Dumb
Ra: "Think the largest we have came across thus far would be the juvenile's thus far, have not seen much larger yet, though maybe we should hope we don't, though even just getting an image of an adult would be nice."
Ra stops to think to herself before continuing
"Sorry if this is a little intrusive but mind telling me more about yourself? what's your story, I have not come across anyone like yourself, id love to know about you, your people, where you come from, the puppets are, incredible, and well, it might be a little difficult to explain to my higher ups about all of this."
The Colors out of Space - Neonatal
- Edited
“Hm…”
“N” ponders for a good while, as if the question links to some important decision.*
“I… suppose you have the freedom to sought for the answers, after all, you are also a scientist, a fellow pioneer in converting the untapped into resources… Very well.”
Perhaps its just Ra’s own feeling, but it seems the temperature of the room has dropped quite significantly, sending chills up her spine. “N” slowly settle its cup and resting them on the tabletop, while another pair of hands spring from behind and lifts the headpiece, but immediately paused.
“Ah yes… in case if its too unbearable, do look away, i don’t want to impose any harm to you.”
A short reminder, and the headpiece is fully removed, revealing…nothing. Not the usual kind of “there isn’t a head where there should be” nothing, but rather a swirling void, as if the sheer fabric of space on where “N”'s head should be is missing. Rather than just pitch black as most would guess, its a spinning wheel of otherworldy colors, too vibrant yet too dim, so attractive yet so repelling…, before N puts back on the headpiece, covering the dangerous attraction of its head.
“Sigh…i told you to look away, here, have a drink.”
Slowly getting back her self-conscious, Ra notice that she had been covered in sweat, with arms bleaked and shivering from over extortion of force. Another cup descend from the ceiling, with the same soothing aroma as “N”'s hot choco. “N” is once again sipping from its cup, with its mouth reappearing in the opening of the headpiece. After waiting a bit for Ra to recover, “N” speaks up.
“To be completely frank, i have no idea where i am from, but my most recent origin is beyond this galaxy, where i obtained the so called rank of scientist as well as my breathen, the puppets.”
"Now, don’t be mistaken, the puppets ain’t exactly the same race as me, but they are at least closer than the usual…“soul anchored to the body” beings, and since we share somewhat common goals, we became breathen… Is that suffice to answer your inquiry?"
13 days later
Dumb
Ra pauses for a while longer trying to process what just unfolded before her before taking a sip of the hot chocolate
"I.... I don't think there's anything I could wright down to explain what just unfolded..... being from another galaxy, hell universe in my peoples case is not a new idea, but they were more tangible, you have to stop by one day to ensue my colleagues that I did not go insane from the void of space" she laughs taking another sip before checking her watch
"Ah, just enough time, sorry for the little rush here I must head off soon so I'm not late, I don't really have any other questions, if I'm honest I'm trying to hold onto the fleeing details of what just happened, I suppose if you have any further questions about myself, my team or anything I could share, id be more than welcome to, if not then I must thank you for this lovely opportunity"
Jared
"Heh you handled that pretty well compared to others I've met. Pleasure meeting you and may you have a pleasant journey..."
"N" lifts one of its hands, signaling the puppet waiting to guide Ra back. The puppet responds with a bow, and shows the way back. Before she leaves with the puppet, "N" speaks up in a rather advisory manner.
"Do be mindful in your journey, not all things can be tolerated and recovered, and it is wise to sometimes listen to that instinctal part of you."
Dumb
Ra: "Thank you for the words of advice"
Ra bows before heading back to the elevator to head back up to the living quarters to regroup with her colleagues
Ra: "Oh, and may the stars be kind friend"
she says giving another slight bow in the elevator
Upon arriving to the floor, a small group is seen huddled around in a small circle, one of the members calls and waives her over
Ra: "Sorry, had a very important meeting, ill explain after"
Ra enters the circle and they begin to pray sinning in their mother language, it goes on for a little over an hour before they stop and sit quietly for another hour, slowly members start leaving the circle, some make their way to their beds, others find a small area to sit and chatter for a while, Ra joins them, telling them of the meeting she just had trying to convey the colours she saw the best she could, after a while they too move on to their rooms, with Ra entering hers to finally sit down and start her report righting down all of the days events
- Edited
After leading Ra back to her colleagues, the puppet returns, stuffing itself in the kotatsu, and begins enjoying a cup of alien hot cocoa.
"So, what's your impression of her?"
