Unknown2006-03-04 21:07:34
Kahazul stands at the helm of Midnight's Fang, an unabashed look of fear contorting his features. Ahead, through the transparent viewing wall, lies the seemingly endless expanse of Aetherspace; storms of multicolored light buffeted the dock, waves of sparks spraying over the hull and causing it to shake. In the distance, obscured within the swirling chaos, the piercing cry of some otherworldly predator splits through the silence. His training, however excellent, could not have prepared him for this.
"You can't really expect me to go out there."
Beside him, the Emperor grunts and gives his head a slight shake. "Go on, the rest of us need to man the turrets. I've spoken to a few of the other pilots, they claim it gets a lot easier once you're out there."
"Are you s-?"
"Just do it."
The Emperor turns and begins to descend the stairs towards the central turret, tugging his helmet off and allowing the module's cables to attach themselves to the sides of his head. The turret lets out a low beep and the Emperor's face goes slack as his mind merges with the algontherine. Kahazul sighed in resignation and seated himself upon the cold metal command chair.
Various straps and wires buzzing with aether energy extend from the chair's back and entwine Kahazul's body, some binding his limbs tightly to the chair while others send out crackling probes of pure energy which merge with his very life force.
Then, darkness.
The low throbbing of the aethership's churning mechanisms fades into silence, and the already dim chamber disappears entirely into the intruding blackness. Kahazul tries to scream as he is robbed of his senses, but he cannot move, he cannot feel, he is alone and floating in an eternity of blankness. There is nothing but blind panic. Something has gone wrong. Something must have gone wrong.
Then, euphoria.
His senses return in a magnificent rush, magnified a hundred times - he is one with the algontherine, he can feel its will alongside his own - he can feel the minds of his crewmates, distant but dancing the same harmonious steps alongside the aethership's consciousness. He turns his eye outward and gazes upon the aetherspace, and what once terrified him now tempts him, the once harsh and discordant storms replaced in his mind by swirling eddies of gentle pastels.
Kahazul surges forward - he is a fish, flopping to and fro on burning sands, desperate to reach the sea. He (it, they) lunges into aetherspace and twists to and fro, rolling left and right, basking in the warmth of the aetheric energy as it slides easily over his sleek hull. The chattering of his crewmates invades the back of his mind, not words in the traditional sense but streams of meaning which slide fluidly through his brain. He perked up and listened as a transmission from the empathic grid slithered its way into his head.
-The vortex is to the northeast, using the docks as reference. Coordinates -407, 502, 98. Slipstream acceleration expected in approx. fifteen seconds. It should carry us most of the way-
Kahazul turns his attention down and recognizes the slipstream, a wide channel of fast moving energy that winds off into the darkness. He dips and skims across the surface, gets a feel for the current, and plunges in.
A thrill runs through him as he gains speed, the slipstream simultaneously pulling and pushing him along. He can feel pressure mounting in the distance as the stream begins to fluctuate and bend under its own immense energy; these frequent outbursts along the slipstream go by many different names - most of them obscene sexual references, interestingly. With a sudden spasm the slipstream unleashes its pent up force, sending a jet of solid light coursing through its entire length. Kahazul is caught by the brunt of the blast and rockets forward at a rate that would reduce any exposed mortal to his base components. The explosion continues for thirty seconds before it begins to abate, Kahazul pulling up and cruising out into the open flux in a vastly different region of space.
-Coming up on the vortex. Traces of hostile magic nearby, take caution-
He casts his awareness towards the vortex. It resembles a pair of whirlpools in structure, one within the other, turning in opposite directions. The outer ring is a swirling mass of multicolored clouds that emit a low buzz as they work, sucking in torrents of aether material from the surrounding space and funneling it towards the center via bolts of golden lightning. The inner ring concentrates the material into pure power and ejects it into aetherspace from its top and bottom poles, sending mile-long fountains of energy out in either direction. The energy collector can only effectively tap the fountains from near their exit points, but an aethership in close proximity to a vortex risks being torn to shreds by the frenzied forces at work around it. Thus siphoning is a perilous balancing act between maintaining the energy collector's tenuous link and keeping the aethership a safe distance away.
Though eager to fill his energy stores, Kahazul scans the space surrounding the vortex before manuvering in. Just as the Empath reported, the magical residue left by roaming predators is thick here. He banks wide around the main approach towards the vortex, giving a wide berth to whatever beasts might be hiding, their presences drowned out by the vortex's awesome power.
For the first time, Kahazul projects his thoughts.
