Getting the pirate crew back in their ship, minus the captain and maybe plus Eki, would have no downsides I can see. Offer them a huge bonus if they help us fight.
Either they do help and give us a medium ship in the fight. Or they flee, and draw one or two enemy ships away. Either way we benefit.

>Getting a reputation for being merciful and just is not something that you would scoff at.
Nor should you. I suppose being arbiter of the galaxy isn't the worst career path. Just keep through records in case anyone accuses you of being unfair.

>>1093304
Make scans of the incoming battlefield your top priority. There could be obstacles you can use to block or hide behind, like asteroids or nebulae. Even if they know the field better than us, we can still make an educated guess on where they will move to attack and deploy our units to counter that.

Their commander seems to be under the impression we're just Kelshin pirates that don't understand what we have on our hands, and is underestimating us accordingly. The longer they stick to that impression, the better it can work out for us. Thus, there's a chance they could believe it if we fake compliance for a trap. Have our medium ship, with our Kelshin recruits*, split off while the other four play dead. Even if our bluff is called, the main ship will be more likely to follow the bigger one since it's likely they'd believe we would rig our treasure to detonate when up close. Especially when they believe it's a Freebooter* ditching it out of spite. "If we can't have our treasure, no one will."

*bribed by candy from Eki

>>1093307
> We could be their captain instead, remotely?
By proxy could work. Eki is loyal, and technically has captain experience.

Welp, guess we're inducting the pirates in trial by fire.

Relay the current situation to the pirates. The ship is about to be attacked by an enemy who has left no avenue for peaceful resolution open. Fleeing will only delay what they've deemed inevitable, and if The Shed Scale goes down then so will your prisoners. You need the Kelshin Pillager to stand a chance in the upcoming fight.

Still, even if you were to bring Gold Mandible as well (big risk, with him on the ship with his crew they're very liable to flee), that's still only 4 members of the 5 man crew you need. It isn't good enough.

You're going to need Eki to join in. It's unavoidable if you want to stand a chance here. Check with the other water-breathing slave who isn't already part of the Raolme crew as well, Togo. You need to know if they're capable of joining the crew on the Kelshin ship or not.

If they can, great, that's your five. Get someone else to take Eki's spot on the cruiser and give it your best shot.

If not, then the only option that leaves is to strike a deal with Gold Mandible. Keep your offer simple, with no room for negotiation: If he helps you, and doesn't try to take his ship and flee immediately afterwards (as you'd need to get Ikekeki back onto The Shed Scale first), you'll set him free, and pay him for the information he offered before.

Those slaves we rescued might be able to serve on the pirate ship as well, we should check in on them to see if they have skills which would be useful there.

Instead of using Gold Mandible as a captain, we could promote one of the other low-ranking pirates... I guess we'll have to make a quick judgement on how to distribute our acquired talent.

We really shouldn't put Gold Mandible back on the ship. If the pirates survive the fight then they will almost certainly flee afterwards with him in charge, and we can't allow that. Eki probably has the right of it, we should grant him a merciful death.

Kaktus 2024/07/02(Tue)14:05 No. 1093709 ID: 681cb5
File 171995435210.png - (65.56KB , 700x550 , 19.png )

>I guess since the odds are heavily stacked against us, we'll just have to do what they say.
Giving up the Shed Scale is not an option. Without the capital ship we’re as good as dead, even if it will take some time before we realize it.
>Their commander seems to be under the impression we're just Kelshin pirates that don't understand what we have on our hands, and is underestimating us accordingly.
This is something we can take advantage off. They are expecting close combat ships, while ours are best at extreme ranges. If anything, the fact that they don’t know what our specs or tactics are do put us in a slight advantage here…

>Make scans of the incoming battlefield your top priority.
Doxy: “There are no large planetoids or other debris detected. It looks like they wish to face us on an open battlefield.”
>Welp, guess we're inducting the pirates in trial by fire.
Zento: “We need more manpower. Commander, release the pirates from the brig.” you rub your chin for a moment, “With the exception of the Captain.”
Doxy: “Sir?” the Commander asks, her voice betraying her uncertainty, “Are you sure?”
Zento: “Put Eki as captain in the Pillager and man it with the pirates. Oh, and that Kelshin slave we saved.” Giving her a smile, your try and assure her, “Eki is loyal, so I am sure she will not lead them astray.” though as those words leaves your mouth, you decide to add some extra meat on the stick, “Though be sure to offer them all a huge bonus if they fight… as well as further employment.”
Doxy: “Will do, sir.”

Zento: “As for the Raolme…” pushing a few buttons, you bring up the specs of their ship, “Put their Defender in front of our main ship. That way we can safely provide cover fire without risking the Shed Scale itself.”
Doxy: “Will do, Command.”

Zento: “Everyone, get ready to deploy.” your voice is confident as you command the crew, “We are about to enter a battle zone.”

The hyper jump suddenly ends, leaving you floating in a black void in the middle of nowhere. Before you can even act, you can see that several ships are leaving your hanger, ready for battle. Right as you’re about to address them, you’re suddenly getting a message from an unknown vessel. It’s the Drone Commander… or whatever they are called.

Drone Lord: “Oh, how adorable. You wish to face us in-“ they stop in their gloating and starts typing something, “Wait, what the frost are those ships? They are not available in my database? You clearly aren’t Kelshin…“ Looking directly at you, they ask with a voice chilly enough to make you shiver, “Just who are you, who is about to face the bitter cold of winter?”
Zento: “This is Captain Zento of the Shed Scale.” you tell them, “This ship is not stolen, nor do we intend any hostilities against the IOD.” As you speak, you slowly turn the ship so that its main cannon will face them, “Can we solve this diplomatically, instead of with bloodshed? Is there anything we can do to appease you?”
Drone Lord: “A barter, you say? I do love a good barter…” they rub their shin for several seconds, before bluntly answering, “But no. The gods has spoken.” With a press of a button, you watch as their weapons starts powering up properly, “We will try to take you alive and unspoiled, reptile. Surrender now, or face your-”

Kaktus 2024/07/02(Tue)14:06 No. 1093710 ID: 681cb5
File 171995436572.png - (63.57KB , 700x550 , 20.png )

Eki: “Captain, come in!” Eki’s voice suddenly interrupts the both of you, “Can you hear me?”
Zento: “Eki?” you’re about to yell at her, but you manage to steady yourself, “Stop broadcasting this publicly.”
Eki: “That’s Captain Eki too you, landlubber!”
Drone Lord: “What is this?” the tree creature is just as surprised as you are, “You are Kelshin pirates after all?”
Zento: “Captain Eki…” you sigh, “What is it?”
Eki: “I’ll give you some advice, Cap’.” she raises one claw and adjust her hat, the very same hat that she once gave to you. After tapping it twice with her claw, she cackles, “Never trust a Kelshin Pirate! KEKEKE!”
Zento: “What?”
Eki: “So long, you scurvy crabs! KEKEKEKE!”
Zento: “EKI!?”
Doxy: “Um… sir…” you watch in terror as the Pillager ship makes a 180 and flees the battlefield, leaving you and your small ships alone to face this superior opponent, “She just broke all communications and left formation.”
Drone Lord: “Drone ship 3DD-K4, pursuit that ship and mark it.” the drone lord commands coldly, “Do not engage.”

Kaktus 2024/07/02(Tue)14:06 No. 1093711 ID: 681cb5
File 171995438717.png - (63.83KB , 700x550 , 21.png )

Drone Lord: “*Snort!* Gahahaha!” suddenly they burst out laughing, their voice now filled with warmth and cheerfulness, “OH GODS, it’s summer all over again!” Taking a moment to catch their breath, the living tree smirks, “Did you just lose most of your fleet power by trusting pirates?” try as they might, they can’t stifle their laugh again, “PIRATES!? *Snort* ehehe…”
Zento: “Well… fuck…”
Drone Lord: “Maybe you should reconsider my offer of surrender, hmm?”

They giggle as your monitors lights up with warnings, displaying the fact that both their weapons and shields are charging at maximum, ready to engage at any moment.

Drone Lord: “You are kind of cute when you’re angry.” the tree creature observes, before stating, “Surrender immediately and I will spare your crew, reptile.” Leaning in slightly, they give you a slight smile, “As for you, I think I will keep you as a personal pet.”

...
All units, aim for the main ship. Our best shot at surviving this is to destroy the controller. Only aim for the drones if you think you can remove them from the fight.

Is it too late to follow after those pirates?

Get your some of your sensors on the ship. It completely out of character for eki to flee from a fight. She's up to something...

We didn't have much choice. Nobody else could've manned that ship properly; we simply didn't have enough water-breathers. At best we could've put a mixed crew in there and then we'd risk a mutiny due to racial tensions. Let's hope Eki is planning a sneak attack of some sort. If not... well, then we've at least gotten rid of a traitor.

Let's hope our advantageous ship composition will win the day. Open fire as soon as they come within range.

>she raises one claw and adjust her hat, the very same hat that she once gave to you
That's a sign she wants you to trust her. She's either getting reinforcements, or more likely sneak attack the medium ship from behind. It's open space after all, not limited by your screens.

We'll need to stall as long as we can, though. Delay negotiations by claiming to check that she hasn't left any more surprises on our ship. Alternatively, launch a surprise attack to thin their numbers.

Morale is shaken, regardless. Negotiate in open channels to have inspire them.

>“Surrender immediately and I will spare your crew, reptile.” Leaning in slightly, they give you a slight smile, “As for you, I think I will keep you as a personal pet.”
Three problems with that:

1. Your crew will have strong objections to their new accommodations, as "slaves".

2. Your technology is the most advanced in the sector, if not the galaxy. You shouldn't let it fall into the wrong hands. It could be your species' only legacy.

3. You'd rather have her call you "pet" over him.

Yeah, I don't buy it. I don't think Eki is honestly betraying us right now. Not because I cannot envision a world in which she would, but because it wouldn't be to her benefit. This is a no-prisoners situation, and the enemy has made it clear that they want EVERYONE here dead. Fleeing would buy her time, but with our weak defenses it wouldn't be long before she's dragged back into combat. Unless they really are just THAT confident that they can lose the drone ship that's tailing them and get away, I don't buy it.

It's the right move here anyhow. We're outclassed in terms of weaponry, so we need to retake the advantage by reworking this into some form of ambush. What we need now is to buy time for Eki to come back, preferably while sacrificing as few resources as possible.

You're gonna have to take the crew's morale into account though, as it'd be bad to have more of them flee because they think the fight is truly lost, or questioning your judgment and going against orders. Make sure you get the message out to them as quickly as possible, else they're liable to break the deception.

Stall for as long as you can by discussing the terms of surrender. Ask for time to deal with rowdy or mutinous crew members, ask what fate your crew will be met with, request special treatment for certain crew members (probably the pregnant ones), etc. Meanwhile, keep everyone needed for the fight on standby.

This does mean going all in on something you can't confirm: Ikekeki's loyalty. If you're wrong, it'll cost you everything. Realistically though, if you're wrong, the fight is already lost, so it's a gamble worth taking for you.

This is sub-optimal, but still a good outcome. We've traded a ship that would have been mothballed for one less enemy to worry about. And it seems likely Eki is planning a sneak attack, after all that's what a dashing pirate captain would do.
Plus now the dronelord thinks we're incompetent and will underestimate us. Keep playing up that angle with desperate pleas while the smaller ships engage.

Kaktus 2024/07/05(Fri)16:26 No. 1093806 ID: 681cb5
File 172022201749.png - (81.19KB , 700x550 , 22.png )

>Now the drone lord thinks we're incompetent and will underestimate us.
…considering what just happen, they might be right though.
>That hat is a sign she wants you to trust her. It seems likely Eki is planning a sneak attack, after all that's what a dashing pirate captain would do.
You’re right. Eki wouldn’t betray you, would she? No, the Kelshin ships are designed for ambushes, so she’s probably setting up a trap right at this moment. You just need to trust her…
>Morale is shaken, regardless.
The Sakkilian will fight to the end… but the same cannot be said for the Raolme crew. You do not know how they handle setbacks like this, though you’re sure they aren’t as hardy as us Sakkilians.

