As the good Doctor Ziirkaa comes out and gos flying Annara jokes.
"I told you nice and slow, well they all seem to have headed to the place they want the scan to be in, so lets go"
She nods at Vathan in an agreement of what he is thinking, she knows he will follow, and will keep an eye on things.
As they get to the building she go's and and looks around as they call get into place.
Then once the scanning starts she nods her head as if understanding something at she had suspected.
"They have a hive mind, numbers count, what you are seeing here is a psionic super Bio computer. It explains so much of what I glimmered in the mind link. The seats are so they can place 100% of their mental capacity in the group processing. The link is Psionic Doctor, he/she is literally feeling your form and modelling with the minds around us. Just think of the things a fully populated planet could process. If human Psi scientists could link to the hive mind, they could modal N space calculations and jump probability with an intuitive capacity way beyond any AI we have ever made."
She winks at him
"I see a whole new branch of cognitive science being named after you."
Then looks at his image on the screen.
Lee notices that the 3-d wire form is anatomically correct.
"It is impressive. I am sure there are many applications for this kind of processing. I would hate to see how this could be abused," he takes a long hard look at Annara, as if to say and you know exactly how bad that could be.
He turns to the Healer, "Based on this information, we can synthesize food for our trip together. We depend on our devices for this sort of work, and we would like to take more detailed scans of the Mylthani that assist in the gathering of food and fuel. Does the Mylthani have information to guide to the largest source of food and the easiest to collect source of Fuel?
Holt watches from the remote cameras and sensors from the vessels, her eyes glued to any and every architectural detail that she can see.
It's amazing how similar our base architecture is. But it's the differences that are really intriguing. I wonder what differences in our culture and physiology sparked each one of these different designs? Which changes are due to the low gravity instead? I'm sure I could spend hours talking with their architects and engineers.
Turning to Ceres, Holt says "I'm sure we'll be able to figure something out. Here, I'll check through the logs and find the sensor output from Masterton... Hmm, it's .79, which is still a bit heavy for them..."
Annara raises and eyebrow at Agee, as if to say Duh! but lets not tell scare kids MummK. Then she looks back the display.
"I think we can control such things good Doctor, so the scanning"
"Hmh. That is about double - which would be equivalent of a human in 2G. Then again, they may be much more fragile relatively speaking ..."
Annra gets on the comms,
"Captain all is good here, if we take some, it will have to be around 34 just to be on the safe side. That number can also live on the NSS with little difficultly I hope. Doctor Ziirkaa will have to let us know if that is possible. Food wise again Doctor Ziirkaa, Ophelia im sending you some images of there size and the odd seats they have here. Just so you can work out space they may need on ship."
She pulls her computer hand held PDA and takes a number of images. She then sends them to Ophelia.
"I was hoping that they would give us a clue about a preferred location to get food from. If it is only a short drive away, we might be able to just use the APC..." Ziirkaa jumps in the light gravity, clearly delighted at jumping so high.
"Where did you get the 34 from? It sounded to me like they were suggesting 8 as enough to be comfortable. That small group may not be capable of feats of advanced processing, but at the moment we are just trying to collect food and fuel for them... or do I misunderstand our current objective? Now look out, I'm going to try a flip!"
"Hmm. It won't be luxurious, but I suppose we could fit them. I want a complete medical report first before I let any alien on-board the ship without an evo-suit*" Ceres responds on the comms.
Ziirkaa provides a labyrinthine and inscrutable report. That goes far too deeply into the differences between the biosystems of this world and Humanitii.
Ziirkaa's report makes it fairly clear that it is highly unlikely any local bugs or Humanitii bugs will interact with the other biosphere.
The scan of Ziirkaa is completed with faster and faster results. When it's done, a 3D image of Ziirkaa in all his glory rotates, then slowly pulls itself apart, dermal, organs, nerves, skeleton.
