Episode 45

[Bynw]

[19:42] <bynw> *** RECAP ***
[19:42] <bynw> *************
[19:42] <bynw> The Lady Luck has jumped into jumpspace,
[19:42] <bynw> also refered to as hyperspace. Normally,
[19:42] <bynw> a ship just makes a wormhole through
[19:42] <bynw> hyperspace when making a jump and only "in"
[19:42] <bynw> hyperspace for a few seconds.
[19:42] <bynw> .
[19:42] <bynw> The Lady Luck and her crew, using the Klade
[19:42] <bynw> built engines and the information gained from
[19:42] <bynw> the Klade computer on the moon have
[19:42] <bynw> successfully breached the barrier into
[19:42] <bynw> hyperspace. A realm of that appears to the eye
[19:42] <bynw> as a great endless sky of swirling colors -
[19:42] <bynw> primarily of red, blue and silver hues. And
[19:42] <bynw> nothing else.
[19:42] <bynw> .
[19:42] <bynw> *****************
[19:42] <bynw> *** END RECAP ***
[19:43] <Ken> "Hmm I wonder if we can jump to those coordinates now?"
[19:44] <bynw> *Jaeih* "The Captain has already set coordinates to Aris"
[19:44] <Ken> "Although I like the idea of testing on the Aris coordinates>"
[19:46] <Raith> "This is going to revolutionize hyperspace travel if it works..."
[19:46] <Raith> "Jump in 3...2...1..."
[19:47] * Ken straps in and holds tight
[19:47] <Raith> ::Activates the jump engines and makes the jump to Aris::
[19:48] <bynw> *the ship sits there ... in hyperspace ... going no where ... jump drive indicators show the jumpdrives, both primary and secondary are offline
[19:50] * Ken runs a diagnostic
[19:50] <bynw> *Jaeih* "What ... the secondary drive was reading green just a few seconds ago." *she punches up some diagnostics*
[19:51] * Doc cross continues monitoring the crew but his eyes keep looking at the monitor - enthralled
[19:51] <Ken> ! df4
[19:51] <Ken> !df 4
[19:55] <Ken> !df 4
[19:56] <Raith> "Does this mean we're stuck here in...the space between universes?"
[19:57] <Ken> "Hold on"
[19:57] * Ken runs a scrub routine on the drives and clears the cache
[19:57] <Ken> "Should be good once drives spin back up, we got a couple of hours here though."
[20:02] <Doc> !df 4
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[20:05] <Raith> ::Chuckles::
[20:06] <bynw> *Jaeih* "I hope it does work. Otherwise we will be out here for a very long time." *she says looking at the information displayed on the scanner readout*
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[20:08] * Ken runs an internal full spectrum scan; comparing against scans in normal space for any differences.
[20:09] <Raith> ::Sighs:: "It's moments like these that I miss not having the strikingly beautiful redhead with impulse control problems..."
[20:09] * Ken looks shocked
[20:10] <bynw> *Jaeih* "Captain. DRADIS shows us that nothing is within range. And the other scans show the same results. Infact, they show nothing at all. No trace elements, no atmosphere and no vacuum either."
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[20:13] <Ken> "Internal scans are normal compared to normal space so should be no  effect from being in hyoerspace for two hours."
[20:13] -NickServ- anlarye!~fenix@OWIRCN-cd9b0e44.client.mchsi.com has just authenticated as you (Bynw)
[20:14] <Raith> ::Chuckles:: "Anyone want to step outside without a vacsuit, see what happens?"
[20:14] * Ken shakes his head
[20:14] <Raith> ::Grins:: "just joking..."
[20:15] <bynw> "if there was something out there ... but there is nothing ... not even the moon we were near ..." *Jaeih says* "I think there is a lot to learn from the Klade about this ...:
[20:16] <Ken> "Yes, if this is not part of what they are hiding."
[20:17] <Doc> "Hiding?"
