Guardian Ruins - Col 173 Sector DZ-D c13-2
04 Apr 2018Archived
Previously in James' LogbookAfter discovering the wreckage of "Hyperion" and learning the fate of Blasius Hajdu, young Matt disappeared, probably to clear his mind and decide what to do next. James was eager to push the investigation forward, but Prof. Goldstein insisted that they moved out and explore some more old Guardian sites. Barrett had no choice but to comply...
***
LONG-DISTANCE RECORDED AUDIO
FROM: James N. Barrett
TO: Siobhan Hudson
Hey lass!
I tried to call, but the med personel said you had some complicated surgery and they didn't want to wake you up. I lied about a Type-9, I still can't afford one, but I got a nice and fast Orca with an upgraded jump range to haul people for Sammy and General Crashbx. Sending you a photo as we speak. And I desperately need a co-pilot, so get better soon, OK? I'll probably be quiet for some time, going with Goldstein and this other pilot he contracted, Namita Pear, to visit some Guardian ruins almost 1000 ly from Freeport.
Thanks for your previous message, everything is fine. I'll pass your... no, fuck it, I won't lie to you, Sib. Blasius is dead. He got himself into something too big even for a Rear Admiral... I have some leads I will follow once I get back to the bubble. I am sorry, lass. I haven't felt so bad since... I don't know. Blasius was a friend. I know you liked him too. Shit, I probably shouldn't be telling you that this way, but I think it is only fair. Or maybe it isn't.
Got tu run lass, Goldstein's here. Take care and get well soon.
***
Deep Space
LHS 6171 System
"Heat level critical, emergency drop"
"Oh for the love of... for the third time?! Come on, Betty!!"
"What happened?" - demanded Goldstein from his co-pilot chair on the deck below James.
"Got too close to that damn neutron star again. At this rate we will fry our systems before we get to the destination."
"Well, be more careful then. Have you heard back from Miss Pear?"
"Aye, the lass is already at the destination, waiting for us."
"Then could I ask you to try and focus? We're loosing precious time..."
"I will, yeah."
***
Deep Space
Col 173 Sector DZ-D c13-2 System
"Commander Barrett. Glad you have finally made it".
"Sorry it took us so long, I had a difficult time back in the bubble - a loss of good friend.. but we're here, where are these ruins?"
"Enabling the beacon now... active".
"Got ya. Hold on, professor wanted to speak to you, patching him through now".
"Commander Pear? First of all let me thank you for accepting my offer! I hope that together we will be able to gather all the required data quickly and efficiently!" - Goldstein's spoke so loud that James had to turn down the volume of the comms.
"Thank you, professor. I hope so, though - as I am sure you are aware - this site is not on the Cannon list of Guardian structure locations... who knows what we might find there?"
"Exciting! I will stay on the ship and watch James' camera feed. James, if you could, when on the ground please don't drive too fast or turn abruptly if you could be so kind".
"Sure thing, prof. But it will be up to you to explain to the sentinels to be fair and not to shoot me as I will be a sitting duck. Speaking of which - lass, this site is guarded, right?"
"It is. I've seen four drones on my initial recon run".
"Grand. Prof, you have 2 minutes before I touch down to talk to them."
"What do you mean?" - Goldstein was clearly puzzled.
"Nothing... Forget it." - James rolled his eyes, muted the comms and finished - "I mean you have absolutely no sense of humour, old fart".
***
Surface of Planet 12A
Col 173 Sector DZ-D c13-2 System
The two Scarabs stopped atop a small jagged peak about five hundred metres away from the ruins. Namita's image flickered at the comms panel.
"Alright Cmdr Barrett. There should be four of them. Their weapons are not too effective against our shields, but can easily trip the SRV over and will become dangerous if they concentrate their fire. I will go in first and draw their attention."
"Fine. Ready".
"Moving out!!" - she said and James was certain he heard some music in the background. Her vehicle shot high using vertical thrusters and landed in the middle of the Guardian base. As soon as her wheels touched the dusty ground, two pairs of sleek, triangular sentries emerged from beneath the rocks and immediately opened fire.
"Holy shit!!!!" - the first few rounds of their blasters hit James' Scarab, sending it tumbling sideways. He regained control, activated the turret, pushed the throttle and started shooting.
The battle was over after two, maybe three minutes. Once they were certain the area was clear of the hostiles, Barrett and Pear met near the central ruin.
"OK, what now?" - asked James.
"Now search for the glowing obelisks around the site and try to scan them" - answered Goldstein - "However, you should have a correct set of guardian artefacts in your hold. Miss Pear, do you know by any chance what would work?"
"As I told you, professor, this site is not listed by Canonn, therefore all we can do is to learn by trial"
"It doesn't work" - Barrett chimed in. While Goldstein talked with Namita, he picked up two random relics and used the data scanner on one of the closest obelisks. All he got back was some encrypted data.
"That is probably due to the fact that each of them is displaying a certain pattern that you need to match" - Cmdr Pear explained.
"What now?"
"You have to have a correct cargo in your hold, matching the diagrams displayed on each of the obelisks" - she continued to explain as if talking to a little child.
"Oh.. gotcha, fair play to you, lass. And how do I know what is what?"
"Let me send you a little description I put together... there".
"Thanks. Alright, let me check...."
He drove around the site, picking all the artefacts he could find and scanning the glowing alien structures - to no avail. All he got was encrypted information.
"Aw, that's cat. Prof, I have nothing. How about I gather all I can, get it to our hold and we'll try again tomorrow? I'm running out of ideas here".
"Fine. You do that" - came the answer from Goldstein - "And I will meet with Miss Pear onboard her ship if that is OK. I want to talk to her in person - never had the opportunity".
"Grand. I hear she has some whiskey for me, could you bring it with you on your way back?"
***
Onboard 'Situation Excellent', Federal Gunship
Surface of Planet 12A
Col 173 Sector DZ-D c13-2 System
"You seem to know much about the Guardian sites" - said the professor, looking around the pit of 'Situation Excellent'.
"I've visited a few, yes. Including the ones closest to this location. Extremely interesting, some of them.. not only the ruins, but the systems. Like the one with a huge black hole in it and a number of cold stars. As for the ruins themselves, the other one I've scouted seems to serve essentially the same purpose. It, too, is situated in a tall, inhospitable mountain range. The same structures were present, however it notably had a 'bank' of obelisks to those one can find in the ruins".
"I understand. There certainly is a whole lot to research and discover. Including the whole riddle with the obelisks and patterns. Truly fascinating! Thank you for all your insight, I have a lot of reading to do. I will take the Pearl Whisky for James and propose that we continue tomorrow. I am sure this place still holds some surprises for us".
"An excellent idea. See you in the morning."
"Thank you. I have to admit I am very glad we got in touch, Miss Pear."
(to be continued)
You can read an excellent description of the same event in Namita's logbook.