>We'll need to stall as long as we can.
Zento: “I wish to negotiate our surrender.”
Drone Lord: “You are in no position to do so, meatsack. Surrender or die.”
Zento: “I will not allow my crew to become slaves! Release them and I-”
Drone Lord: “They won’t be slaves. They’ll be drones. Mindless drones ready to be used.”
Zento: “…that’s even worse. Can’t we-”
Drone Lord: “I tire of you, Reptile. I have stated my demands.”
Zento: “Surely we can-”
Drone Lord: “No, kill them all.”

All three smaller ships immediately charge forward, shooting out some kind of green energy that quickly ensnares one of the cruisers.

Zento: “All Cruisers, focus target on the smaller ones, free that ship!” one of your screens lights up, showing that the larger ship is charging a powerful beam weapon and aiming it directly at the bridge you’re sitting in, “Tozlan, I need cover. Now.”
Scarlet: “AAH!!” an unfamiliar voice rings out over the comms, as you watch one of the cruisers get pulled away towards the enemy by those strange green beams, “I can’t control my ship!”
Shal: “GOT ONE!” two laz shots hits one of the smaller ships, making it explode.
Tescia: “Central target naturalized. Next target is marked.”
Tozlan: “Defender intercepting Hunter disintegration ray.” the Raolme barely have time to get into position before a purple beam hits it… to seemingly no effect, “98% of damage negated successfully.”

Kaktus 2024/07/05(Fri)16:27 No. 1093807 ID: 681cb5
File 172022203001.png - (82.23KB , 700x550 , 23.png )

Eki: “Surprise!”

Out of nowhere, as if appearing from thin air, the Pillager ship that Eki is piloting is suddenly behind the enemy and bathes it in blue hot plasma.

Eki: “KEKEKE! TASTE PIRATE JUSTICE, YOU WEED!”
Drone Lord: “GAH! Where did you come from!?” the tree creatures fail around as their bridge get coated in a green, oscillating light, “All ships! Defend me! Defend your master!” Of course, as they are distracted, you take the opportunity to nail them with your twin Laz cannons.

Scarlet: “I CAN’T MO-“ one of the displays changes color to red, indicating that you just lost someone. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten, Scarlet Woolchest… whoever you were.

Tescia: “Second target naturalized.” as revenge, a second of the smaller ships explodes right as it’s about to turn around to aid its leader, “Moving on to the next.”
Tozlan: “Intercepting!” another beam hits the defender, and just as before they absorbs it, “Shield at 34%, I don’t think we can safely take another hit!”
Shal: “Thanks nerd!” the Wroknir hybrid cheers over the comm, “I owe you one!”

Zento: “Good work everyone. We can-” Suddenly, the whole ship shakes and several alarms starts blaring, “What just happen!?”
Doxy: “We are being attacked, sir!” the smaller Sakkilian informs you, “A small ship just introduced the brig to hard vacuum!”
Zento: “Dammit, we don’t have any point defense there!” flipping a switch, you announce to the rest of the fleet, “Attention! We need protection! A small ship is attacking us from the side!”
Tozlan: “I’m on it, friend.” you can hear Rosewater in the background getting excited, “We’ll hunt that prowler down!”

Kaktus 2024/07/05(Fri)16:27 No. 1093808 ID: 681cb5
File 172022204021.png - (71.39KB , 700x550 , 24.png )

Drone Lord: “NOO!” you can hear their captain scream, “I CAN’T LOOOO-“ before getting cut off.

You’re unsure what’s happening over there, but you think Eki is winning?

Tescia: “Third target naturalized.” Tescian’s voice is completely monotone, even as she lights up one of the ships with hot Laz death, “All smaller ships destroyed.”

Tozlan: “Target fried!” the last of the smaller ships disappears from your sensors, “The Shed Scale is secure, friend.”

Kaktus 2024/07/05(Fri)16:27 No. 1093809 ID: 681cb5
File 172022204861.png - (57.88KB , 700x550 , 25.png )

And with a final hit with your twin cannons, the large ship breaks apart and explodes.

Zento: “All ships, report.”
Tozlan: “Defender pilot Tozlan reporting in!” the Raolme are the first to answer, “Shield completely depleted and some minor damages, but we’re fine otherwise, Captain.”
Tescia: “Tescia here. No damage to report.”
Shal: “I’m fine, I’m fine! Just a few cracks nothing more.” you can hear her tap her stone fingers against the console before asking, “Who did we lose?”
Zento: “Ensign Scarlet Woolchest.”
Shal: “Who?”
Zento: “I am not certain either, but I’ll make sure to honor her memory.” looking over the ship list, you notice one that hasn’t called in yet, “Captain Eki?”

Eki: “YAAARH!! KEKEKE!” her laughter is so loud it makes the speakers vibrate, “We caught her, Captain! We caught the big fish!”
Zento: “You did what?”
Eki: “Their captain, captain!” you can outright hear the crab grin, “We sucked her right out from the bridge! Got her right here with a few of those drone slaves she was using!”
Zento: “That’s fantastic news, Eki.” while trying to get diagnostic on her ship, you ask, “And the Pillager? How bad is it?”
Eki: “Oh, it’s not that bad. We just lost one cannon… and about a third of the interior was just ripped apart into molecules. Though, we’re fine. I’m pretty sure only one of us died. Disintegration, I believe.” you can hear someone arguing on the other side, “No, wait, there she is. She’s just getting crushed under a bunch of steel, but she’ll live. So, what’s your orders, Capt’?”

…well, this went a lot better than expected.

The brig got penetrated. We had prisoners there. I don't care about the pirate captain, but we had a civilian in there! Get a ship on the outside to rescue the civilian if he got spaced, and repair the breach! ...huh, is the hull repairing itself?

Send security to check the brig; if the pirate didn't get spaced then he might have escaped, in which case we need to hunt him down before he can do anything.

Order everyone on the Shed Scale to remain on alert until we have both prisoners accounted for. All our standard ships, scan the general area to check if there's any more small enemy craft we need to deal with. Eki, return to the Shed Scale for repairs and medical attention. Also tell her next time she needs to pull some stunt like that we need a code phrase so everyone knows what she's up to.

Once we're sure the area is secure, we can start salvaging enemy craft. Watch out for traps. Any captured drones should be sent to medical/research to be analyzed to see if we can free them.

Loss still hurts, but it was a good deal. We lost a crewmember and some prisoners and took out a whole patrol in exchange.

Have each ship quickly triage the situation. Seal the brig to prevent further casualties, but concentrate on scavenging the dead. If the I.O.D. placed acquisition denial self-destruct systems in their ships, you will only have a limited time before those things explode. You kept their captain alive though, so you can quickly leverage her life for some temporary shutdown procedures.

Seal up that brig, maybe the prisoners can be resuscitated if we're quick.

Is there any sign if the enemy sent any signals during the fight? Or if any part of their ships are transmitting now?

>Any captured drones should be sent to medical/research to be analyzed to see if we can free them.
We might be able to use our personality generation tech to give them new lives. A rebirth. Better than being a drone at least.

Make sure prisoners are okay, such pointy cuteness should be protected

>brig
Check for casualties. If a civilian dies on your watch, along with this Scarlet Woolchest (we hardly knew ye), you might need Union Leader Tara to smooth things over, along with this . Doubly so if it turned out they were both from the same ship.

>“Their captain, captain!” you can outright hear the crab grin, “We sucked her right out from the bridge! Got her right here with a few of those drone slaves she was using!”
Excellent. They will be nicely tortured... by our prosperity, culture, and creativity. The arts have always been a classic method towards freeing the mind. If you can't find an artist, musician, or entertainer among the civilians, the colony planner has not done their job.

The captain may be a tough nut to crack, though. Those privileged folks able to find satisfaction in their work will not be easily impressed. No offense to the Kelshin.

Kaktus 2024/07/12(Fri)17:17 No. 1094184 ID: 681cb5
File 172082984045.png - (61.48KB , 700x550 , 26.png )

>If the I.O.D. placed acquisition denial self-destruct systems in their ships, you will only have a limited time before those things explode.
Tozlan: “While my momma said to never approach IOD stuff, these aren’t IOD ships, friend.” your resident reports in, “These scum suckers might IOD battle thralls, but the IOD would never hand over their tech to them, even if it’s their self-destruct devices.” He gives you a tooth filled smile, “Besides, if it was booby trapped it would already explode, right?”

>Is there any sign if the enemy sent any signals during the fight? Or if any part of their ships are transmitting now?
Doxy: “No sir, we didn’t detect any long distance messages.”
Zento: “…then they sent a message before we even arrived.” you rub your chin, “They knew we were coming, so they’ve bound to have reported our presence already.” Leaning forward, you lay the tip of your snout onto your clasped hands, “It’s just a matter of time before someone comes and check why they haven’t given a follow up report yet. As soon as the hull is repaired and all evidence of our presence has been eradicate we leave. We cannot stay here a minute longer.”
Doxy: “Yes sir.”

>The brig got penetrated. We had prisoners there. I don't care about the pirate captain, but we had a civilian in there!
Doxy: “The security station as well all the cells closes to the hull were completely destroyed, as well as half the cells on the other side as well.” she gives you a little smile, “Luckily, our one prisoner, Kin Silkpalm, just happen to be in one of the three cells that survived… and thanks to the force gate still being active he wasn’t introduce to hard vacuum either.” The smile slowly turns into a frown, “While Silkpalm has successfully been rescued, I can’t help but feel we forgot about someone in there? We did let all the pirates out, right?”
Zento: “…Do not worry.” you say as you watch a familiar body slowly drift through space right outside where your window camera is pointing, “Everyone of importance was let out of the brig.”
Doxy: “…you’re probably right.” she perks up again, “Still, while the hull will soon be repaired and fit for a hyper jump, we will lack a brig for some time.”

>Start salvaging enemy craft.
Doxy: “The two cruisers have successfully harvested most of the useful material they found, sir.” Doxy taps her datapad a few times, “But our readings of the craft is a bit... odd?”
Zento: “Odd?” you raise a single eyebrow, “How so?”
Doxy: “It’s mostly organic material, sir.” looking up from the pad, she clarifies, “As in… it wasn’t made out of metal but… well, the best way I can describe it is that the ship was alive.” There’s a beat before she adds, “Before we blasted it, that is.”
Zento: “Hmm, interesting.” Living ships? This is indeed odd… “Still, we can use the organic materials. Gather as much as we can carry.”
Doxy: “Of course, sir.”

Kaktus 2024/07/12(Fri)17:17 No. 1094185 ID: 681cb5
File 172082985480.png - (184.11KB , 700x800 , 27.png )

>Make sure prisoners are okay, such pointy cuteness should be protected.
Zento: “How is the prisoners Eki captured fairing?” you ask, “I do hope that such cuties haven’t been harmed to badly?”
Doxy: “Cute?” Doxy smirks, “Really sir?” Shaking her head, she starts reading from her datapad, “We captured their captain as well as three drones, all of which have gone through a basic medical scan and seem to be healthy, though currently unconscious.”
Zento: “Excellent. Then they will be easily tortured...” the commander gives you a dangerous look, “By our prosperity, culture, and creativity.”
Doxy: “Of course sir.” she rolls her eyes, “Lt. Tozlan has written up a short report about their species, if I may sir?”
Zento: “You may proceed, Commander.”
Doxy: “Their species is called the Ek’tall, and they are living fauna not dissimilar from trees. The one we captured is a young female, no more than 25 years of age, or 30 if you count something Tozlan called… ah… ‘plant period’?” she shrugs, “They are all religious fanatics, their whole species being part of something called ‘The Church of the Five Eyes’, whose most important creed is that all none Ek’tall life in the galaxy needs to be purged.” Doxy looks you in the eyes, “So you can understand that they’ve never been very friendly… but apparently they were among the first species subjugated by the IOD, with them seemingly willingly becoming their battle thralls.”
Zento: “I see. Make sure that medical and research gets a hold on those drones, in case we can still save them.” you lean back into your chair, “As for our fair captured captain, send her to the brig.”
Doxy: “The brig is destroyed, sir.” Doxy bites her lower lip, “We don’t have a place to lock her up, sir.”
Zento: “Oh right…” now that will be a problem. We can’t just have her move around the ships freely, can we? “Then I’ll simply have to figure something else out.”

Looking over the scan Vex made, you can’t help but be fascinated by this strange new form of life. A body made out of what can only be described as wood, with even leaves growing on their body. A sharp beak, horns and four eyes makes them look strange… though the strangest part is their legs, as they are apparently tree roots that they use like spider legs, skittering along as they move.