[20:17] <Ken> "Well according to Raith Prime they do have a hidden agenda."
[20:18] <Raith> ::Leans back in the navigation chair:: "We've always suspected they did."
[20:19] <Raith> "Nothing their doing makes sense."
[20:19] * Ken nods
[20:21] <Raith> "But the real mystery is if they wanted to grind the Alliance to dust I don't think we could stop them. So if conquest was their objective why all the subterfuge?"
[20:21] <Ken> "agreed"
[20:22] <Raith> "And if Raith Prime didn't trust them, why contact me? Why put me into the mix?"
[20:23] <bynw> *Sathara over the comms* "Captn check out the port side ... something ... different ... "
[20:23] <Ken> "Unless they did not know that Raith Prime did not trust them or they think you will lead them to him..."
[20:24] * Ken runs a scan sweep to port
[20:24] <Doc> "Or because they want something from you that Raith Prime wouldn't give, Cap?"
[20:24] <Raith> ::Looks to Ken for a moment and seems to consider what he said::
[20:24] <Ken> "Nothing on scan"
[20:25] <Raith> ::Gets up and makes a dash to the port side cabins, looking out the window::
[20:26] <bynw> *Sathara over the comms* "Take a visual ... it's getting bigger or maybe closer ... hard to tell here .. all my spacial judgment is off ... "
[20:26] * Ken moves to look out to port.
[20:27] <bynw> *out the window is a large, dark black mass ... apparently growing in size every minute ... covering the hyperspace sky in that direction
[20:29] <Ken> "Why can we see it but yet there is no EM reading?"
[20:30] <Ken> "Doc are all of us Psi rated?"
[20:30] <Doc> "Yes"
[20:30] <Ken> "So that is a psychic phenomenon then."
[20:31] <Raith> "The Klade?"
[20:32] <Raith> ::Returns to the bridge::
[20:32] <Raith> ::Checks the stealth systems to see if they are online::
[20:33] <bynw> *Sathara comes to the bridge* "My guns are useless right now ... they cant lock onto anything. Nothing is there ... or the nothing is too far away .... " *she pauses* "if thats the case then its size is just colossal"
[20:34] <bynw> ! stealth systems are online, activating them will take power away from jump drive spin up
[20:34] <Doc> "It's time to leave then"
[20:37] <Ken> "You think thrusters wiill work?"
[20:38] <Raith> "Klade mothership."
[20:38] <Raith> "Or something worse."
[20:39] <Raith> ??How long till jump drives spin up??
[20:40] <Ken> "hOURS BEFORE JUMP DRIVES cAP"
[20:40] <Doc> "I can tolerate Klade (for a short time)... The worse is what worries me"
[20:43] <bynw> *Jaeih* "I can certainly fire up the thrusters and see if we can out run it ... or attempt to go someplace else ... but it's ... colossal ..." *she says straining to check a near portside window from the bridge* "black .. and will be on us soon at the rate its moving or growing. long before jump drives are active"
[20:45] <Raith> ::Activates the stealth systems:: "Jaeih move us. Let's see if we can atleast hide."
[20:46] * Ken monitors the black visually
[20:46] <bynw> *Jaeih smiles* "Hold on tight" *she says firing the thrusters, full throttled and banking hard to starboard*
[20:49] <bynw> *the black moves quickly and silently ...
[20:49] * Ken eyes go out of focus as he tries to enhance the stealth against teh wavelength he has noted for PSi activity.
[20:50] <bynw> *Jaeih* "we are full throttle Captain and it's still back there and getting closer ... nothing on DRADIS or other scanners ... just an aft camera "
[20:50] * Doc stands next to Ken
[20:51] <Raith> "No use running then Jaeih. Turn us about and set a course at a 45 degree angle to the things course. Towards it and headed above it. Let's watch and see if it changes course."
