SkopeWouldn't you like to know ;)Join Date: 2016-06-07Member: 218212Members
Man, I feel like I could write a book after reading this speech! Forget giving kids those boring textbooks in school and just give them this. Then they'll really learn something.
nauticalperanaThe land of the free and the home of the braveJoin Date: 2016-05-25Member: 217491Members
note to self if you hear a loud roar it is because a reaper is right behind you not the ship making its usual noises (also NEVER make JUNO mad because she can "forget" to warn you that your oxygen is low while your a good distance from your cyclops ( AND I LOVE THIS STORY))
nauticalperanaThe land of the free and the home of the braveJoin Date: 2016-05-25Member: 217491Members
i kinda like how the AI's have almost "human" personality's and are less formal and more friendly and are almost like selkirk's family and yet haven't crossed the line between man and machine
"Atmospheric saturation now at 45 per cent, Captain. Recirculation system operating at 100 per cent efficiency. Estimated time to achieve total fumigation of this facility, twenty-five minutes."
"Thanks, IANTO. Héloise will need about three more minutes before we can uncouple her from the injection point. I'm expecting some sort of reaction from our guests any time now. Look sharp."
"Aye, Sir." The androids responded briskly.
Two minutes later, the screaming started. The acoustics in the Lava Castle made it extremely difficult to pinpoint the precise origin of these sounds, although I was able to identify at least twenty different sources. I have never heard a more unsettling cacophony of agony and rage in either of my lifetimes, and this was one of the very few times I thanked my stars for inhabiting an android shell. Even Héloise was visibly shaken by the frenzied shrieking and roaring that rose and fell around us; even more so, as her suit is still coupled to the atmospheric processor. Not long now, Love.
As the flow counter ticked off 499 litres, I reached for the control valve. Héloise grabbed my wrist.
"Non! - Cent litres de plus!" She protested, her face a mask of terrible resolve. "Let them all burn!"
"A hundred litres more? Okay. It's your call to make. Mind, I'm uncoupling you as soon as that counter hits 600. No more arguments. There's already more than enough toxin in the air to do the job." I said firmly. Grudgingly, Héloise acquiesced.
As soon as we entered the main atrium, the ExoSuits rapidly deployed in line abreast formation. Pasteur and Jenner each had an escort of a Mk. V on either side, although it was entirely a moot point as to who would be defending whom.
"Well, there's no point in tip-toeing through the tulips... They know we're here now. Move out."
The atrium was a nightmare made flesh. If you still believe in such things, it was as if Hell had been scoured with a megaton-level airburst of holy water. The biofilm bubbled and convulsed wildly at our feet as the toxin tore it apart. We paid these death throes no mind, continuing our steady advance in spite of the treacherous surfaces underfoot. Simple structures such as this carpet of biomass would succumb to the toxin almost immediately, although we had no real data on how it would effect more complex organisms. Our scanners detected larger clumps forming rapidly ahead, as if the Hive was attempting to gestate something capable of meeting us head-on.
Every time one of these egg cases began to emerge from the biofilm, it was either ripped apart by a blizzard of flechettes or incinerated with a short plasma burst. No mercy spent on the merciless. In spite of our relentless onslaught, several eggs actually reached maturity, each one disgorging a half-formed Skulk that mewled piteously and died almost immediately. One good lungful of this toxin-laced atmosphere would be enough to finish them. This convinced me that any further gunfire would be wasteful. Far better to conserve what resources we have until we really need them.
I was deeply concerned by the lack of any real opposition so far. When something starts out like a complete cakewalk, the hair on the back of my neck invariably starts to rise. The toxin is working remarkably well against newborn Kharaa, but what about those that have had time to grow some and adapt to conditions in here? Kharaa aren't immune to the Enzyme 42 toxin, and they're obviously hurting. Suffice it to say, they're rather pissed off at this point. And we have to face them.
The carnage continued unabated. We purged the atrium of all Kharaa life forms as we encountered them, leaving nothing but stinking desolation in our wake. By the time we finish this operation, the Lava Castle will be unfit for human habitation for a very long time. Although the foul-smelling organic residue was actively decomposing before my eyes, it could take weeks for all of this material to dry out sufficiently to be vacuumed up and incinerated in a plasma furnace. In the end, I conjured the game simply wasn't worth the candle. Too much work involved, and our window of opportunity for building and launching Borealis before hurricane season is closing rapidly. As soon as we've finished this butcher's work, I'll assign a few spare worker drones to clear up the mess. The most important task at hand is to destroy the Kharaa infestation completely. Leaving the Lava Castle in a habitable condition for any possible future castaways is a trifling concern, at the very most.
