RP (non-canon) It's cold out here Pt II ((1v1))

[Edto Xar'Sivaree]

Space is a cold place. Cold, empty, and lonely. Certainly, an odd place to find a single, fighter craft floating around. Normally, when you found a fightercraft floating through space, you would identify it. Usually, it would be yours. Space is a big place after all. This ship wasn't from the system. It wasn't from any system known by any of the creatures who might find it. It was totally alien to an alien race.

The ship was completely powered down aside from communications. They were busy pumping out a signal. A pattern that any race with sentience would understand. Math, and sound waves. It would send a pattern in milliseconds, ranging from 1 millisecond, and one second. Timing set off the prime numbers. The whole message would play in 1.054 seconds, then repeat after .5 seconds. The message also played from 100,000Hrz, down to 5Hrz.

It would be an unusual blip on the screen, but any AI would be capable of identifying the pattern. The ship was 35 meters in length, 8.5 meters high and wide. It showed very minimal signs on IR, and was difficult to see at via camera and imagery, given the ships matte black look and curved surface. It would certainly show up though...

 

[Gunsight1]

But it was not alone in this vast emptiness that was space. There was another ship plying the void, another ship to hear the signal the alien transmitted.

This second ship was larger, it's long curving white hull gleaming in the dim light of distant stars. She emitted her own light as well, the regular twinkle of formation lights and the much more impressive flickers and flashes of blue energy sails that radiated out from her four drive nodes and fanned over a mile out about her stern.

The ship seemed to move with an almost lazy grace, her illuminated sails catching currents of subspace winds, which in turn propelled the starship along.

Now though something changed, with the ship. The sailsflared and intensified, reaching oit farther in all directions as the energy field was enlarged and the sailing vessel spread her wings. She seemed to hesitate a moment as her energy sails unfurled and changed angle, thenshe lept forward, catching a new, stronger current.

She drew closer to the black shape, and as she did details began to emerge. Her bone white hull was devided by a thick blue stripe that ran down her flank and elaborate trimmings of gold glinted and glittered in the dim light. Her bow was adorned with gold work and the bust of a woman clad in red and gold, with great horns sprouting from her temples.

As she approached, electronic signals reached out, some making inquiries to the other ship, some taking readings and making records of it. If anyone were watching her at this point, another change would be seen, as a long row of hatches folded open along her flanks, where the blue stripe was painted, twenty five of them per side and two on her bows . The blue energy of air shields glowed out from these ports and a deadly looking muzzel protruded from each as guns were run out.

Now the ship slowed as she came to within fifteen thousand miles, her sails flashing, then dimming as she let the wind spill out of them, cutting her accelleration drastically. She slewed to starboard, presenting her port broadside to the alien vessel as her subspace radio clamored for attention from the smaller black hulled ship.

 

[Edto Xar'Sivaree]

As the ship studied the tiny vessel, they would receive nothing but the signal it was giving out currently. There would be no obvious signs of life aboard the ship, but it was too big to be a drone. Certainly, something was on it. Alien tech? Maybe alien bodies to autopsy and study for new information. It was made out of rather stealthy materials, which seemed deliberately damaged so it would come up on sensors. Were it not for this damage, the ship likely wouldn't be capable of finding it. The ship ran off what seemed to be a Hydrogen reactor, but the whole ship was dormant aside from the power required to run the distress signals.

 

[Gunsight1]

The captain of the larger vessel leaned forward, her hands gripping the quarterdeck railing as her brilliant glowing green eyes scrutenized the holographic image of the vessel floating before her.

"Still no response to our signals, Captain" a smooth accented voice stated.

She nodded. "A derelict, then? " she said and turned to her first lieutenant. It was not a regular occurance to come by unidentified alien vessels in their territories, in fact, as far as was known, no alien vessels had been spotted in their space for athousand years.

"Quite possible, Captain, the first lieutenant responded, with a rais of a glowing eyebrow. "Investigate?"

The captain nodded." Helmsman, cut sails and bring us along side" she ordered, turning back to the holographic image. "Prepare grappling lines!"

The ship drew up, having closed the gap between them, and now her energy sails collapsed, flickering out into nothingness. The four heavily armored arms that contained her drive nodes slowly and smoothly folded back into their protective storage position as maneuvering and breaking thrusters jetted, slowing and positioning the vessel that was almost five times larger than the black shape along side.

