Cambridge Stellar Research, Surveillance Mission #3, Goddess Geode, Baffin

[sadtranslation]

Of all the team of young scientists and even one artificial intellect which Vii should sooner or later check for knowledge of three laws, she was the only one who abused her sex and gender and headed directly to the living quarters, then into the room of her, then to the bed, giving herself the desired freedom from the skirt and the shirt, loosening her hair and, finally, falling onto the soft bed and then deeper into the sleep, not even caring to cover her prominent bodyparts.

The activity of neurons in her brain changed. With a scanner put closer to her head a curious researcher could see how parts of her brain were literally turning inactive while the synapses in her frontal cortex played with rainbows. It took a couple of years for Vii to learn how to manage the controlled dreams and now she found it pretty useful to make some use from her brain cells that were doing literally nothing all day long.

---

[equinosz]

Ray stared at the woman sitting next to him.

-Tell me, that I'm dreaming. I thought you died in the Omicrons Kate!

-Yes, and I would be long ago dead, if it would rest with you. Please Roy, tell me why did you have to leave me there! I thought you loved me! And still you left me there.

-You know that I loved you. But your ship was ripped apart with a huge blast. And we couldn't see any escape pods. And the nomads already damaged the hull of the ship. I couldn't endanger the life of the crew! And the odds were against you. Although we managed to escape we lost twenty-three men. And we still couldn't repair fully the Equinox. It's simply not possible.

-I don't care. You left me there. And I'll pay you back that once. Before you ask, I've been saved by the Order. They patched me up, and now I'm working for them. I heard you will be around here, and I wanted to see you. Because of my hatred towards you I couldn't do it before.

-I..I don't know what to say.

-First, a sorry would be good. Second... -she leaned near Roy's ears- Do not cross my way, or you will regret it.

-But Kate, we could still try to fix this! -he said to her back, as she was just about to leave.

-No, there's no way. And don't try to follow me.

She left the park, Roy wanted to run after her, but he couldn't say a single word in his surprise. He have just met with the woman whom he loved the most, and lost her 5 years ago. It took him very long to recover from the loss. He dug himself deep in the work, to try to forget her. But deep in his heart he still couldn't forget her. And now she returned. Ray had no idea what to do. But first he knew, that he needs to sleep a long, to process what happened to him.

He walked back to his room, as there was no chance he could follow Kate. If she wanted to get rid of someone, he knew the way. He fall into the bed, but he couldn't fall asleep. He just couldn't understand how's it possible, that he's not dreaming.

---

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

[Malaclypse 666]

Mal hoped the CSR Researchers had slept well. He was waiting outside the Skyhook's ticket kiosk.

He was a bit early, and there were few sightseers or "seekers" descending to the Geode's interior yet. Only two of the six "cars" were in use this early. A perfect time for the "tour".

Soon he was rewarded by the sight of the four researchers approaching across the biodome. He waved, and motioned them around the kiosk to the waiting car.

---

[Chrysalis]

Mal greeted the scientist, and saw a new face among them.
-"Let me introduce you Sebastian Nash, one of the founders of the CSR. He was on the Equinox and he couldn't meet you before, because he was very busy with one of his own researches." -Said captain Khan.

-"I'm sincerely pleased to meet you, mister Mal."-Said Sebastian as he removed his glasses in order to clean them - " I must apologize for being absent for so long, but I had some personal projects that needed to be completed on the Equinox. I hope you understand." - He smiled politely as he gestured for a handshake.

-"Nice to meet you too." -he accepted the handshake, then motioned towads the kiosk. -"We can start whenever you are ready."

Sebastian quickly put his glasses on, and his face changed from polite happy to inquisitive happy. - "Oh, surely, we shouldn't wait for too long. I have so many questions to ask. What do these "Scrubbies" actually produce when they feed on toxic gases? Is it safe? Is it tested? How do these creatures reproduce? Have you got a plan of their anatomy? Oh this is too exciting, forgive me." - said Sebastion as he tried to catch his breath.

-"Also, I'm interested exactly what toxic gases they consume?" - Professor Vii asked

In that second Mal's holo comm beeped.

-"Just a second, maybe it's important." -He checked the message he received.

