Random Member
Gardener of Human Happiness
- Location
- Behind You
[X] Leave the system for the forward operating base in the Turanda system
Those are certainly some bloody escalation
I think. We still pretty much left a planet to die.
The main question, @Lop, is how many spacecraft are we in right now and what's our maximum carry capacity. I want to know how foolish an errand it'd be to mount a rescue op.
Mission successful.
I think. We still pretty much left a planet to die.
Well if nothing else Prahm can bounce off of Moxi for the now and not needing to be spaced out and get executed.
The main question, @Lop, is how many spacecraft are we in right now and what's our maximum carry capacity. I want to know how foolish an errand it'd be to mount a rescue op.
- Location
- colombia
that a rescue op a fool endevour,we would be exposing bringing people that have been exposed to the mutagenic and terraforming flesh of the pyramid for a relative long time,while exposing ourselves as well by going out
the only way i would support such endevour would be if we know where the pyramid is gonna attack and full acces to hazmat security measures
i say we leave if we dont want to get some sort of mutant cult of dead space scenario
gather and save people from the planets that havent been terraformed yet,because of this i say we go and rendevouz qith the fleet
- Location
- Chicago
<Ten ship fleet of industrial transport craft. Jettisoning the ore and precious metals would allow you to pack 4-5 additional infantry divisions. Subtract 1 division for every division of tanks, jets, or mechs you wish to bring aboard instead>
- Location
- colombia
the risk of exposure to mutagenic factors is too much in my opinion,anyone that has been exposed to that toxic shit longer than us,is pretty much on their way into turning into mutants or condemmed to being sick forever
hell,im not even sure we are fine
i say we rendevouz with the fleet
hell,im not even sure we are fine
i say we rendevouz with the fleet
That's why I ask how foolish of an errand it is. What would we sacrifice, in essence. And how many birds we have on hand before we go rummaging in the proverbial bush.
Plus, we're already in the 'sociopath former human + mad scientists' scenario. Dead Space and Markers aren't exactly an escalation compared to that~
Do we have use for the ore if we rendezvous with the fleet or the planet? Turn them into war materiel for use?
,love changing tones in quests and im sure we will have pretty much of ''horror of war''
- Location
- Chicago
<Really there's no use for keeping the ore. The UMS just wanted to salvage what it could, the Zair Republic has plenty of mining operations elsewhere>
Right, the aliens aren't attacking yet and it is good ethos to not leave any soldiers behind.
We have the room anyway, and there is a lull between the Pyramids attacking and we have Prahm and Moxi to give advance warning if "the wrong song" gets close to us.
[X] Take the time to attempt rescue missions for other Zair forces on nearby planet
At the least, I am banking on the fact that other planets have their own spaceports and the like to increase our fleet numbers.
Well, that happened.
Vietnam War meets Cthulhu Mythos… IN SPACE!
Regarding the choice:
[X] Leave the system for the forward operating base in the Turanda system
The Commander is tired and just wants to go home. Unless…
Fuuuuuuu-!
Vietnam War meets Cthulhu Mythos… IN SPACE!
Regarding the choice:
[X] Leave the system for the forward operating base in the Turanda system
The Commander is tired and just wants to go home. Unless…
So, my guess is that being in the vehicles limited our exposure (possibly not enough; everyone's coughing blood). I was hoping for something more like an immediate assault after the aliens had landed, though.
The Zair fleet is... probably gone.
[X] Take the time to attempt rescue missions for other Zair forces on nearby planets
[X] Leave the system for the forward operating base in the Turanda system
The Zair fleet is... probably gone.
[X] Take the time to attempt rescue missions for other Zair forces on nearby planets
[X] Leave the system for the forward operating base in the Turanda system
- Location
- colombia
yeah,the option of the zair fleet being already destroyed convinces me we should leave
[X] Leave the system for the forward operating base in the Turanda system
- Location
- Chicago
<The player character has benefited from unwanted nepotism since the beginning, but also the Zair armed forces generally promotes army officers to commander status over airforce officers, due to the commander position's role of occupational governance>
Chapter 7: The Lies We Tell Ourselves
- Location
- Chicago
[X] Leave the system for the forward operating base in the Turanda system
The pyramids unnerve you. A lot.
