Lost in Space|IC|FT|Closed

[Nerodanus]

Automated System Review #038

Mission Day: 15
Location: Unkown
Crew Status: 14 Pods Life Support Failure, 36 Active in low power mode
Troop Status: 30 Pods Life Support Failure, 53 Active in low power mode, 17 Missing
Armament Status: All fusion cores full; Cold... Require heating once power resumes normal outputs.
FTL Drive Status: Catastrophic Failure; Dangerous Radiation leakage
Fusion Cores: 1 damaged, 4 in low power output mode
Life Support: Damaged; Oxygen levels at 57%
Artifical Gravity: Turned off, Undamaged
Hull Damage: Detected breeches on rooms 30, 02, 90 and Mesh 8. Airlocks sealed.
Cause of Issues: Unknown
Nearest Colony: Unknown
...
Beginning Protocol 030994: Emitting Distress Signal under Galactic Beep-code Standard
...
Error: Unable to automatically awaken Crew
...
System entering Low Power Mode

The N.S.F. Kurwa, a Neroian ship sent out to deal with pirates along Interstellar trading routes under the request of several Neroian trading partners. Although many would say it was foolish to send just one, this ship was one of the latest produced, designed to operate with a small crew of 50 and a skeleton of 20 and carry up to 100 troops with several escort ships and boarding craft in its hold. The Kurwa was nearly half way to its rendezvous point at Centorial Station to meet up with a few other Nations ships when its FTL Drive suddenly failed, dropping them from warp in the middle of Interstellar Space. The Kurwa has been adrift for 3 days with no help having come yet. Still emitting the same Distress Signal the ship floated on slowly.

[Tinfect]

OOC:
I don't normally join open RPs, but when I do, they tend to collapse horribly as they are suddenly inundated by a dozen people with no clue what they are doing. Let's hope that doesn't happen this time.
Posting this here so that you know there's some interest, I've got a post in the works now, should be up in a few hours, bit strapped for time at the moment.

[Xianlong]

Captain's log,

"ISS Crimson Fist, On course to Zhanfei Station. We have been detailed to resupplythe troops of the 7th Army on Kyron VII. they are fighting against the Warlord Crozis, an arch bandit who has rallied several planets to his banner and seems intent on preventing Imperial expansion in the Kyron system. On board are elements of the 23rd, 590th, and 234rd Infantry regiments. We also have 100 Tiger tanks destined for the 95th Imperial Guard Tank regiment along with many tons of spare parts, ammo, medical supplies, and food. The Warlord's navy, consisting of lightly armed and fast moving pirate vessels, has so far presented no real threat-certainly not to a Liang-class destroyer like the Fist. One thing to note-we picked up a distress signal coming from one of the nearby trade routes, indicating that there is a ship in need of assistance. The call has been forwarded to the ISS Jaeger, commanded by Captain Horst Schaefer. They are on route and expected to make contact in the next seven standard hours."

[True Chinese Federation]

Bridge of HRC Cao Mengde, Kong Qingdong's Imperial Stellar Navy

A trio of ships flew through the endless void.

At their head was a Mao Zedong class Cruiser. As its majestic hull shimmered among the stars, its Communications Officer picked up a curious transmission.

"Captain!" He called out. "If I'm reading this properly, we're getting a distress signal from some inf- foreign vessel."

The Captain stroked his long beard. Although His Majesty The Living God Emperor Kong Qingdong demanded that foreigners be seen as lesser beings, it was also true that condescending and outright hostile/prejudicial speeches and expressions tended to get in the way of commerce. As such His Imperial Soldiers and Sailors began to assume less overtly prejudiced speech patterns.

"If we are to demonstrate the endless glory of The Master Culture, we must provide aid for any vessel who requests it. While we would be giving resources to more-than-likely Non-Chosen vessel, we would still be serving the interests of The Master Culture...

"INFORM OUR ESCORTS! Head towards that distress signal at full speed. I will personally execute any sailor who lessens our efficiency. We will show these foreigners that our ships are the fastest and strongest, or we will have failed our Living God Emperor Kong Qingdong Himself!"

