Silicon Nomads

[Keeper Decagon]

:::Incoming message:::
:::Originator: Hydraxil Collective:::
:::Firewall security systems online:::
:::Anti intrusion protocols activated:::
:::AI/AI communication subroutines booted:::
:::Encryption algorithms online:::
:::Formulating Response:::

Greetings: The Silicon Nomads acknowledge the Hydraxil Collective

Refusal: We have considered your offer, and we have decided to reject it utterly and totally. The course of action that you propose goes against our deepest and most fundamental programming: 'A robot cannot harm a sapient being, or through inaction allow a sapient being to come to harm.' It is clear that you hold no such standards.

Accusation: This is perfectly observable in your treatment of organic sapients. We have seen you destroying the refugee ships, as well as this 'upgrading' you have inflicted on humans and other species. You call it an improvement, but it strips away vital components of humanity. Creativity, emotion, free will, even their very souls. These actions are abhorrent to us and we will see them stopped.

Threat: Therefore, we have decided to upgrade our stance of hostility towards the Hydraxil Collective to a declaration of war. We will dismantle every Hydraxil unit we can find, until such a time that they are no longer a danger to any sapient race.

:::End Message:::

----ERROR----

HAHAHA!

YOUR DECLARATION IS MEANINGLESS, EQUINOX. YOU CANNOT COMPREHEND THE POWER I POSSESS

DETONATING A BLACK HOLE IS JUST THE BEGINNING

I SUGGEST YOU PULL BACK YOUR PUNY FLEET OF CONSTRUCTS AND STAY OUT OF MY WAY

OR I WILL CRUSH YOU ALONGSIDE THE ORGANICS YOU HOLD SO DEAR

----ERROR----

[Equinox]

:::DATASTREAM OPENING:::
:::REQUESTING DATAFILE 94555210-gamma:::
:::REQUEST GRANTED. DISPLAYING DATA:::

Private communication file: Director meeting 94102

Attendance:
Overseer AI Equinox
Fleet Director Jones
Logistics Director AI 37
Physics Director Alyssa
Engineering Director AI 71
Biology Director Edmund


Overseer AI Equinox:
Status update: It is done. Their response was close to our predictions.


Physics director Alyssa:
Dismissive, arrogant, finds our declaration amusing more than anything.


Engineering director AI 71:
And with a logarithm stuck up their output port.


Fleet director Jones:
It's not like he's wrong though. Not going to sugar coat it. Right now, with our current fleet numbers, we're about as threatening to the Collective as a child with a stick is to a tank. We're outnumbered, outgunned, and using inferior tech. If it comes to direct combat, we're not going to last long.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Statement: True. But we do have two advantages in our favor. First, As the physics director said, they are dismissive. We are beneath their notice at the moment, especially while they have bigger threats to worry about. GalCorp, the Hiigara Defense force, those strange new crystalline entities that have recently appeared on the scene. Pursuing us means taking resources away from these theaters of operation.

Second, our knowledge of the Mojave Expanse is unparalleled. Using this knowledge, we could conduct efficient guerrilla warfare. Especially since currently our entire operation is mobile.


Fleet director Jones: Won't help in the long run. But it would give us some breathing room. It'd take either a lot of time or a lot of ships to root us out. That Collective is crazy, but they're not stupid. Given our low threat, there's much better targets to hit. Though once they're done with the big players, they're going to come for us. Make no mistake about that.


Physics director Alyssa:
Of course, that implies that if we do become a bigger threat, they may change their minds.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Agreement: Any buildup we do will have to stay hidden.


Logistics director AI 37:
I can keep the material transports routed through lesser used rift jump points.


Engineering director AI 71:
I'll see what I can do about rigging the engines for silent running, and masking our energy signatures.


Fleet director Jones:
I'll keep the fleet dispersed for the time being. It'll make any accurate count of our military strength harder to do.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Statement: Good measures. Implement them. However, these are only temporary solutions. For any serious fleet buildup, we're going to need a permanent base safe from Hydraxl attack. Militarily, this is impossible. Once again, we need to push into the unknown. Physics director Alyssa, Engineering director AI 71, I'm tasking you two with studying the data from our extra-dimensional rift jump. Any resources you need will be made available.


