Under construction...
Known as Mataras - a Lashunta name meaning Burning Mother - the Pact Worlds' sun is an enigmatic star. Its flaming depths containing portals to the Positive Energy Plane and the Plane of Fire. Whether these doorways were torn open by the incredible energy of stellar fusion or advanced that process might never be known. Within the sun's plasma seas live outsiders from the Plane of Fire and strange organisms adapted to the incredible heat and pressure Most Pact World citizens are restricted to the Burning Archipelago, an ancient network of mysterious bubble-cities discovered a century ago, crafted by an unknown species and floating in the sun's atmosphere.
Rumors persist of civilizations in similar bubble-cities deeper within the sun - stories efreet who have traveled within the star refuse to confirm. So far, no Pact World scholars have been able to either replicate the technology that protects the Archipelago or otherwise descend into the sun to make contact with these so-called deep cultures. Speculation about these societies runs rampant, from anacites who believe the legendary First Ones might dwell in the sun to Sarenites who imagine the Burning Archipelago exists for religious purposes. At the forefront of this research is the Deep Cultures Institute, a group of scholars some see as romantics or charlatans. Despite shaky claims from the DCI's members, efforts to prove the existence of these deep cultures have come to nothing.
The Burning Mother burns in your ship's holo-screens as you move towards it, aiming to complete your contract to transport a group of scientists to Far Portal Station, a scientific research facility in orbit around the sun.
Bal'nak sits back, his bulk barely fitting in the sized-for-humans swivel chair. His orange eyes match the fiery star to which they head, and his thoughts can only focus on the cycle of such a great celestial body - from creation to supernova. Such is the way of things.
Thinking back, Bal'nak remembers his time in training on the Veskarium, where such reflection was rarely considered a path to success. Seeking knowledge of the universe and his place in it did not fit with the militant society. So, now he explored, but who'd have thought he'd end up with such a ragtag bunch?
Watching from her position at the rear of the bridge, Eschade took this in, her mind always processing what she saw. Ever since Kek had left her, she had taken to analyzing these thoughts of the more..."alive"...races, and had determined that there was a depth and reason to these feelings that they so apparently had. It was a hard thing for her to understand, these feelings, but she felt she had to follow them if she was to understand these new companions.
Hamster's focus was unwavering as he guided the ship towards the station. Really, these things nearly piloted themselves in open space...he suppressed a yawn at his own lack of interaction. The pilot yearned for a more hands-on approach - a dog fight, a fly by...anything! It was like his dad had always said - "Son, the main thing you'll find out in space....is space."
Lyrr's quiet and contemplative nature kept all about him in a state of unease, particularly given the large rifle that he seemed quite familiar with. The android was a bit of an enigma, but no doubt had his...her...its own reasons for falling in with a varied crew such as this. He'd heard about the others from Zamek, a cybernetics dealer who ran one of the few reputable shops in the Spike. He'd said it was a new crew, new ship...new opportunities. He was right. But, this ferrying back and forth of people...well, a taxi business was not really his thing.
Eschade eyes the approaching celestial body with her usual calm, though behind her inscrutable facade her mind was running amok. She checked her physicality, making sure she was anchored in real-time and near-space. At least her body could be trusted to stay still - her thoughts ran hither and yon finding no anchor.
Seeing as the approach was inevitable, Eschade decided to check on the passengers.
Fighting boredom and the urge to tweak the controls -- I know I can get another few power units out of that core if I just had access to a better calibration system -- Hamster turns up the volume on his comm unit, allowing the back of his mind to focus on the music.
The sun is sinking in the west
The cattle go down to the stream
The redwing settles in the nest
It's time for a cowboy to dream.
Purple light in the canyons
That's where I long to be
With my three good companions
Just my rifle, pony and me
The simple melodies always make him smile and he looks back at his new companions trying to share his good mood. Passing over the two androids, his eyes fall on the Vesk in the back and his smile falters.
It wasn't that long ago that I was piloting fighters against the Vesk. Now, we're supposed to work with them?
His mood ruined, he turns the volume back down a little and attempts to relax again as the Archipelago gets larger on the view screen.
Watching their approach directly through the sensors, Lyrr sits at one of the stations, a cable running from the computers to his datajack implant. Why was time using hands when the brain is a much more efficient tool for sorting through and manipulating data; not that there is much to do on a simple trip like this.
