((Sorry for taking so long. And also sorry if the quality degrades a bit halfway through. I am
really tired for some reason....))
"Pick up anything we can find useful. Blood samples of the monsters, SOMETHING from that snake thing, and a quick look around to make sure everything is all right. Make sure they didn't plant any bombs either...This war just got interesting."
When she's put on a escape shuttle, she should be juiced up in as much tranquilizer/knockout liquids to put 5 elephants to sleep. We want our test subject alive but not able to fight..or cry in this case.
Also warn anyone going into space for the other test subject to watch out, we think it just MIGHT be alive.
After giving Karista a small smile after opening your helmet again. She returns it and clings to you as if her life depended on it. She is genuinely scared. You can feel her shaking in your arms.
Turning to Annie, who arrived next to you only a short while ago, you salute and start to give orders.
"Annie, I want you and the team, plus anyone you can convince to help you, to gather up as many items of interest as possible. I want blood samples from all the different types of freaks we've seen today. Prioritise that snake thing that came out of Karista and tried to get into me. Also, try and make time to have a look around the key parts of this ship. I dont want any surprises popping up when we least expect them, especially bombs. This little conflict just got interesting."
With that, you leave the clean up in Annie's hands and walk off towards the shuttles which have now started filling the ships shuttle bay, each carrying their own load of both Vanguard and Morey medical and engineering teams. After some walking you find a stationary medical shuttle with its bay doors wide open.
You carry Karista into a medical shuttle. Inside amongst the various storage areas stood a pretty, young female field medic tending to the surprisingly large, but still impressive number of drugs and medical nanotech stored in the wall lockers of the shuttle, in bottles and boxes of various sizes and shapes.
"Erm...hello." You say, catching her attention. "I need this Morey tranquilized. She may have been host to a new type of Balshaan. I am taking her back for questioning. Could you oblige?"
The medic looks at you briefly before looking at Karista. She frowns before speaking. "Sure, however this is not proper procedure for the acquisition of a new specimen. I will have to radio ahead and tell them to ready the quarantine bay. It was going to be in use by the teams sent out to grab that giant frozen...thing... that got flashed.".
You suddenly remember your feeling regarding that same monster. "In that message could you also tell them that there is a high chance that the Balshaan that got spaced may be still alive. I think i sensed it with my, as silly as this sounds, psychic powers. Can you tell them to be careful and go with an escort?"
"Ah, I thought you looked like a Phantom. Sure, i'll tell them to be careful. They were going to be escorted by thirty ASOG Titans anyway. High command is not taking chances with that new freak."
You sigh in relief. The Vanguard seem to have their heads screwed on. You smile at the medic and take a seat next to Karista as she is carried off to the happy land of dreams by the drugs the medic uses to send her off. It is not long before Karista is sound asleep and smiling faintly.
"I gave her a certain concoction that should give her a good nights sleep as well as keep her dreams pleasant. It should do the job."
"Are you sure its enough? What is she still has one of those things in her and she is pretending to be free from the Balshaans grasp?"
The medic giggles. "Yes, it will be enough. It is, in fact, one of the strongest knock out drugs the Vanguard has. And as of last year, all Vanguard drugs have a double use of preventing or combating all known variations of Balshaan infections. Even though the one you seem to have experienced is a new one, the nanites in the drug would have let us know if any non-morey parts were found in her body. And then it would have killed her by eating her body from the inside, out."
You stare at her blankly for a moment, mouth open, hoping she was joking. The medics face went from 'faint smile' to stoic-ly passive, which you take to mean she was being serious. That sounds like a ruthless and brutal thing to do. However, one part fo you agrees that it is an effective way of doing things.....
At least you'd be asleep if it happens.
After what must have seemed like an awkwardly long silence, the medic uses her comms unit to talk to the pilot of the shuttle, and not long after the large medical vehicle starts moving away from the crippled Morey capital ship and back towards the Vanguard fleet, now stationary around the Morey ships, with fighters patrolling the vast areas between each vessel.
The shuttle speeds towards the main Vanguard ship, longer and wider than all others nearby. Its sheer size would be enough to make the commanders of most ships cower with fear, let alone the sight of the dozens of weapon batteries and thousands of point defense weapons visible on the ship, constantly scanning the void of space for hostiles.