Recon drone FOXTROT has found something rather disturbing. Apparently, there are several extensive 'dead zones' where the base's air circulation and replenishment systems are not operating at all. This means that any Kharaa in these areas are untouched by the Enzyme 42 aerosol. Worse still, each location contains an active Hive, undoubtedly well-protected by their usual complement of hostile warrior forms and organic defence structures. Perhaps the most unsettling thought of all is that we have detected precisely six Hives so far.
Six prisoners. Six Hives.
JUNO has redefined the mission profiles for our Blood Crawler scout drones. The plan is to assign four drones to infiltrate each Hive location and detonate as close as possible to the Kharaa intelligence inside, hopefully destroying everything in the immediate area with a cloud of Enzyme 42 aerosol. Even if this plan does not achieve a 100 per cent kill rate, it will at least neutralise a significant portion of any opposition in these zones. Fingers crossed.
Now that we have created a total no-go zone in the atrium, it was time to deal with the Hive in the Med Bay. DIGBY has rigged up another power cable to activate the systems inside, and it won't be too long before we can start dealing with our slimy friend in there. I wasn't about to start smashing the place apart to gain entry, in case anything nasty sneaked out during the hoo-rah that will most certainly ensue. There was barely enough vertical clearance for a standard ExoSuit to pass through the main door, but only Jenner and Pasteur were properly equipped to deal with anything that the Kharaa cared to throw at them in close combat. As for any possibility of backup in a tussle, forget it. Jenner is the proverbial 'elephant in the room'.
Ultimately, Jenner had to crawl through the doorway. I ordered JUNO to close the bulkhead behind me as soon as I was clear. Still on all fours, I was able to closely inspect the door seals as I passed through. What was supposed to be a completely inert and highly durable polymer had succumbed to the Kharaa biofilm's attack. Technically impossible. Even so, the proof was right in front of me. The seals had deteriorated into a slimy black mass, allowing the biofilm to pass easily into the corridor outside, spreading deeper into the Lava Castle's innards. The other Hives must have budded off from their point of origin, relocating in other areas of the base more conducive to rapid colony growth. I've heard that Kharaa use something called a 'Gorge Tunnel' for covert movement, similar in principle to a Zerg 'Nydus Canal'. For some unknown reason, this one has not budged.
If Your Wondering My Story Seems More Like A Roleplay Due To The Fact There More Then 1 Or 2 Users In It.
A gentle reminder, in case you missed it last time. You're on my patch now. Tread very carefully.
Since you have not taken the blindest bit of notice of my advice, I can only assume that your presence on this thread is intended to promote your own magnum opus.
Don't. Just don't.
If you start spamming this thread again, you will be flagged without the slightest twinge of remorse on my part.
Am I making myself clear?
Gotta get those wordz down wit' a quickness. Daylight's burnin'.
I mean its no big deal we both can use Zerg inspired creatures
I always thought the Overlord would make a great, enormous floating crab monster thing that slowly farts around the ocean. So basically the same just underwater.
Same with the Corruptor. Fast Squid like monster that shoots gobs of acid to melt your vehicles.
Also thought Hydras would make cool serpent sharks that have the same attack as Tiger Plants and shoot spines at ya.
Would be neat for like a highly radioactive "Nuclear Zone" with a big Godzilla Leviathan. spoilering all of this because like waaay off topic.
All you really need to do is clean up your act a little. You're writing creatively, and that's a good thing.
However, there are certain rules to using the language effectively. Take another look at that advice I gave you.
For the love of Mike, please apply what I'm trying to tell you. You have a definite aptitude for creative writing, but you also lack discipline.
Keep writing on your own thread, by all means. All I'm asking is that you keep your posts on this thread short and (more or less) relevant to Borealis Rising.
Each new off-topic post de-rails the story considerably. I'll bet folks are starting to lose interest because of the amount of irrelevant posts in here. I'd rather not let that happen. Keep it short, and keep it relevant to the story. Don't keep referring to your story on my thread.
That's all I'm asking.
Peace out.
... And keep working towards developing a decent writing style, k?