[20:54] <bynw> *Jaeih whips the ships around now facing the blackness ... it is colossal in size ... and as the ship moves towards it .. its is obvious that the blackness moves as well ... and it must be 10's of 1000 of KM high and 100's long .... no way to clear over it ... with the thrusters ... not enough time at the speed it must be going*
[20:55] <Doc> "I am now officially Awed... and scared"
[20:56] <Raith> ::looks like we're not fooling anyone::
[20:56] <Raith> ::drops the stealth field::
[20:56] * Ken boosts shield strength
[20:56] <Raith> "Jaeih, bring us to a halt. It seems we're caught."
[20:58] <Raith> ::Opens a comm channel:: "This is Captain Raith and crew of the Lady Luck, respond."
[20:58] <bynw> *the blackness overtakes the Lady Luck as she slows to a stop ... for the first few minutes there is nothing ... no turbulence, and the scans still say nothing is out there ... but the blackness is as dark as space without a star
[21:00] <bynw> * then the turbulence hits ... shaking and spinning the Lady Luck in several directions ... every now and again something flashes on DRADIS but only for a moment ....
[21:01] <Raith> ::Straps himself into his seat::
[21:01] <Raith> "FRAK!"
[21:01] * Ken slams into the port and then slumps down to the ground
[21:02] * Doc falls close to Ken
[21:03] <Raith> ::Reaches his mind out to the darkness, skirting it's edge very tenatively::
[21:03] <Doc> "You alright, Ken?"
[21:08] * Ken touches his face lightly and winces
[21:08] <Ken> "I dink Ibroke ma dose."
[21:09] <Raith> ! df 4
[21:09] <Raith> !df 4
[21:10] <Doc> "Let me be the judge of that" *checks out Ken's nose
[21:10] <bynw> *Jaeih nose is bleeding and her eyes roll back into her head as she slumps over the helm's controls with the darkness ensuing*
[21:11] <Raith> ::Screams and earsplitting shriek, his hands cover the sides of his head, his eyes roll back::
[21:12] <Doc> "Hold on to your nose, Ken" *scrambles up and goes to Raith
[21:13] * Ken holds on
[21:14] <Raith> ::Stop screaming as the Doctor gets to him. His nose runs with a small trickle of blood and he is breathing heavily but seems conscious::
[21:15] <bynw> *there is a low but constant beeping from the control consoles ... the crew is lying on the floor of the bridge or strapped into various seats where they were sitting when the blackness came upon them ...
[21:16] <bynw> *Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep*
[21:17] <bynw> *through blurred eyes there is also a pair of flashing green lights ... flashing in unison with the beeps*
[21:18] <Raith> ::Blinks a few times, at the flashing lights:: "Ken...ken. What the Frak does this mean!"
[21:19] <bynw> *Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep*
[21:19] * Ken gets up and moves to the console
[21:19] <Ken> "Dumo Drives ready"
[21:20] <Doc> "Cap? Cap?"
[21:20] <Ken> "Dree hours had padded"
[21:20] <bynw> *Jaeih has dried blood down her face* "What is that sound!"
[21:20] * Doc looks back at Ken "What? 3 hours?!"
[21:20] <Raith> ::Sets a course to drop them out of hyperspace where they originally where in space::
[21:21] <Raith> "I don't care how, we've got to get out of here NOW or that thing is going to crush us!"
[21:21] <bynw> *outside the bridge windows is the colored skys of hyperspace ... and nothing else
[21:23] <Raith> "What the frak just happened!?"
[21:23] <Ken> "I do not know Cap"
[21:23] <Doc> *seeing Raith is functioning, Doc looks over Jaeih now
[21:25] <bynw> *Jaeih pushes the doc away* "Get away ... I feel like I had ...had too much to drink ..." *she looks out the cockpit windows* "We're still here ... "
[21:25] * Ken runs a full ship's dignostic
[21:25] <Raith> ::Sets the course to Aris again::
[21:25] <Raith> "I've had enough of this place I think."