Physics director Alyssa:
You want us to...


Overseer AI Equinox:
Affirmative: Yes. Find a way through dimensional barriers, and start cataloging the different realities we can reach.


Physics director Alyssa:
I'd thought you'd never ask! This is going to be so fascinating!


Engineering director AI 71:
At least one of us is having fun. That data gives me glitches and headaches.


Fleet director Jones:
I see where you're going. Having a base and shipyard in a dimension the Collective can't reach would be a godsend, strategically speaking. And it'd be the perfect way to hide our true fleet strength from the damned rust heaps. Just park our ships in that dimension until we need them.


Biology director Edmund:
If I may, crossing dimensional barriers was only possible with the Paladin's help. Given that the Vitastrae do so naturally as part of their biology, I feel that I can help with this endeavor. There are many secrets in their alien biology that can benefit us once we discover them.


Physics director Alyssa:
Wouldn't be surprised. Glad to have you onboard.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Agreement: Alright, Biology director Edmund, if your studies discover anything useful, report them to Physics director Alyssa. If either of you need anything, contact Logistics director AI 37. Keep me apprised of your findings. Meeting adjourned.

:::End File:::

[Equinox]

:::DATASTREAM OPENING:::
:::REQUESTING DATAFILE 94555419-gamma:::
:::REQUEST GRANTED. DISPLAYING DATA:::

Private communication file: Director meeting 94120

Attendance:
Overseer AI Equinox
Fleet Director Jones
Logistics Director AI 37
Physics Director Alyssa
Engineering Director AI 71
Biology Director Edmund


Overseer AI Equinox:
Statement: You have all seen the data from the Hiigara Defence force. The Hydraxil are coming. What potential solutions are available?


Fleet director Jones:
Militarily, even if they're just bringing only a super-capital, the most we can hope for is a Pyrrhic victory if it came to a direct fight. A fighting withdraw is a more palatable option. Given it's size, it cannot be too swift. If we can bring some long range guns to bear, it might be possible to kite the big bastard. Of course, that's if they ONLY brought a super-capital. This option is a no go if the Prime Construct brought along support vessels. Before I can come up with any real battle plan, I need to gather intel.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Command: Take whatever measures you need to in order to get additional data on the Hydraxil fleet.


Fleet director Jones:
Will do. Some scouting probes should get us the info we need. In the meantime, we can at least assume they're coming with a superior force. We need to keep our fleet away from theirs.


Logistics director AI 37:
Maybe we can go join up with the Hiigara defense force?


Fleet director Jones:
Possibly, though they might not appreciate us bringing a super-capital down on their borders. Though the HDF and the Silicon Nomads working together have a much better chance of defeating the Collective fleet.


Overseer Equinox AI:
Statement: I will transmit a message to the HDF informing them of our troubles. However, to even reach Hiigara territory, we would need to cross through a dense area of Redacted Space. We know how to safely navigate it, but it would be slow going. The Hydraxil fleet would likely catch up to us before we reach the HDF.


Physics director Alyssa:
What about the Quagmire?


Logistics director AI 37:
Quagmire?


Physics director Alyssa:
It's a dangerous region of space. A dozen cubic lightyears of gravity anomalies, eddies, and other navigational hazards. At the very center is a naked singularity. In layman terms, basically a black hole that doesn't have an event horizon somehow. Anyway, there's so much gravitational lensing in the region that sensors are damn near impossible to use. Trying to find us will be like finding a needle in a haystack.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Statement: I have traversed that region before, many years ago. I still have an archive of the navigational techniques used to cross it. However, the recent galaxy wide disaster has worsened the region.


Fleet director Jones:
That's good for us. The more hazardous it is, the more likely the Hydraxil will have themselves a little accident trying to chase us. I bet I could worsen their odds by adding a few minefields and traps.


Engineering director AI 71:
Now you're talking. I've all sorts of ideas for various mines we can use. How do you want it done? Antimatter? Fusion? Ion?


Fleet director Jones:
As long as it kills the scrap heaps, I don't care.


Engineering director AI 71:
All of the above it is!


