Sep

Absolute Comics - Season Two: The Monster Within

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FLYING IN THE SKY // SOMEWHERE OVER NEW MEXICO
_{Issue #2 Teething difficulties"}

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Jaimes entire vision was in some kind of orange tint. Alien text scrolled over his eyes in some form of HUD. He could make out the occasional phrase, more than he could the first time the suit came out. Which made him think that this suit was somehow downloading more information into his brain. This wasn't good, this was some kind of weird Iron Man tech or something. It wasn't meant for him. "Okay. So you're hardwired into me. How do I get you off?"

⟟⋏⎐⏃⌰⟟⎅ ⍾⎍⟒⍀⊬

"What do you mean- Woah!" Jaime twisted as a flock of birds was flying right at him. Using his arms to steady himself out he was on the level again. Okay, he had to admit, this flying thing was pretty cool. ""What do you mean Invalid?"

☍⊑⏃⟊⟟-⎅⏃ ☊⏃⋏⋏⍜⏁ ⏚⟒ ⍀⟒⋔⍜⎐⟒⎅ ⎎⍀⍜⋔ ⏁⊑⟒ ⋔⟒⏃⏁ ⍜⋏☊⟒ ⏚⍜⋏⎅⟒⎅ ⍙⟟⏁⊑⍜⎍⏁ ☍⟟⌰⌰⟟⋏☌ ⏁⊑⟒ ⋔⟒⏃⏁

"Okay so. Assuming I'm the meat and you're Khaji-Da... you can't come off without killing me?"

☊⍜⍀⍀⟒☊⏁

The feeling of elation, the adrenaline high that he had been souring on as he flew through the air came crashing down with the realisation. He wasn't ready to be attached to this for the rest of his life, what about his friends? What about school? He couldn't live a normal life with this thing fused to his spine wanting to kill everyone.

⟟ ⎅⍜ ⋏⍜⏁ ⌇⟒⟒☍ ⏁⍜ ☍⟟⌰⌰ ⟒⎐⟒⍀⊬⍜⋏⟒ ⟟ ⟊⎍⌇⏁ ⍙⟟⌇⊑ ⏁⍜ ⌿⍀⍜⏁⟒☊⏁ ⊬⍜⎍ ⏃⋏⎅ [⎎⟟⌰⟒ ⟒⍀⍀⍜⍀]

"Would you stop reading my thoughts! It freaks me out, and what do you mean file error?"

⟟⏁ ⏃⌿⌿⟒⏃⍀⌇ ⋔⊬ ⟟⋏⏁⟒⍀⋏⏃⌰ ⎅⏃⏁⏃⏚⏃⌇⟒ ⟟⌇ ☊⍜⍀⍀⎍⌿⏁⟒⎅

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DARK SIDE OF EARTHS MOON // SOL SYSTEM

The tall dark figure growled slightly, an animalistic sound reverberating around the control room of the ship. "The Meat continues to exert control over the Scarab." He stepped forward, the black chitin of his armour reflecting the light of the various screens around the control room. The surface of his armour matching most of the interior of the vessel in texture. His feet fell heavy, each step echoing slightly in the empty chamber. Only himself and the ambassador were present, watching as they tracked the Blue Scarab and its host as it travelled through the skies on a course towards this New York that was apparently so important to this insignificant little planet. In their initial reports, he had already marked it for one of the cities he would inevitably deal with. Should the ambassador's plan fail.

It was him that spoke next, in his calm and slow tone. Unintimidating and yet every bit as controlling as his own. "Calm yourself Djo Zha. This is the first scarab within thousands to fail in such a way, we must monitor this young scarab and determine why this human is able to resist its influence. Earth has seen a rise of these Champions called Heroes, perhaps something in their geneology makes them more advanced than they appear to be. This requires study before we begin the implementation of our greater conquest."

"What do you suggest then, Ambassador?" The Ambassador snarled at Djo Zha, who bowed his head once he remembered his place. He may have been one of the greatest warriors to ever exist, but he was but of the Warrior Caste.

"We shall test the meat. It has already expressed distaste at allowing the Scarab to kill, something many of these humans see as a heinous act. We shall put the Scarab into a combat-heavy environment, and see how well the meat controls the scarab."

"And if the Scarab should take over the meat during your test?"

