CRI Announces trade arrangement with Zoners and Corsairs
In a surprising move, the Cambridge Research Institute (CRI) has struck a deal with the Zoners and the Corsairs. Realizing the universal threat the Nomads pose to Sirus, the Corsairs have agreed to aid the institute in its research by providing CRI research ships supervised access to the Omicrons in exchange for food. The Zoners, being a neutral party to both CRI and the Corsairs, will provide the Corsairs with the food shipments and be compensated by CRI. At a press conference on the grounds of Cambridge University, CRIs newly appointed Chief Researcher for the Omicrons, had this to say about the arrangement:
The Corsairs have had several encounters with the Nomads along the edge of Sirus and have collected Alien Organisms that are genetically similar to the Nomads. Through CRIs access to the Omicrons, research ships will be able to obtain information that isnt available anywhere else in Sirius.
The food shipments come at a most urgent time for the Corsairs as reports of another food shortage on Crete have been circulating.
Several CRI research ships have already gathered in orbit around Cambridge and are scheduled to depart for Omicron Delta within a short period of time.
With all the hustle and bustle about, no-body, save the poor overworked traffic controller at Yaren, noticed a lone Hugenot sidle in to dock with Yaren. The traffic controller was too buisy to really care who it was, just as long as he followed the path to the mooring site. "We've never been this busy before... might have to install some new docks or mooring points just to handle all these stupid ships! With all the money they spent on these, they might as well have built a whole d*mned station!" She continued to gripe, and would for several hours as she tried desprately to find mooring and docking ports for all these ships.
DarkStar, in the meantime, was able to dock without incident, and went abord. "Time for a little 'Modification' to CRI's Nomad Containment Units." It was rather simple really. Because the Corsairs knew him, he could pass them without any trouble. He only had to sneak about once he was on the CRI ship that was transporting the NCUs. One guard was in the cargo bay, shineing his flashlight through the rows. DarkStar silently crept along the ceiling, inching his way forward towards the man. He actually looked up, but saw nothing. Why? Thermal/Optical Comoflauge is very handy, and works especially well if you arn't moveing much or at all. The Houses are right to fear Alien Artifacts... They might be things like this. He drew a small dagger, made from a pure-black metal and inlayed with advanced curcitry made of strange crystals. He let himself drop behind the man, and plunged the knife into his back. With a surge of gravometric force, the man was blown in half. He never had a chance to scream.
DarkStar got to work. It was a simple matter to simply program the macines to reverse their purpose at a random time. They would begin to accelarate the growth of the aliens, bringing them about much faster than previously thought possible, and even giveing them a little jump-start on their abilities. It would be possible for some nomads to be able to take human hosts again within hours of their awakening.
He only hit a few of them, so as to sew terror and fear into people about who would be next. His trip was ended by himself and another guard. DarkStar was to far away to stab him, and also to stop him from seeing his co-workers body. Instead he pullod out a little cylinder about the size of a small pen...
DarkStar stepped over the still bleading corpse. "That should do... Now, on to other buisness." He left the CRI vessel, who would never know their equipment had been tampered with.
This is the real true story of rock and roll; it was not about anything more then, how to live your life, as a gangster, in sartorial splendor, and turning the world into a place where normality would never return again...- Malcolm McLaren
The CRI research vessel left with its tampered cargo, distributing the very evil that it was designed to protect against.
DarkStar's program laid dormant hiding in the banks of several of the NCU computers. Hidden so deep only the system's designer would know that it was there, and even then, only if he looked.
The tampered NCUs were distributed, and DarkStar's program sat burried and hidden...
watching the clock...
and waiting...
Aboard the NSP Harbinger:
In the storage racks onboard the NSP Harbinger, near the nomad containment area, a power fluctuation broke the power locks on the all NCU's. Four nomads awoke from their deep sleep and slowly crawled out of their units. Luckily, the other containers were not filled.
Meanwhile on the Bridge:
Twilight: Ensign, take 2 guards with you and find out what's making the fluctuations in the storage racks!!
Ensign: Aye sir.
The ensign quickly left the bridge and made his way into the bowls of the ship.
The nomads began to recover from their hybernation and worked to manipulate the cargo controls in the storage bay. A MOX container was knocked over and an intoxicating spill began to fill the bay.
