Topic: The Halcyon Crown - Chapter Two: ProtoKen System (Read 41467 times)

Fluffe9911 · « **Reply #330 on:** February 14, 2023, 04:25:19 pm »

That could of gone much worse, only one cryo malfunction and Basils sanity wasn't impacted that badly, overall not bad. I say if it's safe to we wake up the crew for a meeting/rundown otherwise if it aint safe just go visit the other ship and see what's up.

19_EgarAlnis · « **Reply #331 on:** February 17, 2023, 07:45:53 pm »

[|]
Basil isolates the telemetry using the Intelligence aboard the transmitter. It gives a vague location in the millions of kilometers of solar space, but it is within the gravity well of the last planet in the system, making it far easier to find than if it was in the Asteroid-Oort Cloud. Basil, finally feeling free of the wretched fusion mathematics, throws himself into planning the rotation, slowdown, and orbit. He saves his program, keeping it within the husk of what was a weapon's data system. He reabsorbs the tendrils and sensors placed on the vessel, and puts his body back together. Basil doesn't bother waking the entire crew. He sends the command to awaken Mac and Sloan. It would strain life support unnecessarily. Instead, he only brings it up in the dining room section of the crew quarters, and the long corridor that connects the cryopods to it. Basil adjusts his skin, forming one of the grey bodysuits of the pods, and sits with a pad on the table. His mind wanders. Six hours later, they emerge into the dining room, shivering, teeth chattering. Mac blinks his bleary eyes at Basil. Sloan follows behind, and stumbles. They both say absolutely nothing to Basil, instead dragging themselves to the machine that produces a hot black liquid. Still shivering, they take seats at the table and cling to the drink. "So you didn't kill us." Mac is the first to speak. "Guess I gotta be happy about that. How much longer you've been up?" "A couple of years, here and there. We have engines, now. The report on vessel stability is on the top." Basil lies. Mac scrolls through it. Sloan sips her drink and holds it to her body. Basil sends a command -- using the dataslate instead of his will connection -- to turn up the heat. Mac lifts his cup to his mouth and sets the data slate down. Basil can feel him probing through the system with his wireless implant, checking time logs, security camera feeds, and numerous other systems. [31] vs [14] Basil had one hundred years to spoof data, and Mac shows no sign of alarm. "You designed an artificial intelligence?" "Three." Basil lies through his false teeth, polite. "I had time." "Talented." Mac sips his coffee again. "And it worked. Thank you." "You saw--" Mac waves a hand. "Tell me about the other ship." Basil dips his head. Polite. He sends the telemetry information, the flight plan, and his own notes to Mac's slate. There's no following questions on Basil's behavior, or his apparent programming genius.

Quote from: Brief Profile of Machbanai Of Third Akko

Rank: Staff Sergeant
Position: Marine Security Officer @SABER22
Total Service Time:768 years
Age: 89 (TR)
Citations: Honorable Order of Merit (Third Akko), General Service Medal for The First Campaign against Rogue Intelligences in Hallu System, Bloodgulch Star, Meritorious Service Medal in Defense of Sector 21901010, Successful Boarding Action Band x5, Medal For Honorable Defense of The @Lion91, Valiant Wounding In Service of Duty Band x2, SOLARIS ANTI-PIRATE ACTION BAND x2
Demerits: UNLAWFUL EXECUTION OF EMPYREAL CITIZENS [NO_PROMOTION:STAFF_SERGEANT]
Next of Kin: N/A

Phycologist note: Suffers from Traumatic Stress Disorders. Night Terrors. Etc. Acute 'Voidstaring'/Solipsism syndrome. Prescribed Implant Injector OLANZAPINE/PSILOCYBIN, along with mindfulness exercises and meditation. Upbringing on Feudal World and Religious Background assist in treatment/mental stability of patient. Recommend low intensity posting.

