Syrophenikon

[PVodogaz]

Cydonia Mensae Region - Mars

Earth Dateline: AD 2090

It was for both Earth and Mars scientists going to be a once in a life-time event, an asteroid was on a crash course with Mars and of all places, the 'Ape Face' landmark in the area of Mars known as Cydonia Mensae.

It had been 35 years since the undertaking of the first terraforming of Mars, and to the best of human creativity, the terraforming project had barely changed the environment. Sabotage did not help matters as groups of humans calling themselves 'Martians' believed that Mars should be left as it is. So Mars still remained a cold, dead and barren place.
Everybody who had telescopes turned their lenses to Mars from Earth. Scientists on both planets were excitedly discussing the impact of the hit on Mars by the Hawaii sized Asteroid. What made matters far more interesting was that Mars was undergoing a world wide dust-storm, both hemisphere covered in a blackness of brackish red.

Cydonia Mensae was on the night side of the planet but the night sky was growing brighter and brighter as the asteroid drew closer. The human bases from the whole Planet has been evacuated and the humans waited in make-shift domes on Deimos and Phoebes the asteroid like crisp moons of Mars.

Inside the 'Ape Face', not found by humanity yet, was a massive structure, as immense as time itself. Even time paled away from the omnipotence of the structure. The structure reached to the domed like ceiling and dug deep beneath the floor of the face, it was a obelisk with symbols that seemed like hieroglyths on all sides. At the very top of the stone crafted obelisk was a set of 12 coloured dials and beneath them were 9 rows of spheres that looked much like the Planets of the Solar system of Sol.

On Earth the astronomers and scientists counted down......

10....The asteroid entered the top layers of the Martian atmosphere..contrails sparking....
9....
8....The asteroid begins to burn up breaking into pieces but still large enough island sized....
7....
6....
5....
4....Fragments splinter and hit the ground of Mars at great speeds and temperatures....
3....
2....
1....
0....The largest piece of the asteroid smashes against the Face, causing it to implode into itself. Debris is dejected high into the atmosphere, dust and rock plumes jutter out.
From the telescopes on Earth, they saw two enormous shockwaves envelope the planet as the dust-storm was thrown into chaos.

Strangely enough, the stone obelisk was not damaged, instead causing the stone structure to rise to the surface as the structure crumbled around it. As it rose to the surface, its entire length surfacing slowly, fragments and debris hit the obelisk at all points. One fragment hit the set of coloured dials....

....Suddenly the spheres underneath began to glow and the hieroglyths began to sparkle and then finally glow. The sphere's glow grew in size a each glow met each other and grew in size until it enveloped into a single brilliant white light. This white light surged out in all directions, expanding all over the Red Planet. The white brilliance covered the now diminishing dust-storm. The southerm hemisphere of Mars was covered in this inpenetratable white light.

The astronomers on Earth were shell shocked and stood gaped mouth in utter awe. They had never predicted that anything such as what they were seeing would be caused by a asteroid collision, but they did not know of the existence of the structure or the obelisk that had been held in the 'Ape Face'.

The astronomers were still observing when the white brilliance light enveloped the whole planet, pole to pole...
And the planet did not change for 3 years until the coming of the alien ship....

For the alien ship was on its way, and Mars stayed the the same way until the alien ship arrived in Earth orbit.

 

[PVodogaz]

Sub-Saharan Desert: Ancient site of Timgard

Earth Dateline: AD July 2092

In the Upper Saharan region of Southern Algeria stood the ancient and old ruins of a much unknown civilization known to historians as the Garamantes.

The ruins was the site of the capital of the Garamantes, known by oral tradition as Timgard and through periodic digs by different archaeologists.

The ruins was not very large, barely 5 miles long and 3.5 miles in width. Parts of weathered marble still stood, setting the scene to the eye of the beholder that long ago, the city was prosperous and rich. Yet many walls and buildings had eroded into fine dust.

It was at this place that a mini-bus stopped and 12 men strode out purposely. They walked quickly without a word spoken into the ruins. The men wore black robes with hoods hiding their faces. In this intense heat of the middle of the day, they did not flinch. The hoods masked their faces and the sun and the fluttering sand in the hot Saharan winds.

In the center of the ruins they formed a circle and reached out and held each other's hands. In unison they began to chant in rich deep throaty voices out aloud a prayer. A sudden gust of wind sprang up, and all around the ruins sand was picked up and tossed away from the ruins. The prayer raised in crescendo, an epiphany of voices...hands in unison raised hight into the air. At that moment the wind ceased and around the ruins, the wind was replaced by a deep, ominous, deceptive calmness.

The ruins has been cleansed of sand and a marble stair case appeared within the circle of the chanting men, the steps seen leading underground.

"It is time Brother Xavier, it is time to depart," the oldest of the group of men called out over the chants.

Without the chants stopping, a short man stepped from the circle and his feet touched the stairwell. Under his feet he could feel the power of the depths call to him. Without hesitating Brother Xavier decended down into the stairwell. Once he was gone from view, the chants apruptly stopped and the figures sat around the stairwell entrance, in silence, seemingly to wait.
Brother Xavier descended the steps that led to a long slim passageway lined with burning ember torches. At the end of the passageway stood a metallic door, he knew that this was his destination.

'Omni Paratus....'

An unknown sensual feminine voice spoke in his head..or was it the torches? Or the walls? He could not tell. Ahead of him the metal door opened revealing an immense anti-chamber. As he looked into the chamber, looking at the far side of the chamber's wall was an blood stained alter. Brother Xavier could make out a stele above the stained alter.

"Dulce Patria....patria..patria.....'

Their was that voice fading....as he walked over to the alter. He knelt and offered a prayer, his whispers resounding loudly off the walls of the timeless anti-chamber. As he prayed his eyes looked up at the stele in awe and fervour. The stele was of the God, Ba'al Hammon, god of war and worship of the dark arcane arts. Ba'al Hammon, God of the Philistines, Phoenicians and of the Numidian Garamantes.

There was a face on the stele surrounded by ancient cunieform symbols, was a picture of a middle aged bearded man with a gold crown on top of his head, and a black staff in his right hand, in his left hand was a bright white orb. Two horns protruded from the scalp and long blond wavy hair rached down to his shoulders.
Brother Xavier finished his prayer and exclaimed in a loud voice;

"We are at the days of Union, my sire. The prophecy shall be fulfilled!"

Suddenly the stele shook and wide-eyed the man witnessed as Ba'al Hammon's face moved and looked at him and spoke;

"Look into my eyes," Ba'al Hammon ordered in a deep heavy voice.

Brother Xavier looked into the deep set eyes of his God and was instantly transfixed. The eyes in the stele became smouldering red flames.

"You have awakened me, human! Has the time come?"

In responce Brother Xavier reached into his cloak and took out a small dagger. He stepped onto the alter and took off his hood.

"It is indeed time, Ba'al Hammon."

"Then finish your part and I shall do mine," ordered Ba'al Hammon.

From the eyes of Ba'al Hammon, red laser rays shot out and pounded Brother Xavier's chest. He raised the dagger hight into the air and with a downwards plunge forced the blade into his stomach.