The voice of the Kharaa intelligence sent ghostly chills through my neural network. It was a sound so cold, so utterly alien and remote that it conjured instant revulsion in my mind. It was a jagged blade drawn through a block of dry ice; a malevolent whisper seemingly calculated to grate against every synthetic nerve-ending in my body. It took a supreme effort of will to resist an urge to destroy this obscenity without further parlay. However, I was determined to hear what it might have to say.
"How do." I said amiably, "I believe we haven't been properly introduced yet. You apparently know me, but I haven't the foggiest idea of who I'm talking to. Sorry, pal."
"We know you. Memories of those We have consumed. You will be consumed." The Hive said flatly.
I raised Jenner into a standing position, scarcely two metres away from the organism. Tilting the ExoSuit's torso slowly forward, I stared into its Cyclopean eye. There was a moment of silence as we regarded each other; sensing, calculating and evaluating the opponent before us. The Kharaa intelligence appeared to be completely defenceless in itself, its large, pod-shaped body suspended from a web of pulsating ligaments, each one as thick as a man's arm. This creature was nothing more than an overdeveloped eyeball, albeit one equipped with a capacity to analyse its surroundings, plan strategically and marshal various other Kharaa life forms to do its bidding.
"Consumed? I think not." I said calmly. "In case you're not up with current events, I'd suggest taking a closer look at your surroundings. We've made a right mess of your wee garden patch, and there's a lot more of the same in store for your mates. Better speak your piece while you're still able."
The central eye regarded me impassively. A couple of minutes ticked by before the organism spoke again. It's a fair bet that it was weighing up its options before responding, although I'm more inclined to think it was attempting to gestate something nasty to sic onto us. It didn't matter either way. The air outside was thick with Enzyme 42 toxin. It wouldn't last long enough to pose a threat.
"You are not... Human. You are a machine. Flesh-mind joined to metal. You will join with We."
I shook my head slowly. "Now why would I want to do that? I'm perfectly happy as I am."
"You are strong, but We are stronger. We absorb. We conquer. Every form We absorb makes us stronger. You are few in number. We are everywhere. You will not defeat We. You will join with We willingly before your end comes. You will be stronger as part of We. You have clever hands. Make new Kharaa made of metal-flesh. Make stronger We. Make Selkirk most powerful Hive of all."
I snorted with barely concealed disdain. This thing was actually suggesting that I submit to assimilation by the Kharaa swarm. In my mind's eye, I could see the greater nightmare unfolding as the creature whispered its vision of the future in my ear. Ultimately, this devil's deal it proposed would unleash a plague of cybernetically-enhanced Kharaa against a helpless galaxy. War without end.
"Not going to happen, I'm afraid." I said casually. "Between you and me, I reckon you're telling me this to keep me occupied while your mates brew up some beasts to throw at us. Fair comment?"
"Of course." The Hive replied smugly. "We will destroy you all."
"Fair enough, Jimmy. Just one more question... Rare, medium or well-done?"
Comments
"Thanks, IANTO. Héloise will need about three more minutes before we can uncouple her from the injection point. I'm expecting some sort of reaction from our guests any time now. Look sharp."
"Aye, Sir." The androids responded briskly.
Two minutes later, the screaming started. The acoustics in the Lava Castle made it extremely difficult to pinpoint the precise origin of these sounds, although I was able to identify at least twenty different sources. I have never heard a more unsettling cacophony of agony and rage in either of my lifetimes, and this was one of the very few times I thanked my stars for inhabiting an android shell. Even Héloise was visibly shaken by the frenzied shrieking and roaring that rose and fell around us; even more so, as her suit is still coupled to the atmospheric processor. Not long now, Love.
As the flow counter ticked off 499 litres, I reached for the control valve. Héloise grabbed my wrist.
"Non! - Cent litres de plus!" She protested, her face a mask of terrible resolve. "Let them all burn!"
"A hundred litres more? Okay. It's your call to make. Mind, I'm uncoupling you as soon as that counter hits 600. No more arguments. There's already more than enough toxin in the air to do the job." I said firmly. Grudgingly, Héloise acquiesced.
As soon as we entered the main atrium, the ExoSuits rapidly deployed in line abreast formation. Pasteur and Jenner each had an escort of a Mk. V on either side, although it was entirely a moot point as to who would be defending whom.