"It's a Pirate." Mac announces after just minutes of examining the pad. Sloan nods. "What?" Basil looks down at the pad, surprised. "A weakness play. Naval Vessels are honor-bound to render aid to Mass Casualties of the Fifth Level. They no doubt picked up our transmission and are hoping we limp our sorry asses into gun or boarding range. We'd make good slaves, if nothing else." "Pirates don't take slaves." Sloan sniffs. "Sorry," Mac deadpans, "We'd be forcibly negotiated into an unappealing, indefinite Contract of labor and service." "He's righ' though. Naval Officer Contracts fetch good prices." "We're going to ignore them. Make to the second planet. We still got a good head of steam, we can outrun 'em." Mac orders, rising. "Bring up the atmosphere in my bunkroom and armory." Basil, of course, has the final say, but acting against his wishes might draw the Acting Captain’s ire. Sloan glances to Mac, then back to Basil, looking for an order. He orders me like I'm an AI. Doesn't he realize I could vent his room instantly? Basil bristles, inwardly.

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Objectives (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Powers (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Inventory (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Bonds (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Concepts (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: EN LIGHT SKIRMISH @SABER22 (click to show/hide)

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Fluffe9911 · « **Reply #332 on:** February 18, 2023, 02:34:55 am »

The guy does have experience with pirates so does seem to know what he is talking about but it can't hurt to ask him how he can be so certain about it regardless trusting him is probably the most pragmatic decision in this instance. (also Inb4 trust me bro)

King Zultan · « **Reply #333 on:** February 18, 2023, 03:15:09 am »

Don't kill him he's been asleep for 100 years, I'm sure he'll start acting different after he's had a chance to wake up all the way.
I also say we trust him in this matter.

ZBridges · « **Reply #334 on:** February 18, 2023, 03:41:09 am »

No objections here to bypassing the other ship. I just hope that after we've helped him like this, he won't try to turn us in.

S1lentWanderer · « **Reply #335 on:** February 18, 2023, 07:29:42 pm »

Patience, Little King. This man is used to being in command.
He is captain of this ship, and regardless of whether or not you are more powerful than him,
it is wise to follow his lead. He speaks with the weight of experience at his back,
~~where you were only born a year ago.~~
Where you have spent all of your life in an empty void.
Let Mac act as the captain, he needs to feel like he's in control
If he feels as though he's out of control, he may act erratically.

Fluffe9911 · « **Reply #336 on:** February 19, 2023, 07:23:33 am »

Quote from: S1lentWanderer on February 18, 2023, 07:29:42 pm

where you were only born a year ago.

Actually he was born 169 (nice) years ago.

19_EgarAlnis · « **Reply #337 on:** February 23, 2023, 09:52:35 pm »

Basil bristles in stoic silence. His face is plain and unexpressive. Mac drags his attention over to him and raises a brow. "Did you hear me?" The man questions, calmly, voice low. "I did." Basil offers, tilting his head. "When an order is given on a ship, the correct response is 'Yes, Acting Captain' or 'No, Acting Captain'. Do you understand?" Basil doesn't blink. But neither does Mac. "We didn't know we were part of your crew." Sloan interjects pointedly, breaking the stare off between man and teen. Mac turns his attention to Sloan then. He takes a drink of coffee and looks between her and Basil. "You are correct, Sloan. That was rude of me, then, wasn't it? I was just thinking that since this was my ship, that you were working for me." Sloan settles herself back into a chair, "It was very rude. We've rendered aid. Sought no recompose." She flips a thumb at Basil, "And this kid is a Nob. Exiled one but he's still nobility. Sure you wanna get into a dick measuring contest with him?" Mac takes a sip of coffee. Stone-faced as he stares at Basil. Who returns it with interest -- "And you, Kid," Sloan continues, "This man is lawfully, legally, the acting commander of the vessel you are riding on-- and probably the only person here who can kill you." Basil shoots his glare to Sloan. Mac raises his brow. Her smile fades as she stares back at the teen. "You may be a Noble, but nobody rules alone, Basil. Not out here." The pride fades, and Basil exhales, thinking on the words of his elders, both material and immaterial. Then, politely, "Yes, Aintin. Thank you." Mac looks between the two, then, Basil dips a nod. "My apologies, Acting Captain. The years have been hard on me, as on you." "I...I understand." Mac murmurs, after a beat, "I apologize. It was rude to treat you like a cadet, especially after you saved us. " He extends a hand towards Basil. "I hope we can work together." [4] Basil shakes his hand, applying just enough pressure to hurt, suppressing the urge to crush the man's hand. Mac winces and a glare twitches its way across his face, before a mask of cold efficiency takes over. Sloan smiles, clapping Basil on the back and looking between the two. "Would you be so kind as to helm us towards the second planet in the system?" Mac asks, wiping his hand on his jumpsuit ineffectually. "And bring up the atmos in my quarters?" "Of course, Acting Captain." A pause. "The life support in general for the room, as well." Mac clarifies, after some consideration of Basil’s smile. "Of course, Acting Captain." Basil tilts his head to one side, giving a nod and another cheerful smile.

