PBEM Turn 91.01d (550 lines, 23 136 characters)
==============================================================================
This is PART 4 of 5. It covers the fourth half hour or so.
***** current position of ships, etc. ****
Definitely NOT to scale :=)
(Top View) Ring and Alcyon orbiting CCW as seen from here.
W = Westwind, ~2.5 AU from Alcyon, 20 minutes each way for signals
GA = Gemini Arbiter ~1.5 AU from Alcyon, 10 min. each way
B = Bernoulli and Aurora, 6 minutes one way signal to Alcyon
S = Shuttle, 1 min. one way
K = Kingfisher ~ 7 minutes to Alcyon
T = Trakh, 3 min. now aloft, and intercepting
All the rest within a few seconds for round-trip signals
P = Paladin, taking a couter-rotation sweep for faster mapping?
Al = Alcyon
Ta = Talisman
__-----__
W / \
/ \
/ \
GA | |
| |
| |
Al | * |
| |
| |
P| |
K T /
S \ /
Ta\--_____--/
Au
B
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Phin Shuttle
- ------------
Doejin eventually manages to persuade Ferdy to make himself useful
by operating the sensors.
"Doejin!" cries Ferdy. "The sensors are lighting up like a school
of chatrasti fish! There are ships all over the place!"
Eventually Ferdy calms down a little and starts to give Doejin some
details of what ships are where.
At Ferdy's quick identification of several more ships joining the area
the curiosity of the situation is soon displaced by unease in Doejin.
"Ferdy, you may know someone on one of these ships, and I would love to meet
these visitors, but now, I feel a fire in my flukes and it isn't pleasant!
Which one of these ships has your friend? Maybe we can get his ship to come
to us.
Ferdy indicates one of the ships on the sensor displays. "He's in that
one. The one the humans call 'Talisman'."
I am going to give a little distance between us and these vessels. I have
never seen it so crowded out here. Plus, I haven't been this far out since
I took my first solo in a maintenance craft!" (Oops, let that one slip! With
a small blush from Doejin, it was one of the few brief irresponsible actions of
his youth.)
Doejin pilots the craft perpendicular to the line of intersection between as
many of the other ships as possible while waiting for the answer from Ferdy on
the location of his friend. The maneuver is done with full maneuver capability
plus any extra Doejin can coax with his psi.
- -----------
Trakh
- -----------
Akhouw notes the maneuver with interest. Exclaiming to the bridge in general,
he shouts "Ftahlr! You see, this one? An alien with intelligence. Only a fool
stands his ground between two armed khtea." Akhouw chuckles. "An interesting
trip so far, all around..."
- -----------
Talisman
- -----------
Aslan? ASLAN?!? Here? Already ON the r-alpha macrostructure?
Military, it looked, despite some EM camoflage. They didn't seem capable of
the subtlety involved in faking the other ships, not without outside help,
particularly not without humans to set up the voice simulation models at the
least. The Ael Yael... doubtful anyone but another Ael Yael or somebody
closely associated with one for many years would be able detect a fake, but
the information from the Bernoulli appeared accurate.
The Aslan approach seemed aggressive, if not openly hostile. And
the Turnskaad expedition had a few scouts, a far trader, a tender... nothing
up to real naval standards. Perhaps it would be better to deal from a
position of strength. Or, at least, from the *appearance* of a position of
strength...
With the thought Ralf was outside the hull of the Talisman, clinging
to the fringes of the datasphere. A blue-glowing line reeled out towards
the Aslans, spiked tip arrowing ahead across the unfathomable space.
Seconds of inactivity crawled by until Ralf "felt" the impact of the
grapnel, the shock reverbrating back up the line. The light-speed delay
would be a serious problem, requiring steps he hated to take, but needs
must... Ralf offloaded some of his mental processes onto his chip and
wrapped them in code, then slid the heuristics package "down" the line
towards the Aslan ship. Again, the seconds crawled by...