"Young, talented, not too energetic as I hoped to be, but can still work out."
N taps on the table for a bit, and the scenery on the overhead display shifts until all of them show what seems to be a swirling ovoid in midst of the void.
"Hm... well most biologicals ain't that energetic in terms of composition, those that meet your requirements would probably screw this whole setup over... though it still puzzles me, why would you make this into something apparent to the public? There should be emptier spaces in this galaxy, for better filtering targets to feed it even."
"How should I explain this.... say, are you familiar with religions?"
"Duh, that's how we met... though what's the relation to the thing?"
"Well, religions are often based on just one thing, an idolized icon. Once there is something that can be worshipped, all it takes are feats which the icon "can" do and core beliefs for reinforcing/restricting behaviors, and it is a fully-fledged religion...But ever thought of why an icon can be "idolized"?"
"...Because mortals "feel" better to have someone to look up to, and vice versa, have something look after them., giving them a sense of justice in their doings while having a second resort for their subjective wrongdoings."
"That's one thing, but to begin the whole "idolization", one has to prove that such an icon is worthy, and the easiest method? Fear, though direct perception, the closer, the better."
"That's why you show her your head?"
"Eh nah, that's more like a vaccine just so she won't immediately pass out when seeing that. She shall come into contact with it, and be the first acolyte to the new "god", spreading its feats, attracting prey or perhaps even competitors, and in the end, prove my theory."
"...wait it's all just theory?"
"Well no one, in the record at least, has created an actual god yet. Plus ain't you too curious about the result as well?"
"Hm."
16 days later
After a long "nights" rest the team slowly start waking up and pack their bags, Ra being one of the few early risers heads down to the cafeteria, as she prepares her breakfast she bulls out a small tablet and starts reading through it, jotting down some notes. As the rest of the crew wake themselves up Ra walks over to one of the puppets
"Morning friend, or friends? ah either way, id like to thank you for the rooms and food, it was nice to move around and get away from the cycle on a ship, we will be heading off soon, id say give us an hour and a half, everyone should be ready by then"
She bows to the puppet before turning around and grouping up with the rest of her crew mates
Soon after a while everyone begins to prepare around the elevator and begin making their way back to the dock to board back with the ship patiently awaiting their return
11 days later
- Edited
Jared
"With pleasure." The puppet responds with the iconic bow, but missing the usual bewildering reactions, perhaps it's just with this unique individual.
As the group got back to their ship and making final checks before departure, a total of seven puppets, along with a hooded figure that Ra makes out as "N", still with its weird all-direction headpiece, all aligned on the makeshift dock and wave goodbye at them in a rather robotic fashion.
6 days later
24 days later
Jared
The fleet continues on their journey in the dark void. Occasional clusters of small fish, or as "N" calls them, Pteraspidomorphi-isk larvae, swam among them, but nothing too special.
However, in the eyes of Ra, things are a lot different. After that contact with "N", she seems to be able to see the world differently as she gazes out of the windows. Aether strings are seen connecting the ships within the fleet, occasionally lighting up when a transmission is sent through; bioelectrical impulses of the fishes spark like otherworldly fireworks just outside of their ship, while the distal void seems to be always changing in colors and shapes. At first, she thought it was just some hallucinations after being in shock, but after a while of testing and fooling around, she knows this is how her visions will be, for at least when she sees things that is not under normal air/space pressure. Suddenly, within her vision, a red beam as thick as a light pole wavered in close proximity of the fleet, disappeared, then reappeared again, each time seemingly becoming thicker and more concentrated to where the fleet is located. Judging how the rest of the crew didn't react to it, perhaps only she can perceive whatever the thing is, and if it is some sort of danger, to warn others of the thing's presence.
a month later
11 days later
- Edited
All the overhead displays in N’s station now show Ra’s fleet from various angles. A holographic tactical map hovers above the kotatsu, almost looking like a chess board with how both N and the puppet are seated…… and that there is another fleet aside from Ra’s on it.*
“Looks like our little disciple shall face her first trial.”
