ic Shoaling Patterns (IC)

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Doktor Archeville transmitted his message up towards the upper atmosphere, a few moments after he had, he received a response in return. "I am Kinarr Khan, the new Star Khan and ruler of the Stellar Khanate."

"I understand the Sarcota are posing a hazard to the Lor facilities in this area, I am here to assist in herding the creatures back into deep space."

 

The Xeno’s sensors detected the figure had landed on one of the solar collection arrays, not far from where the Sarcota were currently active.

 

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

Kinarr Kahn? The Stellar Kahnate. 

 

Starshot kept out of Galactic politics. Above his pay grade. Sure, he mixed with the rich and powerful who wanted a luxury yacht to take them on a safari. But he kept his nose out of their business; and requested the same out of them. No good some businessman suddenly thinking he could take down a Jezrik Tiger with a spoon and a plucky attitude. 

 

He reached over to the ATV intercom and spoke directly to the Doc. 

 

"Friend of yours, Doc?" he asked. "Gotta say I don't like this turn of events. Adding too much instability into an already unstable kettle. But its your call. I keep my nose out of galactic politics. Too much skullduggery. I prefer the simplicity of a fang or a claw."

 

He drummed his fingers against the ATV wheel. This wasn't good, he was sure of it. 

Edited February 11 by Supercape

[Dr Archeville]

Doktor Archeville

 

... sure, why not.

 

"I've not had the chance yet to meet this Khan in person," he replied to Starshot, "but I have heard of him.  His father Kinan built and ruled the Stellar Khanate, but was grievously injured during by Communion forces during The Incursion."

 

Memories of his own encounters with Communion drones on distant worlds, always trying to stay one step ahead lest they assimilate him and his vast knowledge -- and regrets at focusing on personal evasion and defense, rather than assisting in the offensive efforts -- flashed through his mind.

 

"Rumor is Kinan had recently succumbed to those injuries, and now Kinarr, his youngest -- and only surviving -- son is looking to put himself onto his father's throne.  But what sort of Khan will this one be, diplomat or warlord, is an open question."

 

He looked to the sky again, "might as well try opening with diplomacy," and beamed out another message.  "Khan Kinarr, Son of Kinan, you honor and humble us with your presence.  I am Herr Doktor Viktor Archeville, of Terra, brought in by Lor corporate interests to see to these legendary creatures and the unfortunate circumstance in which they find themselves.  We would of course welcome any assistance you might bring, knowledge and expertise from your vast star-spanning Khanate, but surely there are more pressing matters which require your attention, yes?  Ferrum's supply of power cells is an important matter, certainly, but one which you need not involve yourself personally."

 

[Thevshi]

GM

 

The two Terrans did not have long to wait before the new Star Khan responded to Doktor Archeville's follow up message.

 

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance Doktor Archeville." The young Khan replied, his tone friendly. "While I appreciate your consideration of my time, I am more than happy to provide assistance. I was just recently on CoVic Station where I extended an offer of peace to the Republic and other Coalition worlds, I have a trusted ambassador and Justicar there to discuss and negotiate the terms for such a treaty, which I expect will be many. I also made a rather…hasty additional proposal, and have set out to accomplish heroic deeds to prove myself worthy."

 

"I am afraid I have no specific insights to these incredible creatures. My father, unfortunately, was more interested in 'acquiring' technology, rather than supporting development of such within the Khanate. Something I hope to correct."

[Dr Archeville]

Doktor Archeville

 

He looked to Starshot, one eyebrow raised, "a promising start, yes?  However, I am reminded of the Russian proverb 'doveryay, no proveryay,' or 'trust, but verify'"

 

Then, back to the new Khan, "in that case, we would be honored to have your assistance!  If you can home in on this signal, we -- that is, my associate and I -- can join you, and we can see what can learn about the Sarcota who have settled in here, and how to gently nudge them away."

 

Back to Starshot, "I'd like to contact CoVic Station and get some verification on what he's said, preferably in a way that Kinarr won't immediately notice.  I can manage that," he waggled his (fake) electromagnetic screwdriver, "but it will be easier for me to do if I'm not also engaged with him.  Would you mind escorting him for a bit?"