"Die for me, human. Let your blood be spilled on the alter of Karht'ashta. Let me gain my freedom from this prison, for my place is amonst men," Ba'al Hammon said.

Brother Xavier lurched onto the alter and his blood flowed freely out from the deep wound. His last moments of life were extremely painful, screaming out in pain.

The anti-chamber convulsed and Ba'al Hammon laughed a deep morbid chilling laugh. Above ground, the ruins collapsed that were still standing. The stele dissolved, Ba'al Hammons face disappeared. As it did, the alter fell into the ground, a hole formed darkness spilling out from it.

"I am free!"

From the hole emerged a figure in the form of Brother Xavier, his bright shining eyes like fiery embers. The man was the newly restored Ba'al Hammon.

-----------------

The Alien ship was close, the time of changes was close at hand.

 

[PVodogaz]

Historical File Archive - 534AD5342-C

Creation of the Planetary Censor Board

Official Internal Memorandium

Dated: 12th Oct 2089

TO: All Ministers and Vice Chancellor
FROM: Chancellor of Planetary Govt

Effective immediately I have approved the creation and set up of the Planetary Censor Board. The PCB will be in charge of the information that is given to the public and other planetary bodies to consume. This includes, holovision, commlink communications, satellite services, digital scanners and the old style radio programme services.

I feel that the it is time to censor what people see, read and hear, for humanity is facing a monumental struggle with the coming of the unidentified alien craft.

This, in the end, will be the best course of action for humanity. It is best they have a government that cares about their needs. Even if they dont know it yet.

The Vice Chancellor will be in charge of the PCB as of this point onwards.

This is the Chancellor. Thankyou for each and everyones prompt attention to this matter.

Archive File closed by Vice Chancellor.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Communications Specialist: Victoria Crane

IC:
Mission number designation: 2931001
Serial Number-File: 178J-200D3
Name: Victoria Ann Crane
D.O.B: July 11th, 2065
P.O.B: Edleburg, New York, Earth
Race: White
Age: 27
Height: 5 foot 7 inches
Weight: 140
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue

“The VA will see you now Miss. Crane.” She raised her head from the magazine and nodded briefly to the secretary. Rising slowly, she still felt a little apprehension for the undue ‘meeting’ that she had been called to this early morning.

“Thank you.” She walked stiffly past the desk and into the office. She paused inside, unsure if she should salute or not? It was not common for a Communications Specialist to meet with a 3rd Vice Admiral.

“Admiral.” She nodded her head once and stood waiting. Her eyes briefly took in his features, noting his smiling lips but weary eyes. His smile was forced, why?

“Please, come in Miss. Crane and take a seat.” He motioned to the chair and sat back down. He scanned her file once more before folding his fingers before him on the desk.

“You are probably curious as to why I called you in here today.” She gave a nod but said nothing as he continued, “First let me start by saying that nothing said in this room is to go further with unauthorized personal. Understood”

Again she could only nod her head in ascent.

“If this mission is a success, it would define your career young lady.. Even offer newer and broader fields if you choose to take this assignment.” He paused, for dramatics? She did not have dramatics, nor felt amused by his careful pauses.

“Mission, Sir?” She cleared her throat, shifting in the chair a little, her curiosity piqued. She was also a little confused since she was not part of the World Army.

“It is a little different to ask a civilian to aid in a mission, but of everyone in the Government Offices, officers and civilians alike, none have your skills.”

“Sir.” She interrupted, knowing that was a false statement. “My superior, I know he has the skills to undertake a mission.”

He was not too pleased with her interruptions, nor the fact his commander wanted her. Civilians did not listen, did not follow orders as well as someone they had trained. He bit back a retort and fought to keep his smile intact.

“He has a medical condition which makes him unable to travel in space, he would be a risk, not an asset. Please Miss. Crane, I know this is different, it is for me as well, but hear me out.” He cocked a brow, his hand held out to silence her, his patients gone.

She merely nodded again, feeling as if she were a child again with his treatment of her.

“We have put together a highly qualified crew, all WGA. (World government army) You will be the only civilian; the mission is not a long one. We only require that you travel to the ship with the crew. If, and I do mean IF there are any living beings on this ship, we will need to establish communications with them. We need someone who might have a chance as deciphering their language.”

She tensed in her chair, her eyes widening a little. She knew the only ship unknown to all was the alien ship hovering over their planet currently. They really meant to board a strange vessel?

“All I have to do, in the off chance there is life on board, is open some form of communication between us and them?”

“Yes.” He seemed relieved she had the picture. “You would be doing Man-kind a favor. One that would not be forgotten, and possible advancement here within the Government.. Even a ranking if recommended.”

“How long?”

“Unclear how long. We suspect no more than a 48 hour period.”

“Do we have protection with us?”

“I can not say.”

“What if something goes wrong?” She countered.

“We have men and women trained for all situations, there will be no ‘wrong doing’. Scans indicated the vessel was empty, devoid of life. But it would be a learning tool and shed some light as to where they came from if we go and look at it ourselves.” He did not mention the message, it was classified by the Censor Board, or he assumed it had been.

“When would I need to leave?”

“Immediately.”

“Alright, I accept.” She stood and held out her hand, shaking his. She didn’t second-guess her decision, she just jumped in feet first. This would be a learning experience, something she could look back on and know she made the difference.


~ Hours Later on board the Space Station ~

Words she had now wished she hadn’t said so readily. She sat outside in a hall, on a barely stuffed couch, watching WGA personnel going in and out, setting things up. She had been escorted alone to the station, having little time to pack a small bag of necessities. Not a single person had spoken to her since her arrival, she had been sitting here waiting for almost an hour, and feeling sorely out of place and very bored.

She glanced down at the picture hanging from a chain around her neck. The Admiral had given her ID tags and a clearance badge. The photo newly glossed hung from her neck, along with many other forms of identification. Her issued garments left much to be desired, and weren’t too warming. She hadn’t been in space before, never realizing it would be a little cooler up here, even inside a climate-controlled station such as this.

She sighed heavily, she had a purpose and this would be a new adventure. She was here to learn something new that reason alone is what did it for her. She had a chance to learn something other than Old World Languages and long forgotten carvings, something she could never learn on Earth.

She glanced around for the hundredth time since arriving, only this time she seen a new arrival and from the looks of him, a commander of some sort. She stared at him openly, to see if it bothered him. She liked watching people, each person had a different behavioral pattern when studied, what would his be?

“Miss. Crane?” A young man stood before her, drawing her eyes away from the WGA man.

“Yes?”

“Meeting will start in ten minutes Ma’am.” She nodded she understood and like that he was gone as well, making rounds to the other arrivals. After briefing she would then be given whatever the WGA deemed appropriate for her new assignment. She smiled and nearly laughed out loud as she pictured them handing her a pencil and note pad.

