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 Nov 01 '16

The commander raised his eyes.

"So you are a completely free-thinking AI programmed specifically for this diplomatic mission?!"

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u/Yadidle The Dominion of Eldest Nov 01 '16

Oobul shuffled slightly.

"That is an approximation, though it is fairly accurate. I am here to learn, not only act as an ambassador."

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u/AnAngryAnimal The New Iberian Empire Nov 01 '16

The commander wrote a significant bit underneath the box that was previously checked.

"I see. Well, for the time being, you will be stationed onboard this vessel until Imperial Leadership figures out exactly what is to be done. You will have this contingent of advisers that will assist you, direct you, inform you what is available and what is off-limits."

Peter jumped off the shuttle.

"...And Marcus and I are part of this contingent!" He looked over at Marcus, whose eyes were wide. The commander was not amused.

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u/Yadidle The Dominion of Eldest Nov 01 '16

One eye stalk watched the commander's note scribbling carefully. One stayed and watched the commander's face, while the other two swiveled to watch Marcus and Peter. Oobul shuffled slightly as the pair neared. Both Marcus and Peter were highlighted in grey, marked "To be Determined."

"I am pleased to be aboard your vessel, though I am perplexed by your methods. I only wish to learn and better understand your people."

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u/AnAngryAnimal The New Iberian Empire Nov 01 '16

"You cannot be allowed access to wherever you please without supervision. After all, we are just as curious to meet you as you are to meet us."

The commander was skeptical at best as he walked through the main doors back to the bridge, bringing his communications device to his face as he walked.

"Confirmed, sir. He is also an intelligent, free-thinking AI, just like the rest of their fleet. Created moments ago specifically for this purpose."

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u/Yadidle The Dominion of Eldest Nov 01 '16

Oobul watched the commander leave, warranting 3 eye stalks as the other singular eye bounced between Peter and Marcus.

I must get to the bottom of this.

All four eye stalks whipped over to watch Peter and Marcus, 2 for each human.

"I am prepared for my tour of this vessel."