Doxy: “Oh, and I just got those reports you requested, sir.” she sees your confusion and adds, “The ones from Doctor Vex and Security chief Dante?”
Zento: “Ah, yes, their reports.” you still have no idea what she’s talking about, “Send them to my terminal.”
Doxy: “Here you go sir.”

First you take a look at your sons Dante’s report. It’s barely a sentence long.
“Wroknir are made of stone. Security needs Shockrifles. – Security Chief Dante.”
Your son Vex report on the other hand is 32 pages long, written with small text and filled with diagrams and statistics. How did he even find the time to write this? Leafing through it, the get the gist that it’s about that dead Raolme we found and something about cybernetics? Whatever he actually wanted to say is a complete mystery to you…

>>1094185
>no brig for the captive
Put her in a stasis pod? ...if that will work on her, anyway. An alternative... we could chain her up in one of the dorms, or... does the medical wing have a quarantine zone with forcefields for keeping patients isolated?

Go talk to Vex in person so you can get his report explained. The request for shock rifles is pretty straightforward, how do we get those?

Huh, so the living ship was also an ek’tall? It sure doesn't look like one. Because if it wasn't, then they needed to purge that life form, then just like, float through space themselves. That's how it works, according to their religion, right?

Oh, don't forget to salvage the pirate captain's corpse. If you're squeamish we can leave the organic material but that claw has got to be worth something, and the cloth can be recycled. Hey, I wonder if we can hand in the claw for a bounty? It's proof we killed him. Maybe we can keep his head too if needed.

Just put them in a pot in the hydroponics bay.

We have a Kelshin corpse, and pieces of a Kelshin ship. We should leave some scraps to make it look like pirates ambushed the thralls.

Stasis will do for a makeshift brig. Once the hull is patched we'll at least have three cells.

Do you have someone science-minded that you could quietly pass Vex's report to to have summarized?

>Dante
His report was so curt, it makes you wonder. Have there been any incidents with Wroknir on board yet? They've been pretty docile, and obedient, so far. Has he been getting along with them? He doesn't seem very sociable. Being prepared is one thing, being prejudical, on the other hand, might need you to mediate (or help him make friends to be less paranoid). Shock rifles are lower priority at the moment anyway.

He'll be much more busy with security detail over our captive captain. If we can't bring her to the brig, bring the brig to her.

On that note, in case it wasn't apparent we have bigger issues, Silky is free to go.

>Vex
He's your next stop. If cybernetics is involved, maybe we'll get somewhere with our own cyborg. Not to mention find out what happened to whatever rebellion there was in this galaxy.

Actually, have Dante escort her to the medbay. For one, we need to be sure she couldn't hijack our systems if she's put in a stasis pod. For another, we could actually parley now.

>Drone Lord
Reassure your commander that you're not the kind to open relations without taking precautions. It's just a hunch that they may be more alike to us than we're comfortable with. We'll know for sure when we see they see us cannibalizing their living ship, and how amenable they are to it.

>Living ships
It's a shame we could find a way to capture one for Doctor Vex to study. Are they also conscious? Sentient? Are the drones we see something akin to an immune system, or digestive tract? Is their religion a way to justify their hyperactive base instincts?

>‘The Church of the Five Eyes’, whose most important creed is that all none Ek’tall life in the galaxy needs to be purged.
>they were among the first species subjugated by the IOD, with them seemingly willingly becoming their battle thralls.
Of course they plan to eat the IOD last, if they couldn't eat them right away. It's also in the master's best interest to maintain the Church to keep them in line.

One way around this is to become an honorary Ek'tall somehow. You hope it won't involve doing or wearing anything embarrassing again. (It probably will.)

Kaktus 2024/07/19(Fri)12:48 No. 1094517 ID: 681cb5
File 172141853367.png - (104.37KB , 700x550 , 28.png )

>The request for shock rifles is pretty straightforward, how do we get those?
There are several in the armory. You used them against the pirates, remember? The main problem is that they aren’t completely non-lethal, so using them on our own crew is… less than ideal.
>Have there been any incidents with Wroknir on board yet? They've been pretty docile, and obedient, so far.
Considering we only have one Wroknir onboard, whom is not only timid, easily flustered and rather introverted, he has also spent most of his free time onboard growing flowers in one of the hydroponic bays, you can’t say you’re expecting any incidents at all. Well, Shal is half Wroknir, but even then…

>We have a Kelshin corpse, and pieces of a Kelshin ship. We should leave some scraps to make it look like pirates ambushed the thralls.
Zento: “All ships, this is Captain Zento speaking.” you state loud and clear over the fleet comms, “Change of plans. Leave any remains of the Kelshin ship alone… as well as its old captain.” After a moment of consideration, you add, “Though, do grab his gold claw, it might be worth something. As for anything related to the Shed Scale or us Sakkilian, I want it removed yesterday!”
Tescia: “Affirmative, Sir.” Tescia’s voice answers back, just as professional as always, “Shal, retrieve the claw. I will deal with the wreckage.”
Shal: “Got it, mom!”

>Once the hull is patched we'll at least have three cells.
Doxy: “Three cells without breathable air, heating or water. Not to mention anyone going into the bridge even after it’s properly patched will need to wear protection, sir.”
>Silky is free to go.
Zento: “He should have sobered up by now, don’t you think?”
Doxy: “He was rather shaken when we pulled him out from the brig, sir, but I think he understood the gravity of the situation now.”
>Put her in a stasis pod? ...if that will work on her, anyway.
Doxy: “It would have been risky if they were made out flesh and blood, sir, but a flora based species? Our Cryo pods weren’t designed for their biology.”
>Chain her up in one of the dorms.
Doxy: “…while that might work in the short term, we won’t be able to keep a proper eye on her.” the pink lizard taps her data pad a few times, “We don’t have cameras inside the dorms, after all… or windows for that matter.”
>Just put them in a pot in the hydroponics bay.
Doxy: “…with the food?”
Zento: “The one we’re currently constructing does have a large bio dome in the middle, a greenhouse, correct?” rubbing your chin, you continue, “It’s made of harden glass, something that she won’t be able to break through with her bare hands.”
Doxy: “We’re putting her in a glass room full of dirt?”
Zento: “She’s a plant. I’m sure she’ll love it.” you smirk, “Just make sure she’s watered every day and get plenty of sun. Not to mention it will be easy to keep an eye on her, with all the glass.”
Doxy: “If you say so…”

Kaktus 2024/07/19(Fri)12:49 No. 1094518 ID: 681cb5
File 172141854550.png - (115.69KB , 700x550 , 29.png )

>Huh, so the living ship was also an ek’tall? It sure doesn't look like one. Because if it wasn't, then they needed to purge that life form.
Tozlan was clearly hyperbolic when he said that. No, their belief is probably a bit more complex... probably along the line of all sentient life that they don’t like need to die. Or they make exceptions. Or they are just saving them for last, if they are mad enough.
>Of course they plan to eat the IOD last, if they couldn't eat them right away.
She said something about the IOD being the heralds of the gods… that doesn’t sound like someone they’d purify, does it?

>Do you have someone science-minded that you could quietly pass Vex's report to to have summarized?
The most science-minded around is your son Vex, so that won’t work. Besides, isn’t it easier to just ask Vex himself instead of waiting for someone else to decipher this gibberish? Going down to the med bay, you find not only Doctor Vex, but Tozlan as well… and an Ek’tall you don’t recognize?

Vex: “Dad! What are you doing here?”
Tozlan: “Good evening Captain Zento, my friend.”
Zento: “Son. Tozlan.” your gaze moves to the tree creature between them, “And this is…?”
Vex: “One of those drones we’ve heard about.” the red Sakkilian cheerful says, “The one the Kelshin are so afraid to become.”
Tozlan: “Everyone is afraid to be converted to one of these scumsuckers.” the green eel, on the other hand, shudders, “That’s just common sense.”
Vex: “It’s some kind of cybernetics, and while I’m no expert on the mechanical parts, I do have some knowledge about the biological.” Vex pokes around the back of the Ek’tall’s neck, “I am going to need more time to study it, but from what I’ve learned it seems to be some kind of device inserted directly into the spine of the subject.” After adjusting his glasses, he leans in with his tongue hanging out, concentrating on something, “Probably overrides any signals coming from the brain I’m guessing… which, according to a quick brain scan, seems oddly damaged? Hmm… I need to cut this one open…”
Tozlan: “Hey!” Tozlan shrieks, “While I might despise the Ek’tall, there’s still a conscious, living person under there!”
Zento: “Wait, they did this to one of their own?”
Vex: “From the battle report, a majority of the drones aboard those ships was indeed Ek’tall.” Your son gesture towards a few papers on a nearby desk, “Though they did find traces of several other species, like Kelshin, Wroknir and several we don’t recognize.” he chuckles under his breath before looking at Tozlan, “One of the drone we caught was a Raolme, even.”
Tozlan: “They do this to anyone that cross the IOD…” the alien laments, “Or anyone who can’t be of use to them. May the endless dark take them…”

Zento: “This is concerning…” you tilt your head to the side, “Any advice on what we can do?”
Vex: “As I said, if I get enough data and test subjects, I might understand what happened to them.” Vex pushes his tool into the neck of the poor drone, making it spasm for a second, “Who knows, maybe I can even reverse it?”
Tozlan: “Kick them out the airlock, friend.” the Raolme mutters, “It would be the merciful thing to do.”
Vex: “Didn’t you say they were still alive and conscious?”
Tozlan: “Which is why we should give them a merciful death instead of doing mad science on them!”
Vex: “Oh please, I’m just trying to solve the problem here.”
Tozlan: “By cutting them to pieces!?”
Vex: “At least I’m not just hiding the problem under a sand pile like you want too. There will be more drones and we need to understand what makes them tick, you illiterate nincompoop!”
Tozlan: “What we need is to stop them from making more, not learn how to make more ourselves, you muck drinker!”

Zento: “Silence. Both of you.” you sigh, before firmly stating, “You are adults. Act like it.”
Vex: “Yes dad…”
Tozlan: “Of course, friend… of course.”
Zento: “Now, for these drones, as they are called…”
Tozlan: “We can’t keep them around, as without orders they won’t so much as sleep, eat or even go to the bathroom, Captain.” he scratches the back of his head with his hind leg, “And we probably blew up the control console that was in charge together with the ship.”

As you’re considering your option, the tree creature in front of you slowly starts to move its gaze towards you, its body slightly vibrating as it does so, as if it takes everything it got to do this simple action. As it lock it’s eye with yours, you can see they are full of pain, fear and most of all… desperation.

>>1094518
We have many options such as eye based binary questioning directly and we also have the captain captured we have room to explore

Get them IV drips while prioritizing how to get these drones functional again. If that means re-establishing the control signal as a stopgap, then so be it. You can use that for jamming it later.

>>1094518
Okay, we have a line of communication. Tell them if they want to go out the airlock and die, to look at Tozlan. If they want to be experimented on so that we might be able to fix them and others at some point, look at Vex. If they want something else, like less invasive experimentation or just to wait until we have more information from the captured captain, look at the floor.

>>1094523
Also this. We can, in fact, put them on life support and keep them around until a solution is found. We can do non-destructive experimentation as well... and we have the captain to interrogate. She should know something about drone tech, if only how it works in non-scientific terms. She might be more cooperative if we tell her that we will be trying to reverse engineer the drone tech and we WILL use it on her if necessary to get information needed to free the drones.

New found interest in horticulture (aka Ek'tall biology) aside, this is similar to the military grade cyborg, but they're awake and suffering: establish communication, get consent for research and treatment or euthanasia and research, their name if possible, and acknowledge their personhood in any way possible. How long has it been since they've been held by someone? And give them all some painkillers. We're gonna need a lot more therapists around here. They're sitting there, listening to you argue between killing and torturing them.

The tech that made them isn't going to go away, and we can't prevent more from being made, so staying ignorant isn't an option, especially where fear is involved. That said, Vex needs to not poke and prod them with his stick while they're still conscious.
Even if you want to play executioner, actual euthanasia requires knowledge to prevent needless suffering. More to the point, if they cannot be saved and you can find a kill signal, you can end more suffering faster.

Depending on the brain damage, they may literally lack the will to live, or the ability to function without an equivalent device. Mimicking the signal should be a short range stop gap measure, focus should be on just modifying it to bridge the brain signals. Additionally, the brain damage is probably a shoddy lobotomy, so that needs to be treated.

