Brain-Eaters from Space!

Game Master Baron Bloodless

--CHAPTER ZERO--
----=GENESIS=----

One would think an organism's first taste of consciousness to be an odd sensation. From a void of the most unimaginably utter nothingness comes first sensation, thought, and cognition. A pile of barely living flesh and blood suddenly sparked into being by forces only the gods and madmen can ever hope to comprehend. It truly must be the single most amazing experience any being on this plane can have.

In fact, it isn't. It feels very normal; a lot like, well, being conscious. And this is precisely what our strange heroes are about to discover.

***

Ksssssssshk!

Sound. Data suggests 'genesis pod door' as its source.

Surface. Smooth to the touch.

Feeling. Data suggest a metal alloy of some type, but does not give further specifics.

Shapes. Other shapes, moving by the looks of it.

Sight. Data suggests they are broodmates, or 'kin'.

You crawl from your birthing chamber as your 'kin' do likewise, into a room about 10 feet by 10 feet. You quickly learn that 'machines' whir all around you, and an occasional pitch in floor angle gives the feeling of movement.

Data suggests acquaintance with your 'kin' is a likely next best step.

This new feeling...consciousness. It is intriguing. It is new. It is something to be discovered, explored... researched. Yes, that is something of this consciousness; a... reason? No, this is not quite the word. One will be discovered in time.

Now, to take stock of oneself. What am I? Yes, a singular entity, separate of others... though linked to several other such entities. They are sensed. But those are to be discovered later. For now, oneself. Inherent information suggests a word: telekt. But what this means is unknown. It is a suggestion of a species, a group of entities. But it has no greater meaning than this, and without any reason, logic, or data, this is no meaning at all.

Time to research...
Formation of a question: Who are these others?
Construction of a hypothesis: They are telekt like myself. They are broodmates, or kin, entities such as myself and with which I have some sort of human.
Prediction of Consequences: Being connected, these others and myself would be able to communicate effectively. Perhaps they will also have varying knowledge and/or viewpoints agreeable or contradictory to my own. They may be able to further explain our environ and being.
Testing...

Greetings, broodmates. Consciousness is... new. It offers many possibilities, and a great deal of information to be gathered and investigated.

As the pod door opens, a Telekt falls to the surface beneath it. Awake at last. Jarring that dreams/thoughts/prophecies were interrupted so suddenly. One must know oneself entirely to evaluate one's self in others, gossamer strands of thought bound by form, all connected, but all seperate. This one is Telekt, Philosopher-Scientist Bred, single consciousness splinter from a larger group, a Brood. That is what this one knows from the thoughts and images from elsewhere, fragments generated/bestowed/subsumed while within the womb/home/prison. Frail legs across cold surface. Floor? Yes, this one thinks it is a surface for treading. This one will step forward.

As the young Telekt takes a tentative step forward, it spends a moment to appreciate the experience. Muscles and tendons moving in unity, propelling this one's thought-form forward. Mind controlling body, body influencing mind, each movement changing thought, thoughts changing future movements. Sensation. This feeling must be sensation, that which this one's creators/parents/ancestors had forced it to dream of. These sensations and the bodies that cause them must be studied/evaluated/enjoyed more fully.

As the strange creature experiences the formation of spontaneous thoughts and sensations, it senses multiple presences in the room. Same gestalt, different consciousnesses. These are this one's Broodsiblings, the Telekts grown with this one. This one vaguely remembers touching minds/thoughts/souls with these others who are one with this one while dreaming.

The Telekt makes the tiniest mental exertion to send a message through reality to it's siblings. Greetings Broodsiblings, whom this one has known and been unaware of, talked and stayed silent to before the birth-time. We have awoken at last, born from sleep to reality, uncarnate thought housed in incarnate flesh. This one finds it's manner of waking to be strange, sensations from all directions. This one wonders how it's Broodsiblings fare. This one has made several conclusions since awakening and is curious if others have as well. This one witnesses truth in the unity of mind and body forming a single, cohesive existence.

*AFTER HEARING IT'S BROODSIBLINGS' EXPERIENCES*

After hearing it's Broodsiblings telepathically speak to it of their own thoughts and experiences, it ponders these things for a moment. This intrigues this one. Others thoughts mind-spoken to this one prove the womb/home/prison's lessons: all existences connect to others and evolve alongside each other. This is Unity. This is Truth. This one shall call itself what it is, 'Witness-of-Unity's-Truth'.