X-ATM092
Requesting the following facts for further research:

#1: Basic element on which the "Scrubbies" are based on
#2: Reproduction of the "Scrubbies" (parasites, eggs, direct breeding etc.)
#3: Assembly of the diggestive system
#4: Intelligence of the scrubbies (hormic, intelligent, animalistc etc.)
#5: Life span

---

The Commune || My Characters || Recruitment

[Malaclypse 666]

"Greetings, Professor Nash. I'm pleased you could join us." said Mal as he ushered the researchers into the waiting transparent car. "Our descent to the main viewing platform will take a few minutes. Hopefully I can answer your questions on the way 'down'."

Mal gathered his thoughts. "Sebastian, as to the Scrubbies' 'by-products', you are breathing them, sir. The weak but breatheable atmosphere inside the Geode was created completely by our little 'natives'. Oxygen, nitrogen, trace gases.. they seem to produce it all, and in proportions remarkeably close to those needed to sustain human life.

"C.R.I. also detected trace amounts of amino acids, peptides and other long-chain organic compounds within the Scrubby 'flatulence'. In short, these amazing creatures somehow seem to 'know' what sort of environment humans need for survival, and what substances might be harmful, or beneficial, to our physiology.

"How the Scrubbies 'know' this, I haven't a clue. Were they 'programmed'? Can they somehow 'sense' and adapt their metabolisms and processes according to their immediate surroundings and 'hosts'? These are some of the questions your Group has been endowed to answer."

Mal glanced at the message still on his PFAD's screen. The car was approaching the massive wooden observation deck "below" them, and he was rapidly losing their attention as the wonders of the Geode became visible.

"As to reproduction, life span, and the other 'nuts and bolts' details of the Scrubbies, I trust that your research will answer those questions in short order."

The car came gently to a stop at the Observation deck. "Mind the light gravity as you disembark, friends. Too much exuberance will put you in no danger, but might lead to some embarrassment. Take some time to absorb the size and scope of what you see around you. We'll continue our tour after a short break."

---

[equinosz]

The scientist dropped their teeth at the beauty of the geode's interior. An amazingly huge chamber of different crystals, flashing in different colors as the artificial lights illuminated them. The gravity was very light indeed. Roy exited the vehicle and touched one of the crystals.

-What type of crystals have you found so far? And is this the only chamber?

-Not really, there are several smaller ones, some even connected, but they're nothing compared to this one.
-answered professor Vii- I saw a radar picture... May I ask you, Mal, where your scrubbies are?

---

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

[Malaclypse 666]

The Episkopos guided the researchers towards a group of tourists as he answered their questions.

"Vii is correct, Roy. We have just passed through 75 kilometers of the Geode's crust to reach this platform. Much of the crust is still unexplored; but radar has indeed comfirmed many small cavities connected by a network of tunnels."

As they approached the tourists, Mal motioned to two of the Geode's "Rangers". Like "park rangers" on ancient Terra, the Rangers were responsible for protecting the Geode and its' visitors, as well as providing information and acting as guides.

The Rangers approached Mal's group carrying a number of harnesses, identical to those used for climbing and rappelling. Within minutes, the researchers were being helped into the harnesses as Mal continued.

"I had planned to take you to my 'Retreat' at G.0.0.0 today, but it is currently occupied by a couple of my Popes who were in need of 'alignment'. Instead, I'm afraid you'll have to be content with one of our newer 'amusement rides'.."

The group moved to the platform's edge, and Mal pointed out a web of "static" lines radiating from the platform. "At present, these lines only extend a few kilometers around the interior surface of the main chamber. At intervals, they have been attached to some of the taller spires that grow inwards towards the center."

Mal paused, watching the Rangers as they double-checked the researchers' harnesses, pointing out the unique features attached to the webbing.. a small tank of compressed air with a flexible discharge hose for emergency "propulsion".. small but intense lighting units.. and an emergency transponder in case the wearer should become lost or "stuck".

"Some of the 'older' crystals you will see today are 20 to 25 meters tall. You will see a variety of colors, caused as you know, by the presence of different 'impurities' in the crystalline structure. You will see a large variety in the number of 'facets'. Currently, we've recorded crystals with as few as 3, and as many as 12 'faces'. What we hope to discover is how these variations affect the resonance frequencies and the 'amplification factors' of the crystals."

