Emergence of the Brood

Status
Not open for further replies.

CainAndrews

Brood Commander
Uncharted Space
System x03-zz-24
Interis Corporation Sponsored Research Outpost "Acheron"
Coordinates: Classified


Fourteenth Cycle, Day 28. Dispatch to Command: While close surveillance on the unknown gas clouds surrounding the star x03-zz-24 have yielded little results, we have once again detected the anomaly we had reported earlier in the cycle. It appears to be gaining speed, and has pierced the edge of the gas cloud. We are submitting the images we have captured, which do indeed show it is some type of crystalline frozen comet. Further analysis is necessary in order to determine makeup of component substances. Early reports show that it contains mostly silicate-based substances on the outer surface, but infrared reports show that there is definitely a heated core and a substantial amount of metallic substances. We will attempt to survey the anomaly with a probe before the next cycle. End report

Fourteenth Cycle, Day 34. Dispatch to Command: Compiled data matches the infrared, x-ray, e-band, and microwave surveys of the comet. There is definitely a heated core surrounded by a metallic infrastructure within the comet. Analysis shows it is approximately 800 meters long, 200 meters wide, 50 meters deep. This is quite an uncommon shape for a rogue comet orbiting so close to a star. We launched our first probe late yesterday, hoping that closer analysis will provide more data.

Fourteenth Cycle, Day 41. Emergency Dispatch: We are in the process of submitting all data, along with this report and all images, to account for what has happened here. Once the probe was in position and began inspecting the comet with infrared and microwave high-bands, it seemed to illicit some type of response. The infrared images show the heated core began to expand, and electromagnetics showed activity all over the interior. We withdrew the probe immediately. Then, nearly two hours later, these...things began to emerge from the gas cloud. They were metallic structures, electromagnetics and infrared readings only showed mechanical and electronic parts - there were no organic readings. They propelled like space craft, using a type of ionic drive system, until they were in close proximity of the comet. Then, they began using a type of laser or thermal cutting device to remove the crystalline shell covering the metallic substances beneath. It was a space craft all along! We are submitting images of the insect-like ships that had freed it as well as the craft itself. We are currently mapping their trajectory, and it appears they are heading in our direction. We are not able to communicate with them on any normal frequencies, although we are picking up burst electromagnetic impulses bouncing between them. We do not know the nature of these things, and they are not responding to friend-or-foe signals. We are re-routing this transmission through the zft-oo-31 military relay with black-ops authorization so that it may reach you faster. We will continue to document all activity and provide an update within the hour. They are currently picking up speed, and electromagnetics are off the char.... - Transmission ends.


Uncharted Space
Brood Ship Achovos
Gas Cloud
Surrounding x03-zz-24 Star


"Cellular replication complete. Injecting bio-electric impulse...complete. Respiration achieved. Injecting Neural Configuration...complete. Injecting Cerebral Cortex Mapping...complete. Memory injection complete. Designate: Cain Andrews online. Good Morning, Commander..."

Shaken, disoriented, the man...human...stumbled out of the silica-stasis chamber. Washed, rinsed, dried...dressed, he made his way to the bridge. Empty, desolate, the ship was eerily quiet. Not as he remembered it before stasis had been engaged. He sat in his seat - the Commander's Seat - and stared out in the blanketed space before him.

"Good morning, Achovos. Signal the fleets. Rendezvous point Theta. Then plot a trajectory."

The central system of the ship, Achovos, began to bring the ship's systems online, obeying the commands, and then asked: "What is our bearing, Commander?"

Andrews, his face alive with a malfean grin, sinister eyes, whispered "Home..."
 
Two days later...

Periphery Space
Outside Space Defense Patrol Sectors
Wayport 9, Neutral Space Station
Midain System


"Sound red alert, status 3...NOW!" The order erupted from Security Chief Mandelson, head of Wayport 9's station defenses. "Bring the guns online, get me a shooting solution on those ships!"

The station was alive with panic. Wayport 9 was in the Periphery, the border systems between uncharted space and Secure space, but it had been some years since its regulars had heard an alert.

"Space pirates, Chief?"

Mandelson peered at some sketchy readings, then through the viewport showing the fleet of ships that had suddenly appeared within the perimeter of the station's orbit moments earlier. "Defectors, maybe...but I doubt it. This is a fleet...the ships are all of the same design. And they're all clean...no damage."

"Orders, sir?"

"See if you can bring them up on comms. No use starting a war here...their guns outnumber ours."

The station was in immediate lockdown. The ships outside the gates drifted hastily away, leaving the abrupt scene behind in their wake. Merchants, truckers...everyone standing around the docking bays, panic and confusion visible on their faces.

"Sir...we're getting a response on comms. I'm patching it through."

...Disengage your weapons, allow us to dock, and you may all be spared. Failure to comply will result in immediate shutdown of your vital station systems. Beyond that we can not guarantee your safety. You have one minute to comply...

"Sir?"

Mandelson continued to stare through the viewport, eyes fixed on the flagship at the front of the fleet line. "According to these readings...their systems aren't even online. Just basics and propulsion. Target the flagship...open fire!"

The ship's targeting systems mapped firing trajectory, the guns panned about on the high side of the station. Space erupted with a silent barrage of artillery, pushing its way through the void toward the Achovos. The explosions rocketed away, making contact with an undetected shield, the e-band repository forcing the explosion back toward the way it came. Casings and debris pelleted the station. As the cloud faded through space, the Achovos remained unscathed.

"Sir...their shields. Sensors aren't picking them up, but obviously they're online. Should we send another volley?"

Mandelson's voice broke, almost a whisper. "No need...our weapons system just went offline. Sensors offline...life support offline...everything...offline..."

The Achovos phased it's temporal displacement array to full power, shutting down all electronics on the station.

Wait five minutes, then issue the command for the transport ships to board. Clear out the dead and bring all systems back online. The station is ours...
 
Space Defense Council wants YOU! -point-

- And now Marius Stevens with our nightly Interstellar News segment -

"Thanks Robert. Grave news tonight from the Midain system. The SDC issued a statement today that they have lost contact with Wayport 9, a neutral point of harbor just outside the defense grid in the Periphery sector. The Lukan-class merchant station served as a refueling and shipping port for many years, fending off pirates and even the Garlion Empire fleets preying on merchants and cargo vessels in the area. All that changed eight days ago, when the SDC patrols in that sector picked up a distress beacon. They say the beacon was online for only six minutes before being lost.

SDC Logistics show long-range images of a fleet surrounding the station, verified by scanners. The fleet is unlike any we have seen in charted space. In the statement, SDC officials also state that various research outposts and planetary expeditions within or around the Midain system - including planets in RX-9 and Siloid systems - have lost communications with SDC and their parent corporations. Wayport 9, as well as a handful of the various outposts, were armed with chartered SDC military armaments. Full details of the arsenal have not been released.

SDC preliminary reports show that, given the current data, war may soon be declared. All citizens with status 4, 5, or 6 licenses as well as any reserve military personnel have been ordered to speak with your local SDC military office to volunteer, in the event a stage 4 alert is declared.

This is Marius Stevens, your Ayenee Interstellar Analyst, reminding you to polish your boots and prepare for dustoff. Back to you, Robert."

- Now, for those of you seeking to enlist, please dial Star-Star 7 on your vidPhones for directions to your local SDC Military office, or for a list of benefits SDC Military volunteers will receive in the event that war is declared. Remember, license statuses 4, 5, and 6 are now encouraged to at least inquire. Your galaxy may need you!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom