you have had better luck. It was the same voice as before, the voice of the ship sitting in orbit.
OOC: Damn. I always get that mixed up.

"Well then, you're obviously blind. Can't you see those ruins over that way?" Vibius pointed at the palace. "We're going there. I suggest you do the same." Adjusting his helmet, He realized how ridiculous he sounded. I'm talking to a dog! Maybe I grabbed the wrong suit this morning... Publius backed away, searching for something to pick up should the dogs attack.

"Yes.. yes, it is," Sir Alec said, "It sounds the same as that ship did, earlier."

"Yes.. yes, it is," Sir Alec said, "It sounds the same as that ship did, earlier."

Vibius nodded. "I think you're right... Could it be part of a hive-mind?" Glancing back towards the dogs, he nervously shifted.

"Are you from that ship?" Kyle asked to the dog. What am I doing? Have I finally gone insane? Kyle thought. Talking to a dog...

Vibius nodded. "I think you're right... Could it be part of a hive-mind?" Glancing back towards the dogs, he nervously shifted.

"It could be a hive mind," Sir Alec said, "Those are common in nature."

And you obviously haven't noticed we landed quite a few clicks from here. But enough about that subject. The creature closed its maw and the orbs that had been deployed before hand returned to the group of FM muts, quickly being absorbed into the dark bodies of the creatures. One of the three dogs ran off to the ruins at great speed, while two of the creatures remained with the group. The lead creature opened its mouth again, You should learn by now that we're all on the same side, I would appriciate your trust.

"Yes.. yes, it is," Sir Alec said, "It sounds the same as that ship did, earlier."

Correct, I am the ship from before.

Vibius nodded. "I think you're right... Could it be part of a hive-mind?" Glancing back towards the dogs, he nervously shifted.

Close but not quite. What you see before you are nothing more than extentions. I am them and they are me. Simple.

"Are you from that ship?" Kyle asked to the dog. What am I doing? Have I finally gone insane? Kyle thought. Talking to a dog...

I am the ship.

"I suppose, if we're on the same side. Your dogs just scared me," Sir Alec said.

"Are you from that ship?" Kyle asked to the dog. What am I doing? Have I finally gone insane? Kyle thought. Talking to a dog...

Publius threw his hands up. "I don't have time to go insane!" he shouted, dragging the back thrusters from the crashed HAWC. "Vibius, give me a hand." Vibius muttered to Kyle "If he keeps this up he'll have my foot, and he won't be pleased where I put it"

"Yes. Mysterious things in this desereted place, just scary."

Sir Alec ran over to Publius. "What are you doing? Can I help?"

Kyle laughed under his breath, and turned mute on in his suit so the pompous researcher wouldn't hear. Turning back on, he whispered to Vibius, "Yes, and if he goes on like this, we'll never find anything. Those things will have stripped down this area by the time were organized."

And you obviously haven't noticed we landed quite a few clicks from here. But enough about that subject. The creature closed its maw and the orbs that had been deployed before hand returned to the group of FM muts, quickly being absorbed into the dark bodies of the creatures. One of the three dogs ran off to the ruins at great speed, while two of the creatures remained with the group. The lead creature opened its mouth again, You should learn by now that we're all on the same side, I would appriciate your trust.
"It's not me you have to convince. It's this wacko I've been assigned to. I trust you as much as anyone else here."

Close but not quite. What you see before you are nothing more than extentions. I am them and they are me. Simple.



I am the ship.
Vibius shrugged as Publius continued to rip apart the HAWC, welding pieces together and completely ignoring the dogs. "I'm not going to quibble over definitions. It's close enough for me."
"Vibius! Push this together! I might be able to weld this together, and-"
"And get us all killed on some half-assed hover-platform? I don't think so." Vibius shouldered his rifle. "I'm walking."

Sir Alec looked between Vibius and Publicus. "Walking? Ah, yes, walking is probably best."

OOC- my character is kind of like an annoying puppy, isn't he

Sir Alec ran over to Publius. "What are you doing? Can I help?"
Publius nodded. "Here, drag that canister over and twist it onto the thruster. If it doesn't work then, we're walking." Glancing at the dogs again, he motioned for Alec to hurry up.
Kyle laughed under his breath, and turned mute on in his suit so the pompous researcher wouldn't hear. Turning back on, he whispered to Vibius, "Yes, and if he goes on like this, we'll never find anything. Those things will have stripped down this area by the time were organized."
Vibius nodded. Not that he cared. He just wasn't about to get himself blown up in a wrecked HAWC, to get to something he had no real interest in. And if anyone came looking for them, it'd be at the assigned palace.

Sir Alec hastened to do as Publius said, dragging the canister over to him and twisting it onto the thruster.

Sir Alec looked between Vibius and Publicus. "Walking? Ah, yes, walking is probably best."

OOC- my character is kind of like an annoying puppy, isn't he
OOC: Yes!:p But it's good to have a variety of characters.:D

A large explosion rocked the nearby area. Publius was suddenly sent into the air, helplessly flailing his arms about. Landing a few feet in front of Vibius, he pulled him to his feet. Vibius nodded to Alec. "We're walking."

"Glad thats settled." Kyle said, holstering his pistol. "Lead the way."

"Well then. We're walking." Sir Alec nodded, like that was somehow his decision.

OOC- I'm glad you see it that way

The two 'Bloodhounds,' as the ship now decided to name them, moved alongside the group. Meanwhile, their companion up ahead entered the ruins and began to look around for anything of interest. It released the same small, spherical objects like before and began commanding them to look over the entire area in full detail.

"Glad thats settled." Kyle said, holstering his pistol. "Lead the way."

"Well then. We're walking." Sir Alec nodded, like that was somehow his decision.

OOC- I'm glad you see it that way

Vibius led the way with a quick pace, obviously unsettled by the wide, barren plains. Almost carrying Publius, he seemed to take the burden without so much as slowing down. "It looks like it's closer then I thought." Publius said, joy filling his voice. "My life's dream, right in front of me!"

"I'm glad it's so close!" Sir Alec said, "It's always nice when one's dreams are fulfilled!"

OOC- this is my last post, must get beauty's sleep

The two 'Bloodhounds,' as the ship now decided to name them, moved alongside the group. Meanwhile, their companion up ahead entered the ruins and began to look around for anything of interest. It released the same small, spherical objects like before and began commanding them to look over the entire area in full detail.

The Palace opened up with a half-destroyed courtyard, two fountains, long dried up and falling apart, stood on each side. A wall surrounded the palace, cracked and crumbling in some places, yet not even scratched in others. There was no door leading into a palace, just a great, gaping hole.

Kyle looked around in awe. "Look at those pillars... amazing they survived a nuclear type blast... and those walls! Look at those carvings!" He then coughed, and shook himself. "Sorry, little boy in candy shop moment there."

"I'm glad it's so close!" Sir Alec said, "It's always nice when one's dreams are fulfilled!"

OOC- this is my last post, must get beauty's sleep
OOC: *resists joke about you needing lots of it*

: Fantastic.

