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The Veil - Moberg - 12-16-2014 Chapter I: The Shade Within A bitter silence embraces the dark nebula. Curious strokes of energy dance around the countless rocks that dwell within. Shadows rush from one place to another, revealing that time itself is still intact. A strange construction has found its path into the unknown. Lights flicker on its sides as the inferno in its back resigns weary. The incoming audio transmission wakes Arthur from his trance. "Revelation returns within the eye of the storm." The phrase they agreed on. Arthur realises in relief that the deal has worked. Dwelling in thought, he eagerly contemplates on his next step. They should try to depart immediately before anyone can claim the treasure they've worked for so long. All this time, and in the end it was merely 1000 units of Deuterium. Admittedly, the deal probably wouldn't have worked if the contact knew about the treasure hidden in the wreck they asked for. It does not matter anymore. All that counts is that they know, and they need to be quick about it. Arthur rises from his captains chair. The equipment around him hums sweetly as it's downloading the newest scanner data from the battleship they are moored to. Atum, a larger ship hidden deep within the Inverness a system, merely a shadow creeping between the everlasting darkness. The Oracle resides under its protection, moored to the side, merely connected by a small tunnel to the side. Originally merely a corvo cruiser that served the Zoners, it has been completely refitted to support multiple categories of activity. While its previous owners have designed it to be more luxurious, most of it was changed to support more practical equipment. Most rooms have been modified to allow the scientists onboard to examine samples gathered on the missions and to extrapolate and interpret survey data. As Arthur entered, he noticed that the holographic projection of a ship module is displayed in red. He gazed towards the engineers to his right, currently in an aggressive discussion. One notices his look and immediately rushes to him. "No need to worry about that, captain. When our shields overloaded yesterday, the connection between the large survey scanner and this room got cut. We'll have it fixed up in no time!" Arthur signed. They needed it now. Assuring the engineer that it is essential in their next mission, Arthur continued to the next room. The hydroponic garden offered everything the crew needs for survival in a hostile environment. In any case of emergency, the supplies created here can make the crew last for several years. It provides several metric tons of vegetables a year. Only meat is lacking, but that is something that can be bought from a lot of stations anyway. The crew didn't complain about the lack of variety yet, although that is bound to happen on larger excursions, for sure. Arthur assured himself that he needed to take precautions against this case. Right behind the hydroponic garden is a small bar that provides space to relax for the crew of the Oracle, 20 persons. Everything ranging from ancient forms of entertainment like a pool table to more modern approaches like video games has been moved into the small room that occupies the left right side of the Oracle. Windows allow for a beautiful view of the space outside. The windows contain holographic emitters that can create the illusion of any environment outside, from volcanoes to grass fields and deserts. A choice of several non-alcoholic common drinks provide the necessary refreshment in dire times. Several decks support laboraties to conduct further experiments. Arthur decided to check them later, and return to the bridge at last. Now that everybody is there and all is going well, we can begin. Williams, set a course. Sir? Coordinates: 11, 12. The destination object is displayed on the large main screen, painting the bridge in orange. Two shadows seperate at last. RE: The Veil - Moberg - 12-18-2014 Chapter II: An Unending Maw A discontent haze surrounds the captains seat. Something is horribly off. Then Arthur noticed the source of his irritation. "There...", he said as he aligned the two data panels on the tray beneath to become parallel to each other. The nervosity really likes to make me look like a fool. Nothing is working fine and here we are in the middle of nowhere to retrieve something that might or might not be there. A sigh escapes the abyss of his mind as he worked through the thousands of possible scenarios until he could not take the waiting anymore. The cycle repeats as he asks for the coordinates and receives the same answer. There are no visible stellar phenomena that could give the scanners a hint where in Sirius their path lead to. Their only option is to follow the path laid out by the contact. Even though it is not the best lead, it is the best they have at this point. This returns his thoughts towards the treasure they seek to recover. Touching the holographic keyboard located on the right arm of the chair a few times, pressing luminescent photonic keys, he slowly progresses through the various security barriers that he created around