Ariadne Guardpost Ii: The Evolution

Cyberoptic · August 2003

*I stroll out of the gym and head for the mess hall as soon as I heard the briefing signal. I take a seat as near to the front as I can and watch eagerly the screen.*

BadKarma · August 2003

*After he gets up from diving out of the way of quanuts pistol, he claps vragnor on the shoulder*
"Thanks man, never did get used to these things"
*Follows everyone else to the mess hall*

PFCNublar · August 2003

[dream]
*me walks around in a somewhat pointless grass field*
*a tree and a two rabbits appear*
*the rabbits start hopping towards me*
*one of them then jumps up on me and then I black out*
*A faint beeping is heard in the background*
*me starts to wake up*
[/dream]
*me looks around, a bit shaken*
"God damn...fscking bunny fragged me..."
*sees the alarm beeping, and a message on the LCD screen*
*gets back up, and then dress self for briefing*
*walks out of the door, rubbing forehead*
"fscking...bunny rabbits..."

343_guilty_spark · August 2003

*Trys shooting a target, cheersat it hits the target and the gun doesn't fly out of his hand.*
" Thanx Silent, wanna go get some beer ? It'll be on me."

Jaeger · August 2003

"Finally, some real action for once. And I thought this would be another backwater assignment."
*signs off to the range sergeant, stows his weapons in a footlocker and makes for the mess hall.*
"Ey Terran, you look like you seen a ghost."
*enters the mess hall, walks between the rows of tables and takes a seat across from Cyberoptic*

xect · August 2003

With everyone assembled in the mess hall (yeah, everyone's assembled now), the ranking frontiersman officer of the ship steps to the speaker chair and clears his throat:

"For the second time on this station, I stand here to welcome a new set of recruits. This time though, not all of you are new. Some of you have already been involved in combat recently. I hope those will be able to welcome the new recruits and make sure this station gets back to full functionality shortly despite of the large number of new recruits. As you probably also have noticed, the manpower of this station has been increased significantly in the light of recent events. The shifts on this ship will be organized in thirds, with each third of the marine crew being on stand-by for 8 hours at a time, ready to move out. In case of a major battle, the other awake shift will provide backup, though this should be less likely with the improved manpower we have. Apart from that, there's some rules and other things you'll need to be aware of during your service in the Jerren system, some of these are old, but not all, so it is requested that even the old-timers listen. First, I'd like you all to remember that you are required to train daily to keep your skills up to date, and..................
...
(the officer keeps listing, repeating and clearifying rules for the next hour, not listing anything that you haven't been told several times before during training, but still it's different to the new ones, because it's the first time they hear this "for real" out here.)
...
.......and so I hope that this station will become a valuable asset in the battle against the Kharaa. Now, I'd like to give the word to TSA scientific department representative Terrild Johnson."

Scattered applause is heard troughout the room, but is quickly swallowed by silence as everyone is eager to hear what Terrild has to say. The survivors from W.T.Hell are even more eager than the newcomers, since they, although they know more than romours, are the ones that stood face to face with aliens doing things that should be impossible. Terrild Johnson, a tall, aging man with a pair of glasses large enough to easily cover his eyebrows as well as his eyes, and powerfull enough that his eyes seem double their natural size, steps to the chair. He puts his mouth to the microphone, and starts talking in a slow and scientific voice:

"Hello. My name is Terrild Johnson. I'm here to inform you about our research on the recent observations of Kharaa acting in ways that haven't been observed before. Based on a combination of observations done by the frontiersman squad recently returned from an operation with a less successfull outcome and on research done on the bacterial remains found on the dropship in which the survivors from this operation evacuated the compromised facility, it is possible to conclude that the alien lifeforms encountered in previously mentioned encounter were a different, and more specialized sub-species of the kharaa lifeform. Due to the short duration of our research, we have not been able to achieve any controlled observation of the changed behavior of this subspecies. We have, however, gathered reports from the frontiersmen that took part in the beforementioned encounter with this subspecies. While I shall inform you of the content of these reports, I will like to remind you that they are most likely far from complete reports of the changes in these subspecies. Nor are they guaranteed to be accurate, since the observations have not been confirmed by a qualified scientific research team. The frontiersmen who were present during the encounter with this subspecies claimed to have observed aliens evolving to more advanced lifeforms of the kharaa race without first having access to a third "hive", as they were previously observed to be dependent on for the evolutionary process that caused the appearance of this lifeform. I must, however, remind you that the report of a lacking third hive has only been confirmed by the commander of the marine forces aboard the W.T. Hell, Deral Mincan, and that it is possible that this information was merely forged in an attempt to cover up a less successfull approach to the aliens threat. They have also been observed to release corrosive spores before the construction of their third hive. Again, these spores have only been witnessed by the aforementioned Deral Mincan, and the reports might be forged again. Additionally, several of the members of the dispatched frontiersman squad claims to have experienced a Lerk release a primal scream, an ability thought to be exclusive to the Onos. But I would like to inform that none of them claimed to have observed the Lerk during this time, all claimed that it had been hiding from their view in a vent at the time, and it is very possible that it was merely an onos letting out the scream from an adjacent corridor. All in all, while a change in the bactierial structure has definately been observed in the recovered dropship, I personally believe the changes are merely minor evolutions allowing the alienlifeforms slightly better exploitation of the resources onboard our ships. I find it unlikely that such major mutations as those described by the consulted frontiersmen would be possible in such a short timespan."