[21:26] <Ken> "we have some damage, hold up on stessing the ship."
[21:27] <Raith> ::Activates the internal comm:: "LT, how are you?"
[21:28] <bynw> *no answer back on the comm*
[21:28] <Doc> "Oh no"
[21:28] <Doc> *rushes to Sathara's station
[21:28] <bynw> *Jaeih* "With all due respect Mister Engineer. I say we get out of here ..."
[21:29] * Ken runsa few quick calculations
[21:30] <Ken> "We may be ok if a hyperspace jump is within a normal jump parameter. I would suggest a jump within range of out previous position assuming we have not moved."
[21:32] <bynw> *Jaeih* "We moved a great deal with the thrusters"
[21:32] <Ken> "But not a jump distance? I would make a short jump then."
[21:33] <Ken> brb cat issue
[21:33] <bynw> *Jaeih* "We are in Jumpspace ... we are already basically in the middle of a normal jump. What is short here? I say we just jump Captain."
[21:36] <Raith> "Frak it." ::engages the jump drive, course still set for Aris::
[21:36] <bynw> *Aris, the homeworld of the Alliance. Since the dawn of commercial space travel it has long held many ships in orbit.
[21:36] <bynw> When the Lady Luck assumes orbit after jumping out of hyperspace she see's the usual assortment of commerical ships with the inclusion of a few Alliance warships, 2 Klade ships and even one of Jaeih's peoples ships sharing orbits with one another.*
[21:37] * WarLord1 is now known as WarLord
[21:37] * Ken runs another diagnostic
[21:38] <Ken> "Cap we need some new armor plating, and some structural realignment done."
[21:38] <bynw> *the Lady Luck receives an incoming and urgent message from Aris*
[21:40] <Doc> "And, Ken, a new comm unit in Sathara's station... it broke"
[21:41] <bynw> *comm from planet* "Major Raith ... do you copy ... please respond" *the person sending the holo message is not recognized*
[21:42] <Raith> ::Opens the channel:: "This is Raith."
[21:43] * Ken starts making a repair list and material requisition list
[21:45] <Raith> ::Sighs loudly::
[21:46] <bynw> "This Senator Epsip. Welcome home Major to you and your crew. I know you've been out on the far frontier for while but we would be honored to have you join us. I'm having the landing coordinates sent now"
[21:48] <Raith> ::Comm:: "It's good to be home Senator. We're in need of repair and some quality shore leave. Setting a course for your coordinates now. See you planet side soon. Raith out."
[21:48] <Ken> "Cap...."
[21:49] <Raith> ::Looks to Ken:: "What's on your mind?"
[21:49] * Ken runs a diagnostic and then a comparative analysis of the star charts versus the scanned stars
[21:50] <Ken> "Four and half months have gone by according to the handshake with ArisCom."
[21:51] <bynw> *Jaeih pilots the ship to the landing coordinates and enters Aris's atmosphere
[21:54] <bynw> *the Lady Luck touches down on the landing platform outside of large installation ... one of the sentorial buildings*
[21:55] <Raith> "What happened to us when that...thing attacked us?"
[21:55] <Raith> "I want some answers and I aim to get them. If the Klade wont give them to us, we'll have to steal them."
[21:56] <Doc> "Shouldn't the ship's logs tell us something?" *Doc adds
[21:56] <bynw> *a delegation is forming outside the ship ... Senator Epsip leading them, a Klade is there as well, but the rest are all human.*
[21:57] <Ken> "I am running the logs now."
[21:57] <bynw> *Jaeih* "As a pilot I can over a theory" *she says wiping the dried blood off her face*
[21:57] * Ken starts a log dump from time stamp just before the jump to hyperspace."
[21:58] <Ken> "Time Dilation?"
[21:58] <bynw> *Jaeih* "It's not uncommon in a misjump. A ship jumps and arrives before it left or long after it was due. Well documented."
[22:00] <Raith> ??Do I recognize the Klade??
