The aliens and impossible things (04/04/3304)
05 Apr 2018Archived
Previously in James' LogbookJames, Namita Pear and Prof. Goldstein ran a throughout check on the Guardian structures, but scans wielded no results. Disappointed, they decided to check out several other locations nearby, found by Namita before arrival of the "Boondock Saint"...
***
Guardian Structure
Synuefe TP-F b44-0 System (uninhabited)
"Shite... this is useless, Ram Tah's device either is not working or this are some new types of structures that require a different key" - James looked at the display which informed him - for the fifth time - that the data he downloaded was encrypted.
"This is weird indeed..." - prof. Goldstein was safe onboard "The Boondock Saint", watching the video feed from Barrrett's SRV - "You have the correct combination of the artefacts in your cargo hold... Nevermind. Good work nevertheless, perhaps I will be able to decipher the data on my own. Get as much as you can".
"Gotcha, professor. Two more obelisks and we can move to another system".
"I'd recommend HIP 39769" - Namita was patrolling the perimeter in her own Scarab - "I am sure I saw some ruins, perhaps we will also be able to find a structure as well".
"Yeah. Let's do that. If only I knew where my damn ship was.. lost it from the scanners and there is no way for the autopilot to land it around here. The slopes are too steep."
"And what about the professor?"
Before answering, James switched from broadband to direct link "It's better he doesn't touch anything. No offence, lass, I like your gunship and all, but I'd rather get back home in my own ship, thank you very much. Alright, I'm done here, going to find some suitable space and call the Saint on autopilot".
***
Guardian Structure
HIP 39768 System (uninhabited)
Asp Explorer touched down on a tiny flat spot. James spooled down the engines.
"Alright lass, I have landed almost on top of the ruins. Going to have a look around".
"Ah..this, uh, was the one I talked about. How it was impossible to land here. Um.. right on, commander!"
"Sorry. I didn't know it was impossible".
"Look, I won't even try in this behemoth. Besides, my SRV is damaged. I'll stay up and provide some air cover".
"Gotcha. Make good use of these multi-cannons" - James unstrapped and went to the hangar bay. He brought two Scarabs with him - just in case one ran into too much trouble. He chose the green one and left the ship.
"OK, professor, the feed is on. Lass, keep your eyes op..."
"Contact, 3 o'clock, engaging" - she interrupted. A moment later huge hull of Federal Gunship flew overhead, spitting hundreds of bullets per second against a small Guardian sentinel. It disappeared in a fountain of sparks, smashed hard on one of the huge stones and exploded.
"Fair play to you, lass. I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of your vessel..."
"Yes. I don't think you would".
"Alright, let's see if these structures are any different..."
They weren't. Despite scanning several obelisks with correct types of relics in the SRV's hold, all the data they got was encrypted. There was one more drone trying to stop them, but it shared the fate of the previous one. It was shred to pieces before James even managed to turn his turret.
"Useless. Prof, we have the same results here, something is off".
"I undestand, James. Perhaps let's have a look at the ruins on the opposite side of the planet?"
"Why not? Worth giving it a try".
***
Guardian Ruins
HIP 39768 System (uninhabited)
The ruins below looked almost exactly the same as the ones they checked in Synuefe XR-H D11-102. Most of the buildings - if they could be called as such - were buried under a thick layer of dust. Large groups of stones and obelisks were sticking out from the sand. James went towards one such clusters without much hope of finding anything. This place wasn't even defended, they didn't encounter any of the sentries.
"Alright, I am approaching the glowing one... it requires an orb and a relic. Namita, do you have these in your hold?"
"Sure, wait one." - the gunship hovered above James and opened the cargo hatch. Two alien artefacts have gently fallen to the ground in 0.2G. Barrett scooped them, returned to the obelisk and enabled the data scanner. He was expecting exactly the same results, but to his surprise just as he finished downloading the intel, a message arrived on the panel, with decrypted information about the biology of the Guardians.
"Professor, I have something! Guess we have been wrong all along, the decryption system doesn't work on structures, it works on ruins! Sending the first file your way and checking for more info!"
"That's splendid! Please do so, gather as much data as you possibly can!"
"Yeah, I will. Namita, when touching down I remember seeing another large cluster, can you find it for me?"
"On it, Mr. Barrett" - the drives flashed and Federal Gunship departed from the position it held overhead. Around 30 seconds later James heard her saying - "Alright, I am now illuminating the largest group I can see".
"On my way"
He managed to scan 5 additional stones, using artefacts dropped by Namita Pear, which sped things up considerably and let him avoid going back and forth between the ruins and his Asp. After sending the latest intel on Guardian History, Prof. Goldstein opened up the comms channel.
"James, Miss Pear, I think I have enough. This data will give me plenty of things to work on. I am eager to get back to Freeport to my temporary lab."
"Great news, prof. I'd happily get out of the SRV. Coming back now" - James stretched in the driver's seat in the cramped cockpit of the Scarab.
"Very good, I am glad that it was a success, after all" - said Namita - "I'll be happy to offer my services again, although I think I do have an idea what we can do next... I will be in touch soon. It was a pleasure, gentlemen!"
"Thank you, Miss Pear, pleasure was all ours!"
"Aye lass, take care of yourself" - James watched as the gunship abruptly accelerated and went directly up, leaving behind a long blue trail of particles, before it disappeared in a flash a few kilometres above the surface".
***
Four hours later
Deep Space
Meene System
James pulled hard on the stick as soon as they jumped into the system. It was a habit rather than necessity, but it helped avoid getting too close to the star. He checked the panel on his left - Felice Dock was only 101 light seconds away.
"Professor, do you mind if we make a stopover at Felice? I'm dead tired..."
"Of course. Just don't give any of the data to Ram Tah, let me work on it."
"Well, if I sold it to him you could keep a copy and I'd be 5 million credits richer.. that way you won't have to pay me your share."
"Hm.. good thinking, boy. On second thought, I don't see any harm in it. We could also get a decent meal here. And you're paying this time!"
"Gotcha. With pleasure, professor. With pleasure".
