SMACX Story

[Bearcat]

Hi everyone. For those of you who haven't a clue what this is about I will explain. A few weeks ago Jasonian issued us a challenge. EA is being incredibly slow with it's story The Arrival. So he suggested that we write our own. So I am going to start a thread based on The Arrival. I am going to start were EA left off.

The year is MY 2120. The original seven factions only have about three or four bases. The new seven factions excluding the Drones snd the Pirates are jsut starting to emerge. The aliens haven't landed yet. I've kind of creatred a map of my own for this story. Note that there are a few similarities with other stories. i.e. the Peacekeepers border the Freshwater Sea and the Gaians control the Monsoon Jungle. But other than that most of what you read will be orginal (excludign the fact it's based on The Arrival).

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Episode 1
Manifold Nexus

Bortniansky stood smoldiering inside the central chamber of the Alien Temple. Zakharov had already desecrated this building's sanctity. Now he wished for them to holographiclly imagize the part of the wall stolen by sea raiders. This infuriated Bortniansky even more. To have desecrated this building and than have a part of it stolen by pirates. Whoever built this wouldn't have wanted this to happen.

'This was all a mistake' thought Bortniansky to himself. He reached out and touched the wall. It was rough yet smooth at the same time. And the strange flutey noise it made when the wind blew against it echoed thorughout the chamber. Also the strange facelike carvings seemed to stare at him. Evaluating his worthiness. All of a sudden Bortniansky stepped back as if shoved by an invisible form. his face was hot and his blood pounded in his ears.

"We were never meant ot be here. Not in this temple and not here on Planet" said Bortniansky quietly. He quickly left the chamber and walked outside. It was as if he had stepped out of an alternate dimension back into his own. The Churn was still roiling black in the sky. Blocking off the sunlight. A young technician walked up to him.

"We are ready to began moving more of the structure sir" he said. Bortniansky slowly turned toward the young man and spoke softly. But his eyes were blazing.

"No. No more desecration. We are going to leave it as it is" said Bortniansky.

"But Provost Zakharov has declared he wants to bring more wall back to University Base" the tech protested. Bortniansky silenced him quickly.

"Screw what the Provost is ordering. This temple is to be undisturbed for study" Bortniansky declared. The young tech nodded. Both of them turned around as a crash resounded. A large moving machine had crashed into part of the temple. Bortniansky stood their horrified for a moment before he took off running toward the scene. Already the workers were scrambling to back up the machine.

"Stay back sir. The drones know what to do" said a technician. Bortniansky grabbed him by the collar and grated out his next words.

"We don't want drones. We need technicians here you stupid f.." Bortniansky didn't finish what he was saying as he tossed the man aside. The drones were backing the machine away from the wall. And technicians were searching the wall for any abrasions. When Bortniansky sited a mild scar on the wall he let out a curse. He didn't see the technician behind him filming the whole thing.

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The Hive

Chairman Yang looked over at Zhu as the elevator climbed toward the surface. Up toward the Churn. By the way Zhu was trembling it was if they were climbing toward another world. He smiled mentally. Only twenty years on this rock and his people were already bred into subterranean life. He decided to break the dour mood.

"Tell me Zhu. How is our supercomputer coming?" asked Yang. Zhu stopped trembling long enough to answer him. This was a good sign.

"Our talents estimate that it will be another month. They have noticed something interesting about an old piece of Unity hardware a drone dragged up" said Zhu. This peaked Yang's interest. He spoke.

"An old Unity computer part?" asked Yang. Zhu nodded. Yang was now highly interested.

"They say that although it is over twenty years old. It works perfectly. They say that they noticed strange bandwidths coming from it when they activated it" said Zhu. Yang nodded. Than the elevator stopped. Both men stepped out. It was near the surface. Two Hive soldiers stepped forward.

"This way Chairman" they said as they turned toward the airlock.