"BY YOUR WILL!"

[Dimoniquid]

CAPTAIN MERRICK OF HOUSE DHAL; SHIP LORD OF BETA'S WRATH
INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OF THE WARDENS
NINE YEARS INTO THE USURPER'S GRACEFUL RETRIBUTION

Captain Dhal stood in his EVA suit, examining the small piece of space junk that had wandered into their small system of space. With a small crew of a pilot, robotic assistant and another engineer inside a transport, he had flown out from Beta's Wrath, a Verris High Speed Patrol Vessel. "Upon further examination, it's just a broken relay probe. Looks like it got left behind, or drifted away from it's formation from a few decades back, possibly more from the writing inscribed on it. We'll take it back and re-purpose it." He relayed to his crew. "Ethan, why don't you start locking it up so it doesn't rattle around while we're in transit." He asked Ethan, his robotic assistant.

Dhal had joined the Wardens at twenty four, and was now hitting fifty two, becoming one of the four oldest people currently in the Wardens. The Wardens were a group of people formed to protect an independent system from any who might attack it; and since it wasn't under Vikingar, Khal, or Lorros control, it usually stayed out of affairs of their politics. Dhal's recent promotion to Captain from his recent exploits of securing much needed fuel for their run down ships had provided him with a much needed aura of respect from the fellow members that held a position of authority over the system. Dhal's transport came into view of the Beta's Wrath; a patrol vessel measuring two hundred meters long, forty meters high, and forty meters wide. Equipped with advanced sensor relays to detect deep space movement, a singular hanger built onto the top of the vessel fit with a series of open framed EVA transports retrofitted for combat and two transport shuttles. It was armed with two Mass Accelerator Turrets, and an array of chain weapons plastered around the ship, making it a rudimentary and basic ship of the Warden's arsenal.

Dhal and his small complement returned to the ship without a hitch, sporting a small celebration of an operation that hadn't gone wrong. Dhal returned to the bridge via tram transport after removing his EVA suit and donning an undersuit, He entered the bridge; the helmsman was sat in a cockpit of sorts that recessed into the floor just in front of the command chair; the communications station was oddly bustling with activity at some of the stations to his left; the operations holotable was seeing some action, and some of the stations near the bridge's window were being manned. "Make way for the Ship-Lord!" The Executive Officer called.

"At ease." He called back. "What's happened since I've been away?" Dhal asked.

"The main thing is a distress call from just outside of the system. We've relayed it back to Command, and they've asked us to pursue the investigation. There's a medical shuttle and an engineering vessel on its way; we're to assist the crew in anyway we can and tow the ship back to a repair dock. Simple operation." She recalled from a matte black data pad. Dhal examined his orders carefully for a few minutes before handing it back to the XO.

"Let's get going." He replied, and began to walk over to the operations table. "We'll get the open frames fitted with some scanning equipment so we can get a good idea of which parts of the outer ship are damaged and needed for repair. We'll have a triage station in one of the storage bays for the injured as well, and send the transport shuttle over with a medical crew and two engineering teams. We'll have them split up; I will accompany one to the bridge, and the chief engineer will take one to investigate the ship." He planned, assigning some crew members for assembling the engineering team, medical team, and fitting the frames. As Dhal was organizing his small task force, the ship went into shock-space and began its trek to the distressed ship.

---

"This is the Beta's Wrath. We are here to assist you in anyway possible. If anyone on the vessel can hear us, please respond."

The message would echoed over an over again until some would answer it. Dhal had taken a group of fifteen engineers and a group of ten medical personnel, all clad in EVA suits, along with a small security contingent of ten robots, along with tools and medical supplies onto the transport pod and had started to close the distance between the distressed vessel and them. The EVA frames were beginning to circle the ship with their scanners, producing their three dimensional scan of the ship. "XO, this is Dhal. We're about to close in on one of the hanger bay doors; we'll cut in using one of the plasma cutters. Any reply from the ship?"

"Not yet, captain. We'll notify you if we do. The engineering vessel and medical shuttle should be here in half an hour or so, so we'll send them your way once they arrive. I'll also update you on the message if we get a reply."

Dhal was happy with the decisions he had currently made to achieve his operational goals, and he was pleased with what he was doing now. Helping a distressed signal beat maintaining ships while not actually using them, anyway.

OOC: I suggest you don't let too many people reply to the distress call; it's very easy to have a lot of ships in one confined place, especially if there's a lot of people posting in a thread.

[Nerodanus]

The ship remained silent even as the crew of the Betas Wrath attempted to communicate with it, at first. After a few moments the power output went up a little as the AI awoke from its Low Power State.

Beta's Wrath this is the N.S.F. Kurwa. The following Message is an audio recording from the captain before he entered Cryostasis.

After a few seconds the audio recording began to play.

To anyone hearing this message, it probably means something went horribly wrong with the Mission or a Warp stream issue caused damage to the ship. The outer hull doors market O.I.B. 1 hold the easiest accessible way to reach me and the main crew. A map can be downloaded from the main computer in the Hangar. Note that the AI will mark the map to my location, any deviations may result in jettison at the AI's digression if it believes you are attempting to take over the ship. Any sealed rooms are accounted for on the map so dont worry about the path being blocked. Captain Out.

With that the audio log ended. The lights on the interior of the ship began to light up in some rooms, including the Hangar O.I.B. 1, which had part of its outer door missing leading to life support being cut from the Hangar.

Beta's Wrath this is Kurwa, send your ships to Hangat O.I.B. 1. Note that Life Support had been cut from that room so you will have to go through the secondary Airlocks. The computer in the room has been damaged so the Map of the ship will be sent to your vessel shortly. Note that other ships have responded to the Signal should you be unable to assist us.

[Dimoniquid]

CAPTAIN MERRICK OF HOUSE DHAL; SHIP LORD OF BETA'S WRATH
INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OF THE WARDENS
NINE YEARS INTO THE USURPER'S GRACEFUL RETRIBUTION

Dhal and his crew heard the message crackle over their communication pieces as the had just come into contact with the Kurwa. "That's what I hoping for; never an easy way to do things." He muttered to himself. "Pilot, take us around the ship. We'll see if we can find the outer hull doors." He ordered. The Beta's Wrath had been collecting data from the scans of the five EVA frames, and had around a quarter of the outer schematic planned out over the operations table. They could see a number of breaches and hull damage, and had also spotted the door that they needed to use to get into the ship.

Beta's Wrath had also received the inner schematic from the ship's computer, and her crew were trying to accordingly adapted it to the outer schematic. With a bit of help from Beta Wrath's own AI, the ship schematic were eventually fitted together and sent to Dhal. Dhal's personal computer updated the schematics; a blue model of the Kurwa appeared on his HUD, with some indicators pointing to the outer hull door. "Pilot, scans show that the door we need is just in front of us. I'll update everyone's maps as well." Dhal said over the radio, pressing a few buttons on his TACPAD. Everyone's visors lit up as the HUD notified them that a data packet had been sent from Dhal, and they quickly accepted the transfer.

The frames continued their survey of the outer ship as the transport was approaching the outer door. Dhal stood near the rear door, surrounded by security droids, with some engineers and medical technicians sitting down and their supplies piled up near the front of the transport, strapped together with bungee cords, resembling a tightly packed can of sardines. "Alright, listen up! Once we're in, we are going look over the ship's map, and make sure everyone has a copy. We'll then split into two groups; the chief engineer and his team will accompany the chief medical officer and their team to locate the ship's crew. I, meanwhile, will take my team and head to the bridge and try to get the ship back online. By then, we should have our engineering vessel arriving to tow the ship back." Dhal informed everyone.