"Well, there's no point in tip-toeing through the tulips... They know we're here now. Move out."
The atrium was a nightmare made flesh. If you still believe in such things, it was as if Hell had been scoured with a megaton-level airburst of holy water. The biofilm bubbled and convulsed wildly at our feet as the toxin tore it apart. We paid these death throes no mind, continuing our steady advance in spite of the treacherous surfaces underfoot. Simple structures such as this carpet of biomass would succumb to the toxin almost immediately, although we had no real data on how it would effect more complex organisms. Our scanners detected larger clumps forming rapidly ahead, as if the Hive was attempting to gestate something capable of meeting us head-on.
Every time one of these egg cases began to emerge from the biofilm, it was either ripped apart by a blizzard of flechettes or incinerated with a short plasma burst. No mercy spent on the merciless. In spite of our relentless onslaught, several eggs actually reached maturity, each one disgorging a half-formed Skulk that mewled piteously and died almost immediately. One good lungful of this toxin-laced atmosphere would be enough to finish them. This convinced me that any further gunfire would be wasteful. Far better to conserve what resources we have until we really need them.
I was deeply concerned by the lack of any real opposition so far. When something starts out like a complete cakewalk, the hair on the back of my neck invariably starts to rise. The toxin is working remarkably well against newborn Kharaa, but what about those that have had time to grow some and adapt to conditions in here? Kharaa aren't immune to the Enzyme 42 toxin, and they're obviously hurting. Suffice it to say, they're rather pissed off at this point. And we have to face them.
Recon drone FOXTROT has found something rather disturbing. Apparently, there are several extensive 'dead zones' where the base's air circulation and replenishment systems are not operating at all. This means that any Kharaa in these areas are untouched by the Enzyme 42 aerosol. Worse still, each location contains an active Hive, undoubtedly well-protected by their usual complement of hostile warrior forms and organic defence structures. Perhaps the most unsettling thought of all is that we have detected precisely six Hives so far.
Six prisoners. Six Hives.
JUNO has redefined the mission profiles for our Blood Crawler scout drones. The plan is to assign four drones to infiltrate each Hive location and detonate as close as possible to the Kharaa intelligence inside, hopefully destroying everything in the immediate area with a cloud of Enzyme 42 aerosol. Even if this plan does not achieve a 100 per cent kill rate, it will at least neutralise a significant portion of any opposition in these zones. Fingers crossed.
Now that we have created a total no-go zone in the atrium, it was time to deal with the Hive in the Med Bay. DIGBY has rigged up another power cable to activate the systems inside, and it won't be too long before we can start dealing with our slimy friend in there. I wasn't about to start smashing the place apart to gain entry, in case anything nasty sneaked out during the hoo-rah that will most certainly ensue. There was barely enough vertical clearance for a standard ExoSuit to pass through the main door, but only Jenner and Pasteur were properly equipped to deal with anything that the Kharaa cared to throw at them in close combat. As for any possibility of backup in a tussle, forget it. Jenner is the proverbial 'elephant in the room'.
Ultimately, Jenner had to crawl through the doorway. I ordered JUNO to close the bulkhead behind me as soon as I was clear. Still on all fours, I was able to closely inspect the door seals as I passed through. What was supposed to be a completely inert and highly durable polymer had succumbed to the Kharaa biofilm's attack. Technically impossible. Even so, the proof was right in front of me. The seals had deteriorated into a slimy black mass, allowing the biofilm to pass easily into the corridor outside, spreading deeper into the Lava Castle's innards. The other Hives must have budded off from their point of origin, relocating in other areas of the base more conducive to rapid colony growth. I've heard that Kharaa use something called a 'Gorge Tunnel' for covert movement, similar in principle to a Zerg 'Nydus Canal'. For some unknown reason, this one has not budged.
"You are Selkirk. You are known to us."
Ooooo i've got a feeling we have'nt seen the last of our dear Polyakov .... in one form or another
The plot thickens!
Given how Selkirk has referenced pop culture in previous posts, I'd say yes. It's knowing about the games.
A gentle reminder, in case you missed it last time. You're on my patch now. Tread very carefully.
Since you have not taken the blindest bit of notice of my advice, I can only assume that your presence on this thread is intended to promote your own magnum opus.
Don't. Just don't.
If you start spamming this thread again, you will be flagged without the slightest twinge of remorse on my part.
Am I making myself clear?