With a wet smack the tiny telekt hits the floor, the birthing pod releasing it unceremoniously to it's new fate. Short moments and it is fuctionaly sapient.Imperative, assess systems readiness. Running diagnostic suite. The tiny form moves through drills designed to assess the readiness of it's form for the tasks ahead of it, slowly at first but gaining confidence and speed as it puts it's new body through its paces.Combat secretions non operable, targeting protocol suboptimal. Formation of glands incomplete, time required for full operational status...... indeterminate. The telekt takes a moment to compose it's thoughts.

Cold, it is cold. Life creeps and crawls through this one's form. Pain, no reassess statement. Incorrect assumption. Noncombat sensation, feelings hard to parse. Default to programmed directives. Assess environment for threats. The tiny telekt scans his surroundings for perceived enemies. No targets found in current environment, only units confirmed designated telekt brood, brood noted kin. Sibling type telekt brood, proceeding to imprint brood. Designation friendly, listed response defend and preserve.

The telekt scans his environment once again Designate environmental status... assessing... assessing... current situation noncombat zone. Protocol achieve preparedness for assault and defense. Designated need, armaments, host form of stronger physical capability, better fortified local.

A nagging buzz cut through the telekt's thoughts. Hard scrambling for attention as the other broodsiblings reach out for their siblings attention."Sibling's surrounding confirmed secure to immediate perceivable dimensions. Protocol suggests, as you are noncombat brood designated civilian, this one is to defend and insure survival of brood during their assigned duties. This one awaits further information for decision of best route to secure mission completion. Please continue as you were." With a brief moment of contemplation"Why has no superior come to decant and debrief this brood? Absence of higher authority is disconcerting. Trouble anticipated, situation status returned to tentative high risk designation pending further information."

As the pod door opens, a Telekt falls to the surface beneath it

zod, zod, zod, ZOD...ZOD the newly telekt birthed scream that one word as the birthing cables detach from the newly completed entity. As much as a scream of pain as an assertion of an identity.

As the young Telekt takes a tentative step forward, it spends a moment to appreciate the experience.

After hearing it's Broodsiblings telepathically speak to it of their own thoughts and experiences, it ponders these things for a moment

We are Zod, we are.... it pauses to ponder as it conscience goes into motion and the external senses feed it data to analyze. it look at the others then takes another step forward

We are Zod?..... its internal tought process goes into hyperdrive mode

No I am Zod, I am one, but we are connected. You speaking about the distinct voices that connected and intertwined with its own internal "voice"

you are different, yet the same than I. You are One who Waits, You are Witness of Unity's truth, you are One who investigate. I am Zod

Colour. Colour was the first thing experienced by this young telekt as it lay dreaming in the birthing chamber, although no light streamed through the fluids and its photoreceptors were not yet active. Still, colours were present all the same. This did not seem strange to the telekt as it was not truly alive yet and this small sliver of reality was all that was.

After a time, these swirling and ever changing colours coalesced into several distinct hues which remained the same even as the rest of the telekt's tiny world continued to move in flux. These colour-forms became comforting to behold as they represented a sense of stability against an otherwise fluid existence. They were in control.

As time passed, these colours grew in their complexity, their hues adjusting by tiny amounts and this young telekt knew each colour-form. Not by name for sound did not yet exist but by a specific colour-thought unique to each individual. They had personalities of a sort, differences which made them interesting to look at.

Suddenly there was more. Colour was not the only thing in existence. Sound. Feel. Sight. This telekt was no longer just mind, its' physical body was now active. As the young telekt started to perceive the world, it experienced real colour for the first time- electromagnetic radiation converted to optical stimuli by the photoreceptors in its physical body. It was not as vivid as the colours it 'saw' when its photoreceptors were inactive. The sensations of sound and touch were equally abhorrent- brutal, savage, uncaring things which could not be controlled or stopped.

Then the young telekt realised that the colour forms it knew and loved were still here. They too now had physical forms and the telekt coud 'see' them and 'hear' them as they walked around- wet splats of feet against metal. The others began to communicate back with the names they called themselves. Each one matched exactly the colour-thoughts this telekt had already assigned in the birthing chamber.