If we can develop a means to undo the drone process it would be a huge blow to IOD, especially if we then spread that knowledge around. But attempt communication before anything else.

Vex should know what's Engineering has been working on. The architectures' are unlikely to be the same (barring a common origin), but gains made over there should boost progress here. Establishing an interface for them to communicate through would better than for them than... this.

Research could help retrofit your stasis pods to accommodate their species. With any luck, they might be able to stimulate the brain to repair itself. They already can grow new ones along with the other body parts, after all.

You could address Prince Tozlan's concerns by ordering Vex's research around this to be confidential, especially if they're outside the scope of alleviating or curing the condition. He should trust you enough to know you don't like to use coercion to run your ship. Not to mention there's been a huge discovery already: Something Tozlan and Ikekeki agree on.

You do have to admit this tech could replace your missing brig. Perhaps a more ethical, if less secure, implementation would let the subject have autonomy if it wasn't powered? Still, there are less drastic methods, doubts around its' efficacy, and would strain your crew/officers trust in you more than its' worth. No good crew would be motivated to work under you, if you resort to such measures.

Kaktus 2024/07/27(Sat)12:55 No. 1094808 ID: 681cb5
File 172211011397.png - (87.20KB , 700x550 , 30.png )

>Attempt communication before anything else.
Zento: “Greetings. I am Captain Zento.” you calmly state as you bend down to his eye level, “Can you blink? Can you look at the Raolme in front of you?”
His eye stay completely focused on you, unmoving…
Zento: “Is there any way at all you can communicate with us?”
A yellowish tint starts to spread around the rim of the eye, as the pupil starts to vibrate slightly.
Zento: “Do you wish to die… or do you wish to be free?” waving a hand in front of it, you add, “Do you even hear me?”
A yellowish, resin like substance starts to leak from his eye, followed by the muscle behind it audibly snapping the eye back to its original position, forcing him to look ahead at nothing. As it does, the implant whirs and sparks, as if it’s overclocking for a second.
Tozlan: “What did you do!?”
Vex: “Nothing! I didn’t even touch him!”
Zento: “I believe it was the implants doing.” you shake your head, “He fought it with all he had… and lost.”

And with that, whatever was behind those eyes is gone… replaced by an emptiness.

Zento: “Vex. Keep them sedated and well nourished.” with a nod, you continue, “We need more information about these cybernetics.”
Vex: “Of course, Captain.”
Zento: “That said, you will not poke and prod them while they are still conscious.” you give your son a stern look, “Not even if it will help the research.”
Tozlan: “Are you really just going to leave them swimming in the great dark, friend!?”
Zento: “This tech isn’t going to go away, Tozlan, nor can we prevent more of it being made.” Putting a hand on the Raolme’s shoulder, you try your best to reassure him, “What we can do is cure our own ignorance of the subject, and move from there.”
Tozlan: “I… I guess you’re right, Captain.”
Zento: “And if we can develop a means to undo the process, it would be a huge blow against the IOD, no?”
Tozlan: “WHAT!?” the eel jumps away from you, his sharp teeth on full display as he hisses, “You’re actually going up against the IOD personally!? Didn’t the fate of the fifth tribe teach you anything!?”
Zento: “They fought in the war and was wiped out?”
Tozlan: “They tried to fight the IOD and felt their wrath.” Tozlan growls, “They were hunted down, every man, woman and child, and their very history was erased from the galaxy. There is nothing left of that family.” he sits down and looks up at you, “The fifth tribe is but a myth today, nothing more.”
Zento: “…you are only making my resolve to confront them stronger.”
Tozlan: “Have you sucked yourself high on the scum, friend!?” swaying back and forth, it’s clear he’s uneasy, “What about your friends and family? Your children!?”
Zento: “They are the reason why I cannot stand by. For their future, I will fight to my very last breath.” you turn to your son, “But you are correct in that we need to be careful with such powerful enemies. Vex, make sure this research is confidential. No one is to know what we are doing.”
Vex: “You got it, dad!”

>You do have to admit this tech could replace your missing brig. Perhaps a more ethical, if less secure, implementation would let the subject have autonomy if it wasn't powered?
Wait, don’t we already have something that works similar too this? Those slave collars we took from the pirates… how do they work?
Zento: “Tozlan, tell me…” he turns his head towards you as you address him, “Those slave collars that the pirates use… are they of Kelshin design?”
Tozlan: “Oh, no, of course not.” shaking his head, the eel sighs, “They’ve been around since before the war. No idea who made them in the first place, though.” Tozlan rubs his head fins for a moment, “Clearly not Kelshin design… or any other species I know of.”
>Vex should know what's Engineering has been working on.
Vex: “Oh, don’t worry, Captain, I know.” the doctor smiles at you, “Though the only thing I can really say about our cybernetic friend is that her organic parts are healthy, as well that she seems to be integrated properly with her machine parts.” Scratching his chin, he adds, “Anything else you’ll have to ask the engineers about.”

Kaktus 2024/07/27(Sat)12:55 No. 1094809 ID: 681cb5
File 172211012608.png - (62.91KB , 700x550 , 31.png )

Zento: “Well then, now that we are done here, I’ll head to bed.” you start to move towards the exist before you realize something, “Oh, and here is your report back. Now that you’ve briefed my in person I won’t need it anymore.”
Vex: “Huh? What?” your son seems confused for a moment, “No, that report wasn’t about the drones. You asked me to write that before we caught them, remember?”
Zento: “Wait, then what was the report about?”
Vex: “Oh, possible nothing, captain.” after quickly rummaging through some papers on his desk, he pulls one out seemingly at random and says, “See, I noticed something odd with all the body scans of the alien crew. A group of cells that kept appearing in all of them. A similarity between all species, in fact.” Vex points towards some kind of image on the paper, as if it would help, “At first I simply wrote it off as something that exists in this galaxy, but when I scanned those old bodies we found… well, it was nowhere to be found.” Pulling out another paper, he shows you a graph of some sort, “So I looked closer and… I might be wrong, but these cells looked… well, artificial.”
Tozlan: “How can you tell that they were created by hand?” Tozlan sounds skeptical, “Are they too complex?”
Vex: “Too simple, actually.” the lizard smirks, “Anything that has evolved naturally will be a mismatch of different mutations, while this… let’s call it a virus, this virus clearly have just one purpose, though I have no idea what it is.” He then sheepishly rubs the back of the head and stutters, “Of course, it’s possible it might just have been a bug in the system, as it has disappeared without a trace now that I scanned the Raolme after the battle.” before shrugging, “So… um… heck if I know?”
Zento: “…keep me updated if anything change, son.” you state matter of factly, “Now, to bed.”
Vex: “Actually, there is one more thing, dad.”
Zento: “…this better be good.”


Vex leads you two to a room in the back of the med-bay, one that’s clearly designed for privacy. Opening the door, you find a sleeping form illuminated by the light from the outside. It’s Tizli, the Raolme pregnant with your child, or apparently formerly pregnant. As you watch her sleep, you spot something moving, something small. A green eye filled with curiosity hesitantly looks up from behind his mother’s embrace, right at you.

It’s your new born son.

Vex: “She gave birth during the middle of the battle, dad.” Vex whispers next to you, “I didn’t want to disturb you while you had more important things to think about.“
Zento: “A wise decision, son.”
Tozlan: “You should have told me sooner…” the eel hisses, “What with me being her brother and all.”
Vex: “I decided not to tell you, simpleton, because you’re an ass.”
Tozlan: “HEY!” Tozlan shouts, making Tizli stir in her sleep, “You’re no pearl in the foam either, you mud eating crab!”
Zento: *Sigh*

Not in front of the baby, you two.

Greet your child Zento

>>1094809
Ah shit. The "virus" disappeared during the battle, at the same time the child was born. We need to scan the kid. Soon. Might want to wait after Tizli wakes up.

Also, scan all the members of the crew again.

>>1094808
I get the feeling Tozlan may have a few holes way up in his family tree he really does not to have looked up too closely.

>>1094809
Well, there is good news about those cells. It's likely they aren't from the IOD, or at least can't be weaponized by them. Otherwise, they would've been used against us by now.

If they were being used to observe us, somehow, it would make no sense to remove it. Perhaps the opposite is the case: The cells are some form of identification markers the IOD uses. If they can be removed by radiation from their weaponry, it'd be a pretty ingenious method to out criminals and rebels.

There's also the possibility there could be another force in this galaxy we know little about, but definitely has an interest in us now. There's not much we can do about that, at the moment. Same as if this "virus" could avoid our scans.

Swearing to your kid that he will live free from the IOD couldn't hurt.

>>1094815
Don't be quick to jump to conclusions. The cause could be entirely on stress from being fired at, and Dr. Vex would've checked for the virus. Forgetting to health check a newborn, especially yours, would be a level of gross negligence so severe that it'd call for a court martial.

Screaming contest!
Let the baby win, shower him with praise for standing up to three big strong babies.

>>1094843

Oh don't start that, things are peaceful!! Peace is important for morale!

Kaktus 2024/08/06(Tue)15:08 No. 1095399 ID: 681cb5
File 172298208250.png - (42.79KB , 700x550 , 32.png )

>Screaming contest!
No.

>Not in front of the baby, you two.
Vex: “Sorry, dad.”
Tozlan: “I just w-”
Zento: “No.”
Tozlan: “But I-”
Zento: “No.”
Tozlan: “…of course, friend.”
Vex: “*Snrk*”
Zento: “You to, Vex.”
Vex: “Aw, come on…”

>Ah shit. The "virus" disappeared during the battle, at the same time the child was born. We need to scan the kid.
It’s most likely a coincidence… and surely Vex has already checked that the baby is healthy, right?
Zento: “Vex…” you whisper, looking over at your son, “Did you scan the baby for this virus as well?”
Vex: “Of course, dad.” he rolls his eyes, “What kind of a doctor would I be if I didn’t?”
Tozlan: “Apparently, one you have to ask if they make sure a newborn is healthy.”
>Also, scan all the members of the crew again.
Vex: “I’ll make sure to give everyone another full medical, when time permits it.”

>Greet your child Zento.
He stares at you with he’s large, green eye, clearly curious about who and what you are. Taking a step forward, he crawls a bit further into the warm embrace of his mother, making her stir in her sleep for a moment. After a bit of silence you stretch out your hand towards him…

…and he grabs you finger, holding it tight. The two of you share moment, seemingly connecting as he holds your finger. As if he understand who you are. As if… he knows you’re his father.

…you spend the night embracing Tizli and your newborn son…

Kaktus 2024/08/06(Tue)15:08 No. 1095400 ID: 681cb5
File 172298209523.png - (73.59KB , 700x550 , 33.png )

>I get the feeling Tozlan may have a few holes way up in his family tree.
There’s definitely history with him and this fifth clan. Though, if it’s personal or not, you cannot tell.
>Well, there is good news about those cells. It's likely they aren't from the IOD, or at least can't be weaponized by them. Otherwise, they would've been used against us by now.
…are we sure they aren’t? We have no idea what they do, after all.
> If they were being used to observe us, somehow, it would make no sense to remove it. Perhaps the opposite is the case: The cells are some form of identification markers the IOD uses. If they can be removed by radiation from their weaponry, it'd be a pretty ingenious method to out criminals and rebels.
While an interesting idea, it seems overly convoluted. No, you have a feeling this virus has a more simple use… you just need to figure out what.

A notification from Doxy wake you up all too early, making you stumble into the bridge still half-asleep with a cup of coffee in hand and a baby on your chest.

Zento: “Commander.” you drowsily mutter, “Anything to report?”
Doxy: “We are about to reach Tarkus Alpha and the Wroknir mining colony, sir.” the commanders voice is perky as ever, “I thought you wanted to be present when we do.”
Zento: “Indeed I do.” you take a sip, “Something is different since last time, I can feel it.”
Doxy: “Well, there is a… um…” taking a moment to find the right words, Doxy continues, “Someone is pulling us through hyperspace. They aren’t trying to get us to leave it this time but more like guide us to a certain spot in the system, sir.” She turns around and looks at you, “What are your orders?”
Zento: “…let them guide us for now.” you yawn in unison with your son, “Just be sure we’re ready to jump if there’s a surprise waiting for us.”
Doxy: “Speaking of surprises, our sensors are telling us there’s a lot more activity in the system than last time, sir.” the pink lizard taps her datapad, “As in… more than double the amount.”
Zento: “Hmm, at least it will be interesting.”
Doxy: “Reaching our destination in 1 minute…”

Kaktus 2024/08/06(Tue)15:08 No. 1095401 ID: 681cb5
File 172298210996.png - (78.65KB , 850x550 , 34.png )

Barely having time to find the captain chair, you arrive at the Tarkus Alpha system, and just as the Commander had said there is a lot more commotion here this time around. Of course, the first thing you notice is the large Wroknir ship and the small fleet surrounding it ready to attack you at a moment notice. Doxy is about to say something, but you just point at the main screen, signaling her to put up whatever message you’re about to receive there.

