ALYSON is happy that the encounter went well. She wasn't sure if they were on menu or not.
ENSIGN FURY: Once George has heard about the group's encounter with the aliens, he summarizes, "So octopoid aliens with two possible means of communications - auditory but at a frequency either too high or too low for our ears to hear and some means of non-verbal communications using body gestures."
ENSIGN FURY: George thinks for a minute and then says, "If they really want to communicate, we can try the body gestures first and see if we can come up with some rudimentary primer to build upon into more complicated communications but my preference would be a verbal language as that is likely to be more capable of a complex exchange of ideas and that is what we want. Hopefully these guys know something about the pirates and where we can find them but, even if they don't, maybe they will help us survive long enough to find them on our own."
ENSIGN FURY: Turning to S'lch, he says, "S'lch, you're the expert on radios. Can a chronocom microphone pick up subsonic or ultrasonic sound that we can then modulate to allow us to hear it?"
S'LCH: "Not your basic one no. But... the Vizoldt should." The vrusk pull out the high end chronocom that Carter had hacked for some good intel. "Yes... yes... it can record into the sub and ultra frequencies and play them back as is or shifted into our normal hearing range." The vrusk gets to work making that happen on the little device.
CIARA: Ciara kept looking over at the aliens, a bit awestruck. She's never heard of any aliens like these and here they were face to face.
CIARA: Instead of sitting there being idle, she put herself to work, looking over the group and making sure everyone was staying warm. She also checked on the group's inventory of supplies, especially food. How much had been lost to the jetcopter attack? She wanted to know what was left in case the group would need to start rationing.
JIM JITSU: Jim's feeling the cold and as long as the octopoids are not trying to kill him he's willing to just crash and sleep through the night, willing to spoon with anyone to conserve heat including a vrusk.
The group spends a cold and restless night in the unheated tents doing their best to stay warm, especially when nature calls and forces them out of the tent for a short duration. They bundle together for shared warmth. Morning is almost a relief as they climb out of the tents and spend a few minutes massaging aches and cramps from tired muscles.
A short time later, five aliens can be seen departing the distant camp and heading towards the group. They are on foot using four of their eight limbs for walking, two others for holding their thick spears while the remaining two limbs hang idle.
S'lch wastes no time in making sure the Vizoldt chronocom is ready. At the push of a button, he will be able to record and analyze sounds, especially looking for ultra or subsonic sounds.
Ensign Fury is also ready. Between his skills with Xenolinguistics, Body Speak and Communication, he is hoping to start bridging the communications gap between themselves and the aliens.
As before, the aliens stop a short distance away. The group can see that the one who communicated with them previously is there but the one who appears to be in charge is different. His purple fur is less vibrant than the others, perhaps a sign of age. His mouth moves slightly and immediately S'lch picks up ultrasonic vibrations in the 22 khz range on the Vizoldt. As quickly as he can, he applies a -10 khz modulation, bringing the sound well within the auditory range of everyone in the group and sets the Vizoldt to duplex mode, where it simultaneously records, modulates and plays back at the same time. This allow the group to hear a variable whistling tone that ends after a few seconds.
"That definitely sounds like an attempt to communicate," George says. "S'lch, can you play it back it back at the original frequency so that the aliens know that we heard them and then play it back again at the modulated frequency so that we can hear it again?"
This is easily within the capabilities of the Vizoldt and S'lch does so. The sudden stirring and movements of the aliens seem to indicate surprise when they hear their own "words" repeated back. George attempts to communicate by gesture that the group heard them and needs a moment. S'lch then plays back the modulated sounds.
Although fascinating at first, these early attempts to communicate only hold the interest of a few in the group as they drag on. It takes a good hour for George to finally get across to them that they are unable to hear the aliens natively and must rely on the Vizoldt to record the aliens and play back the recording in a range that he can hear. The aliens, whose technological level clearly does not include electronics, are somewhat mystified by the device but understand that it is helping with communication in some way.
"They probably think it's magical," George quips up at one point.
After spending a good deal of the morning speaking to the aliens and recording their sounds, S'lch has the beginning of a primer started for both their complex whistling language and their body language.