"Your species not able, biologically, not possible.. We will, obviously, need much rethink biology." The ears around the room flip forward as the doctor opens her eyes and blinks, a slightly different voice coming from the speakers. "May scan female of species? For alsothink?"
Nearby, one of the locals pulls a second smaller computer out of a case on the side of the small truck. This one has wheels on it, and it rolls it over to Vathan. The small yellow alien pulls up a flat 2-D screen, and begins sliding his paw over what looks like a flat pane of glass next to the screen. On the screen the planet's surface begins to fill in, like an overhead map. Icons flicker randomly over the surface, but then a few begin to glow red, and Vathan realizes the alien seems to be showing him locations on the planet, most likely where food/energy can be found. Comparing them to the map the landing crew has, they do indeed correspond to the map they got in orbit. The blinking indicators look to be about 4 hours away by APC, and likely beyond the ability of the locals to reach.
Vathan kneels down next to the little fellow and tries to understand as much as possible. He attempts to work out a priority of the locations for the alien.
As Vathan looks over the map, he realizes that some of the symbols are larger than others. The alien can't really speak with Vathan, only the computer can do that. But it does make gestures.
It points to several symbols, and then holds it's hands about 5 inches apart. It points to several others, and then holds it's hands about 10 inches apart. It points to several others, and then holds it's hands about 15 inches apart (as wide as it can comfortably). It repeats this with another set of symbols. As Vathan looks at them, he can see the first sets of symbols are smallest, the second set larger, and the third set larger still.
At a guess, Vathan would say the alien is pointing out locations with more or less of whatever the symbol means. The symbols match the ones sent earlier, so food and energy.
Vathan nods and annotates the ship's computer prioritizing higher distance spots. "I think this fella is providing us some priorities of the food and energy locations. I've annotated the computer to identify an optimal route when or if we plan to visit them. Have we confirmed that their food and energy is not harmful to us? Or have I seen too many horror movies?"
Holt thinks for a bit before looking over at Ceres, her eyes wide, and saying "Wait... Why not put them on a spacestation? We have an orbital shipyard. They need lower gravity. And when we finally do find them a planet to live on, we still have a spacestation. Besides, it would give us some good data on their species and would be a good reason to run some new zero-g agriculture experiments."
Holt's eyes dart back and forth, and it is obvious that she isn't really paying attention to anything, more speaking out loud. But after a moment her eyes come back into focus and she says "Ok, so it isn't a very good idea... but it's a really neat one..."
"Ophelia it may be our only option"
Annara is waiting to see if they want to can her.
"Hmh. It is the most feasible idea yet. They are going to need help with food or energy at the start anyhow and that would put them in comfortable reach ... Besides, the station has plenty of not-in-use areas that could be refurbished and serve as shelter."
With Annara volunteering to be scanned, the aliens repeat the scan process, while Vathan works out a route. Annara's scan goes much faster than Ziirkaa's, as the collective seems to pick out the differences in her physiology, rather than doing a full scan from scratch.
By the time it's done, a half-dozen of the aliens line up in front of the group, all decked out in cold weather gear.
"Viktoria, we have a team of locals here all ready to come with us to a near by for us, food or other dump. They will have to come with is in our transport and theirs is not up to the job. Size wise we just showed up in a Battle ship and have a cruiser size land craft. Also they may be having a hard time coming to terms with out Biology, as I said they have group think gaps in their science."
She straps back up into her cold Werther gear, getting ready once more to go outside.
Once in her things she gos out side just to get away from the minds chattering in there.
"All-right! We'll make room for them on the APC. Did they give any leads on which site to start with?"
Vathan inspects the volunteers for want of something useful to do.
He replies to the captain, "Think so. They graded the food and energy locations. A double-check would be worthwhile."
After double checking the locations, and taking the aliens into the APC, Vathan pulls the APC up into the air and zooms off toward the closest location that has the best combination of food and power.
The little aliens look around them with wide eyes and flickering ears, each holding onto a strap or bar to steady them as the APC zooms.
