Oh for the love of **** - can we please stop with the argument and just accept that a joke was made, wasn't taken the way it was intended, led to a bit of upset all-round, and no-one wants a repeat?
Oh for the love of **** - can we please stop with the argument and just accept that a joke was made, wasn't taken the way it was intended, led to a bit of upset all-round, and no-one wants a repeat?
Well, no, because then he couldn't justify his unjustified anger!
I nodded. "Yes, then along comes Aurora carrying the STARFISH mining rig that you'd requested. Guess what happened to it. Go on, take a wild stab in the dark."
"It was shot down. That wasn't our fault." Torgal muttered.
"De Ruyter attacked the planet with its mass driver cannons. Native lives were lost, but that stupid bastard Tomar and his crew paid with their lives when the Warpers retaliated. Cause... Effect, see?"
I sighed in exasperation. "Are you not seeing a pattern emerging here? As long as the Sea Emperor was still roaming free, Torgaljin Corp had no significant problems. Kill a Warper... BOOM. Problems start. Kidnap and imprison the planet's living god, and your problems suddenly escalate. Are you still with me, or should I start using smaller words?"
"We can't turn the Progenitor loose now. They'd destroy us." Torgal whined petulantly. "Our only hope is to become stronger than the Warpers and meet them on their own terms."
I shook my head. "That isn't going to happen. It would have been bad enough allowing STARFISH to run amok, let alone having you folks re-writing the planetary genome to suit your own agenda."
Torgal gave me that sneaky look again. "So you have STARFISH, broeder? Tell you what, Selkirk... We can still make it out of this mess in one piece, provided you can activate that mining platform. I can set you up for life, even make you a voting shareholder in Torgaljin Corp if you want. What do you say, man?"
"No way." I said firmly. "I've already zeroed the STARFISH AI to prevent it from being used. Life on this planet is about to enter a critical stage in its evolution, and you've already interfered far too much. This is your final chance. Release the Progenitor."
"What if I don't?" Torgal snapped. "We still have the upper hand, and I intend to keep it."
I rested my arm comfortingly on Torgal's right shoulder. "No, you don't. After what happened to De Ruyter, I don't think you'll be getting any further material support from Ceres Prime. In fact, now that Paal is dead and you're conveniently well out of the picture, I'm pretty certain that there's a power vacuum in effect right now. Torgaljin Corp is officially up for grabs. Face it, you're on your own, chum. Furthermore, your operation poses a significant threat to every living thing on this planet, me included. I'm about to kick your nasty little sandcastle to pieces, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it. I'll say it one more time. Release the Progenitor."
A thin, ferrety-looking man stepped from behind the sullen wall of beef that comprised the male bodyguard. He bent over and whispered briefly into Baat Torgal's right ear. Torgal smiled tightly, nodding in agreement. Not a promising sign.
"And who might you be, sir?" I asked casually. "You've been remarkably quiet so far."
"Ras Thaalu, colony administrator, meneer. I believe that a mutually-acceptable compromise can be reached. If you return all the research files and technology blueprints that you have commandeered and provide us with one of your AI constructs, we shall release the Progenitor immediately."
He won't do it, he's proven time and again that he views the AI constructs as sentient beings that deserve respect. Hell, he was reluctant to destroy the STARFISH AI core for this reason.
Baat has no defences left and it's clear that he'd backstab Selkirk in a heartbeat (Like he did to his father...?). I'd tranquilize him and his cronies and just finish the mission, unless there's some sort of kill switch he'll threaten to use on the Sea Emperor. Selkirk doesn't even have to kill them himself, he can just hand them over to the Warpers.
I shrugged amiably. "Sure, why not? Would you also like Inflatable Ingrid to sweeten the deal?"
My face hardened. Furious, I walked around the desk and stood over the cowering Torgal.