"Goddamit!" Ivan came from the lavatory, a long affair what with his armor, and noticed the mission had already been executed. Pods were streaking planetward. Cursing, he ran for the quarters and found Griffin suited up.

"They've left, sir," the NCO said respectfully. "And I'm not sure how the pods work. However..."

"What?"

"These suits are designed for all-purpose flight and atmospheric conditions. We could jump through a podhole and freefall." Griffin considered it.

The scientist looked doubtful. "Is it safe?"

"I've tested it."

Shuddering, Kaskin looked at the drop bay. Without looking back at the other armored figure, he charged for the hole and leaped into space. The suit's alarms beeped rapidly -- oh, no, that was the altimeter. The first moments of panic were overridden by exhilaration. Flight! What a thrilling feeling! He looked around at Griffin, just in time to see the soldier streak by even faster than him.

"Fire your repulsors, sir," Ivan heard in his headset.

Obeying the NCO's command, the scientist was jolted forward even faster, a red bullet aimed at the ground. He began to grow more concerned.

"Will be be smashed, Loren?" He asked worriedly.

"Auto retro-thrust, sir. Your suit will effectively land itself." A pause, then: "There they are."

Sure enough, a group of figures walked along the desolate plains, gesticulating in obvious argument or discussion. Kaskin felt his suit begin revolving itself until it was upright, before he hit the ground with enough force to make a meter-deep crater. He stood up in time to see Griffin drop gracefully down from a hover.

"We're here," Kaskin said simply.

The shperical objects continued to collect information on the area. Anything worth seeing was going to be seen. The lone hound proceeded into the main structure, looking around for anything of interest. The other two hounds simply stuck with the group saying nothing. The ship was finding this place fairly interesting and decided the Drone and its escort would be sent in soon. One of the hounds looked up as other figures could be seen. The hounds were unphased as these figures hit the ground and didn't bother saying anything to them.

Kyle looked around in awe. "Look at those pillars... amazing they survived a nuclear type blast... and those walls! Look at those carvings!" He then coughed, and shook himself. "Sorry, little boy in candy shop moment there."

Publius nodded. "But we have to get into there. That's where all the hieroglyphs are." He wrested himself away from Vibius, and half ran, hlaf limped inside, leaning on the crumbling walls for support. "Vibius! I need a light!" Vibius sighed and ran into there, activating his low-light sensors as he entered the palace. What He saw next amazed him. The inside of the Palace looked as if it had been built yesterday, its' golden walls untouched, gems shining in intricate patterns. But what disturbed him is that there wasn't a single speck of dust anywhere. Grabbing the flashlight from Vibius' belt, Publius gasped, but with more joy then fear. "Pub... I think we should leave..."
"Never! Everything here is already dead, we have nothing to fear, other then the opening of our minds! New knowledge, leading to a greater understanding of this ancient civilization!" Flipping open one of his books, he muttered to himself, trying to translate these strange marks...

[OOC]: Hopefully you were so busy writing your post that you missed me throwing myself into this.

OOC: I editted.

Kyle felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise. "I don't think we should stay here..." he said, easing out his shoulder cannons, and reaching for his pistol.

: Fantastic.

"Goddamit!" Ivan came from the lavatory, a long affair what with his armor, and noticed the mission had already been executed. Pods were streaking planetward. Cursing, he ran for the quarters and found Griffin suited up.

"They've left, sir," the NCO said respectfully. "And I'm not sure how the pods work. However..."

"What?"

"These suits are designed for all-purpose flight and atmospheric conditions. We could jump through a podhole and freefall." Griffin considered it.

The scientist looked doubtful. "Is it safe?"

"I've tested it."

Shuddering, Kaskin looked at the drop bay. Without looking back at the other armored figure, he charged for the hole and leaped into space. The suit's alarms beeped rapidly -- oh, no, that was the altimeter. The first moments of panic were overridden by exhilaration. Flight! What a thrilling feeling! He looked around at Griffin, just in time to see the soldier streak by even faster than him.

"Fire your repulsors, sir," Ivan heard in his headset.

Obeying the NCO's command, the scientist was jolted forward even faster, a red bullet aimed at the ground. He began to grow more concerned.

"Will be be smashed, Loren?" He asked worriedly.

"Auto retro-thrust, sir. Your suit will effectively land itself." A pause, then: "There they are."

Sure enough, a group of figures walked along the desolate plains, gesticulating in obvious argument or discussion. Kaskin felt his suit begin revolving itself until it was upright, before he hit the ground with enough force to make a meter-deep crater. He stood up in time to see Griffin drop gracefully down from a hover.

"We're here," Kaskin said simply.
OOC: What took ya?:D

Publius motioned for them to come into the structure, refusing them any more attention as he flipped wildly through his book labeled Perspoctian Hieroglyphs: Translations and history. Throwing the book down, he threw his arms up in the air. "There's nothing in that book that's on these walls! It's a new discovery, Terra Incognita!"

OOC: Graywatch, as soon as your drone and his golem are in, the fun can begin...:D

"Sir, I think these are warnings... they have a threatining nature about them... and its not just the odd skull symbol setting me off..."

"A book, huh?" Kaskin, undeterred by his late arrival, stepped up with his datapad, which contained a powerful glyph program that not only tested against known glyphs, but surmised what might be intended in a completely unknown section.

Triumphantly, he held up the essentially super-powered PDA to eye level, the camera taking in the image of the symbols. Waiting about five seconds, he was thrilled to see that his method of translation revealed... nothing?

"How can this be?" he muttered to himself.

"Nothing?" Kyle ran his especially for languages in-built translator. The light flew across the carvings, then it popped up on his HUD- ERROR: UNKNOWN LANGUAGE!! Then a smaller one popped up. SENDING TO DECHIPER MECHANISM. WAIT TWO MINUTES.

"Sir, I think these are warnings... they have a threatining nature about them... and its not just the odd skull symbol setting me off..."
"Nonsense! If the story of Beowulf was told in these hieroglyphs, I'm sure it'd contain plenty of skulls too. Since when do ancient cultures try to warn intruders of danger?" Pumping a large device, the air around them crackled and fizzled for a moment as Pub gained a full 3-D image of the Hieroglyphs.
"A book, huh?" Kaskin, undeterred by his late arrival, stepped up with his datapad, which contained a powerful glyph program that not only tested against known glyphs, but surmised what might be intended in a completely unknown section.

Triumphantly, he held up the essentially super-powered PDA to eye level, the camera taking in the image of the symbols. Waiting about five seconds, he was thrilled to see that his method of translation revealed... nothing?

"How can this be?" he muttered to himself.
Publius smiled. "It isn't like anything we've ever encountered before. It's trying to compare water to fire. Complete opposites."
"Nothing?" Kyle ran his especially for languages in-built translator. The light flew across the carvings, then it popped up on his HUD- ERROR: UNKNOWN LANGUAGE!! Then a smaller one popped up. SENDING TO DECHIPER MECHANISM. WAIT TWO MINUTES.
Vibius had begun to search around, turning on his Sonar. Carefully testing it, his HUD displayed a large group of small objects a few dozen yards up ahead. "Publius, there's something up there. I think we should leave." Absorbed in his holograph machine, Pub muttered "It's just a pillar, or a courtyard. I'll check it out when I'm done here."

