Funnily enough, the cryo pods seem much closer than the signal seems to indicate. In fact, after a mere two hours you are able to spot the jettisoned pod bay.
You also spot what appears to be a large black mass to the right of the pods. It's crystalline in shape, but isn't moving.
Gunny surveys the area with Mister Oschia, noting the pod bay in the distance. Doc, you think those pods survived that flare?
Gunny also tasks Brynhildr with doublechecking his scans and information. She points out a couple of key pieces of terrain that might be worth investigating later.
"Eh Gunny, you see that big 'ole black crystal? Up ahead an off to the righ' 'and side, looks like we're nearly there!"
Somewhat puzzled by the the short travel time and unexpected structure, Edmund chocks the former up to the Jitneys working better than expected but the latter has him quite worried, anything mysterious on this world meant a potential threat, and despite his usual resigned temperament Edmund felt concerned not only for the safety of his fellow explorers but also himself.
Those checking the instruments still note the signal is pointing far off, but the pods are definitely just an hour up ahead.
"It's possible. Cryostasis pods are built to withstand just about anything. Whatever that flare was, I'm pretty sure the cryostasis pods were safe."
He radios back to base. "Dr. Williams, is it possible that storm we saw was something entering the atmosphere, some chemicals from the wreckage perhaps?"
He looks over at the instruments, surprised that the pod signal is distant. "Its possible the pod devices were damaged in the fall, at least enough for the signal device to be farther off. However, its also possible...." Dr. Chronis allows his voice to filter off, not completing his thought. He turns to the military members of their crew. "Keep an eye on things. I want to make sure its safe before we approach anything."
Back at the pod, Jack has the com chatter from the expeditioners tuned in and playing over his console down in the craft's tiny engineering bay. Hearing Gunny's question regarding the pods and the flare, Jacks leans over and hits the panel.
"Gunny, Chronis, this is Royce. The readings on the EM spike during that 'storm' should not have been enough to permanently damage any systems onboard the stasis pod modules. Those things were built with multiple-level failsafes on literally everything to protect the sleepers."
"That said, I'm betting no-one ever banked on the pods having to survive a flare of that magnitude after being damaged by a crash landing... just FYI fellas. I'm listening in on this channel and I have the relevant specs and plans for the stasis pods on hand if needed. Royce over and out."
After Royce closes the comm, Williams turns to speak with him. "It's not the pods I'm worried about, but them - I don't yet know what causes such a flare or to what it might be drawn, but something that bright means a great release of energy. That usually wouldn't bode well for people." She shakes her head. "The upside is if we can learn to harness that power, we can have a little energy boost here and there."
Checking it out now, Oschia. He narrows his eyes instinctively as Brynhildr zooms in on the indicated area. Hmm... He instructs Brynhildr to capture an image of the object and send it back to Doc WIlliams and Jack.
Arright, anyone have any idea what that thing is?
Gunny doesn't slow his pace. They're still an hour out and he'd rather not face this planets weather outside the escape pod.
"Dr. Williams, could the flare have been something crashing into the atmosphere from the wreckage?" Dr. Chronis reiterates.
I'm not sure on what Doc Williams has found, but Brynhildr gathered that those storms are natural on this planet. We're likely going to see more of them.
"Dr. Williams, could the flare have been something crashing into the atmosphere from the wreckage?" Dr. Chronis reiterates.
"While it's possible, Dr. Chronis, we may well have caused such a reaction ourselves upon entry in our escape vehicle. Seeing as we didn't, I'd say that possibilty is unlikely - especially as the reaction didn't occur until some time afterwards. It can't fully be ruled-out though."
"Since being able to figure out that light show in the sky the other day is way beyond my pay grade, I'm happy to accept your assessment on the matter, Doc." Jack replies to Doctor Williams back at the pod. "However it also occurs to me, while we're sitting here watching everyone else go gallivanting off into the horizon, that I might still be able to help with that."
"Want me throw together a weather balloon of some kind to look-see what's going on up there? Just tell me what sensors you'd need in it, and I can probably come up with a package to do the job. Only real question is whether the local atmosphere has enough lighter gases like helium or hydrogen for us to extract by fractional distillation to float it."
"Want me throw together a weather balloon of some kind to look-see what's going on up there? Just tell me what sensors you'd need in it, and I can probably come up with a package to do the job. Only real question is whether the local atmosphere has enough lighter gases like helium or hydrogen for us to extract by fractional distillation to float it."
"That assimilation would take you some time; the supermajority of gas is heavier than what we're used to, so helium and the like will be even rarer to find. In theory, our own exhalation could float the thing, but that would not be nearly as efficient as helium, nor would our gas-recycling possibilities be so keen."
"Such an apparatus would be useful for even more than monitoring storm possibilities, however. If there are wind currents to be monitored, we can learn quite a bit implicitly about the topological features of this world. Useful if we're going to have an extended stay, much as I loathe to think about it."