"Look, I'm in no mood to play head games any longer. Deactivate the tau-muon phase shield and point us in the general direction of the Sea Emperor, and we'll be on our way. That's as good as it gets. You're in an extremely piss-poor bargaining position to make any demands. I was only trying to thrash this out in a reasonable manner, mainly because I haven't the faintest idea of how that shield of yours works. One wrong move, and I could kill the Emperor. However, you still insist on walking away with all the toys. I was even prepared to throw you folks a lifeline; offer some help with your outdated systems... But you've just shut that door. Permanently. Prepare to deal with the consequences."
I motioned JUNO over to the desk.
"JUNO. Dive this terminal and locate the Sea Emperor. Any information regarding the phase shield would be extremely useful. Once you are done there, I want you to search out this base's remaining technology archives and completely zero them. Leave them with life support, power, food processing and the ability to create maintenance spares. Nothing more."
Torgal's eyes went wide with horror.
"You can't do that! This colony will revert to savagery within days!" He wailed.
I smiled coldly. "Within days, you say? I'd say that's a pretty solid reason for protecting this planet from the likes of you. However, since I'm not a complete monster, I'm prepared to return a significant technological advantage in order to help you folks get back on your feet."
I walked around to the front of the desk and stood there watching Torgal. His eyes glittered, as if wondering what benefit he stood to gain from this encounter. Within minutes, JUNO had finished working on the computer terminal. She walked over to stand at my side, followed by IANTO.
"Here is my parting gift to Torgaljin Corp. Use it wisely." I unhooked the retaining loop holding my diving knife and drew the blade from its scabbard. I placed it in the middle of Baat Torgal's desk. "You've got a long ladder to climb before you ever dare challenge this planet again. Know this: When you are fit to rejoin human society once more, I will be waiting for you. If you choose to emerge with hostile intent, I will be waiting for you. The Warpers will also be waiting for you. Consider the years ahead of you a state of grace. Use that time wisely. Our business here is concluded."
I turned my back on the stunned quartet and walked calmly from the room.
As soon as I stepped out of the room, IANTO opened the valve on a cylinder of Anesthezine.
We regrouped back at our ExoSuits. According to JUNO, the Sea Emperor was being held in a cavernous void situated ten levels below our current location. The phase shield control facility and observation chamber were located on sub-level three. Without another word being said, we mounted up and headed for the service elevator.
Also, does anyone else do this, but when you're reading a story (could be any story), you read the names wrong and pronounce them wrong in your head every time and realise that it is wrong but you continue to pronounce them that way anyway (I apologise, that was a terrible sentence). Like, for example, I always pronounce the protagonist's name as Sirlkek, regardless of the fact that it is actually Selkirk.
While IANTO and DIGBY worked out the intricacies of the tau-muon shield system, JUNO and I stood watching the Sea Emperor through the research centre's main observation port. This creature was truly awe-inspiring. One hundred and twenty-five metres from end to end, with an estimated mass of 3,000 tonnes. It moved slowly, almost blindly, as if finding its way around the enclosure by feel alone. It had been trapped here for more than 10 Solar years, utterly alone.
It wasn't a simple matter of shutting off the phase shield. The Sea Emperor was literally entombed inside this place. There were numerous man-sized vents placed around the base of the structure, presumably intended to allow the entry of smaller creatures on which the Emperor could feed. It was easy enough to take the prison's automated sentry cannons offline, a feat that JUNO accomplished within a mere handful of seconds. However, it was necessary to face the Emperor before releasing him. I could scarcely imagine the full extent of his fury once his bonds have been broken. To this end, I needed to speak with him, face to face.
"JUNO, I'm going in there. Whatever happens after the phase shield drops, you, IANTO and DIGBY will have to find some way to break through the Lava Castle's walls. The Warpers might be able to help. If all else fails, contact them. It is absolutely imperative that the Sea Emperor makes it out of here alive. All other considerations are secondary to the success of this mission. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly, Captain. I shall render all possible assistance to the utmost of my ability. Good luck, Sir."