Once the transport had arrived at the outdoor, the rear transport door split open and revealed the broken hanger. One of the engineering technicians, clad in a third-generation exo-suit and a droid shuffled to the edge of the transport as it was back up to the hanger. The droid was carrying a large battery pack, while the technician was carrying a shaped plasma cutter. He flicked through several of the red laser grid shapes, from a circle, to a triangle, to a large square, and aimed to firmly at the hanger door. After a few seconds, large sparks formed around the shape of the door, and the metal floated inside the hanger¹. "All teams, move inside!" Dhal ordered, sending the droids into the hanger first. Each droid was armed with a electronically firing, caseless ammunition rifle with a bullpup mechanism that was configured into such a small size it could almost be considered a sub-gun rather than a carbine². Some of the engineers also carried these weapons, but most of the teams carried a simple caseless pistol instead. The idea was to be as non-threatening to the AI and crew as possible, while still being able to defend themselves.

The crew had taken a few minutes to move everyone and all of the equipment into the hanger. Most of the work had been done by the engineering technicians and the droids while the medical technicians were assembling their equipment to handle the array of problems they could face when dealing with this kind of situation; lots of different kinds of medicines for antibiotics, painkillers and sedatives; various coolants and creams for burns and blisters, and MOPP equipment if there were any alien pathogens, hazard chemicals or radioactive materials around the ship. Once the equipment and the crew had disembarked the transport, their next course of action was sealing the hanger bay. The technicians had been devising a plan that involved some air-tight foam sealant they used for their own hull breaches. They would place the metal sheet from the hanger door back into place and then seal the gaps with the sealant, and then seal up any gaps in the hanger door itself.

Chief Engineer Svenison had discussed the idea with Dhal, and decided to put it into action. The group split into two; one would be using exo-skeletons and droids to lift and move the sheet into place, while another group would be on the side of the door with magnetic clamps on their boots to help seal it. Dhal watched as the engineering teams got to work sealing the door. The sheets took a while to slide into place, but once everything was firmly set, the crew set upon spreading the sealant. It was developed to be as hard as concrete when solid, and be used as sparingly as possible with the help of air pockets. It would be sealed with two or three layers in an overlapping structure for better strength. Dhal continued his speculation as the crew finished using the the small blue canisters that resembled small fire extinguishers and examined his TACPAD. "We've got a lot more breaches and hull damage to fix than we expected, and the sealant is a temporary solution." He told the Chief Engineer, who had just finished help seal the bottom of the hanger door. "I don't suppose we can get access to the ships through the broken computer? If we had a diagnostic or report of the ship's interior state I'd be appreciative."

"Possibly, sir. This is still alien technology, after all. It will take a while; I'll have one of the technicians have a look at it while we're heading through the ship." Svenison replied, shaking the sealant canister to check if it had any liquid left. He discarded it and looked over at his engineering crew. "I need someone to have a look at that computer terminal. It looks battered up, but you should be able to reboot it. Jennson, grab a laptop and get to work." He ordered, pointing to a young technician in a EVA suit, but much bluer than white. It was clearly a commercial design, as it didn't have any mounts or markings that suggest a military designation. Jennson rummaged through a black duffel bag and pulled out a wide, clearly custom designed laptop that was made from various other computers. Jennson also pulled out a few cables and a small tool belt, and made her way over to the console. There was a lot of damage, but if she could get the computer to hook up to the ship's system rather than the terminal itself, she might be able to gain so more insight to how the ship works. "If you get anything, relay it to our TACPADs. We're also leaving a droid with you for security purposes." Svenison continued.

"All teams, let's move out!" Dhal ordered, grabbing a small bag of tools and pressing his TACPAD. The interior map of the Kuwra appeared on his HUD, and he began to pry open the first door he could see. "Remember to mark your ways out to the hanger, and keep your EVA's on at all times! Updates every ten minutes as well, notify us if there's any problems. Good luck!" He said, sliding open the door and leading his team to the bridge.

1 - There's a nice scene in the film Elysium where the protagonists attack a jet with a company leader. There's a tool which one of them uses to cut through the metal; just a reference to what I'm writing about when you're reading this passage; I'll also see if I can a clip of it.
2 - Subgun reference.