[Bearcat]

Episode 2
Cape of Storm

Prime Function Aki Zeta-5 overlooked the jumble of circutry and steel beams that was soon to be Alpha Prime. The rebirth of the Consciousness would be done quietly for now. Aki didn't want the other factions to know about her cyborgs. At least not yet. The waves pounded on the red sand leaving a strange pink foam. And the Churn still hung black in the sky. With occassional forks of lightning streaking down toward them. Planet seemed to be very active. And from what Aki could tell it must have something to do with the University discovering the Alien Temple.

But how could an Alien Temple cause this sort of reaction in a biosphere. Her MMI whirred trying to come up with the answer but it could find none. Aki would laugh if wasn't so illogical. Even her cybernetic equipment couldn't figure out the answer.

'Perhaps it's like religion' she thought 'you can't find any proof for it. You take it on faith.' Religion was an interesting fad among the fullhumans. However Aki had noticed it's obvious decline. The Believers seemed about the only active religious group on Planet. Than she turned back toward Alpha Prime. A drone walked by carrying an interface node. Oblivious to anything but his task.

"Greetings Prime Function" said a talent known simply as Alpha Talent. Aki nodded. It would be illogical for anything more than that. Alpha Talent moved back toward the headquarters. Currently the only real building at Alpha Prime. The headquarters was were Aki spent alot of her time.

Two technicians walked pass conferencing btween their MMIs. Aki sat down behind her desk. She accessed her MMI and waited. Than she found what she wanted.

"The fullhuman Zakharov has control of the Alien Temple. Although we are still only in the building stage I wish to find out anything we can about this Temple. And if it is responsible for the Churn" said Aki. Alpha Talent nodded and backed ou of the room. The room was sparsley decorated. A Norwegian oil painting hung on one wall though. And an MMI interface node on the other.

Aki again studied the Churn. It looked like a pot of water. A pot of water on the boil. Perhaps this was Planet's way of welcoming the humans.

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Morgan Industries

Jeffery Douglas stood by the desk of CEO Morgan waiting for him to show up. On the wall behind the desk sat the Morganic symbol. In one part of the room was the trophy of a white tiger. And a suit of armor in another.
Douglas jumped in suprise as the doors to the room hissed open and CEO Nwabudike Morgan stepped in. Morgan dominated Douglas not by height but by stature. The CEO was impressive to look upon. His regal African features blended nicely with his crisp, clean suit. Morgan took a seat behind his desk and motioned for Douglas to speak.

"As you know CEO Morgan our probe cameras are hidden safely within most other factions. We recently obtained some data on Chairman Yang. But that is not why I called" said Douglas. Morgan waved at him impatiently.

"I have been notified by Morgan Intelligence that three fourths of our intelligence forces have dissapeared" said Douglas. This brought Morgan quickly to attention.

"What did you say?" he asked in a steely voice. Douglas gulped and replied.

"Over three fourths of our intelligence forces have dissapeared. Including our best probe teams" said Douglas. The CEO banged his fist on the desk and turned his chair away. How could over three fourths of his intelligence forces just dissapear. Includng some of his best probe teams? What the hell did this Planet do to people?

"Mr. Douglas I'm putting you in charge of retrieving them. Do every thing in your power to find them" said Morgan. Douglas nodded and backed out quickly. He didn't want to have too many of these conversations with CEO Morgan.

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Sinder Roze breathed in the salt air of Chiron. However thorugh her breather it didn't have quite the impact it would otherwise. This old Unity transport that Morgan had just sitting around did wonders for her. All of her people were finding things to do as they sailed. Were to? Roze had often asked herself this question. Were were they headed? To freedom, Roze answered herself.

It had been only a day since they had left for thier pilgramage. Morgan must already know we're gone. But she couldn't let him or anyone for that matter stop her. Roze knew that if they could find an island big enough for three or four bases than they woul settle there. But for now they had to run.

'But we're not running. We're imigrating' thought Roze. WHatever you want to call it. Two of her people were armwrestling on the railing. Whatever you want to call it. Werever we are going. It will be better than were we came from.