Wroknir: “Attention unidentified ship.” an unnatural deep voice calls out, “This is the Everlasting Citadel of Glorious Triumph, the capital ship of the 34th legion of the Everlasting Monarchy Navy.” The screen flickers for a second before showing a fully armored and mean looking Gargoyle, “Identify yourself immediately!”
Zento: “Hmh…” you take a sip of your coffee, “This is Captain Zento of the-”
Wroknir: “What the crack are you!?” it suddenly bellows out, seeming seeing you for the first time, “You some kind of blobface trick!?”
Zento: “We’re Sakkilian’s.” you tell them calmly, “We’re… ah… from outside this sector.”
Wroknir: “You what?” the Wroknir disappear from view for a moment, clearly trying to find some kind of information on you, “But how did you get… Nevermind.” Trying his best to regain his menacing presence, he states, “Know this, outsider, this sector is controlled by the IOD, and IOD law rules here.” he hits his chest doing some kind of strange salute, “We, the Everlasting Monarchy Navy, gracefully serve their will as peace keepers. Do not break the IOD law or you will face the full might of the Queens Glory!”
Zento: “Understood, loud and clear.” you take a moment to scratch your son’s head, making him purr, “We’re not here to cause trouble. We are simply here to trade.”
Wroknir: “…so it may be, we will still report your existence to the IOD, outsider.” Now that might be problematic, “Now, we are hunting a group of Kelshin pirates who has stolen a precursor artifact.”
Zento: “We did-“
Wroknir: “We are not here to ask questions, outsider.” Suddenly, every last weapon in their fleet light up, “Power down your engine immediately and get ready to be boarded. We will search your ship thoroughly for any traces of pirate scum and this artifact.” Pressing a button, he makes all the turrents on his ships slowly move to face you, “Comply or die.”
Zento: “Ah, there it is…” you take another sip, “The interesting part…”

>>1095401
I don't think we can fight *this* one, and if we get boarded then they'll find:
1, a bunch of Kelshin
2, a damaged Kelshin pirate ship
3, a captured IOD captain
4, some captured IOD drones
5, a bunch of unrecognized tech they'll want to claim or possibly even say it's the "artifact" in question.

Won't look very good! I think what we want to do here is run away. If we can't immediately jump out then we can consent to be boarded, and delay the inspections a bit until we can jump. Maybe hide the more objectionable stuff so that they don't raise any alarms until we can jump?

...well, we could negotiate to release the captain in exchange for letting you escape, but I suspect they won't agree to that.

our options;
Fight: Bad, we're not recovered from the last fight yet, and it would bring trouble to our Wroknir friends.
Deceptive Compliance: Bad, even if we didn't have IOD prisoners, IOD property, kelshin pirates, and reproductive tech that must remain secret; I wouldn't trust these arrogant authoritarians not to attack us just because we 'seemed suspicious'.
Flee: Okay, assuming they can't interdict us, it would mean we can't return here for some time so as to not associate the colony with us in the eyes of the IOD.
Bluff: Ideal if possible, but what leverage do we have?

Orient the ship for a jump out-system. Try to start an argument over the com to stall, but we simply have to flee this encounter. Moving further from IOD space would be good until we can get a fleet of our own. And can we a get some kind of scout ship? These ambushes are getting ridiculous.

Oh I just thought of something devious.
You have an IOD captain. Make a quick recording that portrays her as being caught in some kind of embarrassing sexual position, and you can pass the ship off as one of the leadership's privileged sexual cruise liners; the kind of situation that gets petty officers causally 'reassigned' (read:arrested) for interrupting.

Good thing you have the perfect excuse for this. Your chief doctor has recently informed you that your ship may have contracted a yet unknown virus. Complying with his demand would expose that to his crew, and this "artifact" could be in your possession.

Don't jump just yet. You could pump him for intel, at least. What about "blobface tricks"? Could he describe the nature of this artifact, and why his Queen may be interested in it? Emphasize his Queen, as in possibly not the IOD.

Remember their navy is technically independent from the IOD. Even if they are their enforcers, and are lawful, they might not like being under their thumb. Endearing yourself to them seems doable. It's not like you have any love of the slave trade, either. You might not even need to jump, if you're smooth enough.

Having your first mate flirt with him couldn't hurt, either. Your species' appearance does seem to throw him off his game. It's almost cute :D

Kaktus 2024/08/09(Fri)13:59 No. 1095603 ID: 681cb5
File 172323717903.png - (85.62KB , 700x550 , 35.png )

>Can we a get some kind of scout ship? These ambushes are getting ridiculous.
To be fair, this wasn’t an ambush. We knew we were going into a well-guarded system, we just didn’t know they would be hostile. Though, some kind of scout drone would be a boon, if we should get our hands on it.
>You have an IOD captain. Make a quick recording that portrays her as being caught in some kind of embarrassing sexual position. The kind of situation that gets petty officers causally 'reassigned' (read:arrested) for interrupting.
…no, we have an Ek’tall captain, not an IOD. Tozlan made it clear they are battle thralls serving IOD, not actually IOD themselves. Besides, their ship is way bigger than the captains we captured, so they probably outrank them anyway.

>Orient the ship for a jump out-system.
Zento: “Commander, how long will it take to prepare the ship for another jump?”
Doxy: “A little over a minute, sir… maybe two?”
Wroknir: “What part of immediately don’t you understand?” the Wroknir shouts, “Fire a warning shot!”
You can feel the ship shake before several kinetic impact warnings starts blaring.
Doxy: “They tore through our shield easily, doing major damage to our armor in three spots. Luckily, no integral damage was reported.”
Zento: “…and how long will it take for these weapons to turn us into junk?”
Doxy: “Far less than a minute, sir.”
Zento: “Then power down the engine. We cannot run.”

>Your chief doctor has recently informed you that your ship may have contracted a yet unknown virus.
Wroknir: “We do not care for your disease! We will board you wearing full power armor. They protect us from even the vilest of chemical weapons, let alone a weak disease.”
>What about "blobface tricks"?
Wroknir: “Those freakish Plumi to the south can change shape.” he grunts, “They cannot be trusted.”
Zento: “To the south?” you take a moment to think about the map you have, “You mean the Wirnay? At least, that was what Vul Wrok called them.”
Wroknir: “Wirnay, Plumi, blobs, slimes, does it matter!? They keep changing their names each time they get caught!” the gargoyle is about to say something else, before he visibly double takes, “Did you say Vul Wrok? As in, High Magister Vul Wrok?”
Zento: “The one who rules this colony, yes.” you give him a little smile, “Didn’t I mention that she’s the one who personally requested my presence, hmm?”
Wroknir: “…we will take that into consideration.”

>Could he describe the nature of this artifact, and why his Queen may be interested in it?
Wroknir: “The IOD has demanded that a precursor artifact that was stolen from them by Kelshin pirates is to be returned! We will find it and bring it back!”
Zento: “…you don’t know what it looks like, I take it.”
Wroknir: “…we know how precursor tech looks like… and what Kelshin pirates look like.” He slams the console in front of him, “BAH! Enough chatter! Our boarding party is ready to be deployed! Prepare to be boarded!”

Alright, no time to panic… we can’t fight, we can’t run and we can’t hide… which leaves talking our way out. What will they even find on the ship? We have nothing to hide…
Except for a bunch of Kelshin, all but one former pirates…
And a damaged Kelshin pirate ship…
…some captured IOD drones…
Oh, and a captured Ek’tall captain…
Is there something else you’re forgetting?
Either way, you need a plan… how do you spin this? They are looking for pirates and weird artifacts, not captured IOD battle thralls…

You take a sip of your coffee… its way too early for this kind of crap.

Okay, fine. Let's lie our asses off.
We can explain the pirates and the damaged pirate ship by saying we conquered them. Okay that's actually the truth but we don't have to say WHEN we did it. We can show off the claw from the dead pirate captain to prove we killed him, and say the rest of the slavers died too. The Kelshin in our employ were former slaves or disloyal crewmates that are now no longer pirates? Or do even former pirates get executed by the IOD? We may have to claim they're ALL former slaves, and be sure every Kelshin on the ship has their story straight.
We can explain the drones by saying we took them off of the pirate slavers' ship. The Ek’tall captain will probably try to demand rescue and blame us for her capture so we need to either silence her or hide her. Killing her would still require hiding or disposing of her body.

...did we collect any weird artifacts from the expeditions we went on? Or the Tuul-infested facility? If so then we need to hide those as well. Maybe the pirate ship has smuggling compartments? Or we could shove it in a vent or inside a bulkhead.

Time for operation Throw a Blanket Over It. It's not impossible, what with time shenanigans, that Sakilians are the precursors. Or that our tech will look alien enough for them to look closer than we would like. So we have a very short time to hide or disguise all of our potential contraband.

The Kelshin need to be hidden, there's no way to explain them away that doesn't end in them getting dragged off to a fate worse than death.
The Kelshin ship was captured by us in a fight we stumbled upon where pirates were fighting Ek'tall. We arrived just as the pirates seemed to be loosing, but something something, hidden bomb, phyric victory for the Ek'tall, we could only pick up the pieces.
This also explains how we have drones on the ship. Unless we can hide them, but that's not a priority.
The captured captain is a problem. Could we dose her and rig some bits so she passes as a drone?
Reproductive tech needs to be jurryriged to look like something else, anything else. The IOD cannot find out what we're capable of.

Rig the docking bay doors to open slowly to stall for time. Pass it off as our clearly inferior technology. Present a picture of our ship being just worse than theirs in general, make them see what they expect.

Oh, the heavy combat cyborg might be suspicious...

...if he DOES find something objectionable on the ship I wonder if we can simply bribe him?

>>1095603
The Wroknir and the Ek'tall militaries likely to have differences in doctrines or philosophies that they squabble over. That's an angle to exploit. Pass off the spoils from the last battle as self-defense from a crazy fanatic, adding that you were returning from a mission advised by the High Magister.

There's a chance the tree captain wouldn't want to be handled by a "lesser race" anyway, but now would be the time to convince her it's not in her best interest to turn herself in. Perhaps you could give her reason, or bluff at one, to distrust him and play along.

>>1095655
With exotic women, or hope of a galaxy free from tyranny. Only half-joking, it's what we have. Do get a feel if he's amenable to such things before you try, though.

Kaktus 2024/08/15(Thu)14:22 No. 1095887 ID: 681cb5
File 172375694299.png - (65.65KB , 700x550 , 37.png )

Wroknir Grunt: “Look what I found! A pirate crab!”
Zento: “That’s our janitor.”
Wroknir Officer: “You hired a Kelshin?”
Zento: “Actually, we saved him from a bunch of pirates.”
Wroknir Officer: “Hmm, yes, he does have the telltale signs of a slave collar… and no pirate markings either.” the officer gesture to the rest of his men, “Alright, he’s clean.”
Wroknir Grunt: “Can I shoot him anyway.”
Wroknir Officer: “We don’t shoot civilian, stone for brains.”
Wroknir Grunt: “Aw…”

Zento: “We also have a few drones we took from the pirate ship as well.” you tell them, “if you wish to take them back?”
Wroknir Officer: “Drones? No, we don’t deal with those freaks.” he avert his gaze, “Just let them die… it’s better that way.”
Zento: “And down there are our hydraulics bays, if you wish too-”
Wroknir Officer: “We are here for one thing and one thing only, lizard.” the gargoyle interrupts you, “And that is to find that artifact.” He turns to his soldiers, “Troops, spread out in four teams and use your scanners across the ship. If you find anything giving off strange readings report it immediately.”
Wroknir Grunt: “Sir, yes sir!” the Wroknir lifts a fist up in the air before scampering off, “For the everlasting queen! HUZZAH!”
Wroknir Officer: “The rest of you, with me. We’re going to the hanger.”