 

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

Starshot grunted. "I can do that," without relish. He had escorted many politicians, nobles and businessmen in his ship, and he could manage all but the most obnoxious ones, provided they kept within the rules of the ship. But this was a different kettle of fish. 

 

"You best know though - I am not known for my skill in words. Gruff, brusque, direct, all these have been said of me, and more. I can manage a guest on my ship, but this... man... is not a guest, and I am not a diplomat. So the sooner your can contact CoVic, the better. The Xeno has pretty good communication systems, shouldn't be too hard. Feel free to push them if you need to."

 

He flipped the comms over to contact Kahn. 

 

"This is Starshot, captain of the Xeno. Please come aboard as our.. esteemed... guest."

 

He turned to Echo. "And see if you can find out what the latest cuisine and drinks are on the Kahnate. Rustle him up a nice tea when he comes onboard..."

[Thevshi]

GM

 

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance as well Starshot." Kinarr responded as the hunter opened a line of communication. "I appreciate your generous hospitality, I believe you and the good Doktor may want to come towards my position, something appears to be happening with the Sarcota."

 

Sure enough, as Kinarr transmitted, the Xeno's sensors picked up increase activity up towards the top of the mountain range, more of the Sarcota were emerging from the fissures and swarming around the area.

 

Meanwhile, Dokor Archeville managed to boost the Xeno's communication system so that it had sufficient range to reach CoVic Station…

[Dr Archeville]

Doktor Archeville

 

Viktor sat in the pilot's seat, (fake) electromagnetic Screwdriver in one hand, the other deep in the guts of the console.  His device's beeping and flashing were meant to draw attention from his real work.  He had spliced the Xeno's sensor arrays to the communications system, to boost its range enough to reach CoVic Station, but doing so required a unique connector: his own technorganic nervous system. 

 

Hrm, tastes like Ruthenium...

 

As the last wire spooled around his finger, and cyberpahically entered the final lines of software updates, he readied his message.

 

It's been at least a year since my last visit to CoVic, so it's possible they've got a completely new staff rotated in.  Or it may all be the same folks, since some of these space-faring organizations move at a glacial pace.  Hopefuly it won't be anyone I owe credits to...

 

"CoVic Station, come in CoVic Station, this is a priority message from Ferrum.  Kinarr Khan has arrived, offering to assist us with a... an infrastructure issue.  He claims he was recently at CoVic, extending an offer for peace to the Republic and other Coalition worlds, and had left a Justicar there to negotiate terms while he has set out to 'accomplish heroic deeds' and 'prove himself worthy'.  We are... cautious.  Can you confirm?"

 

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

"Something happening near you?"

 

Starshot was reminded of the Amarix Mimic-spider, who lured its prey to the web with wails of distress. 

 

But what could he do? Damn Politics!

 

How did this Kahn get the crown? Blood and guts, like every other tyrant?

 

"On our way."

 

He slung himself out of the ATV and to the bridge, speaking through the intercom as he did. 

 

"Doc, time's against us again. Our new friend has some movement at his location. Our Sarcota are on the move. Looks like we have to go to him. Just be on the alert, eh? I'll pilot, and you keep your eyes on the scanner. Not just for the Sarcota. I'd like to trust our Kahn, but i'd like to stay alive even more. If you see any weapons charging up, we best move...."

[Thevshi]

GM

 

It did not take Starshot long to get up to the cockpit and switch places with Doktor Archeville, who was transmitting to CoVic Station. Firing up the Xeno’s engines, Starshot soon had the ship airborne, carefully weaving his way back up through the solar collection arrays to where the young Star Khan was.

 

"Ferrum, this is Elite of the Praetorians." Came a response to Doktor Archeville’s transmission. "I can confirm that Kinarr Khan was recently here on the station and did extend a peace offer. His ambassador is still currently engaged in discussions regarding the terms of any potential peace. Do not, I repeat, do not initiate any hostilities with Kinarr Khan. A group of Praetorians are currently in the Thuarus system and will be enroute when they can to speak with the Khan."