With these words, the scientist steps off the speaker chair and leaves the room, his head high and not looking towards the audience.

Vragnor · August 2003

"That didn't tell us much. And how much is one-third? And how do we know what shift we're on?! I'm confused"
*Starts cleaning weapons*
"This bolt seems a little sticky."
*Grabs a small bottle out of bag*
"Trombone slide oil! Works good on anything!"
*Bolt is now smooth as a baby's butt (but not brown)*

P-Khan · August 2003

I'm gonna be clear, in case you didn't understand. First, the mission was to eliminate all humans in the ship. They had already killed the Kharaa. We just recieved orders to 'decontaminate' the ship, meaning that the humans were infected. Why they did this I don't know, since it was orders and you don't question it. We did NOT fight any aliens. Repeat: WE DID NOT FIGHT ALIENS AT THE SHIP.

Russia has colonies, and to secure these colonies they need to send troops, and have Black-Ops for the dirty work on the colonies. And the ship doesn't have to be in the Adriane Arm. I did not mention anything about it.

And the TSA might have that image of good folks who are corrupt free and just do what is moraly correct. BUT GOD DAMN IT, NOT EVRYONE IS GOOD!!!! IT WAS A CORRUPT GENERAL. HE HAD A WIERD PERSONALITY AND DID NOT WANT TO HANDLE THE PAPER WORK FOR SAVING SOME LOST SHIP CREW!!!!!

THE STORY FITS!!!

*cracks knuckles*
"Pff... as always, they never give all the information...."
*knife and starts to clean nails with the point*

Vragnor · August 2003

Guys, calm down...who the hell cares about if the bacstory fits?! For all i know i could be someone from the future who discpvered time-travel and lost his mind at the age of 4! IT DOESN'T MATTER (that much)

Khaim · August 2003

Any way you slice it, can we please can this argument? its realy not helping, this is supposed to be the story not an argument about what past(s) are legal, hell xect could just say: change it or get your posts baleted for all i care, just lets move on now?

343_guilty_spark · August 2003

*Heads to mess hall.*
" Sup guys i'm hungry, silent told me how to use a gun, "
*watches old guy walk out.*
" Who's he ?"

Cyberoptic · August 2003

*Looks at 343*
"Him? jus' some egghead tellin' us that all what the ol' guys saw in their last sortie was crap and that it was jus' lies from the comm... Issat true?"

Khaim · August 2003

*relaxes a bit on the bench.*
"Been a bit curious myself, what exactly Did happen on the W.T. Hell, all the people I've talked to so far about have been all Hush hush about it..."
*Looks over the room at all the people who were in the first roleplay topic*
Don't worry too much about summarising it all, but it may help for people who didnt read the first topic(I read it though, or about 80 pages of it <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>).

PFCNublar · August 2003

"I dunno, I guess its just their way of faked ignorance of the facts. You do realize that a change as substantial as we witnessed on the W.T. Hell would require a complete change in combat doctrine, which in turn would basically send us back to the drawing board on how to fight. It's understandable, but I still hold firm by what I saw. A huge fscking onos came rampaging in when they only had 2 hives. Odd."
*folds arms*
"I just say you hold all your opinions till we get sent out again, hopefully not soon. I've still got a parasite in me, which won't die for another 5 days. And when we do get sent out, you judge for yourself when your running away from a huge pig thing. Dunno about the gas though, never saw that..."

Nice effort though, Khaim. 80 pages is quite the read <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif'>

Khaim · August 2003

I read it while you guys wrote it delta <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'> just never bothered joining in on the old one. Missed 17 pages somewhere in the middle, between the time you found headcrab and you guys got chased by the onos <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'> . Ok i suppose i should take my own advice and keep my posts to the story from now on.

Frosty · August 2003

"'Merely forged in an attempt to cover up a less successfull approach to the aliens threat' my ****. Those critters were different than they sposed to be, much much different. Damn desk jockeys, should learn to trust the people on the lines."
*Mumbles some more about incompetence*


Uh, so what was the answer for my revolver?

P-Khan · August 2003

"I'm tired. There's nothing to do here"
*stares at a map found on a wall*
"Where should I go next? hum... think I'll go to the glass dome upstairs. Can take a look at the stars"
*goes off to find an elevator*

Uhm, is it OK that I made that room up? I don't want to invent things without xects permission

Cyberoptic · August 2003

*I look at frosty*
"whaddaya mean with "different than they sposed to be?... Doessat means the textbook pic's are wrong?"