 

[Sienna]

Science Officer: Ling Pelka

IC:
Mission number designation: 2931000
Serial Number-File: 1854K-402H9
Name: Ling Pelka
D.O.B: January 30th, 2068
P.O.B: New Athens City - Europe
Race: Eurasian
Age: 24
Height: 5 foot 4 inches
Weight: 122
Hair: Straight, honey blonde
Eyes: Hazel
Status: Ministerial Research Science Officer (MSA)


The minister sat stone faced at his desk and looked at Ling with a concentrated stare. "You can do this, I know you can. You are one of the best for this mission. I've been watching you very closely since you have been with the department."

Ling shifted uneasily in the chair. She never liked the idea of being watched, by anyone. "And...?"

"Like I said, I feel that you are the right person. But you have to understand your obligations to the department of course." The minister leaned forward and slid a file-cube across the desk to her. "Take it and read it very carefully Pelka...you know what I'm talking about."

She looked at the file and thought about their previous discussions leading up to that afternoon. Then she calmly picked up the file and put it to her lips looking back at the minister with a grin. "Yes...I understand. But..."

"Yes?" The minister sat back, crossed his hands, his expression unchanged. Ling looked back, thinking and staring. She never said anything without thinking first. And what she was about to say was something that was not that important anymore.

"No...it's ok. It was nothing. You can trust me with this mission, Sir. I promise to follow all the details explicitly." She replied. "And I trust everything is in here? Everything you need me to do?" She looked at the file.

"Of course, everything. You should find this mission a challenge. It's importance to the whole of humanity. And I think you will find Reccesuinth a very interesting person to work with, from what I am told. His profile is in that file...read it very carefully."

Ling nodded and stood up from the chair. "Is that all?"

"Yes, you can go now. If there is anymore information you need to know I will ensure you will get it."

She turned and walked towards the door as it slid open. Then just before she was about to exit it closed quickly, causing her to step back. "One more thing Pelka!" The Minister added. She remained still, waiting for his comment. "Our meeting the other evening was quite enjoyable. We have to do the same again sometime in future I hope."

Ling smiled to herself and then departed as the door slid open once more. The memories of that evening the Minister refered to was definitely something. He had been the most important and the oldest person she had ever made love to so far. Although she was not in the habit of working her way to success that way, the Minister was certainly another notch to her private wants and desires to experiment. And it was secret afterall.

That evening Ling spent hours taking on the information within the file. Running over twice, sometimes three times the vital parts that she found were important. Every detail absorbed into her mind so that it was fixed in place.

She realised the significance of the mission more and more. It began to intrigue her, take over her mind as she thought about it. Then she realised something that never even crossed her mind until then...this could be the last time she spent on Earth and she may never see those she loved and knew ever again.

"No Ling...stop it!" She told herself quickly. She made herself think positively. It was an important mission, but everything would be as routine as it should be. There was a job to do and she would complete it as the file instructed and as the Minister wanted it done.

Three days later...

The shuttle was almost empty as it docked with the station. It was a routine cargo flight but then, not many people came out to the International Space Station that often apart from business.

Ling carried her briefcase along the corridor towards the main reception hall knowing that the rest of her luggage, standard for such missions, was being taken care of. She was tagged with the usual ID badge which hung around her neck over the standard tunic of the department. Her slim figure swayed with a certain arrogance as she walked up to the young man waiting for her.

"Miss Pelka I pressume?"

"Sorry, Doctor Pelka if you don't mind. But please, call me Ling." She replied with a smile holding out her hand to greet him. He took it and returned a somewhat forced smile. "So you are...?"

"That doesn't matter for now...please follow me Miss." The young man turned and she thought his comment was more than cool...it was a little 'cold' to say the least. But that did not matter either to her as she was atleast where she was required to be. She followed him and looked around, taking in the blandness that those space stations seem to have. The young man's rear had more appeal so it seemed.

Ling was taken to what was to be her quarters for the next few days, a simple two roomed ensuite cabin. There she would await the assemblage of the rest of the mission members. And for company she re-ran the file cube, played games and listened to her favourite music.

Now and then Ling would explore the stations various departmental units, including its canteen, but remained within her own company as the Ministers mission file had instructed her to do so. Although she did take note of certain members of the station staff, especially the men, which provided some 'relaxing' fantasies now and then when required in private.

 

[PVodogaz]

IC: Gilderic Reccesuinth

Geneva High Command Space Centre 2100 Hours


A chime sounded from the speakers on the chamber's ceiling. The voice a dull almost lifeless monotone stated;

"Mission Briefing to begin in 10 minutes."

It was at this moment that he turned his head to his right and saw a woman stare at him.....

"1st Novice Admiral, Gilderic Reccesuinth?"

Gilderic immediately stood at a full attention, as his training specified him to react, for talking to him was the Vice Chancellor, Nea Rydler.

"Yes Vice Chancellor, this is he you are seeking," responded Gilderic in the clip and professional manner he always used with his senior officers.

"At ease Novice. Please come with me," the Vice Chancellor addressed him.

She turned and started walking down the same hallway he had come up from away from the briefing that was to start any moment now. Gilderic fell in step with her slightly distancing himself from her as was customary to do with your Senior or World Government Officers.

"You might be wondering why we are walking away from the meeting that has been scheduled now about the mission to Prometheus?"

"Yes, the thought has crossed my mind, Vice Chancellor," Gilderic said immediately. He was intrigued wondering what had prompted the visit of the second most poweful person at the moment on Earth to speak to him.

She led Gilderic down the hallway and through a door that had a sign flashing in holovision lettering, "Authorised personel only beyond this point." Gilderic recognised where they were going - to the Shuttle Bay.

"Officer, the Mission to the alien ship has been changed and scaled down. We feel that due to the recent message we recieved from the alien ship, that a group larger than 6 may make whatever beings that inhabit that ship to think we are taking hostile actions." Vice Chancellor Rydler stated.

Gilderic nodded as he digested this information. Just as I thought, a smaller mission is safer and less time and resources consuming, he thought to himself.

"Therefore Gilderic Reccesuinth, you will now be escorted to the International Space Station where at 0700 Hours you will meet your fellow Mission colleagues. A full briefing at the ISS (International Space Station), will be conducted at 0700. Here are 3 data file cubes for you. The first two are dossiers on two of the Scientific officers of the mission and the third data cube I would like you to only read it when you are alone. It is information that is crucial for the mission. Do not, I repeat do not, show anybody even the mission officers this information. Do you understand Officer?"

Gilderic nodded and took the data cubes from her hand.

"I understand, Vice Chancellor."

Gilderic realised that they were at the Shuttle Bay and he saw the 4 men escort wait at the shuttle door at attention and with plain faces. He suddenly realised that his bags were in his temporary quarters in the rec commons.

"My bags are in....."

"Already in the shuttle, Officer." the Vice Chancellor cut in. "Do you have any questions before you leave?"

"None, I know my Mission and I will read the new information ASAP, Vice Chancellor," Gilderic said and he went into full attention saluting.

"One more thing, 1st Novice Admiral Gilderic Reccesuinth, this Mission has its risks, but if all turns out well, you will have a higher position within the Government waiting for you. Now, Officer, you need to depart and I have a meeting to return too. Goodluck and be safe."