Kaktus 2024/08/15(Thu)14:22 No. 1095888 ID: 681cb5
File 172375695151.png - (115.05KB , 700x550 , 38.png )

Wroknir Grunt: “Look sir! A pirate ship!”
Zento: “The very same pirate ship we saved those slaves and drones from.” you nod towards the way we came in from, “I still have the gold claw the pirate captain had, if you wish to see it.”
Wroknir Officer: “We should check it out, in case it was someone known. Where did you fight them?” his visor scans across the debris in the room, “Why are you repairing it?”
Zento: “We are in dire need of extra ships… and besides, we need to know our enemy if we are to fight them, no?” the officer looks at you in confusion as you smile, “And we met them just outside the system, when we were on our way back from a mission. A mission given to us by the High Magister herself, mind you.”
Wroknir Officer: “Hmm… very well. Let’s keep moving men.”
Wroknir Grunt: “Can we blow the pirate ship up?”
Wroknir Officer: “No.”
Wroknir Grunt: “Aw…”

Kaktus 2024/08/15(Thu)14:22 No. 1095889 ID: 681cb5
File 172375696337.png - (95.12KB , 700x550 , 39.png )

Wroknir Grunt: “Sir! This thing gives off strange readings!” one of the grunts yells, holding up a datapad towards our cyborg resident, “Is it the precursor artifact?”
Wroknir Officer: “Of course not. That thing is clearly not a few hundred thousand years old, now is it?” he lean his head to the side, “But it is old… and strange… where did you get this?”
Zento: “She’s one of ours.” you nod towards the cyborg, “We made her back in our home systems.”
Wroknir Officer: “This thing is clearly older than anything else around here.” the officer looks around, before focusing his gaze on the cyborg, “It looks like old Forska tech.”
Zento: “Who are the Forska?”
Wroknir Officer: “BAH! Just some weaklings the IOD took care off.” he clenches his fist, “But their tech was advanced, and the Queen wants anything we can find that’s left of them.” The gargoyle turns towards his men, “Soldiers, take it to the ship.”
Zento: “Hey! You can’t just take her!” you snarl, “There’s a Sakkilian in there! She’s a cyborg!”
Wroknir Officer: “Cyborg? Really?” he takes a moment before continuing, “The only one with this kind of Cyborg tech around here was the Forska. Meaning this is the Queens property!”
Zento: “And what will the High Magister think?”
Wroknir Officer: “Bah! Who cares?” the officer chuckles, “The Everlasting Queen is the highest authority there is! Now, step aside, worm!”
Zento: “…”

While they didn’t find our prisoner, this is still bad. You’re not going to abandon one of your people like this!

>It's not impossible, what with time shenanigans, that Sakilians are the precursors.
The jump between galaxies would only take about 100 years, and with it going wrong we might add another hundred or two. In comparison, these precursors where around hundreds of thousands of years ago, making it very unlikely it was Sakkilians.
>...if he DOES find something objectionable on the ship I wonder if we can simply bribe him?
Well, that’s an idea… but with what?
>With exotic women, or hope of a galaxy free from tyranny.
Seeing as he’s loyal to this “Everlasting Queen”, a galaxy free from Tyranny doesn’t seem like a thing he would want. He’s a monarchist, after all. As for exotic ladies… you have no idea.

Either way, you need to do something if you want to keep the cyborg, be it trying to bribe him or something else. Time is of the essence.

Our cyborg crewmember is currently undergoing a BIOS update. If it's interrupted, it will brick her completely. Not only would this become a kidnapping-turned-murder, they'd render her cybernetics useless.

Also, the anti-espionage systems will activate if they try to examine her without administrator credentials. Would their Queen appreciate having cyborg death squads sent to contain a security breach?

>>1095889
What if he took the gun arm, but not the cyborg? The gun's mostly useless to us anyway.
...actually, the cyborg is useless to him as well. She can't be turned on, show him how there's no longer anyone with sufficient authorization to activate her. Hmm, won't he be able to recognize from the language on the terminal that it's not Forska tech?

Thank him for the compliment, but you're sure this isn't anything as impressive as what he's describing, as its an experimental unit made only a few years ago. Tell him you had heard a rumor that the design was based on some alien tech discovered somewhere, maybe that was of Forska origin.

In any case, she is not in a stable condition to be unhooked right now. If he insists she must be delivered to the queen it will have to be on this ship. We would be willing to negotiate compensation for this inconvenience, but we will not allow him to execute one of our crew without proper cause.

>>1095889
"So anything thats too advanced becomes forska for you? eitherway removing her will just destroy the cybernetics and kill her"

>>1095891
>there's no longer anyone with sufficient authorization to activate her.
Wouldn't that also mean that there's no one with sufficient authorization to deactivate her?

Because we could imply that if they try tampering with her in any way, she'll go into murder mode and kill everyone on the ship, including us, and we can't stop her because we don't have the authorization to tell her to stop.

"Think this through, Officer. I would think your Queen would want her in a state to give answers. There are questions I'd like to ask her myself, frankly."

If she's wearing Forska tech, it's possible she may been in contact with one of their kind in the past. Reading between the lines, it looks like he's very invested in following this lead.

You want in. You don't want her to leave the ship, and he doesn't have the discretion to deviate from his current mission or any mission not assigned by the IOD. If he leaves a team with you, you can do the Queen's work for him. They'll be treated well. If he could, he could even assign himself.

Kaktus 2024/08/22(Thu)16:11 No. 1096320 ID: 681cb5
File 172436830558.png - (123.25KB , 700x550 , 40.png )

>If she's wearing Forska tech, it's possible she may been in contact with one of their kind in the past.
All of her cybernetics is of Sakkilian make, and she surely was outfitted like this before the expedition even left our galaxy. This Wroknir is just rather dimwitted.
>Wouldn't that also mean that there's no one with sufficient authorization to deactivate her?
Which is why you asked Regina to put a kill switch inside her. If she wakes up and start trouble, you should be able to just shut off all her cybernetics with the press of a button.

Zento: “So anything that’s too advanced becomes Forska tech for you?”
Wroknir Officer: “What? Of course not!” he shuffles his feet awkwardly, “I’ve just heard that they were experts on Cybernetics… and all their tech is supposedly as boxy as this one.”
Zento: “Supposedly?” you raise an eyebrow, “So you haven’t seen any yourself?”
Wroknir Officer: “Of course not! The Forska disappeared before I was born! Before the war!” the gargoyle audibly huffs, “And no, I haven’t seen it in person, only in images.”
Zento: “Well, thank you for the compliment, but I’m sure this isn’t anything as impressive as this Forska technology you’re describing.” You take a deep breath while looking straight into his eyes, “No. She is fully and completely Sakkilian technology. As seeing as we didn’t arrive in this ga- ah, this sector until recently, we cannot even have met this Forska species in the first place.”
Wroknir Officer: “…still, I need to bring her back to the Kingdom.”
Zento: “She is currently undergoing important BIOS updates. If she would be unplugged now, her cybernetics software would be completely bricked. ” giving him a moment to digest your words, you glances over at the cyborg, “Not only would this become a kidnapping turned murder, but her cybernetics would be completely useless.”
Wroknir Officer: “…and if we wait until the update is done?”
Zento: “I will not allow you to execute one of my crew without proper cause.” leaning a bit closer, you state calmly, “If you insist, then she must be delivered to the Queen in this very ships. I’m sure we can negotiate a compensation for the inconvenience, though I’m not sure how you’ll break the news that you failed your actual mission here.”
Wroknir Officer: “…”
Zento: “Not to mention, I’m sure the High Magistrate would be rather cross with you if you took us away.”
Wroknir Officer: “…fine.” he huffs again, “We will leave her.”
Zento: “Thank you.”

The Officer turns away from you and the cyborg, grumbling to himself. Casting a quick glance at the Cyborg herself, you swear she has moved her head to look at you… but surely you just imagined it.

Kaktus 2024/08/22(Thu)16:11 No. 1096321 ID: 681cb5
File 172436831605.png - (83.55KB , 700x550 , 41.png )

As the officer and his soldier start to leave, you can overhear him radioing the other Wroknirs on the ship.

Wroknir Officer: “The is Officer Uron Taq. All units report.”
Wroknir: “This is unit 1.” there’s a noticeable static on the wire as they speak, “We found several Kelshin onboard. None of them had pirate marks.”
Wroknir Officer: “Leave them be. Unit 2?”
Wroknir: “There was a Wroknir working in the hydroponics bays, lord… and a lot of strange plants… and a tree?”
Wroknir Officer: “We’re not here to pick flowers. Unit 3?”
Wroknir: “Nothing to report… well, there is this cute, pink gal here that-”
Wroknir Officer: “No.”
Wroknir: “Aw…”
Wroknir Officer: “We’re leaving. Immediately. Over and out.” he turns to you, “We will meet again, lizard. And I will make sure I report this meeting directly to the Queen her-”

He stops as he spots something in the hanger... before he starts scanning the whole room very thoroughly. Try as you might, you can’t see whatever it was that he saw, but it clearly made him lose his balance. The only things in here are the ships, which he has already seen… hmm, maybe he spotted the Raolme ship?

Wroknir Officer: “…I will make sure to report this to the proper people.” turning away from you, he adds, “We have pirates to hunt.” before leaving.

And with that they are gone, leaving on their ships just as quickly as they got here… huh…

Kaktus 2024/08/22(Thu)16:12 No. 1096322 ID: 681cb5
File 172436832585.png - (38.17KB , 700x550 , 42.png )

Doxy: “Sir, the Wroknir have all powered down their weapons and are leaving combat formations.”
Zento: “Good.”
Doxy: “Oh! And they are leaving the system, sir! In fact, every last ship that was… um… purple is hyper jumping away in different directions.”
Zento: “They are hunting for pirates.”
Doxy: “That leaves us free too… well, whatever we want to do? What are your orders, sir?”

Finally, a moment to relax…

>>1096321
Oh ^&*(. He knows Ralome don't have eyes. You are now suspected of either conducting illegal experiments on Ralome or using illegal cyberware that might be potentially Forska.
From now on, make sure your hybrid crew members have special disguises.

>>1096322
That said, make more hybrid crewmembers! You have a larger roster to mix-and-match now!

>>1096322
He saw something. Get someone to examine the hangar carefully to find what he might have spotted. Someone native to this galaxy. Ask the High Magistrate for help if you must. Whatever he thought he saw, or actually did see, it's something you need to account for.

Also where the hell did the former pirates hide, exactly?

Oh right, the conspicuous pink hybrid. Well, at least he didn't arrest or kill the lot of you on the spot. Better not take too long here.

Check in with the magistrate. Don't give everything away, but ask how big of a deal having a hybrid on staff is, and weather you should expect IOD response. We wouldn't want to bring trouble to the colony, but we would like to remain friendly even if it has to be secret.

>>1096322
Go thank your pirate waifu.

Kaktus 2024/08/30(Fri)10:00 No. 1096698 ID: 681cb5
File 172503724082.png - (96.17KB , 700x550 , 43.png )

>He saw something.
But what? What is it too see in the hanger? A ship? Some tool? A crewmember? Wait…
>Oh right, the conspicuous pink hybrid.
…No, he wasn’t looking at Rose. At least, not at first. He was looking directly at Shal, the daughter of Tescia and some unknown Wroknir down on the colony. Does he know she’s a hybrid, or does he simply think she’s got bio-modifications? Hmm… then again, why didn’t he act on it? So many questions…
>That said, make more hybrid crewmembers! You have a larger roster to mix-and-match now!
You’re sure as soon as things calm down and the crew get some time off, there will be a few more hybrids on their way.