When the ensign arrived, he found the cargo bay doors sealed due to the contamination.
Ensign: Alright guys, put on masks and chemical suits. We're going in!
Computer: Door overide intiated
The ensign and guards made a sweep of the cargo hold but didn't find anything except the opened MOX container and a misplaced hatch. Unaware of the real cause for the spill, they began to clean up and restore normal functions to the cargo bay. They were almost done when suddenly massive malfunctions started to occur. Doors opening and closing at random, light fluctuations, and alarms ringing throughout the ship.
The nomads had escaped the cargo bay and reached the maintenance decks.
On the bridge, Twilight order the ship to minimal power, leaving only enough power for vital functions such as the atmosphere processing unit, and preventing the malfunctions from spreading further.
Twilight: If we loose life support, we're as good as dead!
Twilight: To all personal, sweep the ship for intruders and fix these goddamn problems, remember this ship is your home. NOW MOVE IT!!
All the Crew members were issued weapons and repair gear. They then began to sweep the ship for intruders and fix damage as they went.
Team 1: Captain...this is Team 1, we've found something...it looks like a blue slug or something...Shall we take it back too the bridge?
Twilight: GODDAMNIT!!! NO LEAVE, IT I'LL COME MYSELF!!!
Twilight came storming out of the bridge.
Twilight (thinking): How the hell did those damn slugs get out of their containers.
It then dawned on him.
Twilight (thinking): Of course, the power flux!!!
Twilight: To all crew members, return to your quarters immediately.
This a direct order!!! Captain out.
Team 1: Sir, what about the blue thing?
Twilight: Kill it!!!
Team 1: AYE SIR!
A quick burst of gunfire is heard over the intercomm.
Team 1: Ok it's dead, were proceeding too our quarters.
Team 2: This is Team 2. Moving too our quarters.
Team 3: This is Team 3. We're cut off by the auto-turrets. We need backup!!!
Twilight: Roger that. Stay put, we've got a Nomad Containment Breach. Stay where you are and watch the air ducts and doors.
Team 3: AYE SIR!
Twilight: Team 4, report in.
Team 4: (Static)
Twilight: Team 4, REPORT!!!
Team 4: (Static)
Twilight: Damn.
Twilight made his way around the ship without spotting a single nomad until he reached the reactor core. Apparently one decided
to warm itself in the reactor's exhaut vents.
Focusing with his mind, Twilight began to generate a massive green energy ball in front of him. The swirling energy built up like lighting, until it suddenly shot directly towards the Nomad, disintegrating it in less than second.
With the death of the second nomad, the ship's systems suddenly began to return to normal.
Twilight* Two down, two to go. Good, systems are coming back online.
He made his way to a nearby intercomm.
Twilight* To all crew members, we still have two nomads on the loose and there's no contact from Team 4. I want a ship-wide search, find that missing team and bring them to me on the bridge. Be warned they may not be themselves, take all precautions. Kill them, if necessary.
With most systems back online, the crew had a much easier time moving about the Harbinger. Team 3 was no longer pinned down by the auto-turrets and was making its way to the last known position of Team 4.
Team 3: Team 3 to Bridge, were at the last known location of Team 4. Its a sh*t hole down here. Looks like the Nomads jumped in from a ventilation conduit above. Jasper and Learson are dead, killed each other in a crossfire F**king idiots theres no sign of Renolds and one of the Nomads is dead.
Twilight: How large? We had 3 smaller Nomads in those NCUs, but the last one was one of their warriors.
Team 3: Its a smaller one, sir.
Twilight: Ok, search the immediate area it cannot have gone far. That one wont be able to take someone as a host but it can do some nasty things to ya if it grabs hold. It also has the ability to control some simple electronics. Im coming down with reinforcements.
Team 3: HOLY SH*T... <sounds of disgust in the background> agh, we found Renolds, sir hes f**king ripped in two!!!
Twilight: Team 3, stay put, well come to you. Team 1 report to the Bridge. Team 2 rendezvous with Team 3.
All Teams: Yes, sir!!!
Twilight made his way Team 3s location, a short distance from the docking bay. Team 2 had just arrived.
