This is a Chain story passed between @zakludick and @therneau. Each writer authors a post based on the events of previous episodes and carries on the story.
There is very little collusion between the writers as it is challenging to discover and develop a story by attuning the writing to the partner's plot, style, and presentation.
Last Time on Space Lore ZT
Log 15 by @zakludick
There was some commotion aboard the Lazarus Falchion as Chief Ingth learned they weren't merely docking. Fangs bared, the Tillari female and Captain Freyai exchanged words. Luckily, or not so much so, Navigator Khree spotted an incoming ship that launched a projectile straight towards them. Time until impact: 10 minutes.
Space Lore Log SLZT#16
“Specialist Aujuk, how long before we get those shields up!”
Captain Freyai Cordine was now shouting at the top of her lungs. The projectile that was fired from the unidentified craft would hit them within a minute.
Aujuk didn’t even respond. His processors were working at full capacity, as J5 and himself merged in communication, much like the two ships were being merged in the matter.
Freyai was constantly looking from her monitor to the Cyborg, then back at the monitor again. He was communicating with J5 in their most efficient manner, with buzzes, clicks, and pauses filling the air. This undecipherable language drove her secondary brain mad with frustration, as she had no idea what was going on.
“Twenty-five seconds until impact. Specialist Aujuk, give me something!”
“Twenty seconds! Everyone, brace for impact!” she called out over the ship’s comms.
Everyone on the bridge strapped themselves securely into their seats.
Navigator Khree looked over at the 2nd Officer, Beatra. By this time his pale skin had turned dark red, as instinct took control. He was unable to hide his fear anymore.
Beatra attempted a small smile, “Whatever happens, I’m glad I’ve got you by my side.”
An ultraviolet light became visible to their left, quickly growing larger and brighter as the projectile approached.
‘Did my instinct let me down?’ Captain Freyai thought as the light approached.
“Five, four, three, two –“
With a hum and a buzz, the ship’s shields came to life. There was a flash of light, and the projectile split open. Thousands of little mechanical bugs came flying towards the merged ship.
Thorne Herm looked on as the energy shield closed around them, letting off a sigh of relief. What followed though, had everyone aboard the ship concerned.
The pod carrying those bugs simply bounced off the shields, however, the bugs seemed to somehow have attached themselves.
“Are those the same bugs that shot at me on Vorcia III?” Thorne thought out loud.
“You mean us?” J5 responded, “If it wasn’t for me you’d be a crispy mess of human remains aboard that planet.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. Thanks, I guess.”
Just then Alan walked onto the Lazarus bridge. J5 had a minute to spare while Specialist Aujuk was busy finalizing preparations for the merge from his side, and Thorne insisted he brings him out of his slumber. J5 didn’t have any logical objections. These two humans, along with the crew aboard the Pathfinder XVIII, could be useful, as Aujuk managed to convince him earlier.
“What the heck are those?” Alan asked, as thousands of bugs scuttled about the shield.
Occasional yellow bolts flashed out from the bugs, sometimes dislodging them, sending them hurtling into space.
“Those are those same damn bugs that attacked me, Uhm, us, on Vorcia III.”
Alan looked on, almost mesmerized by what he was seeing, yet quickly came to his senses.
“How long will these shields be able to hold up?”
“I’m not sure –“ Thorne said as J5 interjected.
“I calculated the force when I got hit on the planet. With the upgraded shield, and at the current rate of fire by those bugs, we’ll have 1 hour and 20 minutes.”
“That’s plenty of time!” exclaimed Alan.
“Time is relative,” J5 stated, as he observed these little critters blasting away.
The Queen was looking through the eyes of one of her bugs. She saw two human males and the tall AI that was responsible for all of this. She let off another squeal as her bugs were blocked by the shield. It doesn’t matter though. She had eyes on them now and imprinted their precise physical composition into her mind, down to the human DNA. Now, she’ll be able to track them throughout the galaxies by tracking their unique energy signatures.
She telepathically commanded her bug to investigate further. The ship seemed to be transforming, which didn’t allow her to get a unique signature on it. Even though she’ll be able to track J5, Thorne & Alan, a ship would be much easier due to its sheer mass. The amount of energy required to track them now would slow her down.
The bug followed her command and went in search of more crew members. If they’re all aboard this evolving ship, their combined mass should be enough for her not to have to expend excessive energy.
Log SLZT #16 completed!
Now the keyboard is passed on to @zakludick to add in SLZT Log #17 of the story!
| by @zakludick | by @therneau |
|---|---|
| SLZT#1 | SLZT#2 |
| SLZT#3 | SLZT#4 |
| SLZT#5 | SLZT#6 |
| SLZT#7 | SLZT#8 |
| SLZT#9 | SLZT#10 |
| SLZT#11 | SLZT#12 |
| SLZT#13 | SLZT#14 |
| SLZT#15 | You are here! . |
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