 

Just about then, the Xeno cleared the last of the solar collectors, rising up above them. A short distance away, the young Star Khan could be seen, standing on top of one of the collection arrays, he stood nearly six and a half feet tall, and was dressed in teal armor, with a black under suit visible at the joints. On the armor's shoulder pauldrons was a black circle, with a yellow eight-pointed starburst inside and a similar, much larger white starburst on the front of the chest plate. He had grey-blue skin, high cheekbones and a flowing mane of white hair over tapered ears.

 

Over at the mountain range, at least a dozen Sarcota were flying around the top of the mountain range looking almost like an angry hive of bees, had they not been so massive in size.

[Dr Archeville]

Doktor Archeville

 

"Acknowledged, Elite," he replied, surprised yet pleased that the Praetorians' mission control had responded.  "We'll keep things as frosty as our last chess match.  Ferrum out."

 

On one of his first visits to CoVic Station, he had taught some of the residents a few Terran board games.  Lady Tatiana had taken to chess with surprising quickness, and was soon routinely beating Viktor.  It had been a humbling experience for him, yet one he'd enjoyed.

 

"Looks like everything's above-board," he told Starshot, "CoVic confirms what Kinarr said.  So," he glanced out the cockpit, "let's try to focus on our original assignment.  Could Kinarr's arrival have agitated them?"  He looked back to the Xeno's sensors, or at least the ones he hadn't had to disconnect and reroute to make his call, "his mere proximity to them?  Or something his armor's giving off?  If we could just figure out how Sarcota perceive their surroudings, and how they communicate with each other..."

 

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

"CoVic... as trustworthy as you can get in the galaxy," said Starshot. "So we trust him."

 

For now. 

 

Even if the Kahn could be trusted, could the Kahnate behind him? There was history of brutality, and politics was a brutal game of chess. Pieces moved, jostling for power. He didn't like it. Tyranny? Perhaps. 

 

"Maybe," he muttered, contemplating the doctor's theorem. "Not enough data. I guess we get closer. But be prepared - if they are that agitated they may lash out. We can't study them if we are dead."

 

And the Sarcota were big. Bigger than anything he had hunted. 

 

"But first - lets meet up with our new friend. See what he has to say. And see if you can peel off any readings from his armour..."

 

He cut back the engines and did the final approach at a more leisurely rate. 

 

 

[Thevshi]

GM

 

The young Star Khan was standing calmly on the top of one the collection arrays as the Xeno came over to hover a short distance away. He was looking over at the Sarcota as they circled around the mountain tops.

 

Checking the readings from the Xeno's sensors, Doktor Archeville picked up high levels of energy being generated by the powerful armor Kinarr was wearing, certainly a deviation from the normal in the area, but not greater than the energy radiating from the combined massive collection of solar arrays and attached charging stations.

 

As he was sweeping the area with the spacecraft's sensors, the Doktor noted something that had not been present earlier. There was a faint trace of unusual energy within some of the ravines of the mountain range, an energy signature similar to ones the Doktor had encountered before and come to associate with magic.

 

At that moment, one of the smaller Sarcota broke away from the group and began flying in the direction of a section of the collection arrays…..

[Dr Archeville]

Doktor Archeville

 

Oh, you have got to be-

 

Archeville let out a stream of German profanities that may well have reminded Oskar of his days in the trenches.

 

The Doktor took a deep breath and smoothed back his hair, "there's something in those ravines there, something.... magical," he sneered, "that just went off.  I've a feeling that that is what is affecting our friends out there."  He transmitted the same message to Kinarr.

 

"But that little one," he gestured towards the roaming Sarcota, "is a more immediate concern.  I know the Xeno has no weapons, but if you can get us close enough, it's small enough that I might be able to corral it with my screwdriver."

 

Blinding flash?  No, we still don't know how they perceive their surroundings, and if I try for a powerful broad-spectrum electromagnetic pulse, that could affect the ship's systems.  But if I go for a more literal interpretation of 'corral'...

 

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

"Close? I can get close," replied Starshot. "But I may have to reverse if it gets too close, if you know what I mean..."

 

The Xeno veered off to meet the Sarcota. 

 

"How fast are they, anyway? Faster than the Xeno?" he asked the Doctor. 