Water boiled around Gawain's midsection as the lockout chamber slowly filled. My most immediate thought was that this could end very badly for all concerned. Five minutes later, the chamber had equalised to external water pressure. I opened the outer hatch and stepped out. The ExoSuit's thrusters took me to within fifty metres of the Emperor's head. After adjusting the suit's trim, I placed the holographic projection system in stand-by mode and commenced work on what I had to say. The available lexicon of Warper gestures and tonal variations at my disposal was still woefully small, although I felt strangely confident that I could convey the basic essence of my message to him.
Or die trying.
To attract his attention, I turned on the suit's navigation lights, minus the xenon strobe. Hopefully, he wouldn't mistake me for a tasty benthic morsel. I conjured it would be far safer than activating the suit's main floodlights. Two million candelas hitting two pairs of eyes that haven't seen any appreciable light levels in ten years... No thanks.
Best to play it safe.
He noticed me.
Emitting a low, rumbling roar that sounded like a waking volcano, the Sea Emperor suddenly surged forward. His immense head stopped a mere five metres away. My entire field of vision contained nothing else but its grim, scaly jaws and a veritable mountain range of teeth.
My bladder reflexively let go, sending a hot, shameful glow down both legs of my dive suit.
A perfectly natural reaction, considering the circumstances.
two larger subs that will hopefully be implemented soon
[search on google images]
In a discussion with the devs, they said there are no plans to add any further vehicles into the game, at least not for a very long time. So ya, keep dreaming.
two larger subs that will hopefully be implemented soon
[search on google images]
In a discussion with the devs, they said there are no plans to add any further vehicles into the game, at least not for a very long time. So ya, keep dreaming.
I activated the suit's holographic projector. The image of a Warper formed around the ExoSuit. This obviously baffled the Sea Emperor, as he started in surprise, emitting a low, menacing rumble. That was an unmistakable warning. From this point onward, extreme diplomacy was the key.
"Greetings, Father of Tides. This One come in peace."
The Emperor visibly relaxed. Apparently, the Warpers used this particular honorific when referring to this marvellous being, and it seemed entirely appropriate. Each turn of the tide brought new life to this planet, so it was only reasonable that the Warpers would revere him with this title. He responded by gently waving his long, turtle-like forelimbs, raising the right one in a slow gesture of welcome.
"This One come above sky. This One Great Sky Shell broken. This One swim alone."
This form of communication was far more difficult than you might suspect. Only a very limited vocabulary to work with, yet this simplified form of 'telegraphic speech' had to convey hidden shades of meaning, emotions and other abstract concepts with an almost brutal economy of words. JUNO and IANTO had done exceptionally well in getting me this far, although it was an extremely taxing method of inter-species communication. If all goes well, this encounter will only be the first of many such meetings.
"Others attack Father of Tides. Others this place. Others attack This One, break Shell."
The Emperor appeared to ponder this statement. He scissored his forelimbs, signifying that he understood. With a sigh of relief, I continued to hunt and peck my way through the list of available gestures and body patterns, searching for suitable 'words' to use in my next sentence.
"This One attack Others. Break Others Shell. Break Others. Father of Tides swim free."
That statement certainly got his attention. The Emperor roared deafeningly, rearing up as if to smash my ExoSuit to pieces. According to the translation readout, this gesture was actually more jubilant than threatening, although there were distinct undertones of "I'm going to smash them into teeny-tiny pieces when I get out of here." That was something I'd rather avoid. That pestilential offshoot of Torgaljin Corp has already been zapped back to the Bronze Age, and posed no further threat to the planet.
As much as it pains me to do so, I've no choice but to intervene on their behalf.
"No Others attack. This One break Others Shell. Others no swim. Father of Tides no attack Others."
The Emperor tilted his head inquiringly, then slowly pushed his face forward. There was no threat.
"This One understands." He gestured. "Others no swim. Others broken."
That was what I wanted to hear... Or rather see. Since there were no specific Warper gestures or body colour shifts to express gratitude, I had to make do with the handful of inadequate words I had at my disposal. Hopefully, they will have been sufficient for this task.
"This One come in peace, Father of Tides. Swim free."
(edit)- I wrote the comment above without reading the rest. Okki dokki then, now this puts things into a load more of perspective and much more craziness and amazingness.