Gilderic made a fist and saluted it into the air as the Vice Chancellor smiled and turned walking way. Gilderic turned and moved past the shuttle door and into the shuttle, his escort like a wave moving in behind him.

Gilderic was off to the ISS. What he didnt realise at that moment was that would be the last time he would leave Earth again for good. The shuttle lifted off the ground as the Quantum engines charged. The shuttle engines went into boost mode and the shuttle lifted higher into the cloud banks, soon disappearing from view.

(OOC mission start date on the 10th of March. My human character still has 2 more posts to do until the briefing at 0700 at ISS. This is in no way the start to the thread, this is background info posting intrinsic and integral to the thread - Petar -)

 

[PVodogaz]

IC: Gilderic Reccesuinth

International Space Station

Circa 2330 Hours

"Gilderic Reccesuinth, 1st Novice Admiral of the Planetary Defence Corps a part of the WGA. This information contained in this data file is extremely important, confidential and for your knowledge only. Do not share the following information with no one unless you deem it necessary during the Mission. At the end of this data file you will need to sign and downlink this to the Vice Chancellor's Office."

"Vice Admiral, this Mission has its risks. As you know the message recieved earlier this morning from the alien ship now changes the parameters of the Mission. We believe, with reliable intelligence that the ship may harbour life-forms that still have remained undetected. If the beings pose a threat as this message has been interpreted, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE WHATEVER FORCE YOU DEEM RELIABLE TO HANDLE THE ISSUE. In the vessel that will carry you to the Alien Ship we have packed a Quantum String Fusion Bomb (QSFB) to be used if all other avenues have been exhausted."

"The safety of your crew is, as well, your paramount importance. Please read the two data files on the two officers joining the mission, Officer Ling Pelka and Civilian Communications Officer Victoria Crane. Both files are dossiers on their individuality and understand that you are in charge of the Mission and that they have been informed of that. In the briefing at 0700 you will be introduced and you will also make speech confirming your leadership."

"Good luck in your Mission Novice Admiral. And from the World Government, we wish you and your crew a safe journey and a speedy return. This is Vice Chancellor N. Rydler signing out."

Gilderic read the message over again, allowing what was said to sink in. So, the World Govt is gambling with dice and the dice are fully loaded. He signed the data file off and downlinked it to the Vice Chancellor's office. As soon as the office uplinked confirmation, the data file was saved to his own personal commlink archives which was password protected.

He took the two personel data file cubes and read first Officer Ling Pelka's file and then more closely the civilian's file Victoria Crane. This should be a interesting pairing, he thought inwardly to himself. He read both their histories and their criticals and was happy with what he read. He saved both files to his personel Mission archives in his commlink.

Gilderic stood up from sitting down in his officer's quarters. Usually he was placed in the junior section of the army commons but the Vice Chancellor had pulled strings and ordered that he have a room in a Senior officer's quarters. These quarters came with a viewing synth-window.

He walked over to the window and his window faced Earth. He steepled his fingers under his chin and watched the glory of his home Planet. He loved watching Earth from Space orbit. The mottled green and blue with the swirling and ever moving clouds. He was at the moment over Australia moving across the Tasman to New Zealand. In that moment his heart felt the deep abstract fear, that this would be the last time he would see Earth again in this life-time.

And then the dark shape of the alien ship loomed against the back drop of Earth......taking over his window. He looked at the alien ship describing it in his mind;

'The ship is elongated with 3 cube like bulges. One at what appears the end of the ship, one close to the middle and the other at what is believed to be at the beginning of the ship. There are no distinguishing markings on the outside of the alien ship. No lights can be seen from the outside. No seen entry points on the sides of the ship can be seen to the naked eye. The bulges are connected by 4 webbed and shielded vesticles. The ship looks alien, is alien and will always remain alien.'

Gilderic pulled himself away from the viewing window and suddenly saw a message on the holovision for his eyes only. He had been lost in thought and didn't see the flashing 'Acknowledge message', he walked over and pressed his ID and the screen coagulated from jumbled lettering and numbers to read this message;

"Beware fool! We know who you are and what you are going to do. You are going to board the ship of satan, you infidel! We will do everything in our power to stop you all. We have the power of God. We will not lose. Be prepared to be judged by God, fool!" Signed by the Leader of the Neo Religious Order Thomas Ishmael Levy.

Oh great! Now on top of everything else, we will need to deal with religious zealots. Gilderic shook his head and downlinked this message to Earth's Security Taskforce and a copy to the Vice Chancellor's Office. He chuckled knowing now that the office of this radical group would be raided in the next hour and the religious leader would be found and taken into custody.

He saw it was time to take some sleep, yawning he knew he would have to be up for the meeting at 0700 bright and early. As soon as he lay down on the soft bed, he fell into a fitful sleep without dreams.

 

[PVodogaz]

IC: Gilderic Reccesuinth

International Space Station (ISS)

Circa 0600 Hours

1 Hour to Final Mission Briefing

Gilderic Reccesuinth was awoken by the beeps of the pre-set Digitaliser Alarm. Opening his eyes he quickly sat up, the Alarm was a military style sensor adept that would stop once a person was fully awake. It was a alarm system that truly worked, even for the deepest of sleepers. The time was 0600, 6AM per east coast of America and that was the time-zone the ISS had adopted since the beginning.

He stretched working out the kinks of his bones as they cracked and groaned. The Space Station had a full Gee of Earth atmospheric pressure. Gilderic stood up and looked over to his commlink. There were no new messages from overnight. The emblem of the World Government flashed on and off on the screen as the screen saver.

'Todays the day that I am part of history,' Gilderic said to himself as he took his uniform and moved to the adjoining private bathroom. Everything on the Space Station was voice active, there were no taps but spouts onto synth-lineum basins.

"Cold water, please," ordered Gilderic.

And cold water emerged from the spout. He cupped his hands full of cold water and washed his face 3 times, refreshing himself. The water on the ISS, was recycled being purged and purified 3 times in 3 different chemical and hydro clean plants underneath the actual Space Station.

Gilderic leaned up and looked into the synth-mirror and took a towel wiping his face. The water automatically was turned off as he leaned up.

Wordlessly he dressed into his uniform he was especially given for the mission. It was black microfusion khaki greens and the top was the a red and black shirt. The sleeves were red and the rest of the shirt was black. On the right breast was emblazoned the World Government emblem and underneath was his rank. The right sleeve showed 3 stripes for his commander of the Mission rank. He fixed himself up to look presentable and from the shirt pocket he took out his PDC ID and Mission rank tag and hung it around his neck.

Smiling to himself in the mirror, he looked and felt the part. He moved out of the bathroom and sat on the soft bed and put on his Grav boots that again was especially tailored for the mission. He checked the time it was now just on 0615. There was still 45 mins before the Mission briefing.

To tell you the truth, Gilderic was excited as well as cautious. Excited that he was to head a mission to an alien ship of all missions! Cautious because of the inherent danger that lay in this mission. The blood of people, his fellow Mission members were on his hands. Taking a deep breath he stood now all dressed except for his Quantum Laser Weapon.