A small shiver runs down your spine.
The medic smiles. "And that's only a battle-cruiser. You should see some of the super dreadnoughts, super carriers and heavy battleships. Some of them made even the Balshaan run. But....we are still slowly losing...."
You turn to look at her, and notice the far away look in her eyes. "We need whatever is down on that planet. That is the key, or so they keep telling us. Yet we've been here so long....and found nothing....."
"The Vanguard are losing? The commanders I talked to, and the information i have seen seems to indicate the Vanguard troops are holding the Balshaan back?"
She smiles. "In some areas, yes. And the Balshaan have been testing the defenses of our core systems and have yet to find an opening. The core planets are safe, and will be for the forseeable future. Although no doubt the Balshaan are looking for a way to circumvent our defenses......
However so much of our territory was outside the protective wall of battle stations, ginormous war fleets, automated turret clusters and energy area denial shields, drones and other machinations. So many who live under the threat of total annihilation.
Only two years ago, my home world was attacked. The garrison fleet, only made up of a handful of cruisers supported by a dozen or so destroyers and frigates, fought valiantly, and managed to destroy a sizable fleets worth of ships. But the Balshaan did what they always do. They used their numbers.
Eventually the fleet was destroyed, it tech stolen, analyzed and no doubt used to enhance the Balshaan's own.
Then they landed on my planet, where my family lived. My parents, my five sisters and six brothers, and my extended family. All dead." She blinks away a tear and it rolls slowly down her cheek. "The Balshaan dont kill civilians quickly, you know? They have their fun. They make sure to violate them in every way possible, before subjecting them to forced absorption to steal their knowledge."
She glances at you, noting your confused expression.
"Forced absorption is where a Balshaan, usually a leader, liquifies and essentially eats something - or someone - else, all the while the person is still alive and fully feeling. You may not have been told, due to the fact you were rushed out to fight after your time in the med lab, but the Vanguard quickly implemented a Suicide Rule which applies to all Vanguard military personnel.
Do not let yourself be taken alive. If it seems as though that will happen, Vanguard personnel must kill themselves, preferably in a way that destroys the brain."
"I assume that is to prevent the Balshaan from knowing too much about the Vanguard?"
"You assume correct, Commander....?"
"Heartwood. My name is Katia Heartwood."
"Cecilia." Cecilia responds, holding her hand out to shake. You return her sentiment with a smile. Despite the heavy mood, she smiles too.
"You seem to know a lot about the Balshaan." You say, curious.
She stays quiet. Just when you think she isn't going to answer, she speaks. "I served as part of the 115th Medical Regiment on Gammadin Prime, home to some of the heaviest fighting between Vanguard and Balshaan troops. I saw many of the Balshaans horrors first hand.
The only reason i am here today and not an unwilling part of a Balshaans body is due to the fearsome ASOG troops. On my first tour on Gammadin, i was saved by a team of Phantoms after my section was attacked and annihilated in a surprised attack on a medical outpost. I was forced to watch by the Balshaan as they slowly absorbed my friends. Their screams as their bodies were turned into just another part of one of those monsters....."She trails off, shivering. You move over next to her and hug her tightly.
"The Phantoms broke in just as the leader was getting ready to do the same to me. Back then, the Balshaan were more cannon fodder than ruthless super soldiers and the Phantoms made short work of them. I was the only survivor in the outpost.
Three weeks later, i was saved by a Titan who gave his life to let me get away. A month after
that, i was saved by a team of ASOG Techs from been absorbed again. Their war-mechs turned the bastard who was holding me into a pancake with an oh-so-satisfying 'splotch' sound. Two months after than, i was saved by a team of Phantoms and Titans who defended our medical convoy in the Yoltorian mountains. We were been swarmed by thousands of Balshaan scurriers. The ASOG troops were in the area and sprang into action."
She blushed slightly.
"That was also where i met my fiance, Hamilton. He is a Phantom, just like you. He personally carried me out of that mess and kept me company until my wounds had healed. We will be married soon....." She smiles, a far away look in her eyes.