They took the job for the opportunity to get off the Station and experience more of the galaxy, and maybe beyond, but so far all that they've done is bus people around.
The view of the sun, nearly burning through their optics as it was, was quite the site to see up close.
Shifting uncomfortably in the tiny chair, Bal'nak feels pilot's gaze lingering on him. Noting the fading smile, he does his best to ignore the being's reaction.
Hmm. Not a fan of me it seems. But such is the cycle of the universe friend, the stars lead us on our path whether we like it or not.
He exhales slowly, trying in vain to position himself so this damned chair would stop making such a valiant effort to poke holes in his scales.
His feelings are his troubles. I should ignore it. If it becomes a problem I can deal with it then. Right now this chair is the bigger threat.
Growing bored again, Hamster starts chatting into the uncomfortable silence.
"The Diaspora relay is today. This will be the first time I've missed watching it in probably the last ten years. That Briallan is sure to win, she's been flying like she was born in the cockpit this season."
He chuckles as he grabs a handful of snack mix. "We grew up in the same neighborhood on Absalom Station, you know?" Seeing as this is about the twentieth time he has mentioned it, the rest of the crew definitely DOES know that. "I wonder how many times we happened to cross paths, and I never knew a future celebrity was walking the other way."
He chuckles again as he starts crunching. "She's about the same age as my daughter. Maybe they even knew some of the same people. Wouldn't that be funny?"
Eschade triggers the doors to the guest quarters and they part with a "whoosh" sound that had always made her expect a blast of wind. Looking inside, she sees a shirren and two humans - doctor Jabrix and his two aides. From what you understand, these are researches on the Far Portal Station who were tasked with carrying samples to a larger facility on Absalom Station. Jabrix seems none too happy to have been used as a courrier.
Yes? What may we do for you? Will we be there soon?
Hamster's musings are interrupted by a ringing over the ships communications - you were being hailed. Opening the channel, you see the face of a female Kasatha with a metal mask over her nose and mouth. Her voice comes out clear in spite of it.
Greetings, I am Stationmaster Kofa of Clan Embross, House Hadulan. Could we please have your ship ID and reason for visiting the Far Portal Station.
Eschade pauses for a moment, considering the three queries. The first seems erroneous, a false positive set up as a question. The second is redundant as she is neither supplicant nor even yet communicated verbally. The third is coherent and appropriate, so she answers that.
”Relatively, Doctor Jabrix. Our arrival appears inevitable.” she answers with a thin smile. Her gaze lingers on each entity for a moment as she assesses their causal state.
Lyrr watches the pilot, noting that this one seems to like spouting random bits of information about itself that seems to have no bearing on the current situation. Thankfully, he is interrupted by communication.
"Perhaps we should let them know who we are, rather than who you used to be."
Sitting up, Hamster brushes some crumbs off of his flight suit and addresses the view screen.
"Greetings, Stationmaster. This is Horizon's Shadow transporting scientists to the station. Permission to dock?"
The shirren doctor pauses, seeming to be expecting more. Eschade watches him, somewhat oddly, but can't seem to figure out what more the doctor could want. After the awkward pause, the shirren makes a noise, clearing his throat one (perhaps one other than Eschade) would note. I see...thank you. Though this ship's quarters are below our normal traveling accommodations, the trip has been quick and efficient. Once we are on station, I will make sure to tell my superiors that your performance was satisfactory. He seems to indicate that this would be a great boon.
Stationmaster Kofa turns and offers the same information to someone off-screen, then turns back. Excellent, captain. She seems to just assume that you are the captain, though you've given her no reason to....scientists. Yes, please proceed. We will meet you at dock 3. With that, her image winks out, and you look up to the image of the Far Portal Station ahead.
A small, utilitarian research facility, this station is positioned close to the Far Portal in the sun - an ancient and mysterious structure of its own. Floating at the edge of the sun's corona, this massive metallic gateway is a vast ring, reported to lead to an inhospitable, uninhabited region of the Plane of Fire. You know that nothing to date has emerged from the portal, and no one who has gone in has ever returned.