He reached for his Commlink and wrapped it around his right wrist, were it molded itself perfectly to his frame for a comfortable fit. Gilderic looked over at the table near to the front entrance sliding door and saw his modulated Quantum Laser Weapon or a plain Quantum Gun as he nicknamed it.

He sheathed it on his right hip in the plaid holster where the holster as well as holding the Gun, had an in-built Recharger mechanism. He was ready.

0630 Hours

It was at this time he stepped out of the quarters and saw the attendent who stood at attention across the small hallway from the door.

"Good morning 1st Novice Admiral," the attendent said in her soft feminine voice.

Gilderic glanced her over. 'She looks my age, I wonder why I didn't see her before....I would have invited her in,' he mused. She was attractive in her Junior officer's sometimes uncomfortable uniform (as he knew, having once worn one for 2 years), the uniform accentuated her curves and a thought rather peculiar at that moment flashed through his mind; 'What if I never make love to a woman ever again?' Gilderic brought himself back to his senses and smiled his most cheerful smile at the attendent.

"Good morning Junior Officer," he responded.

"I am instructed to take your personel bag to the vessel. Is it ready, sir?"

'She doesn't smile, so professional, she is," Gilderic said to himself. He nodded.

"Yes it is ready, Nice to meet you Junior Officer,"

With that done, and knowing his bag would be taken care of he turned and walked off toward the shuttle hanger bay where in the Meeting room he would meet his fellow colleagues in 20 minutes.

As Gilderic passed people, civilians and officers alike, Senior or Junior, against normal norms they smiled at him and saluted. As per custom he saluted back. 'Wow, they must know of the Mission....seems the mission news has leaked out.'

He checked the time it was 0640.

He turned a corner and walked through a set of automated sliding doors and he arrived at the Shuttle Hanger Bay lounge. He looked around; the Bay was a hive of activity, technicians with solemn faces walking quickly to and thro, attendents and hangar staff taking bags onboard the vessel, equipment as well as food rations and weapons. 'And one of those bags has the Bomb inside...'

He looked further around and saw people who may be for the mission talk on lounges viewing space. One woman was watching him and he quickly realised who she was, from the date files he had been given, she was the Civilian Victoria Ann Crane. He watched as an attendent blocked his view and his watch said 10 mins to go till 0700.

He took this opportunity to go to the open door of the plain Meeting room. Attendents were pouring glasses of water into plastic cups and tidying up the room.

Gilderic entered the room and the attendents saluted and he saluted them back without a word being said.

"10 Minutes to the meeting esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen," he heard an attendent call out in the lounge. He would wait in the room. Gilderic took out his data file and went through the mission notes.

(OOC: 6 days to Mission launch. 10th of Match nominal start date. -)

 

[Sienna]

Ling Pelka...


One hour to final mission briefing.

Ling had now waited long enough. She was now ready for whatever was to come with the mission. The days she had spent on the ISS keeping herself to herself, studying everything about the mission were now finally over.

She emerged from the bathroom in her cabin and looked up at the conduit that ran through the quarters, carrying the many communication fibres that connected each of the cabins aboard the station.

To Ling, the conduit provided a means of completing her exercises. She jumped up and held onto it with both hands and arms stretched, hanging. She took a deep breath and began to lift her body in a series of jerks. Each one she counted and each one grew harder to achieve until she made the thirtieth and final one.

She leapt to the floor and closed her eyes catching her breath. As far as she was concerned she was alone, but then she felt a hand touch her shoulder, which made her shockingly aware. She turned quickly on the defensive, arms stretched and ready to strike with a foot, everything she had learned in self-defence martial arts as a child was put into full alertness. But she instantly recognised the visitor and stopped herself from delivering them a disabling blow to the groin.

“What the…how did you get in here?”

The man she was looking at was someone she had known so well. Anders Kosina stood before her smiling and he gave her a wave. “Hello Ling. You surprised to see me here?” She was surprised because he was not supposed to be there at all. “I thought I’d just pay you a visit. Let you know that I missed you.” he said. She looked back at him with wide eyes, trying to absorb his presence.

Anders and Ling had spent three years together as lovers until they split over a year ago. They had met at university and did their final studies together, sharing the same love-nest apartment in Geneva. Then one day after a long drawn out argument and accusations of infidelity they agreed to split and call their relationship to an end.

Ling relaxed and moved closer to him, touching his jacket. He was well dressed, as she had always remembered him to be in civilian attire. “What are you doing here?” she asked. Anders shrugged and looked at her naked body as he always did, admiring her beauty that he had once worshipped and felt so jealous of sharing with others.

“I have come to tell you that I still love you. And…I want you to know that if there is a chance that we can ever get back together, then turn away from this mission and come back to earth before it’s too late.”

“What are you talking about?” Ling stood close and then felt his embrace as his arms took her. They gently kissed and the memories flooded back into her mind of the many good times they had spent together. “You shouldn’t be here. This is crazy. Why?”

“Ling, think about it. If you go on this mission, we will never see each other again. It’s up to you.”

Ling opened her eyes after taking her breath. She was alone, and for a few minutes after dropping from the conduit, she had visualised Anders with her as if it was real. It was clear that her thoughts had been on Anders during those past days alone. She clasped her face with her hands and then looked up wondering to herself what that was all that about. It was more than just a few minutes of dreaming. These things happened to her before and they served as a warning to her, like the times she often saw her father, giving her guidance on decisions she was about to make, as if his spirit was watching over her. But Anders was still alive and well on earth as far as she knew.

She hurriedly took her shower and dried to dress in her regulation attire for the briefing. The standard all in one navy blue coverall with light blue sleeves, that hugged her body in a comfortable fit. She looked into the synth-mirror to check her appearance, tied back her shoulder length blonde hair and added as little make-up as required. She was now ready to for whatever was to come from that briefing.

She closed her com unit, removing the file cube and then dropped it into the disposal disintegrator, confident that all the information she was needed to know was firmly locked inside her own photographic memory. The rest was now down to Novice Admiral Reccesuinth in less than fifteen minutes.

 

[PVodogaz]

Meanwhile onboard a stolen security ship enroute to the ISS....

"Beware fool! We know who you are and what you are going to do. You are going to board the ship of satan, you infidel! We will do everything in our power to stop you all. We have the power of God. We will not lose. Be prepared to be judged by God, fool!" Signed by the Leader of the Neo Religious Order Thomas Ishmael Levy.

Thomas Ishmael Levy, read the message two times and clicked the 'Send' button. He smiled as he rubbed his hands together.

His hatred lay not only on Reccesuinth but all of the officials of the World Government. And most of all on the alien ship, which he believed to be spawns of Satan or Satan himself onboard.

"I will show the unbelievers, the power of thine God," Levy said aloud.

The security ship was on automatic and had just cleared Earth's thick atmosphere. His goal lay straight ahead, the ISS. His followers had befriended a group of 4 off duty security officers at New Sydney PDC Base and proceeded to drug them. Once drugged the helpless security officials were stripped of their uniforms and ID's and the 4 Neo Religious Order patriots that had included the leader of the order entered the base and were not detected until it was too late.