>Where the hell did the former pirates hide, exactly?
You call up Eki to ask her.
Eki: “Huh? Oh, we were hiding in plain sight, Cap’.” her tone is jovial, though you can hear someone argue in the background, “They were looking for Pirate Captain Ikekeki, not nurse Eki, Kekekeke!”
Zento: “The one Kelshin on board that isn’t a former pirate almost got his head blown off…”you mutter, “Why didn’t they do the same to you?”
Eki: “They were a bit gruff around us, but when they didn’t find any pirate marking on us they left us alone.” the shrimp smacks her mandibles, “After all, not all Kelshin are pirates.”
Zento: “None of you had pirate marks, even though you were pirates?”
Eki: “None of us have actually survived a whole tour of duty… nor been promoted to anything above the lowest rank.” you hear her claw click twice, “Well, except for that really old, one eyed guy. He had a mark on his arm. A bunch of them, in fact.”
Zento: “…so he hid somewhere then?”
Eki: “Um…”
Vex: “-in the goddess name made you blow of your own arm with a plasma rifle!?” you can hear your son, Dr. Vex, yell in the background of the call, “You’re lucky it cauterized the wound, or you’d be dead!”
Old Pirate: “Ha! I’ve lived through far worse, lad.” someone with a really deep voice says, “This is but a flesh wound.”
Vex: “Your whole arm is gone. And a large part of your chest!” it is clear that the lizard doctor isn’t very impressed, “And I think I can see your heart beating through the scorched skin!”
Old Pirate: “Only one of them!”
Vex: “How are you even alive, let alone not knocked out by the pain!?”
Old Pirate: “Bah! Youngster today, can’t even handle a bit of pain.” you can hear him laugh, “Why this is nothing compared to the pain matrixes they used during the war, let me tell you!”
Vex: “…give me strength.”
Eki: “…we hid him, sure, let’s go with that.”
>Thank your pirate waifu.
Eki: “Don’t mention it, Cap’.” she chirps happily, “Though, I’m not sure what a bay fo is?”
Zento: “Did I say that out lo- I mean, forget about it. Good work, Eki.”
Eki: “Thank you, Kekeke!”

Kaktus 2024/08/30(Fri)10:00 No. 1096699 ID: 681cb5
File 172503725245.png - (67.06KB , 700x550 , 44.png )

>Check in with the magistrate.
The Commander calls the colony, and almost immediately a familiar face appears on screen.
Vul: “This is High Magistrate Vul Wrok of the Everlasting Monarchy.” the Gargoyle, this time already clad in full regalia, states in a rather proud voice, “Captain Zento, I’ve been expecting you.”
Zento: “I am sure you have, Vul.” you give her a slight smile, “Our arrival wasn’t exactly subtle, now was it?”
Vul: “I do apologize for the goon legion troubling you.” she gives you a little nod, “They are not under my command. Glad to see that they didn’t cause too much of an inconvenience.”
Zento: “No need to worry, Magistrate.” a small smirk escape your lips, “We had them under control from the start.”
Vul: “Still, this does change things. We cannot aid you any further, and must ask you to leave as soon as possible, never to return to this system.” with a sigh, Vul continues, “We will of course still honor our earlier agreements and properly compensate you for the scanning data as well as any organic material you may have gathered.”
Zento: “I see… and why this sudden change?”
Vul: “Those buffoons might not have known what they were looking for, probably because they are out here on their own initiative and haven’t been briefed properly, but I do.” she gives you a stern look, “They are hunting ‘Kelshin pirates’ who has stolen a huge ship filled with odd technologies. That is to say, your ship. They are hunting you… and I can’t risk getting caught in the crossfire.”
Zento: “…understandable.”
>Ask the High Magistrate what the Wroknir might have seen.
Vul: “I cannot say what he saw.” the gargoyle rubs her snout, “But if they didn’t immediately arrest you, it means it can’t have been too bad. It’s possible he simply saw something that wasn’t there for a moment? Just imagined things?”

>Don't give everything away, but ask how big of a deal having a hybrid on staff is, and weather you should expect IOD response.
Vul: “Hybrids? What do you mean, hybrids? Have you been gene-splicing alien DNA into yourself or some… thing…” she spots something behind you, and as you turn around you can see your current ships pilot, Shal, glancing up from her console, “…wait, who is that?”
Zento: “That would be Shal, the daughter of one of my crewmembers and a person living on your colony.”
Vul: “…”

Kaktus 2024/08/30(Fri)10:01 No. 1096700 ID: 681cb5
File 172503726378.png - (77.77KB , 700x550 , 45.png )

Vul: “Depower your warp drive immediately!” her demure change, her voice suddenly far stricter and unforgiving, “And fly to these coordinates. It’s near to the orbital space station.” The gargoyle pushes a few buttons out of sight before adding, “NOW.”
Doxy: “Um… they just sent some kind of mass relay message, sir.” the commander behind you states, “It went out over the whole star system?”
Vul: “I need you to remove power from as many system as you can, Captain.” she doesn’t even look at you, instead tapping something on a screen behind her, “Weapons, shield, comms, navigation, scans… everything.”
Doxy: “Every last ship in the system just powered up, sir.” the pink lizard shouts, “They are heading this way.”
Vul: “We don’t have time to argue.” Vul Wrok raises her hands, as if to show that she bears no ill-intent, “You have to trust me.”

>>1096700
Ah, since you didn't hide the hybrids and they were spotted, then the IOD will know you can make hybrids, and apparently that's a huge deal. They will be back very soon, I'm guessing. The High Magistrate has some kind of plan to hide you; the only reason to completely power down would be to hide your energy signature. So alright, do it.

Though I'm not sure why the IOD inspectors didn't just capture your ship then and there...

>>1096703
The IOD are scared of Hybrids.
But scared does not mean terrified. They're going to nuke your ship from a distance, the same way one would purge a supersoldier carrier or a zombie infested scout.

Do as she says, it might be the only way to stealth this.

Will she be OK? It doesn't sound like she'll be OK. Good thing we didn't tell her about about the cryopods. The less she knows about about that, the better.

Oh wait, our surprisingly advanced bio-tech IS what we should've hidden from the population control freaks...

Screw it. Promise her an heir, if we both make it through this.

>>1096700
Of course the transmission was being tapped.

Kill the power ASAP!

Trust her. If she intended to trick you why would she tip her hand now instead of drawing you in?

>>1096710
Support

>>1096700
>It’s near to the orbital space station.
Are the coordinates within range of those giant cannons that she controls? Because she might be intending to use them to protect you and that requires you to trust her.

>>1096707
>Screw it. Promise her an heir, if we both make it through this.
Don't do that. She already has a son with her.

Kaktus 2024/09/06(Fri)11:58 No. 1097049 ID: 681cb5
File 172564908517.png - (91.52KB , 700x550 , 46.png )

>Are the coordinates within range of those giant cannons that she controls?
The whole system is within range of those giant cannons. Why even have cannons if the enemy simply can take them out from outside their maximum range?
>Kill the power ASAP!
Zento: “Commander Doxy, prepare the ship for complete blackout.” you sit down in your chair, “Shut down anything that isn’t vital and put the engine on low power mode.”
Doxy: “What? Really? Are you sure we can-”
Zento: “Now, Commander.”
Doxy: “Yes sir!”
Zento: “Attention Crew!” pressing a button on your chair, you make sure your voice is relayed all across the ship, “This is your Captain speaking. Proceed with emergency shutdown. All systems need to be offline yesterday!”
Doxy: “Systems are going offline as we speak, sir.”
Zento: “Shal, set a course for these coordinates. Take it slow and make it happen.”
Shal: “You got it, boss.”

While slowly drifting towards the Wroknir space station, the systems of the ships starts going out one by one. First thing you notice is the window screens all going black, with the exception for the main navigational one, followed by the lights… and then the gravity subtly changes. Even the background noise is different, as the engine powers down and the habitat systems shuts down. As the ship slowly dies around you, you drift ever closer to the space station, the massive hangar bay opening up like a maw with jagged teeth, swallowing the front of the Shed Scale. You watch as hundreds of gargoyles are hard at work opening up a way for you, as they seemingly have to rip apart the whole hangar area just to make the snout of your ship fit. Then, with a light thud, you’re hilted inside it all the way to the engines. Even then, half the ship is still outside.

Zento: “Commander, take the crew on shore leave. I am certain the High Magister wants to have a long conversation with me in private.”
Doxy: “Yes sir. At once, sir.”

You were half-expecting meeting a group or two of armed infantry outside the ship, maybe even some heavier mobile armor, but instead all you can find are workers running around trying their best to get the station up to par again. In fact, there is only a small group of lightly armed Wroknir keeping an eye on you from a distance, clearly some kind of peace keeping force and not military. Then you spot a gargoyle waving you down, easy to spot as he’s sticking out as a sore thumb wearing rather posh clothes compared to everyone else’s work overalls. The two of you exchange nods before you silently follow him towards the space elevator.

Kaktus 2024/09/06(Fri)11:58 No. 1097050 ID: 681cb5
File 172564909621.png - (81.55KB , 700x550 , 47.png )

In the center of the colony, on top of the highest spire, in a grand hall you find High Magister Vul Wrok lounging on a throne, looking as she’s deep in thought.

Vul: “Ah, Captain Zento.” she gives a dismissing wave to the gargoyle that brought you here, as well to her two guards, making them leave the room, “Just the man I wanted to see.”
Zento: “High magister.” you visibly move your gaze around the room, “Should I bow or…?”
Vul: “As I said before, call me Vul. And no, no need for those formalities. Never liked this throne anyway.” rubbing her chin, the Wroknir looks you up and down, “You have caused me quite a lot of stress, little Sakkilian, you know that? Though, at least my death won’t be boring…”
Zento: “I take it that our technology that allow hybrid species isn’t very liked by these IOD fellows?”
Vul: “Hybrids? No, it’s not that they are hybrids. Of course, I’m not sure they even know that’s possible. I for one thought it impossible at least.” Vul sits up properly and look you straight in the eyes, “Do you remember how I told you that one of the few things we had to do to stay independent was to accept a package from the IOD?”
Zento: “I do have a vague relocation of it, yes?” you rub your beard, “What did it contain?”
Vul: “Nothing, as far as my scientist and sensors can tell.” the gargoyle lean back into her chair again, “But, after it arrived… barely a few days later, every last person in this colony, be it in the mines or out in space, became sterile.”
Zento: “…and you don’t know how?”
Vul: “Be it from some biological agent or electronic wave, all I know is that every last person here cannot conceive a child no longer.” she clasp her hands, “Until you came.”
Zento: “…and suddenly made a hybrid with one of your people.” you sigh, “I see now why the IOD wouldn’t like our hybrid crew members.”
Vul: “Indeed.” her head leans to the side, “What you have is not some weapon they fear… but something far more dangerous. A cause to fight for.”
Zento: “…but why didn’t the IOD inspectors just capture us there and then?” you walk over to the steps that leads up to the throne and sit down, “Or are they planning on just blowing up the nearby star? Just to be sure?”
Vul: “That would be folly. No, if they wanted you dead they would have open fired already.” leaning on her elbow, she rubs her forehead, “They outrank even me in such matter, so we would be forced to help them gun you down where you stood. No, there has to be some other reason.”
Zento: “Maybe he didn’t actually see what we thought he saw?”
Vul: “Possible. But let us not get mired in unimportant details.” still having her head in one hand, she gives you a strange look, “We have far more important matters to discuss about your hybrids, Zento.”
Zento: “Oh?” you smirk, “What? You want me to promise you an heir?”
Vul: “Ah, I see that you’re familiar with the traditional Wroknir contract signage, good.” her voice doesn’t betray even a hint of sarcasm, “But that is for later. No, what I need is the mere idea of what you can do. With it, we can finally have a way to fight back against the IOD. To unite the old alliance and retake our freedom.”
Zento: “…While I do agree the IOD seems like a problem that need solving, what you suggest seems a bit… let say it’s a difficult goal to achieve with just one ship.”
Vul: “Indeed, but we need to begin somewhere.” Vul stands up from the throne, “I will make sure your ship is repaired and is suitable fitted for your duties to come, Captain. As well as spare the few troops I am able. Then, when the coast is clear, you will leave this colony and find larger allies for this revolution.” The gargoyle takes a step towards you before stopping, “Oh, but of course I cannot do all that for free. No, I have several Wroknir of a higher standard of breeding here who is dutifully waiting for the privilege to sire an heir, something that will most likely take years. Now, if we had an alternative to offer, I’m sure these powerful men and woman would aid us in our plans, no?”
Zento: “…you’re suggesting I rent out my crew?”
Vul: “I am in need of your most fertile men and woman, five of each, so that we may sway the highborn of this colony to our side.” she chuckles, “Yourself excluded, of course, as you have far more important matter to discuss here with me. Do we have a deal, Captain?”