-I'll circle in tight so you can establish a link. Will widen orbit as cosmic instability rises. Combateers, prepare to acquire targets-
A string of 'affirmatives' answer him, and he swoops towards the vortex.
As he draws dangerously close a thin blue band leaps from the side of the hull, lashing outward and wrapping itself around the fountain. It shifts from blue to gold as it begins to leech power into the collector, and Kahazul feels his spirits soar and his awareness sharpen as he drinks it in. Almost immediately the aether around the ship begins to tremble as the vortex's stability is reduced. It is only a minute change, but more than enough to cause trouble. Kahazul pulls up slightly and continues to circle, extending the link to its limit and constantly scanning the surroundings.
-Gorgogs are catching on. Hold steady, they're no threat-
-I don't see any- -
A swarm of glowing motes materalize in the distance, resembling a group of fireflies, but the ferocious roar that follows their appearance quickly dispells the illusion. The motes grow larger as they approach, taking on the forms of Gorgogs. Even as they draw near, he can see another swarm materializing in the distance. He cannot focus on them for long, however; he has a job to do, and maintains his course even as he is rocked to and fro by the recoil of the turrets as they send bolts of shimmering energy into the swarm. Several Gorgogs explode after the first volley, but the remainder slam into the hull and begin to tear at the chitinous plates that compose the Fang's outer armor.
A terrible, burning pain invades Kahazul's consciousness. He should have known. As much as the ship's senses magnify his joy they magnify his pain. He barrels left and right, throwing several Gorgogs off, as the combateers engage them at point-blank range. Unlike a bodily wound, the pain does not abate with time, instead remaining the same intensity until it is heightened by further damage; until, that is, the ship is enveloped in the soothing glow of the empathic grid. The streaks of warm light criss-cross the various dents and tears, instantly smoothing them over and alleviating the agony. By now the Gorgogs have all been thrown off or blasted into wisps.
-Two more swarms converging. Ready to engage-
-No!-
-That was hardly anything, and the collector isn't quite full yet-
-That was plenty for now. I'm not quite adjusted to this yet-
Kahazul increases his speed and performs a break, a quick and sudden turn meant to cleanly sever a collector link and send an aethership away from a vortex. The link releases with a subtle snap and Kahazul speeds away towards the distant docks. He is not quite quick enough, though, and several of the more powerful Gorgogs latch onto his tail. He is ready for the pain this time, and manages to brace his mind until the turrets loosen the Gorgogs' grips and send them flying off into the aether.
The rest of the swarm gives up the chase as Midnight's Fang streaks away into the black, heading for home.
"You can't really expect me to go out there."
Beside him, the Emperor grunts and gives his head a slight shake. "Go on, the rest of us need to man the turrets. I've spoken to a few of the other pilots, they claim it gets a lot easier once you're out there."
"Are you s-?"
"Just do it."
The Emperor turns and begins to descend the stairs towards the central turret, tugging his helmet off and allowing the module's cables to attach themselves to the sides of his head. The turret lets out a low beep and the Emperor's face goes slack as his mind merges with the algontherine. Kahazul sighed in resignation and seated himself upon the cold metal command chair.
Various straps and wires buzzing with aether energy extend from the chair's back and entwine Kahazul's body, some binding his limbs tightly to the chair while others send out crackling probes of pure energy which merge with his very life force.
Then, darkness.
The low throbbing of the aethership's churning mechanisms fades into silence, and the already dim chamber disappears entirely into the intruding blackness. Kahazul tries to scream as he is robbed of his senses, but he cannot move, he cannot feel, he is alone and floating in an eternity of blankness. There is nothing but blind panic. Something has gone wrong. Something must have gone wrong.
Then, euphoria.
His senses return in a magnificent rush, magnified a hundred times - he is one with the algontherine, he can feel its will alongside his own - he can feel the minds of his crewmates, distant but dancing the same harmonious steps alongside the aethership's consciousness. He turns his eye outward and gazes upon the aetherspace, and what once terrified him now tempts him, the once harsh and discordant storms replaced in his mind by swirling eddies of gentle pastels.
Kahazul surges forward - he is a fish, flopping to and fro on burning sands, desperate to reach the sea. He (it, they) lunges into aetherspace and twists to and fro, rolling left and right, basking in the warmth of the aetheric energy as it slides easily over his sleek hull. The chattering of his crewmates invades the back of his mind, not words in the traditional sense but streams of meaning which slide fluidly through his brain. He perked up and listened as a transmission from the empathic grid slithered its way into his head.