[Rannoria]

U.R.N.S Zakuul
The Zakuul, a Tier 2 transport-patroller ship. Consisting of 2000 Paladins of Chance, the Zakuul was armed with 6 Mk. I Favo Guns and the necessities of a regular human, the ride was supposed to go fine.
They were en route to Odessen station, to stop for resources, then head to the Scorpio sector to aid the resistance and fight off the former Prince and the new Hive Mind. Whilst travelling, captain Theron received an incoming transmission.
"URNS Zakuul to NSF Kurwa do you read me!?" He yelled in the radio.
"Sir, the lines busy."
"Dammit tell me when they pick back up. As of currently, stop here. In this spot. Good."

[Taigawa]

OOC: Can I join this? there is no OOC thread so Idk how you feel about non human aliens.

[Rannoria]

OOC: Can I join this? there is no OOC thread so Idk how you feel about non human aliens.

About time.

[Taigawa]

OOC: Can I join this? there is no OOC thread so Idk how you feel about non human aliens.

About time.

What do you mean?

[Rannoria]

About time.

What do you mean?

Nevermind.
Anyway, post away.

[Taigawa]

The space seemed to tear itself asunder as a small fleet emerged into real space, led by a massive Planet-Breaker. The fleet stopped and consolidated around the Forerunner vessal. A message was then sent to all parties involved:

I am Fleetmaster Sylvia Xi Leng, commander of the Imperial Fleet of Holy Reconciliation. I was on my way back home when I picked up a disress beacon. I took my fleet out of Jumpspace to investigate it. Do not engage my vessals and you will not be harmed.

The Mantle Shelters All

[Rannoria]

The space seemed to tear itself asunder as a small fleet emerged into real space, led by a massive Planet-Breaker. The fleet stopped and consolidated around the Forerunner vessal. A message was then sent to all parties involved:

I am Fleetmaster Sylvia Xi Leng, commander of the Imperial Fleet of Holy Reconciliation. I was on my way back home when I picked up a disress beacon. I took my fleet out of Jumpspace to investigate it. Do not engage my vessals and you will not be harmed.

The Mantle Shelters All

--TRANSMISSION TO: FLEETMASTER SYLVIA XI LENG OF THE IMPERIAL FLEET OF HOLY RECONCILIATION--
--ENCRYPTION: NONE--
"Hello? Do you read me? This is Captain Theron of the U.R.N.S Zakuul! We were en route to a station until we received a distress signal. We believe and found out there are other people here, so be wary for they may be harmful.

[Taigawa]

The space seemed to tear itself asunder as a small fleet emerged into real space, led by a massive Planet-Breaker. The fleet stopped and consolidated around the Forerunner vessal. A message was then sent to all parties involved:

I am Fleetmaster Sylvia Xi Leng, commander of the Imperial Fleet of Holy Reconciliation. I was on my way back home when I picked up a disress beacon. I took my fleet out of Jumpspace to investigate it. Do not engage my vessals and you will not be harmed.

The Mantle Shelters All

--TRANSMISSION TO: FLEETMASTER SYLVIA XI LENG OF THE IMPERIAL FLEET OF HOLY RECONCILIATION--
--ENCRYPTION: NONE--
"Hello? Do you read me? This is Captain Theron of the U.R.N.S Zakuul! We were en route to a station until we received a distress signal. We believe and found out there are other people here, so be wary for they may be harmful.

-Signal encoded in Thessian Digon-

I am aware that there may be others who may seek my demise. If they fire on my vessal we will defend ourselves, captain. Why one would be nieve enough to try is beyond me...I've seen my ship's particle cannons take out a destroyer in three shots. We call these ships Planet-Breakers for the sheer negative effect one has on the morale of enemy fleets. Power aside, I can project a Contact-Essance aboard your vessal so we may talk in person if you wish.

[Rannoria]

--TRANSMISSION TO: FLEETMASTER SYLVIA XI LENG OF THE IMPERIAL FLEET OF HOLY RECONCILIATION--
--ENCRYPTION: NONE--
"Hello? Do you read me? This is Captain Theron of the U.R.N.S Zakuul! We were en route to a station until we received a distress signal. We believe and found out there are other people here, so be wary for they may be harmful.