[Bearcat]

near Manifold Nexus
Episode 3

Prophet Cha Dawn was sitting in a fungal field near the Alien Temple. The crimson tendrils waved slightly in the breeze. The nitrogen was tingling in his lungs. It was well known that he could survive in Planet's atmosphere for five minutes. A slishing sound alerted him to the prescence of a mind worm boil. The pink insectoids burst from within the fungus. They swirled and wrapped their way around Cha Dawn.

He reached out and carressed part of the boil. Than a beeping went off and he put his breather back on. Alienated from Planet by his puny anatomy. However his concsiousness was linked permantly linked to Planet. This comforted him to think that he would one day join Planet. But for now he was trapped by breathers and oxygen pumped into their bases. That Alien Temple was the key. Their key to understanding Planet.

But the University was controlling it. The University. Of all the tragedy. Cha Dawn couldn't bear to think that the UoP could be allow to control something so close to Planet. That was why he was attacking it. He had to free it from University control. He had to allow Planet to control it's fate not some Academician sitting behind a desk reading Einstein. Cha Dwn pushed the boil aside and stood up.

In the distance he could see the framework of Dawn of Planet. They were just starting to put the outer shell on it. They were also setting up the outer shrines. So far the University either hadn't found them or was ignoring them. But soon the raping University would know the wrath of Planet.


[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited February 13, 2000).]

[Bearcat]

Episode 4

The Hive

Chairman Sheng-ji Yang stood on the surface of Planet. The Churn roiled up ahead. The black clouds pelted rain and lightning down on the world. Zhu stood to the side trembling. The Hive soldiers stood by in their blue and silver armor waiting for Yang to finish his survey. He swept the land with his steely gaze. The gray waves of the sea crashed onto the red sand. Back behind him the upper parts of the base. And behind to the east was Yang Mine on the Sunny Mesa.

He turned back toward his entourage. He nodded to his soldiers and they headed toward the base. However the hum of a rover alerted him. He turned back as the rover came to a stop. The pilot stepped out and bowed to Yang. Than he spoke.

"Honored Chairman. General Flanagan wishes to speak with you" said the pilot. Chairman Yang nodded to the pilot, who activated the holoimagizer. The holoimage of General Marcus Flanagan blinked into view. The driving rain somewhat distorted the image.

"What is it, General ?" asked Yang irritably. General Flanagan nodded and continued.

"The old piece of Unity hardware our drones dragged up has been working overtime. It seems to be sending radio emanations to a direct locale somewhere on Planet" said Flanagan quickly. Yang nodded unconcerned. Flanagan nodded.

"Very well General look into this mater. You are dismissed" said Yang. The General's image flickered out. Yang turned back to his escort. Than he spoke.

"Let's return underground" said Yang.

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University Base

Professor Steven Harris stood in the private chamber of Provost Zakharov. The leader of the University of Planet was not happy. And Professor Harris was being forced to bear the brunt of Provost's anger. And to make matters worse the holocreators were malfunctioning.

"Damnit Professor we need the images now" yelled Zakharov. Harris nodded meekly and answered.

"But Provost we tried to fix them on time for the data from Bortniansky" said Harris. But Zakharov cut him off.

"I'm giving you two days to have the holocreators working. Or you can join te new drone team" said Zakharov. Harrris nodded and retreated quickly.

[Bearcat]

Episode 5

Datajack Sinder Roze stood on the prow of her ship. The stiff sea breeze buffeted her. The waves crashed against the bow. In the distance Roze could see the highrises of the Free Drone bases. According to reports they were 13 nautical miles from Anvil of Man. Free Drone Central stood in the distance. It was Roze's hope that they could collect valuable data from the Drones. Sea maps and other sort of maps. They turned sharply toward the coast. Roze was also wary of continuing to close to the coast line. Her small unarmed foil was no match for swarms of Hive laser skimships. Perhaps the Drones could also help her with that.