[22:01] <bynw> !! its not their leader ... but you've seen him before in the background a few times, one of Orsi's LTs most likely
[22:03] <Raith> "Let's go get some answers."
[22:03] <Raith> ::Gets up, wiping the blood from his nose, and starts walking towards the airlock::
[22:05] * Ken follows holding a cloth to his nose in case it starts bleeding again
[22:06] * Doc sprays Ken's nose with painkiller "That will help a little"
[22:07] <bynw> *the ladies follow the men out*
[22:07] <Ken> "Thansb Doc"
[22:09] <Raith> ::opens the airlock and walks down the ramp as it lowers. Frowning, he has on his 'game face', not his usual casual smirk::
[22:11] * Ken follows holding a hard printout of his requisition list.
[22:12] <bynw> *Senator Epsip steps forward to Raith offering his hand* "Welcome home!"
[22:14] <Raith> ::Nods to the Senator and takes his hand:: "Senator, good to be home."
[22:16] <Raith> ::Turns to the Klade represenative, steps towards him, and quietly and calmly speaks to him:: "I have some questions for you, and I don't want any more bullshit or cryptic verbal hand jobs."
[22:16] <bynw> *the Senator calls to the others, and addresses them by name ... welcoming them as well and returns his attention to Raith* "Looks like the Lady Luck has seen a bit of wear and tear. We will make sure she is fit. But you and your crew need rest."
[22:17] <bynw> *the Klade looks at Raith and nods at him* "Of course Major. I am Senator Tejer."
[22:19] <Raith> ::his jaw muscles bunch visibly beneath his jaw for a moment:: "Good to make your aquaintance Senator."
[22:21] <Raith> "Senator Epsip, we have a bit of business to conduct before we can rest, i believe my engineer Ken has a list of repairs and supplies for your men, if you please can we continue this in a more private forum?"
[22:21] <bynw> *the escort leads the crew inside to a set of ajoined suites where they can shower, with water, eat, sleep and relax ... most of the delegation excuses themselves and Senator Tejer remains behind to "assist the valiant crew with their needs".
[22:23] * Doc raises an eyebrow upon hearing "valiant crew"
[22:27] <bynw> *Senator Tejer* "You have questions Major?"
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[22:30] * Ken moves to a comm
[22:31] <Ken> ::Over comm:: "Requisitions please"
[22:31] <bynw> *Comm* "Requisitions"
[22:31] <Raith> ::Takes off his coat and drops it in a chair, then raids the mini-bar, making himself a whiskey on the rocks:: "Did the Klade raid the cloning facility where I was found?"
[22:32] * Doc makes small talk with Jaeih and Sathara
[22:32] <Raith> ::Watches the Senator closely::
[22:32] <bynw> *Tejer* "No we did not raid it. We had no need to do so as we built it."
[22:33] <bynw> "It has been looted by the ISD and scavengers since you were found there by the Alliance"
[22:38] <Doc> ... keeps glancing at the Senator, trying to discern if he is speaking truthfully
[22:39] * Ken activates his pad record and places it so the mic can pick up the senator's comments, trying to make it look casual as if he just needs to review the printout more closely
[22:40] <Raith> ::Gulps down his drink and pours another:: "We jumped into hyperspace. While there we came in contact with...something. It looked like, nothing. Do you know it?"
[22:41] <Ken> ::over comms:: "Please send someone to oour quaters, preferrably an engineer with a starship structure specialty."
[22:43] <Doc> *scowls because, as far as he can see, the Senator is truthful
[22:43] <bynw> *Tejer looks at Raith* "Hexidecimal coordinates I assume. Black as space itself but doesn't show on your scanners?"
[22:48] <Raith> ::sips his drink and nods::
[22:48] <bynw> "Tejer* "Yes we are aware of it. One of the dangers of travelling IN hyperspace and through it as you normally do. It causes the majority of all your misjumps that arent related to drive failures."