Then he felt the tug on the line. He let it pull him, paying out
more line behind him to maintain the tenuous connection to the Talisman,
then "dove" out into space, freefalling alongside the line. A peculiar mix
of timeless falling and instantaneous distortion, of "pouring" himself
through an all-too-narrow aperture to another location, and then he was
there, in the buffer space at the fringe of the Aslan datasphere, watching
the interplay between the two ships. A stroke of luck, that. The telemetry
and encrypted communications between the two meant they had to be somewhat
"open" to incoming signals, which in turn meant he had barely enough space
for the foothold his heuristics package had secured.
And now... press here, manipulate there... catch an incoming data
package and strip away the stale encrypted code (why are military minds
*so* predictable?) to replace it with a bootstrap, then pass it smoothly
back into the flow of information and watch it sink into the defenses of the
Aslan datasphere, absorbed harmlessly. Moments later, a segment mutated in
the crystal geometry his mind used to visualize the datasphere defenses. A
split, then an opening, and a slender thread he could latch onto and ride
down into the Aslan sphere.
Hm... intriguing. The cores were well-defended, too tricky to
penetrate without risk of detection, which could set off a full-blown
battle. The Aslan's sensors, on other hand, had to be on the fringes of the
datasphere - defined the perimeter of the datasphere, in fact. And what you
perceived, might as well be real...
- -------------
Westwind
- -------------
Talon is taking a shower when Hur'Shurvan's voice comes floating over
the Westwind's PA system.
"Nicholas, I have been monitoring radio traffic in the system..."
"Yeah? Any answer to my call yet?"
"Not yet. I don't believe there has been enough time for a turn-
around. But I have received something which I think you should come
up to the bridge and listen to."
"Oh. Umm... Is it urgent?"
"Yes, I'm afraid it is quite urgent. Sorry to interrupt you."
"Ok. I'm coming." Talon turns off the shower and steps out. He
grabs a bathrobe and wraps it around himself as he strides towards
the exit of his stateroom. The door swishes open and he steps out
into the corridor, still dripping wet. He stifles a curse as his
bare feet give him a cold reminder that the corridor is not carpeted.
A few steps take him to the bridge where Hur'Shurvan is waiting for
him. "Let's hear it," says Talon as he slumps down into the pilot's
seat, trickling a small puddle of water onto the floor.
"First," says Hur'Shurvan, "I would like to play you some other
messages in order to give you some sense of context."
Talon nods assent, and Hur'Shurvan begins to play back various
messages that have been coming in. Most seem to be some very
confusing goings-on involving a semi-conscious Ael Yael and a
semi-demented Vargr.
"Now we come to the important one," says Hur'Shurvan. He plays the
distress broadcast from the Gemini Arbiter.
Talon listens intently. As the recording progresses, his eyes light
up and a broad grin begins to grow slowly on his face. "What IS going
on here, Shurv? Some sort of convention?"
"I have managed to get a fix on the Gemini Arbiter," says Hur'Shurvan.
"If our sensors can be trusted, then ours is the closest vessel. If
we alter course immedately, the computer has estimated that we can reach
it in approximately thirty-seven hours. We should go to assist at
once, Nicholas."
"I'm way ahead of you, Shurv." Talon's hands are already playing
across the console in front of him. "Computer..."
+++ ready +++
"Open a hailing frequency to the Gemini Arbiter."
+++ hailing frequency open +++
"Attention Gemini Arbiter. This is ISS Westwind responding to your
distress call. We are plotting an intercept course. ETA... oh,
something like thirty-seven hours. Hope you can hold on for us to
arrive. My name's Nick, by the way."
Talon closes the channel and turns to Hur'Shurvan, still grinning.
"Shurv, I think I might just get to like this system..."
- -------------
Aurora
- -------------
Things were finally starting to quiet down on the Aurora. The distress call
of the Bernoulli was answered, and its sole survivor now in the capable hands
of Dr. Van Der Merwe. Now the crew could stop for a moment and take stock of
their rather unusual, and certainly unexpected, situation. Calm was
beginning to prevail once more...
Then, a barely noticable flicker in the lights; a small crackle on one of
Moira's monitors. Something was happening...