“The Greed of the Sentient”
The red beam gradually becomes thinner and thinner until it leaves a laser pen-isk mark on one of the auxiliary ships on the port side of Ra’s vessel, before disappearing for a brief second…
What follows up is chaotic at best. A lance-shaped munition the length of a ship skimmed over the bow of Ra’s vessel, barely even conceivable if not already focused on the direction it was from. The projectile followed the disappeared red trail and embedded itself into the highlighted auxiliary vessel like a harpoon on a whale before its rear portion opened up. Instantly a bright light shone through all the windows, followed by a strong force as if they got swatted like flies. Alarms rang across the ship, people started running to their positions, while comms rapidly exchanged to check the status and reestablish formation. Ra, now with a minor bruise from headbutting the window, now sees yet another red line appearing in the distance…
8 days later
Dumb
Dimitri: "What the hell was that!?, All ships pull back immediately!"
As the first ship goes down the remaining few begin to turn around and flee back to the outskirts of the anomalies attempting to launch flairs and other heat/light emitting countermeasures
Ra focusing on cameras mounted on the rear tries to get a better glimpse of what may be tailing them
Jared
Be it the murkiness of the surrounding environment, or the sheer vast distance of the opponent, Ra's view mostly consists of the bland dark space. However, a faint glow, almost identical to the interfleet communications that Ra had just seen in between the friendly ships, is spotted at a distance. Zooming in a bit more reveals the comm trails form a little octagonal star, but it is unsure whether there are more or not.
Judging from the gradually decreasing size of the distant glow, they are luckily slightly faster than the unknown hostiles. Alas, with another wide red beam swept across the void and gradually concentrating on their current vector, it seems things ain't over as of yet.
5 days later
Dumb
Ra: "Pull up! another shot is on its way!"
Dimitri: "How the hell can you tell? nothings coming up on any system"
Ra: "I can more, I just need you to trust me till we get out of here, I will explain after"
Dimitri: "All ships immediately pull up and prepare for another shot"
Soon all ships pull up as quickly as they can in hopes of dodging the next attack
Jared
The red beam, identical to that previously, slowly condenses on another vessel of the fleet and disappears...
"NOW!"
On Dimitri's order, all ships pull up rapidly, using every auxiliary booster and even tilting to use their main engine to gain elevation, mere seconds later, the hostile projectile skimmed right beneath its target and flew off, disappearing into the void. Ra immediately jumps back to check on their enemy and notices the light blob signaling their presence seems to be shifting and slowly decreasing in size, before completely disappearing out of sight.
After more sailing with no additional obstructions, a faint gigantic structure lies ahead, resembling much of Xar's station. A cluster of smaller, construction vessels seems to be operating around the station, going out and returning with occasional scraps and filled textile bags of god-knows-what, before emptying into the station's hanger.
7 days later
Dumb
Dimitri: "We should just get out of here, all that has happened is we lost track of a drone and you suddenly can see what’s out there. Speaking about seeing what’s out there, do care to explain perhaps?
Ra: "I don’t know how, my meeting with “N” something much have happened, lets just stand by for a few, and recollect ourselves, maybe that station can help?
Dimitri: “We lost a ship Ra, we need to call this off”
Ra: “There’s still so much more out there what-”
Dimitri: “Only thing out there is the loss of your Citizenship schooling at best and worse everyone here dies, we need to go home, you can discuss with Command once we are back about further expeditions, but resources could be spent surveying new systems for expansion, that fire in your soul can be useful for us, you just cant let it cloud your thinking, I will personally hand in my agreement to your citizenship and so long as the others are willing to go, continue into this anomaly, but we can only do that if we leave”
Ra: “Your right, we should head back”
The fleet ignoring the station move past heading further back to the edge of the anomaly
Jared
the convoy continues its original course, sailing near the station but not turning in for docking. Yet, the shortened distance to the station does reveal more about what the construction crafts are doing.
Jutting out of the station’s hanger is something that the convoy won’t forget so easily, the same illuminating rear with its spiky rod disappearing into the mountain of scrap, its nearly identical to that lance-shaped munition that they had previously encountered and lost a ship to, but seemingly deactivated judging how the rear end is already opened up and the thing haven’t gutted the station, perhaps with some negotiations that may provide additional insights to their encounters?
10 days later
Dumb
The Convoy soon slows down and pauses, watching the station for a while, Ra taking a closer looks to see if she can spot something the other cannot
Dimitri: “Its just sitting there? perhaps this could be our only chance to get more information on the dammed things”
Ra: “Are we putting this up to a vote then?”
Dimitri: “Lets watch for a short while longer, see if you can see anything we cant, if not we will see how the others feel and go on from there”
Jared
Just as they can spot the station, the station spots them as well. One of the construction craft approaches the convoy and stops in midway, shining its light with a distinctive blinking pattern.
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