Amid ships and below the line of open gunports, aservice hatch slid open and a line was shot out, connecting and securing to the black hull with a magnetic clamp. This was followed by lines from several other service hatches, all of which were used to send over and secure heavy cables to the smaller vessel.

Up the ships curved hull, above the gun deck, where there was large inset cutout in the armored form, a rectangular airlock parted horizontally, allowing the deployment of a fifty foot long support craft, extended out on arms, which held the cutter away from her mothership and released her into space.

Free, the cutter jetted about nimbly, illuminating the alien vessels hull with spot lights, as it took a closer look.

Finding what looked to be an airlock, the cutter came to rest and opened its own. Three crew exited, each clad in a black and red space suit, over which they wore a blue coat and crome armor plate. Their helmets were a mixture of crome and tinted glass, with unique horns protruding from either temple, which were covered in a flexible mesh.

Each of them had a large pistol and a cutlass strapped to their belts and armored life support packs on their backs. They shot a line to the airlock and used it as a guide asthey lept across the gap between the two vessels.

The one clad with more elaborate trim on their coat sleeves and more gold on their armor scrutenized the airlock, looking for controls, while the other two seemed to stand guard, drawing the long curved pistols from their belts and cocking their hammers.

 

[Edto Xar'Sivaree]

The Airlock would be a bit of a challenge, but if gave way vital information. The ship was still pressurized, but all the controls seemed to function off sound systems. There was no chance to figure out how to open it. The control panel worked with an analog keyboard, had an obvious microphone, and there was a single, faintly flashing light over top the main screen. The airlock was also barely a meter in diameter, from what could be seen with investigation. Other than this, there was little else the crew could discover.

 

[Gunsight1]

"...Airlock seems to be pressurized... Only a little over three feet wide... They must climb out head first, or be rather small.." the voice of the third lieutenant crackled over the comm. "Sound pickup on the control panel, thats not gping to work in space... Whoever built this thing has some strange ideas. Were probably going to have to cut this thing open, but it'll decompress and blow itsself across the system"

"Understood" the captain replied and turned to her first lieutenant. "I dont like the idea of docking with it directly, in case that signal is a quarentine beacon" she said.

"The longboat or jollyboat have extendable docking tunnels that would suffice and allow a remote dock to prevent any alien contamination of our atmosphere" replied the lieutenant.

"Aye. Also with that small hatch, we may want one of the squeakers over there, in case this is a ship of tiny people"

Ten minutes later a larger support ship was launched and along side, having docked directly with the alien vessel. In the connecting tunnel, a rating worked at the airlock with tools, forcing the hatch open. They all still wire their fully sealed space suites.

As soon as the hatch was cracked open, brute force and leverage was able to open it the rest of the way and handheld lamps were directed into the darkness beyond.

 

[Edto Xar'Sivaree]

Once the airlock was opened, an idea of the interior was made clear. There was yet another hatch, but these ones seemed lightly powered. Enough to access the doors. One button was pulsing with light, and once pressed, a square door opened, showing four similarly small holes that led deeper into the ship. The air inside was stale and cold, the difference causing warm air to rush past. The interior of the ship was awfully dark, and each had a symbol that would look strikingly like soundwaves.

The "Squeaker" would be able to crawl through uncomfortable, but it wouldn't take long to get a handle on how to traverse the tunnels. It was obviously built for a race accustomed to climbing and traversing in tunnels often. It would take a while, but it was clear this was a ship built to live in. Odd for a small craft like this, but it could probably only accommodate one or two crew members working shifts. While in a living quarters, they found an alien frozen solid, frost and ice coating the creatures naked form. It showed no signs of being alive, but there was no sign of damage to the body, not even freezer burn.

Pulling the body out onto the deck, the crew would find other things. Combat armour, "Primitive" projectile based weapons, enough ammo to last no more than two engagements against armor of a similar make to their own. They would find food rations by the looks of them and over the bed, a very large heat lamp. The aliens eyes were open and unmoving, staring blankly into the distance, focusing on nothing particularly.

 

[Gunsight1]

Aboard the longboat, the small crew gathered around the corpse. The lieutenant had not been overly pleased whe the midshipmen had dragged the frozen mass out of the airlock, but that was in the past now and at least this afforded them a better look at the thing.