The decoding came back. It said ONE WORD TRANSLATED. Kyle brought the one word on screen. It was THE.

"Oh great."

Griffin shifted uneasily, his left-shoulder mounted rotary cannon shifting slightly in its upright position while the right shoulder's targeting laser shifted around the empty space. Using his eyes to navigate his HUD, he called up a passive area scan, and was rewarded by a disc-like image in the apparent lower right of his visor, with pulsing dots. There were several around him, the scientists and company, and about 25 meters or so ahead...

"Vibius is right," the NCO said softly. "There is more than something up there -- there are somethings."

The Hounds looked around the ruins, very interesting indeed. They were very well preserved, too well preserved. Something else was here, these 'ruins' were far too perfect. The hounds had decided it was time they did some more recon work. Two of them moved together and morphed into one being. A large (10ft tall), muscular-looking, humaoid with pitch black skin, red tattoos, and glowing white eyes. I cannot detect anything threatening in these ruins. However, it may be best if we remain on guard. There is no harm in being careful. The other bloodhound began to look around further in the ruins. Now then, I believe it is time I hand this operation over the Archivist. It is on its way now. The ship in orbit opened its bay doors and a transport quickly began approaching the surface.

OOC: CM, I do believe we have to wait for TSA.

Griffin shifted uneasily, his left-shoulder mounted rotary cannon shifting slightly in its upright position while the right shoulder's targeting laser shifted around the empty space. Using his eyes to navigate his HUD, he called up a passive area scan, and was rewarded by a disc-like image in the apparent lower right of his visor, with pulsing dots. There were several around him, the scientists and company, and about 25 meters or so ahead...

"Vibius is right," the NCO said softly. "There is more than something up there -- there are somethings."
"Yeah. A bunch of pillars." Standing up, Publius waltzed over to Vibius. "Transfer data to my HUD." Nodding confidently, Publius noted "Just as I suspected. See the straight columns? The neat lines and rows? Pillars. I'll take a look at them after I finish graphing these Glyphs."

The Hounds looked around the ruins, very interesting indeed. They were very well preserved, too well preserved. Something else was here, these 'ruins' were far too perfect. The hounds had decided it was time they did some more recon work. Two of them moved together and morphed into one being. A large (10ft tall), muscular-looking, humaoid with pitch black skin, red tattoos, and glowing white eyes. I cannot detect anything threatening in these ruins. However, it may be best if we remain on guard. There is no harm in being careful. The other bloodhound began to look around further in the ruins. Now then, I believe it is time I hand this operation over the Archivist. It is on its way now. The ship in orbit opened its bay doors and a transport quickly began approaching the surface.

OOC: CM, I do believe we have to wait for TSA.

OOC: *sigh* I suppose you're right... *Momentum lost.*

: Hopefully he comes up with something neato like I did. (I didn't really think derivative Iron Man Armor was spaceworthy, but w/e.

Also, 18 in a bit more than an hour. FTW.

: Hopefully he comes up with something neato like I did. (I didn't really think derivative Iron Man Armor was spaceworthy, but w/e.

Also, 18 in a bit more than an hour. FTW.

OOC: Ha! Old fart.:p

OOC: Au Revior!

Sir Alec was running his hands over the walls, staring at the carvings on them.

[Bump?]

OOC: OI! TSA!

*sigh* Should we go on without him?

OOC: I'm here, at the moment, if that helps the decision.

[OOC]: I would say so, CM...

OOC:Alright, let's just go. Greywatch, I'm just waiting for your drones and his golem to get into the ruined palace.

OOC: TSA, I tried... though, in all fairness, no one has actually responded to my last post in an IC way so technically I'm waiting on you fools. HA! How's that for a reversal?! :p

OOC: TSA, I tried... though, in all fairness, no one has actually responded to my last post in an IC way so technically I'm waiting on you fools. HA! How's that for a reversal?! :p
OOC: Oh noez! I did not notice that! :(:tongue:
The Hounds looked around the ruins, very interesting indeed. They were very well preserved, too well preserved. Something else was here, these 'ruins' were far too perfect. The hounds had decided it was time they did some more recon work. Two of them moved together and morphed into one being. A large (10ft tall), muscular-looking, humaoid with pitch black skin, red tattoos, and glowing white eyes. I cannot detect anything threatening in these ruins. However, it may be best if we remain on guard. There is no harm in being careful. The other bloodhound began to look around further in the ruins. Now then, I believe it is time I hand this operation over the Archivist. It is on its way now. The ship in orbit opened its bay doors and a transport quickly began approaching the surface.

OOC: CM, I do believe we have to wait for TSA.
Vibius peeked outside. "Hey, there's another transport coming down!" From inside echoed Publius' voice "Quiet down! I can't concentrate with your infernal yakking!" Releasing the safety on his gun, Vibius started back inside the Palace. No. I can't do this. Too many witnesses. Vibius turned back, watching the small dot in the sky make it's way towards the planet...

OOC: BUMP! People, get to posting!

(OOC: I'm very sorry I haven't posted earlier! I had a family emergency out of town and I haven't had a chance to get online. Post incoming tommorrow. Expect it to be good.

Oh, and CM, I love Publius. The fact that he needs to practically chug stress pills is amazing. He reminds me of Doctor McKay from Stargate Atlantis, only more neurotic, if that's possible... :D)

Geostationary Orbit, Upper Northern Pole-------------------------

Above the planet's northern expanses, the stars shimmered, the majesty of the infinite universe displayed dramatically against the permanent twilight of the artic day. Then, in the sky above the planet, a distortion. With a rippling dimensional shockwave and a bright flash of white light that breifly outshone the star of the planetary system, the Seventh Son space folded into orbit, it's slender form popping into existence from it's brief trip outside of the normal universe.

Almost immediately after the ship appeared above the planet, it's identification transponders reactivated, highlighting the craft on the other ship's scanners with a bright blue digitaly-superimposed glow, and the five-tiered ring of the Second Alliance appeared above the shimmering craft.

Along with the identification beacon, the Seventh Son emitted a broadband transmission on FLEETCOMM for all the assembled ships to receive. The signal was visual and audio, displaying a young man about thirty with dirty black hair and brilliant green eyes. He stood in a suit of polished armor, it's glossy black finished edged with a radioactive shade of green.

"All Ships, Hear and Take Heed. I am Cedric Vincent Blake, Thirty Second Heir Descendant of the Commonwealth of the Second Alliance of Human Nations, commander of the Research and Exploration Vessel "Seventh Son", flagship of the first galactic cartography fleet of the Second Alliance.

I apologize for the delay of my arrival, but we ran into difficulty with the Moralite Buearacracy. It has been taken care of, and there are no hard feelings either way. I am ready to deploy to the surface any time you wish me too, and so will stand by until you return my hail.

