{"id":272,"date":"2011-03-13T17:54:01","date_gmt":"2011-03-13T21:54:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.auroraforce.org\/blog\/?p=272"},"modified":"2011-03-13T17:56:02","modified_gmt":"2011-03-13T21:56:02","slug":"vong-war-annals-unexpected-beacons-03-13-2011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.auroraforce.org\/blog\/?p=272","title":{"rendered":"Vong War Annals – “Unexpected beacons” 03.13.2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dorrin Drake stepped onto the bridge of the Legacy<\/em> just as Davil Bullian shut down the holocomm.\u00a0 He arched a brow at the engineer as he took a sip from his mug of caf.\u00a0 \u201cWho was that, Dav?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAri,\u201d Davil answered, heading back over to the console he\u2019d taken over a few days ago, when the group headed out on maneuvers on the edge of the Xenea system.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s…I think she\u2019s starting to break, Dorrin.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Legacy<\/em>\u2019s XO\u2019s brow arched higher.\u00a0 \u201cYour<\/em> sister?\u00a0 Not a chance.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure she\u2019s all right.\u00a0 Probably still feeling echoes of a few weeks ago.\u00a0 Serpindal, Ion, all of that.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMaybe,\u201d Davil said, frowning slightly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Something started beeping on one of the sensor boards, followed by proximity alarms a moment later.\u00a0 The crewman manning the board, maybe two or three years older than either of his superiors, looked sharply toward the two men.\u00a0 \u201cNew contact, broadcasting emergency distress beacon, range four thousand klicks starboard.”
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe hell?\u201d\u00a0 Dorrin started to move toward the crewman even as Molly Losoda began cursing at the helm, starting to put distance between the Legacy<\/em> and whatever had just jumped in-system on top of it.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGet it on-screen,\u201d Dorrin snapped.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYessir.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An image of the drift, all but derelict Seraph\u2019s Wake<\/em> came to life on the Legacy<\/em>\u2019s main screen, tiny fires still burning somewhere inside.\u00a0 About a third of it looked like it was coated in molten rock.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat is<\/em> that?\u201d\u00a0 Dorrin asked, brow furrowing.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Davil squinted a little at the image.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like it used to be an old 290.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dorrin glanced toward Davil, brow arching again. \u201cHow can you tell?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cUncle Ulic has one on Corellia that he\u2019s been restoring for about the last twenty years, if Aunt Infinity\u2019s to be believed.\u201d\u00a0 Davil moved closer to the screen, frowning.\u00a0 \u201cYeah.\u00a0 That\u2019s a Corellian ship.\u00a0 If it\u2019s not a 290, it\u2019s something closely resembling one.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cUh-huh,\u201d Dorrin said, then looked toward the crewman on the communications board.\u00a0 \u201cConnie, IFF?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBroadcasting New Republic, but faint.\u00a0 Looks like his comm system\u2019s going down.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s going to lose everything in a few minutes.\u201d\u00a0 Davil pointed to the screen.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s got about half an engine left.\u00a0 Whoever\u2019s aboard that mess doesn\u2019t have much time.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c\u2026right.\u201d\u00a0 Dorrin frowned.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Christie, are you picking up any lifesigns?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cToo much interference.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure if it\u2019s the radiation or the rock bath that thing took, sir, but I can\u2019t punch through.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dorrin nodded.\u00a0 \u201cTractor it in, then.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Davil turned toward Dorrin, blinking.\u00a0 \u201cJust like that?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou said those systems aboard are going to fail.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, yeah,\u201d Davil admitted.\u00a0 \u201cBut we don\u2019t know if anyone\u2019s still alive aboard her.\u00a0 Hell, for all we know, this could be some kind of Vong trap.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the range on your senses?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf I\u2019m not related<\/em> to someone?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAm I to assume that the great Davil Bullian can\u2019t extend his senses a few thousand klicks to see if there\u2019s anything alive on that ship out there?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Davil frowned.\u00a0 \u201cThat depends.\u00a0 Do you want me to function<\/em> for the next three days, or not?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat settles it.\u00a0 Tractor it in now<\/em>, Mr. Christie.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOn it, Commander.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShould I get a security team down there, Commander?\u2019
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dorrin nodded to the communications tech, Connie Wilburforce.\u00a0 \u201cPlease do, Connie, and wake up Lieutenant Greenburg to take the conn.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYessir,\u201d the communications tech said, turning back to her board.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Davil frowned, half turning away from the viewscreen.\u00a0 \u201cWhy\u2019re you waking Taki?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBecause I\u2019m going down there, and you two are coming with me.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Davil blinked again and looked at Molly.\u00a0 She looked back at her cousin, then at Dorrin.\u00a0 \u201c\u2026we\u2019re doing, what<\/em>?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll three of us are going down there.\u00a0 If there\u2019s someone aboard that\u2019s alive, you\u2019ll need to talk to them, Agent Losoda.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Davil frowned.\u00a0 \u201cAre you sure this is a good idea, Dorrin?\u00a0 What if it\u2019s some kind of Vong trap?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dorrin shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cThen I\u2019ve got a Jedi and a half at my back in case this goes sideways.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Molly and Davil exchanged another look.\u00a0 Davil sighed and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cRight.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Seraph\u2019s Wake<\/em> sat in the middle of the Legacy<\/em>\u2019s hangar deck, ringed by a security team with blaster rifles drawn and ready.\u00a0 Dorrin led the way toward the ship, Davil and Molly trailing in his wake until they breached the circle of security officers.\u00a0 Davil touched Dorrin\u2019s arm as he brought his lightsaber to hand.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d better let me go first, Dorrin.\u00a0 Cay\u2019ll kill me if I let his XO get himself stabbed by the Vong or something.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dorrin nodded wordlessly as Molly eased up beside him, blaster drawn and ready to cover Davil, who crept closer to the ship.\u00a0 It took the Jedi engineer a few moments to locate the ship\u2019s hatch.\u00a0 He laid his bare hand against the hull for a moment and closed his eyes, casting his senses inward.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOne still breathing that I can sense,\u201d he called after a moment, then blew the hatch.\u00a0 Smoke drifted out into the hangar as Davil slowly entered the ship.\u00a0 Dorrin started to follow, Molly with him.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStay sharp,\u201d he told the intelligence officer.\u00a0 She nodded, smiling grimly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlways.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Together, with no small measure of trepidation, the three teenage officers made their way to the ship\u2019s cockpit.\u00a0 Davil had to use telekinesis to pry the hatch open from their side.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The air beyond was surprisingly clear and breathable, if starting to get slightly stale.\u00a0 Sprawled in the pilot\u2019s seat was a man, unconscious and maybe ten years older than any of the three.\u00a0 Dorrin glanced at Davil and Molly for a moment.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDoesn\u2019t look like a Vong trap to me.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Davil scowled at his friend.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get him to sickbay and wake him up.\u00a0 Then we\u2019ll know for sure.\u201d\u00a0 He clipped his saber back to his belt and scooped up Logan\u2019s unconscious body, throwing him over his shoulder like a sack of grain before heading down and out of the ship\u2019s wreckage and toward the lift to sickbay.<\/p>\n

\u00a0~ Erin<\/p>\n

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