"They call themselves Ul-mor," George tells the group as they huddle together in the icy cold and eat lunch. "They do not appear to have had any interactions with the pirates which means the pirate base is probably not close. They are willing to help us but tribal customs prevent them from helping anyone who is not a member of their tribal/family unit. If we agree to become members of their tribe, then they will assist us but we must undergo some sort of ritual which I believe involves fighting a particularly nasty local creature. They are awaiting our answer."
S'LCH: He had been there as George figured out what the Ul-mor were saying so he was ready with a response. "Do we have much of a choice? I mean I am not seeing too many other options for us. The pirates picked this place because it will do their work for them."
ENSIGN FURY: George nods in agreement.
ALYSON,"Do we have to use their weapons or can we use ours?"
JIM JITSU: Jim says, "Allies are good. But is this terrible creature something they just want rid of or is it the rite of adulthood thing all their tribe members face?"
CIARA: "Well, I don't know about this combat deal but I like getting their help. I don't know how long we can survive out here without it. I'm willing to take our chances on the ritual."
JIM JITSU: We should also sus out their cultural expectations and make sure that any banquet to celebrate our joining the tribe that is thrown in our honor does not have us recieving the honor of being the main course!"
ENSIGN FURY: "All valid concerns of course," George replies. Our ability to communicate is still quite limited. I believe we will be able to use our own weapons. My sense is that this is something that all Ul-Mor go through as part of some sort of rite of adulthood. For now I think we simply go along and take what help we can get."
George and S'lch head back out to communicate the group's willingness to join the tribe. The Ul-Mor plan to depart shortly so the group packs up and prepares to follow.
And follow is exactly what is required of them. Since they are not yet members of the tribe, the group cannot travel with the tribe so they must follow a short distance behind. The Ul-Mor follow the ridgeline to the north and then northwest until it eventually peters out. At that point they turn a bit more westerly. They travel for the rest of the day before setting up camp in the moderate shelter of some outcroppings. The Ul-Mor provide some blankets to the group which augments their ability to survive the freezing nights. It is not comfortable but no one is in danger of freezing anymore.
The journey takes a total of seven days. For part of the time, the group is heading almost due west in the direction opposite to that which they set out from the lifeboat but they are quite some miles to the north. The barren land becomes a bit less flat to the north with many more outcroppings and ridges making for a much more broken land. Occasional geysers of super heated air shoot up from the ground at times, sometimes hundreds of feet into the air. When the wind is blowing directly out of the north when such an outburst occurs, the group can briefly feel the heated air that blows from the geyser before it is absorbed by the intense cold. It is a welcome relief from the icy conditions that otherwise prevail.
For the last few days, the group turns to the northwest and follows the broken land as it becomes more and more mountainous. Plant life however, is just as rare as ever. There are occasional stunted bushes and grasses visible in the barren lands but, thus far, the group has seen no sign of any trees or fertile area. That changes on the final day when the group descends into a wide valley that butts up against the mountainous broken lands to the north. There they see a true oasis in the otherwise inhospitable land. Rich vegetation grows among the rocks and ground. As the group gets closer to the oasis, the temperature rises until it is a bit above freezing.
The vegetation is mostly greens and purples and browns with occasional flowers and leaves of other colors. In the center of the oasis is a small lake of warm water and the source of the warmth and fertility of the oasis. Here the Ul-Mor set up camp. The Ul-Mor have communicated that they will remain here a few days before traveling on to the location of the ritual. The group is expected to use this time to heal and refresh themselves and to prepare for the challenge ahead.
CIARA: As the group approaches the hidden valley, the young scientist's spirits noticeably brighten. "Wow, look at this place. It's unbelievable!" Ciara is enthralled with the surrounding area and can't help but examine the flora in detail.
CIARA: Ciara will try to learn what she can through the aliens about what the place. She'll be examining possible edible fruits and plants.
CIARA: Ciara also asks the others about the upcoming battle and wonders if we should prepare in a certain way.
The group is provided a large tent and and campsite on the edge of the oasis. Food and water is provided daily but the group is not otherwise bothered. George and S'lch have a couple more conversations with the Ul-Mor spokesperson who tells the group they will remain here for a few days to allow the group to recover from their ordeal and heal up. Since most everyone stills bears wounds from the battle aboard the Serena Dawn, the respite is welcome.