 

If they were faster than the Xeno - unlikely, for the thought would be beyond any biology Starshot knew of - then they could be in real trouble. 

 

"Get to the top. Observation port. And pack your goggles, its is going to get windy if you plan on a close encounter..."

 

The Doctor was bold, no question about that. 

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Starshot started the Xeno forward on an intercept course toward the stray Sarcota, with the Star Khan flying along after. The Sarcota was much slower than the Xeno (although it was also possible it was not moving a full speed), so Starshot did not need to use full power to easily close with it to try to get into position underneath.

 

"Magic?" The Star Khan responded to Dokor Archeville's transmission. "I am afraid I have only a passing familiarity with magic. I expect we will need to go into the ravine to fully investigate."

 

Starshot managed to pull the Xeno up underneath the Sarcota before it was halfway toward the nearest solar collector. Star Khan was further back, between the Sarcota and the collector.

[Dr Archeville]

Doktor Archeville

 

Moments later, Archeville was at the observation port, Screwdriver at the ready.  Alright, this shouldn't be too difficult, just set up a simple barrier to gently nudge the beastie away.

 

A thin beam of blue light shot out of his device (well, out of him but channeled through the device), aimed a hundred feet or so ahead of the errant Sarcota.  The end of the beam expanded into a sphere of blue light, intense but not blindingly so, which then stretched like dough being rolled out.  The ends reached out and curved slighlty inward, somewhat like a croissant, directly between the Sarcota and the solar colector it had been headed towards.

 

"Steady as you can, Kapitän!," he called back to Starshot, "I'm not entirely certain how well this will work -- it will either sense the wall, and move around it, or be oblivious to it, and crash through it... or sense it, and try to crash through it!"

 

[Thevshi]

GM

 

The massive Sarcota, a bit smaller than the Xeno (but it was one of the smallest of the creatures in the area) did not turn away from the hard light barrier Doktor Archeville put in place, instead, slamming into it with tremendous force. However, the barrier held firm, showing no signs of damage, causing the creature to turn away from it, a clearly audible sound seeming to escape from it not all dissimilar to those of a whale on Earth. The creature began flying back toward the other circling Sarcota near the mountain tops.

 

"Well done Doktor." The young Star Khan stated over the comm system. "I expect we will want to further investigate the source of this magic?"

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

Magic... oh save me. 

 

Starshot was hardly a scientist, but he trusted science, he knew it. The flow of muscles, blood, respiration; it fitted, it made sense. Magic, on the other hand, he was worse than ignorant on. His mind seemed to close down. Maybe it was the War, maybe Hitlers obsession with the occult. Starshot seemed to close his brain to even the possibility of magic. 

 

"Not my field," he croaked, angry with himself. "I hope you know magic as well as your know your science, Doc."

 

He cut back the thrusters on the Xeno, so he could cruise at a more leisurely pace. 

[Dr Archeville]

Doktor Archeville

 

I'm really glad that worked, he thought as his hard light barrier faded, but I'd need more power than I can safely generate to stop one of the bigger ones.  Its path didn't deviate, implying it did not sense the barrier, and thus does not rely primarily on perception of the visible spectrum.  And was that sound an involuntary exhalation of gases, or an actual expression of discomfort?  Questions, questions, questions....

 

"I have... some experience with magic," he called to Starshot as he returned to the cockpit, "most of it... unpleasant."

 

There's the understatements of the millennia.

 

"I'd normally call on a few trusted experts I know, consult with them, but they're... temporarily out of reach.  But," he took a breath, "I do believe that, between the three of us," he checked to make sure Kinarr was still on the comm, "we can get to the bottom of this."

 

 

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

Starshot appreciated the positive sentiment; a necessity in any challenging endeavour. And yet in execution, he was not so sure. 

 

Morale. Necessary-but not sufficient. 

 

"We can do it," he said, gruffly. "Just got to figure out the how."

 

The Xeno drifted at a more sedate pace now, gliding through the atmosphere just above the Solar Arrays. A gentle approach to the mountains and the Sarcota."