Greetings colour-brood. Expression of uncertainty. Expression of distaste at new 'senses' the Telekt replied telepathically. Thought was much easier and quicker than physical speech or movement.

The telekt then caught a glance of something reflecting off a metal surface. There was one more creature in the chamber but this one had a colour-thought signature which was different from the others, was infinitely more complex and was made up of more colours than this telekt had ever seen. As it stared into the mirror-surface, the other telekts were still communicating. Researcher. Witness. Forth. Zod. There was another. This one is.... this one. This one is... I. I am alive.

I am Rheolwr

The suspension fluid within the final genesis pod is...
tainted. Exterior integrity of the pod indicates ruptures. Further investigation indicates an internal breach rather than an external effect. Said breach seems to have adversely affected the 'awakening' protocols...
as an excess of suspension fluid drains from the pod as the form within slumps outward with the pods release.

The form within is...

Strange...
Grotesque even. Though possessed of a bi-lateral, quad-limbic symmetry in common with other Telekt, the similarities end.
Where other Telekt bodies are compact, sensible even; this one possesses an oddly lobed sub-form, located superior to the chief form from which the limbs extend. Something about the posterior superior sub-form elicits...
?hunger?
The anterior superior sub-form seems to house the primary sensory, phagic & communicative organs as the sensations being broadcast by this Telekt are primarily focused from that point.
The limbs extending from the primary form are...
odd,
even misshapen by any rational Telekt measure. Rather than four limbs, each equally capable of locomotion, combat or gross manipulation; this form possesses obviously specialized limbs in a bi-pedal alignment. The inferior limbs obviously tasked primarily for locomotion with little to no capacity for either offense or defense.
The superior limbs did seem better capable of fine manipulation than Telekt limbs, in spite of their gross excess in size. However, they lacked the fine claws which all Telekt digits possess, instead ending in blunt digits with softened tactile pads.

The entire form of this Telekt is easily twice the mass of even Zod.

Sorry, I gotta...

With little advance indication, the form speaks, shattering the not-silence with willful sound. "Kneel before Zod." With that, this grotesque, gargantuan, misshapen Telekt steps toward Zod, lowering itself to a posture more closely resembling the proper Telekt state; though only one of the forelimbs was in contact with the floor, the other folded in to press the manipulative digits to the ventral anterior line of the primary form.
"Kneel before Rheolwr." At this utterance, the Telekt repeats it's previous motion, ending before Rheolwr now.
"Kneel before 'One who goes forth'." Again, the action matches the words.
"Kneel before 'Witness-of-Unity's-Truth'." Once more, the enormous figure moves smoothly before it's 'elder'.
"Kneel before 'Researcher of Beings'." Having completed a full circuit of physical acknowledgement, the Telekt rises to a ridiculous height...
Or would have if the ceiling of the Genesis chamber was high enough to allow full extension.
"I am Van."

We are one, yet I am many. I am the same, yet We are different. We are New yet I am old. I am last yet We are First.

We are. I am is Zod acknowledgment of all who were birthed.

This one is curious at to why the Brood was awakened/born/unleashed so abruptly. This one wonders if the others share it's concern.

Analysis of Data: Hypothesis correct. I am one of several entities known as telekt. We may communicate with one another via internal communication relays which enable us to transmit and receive pseudo-auditory sensations with prescribed meanings.

Greetings, Witness-of-Unity's Truth, One-Who-Goes-Forth, Zod, Rheolwr, Van. I am, as you have determined, known as Researcher of Beings; these words, though individual in most contexts, may be conjoined into a singular entity and meaning for convenience, if you wish. I am also curious as to the abrupt "awakening" which we have experienced, as well as of our own existence. However, proper research must be conducted if one is to discover pertinent information to any effect. However, I am curious as to assumptions and statements being made thus far.

Example thereof: Witness, you claim to know of Unity and its Truth, yet you have performed no research to discover such concepts. Also, you refer to yourself as "this one," as though commenting on an entity not of yourself. Example thereof: Zod, you reference many concepts--relative similarity, time, relative position in reference to other entities, without specifics of data to inform such remarks. I agree that we are, for we think and could not be nonexistent as such. Though the assumption that other telekt think merely because I do may be a fallacy of logical construction. Research must be conducted.

The Telekt known as Witness ponders it's Broodsibling Researcher's telepathic speech, somewhat confused.