Upon approach to the location, Vathan see's a large city from overhead, he lands near the glowing beacon of the power source, and finds four classic nuclear power plant pilons in a square shape.
Upon exiting the APC, all six aliens sit up on their haunches, and begin pulling what look like small slim weapons from their packs, assembling them until each is carrying a small carbine type weapon in their manipulative limbs. It's somewhat odd seeing them walk on four feet while holding the carbines above their head, rotating the weapon as they scan for danger.
Stays in the main city, in the big hall, talking to the leaders there, in her Sicked state she she will be little more than a tatical liability to Vathan and the team. She finds a nice spot in the worth and dozes. Trying to keep her straight up.
Vathan replies, "Um, Annara. They know something that we don't know. What are the weapons for? Let's make a plan before we leave the APC."
Ziirkaa volunteers to join the APC team. Did the Mylthani APC team bring along a translation device?
After Vathan contacts her, asks the ones gathered in the hall.
"Why do your scouts with our APC team have weapons?"
Ceres didn't know what to make of the APC trip. There she sat, staring at a small pack of live aliens. Which where inside her vehicle. Her first real interaction with a living breathing creature from outside her own world. She truly didn't know what to say - or what to do. So she merely sat and stared at them in wonder, hopefully without creeping them out too much.
---------------------
"All-right. Vathan possibly hostile outdoors terrain would be your area of expertise. Any pointers?"
Seeing as the aliens are arming themselves, she also gives the go-ahead to open up the weapons locker and arm those whom yet are. The Captain herself readied both her smg (and cursing its short range outdoors) and her auto-pistol.
Holt goes to the lockers of the APC to retrieve her weapons. And after seeing those power plants, she grabs her tools too. She trusts the others, especially Vathan, to take care of any threats they may encounter.
And after taking a few moments to check her gear, Holt emerges from the APC and surveys the landscape, looking across the barren cityscape.
We keep running into these dead civilizations. Is it only by chance that we managed to flourish? Or have we just not lived long enough to see a fate like this? Or are we humans uniquely capable of overcoming these kinds of predicaments? And well this be only the first of many dead or dying civilizations? And how will things go the first time we run across a thriving civilization? So many questions that only time will tell...
Coming back from her distracted thoughts, Holt turns to Vathan and says "Ok, where to?"
As they get ready to head out she tells Vathan,
"The plan is simple, of something big, local and wild attacks, defend with our little alien chums taking the leed. How ever 'if' another group of little alien chums attack them or us, we fall back and to the ship. While asking them, why they want to kill each other and take it from there. But I think we will be ok, the fire power on the APC can wast most if not all of this city, if there is big local wildlife that wants us for dinner they are in for one hell of a shock. "
Then as Vathan contacts her from outside the APC she calls the aliens to ask about the guns while the others tool up. She still has her weapons on so takes a seat and weights to see what happens.
Vathan respectfully listens to Annara giving orders while pretending to not be in commmand. He then replies to the captain, "Any pointers? Know the hazards, first. We really need the little guys to tell us why they appear prepared for combat. We also need them to take the lead, since they probably know where we are going. Finally, we need an exit strategy. If we hit combat, we need to stick together and steadily fall back to the APC for safety and evac." He surveys everyone for understanding and agreement. Then, he watches the captain waiting for Annara to translate the dangers and the aliens taking the lead.
She had hopped that Vathan was at last taking on his role and not needing to ask her all the time for orders, but yet again he had been on the radio, mind you it was always good to get an another view on things. She just hoped he did not take that as her undermining his command, she just did not have the time to look after that and what was going on here.
In the City she then asked again of the head Alien.
"Your group with our APC team have weapons, why?
The alien at the device looks up at Annara, and then it's small hands flick a couple of switches.
"Cold bring Damnthings from top to middle. Damnthings dangerous, big like Annarafolk, eat People. Need weapons."
