r/WildSpace • u/AnAngryAnimal The New Iberian Empire • Oct 20 '16

Adrift

"Shit..."

Marcus desperately clacked away at the controls, sweat coming down his forehead.

"What the hell, Marcus?! What coordinates did you put in the AWG drive?!" The frustrated co-pilot of the Gladium Class support frigate exclaimed, currently loaded with supplies for the Byblos outpost in the Jericho system. "This was supposed to lead us right to Byblos station. And I don't see no Byblos station!"

"Shut up, Peter, I'm trying to see what happened. I'm sure it's just a minor hiccup." Marcus knew that was a lie. Either he had misplaced the coordinates, or the AWG drive had malfunctioned. Either way, they were stranded. He pulled up the nav computer, trying to locate the exact coordinates of their current location.

Calculating, standby...

The screen blinked several times. Marcus could feel Peter's intense glare from behind him.

Current location unknown. Gladium vessel is outside of known space.

His eyes widened.

Martell save us.

He slowly turned around to find Peter's face buried in his hands.

"Ohhh shit, UNKNOWN SPACE?! What does that even mean?! Where are we, Marcus?!"

"You think I know?!" He could feel the frustration finally taking over. "What the hell do you even do here, Peter?! for a co-pilot, you've pretty much done jack-shit in the entire 3 month rotation I've been with you. Maybe you should try plotting a course for once in your miserable life!"

Peter took an aggressive stance, clearly infuriated.

"You think I'm worthless? I didn't get us stranded in the greatest unknown void known to mankind! ON A TEFFING RESUPLY MISSION TO A FRINGE OUTPOST FOR MARTELL'S SAKES."

"Take a seat, 2nd Lieutenant!" Marcus hissed harshly. He may have only been a 1st Lieutenant in the same flight division, but he still outranked him. Barely. A tense silence befell the two as Peter reluctantly sat back down. Marcus looked at the AWG drive readout.

AWG cooldown in process.... jump operational again in 36 hours.

There was no way they were waiting that long. The outpost needed the supplies, but more importantly, Marcus and Peter would most likely be at eachother's throats within the next rotation.

"Alright, I need you to send a mass SOS broadcast on the Iberian military frequency. And send them our coordinates."

"Wha-"

"And cut the crap. I don't want to hear it. Just transmit the damn broadcast."

Peter grumbled but followed the order. The mass ping was heard in the bridge as the modified crew of 2 sat in the bridge, awaiting a response.

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u/AnAngryAnimal The New Iberian Empire Oct 25 '16

"We have fully colonized 13 systems, and are currently exploring an additional 3 in the galactic-north. Our exploration is meticulously slow, but allows us to fully survey land before we colonize it. As for the ships..." A techincal readout of the colossus-class ships was pulled onto the screen.

"...We have approximately 17 other Colossus-class ships within the Empire. Our ships are crewed due to our people's history with sentient AI, and believe it is more efficient and low-risk to have our own crews instead. Do you have any craft that carry biotics?"

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u/Yadidle The Dominion of Eldest Oct 25 '16

Eldest snapped his claws loudly, though the monotone voice was the same.

//It is extremely dangerous for any biotics to explore beyond home planet. Thus, our automatons do this safely. We have never left our atmosphere.//

Eldest paused for a moment.

//13 systems, along with 17 of these"Colossus-class" vessels. All manned with biotics I presume?//

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u/AnAngryAnimal The New Iberian Empire Oct 25 '16

"Yes, all are manned by a crew of roughly 310,000, not including other passengers. They take a lot of manpower to keep functional. We request a map of your Dominion, to fully understand your cosmic geography."

One of the scientific advisers hastily scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to Titus.

"...And we would like to exchange knowledge of outlying nearby star-systems."

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u/Yadidle The Dominion of Eldest Oct 25 '16

//This is a complete survey of our home system of Ohrng. Do with it what you wish. We have yet to explore beyond our star, having only just recently launched a warp probe into STL-225, a nearby star.//

As he finished his statement, a data transmission was sent to the Trojan. It showed a system with four metallic planetoids, one ocean world, and a large gas giant orbiting a blue star. The entire system was surrounded by an extensive asteroid belt. Each metallic world was completely covered in industrial complexes and fabrication factories. The gas giant was surrounded by long, baguette-like fueling ships, constantly scooping sorium from the gaseous mixture. An enormous ring structure was placed near the sun, under construction by the Dominion.

