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?
The Colors out of Space - Neonatal
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.
.... . -.-- / - .... . .-. . --..-- / .-- .... .- - -.-. .... .- / -.. --- .. -. / .... . .-. .
8 days later
Dimitri: “They seem non-hostile, perhaps we can ask them about the ships that attacked us and get an idea how to deal with them, at the very least we can know for when we get back”
The lead ship flashes back a message
.– . / .– . .-. . / .— ..- … - / .–. .- … … .. -. –. / - …. .-. — ..- –. …. / .- -. -.. / .-.. — — -.- .. -. –. / ..-. — .-. / .- / .–. .-.. .- -.-. . / - — / .-. . … - –..– / -… -.– / -.-. …. .- -. -.-. . / .– — ..- .-.. -.. / -.– — ..- / – .. -. -.. / .. ..-. / .– . / … - ..- -.-. -.- / .- .-. — ..- -. -.. ..–..
9 days later
Jared
The construction craft stays in stasis, perhaps contemplating the choices or referring to higher-ups. Seconds later, the little unit is back in motion, pointing its flashlight toward the fleet and starts blinking again.
... ..- .-. . --..-- / - .... --- / .- ... / -.-- --- ..- / -.-. .- -. / ... . . / - .... . / -.. --- -.-. -.- .. -. --. / -... .- -.-- / .. ... / ... --- -- . .-- .... .- - / ..-. ..- .-.. .-.. / .-- .. - .... / .- .-.. .-.. / - .... . / .--- ..- -. -.- --..-- / -.. --- / -... . / -.-. .- .-. . ..-. ..- .-.. / .-- .... . -. / -.-- --- ..- / -.-. --- -- . / --- ...- . .-. / .----. . .-. . / . .... ..--..
The two little robotic arms of the craft shift up and down, looking as if it is shrugging to the mess they are having currently.
6 days later
Dumb
..- -. -.. . .-. / … - — — -.. –..– / .-.. . .- -.. / - …. . / .– .- -.–
The lead ship turns and begins to slowly and carefully follow the done and move towards the station ensuring not to collide with any junk. Inside a team is prepared aboard a small shuttle to meet with the owners/operators of the station
10 days later
Jared
Rallying other construction crafts, assorted scrap piles are moved out of the way to form a clear path toward the station. Still, even after drastic shoving, nearly half of the hanger is occupied with an amalgamation of metal pieces, resulting in several near misses during the docking procedure of the shuttle.
After clamping shut the hanger gates and restoring air inside the hanger, a figure with a familiar purple big coat stood waiting just outside their shuttle.
16 days later
12 days later
Jared
The figure, who is indeed Xar, nodded at the group’s introduction.
“No worries, we got plenty of rooms to spare, though do keep in mind they are compact bunks so don’t expect anything luxurious.”
She turns and look towards the hanger door, where the majority of the scrap pile lies.
"One of our expeditionary team just returned which is why its a big mess around. Although the whole thing looking quite chaotic, most of the things are actually pretty useful and can save a life or two.
She picks up what seems to be a metal plate the size of a chestpiece and brush off metallic dust on top with her other hand, muttering something about “bulkhead”.
"Anyway, go hang around and we will chat more during meal time, hope yal have a good time in here.
Waving her newly acquired prize, she leisurely walks away.
8 months later
6 days later
Dumb
the team wonders around a little, checking out any new events going on around the station, and making small talk while Ra and Dimitri discuss further plans at a table
Dimitri: “We need to get out of this anomalies as soon as we can, cut our losses, I refuse to put more of my crew at risk for a suicide mission, you already gone further then what any other of your ranking would even dare to go, ill vouch for you and help you get your full Citizenship, but I can not risk more blood for that”
Ra: “Your right, I apologize, its juts, I feel like we are so close to something big here, I truly mean it, I can see something out there”
Dimitri: “Your passion is leaving a trail of blood, you can not drink from a river of blood, find another captain for all I care, hell buy a fancy cargo hauler, refit it with what you need, then take that and your fancy explorer and go into this death trap for all I care, just know only death waits you here”
a month later
Jared
The majority of the station is at an all-time high sorting through the scavenged bits, leaving the cafeteria relatively empty. Seeing this as an opportunity, be it easy icebreaking or simple activity to ease the stress, several team members sought permission before breaking off from the group and joining the station crew’s treasure hunt. The rest of the team grabs a table over in a corner, getting a bit of privacy from the large open space
However…
“Um… sorry to interrupt…”
Captain of the station, in a bright pink apron and dishes in both his hands, interjected the exchange between Dimitri and Ra.
“Wife told me about your team’s arrival, figured we should show some hospitality as the owner of this place.”
The food looked to be quite fresh, with assorted green plants accompanying pieces of “meat”, all hot and seasoned with various sauces. He set the dishes on the table, lay out several sets of empty plates and utensils, before taking a seat right next to Ra.
“Alas, apologies for eavesdropping, but may i know how your crew was lost out there? Just curiosity is all.”