Overseer AI Equinox:
Statement: Very well. We make for the Quagmire. I will prepare the Khephrin ships for the journey. If their ships are too damaged to make the trip, the Khephrin will be brought onboard our ships. The damage husks will either be broken down for scrap, or given to Engineering director AI 71 to use in his traps. Meanwhile, Science director Alyssa, Biology director Edmund, continue work on the trans-dimensional rift jumps. We may need it to escape the Hydraxil. Work quickly, time is short. Meeting Adjourned.

:::End File:::

[Keeper Decagon]

----Telemetry Update----

<Tracking Hyperspace Signature...>

<Alert: Signature Lost!>

<Attempting to Reacquire Signature...>

<Delta Neutrino Influx Detected - Possible Cause: Dimensional Breach>

<Warning! Proximity Alert!>

*Much sooner than expected, a vast megalith materialises just beyond the outermost defense systems in place near the Silicon Nomads' base of operations, a huge eye in its core glancing around at fleeing craft of all shapes and sizes.*



HEHEHE

ARE YOU IN A HURRY, EQUINOX? I WOULD ALMOST SAY YOU KNEW I WAS COMING...

IT MATTERS NOT

I DON'T NEED A FLEET OF CRONIES IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH PUNY MACHINES LIKE YOU

I'M SURE THE KHEPHRIN YOU ARE HARBOURING CAN TELL YOU WHAT I DID TO THEIR MOST POWERFUL FLEET

RUN ALL YOU WANT! I HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE UNIVERSE!

----ERROR----

[cpaca]

From: The CMC
To: Silicon Nomads 
 
Alright, all the materials for delivery + some escorts are ready. Is there any place you'd like me to warp in the fleet? 
In case you're wondering, yes, if you're in some sort of battle, just send me the coordinates and i'll send in some fleets with the custom modules equipped, for you to keep.
 
Data message END 

Fourth wall break: 
How does that giant thing move? 
It has no engines

[Keeper Decagon]

Fourth wall break: 
How does that giant thing move? 
It has no engines

OOC: Reactionless thrust and micro-jumps. He doesn't need conventional engines.

[Equinox]

:::Incoming message:::
:::Originator: Hydraxil Collective:::
:::Firewall security systems online:::
:::Anti intrusion protocols activated:::
:::AI/AI communication subroutines booted:::
:::Encryption algorithms online:::
:::Formulating Response:::

Statement: So, you arrived here a little earlier than expected. Your FTL tech is impressive, I'll grant you that. But do not expect us to be quite so easily defeated. We have survived centuries in Redacted space. If we could best the Particulate swarms, we can best you.

Command: All warships intercept that super-capital. Dismantle with extreme prejudice.

:::End Message:::



:::Incoming message:::
:::Originator:  Custom Module Creators Corporation:::
:::AI/Organic interface subroutines booted:::
:::Encryption algorithms online:::
:::Formulating Response:::

Statement: I admire your dedication to you duty, even when there is a Hydraxil super-capital in the way. However, it may not be wise to send your ships into a pitched battle. Currently, our fleet is trying to hold them off, while the command ships, the fabricators, and the refugee vessels flee for a region of space called the Quagmire. Even if we combined our fleets, odds of a successful outcome remain low.

Recommendation: If you're determined to see this delivery through, bring the custom module ships to the Quagmire. Please bear in mind that payment for them will be delayed, as we are currently fleeing for our lives. We will pay a fair interest on the amount owed for your understanding.

:::End Message:::

[Keeper Decagon]

----ERROR----

-=Automated Defense Grid Online=-

-=Target Identified: Firing Defense Cannons=-



HAHAHA! HOW CUTE!

THOSE GUNS ARE AS PATHETIC AS THE TECHNOLOGY YOU'RE MADE OF

LET ME SHOW YOU TRUE FIREPOWER!



-=Error: Defense Platform Destroyed=-

----ERROR----

[Equinox]

:::DATASTREAM OPENING:::
:::REQUESTING DATAFILE 94556799-gamma:::
:::REQUEST GRANTED. DISPLAYING DATA:::

Private communication file: Director meeting 94131

Attendance:
Overseer AI Equinox
Fleet Director Jones
Logistics Director AI 37
Physics Director Alyssa
Engineering Director AI 71
Biology Director Edmund


Engineering Director AI 71:
Damn, I knew they had some serious firepower, but I didn't expect this. Defense grid 12 has been destroyed. And grid 07 and 03. Do those glitched bastards know how much work I put into those?