A three-dimensional image replaces the image of Annara on the whirling displays.
-----------------------------------
At the APC, the aliens complete their preparations, and begin to slowly walk toward the city. The APC landed in the only clear space available to it, a river that was frozen solid.
As Vathan steps out, he hears the ice crack and pop from the weight of the lander, but it seems too solid to do more than crack under the weight.
"Did you get that, local wild life air based, that looks very much like a fathered dragon, seems they like to eat out new friends. I think fine to engage if they attack."
she sends the APC group
"Copy that," Vathan replies to Annara.
"Alright everyone, stay frosty and keep those mark one eyeballs looking airborne. Let's move out." Vathan takes point behind the aliens with his rifle ready. He signals his two marines to take rearguard, one on each flank.
He would have brought two more red shirts to drive the APC and man the turret while the away team is away. "APC, button up and don't open until we return." He's seen Aliens, too.
Chief Petty Officer Jennifer Montinegro and Chief Warrant Officer Eldren Rolverna follow Vathan out into the snow, wearing their cold weather gear.
Montinegro is a sniper, and carries a folded sniper rifle on her back, and an assault rifle on in her hands. She's 27 years old, and had a distinguished career as a planetary police officer prior to becoming a marine, being part of a high-threat response team (HRT).
Rolverna is a heavy weapons expert, who carries a heavy repeating laser cannon with an underbarrel grenade launcher. He was a member of the Silver Vein Clan's personal guard, who was assigned to the Marines as part of their levy when the Marines were build up.
Three of them scuttle over the ground, moving much faster than the humans would have thought in the snow. They split up as soon as they are off the river, three heading north, heads swiveling. Three head west, leaving the humans slightly behind to determine how they split up, if they do.
"I don't think it's possible to avoid staying frosty." Ziirkaa says as he steps down the ramp. Multi-scanners in hand.
Upon hearing that explanation, Holt slings her bag of tools over her shoulder and retrieves her rifle, extending the stock, turning off the safety, and again checking it.
Her equipment now readied, it is almost as if the she suddenly notices the chill wind blowing through, and she adjusts the collar of her coat even high around her neck as she glances across the sky.
Combat situations tend not to end well for me... I hope, if we encounter one, that this one turns out differently.
Lost in her thoughts, Holt's eyes lower to the snow in front of her as she marches along with the rest of the group.
"Captain, I suggest we stick together." Vathan suggests.
Victoria suppresses a chuckle at the Doctors joke, settling for a thin smile instead. With a glance towards the sky she shudders and nods at Vathan.
"All-right. Let's get a move on then. If they are worried about us only following one group at the time, they're quick enough trough the snow to catch up with us."
She starts ploughing trough the snow after the northbound group. To herself she mutters.
"Mental note: snowshoes. Bring them."
Doctor Ziirkaa follows the Captain to the north. Using his multi scanner he takes images and readings of almost everything he sees. He is blithely fascinated by the miniature architecture, and takes careful note of differences that show these communities to be more... communal.
He positively glows as he jumps up high into the air to get better views of the buildings. The only question that remains is waiting for the notoriously ungraceful scientist to overbalance and crash into one of the buildings.
The buildings near the river seem to be businesses and warehouses. The few that have windows that can be seen into seem to be deserted. Everything looks neat inside what looks like a river side store, shelves hold equipment for boats, all neatly stacked, but coated with rime.
Another building a few feet farther on shows what looks like it might have been a small restaurant. The tables are all empty, with the odd stirrup chairs pushed up tight against each table, neatly stored away.
The buildings don't seem to be over 3 local stories tall, making them about 15 ft tall on average.
Holt examines the buildings and their possessions carefully.
Hmm, did this happen so quickly that they needed to abandon these things? That seems odd. Though it may have just been issues with not having enough room for it all...