The Far Portal Station itself is a spoke an wheel design, just large enough to accommodate researchers of the Portal and the maintenance crew. Hamster expertly guides you into the designated dock, which is only large enough to accommodate a ship like the Horizon's Shadow. And...you don't see any more than just the dock 1 and 2, so it's safe to believe that this entire station only has the 3 docks. Once the dock doors shut and seal behind you, a re-pressurization period begins, and your ship sensors begin counting down to the point at which it will be safe to exit.
Patching in to the ship's communication systems, Hamster makes an announcement that docking procedures are commemcing before piloting the ship in.
Once the engines have been powered down, he turns around, stands, and stretches his back. "I suppose we should go see off our guests. Perhaps we can take some time to stretch our legs and see the station while we're here."
Eyeing the massive reaction cannon that he generally uses, he wonders aloud. "Think we should bring weapons?"
Standing and stretching slightly once freed from the tiny chair, Bal'nek looks at the pilot with a curious expression.
"A warrior should always be prepared for any eventuality. Having a weapon close to hand is essential. Better to have and not need, than to be shamed by needing and not having."
He cocks his head slightly.
Or is this a human cultural thing; proving your bravery by walking around unarmed. As if to say to the universe, "I do not fear!"? "
Lyrr looks at Hamster with the usual blank expression on it's face, making it hard to tell what it's thinking. "I happen to know that humans have no natural means of extending their limbs in any fashion, so either you have some kind of modification that I have not detected, or you are using one of those strange expressions that your species likes to use."
Eyeing the massive reaction cannon that he generally uses, he wonders aloud. "Think we should bring weapons?"
He stands from his station and slings the strap of his rifle over his shoulder. "There are options?" the android asks with it's strange androgynous voice.
Looking back and forth between the Vesk and the Android, Hamster pauses, considering trying to explain, and if so what he should choose to explain.
Figuring it is best to simply clear up the question, he says, "Generally speaking, places like scientific -slash- religious structures are considered safe. When going into a safe place, people... humans at least... don't typically carry weapons. Doing so inherently makes the place... not safe."
Shrugging, he hefts his cannon off of the wall and straps it to his back. "Hey, like Bal'nek says, better safe than sorry." Thinking about how that turn of phrase might further confuse things, he shakes his head to himself and heads out of the cockpit toward the guest quarters.
The android nods curtly to the scientific party and departs. Entering the bridge she approaches Hamster, eyeing the Horizon's approach and speaks to the crew generally.
"The passengers complain that our accommodation is sub-par, but project thankfulness for a safe journey. They will be making a positive report to their superiors on our behalf."
As the discussion unfolds as to physiognomic abilities and the relative safety, ubiquity and appropriateness of weaponry, Eschade pats herself down, ensuring her pistol is located in it's usual position on her side.
"Lyrr - a strange expression, or idiom - to "stretch" one's legs means to stretch the muscles by ambulation. Long periods of sedentary posture is deleterious to the efficient functioning of biologicals' limbs. Observe the feline or canine companion species - whenever they rise from sleep they stretch out before moving. Humanoids have lost this instinctual capacity and so must be reminded to do so. Thus Ham's use of idiom to present this function."
Eschade smiles primly.
"As to weapons, Ham is correct in that customarily, different zones of social interaction are deemed safer than others, and the relative presence of weaponry belies that status. In a warzone, you may be "safe" by the carrying and use of weapons. But the zone is in and of itself deadly. In peacetime, certified security personnel may carry weapons, while civilians may not."
Eschade smiles again.
"What this station takes for customary I do not know. So I likewise, go armed."
"Lyrr - a strange expression, or idiom - to "stretch" one's legs means to stretch the muscles by ambulation. Long periods of sedentary posture is deleterious to the efficient functioning of biologicals' limbs. Observe the feline or canine companion species - whenever they rise from sleep they stretch out before moving. Humanoids have lost this instinctual capacity and so must be reminded to do so. Thus Ham's use of idiom to present this function."
Lyrr contemplates this information, head tilted upwards. "Hmmm... interesting. I wonder if that means that felines and canine have more efficient bodies. I shall have to research this." He turns to Eschade, "Thank you for the information."
"Er.. Bal'Nek and I did both just stretch when we got up... Oh, nevermind."
Bleeding toasters! Can't understand half of what they say anyways. If they want to reshape themselves as cats, who am I to say different?
You disembark and usher off your guests, to their mutters of "finally" and "bumpy trip!" You ignore them as usual, and the scientist and his understudies move off after they get off the ship. They show off their own ability to extend their limbs in various directions with grunts and moans.