Humanity first left Earth during the age of legend. The first man to travel the stars was an Indian prince with a thousand names and mythologies built up around him. He was obscenely smart, and used all his wealth to build a ship of glass and stone. Allegedly the next group to reach space were the people of Atlantis, though this is often cited as pure fantasy. Regardless, anytime someone had the means and ambition to travel to space, they did so, right up until the colonizing race began in the 19th century.
Because so many different groups had left earth throughout its history, the great European powers found that all the nearby systems were already inhabited. There were altered humans, constructed beings, and animal hybrids, all the descendants of the first settlers. Of course these creatures were marveled at during subjugation, but afterwards they were assimilated back into the fold as Earth expanded its borders further and further. They were just the products of foreign environments and human ingenuity, after all.
But whatever Lieutenant Moxi and Prahm were, was not native to Earth. And the sheer alien nature of their existence set off alarm bells ringing in your head whenever you looked at them. They were wrong, dangerous, the other. And somewhere deep down in the most primal part of your brain, you knew you needed to put as much distance between yourself and the pyramids raining down on Jodem.
"We're returning to Turanda," you say as you stare through the viewport. "Contact the gate garrison, tell them we're coming. And open a channel to all remaining Solandas forces that the commander is ordering a system-wide retreat."
Lieutenant Sette and Major Clifford share a look. "Communications aren't working commander," Sette says. "Either the Mirandans or..." you can tell she's trying not to look out the window, or at Moxi and Prahm. "Something else has interfered with our signals."
"Send it anyway," you say, leaving the viewport. "The gate garrison won't open fire on a merchant fleet until we're able to use short range comms, at the very least." You make your way to the captain's quarters. The previous owner had kept it sparse, with only a few pictures of family, a bed, a chair, and a liquor cabinet. You help yourself to a bottle and settle down in the chair. Three glasses of brandy later, a knock interrupts your dark thoughts. "Enter."
Compressed air is released as the door opens. Doctor Langley and Mr. Harker stand in the frame. "Commander," the doctor says. He grins as he enters. "I hope we aren't disturbing you?"
You glance at your empty glass, then set it on the table. "Not at all, what is it?"
"It's about the alien lifeforms," Doctor Langley says. His demeanor reminds you of an eager child. You can only wonder how such a man got involved with the ruthless Boramen.
"But first," Mr. Harker says. "We would like to revisit the terms of our alliance. As I understand it, we are returning to the Turanda system?"
"That is correct," you say.
"Then," Mr. Harker says. "I assume we can expect full immunity for any crimes committed by our organization and former countrymen?"
You don't answer for a moment. You're unsure what Mr. Harker's role in the Boramen is, but the man's personality is in sharp contrast to Doctor Langley. If the latter was a puppy, the former would be a hawk. "Sure," you say. "Full immunity. Though I can't guarantee we won't all be standing trial in a Mirandan court soon."
Mr. Harker gives you a grim smile. "We'll take the small victories commander, and leave the larger questions for the future. Thank you, that puts me and my fellow Boramen at ease."
"Now," Doctor Langley says. "Let us talk about your Lieutenant Prahm, and what we just witnessed on Jodem!"
"I'd rather not," you say. You pick up the brandy bottle and take a swig.
"Oh but we must! Your men are starting to fall sick, and have been for some time if I understand correctly! This and that are related!"
You narrow your eyes. You hadn't allowed yourself to think about it yet, but it was true that soldiers had been falling sick since Khamak station. "Do you know something?"
"I know that physiological change takes energy, and so far I haven't been able to pinpoint the source of that energy. And when we traveled through Aleria I saw many fungal statues that I believe were formerly human. But there were also humans had not been transformed under the same conditions. There is a trigger, you see, but I can't figure out what it is."
"My sick soldiers, are they in danger?"