-Signal encoded in Thessian Digon-

I am aware that there may be others who may seek my demise. If they fire on my vessal we will defend ourselves, captain. Why one would be nieve enough to try is beyond me...I've seen my ship's particle cannons take out a destroyer in three shots. We call these ships Planet-Breakers for the sheer negative effect one has on the morale of enemy fleets. Power aside, I can project a Contact-Essance aboard your vessal so we may talk in person if you wish.

"Well, I wouldn't see why not. And if you try to pull anything tricky, we have more than 1000 men on board, though they only await orders when we arrive at the Odessen... anyhow! Yes, let us meet each other. It would be nice to see a face that is not masked.

[Nerodanus]

As an attempt was made to access the ships Systems the AI went into Emergency Mode and shut down the distress Signal, continuing to drift along. All doors into the Hangar become bolted shut by another door on the opposite side of the airlock. Lights went on in the room as several guns came out of the walls, small point defense turrets for any enemy boarding parties. The four working Generators began to produce as best an output as they could to power the AI that appeard from a projector above.

And what, do we have here?! *The AI spoke out into the marines helmets, quite loudly honestly with a clear Terran Scottish accent* Attempting to break into the ships systems? Steal our valuable technology? I said id give you a map, and i did! But I see attempted access into a denied sector. Systems and corridors. Let me give you a word of advice, double check the map and make sure its synced to your movement, that door is marked red, with live bombs behind it still in atmosphere, sudden pressure loss could cause them to explode! Or worse! The doors with green lights on them are accessible for your team, please follow them, and dont give me reason to come back out, I got a major Processor ache. Now get along and go help the crew while I try to assess the ship!

[Taigawa]

-Signal encoded in Thessian Digon-

I am aware that there may be others who may seek my demise. If they fire on my vessal we will defend ourselves, captain. Why one would be nieve enough to try is beyond me...I've seen my ship's particle cannons take out a destroyer in three shots. We call these ships Planet-Breakers for the sheer negative effect one has on the morale of enemy fleets. Power aside, I can project a Contact-Essance aboard your vessal so we may talk in person if you wish.

"Well, I wouldn't see why not. And if you try to pull anything tricky, we have more than 1000 men on board, though they only await orders when we arrive at the Odessen... anyhow! Yes, let us meet each other. It would be nice to see a face that is not masked.

At that Sylvia tapped a few buttons on a console, and a hardlight copy of herself wearing ultra-light combat armor appeared to materialize from orange particles. "So now you see me. I'm not quite ready to risk my physical body quite yet, so behold our projection technology. We can do this with many things....and we can dematerialize things just as easily. I can do everything but eat and drink through this avatar construct."

[Olimpiada]

OOC: Tagged in case this gets interesting.

[Dimoniquid]

CAPTAIN MERRICK OF HOUSE DHAL; SHIP LORD OF BETA'S WRATH
INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OF THE WARDENS
NINE YEARS INTO THE USURPER'S GRACEFUL RETRIBUTION

Dhal was one of the first through the door, leading three people through before it closed while a medical technician was in the middle of moving through the doorway. Dhal heard the yell through his communications set, and turned around to see the door crushing the medic's shoulder. "Get the doors open! Get a droid, now!" He yelled, the small group of people trying to pry the door open. "What the fuck was that?" He asked, hearing a voice coming his communications set. The voice was much louder than Dhal, or any of his crew were comfortable with, and winced with irritation. A security droid had shuffled its way through the crowd of people to the doors, and with a calm and oddly cold demeanor, pried the doors open to let every out. "Everybody back to the hanger!" Dhal ordered, pointing towards the door. As the group shuffled out with the bags, Dhal tried to hail the AI on his communications set. "Ship AI, my name is Captain Merrick of House Dhal, Ship-Lord of the Beta's Wrath. I am also the leader of this rescue mission. We did not mean to infringe or abuse your systems." He began, dropping his duffel bag. "We're here to help you and your crew; to do that, however, we need some access to your ships systems. We can't help fix the ship if we don't know what's wrong with it; we were only trying to find a diagnostic of it's systems. We need to know how your power plant works so we can restore appropriate power; we need to be able to use your medical bay so we can help any injured crew members, such as my own. We need to be able to control the ship properly so we can began repairs."