Confused by your statement, Researcher. Is there an inquiry? This one only knows what dreams/thoughts/lessons it learned during pre-birth. Did it not receive something similar? If not, this one wonders why not. It seems odd to this one that it could be so. If it is so, however, then surely there was a purpose in this. Knowledge feeds into perception, perception into sensation, sensation into understanding, then all the way back again. Perhaps we were given different perspectives to fuel our understanding as a brood? Yes, that must be it, this one feels it must be so.

Researcher scratches the floor with a claw and decides this is a good physical display of one's thought processes. My inquiry is only into the reasoning behind your commentary and beliefs. If there is data to support them--these 'dreams' you have experienced--then there is no cause for concern over such comments. I agree that I, too, learned of some information during pre-birth existence, much of it concerning various methods and processes for rational thought, logic, and discovery. Objective observation and reasoning are key to understanding, though in truth, these and perception and sensation are not so dissimilar. I also concur that we may be of different knowledges and perceptions, though we may all seek the same objective viewpoint; further inquiry is required to determine if this is so.

Formation of a Question: Do we telekt of our brood have varying perspectives on life and truth, though these concepts seem bluntly universal and easily observed and qualified to myself?
Construction of a Hypothesis: We telekt of our brood do have such variance in our perception of our existence. A simper conclusion would be that we do not have such deviation; however, this is not easily proven, due to its possible existence as coincidence. Furthermore, the consequences of such a truth would be self-destructive to us as entities, singular and separate. Therefore, the more complex hypothesis shall be first considered.
Prediction of Consequences: If we telekt of our brood were to have deviating perspectives of seemingly universal concepts, then it is surely ingrained within us that we have these. The reasoning would be that we may learn from one another and combine all rational thought and observation into a single, greater, objective perception of existence as a whole, that we may become more knowledgeable of what is.
Testing: Preliminary testing has already occurred through conversation with my broodmates, who have expressed different primary thoughts upon birth.
Analysis of Data: Preliminary data suggests that we do indeed have varying perspectives on life and truth despite these concepts' seeming universal meaning. We each are individuals though part of a whole, and as such view existence itself in varying manners. A most intriguing concept in and of itself, to be certain. Further data will compound to these findings as warranted.

My current findings, Researcher "says" after a few silent moments, suggest that Witness-of-Unity's-Truth is correct in its recognition that we are individual entities with individual perception of the world. Most intriguing.

Expression of puzzlement Rheolwr sends. I am I and you each are others. Yet you others communicate as if each of you are also... 'I'

Pondering internally for a moment, Rheolwr mimics Researcher's floor scratching and stares up at Van's huge form.

How can there be more than one I? Especially when you others are all so different...

Researcher projects a sensation akin to the physical cue of smiling. I, like you, or it, or "this one," is merely a form of speech, Rheolwr. Akin to how you are at once Rheolwr, telekt, broodmate, and kin. It is merely an identification that each may use to identify oneself. Researcher taps the floor again. Though it is confusing to be sure. A more sensible and less variable manner of self-identification should be developed. Perhaps "this one," though this adjective-pronoun conjunctive may also be used to identify any manner of individual entities.

Anwser is easy: I, We have Different Voices, Thoughts. But I We, can Hear those voices. Much Like I, We can see different bodies that are no connected. Here is proof: When i want to raise claw raises a claw Only this one does. Not the we.

These different shell points to each and everyone. Belongs to a difference voice

We are, since we share, but each and everyone agains points to all

Speak differently.

Having verbalized an acknowledgement of relation with the other Telekt & designation of 'self', 'Van' proceeds to examine the chamber within which they all find themselves. Nimbly maneuvering between the other Telekt & the ceiling above them, Van touches, smells, tastes & 'looks at' every surface, protrusion & object available.

Self...
other...

Self!
OTHER!

Van will move in an expanding clockwise spiral from it's start until it contacts a wall, then it will continue clockwise until it returns to it's contact point, at which time it will bisect the chamber to the opposite wall & begin a contracting clockwise spiral.
Wall-o-Perception Checks:
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

If it helps the Broodsibling Rheolwr, this one can try to refer it itself as 'Witness', 'I', and other self-definitions in order to encourage more Brood-unit cohesion and efficiency. Does this please it? The Witness hopes it does.

