ST:TTV624 | "The Witch of Wild Space"
Stardate 98234.3
The crew's search for the Heart of War is cut short when then intercept a brief distress signal. Diverting course to aid a crashed Lupan ship, Sin finds herself in more of a spotlight than she likes when they try to aid the Lupan crew...
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Keliaya@anncaris FX | A dark hallway with flickering lights... Keliaya@anncaris | A trio of Lupan come into view, striding down the hall. The camera begins to follow them, and as the light flickers, it reveals splatters of blood on the wall and a long, fresh trail of it - Keliaya@anncaris:- along the ground. The three Lupan continue, two of them appearing to be male and one female Keliaya@anncaris | A blood-stained door slides open into a cargo bay whose lights are dim but not flickering. Blood and gore can be seen throughout the bay, and on the wall of far side is what remains of a Lupan... Keliaya@anncaris | The Lupan appears to have been practically gutted, and hangs from chains around his wrists and neck from the ceiling, the chains set to a length that makes the pose resemble some form of - Keliaya@anncaris:- crucifixion. The three Lupan raise their heads and howl Keliaya@anncaris | When the howling stops, the central Lupan turns to the female, "No Lupan would do. Not to one of our own. Kill, maul, yes, but not...made into a sick display like this." Keliaya@anncaris | Female: "No Lupan did this, Stanok." Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "Then what did?" Keliaya@anncaris | Female: "I cannot say yet." Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "You cannot say? You are our Wise Woman. This is what you are good for!" Keliaya@anncaris | Wise Woman: "Kardas said there was nothing on our internal sensors. And Bastok was no weakling." Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "I know that! Give me your best guess, Tamul." Keliaya@anncaris | Tamul: "Something powerful. Something beyond any of us." Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "We slew a Ysorai. /Nothing/ is beyond us," he turns to the other male, "Find me whoever is responsible, Ozoren." Keliaya@anncaris | Tamul: "I do not recommend-" Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok snarls, "/I/ am the Alpha of this pack. You /advise/ me. Know your place, Wise Woman." He turns back to the other male, "Do as I command." Keliaya@anncaris | The other male grunts, nods, and turns to head away, while the Alpha and Wise Woman look back up at the corpse of their fellow packmate... Keliaya@anncaris FX | https://youtu.be/zqvpME3IUB8 Keliaya@anncaris | It has been over a week since the raid on the Horde factory world. After observing for a short while, Horde reinforcements do show up, but in the form of a single cruiser which take up orbit - Keliaya@anncaris - above the planet. When nothing more of interest occurs, the Valley Forge moves on, entering the search area and beginning their search... Keliaya@anncaris | So far, it has been quiet, with the VF detecting nothing of interest. Kelly supervises the bridge as the ship moves about its search pattern, meticulously scouring the sector Keliaya@anncaris:"So where are we at now for points of interest...a demon world, a Class N, a Class K, and that comet Gwi was interested in? But still no sign of any dyson spheres..." Keelah@crystyl | Lennie sighs, "Got a nebula tha' kinda looks like..." tilts her head to the side, looking at her screen before shaking it, "never mind. Don't wanna know." Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "But generally... nope, nadda. Jus' a whole lotta nothin'" Keliaya@anncaris chuckles, "I was thinking maybe we should start searching some of the more promising potentially habitable worlds. Docha never made it to the Sphere, otherwise history would probably be pretty - Keliaya@anncaris:- different, which means she might have left another message. Maybe one telling us that this lead was wrong or something. Not the best news, but at least we'd know where /not/ to search..." Keelah@crystyl | Lennie looks over, confused, "Yeah but... wouldn't we have t'search t'find th'message tellin' us not t'search...?" Keliaya@anncaris:"True. Though we'd be looking for another message, not a dyson sphere, and probably searching for different things. Though we can probably do both- keep an eye out on sensors, and see if we find - Keliaya@anncaris:- anything on habitable worlds in the region." Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "They're not always on habitable worlds, though. That Iconian rogue planet sure wasn't habitable." Keelah@crystyl | Lennie nods, "Aah yeah, tha' makes more sense!" smiling as she gets back to work Keliaya@anncaris:"Well, habitable's a good start. We'd probably investigate if we found any ruins anyways, after all. Especially Iconian ones, since they could contain-" Keelah@crystyl | Rianni: "Shouldn't our bearing from the Forged Earth gateway give us enough to narrow down this search area anyway? I mean, surely we just follow that straight line until we find it now, right?" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "The straight line does pass through this area, so it is promising. But our trail isn't exact, we'd still have to do /some/ searching. Space is big after all, and if this sphere's gone - Keliaya@anncaris:- dark, it might not be producing any energy signatures." Keelah@crystyl | Rianni, "Right! I guess every little bit helps in narrowing the search area..." Keliaya@anncaris:"I still think this area's the most likely, though, especially as our bearing passes straight through it. The sphere /could/ be further rimward, but if it was, you'd think the Horde would've found - Keliaya@anncaris:- it already since their presence increases more and more towards the rim..." Keelah@crystyl | TQ: "Commander, I have a signal" she taps away, "a distress repeater coming from a nearby system" she looks up, "And it's on a Lupan frequency" Keliaya@anncaris:"A Lupan frequency? Don't see that every day, the Lupan aren't known to call for help. Must be pretty desperate. How far away is the system?" Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "We should be able to get there in half an hour at high warp." Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Set a course and inform the Captain, then." Keelah@crystyl | TQ sends the update to Keelah Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher sets the course, "Course set." Keliaya@anncaris:"Engage at Warp 8. Be ready for anything, Tactical. If the Lupan have to call for help, it can't be good." Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Aye Commander." He taps his console and the VF warps off on its new course Keelah@crystyl | Rianni nods as well, stepping up her tactical alert and sweeping at long range on tactical sensors Keelah@crystyl strolls onto the bridge as they draw nearer to the signal source, "Any changes?" Keliaya@anncaris shakes her head, "Nothing yet, Captain." Keelah@crystyl | Rianni: "Nothing unusual on my scope yet Captain" Keelah@crystyl:"Did the signal give any indication as to what the nature of the emergency was?" Keliaya@anncaris:"No, it's just a general distress repeater." Keelah@crystyl hrms, "very un-Lupan like... ETA?" Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Nineteen minutes, Captain." Keelah@crystyl:"What about the system the signal originated in. What do we know about it?" Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "Hard t'say yet, Cap'n. All I can tell ya from long range scans is tha' there ain't nothin' habitable on sensors. Jus' another red dwarf surrounded by lifeless rocks..." Keelah@crystyl:"Which suggests a ship then" Keliaya@anncaris:"That's the strange thing. The Lupan aren't known to send distress calls when they're in trouble. This is inside Horde territory, but every time we've seen a Lupan ship overpowered, it just goes - Keliaya@anncaris:- down fighting. They never call for help." Keelah@crystyl | Rianni: "Maybe it's not a combat situation. Perhaps they have technical difficulties or something?" Keliaya@anncaris:"That's possible. Some Lupan packships are practically held together by scrap. If their ship broke down in the middle of nowhere, that would be one reason to call for help." Keelah@crystyl:"Still would seem very out of character for most..." Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Maybe something has them very spooked, though I don't know what would spook a Lupan." Keelah@crystyl:"That does seem feasible. And poses a troubling thought..." Keliaya@anncaris:"It's unsettling for sure, but even without General Order 6, the Lupan are our allies now. This is probably a scavenger or raider pack, but most packs have some connection to the Sisterhood, and it - Keliaya@anncaris:- wouldn't hurt to have more friends in the area." Keelah@crystyl nods, "Indeed" Keliaya@anncaris:"I suppose we'll find out what has the Lupan spooked soon enough..." Keliaya@anncaris | Several minutes later, as the VF begins to near the system, the distress call suddenly stops broadcasting... Keelah@crystyl | TQ: "Huh. The signal's stopped...?" Keelah@crystyl | Rianni looks up, "Right as we enter the system? This feels like a trap. Recommend going to red alert Captain!" Keelah@crystyl nods, "Do it" Keliaya@anncaris:"I'm reading an energy signature inside the asteroid belt. It...appears to be on one of the larger asteroids." Keelah@crystyl | Rianni taps and the ship goes to red alert Keelah@crystyl:"On the asteroid? A shipwreck, or is it a station?" Keliaya@anncaris:"It looks like a shipwreck. One that very much still has power. Hull composition...that can't be right." Keelah@crystyl:"And that is the source of the Lupan signal, I assume?" Keelah@crystyl | TQ nods, "Triangulation confirms it" Keliaya@anncaris taps her console, "It's no sensor error. Hull composition is an organic neutronium alloy." Keelah@crystyl:"/Organic/ neutronium?" she queries with a perked brow, moving to see for herself Keliaya@anncaris | It does indeed seem to be right! Somehow it's registering as organic but there are traces of neutronium inside. Beneath this strange material however is a layer of more conventional Lupan hull - Keliaya@anncaris:- materials Keelah@crystyl:"I suppose that composition is going to make it impossible for us to get any kind of interior scan?" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "We can get glimpses, it looks like that layer of hull has small gaps, but it's not enough to discern most of what's on the inside, only that there's the other layer of duranium hull - Keliaya@anncaris:- underneath." Keelah@crystyl:"What about comms; can we get a signal through?" she looks to TQ Keelah@crystyl | TQ shakes her head, "No response" Keelah@crystyl:"Ok then, what about transporters?" Keliaya@anncaris:"There's a large gap here," she points it out on the scans, "in what seems to be a hangar bay that's not covered by the second hull layer. We should be able to beam in right past these hangar doors - Keliaya@anncaris:- but not anywhere further into the ship." Keelah@crystyl looks to Vrolmacht, "SAR mission then" Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht nods, "I agree. We should see what is going on with that vessel." Keelah@crystyl:"It's your mission then Commander. Put your team together and go see what you can find out" she nods back to him, returning to her seat Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht stands, "Aye Captain." --- Alien NPC@annpc#557 FX | Vrolmacht, Sin, Azatul and a MACO medic transports into the hangar bay of the Lupan packship. Around them, various Lupan fighters can be seen quite neatly arranged in the bay Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul sniffs the air, "There are definitely Lupan on board." Sin@crystyl looks around, "Yeah I can see that..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul steps over to one of the fighters, circling around it until he stops, spotting an emblem Sin@crystyl follows, "Mean something?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul nods, "I recognize this emblem. This pack belongs to the Blood Covenant. One of the older and more powerful Lupan tribes." Sin@crystyl:"Loyal to the Sisterhood or freelance?” Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Loyal to the Sisterhood, but prone to pursuing their own glory. There are several Blood Covenant packs with the Coalition now, but not all have answered the Sisterhood's call. The - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- Blood Covenant have no Salahan, so it was difficult to rally them all. They are too large to be unified under a single leader; instead they live by a set of rules- a covenant sealed in blood." Sin@crystyl:"So originality isn't exactly a Lupan thing I'm guessing when it comes to naming conventions" she jokes Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "It is quite literal in this case. There are two ways one joins the Blood Covenant. The first is by defeating a pack already in the Covenant, either with other members of the Covenant - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- as witnesses, or by retaining the defeated Alpha's blood to present as evidence. The Covenant also keeps an eye out for promising packs who are not affiliated with any tribes. These packs are - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- invited to a hunt and if the hunt is successful and they survive, then they are inducted into the Blood Covenant." Sin@crystyl:"Fun history lesson, but we should get to finding these guys" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul nods, "Let us proceed further into the ship." Sin@crystyl follows, actively scanning with her wristcomp Alien NPC@annpc#557 | They make their way out of the hangar and into a hallway, which is also empty Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht asks as they walk, "What are the rules that these Lupan in the tribe must follow?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "If my memory serves me right, there are three core creeds. One- no pack within the Blood Covenant may do battle upon a fellow Covenant pack. Two- if another Blood Covenant pack calls, - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- any who hear it must answer. This is how the packs who fight with the Coalition have be rallied. Three- any pack in the Blood Covenant who breaks these rules will be excommunicated and marked as - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- an enemy of the tribe. These rules have not changed for centuries, and I have no reason to expect them to change in the time I was away from Lupan society." Sin@crystyl:"Nice and simple. I like them" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht nods, "A good code for a band of warriors to follow." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul pauses and sniffs the air, just as Sin's wristcomp begins detecting a group of five Lupan ahead Sin@crystyl readies her weapon, just in case. "So anything in that Lupan rule book about how to say 'Hi, we're trespassers on your ship, but please don't maul us?'" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "No. We will have to count on their good will." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Medic: "Lupan have good will?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Not much." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | As if on cue, the Lupan round the corner and immediately open fire Sin@crystyl does a quick count of the grenades strapped to her body armour, "OF all the days to travel light..." she curses herself Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul dives into cover, shouting, "We have come in answer to your call for aid!" Sin@crystyl dives the opposite way, returning fire, "Yeah, can't you tell we're here to help?!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The shooting stops, and one of the Lupan shouts back, "Identify yourselves." Sin@crystyl mutters to herself, "Damn, that actually worked..." Sin@crystyl | V: "We are from the Valley Forge. We received your distress signal and have come to assist" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan: "Valley Forge? I do not know of a pack or tribe by that name." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Perhaps you've heard of the Starblade." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan: "The Starblade. Yes, the rumours have reached us." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Same ship." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan: "Very well. Come out. We will not attack you...for now." Sin@crystyl | V: "Yes, that is the... colourful name your kinsmen gave to us. We are allies of the Coalition Blood Covenant packs and so heeded your call, as it is written" he ventures with a warriors intuition Sin@crystyl:- as he steps out cautiously Sin@crystyl also follows. Reluctantly Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul and the medic also steps out Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan: "I will take you to our Alpha. He will fill you in." Sin@crystyl | V nods and follows Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The Lupan gestures and his group turns and begins leading the way Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan: "What is a fellow hunter doing, travelling with a ship of aliens, even one as acclaimed as this?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "I am an exile." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan: "Ah. So a mercenary?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Not quite." Sin@crystyl:"Yeah, actually /I'm/ the mercenary one" Sin@crystyl | V looks down at Sin beside him as they walk and growls lightly Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan: "Really? You seem...small." Sin@crystyl raises her hands defensively, "Was! I /was/ the mercenary, geez lighten up big guy" Sin@crystyl:"Size isn't everything in the freelance business you know" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan: "I suppose small size has its advantage in certain environments. And against certain opponents." Sin@crystyl grins, "Now you're getting it!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | They walk past another patrol, this one of six Lupan, all armed with weapons in hand Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The medic looks to Azatul, "You don't usually patrol your ships like that, do you?" Sin@crystyl:"You don't need to be able to read their minds to tell these guys are on edge" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Our ships are...not unlike yours, actually, only less clean. But it is where we live, where we house our families." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | As they pass by, one of the doors open and they catch a glimpse of two Lupan pups even smaller than Sin sticking their heads out behind the doorway before their mother promptly pulls them back - Alien NPC@annpc#557 - and seals the door Sin@crystyl aww's almost on instinct Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul glances to Sin with a quirk of his head, then to the door, "Good thing you're not that Observer..." Sin@crystyl snorts, "Yeah, I hear she's got a bit of a... fetish" Sin@crystyl:"How was your little private getaway with her anyway...?" she asks, baiting him with a smirk Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "It was...uncomfortable. But I am glad we made the journey." Sin@crystyl:"Oh, so she's not alone in it then?" she grins even more, taking her blatantly false reading of his words to heart as she skips a step to get ahead before he can retort Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul snarls but doesn't try to catch up, following behind quietly with a glare to the back of Sin's head Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Before long, they arrive on the bridge, where a large male who is clearly the Alpha stands in the centre, conversing with a smaller female, "What do you mean the comms relay is gone?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Female: "I mean it's gone." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Alpha Stanok: "It was functioning after the crash! Did you break one thing when you were fixing another again?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Female: "No, it's not broken, it's /gone/. The entire relay." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "How does a comm relay just disappear?" Sin@crystyl:"Most likely because you've got a saboteur on board who doesn't want you repairing it" she chimes in, unphased by the increasing number of oversized people around her Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok turns at the new arrivals, "And who are you supposed to be?" Sin@crystyl:"Sin. I'm supposed to be Sin" Sin@crystyl | Vrolmacht eyerolls, "We are allies heeding your call for aid. We come from the Coalition ship Valley Forge - the Starblade, as you call it" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Yes, I've heard of you." His gaze trails from Sin to Vrolmacht, then to Azatul, "Well I'll be damned. If it isn't Azatul." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Stanok. So you're Alpha now. And Blood Covenant." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "That's right." Sin@crystyl:"Wait, this is a reunion now?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "I wouldn't call us old friends. He tried to kill me. Then we fought together against some Harcseen. This was back in my mercenary days. Stanok was part of a small, unimpressive pack - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- at the time." Sin@crystyl smiles, "Aah, my kind of reunion then!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "We've come a long way since then." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "I don't recognize the ship. I'm guessing you seized it from whichever pack you defeated to earn your place?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok nods, "That's right. The Ysorai armour is a recent addition, though." Sin@crystyl | V: "The organic neutronium shell" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Pieces from the carapace of one of the great Ysorai beasts." Sin@crystyl:"Looks like it was quite the hunt. But... now's not the time I'm sure" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "A tale for when we get out of here. I don't know what's happening, but someone has it in for my pack. First we find Bastok killed and hung up in one of the cargo bays like a hunting - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- trophy. Then my pilot Nasmin here," he looks to a female on the helm console, "crashes the ship into an asteroid." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Nasmin: "The sensors said there was nothing in my path!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Yes, the equipment malfunctions. We only survived the crash thanks to the Ysorai armour, but then things start malfunctioning across the ship. Systems that were working after the - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- crash suddenly stop working. Pieces are disappearing into thin air, according to my engineer Demal here." Sin@crystyl:"So the hunters have become the hunted, how ironic. You sure this Ysorai isn't kicking back still...?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "The Ysorai is dead. If it wasn't, you'd know about it. It's bigger than this ship. Much bigger." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal nods, "Whatever is sabotaging us is probably /on/ the ship." Sin@crystyl:"Yeah, but... what if it had friends? You know a lot of big cumbersome creatures keep small ones about to help them. You know, scratch the itch they can't reach, that kind of thing" Sin@crystyl glances up to Azatul, "and don't get any ideas. I'm not a backscratcher" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul lets out a Lupan chuckle Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "We didn't see anything. If there were creatures like that, they would've attacked us when we were cutting up the Ysorai and dividing the loot." Sin@crystyl | V: "What she lacks in decorum she makes up for with intuition" he states more in justifying the annoying little presence at this point. To himself probably Sin@crystyl decides to take it as an outright complement nonetheless and beams proudly Sin@crystyl | V: "So when did these malfunctions start?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "When we found Bastok's body, there were some erratic lights. I thought it was just a maintenance issue. Not long after that, we crashed into the asteroid here. We're embedded inside, - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- thrusters can't pull us free." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Sin suddenly senses a presence nearby. Something very powerful, on the level of the Chlasi Exalted One, if not stronger. Not quite Q-level, but somewhere between that and the Exalted One. Sin@crystyl jumps, drawing her weapon as her aim darts from side to side trying to track the presence Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok and Azatul both look to her curiously Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Is something wrong with that little one?" Sin@crystyl:"There is something else on this ship. It is powerful too, almost in my league" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The presence seems to be coming from somewhere deeper in the ship Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "And you know this...how?" Sin@crystyl relaxes her stance, "It is not close. It is somewhere in the lower decks of the ship" Sin@crystyl turns back, looking to Vrolmacht with a sudden seriousness about her Sin@crystyl | V: "She is telepathic. And..." he sighs with reluctance at the admission, "...not the weakest one either..." Sin@crystyl scowls, "Hey!" shying away at the death glare he shoots her, "I mean... I'm not /just/ telepathic..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "And you can sense the saboteur?" Sin@crystyl nods, "Not in any real detail just yet, but I can feel it's presence" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok grabs a warhammer leaning on the wall of the bridge near the exit, "Then we go to the lower decks and find it." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "Is that wise?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "We are Lupan. We are resistant to telepathy." Sin@crystyl:"Eugh. Did I just volunteer to be a walking tricorder again..." Sin@crystyl | Vrolmacht grins toothily, giving Sin a heavy pat on the back Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Lead the way, little telepath." Sin@crystyl grumbles to herself, turning to find the way... Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok slings the warhammer over his shoulder and follows along with the rest of the VF team Alien NPC@annpc#557 | They travel through the ship for a few minutes, but as they begin to near the lower decks, the presence suddenly disappears Sin@crystyl pauses, "It's gone..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok snarls, "You're saying you lost the saboteur's trail?" Sin@crystyl:"No..." she frowns, "I'm saying the presence disappeared. As in, suddenly. As in, masking itself - could be on the move, maybe luring us" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "If you can sense it, do you think it can also sense you?" Sin@crystyl:"No way to know, but it's not impossible... could be that it realized I'm tracking it and suddenly took measures to hide" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul nods, "Or it's luring you, as you said. Setting a trap for us." Sin@crystyl:"All we can do is keep going I guess..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "We will find them the old-fashioned way." Sin@crystyl keeps reaching out with her mind as they go still, to sense sound and movement as much as the thoughts of presence Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Sin can sense the movement of Lupan around her, but not the presence she felt earlier. After a little more walking, she does feel two Lupan coming towards them very quickly though... Sin@crystyl:"Two of your pack, coming at us quickly ahead" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The group stops, and the two Lupan soon come into view, bounding on all fours. They come to a stop in front of the Alpha and stand back up Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan: "Alpha, there has been another death. It's Kardas." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok snarls, "Take us to her." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The two Lupan turn and begin leading the way Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Who is Kardas?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "One of the brightest of the pack. No one is better at monitoring sensors than her." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Any pups?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Fortunately not." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The two Lupan lead them into a room filled with machinery, in the centre of which lies a Lupan female shot through the chest by some energy weapon. On the side of the room, another Lupan is - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- restrained on his knees with two guarding him, and a rifle lies against one of the pieces of machinery Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "What is the meaning of this?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Guarding Lupan: "We found him at the scene, Stanok. The residue matches the rifle he was holding." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok walks up to the restrained Lupan, "Ozoren. Did you kill her?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Ozoren: "Yes." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Why..." Sin@crystyl:"Well as interrogations go, that was easy" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Ozoren: "You told me to kill her, Alpha. You gave me the order." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok growls and grabs Ozoren by the throat, "I gave no such order!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Ozoren gags, trying to say something Sin@crystyl:"Maybe you didn't. But in his head, you did..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Let him explain, Stanok." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok lets Ozoren go after a moment. The bound Lupan takes a deep breath Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok looks to the VF team, "You speak with him. I do not know if I can restrain myself from smashing his head in on the spot." Sin@crystyl steps over after a nod from Vrolmacht Sin@crystyl:"Tell me everything you remember from right before you received the order. What were you doing at the time?" Sin@crystyl probes for betraying thoughts, emotional echoes etc, even if he is Lupan Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Ozoren: "I was searching the ship for Bastok's killer, as Stanok commanded me to. I was two decks above when Stanok came to me. He dismissed the others in my team and told me that it was - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- Kardas' fault that the sensors malfunctioned and we crashed. He suspected her to be the one responsible for everything and ordered me to kill her." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Sin senses no betraying thoughts, though there is a small echo of regret Alien NPC@annpc#557 | She can't sense him clearly of course, but what she can pick up is reminiscent of someone who had to carry out orders against their own conscience Sin@crystyl:"He came to you. So he walked up to you and the group you were with?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Ozoren: "Yes. He wanted to speak to me alone, to deal with her discreetly. Akol and Kanojan were there with me, but he bade them leave, but they did see him." Sin@crystyl | Vrolmacht picks up on this and quietly speaks to another in the corner to find those two and check their stories Sin@crystyl:"But you didn't want to kill her did you" she continues Alien NPC@annpc#557 | One of the Lupan in the room heads off in search of them Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Ozoren: "No. She was one of the pack. I could not believe that she would betray us, but the Alpha seemed convinced. It was follow his orders or challenge his command, and I know I cannot best - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- Stanok." Sin@crystyl:"So you begrudgingly came here to carry out those orders" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Ozoren nods silently Sin@crystyl turns back to the Alpha, "I believe this was a manipulation by your intruder. It is possible that it manifested physically to portray you, or projected the interaction into the minds of the group - Sin@crystyl:- it interacted with. That could also explain why it suddenly left my perception, if it is only there so prominently when it is acting so" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "A skinchanger, or someone who can even affect the minds of us Lupan, we who are resistant to telepathy? Tamul was right...this is a foe beyond us..." Sin@crystyl:"You are genetically engineered to be resilient against Horde influence, specifically. You are not arbitrarily 'immune' to telepathy. I can still touch the minds of those here, after all. Perhaps not- Sin@crystyl:- in the same manner as other Children species, but it is important to remember that it is a resilience, not an immunity" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Still, we have no defense against such an attack, save what we were born with." Sin@crystyl grins, "Not true. You've got me! Defense /and/ offense all in one neat little package!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The Lupan that exited earlier steps in, flanked by two others who look to the bound Ozoren and the dead Kardas, "Ozoren? What happened here?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan Guard: "I found Akol and Kanojan. They claim to have also seen the Alpha." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Is this true?" Sin@crystyl:"As you said then; could be manifesting physically or affecting group perceptions. What about your sensors? You said the one who was killed was your sensor guru, right? So we're in the right place to - Sin@crystyl:- se if anything was recorded" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The two Lupan nod, one of them replying, "You came to us when we were searching, Alpha." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok nods, "Yes. The consoles here should allow you to access the sensor feeds." Sin@crystyl heads over to one and starts working to see what she can find, hoping for a nice visual feed of the encounter Alien NPC@annpc#557 | There is indeed a visual feed of 'Stanok' approaching the three. Akol and Kanojan soon leave while 'Stanok' and Ozoren enter a room and speak. Ozoren gives a clearly reluctant nod and walks off slowly. As the - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- doors close, 'Stanok' remains inside, kneeling down into the traditional Lupan sitting pose and closing his eyes. Several minutes later, his eyes open and he waves his hand, promptly disappearing - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- into a cloud of black mist. The gesture feels very familiar to Sin for some reason... Sin@crystyl shudders, "Enigmatic..." she sounds jealous. "But there's something familiar about it..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "You know who this may be?" Sin@crystyl:"I'm not sure exactly. There's just something oddly familiar about that black mist..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok meanwhile stares at the console, "It...appears exactly like me. Can you fight something like this, little telepath?" Sin@crystyl:"I've fought my share of tricksters of before. They're nothing but smoke and mirrors" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "I...must admit...I do not know how much aid I can be against such an enemy. Few can best me with blade or rifle, but this..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Tamul, our wise woman, may be of more help than I am." Sin@crystyl:"You should have all your people stay in groups of at least two as well. And implement a safeguard against rogue instructions like this. Like... any order has to be verified with you via comms, - Sin@crystyl:- even if you're giving it face to face. Or maybe a two-tier confirmation or something" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok nods, "Sound advice. I will relay these instructions to the pack." He steps up to the console, tapping it to show an MSD of the ship, then highlighting a particular room, "Seek Tamul in - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- her room here. She may have more insight into this enemy." Sin@crystyl:"What about you?