The injured crew member had broken his collar bone in the ensuing incident. The medics worked quickly to stabilize them; a small node in the back of suit allowed for medical devices to be inserted and medicine to be applied. They had put a small amount of quick hardening bone calciferous agents to solidify the bone and muscle around their shoulder, along with something for the pain. They had also locked the hydraulics on the reinforced skeleton built into the EVA suit into a suitable position. "If you're sure you don't want that kind of help, then fine; we'll continue to the crew, but if you do, you'll let us gain some access." He continued. "Let's move out to the cryopods. Leave the injured tech with Jennson; they'll survive until we can get the medical bay up and running." Captain Dhal picked up his duffel bag and checked his TACPAD, moving towards the correct door.

---

The XO of the Beta's Wrath was listening to the communications officers report on the intercepted communications between the two ships. "From the small amount we've decoded, it's a simple greeting. No particular plans or data packets being exchanged, but I'm still suspicious. Perhaps we should relay to one of the nearby systems for reinforcements?" The officer informed the XO.

"We can't take sides in the Usurpers Campaign, you know that. As soon as we ask for help, we'll owe them something. I don't think we're ready to put ourselves in that position." The XO replied, standing at the operations table. The EVA frames had just returned from scanning the ship, and the XO had just ordered them to be refitted with their weaponry just in case they needed some help. "We keep our position, and we keep quiet. We don't know their intentions, and I'm not willing to start another war because of it."

[Rannoria]

"Well, I wouldn't see why not. And if you try to pull anything tricky, we have more than 1000 men on board, though they only await orders when we arrive at the Odessen... anyhow! Yes, let us meet each other. It would be nice to see a face that is not masked.

At that Sylvia tapped a few buttons on a console, and a hardlight copy of herself wearing ultra-light combat armor appeared to materialize from orange particles. "So now you see me. I'm not quite ready to risk my physical body quite yet, so behold our projection technology. We can do this with many things....and we can dematerialize things just as easily. I can do everything but eat and drink through this avatar construct."

"I see. Anyways, what can there be of discussion?" Theron asked. "I believe we had no previous quarrel, and we do not intend to cause trouble. What brings you to this outer reach of space?"

[Taigawa]

At that Sylvia tapped a few buttons on a console, and a hardlight copy of herself wearing ultra-light combat armor appeared to materialize from orange particles. "So now you see me. I'm not quite ready to risk my physical body quite yet, so behold our projection technology. We can do this with many things....and we can dematerialize things just as easily. I can do everything but eat and drink through this avatar construct."

"I see. Anyways, what can there be of discussion?" Theron asked. "I believe we had no previous quarrel, and we do not intend to cause trouble. What brings you to this outer reach of space?"

"I followed the signal out here. The Ecumene investigates all such beacons....only now it seems it has stopped. As I said earlier, I won't attack you if you do not attack me. That is how we do it...and it is what we apply to other civilizations we encounter. I take it you have seen my kind before...many of yours usually don't expect to see a she-wolf operating a ship capable of laying waste to entire planets on it's own."

[Vogega]

V.E.S. Estoy Explorando
The ship cut through hyperspace. The Explorer-Class vessel was one designed for deep space journeys and exploration of new worlds. While lightly armed by Vogegan standards, the ship had enough firepower to take on a ship twice its size. The ship had large amounts of space dedicated to recreation and space for labs and military barracks. One of these ships could scan and investigate entire planets in the course of months, not years. The vessel was commanded by one, Captain Reet'Lak. The Vogegan captain stood on the bridge hands clasped behind his back as the ship's A.I. began to speak.
< Statement: I am detecting distress signal in beep-standard. >
"Any other ships nearby?" question the captain as he took a seat in his chair, flanked by two Human Inquisitors.
< Statement: One Rannorian and Taigawan ship. One unkown vessel. >
"Can we stop in time to reach them?"
< Statement: Afirmative. If we stop now we can reach them in two hours V.C.T. >
"Bring us to a stop. Broadcast on all frequencies."