|]
Basil stews as he flubs the slight rotation needed to stay out of the gravity well of the orbiting fifth planet. He's forced to rotate the vessel again and burn against his new vector, slowing the vessel considerably as he tries to wrench The Saber away from the ambushing pirates. He hears Mac swear from the corridor. Basil grits his teeth, applying enough pressure to nearly shatter them, were he human. The burn puts him against his own velocity, wasting fuel and dropping his speed by a significant margin. The mas-cas transmission from the other vessel abruptly stops. It instead sends another message in Low Empyreal-- SURRENDER OR DIE, NAVY SCUM. Basil analyzes the loop, the radio emission level, noting It gets stronger as time goes by-- "Look Basil," Mac begins, emerging from the corridor. Basil tenses, his teeth tightening as he grinds them, expecting a dressing down and a stressful conversation-- "Take a second and take a breath." Basil blinks. "You got this. And if you don't, then I do." Mac clasps a hand on Basil's shoulder. "Take a breath and do it right. Show’em what you got." Basil's teeth almost pop into his skull with the sudden release of stress. Then, Basil shuts his eyes, tapping his fingers over the pad as he routes commands into the engines and thrusters. It’s a show, his mind already inputting a new sequence of thrust and redirection directly to the engine and thrusters. [28] vs [31] It’s much simpler when Basil releases the emotions and clears his endocrine system. The maneuvering thrusters studding the vessels explode to life. The main engine shuts off during the rotation, briefly, and then lights with the power of a star as it its energy is redirected Basil avoids the gravity well, but the The Wandering Pig slingshots towards The Saber. [11] vs [22] "She’s fast." Mac murmurs, as The Pig gains on The Saber, silent for the full hour it took to determine the approach. He keeps an eye on the radio ping, using it to track distance. "Shit. They've got better legs than us." Mac lifts from his crouch beside Basil’s chair and heads to his room. Basil watches over the security camera -- and watches as Mac steps up into that hulking suit of armor. A brief smile flickers across his worn face. "Keep us level, Basil.” Weapons and armor-plating cycle through automatic loaders, slipping onto anchor points. Thirty minutes later, the suit gleams with armored hardpoints, gun barrels and missile tubes. The second suite of arms holds a two meter long rifle. The machine rises to its feet with surprising speed, moving just as fast as Mac would without it. It begins to clamber into a pod in Mac's quarters. --The Saber is rocked by an explosion. The vessel shudders as shrapnel rip through the shielding. Hull breach warnings flash into Basil's mind, and he drops his pretense of humanity. He assumes control of the reactive hull-- [| He seals the breaches in the sections with life support, and directs his attention to Mac's chamber-- --but the man isn't there. A radio signal, brief, flashes from The Saber towards The Pig. The Marine Launcher is empty. Basil's stomach drops. "What--" Sloan wanders into the room. A string of queued commands pops into Basil's attention from Mac’s quarters. A hasty upload from an Artificial Intelligence Basil never noticed. He ignores Sloan. [23] vs [20] -- and Basil obeys. The thrusters on two sides of the vessel flash to life, a right angle of light that pushes the ship to one side then down. Basil pours on the power into the engines, fleeing as fast as the Saber can go. -- [37] vs [24] The reactor devours fuel hungrily, but Basil doesn't relent, pouring coolant into the sections that need them most. His willpower reaching out to contain any possible breaches as the controlling intelligence may be unable to handle. A code executes after a brief transmission from the direction of The Pig. Basil mentally tenses, shoring up a firewall and physically coiling a tentacle around the disconnect --