The pilot blasted the horn alerting everyone that they were attempting to dock. A small freighter skidded out of their way. Roze stood back as two of her security officers approached.

"Datajack we have recieved news from Morgan radio channels that an alert has been sent out regarding us. So far no other factions have responded though" said a tall swarthy guard. Roze nodded. Than she replied.

"After we collect resources from the Drones take us on a course away from this continent. Not to far but just far enough to evade Hive naval patrols" said Roze. The guards nodded and left for the hold to meet her away party.

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Gaia's Landing

Lady Deirdre Skye stood on a balcony overlooking her capital. The xenofungus swayed lightly in the afternoon breeze. And green and white robed citizens strode down the eucalyptus lined streets. And to her right stood the tand of white pine. Deirdre sighed and took a deep breath. Her capital represented her and her people's promise to Planet. A peaceful beacon of hope to all those.

However the Morganites represented just the opposite. Their Free Market economy and rampant uncontrolled capitalism was a stumbling block. They raped Planet and turned the other cheek. And Deirdre had had just about enough. She turned around when her assistant Lindly entered.

"Dr. Scott at Gaia's High Garden wishes to speak with you" said Lindly. Deirdre nodded anmd the computer screen on the wall was activated. Dr. John Scott was on the other end. Not counting the 40 years of cryosleep Dr. Scott was 45 years old. Deirdre motioned for him to speak.

"Well Lady I will make this to the point. As you know we have long lived to be one with Planet and it's beliefs. And foes like the Morganites and threats like the Hive surround us. I believe that their is a way to further communicate with Planet. Including a further understanding of it's ecology and communication with mind worms and other native life" said Scott. Deirdre replied.

"That sounds wonderful Doctor but what does that have to do with the Morganites and Hive ?" asked Deirdre. Scott smiled and continued.

"I believe that if we properly a telepathi with a boil than we can effectivley control the native life for military purposes" said Scott. Deirdre nodded and thought for a moment. Than she spoke.

"Very well Doctor I will send Lindly to assist you. Deirdre out" she said. Dr. Scott's face dissapeared from the screen. Than she turned back toward the vista.

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The Hive

An anonymous drone kneeled trembling before the desk of General Marcus Flanagan. The chief of Hive Intelligence smiled cruelly down at the drone. Who looked to be about 19 years of age. Two members of Hive Intelligence stood behind in the shadows. Flanagan broke through the silence.

"What is your name drone number 21345 - 1 ?" asked Flanagan. The young drone stuttered helplessly.

"Jake" answered the drone. Flanagan nodded. Than he spoke again.

"Well Jake you stand accussed of treason. What do you have to say for yourself ?" asked Flanagan. The drone spoke.

"I don't know the charges" said Jake. Flanagan smiled wider.

"The charges don't matter Jake. All that matters is your are guilty" said Flanagan. The two Hive Security agents came up behind the drone. Flanagan nodded and the two officers grabbed the drone and dragged him out of the room.

[Bearcat]

Episode 6

A group of Cultist soldiers approached the Alien Temple softly through the xenofungus. The University perimeter defense was barely a defense against them. Two technicians seemed to be stationed as guards around the structure. Technicians with shredder psitols. Hardly a defense! They crouched in the xenofungus and waited as the guards shifted nervously.

The Cultist leader took aim with his old Unity issue rifle. Than he fired two quick shots. Both guards crumpled dead. And no one noticed. The leader turned to his subordinates and spoke.

"You know our orders. Leave no building standing and no one alive" he said. There was a hushed assent. Than they charged.

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The alert klaxon thumped and wailed. Waking anyone who was not asleep. The perimeter defense was under siege. Bright flashes of gunfire pierced through the murky darkness. University soldiers were returning fire with Impact rifles. Every so often spotlights would illuminate an attacker. Who was quickly gunned down. However large gaps in the perimeter defense had been breached.