 

"And that means getting in closer. On the ground? In the air? Its your call Doc. I know about as much magic as a Blind Hlu-hlu snail. And you best believe they don't know much about magic. Or anything at all. Although they do spit one of the most deadly poisons in the universe, I can tell you that."

Edited February 20 by Supercape

[Thevshi]

GM

 

The new Star Kahn flew alongside the Xeno as Starshot slowed the vessel down and started in closer to the mountain tops. They were able to find a path that did not take them too close to any of the airborne Sarcota, as they continued to move around the mountain tops in seemingly random patterns.

 

"I am afraid my experience is rather limited as well." Kinarr replied over the comms.

 

Soon they were close to one of the major ravines, the source of the magical energy signatures that Doktor Archeville had picked up. It was big enough that the Xeno could fit inside, at least for some distance, but, if they encountered a Sarcota, either entering or exiting, it might prove difficult to maneuver and avoid a collision in the tight quarters.

[Dr Archeville]

Doktor Archeville

 

"I've a feeling we'll need to go to ground on this one," he replied grimly.  "I'm not thrilled with the idea of maneuvering the Xeno around in there.  Fortunately," he patted Starshot reassuringly on the shoulder, "we've already got your ATV prepped."

 

He headed back to the garage-hangar and busied himself with re-finalizing the prep on the ATV while Starshot found a landing spot.  But doubts nagged at him.  I suppose it was foolish to think I'd never encounter that again, out here.  I've just got to keep a clear head, open eyes, and an open mind.  If this is some... some natural supernatural thing, he shook his head at the seeming contradiction, maybe something unearthed by construction, or an errant drone, then it could be contained.  And if there is a person behind this, someone intentionally drawing Sarcota here, then we can try to reason with them.  Or, if need be, force them to stop.  Some supervillains cannot be reasoned with, at least not in an immediately productive fashion.

 

So if there is a person behind this, who could it be, and why are they doing it? 

 

"Hey," he called to Starshot, "there's no sapient life native to this world, is there?  I didn't see any mentioned in my briefing on the flight over, and the climate makes it unlikely, but... well, you know this part of space better than I do.  Are there even rumors of intelligent life here?  Intelligences which might be opposed to what the Lor corporations have done to the planet?"

 

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

"Rumours of intelligent life everywhere," grunted Starshot as he landed the Xeno as best he could. "And space is a big place. I'm afraid I dont pay a whole heap of attention to rumours. So your guess is as good as mine. But if you want my guess... something to think about it. Sounds like there may be a third player in all of this. Hunters? Scientists? Or even terrorists, wanting to weaponise a giant flying whale."

 

He jumped out of the pilot seat and headed to the Xeno ATV. 

 

"Hope you have a universal communicator handy if we do run into something. Ill drive, the ATV has some basic sensors but its not a patch on the Xeno, so I guess its you and your wand."

 

He entered the Xeno, patted Alpha, the ship maintenance bot (who was hovering in the copilot seat) and set down behind the wheel. 

 

"This thing is built for bad terrain and falling rocks. We should be fine."

[Thevshi]

GM

 

It took a bit of careful piloting to maneuver the Xeno among the circling Sarcota, which could at times change directions without warning. However, Starshot was an expert pilot, steering his ship past the massive creatures, with Star Khan following alongside and eventually touching toward the tops of one of the mountains that formed the ravine from which Doktor Archeville was detecting the magical energy signature.

 

Once down, the two Earthmen exiting the Xeno in the ATV, bouncing slightly as the vehicle traversed the uneven terrain and starting into the ravine. It began as a rather rugged slow, but further in shifted to cliffs on either side. Thankfully, they were able to find a ledge that ran along the cliff face that was more than wide enough to accommodate the ATV, at least for now.

 

The young Star Khan continued to fly along side the ATV, seemingly focused on keeping an eye on their surroundings for any sign of threats. After a short drive along the ledge, the ravine was narrowing, as was the width of the ledge. But then, they arrived at large opening on the cliff wall along the ledge, a cave leading deep into the mountainside. According to the readings Doktor Archeville was picking up, the source of the magical energy was somewhere within the cave, which was too small to reliably fit the ATV.

 

"I assume our path takes us in there." Kinarr asked as he hovered in place, looking into the cave.