"I have no idea!" Doctor Langley says, his excitement growing. "Your Lieutenant Prahm was unable to provide me with any insight as to the nature of his transformation, and the few limited procedures I performed on him revealed his body is less than it appears! There's no circulatory system, no organs, just tube-like structures running through the entire length! I couldn't even find a brain in the x-ray! With so many unknowns, I would like to request permission to separate the sick and begin immediate study. If one of them transforms, I want to record everything!"
"I want my people cared for medically, not dissected. Permission denied."
Doctor Langley frowns. Mr. Harker clears his throat. "I will admit our scientists are a bit over eager at times," he says. "But I can promise both medical care and scientific progress if you'll indulge Langley. He's the genius behind our cloning program, and understands biology and chemistry far beyond anyone else in our party."
You don't respond for a few moments. In truth you just want to be left alone. You take one more sip of brandy and wipe your mouth with the back of your hand. "Fine, prioritize medical care, if I find out you're cutting open my people I'll hang you myself."
"Thank you commander!" Doctor Langley says. "You'll see! A breakthrough here will change everything!"
The Solandas gate seems mostly abandoned. There are a few Zair cruisers left to protect it, and a skeleton crew to activate the tunnel, but other than that you can't find a ranking officer higher than a captain. You give them the order to remain at their station to assist anyone else who might retreat from Solandas after you. The garrison is nervous, but agrees.
It takes several days to travel through the tunnel. Tension on the ship gives way to hope as you near your destination. The soldiers can sense your desire to return to Zair, and have completely entrusted you with their lives. No one talks about what was witnessed on Jodem. It would break what little strength of will remains.
You exit the gate in front of the planet Palios. You are immediately greeted by the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Zair fleets in orbit. After a tense series of communications, you are given permission to land.
Palios is a planet covered in water and darkness. The Turandan sun does not reach the planet, and thus it orbits in perpetual night. The oceans of the planet are also still like glass. Being on Palios is like staring at a mirror in a dark room. The only light comes from luminescent algae that sometimes floats to the surface, and the giant rigs that the Zair government has taken over from the locals.
Many of the rigs are large enough to house cities. The largest of them is called Goppy, and it is here that the Zair forward operating base was established in haste as the 2nd and 5th fleets moved to enter Solandas. The Zair bases grew more established as the fighting dragged on. Now that three other fleets now orbit Palios, the rigs are practically filled to the brim with republican forces.
You gaze out the window of your landing shuttle as you pass over inky-black waters. There are no waves, nor ripples. The planet-wide ocean is truly as still as a grave. In the distance lies the vibrant glowing lights of rigs rising up out of the water. Your landing shuttle grows closer and closer, and then you arrive among the spires and mega-structures of Goppy.
"Presenting Commander John Mackerel of the Solandas unified front!" an officer yells.
You stroll into the command center with Major Clifford and Lieutenant Sette flanking you. The room is covered in monitors and holographic displays. Men and women wearing Zair military uniforms turn and salute you. All save one group in the center. They turn to you, revealing three men and a woman wearing the uniforms of fleet admirals and a system commander. You make a beeline for them and come to a stop.
"Greetings commander," One of the men says. He's a fleet admiral, with sharp features and gray-speckled dark hair. "And welcome to the Zair forward operating base in Turanda. My name is Admiral Glenn of the 1st fleet, and with me is Admiral Quigley of the 3rd fleet, Admiral Verce of the 4th, and Commander Shetland of the Turandan expeditionary force." the two men and woman all nod to you. Admiral Glenn tilts his head slightly as he studies you and your companions. "I must admit to some surprise at seeing you here Commander Mackerel. We have not received comms from Solandas for some time, and the new high command had not sent word that they made contact with you."
"All communication is cut off in the Solandas system," you say. "Jodem is lost and the other planets will soon follow. There is a new alien threat present, and our entire Republic is endanger."
The woman, Admiral Quigley, frowns. "Alien threat? Surely you are mistaken."