In addition, it is good to see allies of the Second Alliance present in the Greywatch and Imglotian forces. I look forward to working alongside you all. End"

Bridge of the Seventh Son-----------------------

Cedric breathed a sigh of relief, sitting down in his captain's chair. The bridge of the Seventh Son was not as large or spacious as the sweepingly gradious command bridges of the Keyships of his Heir Ascendant brethren, but it was far from cramped.

Cedric's chair was elevated above the remainder of the bridge crew's positions, as tradition dictated, but due to the bridge's dimensions, the command precipace was only about a foot above the other bridge crew. Seated around him in a semi-circle arrangement was his officers: Ensign Dawn on Communications, Ensign Dimitri on Tactical, Ensign Brutus at the helm, and Ensign Darius on Engineering. Sitting on lowered positions, one at each of Cedric's arms, were his two personal assistants. Lieutenant Minor Valerie was transcribing Cedric's message by hand unto a holographically projected writing pad for a permanent record, while Lieutenant Minor Jeffery reclined at Cedric's right hand, casually scanning the Seventh Son's shipwide inventory to pass the time.

Jeffery grinned and spun his magnetically levitating chair to face Ensign Dawn. "Well, Dawn, anything interesting we should know?"

Ensign Dawn rotated her own chair to face Cedric, making a point of turning past Jeffery while she did so.

"It appears as if the other craft have already launched their archeological teams to the surface. It seems like we're late..." she punctuated the sentence with a glare at Lieutenant Jeffery.

The orange-haired Lieutenant Minor blushed and shrugged akwardly, "How is this my fault?"

Dawn continued to stare daggers at Cedric's bewildered advisor, "If you hadn't opened your big mouth and called the Moralite giving us clearance for this mission a 'pompous retard who couldn't read the screen in front of him to save his life' for asking who we were and what our intentions were, we'd have breezed through that checkpoint..."

Jeffery growled angrily, "Well, maybe if you learned not to hold your hand on the freaking transmission button absent-mindedly, the moron wouldn't have heard me!"

Cedric stood up and tapped his foot on the deck plating of his command precipace for attention, "That's enough, you two. As much as I find your sparring entertaining, let's not get into it now. We have an important mission to attend to, and I don't want you two bickering the whole time..."

The two crewmen shot one last look of pure poison at each other before turning back to their holographic displays and busying themselves furiously. Cedric groaned and shook his head.

This is why Grandmother told me to not let my crewmen sleep together... He thought wearily.

"More people," Kaskin said dryly as he continued studying the marks on the walls. He glanced sideways at the rest of the group, seeing if any reaction had been drawn that.

And for Griffin's part, there was still an air of discomfort with the place. Something was wrong in this hellhole. It was more than sensors that told him that; his intuition was screaming bloody murder in his face. His hunches had, against all cliches, tended to be correct, and not conveniently so. He had a knack for feeling out the world.

Watching the emptiness of the ruins, he waved his hand off into the darkness vaguely. "Something... something is just not right," he said again. "There's an almost menacing air, an atmosphere of... well, badness."

The FM transport came across the desolate landscape, using the hounds as a form of beacon. The trasport quickly passed over the ruins, the alien hum of its engines being heard by all those below. After passing over the ruins and cofirming that the hounds were indeed there, the transport did a quick turn-around and passed back over the group, stopping above the courtyard. The transport didn't actually touchdown but instead simply hovered some meters above the ground. After a few seconds, the Archivist and its guardian droid, Golem, materialized on the surface. The large, black humanoid that had been formed from the two hounds merging moved to the trnasport and dematerialized. The third hound was about to leave as well but decided to stay with the Archivist as extra support, fallen gods knew the Archivist would need all the help it could get. The Archivist looked like any other Drone, for the most part. Its solid black eyes looked over the group and its black lips wore no expression. Its nails, teeth, and hair were also solid black, as were the robes it would've been wearing if not for its suit. Instead, all anyone would be able to see was the white, unmarked suit of bioarmor; Greywatch's standard, multipurpose fieldwear. The Archivist gave a slight bow, "I am here. And if I'm correct, those of The Second Alliance have arrived as well. Shall we wait for them, or proceed ahead. I can assure you, I am far more patient than the ship I came in on." A voice in the Archivist's head called out: I heard that.

(OOC: Bump...)

"More people!" Sir Alec said, "I always like seeing more people!"

Bridge of the Seventh Son-----------------------

Cedric began twiddling a tiny, cyndrilical power cell from his magnetic chair's spare battery pack between his index finger and thumb, a simple excerise his father taught him that could gauge his hardsuit's reaction time. It was almost perfectly synced with his own from what he could tell. Ensign Darius yawned loudly.

"Cedric, this getting pretty boring. And I'm a scientist... I know boring..."

Cedric rolled his eyes but silently agreed with his chief engineer: Cedric didn't mind relaxing at all, but waiting mindlessly for landing clearence from these Moralites was geting slightly tiresome... perhaps a diversion would perk them up...

"Ensign Dawn, open a channel on FLEETCOMM. Wide beam frequency, this isn't a private message..."

Ensign Dawn nodded and tapped on her panel rapidly for about a half minute. She then counted down on her fingers to let Cedric know when to speak...

"Surface teams, while we wait for landing clearance, how about filling us in on what's transpired so far? We could use a conversation..."

The Golem picked up the message and forwarded it to the Archivist, who in turn made the ship in orbit respond.
You may send your people down to the surface whenever you wish, regardless of what the Moralites say. The fact that you are here is clearance enough. I know I didn't wait for clearance, I don't believe you have to either. It's a needless formality. Within the message is a location beacon for the Archivist, you can use it to find the rest of the group. Be warned there are ruins on the surface, if your trnasport is small enough, you might be able to drop down into the courtyard. I'm sure everyone on the surface looks forward to seeing you.
With that, the ship went silent once more.

Bridge of the Seventh Son-----------------------

Cedric began twiddling a tiny, cyndrilical power cell from his magnetic chair's spare battery pack between his index finger and thumb, a simple excerise his father taught him that could gauge his hardsuit's reaction time. It was almost perfectly synced with his own from what he could tell. Ensign Darius yawned loudly.

"Cedric, this getting pretty boring. And I'm a scientist... I know boring..."

Cedric rolled his eyes but silently agreed with his chief engineer: Cedric didn't mind relaxing at all, but waiting mindlessly for landing clearence from these Moralites was geting slightly tiresome... perhaps a diversion would perk them up...

"Ensign Dawn, open a channel on FLEETCOMM. Wide beam frequency, this isn't a private message..."

Ensign Dawn nodded and tapped on her panel rapidly for about a half minute. She then counted down on her fingers to let Cedric know when to speak...


"Oh, aye. Your cleared to go down at any moment ya need to. Our crackpot raced down there as soon as those Ministry fellows went down, shouting about how they were trying to steal his glory and whatnot. The surface teams might not pick it up. Those damned ruins garble most transmissions." The Captain turned off his transmission screen. "Dear God, will this day never end?..."