Subnautica Devs: "F**k it, let's use this story for the game!"
This ^ lol.
But one thing, he has yet to encounter a Sea Dragon Leviathan or the Sea Treaders...
Off topic, Sea Treaders are implemented now (experimental). As for Selkirk encountering one, chances are that brain-truss Tomar nuked the **** outta them when he gunned for our dear protagonist. The SDLs? This far in, something tells me they were wiped out by Baat and his cronies. Based on what we know from earlier, for Manannan's sake, I hope not.
@Bugzapper, Is it okay if I copy your entire story onto a single file? all credits will go to you respectively of course. it's just so that when someone reads the story they don't need to scroll past the tons of comments ( as I had to)
Comments
Well, no, because then he couldn't justify his unjustified anger!
"It was shot down. That wasn't our fault." Torgal muttered.
"De Ruyter attacked the planet with its mass driver cannons. Native lives were lost, but that stupid bastard Tomar and his crew paid with their lives when the Warpers retaliated. Cause... Effect, see?"
I sighed in exasperation. "Are you not seeing a pattern emerging here? As long as the Sea Emperor was still roaming free, Torgaljin Corp had no significant problems. Kill a Warper... BOOM. Problems start. Kidnap and imprison the planet's living god, and your problems suddenly escalate. Are you still with me, or should I start using smaller words?"
"We can't turn the Progenitor loose now. They'd destroy us." Torgal whined petulantly. "Our only hope is to become stronger than the Warpers and meet them on their own terms."
I shook my head. "That isn't going to happen. It would have been bad enough allowing STARFISH to run amok, let alone having you folks re-writing the planetary genome to suit your own agenda."
Torgal gave me that sneaky look again. "So you have STARFISH, broeder? Tell you what, Selkirk... We can still make it out of this mess in one piece, provided you can activate that mining platform. I can set you up for life, even make you a voting shareholder in Torgaljin Corp if you want. What do you say, man?"
"No way." I said firmly. "I've already zeroed the STARFISH AI to prevent it from being used. Life on this planet is about to enter a critical stage in its evolution, and you've already interfered far too much. This is your final chance. Release the Progenitor."
"What if I don't?" Torgal snapped. "We still have the upper hand, and I intend to keep it."
I rested my arm comfortingly on Torgal's right shoulder. "No, you don't. After what happened to De Ruyter, I don't think you'll be getting any further material support from Ceres Prime. In fact, now that Paal is dead and you're conveniently well out of the picture, I'm pretty certain that there's a power vacuum in effect right now. Torgaljin Corp is officially up for grabs. Face it, you're on your own, chum. Furthermore, your operation poses a significant threat to every living thing on this planet, me included. I'm about to kick your nasty little sandcastle to pieces, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it. I'll say it one more time. Release the Progenitor."
A thin, ferrety-looking man stepped from behind the sullen wall of beef that comprised the male bodyguard. He bent over and whispered briefly into Baat Torgal's right ear. Torgal smiled tightly, nodding in agreement. Not a promising sign.
"And who might you be, sir?" I asked casually. "You've been remarkably quiet so far."
"Ras Thaalu, colony administrator, meneer. I believe that a mutually-acceptable compromise can be reached. If you return all the research files and technology blueprints that you have commandeered and provide us with one of your AI constructs, we shall release the Progenitor immediately."
Baat has no defences left and it's clear that he'd backstab Selkirk in a heartbeat (Like he did to his father...?). I'd tranquilize him and his cronies and just finish the mission, unless there's some sort of kill switch he'll threaten to use on the Sea Emperor. Selkirk doesn't even have to kill them himself, he can just hand them over to the Warpers.
My face hardened. Furious, I walked around the desk and stood over the cowering Torgal.