The rest of the trip is in silence. Soon the shuttle docked with the quarantine bay and the shuttle was boarded by specilist medical professionals and what looked like an automated, hovering stretcher. They gently lifted Karista's still sleeping form onto the stretcher and started to walk away. You followed, observing.
She was carried through the shuttle bay, a guard of regular troops seeming to appear from nowhere, you walking a bit behind. Once the medical team had gotten to the double doors to the Quarantine area. After an initial check came at least a dozen different air locked rooms that did a number of tests each which covered the groupo with various types of specialist nanite groups, most of which you had no idea about.
Eventually, feeling far cleaner than you had before, you entered the main quarantine ward. Inside where a number of people with...interesting...ailments to say the least.
"Commander, please close your helmet and seal your suit." A doctor in what you assume to be full hazmat gear says as you walk closely behind Karista's stretcher. You follow the orders of the doctor without question. Some of the patients, despite been in sealed quarantine rooms, looks, frankly, horrible.
Karista is eventually laid on a bed of her own, where who nurses in hazmat gear remove her clothes and put her in a full body treatment gown. She begins to stir as the soldiers leave. You stay, stood in a corner, as a team of doctors and nurses set about analysing her using a variety of handheld instruments.
They didnt seem to find anything important, you guess, as the looks of passive interest on their faces was never driven away.
After an hour or so, the only people left in the room are you and Karista, along with a nurse. Karista opens her eyes and yawns.
~~~***~~~
have her kindly question the presidents and get that corpse to the research labs, pronto
as well request some more info on the Baalshan, demonic bastards such as they are
Before you can initiate conversation with Karista, the nurse attracts her attention and seems to be asking her various questions. Assuming they will be doing that for some time, you turn to a small console in the room.
Curious, you try to access the Vanguard archives from this computer. You get into the archives, although there was a bit of difficulty. You begin searching the archives for any reference to the Balshaan. Other than a few very vague details, you find nothing. You realise then that you are in the civilian archive.
You try and access the military archive, but you are blocked. '
No surprise there, but its worth a try' You think to yourself. '
I'll just have to ask someone later on about the Balshaan.'
*
Nothing until she's safely cuffed. but for starters...
1. Do you know what was inside you?
2. When did you get infected?
3. What are the odds that the big one that saved you, will be alive?
4. Did you willingly take on the infection for revenge?
You wait for the nurse to finish with Karista. After half an hour, Karista is finally clear to speak with you. You walk over and sit on the bed next to the former presidentess, and your former nemesis.
"Hi Karista." You say, trying to keep yourself civil. Despite knowing she was been controlled, you still feel animosity towards her.
She smiles back and responds in Morey. "Hi. How long was i out?"
"Only an hour or two. It was a tiny dose that you were given. Would you mind if i asked you a few questions?"
"Not at all." She responds, although apprihensive.
"Do you know what that snake thing was inside you?" You say, trying to be as comforting as possible.
"No, sorry. I only got garbled information from it when it was inside of me, although i got a clear view of its actions....." She shakes her head and mumbles something that sounded like 'I am so sorry'.
You smile to reassure her. "When did you get infected?"
"A long time ago. I was grieving for the loss of my family members to the Vanguard. I seem to remember a strange feeling, as if something was burrowing into me but wasn't at the same time. It didn't hurt, but it was strange. Then, i found i couldnt move my body, nor could i really think well. The rest is history...."
You say nothing as Karista shivers.
"What are the odds that the big one that saved you is still alive?"
"High. One of the few bits of information i got was about a large, powerful soldier they had. I think that is it. It can withstand that, no doubt. I think, well enough outnumbered by well prepared soldiers, it will go down easy enough though."
You smile your thanks whilst sending a comms message to the man in charge of analysing the big one.
"I know you said that the infecter burrowed into you, but i cant help but ask. Did you willingly take on the infection for revenge?"
"No, i most certainly did not. We Morey are many things, but we would never sacrifice who we are just to get back at a group, especially if it involved something as horrid and evil as the Balshaan."
You again nod, thanking her with a smile. She yawns again.
"I think i will let you sleep. You've had a long day. I'll be back tomorrow to ask you the rest of my questions."
"Sleep would be great. I havent had a good nights sleep in years. Bye Pandora." Karista replies.
With a wave, you walk out of the quarantine area. You head towards the barracks area for Phantom troopers, just really wanting to get to sleep on a nice bed for once.