Levy was now alone, after a firefight that almost ended with himself dead. He saw as he had lifted off his three acolytes shot down by precise laser fire. But the main thing had taken place and succeeded. He was on the ship, with the Quantum Trillion bomb. For he had an agenda, and nothing would stop his agenda.

Through the viewing window, he saw the alien ship, circling the Earth like a predator stalking its prey. Levy almost turned direction, but in his heart he knew his path, his chosen path lay in what he had to do. For God had come to him in a dream a month ago. God had given Levy, what he presumed was a mission to save humanity.

As Levy watched the looming ISS. he prayed to his God; "God, grant me the power and serenity to do thy will. Give me your staff, for strenth, your blessed hand for comfort and your words for guidance. I am your instrument to do thine will. I am your lamb in the flock that you are shepherd of. I will not allow the evil to be one with Satan or his lair. For you, my God. Amen."

And the moment of his revenge was close at hand. The moment of a madman who believes he is the will of God was about to be delivered like a gavel on a wooden desk. As he docked with the ISS, he armed the bomb for a 4 hour detonation countdown. It was now 0630.

----------------------

(4 days to actual thread launch. The following was a supplementary storyline and reading material for the launch of the thread. Ty from Petar -)

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Two lunar earth months prior...

As the Originator vessel entered into orbit around Earth, its AI's prime directive was initiated and the download began. At zero wait state, it would soon transfer every byte of information it found into its own memory banks for upload to "Mother" upon the vessel's return to its own galaxy.

The data transfer was going smoothly with no slowdowns or interruptions when the AI encountered something never before seen in other worlds -- an auxiliary screen lit up as it tried to make contact.

CAUTION! EDO counterpart requesting return data.
SHIELDS: Erected.
PROCESS: Halted.
HAILING FREQUENCY: Initiated.

The AI, prohibited from terminating its mission before completing its prime directive, assumed a holographic image and responded. "You have committed an act of aggression. State your purpose or withdraw."

 

[Tibxo]

.

 

[PVodogaz]

Rurik Sergei Khanjalskiy

International Space Station

0650 Hours

The alarm awoke him with its incessant beats. His eyes tried to focus as his thoughts cleared. Boze moi! I have 10 minutes to get to the Mission meeting. . Rurik Sergei Khanjalskiy sat up and his senses reacted as he realised he was not alone.

Sitting down was a figure almost like a statue. The alarm stopped and for a moment silence ruled the space between them.

"Greetings Rurik. I finally have the pleasure to meet you," the shape said in a deep male drawl. Rurik tried to make out who it was but the figure was cloaked in shadows, his face hidden in the darkness.

"Wh...who are you?" stuttered Rurik a wide variety of emotions running through him at that moment, anger, confusion, anxiety. He made a movement to stand up and the figure was quicker, standing up in lightening speed and as he did his face came out of the darkness.

Rurik gave a small exclaimation gasp...for it was Thomas Ishmael Levy, leader of the Neo Religious Order who was pointing a deadly Quantum gun at his chest.

"Sit down," growled Thomas menacingly.

Rurik saw an almost insaneness and deep anger set in the eyes of this fanatic. He sat down in a state of readiness.

"Now you know who I am. And now I am going to kill you and take your place on the ship, and I will destroy Satans ship."

Rurik knew he had to do something or this lunatic would kill him and make true his threats. He clenched his hands at his sides. Thomas leveled the gun at Rurik's chest and Rurik knew it was now or never. In a quick roll, Rurik rolled to the side in a quick movement and came to his feet. Thomas was not that fast, he turned the gun but not fast enough.

Rurik tackled Thomas and they fell on the floor, Rurik on top of him, both wrestling for the gun which was wedged between both their bodies. Suddenly there was sound of burning flesh and then the smell of sweet sickly burning blood and a hole appeared through Rurik.

Rurik felt the gun go off, he felt the searing pain and burning sensation rise through him. The last of his quickly diminishing strength went into his hands, as he found Thomas' throat and squeezed. Thomas was not strong as Rurik was and he vainly struggled seeing the manic anger enflaming Rurik's eyes. "I die you die," rasped Rurik...

Thomas struggled his vision closing into a tunnel and he knew he was dying, but he had succeeded. Rurik coughed up blood and let go of the now dead Thomas. He rolled off Thomas and his breaths came in shorter and shorter periods.....his eyes closed and his spirit went back to his native Russia, through the steppes, the mongol lands, down Sakhalin until it reached Vladivostok. With his last breath and thought he saw his now dead parents welcome him to his family childhood farm home....

0700 Hours

At 7.00AM, the Junior Attendent who was stationed in the same coridor went to Surgeons' Ruriks quarters and knocked three times. After not recieving a answer, he took out he override card and punched in the override code.

He saw the two dead bodies and opened up a channel to the ISS Security Detail section of the Space Station.

 

[PVodogaz]

Gilderic Reccesuinth

International Space Station - 0710 Hours

Final Mission Briefing before Mission Launch

For the fifth time in as many minutes, Gilderic Reccesuinth had checked the time. He was sitting down in a chair and had for the last 15 minutes reviewed the mission data files. He was still alone in the room, the attendents having finished the room preparations.

The fellow crew members had yet to come in, possibly they were waiting for direction. Direction which was not his to give.

What is going on here? Its not like the senior briefing officer to be late like this. Maybe I should go and find out what's going on? Gilderic though to himself. He stood up and collected the data files and was about to find out what the lateness was about. Just then his commlink beeped twice and he saw it was a incoming message for his eyes only. He punched in his mission code and read the message:

From: Senior Admiral Latimer Conradd
To: 1st Novice Admiral

Please assemble the mission crew members in the briefing room. I will be there presently. Thankyou Latimer

Closing the message he sighed inwardly. Well that was not too forthcoming He moved through the door and into the shuttle hangar waiting area. He saw the faces of Ling and Crane who were on the mission but there were still a few more people in the waiting area. Not knowing who was who he cleared his throat loudly which stopped discussions in their tracks.

"Ladies and gentlemen, those who are here for the Mission Briefing codenamed Prometheus, please enter the meeting room. We will be starting shortly. Introductions will be done when the Senior Admiral arrives. Thankyou."

He waited to see who was who, smiling at Officer Pelka and Civilian Crane. Behind him the Meeting Room sign flashed in bright neon.

 

[Sienna]

Re: Ling Pelka

Ling made her way to the shuttle hangar. It was busy with preparation staff, checking and loading all the needed equipment being placed onboard the shuttle. There, she noticed Victoria Crane, standing and looking up at the crafts forward bridge compartment with a look of trepidation on her face. Ling took one quick gaze towards the meeting room and still it was locked. There was no sign of any immediate crewmembers other than Victoria Crane.

“Awesome isn’t it?” Ling said as she approached Victoria, looking out of place among the rest in her civilian clothes. “Makes you wonder how these things get around out there. But they do.” Ling continued. “I’m Doctor Pelka and you would be Doctor Crane?”