"Look, I'm in no mood to play head games any longer. Deactivate the tau-muon phase shield and point us in the general direction of the Sea Emperor, and we'll be on our way. That's as good as it gets. You're in an extremely piss-poor bargaining position to make any demands. I was only trying to thrash this out in a reasonable manner, mainly because I haven't the faintest idea of how that shield of yours works. One wrong move, and I could kill the Emperor. However, you still insist on walking away with all the toys. I was even prepared to throw you folks a lifeline; offer some help with your outdated systems... But you've just shut that door. Permanently. Prepare to deal with the consequences."
I motioned JUNO over to the desk.
"JUNO. Dive this terminal and locate the Sea Emperor. Any information regarding the phase shield would be extremely useful. Once you are done there, I want you to search out this base's remaining technology archives and completely zero them. Leave them with life support, power, food processing and the ability to create maintenance spares. Nothing more."
Torgal's eyes went wide with horror.
"You can't do that! This colony will revert to savagery within days!" He wailed.
I smiled coldly. "Within days, you say? I'd say that's a pretty solid reason for protecting this planet from the likes of you. However, since I'm not a complete monster, I'm prepared to return a significant technological advantage in order to help you folks get back on your feet."
I walked around to the front of the desk and stood there watching Torgal. His eyes glittered, as if wondering what benefit he stood to gain from this encounter. Within minutes, JUNO had finished working on the computer terminal. She walked over to stand at my side, followed by IANTO.
"Here is my parting gift to Torgaljin Corp. Use it wisely." I unhooked the retaining loop holding my diving knife and drew the blade from its scabbard. I placed it in the middle of Baat Torgal's desk. "You've got a long ladder to climb before you ever dare challenge this planet again. Know this: When you are fit to rejoin human society once more, I will be waiting for you. If you choose to emerge with hostile intent, I will be waiting for you. The Warpers will also be waiting for you. Consider the years ahead of you a state of grace. Use that time wisely. Our business here is concluded."
I turned my back on the stunned quartet and walked calmly from the room.
As soon as I stepped out of the room, IANTO opened the valve on a cylinder of Anesthezine.
We regrouped back at our ExoSuits. According to JUNO, the Sea Emperor was being held in a cavernous void situated ten levels below our current location. The phase shield control facility and observation chamber were located on sub-level three. Without another word being said, we mounted up and headed for the service elevator.
Also, does anyone else do this, but when you're reading a story (could be any story), you read the names wrong and pronounce them wrong in your head every time and realise that it is wrong but you continue to pronounce them that way anyway (I apologise, that was a terrible sentence). Like, for example, I always pronounce the protagonist's name as Sirlkek, regardless of the fact that it is actually Selkirk.
Anywho, awesome story Bugzapper. Keep it up
I can't recall another story offhand that made me this excited, even if it's the cliffhanger-part. Bravo.
It wasn't a simple matter of shutting off the phase shield. The Sea Emperor was literally entombed inside this place. There were numerous man-sized vents placed around the base of the structure, presumably intended to allow the entry of smaller creatures on which the Emperor could feed. It was easy enough to take the prison's automated sentry cannons offline, a feat that JUNO accomplished within a mere handful of seconds. However, it was necessary to face the Emperor before releasing him. I could scarcely imagine the full extent of his fury once his bonds have been broken. To this end, I needed to speak with him, face to face.
"JUNO, I'm going in there. Whatever happens after the phase shield drops, you, IANTO and DIGBY will have to find some way to break through the Lava Castle's walls. The Warpers might be able to help. If all else fails, contact them. It is absolutely imperative that the Sea Emperor makes it out of here alive. All other considerations are secondary to the success of this mission. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly, Captain. I shall render all possible assistance to the utmost of my ability. Good luck, Sir."
Water boiled around Gawain's midsection as the lockout chamber slowly filled. My most immediate thought was that this could end very badly for all concerned. Five minutes later, the chamber had equalised to external water pressure. I opened the outer hatch and stepped out. The ExoSuit's thrusters took me to within fifty metres of the Emperor's head. After adjusting the suit's trim, I placed the holographic projection system in stand-by mode and commenced work on what I had to say. The available lexicon of Warper gestures and tonal variations at my disposal was still woefully small, although I felt strangely confident that I could convey the basic essence of my message to him.