Noticing Van's actions, Researcher begins to do the same, investigating the area very slowly and carefully that it might discover all information to be gained.

Perception Take 20: 20 + 6 = 26
Telekt Tech: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Seeing other looking and probing the immediate surroundings

Zod will do the same

Taking 20 on perception => 19

Telekt Tech: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Witness begins scanning the room at the same time as it's brethren while also taking note of any technology it could use in case of an emergency.

Perception Take 20: 20 + 8 = 28
Telekt Tech: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Probably noticed something, but probably not any useful tech!

nvestigating, the brood discovers 6 most curious features within the room:

• The Wall Behind
• The Wall in Front
• The Wall in Right Hemisphere
• The Wall in Left Hemisphere
• The Floor Below
• The Ceiling Above

Though your characters won't know this yet, they do not have unlimited time. For now, each of you may pick one feature in the room and interact and/or make skill checks (Telekt Tech and/or Perception) with that feature. You may NOT take 20 on these checks.

Broodmates, our environ appears to be linked in some way to each of us, and that we might most effectively gather data, I suggest that each of we individuals investigate a different region... Van, I also put forth the suggestion that you be the one to collect data on the curious device in the Left Wall, as we others do not seem to possess adequate implements to manipulate these items. For myself, I am intrigued as to the nature of our origins. I will investigate the pods.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Telekt Tech: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

At Researcher of Beings' suggestion, Van thrusts itself upright vigorously, proclaiming as it does so. "I will!"
Turning to the wall to the left, Van rapidly makes it's way to the center of the wall, next to the indented line. Running it's manipulative digits up & down along the indentation along either side, Van will note any changes in temperature, texture or vibration. Once this is done, assuming this assessment does not present a specific action, Van will insert it's manipulative digits into the boxes & grasp the handles. Assuming this does not generate a response, Van will first attempt light radial torsion of the handles, first counter to each other toward the center-line, then []away[/i] from the center-line. Then in sync with each other to the right, then to the left. If none of these actions provoke a reaction, Van will attempt to push the handles lightly into the boxes, then will attempt to pull the handles gently out of the boxes.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Witness quickly mulls over it's options and makes a decision. Perhaps in the right hemisphere, these ruined machines could be salvaged, and more importantly could provide clues as to our abrupt awakening

The Witness shall scan/observe/perceive the right hemisphere with the ruined consoles. It believes that this could explain we were so jarringly awakened and perhaps we can salvage some of the broken technology.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Telekt Tech: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

More than one I.. Does this mean there are other others? Beyond this brood? Rheolwr ponders to itself the implications of other minds, other delicious colours to experience and bring order to. This line of thinking stimulated hormone release and activated pre-written thought mantras Rheolwr didn't know it knew leading it to center itself while preparing for the coming body harvest.

Rheolwr becomes psionically focussed

Subconsciously drawn upwards as its mind turns inward, Rheolwr finds itself staring at the strange metal ceiling above as its' broodmates discuss what to do.

As above, so below. 6 Is 6 facets. This I will take the superior

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Telekt Tech: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Rheolwr manifests detect psionics as it inspects the ceiling from a distance

It appears other than I that I am not so quite adept at noticing things. I will assist Van then

Zod will assist van in figuring out how to open the boxes and who they are for.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Telekt Tech: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Not having advance knowledge of Telekt technology and in the absence of direct orders One Forth is in a bit of a quandary. He must function as best he can with what he has. That being said he will take the time to search over the Right hemisphere, attempting to decipher the damage.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

The Wall Behind

Researcher of Beings scours the interior of each birthing pod, finding no differences between them save a somewhat varied amount of liquid within each one. The origin of the liquid is likely the small cracks that appear in the corners of each birthing pod. Researcher recognizes the liquid as dzivib'ud an artificial, Telekt-made substance capable of carrying both nutrients and data, but knows little else about it.
-------------
The Left Wall

Van notices no difference between the two wall partitions, but quickly manages to open the boxes, both of which were clearly designed to be operated by Van's manipulative digits. One box contains nothing but shattered vials sitting in a pool of whatever liquids they once held. Based upon Van thought data, Zod knows that identifying these Telekt liquids while mixed together would be impossible. The other box, however, contains something far more valuable. As Van lifts a strange disk about a foot in diameter from the box, Zod quickly recognizes it as a valuable piece of Telekt technology, an Portable Utility Disk.