The FM transport came across the desolate landscape, using the hounds as a form of beacon. The trasport quickly passed over the ruins, the alien hum of its engines being heard by all those below. After passing over the ruins and cofirming that the hounds were indeed there, the transport did a quick turn-around and passed back over the group, stopping above the courtyard. The transport didn't actually touchdown but instead simply hovered some meters above the ground. After a few seconds, the Archivist and its guardian droid, Golem, materialized on the surface. The large, black humanoid that had been formed from the two hounds merging moved to the trnasport and dematerialized. The third hound was about to leave as well but decided to stay with the Archivist as extra support, fallen gods knew the Archivist would need all the help it could get. The Archivist looked like any other Drone, for the most part. Its solid black eyes looked over the group and its black lips wore no expression. Its nails, teeth, and hair were also solid black, as were the robes it would've been wearing if not for its suit. Instead, all anyone would be able to see was the white, unmarked suit of bioarmor; Greywatch's standard, multipurpose fieldwear. The Archivist gave a slight bow, "I am here. And if I'm correct, those of The Second Alliance have arrived as well. Shall we wait for them, or proceed ahead. I can assure you, I am far more patient than the ship I came in on." A voice in the Archivist's head called out: I heard that.
Vibius shifted nervously, the archivist's appearance, and sudden materialization rattled even his nerves. "We'll, uh... Wait for the Second Alliance scientists. Pub is already in there, prattling about ancient civilizations and how he's the first and all." Leaning in a bit closer to the Archivist, he whispered "You'll want to watch out. Publius is a bit....Unstable at the moment. He thinks you're here to steal all the glory of finding this place for yourself."

"I am here to learn," said the Archivist, unphased by this knowledge. "I care not for petty desires and fragile egos. If he wishes to think such foolish thoughts than so be it. I only wish to study these ruins and add the knowledge I find here to the Archives." The Archivist proceeded forward, followed by Golem. The hound waited patiently for the being to arrive before sniffing around the area a little more.

(OOC: Tag for post tommorrow)

OOC:Bump

Geostationary Orbit, Arctic Pole, Seven Minutes Later--------------------

Suspended above the atmosphere, the Seventh Son hung in the sky as if observing the planet. Then, with a soft, distant whoosh, the compact, sharp-edged profile of an obsidian-colored Prowler Insertion Lander hurtled from the ship towards the planet, baffled engines emitting no light, sensory profile nearly non-existent.

Whistling through the atmosphere, the small, paper plane-shaped craft glided down to the ground, silent engines briefly firing from time to time to adjust the ship's angle of decent. As it flew, the craft's optical camoflauge kicked in, changing it's skin color to a pattern that matched the skies of the planet, hiding it from all but the most prying of eyes.

The 103.2' long craft glided to the landing coordinates, changing it's paneling colors into a stone-like texture that blended with the ruins around it as it settled down to the ground. A tripod of small, landing struts deployed from beneath the body of the craft, and the rear hatch of the craft opened with a rattling blast of stale air.

Stepping forth from inside stood Cedric Vincent Blake, Thirty Second Heir Descendant of the Commonwealth of the Second Alliance, wearing his obsidian-black royal hardsuit. Flanking him were his two aids, each Lieutenant Minor bedecked in the heavy CQ Hardsuits of their rank, and a number of small, levitating, frisbee-like drones, each less that a foot wide, darting about and chirping like giddy birds.

Cedric stepped towards the group, and though his mask-like helm concealed his face, the warmth of his smile still radiated outward. With a soft click, Cedric activated his hardsuit's speakers...

"Sorry to keep you all waiting. Did I miss much?"

Geostationary Orbit, Arctic Pole, Seven Minutes Later--------------------

Suspended above the atmosphere, the Seventh Son hung in the sky as if observing the planet. Then, with a soft, distant whoosh, the compact, sharp-edged profile of an obsidian-colored Prowler Insertion Lander hurtled from the ship towards the planet, baffled engines emitting no light, sensory profile nearly non-existent.

Whistling through the atmosphere, the small, paper plane-shaped craft glided down to the ground, silent engines briefly firing from time to time to adjust the ship's angle of decent. As it flew, the craft's optical camoflauge kicked in, changing it's skin color to a pattern that matched the skies of the planet, hiding it from all but the most prying of eyes.

The 103.2' long craft glided to the landing coordinates, changing it's paneling colors into a stone-like texture that blended with the ruins around it as it settled down to the ground. A tripod of small, landing struts deployed from beneath the body of the craft, and the rear hatch of the craft opened with a rattling blast of stale air.

Stepping forth from inside stood Cedric Vincent Blake, Thirty Second Heir Descendant of the Commonwealth of the Second Alliance, wearing his obsidian-black royal hardsuit. Flanking him were his two aids, each Lieutenant Major bedecked in the heavy CQ Hardsuits of their rank, and a number of small, levitating, frisbee-like drones, each less that a foot wide, darting about and chirping like giddy birds.

Cedric stepped towards the group, and though his mask-like helm concealed his face, the warmth of his smile still radiated outward. With a soft click, Cedric activated his hardsuit's speakers...

"Sorry to keep you all waiting. Did I miss much?"

Vibius countered Cedric's warm smile with a long, cold stare. "Yeah. You missed a few temper tantrums and a few bouts of paranoia. Good stuff to be around. Espicially fitting for one so 'highly' born." Vibius sneered. "Perhaps his highness' guards would like to carry him on their soldiers all through this ruins. I mean, good heavens, there could be dust in there. And We don't want to get that all over you, now would we? Or maybe that's what those little frisbees are for? A pair of floating stepping stones?" His little tirade ended, Vibius continued his staring match with the floor. He was fed up with all of the bullshit he had been dealing with all day, and really had no interest here.

Geostationary Orbit, Arctic Pole, Seven Minutes Later--------------------

Suspended above the atmosphere, the Seventh Son hung in the sky as if observing the planet. Then, with a soft, distant whoosh, the compact, sharp-edged profile of an obsidian-colored Prowler Insertion Lander hurtled from the ship towards the planet, baffled engines emitting no light, sensory profile nearly non-existent.

Whistling through the atmosphere, the small, paper plane-shaped craft glided down to the ground, silent engines briefly firing from time to time to adjust the ship's angle of decent. As it flew, the craft's optical camoflauge kicked in, changing it's skin color to a pattern that matched the skies of the planet, hiding it from all but the most prying of eyes.

The 103.2' long craft glided to the landing coordinates, changing it's paneling colors into a stone-like texture that blended with the ruins around it as it settled down to the ground. A tripod of small, landing struts deployed from beneath the body of the craft, and the rear hatch of the craft opened with a rattling blast of stale air.

Stepping forth from inside stood Cedric Vincent Blake, Thirty Second Heir Descendant of the Commonwealth of the Second Alliance, wearing his obsidian-black royal hardsuit. Flanking him were his two aids, each Lieutenant Major bedecked in the heavy CQ Hardsuits of their rank, and a number of small, levitating, frisbee-like drones, each less that a foot wide, darting about and chirping like giddy birds.

Cedric stepped towards the group, and though his mask-like helm concealed his face, the warmth of his smile still radiated outward. With a soft click, Cedric activated his hardsuit's speakers...