Or die trying.
To attract his attention, I turned on the suit's navigation lights, minus the xenon strobe. Hopefully, he wouldn't mistake me for a tasty benthic morsel. I conjured it would be far safer than activating the suit's main floodlights. Two million candelas hitting two pairs of eyes that haven't seen any appreciable light levels in ten years... No thanks.
Best to play it safe.
He noticed me.
Emitting a low, rumbling roar that sounded like a waking volcano, the Sea Emperor suddenly surged forward. His immense head stopped a mere five metres away. My entire field of vision contained nothing else but its grim, scaly jaws and a veritable mountain range of teeth.
My bladder reflexively let go, sending a hot, shameful glow down both legs of my dive suit.
A perfectly natural reaction, considering the circumstances.
What're those?
[search on google images]
In a discussion with the devs, they said there are no plans to add any further vehicles into the game, at least not for a very long time. So ya, keep dreaming.
No Draconis? (sadness)
I hope Selkirk's wearing a still suit. XD
BRAWNDO. It has electrolytes. It's what plants crave.
"Greetings, Father of Tides. This One come in peace."
The Emperor visibly relaxed. Apparently, the Warpers used this particular honorific when referring to this marvellous being, and it seemed entirely appropriate. Each turn of the tide brought new life to this planet, so it was only reasonable that the Warpers would revere him with this title. He responded by gently waving his long, turtle-like forelimbs, raising the right one in a slow gesture of welcome.
"This One come above sky. This One Great Sky Shell broken. This One swim alone."
This form of communication was far more difficult than you might suspect. Only a very limited vocabulary to work with, yet this simplified form of 'telegraphic speech' had to convey hidden shades of meaning, emotions and other abstract concepts with an almost brutal economy of words. JUNO and IANTO had done exceptionally well in getting me this far, although it was an extremely taxing method of inter-species communication. If all goes well, this encounter will only be the first of many such meetings.
"Others attack Father of Tides. Others this place. Others attack This One, break Shell."
The Emperor appeared to ponder this statement. He scissored his forelimbs, signifying that he understood. With a sigh of relief, I continued to hunt and peck my way through the list of available gestures and body patterns, searching for suitable 'words' to use in my next sentence.
"This One attack Others. Break Others Shell. Break Others. Father of Tides swim free."
That statement certainly got his attention. The Emperor roared deafeningly, rearing up as if to smash my ExoSuit to pieces. According to the translation readout, this gesture was actually more jubilant than threatening, although there were distinct undertones of "I'm going to smash them into teeny-tiny pieces when I get out of here." That was something I'd rather avoid. That pestilential offshoot of Torgaljin Corp has already been zapped back to the Bronze Age, and posed no further threat to the planet.
As much as it pains me to do so, I've no choice but to intervene on their behalf.
"No Others attack. This One break Others Shell. Others no swim. Father of Tides no attack Others."
The Emperor tilted his head inquiringly, then slowly pushed his face forward. There was no threat.
"This One understands." He gestured. "Others no swim. Others broken."
That was what I wanted to hear... Or rather see. Since there were no specific Warper gestures or body colour shifts to express gratitude, I had to make do with the handful of inadequate words I had at my disposal. Hopefully, they will have been sufficient for this task.
"This One come in peace, Father of Tides. Swim free."
This ^ lol.
But one thing, he has yet to encounter a Sea Dragon Leviathan or the Sea Treaders...
(edit)- I wrote the comment above without reading the rest. Okki dokki then, now this puts things into a load more of perspective and much more craziness and amazingness.
Off topic, Sea Treaders are implemented now (experimental). As for Selkirk encountering one, chances are that brain-truss Tomar nuked the **** outta them when he gunned for our dear protagonist. The SDLs? This far in, something tells me they were wiped out by Baat and his cronies. Based on what we know from earlier, for Manannan's sake, I hope not.
Should be able to upgrade Sporks into Splayds after the next update.
Correction: Sporf.
Splayd is a brand.