Quote from: MACDEADMAN.EXE

... ... When you get to the second planet, land at #COORDINATES#, transmit #CODESTRING# on #FREQUENCY#. Base command code is #CODESTRING# Keep them safe.

Basil slumps in the chair, letting relaxation hormones flood his system. A new emotion burns in his mind as he directs The Saber towards the second planet. And Basil worries at it, confused by its existence. A distress, heavy in his mental core, about the situation, about Mac.

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Objectives (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Powers (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Inventory (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Bonds (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Concepts (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: EN LIGHT SKIRMISH @SABER22 (click to show/hide)

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ZBridges · « **Reply #338 on:** February 24, 2023, 12:05:32 am »

Take heart, Basil, in the knowledge that Mac has placed his trust in you. The best way to honor his memory will be to ensure the safety of the crew as best you can.

Fluffe9911 · « **Reply #339 on:** February 24, 2023, 03:14:02 am »

Quote from: ZBridges on February 24, 2023, 12:05:32 am

Take heart, Basil, in the knowledge that Mac has placed his trust in you. The best way to honor his memory will be to ensure the safety of the crew as best you can.

Are we sure the guys dead? It seems he jettisoned himself toward the pirate ship so there is a still non 0% chance the guy is still alive. I think we only got sent the code cause Mac doesn't expect to survive this not because he is currently KIA dead man walking and all that. Unless I'm mistaken It seems we have two options here of either accepting his sacrifice and continue heading toward the cords or going screw that and trying to save him from his own decision. (It's still possible he may show up again regardless since we didn't actually see him die.)

King Zultan · « **Reply #340 on:** February 24, 2023, 03:21:54 am »

Since he sacrificed himself to save us I say we don't let it be in vain and we continue to where the cords said, then after words if we find out he survived I say we find him and bring him back.

Fluffe9911 · « **Reply #341 on:** February 24, 2023, 03:23:24 am »

Quote from: King Zultan on February 24, 2023, 03:21:54 am

Since he sacrificed himself to save us I say we don't let it be in vain and we continue to where the cords said, then after words if we find out he survived I say we find him and bring him back.

Yeah, that sounds fair. Hopefully this trip can give Basel some practice when it comes to piloting so we don't get into a situation like this again.

ZBridges · « **Reply #342 on:** February 24, 2023, 03:27:23 am »

I agree with continuing towards the coordinates and investigating afterwards whether he survived and can be rescued.

S1lentWanderer · « **Reply #343 on:** February 24, 2023, 04:11:22 pm »

Quote from: m̴̟͕̥̾n̸̨̞̓̄͜e̶̖̰͌͒̌m̴̖̬̕o̶͙̘̲̿n̵̤͔͛̈́ȋ̴͖c̷͖̎͝ ̷̤̩̱́̈́a̷̜͌̏͐r̸͓̂c̴̟͐h̸̫̼͊̆͌i̶̬̦̥̾v̶̥̤͓͒̊̚e̸̩̩͆

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Life is precious. It is not lightly that a fellow human passes into the void.
He shall be commended unto the deepest of the deep with the highest of honors.
His sacrifice is one of great valor.
He died, that we may continue to live freely.
Etch his final words upon your heart.
His final instructions, the last orders of the Acting Captain,
Ought to be carried out in honor of his memory.