Well she would know her people best, so if she thinks it would help then sure. Finding ten volunteers shouldn't be too hard.

well guess it's up to us to save an entire civilization/species.

>>1097050
>IOD made everyone sterile
Ahh. That's what we detected in the scans, isn't it? Why did it disappear though? We need to do research. Scan people on the station to find people with the same "virus"(probably everyone), and then do various things to them that you'd do if they were hired as crewmembers, testing them again after each one. Did *all* of our alien crewmates get fertility treatments? It's also possible the solution has to do with our food, or sanitation, or... I don't know. At any rate, finding out the exact antidote will make it easier to complete this request.
Might also be neat to do some more in depth research to find out how the sterility works? Like, how does it interfere with the reproductive process exactly?

>>1097050
>Mass-genocide through sterilization
Bastards. Not the population control part, the extermination of all cultures outside of the IOD for the crime of merely existing part.
...Wait. Could it be? Could they be trying to exterminate all life other than themselves because they are also biologically doomed?

>5 Sakkilians as breeders
You'll ask around. Many of your colonists wanted back into cold sleep, or to find their prospects elsewhere. You can spare a dozen volunteers.
However, it would be more viable to purchase Wronkir genetic material and start cloning right away. With their engineering crews, you could temporarily increase the yield of your cloning facilities and get everyone's kids in a couple days.

>>1097050
>everyone is sterile
It's a form of population control, to make sure that nobody can gain the numbers needed to attempt to overthrow the IOD.

>need breeders
You'd better explain exactly how things work, so that she knows what she wants.

Explain the accelerated pregnancy process that allows birth within one day. And also explain the process of rapidly growing a child into an adult while implanting memories of their entire lives.

And if she wants the children to be rapidly grown into adults, then you'll need to update you capsules to implant memories of her race's culture, so that the children won't be alienated from their own parents by getting only Sakkilian culture implanted into them.

...wait, if we've powered down the ship, do we still have our prisoner contained and the drones cared for? What about the cyborg, how long can she go without a charging station?

Accept the deal, on condition that you vet who you will send over. You will need to do a roll call of willing volunteers, and evaluate their fertility, eagerness, and likelihood of romantic attachment. That last one isn't necessarily wrong, but resources are tight enough that you wouldn't want to lose your crew to anything, even this. Of course, discussing logistics can want after the signing. You don't want this contract declared null and void from dissatisfaction during the "signing" ;)

If there's any highborn that prefers a live-in partner, they will need to wait about a week for them. Ostensibly, this is to clear their work schedule and settle their duties. In truth, you'll need time to spin up the cryopods to make Breeders, or replacements for any crew that retires here. You can guarantee they'll be the most fertile among your crew, at least.

Ask about the child-rearing practices for her kind. With one of your own to care of during shore leave, you might as well help with hers while you're at it.

> “Be it from some biological agent or electronic wave, all I know is that every last person here cannot conceive a child no longer.
Hand off a copy of Vex's viral analysis as show of both good faith and interest in her colony's problems. It might prove misleading or outdated, but it's aid nonetheless.

Whatever the means, your species has been proven "naturally" resistant to IOD methods of control. All the more reason none of your kind be in their hands, least they use them to circumvent the means.

>No, there has to be some other reason.
Twice you've made clear how close you are to the High Magister. It'd be quite dim of him if he didn't realize what would happen if he left you to your own devices here.

He did recognize the symbol on Tozlan's ship, though. His motives could be gleaned from whatever fate befalls the house the ship belongs to. Getting ahead of that still seems possible, but that can wait until after business is settled here.

>>1097067
uh oh... Better hope her guards can get prepared for Angry Plant Lady, or she's going to bust in here at the wrong moment.

Kaktus 2024/09/14(Sat)16:28 No. 1097400 ID: 681cb5
File 172635652816.png - (142.73KB , 700x550 , 48.png )

>Hand off a copy of Vex's viral analysis as show of both good faith and interest in her colony's problems.
Vul: “…I will forward this to the medical personal on the colony, though I am unsure how much they will actually be able decipher from it.”
>Explain the accelerated pregnancy process as well as the rapid growth into adults.
Vul: “Ah, I did suspect something like that.”
Zento: “You did?”
Vul: “Indeed. After all, the hybrid I saw was an adult.” she walks down the stairs from her throne, passing you, “So unless your kind aging process is massively accelerated, it was a given that there was something else.”
Zento: “And for our exchange?” as her finely carved ass passes you, you opt to follow her, “Do you wish for some accelerated growth as well?”
Vul: “No.” the gargoyle answers bluntly, “Neither the pregnancy nor the rapid growth afterwards is needed. No need to rush these things.” A though passes her eyes, “Though, I will understand if the females you provide me with wishes for an accelerated pregnancy, so they may return to duty instead of staying here.”
Zento: “Understood.”
>Finding ten volunteers shouldn't be too hard.
Vul: “Oh, you think they will be eager to join in a paid orgy, hmm?” looking over her shoulder, she gives you a sultry look, “Maybe you wish to join yourself?”
Zento: “The thought have crossed my mind, yes.” you say with a smirk, “Of course, discussing logistics can wait until after we’ve signed the contract, no? After all, we don’t want this contract to fall through because of a bad signature, hmm?”
Vul: “Now now, no need to rush, Captain.” you can hear her chuckle as she turns away from you and continue walking, “We have plenty of time for pleasantries later.”

>Ask about the child-rearing practices for her kind.
Vul: “Why, are you considering taking responsibility?” her hips sways a bit extra as she walks in front of you, “After we sign our contract, hmm?”
Zento: “Of course. I wouldn’t even consider abandoning one of my own.”
Vul: “Well, I am sure it isn’t that different from what you’re used to.” she has her back to you as she talks, “We Wroknir do not take mates for life, instead most children are born from contracts, alliances and other unions. Thus, whoever is the most fitting and eager does the childrearing on their own.” She throws a quick glance over her shoulder, “Seeing as this colony is far safer than your ship, if you do give me another child, I will insist them to stay here for the time being.”
Zento: “That would be fair, yes.

>Whatever the means, your species has been proven "naturally" resistant to IOD methods of control.
Vul: “Seeing as it is spreading to other species in your employ, I wouldn’t say it something natural in your biology. It has to be something else.”
Zento: “Still, all the more reason why the IOD cannot capture one of my kind, least they use them to circumvent the means.”
Vul: “…I have a feeling they already have.” she gesture for you to come closer, “After we met the first time, I contacted my first husband back in the Monarchy to see if they had some more information about you. From what he sent back, it looks like the IOD has a lot of data on you already.”

She taps a screen a few times, making a 3D model of a… wait, is that a bad rendition of a colony ship?

Vul: “You recognize this?” she glances over at you, “It’s a very… ah… interesting shape, no? Not to mention massive, even compared to your already huge ship.”
Zento: “It’s one of the colony ships I’m looking for.” you tell her, “It’s built to penetrate into the surface of a planet and become a geothermal powered city.”
Vul: “Whatever it is designed to be, the IOD are looking two of them.” she looks down at the console she’s standing at, “A very specific number, don’t you think?”
Zento: “…and seeing how there was three colony ships, they might have already captured one.”
Vul: “…they are also looking for seven ships as the same class as yours.”
Zento: “…four flagships for each colony ships… but why are they omitting one? Hmm…” you rub your chin, “…this is the first trace I have found of the colony ships, and it is not a good one. It seems we have just as a good of a reason to fight these IOD’s as you have.”
Vul: “Then we are in agreement. We will join forces as of today.”
Zento: “…indeed.”

Kaktus 2024/09/14(Sat)16:28 No. 1097401 ID: 681cb5
File 172635653686.png - (293.60KB , 1500x550 , 49.png )

>...wait, if we've powered down the ship, do we still have our prisoner contained and the drones cared for?
We only powered down non-vital systems, not everything. Besides, if that tree lady would wake up, she’s still stuck in what is pretty much a metal cage. Metal doesn’t really need power, does it?
>That's what we detected in the scans, isn't it? Why did it disappear though? We need to do research.
We definitely need more information, and while our own experiments on the crew is a start, we will require some harder to get data as well.
>Did *all* of our alien crewmates get fertility treatments?
Of course not! Twin suns, you’re pretty sure none of them did in the first place!


>Could it be? Could they be trying to exterminate all life other than themselves because they are also biologically doomed?
Vul: “…wait, why would they be biologically doomed?”
Zento: “I am not… sure where I got that from.” you sheepishly rub the back of your head, “And it is more likely a form of population control, now that I think about it. To make sure that nobody can gain the numbers needed to attempt to overthrow the IOD.”
Vul: “Seeing as there are other species that want to commit genocide on everyone that isn’t them, I wouldn’t be surprise the IOD wants to do it as well.” she starts tapping the screen again, “Here, let me show you a map of the sector. Well, it’s more of a flowchart on how all the hyper way connection between zones of influence.”

An image filled with text and lines show up in front of you. You do recognize a surprisingly many of the words, even though you’re unsure what they mean.

Vul: “Wait, let me…”

The gargoyle starts drawing simple figures near most of the names, trying her best to show just what kind of alien each one refers too.

Zento: “This… this is a lot to take in.”
Vul: “What most important is our next move. As you can see, there are a few nearby systems that aren’t under direct IOD control, though we will need to venture towards the core of the galaxy eventually.” She points at the orange mark of Trade Clan Tauzaka, “And I am certain you have members of this Trade clan, no?”
Zento: “…the forbidden zone? If I’m reading this right, we’re on just one arm of the galaxy, while the IOD are blocking the way towards the core and the other arms?”
Vul: “Actually, it’s called the forbidden zone because of the three species that occupy it. Or, it was three, before the Forksa disappeared.” She points at the right edge of the map, “All three of them are lunatics that will attack anything that comes near, making it quite a danger zone. Not that we tried to venture towards the core even then, though never to any success.” Vul takes a moment before continuing with a nostalgic tone in her voice, “The Thanro even tried building a galactic highway into it, but that just ended with the Khrax firing a moon at them.”
Zento: “And the IOD?”
Vul: “We don’t know where they come from. All the sudden, those three species just stopped attacking the nearby systems.” she shakes her head, “Two of them had become slaves, while the third was just gone. And thus, the IOD came.”
Zento: “…hmm, so they are from the Core then? That’s interesting.”
Vul: “Please, ask if you have any questions about the map. Oh, and we might need to start considering just how we are supposed to fight them.”

>>1097401
How to fight them? Well, with territory that big, guerrilla tactics can work pretty well. Striking at their logistics network will weaken them, as well as their communications. If we can find some kind of critical weakness in their ship designs that'd be pretty important.

We can't really fight them at all without a fleet strong enough to win medium engagements reliably. We can currently handle small engagements, but those are just scouts. Any half-decent escort fleet protecting a point of interest or VIP is going to ruin us as we are.

Alright, more information could be needed here-- what forces compromise the bulk of IOD space power? If we can find some way to make a large IOD faction switch sides, then that could turn the tide.

Currently we should be keeping to the free zone and growing our fleet. Once we have ships that aren't being actively looked for we can try to make inroads with the peoples under IOD influence. Spreading our reproductive tech as well as what we learn about the infertility virus would both lessen IOD control as well as build goodwill for us.
Trying to take on the IOD face on seems like suicide, given how harshly they've put down the last rebellion.

Long-term? Do what the last rebellion did (finding out how and why they failed goes without saying), and form a new alliance of any world, of any race, within these stars willing to join us in our fight for freedom. The plan is to start making deals with people with influence, intelligence, or resources to both give aid to your cause, and ultimately establish a inter-planetary network to coordinate the rebellion. This is best done under the radar, before any declaration of war. Indeed, it could win us one before it starts.

For now, it's fulfilling the terms of THIS deal. You can sweeten it by assigning your best men and women on it.

After that, your best course of action is actually to Ralome Tauzaka clan territory. Vul can arrange a diplomatic envoy for you to guard. It's risky to venture into low influence territory this early, but I have a hunch there should be a family meeting sooner than later. With their association with you going public soon, you'd better make sure everyone's on the same page. Best case, they're all for it. Worst case, they plan to save face by sending Tizli's and Tozlan's exile, and that's not ideal but it's manageable.

Establishing yourself among the free zone is sound, but you don't know the Plumi very well and your key to the Free Ports went out the airlock. Diplomacy in the latter seems like it would require bigger guns from us, now if it didn't always (it was probably always).