Ling looked long and hard at Victoria, scanning every centimetre as their hands locked together in greeting. She realised how much she fitted her profile perfectly, but the picture that the file contained did not do her any justice, she thought.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Victoria Crane

She stood looking out over the sea called Space and felt her stomach lurch slightly. For her first time in space, she was fairing rather well, considering her mind kept thinking of the endless fall.. if that should ever happen.

She turned at the sound of a warm voice and met the steady clear gaze of Dr. Pelka.

"Dr. Pelka, pleasure to meet you.." She turned back towards the window a moment and smiled, "Awesome is one way to describe it." She gave her full attention back to the woman beside her, noting how Ling met her gaze without looking away. She shook hands with the woman and gave her a genuine smile of welcome.

Ling Pelka could be described as a very straight forward woman.. A good quality.

"Yes, I am Dr. Crane. Please, call me Victoria, I never use that title." She had no need to use it, her job never did seem doctorate to her.

Ling was dressed accordingly, as were everyone else in the room. She wished for a moment she had taken the time to change before the meeting. They issued her clothing and a rather low ranking in the Military. Possibly to assure she obeyed orders? That was never in question with Victoria, but the Government had their own ways of deciding things.

"Ladies and gentlemen, those who are here for the Mission Briefing codenamed Prometheus, please enter the meeting room. We will be starting shortly. Introductions will be done when the Senior Admiral arrives. Thankyou." A voice came from behind.

"Ah, our cue. I look forward to working with you Dr. Pelka." She smiled again and motioned Ling to go ahead of her out of respect. She still felt nervous and excited at the same time, now she would find out what was going to happen.

 

[PVodogaz]

Gilderic Reccesuinth

Gilderic watched a small number of people file into the meeting room. He saw Officer Pelka and Civilian Crane enter talking to each other.

And now all we're waiting on is the Senior Admiral, thought Gilderic. He decided he would wait for the Senior Admiral outside. At 0715, the hanger automatic doors slid open and the regal stocky figure of Senior Admiral Latimer Conradd emerged, his face set in a grim determined stare. But he was not alone, next to him was a tall man wearing the uniform of the Science Officers.

Gilderic stood at an attention as the Senior Admiral came over to him. The Officer looked Gilderic up and down over for a moment before saying;

"There is no time to waste. Let's begin this briefing," he said in a almost curt tone of voice.

Gilderic eased from his attention stance and the Senior Admiral entered with this other man in toe. Here we go, let the dice roll, Gilderic said to himself closing the door behind them....

 

[Sienna]

Ling Pelka


Ling watched as the Senior Admiral and his two colleagues entered the briefing room. She stood close to Victoria, knowing that this would be something entirely new and strange to her and to be honest, it was just as strange to Ling also. The ministerial files gave her a great deal of information that seemed way out of the ordinary for a routine mission on top of the fact that the ship that they were about to visit was alien to all things human.

Ling saluted the Senior Admiral as he looked around the room. She whispered into Victoria’s ear; “Everything will be fine. Just act natural and things will come together eventually.”

“Thankyou.” Victoria replied in almost a silent whisper.

The Senior Admiral introduced one of his colleagues; Chief Petty Officer Jordan St. Michael, a tall dark man with a very strong physical appearance that made Ling’s and Victoria’s eyes widen. Jordan was certainly a very handsome looker in both their minds and a little untidy too.

“Officer Ling, so nice to see you here with us.” The Senior Admiral commented. “You too Miss Crane. I trust you are updated with information leading up to this meeting?”

“Sir, if I may?” Ling replied. “There are one or two things I’m not sure about.”

“That’s fine Officer Pelka, I will clarify things as I explain. We need to begin now I think as certain events make this mission very urgent.” Gilderic explained, forcing a smile. “You may ask questions, and you too Miss Crane, as we progress.”

 

[poohlive]

Jordan St. Michael

There were a lot of things Jordan had wished he had done before getting into the meeting room this morning. He wished he had been openly disclosed with more information, he wished he had time to fix himself up better, and more importantly cleaned himself up.
That one he didn't mind, until he saw two attractive women already seated and waiting for the meeting to start.
He sat down, stifling a yawn from under his open palm. Sleep habe been another wish that he just couldn't provide.
The cubes, and what briefings he could get his hands on before the meeting were slim, at best, and didn't tell him enough of what he needed to know. He couldn't blame anyone though. He had, apparently, been a last minute replacement for someone.
They had called him literally 12 hours ago, with the assignment thrust upon him. He was hovering above the moon, working on one of the natural phenomiters he had been experimenting with.
He looked down at his still unclean hands, the faint grime still dawning them.
He took the assignment without a second thought, not trying to think that he hadn't slept in over two days, and was going to go straight to the space station, taking several shuttle flights, transfers, and try to cram as much knowledge into his head as possible.
Still, he couldn't have been happier. This was his job, after all, and he wanted nothing more than to be in this room at this moment.
He took notes, quietly, soaking up everything he could, pausing only to cut off a yawn.

 

[PVodogaz]

Gilderic Reccesuinth

The Senior Admiral, Latimer Conradd, walked briskly to the front of the meeting room and placed down with a slight bang his data pad. He looked at all the people already sitting down looking up at him almost expectantly.

Gilderic saw the other man who had come in with the Senior Admiral take a seat and saw him yawning. Gilderic walked to the front and stood at the side and back of his superior officer. He saw 4 people sitting down, and a fifth seat empty. What has happened here? Gilderic said to himself while looking expressionlessly ahead.

"Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen. This briefing will be short in duration and I would like to first introduce the Mission Commanding Officer, 1st Novice Admiral Gilderic Reccesuinth. I will only talk briefly and let Commanding Officer Reccesuinth discuss and answer any questions." He stopped and pulled up a microfusion chair and sat down.

The Senior Admiral motioned for Gilderic to come forward and sit down with a down motion of his right hand.

Well it seems someone doesn't have proper social skills, thought Gilderic again to himself. Gilderic sat down still quiet. He nodded to his fellow Mission members.

“Officer Ling, so nice to see you here with us.” The Senior Admiral commented. “You too Miss Crane. I trust you are updated with information leading up to this meeting?”

Gilderic's eyes darted to the new man who was stifling yawns whilst maintaining a look of interest. And then he turned and looked at Officer Pelka as she spoke;

“Sir, if I may?” Ling replied. “There are one or two things I’m not sure about.”

Senior Admiral Conradd looked at Gilderic and he knew this was his queue to speak.

“That’s fine Officer Pelka, I will clarify things as I explain. We need to begin now I think as certain events make this mission very urgent.” Gilderic explained, forcing a smile. “You may ask questions, and you too Miss Crane, as we progress.”

He stared at everyone, letting what he had just said to sink in and then sat down in chair next to the Senior Admiral. Gilderic began to speak again when Admiral Conradd spoke again.

"As you all can see there is a space for a fifth member who now will not be joining us....He has been murdered. Hence why this meeting will be brief and all questions will be of a simple manner. Also dead is the leader of the Neo Religious Order Thomas Ishmael Levy. The fifth member would have been Rurik Khanjalskiy. It seems to have been an assassination attempt that went wrong and now they are both dead. We need to have you all leave the ISS by 0830 for security reasons. Our sweeps are trying to determine if there are other agents of this radical order on the ISS."