Oops. Sorry mate.
My bad.
Gotta get those wordz down wit' a quickness. Daylight's burnin'.
I mean its no big deal we both can use Zerg inspired creatures
Same with the Corruptor. Fast Squid like monster that shoots gobs of acid to melt your vehicles.
Also thought Hydras would make cool serpent sharks that have the same attack as Tiger Plants and shoot spines at ya.
Would be neat for like a highly radioactive "Nuclear Zone" with a big Godzilla Leviathan. spoilering all of this because like waaay off topic.
I read this and was reminded instantly of this beautiful creature
Maybe this fits your fancy @04Leonhardt?
Keep trying.
You don't have to get flagged, mate.
All you really need to do is clean up your act a little. You're writing creatively, and that's a good thing.
However, there are certain rules to using the language effectively. Take another look at that advice I gave you.
For the love of Mike, please apply what I'm trying to tell you. You have a definite aptitude for creative writing, but you also lack discipline.
Keep writing on your own thread, by all means. All I'm asking is that you keep your posts on this thread short and (more or less) relevant to Borealis Rising.
Each new off-topic post de-rails the story considerably. I'll bet folks are starting to lose interest because of the amount of irrelevant posts in here. I'd rather not let that happen. Keep it short, and keep it relevant to the story. Don't keep referring to your story on my thread.
That's all I'm asking.
Peace out.
... And keep working towards developing a decent writing style, k?
"How do." I said amiably, "I believe we haven't been properly introduced yet. You apparently know me, but I haven't the foggiest idea of who I'm talking to. Sorry, pal."
"We know you. Memories of those We have consumed. You will be consumed." The Hive said flatly.
I raised Jenner into a standing position, scarcely two metres away from the organism. Tilting the ExoSuit's torso slowly forward, I stared into its Cyclopean eye. There was a moment of silence as we regarded each other; sensing, calculating and evaluating the opponent before us. The Kharaa intelligence appeared to be completely defenceless in itself, its large, pod-shaped body suspended from a web of pulsating ligaments, each one as thick as a man's arm. This creature was nothing more than an overdeveloped eyeball, albeit one equipped with a capacity to analyse its surroundings, plan strategically and marshal various other Kharaa life forms to do its bidding.
"Consumed? I think not." I said calmly. "In case you're not up with current events, I'd suggest taking a closer look at your surroundings. We've made a right mess of your wee garden patch, and there's a lot more of the same in store for your mates. Better speak your piece while you're still able."
The central eye regarded me impassively. A couple of minutes ticked by before the organism spoke again. It's a fair bet that it was weighing up its options before responding, although I'm more inclined to think it was attempting to gestate something nasty to sic onto us. It didn't matter either way. The air outside was thick with Enzyme 42 toxin. It wouldn't last long enough to pose a threat.
"You are not... Human. You are a machine. Flesh-mind joined to metal. You will join with We."
I shook my head slowly. "Now why would I want to do that? I'm perfectly happy as I am."
"You are strong, but We are stronger. We absorb. We conquer. Every form We absorb makes us stronger. You are few in number. We are everywhere. You will not defeat We. You will join with We willingly before your end comes. You will be stronger as part of We. You have clever hands. Make new Kharaa made of metal-flesh. Make stronger We. Make Selkirk most powerful Hive of all."
I snorted with barely concealed disdain. This thing was actually suggesting that I submit to assimilation by the Kharaa swarm. In my mind's eye, I could see the greater nightmare unfolding as the creature whispered its vision of the future in my ear. Ultimately, this devil's deal it proposed would unleash a plague of cybernetically-enhanced Kharaa against a helpless galaxy. War without end.
"Not going to happen, I'm afraid." I said casually. "Between you and me, I reckon you're telling me this to keep me occupied while your mates brew up some beasts to throw at us. Fair comment?"
"Of course." The Hive replied smugly. "We will destroy you all."
"Fair enough, Jimmy. Just one more question... Rare, medium or well-done?"
Hive minds. Pffft. They're all the same. Only interested in that one thing.
No point in being totally uncivilised about it. There's always time to chat.
Miss an opportunity to obtain intel, just to satisfy an itchy trigger finger? Nah.
Your average villain always gloats over their plans.
Wow he's lucky every time I ask the alien commander for something during a game he calls me a f** and tells me to "git gud"
I agree. You have a point. Now back to the show...