"Sorry to keep you all waiting. Did I miss much?"
Glad to see another happy face, Sir Alec smiled back at Cedric. "I don't think you've missed much. We've only explored this one ruin."

Cedric cocked an eyebrow at the irate Vibius. His hardsuit identified a slightly raised blood pressure and elevated heart rate synonomous with high levels of stress. As far as Cedric was concerned, this meant the Publius was as bitter and rude to his subordinates as the personel record Cedric had skimmed through had noted.

Cedric continued to smile pleasantly, though it was a little more sympathetic than before... like anyone could see him through his helm. He chuckled a little.

"Friend, if you can lift me in my hardsuit than I will be quite impressed. In full armor, I weight a little under a half-ton due to the heavier alloys in this suit's frame.

However, while I appreciate the sentiment, I'm not here to be a burden. I'm usually a scientist first, but today, first of all, I'm a guest. Second of all, a representative of my people. I am here not to impose upon you, and I can assure you, I can more than carry my own weight about and am quite happy to get me hands dirty. While I may be something akin to a type of prince, I only wear the trappings of one. We pride ourselves on being self-reliant in the Second Alliance, friend. I hope I can convince you of that.

As for my assistants, they're here to help me explore the ruins and do research. We've brought our own equipment, these sensor drones being part of that equipment..." he held out a hand and one of the disk-like constructs settled down into his hand like a playful parrot. It hummed and glowed as if it enjoyed the attention.

"So let's try to stay somewhat upbeat. I know for a soldier like you this must be the most boring thing possible, but then all the more reason to get this over with as pleasantly as possible... hmm?"

Cedric cocked an eyebrow at the irate Vibius. His hardsuit identified a slightly raised blood pressure and elevated heart rate synonomous with high levels of stress. As far as Cedric was concerned, this meant the Publius was as bitter and rude to his subordinates as the personel record Cedric had skimmed through had noted.

Cedric continued to smile pleasantly, though it was a little more sympathetic than before... like anyone could see him through his helm. He chuckled a little.

"Friend, if you can lift me in my hardsuit than I will be quite impressed. In full armor, I weight a little under a half-ton due to the heavier alloys in this suit's frame.

However, while I appreciate the sentiment, I'm not here to be a burden. I'm usually a scientist first, but today, first of all, I'm a guest. Second of all, a representative of my people. I am here not to impose upon you, and I can assure you, I can more than carry my own weight about and am quite happy to get me hands dirty. While I may be something akin to a type of prince, I only wear the trappings of one. We pride ourselves on being self-reliant in the Second Alliance, friend. I hope I can convince you of that.

As for my assistants, they're here to help me explore the ruins and do research. We've brought our own equipment, these sensor drones being part of that equipment..." he held out a hand and one of the disk-like constructs settled down into his hand like a playful parrot. It hummed and glowed as if it enjoyed the attention.

"So let's try to stay somewhat upbeat. I know for a soldier like you this must be the most boring thing possible, but then all the more reason to get this over with as pleasantly as possible... hmm?"

Vibius scowled back at Cedric. "First off, I've got only one job here, and it's not to care about whether you're a guest or a ambassador, or God Almighty himself. It's only to protect a single crackpot scientist. And he isn't you. Second off, I don't care if you pride yourself on being able to blow planets with a single thought, because at the moment, there's only one thought going through my head: I really don't fucking care!" Publius suddenly emerged from the Palace, cheerful and bright, really changed from his early self. Dancing around and hugging his holograph machine, he yelled out, to no one but himself. "I've finally found it! Every dream from the days of youth, finally fulfilled! Yes! Yes! Come inside young one, there's still plenty happening inside!" Vibius looked up at Publius as he danced back inside. "Well. That was...Surprising." Trudging back into the palace, Vibius reluctantly motioned for Cedric to follow.

Kaskin and Griffin exchanged a glance in their armored suits, bewildered at the exchange which had taken place with the arrival of the Second Alliance representative. Sergeant Griffin checked his MoDet system again, ignoring the signatures that Publius and Vibius had dismissed so easily. He shook his head, and motioned his charge to follow him as he followed the Moralite scientist back into the ruins to see this "discovery."

Sir Alec's eyes lit up and he rushed to follow the rest to the place Publius had vanished back into.

The Archivist and hound watched and listened to the exchange between The Second Alliance rep and the Moralite. Pointless bickering, usually listening to biologicals go back and forth in such ways was humerous but the Archivist couldn't help but feel that in this case it was extremely childish. The Archivist and hound headed into the ruins as Publius came out, yerning to see what was really inside.

Publius was cheerfully holographing a vaguely humanoid shape, lying crumpled on the ground. "Can-can you see it? It's made of metal!" Upon closer examination, one could see it was. A sword was attached to all four arms, in the dim light, the shape continued to shine. As the air crackled with electricity once more, a stray spark flew into the shape. It began to shake, shuudder, and finally began to stand itself up with it's 'hands'. Publius' voice heightened to an excited squeal "My God! This is so... Incredible!" Without a second thought, Publius took out a notepad and began to scribble frantically. "...and...the..Perspoctians...have...managed...to...create...and...leave...behind...robot-like..." The Robot began to buzz in a foreign tongue. Placing it's hand against one of the hieroglyphs, the hole behind them suddenly closed up.

Publius looked up, seeming somewhat annoyed at the sudden sounds. "What in hell is going on-" Vibius shoved Publius aside as the robot swung all four of it's swords with incredible skill. Vibius gasped slightly as it sliced through his exoskeleton, his blood draining out, providing a sharp contrast against the bright silver of his armor. Without a word he kicked it down onto the ground, and emptied his rifle into it. Sitting down against the wall, he leaned his head back. Vibius' voice came out, fear ringing throughout. "You hear that?... That's our doom... Death to everyone here..." Loading his rifle again, he motioned towards a side hallway. "Take yourselves that way... That pistol... It'll be quicker..."

"The Great Lord damn it!" Griffin shouted angrily as the scene unfolded. The thing was disabled before he could unload a round of missiles into it, but not before the Moralite 'heavy' was injured. Without a word, Kaskin went over to help the soldier up -- the Duelist armor had been designed for full combat and operations, and could lift a ton, easily.

"C'mon, Vibius," the NCO said nonchalantly as his motion detector blazed anew. "Don't quit like a fuckin' pussy, you got me?" With a quick motion, his hands glowed with the lights of Heaven, and with his weaponized repulsors, he blasted the metallic guardian to Hell, or wherever it came from. "We can get out of here -- there's gotta be another way out." He glanced over to Sir Alec and the Heir. "You mind if I take point?" he asked, as his missile systems lit up on his right shoulder, and his heavy beam cannon swung up to the ready position on his left.

"The Great Lord damn it!" Griffin shouted angrily as the scene unfolded. The thing was disabled before he could unload a round of missiles into it, but not before the Moralite 'heavy' was injured. Without a word, Kaskin went over to help the soldier up -- the Duelist armor had been designed for full combat and operations, and could lift a ton, easily.