"Bio scans dont detect any forms of damgerous agents on the creature" he was reporting to the captain. I assume it's lide support gave out ad it froze to desth when the ships heat bled off into space" he hypothosized.

Aboard the starship, the captain watched the video feed on the massive wraparound viewscreen that dominated the forward half of the quarterdeck compartment.

"I don't recognize this species from what I know from the old records" she commented, her glowing green eyes taking in the strange reptillian form of the creature. "I'd like to have the doc examin it and take DNA samples for conparison... Maybe the archives have something in there that matches and we csn find out where this fellow came from"

"Bring the creature to medical and have the ship rigged for towing. We will take both to port"

 

[Edto Xar'Sivaree]

The body was light for a creature that was frozen solid. It's 4'8" stature was barely 1oo lbs. As it was taken to the medical center, the ice and frost slowly started to thaw away. By the time it was in medical, it was relaxed enough to move around. There were still no vitals that could be detected, and the creatures core temperature was still well below what could be survivable. It was pliable, though. One could lay it out and examine it's join functions well enough.

 

[Gunsight1]

The ships medical bay was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Several members of the medical staff were clustered around the creature, which now lay on a bed, obsurving as the chief surgeon conducted an external examination of the corpse.

Already the creature was thawing, and rather quickly, for something that had been so solidly frozen not so long ago. The surgeon took a blood sample for dna scan, handing the vial to an aid.

"We will allow it to thaw a bit more, then begin the internal examination of the creature" she commented. It would be easier to cut into a thawed body than a frozen one. "Bring heating blankets"

 

[Edto Xar'Sivaree]

The body was easy to manipulate and was quickly wrapped in the heating blankets. Being dead, most staff didn't pay it much mind as what remained of the ice and frost slowly started to melt away, giving way to puddles of water. Eventually, the awe of an alien being in the medical bay grew stale given she didn't move.

The examination pulled up several points. Her scales were all different thicknesses. The white of her body was smooth and soft, with only the slightest texture, while her black scales were slightly metallic in feel. The grey scales on her abdomen were the thickest and strongest of them all, though, easily a centimeter of bone that overlapped. She had razor sharp teeth filling her muzzle, with two thin, needle-like incisors that were hollow. A bacteria culture could be taken of her mouth, but not studied right away. If anyone touched bare skin with their gloves or god forbid touched her mouth with bare skin, they would feel a burning as the bacteria started to rot their flesh. If they did such a stupid thing...

After a while, the glamour of the creature faded, and she became an oddity that could be examined at their own time... Or could she? Suddenly, there was a loud crash from where she was being held. Those who responded would find the heating blankets had been torn off, and one cord was cut, the blanket now missing. The creature was also gone, a table of medical supplies under a vent that was pried open all that remained. It seemed the creature was trying to remain unnoticed, but once succeeding at prying open the vent, had lost it's footing and knocked a bunch of tool over.

 

[Gunsight1]

The surgeon cursed as she bolted back ibto the examination bay upon the sound of the loud crash. She had been reviewing information on the creatures DNA sample in her office at the time.

Her eyes went wide as she took immediate note of the state of the compartment, the lack of the corpse and the torn open vent. She cursed and slapped the switch on the wall mounted comm unit.

"Medical to bridge! Captain. The creature has escaped!"

"What was that?" the commanding officers surprised voice answered.

"It seems it is not dead. It broke free and clawed it's way into the ventalation ducts while I was checking genetic test results" she explained. "Captain, we don't know what kind of mental state this thing is in, but I can tell you it is strong enough to shred open the ductwork with it's claws"

"Understood, Doc. I'm sending infantry to protect medical in case it doubles back."

Even before the captain finished that sentance, the fu irst lieutenant was on a different comm, relaying the orders to the army unit stationed aboard the ship.

"Sound intruder alert throughout the ship" the captain commanded as soon as she got off the call with medical.

All throughout the warship klaxons wailed as the alert was sounded.

 

[Edto Xar'Sivaree]

The Vekimen had escaped into the vents but didn't go very far. The medical wing of a ship designed for creature averaging 9 feet tall was a shock for the creature. She was stressed, anxious, and shocked to find herself alive in a ship that was so big! Why did anything need this much space? It remained curled up in vent system, till it started to hear alarm going off.