_Integration sequence initiated._
<Alert. Unauthorized access attempted to main CPU.>
Bhyarrvouf is a black and white blur of motion. In a flash, he has the access
plate off the main avionics bay.
_Override alert status. Execute phase two integration sequence._
<Alert. Alert. Alert. Activate anti-hijack program. Security overlocks
being breached. Alert.>
Two hard pulls on two fiber optic cables, and the two backup computers for
the Aurora are forcibly offline. A metal fist bangs down on the EMER HALT
buttons, and their memory packs jettison onto the deck with a clatter.
_Cancel alert. Belay anti-hijack sequence. Initiating final integration
sequence._
<Alert. Anti-hijack program deactivated. Security compromised. Loosing
control...>
A swipe of a hand, and the main I/O port to the main computer is severed.
_Control of main CPU achieved. Executing diagnostic._
"Diagnose away, motherhumper," Bhyarrvouf growls, grabbing the main power line
in one hand and ripping out the backup powercells with the other.
A few seconds more pass. All computer controls freeze. The monitors now
show only the last message displayed, "_Control of main CPU achieved.
Executing diagnostic._" Fifteen seconds later, a new message replaces the
old, only this time, it is accompanied by a calm, flawless voice:
_Attention Aurora crew. Do not be alarmed. All necessary life-support
functions are operating normally. Full function will be restored as soon
as diagnostic is complete and analysis made. After that, appropriate
measures will be taken._
"Oh, I'll just BET they will," Bhyarrvouf says, destroying the last backups.
During this time, every computer system and sub-system goes through its
standard self-diagnostic. Additionally, the main CPU delves into its
memory core, seemingly searching all files at once. Names of programs and
files scroll down the screens at amazing speed. Then, a few moments later,
the monitors clear once again and this message appears, fully narrated by the
same smooth voice as before:
_Attention Aurora crew. A full diagnostic sweep of your ship has been
completed and appropriate repairs are being undertaken. Despite many
inefficiencies, all systems are functional. Everything is under control._
"Control THIS!" Bhyarrvouf rips out the last cable, and every system on the
Aurora goes dead. The computer, its backups and power reserves severed
beforehand, is completely disconnected from EVERYTHING, and only the charge
in its capacitors is keeping its data alive for a few short minutes.
A single headlamp comes on, and Bhyarrvouf, whistling, attaches asmall power
cell to the mangled computer. He then inserts a holocrystal into his gauntlet,
types for a while, then ejects the crystal and loads it into the main
computer's system software port.
The crystal contains a few lines of text.
NEVER PISS ME OFF. SIT TIGHT WHILE WE DECIDE WHETHER TO KILL THE AEL YAEL
AS A POTENTIAL HIJACKER.
All telemetry from the Aurora goes dead.
"Christian?" 'Vouf's voice is heard only over the commo link. "Keep your
suit on at all times, and I'll have power back to you in a second. That
bastard you're working on injected a virus into Moira. We've got control
of the Aurora back, but I had to scuttle her in the process. Until I can
clean the virus out, we're on manual for EVERYTHING."
"Let me know when you have the Ael Yael awake," he finishes with a growl.
"I want to hear him scream when I clip his wings. Hijack MY ship, will he?"
- --------------
Kingfisher
- --------------
Witfield notices hailing sequence coming in. Pushing a few
buttons, the red square narrows into the Aslan ship. Looking up
on the holodisplay, the computer identified the transmission as
standard Imperial acknowledgement code. Witfield pushes another button,
sending the standard Imperial code <Please standby>.
"Commander, we are being hailed by the Aslan ship. They are using
standard Imperial acknowledgement code, and wants to have
visual contact." Witfield says. "The ship is identified as "Combat
Exploration Vessel *Trakh*, Clan Khaukeairl"
Good. Mr Witfield. Just a moment.
- --------
Talisman
- --------
Thul upon hearing the word that a craft of Aslan origin in inbound swears
a mighty oath and his hands start flying over the console.
He has downgraded the derilict ship's fire control solution to a secondary
and upgraded the inbound Aslan craft to primary....