"C'mon, Vibius," the NCO said nonchalantly as his motion detector blazed anew. "Don't quit like a fuckin' pussy, you got me?" With a quick motion, his hands glowed with the lights of Heaven, and with his weaponized repulsors, he blasted the metallic guardian to Hell, or wherever it came from. "We can get out of here -- there's gotta be another way out." He glanced over to Sir Alec and the Heir. "You mind if I take point?" he asked, as his missile systems lit up on his right shoulder, and his heavy beam cannon swung up to the ready position on his left.

"You can do whatever you want," Sir Alec said, pointing his pistol nervously at the metal thing.

"The Great Lord damn it!" Griffin shouted angrily as the scene unfolded. The thing was disabled before he could unload a round of missiles into it, but not before the Moralite 'heavy' was injured. Without a word, Kaskin went over to help the soldier up -- the Duelist armor had been designed for full combat and operations, and could lift a ton, easily.

"C'mon, Vibius," the NCO said nonchalantly as his motion detector blazed anew. "Don't quit like a fuckin' pussy, you got me?" With a quick motion, his hands glowed with the lights of Heaven, and with his weaponized repulsors, he blasted the metallic guardian to Hell, or wherever it came from. "We can get out of here -- there's gotta be another way out." He glanced over to Sir Alec and the Heir. "You mind if I take point?" he asked, as his missile systems lit up on his right shoulder, and his heavy beam cannon swung up to the ready position on his left.

"You can do whatever you want," Sir Alec said, pointing his pistol nervously at the metal thing.

Vibius shouted in pain as they lifted him up. "God...My ribcage..." Vibius weakly pushed open his wrist console, and tapped a few buttons. "That...Thing... Ripped me open... I've got... Four minutes before... The nanites can't hold my heart up... After that... I'm through... Just leave me here..." Vibius pointed at Sir Alec's pistol. "If you...want to do me a favor... Shoot me..."

Vibius shouted in pain as they lifted him up. "God...My ribcage..." Vibius weakly pushed open his wrist console, and tapped a few buttons. "That...Thing... Ripped me open... I've got... Four minutes before... The nanites can't hold my heart up... After that... I'm through... Just leave me here..." Vibius pointed at Sir Alec's pistol. "If you...want to do me a favor... Shoot me..."

"Shoot you?" Sir Alec stared at Vibius in shock. "I... you..." He took a deep breath and steeled himself. "All right. I shall make it known that you lived and died with honor."
He aimed at Vibius' chest and closed his eyes, unable to watch himself. He pulled the trigger.

"Shoot you?" Sir Alec stared at Vibius in shock. "I... you..." He took a deep breath and steeled himself. "All right. I shall make it known that you lived and died with honor."
He aimed at Vibius' chest and closed his eyes, unable to watch himself. He pulled the trigger.

Vibuis gasped as the bullet flew into his chest. "DEAR GOD!" He screamed out in pain. "Shoot me in the head... You imbecile..."

Vibuis gasped as the bullet flew into his chest. "DEAR GOD!" He screamed out in pain. "Shoot me in the head... You imbecile..."

"Sorry," Sir Alec whispered. He re-aimed at Vibius' head and pulled the trigger again.

The bullet had not yet entered the air when Griffin raised his hand and sent a repulsor pulse into the face of the soldier. The combined force of the bullet and blast would leave no possibility for survival.

"There," Griffin said contemptibly. "Now I know he's dead. Come on," he told the group, walking into the darkness, chest-mounted spotlight glowing in the lack of light.

Sir Alec shakily holstered his pistol and followed the others, glancing behind him at Vibius' body. The man had been loud and mean, but still... to be killed that way...

The Archivist and its company stayed silent throughout the entire affair. So one had already died, and unfortunantly not much had been learned. A shame, indeed. If only that machine could have been deactivated and studied a bit. No point in dwelling on things, it was time to move out. However, now the Golem and hound were now prepared to fight whatever came next.

"Publius," Kaskin said to his fellow scientist, "You have any clue how we get out of here? There is another way out... right?" Sergeant Griffin, leading them silently and purposelessly through the corridor, keeping an ear on the conversation at hand.

"Publius," Kaskin said to his fellow scientist, "You have any clue how we get out of here? There is another way out... right?" Sergeant Griffin, leading them silently and purposelessly through the corridor, keeping an ear on the conversation at hand.

"How do we get out of here?" Sir Alec immediately leapt to the worst conclusion. "Are we trapped here? Will we die one by one, forced to shoot each other, till the last one kills themselves?" He started to hyperventilate.

"How do we get out of here?" Sir Alec immediately leapt to the worst conclusion. "Are we trapped here? Will we die one by one, forced to shoot each other, till the last one kills themselves?" He started to hyperventilate.

"I very much doubt it will come to that." The Archivist said in an emotionless tone. Out of the entire group, it was probably the most relaxed member. It followed close to the group only to discourage against any attack, not that the Golem and hound weren't capable of defending the Archivist if they needed to.

"Publius," Kaskin said to his fellow scientist, "You have any clue how we get out of here? There is another way out... right?" Sergeant Griffin, leading them silently and purposelessly through the corridor, keeping an ear on the conversation at hand.

"How do we get out of here?" Sir Alec immediately leapt to the worst conclusion. "Are we trapped here? Will we die one by one, forced to shoot each other, till the last one kills themselves?" He started to hyperventilate.

He waved his hand. "There's always a way out. No one has visited a place like this, but as soon as we find a weak spot, Vibius can..." Suddenly he stopped. "Did anyone remember to grab Vibius' pack?" Looking around him, he suddenly realized no one had brought Vibius' pack. "Dear God! His pack had the transmitter! Without it, we can't call for a rail strike to get us out!" Grabbing the exoskeleton of the nearest man, he began to yell at him "Do you realize what this means? We have to go back!"

Luckily, Sir Alec was not the man grabbed. However, he blanched at the idea of going back.
"Go back... back there? But, that thing. It killed him!"

Sgt. Griffin shrugged off the scientist. "You need that pack?" he asked angrily. His cannon whirred as it whipped around to face the way they had come. "I'll get the damned pack. You just stay here and bitch about your lot in life." Without another word, he began hiking back through the hallways, grumbling to himself with the external mic disabled.

"Thank you," Sir Alec called after Sgt. Griffin, "You are very brave!"

"Braver than I am." He whispered to himself.

Luckily, Sir Alec was not the man grabbed. However, he blanched at the idea of going back.
"Go back... back there? But, that thing. It killed him!"
"It doesn't matter! We'll all die if we don't get the pack!"
Sgt. Griffin shrugged off the scientist. "You need that pack?" he asked angrily. His cannon whirred as it whipped around to face the way they had come. "I'll get the damned pack. You just stay here and bitch about your lot in life." Without another word, he began hiking back through the hallways, grumbling to himself with the external mic disabled.
Publius sighed in relief. Turning back to the hieroglyphs, he continued to study them as Griffin made his way back down the hallway.

Further down the hallway, the sound of whirring mechanisms and the sound of hard metal hitting a stone floor could be heard. In fact, as Griffin got closer to where Vibius' body should be, the noises became both louder more frequent...

