What? Your head spun, where did that come from?

There is something covering your mouth.
You grasp for air, but after a panicked breath, realize that you have no trouble breathing.
You try to move your limbs, but something is holding them in place. Your eyes open and see nothing but darkness.

It feels like you are submerged in some kind of liquid.

Internal Systems: (Design Specifications EX103.443)

Energy Generators: 80% Capacity
Control Core: Xny%//aaad§ Error
+++WARNING!Specification:Unknown++++++Vitals_Readout:Positive+++
Auxiliary Computer Core: 100% Operational
+++WARNING!Software_Build:Beta.V.2.3.734+++
Structural Integrity: 70%
Life Support: 100% Operational

There is another flash of pain as this information flows into your mind. Not in form of words, but as completely formed thoughts.

What the Fuck is that supposed to mean?


You feel a hazy nub sensation rising in your guts.
And for a moment overriding your conscious perception.
There are large jagged Holes in Your Body.
An incredible Power is running from your center outwards to your Boundary. Layer by layer of you filled with air and warmth, but also large areas that are exposed to nothingness.
You notice a trickle of additional power into your body through some kind of umbilical.
The new sensations fade a little and you feel your actual body parallel to this other entity that is somehow also you.

Drive Systems: (Design Specifications EX103.443)

Sub-light Drive: 30% Operational
+++Able_to_hold_Orbit:YES+++
FTL Drive: iwwo9((?93===12“?as Error
+++WARNING!Specification:Unknown++++++Drive_Test_aborted+++

You try to struggle against the restraints, but you can't move your limbs and the pain gets infinitely worse as you try.

At the same time you feel your body jerking sideways, power blasting from openings along the length your vaguely rectangular cross section.
You feel new holes being torn into your form, tiny on your vast surface. The umbilical snaps, the power flow, puny in comparison to the supply in your burning heart, stops.

Why? What?

Communications Systems: (Design Specifications EX103.443)

Internal Comm: 100% Operational
Intra-System Comm: 100% Operational
FTL Comm: 30% Operational
+++Unable to connect to subspace+++
Quantum-Relay: 0% Operational
+++No_Quantum_Connectors_found+++

A panicked voice Screams into your head „Who the fuck just fired the thrusters, we ripped completely free from the scaffold. You guys just want to die faster?“
A Second Voice answers. „We didn't do anything, Sir! Maybe it was a hiccup while booting the System?“
While the two people scream into your brain. You let out a pained noise.
Voice1 „What was that?“ and after a moment of silence „Whoever that was, Stop fucking around, and keep the comms free.“
voice2 „We didn't say anything“

Somehow Voice1 screams even louder inside your skull. „We are simply going to die, if we don't get that drive running, and if that's not motivation enough, I will execute the next person, that isn't doing his job properly for sabotage.“ The speaker pants a little and then starts again “In fact, I'm going to do that personally,... with my wrench! I'm going to come down there and fuck your fucking brains in with my fucking wrench! You understand that?“
Voice3? „Yessir. Ofcoursesir, we are working as fast as we can Sir.“


What to do?
>>>Speak with them (write in)
>>>Suffer a little more in silence

I have tried to run this a few month ago, my PC spontaneously pretty much combusted while it was still in the first thread, after fixing everything, life kept me from running for a while,... well, whatever, here i go again

I try to post replies around twice a day,
so its going to be a relatively slow story,
but if the participation from last time is any indication that should do for the start.

>>2293093
>Software_Build:Beta
>Beta

Even in quest you can't stop being a beta.

>>2293093


>Suffer a little more in silence

>>2293093
> speak with them
"Hello?"

>>2293093
>Speak with them (write in)
"Someone want to explain what the hell's going on here?"

>>2293389
>>2293579
i can cobble something together there,
writing

You hear a synthetic voice: "Hello? Someone want to explain what the hell's going on here?"

There is a moment of silence on the other end of the line, then you hear voice1 starting to scream again „THATS IT, IM COMING DOWN THERE RIGHT NOW AND IM GOING TO...“
a new voice appears, a much deeper voice and with a strange lisp. „Kruaf here, Sorry to interrupt your Rant but you might want to know, I was monitoring the System at one of the auxiliary computer junctions and I don't think that was one of our guys, from what I can tell there was no one transmitting over the ships channels.”
Voice1 pauses for a moment, breathing heavily “What are you talking about? we are the only people here.”, the Voice named Kruaf answers ”Buuuuut do we really know that?” there is a pause again before Voice1 starts again, now thankfully speaking with normal volume ”Right, sure, your right, get to the guys in engineering, when im not there, you probably should, and tell them not to use the comms for now.”
“Understood.”
After a short moment Voice1 starts again ”Sooooooo, who else do we have here?” there is a light creaking sound from his end “You part of the original Crew? What do you mean whats going on? We are leaving like everybody else. At least I hope so, and I'm reaching here, of cause, but if you are, Maybe you can help us, ...”