Michael Regalis stumbled through the chaos clutching the film to his chest. Soldiers, technicians, and drones all ran by him in panic. He could hear the yells from the front as the commanders tryed to keep the soliders calm. However they were on the whole fighting an enemy that couldn't be seen. It was than that Regalis realized that he was heading toward the front lines. Two gunshots whizzed by him. He almost fell over backward but a solider caught him.

"They're using old Unity rifles. They can't hold the advantage for long" crowed the man triumphantly. However he couldn't realize how wrong he was. Regalis watched in horror at the scene that unfolded. Out of the fungus roze the attackers. The moonlight throwing a ghostly quality over them.

"Mind worms" screamed a soldier and dropped his rifle. However it was not mind worms. Despite a paralyzing fear Rgalis knew all to well that these were real men attacking them.
He croaked in fear. The University lines were collapsing and retreating. The enemy soldiers were razing and gunning down any thing in their path. Regalis started to run. A retreating drone fell right in front of him. But Regalis continued to run. Every thing seemed dyed silver by the moonlight. Making it hard to see accuratly. Than a burning pain jabbed him in the back.

He tried to continued running but he felt himself growing slower and his limbs growing heavier. He tried to call for help but nothing came. He started to sway and than he collapsed in blackness.

[Bearcat]

Episode 7

Professor Harris slammed his fist down on the desk and buried his head in his hands. The Alien Temple was gone. Attacked by mind worms. What would Provost Zakharov say? And the holocreators were working too. He looked up and studied the faces of his comrades. They all had stunned looks. Some of them were muttering quietly. An insistent beeping caught his attention. It was addressed from University Base. Harris reached out and tapped the activate button. Provost Zakharov's face came into view.

"Greetings Provost can I help you ?" asked Harris. Zakharov was a picture of non-emotion. If he knew about it he wasn't letting on. Finally the Provost spoke.

"I heard about the incident at the Alien Temple, Professor. Don't worry about it. You can't control the mind worms" said Zakharov. Harris gave a sigh of relief.

"Are the holocreators working ?" asked Zakharov. Harris nodded.

"Good. Recreate the piece of wall and ship it to University Base. And that should be the end of your worries, Professor" said Zakharov. Harris smiled to himself. Than Zakharov's face dissapeared from view. Harris turned to his crew.

"Come on people. Let's go. After this is done we can all rest" said Harris. Immediatly all the researchers snapped into action.

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Alpha Prime

Aki looked out over the pavilion of Alpha Prime. Her drones had been pulling 26 hour shifts, 7 days a week. And her capital was coming along quickly. Much faster than the other factions would of built theirs. It had been two months since they had arrived here at Cape of Storm and Alpha Prime was nearly 75% complete. The Consciousness was expanding as well.

Aki relied on occassional Gaian or Hive patrols. Also she had managed to assimilate a few individuals outside this continent. Aki turned around and opened her nodes to the Consciousness. Thousands of individuals flowed through her mind. Each individual carressed her thoughts. She smiled and stepped back.

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[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited February 26, 2000).]

[Bearcat]

Episode 8
Free Drone Central

Foreman Domai sat behind his desk reading a datapad. He had just recently returned from his visit to the Alien Temple. It was a thing of beauty. Wonderous to behold. And yet it seemed too far out of their league. Domai set down the datapad and sat back. He sighed. He swiveled his chair to look out of his window. The industrial towers of Free Drone Central were all around him. Smoke was slowly billowing out of them.

Grayish smoke mixed in with the black clouds of the Churn. How long has that been here? Domai concentrated for a moment. Almost a month now. Ever since the University stumbled across the Alien Temple. The Churn must be stopped. But how? Domai looked up his comm indexes and pressed one. He looked to his computer console. The Free Drone symbol glared back at him. Than he heard a beep and the symbol was replaced by the face of Dr. Max Irwin.

"Hello Foreman, how can I help you ?" asked Irwin. Domai answered.

"How much do you know about Planet's biosphere, Doctor ?" asked Domai. Irwin replied.