Twilight (whispering): Ok, our friend knows hes outnumbered and without his little buddies will have a hard time taking over the ship. Hell make his way to the docking bay and try to take the fighter there. Hes not going to be able to go anywhere, so I want this sucker alive. Team 2, swing around and come in from the other side of the bay, wait for my signal. No one is to open fire unless I give the order, understood?
Teams: Yes, sir.
Once in position, the two teams waited for Twilights order. Gesturing with his hand, they moved in.
The only fighter in the bay was Twilights Sabre, the Nomad was inside trying to power up the engines but failing miserably. The fighter had been adjusted to respond to only Twilights unique brainwave patterns.
Twilight: NOMAD come out its over.
The Nomad emerged from the back of the ship it looked similar to the smaller Nomads but the tentacles were a lot more muscular, and the body substantially larger. Three tentacles held its body off the floor, while two others were like arms with small razor-sharp blades on the inside and outside edges. It stood and glared directly at Twilight.
Nomad (telepathy): Let me go, you pitiful humans cant kill me.
Twilight (telepathy back): See, there you are wrong.
The Nomad fell back slightly in shock, now sensing Twilights hybrid powers. Fear gripped it, and like a caged animal caught in a corner, it lashed out.
Using its three tentacles like a spring it leapt directly towards Twilight, catching everyone except him off guard. Twilight, having sensed the growing fear in the creature, created a very powerful energy barrier at the last second that deflected the Nomad up over his head and hard into a pile of creates in the far corner of the bay. Stunned, the Nomad attempted to regain its composure, but before it could even right itself, Twilight created a small ball of energy that he fired at the creature.
The energy dissipated through-out the creatures body knocking it unconscious.
Twilight, drained from the experience, placed his hands on his knees and drew in some deep breathes.
Twilight (breathing deeply): Remove that things tentacles... take it to my research lab once there... place its body on the table with the localized, suspension field.
The teams gave a rather nervous yes, sir and left the bay with the creature.
Twilight, having now regained most of his strength, moved to a nearby intercom.
Twilight: Bridge send a message to Firebird informing him about the incident with the NCUs... something doesnt feel right about this whole affair I want him to take a look at those units.
Having received the request from Twilight, Firebird boarded the Harbinger and was escorted down to the cargo bay to examine the malfunctioning NCUs. Given how the NCUs failure was linked with power fluctuations, Firebird proceed to investigate the system requiring the most power: the suspension field controller.
Upon close inspection and some digging, he found the problema hidden programdesigned to cause a powerful harmonic effect in the suspension field at a particular point in time. The sudden field changes would demand additional energy from the ships reserves resulting in power fluctuations. Eventually, the field would attempt to change so fast that it would become unstable and simply breakdown.
Upon removing the program and repairing the Harbingers NCUs, Firebird returned to his fighter and immediately checked his unit to see if the program was present. The system was clear. Still puzzled regarding the origins of the program, Firebird figured that the Harbinger was likely an isolated case and didnt give it further thought.
Firebird turned to his message console and began to leisurely browse over recent reports from other registered vessels. Couple of Nomads captured, cargo transfers his mind began to focus more at least two other vessels reported failures of their NCUs; however, in their cases the containers were lucky to have been empty at the time.
Firebird then began tracing the path of the malfunctioning units they all appeared to have been distributed from the same CRI vessel and all after docking at Yaren Base in Omicron Delta. He began checking the distribution logs for the vessel it had distributed NCUs to only four ships the two that were empty, the Harbinger, and the HMCS-Magnificent.
Firebird: Oh god.
Frantically typing away at the keyboard, Firebird brings up the record the HMCS-Magnificent had been issued a full load of over eight hundred NCUs from the CRI vessel just after its departure from Yaren. And at last report 80% of them were in use with several different forms of Nomads!!!
Although only one or two of the NCUs would have the hidden program, the resulting power fluctuations would be enough to disrupt all the NCUs on board!!!
Quickly turning to his ships communication system, Firebird attempted to hail the Magnificent.
Firebird: HMCS-Magnificent, this is Firebird with a priority message, please respond.
<Static>
Firebird: Repeat, this is Firebird calling the Magnificent, please respond.