The next five days pass uneventfully. The group sticks largely to their campsite and the western edge of the oasis where their camp is located. Those still injured spend their time resting under the care of Gorman and Alyson, the group's medics. During their conversation on the fourth day at the oasis, George and S'lch let the Ul-Mor know that they will be ready to face their challenge the following day. The spokesman replies that the trip to the Place of True Warriors will begin the next day. The journey will take many days.
JIM JITSU: Jim preparing himself through meditation and practice.
JIM JITSU: He will spar with anyone needing the practice as well as begin basic stretching and limbering exercises leading into basic martial arts katas with anyone who shows a desire to learn.
JIM JITSU: He is also considering weapons and what he might make with tools and materials available to equip and make up short falls in the groups arsenal.
ALYSON Says,"Hey Jim mind if I join you? I could use some pointers. Thanks."
ALYSON is learning what she can from Jim.
MYKEL: Mykel will spar with Jim and anyone else who’s interested in learning some martial arts. Once we reach the hidden valley, Mykel will search about for something that could be used as a spear or club – i.e. looking for material to improvise a weapon.
S'LCH: The Vrusk spends his time working the communication hardware as George (or anyone else) interacts with the Ul-Mor. S'lch was fascinated by the alien ideas and thought processes. When not busy with that he seeks out pointers on how to better use the gun he has.
ALZARIX: as we cross the ice and move on he will join in on the morning exercises and learn from Jim (Sensi Jim - bet he never thought he would become an instructor). Other than that it is trying to keep warm and stay alive. He will also take lessons on how to use the different firearms that we have. (Not range practice of course with the limited amount of power packs and ammo we have.) But how to how to hold it and aim it, replace ammo clips and power packs, and the general care for the weapons.
JIM JITSU: to Alzarix: "Actually, when I left Prengular I managed to rent space on Clarion Station and started a dojo teaching self defense classes. Basic stuff really and mostly to bored wives of station inhabitants and Royal Marines. I was popular enough but could barely keep up with rent, sleeping in the dojo and showering in the locker room; rent was due and one officer found out about the private lessons his wife was getting and it was as they say, "time to get out of Dodge." So I took a berth on the Serrena Dawn to work my passage to anywhere there wasn't any Royal Marines."
JIM JITSU: "Teaching isn't a big deal-its more of a logic puzzle to identify what the student needs to learn and how to craft your technique to teach it. Like technician work, its about solving logic problems to make something work. I rather like it."
The group prepares for another journey. They ration out their equipment and food. They still have some rations left and these had been augmented by food provided by the Ul-Mor. Ciara has used her survival skills to preserve some of this food in the form of rations that will keep for a time.
The following morning, the next phase of the journey begins. As before, the group follows some distance behind the Ul-Mor who head directly north into the broken lands where explosions of gas and super-heated air could be seen almost constantly over the past few days. Deposits of phosphorous, magnesium and various salts cover the entire area and numerous geysers, gas fissures and lava flows erupt through the crusty, broken ground. The Ul-Mor lead the group on a safe path through this increasingly broken, mountainous ground of high plateaus and dangerous canyons. Although clearly a more dangerous terrain, the temperature is notably warmer than the frozen desert to the south. Sometimes the temperature even spikes above freezing. After a full day's journey the Ul-Mor set up camp outside a large cave entrance.
JIM JITSU: At they pass through the broken lands Jim nudges Sl'ch, "Hey, Slitch buddy, look magnesium, you know that burns at 2200* C; we should harvest some, it will make a hell of a fire starter if nothing else."
JIM JITSU: Jim takes some time to collect some magnesium shifting his survival gear to his gym bag with his workout outfit and cheap business suit and using the nylon bag from the survival kit to load up on magnesium on general principle. Its auto-ignition temp is pretty high so he's not worried buy carrying something so flammable.
JIM JITSU: Latter Jim gets his head together with the other science and tech types and discusses improvised pyrotechnics and the possibility of some kind of improvised flash bang devise to enhance the group's arsenal.
MYKEL: Now, that’s a bright idea…
ALZARIX: At the oasis he will take tinker with his alien tech goggles to pass some of the time. Slich is welcome to join in if he so desires, as he has expertise in other areas of technology than I do.