Witness-Of-Unity's-Truth comes to the realization that while many of these machines are broken, some might still house undamaged attachments compatible with a Portable Utility Disk. Between Witness and One Who Goes Forth, two functioning attachments are recovered, although it is possible that more remain to be found.

Basic Medical Attachment - functions as cure light wounds with caster level equal to charges expended.
Host Preservation Attachment - functions as gentle repose with caster level equal to charges expended.
-------------
The Ceiling Above

Rheolwr notices nothing amiss about the ceiling.

After spending some time observing the broken machinery on the right wall, Witness' implanted memory of Telekt technology suddenly sparks and it realizes that there are two pieces of technology which could prove useful to the Brood. Intriguing. So this is some of our technology we learned about in out womb/home/prison. This knowledge must be shared with the others.

Broodsiblings, the Witness has found some of our technology on the right wall. There is a Basic Medical Attachment used to store damaged tissues and a Host Preservation Attachment used to stop a host's cellular decay. Both could prove to be useful to us. The Witness... I, shall search and see if there is anything more than can be gathered from this area.

Witness scans the right wall again, hoping to find some more Telekt technology.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Telekt Tech: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Lost in its' internal musings, Rheolwr stares up into the ceiling for a few minutes before suddenly remembering where it is. Turning around it notices the others examining strange objects they have found.

what have you found broodsiblings? it sends

what Van is holding is a Portable Utility Disk it is a hugely valuable (but experimental) piece of Telekt technology which can make portable many larger Telekt devices. P.U.D. attachments are often found built in to certain Telekt machines, and can be transferred to the Portable Utility Disk without any loss of function. Once given one or more attachments, the Portable Utility Disk can be operated by a set of dials and buttons on it's front face. The only downside of the device is that it possesses a limited amount of power, and is drained with each activation. An indicator meter shows that the device is currently at full power, contain 50 charges.

if i understand the working of the PUD, we could download the data of the Basic Medical Attachment into the PUD and it could work as a Basic Medical attachment also correct? How many attachment can we load into the PUD?

Van examines the P.U.D. intently. Running manipulative digits lightly over surfaces, gently prodding protrusions & grasping the edges carefully but firmly as it lifts the device from it's storage cradle.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23, specifically trying to determine how many attachments the P.U.D. can support at one time.

One attempts to make itself useful, not knowing what else to do it moves to the front wall and places its head into the space made by the discs.

Witness' further search proves to be fruitful, as it manages to find a ChemSynth machine already cracked open, revealing an undamaged PUD attachment.

Van probes the PUD, and in spite of some obviously broken connectors, the device should still be able to support 4 attachments.

Curses! One who goes forth snuck right by me! I'll update as soon as I can.

"Siblings! A new experience approaches!" Van bellows excitedly.

I figured that since the Eidolon is effectively twice the mass of the other Telekt, to them it's voice would seem very deep & booming.

This is rather interesting Zod replied.

The Witness has found a ChemSynth Attachment, which we can use to create alchemical items and synthesize chemical compounds from related elements of similar molecular composition. This should prove most useful to the Brood. Broodsibling the One Who Goes Forth, your efforts are much appreciated, but further jamming of your head into the space could cause internal hemorraging. The Witness does not view this as a desirable outcome. And what has Broodsibling Van, Guard discovered? We are all curious, surely, of what you have discovered. Tell us your thoughts/words/prophecy. Witness telepathically speaks to it's Broodsiblings.

Waiting on Van, Guard to explain what he has discovered before taking any actions.

Turning toward the front wall above 'One-who-goes-forth', Van points to the blank surfaces on the upper half. "There is a sensory spectrum of which we are normally unaware siblings!"
"Different stimuli, different information!"
"'I' suspect that 'One-who-goes-forth' will be disinclined, if not unable to comply with your suggestion 'Witness-of-Unity's-Truth; for 'I' further suspect that the space 'One-who-goes-forth's head occupies is in fact a control assembly for the chamber in which we find ourselves."
"We are in motion!"