One of the Rangers had attached himself to a nearby line, and had moved a few meters from the platform, waiting patiently for the Episkopos to conclude. Mal touched Vii on the shoulder, and pointed off towards a small flurry of activity in the distance.

"As to Scrubbies, Vii, you'll encounter many small 'schools', browsing and playing among the crystals. They are quite curious, and I'm sure you'll have a chance to interact with them.

"If you're referring to 'my' Scrubbies, the group that seems to have 'adopted' me over the past few years, they tend to stay near my Retreat, cleaning up after me and keeping the place 'aerated'. At the moment, they're probably bothering Josh the Dill, who I need to check on soon. For the time being, I would prefer that you not collect any specimens from within the Geode itself. I would hate to learn that 'Ralf' or 'Charlene' had been disected by accident, if you get my meaning."

The remaining Ranger finished attaching the group's harnesses securely to the static line, and the group began to slowly move off, gaining speed and confidence as they did so.

"After I've visited Josh, I have some matters to attend to up at the Temple. The Rangers will attend to any other questions or needs you might have; and I shall meet you back at Sin's for dinner. Shall we say.. 18-ish?"

Mal waved, made an easy vault over the platform's railing, and within minutes was lost in the huge cavern's distant haze.

---

[equinosz]

-Okay, Zenon, please get back to the Equinox, and prepare the drone for this situation. -Roy ordered the scientist. At the same moment he received a message from Xaror, stating, that it has collected scrubbie samples from the ice field.

-Vii, you have your scrubbies. Get back to your ship, and ask someone to take the sample to you. -As the two left Roy turned to Sebastian. -Well, seems like we can have a small sightseeing, till the drone gets back with the equipment.

Sebastian took of his glasses, cleaned it again, and put it back.

-Let's see to it.

---

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

[equinosz]

It took almost two hours, till the updated drone arrived, with the necessary equipment. Two more scientists came from the equinox, both of them masters of the electricity and radar technology. After setting up the equipment near one of the largest crystals they started to map the energy flow inside the geode.

Proved out that the largest crystals are between 10 and 30 kilometers from each other, and all of them face straight to the middle of the geode. These crystals collect the energy from the smaller ones around them and amplify it sending it to the middle. Two crystals were a lot weaker than the others, and it seemed like between them there was a missing crystal, although the energy flow was still much stronger than the places where aren't any large crystals. They sent the drone to investigate that place, as it was almost on the other side of the geode's interior.

During this Roy and Sebastian managed to take the radar profile of the Geode. Indeed they found many smaller caves, impossible to map all of them.

----------

The drone reached the designated spot. Curiously there weren't any crystals nearby. Just the ultra rare carbon which could be found on the planet's surface. It was a relatively small area, it wasn't more than one quadric kilometer. The drone recorded the place, and picked a few samples, than headed back to the team.

----------

Analyzing the records and the samples they completely forgot about the time. The Rangers called their attention about their meeting with Mal in about two hours.

-Do you think Sebastian, that it would be possible.

-Yes, clearly, there is no other possibility.

-In this case we have to tell this immediately to Mal, and ask for his permission for the excavate.

-Indeed, you're right. Let's go back and have a shower, before the dinner.

---

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

[Malaclypse 666]

Mal had almost finished arranging the dinner menu with Sin's head chef.. Salad from the biodome, followed by a delicate fried calamari from Kyushu, a sliver of roast Curacoa sea bass dusted with chipotle and peppers, and finally a ragu of Kobi beef from Honshu. One could eat well in Sirius with a little forethought and planning.

Satisfied, he moved to a small alcove set off from the main dining area. Everything seemed in readiness. The table setting was elegant, and waiters stood close at hand ready to fill drink orders and any special dietary needs the Researchers might have.

"Garcon, please direct my guests to table as soon as they arrive."

By 1800, the Researchers had all arrived, chatting excitedly about their findings. Mal rose and greeted them formally, raising his glass in a toast.

"Gentlemen! Professor Vii. Here's to a successful and rewarding stay in our little system. I hope you enjoyed today's tour of the Geode, and I trust you've found enough to engage your scientific interest."

Mal sat again. "Let's enjoy this meal while we chat. I'm very interested to hear your preliminary findings."

---