"Then it shall be deemed all the more successful, as we will then have our tool back where it belongs." The Ambassador stepped forward, keying a button on the console as a low thrum was sent throughout the vessel.

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

USAF DAEDALUS // UNKNOWN SPACE

Steven Caldwell scrolled through the data. They had some difficulty interfacing it with their computer systems but having McKay aboard really made things go a lot smoother he had to admit. The scientist was arrogant at times, had his head up his own ass but he could get away with it as he was actually as smart as he thought he was. He didn't quite agree with McKays suggestion at Commenor, but he also didn't agree with the decisions of sending themselves to Kashyyyk or Naboo, both seemed important to this Galactic Empire that they had been warned about. What they needed to do was find somewhere neutral, out of the way. Somewhere where they wouldn't get into any trouble but had a reliable source of supplies should they need it.

The Daedalus could run for years off their Naquadah Generators, the first issue would be armament. They had enough railgun rounds to last them a while but only a relatively small supply of nuclear missiles before they had to resort to non-nuclear armament which historically didn't get them very far in engagements. This reality or universe, whichever it was, was bound to have some form of missile or explosive material that they could use to make missiles. There would be food in abundance, whenever you had living beings there had to be food so that they could maintain their lives. Sometimes we are the food. He shuddered at the thought, he couldn't think of a worse way to go than to become somethings lunch.

No, the biggest issue would be the F-302s. They had a store of fuel onboard to keep them going for a while but eventually, that would run out, and while the 302 was a space-faring craft it still used fuel-burning engines. Steven brought up the map as he found the look of something he liked. A dense nebula, it was farther away than he would have liked especially since Sheppard had already offered the Daedalus to help another ship go through hyperspace. However once they were inside they would be virtually undetectable to sensors from outside the Nebula, at that point they could come and go as they pleased. Probably leave the bigger ships behind while the Daedalus, Glasgow and the weird triangle ship were the ones to go for supplies. It was easier to sell the lie of just being a ship you've never seen or heard off before if it's significantly smaller than everything else.

He also had to deal with the idea that McKay was sought after by these, Sangheili people aboard the Aegis because he seemed to have some idea as to what was going on. If they wanted McKay to go there then they'd have to wait until they relocated, he wanted to know what their FTL signature was like so if they tried to run with him they would be able to beam him out first. Caldwell turned to Lt.Cooper who sat at her terminal. "Open a channel to the fleet."

"Channels open sir."

"This is Colonel Caldwell aboard the Daedalus. I'm transmitting co-ordinates to what I believe would be a suitable location for us to lie low in order to solve our problems. It's also not too far away from planets that we can't send missions to get supplies." He sat in his chair and keyed in some commands, transmitting the data out to the fleet. The co-ordinates of the Transitory Mists.

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

AR-1 // RESURGENCE // UNKNOWN SPACE

McKay nodded. "That is, fair I guess." He looked over to see Sheppard beckoning him over. "We'll be in touch soon no doubt, though it looks like it's time for us to-" He signalled over to Sheppard. Not sure what the 'goodbye' protocol was for when dealing with an alien species from another universe. "-Uh. Yeah."

Meanwhile, Sheppard was saying his goodbyes to the crew of the Glasgow. "We'll be in touch with details about the Hyperspace jump, but we better report back to the Daedalus' commander." He offered a half salute before walking out of the room.

The rest of the team joined him Ronon, however, was the last one to leave, keeping his eyes on the Broodmother and the Sangheili as he left. Even once they left the briefing room he kept glancing back to see if they were being followed. There was something he liked about this 'Shipmaster Falul'. The way he was no-nonsense get the job done, it's one of the things he liked about Sheppard and felt like the rest of the humans from Earth lacked. Even Caldwell who had proved himself competent but still relied on protocol put in place by people who likely had no idea what the situation on the ground was.

McKay did a short jog hop to catch up with Sheppard. "So I see you're making friends?"

"Just about as much as you are. Offered them a ride with the Daedalus."

McKay scoffed. "Are you insane? The Daedalus' hyperdrive isn't made for transporting two ships."