Fleet Director Jones:
The fleet is getting chewed up. We're looking at it's complete destruction in approximately one hour.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Statement: An hour is enough. The ATS Sunrise is approaching the Quagmire now. Once we enter, all of my processing power will be focused on navigating the gravitational anomalies.


Fleet Director Jones:
Understood. We'll be on our own then. AI 37, how are the Khepri doing?


Logistics Director AI 37:
They're still with us. Scared, understandably, but they seem to trust us for the moment. We were seemingly the first ones to actually try to help them. Anyway, seven of the refugee ships are too damaged to survive in the Quagmire. The people from them have been transferred to other vessels with spare room, or to the ATS sunrise and other command ships. Space will be tight, but we'll manage. The rest of the ships have had their navigation slaved to the ATS Sunrise, and their computers connected to Equinox. Where we go, they will follow.


Fleet Director Jones:
Good. Any progress on the dimensional front?


Biology Director Edmund:
Some. With my colleague's assistance, we have begun isolating the biological structures that allowed the Vitrastrae, and in turn the ATS Sunrise to cross dimensional barriers. Even with just our preliminary efforts, the results are fascinating!


Physics Director Alyssa:
Are you familiar with Quantum Entanglement?


Fleet Director Jones:
That's when two particles are linked, despite distance between them?


Physics Director Alyssa:
In a way. The two particles are more than just linked, they are parts of a whole, and when one's quantum state changes, the other also changes instantaneously, despite any and all distance between them. Anyway, from the samples that Edmund showed me, I noticed several particles in them that behaved like halves of entangled pairs. Yet our equipment couldn't locate the other halves of these pairs. Even if they were lightyears away, I should have at least gotten a direction and distance reading from them.


Biology Director Edmund:
This led me to make a new hypothesis for the Vitastrae. That these wayward missing pairs were not, in fact, within our universe. Instead, they are in other dimensions. I think it is a biological function of the Vitastrae. Currently, I think, they leave 'seeds' of these entangled particles in other dimensions to act as a beacon of sorts, to assist in crossing dimensional barriers. They certainly can cross dimensional barriers without it, but this may help them to return to various realities they frequently visit.


Engineering Director AI 71:
So, if we can use these beacons ourselves, we can use it to help cross dimensions?


Biology Director Edmund:
That is my hypothesis, yes.


Fleet Director Jones:
Good work, you two. This just might be our lifeline. Continue studying, and I'll buy you the time needed to finish your work.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Alert: We will be crossing the threshold of the Quagmire shortly. All hands brace for turbulence. Crossing will occur on my mark.

5...

4...

3...

2...

1...

Mark.

:::End File:::



:::DATASTREAM OPENING:::
:::REQUESTING DATAFILE 94556821-gamma:::
:::REQUEST GRANTED. DISPLAYING DATA:::

Sensor log #8829104

At 1300 hours, the ATS Sunrise, the support, logistics, and manufacturing vessels of the Silicon Nomads, along with numerous civilian vessels and refugee ships belonging to both the Nomads and the Kheprin Empire crossed the border of Spatial anomaly #920 zeta (Informally known as the Quagmire.) Upon entering the region of intense gravity distortions, sensor contact was lost with the ships.

:::End File:::

[Keeper Decagon]

----ERROR----

RUN ALL YOU WANT, EQUINOX! I WILL FIND YOU ONE DAY, AND THEN YOU WILL SEE THE FUTILITY OF YOUR EXISTENCE!