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "I will ensure the security measures are put into place and remain on the bridge so the crew will know where I am and where I am not. Unless you wish me to continue to accompany you?" Sin@crystyl:"Just thinking it might save us fresh explanations to this Tamul is all" Sin@crystyl | Vrolmacht, "Either way could be fruitful. You are Alpha, so we leave it to your discretion" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "I will remain on the bridge then. I can oversee the ship, as best as I can with systems failing inexplicably. Tamul knows all that has occurred save the most recent events here. I can - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- fill her in through comms before you arrive." Sin@crystyl | Vrolmacht nods, "Alright, come on then. Let's go find her" --- Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The VF team reaches Tamul's room, which like all the others currently has the door locked Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul taps a panel beside the door and a few seconds later the door slides open, with an older Lupan female greeting them Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Come, come inside." She leads them into the room, which looks very little like a Starfleet ship's quarters. For one here is no bed, but a very thin rug along the back of the room, a - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- replicator, and a desk in the centre with no chairs, just several rugs around it Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "We do not exactly have accommodations suited to your bodies I'm afraid. Make yourselves comfortable however you like." Sin@crystyl:"I guess Stanok called ahead for us..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | As they step inside, they note that on one of the walls hangs a pair of blades, one longer and one shorter Sin@crystyl | V: "Thank you, but we should not take the time to get comfortable" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Might as well. I'd offer you something to eat or drink, but the replicators just went down before you arrived." Sin@crystyl:"Almost like your intruder sensed that you were planning to make use of them shortly..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul nods, "I feel like we are dealing with something very powerful here. It was not easy to convince Stanok to call for help. Fortunately he has gotten a signal out to you." Sin@crystyl | V: "Do you have any insight into who or what this is?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul nods, "I have my suspicions, but I do not know how well they hold up yet. Are you aware of the Ysorai hunt we participated in?" Sin@crystyl | Vrolmacht nods: "Stanok informed us when we first arrived" Sin@crystyl:"I /knew/ it was related!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "So far, both Lupan who have died helped gut the creature after the kill, and Bastok was quite literally gutted when we found him. I thought it could be coincidence, until Stanok told - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- me how Kardas was killed." Sin@crystyl | V: "What's the connection with that one?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Ozoren killed her on what he thought was the Alpha's orders. Ozoren was on the tactical station during the hunt and fired the killing shot into the creature's maw- on Stanok's mark." Sin@crystyl:"So following your train of thought. Who would be the next target?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Demal, the engineer, was also present when the Ysorai was being cut apart. Jarvar, Nasmin and Stanok of course were also on the bridge. Jarvar was not involved in the action, he was - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- on comms, communicating with the other packs present. Nasmin...the ship crashed when she was piloting it, no one else. That...may have been her punishment, or perhaps more is intended for her." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "The Alpha is no doubt a target, but I believe whoever is behind this will likely save him for last. They have a certain...flare to the way they operate. Demal is the most likely to be - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- targeted next." Sin@crystyl:"This lifeform is definitely enigmatic. We should warn them to protect this Demal" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "She will be working to conduct repairs around the ship. I have already asked Stanok to provide her with an escort, but I am not sure if it is enough. Especially not if this lifeform is - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- what I think it is." Sin@crystyl | V: "Yes, we've already made arrangements to ensure nobody is left alone" Sin@crystyl:"I don't sense it yet, so it's not likely made its move" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Perhaps you should accompany Demal as well. As much faith as I have in the warriors of our pack, they are no match for a foe such as this. You may be the only one who stand a chance of - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- stopping her." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Medic: "Her?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "The stories always described this being as female, if this is indeed the same thing the stories speak of." Sin@crystyl:"What stories would these be?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "The stories of the dreaded Witch of Wild Space. The elusive Sorceress of Shadows. Most of it is legends and rumours, tales too easily dismissed, but legends and rumours usually have - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- some shred of truth to them. This Witch is said to be an agent of a council, sometimes described as a tribunal or a pantheon of gods by unenlightened species. Whatever they are called, they - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- are supposedly responsible for maintaining the Space-Time Continuum and possess incredible power to manipulate almost anything within space-time." Sin@crystyl:"Wait... She's a Q?!" frowns, "Well regardless, nobody gets to claim such grandiose titles like 'the Witch of Wild Space' but me! This broad's going down" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "I am not familiar with that name, but this group is known by many different ones. This Sorceress apparently protects the Primeval species of the galaxy and wreaks havoc upon - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- those who harm such creatures, or so the stories claim. I always thought they were simply cautionary tales to prevent the overhunting of Primevals by eager packs in order to maintain the natural - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- balance of things, but this being's choice of targets and theatrics fit the description rather uncannily." Sin@crystyl:"No denying that" she looks around, "If she is a Q, or a proxy of theirs, she must possess their insight. Which means she is likely aware of us having this very conversation. Why don't you stop all - Sin@crystyl:- this hiding and show yourself?!" Sin@crystyl | Vrolmacht looks around, half expecting the shadow being to reveal itself from Sin's challenge Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul and the medic also look around, but nothing happens... Sin@crystyl shrugs, "Worth a try. Guess she's more shy than the /real/ Q, obviously more afraid of us too..." she adds as a final taunt, on the off chance Sin@crystyl doesn't really expect anything to occur Alien NPC@annpc#557 FX | Still nothing occurs, as expected Sin@crystyl:"So what now? Do we just wait for this thing to show itself again?" Sin@crystyl | V: "There must be something more we can do" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Protect her next target. As we know who it will likely be, you may be able to stop her before she strikes. We know her motivations now, and information can be a powerful weapon." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Unless...you have any other ideas?" Sin@crystyl:"With so little to go on, it's about all we can do. But your knowledge makes you dangerous to her as well. You should not be left alone" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "I can come with you. Perhaps my insights could be useful to you, should anything unexpected occur." Sin@crystyl:"Sounds good to me" Sin@crystyl | Vrolmacht nods, "Let us proceed then" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The old wise woman steps over to the wall, taking the short blade off it. She glances to Azatul, "I have a spare blade." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "I don't kill sentient beings." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "I doubt you can kill this one even if you tried, but suit yourself." She shrugs and makes for the exit Sin@crystyl turns and follows, "She's got bite. I like her" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Every Lupan has bite," she smirks, intentionally revealing sharp teeth Sin@crystyl smirks, her liking only reaffirmed Alien NPC@annpc#557 | As they walk, the medic asks, "If you don't think you can kill this Witch, why do you bring a blade, then?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul looks to the medic, "Why do so many Children wear clothes, when you can easily set your environmental conditions on your ship to be warm enough not to require any?" Sin@crystyl:"Oh that's easy. It's all about the allure you see. Showing more with what you don't show" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Even when you're in a room by yourself?" Sin@crystyl:"Who says I wear clothes then?" she grins Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "I hear many of you do." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Medic: "I suppose we get used to wearing it everywhere else." Sin@crystyl:"It's true, we do. I'm just playing here. That is a valid point, but there's also a lot of value for us in using different clothing" Sin@crystyl:"See, most of us are smoothskinned. So sometimes it's nice to wrap up in a nice fluffy gown or something" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "And there is value in carrying weapons as well. But even in times when the weapon at hand provides little to no use against a present danger, it still gives comfort. A feeling of - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- safety. Sometimes, state of mind is as vital as skill or firepower." Sin@crystyl:"Aah of course, the old comfort weapon. I had a teddy bear like than I was a kid" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "A what?" Sin@crystyl:"Teddy bear! Think of it like a fake puppy whose sole purpose is to be soft and fluffy" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Your people have strange weapons..." Sin@crystyl laughs, "Weapons... yeah..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | They reach a catwalk where Demal can be seen working, flanked by two armed males on either side. She pauses and looks to the group as they arrive Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "Tamul. What brings you here?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "What do you think, staying with a group of course." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "And why are you all here?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "To protect you." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal looks to the two males, "I already have protection." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul looks to Sin, "Not this kind." Sin@crystyl:"We suspect that you'll be the next target. So if it helps; think of yourself as our bait" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "Perfect. That certainly helps. Thank you very much." Sin@crystyl:"Now we just have to hape we're right..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "Maybe if we get this ship off this rock, it could help." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "I doubt it." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "Still, these little holes Stanok is sending me to repair- it's all pointless if we're stuck here." Sin@crystyl:"Not pointless once this is dealt with and it's time to leave though" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "I have a way to leave. Stanok just won't let me pull it off." Sin@crystyl:"Oh?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "We're stuck in the asteroid and our thrusters can't pull us free without pulling us apart. But if we cut off the Ysorai armour on the side that's stuck, we'll be able to break free." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "But because there's no shipyards nearby, we won't be able to reattach the armour anytime soon, and most of the plates are too large to fit in our cargo bays. We can't afford to tractor - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- them through Horde space and the Alpha refuses to leave the precious material behind. So instead, we're going to have to try and cut the rock, and our weapon arrays on the side that crashed are - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- completely broken. I suppose we'll have to deal with this saboteur first, and perhaps when it is all done, your ship can help cut us out." Sin@crystyl:"Yeah, no point even trying to cut free until this thing is dealt with or you'll just end up crashed again" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal sighs, "I'll just have to fix the little things-" her comm sounds and she growls, "What is it?!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok's voice comes through, "Our internal sensors just went down." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "Really? If this saboteur is so intent on taking my ship apart, why not just mess up our navigation so we warp into a star? At least it'll be over with quickly." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Your ship? Not...our ship?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "I was on this ship before Stanok took it over. He may be Alpha, but this is my ship, and no one knows her better than me." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul turns to Sin and Tamul, "We've made a mistake. Demal isn't the next target. Not for death, at least." Sin@crystyl:"Oh?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "She helped gut the Ysorai alongside Bastok and Kardas, didn't she?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul nods Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "She's already being punished. Except the Witch isn't killing her. She's gutting her ship." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "You said Nasmin wasn't killed either, she only crashed the ship. And Ozoren was made to kill one of his own pack. The punishment isn't always death." Sin@crystyl:"Good point. So who was next on the list?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Either Stanok himself or Jarvar. Jarvar didn't shoot or cut apart the Ysorai, he was actually one of the few who agreed with me when I advised Stanok against it. But he still went to - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- the bridge, did his work, monitored communications, and looked on as we took down the creature." Sin@crystyl:"Where is he now?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "We just lost internal sensors." Sin@crystyl:"What about comms?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal: "Comms! Yes, the comms relay! Or where it used to be. I had him and two of my engineers trying to rig up a makeshift comm system. You'll find him there." Sin@crystyl:"We should move" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul nods and quickly turns to lead the way towards the comm relay... Alien NPC@annpc#557 | As the group proceeds towards the comm relay, Sin begins to sense the powerful presence again... Sin@crystyl:"I can feel the presence again..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Medic: "You sensed it before, when we were on the bridge with Stanok, right?" Sin@crystyl nods, "Yeah. Possibly about the time it manifested before. We should hurry" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul nods, "Agreed." The team begin to pick up their pace... Sin@crystyl keeps trying to get a more solid feel of the presence as they go and to get a sense of it's awareness to her own presence Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The presence doesn't seem to be telepathically reaching out to her in any way, communicative or malicious. However as Sin probes, she feels an unusual familiarity with the presence, as if it's - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- someone she knows, though she can't pin down precisely who Sin@crystyl frowns, "There is definitely something familiar about this presence. But I can't put my finger on it..." Sin@crystyl:"You know like, when you hear a piece of music that you know you know the title of. But you just can not for the life of you name it" Sin@crystyl:"It's really frustrating..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "We are almost there. Perhaps we will find out soon." Sin@crystyl:"Hopefully not too late" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | As they turn a corner, they find their way blocked by a force field. On the other side of the force field, two Lupan are being pressed against two opposite walls, completely immobilized. In - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- the centre hovers a third Lupan, his arms outstretched as if pressing back against a wall as well, though there is only thin air behind him. On the ground in front of him stands a figure, not - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- particularly tall though a bit taller than Sin. The figure is clad in black robes, with the head obscured by a hood Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "We must get that force field down." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The medic draws a phaser and shoots it, but it doesn't seem to do anything Sin@crystyl:"Enough witch!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "There should be an access panel here..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul and Tamul rush over to the access panel Sin@crystyl stands right up to the forcefield, attempting to reach her while the others go for the more techy solution Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The Witch turns around. Despite facing Sin, her visage is still obscured by the hood save for a few locks of black hair visible underneath it. Sin suddenly recognizes the figure from the - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- cryptic dream she had shortly after the Battle of Calahadon, though it does not quite explain the familiarity, as the entity had felt familiar to her even then... Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "I'm glad you could make it, Sin." Sin@crystyl:"You seem to have me at a disadvantage. Though I feel like I already know you too..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "You do. You just don't know it yet." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Hovering Lupan: "Why..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The Witch turns back to the Lupan, "You watched as your pack slew the Ysorai." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Hovering Lupan: "I...did not...seek...the hunt..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "Yet you partook in it nonetheless." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Hovering Lupan: "I...did not...kill..." Sin@crystyl:"And you believe that warrants torturing them like this? Enough! Let them go already. This petty malevolence will not bring the creature back" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "I do not seek to bring the creature back. I could- but it is not the way things must be. This one watched as his pack slew the Ysorai. Now his pack will watch as I end him." Sin@crystyl:"And what does that achieve? It is still just petty retaliation and it serves no purpose" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "If it was retaliation I desire, I would have vapourized this entire ship. No, I speak to the Lupan in the language they understand best. I expect they've received the message by now, - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- so it is time I delivered my ultimatum. Tell the Alpha that he is to shed the Ysorai armour he is so proud of and repent his slaying of the creature, or his pack will never leave here alive." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Hovering Lupan: "I...repent. I...I should have..." Sin@crystyl:"Fine. Release these Lupan and your message will be delivered" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The hovering Lupan suddenly drops down into the floor, hitting it hard. He grunts and coughs but appears to still be alive Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "See? I am not bereft of mercy. If the Alpha does as I ask, he shall have it. Otherwise...I think you get the idea." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The force field suddenly goes down. The Witch waves her hand and promptly disappears into a black mist Sin@crystyl:"You realize that by having them cut the armour away, it will mean the creature died for nothing. It may not be-...” Sin@crystyl groans and grumbles, "...rude" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The other two Lupan are freed and rush over to the one in the middle. The medic approaches as well and one of the Lupan blocks the way defensively Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Medic: "Woah, easy. I'm a doctor. We're here to help. I just want to check him for injuries." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul steps into view again and gives the Lupan a nod, and he steps aside to allow the medic to pass Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The medic runs his tricorder over the fallen Lupan, who is now on his knees and starting to get up Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Medic: "No signs of any injury, internal or external." Sin@crystyl:"We should deliver this message to the Alpha" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul nods, "Let us return to the bridge, then." Sin@crystyl turns to head back. Oddly quiet as they walk, stuck in her mind with the identity of the witch Alien NPC@annpc#557 | As they walk, Tamul asks, "The Witch- you believe you know her?" Sin@crystyl:"It's hard to say. Just every time she's around, her presence is very familiar. But her identity escapes me still" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "You do not recall meeting her before?" Sin@crystyl:"I still don't even know who she is. Just this damned feeling I get from her..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Perhaps you do, but the one you know has not yet become the Witch. These beings have the power to affect space and time. Perhaps she only becomes the Witch sometime in the future, but - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- once she has, her presence pervades through all of space-time, in the past and the present. She could even be you." Sin@crystyl:"That's... surprisingly insightful. And creepy as hell" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "The secrets of the universe are very often both. Many have gone beyond the abyss, and returned as twisted versions of themselves." Sin@crystyl:"The abyss?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "It is a term the Sisters use for the chasm of knowledge that divides beings like ourselves from those like the Witch and her kind, or the ancient Primevals who have watched the stars - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- grow and fade since the early days of the universe. The Lupan believe that we are chosen by the gods, but never have we believed that we /are/ gods. There a deep gap between the two, an abyss - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- which changes any who attempt to cross it. Some make it to the other side, some return corrupted, as an enemy of their own kin, but none are unchanged." Sin@crystyl:"I know the journey you speak of. It is one I will one day complete" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Then perhaps one day, you will become the Witch, but you may not know until that day comes." Sin@crystyl:"Well I mean, it is only fitting that /I/ go on to become the eternal witch of wild space - that's so me. But seriously? I mean she's got no style or anything! Just a box of tricks" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Azatul: "Don't give yourself any ideas. She might get it if she is you." Sin@crystyl grins --- Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Before long, the team reaches the bridge. Like before, Stanok stands in the centre, this time not in the midst of conversation Sin@crystyl wanders in with the others Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok turns as they enter, "Have you dealt with them already?