Crashed Alien Ship- Tachiko and Makoto
"Multiple energy readings with signatures that suggest aether, visible light. Not the signal we picked up."
Through the slightly ajar bulkhead, Tachiko or Makoto could have caught a fleeting glimpse of something. The towering figure moved with a purpose, its metallic greyish-blue exoskeleton gleaming under the artificial lights inside the office where it was trapped. The creature's multifaceted eyes briefly reflected the ambient glow as it passed by, its four muscular arms swinging rhythmically with its strides. The intimidating silhouette, marked by angular contours and an aura of disciplined agility, disappeared as swiftly as it had come into view, leaving behind a lingering sense of awe and trepidation in the wake of its passage. The lights in the compartment went out and the energy source would vanish from their scanners as soon as Tachiko spoke.
The Taisho replied, 'We might need to consider waiting for a bit or inquire with the Iron Company to see if they already have something down here. It seems there are some issues outside that need addressing.'"
Crashed Alien Ship- Katsuko, Yingzi, and Mikael
"Yeah, Harris-Shosa," Katsuko admitted with a wry smile behind her helmet. "I got a bit carried away. It's not often I get to be the one sifting through a scene like this. Command duties usually keep someone of my rank behind a desk or in a comfortable chair far too often."
Katsuko continued to sift through the scattered papers on the desk, her brow furrowing as she tried to decipher the notes and diagrams. Most of the documents appeared to be related to the ship's navigation and communication systems, but she couldn't find any immediate answers to their current situation. She made a mental note to have Yingzi analyze the data chips as soon as possible; they might hold valuable information. Yingzi wouldn't find anything else valuable on the floor it was just more of the same mess of scattered papers.
After a thorough search of the desk, Katsuko moved on to the damaged computer terminal. She carefully examined the screen, which flickered sporadically with distorted images and symbols. It was clear that the terminal had been subjected to significant damage, likely during the ship's crash.
As Mikael moved the mattress, he would have discovered more than he had anticipated. There, sprawled on the floor, lay the lifeless form of an Ialien, its once imposing greyish-blue exoskeleton now pale and devoid of the vibrant vigor it had once possessed. The creature's four arms were splayed out in a frozen tableau of struggle, an eerie testament to a battle that had ended in the haunting permanence of death. The multifaceted eyes that had once delved into the intricacies of war strategy and grandeur now stared vacantly, obscured by the cold shroud of mortality.
Upon closer examination, they noticed clear signs of a fierce struggle; the room bore the scars of desperation, and the markings on the floor surrounding the alien's body told a tale of resistance—a fight for survival that had met a grim fate beneath the seemingly ordinary guise of the bedframe and mattress. The scene before them unfolded like a cryptic narrative, a haunting dance between life and death that had ultimately succumbed to a chilling silence.
Atmosphere - Shuttle Two
The shuttle, a once-sleek vessel, now battered and broken from its tumultuous descent, slammed into the unforgiving surface of the planet. The impact sent shockwaves through the craft, jolting everyone within. Metal screeched, and sparks flew as the shuttle skidded along the rocky desert terrain, leaving a trail of debris in its wake. Outside, the scene was surreal and treacherous. The hydrogen cyanide rain fell from the sky like a deadly downpour, its toxic droplets sizzling upon contact with the ground. Pools of the noxious liquid formed in the sandy, rocky desert, creating an eerie, bubbling landscape of death.
As the shuttle came to a violent halt, the passengers and crew were subjected to a turbulent cacophony of sounds and sensations. The abrupt stop sent them lurching forward, their safety harnesses straining to keep them in place. The vessel groaned and creaked, battered by the forces it had endured.
Inside, Daisuke's protective barriers had offered some degree of shielding, but they couldn't entirely mitigate the chaos. The members of the Iron Company would find themselves disoriented, bruised, and shaken from the crash. The smell of burnt metal and the acrid tang of hydrogen cyanide permeated the air. Through the viewports, they would see the grim reality of their situation. The burning hydrogen cyanide rain continued to fall, creating a hazardous environment outside the shuttle. The once-pristine landscape had turned into a nightmare of bubbling pools and scorched earth.