The landing bay is just as you would expect in a laboratory station - it's mostly white, utilitarian, and has only the bare necessities for a functional bay. There are lockers for suit storage, some stations with fire extinguishers and wash stations. There are also several monitors that show different angles of the giant star in whose orbit they now drift.
A large pair of biparting, automated doors at the internal side of the bay opens with a whizzing sound, and two functionaries greet the "cargo" you just transported. One of them, a young human woman, then comes to greet you.
Welcome to Far Portal Station, crew of the Horizon's Shadow. I am Doctor Se'less Marinn. I trust you had a nice flight? How long will you be staying with us?
She's pleasant enough, and certainly young to be a doctor...but the question certainly doesn't seem to be welcoming...or maybe she just likes to plan ahead.
Eschade favors the human woman with her usual distant smile.
”Well met, Doctor. This station is not nominally our chosen destination, but that of our passengers and thus, our ship. I personally have no pressing business here other than enjoying your hospitality.”
A small smirk escapes.
”While it lasts.”
Smiling at the doctor, Hamster adds, "Yes, just a bit of shore leave before we head back. Maybe a day or two. See the station, perhaps look for cargo or passengers headed back to Absalom Station.
Are there any organized tours of the station?"
After their previous discussion, Lyrr watches the former passengers intently as they attempt to contort their bodies with the help of various sounds. Intrigued, he attempts to replicate their movements for a short time before giving up, finding no benefit to the strange ritual.
"I will stay as long as the ship is here," Lyrr replies to the doctor, "Or I won't. Do you have any cybernetic specialists in these facilities? I would very much like to talk with them."
Bal'nek lets the others respond to the Doctor's questions and instead considers her tone.
Our hosts seem friendly.
Doctor Marinn seems a bit taken aback by Ham's question. A...tour...well...sure. I can't help but feel you'll be disappointed, as this is simply a research facility. What we do is very important work, but much of it is data calculations and sample assessments.
It's not hard at this point to notice that she's talking down to you.
But, I'm sure we can arrange a walk-through with one of our aides.
She turns to Lyrr. We do have some cybernetics specialists, sure, with further specialization into the fields of Thermal enhancements and radiation protection. If you'd like, I should be able to get you in there to see them in between shifts. You'll be sleeping on your ship, I presume?
She turns and walks towards the doors, seeming to incline her head to urge you to follow.
Shrugging, Hamster replies, "No matter how disappointing, it will be more interesting than staring into the icy blackness of space. I am happy to simply follow with Lyrr... unless there's a vid screen with coverage of the Diaspora Cup somewhere...."
Eschade stands still.
”I am remaining with the ship. As interesting as it might prove, the station is no replacement for the Horizon’s Edge, nor its ability to leave.”
Again the smirk.
”And thus travel to equally-possibly interesting stations.”
The doctor barely suppresses a look of distaste. Ah...well, perhaps we can find such coverage. I can't say that I've ever seen it.
She nods to Eschade and purses her lips slightly as she lead you...save for Eschade, through the bay doors. You see a lengthy corridor that presumably leads down the "spoke" to the bridge. There are screens along the sanitary-looking white corridor showing various images of the stars outside of the station. Some technicians in lab coats are gathered near one such screen not so far away, and they suddenly burst into shouting and pointing.
Nearing, you see that the screen is showing live feeds of the Far Portal in various spectrums. As more people around the station drop what they're doing and run to join the growing crowd, the portal on the screen shimmers and distends, ejecting an ornate starship that looks constructed from polished brass and black stone. It trails gasses and smoke, obviously damaged.
Members of the spectating group cheer or gasp in surprise, only to go silent as the images flicker and distort again. A new shape emerges from the portal and keeps emerging - a titanic and fiery whale shot through with technological augmentations of dark metal. A few onlookers scream as flames spray out from the whale's mouth toward the fleeing starship.
A lashunta scientist suddenly rushes down the corridor, addressing the crowd as he looks at the screen. We scanned the ship; it's shields are down!
The ship jerks sideways, trying unsuccessfully to dodge the flames. Sections of hull plating blacken and give way. The ship's main engines flicker, trailing a cloud of debris. Several shouts mirror the sentiment that someone needs to help the vessel and its crew.