"That assimilation would take you some time; the supermajority of gas is heavier than what we're used to, so helium and the like will be even rarer to find. In theory, our own exhalation could float the thing, but that would not be nearly as efficient as helium, nor would our gas-recycling possibilities be so keen."
"Ah well, since that's the case..." Jack leans back over to his console and hits transmit. "Expeditioners, this is Royce. I have an item to add to your salvage shopping list. Check to see if any of the coolant gas bottles on the cryostasis pods are still intact and bring one or two back for me if possible, please? I wanna make Doc Williams here a bunch of balloons. Royce over and out."
Turning back to the scientist, he says "The super-coolant gas mix used in those pods should provide enough light gases to do the trick, since from what you say we can't get 'em from the local atmosphere. I only wish asking the boys to grab them from the stasis pods didn't feel a bit like graverobbing..."
She was surprised to hear such soft emotions seep through. "The sleeping feel no pain, the dead less." Her voice was dry as the planet s Williams spoke. "That sort of resourcefulness - remembering the gasses in the coolant tanks - is just the mindset we need to survive."
The dark crystalline mass looks similar to one of the unidentified elements detected with Edmund's jitney.
Meanwhile, out of the corner of your eye (those who are outside), you see a strange shape on the horizon. A blackish smudge in the distance, but it appears to be moving closer.
It looks to be currently farther than the pods but is fast approaching.
"What is that? What is that! Can anyone see?" Dr. Chronis's voice raises in terror.
Gimme a tick, Doc. Brynhildr's having a rough time locking it down.
While Brynhildr is running the captured images through filters and analyzers, Gunny looks for some place to take shelter, in case shelter is necessary.
Finally, he tasks Brynhildr with sending the captured images and footage to the crew back at the pod. Attached text message reads: If you can ID this, send it privately. Doc's a bit scared.
"I'm picking up nothing on our sensors, Mister Royce - but my own eyes of the footage tell me its speed exceeds their own. Though it's unknown, if such a thing is harmful, it would pose a threat. That brings it into your field of expertise."
"In my not-so-expert opinion, dark shapes scramblin' over the horizon are ne'er a good sign. Mayhap we should seek shelter or get outta the damn thing's way?"
Edmund tries to get a better look at the ill defined dark-shape that is rapidly gaining ground on the sortie party.
He will also listen to the others in the sortie for information received from Doc Williams and Bolter back at the pod.
I admit I came out here thinkin' I'd die, but this week has had one two many close calls already
"I'm a wrench monkey Doc, not a tactician. Allen, Gunny and Edmund are the experts there, so whatever is coming their way, Chronis is in good hands I think." Nevertheless, Jack starts trying to analyze the images and other data of the object approaching the expeditioners, using image filtering software to try and improve the resolution, and maybe identify whatever it was...
As he taps at the console, he transmits back to the team. "Gunny, this is Jack. I'm trying to analyze the object using the pod's software, but I'd suggest you follow Edmund's advice and prepare for the worst, just in case. Good luck. Royce over and out." Jacks knows there's nothing he can do from the pod; all four EVA suits are out there with the expedition at the moment...
Always do Jack. The response is friendly and good spirited. Gunny is much more in his element now.
Gunny catches a glimpse of a rock outcropping a few hundred meters ahead and hopes it'll be adequate. There. He says pointing. Think we can make it there before the 'storm' gits here?
Brynhildr is on the same task as Jack, trying to sort out whatever she can about the oncoming 'storm.' Anything she sorts out is sent back to Jack as well.
Base, this is Gunny. We're going to cut commo when this thing is a klick out. I don't want to draw somethings attention with the wrong signal. The transmission is to both the base and the away team. Outloud to the others he says, We're going to have to chat the old fashioned way. Hope we can all manage.
He begins hoofing it towards the spotted cover, hoping to find a second within a few hundred meters of the first.
Using binoculars, the "thing" resembles nothing more than a worm. A large, gray, flying worm.
And it's headed straight for you.
At its current range its outside the kilometer range.
<Aww, crap. I don't know whether that's good or bad for our long term-prospects, but for now...> Jack starts running some image analysis software, trying to pin down the exact size of the flying 'worm'. "Expeditioners, this is Jack again. If that thing is heading your way, don't hesitate to shoot it down if you're at risk. I'm sure our scientist friends would be able to make good use of a specimen of the local fauna. Let's just hope it's not a local sentient... Royce out."
"Monkey wrench or not, Mister Royce, you are far apter to handle these situations than I. Isaacsohn is right - that creature is a good sign for us in the long run." She pauses. "Let's just hope it doesn't devour us before we get there."
@Jack: The creature appears to be about the size of a horse. (Large) It is indeed headed your way.
Moving to join Isaacsohn under the nearby bit of cover Edmund waves Chronis to join them. The worm appeared to still be a ways off but anything that large and fast likely wasn't 'easily domesticated'. Edmund thought back to some of the time he had spent as a scout in various locations around Terra Prime, images of wild beasts fighting and slaughtering one another for territory and food flashed through his mind.