the file. Leaking their plans is not the biggest issue, but an issue nonetheless. After countless passwords and fingerprints required, a new form appeared. An inconspicious orb, seemingly nothing but a metal sphere, with a bunch of bruises. Going beyond its shell though it was promised to yield much more. Powers beyond imagination, powers that he required in his mission. Maybe it will be the final key in the destruction of either menace the Order is facing. The Core, aiding the Nomads by pursuing their selfish greed and obviously the great antagonist himself, the Nomad menace. Even though he does not know yet how powerful it may prove to be in the end, he prefers to be safe rather than sorry. "SIR!" Lost in thought, he did not realise that the pilot wanted to tell him something. Annoyed by the sudden disturbance, he asks what is so urgent that it could not wait. "Our scanners picked something up." Extreme radiation concentrated on one spot, different from the high radiation that resides in this system, coming from a leaking intermix chamber. A wreck from a Rheinland ship! It appears that the contact was right after all. A lightning rushed from the captains seat towards the pilots control panel. Before the pilot could even blink, Arthur rose from his seat and stood beneath him. "Get us closer, Johnson, I want to see it personally." Closer inspection revealed that an old humpback drifted in this system for a while now. Scans reveal no life signs, but collagen, calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. "Bones, that's all that is left there." The promised loot was present. They began recovery of the derelict artifact immediately. What began as holographic model slowly became reality and their goal was closer than ever. With a weak tractor beam, parts of the loose rear were removed. Gunfire with 5% power input assured that rebellious parts of the ship dropped their resistance soon enough. With every second his interest received an exponential growth. Another lightning, and the Oracle staggered a little, bumping an ancient Stealthblade Mk I turret. Arthur began shouting as response: "I don't want a single scratch on this artifact!" It took countless further attempts and even more situations where Arthur would break into sweat, but it was worth it. The Humpback, ridden of its treasure, floats dismantled further into the abysmal deeps of the system. It did not take long until the engines were ready again. The immense radiation took its toll on the ships systems. While the shield kept most damage on the crew at bay, the energy relays were not as lucky. Desperate, Arthur wanders around, thinking of ways to get himself out of the situation. They need to somehow get momentum, but how? A thought crossed his mind, although it was connected with a risk. It does not matter, he thought, if we won't do anything the radiation will give us a slow, painful death. "Eject a bunch of missiles at the rear bays. Try not to make them float away." "Sir? May I ask wha--" "No, you may not. That was not a suggestion, but an order." The inefficiency irritated him. Once they're back in the shipyard, they desperately need to pursue a course on immediately carrying out the superiors orders. Perhaps that is something that might be subject to change as well... He shook his head. A thought crossed his mind for a split second, but he banished it to the depths of his mind as soon as he realised it. He continued as if nothing happened. After a while, around 20 missiles were in place. "This is the captain speaking on ship-wide frequencies. Get something to grab on, there is going to be a turbulence that is getting us out of here." Now, they just need to incinerate the missiles. The order was given, and at last carried out. The shockwave teared nearby asteroids apart. The Oracle, riding on the shockwave, glided forward towards the jumphole. With all energy routed towards the shields, the hopes of surviving the explosion has been raised marginally. They have crossed about half the distance back towards the jumphole when the worst case scenario became reality. Collision with the dead star that ravaged this starsystem in the first place. "Turn by 180 degrees immediately! Engage the breaks! Afterburner, I want absolutely everything! Please tell me that the engines are fine by now!" The Oracle starts getting slower, although the descent into the maw infront appears inevitable at this rate. It is unlikely that they are going to survive being much closer to the dead star. Bridge the gap between the broken energy relays, get the energy through other ways. Laboratory energy supply is still fine, they have to use this. It just has to work. Nothing. Another relay melted as the proximity to the star begins having its first effects. A green light flashing on the main screen signalises that the cruise engines begin charging at last. They are getting closer and closer.. all hope fades as the darkness closes in. "It was an honour to be the commander of a fine crew su---" End of the line. RE: The Veil - Moberg - 01-25-2015 Chapter III: The Phoenix and the Pyre It was a special pleasure to see things consumed by the flames, to see them blackened