For the next few tense days, all attention is focused on the terraforming station on Gaia, and it's monstrous inhabitant. Attempts to locate some sort of wireless way to access the robot prove futile, as it seems to be entirely self-contained and lacking any external connections. As such, it is quickly agreed that a much more substantial force of combat drones will be sent, armed with electrochemical ammunition. As the bulk of the force stays within weapons range, a small squad is detached to attempt to lure the robot out of its shell...
What follows is nearly imperceptible to humans. The squad breaches the doors, and the robot is in among them like a fox in a chicken coop, scything its multi-bladed limbs indiscriminately through the ranks of the small detachment. They are eviscerated before they have a chance to open fire. The speed at which this robot moves is unreal. However, the larger force manages to unleash a withering volley at the bladed robot. Incredibly, the machine survives the brutal assault, any damage it takes seeming to be repaired by a flowing, viscous metal that comes from its inner structure. Within mere hundredths of a second, the machine ducks back inside of its shelter, the door slamming shut behind it. The entire encounter took less than two seconds.
After much consternation, another attempt is made on the facility, but the door will not budge this time. The combat drones retain a perimeter, but the general is doubtful that it could hold off the deadly robot if it wanted to escape. "Thankfully, it seems to just want to sit in there and leave us alone. Maybe we can revisit this issue when our firepower is a bit deadlier."
Half the system away, the first diplomatic team arrives at the predetermined location for the meeting of the Moonies. Curiously, however, the Moonies fail to show up. After a week of waiting, the team receives a message via the signals from the moons. "We have [overstated or overestimated] our ability to travel to the location we agreed upon. [Join or come] to this [moon or home] and we shall meet." The team puts their shuttle back into motion, and it will arrive in a few weeks.
The cloning facility is up and running smoothly, and begins to produce its first crop. Within the next few months, nearly 300 genetically unique humans will emerge from the facility, and the rate will surely grow as the colony does. This will help increase the diversity of the population and make survival a more certain thing.
Some progress is made on the Maven program. Using some of the advances from the colony's work on genetics, some qualities of the electric eel are introduced into the Mavens via a small organ, removing the need for external power for the electronics that will be implanted into the super soldiers.
With these advances, a new class of recruits is brought in, bringing the total number of Mavens up to 10. These new Mavens avoid the hellish brain-killer that was the early program, and are adjusting quite well.
On Aquarius, a small breakthrough occurs. When presented with a fish, one of the more clever Avians makes the signal for "Give." He then signs "Thank you" when the fish is given to him. It is a small step, but a significant one. They clearly can learn the sign language, and are intelligent, as suspected.
After a frantic few weeks, the nanite probe is finally located. Thankfully, it is now traveling outside the elliptical of the system, and appears not to have made contact with any asteroids or other objects. A sigh of relief is breathed, as the probe will now harmlessly drift out into space. If it creates a problem, it certainly won't be in this solar system.
A mining operation on Planet E is set up, as well as a series of nuclear and geothermal generators on Planet B. These contribute to the safety net of the colony, and some small commercial operations, outside of the government control, have begun to spring up. Trade and commerce are are beginning to show up, and these ventures will certainly encourage them further.
Time lapsed in system: 2 years, 8 months- Controlled Infestation on Aquarius
- In orbit of Aquarius
- Basic in-system commerce
- 2 Nano Factories
- 5,150 person colony on Aries
- 60 person Xenoarcheological outpost and small town on Gaia
- 10 Pre-Mavens
- 100 dead
- Bank of animal and plants
Note: if no location is given, resource is
on ship- Genetic manipulation of complex organisms
- Human Cloning
- Militarized Shipyard
- Electrochemical Ammunition
- Aerotransmission
- Giant telescope in orbit of Aries
- Strong Magnetic Shields
- Basic medical robots
- Deep Land Drilling
- Small defensive fleet
- Combat drones
- Mass drivers (orbital)
- Mass drivers (planetary)
- Sensor Probes
- Construction and miner bots
- Nuclear weapon (1)
- Orbital lenses (Aries and Aquarius)
- Can communicate through mental implants
- Produces own electricity via small organ
- Planet A "Gaia":
- abundant minerals
- 50% water,
- genetically modified, unintelligent animals
- Earth-like atmosphere
- dangerous temperature maintenance systems
- Small Xenoarcheological outpost with small village and Giant Bee Mascot (Gomer)
- Planet B: ash, acidic atmosphere, radioactive, small mining operation, nuclear and geothermal generators
- Planet C "Class.2224" "Aquarius": aquatic world, savage aquatic life, pack-like nomadic intelligent Avians, virulent bacteria, algae infestation: 6% of surface, small harvesting operation, Wrinkled Suckfish Cloning industry, Avian Contact Center
- Planet D "Class.1111" "Aries"
- Some minerals
- Mars-like with basic atmosphere
- Some bacteria
- Some moss and fungus
- Medium mining operation
- Arcology and colony with survival bunkers
- Medium industrial base
- Small brewery
- Thriving insect creation industry
- Small clinic
- Human cloning and fertility center
- Grand Parliament
- Basic School system
- Planet E: abundant minerals, inhospitable, small mining operation
- Abundant Asteroids
- Gas Giant A: mysterious interference, intelligent life
- Gas Giant B: mysterious interference, intelligent life
- Pack dwelling
- Near-human intelligence
- Nomadic
- Capable of tool use
- Quick breeding rate
- Teach new generations
- Learning sign language
- Dwell on multiple moons around Jovian planets
- Appear isolationist
- Possess at least rudimentary space flight
- Maintain an economy between multiple moons (evidenced by traffic between them)
Poll
7 (33.3%)
Author
Topic: Terraforming: Suggestion Game (Read 362875 times)