Mr_Headcrab · August 2003

"He means that these things are deadlier, give them a big enough threat for long enough, and even at one hive they can unleash ANY of their evolutions, your not safe occupying one of their hive zones, the balance of power shitfs faster than before, and its all my fault... "

Cyberoptic · August 2003

"Uh... ok. But howssat yer fault? didya gave 'em drugs or sumethin? I mean, ya know, I dunno much 'bout these things, justa they are like big bad alienz, ya know? so how can you er... be like the guilty for makin' 'em bigger 'n badder?
And justa look at it on the sunny side... More fun for blowin' up!"

Khaim · August 2003

"Yeah more stuff for ya' to use those NyJack rounds on too(or whatever they are called)"

Quaunaut · August 2003

Xect, that was nice. Sorry I wasn't here for it, school stinks. But man, thats a speech.

"Well, all I know is that I've heard some horror stories, and seen a few of the perm crazies. I just don't see why they're "crazy", I mean, they went in, they killed, and saw some stuff that the suits don't believe. I dunno. You guys think there could be more than just the 5 'races' of the 'teria?"*looks around, and gets a dark feeling all over his body, just imagining what COULD be out there* "Man, whoever first said "The Truth is Out There" I think was wiser than anyone thought...(do notice that I know who said that [mulder from xfiles], just remember this is WAY up there in the future)"

spinviper · August 2003

"**** of a scientist"

343_guilty_spark · August 2003

" I hear that Spin <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'> "
" So what'd the four eyes trying to say ? All aliens have changed abit ? Or are there New ones?" *Shudders at the thought of that.*

Night_Shade · August 2003

I can't believe the board didn't email me about these updates. Not Happy.
"I don't think there are any new forms. At least, not that I saw. But from what I did see, they're way different to anything we've fought. As we were retreating from that onos, a pair of fades walked through a closed door. You guys saw it too, right? The book says they normally just "appear" - and they need line of sight to do it."
*thinks*
"Not only that, they never fired acid rockets. The book says that's the first thing fades do. I phased in as reinforcements, so I dunno about what happened earlier, but that's what I do know. The onos was acting strangely too, although I can't put my finger on it. One thing I do know - our comm's no liar. Despite how much the upper ranks would like him to be."

Cyberoptic · August 2003

*I stray a while in my own memories, thinking of a similar situation a long time ago*
"Yeah, upper ranks are all the same. They don't care who gets it as long as their reputation isn't stained."
*I shake my head slightly*
"Well, me's gonna check my turns. Later"

Night_Shade · August 2003

"Hmph." *grins sardonically*
*grabs two ration bars, drops them in his field kit, then heads off to locker room and opens his locker, revealing a faded photo of his dead parents*
"..."
*sighs, and pulls out his med lab access card, then heads to the med lab*
"Hey guys. Need to stock up on nanites in case we get shipped out."
*heads over to nanite dispenser, swipes his card, punches in an access code and draws about two medpacks' worth into an odd-looking container, then places the container in his field kit*
"Hmm..."
*checks over field kit*
"I might grab another bandage or two. Especially after last time."
*pulls two bandages out of a drawer, and places them in the kit*
"Catch yas round, guys. Don't eat all the ration bars."
*grins, leaves med lab, and puts access card back in locker, then heads to firing range and checks out his LMG, pistol and combat knife*
I'm talking to the med lab staff, in case anyone thinks I've gone mad <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>
I'm also going away tomorrow, so if we do go anywhere, I'll tag along and generally be useful.

xect · August 2003

Headcrap, you know what you saw, not what it means. How can you tell that they can gain all lifeforms at one hive when all you saw was an onos while the commander claimed to be able to find only two hives. Remember, your character might not know all you know.

"Well, I know one thing for sure. I scanned that spaceship over and over. There was no hive. Arrogant **** of a self-centered scientist bug!"

"Well, I'm going to have a look at the shift plan board, I just hope they didnt get any fun ideas about having veterans on all shifts. I'd like to have you guys with me if I'm to fight those things again, especially because you sound like you actually believe me more than that weirdo."

*Heads for the station living room to check out the shift plans*

Paper · August 2003

*I immedialtly begin to pull everything out from my pockets and throw them on the table, MnM's, gummie bears, chocolate bars, peppermints and many other candies form a 1st graders dream pile on the table*
"where is that damn notepad"
*I pull out my back pocket and finally find the notepad but in my rush i don't notice the neatly folded document grade paper that floats to the ground*
*Grining from ear to ear I dash down the mess hall after Dr. Johnson, the paper fluttering in my wake*

343_guilty_spark · August 2003

" We should ask Karma about this stuff he's a Kharaa expert."

Ariadne Guardpost Ii: The Evolution

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