"Quite alot. I've been studying the ecology of this world ever since we landed" said Irwin. Domai nodded. Than he put forth another question.

"What do you know about the Churn? How can we stop it ?" asked Domai. Irwin furrowed his brow in deep concentration. Than he answered.

"To tell you the truth Foreman I really don't know that much about it. It started when the Yoops discovered the Alien Temple" said Irwin. Domai nodded.

"How do you think you could find out more ?" asked Domai. Irwin answered.

"I think I would have to study the Alien Temple itself" said Irwin. Domai nodded and replied.

"I'll have Drone Intelligence work this out. Goodbye Doctor" said Domai and he cut the link. Domai turned back to look out the window once more. A bolt of lightning cut through the air. Domai than looked away.

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Anvil of Man

Sinder Roze and two of her operatives were waiting in a back alley. The sounds of the main street could still be heard however. All of them looked up as a man entered the alleyway. Roze stepped forward and spoke.

"You have the maps ?" she asked. The man nodded. Sinder motioned for the man to let them look at the merchandise. The man reached into his coat and pulled out two datapads. He handed them to Sinder. Sinder reviewed them for a few moments than turned to her group and nodded.

"Here is 45 energy credits as expected" said Roze. She handed the man a datachip containing the money. The man too kit happily and left. Than the Data Angels stole out of the alley.

"Now that we have the maps were do we go ?" asked a man Sinder had codenamed Goose. Sinder looked at him and replied.

"Hopefully these maps have the location of an abandoned archipelago or island" said Sinder. Her group nodded. They all knew what was riding on those maps.


[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited February 22, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited February 26, 2000).]

[Captain Kirk]

Episode 8

Gaia's High Garden

Lady Deirdre and Dr. Scott stood before a tank filled with bubbling liquid. Between a clearing Deirdre and Scott could see a wiggling pink form. A mind worm! Two researchers walked by tapping on datapads. The bubbling stopped and the mind worm settled down. Throughout the room were many more tanks like this one each containing a mind worm.

"We have had some trouble producing the gestation procedure of the worms. After all most humans don't want to have worms breeding in their head. And cadavers don't produce the best results" said Scott. Deirdre nodded. Mind Worms were strange beings. But Scott had told her they could provide a defense against agressers.

"You said they could be used as a weapon ?" Deirdre put forth. Scott nodded. Deirdre motioned for him to continue.

"The mind worms use psi attacks against our neural patterns as I'm sure your well aware" said Scott. Deirdre nodded.

"Well I think that when a mind worm is telepathically bonded to certain individuals thay can be commanded and used as weapons" said Scott. Deirdre took this in. All their enemies like the Hive and the Morganites would soon be facing an unstoppable army provided by Planet itself.

Deirdre took one last look around. Than she turned to Scott.

"Continue your work Doctor. I'll send Lindly in a day or two" said Deirdre. Scott nodded and turned back to the breeding tank.

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New Jerusalem

Sister Miriam Godwinson sat behind her desk. She was reading a report that Intelligence had provided her. Apparently the University had lost the Alien Temple. Blasphemous structure! Miriam had a hunch however that it wasn't mind worms who had attacked the Structure. Miriam tapped a button on her comm index.

"Get me Minister Frymire" said Miriam. After a minute or two Minister Brandon Frymire chief of Believer Intelligence entered the room. His dark brown hair and chisled features contrasted starkly with his orange Intelligence uniform. Miriam spoke.

"Do you think it was mind worms Minister ?" asked Miriam. Frymire thought for a moment than answered.

"I've recived and downloaded holoimages from the scene. And I've given it my expert eye. Judging by scorch marks along the wall and the corpses we managed to photograph I think it was human done" said Frymire. Miriam nodded. Than she stood up slowly and walked to a window that swept across the panorama of New Jerusalem. She spoke.

"Thank You Minister that is all" said Miriam. Frymire nodded and exited the room.