-The vortex is to the northeast, using the docks as reference. Coordinates -407, 502, 98. Slipstream acceleration expected in approx. fifteen seconds. It should carry us most of the way-
Kahazul turns his attention down and recognizes the slipstream, a wide channel of fast moving energy that winds off into the darkness. He dips and skims across the surface, gets a feel for the current, and plunges in.
A thrill runs through him as he gains speed, the slipstream simultaneously pulling and pushing him along. He can feel pressure mounting in the distance as the stream begins to fluctuate and bend under its own immense energy; these frequent outbursts along the slipstream go by many different names - most of them obscene sexual references, interestingly. With a sudden spasm the slipstream unleashes its pent up force, sending a jet of solid light coursing through its entire length. Kahazul is caught by the brunt of the blast and rockets forward at a rate that would reduce any exposed mortal to his base components. The explosion continues for thirty seconds before it begins to abate, Kahazul pulling up and cruising out into the open flux in a vastly different region of space.
-Coming up on the vortex. Traces of hostile magic nearby, take caution-
He casts his awareness towards the vortex. It resembles a pair of whirlpools in structure, one within the other, turning in opposite directions. The outer ring is a swirling mass of multicolored clouds that emit a low buzz as they work, sucking in torrents of aether material from the surrounding space and funneling it towards the center via bolts of golden lightning. The inner ring concentrates the material into pure power and ejects it into aetherspace from its top and bottom poles, sending mile-long fountains of energy out in either direction. The energy collector can only effectively tap the fountains from near their exit points, but an aethership in close proximity to a vortex risks being torn to shreds by the frenzied forces at work around it. Thus siphoning is a perilous balancing act between maintaining the energy collector's tenuous link and keeping the aethership a safe distance away.
Though eager to fill his energy stores, Kahazul scans the space surrounding the vortex before manuvering in. Just as the Empath reported, the magical residue left by roaming predators is thick here. He banks wide around the main approach towards the vortex, giving a wide berth to whatever beasts might be hiding, their presences drowned out by the vortex's awesome power.
For the first time, Kahazul projects his thoughts.
-I'll circle in tight so you can establish a link. Will widen orbit as cosmic instability rises. Combateers, prepare to acquire targets-
A string of 'affirmatives' answer him, and he swoops towards the vortex.
As he draws dangerously close a thin blue band leaps from the side of the hull, lashing outward and wrapping itself around the fountain. It shifts from blue to gold as it begins to leech power into the collector, and Kahazul feels his spirits soar and his awareness sharpen as he drinks it in. Almost immediately the aether around the ship begins to tremble as the vortex's stability is reduced. It is only a minute change, but more than enough to cause trouble. Kahazul pulls up slightly and continues to circle, extending the link to its limit and constantly scanning the surroundings.
-Gorgogs are catching on. Hold steady, they're no threat-
-I don't see any- -
A swarm of glowing motes materalize in the distance, resembling a group of fireflies, but the ferocious roar that follows their appearance quickly dispells the illusion. The motes grow larger as they approach, taking on the forms of Gorgogs. Even as they draw near, he can see another swarm materializing in the distance. He cannot focus on them for long, however; he has a job to do, and maintains his course even as he is rocked to and fro by the recoil of the turrets as they send bolts of shimmering energy into the swarm. Several Gorgogs explode after the first volley, but the remainder slam into the hull and begin to tear at the chitinous plates that compose the Fang's outer armor.
A terrible, burning pain invades Kahazul's consciousness. He should have known. As much as the ship's senses magnify his joy they magnify his pain. He barrels left and right, throwing several Gorgogs off, as the combateers engage them at point-blank range. Unlike a bodily wound, the pain does not abate with time, instead remaining the same intensity until it is heightened by further damage; until, that is, the ship is enveloped in the soothing glow of the empathic grid. The streaks of warm light criss-cross the various dents and tears, instantly smoothing them over and alleviating the agony. By now the Gorgogs have all been thrown off or blasted into wisps.
-Two more swarms converging. Ready to engage-
-No!-
-That was hardly anything, and the collector isn't quite full yet-
-That was plenty for now. I'm not quite adjusted to this yet-
Kahazul increases his speed and performs a break, a quick and sudden turn meant to cleanly sever a collector link and send an aethership away from a vortex. The link releases with a subtle snap and Kahazul speeds away towards the distant docks. He is not quite quick enough, though, and several of the more powerful Gorgogs latch onto his tail. He is ready for the pain this time, and manages to brace his mind until the turrets loosen the Gorgogs' grips and send them flying off into the aether.
The rest of the swarm gives up the chase as Midnight's Fang streaks away into the black, heading for home.
Shamarah2006-03-06 01:53:17
Nice.