The communications officer responded promptly:
Magnificent: Firebird, this is the Magnificent, go ahe<static>what the, wereperiencingtarypoweruationsloosing commu
The signal appeared to be stopped at the source. Firebird switched the channel and contacted the bridge of the Harbinger.
Firebird: Harbinger, Twilight was right the NCUs were sabotaged... I dont know who but Im looking into the matter. Weve got bigger problems, the HMCS-Magnificent is experiencing the same situation and they have nearly six hundred Nomads on board including nearly two hundred Nomad warriors. I have to rendezvous with that ship. If things go badly we may need the NSP ready to intercept and destroy the Magnificent.
Firebirds ship quickly left the Harbinger and set course for the last known whereabouts of the HMCS-Magnificent. It would be several hours before he would be able to catch up, so in the meantime Firebird began searching over hidden security recordings from the CRI vessel that had docked at Yaren.
Watching the security recording in his fighter, Firebird saw the saboteur pull out a little cylinder about the size of a small pen. It started to make a faint buzzing sound Suddenly, an extremely high-pitch squeal came through the consoles speakers forcing Firebird to place his hands over his ears and fall to the ground in extreme pain. The sound waves had been picked up by the security recording but they werent being reproduced at the correct frequency to have the same effect. But, it still freaking hurt!!!
The sound finally stopped and Firebird was able to reach up and pause the recording.
Firebird: Sh*t, thats some device must work on sound-waves to produce an effect like that. Thank god for these crappy recordings!!!
Firebird continued the recording.
Saboteur: That should do... Now, on to other business.
The saboteur then left the CRI vessel.
Firebird: So... what have I got to work with. Access to advanced technology such as camouflage suits, alien artifacts, and a fancy buzz bomb. Friendly enough with the Corsairs to not only get aboard their station but have free run of it without escort. Hmm, if I start asking everyone questions Ill likely end up dead.
Firebird then began to search through the recording for hints to the saboteurs identity. This time with the audio disabled.
Firebird: The camouflage must be based on Rheinland cloaking tech... Likely stolen then backwards engineered. So that doesnt help... Dont recognize the alien knife... The buzz bomb looks to work on a similar principle as the program, designed to create harmonics within the victims body. I should be able to devise some type of jammer; however, without knowing the right frequency it will probably only reduce the effect much like the security recording... At least its better than nothing.
With still some time before catching up to the Magnificent, Firebird began scrounging for parts to create the jammer. He wouldnt be able to complete it until he got back to his research lab in Cambridge.
He also sent an encoded message to the Harbinger with a quick snapshot of the saboteur and the pieces of technology asking Twilight if he knew anything about them.
Meanwhile back onboard the Harbinger one of the Ensign's
had informed Twilight on the current situation regarding the HMCS Magnificent
Twilight* Too all Marine teams report too the armory ASAP
looks like you boys are going to field test the Mark5 Exo-suits in real combat
also you will be issued sonic sidearms and a Mk6 Gauss automatic rifle
Heavy weapon specialists report too my personal armory
there you wil be issued my personal X-666 Guns AKA Globadier gun
and instructions on their use over and out.....
After informing the Marine's onboard Twilight gets Firebirds encoded message
and leaves the bridge
Twilight* Ensign keep the present course untill further notice
Ensign* Aye sir
Twilight had made his way too his personal quarters once inside he looked at his PDA
Twilight* (thinking) hmm those arent Nomad tech thats for sure
also looking more closely at the cylinder it looks like its made for Cryonite
but that material is only found in the unknown systems
After haveing thought it over thorougly Twilight sent a response to Firebird
with info on what it could be and how too counter it though it was not a 100%
accurate
And as for the user of the device i wonder who he is
baah its probably just some corsair that got luck and found a working Artefact
Firebird flew in orbit of Manhatten. The damage was indescribable. Debris from the docking-ring and the remnants of Libertys last line of defense was scattered throughout the system. Visible from space, where once stood the largest city in all of Sirius, now laid a blackened crater, devoid of life. With Liberty and Bretonia in total disarray, Firebird left New York for his research lab on Cambridge, seeking to identify the person responsible for this indescribable act. With only the voice print as identification and some unknown alien devices, he would make it his mission to identify this saboteur and ensure that he received the justice he deserved.