Atmosphere - Shuttle One and Akina
As Alina struggled to control the shuttle amidst the downpour of burning hydrogen cyanide, she found herself facing an increasingly perilous situation. The toxic rain lashed against the shuttle's hull, causing it to hiss and sizzle as the corrosive liquid made contact. Visibility was virtually nonexistent, with the windshield rapidly fogging up from the intense heat and toxic fumes. The shuttle's sensors continued to malfunction, making it nearly impossible to maintain a steady course.
Despite her best efforts, Alina's attempts to stabilize the shuttle would prove challenging, and she could feel the craft bucking and swaying unpredictably in the tumultuous atmosphere. The prospect of landing under such hazardous conditions was daunting, and she knew that any decision she made would carry significant risks.
In orbit aboard the
YSS Mazu, Kaoru could only watch helplessly as the situation unfolded on the planet's surface. The violent atmospheric reaction had rendered any attempt at reaching orbit unfeasible, leaving her with no option but to remain in orbit and monitor the situation.
Her communication with the surface was sporadic at best, and Akina's message had conveyed the severity of the storm. Kaoru knew that attempting to retrieve the shuttles from the surface was out of the question given the chaotic conditions. She had to make a tough decision.
"Alina, this is Kaoru," she transmitted, her voice laced with concern. "It's impossible to get to orbit in this storm. Try to land the shuttle as safely as you can, even if it means locking it to the surface. We'll do our best to coordinate a rescue once the storm subsides. Stay safe."
As the storm on the planet intensified, Akina's power armor would become increasingly difficult to control. The powerful gusts of wind and the corrosive rain would have made it challenging for her to maintain her balance and maneuver through the turbulent atmosphere. Mindy's projected HUD flickered as the storm disrupted her sensor readings, leaving her with limited visibility. Her options were rapidly diminishing.
Field Laboratory - Ayano
Their scans yielded limited information about the Cemlae's biology, leaving the team with more questions than answers and the body was decomposing at an alarming rate. Ayano's enthusiasm was infectious, and her determination to uncover the truth drove the team to work diligently, even as they faced the uncertainties of their environment.
Outside the containment chamber, the enlisted techs sprang into action, ensuring that everyone was safely inside the laboratory. The urgency of the situation hung in the air, but it only fueled their determination to uncover the secrets of this alien species. The field laboratory had become a hub of activity, a place where the pursuit of knowledge met the unknown, and the excitement of discovery thrived amidst the challenges.
YSS Mazu
Kaoru stood at her command station on the Mazu's bridge, her eyes fixed on the display showing the turbulent planet below. The situation on the surface was dire, and her thoughts were consumed by the safety of her crew members. "Sorry Mazu-Hei, it looks like snack time is going to have to wait. Go to the starboard launch bay, try and set up a comfortable area where we can receive the wounded, and our medical staff can treat them," she ordered.
Minato approached her with a concerned expression. "Taisa," she began, "I've been thinking about our options to mitigate the effects of the hydrogen cyanide storm on the planet's surface." Kaoru turned to her, her expression a mix of hope and anticipation. "Minato, I'll take any suggestion you've got at this point. We need to find a way to help them down there." Minato nodded. "Well, we have the Matter collection system on board. I was thinking we could use it to project hydrogen peroxide, use energy-matter conversion from our reserves, and eject it into the atmosphere. Hydrogen peroxide and water can react with hydrogen cyanide to form less toxic compounds."
Kaoru's eyes lit up with intrigue. "That's an interesting idea, Minato. It might just work. Can you calculate the quantities needed and the best method for dispersal? We need to act quickly." Minato nodded again, her focus on the task at hand. "I'll get to work on the calculations right away. We won't be able to stop a storm that large but we might be able to create a window for them to get to cover ."
Kaoru placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Good job, Minato. Let's hope this plan helps our team down there. Keep me updated on your progress."
As Minato hurried to her station to begin the calculations, Kaoru turned her attention back to the display, a glimmer of optimism growing within her. With Minato's innovative solution, there was a chance they could weaken the deadly hydrogen cyanide storm and increase the chances of a successful rescue operation. "Kaoru to anyone that can hear me down there, we're working on a temporary solution to try and bring you at least a few moments of relief to get to safety." She announced over the still-open comm.
