Episode 3: The motherlode

MISSION LOG # 12 – THIRD PLANETARY SURVEY OF INGEMAR

 

Star Date: 2551.06.17 11:00 hrs

 

The mission commenced at Phorcys Base Landing Pad with the following crew present:

 

• Fazzy Constantine

• T5 “Tinman” – At Resilient Operations

• Zorathanus Thane

• Chastian Necrosa

• Noah Constantine

• Bansealgair

• Sparky Frenzy

• C.A.R.L.

• Eric Regulus

 

The mission parameters were twofold. Personnel were split into two teams:

 

1) Team Mjölnir - Fazzy, Zor, Sparky & Eric were to investigate any remaining orbs and if possible, make contact with the leviathan, and if possible, obtain information on the operation of the quantum slip drive.

2) Team Gungnir - Chastian, Noah, Bansealgair, and CARL were to further explore and assess the undersea caverns which, on Mission #11, showed some interesting scan results.

 

 

The team departed from Phorcys moon pool aboard the two existing submarines.

 

Team Mjölnir

 

The team departed the moon pool and did a brief reconnoiter of the area previously surveyed. The brass-and-glass habitat was still intact, with lighting active. The power source for the lighting is unknown, unless bioluminescence is employed. The marker beacon was relocated, adjacent to a previously-examined structure that appears to have been carved out of coral. Inside that small, square structure is embedded several orbs, similar to those recovered from Jasper McFudd. Approximately 10 meters from the beacon is a much larger arch, similar in shape and size to the gateway on Idun used by Escanor. The toolmarks all over it suggest it is constructed and not a natural phenomenon. Its proximity to the orbs also suggest they are in some way connected. Using the grappling arms of the submarine, the orbs were collected from the coral formation.

 

Shortly thereafter, we explored an abyssal trench which revealed no results except an uncatalogued variant of an angler fish. As we ascended, intense seismic activity was noted, and immediately upon exiting the abyss, the submarine was caught in a vortex and forced to the seabed. Oxygen supplies were dwindling, and the vessel was unable to leave the bottom. It was at this point that the leviathan appeared from the same trench we had just left, rising up to look into the submarine. The team switched over to their EVA environments; the submarine’s oxygen supply had been depleted. Communication was established with the leviathan. Attempts were made to glean some more information on the precise operation of the Quantum Drive, but the leviathan refused to cooperate. It did state that the reapers were not unique to the Milky Way, but were in several galaxies and continue to wreak destruction on civilizations. Some of its comments were self-contradictory, and devoid of the linear, logical though patterns one would expect of a species with such intelligence. Offers were made to ally with each other, but they were refused. After pointing out the lack of logic in that decision, the leviathan had a system failure – “Enough theatrics! My time has been wasted enough.....####124 ERROR...SYSTEM FAILURE. REBOOTING...PLEASE WAIT” – and then dissolved before our eyes. No further contact or communication was received by the leviathan. It appeared to be a holographic projection.

 

Control of the submarine was re-established and the team made an emergency ascent to the Phorchys moon pool.

 

 

Team Gungnir

 

The team left the Phorchys moon pool, and headed for the cavern discovered on the prior survey mission. The interior had not yet been explored, but showed several interesting readings on scans, and visual observations from the opening. The team exited the submarine to proceed into the cavern. Immediately upon entering and clearing a field of kelp, the team discovered a plethora of crystals on the cave walls and floor. Examination of the crystal formations showed they contain a high degree of zero-point energy within the crystal matrix. A sample was secured for further analysis, but initial impressions were that they harbor massive quantities of energy. The strength of the crystal made the lattice impervious to any cutting tools on-hand, so a crystal was recovered whole.

 

At this point, Team Mjölnir was in distress, so the team returned to their submarine. On arrival, they discovered their oxygen supplies were depleted, so they too made an emergency ascent to the moon pool at Phorcys.

 

 

Both Teams

 

Once both teams had disembarked their submarines, a communication was received at Phorcys. The voiceprint and nature of the communications was consistent with Jasper McFudd; the voice self-identified as “Master McFudd.” He stated we were on his base, which he indicated was intentionally made to appear abandoned. He also stated the leviathan was his, a “holographic reaper,” which we disabled, and “this is not over.” McFudd further stated that there are no longer any reapers; he is making holographic versions, but did not elaborate on the purpose. He stated our prior dispatch of McFudd was one of his clones. Attempts to triangulate the source of the transmission were not successful.

 

 

Other Actions and Conclusions:

 

• The orbs recovered from the sea bed are secured in the fume hood on Phorcys.

• The crystal recovered from the cave has been moved to the maintenance section of Resilient, and is secured in a level-10 containment field.

• Jasper McFudd is at large and represents an ongoing threat to BluShock.

 

 

Speculation:

 

• McFudd may have been the builder of the old brass habitat on the sea bed; the leviathan may have been a security or defense mechanism. It may have scared off the Exogen scientists, if McFudd’s assertion that Phorcys base is his is untrue, and it likely is.

• McFudd’s communications and holo-emitters may be located in the brass habitat.

• McFudd had a clone on Tyr, and a holographic reaper on Ingemar. Both planets house natural resources that represent tremendous power sources. Both the clone and the hologram appear to be there to scare off others who may make the same discovery and wish to collect those resources.

• The crystal from Ingemar, in particular, represents the potential of something that changes the nature of power generation and potentially propulsion. It's a leap, an order of magnitude over a matter-antimatter reaction, or even the Odsy drive. This is potentially a galaxy-changing development. The power and influence that can be held by someone with that level of technology cannot be overestimated. This alone gives McFudd substantial motivation to do anything necessary to protect his interests.

• In the wrong hands, this technology could lead to very bad outcomes for existing civilizations.

• McFudd knows we have some of this material. He may have clones seeded throughout the galaxy. It cannot be known to what extent he, or his agents have infiltrated existing governmental structures. Anyone seen as a threat is assumed to be in danger.

 

 

Casualties: One

 

• Sparky suffered minor motion sickness.

 

Damage:

 

• Both submarines will need to be overhauled and recharged, but they are undamaged.

 

Follow-on Actions:

 

• Repair of both submarines

• Initiate mining activity to recover all possible crystals.

• Broadcast a bounty for an intact McFudd clone, delivered in stasis.

• Engage in merchant missions to sell the dilithium recovered from Tyr; funds required to pay bounties.

• Conduct continuing examination and testing of the recovered crystal, with analysis of practical applications.

• Dietary restriction initiated on Sparky – no cheese sandwiches prior to missions.

Done