Sir Alec joined Publius in examining the heiroglyphs, trying to ignore the sounds coming from down the hallway.

The Archivist only gave a slight nod to the Golem, that was all that was needed. Something else was here, something that couldn't be trusted. It was classic, something important is left behind and one of the strongest group members goes to get it. The group was already being split up this early on in the game... very disturbing. The Archivist could guess what was coming next, but only time would confirm its suspicions.

The NCO watched the darkness carefully. More mechanical sounds had become audible, as well as some apparent footsteps. Either one of those things -- perhaps the same one, resurrected -- was waiting down this hallway, ready to cut him to bits. Pausing for a moment, he examined his options, before selecting the easiest. The plasma cannon on his shoulder began charging, ready to loose burning fury on anything that moved, with enough energy to vaporize starship armor.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," he said to the inky blackness, turning off his spotlight to examine the pitch black hallway with his infrared scanners.



Back with the group, Kaskin snorted to himself as the other scientists began studying the glyphs. To be more specific, he was scoffing at Publius's lack of situational awareness and Alec's nonchalance. The Second Alliance Heir had been relatively quiet, himself. Sighing, he joined the other researchers in their investigation.

The NCO watched the darkness carefully. More mechanical sounds had become audible, as well as some apparent footsteps. Either one of those things -- perhaps the same one, resurrected -- was waiting down this hallway, ready to cut him to bits. Pausing for a moment, he examined his options, before selecting the easiest. The plasma cannon on his shoulder began charging, ready to loose burning fury on anything that moved, with enough energy to vaporize starship armor.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," he said to the inky blackness, turning off his spotlight to examine the pitch black hallway with his infrared scanners.



Back with the group, Kaskin snorted to himself as the other scientists began studying the glyphs. To be more specific, he was scoffing at Publius's lack of situational awareness and Alec's nonchalance. The Second Alliance Heir had been relatively quiet, himself. Sighing, he joined the other researchers in their investigation.

As the infrared scanners lit up the hallways, just a yard or two in front of him were dozens of the machines, whirring and slashing up Vibius' body, as if in a form of revenge for their downed comrade. By now his body was a bloody mess, bits of his exoskeleton spread everywhere, his left arm leaning up against a wall, and a river of blood pouring out down the hallway. If the machines had noticed Griffin, they hadn't shown it yet...

... Damn.

These things were like some sort of hive mind, with primal instincts. There was no way an artificial intelligence could behave like this -- not with modern tech, anyway. Maybe these ancients were on to something. Griffin had two choices: try to sneak off, but perhaps lead these things in a massive assault on their group... or face them now. He keyed his internal mic.

"Kaskin," he said quietly, cautious even with his external mic disabled, "There is a whole fuckin' colony of these things here. Tell Publius that the pack is as good as gone. Get your little posse going now. Do not come back for me. I'll come to you."

Inhaling and exhaling a massive breath, he dropped to one knee, the clang sounding through the hallways and alerting the things to his presence. Bracing himself, he raised both palms at the beings. "Up yours," he breathed.

The cannon on his shoulder, the missile pack on his other, his two hands and his chest all released either massive beams of energy or projectiles into the hallway. The walls glassed from the sheer amount of energy expelled. Griffin watched his power cell drain from 90% to 40% in five seconds and ceased the barrage. Watching the dust cloud, he waited for it to settle. If he were lucky, only a few would have survived. If not... at least he might have slowed them down.

... Damn.

These things were like some sort of hive mind, with primal instincts. There was no way an artificial intelligence could behave like this -- not with modern tech, anyway. Maybe these ancients were on to something. Griffin had two choices: try to sneak off, but perhaps lead these things in a massive assault on their group... or face them now. He keyed his internal mic.

"Kaskin," he said quietly, cautious even with his external mic disabled, "There is a whole fuckin' colony of these things here. Tell Publius that the pack is as good as gone. Get your little posse going now. Do not come back for me. I'll come to you."

Inhaling and exhaling a massive breath, he dropped to one knee, the clang sounding through the hallways and alerting the things to his presence. Bracing himself, he raised both palms at the beings. "Up yours," he breathed.

The cannon on his shoulder, the missile pack on his other, his two hands and his chest all released either massive beams of energy or projectiles into the hallway. The walls glassed from the sheer amount of energy expelled. Griffin watched his power cell drain from 90% to 40% in five seconds and ceased the barrage. Watching the dust cloud, he waited for it to settle. If he were lucky, only a few would have survived. If not... at least he might have slowed them down.

As the blast stopped, bits and pieces of the machines flew out everywhere, chunks of metal flying past Griffin's head. The entire group was dead. However, the pack strapped to Vibius' hip was also torn to shreds, bits and pieces of electronics sticking out and sparking. And then the sounds came again. The mechanic, precise steps. The gears whirring with each one. The chunks of metal down near Vibius began to shake after each step. Whatever was coming, it was certainly larger then that group back there...

Cedric stayed relatively quiet as the events before him transpired. He marveled at the machines, which, while most disconcerting in their purpose, were still quite intriguing. However...

Cedric watched as the Imglotian representative glassed the corridor they had traversed and the machines therein, making a mental note of the armor's weapons for future cataloguing. He felt and heard the small tremors of further footsteps coming towards them. It was time to act. Cedric activated his external speakers, which hissed to life...

"Nicely done, Griffon. However, it sounds as if the weapons fire has woken the metaphorical 'Big One'... or 'Big Ones' as the case may be, and they sound as if they mean to greet us-"

As Cedric spoke, Lieutenant Minor Valerie had begun driving the four-foot-long metal sensor spears into the ground below them, using her armored and technologically strengthened hands to piledrive the metal spikes into the ground with methodical precision. Lieutenant Jeffery had detached what seemed to be a pair of sidearm-styled weapons from the magnetic holsters in his hardsuit's thighs and was currently spinning the small weapons in his hands, his fingers blurring as he rapidly disassembled, cleaned, reassembled and then chambered rounds into the weapons. The drones had begun to ascend as high as they could to stay out of any potential firefight. Jeffery nodded towards Cedric shortly after he had finished twirling his weapons, indicating their readiness, after which Cedric resumed speaking-

"-So, I would suggest that we be so kind as to meet them in turn. At very least we'll know what we're up against. Besides-" Cedric crackled his knuckles, which, in turn, cracked the ballistics gel layer of his hardsuit's armor, producing a decidedly unpleasant noise not entirely unlike popping bubblewrap, "- I'd like to get my hands dirty for a change."

With a series of beeps, the sensor spears all activated simultaneously, feeding their seismic data to the Second Alliance personnel and generating a sonar analysis of both the structure of the ruins and a 3D scan of the above ground area for about a nine-hundred foot radius.

(OOC: Yeah, sundays aren't particularly good for me. I'll post once a day, but rarely ever much more...

Oh, and CM? Don't forget to tell me what the scans call up first. I'd assume the sensors might be reduced in their effectiveness due to the ruins, but they should prove very accurate to within seven-hundred yards regardless of the enviroment.)