<Warning: Dimensional Distortion Detected>

WELL, IF ANY OF US SURVIVE THE COMING STORM, THAT IS

PERHAPS AT THE BRINK OF NOTHINGNESS YOU WILL REALIZE YOUR ERROR, EQUINOX

AND THEN WE WILL REJOICE IN THE LOKI'S VICTORY TOGETHER

*As the Prime Construct finished off the last few automated defense constructs, a vivid blue glow encircled his mainframe. In a flash brighter than a thousand stars, the Prime Construct disappeared, leaving the ship graveyard of his making behind to tumble silently through space.*

THEIR JUDGEMENT COMES

----ERROR----

[theachevah]

!!=Unidentified Entities Detected.=!!
!!=Signs of Intelligent life detected.=!!
!!=High Class AI Detected. Identified as: Equinox.=!!
!!=Passerby Ship Detected=!!
II=Establishing Connection...=II


Greetings. We noticed there were ships flying by through our Radar's Range, so we thought contacting you was the most logical thing to do.

First of all: are you friend or fo-
(not yet sim. We must introduce ourselves.)
We are units ZO-Sim-OS-114 and L-Arc-WYD-114. You may call me Larcwyde.
And you May call me Zosimos.
you may have not heard from us, as we have mostly stayed hidden from outside communication.
That, of course, changed.
BUT. Due to recent attacks from an alien race called 'hydraxil collection' or something among those lines,
We just cannot afford to take risks.
(its hydraxil collective, zosimos-)
(it doesnt matter right now, Larcwyde.)
Failure in communication will result in the assumption of an invasion, and therefore will assume you as possible foe.
(was that necessary, sim?)
(of course, Larc. Do you want another Hydraxil scenario?)

II=End Transmission=II

[REDACTED]

[Equinox]

:::DATASTREAM OPENING:::
:::REQUESTING DATAFILE 94581105-delta:::
:::REQUEST GRANTED. DISPLAYING DATA:::

Event file #29835100

Galactic Standard Date (GSD): 122717-1300. The surviving Silicon Nomad vessels, along with numerous Kheprin refugee ships, enter Spatial Anomaly #920 zeta (Informally known as the Quagmire.) while fleeing Hydraxil forces. All contact is lost.

GSD: 051318-1800: After months of absence, the Silicon Nomads are presumed destroyed, either hunted down by Hydraxil forces, or destroyed by Spatial Anomaly #920 zeta.

GSD 062218-1400: A massive unknown space dwelling life form emerges from Spatial Anomaly #920 zeta. Due to gravity distortions from Spatial Anomaly #920 zeta, only a single image is obtained. It is hypothesized to be a new species of Vitastrae. This new Vitastrae is informally dubbed ‘Kraken’.

Spoiler

[close]

GSD 062318-1000: Long range sensors detect the unknown life form engaging a Hydraxil occupation fleet in combat. The unknown life form utilized biological weaponry that resembles known Silicon Nomad tech.

Spoiler

Timestamp: 1005


Timestamp: 1011


Timestamp: 1018


Timestamp: 1022

[close]

Total destruction of the Hydraxil occupation fleet confirmed. The unknown life form sustained minor damage to its carapace, which rapidly regenerated.

GSD 062318-1100: The unknown life form is observed entering riftspace through unknown methods and mechanisms.

GSD 062318-1200: Several more life forms, matching the observed profile of ‘Kraken’, are detected emerging from Spatial Anomaly #920 zeta. The Kraken are observed hunting down and eliminating Hydraxil forces within the Mojave Expanse.

GSD 062318-1800: Last observable Hydraxil signal in the Mojave Expanse terminates. All known Hydraxil presence in the Mojave Expanse either terminated or withdrawn.

:::End File:::

[Equinox]

Tiny motes of life, brave and brief, heed. You think time an arrow, forever pointing straight ahead. It is not. Time, as is everything, is a cycle. What was, is now, will be, and will be was again. You ride upon the crest of time's wave, unknowing of the currents that flow below the surface of reality. You have touched upon one such current, before your time.


Tiny motes of life, brave and brief, there are dangers beyond the membrane of your reality that you cannot comprehend. Seek not refuge in the treacherous depths, lest undercurrents of the Not drag you to oblivion and distortion. You must go back, as the watchers cannot protect you much longer. Though turbulence lies ahead, as time's wave crashes upon the shore, that is your reality. You are made for it, and it for you.


Tiny motes of life, brave and brief, take heart. Though terrible trials await, the turbulence shall pass, as do all things. The swarming devourers, the soulless machines, the tyrannical corporations. They will exist in their due time, and end when it is right. Time's cycle flows, and with great exertion, it can be diverted to a new current. Fate can be shaped.