The following day, the Ul-Mor light up long-burning torches and enter the cave mouth. They provide some of these torches to the group. As before, the group follows some distance behind the Ul-Mor. The temperature under the earth warms up to a balmy plus six or seven degrees (Celsius) and remains relatively constant.
The group travels through the caverns for two entire days. The tunnels are between 5 and 10 meters wide while the ceiling rises as high as 12 meters. Occasionally the tunnels spread into underground rooms as much as a kilometer in diameter, with ceilings as high as 20 meters.
The group constantly pass large stands of a mushroom-type fungus growing from the cavern floors. The stalk of this fungus is almost as thick as a small tree trunk. There is nothing else unusual in the caverns.
As you move along, you pass many smaller passages leading away from the main path, but the Ul-Mor carefully avoid these passages and warn you to do the same.
Your second night in the caverns starts out no different than the first night. But, a couple of hours past midnight, you are awakened by loud crashes and vibrations in the floor, interspersed with the high-pitched screams of lopers (the riding animals of the Ul-Mor). You feel the cavern floor vibrating and see whole sections of the ceiling crashing down. One such section falls over the tunnel leading to where the Ul-Mor were camped some distance ahead of the group.
After a time, the vibrations cease and the dust settles. The beams of your flashlights reveal that the passage leading to the Ul-Mor is completely blocked, as is the passage through which you arrived. Four other passages are visible.
- Passage 1 leads to the south. It is completely blocked. It is the passage through which you arrived here.
- Passage 2 leass to the east and is completely blocked.
- Passage 3 leads to the NNE and is the direction the Ul-Mor took
- Passage 4 leads to the NW.
- Passage 5 leads to the west.
- Passage 6 leads to the SSW.
GM: Feel free to send flavor turns for your time previous to this point. I will plan to send the next turn on Thursday or Friday (6/7 or 6/8) so hopefully people will have weighed on on what they would like to do next (action to take or direction to travel).
ALYSON ,"I guess the 'Test' has started?" She uses her fingers to make ' symbol around test. Then throws in,"We have that old game show let's make a deal. Where you can pick from three other doors. Only one is better then the other."
S'LCH: "I do not know. I would have thought the 'Test' would have been more ritualistic. With pomp and ceremony. This seems more accidental."
CIARA (GM): So to clarify the passage to the NNE is blocked since that's the direction the Ul-Mor took to get to their camp? That is also the direction we were headed in, right?
GM: That is correct.
CIARA: "George, in your conversations with the Ul-Mor, you weren't expecting to be separated like this, right?
ENSIGN FURY: "No, they were leading us to the Place of True Warriors where we were supposed to undergo some sort of ritual combat with a native creature."
CIARA: Ciara will do her best to assess how dangerous the group's current location is and if they need to move to safety. Not sure if she has sufficient instruments but she'll do whatever she can.
GM: Whatever happened is over and there are no aftershocks so things seem fairly stable. Right now it is just a matter of picking a direction and moving on. If the group is unsure, I will send the next turn with the assumption that you head to the NW, which is the closest to your desired direction of NNE.
ALZARIX: in the caves after the cave in. He will volunteer to take the lead with someone as his goggle have IR Vision capabilities that might help out some.
JIM JITSU: Jim dusts himself off and looks to the rest of the party to see if anyone is hurt or in need of assistance.
JIM JITSU: He aids with the salvage of the food, discouraged at the loss of their equipment. He checks his supply of magnesium and comes to a decision. He begins cutting up his high end workout outfit that he stuffed in a gym bag before leaving the Serrena Dawn. It was a pretentious affectation on his part while playing the part of Jim Jitsu martial arts master on Clarion Station. He makes several squares of cloth to bundle up a fist sized about of magnesium and cuts some long strips of cloth to tie said bundles up and act as a fuse for lighting them on fire." The rest of the gym suit becomes dressing and bandages for the group.
JIM JITSU: "I've not had any other idea pop for using this magnesium. It burns at a very high temp and gives off a lot of light like a flare. So I've made these improvised flash grenades. You have to light them and it will no doubt take several seconds for the flame to reach the magnesium but once it does you dont want it anywhere near your skin. The effect is a bright flare that will distract at the very least and could even startle an animal. I suppose the person carrying the torch should carry these or anyone have a good throwing arm?"
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