and changed. Infernal cobras seek their way towards their prey, the delicate timber below trembling in fear of their impending demise. The venomous fangs strike into its essence, turning them into mere hosts for another inferno. An ancient ontop conducting these symphonies of blazing and burning watches eagerly as history turns itself into charcoal ruins once more. At its zenith, the furnace spreads its wings a final time before the blazing pigeons end their song, only to receive the fiery present that the conductor gifts. Singed, the only remaining smile will be burnt into the visage of the Phoenix, whose new chance awaits. Finally, its body changes too, though it takes a strange form. An abhorrent existence appears, an abomination twisted in its own deceit and building its own pyre as well. Its eyes pierce through the veil of dreams. Yet staring at Agent Jekyll is only.. himself. An acherontic chuckle escapes the dry throat of the twisted abomination. "We do not differ a lot, after all ..." Patterns change, twisting the veil abnormally. Its foundation collapses, leaving only reality behind. What began as morbid reverie turns into abysmal reality. In disorentiation, there is little Jekyll can examine about his environment. Shadows flicker on the surface and the realisation kicks in. The bridge, still. How lang has he been here? Shifting his weight to stand up, he feels tremendous pain shooting up from his leg. Looks like the shock stabilisers failed during the vital moments. Whatever, he needed to get to the console at least. Pulling himself up to the captains console, leaving a trail of blood behind, he slowly makes his way forward. Mere seconds later, transformed into an eternity by blazing pain, Jekyll finally reached the desired place. He began typing on the board, slowly creating an overview of most ship systems. The increasing red tint that the screen bathed the room slowly takes its toll on the confidence of the captain. Desperation starts to kick in as he is searching for the shipwide channel. "This is .. *cough* the captain, is anyone still alive? I repeat, is anyone alive?" Seconds pass as the darkness grows, its grip tightening around the captain. An end in solitude, the least desired finish of his. A spontaneous static relieved him as immediately afterwards an evenly acherontic whisper pierces the silence. "Leave me alone, abomination! I won't let you fool me another time!" Jekyll pauses, surprised by the outrage. He recognised the voice as Agent Ravenhold, a splendid engineer keeping the systems nice and running. Looks like her brilliance failed this time. He shook his head, speaking once more. "Remember the 20th March, Emilia." She is going to know what he means and recognise him too despite the ghosts she is apparently seeing currently. At least that's what Arthur Jekyll keeps assuring himself of. Moments of silence. Again the static. "Arthur, so it really is you.. something strange is happening on this ship. I've been trying to get the main power back up, but we're still running on emergency power. I need to find a way to the bridge as soon as possible. Is the path clear?" Jekyll pondered for a while, then checked the systems. There are a few instable sections that could be breaking, but one way is definitely safe. He relayed the information to Emilia, who then confirmed that she is on her way. After confirming that the ship is not about to become an immense fireball, he checked the location that the autopilot managed to get them to before the systems failed and he awoke. It still is the Walker Nebula. Omega-47, according to the constellation of stars. A furrow draws itself deep into face, while pondering what the next step may be. Their strange treausure must be taken to research fa---- a sharp whir catches his attention. Shadows creep forward, their powers awakening as the great ancient itself rises up from the pyre. Nothing but a spark in my imagination. What point is there in returning? He would prefer to investigate their prize far from prying eyes. They could steal his accomplishment and- Wait, what was he thinking? Before he could ponder more, the door to the bridge opened. Emilia peaked, then slowly entered. She shook her head, her crimson hair waving back and forth as her hair tries to conceal the dirt and blood on her face without attracting attention. She smirked, anyway. "You promised never to talk of this day again." A heavy smile creeped upon Jekylls face too. At least it worked. Emilia made her way towards the front consoles and typed a few combinations. Some green tones were added to the red tint of the screen. It looks like certain areas are starting to receive energy again. More and more systems gain green status, though most remained at yellow. One window caught his attention though. Emergency signal buoy? Even though he does not exactly know what happened, there are undeniable facts. Emilia falls to the ground, a sudden massive hole appearing in her head. Puddles of blood gather around her. The only thing he knows for certain is that the weapon responsible found its way into his hand, pulling the trigger by itself. And thus, an inferno erupted from a mere spark.