"Relax Rodney, it's just a short hop away. It'll be a tax on the hyperdrive I'm sure but with you and Hermiod I'm sure you can keep the hyperdrive from falling apart. Commander Erthos already offered to retrofit their ship with one of their hyperdrives. So it'll probably be just one trip, two at most." Sheppard shrugged as he continued walking down the corridor, pausing slightly at a junction, as if not entirely sure on what way to go before turning right to go down the corridor. They eventually came to the hangar, without an escort this time they had much more time to look around at the processes going on. Various robotic units dotted around the hangar, working away on a variety of projects. They seemed to be assisted by some of the living beings of the ship.

Sheppard's eye was drawn to some of the craft that littered the hangar deck, and there were a lot of them. "I don't think we're at the point where you can ask to take one for a joy ride."

Sheppard shot a dirty look at Ronon. "I wasn't thinking about that, I was just interested in their technology, the same as Rodney is when he's doing his scans."

Rodney looked up from the handheld scanner he was walking around glued too. "Huh?"

"See. Exactly. These are foreign, alien powers. They could have technology that could be useful to us in our fight against the Wraith, as I don't know if any of you noticed but so far we've come up with zip in terms of new technology to fight the Wraith."

Rodney nodded. "He's right. In some way these people aren't as advanced as what we have, the readings I'm getting from their shielding are virtually non-existent. Yet the power input their reactor has? It's insane, the way their transport flies without any visible engines. That's so far ahead of us it is unreal. Its almost as if they've stagnated for years technologically."

"Then perhaps they will be valuable allies indeed." Teyla was the next one to speak up.

Forever the pessimist Rodney looked at her with a worried face. "So long as they don't drag us into their war first."

Everyone turned to look at Rodney. "Need I remind you that in that briefing room the main piece of information we got was Empire bad."

Sheppard nodded. "It did seem a little bit that way, if we first come across the Empire while we're flying with the Resurgence I can almost guarantee how it will end. I've seen that look before though, that's the look of a man who has been at war for a very long time."

Ronon grunted. "It is the look of a man who has lost everything, and fighting to get it back."

Sheppard nodded his thanks as a random deckhand noticed them walking around looking lost and pointed towards one of the dropships. "It's that one Sirs."

They all took their place in the main body of the craft. "Well. We got a lot to talk to Caldwell about." The doors closed as the craft lifted off the deck, flew through the shield and headed out into space on a return voyage to the Daedalus.

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

AR-1 // RESURGENCE // UNKNOWN SPACE

McKay looked at the armoured figure who walked over, some form of mercenary. Well, they had been heard off in the Milkyway, it made sense that people would want to take advantage of strife and conflict in order to make a quick buck. This wasn't where his interest lied after all. Scans from a new form of alien vessel? The scans themselves could give them valuable insights into the way the ships operated. Meeting with skills in sciences from other races and universes also opened a wide array of new technology. New technology meant new challenges, he had no doubt he'd conquer them quickly but looked forward to them nonetheless. He missed being able to work on new things without the threat of impending doom, while they had to get themselves back to their universe at the very least they weren't in trouble in this universe.

"I mean you keep judging us to the humans of your universe, so I figured we'd explain the situation as we have it. I have no idea what an Artisian is or a Hurgalok but if they're scientists then we can figure something out I'm sure. What even is a ships spirit?"

Teyla smiled. "Perhaps, this discussion would be better had once we had a chance to return to our respective ships and plan our next course of action."

"This is our next course of action Teyla. We work together with other people to find a way home." McKay turned back to Falul. "Though I suppose we'll need to find a way to send data between ships so we can continue to work together-" McKay looked over at Sheppard who seemed to still be in conversation with the crew of the Glasgow. "-We'll need to wait till Sheppards finished before we leave though. Assuming our host is still willing to transport us."

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

AR1 // RESURGENCE // UNKNOWN SPACE

A smirk crossed Rodneys face. "Competent Scientist? Well, granted you don't know me yet but I'm the best our planet has to offer. Not to mention without a doubt the one who can help us find a way home." Ronan turned to face McKay, a look of warning on his face.

"McKay."

"Oh come on Ronan, their ship is considerably larger than the Daedalus if they wanted to be hostile they would have done it already. Besides they're not the Wraith. In terms of your other question, stave off extinction? In eight years we toppled an empire that stood for hundreds of years and became made strides in technological advancement with the loss of very little life. Not to mention we started a rebellion to free slaves from centuries of indoctrination at the hands of the said empire and saved two galaxies from a threat a race far more advanced than us couldn't stop." The instincts of Teyla as a leader and a diplomat stepped in.

