THARGOID SPIRES
19 Nov 2024Jav Marlo
THARGOID SPIRESAfter the destruction of the Titan Raijin, Aegis and the Anti Xeno Initiative are relocating their fleets to the few human controlled systems around the Titan Cocijo preparing for the final assault on the Thargoids. In the meantime, Jav Marlo and Ayumi visit one of the mysterious huge organic structures known as the Thargoid Spires on a mission for professor Palin.
28 OCTOBER 3310, Faraday City, Sukurbago system.
This is commander Jav Marlo, commencing this recording in the docks of Faraday City.
Commander Jav Marlo walking towards the Cerberus at Faraday City docks
I will register live the whole operation. Professor Palin might find the recording useful afterwards.
Ayumi, do you copy me? Are you ready for this?
Ayumi here, I copy. Are you sure about using the Cerberus for this? This ship is huge. I have never flown anything so big. I would have chosen a ship more… nimble, in case we need to do a quick… retreat.
Ayumi in the cockpit of the Cerberus
I am counting on you to deliver me to that Spire site and to pick me up when I am done. And there are many chances that you will have to do it under heavy fire. The Cerberus can take a lot of punishment. I installed reinforced hulls all over it, and upgraded its anti AX multi cannons. It is a fine ship, just a little… sluggish… you will get use to it.
I just think that there must be an easier way to do this… Anyhow, how does it feel wearing your Dominator combat suit again?
Stiff… You may depart as soon I am on board.
Roger.
Jav Marlo ready to board the Cerberus
…
So far so good. It is a flying brick, but it feels… solid. Heading Col 285 Sector XT-Q C5-18. Just a couple of jumps. Brace yourself.
I am readying the SRV. Once there head towards the first satellite of the second gas giant. The Thargoid Spire site should be easy to spot.
Ayumi flying the Cerberus
…
Get ready down there. ETA 3 minutes… (gasp) that thing… is huge… I can clearly see it from orbit. Do you still want to do this? Where should I drop you?
You read the reports. That is how barnacle sites evolve. Those spires can reach 6Km height. Just do a recon flight from above, and then we will find a proper landing place.
The Cerberus approaching Col 285 Sector XT-Q C5-18 2a
I am initiating the glide. It looks quite quiet from here. Even… peaceful. Are you sure there are Thargoids drones down there?
The latest reports are from two days ago. They were there then… so keep your eyes open. They say some of those drones have shutdown missiles.
The Cerberus gliding towards the Spire site
….
The Cerberus now does not look so big around these things. Still looking quiet though… apart for those yellowish lights below… are those…? BRACE! THEY ARE FIRING US! I am boosting away.
Damn, Ayumi!
The Cerberus being shot by a Banshee
There is slight depression a couple klicks away. I am dropping you there. Get ready to disembark fast. The sensors show Thargs coming out those portals…
… Landing!
The Cerberus landing close to a Thargoid Spire site
Copy. Deploying the SRV.
Jav Marlo deploying a SRV from the Cerberus
…
I am driving towards the Spires. I can see a lot of activity on those portals.
Jav Marlo driving a SRV towards a Spire site
WHACHT OUT! Scouts coming your way. You better depart and wait for me in a low orbit.
Copy that. Departing. Take care.
The Cerberus departing
I always do. I’ll call you back when I need a lift out. The scouts are turning back. You should be fine. I am disengaging communications.
Jav Marlo on a SRV approaching a Spire site
…
There are canyons between the spires. I am using them for cover during my final approach. So far nothing fired on me… and that is… good… I guess.
Jav Marlo driving a SRV on the canyons between the spires
…
I think this is as far as I can go with the SRV. I can see one small Thargoid drone patrolling less than one K away, and a portal above me. I would better find a place to leave the SRV.
Jav Marlo on a SRV close to the Thargoid spires
…
I found a quiet place out of the patrol routes of the drones in the shadow below one of the smaller spires. I am leaving the SRV. I will continue on foot.
Jav Marlo besides his SRV on a Thargoid spire site
…
I am getting closer. And now I can see a lot of activity. There are Interceptors patrolling around the spires and several drones roaming the surface. Those must be the ones they call Revenants. Palin said that those things are half biologic-half mechanic, that they use chips to function… and that he would like to pay a closer look to one of those chips.
Jav Marlo observing the activity around the Thargoid spires
Well, that is why we came for... There are plenty of drones… The problem will be to isolate one and destroy it for the chip… Ssshhh. Eaaasy. I can see the big one now. That must be the Banshee the reports speak off. Those I cannot handle. Better avoid them. Damn… I have never seen those things before. I would love to take a closer look.
A Banshee patrolling a Thargoid spire site
Down there… one Revenant floating away from the pack… (heavy breath) that is mine…. (heavy breath) I am running towards it.
Jav Marlo spotting an isolated Revenant
(Heavy breath) You… (heavy breath)… are (heavy breath)… MINE!
Jav Marlo firing on a Revenant
PALIN WAS RIGTH! The TK Aphelion is damaging it… I… GOT… YOU! YES! Blown to pieces… Where did that came from? WHAT THE…?
AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH! It burns!
Jav Marlo being hit by a Revenant
…
(static) Ayumi… are you there? (static) Listen… I destroyed one of those things… it unleashed hell here. All those drones you saw went crazy and are looking for me. I am hiding lying down behind a rock. I am injured… I cannot move… I do not have much time… This is it… I have a leak… I am running out of O2… You were right… this was not a sound plan… (heavy breath)… I am sorry….
Jav Marlo hiding behind a rock on a Thargoid spire site
(static) JAV… JAV… HOLD ON… DON’T FAINT… I’M COMING IN HOT.
Ayumi holding the Cerberus on orbit above a Thargoid spire site
(Heavy breath) DON’T! There are many Thargoids… many… (cough)…. Damn!... You never listen…. (heavy breath)… I see you co-comiiiinnnng…
Ayumi bringing the Cerberus down into a Thargoid spire site
(Energy level down to… 0%) (Air supply… depleted) JAV!... JAV!... TALK TO ME! I AM ALMOST THERE! DON’T FAINT!
Jav Marlo’s air supply depleted
…
Jav? Jav? Do you copy me? Hold on and get comfy down there. You will be in a proper medical facility in Faraday City in no time.
(Heavy breath) Hey… thanks for coming for me… you know… you did not have to…
Don’t mention it… At least you were right choosing the ship for the job. This brick save us… it can really take a lot.
(Sighs) I am glad you approve it.
By the way, did you get the piece Palin was looking for?
(Laughs) Well, I got a piece of it. But I don’t know if that is what Palin is looking for.
Jav Marlo signing out.
Ayumi flying the Cerberus out of a Spire site