The fire control system has been taken out of standby and is now on active.
A few more button presses and the turrets are locked on target.
"Korondor Talisman to command vessel... I am standing by for orders...
This ship is in full readiness status. over."
Dashing off into her cabin, Alliara opens a flat box and gently removes a
harness with a holodisplay on it. Laying it on the table and arranging near
it the hand comp, the CLT, the text recorder and a number of optic data
cables, she prepares for war.
"Data mux, cable 1 to hand comp, cable 2 to CLT, cable 3 to texrec, cable
4 to datahud."
Arranging the head harness carefully, and testing the eye-piece, Alliara
mutters "Lester Farouk, eat your cutlass - my eyepatch is flashier now." and
hangs the text recorder and the handcomp on the belt.
Finally, opening a side compartment in the CLT box, she removes two holo
crystals, slots them into the text recorder and the CLT itself.
"Communication and contact section. Niigurd here. Aslan language translator
and text recorder, ready. Am ready for contact for Aslan. Request permission
to station myself on bridge. Over."
Opening the door, Alliara pauses for a moment, then returns to the boxes and
takes two more crystals.
"Niigurd here. Zhodani and Vargr language translators ready, too. Over."
Slamming the door behind her, Alliara heads towards the bridge, holographic
eye-piece glinting balefully in the ship-light.
Redd :
"Ok, bringing powerplant to full output. Remember we've no re -fuel
arrangements yet."
Shortly afterwards, as the Talisman's rising neutrino signature indicates
the powerplant being brought to life -
"THULE ! What the H**L did you do to this ship ?
I thought that powerplant wasn't standard fitting - why didn't you *tell*
me what I'm supposed to be running, I'm not a bl**dy Zho' you know ! "
The neutrino signature of the Talisman continues to rise, beyond that normally
expected of a 200t merchant, mutterings from the drive-room continue.
- -----------
Kingfisher
- -----------
Mr. Farouk, would you please cross over to the fighter
[Which for those of you who may not have known, is docked to the
command shuttle] and warm up the weapons and drive to standby status.
Please connect me to them, visual and audio.
"Yes sir." Witfield pushes a button on the monitor.
A blue square zooms in on the Aslan ship, flashing as a line is
drawn from the command shuttle to Alcoyn then to the Aslan ship.
"Hailing Frequence open sir. Visual and audio."
To the captain of the "Trakh", greetings. This is Count Nanadth
Nggemen Ger, Admiral of the Darrian Navy (Retired), and Commander
of the Aurora exploration Team. We are in this system following up
on earlier explorations of our Company. What are your intentions
in this system?
We have reason to believe that a hostile force is on its way
here anytime between now and the next 4 months. We are prepared to
defend the Ringworld against any such threat.
All telemetry from the Aurora goes dead.
RED ALERT! All hands to battle stations. Full Security precautions,
Limit all communications to emergency and battle channels now!
Place all weapons on active status. Prepare for emergency
depressurization.
Zben literally whirls in his seat at the sensor/commo station. He
slaps a control "Computer, Blaine, one-niner-one-five-niner! Execute
program Red Alpha!" Turning to Witfield, "Sorry, but that'll set up
everything, and redirect commo to Alcyon to a tightbeam, and alert
Morgan on the Alcyon as to our status."
He then secures his Vac-suit, and builds a tight but passive
sensor watch on the Aurora. This he puts on full record, and then
checks the sensor scan for the Aslsn ships and the Aurora for the last
few minutes. "Commander? We've registered no activity that could
indicate a standard weapons discharge in the the area of the Aurora,
or the Aslan ships..."
At the sensor console, Johann double-checks that all active sensors are off.
Frantically working the trackball-crosshair over the holographic heads up
display he places color-coded markers on each contact. The Alcyon and the
shuttles sister-vehicles get a blue marker each, except the Aurora which also
get a little red emergency triangle. Ships and vehicles originating from R-
alpha is awarded gold markers, the aslan ship a red marker and the assorted
misjumped jokers silver markers.
"All sensors on passive, scanning for lockon."