"It is true, I have come to know these humans from Earth a year ago and they have been honourable friends in a fight against a race far more powerful and numerous than we can even describe. They have done more to hurt this evil race of beings in one year than anyone has for a thousand years. They are honourable warriors and good friends and I have seen them solve problems where I could never had imagined the solution." She looked at Ronan with a raised eyebrow.

"They've done good by me, taken me in, healed me, killed Wraith. That's all that matters."

"But yeah to answer your question, shipmaster was it? We're your guys." He couldn't believe he was being diplomatic with an alien right now. An alien that looked like something out of a horror film. "I assume you have your own scientists who you'd like me to collaborate with?"

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

AR-1 // RESURGENCE // UNKNOWN SPACE

The Commander walked out having given them two 'options' for what planet to go to. "What am I just invisible?" Teyla stood up turning to Rodney as she did so.

"No, you certainly are not that. Though it has to be said that he knows this reality better than anyone else present, he knows the strategic locations of importance."

"Yes and he also knows the places to take us where we would get into a fight with this 'Empire' he doesn't like. He might not be telling us to go to war with them, but it sure seems like he's going to drag us that way." A couple of the Clones that were still in the room were now actively watching McKay. "Yeah, I said it."

"At the end of the day, the decision is not ours. Colonel Caldwell will choose the course of action which he deems most suitable for the Daedalus and its crew. We are merely here as a point of first contact as we are the most experienced in dealing with alien cultures. We would do well to remember our place." McKay sighed, then winced slightly as he looked up at the alien with the four-pronged mouth thing.

"I would speak with you."

As soon as the aliens had started approaching the group, with Sheppard off talking to the representatives from the Glasgow Ronan saw it his place to be the muscle for Rodney and Teyla. He approached the tall alien, shipmaster whoever he was. The beast stood over a foot taller than him, however, that didn't intimidate him. Ronan stood right in front of him, eyes locked in a death-stare.

"Oh yeah? Well, how about you back up and tell me what you want."

"Ronan!" Teyla stepped forward, pulling Ronan back slightly with her hand on his shoulder. "We mean no disrespect-" If looks could kill. The one Teyla was giving Ronan would cut him to shreds. "-what can we help you with Shipmaster?"

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

It saddens me to report that our friend Sophrus has dropped. All posting may resume.

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

VENGEANCE // ASSIMILATOR STAR DESTROYER // RAXUS PRIME ORBIT

Tarkin scoffed at the hologram, he nodded to one of his officers to relay his own image back to them. His chiselled figures cutting a clear imposing image. He was a man who held the air of authority. He had hunted in dire situations, been left for dead more times than he could count. Held prisoner and fought in battles all over the Galaxy in the Clone Wars. He was one of the most experienced commanding officers that the Empire had at its disposal.

"Now Princess. I feel that you don't understand the complexity of the situation. By all rights, I have enough on you to fire on your insignificant vessel and end your life for crimes against the Empire. Conspiring with War Criminals, attacking Imperial Property and the like. However, you are a newcomer to our space and as such we are more interested in more. Diplomatic relations. You will power down whatever form of Hyperdrive you have, and your weapons then come aboard my vessel." He nodded to an officer out of the view of the holo communicator, targetting the ship in order to achieve a tractor beam lock. "Answer now, keep me waiting and your offer of amnesty will expire." During the exchange the creeping megalith of the Vengeance altered course, on a direct heading for the strange vessel.

Meanwhile, on Republic Military Networks. Not yet changed to Imperial Encryption codes, there was a broadcast that the war was ending. Reports of victory above Raxus prime using the new Assimilator Star Destroyers as well as reports of 'Lord Vader' successfully apprehending the last of the Separatist Leadership and sending out the droid deactivation codes.

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

We'll continue in another 24hrs, unless the people we're waiting for give us good pause to continue to wait.

Star Wars - Galaxies at War[MULTIVERSE SPACESHIP RP]

I know we're all very excited for what's going on, but I recommend any posting be set aboard our ships and what they're currently doing until our friends @Enalais and @Sophrus get a chance. We've been steaming ahead pretty quick, and I like that but lets not get ahead of our friends.