A split second after One who goes forth touches the 3 plates on the front wall, a wave of telepathic information bursts forth from his brain, enabling all in the small craft to experience exactly as he does. After the initial shock of this sudden synaptic avalanche wears off, the six of you find yourselves with a strange sort of mental image imprinted into your minds. You realize that this must be the 'sensory spectrum' which Van speaks of, for where the upper half of the wall once was appears a strange, 'colored' image of two land masses separated by a large body of water. Their slow expansion verifies the fact that you are indeed moving. Before you can take in this new sensation however, a metallic, telepathic voice comes from One who goes forth, broken in places by a harsh grating sound.

Welcome to krrrrrt interface. Systems check reveals current krrrrrt critical. Emergency landing procedure advised. Krrrrrrrt. Please select terrain type for krrrrrrrt possible landing sites to be determined. To input choice, krrrrrrrt.

A broken interface i wonder if i can fix it replied Zod

Did i hear the word Emergency

One who goes forth leave me to handle this Emergency. 'ill take care of it.

Assuming that one who goes forth leave the interface device for Zod to use, he will connect to it.

Once connected he will launch a series of diagnostic procedure, Reroute Energy from all system to Emergency shield and landing thrusters, Back up memory banks to secure location, Analyse system malfunction and correct essential program routines and subroutines, review all Essential System, Secure Genesis Chamber and Energy Matrix, get passenger manifest and overview of available equipment and supply, etc (essentially do what every the best Tech Telekt do in order to save ship and crew)
He does naturally all this as wave of sudden hidden knowledge overflow his memory and puts him in a trance like state

Focused trance: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Kn Telekt Tech or engineering: 1d20 + 7 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 20 = 42

Could this be why the brood was awoken, siblings? Rheolwr sends.

Rheolwr had had quite a few new experiences over the past few minutes, it wasn't sure if it was done processing them yet, let alone ready to introduce more new ones.

Rheolwr hung at the back of the group, silently watching the larger Telekts interact with their environment, reading their emotions and watching the scintillating colours dance through its mind.

When Zod starts manipulating the controls, Rheolwr instinctively assumes a 'co-pilot' position and helps Zod by telepathically communicating data from the numerous checks being run.

Aid another on Zod's checks

Telekt Technology: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Knowledge (Engineering): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

An interesting theory Rheolwr, one that I agree with totally. In light of this, I will send Telekt-Zod useful thoughts/material/information to aid it's work

Witness bombards it's Broodsibling with loads of information it received while within the Genesis Pod.

Aid Another on Zod's checks too!

Telekt Technology: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Knowledge: Geography: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Systems partially restored. Voice module 100% online. Immediate landing still advised. Please select a terrain type for possible landing sites to be determined. To input choice, currently connected mind may use thoughtspeech. Possible commands include [Glacier][Water][Tundra][Grasslands][Forest][Swamp][Desert][Hills][Mountains][High Population].

While zod is continuing to review the ship's critical system and as well as accessing the knowledge database stored on the ship he will communicate to his brood siblings

This device need an input command that we need to chose between: Tundra, Grasslands,Forest, Hills, Mountain. Express you thought rapidly

Continuing his work while on overdrive mode his thoughts and claws move in rapid succession:

activate location external 3D monitor
display ships schematics and damage section on external display monitor
compute and show on external display monitor estimated time until final land impact
show on external display monitor current energy output and consumption and compute and display estimated energy output to activate all emergency landings procedure and protocol
activate all internal blast door
Reroute all ship's command to current input console
Analyse and display on current input console, operating system malfunction and unavailable emergency routines and subroutine
compute and show on external display monitor projected crash damage to all section on ships schematics
compute and show on external display monitor projected crash damage to all essential system.
Compute and project recommended course of action in order to minimized damage to critical ship system, priority by order: Genesis Chamber, ships computer and memory banks, energy core

"I suspect we will fare no better on Tundra than a Glacier, Zod. Recommend we select between Grasslands & Forest. Might also consider High Population, as such increases likelihood of locating necessary materials for repair."
"Another possibility being 'barrier zones' between terrain types."

[b]I am in agreement with Van,guard, less hostile environments ensure maximum survivability and high populations hint at more selection for host bodies. This one will concede to whatever environmental choices the Brood will select, however.

I am in agreement with Van,guard, less hostile environments ensure maximum survivability and high populations hint at more selection for host bodies. This one will concede to whatever environmental choices the Brood will select, however.

High population... Rheolwr sends, almost wistfully as it ponders the possibility of more minds to experience.