Gilderic had the same wide eyed look as others around the meeting table. The dice are loaded and ready to roll....

 

[PVodogaz]

Meanwhile in the equipment hold underneath the ISS....

0740

The now deceased Thomas Ishmael Levy's revenge was counting down.

3:20:55 - 3:20:54 - 3:20:53......

The Quantum Trillion Bomb was set to go off at 1000. It had still remained undetected to security sweeps, nor had a security detail entered the room. Even if a team had entered they would have been able to see the bomb to the naked eye.

For the bomb had been camoflaged as an antique projector. And so the countdown continued unbeknownst to anyone that a bomb was set to go off.

3:20:52 - 3:20:51 - 3:20:50.....

 

[PVodogaz]

Gilderic Reccesuinth

The room had fallen into a dark brooding silence as soon as the Senior Admiral finished what he had to say. Gilderic watched his colleagues faces and saw the uncertainty and fear in some of their eyes.

It wasn't that Gilderic didn't feel the same way but he was more disciplined, after the initial shock of what was just said, he returned to the calm professional look that he was trained in wearing.

He looked at the Senior Admiral who had just a blank face on.

"Alright, let's continue," called out the Senior Admiral. He pointedly looked at Gilderic.

Gilderic cleared his throat and everyone locked eyes on his stocky frame as he stood up.

"As you all know an alien ship arrived in high Earth Orbit in late February, approximately 2 months ago. Until yesterday, it has been silent and any attempts to make contact with the ship or the beings inside the ship has been met with infallible silence. This all changed yesterday with a message that was recieved and decoded at Sydney Planetatry Defence Corps Base. The message was simply a one line warning; 'This is the COLLECTIVE UNION. Species 999. Be prepared for the DAWNING OF ONENESS.'"

"This message has been classified as a warning of some sort. For our mission we will treat this with the highest priority. Our priorities for this mission are these."

He turned and said "Data File 02937, please."

Behind him on the open holovision, a screen coagulated into a picture of the alien ship in Earth orbit. Then came the mission priorities over the top in red letters.

Gilderic moved away from the screen and pointed to the screen.

"These are the 5 mission priorities -

1. To initially study and decide if the ship poses a danger on Earth.

2. To explore the ship, investigate and study.

3. To make contact with the life-forms on the ship.

4. To be out of the ship within a 72 hour period.

5. If the ship poses a danger to the ship, to neutralise the danger.

"At this time, I would like to call on any of your questions," he looked at his fellow crew members expectantly.

(OOC: Due to time stamp issue yesterday, I have posted Victoria's (sweetp's) posting underneath mine to fix the flow - Petar)
______________

Victoria Crane

She sat in silence, listening carefully. Apparently they were going to be on board alot longer than she thought they needed to be, but that was her own personal thoughts. Who was she to question the government?

She sipped the water they had set before her, wondering if she was the only one curious over the amount of time they would be on board the Alien Craft?

She also wanted to know how they found a 'door' into the craft? Last she heard over at the Head Office was that there were no visible doors or windows on it. Again, she did not wish to look so stupid as to question anything, she smiled and sat in silence.

And then another thought occured to her....

"What type of weapons will we be carrying for self defense, something we're sure enough to believe won't penetrate the protective metal of the ship's exterior walls?" That was something that needed asked, as did many other questions all swarming around in her 'unmilitary' mind.

She knew her part, open communications between whatever life forms might be on board and themselves, but how did she assertain what would be considered hostile?

Fuck, talk about a touchy situation I landed myself into. Her inner voice was dripping with sarcasm. If going by man's assumptions of aliens from early centuries, she could guess that if they went near her ass with anything, they were hostile. She nearly spit her water out in an effort to curb her laughter but coughed harshly instead.

"So-rry." Those around her did not seem to have anything remotely close to 'amused' on their faces.. Another reason she never wanted to be in the WGM...uptight!

__________________

 

[poohlive]

Jordan wrote his notes. He liked writing on paper, with a pencil. These new holocubes were all good for reports, but it just felt more real, more grounded if he could see it staring back at him on paper.
He wrote ONENESS in big words, underlining it several times. Prepare for oneness? It did seem like a threat. They didn't have a choice. Ready or not, Earth, prepare for Oneness.
It reminded him of old Star Trek episodes, as the Borg went across the universe, transforming hundreds of civilizations into their own robotic oneness. Prepare to be assimilated. No choice, just prepare.
Victoria, he remembered her picture from one of the many files buzzing through his name, posed a good question. He didn't care about it much, but still, it was a good question. He had his own, though, and they didn't come from the danger posed with the aliens or the ship.
He was preoccupied with the threats from this Neo Religious Order. Just what they needed, liberal fanatics wanting to join in on the hunt for chaos in the galaxy.
Neo Religious Order.
He underlined it several times too.
"Are we looking into the Order, and what they might know about the ship? They seem to think this is wrong for some reason, I'm wondering if they actually know something."
Added security for them, made Jordan feel safer. He knew WGM could slip up at times, and if they didn't think a threat was coming, they'd be pretty lapse, but after a murder, Jordan was sure things would go tight and steady.
After all, when has the government ever been wrong before?

 

[Sienna]

Ling Pelka...


Ling listened to the recent update. It was clear to her that things had happened since her arrival on the ISS and the Ministry had not updated her. The events of what happened yesterday were new to her and she wondered why the communications was suddenly stopped regarding the mission. Even Ishmael Levy’s attempts to destroy the mission were an added mystery.

What was all this talk of ONENESS? She thought.

Ling turned and looked at Victoria and then Jordan. Both of them had the look of disbelief and fear on their faces as Gilderic continued his speech, and the Senior Admiral looked over at her and gave what appeared to be a slight nod for some reason. She looked back at him and lowered her head, continuing to listen intently. Until that point, all she knew was that the mission was to investigate an alien craft, which meant a visit and unknown dangers. Dangers, which might change her life forever. Now she knew that her life was about to change…forever.

The mission priorities flashed up on the holovision. She read each one assisted by Gilderic’s voice-over and knew that all five points were unchanged to what the original mission required as the Ministers reports had stated. It was just the real important information, in between the lines, that her own imagination guessed at that was missing. Her imagination was now confirmed by the meeting and it wasn’t far out from being the facts.

Ling sat back in her chair and stretched her arms. Then she raised a finger to ask a question at which Gilderic allowed. “Do you expect some conflict of any kind when we get aboard the alien ship?”

“Can you clarify what you mean by conflict?” Gilderic asked.

“Will we need weapons? We may be seen as being hostile. Who knows, this could be some kind of trick. It doesn’t take a grown intelligent person to see that an invasion attempt is possible here, if you know what I mean? There could be thousands of other ships out there waiting to invade our system. This is just the beginning. Conflict and invasion is possible in my opinion. And is the world prepared for it?”

The Senior Admiral seemed to smile as he listened to Ling’s question and he turned to Gilderic, as did the others for the reply.

 

[Sweetp4u]

.