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Corporal Yuri Androvich limped slowly through the xenofungus back toward University territory. He wasn't sure if he was the only survivor of the Temple massacre. He hadn't seen any others. Whoever had attacked them had been efficient in killing them. Androvich felt like falling down and giving up. All his friends were lying dead being vaporized by enemy soldiers. Or having mind worms hatching in their brains. SlshhSlshh.

Androvich whipped around upon hearing the sound of mind worms in the fungus. He clutched his Impact rifle closer to him. All of a sudden a mind worm boil burst out of the fungus and lept toward Androvich.

[Bearcat]

Epsiode 10

Androvich quickly fired off two shots from his Impact rifle. The mind worm boil retracted it's injured tentacles and shrank back into the fungus. Androvich collapsed on the ground in exhaustion. He looked up as the sound of a rover approached him. He started to stand than fell back down again. The rover stopped at the edge of the fungus and two soldiers stepped out. Both were wearing University uniforms. A man wearing the insignia of a first sergeant spoke.

"I am First Sergeant Alexei Patimich of the University Military Corps. Who are you ?" he asked. Androvich stood up.

"I am Corporal Yuri Androvich of the University Military Corps. I am a survivor of the mind worm attack on the Alien Temple" answered Androvich. Both soldiers waded into the xenofungus picking carefully through the tendrils. They reached Androvich and helped him to his feet. Androvich stood wobbling for a moment than gained his equilibrium.

"Thank you sir" he said speaking to Patimich, who nodded. All three of them waded out of the fungus and toward the rover. They piled into the rover and started it up. As they started back toward UoP territory, Patimich turned to him and spoke.

"Are there any other survivors ?" he asked.

"Not that I know of" said Androvich. Patimich nodded and turned back to the driving.

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The Hive

General Flanagan stood in front of a crackling punishment sphere deep in the bowels of the Hive capital. The chained form inside the sphere was writing and screaming in agony. Inside was the form of a miniscule drone who would remain nameless. Flanagan smiled at the picture in front of him. Sphering suspects was always his favorite task. Although Yang wasn't partial to this, Flanagan took great joy in carying out torture and capital punishemnt. The red light of the sphere illuminated the darkened gray room in an evil red light. As if it was a scene from hell.

The doors to the sphere whooshed open and one of Flanagan's subordinates stepped in. Flanagan motioned for the subordinate to approach him. The man stepped up and spoke when Flanagan gave his assent.

"General, Chairman Yang has asked me to relay a message to you. He wishes all current suspects being detained in the spheres to be investigated. And if they are found innocent they are to released and assigned tasks" said the officer. Falangan withdrew into thought for a moment. Than he answered.

"Very well. But know this 75% will be found guilty. Understand 75% WILL be found guilty" said Flanagan. The subordinate understood. It didn't matter wether they were or weren't guilty they were to be killed. Flanagan spoke.

"I'm done here have this drone destroyed" said Flanagan. A technician tapped a control pad and the intensity of the sphere skyrocketed. The drone sytarted to scream and then it was cut short. Flangan simply nodded and exited the room.

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Safe Haven

Captain Ulrik Svensgaard stood in a research lab in Safe Haven. Nautilus researchers were pouring over a piece of wall they had stolen from the University ship. Dr. Martin Lukas head of research was standing next to Svensgaard. Lukas motioned for Svensgaard to follow him and he stepped up to the table. Svensgaard spoke to him.

"Just exactly what is this ?" he asked. Lukas replied slowly.

"This is a piece of the Alien Temple that the University controls. So far that's all we know Captain" said Lukas. Svensgaard nodded.

"How much longer before we can unlock it's full secrets ?" he asked. Lukas spoke with his back facing Svensgaard.

"It's progressing slowly. I'm bringing in another research team from Port Svensgaard so that should hurry things up some" replied Lukas. Svensgaard simply grunted. Than he turned on heel and exited the lab.
[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited February 26, 2000).]