Your expression grows hard. "I am not admiral. I witnessed unfathomable horrors on Jodem. People turning into plants, black rain, and alien pyramids falling from orbit. We must immediately retreat to the Zair system and prepare for its eventual arrival."
The admirals and commander all share a look. Admiral Glenn narrows his eyes. "I'm afraid what you're suggesting is unthinkable commander. It appears you have prematurely abandoned your post, or worse, deserted. The Zair Republic is preparing a new assault from Palios. Our fleets and ground forces will be launching into Solandas to drive back the Mirandans once and for all."
Admiral Vence, a portly man with a handlebar mustache, nods. "Indeed commander. Had you waited a few more days, you would have received innumerable reinforcements."
"Forget all that!" You say. Your voice echoes around the command center, causing the technicians and officers to quiet down. You gesture in anger. "Did you hear what I said about aliens! And even in their absence, the Mirandans would have crushed us! Solandas is a lost cause! This war is over! We must return to Zair immediately and prepare for the worst!"
The admiral and commander don't respond for a few moments. Admiral Glenn raises his chin and stares down the end of his nose at you. "Those are words of treason, commander. The Zair Republic will not fall, nor will this war end in a loss. We have the means, the men, and the courage to drive out the Mirandans, and we will do so as soon as we are done gathering our forces. Any claims of aliens can easily be attributed to a nefarious new weapon developed by the Mirandans, much like their psychic bomb."
"We must stop them before they can use more of these weapons against us!" Admiral Vence says, shaking a fist.
"Although I should have you court-martialed for abandoning your post," Admiral Glenn says. "I will instead offer you redemption. You will lead our assault into Solandas, and you will help us drive out the UMS forces. As is befitting your rank and original mission."
"I am not a general you can order around," you say, gritting your teeth. "I am the commander of the Solandas expedition forces, and I have authority outside your fleet chain of command."
"These are orders from Zair high command," Commander Shetland says. "We have restructured since the cowardly attack on our command structure, and our new military leaders have set in motion a plan for victory. You can either join us, or stand trial commander. The choice is yours."
Admiral Glenn nods. "Glory to the Zair Republic commander, forever and always. We will triumph, with or without you."
You stand there in shock. The hushed murmurs of the watching officers and technicians echo around you.
[] Refuse, present Moxi and Prahm, as well as the Boramen scientists
[] Agree, lead the combined Zair forces back into Solandas
[] Pretend to agree, then flee in the merchant fleet at the first opportunity
[] Pretend to agree, then have Lieutenant Moxi and Prahm take out the admirals and commander
Last edited:
This should be like the Phantom Menace HISHE:
"Actually, we have, like, so much proof. Here is a recording of Lt Moxi's transformation into an alien being. Here are sensor readings of the tens of thousands of alien pyramids swarming through the Solandis system. Here is the full documentation of our scientists' findings concerning the alien infestation. And we have around, oh, a hundred thousand witnesses, two of which are aliens."
"Actually, we have, like, so much proof. Here is a recording of Lt Moxi's transformation into an alien being. Here are sensor readings of the tens of thousands of alien pyramids swarming through the Solandis system. Here is the full documentation of our scientists' findings concerning the alien infestation. And we have around, oh, a hundred thousand witnesses, two of which are aliens."
Last edited:
- Location
- Chicago
<I apologize, I should have made it clearer that the Zair high command is completely fanatical and intent on war. But since I didn't, I'll add an option to reveal Prahm and Moxi, and the Boramen scientists findings. Good catch.>
Last edited:
The fanaticism is fine- in the sense. But I'd rather have a more nonviolent recourse for the now and seize control later. You've done great to show us that Zair isn't really all that much but a junta of gloryhounds and strongmen.
Sooner or later, they will need murking, but for now:
[X] Refuse, present Moxi and Prahm, as well as the Boramen scientists
Random Member
Gardener of Human Happiness
- Location
- Behind You
[X] Pretend to agree, then have Lieutenant Moxi and Prahm take out the admirals and commander
Die, you lapdogs of the bourgeoisie!
Die, you lapdogs of the bourgeoisie!