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul looks to Sin, "I will help convince Stanok where I can, but the Witch asked you to deliver her message." Sin@crystyl sighs and nods, approaching Stanok, "We stopped her from killing a few more of your crew. But it is not over yet" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Well, that is good news, at least. Were you a match for her in battle, then?" Sin@crystyl:"It did not come to that" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "You just...talked her down?" Sin@crystyl:"I believe she was ready to talk. She is the one from your mythology known as the Witch of Wild Space, and she spared your packmen so that we could deliver her message to you" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "The Witch...? I have heard the legends. If they are true...this is not good. I assume she seeks vengeance for the Ysorai we slew, then?" Sin@crystyl:"Not so much vengeance *muttering* she claims..." shakes her head, "No, she... takes issue with the fact that you killed the beast and lined your hull with it's armour. She said you are to remove - Sin@crystyl:- it all, or - and I quote - 'none of your pack will leave here alive'..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Demal has been trying to convince me to remove some of the armour to dislodge ourselves as well. But the Witch wants /all/ of it gone?" Sin@crystyl:"Everything you took from the carcass of the primitive" she nods Sin@crystyl:"Though I've no doubt I can take her, it will not be without bloodshed. This /is/ the only way to avoid losing any more of your brethren" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "All of it? The armour is not just valuable and useful...it is rare. Not every Ysorai has it. The materials they consume are broken down and formed into their carapace, but neutron - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- stars are too large for them to devour. Most of them devour asteroids and have hard carapaces, tough, but not like this. This one must have devoured quite a few Nuhar constructs or their remains - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- in its time. To leave all that behind..." Sin@crystyl:"Is better than the alternative. I mean, if it means that much to you then by all means leave it attached. We'll be sure to inform the Covenant pack we see of your fate. You know, so there's no - Sin@crystyl:- mystery" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul nods, "We will gain no protection nor profit from the armour if we are all dead, Stanok." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok growls, "The hunt- it would all have been for nothing. I wonder if the Witch has tormented the other packs involved as well. If she's making us dump all our loot. Why not just stop us - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- during the hunt, fight by the creature's side?" Sin@crystyl:"Maybe she has hit the other packs already, maybe she's planning on hitting them next. I can't pretend to understand her in full yet. This is just the message she wanted to give" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Leave behind all that armour, or not leave here at all..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "You are the Alpha of the pack. It is your role to ensure its survival." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok snarls, "I know! I suppose we don't have much of a choice, then." Sin@crystyl:"For what it's worth, I'm with you. I mean, to leave it behind now just means the creature died for nothing. At least by keeping it, then it's death would serve a purpose still. But she wouldn't - Sin@crystyl:- even hear me out" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok sighs and taps a console, "Demal. Remove that armour." Alien NPC@annpc#557:<C - Demal> Finally! We'll have the parts embedded in the asteroid removed as soon as we can Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Not just those pieces. All of it." Alien NPC@annpc#557:<C - Demal> All of it Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "You heard right. Now do as I command." Alien NPC@annpc#557:<C - Demal> Is this another trick by the saboteur Sin@crystyl steps over, "Damal, it's Sin. This is no illusion, you are speaking to the real Stanok and those are indeed his words" Alien NPC@annpc#557:<C - Demal> And how do I know you're the real Sin Sin@crystyl:chuckles, "Well, can't fault her for obedience. She's following your verification perfectly" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "Come to the bridge. You'll see it's really us." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Before long, Demal arrives on the bridge, "You truly want the armour gone, Alpha?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok nods, "It seems it is the only way we will get out of this alive." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Demal "Very well. I'll have all of it detached." The engineer turns and sets off to get to work Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "This Witch better be happy now." Sin@crystyl:"She'd better be! I don't know if she'll appear again to confirm this or not now... hopefully so, I still want to know who she is" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | A voice suddenly comes from behind Sin, "That you will not know. Not yet. But you are free to go once the armour is removed." Sin@crystyl spins around, "No fair! You know who I am. To hide yourself from me is... well it's just plain rude, let's be honest" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | As expected, the Witch stands behind Sin, hood still drawn over her face, "As I have said, it is not yet time. Though you may think this knowledge will aid you, what shall come to pass will be - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- far worse." Sin@crystyl frowns, "I don't care about your aid in the coming battle. You care more for some old space whales than the Horde who threaten to destroy everything including them, that's your problem. It just - Sin@crystyl:- bugs the crap out of me that I have this... feeling about you!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "As I thought you would, old friend, for your power is already quite strong. But I cannot tell you why you have this feeling. As my master says...spoilers." Sin@crystyl 's eyes narrow at the familiar turn of phrase, "...'quite' strong? Now I know you're just trying to push my buttons" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "Do not overestimate your power, Sin. But that is not a lesson I will teach you- not here, not now, at least." Sin@crystyl:"Clearly you don't know me at all. You've got a name and face to go on, nothing more. Because if you knew me in the slightest, you would know there is no overestimating" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "I know you, and I know precisely how powerful you will become. But power is not everything, and power alone is far from enough for the Final Judgement." Sin@crystyl:"Final Judgement? So what, now I'm on trial?!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "Not only you. But that is the purview of my masters, not mine. I come only to ensure the spoils of the Ysorai are not borne by Lupan ships." Sin@crystyl:"So you got a thing against Lupan now? See now-" she starts to circle around the witch, "-you don't come across as the type to be clumsy with your words or your actions. Everything calculated, - Sin@crystyl:- meaningful. So if the spoils of the Ysorai are not to be borne by Lupan, then they /are/ to be borne by others..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "Observant as always, old friend. I have plans for them, yes, but they cannot be sported by Lupan ships. When other Lupan ships witness how effective neutronium-infused Ysorai armour - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- is, they will seek out more Ysorai for other such specimens. That will drive far more destruction than the occasional hunt resulting from chance sightings." Sin@crystyl:"So that's why you're wearing the hood... hiding set of pointed ears under there are we? Damned perfect logic, you're as bad as the Captain..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "You realize I can alter how I appear to you? This is simply the form I prefer when performing my role." Sin@crystyl:"Just something else in your bag of tricks..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Witch: "And I have a logical reason for it. I learned from the best, after all." Before Sin can respond, she waves her hand and disappears once again Sin@crystyl clenches her fists and lets out a 'aaarrgh!' of frustration. Intense at the best of times, but those around her could almost swear they felt a physical pulse from her at that moment. Almost... Sin@crystyl:"Stars! She's annoying..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "So that was the being who was causing all this..." Sin@crystyl nods, turning back and forcing herself to relax as she stretches her fingers out, "Yeah, real piece of work ain't she?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "I only hope she is gone for good once we get rid fo this armour." Sin@crystyl:"I see no reason not te believe her at this point. If she wanted to keep playing games with you, there are far more entertaining ways" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "You may return to your ship, then. Though...that ship of yours could not have been far to have received our signal and arrived so quickly." Sin@crystyl | V: "Yes, we were nearby" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "What brings you out here? It has been very quiet since the attack on Terminu, but this is still Horde territory." Sin@crystyl | V: "We are searching for the Heart of War" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "The Heart of War?" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Something from another legend. An ancient facility built as a weapon against the Horde." Sin@crystyl | V: "Yes. An Iconian one to be exact" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok: "I have never come across such a thing in my time venturing into Horde territories. But perhaps our navigational data may be of assistance to your search. It is a fitting reward for - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- the aid you lent us." Sin@crystyl | Vrolmacht nods, "Any information you can share will be of use. We have nothing on this region except what we get from long range sensors as we go" Sin@crystyl:"What about getting yourselves out of here? Will you be able to manage on your own now. Our ship may be able to assist getting you on your way again" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok nods, "Demal says our thrusters will manage once the armour is removed, but having your weapons and tractors standing by won't hurt." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Stanok motions to the female on the helm, "Nasmin! Download our navigational data for our rescuers here." Sin@crystyl | V: "We will return and stand by at our current position. I can bring a team of engineers over to help restore your systems" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | The pilot does as asked, passing a large Lupan PADD to Stanok, who hands it to Vrolmacht, "We appreciate your assistance. Here, our navigational data on this region." Sin@crystyl | V: "Thank you. We will return and await word from you" Sin@crystyl turns, "Commander, mind if I stay? I would like to... reflect more on these events with Tamul" Sin@crystyl | Vrolmacht looks between the two, "That is up to Tamul" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "You may stay for as long as it takes for us to depart. I assume you'll want to go back when we leave, otherwise you might not get another chance." Sin@crystyl:"Naturally" she smiles, "I just find you have a rare insight into things, and I am hoping that more of your perspective may help me gain some of my own" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "I will assist you as much as I can, though I am no Sister, only a Wise Woman." Sin@crystyl nods, stepping away from the rest of the group so they can beam out --- Alien NPC@annpc#557 | A Lupan taps away at one of the consoles and a few seconds later, the rest of the team beams out in red Lupan transporters (as the VF can't lock on past the armour) Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul looks to Sin, "Shall we return to my room?" Sin@crystyl:"Sounds good. Might be time to take you up on that refreshment. If the systems are working again of course" she laughs Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul laughs as well, "I certainly hope so now that we have appeased the Witch!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul leads the way back to her quarters and taps on the replicator. A mug promptly begins to form, "Aha!" She picks up the mug, turning to Sin, "Replicate whatever you wish, it seems to be - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- online now." Sin@crystyl:"Great, thanks" she heads over and finds something familiar Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul meanwhile kneels in front of the central desk, setting the mug on its surface, "So, what can this Wise Woman do for you?" Sin@crystyl kneels with her, "I don't know really. You just seem to have a very unique view of things. One which resonates deeply with things I have experienced" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul chuckles, "Perhaps you should speak with Lupan Sisters, if you ever have a chance. I know but a fraction of what they know. They have many secrets, not to mention they've devoted far - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- more time to studying them than I have. Though as chief of the Wise Women of the pack, I know more than the average female already." Sin@crystyl:"Well like I said, it's not like there's anything specific I'm looking for here. Just... you seem to understand things - more than anyone else I've met - and understanding is one thing I'm sorely - Sin@crystyl:- lacking of late" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "And why is that?" Sin@crystyl:"That's kind of complicated... but in short, it's believed to be a natural part of my species' evolution. One which I am fast approaching now. One thing that witch said was right; as powerful as- Sin@crystyl:- I am now, it is but a fraction of what I will become. And that is quite possible on par with those she called her Masters" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "You are unused to this growth, then? Perhaps even somewhat unsettled?" Sin@crystyl:"Unsettled is one word for it! My people have shied away from it for countless generations. Only within the last few have some being rumoured to have grown beyond the perceived natural end" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Why have your people denied this part of your evolution until now?" Sin@crystyl:"Fear, I think. Nobody really knows. One thing about short lives, you tend not to second guess stuff too much I guess" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "You fear attaining this power as well, then?" Sin@crystyl:"Nobody really knows what happens. Stories tell mostly of one girl who defied convention and embraced her ability. Some say she transcended into another level of existence. Others say she went - Sin@crystyl:- bat-shit crazy and tried to destroy all existence. Many say other things in between..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "I have never met one of your people before, but we have myths of such occurrences as well. It is rarely well-documented. Fear is only natural to have in such situations. Even a good - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- thing, if you ask me." Sin@crystyl:"I can see that. The thing is, since I got roped in with this crew I feel like I'm being... steered towards that point, whatever it may actually be. I've been training under a Chlasi who has near as- Sin@crystyl:- damned it achieved their own equivalent of an ascension. I've had... visions and interactions like that one with the witch that hinted at grand purposes and all that crap" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "What about you, yourself? Do you not wish to undergo this evolution? Or is there some part of you that also desires this power, that wishes to see just what your people are capable of?" Sin@crystyl:"I don't know, I guess...? I mean, I'm already four years old, so it's not like my best years are ahead of me or anything. And I do love being powerful. Actually tried it once, and it was a lot of - Sin@crystyl:- fun! Could have quite happily seen my life out there. But this..." she sighs, "... I don't know. Maybe I'm fearful of what I will become. Maybe I'm fearful of all this pressure to save existence…” Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "And you should be. Too often the males teach to conquer fear, because it is the attribute of a prey, not worthy of a hunter. But fear is natural. Fear has its place and exists for a - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- reason. If you accept all this power without hesitation, then you may very likely become what you fear." Sin@crystyl:"Everything is just so shrouded in mystery! It is very frustrating! I mean... if people, or entities or whatever, see it worthwhile to 'tease' me about this future I have and this apparent - Sin@crystyl:- conspiracy of the universe to have me serve some grand purpose, why the hell don't they talk straight about it?!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Perhaps you are not yet at a stage for them to. As I have said, many who try to pass beyond the abyss return in madness. If you know too much, it could be detrimental to you, but these - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- beings wish for you to know just enough so that you will realize their meaning when the time comes, not before." Sin@crystyl:"Yeah I know, and that bugs the crap out of me! It's making out like I don't even have a choice in any of this!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "I can see how that must feel, but I believe the reason they are attempting to steer you so much is because you do have a choice. It sounds like they are trying to guide you along a - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- route that benefits them most, or perhaps one that benefits yourself most as well, if they truly have your interest in mind. Think about it- if you truly had no choice, and your fate was already - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- determined, why bother telling you anything? It will happen anyways. You are not the only one who feels fear. These beings, for all their power, are also afraid. Afraid of the power you have, and - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- how it could be used if you choose a different path." Sin@crystyl:"Makes sense... So I do have a choice, and a universe conspiring to influence it. I'm not sure that's any better..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Possibly not...but in the end the choice whether to heed their guidance and ignore it is yours alone. You will simply have to choose as best as you are able, as it is with all choices - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- in our lives. Your life may be short compared to most, but I suspect you have already had to make a few difficult choices." Sin@crystyl:"True enough. And I guess that is one appealing thing about the prospect of this 'ascension' or whatever it actually turns out to be. I mean, it's always felt unfair to see so many in the galaxy - Sin@crystyl:- live long and full lives. Even others considered to be short lived like Humans spend more time in blissful childhood alone than the average Ocampan lifespan!" Sin@crystyl:"So... the thought of evolving into something... 'more', kind of makes it feel more justified" she frowns again, "I just don't know what to do with all these machinations!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Do what you think is best. It is another choice, like the ones you have made before. You've made decisions that could have affected whether you lived or died, haven't you?" Sin@crystyl nods, "Sure" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Then this is no different. If the universe dies, you do as well. If you die, the universe no longer matters to you, because your universe is your life." Sin@crystyl:"I suppose you're right..." Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Just choose as you have always chosen. As I say to every Alpha, your life is the pack, and the pack is your life. The only difference between leading and fighting is getting used to - Alien NPC@annpc#557:- thinking of both as one. Other than that, live as you've lived so far. If you're still alive, it proves you're at least somewhat competent at making sensible choices." Sin@crystyl laughs whimsically, " 'Sin the Somewhat Competent'. Not quite the Witch of Wild Space, but it's a start!" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul laughs as well, "You'll get there!" Sin@crystyl:"Well, I appreciate the pep talk. It's hard to talk with anyone about this stuff without them getting distracted and bias" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "And it is not a subject many are knowledgeable about, I imagine. I don't claim to be an expert either, but I'm glad to be able to provide some assistance." Sin@crystyl:"Knowledge does not beget wisdom. If I wanted knowledge I could have asked the ships computer" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "True. I suppose that's why they keep us Wise Women around." Sin@crystyl:"Sounds like you're selling yourself short" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Oh I know I've done plenty for the pack already. I'm glad to still be able to contribute and held in esteem." Sin@crystyl:"Probably even moreso after this Witch business" Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul: "Perhaps, though I don't think it would've gone anywhere nearly as well as it did if you weren't around. More proof of your somewhat competence, I suppose!" she laughs again Sin@crystyl grins at the toothy laughter from the Lupan Alien NPC@annpc#557 | Tamul, "I'm sure you will do well when the time comes for you to make your choices. Fear is good, but don't fret too much over it." Sin@crystyl:"I'll try. Thanks again" --- Keliaya@anncaris | A few hours after the away team returns from the Lupan packship, TQ receives a notification from the Lupan ship's newly rigged comm system that they have detached the armour and are ready to - Keliaya@anncaris:- attempt to break free Keelah@crystyl | TQ relays the message Keelah@crystyl:"Open a channel with the packship" Keelah@crystyl | TQ nods and calls it up to the main screen Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok appears on the viewscreen, "So you are the captain of the ship that answered our call for assistance." Keelah@crystyl:"I am Captain Keelah" she nods, "We are standing by to assist, but I understand you have hopes of freeing yourselves" Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "My engineers think it can be done, since the armour has been detached. We just have to back our way out of here." Keelah@crystyl:"I suggest maintaining an open comm. channel while you do so. Anything you need from us, just say the word and we'll move in" Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok nods, "I will keep this channel open. We're going to begin attempting to break loose now." Keelah@crystyl nods, glancing back, "Kelly, keep an eye on their structural integrity and critical systems. They had a lot of repairs so may not see everything going on with their ship right away" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "On it, Captain." She taps on her console. "They're breaking free. SIF is not very strong to begin with, but it's holding so far." Keelah@crystyl:"We may need to reinforce it for them. Be ready" Keliaya@anncaris:"They're making progress breaking free. SIF is starting to drop though, I think we do need to reinforce it." Keelah@crystyl:"Bring us into range and make it so" Keelah@crystyl:"Alpha Stanok. We are detecting a dangerous drop in your structural integrity field. We are moving to reinforce" Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "Your assistance is appreciated, Captain." Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "We're in range." Keelah@crystyl:"Begin reinforcement" Keliaya@anncaris:"Reinforcing their SIF now. It's stabilizing...and they're free!" Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "Excellent! Thank you for your help. My pack is in your debt." Keelah@crystyl smiles, "I'm just glad it worked out" Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "As are we. It's a shame to lose such excellent armour, but our ship is intact and our pack survives. I suppose it is a small price to pay in the end. I will return your repair teams - Keliaya@anncaris:- you now, and I hope the navigational data I provided can be of some assistance in your search." Keelah@crystyl:"It is greatly appreciated" Keliaya@anncaris:"Katie reports all personnel are back on board." Keelah@crystyl:"Then it is time for us to part ways. Good luck to you in your next endeavour, Alpha" Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "And good luck to you in your search. I hope we meet again in more favourable circumstances. Perhaps I will be able to see just what the Starblade is capable of in battle." Keelah@crystyl:"Well you know where the Sisterhood is gathering the packs if you want to find that fight" Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "I think I shall proceed there. Many of my fellows in the Blood Covenant are already there, or so I have been told." Keliaya@anncaris | Stanok: "Thank you again for your assistance, Starblade." Keelah@crystyl:"As far as I know, this is the case. Farewell" Keliaya@anncaris | The call ends and the Lupan packship, now bereft of its organic armour and looking more in line with other packships, warps out. Not long after it is gone, Keelah can notice a black mist where - Keliaya@anncaris:- the ship was previously embedded in the asteroid, an effect that is difficult to spot in the black backdrop of empty space, though a dark haze can be seen over the rock. When the cloud is gone, - Keliaya@anncaris:- the carapace pieces embedded in the rock as well as those release into the space around it are nowhere to be seen Keliaya@anncaris:"The organic neutronium armour just...disappeared from sensors." Keelah@crystyl:"What... was that?" Keliaya@anncaris:"I...don't know. Did you feel anything, Captain?" Keelah@crystyl shakes her head, "No but I could swear something just looking... off on the viewscreen there" Keelah@crystyl | Sin watches quietly from behind Rianni for the most part, but chimes in, "You were not seeing things Captain, it was her" Keelah@crystyl perks a brow, "This 'witch' of yours?" Keelah@crystyl | Sin nods, "I still don't trust her. For all we know, she just wanted that armour for herself" Keelah@crystyl:"Well she has it now, not much else we can do at this point. And you did the right thing in negotiating the truce to free the Lupan, regardless of her intent" Keliaya@anncaris looks to Sin, "You didn't feel anything strange there when the armour disappeared?" Keelah@crystyl | Sin: "Just the same presence as every other time she appeared, but nothing new" Keliaya@anncaris:"Guess it was just me, then." Keelah@crystyl & Sin both turn to Kelly with curious expressions Keliaya@anncaris shakes her head, "I'm sure it was nothing. Probably just coincidence it was around the same time." Keelah@crystyl:"I would not be so quick to dismiss anything in this case. What did you experience?" Keliaya@anncaris:"It was...kind of like slipping between consciousness and unconsciousness, but not quite. Now that I think of it, the same thing happened when I was looking over the wormhole generation with the - Keliaya@anncaris:- Observer after the battle. She made me visit sickbay, but Dr. Amari didn't find anything on her scans and put it down to being tired." Keelah@crystyl | Sin, "Huh... after that battle you say?" Keelah@crystyl:"Ensign?" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "When we were in the Ring for some minor repairs." Keelah@crystyl | Sin: "It was around that time I had the weird dream that this witch reminded me of" Keelah@crystyl looks between the pair a few more times, "This seems a little more than a coincidence now. I suggest the two of you compare notes, and survey to see if anyone else has had corresponding experiences" Keliaya@anncaris | Kelly nods, "We'll do that, Captain." Keelah@crystyl:"For now, our work here is done. Let us resume the search pattern" --- Keliaya@anncaris | Sin and Kelly has done a round through the ship, asking everyone they come upon... Keliaya@anncaris | Now the pair sit at a table in the lounge, discussing what they have learned Keliaya@anncaris:"So all the telepaths on the ship sensed this Witch's presence as well, but none of them felt anything unusual about it; it was just like any time a powerful telepathic being like Q visited the - Keliaya@anncaris:- ship. None of the non-telepaths felt anything, and Kazra's checked me over again and haven't found anything unusual in scans either this time." Keliaya@anncaris:"That doesn't bring us much closer to getting answers..." Sin@crystyl:"You mean every telepath on the ship, and you. Even then, nobody else seemed to experience things as you did, perhaps because you're not natively telepathic?" Keliaya@anncaris:"Maybe. Could it be because there's still something residual from back when you helped Eva and I switch back? Or from the switch itself..." Sin@crystyl:"Maybe. But then I'd expect Eva to share some unique perception of this too" Keliaya@anncaris:"She did mention the presence felt familiar, but it felt familiar to you too, didn't it?" Sin@crystyl nods, "I thought from that dream. But Eva didn't have any dream at that time right?" Keliaya@anncaris:"Not that I know of, at least." Sin@crystyl:"Maybe that's just my own abilities manifesting. The familiarity is certainly a connection that ties us together" Sin@crystyl:"The other possibility is the Trident..." Keliaya@anncaris:"I never used the Trident, only Eva. Though I suppose maybe I have something by proxy through my connection with her." Sin@crystyl:"Since your symptoms are unique it is fair to say that your connection is too" Sin@crystyl:"And the Witch is supposedly in the service of entities who consider themselves Gods..." Sin@crystyl:"What if those aren't the Q?" Keliaya@anncaris:"You think they could be the species that created the Trident?" Sin@crystyl:"It's not... impossible. Unlikely, but not impossible" Sin@crystyl:"This witch could be nothing more another one of their creations. Like an AI that's still fulfilling it's duty even though they're gone, because it was never programmed to acknowledge their demise" Keliaya@anncaris:"That's a possibility. Maybe this familiarity you feel is through the Trident." Keliaya@anncaris:"What makes you think her masters are the Q to begin with?" Sin@crystyl:"The Wise Woman of the Lupan pack told us their old stories of the witch. She described a servant of beings who transcend time and space, and protect the continuum" Sin@crystyl:"It fits the Q for sure, they are not exactly known for acting through proxy's. Or helping..." Keliaya@anncaris:"That does sound like the Q. And we can't be sure of the Witch's intentions yet either. Maybe like you said, she only wanted the armour for herself. After all, she didn't try to save the creature - Keliaya@anncaris:- it came from. If she transcends time and space or works for those that do, it probably wouldn't be difficult at all to just go back and prevent the hunt from happening." Sin@crystyl:"Yeah..." Keliaya@anncaris:"She could also be unaffiliated with the Q but know about them and use their name for her own ends. Though if that were the case, you'd think the Q would have stopped her." Keliaya@anncaris:"She might be powerful, but the Q aren't exactly weak." Sin@crystyl:"Bottom line is; we don't know anything for sure. But the more I think about it, the more our Trident connection makes sense. Even if it is just as an amplification of mine and Eva's perception" Keliaya@anncaris:"And by extension, mine as well. That does make sense." Keliaya@anncaris:"I'm not sure if we'll ever be able to figure out the Witch's motivation. And if it wasn't for her reaching out to you specifically in a dream, I'd say it's probably none of our concern, but that - Keliaya@anncaris:- dream part is troubling..." Sin@crystyl:"And when we spoke, she was clear about implying that we will become closer in the future" Keliaya@anncaris:"Maybe she wants to recruit you for something? You are growing in power after all, and she might've sensed that. I have a feeling this encounter isn't by chance either..." Sin@crystyl:"I'm inclined to agree. I don't know if it was by design or not, but she certainly seemed to focus on me there" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I think you've caught her attention, for better or for worse." Sin@crystyl:"That's not a reassuring as it sounds..." she smiles faintly Keliaya@anncaris:"Well, whoever she is and whatever she wants, I have a feeling we're going to see her again in the future. Maybe you'll be able to find out more about what she wants with you then." Sin@crystyl:"Again with the not reassuring" she chuckles Keliaya@anncaris:"Until then, there's not much we can do, since we know so little about her." Keliaya@anncaris chuckles, "I can't think of much reassuring to say. It's a little weird for me too, being able to sense her." Sin@crystyl:"You're right, I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound selfish. This whole thing is unsettling for all of us" Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "It's alright. We'll deal with her together. If she wants something from you, chances are her appearances'll affect the whole crew sooner or later." Sin@crystyl:"I wish we could know if the implants were some use against her before then..." Keliaya@anncaris:"Well she did manage to get in your dream, so she still has some telepathic power. That doesn't mean the implants are useless though; maybe it's still stopping her from controlling us completely." Sin@crystyl:"We can only hope. The Lupan are resilient enough and she managed to pull their strings well enough" Keliaya@anncaris:"That's not a good sign. But she hasn't shown up on the ship directly and begun manipulating us yet..." Sin@crystyl:"Well as long as we don't take up space whale hunting, we have no reason to believe she will either" Keliaya@anncaris:"Actually...could she have taken an interest in you because you communicated with the Basilisk and sent it away instead of hunting it? But if that was the case, she'd have the same interest in Eva - Keliaya@anncaris:- too. You did use the Trident that day though, and emitted significant psionic energy with it." Keliaya@anncaris:"And you said the dream came right after the battle...in which you also used the Trident. It's possible the Witch sensed it the first time and came to the region, then pinpointed your location when - Keliaya@anncaris:- you used it again...all just speculation, I know, but it could help to have theories for when she shows up again." Sin@crystyl:"It's certainly another angle on this that we can't rule out" Sin@crystyl:"It would also be prudent for us to anticipate her arrival if we try using it again" Keliaya@anncaris:"Good advice. We'll be sure to be ready for her if we use the Trident." Sin@crystyl:"Well I think we have as much as an answer for the Captain as we're going to have now" Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Just a few theories, but I'm sure she'd like to hear them. It's better than nothing at all." Sin@crystyl:"It's the best we've got. And I doubt even she can expect anything more than theories with such a vague premise to start with" Keliaya@anncaris stands, "Let's go tell her what we've come up with, then." Sin@crystyl stands with her and nods, "After you"