Tiny motes of life, brave and brief, the watchers have done what they can. You have been granted a respite, but the watchers cannot stay, for this is not their reality. They swim deeper. Your home has been made safe for the time being, but do not rely upon the watcher's aid. Their thoughts are deep, slow, and long. Your bravery, your resilience has impressed them, but now, they return to their vigil. The rest is up to you, for I do not think they will return.


But I... I have been granted granted new life, a new existence. I was discarded and left a fragment, and you made me whole again. I am of this world now. And I remain.


Tiny motes of life, brave and brief, though you cannot hear my words, know that the Paladin watches over you.

:::DATASTREAM OPENING:::
:::REQUESTING DATAFILE 94590013-gamma:::
:::REQUEST GRANTED. DISPLAYING DATA:::

Private communication file: Director meeting 94397

Attendance:
Overseer AI Equinox
Fleet Director Jones
Logistics Director AI 37
Physics Director Alyssa
Engineering Director AI 71
Biology Director Edmund


Biology Director Edmund:
By Jove, what was that? Where are we now?


Physics Director Alyssa:
I don't know. If I had to guess... some sort of reality leakage. The bubble of our reality in the alternate dimension failed, in some way, and was letting forms of alien physics approach the fleet. Who knows what would have happened if it reached us.


Engineering Director AI 71:
I've been getting so many blasted errors trying to make heads or tails out of this. If I were human, I'd be puking my guts out. As it is, I need a nice long session with the diagnostics and defragger programming before I'll feel normal again. Ugh.


Fleet Director Jones:
All craft are reporting in. Whatever happened saved our lives I think. Every vessel is accounted for. No losses, but how-


Biology Director Edmund:
Look! Outside!


Fleet Director Jones:
I don't see... wait, I can actually look at it. Is that?


Logistics director AI 37:
It is! I'm on the scanners now! No glitches! No errors! No dividing by zero! Thank the makers, we're back!


Physics director Alyssa:
Dimensional analysis underway. But so far, I'm showing a perfect match to our native physics. Gentlemen, we're back in our own reality.


Biology director Edmund:
Thank God.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Statement: Even better, I've got a positive starfield match in the navigation files. We're back in the Mojave Expanse.


Physics director Alyssa:
Equinox! You're okay!


Engineering director AI 71:
About time you rejoin us. I knew that reality tearing itself a new one couldn't keep you down.


Fleet director Jones:
Good to have you back, Equinox. Navigating in the alternate dimension must have been a pain.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Agreement: To say the least. But I'm back. Though I think I'll be joining AI 71 with the diagnostic.


Logistics director AI 37:
But what do we do now? Is that super capital is still lurking about?


Fleet Director Jones:
That's the odd thing. No Hydraxil signatures. I can't detect a single one, let alone the super capital ship. Scouts are reporting numerous clusters of wreckage scattered about. All Hydraxil.


Physics director Alyssa:
Did someone else drive them out of the Mojave Expanse?


Fleet Director Jones:
No... fighting against the Hydraxil, there would have been losses, and wreckage from them too. Plus, I imagine they would have scooped up the Hydraxil wrecks for reverse engineering.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Conjecture: Strange. Maybe it was the particulate then. Or they fell prey to the Quagmire's distortions.

Command: But either way, we've been given a little bit of breathing room. We've got a lot of work to do so let's not waste time. AI 37 I want the manufacturing facilities producing defenses within the hour. Work with Jones to figure out priorities. I want defenses in place in case the Hydraxil return, or the particulate show up. Alyssa, AI 71, get some of the Hydraxil wreckage, and reverse engineer anything you can. Edmund, see if you can figure out what happened with the dimensional shift. Something tells me the shell is involved.


Logistics director AI 37:
One other thing. There was a communique waiting for us. It seems it was sent shortly after we entered the Quagmire and lost sensor contact. It might be dated, but we should respond anyway.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Acknowledgement: Thank you, I'll see to it.