Land at the coordinates, Acting Captain.

19_EgarAlnis · « **Reply #344 on:** February 28, 2023, 06:14:44 pm »

No more missile strikes sound, and Basil's metaphorical shoulders slump with the pure relief. Basil, free from the shackles of impersonating a human, returns to a more malleable form, extending his dust through the vessel once more. Through these connections, he looks out at a star system from ocular systems designed for space travel. Through radio-wave and heat sensing appendages that send back pure mathematical data. The data that pours through processing through Basil's central mass from long, black tentacles of ivy. The solar system flairs forth into Basil's mind in the universal language. Five planets orbit a glint of a red dwarf star. The first is rocky, burnt with solar rays and frozen in its tidal locked state. The second hands like a blue jewel, covered in milky white wisps of atmosphere. A partner dances with it in the cold void. The third, fourth, are rocks of no real color or interest. The fifth is a super-earth of assumed ice and rock, pocked with craters. Dozens of moons hang around its dun-blue bulk. Old radio signals buzz from the jewel of the second planet. They are hard to translate, and broken by the humming background whispers of the Void. Reduced to nothing but cosmic static, like so much other noise emanating from the galactic core. But one transmission stands out, a set of navigational buoys arranged in a geosynch orbit around this shining jewel. They sing of warning.

Quote from: NAVIGATIONAL BOUY

TERRAFORMING EQUIPMENT IN PLACE.
ANY APPROACH WILL BE TERMINATED WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE.
THANK YOU.
-HabitaTerra CO ULTD.

|]
Basil factors the zone into his planned approach. The vessel spins around its center of mass, and Basil begins to burn against the acceleration. His eyes are glued to his remaining stock of anti-hydrogen. The sun in a bottle burns hard, its excess plasma vented through the electromagnetically reinforced engines. The kilograms of anti-matter burn away, and the vessel slows into a perfect decaying orbit. Basil blinks. Spiritually, as his current eyes do not have lids. ...that was easier than expected... Sloan, after a warning, braces herself into a strange chair of gelled cushion and cradling comfort. |] The Saber's hull contracts with silent clanks, the intelligence managing the system noticing the descent into orbit and reinforcing the front of the vessel against the sudden heat. Basil listens as it communicates with the hard-light shield Intelligence, spots of solid light being emitted to guard places where the hull cannot reach or is no longer able to protect.. The reactor devours fuel to power all of this, pumping power to the auxiliary systems. The ship slips through the upper atmosphere, burning off its kinetic energy as heat and friction. And then Basil is floating above the world of blues and green. He adjusts the engine, using it for limited maneuvers in the heavy air. The Saber shoots along its downward curve. A jungle of towering broadleaf trees thrusts itself at the sky, broken by patches of cleared lan-- [16] vs [15] Basil swerves to one side, his hyper advanced reflexes giving him an edge against the explosion of gunfire that bursts through the trees below. Slugs explode into the day sky, filling the air with shrapnel and smoke. Basil hesitates, his mind racing. The coordinates are further ahead, probably deeper into the defended territory.

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Objectives (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Powers (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Inventory (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Bonds (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: Concepts (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: EN LIGHT SKIRMISH @SABER22 (click to show/hide)

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Author Topic: The Halcyon Crown - Chapter Two: ProtoKen System (Read 41467 times)

Fluffe9911

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19_EgarAlnis

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Fluffe9911

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King Zultan

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ZBridges

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S1lentWanderer

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Fluffe9911

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19_EgarAlnis

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ZBridges

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Fluffe9911

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King Zultan

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Fluffe9911

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ZBridges

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S1lentWanderer

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19_EgarAlnis

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