DISTANT WORLDS 2 - DAY 9 - LIFE, JIM, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT
21 Jan 2019Zak Starfall
Galactic stardate 21JAN3305After the discoveries of yesterday, we were keen to see what today would bring, so we fired up the Frameshift Drive and set off on a random path.
We soon jumped into a system showing another stellar phenomena radar signal. This one was another green Lagrange cloud, but this time harbouring Rubeum Metallic Crystals, a new form to us. I took the fighter out again, and I must admit I like the handling of the GU-97, I think we could be keeping this one for the rest of the journey.
We decided to try our luck with the mapping scanners to see we could pick up any signs of planetary activity. After a few dead ends, we finally got a result, a landable planet with signs of geological and biological activity.
Cathy picked a biological signal, and I pointed Star Reaper towards the surface. The signal was on the daylight side, and the gravity was weak, so it was an easy glide in to the signal source. An odd sight met our eye as we exited the entry glide, a field of what looked to be tree stumps. as we got closer a constant low frequency noise could be heard emanating from these forms.
We touched down in the midst of this field, and took the SRVs out to investigate.
A composition scan logged them as Bark Mounds, and noted that they survived by absorbing elements from nova and supernova, with the dense outer layer protecting them from the severest radiation. Several of them had other biological growths and pods attached as though they were growing from them. We managed to dislodge several of these with careful use of the SRV blasters, and collected them for research back on Star Reaper. Later we discovered that these growths could be broken down to provide basic material elements. This could be useful later on our travels for synthesising SRV fuel or Jumponium.
Another planet in the system was home to a completely different lifeform, recorded as Blatteum Bioluminescent Anemones. Records indicated that these could tolerate a wide range of temperatures, and are able to absorb energy from nearby stars. Again, there were examples of externally growing pods and growths, and a similar low frequency constant hum.
This had been a long day of planetary scouting and landing, and opened our eyes to the strangeness of life in this galaxy. This Sector seems to be rich in life in various forms. We've got a few more days out here before we need to head back to Omega to rendezvous with the fleet for the WP3 departure.
What else waits to be discovered?
o7