Annara looks at the head local,
"Humans ready to stop attacks, but do not be frightened, our weapons may be a little more than you are used to. You have read my mind, you know of our ways. We are beings who know how to protect ourselves. So please do not be frightened. If the sky things attack we will seek to send them away, if they do not stop their attack we will have to use force."
She then go's on closed comms radio
"Be advised Vathan, keep eye on Blue on blue with intent just in case"
She then sits back down and waits to see what happons
The three aliens leap frog each other in a very well coordinated tactical manner, completely silent, each one moves to cover, then scans the area, including the sky, and then another alien moves up to cover, and then they scan while the third moves further forward.
The group arrives at a larger than standard building, with doors big enough for humans to walk through upright. One of them begins to use a small whirring device to cut through the locks.
As soon as the noise of the grinder fills the area, sounds of another type join it. Loud sharp chirps fill the area, almost computer like in their short bursts. And then the sound of wings pounding hard on the air. Ungainly creatures take off from the roofs around the area, six heavy wings beating to keep them in the thin air, only the light gravity allowing them to fly.
The three aliens leap frog each other in a very well coordinated tactical manner, completely silent, each one moves to cover, then scans the area, including the sky, and then another alien moves up to cover, and then they scan while the third moves further forward.
As the combined group moves north, they are obviously heading toward four tall chimney type buildings, quite obviously nuclear towers. Oddly enough the nuclear towers are in the middle of the city, indicating either a lack of regard for safety, or a very high confidence level in their nuclear tech.
As the trio of aliens leapfrog into an intersection, a half-dozen small lizard like aliens appear from all points, flashing sharp teeth.
The flying creatures take the western group mostly by surprise, and swoop in on the wing and drive their dagger like beaks at the group.
Bluish blood splatters on the snow as two of the Mylthani are stabbed by the wicked beaks, making them cry out in a high pitched sound. It is joined by red splashes as Holt and the Marine are also impaled by the wicked beaks.
Holt turns to face the flapping sound just in time for the flying creature to catch her in the shoulder, its beak managing to pierce the metal mesh of her jumpsuit. Holt is pushed back, barely staying on her feet with the impact of the creature.
Ghah, I know I should have brought that shield. Why can't we ever find an alien paradise world!?
Holt raises her rifle with a grunt, grits her teeth, and takes aim.
Surprise Round
Vathan finally notices that his two marines followed Holt instead of orders when the flying aliens attack. "Focus on the flyers between the two F-ing groups!" He snaps off a shot with his rifle.
Holt steps back, and fires, clipping the wing of the creature, sending bluish blood speckling the snow.
Vathan, distracted by his discovery that the group split into two, misses the small creature he aims at badly.
The small creatures charge, leaping forward on lithe small legs, each attacking a target with flashing fangs.
The creatures savage the lead Mylthani, who cries out in a high pitched mew of pain. Ziirkaa, somehow, even surprised, manages to trip to the side and get missed by sheer luck. Viktoria is savaged on her calf by the attacking creature, who sneezes as red blood fills it's mouth.
The northern Mylthani leap into action. Mylthani 1 goes on the defensive, making itself harder to hit as blood oozes from it's battered body.
Mylthani 2 draws back, and fires it's strange weapon at the creature. Mylthani 3 also fires at the creature in front of two, concentrating their fire on one target. The two guns fire almost perfectly.
The creature is struck simultaneously by two darts, and it visibly weaves, shaking it's head.
The two marines both unload on the creature that Holt fired at, each watching their aim to ensure they don't hit any Mylthani.
The bird creature is riddled with bullets, sending a spray of blue blood over the ground. The bird flutters to the ground, twitching and spraying blood as it dies.
The Marines delay to follow Holt's lead again.
The creature attacking Viktoria continues to gnaw on her leg, although it's apparently not liking the taste, given the way it keeps spitting after each bite. Ziirkaa's leg finally get's bitten as well, as he steps right into the bite. And the creature that charges Vathan manages to rip into his thigh.