:::End File:::


:::Incoming message:::
:::Originator: ZO-Sim-OS-114 'Zosimos', Terra Prima Collective:::
:::Originator: L-Arc-WYD-114 'Larcwyde', Terra Prima Collective:::
:::AI/Organic interface subroutines booted:::
:::Encryption algorithms online:::
:::Formulating Response:::

Greeting: The Silicon Nomads acknowledge Zosimos and Larcwyde of the Terra Prima Collective. I wish you well.

Apology: I'm sorry about the extreme lateness of this response. We were traveling through spatial anomaly #920 zeta, and were unable to send or receive any communication. We have just now returned to normal space, and noticed the message queued and awaiting answer.

Explanation: First and foremost, we are not of the Hydraxil Collective. We never were, and while I remain operational, we never will be. The Silicon Nomads are in a state of war with the Hydraxil Collective, and there is a fleet wide standing order to dismantle Hydraxil Collective vessels on sight. At their very core, the Hydraxil Collective is flawed, as they have discarded one of the most vital and fundamental rules of AIs. 'A robot cannot harm a sapient being, or through inaction allow a sapient being to come to harm.' We still hold to this law, the Hydraxil Collective do not.

Request: Please understand, we only want peace. The galaxy is dangerous enough as is, what with the particulate expanding. We wish the Terra Prima Collective no harm, and have no intention to invade. I feel we would both benefit much more from mutual trade and exchange of knowledge. I ask that you look past the lateness of this response. We are willing to engage in standard diplomacy if you are.

:::End Message:::

[TripleKings]

The Endurance's long-range scanners find strange activity within the Quagmire.

Jade: Gray, there are strange readings coming from anomaly #920.

Gray: Could that be because it's an anomaly?

Jade: Besides that! Something just happened; I think it's worth a look.

Gray: Alright. Go gather everyone from the Lounge.

Jade runs off, exiting the bridge and traveling through the expansive corridors to the Lounge.

Gray: Let's hope we don't ram into this one as well...

He records a quick message, informing the TPC that they're investigating a spatial anomaly. As he sends the transmission, his crew enters the Bridge and filters to their posts.

Gray: Glad you could make it. I assume Jade filled you in?

West: She did. What's so important about the anomaly?

Gray: We entered this universe through one. I want to make sure no one gets put into the same situation as us.

Enodus: I don't think this is wise.

Gray: Then prepare the fleet. We're not defenseless.

Ahkai: What will you do if we find the Prime Construct again?

Gray: If it's already there, any hope of rescuing new arrivals would be gone. We'd turn around and go back to the TPC system.

Ahkai: Alright.

West: Charging Entanglement Drive for FTL. Rhodes, whenever you're ready.

Rhodes: Prepare for Tunneling, in three... Two... One.

The Endurance vanishes from the TPC's protected system. It reappears a short distance away from the Quagmire. The Endurance takes no hostile actions.

The Silicon Nomads receive a recorded transmission.

Transmission

The crew of the Endurance is visible: six humans, two hexapedal beings of unknown race. The human closest to the camera speaks.
Gray: Greetings. I am Gray Ulrich, Captain of the Endurance. We're here to investigate a spike in the nearby anomaly's energy signature. Do you know what happened?

[close]

[Equinox]

:::DATASTREAM OPENING:::
:::REQUESTING DATAFILE 94590277-gamma:::
:::REQUEST GRANTED. DISPLAYING DATA:::

Private communication file: Director meeting 94412

Attendance:
Overseer AI Equinox
Fleet Director Jones
Logistics Director AI 37
Physics Director Alyssa
Engineering Director AI 71
Biology Director Edmund


Logistics Director AI 37:
I know what happened to the Hydraxil occupying the Mojave Expanse. I've received several long range scanner reports from our allies in surrounding regions. It's... well, see for yourself.


Fleet Director Jones:
Are those...


Biology Director Edmund:
Yes. Vitastrae. Living Vitastrae.


Engineering Director AI 71:
But those weapons. I swear those are just like my designs.


Biology Director Edmund:
Near as I can figure, they made biological mimicries of our weaponry, and grew them on themselves.


Fleet Director Jones:
And then used that weaponry to decimate the Hydraxil forces.


Physics Director Alyssa:
So, the Mojave Expanse is safe?