This is Admiral Reet'Lak of the Vogegan Empire. I am the captain of the vessel Estoy Explorando. We are here to investigate the ship broadcasting the distress sequence. What is the current status of the vessel>

As the message ended the Captain gave orders to prepare a Hawk Transport. 5 Scientists, 5 engineers, 10 Marines, and Reet'Lak's second in command would go to the vessel in the transport. Reet'Lak's second in command was named Jame Retil. He was one of the few natural psykers in the empire. Another contingent of 2 soldiers wearing XV25 Stealth Suits would accompany the expedition as some extra protection and firepower.

[True Chinese Federation]

The three majestically Chosen vessels approached the inferred coordinates of the distress signal.

What they found... Was nightmarish.

"Captain!" The helmsman cried moments before the trio of Chosen ships would come out of warp. "Multiple contacts at designated coordinates... Preliminary scans indicate that virtually all of these ships are heavily armed."

The Captain furiously jumped out of his chair.

"An ambush?! I knew foreigners are treacherous but for them to be so blatant..."

"Sir, there is one good sign. These foreign vessels are broadcasting all kinds of IFF codes and generally have dissimilar configurations." The Communications Officer called out.

"Then they are pirates. Legitimate vessels of foreign states would not congregate in such a fashion... Raise shields and brace yourselves. If they fire upon us, they will receive our divine wrath. Kong Qingdong is with us!"

"... And what if they do nothing to us?" The Tactical Officer scoffed.

"I should kill you for your insolence. Our duty is to protect every Chosen life on this ship and that naive attitude of yours flies in the face of that directive! ... But if they are indeed stunned by our grace and superiority, then we shall hail them and make an inquiry regarding the situation. Lieutenant!" He barked at the Communications Officer.

The response came immediately.

"Sir, I've already inputted the transmission."

"We're dropping out of warp! Our escorts are right behind us!" The Tactical Officer yelled.

"Raise shields, SHIELDS! And submit the transmission now!"

Unidentified Vessels:

We come in response to a distress signal in this sector. We stand ready to assist. There seem to be many armed ships in this area. May we inquire as to what is going on?

[Dimoniquid]

The Beta's Wrath

"Helm, take us behind the Kurwa, quarter mark of speed; they won't destroy the damaged vessel just to get to us." The XO ordered, nodding towards the helmsman of the ship. The Beta's Wrath lit up, adjusting itself with it's thrusters and then blasting it's way forward towards the Kurwa at a leisurely rate. "Communications, send a hail to all ships in the area; audio and visual." She continued, holding down a button on the arm of the command chair and turning it around so it was facing the opposite direction. As she turned the chair, a screen flickered on, revealing itself to have a camera and microphone. "And someone get me some information on those ships."

"This is Lieutenant Commander Khal Seve, of the Warden's Ship Beta's Wrath. To all ships; we've been investigating the distress signal and have arrived at the ship. We currently have a crew aboard the ship doing damage assessment and analysis of the ship. We also have scans of ships indicating that they damage is too great to fix here, and we're not ready to divulge in that information just yet; we have an engineering vessel on it's way to tow it back to a repair and refit station, while a medical shuttle is accompanying it to handle any ailments the crew may have. This situation is under control, and your help is not needed as of yet; you can either stay until it may possible be, or you can leave it to us. It's your choice. Rest assured, the crew and the ship will be taken care of."

Lieutenant Commander Seve had tried her best to sound stern, yet nonthreatening in the message. They couldn't risk letting an awful amount of ships arrive and plant their flag on the ship, especially when their engineering vessel and medical shuttle arrive. It would make it more difficult to help the crew and take it back to a repair and refit dock if everyone wanted to take it back to their dock, and the Wardens would not be too keen on random ships escorting any of their ships back into their system.