It let out a sharp, screech as the sheer volume of the alarm caused her skull to vibrate with much more force than it could handle. Being trapped in the metal vents didn't help, with them simply focusing the waves of sound. It immediately slammed it's head into one of the vent walls, screaming like a tortured animal as it tried to get out of the vents. Finally, it managed to do so, falling out of the opening it had crawled into and onto a counter of supplies.

It continued to scream, slamming it's head off walls, tables, anything as it clutched at its head, trying to desperately quell the vibrations caused by the Alarm. It finally slunk to the ground, squirming in pain and letting out a low groan as the alarms continued to wail.

 

[Gunsight1]

The creature suddenly dropped back out of the vent and the surgeon jolted upright from her examination of the stuff that had been keft behind when it had escaped. As it thrashed about, the two army infantry that had been posted to the medical compartment moved to draw their side arms.

"No, wait!" she waved her hands at them, stilling their motions as she watched the small reptillian creature, which seemed to be suffering.

She frowned and quickly reached over, slapping the switch on the local alarm panel, silencing the intruder alert klaxon in the sick berth.

 

[Edto Xar'Sivaree]

The Vekimen continued to thrash until the Klaxon finally halted ad it was able to slump to the ground in relaxation. This sense of placated pose only lasted for a moment though before the creature was back on her hands and feet, staring at the creatures. The two directly in front of her had what appeared to be weapons, and she gave them a stern hiss, backing up underneath a table and glaring at them both.

It seemed frightened, small, and while agile, it appeared to be weak. Under the table it seemed rather harmless, hissing and flicking it's tongue out at the creatures. She was glad the klaxon was over, but she still had a race that she had no idea the intentions of to deal with. She was on their ship! She had none of her gear, and this was the furthest from how the plan was supposed to go. She was supposed to be ready, geared up, and prepared to attempt negotiations! Not strapped to a medical table obviously prepped for autopsy.

 

[Gunsight1]

The surgeon glanced at the two red jacketed army soldiers, who both had their pistols out. "Weapons down" she said, waving a hand at them to stand down.

The two soldiers eyed the surgeon for a moment, then hesitantly responded, lowering their big curved handled pistols, but not holstering them yet. They took a few steps back as the un armed surgeon took a cautious step towards the table, her knees bent slightly, hands in front of her, palms out.

She spoke in a soothing voice to the creature in a smooth and almost melodic language totally unfamiliar to it, but her tone was one that conveyed calm and the desire to be peaceful.

 

[Edto Xar'Sivaree]

The Vekimen stared at the two soldiers with their guns out with a dagger filled glare. She was aware of the other creature trying to wave them down. One seemed interested in keeping her safe, so that was a benefit. Slowly, she watched the soldiers lower their weapons and the what appeared to be female approach her. She had her hands open, calmly walking over so as to not appear threatening.

Gehlala slowly poked her head out from under the table, her tongue flicking out wearily. She was careful not to touch the creature with her tongue, but was also quite unwilling to leave the presumed safety of under the table. She didn't know what kind of tricks these creatures were capable of, so she continued her caution, especially with two armed soldiers.

It didn't help they were all twice her size...

 

[Gunsight1]

The blue uniformed surgeon continued speaking to the creature in a soothing tone. She smiled pleasantly as it slowly edged part way out from under the table and hoped it understood she and the two soldiers meant no harm.

She placed a hand on her chest and said, "Sidurra" with emphasis. "Sidurra" she repeated, then indicated the creature with awave of her hand.

 

[Edto Xar'Sivaree]

Gehlala stared as the creature spoke, seeming very keen on it. Like she was studying the voice, grunting and groaning here and there. Even after the vocal workout she went through, she seemed like she was getting ready to sing or something. Every few moments she would sound more and more familiar until finally she placed a hand on her chest.

"Sidurra..." She stated clearly, her voice an /exact/ replica of the Surgeons. As she got out from under the table, she cleared the surgeon and gave the two soldiers, pointing at the weapons they held. "Weapons... Down," she added, her voice still a replica of the Surgeon, with an idea of understanding. She knew what "Weapons Down" meant at the very least.

 

[Gunsight1]

The surgeon glanced at the soldiers, nodding to them. They reluctantly holstered their service pistols, though their hands were close in case they needed to draw them again.

The surgeon turned her attention back to the creature, a smile touching her lips now that contact had been established.

"I am Sidurra" she said, her hands indicating herself, then she pointed at the creaturw, "You are?"