"Dun really care if it's sentient; an ape, a snake or a man will all kill if the time's right. Let's just hope it 'ain't in a killin' mood fer now"
As he leans against the sheltering stones, Edmund checks his rifle for jams, affixes his scope and loads a round...
Hope I'm just being nervous he thinks to himself as the images of nature's savagery fade.
Dr. Chronis joins the others in their relative protection.
"It might be fascinating to study the worm, in a more controlled environment."
"Monkey wrench or not, Mister Royce, you are far apter to handle these situations than I."
"That was 'wrench monkey' Doc, not 'monkey wrench'... you make me sound like some kind of incompetent saboteur!" Jack says with a grin, keeping an eye on Williams to see how she would react to the not-so-subtle dig.
However he's already seen enough of how Williams reacts to things to think that trying to distract her with further questions may be a good idea. "Wish there was something we could do from here to help. Do you think the beastie is a predator? Would it even be carbon-based?"
However he's already seen enough of how Williams reacts to things to think that trying to distract her with further questions may be a good idea. "Wish there was something we could do from here to help. Do you think the beastie is a predator? Would it even be carbon-based?"
Williams considers the inquires a moment. "I'm almost certain it's a predator. It's moving, and there's no vegetation anywhere in the vicinity. As for carbon-based, that's a trickier inquiry. You know carbon made a very scant bit of our homeworld's composition, yet here we all are." She smiles back at him. "That's a very well-directed question for a saboteur. If carbon were present in it, the thing would need some rather interesting substances within to combat the nature of the world's atmosphere. I'm sure we'll find-out soon either way."
The creature wings itself closer and closer... and is gone.
It continues its odd flight away from you now.
Gunny keeps an eye on the critter the entire time. As much as is possible at least. He captures images and video the entire time.
His rifle still at the ready, Do we need a sample of this thing or are we alright to let it go by?
When the critter is out of sight he climbs out of the cover. Congratulations everyone, we have Lindwurms.
"Just as long as we don't have space vikings or trolls to go with them, Gunny..."
"Space vikings, trolls?" Dr. Chronis asks, baffled. While this is his second colonization journey, he hadn't heard of such things before. And he had been around for some time.
At this point, I'm not ruling anything out. Gunny says with bemusement as he helps the Doc out of the hidey hole.
Let's get moving towards the pods before we get another surprise.
@Gunny: A long grey flying worm, no wings, just a flying worm. No mouth was seen. Probably digs through earth for all you know. It came from beyond the pods however.
As the footage of the creature is relayed back to the escape pod, Michelle watches with rapt attention. "What a bizarre creature! I wonder what it eats and how it flies. We truly have much to learn about this place." Her natural curiosity was showing, the concern over their predicament put on hold - for now.
I've got a ton more footage and readings for you, Ma'am. I'm sure you and Doc will have a blast tearing through all of it. Maybe later we can get you a sample.
For now though, on to the pods. Gunny says mounting his Jitney. The sooner we're there, the sooner we're back.
"Yes... this time without levitating giant worms." Dr. Chrilos remarks, though the comedy is more dry than humorous.
Gunny is heading towards the pods, not necessarily directly there. He's going to keep an eye on the pod and the crystalline structure nearby. His destination might change depending on what's evident.
Whatever the situation, he's going to ask Doc Chronis hold off by about 100m while the grunts investigate.
It's such a large universe out there, Mister Royce," mused Michelle. "Creatures unheard of, planets undiscovered - one could spend a lifetime researching it all and not be a drop in the bucket for all there is to truly know." She sighed. "But there's a certain attachment to what we are familiar with; much as I'd like to learn about all these things, without our own kind to reflect on them with, we're really just ... alone. We've got to secure the safety of those we can in the wreckage - after we make sure of our own, of course." Though she looked perfectly awake, Michelle sounded rather tired.
Dr. Chronis sighs but agrees to hold back until the area is clear of further potential dangers. He tries to link to the pods' life support status.
"Fortunate the big beastie didn't decide to investigate us! Flyin' without wings isn't summat I've seen a critter do before... Some strange adaptations, that what you call 'em?"
As the creature slowly shrinks in the distance Edmund sighs with relief and follows Gunny on a meandering path towards the pods keeping a similar watch on the crystalline mystery-structure. At the same time Edmund mentaly walks the line between anxiety and calm as best he can.
"Ye know, my daughter used to play with worms, the normal mud diggin' ones back home I mean, she'd go out diggin' e'ry time it rained. Wonder what she'd think o' that big ole grey thing?" Edmund asks the question rhetorically while mumbling to himself, he keeps his radio communications on both to hear what his companions have to say and to reminisce about his family even if noone is listening.
You all arrive within a round's distance of the pod chambers. You see they are relatively stable. Some parts seem damaged however.
You come across the entrance to the inner chambers... however, sparks are fritzing around it.
"Anything you gentlemen can do to neutralize that electrical fault?" Chronis asks, before he checks the equipment he brought with him.