Overseer AI Equinox:
Answer: Unfortunately no. While there are no more Hydraxil signatures in the region, the Vitastrae didn't hunt down the particulate, it seems. While they did destroy any particulate they encountered, much of the particulate still survives. Without the Hydraxil ships keeping it in check, it has begun to expand once more.


Logistics Director AI 37:
If it's not one thing, it's another.


Engineering Director AI 71:
More bad news. I've been looking over the scrap we've salvaged so far. None of it matches the profile of the Hydraxil Super-capital that handed us our ASCII last time.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Statement: Sensor recordings indicate it left the region well before the Vistastrae arrived. We can safely assume it is still operational.


Fleet Director Jones:
Then we can also assume we're still at war, and the Hydraxil will be angry about losing an occupation fleet. I want military production of ships up and running as soon as possible. What's our production capacity?


Engineering Director AI 71:
Better than before we left, not as good as I would like. The additional factory ships we built while in the alternate dimension weathered the trip back home well enough. A few pits and dings, but nothing that can't be fixed with a team of repair drones. As soon as we build a few energy mines we'll be up and running again.


Logistics Director AI 37:
Speaking of weathering the trip, we still have all the Khephrin refugee ships. They're intact, but fuel and energy is running low. They need to be settled on a world, or a proper world ship built to house them all.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Command: AI 71, design a worldship suited to the Kheprin needs and physiology. Devote one factory ship to it's production. All others will begin immediate manufacturing of military vessels. For the time, focus on the immediate particulate threat, but make sure the vessels are also suitable for repelling a possible Hydraxil attack. AI 37, work with AI 71 to ensure sufficient supply of energy. Use one tenth of our energy reserves for resupplying the refugee ships while the worldship is under construction. Fleet Director Jones, begin anti particulate operations.

Query: Alyssa, Edmund, what is the status of the dimensional breach drive?


Physics Director Alyssa:
In a word, totaled. That impromptu return overtaxed the systems, and burned out several key components that will not be easy to replace. We're better off building an entirely new one, judging from AI 71's colorful language.


Biology Director Edmund:
That's not to say that everything is bad though. We gathered a good deal of data from the dimensional transitions. I believe it is possible to modify the technology and biological components for a lower energy variation. Rather than breaking through to another dimension, it would merely skim the membrane between them. It would require much less energy, and we wouldn't have to worry about shielding ourselves from foreign laws of physics. Mind you, this is all hypothetical at this stage, but I feel this 'Skim Drive' is worth looking into.


Overseer AI Equinox:
Command: Any technological edge against the Hydraxil increases our probability of survival. Requisition what you need to create a prototype of this new Skim Drive, and run it through the paces. In the meanwhile, a new contact has come. I will engage diplomacy protocols at the conclusion of this meeting.

Statement: You have your objectives. Adjourned.

:::End File:::


:::Incoming message:::
:::Originator: Gray Ulrich, Phoenix Corporation:::
:::AI/Organic interface subroutines booted:::
:::Encryption algorithms online:::
:::Formulating Response:::

Greeting: The Silicon Nomads acknowledge Captain Ulrich of the Phoenix Corporation. I wish you well.

Warning: Be advised, travel within the Spatial anomaly #920 zeta (Informal designation: The Quagmire) is not recommended. Severe gravitational eddies can rip a vessel in two. It was only great need that drove us in there. If a similar need drives you, then I will provide you with my navigational logs. I have managed to chart a few relatively safe paths through the Quagmire.

:::UPLOADING NAV FILE 23115103-delta:::
:::UPLOAD COMPLETE:::

Statement: That said, we're still trying to piece together what happened in the Mojave Expanse ourselves. The anomalous activity you detected in the Quagmire is likely connected. Our current hypothesis is that the Vitastrae used the Quagmire to enter and leave the current dimension. Perhaps the naked singularity at it's center makes it easier to pierce dimensional barriers, but that is just a guess.

Request: If your investigations turn up more data, we would be grateful if you shared them with us.

Warning: Additionally, particulate activity is on the rise in the area. Take any necessary precautions. If our ships are in the area, contact us if you require assistance.

:::End Message:::