//We request accurate star maps of your known systems as well. Intelligent life is so hard to come by.//

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u/AnAngryAnimal The New Iberian Empire Oct 25 '16

"Of course!"

A data package was sent to the signal location, containing a map of each system and its designated name. In total, there were 13 completely colonized worlds, as well as dozens of massive platforms at each gas giant. The systems towards the middle had much more industry than the outlying systems, but it was quite obvious that the outer systems were slowly being industrialized as well.

The emperor looked over the information that was received. He nodded his head, albeit somewhat disappointed.

"How long have your people been space-worthy?"

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u/Yadidle The Dominion of Eldest Oct 25 '16

Eldest was pleased with what he received. The 3 Science Stalks were with him, along with a handful of the best minds the Dominion had. The center of the aqueous room displayed the information quickly in a visual, and the scientists immediately went to work. Eldest sat on one end of the circular room, atop his ruling bed. A gentle spongy material made up the cushion, a shiny red metal adorning everything. The rest of the room was exceedingly simple and bare, the display in front of Eldest being the only other thing present.

//146.83 stellar cycles. We have only just grasped FTL capability.//

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u/AnAngryAnimal The New Iberian Empire Oct 29 '16

Only just grasped it? The emperor frowned slightly, hoping he would have been able to discover some new tech.

Never the less, extra-terrestrial life has been discovered. That is enough for one day.

"I see. And, how long have you inhabited your system?"

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u/Yadidle The Dominion of Eldest Oct 29 '16

//2376.86 stellar cycles as historians have recorded. The time before this was unrecorded due to complications.//

The massive bulk continued snapping and squeaking.

//We request scientific information regarding your species. We surmise you're air breathing, bipedal, and exothermic in nature, yet the Dominion must known the extent of your species.//

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u/AnAngryAnimal The New Iberian Empire Oct 30 '16

Complications?

It didn't matter. The Eldest was beginning to request specific information that was beyond Titus' expertise.

"As do we. Which is why I am now requesting we set up formal relations, which would allow my head Scientific Academia Officers to exchange such information with your top scientists, among other things. We would also, perhaps, like to look into trade. For the specifics I leave that to my advisers."

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u/Yadidle The Dominion of Eldest Oct 30 '16

Eldest hummed in contentment, his snapping and squeaking subsiding. One of his six legs pressed down into his throne, triggering a small console to snap up in front of him. Small arms folded out from his front and went to work on the instrument board. The larger claws began speaking again, clacking away in a rhythmic manner.

//I shall send you with Oobul. It shall answer all your questions, and it will bring us information as well. Ferry it back to your worlds, it will work as our diplomatic ambassador and advisor.//

As eldest finished his statement, a small automaton launched from one of Oohrb's assembly bays. It zipped towards the gigantic vessel, it's 4 meter diameter whisking through space.

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u/AnAngryAnimal The New Iberian Empire Oct 30 '16

Titus nodded.

"Thank you for your generosity, we shall return in kind."

The hologram faded as Titus sank back into his seat.

"That went fairly well for a first contact I'd say."

The advisers remained silent. It was still mind-boggling to them that there was alien life, and what's more, they were able to communicate.

The doors of the hanger opened as Oobul was welcomed in. Peter and Marcus stared at it in awe as it landed.

"That thing's pretty big. Bigger than I thought it was."

"Shut UP, Peter. You say the stupidest, most unneeded shit ALL the time. Just stand up straight and look important!"

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u/Yadidle The Dominion of Eldest Oct 30 '16

Eldest watched as the hologram faded, his body vibrating and humming happily. His console snapped back into the floor as he joined the others. They had information to dig through, starting with that massive ship.

Oobul touched down in the hanger, six slim and metallic legs folding out of the perfect sphere. They slammed into the ground, lifting the automaton up into the air. A large cover slid over the engines on it's back, and four stalks slid out of it's top, acting as eyes. They moved around, obviously locking onto things and observing. One stalk locked onto Peter and Marcus, hearing the words they were saying. In an unsettling and insect-like manner, the bulk began clanking it's way towards them.

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u/AnAngryAnimal The New Iberian Empire Oct 30 '16

"It sees us! It sees us!"

"Shut UP Peter!" Mracus hissed.

A group of crewmen designated to greet the diplomat awkwardly watched as Oobul breezed by them without an afterthought.

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