As you turn a corner, you come face to face with someone you havent seen since the night you were taken.
Your husband.
~~~***~~~
What do you do?
~~~***~~~
Status:1. Demeanor/Status: Calm and collected. Slightly confused.
2. Mental Condition: Mentally fit and stable.
3. Physical Condition: Extensive Scarring.
4. Clear thoughts and currently inactive mental factions.
Inventory:1. Mark 21 Phantom Powered Exoskeleton Suit (Wearing)
2. Mark 21 Phantom Powered Exoskeleton Helmet (Wearing)
3. Mk3 Plasma Beam Pistol (sidearm) (Holstered)
4. Mk 29 Mass Driver Sniper Rifle (Holstered)
5. Mk 32 Pulsed Hyper-Plasma Assault Rifle (Holstered)
Available Equipment:1. Mark 21 Phantom Powered Exoskeleton Suit (Wearing)
2. Mark 21 Phantom Powered Exoskeleton Helmet (Wearing)
3. Mk3 Plasma Beam Pistol (sidearm)
4. Mk 29 Mass Driver Sniper Rifle
5. Mk 32 Pulsed Hyper-Plasma Assault Rifle
6. Combat Engineering Equipment and explosives.
7. Various Vanguard casual clothes.
Implants and Augmentations:1. Vanguard Multi-range optics (Thermal, magnetic, IR, UV, multi-stage magnification etc) implant on eyes.
2. Vanguard Command and Control (C&C) nano-module implanted in head.
3. Vanguard Communications array nano-module implanted in head.
4. Phantom-Spec 28th generation Bio-nanomachines and bio-picomachines in blood stream, bones, muscles, tendons and organs.
6. Vanguard Nano-memory modules in the Cerebrum, holding all relevant non-personal data and nano-supercomputers throughout the brain aiding mental capabilities.
Brood Composition:1. Forward Command and communications: 10 Vat-born.
2. Field Combat Medic: 37 Vat Born
3. Long Range Specialists (Snipers): 48 Vat-Born
4. Heavy assault: 148 Vat-Born
5. Light Assault: 127 Vat-Born
6. Infiltrators: 27
7. Heavy Support: 77
8. Combat Engineers: 69
9. Scouts: 80
Allied Characters:1. Ala-Shar
2. Ankara
3. Ari
4. Elianna
5. Kaleetra
6. Talli
7. Dornishi, Morey regular Commander
8. Tirl-kha, Morey Commando Commander
9. Quish-ka, Morey Regular Commander
10. Annastasia
11. Levinia
12. High Marshall Veldin
13. Major General Hopfield
14. Kilroy
15. Emma
16. Willhelm
Enemy Characters:1. Kirish, the Presidentess's assitant. (Now mutant thing) (Deceased)
2. The Senatorium (Now mutant things) (Deceased)
3. New Guard Generals (Now mutant things) (Deceased)
Currently Neutral Relations:1. Brigadier Xander Berginstaff
2. Former-Presidentess Karista
3. Cecilia, the Medic.
***
((Will be used next update)):
Dramatic imperative indicates that she is currently safe, if a possible enemy agent at some distant time. More pragmatically though, she should probably be sedated and quarantined until proper containment, interrogation, and therapeutic facilities are present...
Se seems pretty clearly to be aware of what happened. obvious questions would be:
What measures did it leave behind in case of discovery or departure? Do we need to worry about bioweapons being released on the Morey homeworld if it doesn't send a message once a week?
How long until it's handlers know that it is missing? Does it have a regular timetable of sending reports?
Who did it trust? Can we get a list of known enemy agents?
What was it interested in? Did they send any Morey technology home? Did it organise extensive scouting or fortification of any locations? Maybe it went to pains to leave specific locations undisturbed...
Why was it here? Attacking the Vanguard personally using predominantly Morey technology seems like a big risk to take when they basically controlled the Morey...
Ask the Morey to conduct a formal investigation into what happened to Karista. We want as reliable a source as possible to convince the Morey populace of what transpired.
***
Author
Topic: (SG) Starfire: War and Politics - Enemies Old and New - UPDATE 03/07/2014 (Read 87316 times)