"Some excitement! We might be able to rescue some of the crew of that ship. What say you?"
Hamster turns to rush back to Horizon's Shadow but waits to see the reactions of his crewmates.
Lyrr watches in fascination to the events happening on the screen. "That technology. The design. It is unlike anything known in this galaxy. The knowledge contained within may be irreplaceable. I do not know if we are capable of helping, but I feel that we must." The androgynous android follows Hamster back to the ship. He turns to the scientist, "Perhaps I shall have to talk to your doctor later."
Hamster starts jogging back to Horizon's Shadow, slowing after only a few rounds and breathing quite heavily.
You return to the ship and inform Eschade, and only a moment later, the comms start beeping again. Stationmaster Jori Kimosan once again appears in the viewscreen, her Kasatha face worried.
Crew of the Horizon's Shadow, please, you have to help! That ship is the first ever to pass through the Far Portal from the plane of fire. It's of immense scientific value, and that beast is about to incinerate it! Your vessel is the only one here that can handle the situation. We need you to save that ship!
The stationmaster's seemingly unnecessary pleas ring out even as you lift off and turn from the docking bay and out into open space. In the distance, you see the vast expanse of flame that is the Burning Mother, a fiery backdrop against which you can see the unknown ship rushing away from the massive whale. Even as you watch, the great whale lashes out with a particle beam, scoring another hit on the mysterious ship's hull.
Reaching the ship finally, Hamster hauls himself into the pilot's chair and straps himself in.
While catching his breath, he tries to get out some basic directions. "Eschade... ship... portal... attacked... whale... scan it!"
Activating the targeting systems and firing the thrusters, he begins to catch his breath as the ship banks hard and starts flying to intercept the battle.
Opening hailing frequencies, he sends a message to the combatants. "Alien whale. Cease your attacks and explain the situation."
Eschade looks at the combatant whale, her consciousness overlaid with multiversal possibilities where the giant space cetacean is a pot plant, or a missile.
The fleeing ship reflects on her face.
Interesting. Let us hope we are in time to save them...
Bal'nek moves for the ship, while not outright running, his jogging pace easily passes the slower pilot.
Once in the ship, he settles into his seat and begins to power up the forward guns.
Eschade stands still, trying to focus on the whale-as-whale in an attempt to determine just what it is, and what its capabilities might be...
Engineering Phase Action: Scrying
Somewhat reluctantly, Lyrr makes their way to the turret controls, but knowing what is on the line sits resolutely in the chair. "I shall make sure to gain it's attention. Hang onto your hats, as they say."
Once they are clear of the station, Lyrr unleashes the turret weapon.
Eschade pierces said veil and looks into the whale as if her spirit traveled inside of it. She finds that there is no crew at all...this is an augmented beast of some sort. It classifies as a small starship with a speed of 8 and maneuverability of good. It's AC is 14, TL is 13, HP is 40, with basic shields of forward 8, port 7, starboard 7, and aft 8. She is, however, not able to find out anything about its attacks beyond the particle beam that you've already seen.
The whale seems to attempt to speed up. Suddenly, it seems to kick into high gear, pursuing the ship ahead of it.
"I'll do my best to get that thing in range, but it is moving fast and closer to the other ship than we are.
Try to disable the whale if you can, we still don't really know what is going on."
Turning up the volume on his comm unit, Hamster taps his foot as he slides the throttle forward, preparing to roll if the whale fires at Horizon's Shadow
At the end of the movement, the whale has caught up with the ship and is about to fire. Both the whale and the other ship face southeast.
As the retreating ship continues in its flight, the whale begins to catch up. As it approaches the other ship, it seems to completely ignore the Horizon's Shadow, instead focusing on its target.
At the end of it's travel, it opens its massive maw, and a burst of fiery plasma launches out in a broad arc at the ship before it.
Even though it's dangerously close, the fiery breath weapon can't seem to burst through its rear shields.
The missile impacts on the whale, coming in to the front and slamming into and through the shields on the strange creature. The whale seems to take pause, as it should, and reassess.
Bal'Nek ignores the discomfort of the improperly sized chair, and focuses on the forward guns fire control system.
As the gap closes, he targets the whale ship, and flipping open the safety cover on the firing switch, he waits for the target reticle to line up and fires the forward guns.