Then he tells the computer to try to acheive passive lock-ons and passive
solutions good enough to feed the weapons consoles on all targets. While the
lock-ons and solutions start to arrive, he makes several general scans of the
area around to see if anything suspicious is going on.
"No other activites, it seems."
Etienne takes a deep breath and visibly forces himself to relax and
release all of the tension of the past couple of hours. His voice becomes
flat and emotionless, his face expressionless but his fingers continue to
move over the controls with their accustomed dexterity.
"Evasive programs loaded and ready, Sir. Should I order pre-combat
decompression?" He turns to his sensor operators: "Has anyone called up
the specs on the Aslan ship? What armament? What's it's drive capable of?
Armor?"
Returning his attention to Commander Ger: "Just in case we have to fight,
Sir, do we stick it out or run and hide?" Neither Etienne's voice nor his
expression give away any idea which he would prefer.
<Ger>
Mr. Whitfield is the Aurora still intact? What can you tell me about
her status?
"Checking sir." Witfield moves a yellow square to zero in
on Aurora. "Aurora, this is the command shuttle. Please report
status." He waits for reply.
In the mean time, "Computer, please perform a scan on Aurora.
and report sitution." I'll relay all results to the commander.
When all markers have gotten their thick borders indicating lock-ons,
Johann starts passing this data out through the shuttles databus and
tells the computer to immediately blow the whistle if any target starts
misbehaving.
"Sensors to guns, target data online, blue are friendlies.
Sensors to conn and guns, incoming fire data online, no incoming now, but
the computer will tell you if it comes, and give solutions to defensive
batteries and predict trajectories to recommend evasives."
Responding to the general excitement, Bit has started to run around in the
hard helmet Johann has hooked up to the lifesupport. Now he has managed to get
enough speed to suddenly topple the helmet down on the controls, pressing
several of them in the process. While the helmet containing the frantic treerat
bounce around on the floor tethered to the console by the life-support tube,
all sensor-filters switch off and the holohud of the sensor console fill with
random colors and patterns at the same time as the speaker on the console
spew out all the communications the sensors intercept, at the same time.
Swearing about excited tree-rats, Johann manage to calm down the hud rather
quickly, but the noice remains.
"Zben! cut the incomming commo to my console until I've sorted this bloody
mess out!!"
- ---------
Trakh
- ---------
"Aiwi, full active scans, all ships, NOW. Prepare to engage counter-measures
on my signal. Contact the Kingfisher on Imperial Emergency Channel. Demand
an immediate explanation for this provocation."
"I'm on it sir. Counter-measures awaiting your signal. I am trying to raise
the Kingfisher sir, for their own good, I hope they answer."
- -------------
Paladin
- -------------
As the Red Alert hits, Zar instantly tenses on the bridge. Upon receiving full
orders and watching the Aslan and Skaad fleet light up with turret weapons on
the sensor panels.
"Charyn!!! Return to your post at once! Azani, prepare all stations in full
security. Check on Dr. Limner and make sure he is secure. Doktor, please
man whatever post it is you have - Or at least prepare in full red alert status
.... Zar slows for a minute trying to figure out Dr. Morser's position and
then shrugs it off.
At 'Zar's request, Azani makes sure that Dr. Limner is comfortable
before he leaves the bridge. A few minutes later, he arrives back
with an arm load of equipment. He then places the equipment carefully
on the floor and proceeds to sort it.
The equipment consists of a few vacc suits (depending on who is not
wearing one), combat armor, an autoshotgun and clip harness and a
couple of power packs for his laser pistol. He then passes out a
vacc suit to Herr Doctor and Charyn and helps Dr. Limner into his
own vacc suit. After feeling that Dr. Limner is fine, Azani then places
his own combat armor on and prepares his weapon.
Azani then looks into the viewport and waits for the next event to
occur.
As Charyn comes back onto the bridge, Zar is pulling his laser carbine up close
and strapping it to the pilots chair. His helmet is nearby and he is already
wearing a tailored vacc suit (standard IISS issue).
- --
Richard Johnson [email removed]
Sue Congress!