Your conversation is rudely interrupted by a new Stream of sensations.

Sensor System: (Design Specifications EX103.443)

External: 100% Operational
Internal: 20% Operational

+++Basic-System Check Complete+++

A new universe blossoms in your mind. You are moving through the void over a planet. Cloud banks drifting slowly over large oceans and reaching over green and brown landmasses. Half of the Planet is covered in night and you can see countless lights on this side, covering large patches of land and in a few places even the ocean.

+++Plant: Designation: Drigan II+++
Then you get bombarded with measurements of the planet, Surface area, Volume, Density, Surface Gravity, Escape Velocity, Albedo and atmospheric composition only the ones you actually register among the myriad of Data-bits in your head.

The sensory overload almost makes you pass out and you feel a wave of nausea rising.
When you get the vague feeling that your perception is drawn in for a more detailed survey of the large southern landmass you tear your attention away from the planet, afraid of what data flood might follow.
There is a metallic cylinder slowly spinning away from you. Thankfully, it has far less data to offer than the planet.
It seems the atmosphere, inside, is slowly bleeding into the void. It suffered some kind of damage recently, a bit of debris surrounding the cylinder, most percievable, two of its outstretched robotic arms got torn off.

cont.

Inside your body additional eyes open to your mind. You see a man sitting in a big padded chair, surrounded by computer consoles, leaning slightly over the central console, speaking to it. He is scrawny and wears what you recognize as a military uniform in a grey color, has a beard that is peppered with grey and currently dark circles around the eyes. He is just finishing a sentence you completely missed: “So what do you say? I know I was practically holding a monolog there, but the situation is pretty desperate, and we would appreciate any help you may have to offer. Especially since you would be helping yourself.” He pauses intently

>>>What do you say/do?
>>>Concentrate on some system? (Yes / No, oh my god, im still nauseous, please no!)

>>2293735
"Sorry, I didn't catch most of that, the amount of data from external sensors is quite literally overwhelming, although I can tell that many systems are only partially online or functional. Regardless, it seems we'll be together for a while. What did you need help with again?"

>>2293840
You see a tint of red entering his face. “You didnt … catch …,” He leans back in the chair. “Right why would you listen to me instead of fiddling with the sensors. Its not like there is anything important going on here.” He holds his breath for a moment before exhaling audibly, his face starting to return to a healthier color “fine, whatever. We need help and you obviously have more access to the ships systems them we do. We do need help in getting the FTL drive online. Its not especially standard issue. So if you could explain pretty much anything about it, we would be happy little engineers, all we managed so far was getting the energy running, and if nothing else happens we will start to wire random things to other random things, we will probably blow up but I guess its better than the alternative. Apart from that, well, if you have an idea where we can find supplies for our little field trip, that certainly wouldnt hurt.”

You also feel a light tug on your consciousness from one of your new senses, you feel it emanating from a place where a plethora of voices compete for your attention.

>>>What do you say/do?
>>>Concentrate on some system? (Yes / No, oh my god, im still nauseous, please no!)

>>2294702
>>2294721
I'm hesitant about their little "field trip" because we have no idea who is on whose side, but I can't object to repairs. The ruse cruise begins here.

"Understood. Stand by for instructions. Systems are not fully online, so expect slight delays."

Focus on the place calling for attention. Captain Redface should cool his jets in the meanwhile.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>2293090

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>2295227
[Spoiler]I will use d100, best of three. The 15 would be 75, so thats breddy gud[/Spoiler]

>>2295227
You hear the Syntetic Voice speak forming your words,
"Understood. Stand by for instructions. Systems are not fully online, so expect slight delays."
The Man nods halfway to himself, and frowns a little. “All right, maybe you can help me find my way around these scematics for a start,...”

Driven by the need to learn more about this situation, you open yourself to the voices in the background, fully expecting it to be similarly painful as the experience with your other new senses. The voices get Louder and for a moment, you fear, that the sensations will just wash over you without control.
Focusing on a single voice, and then another, part for part you weave a tapestry of the information-channels, and manage to perceive them simultaneously. You are sure, you weren't able of such a feat, before awakening in the current situation.
The Pain at the back of your head, at least receding in the background behind this new experience.

The Communications in the System are mostly panicked requests for Evacuation.
Order on the ground has apparently collapsed completely. In between the pleas for help, the occasional penitential sermon can be heard. You listen to a negotiation between a ship captain and multiple groups of people on the ground, determining witch of the contenders could supply the most provisions in exchange for the last available places on the transport.

The Orbital facilities are a little better off. You identify 9 separate ships and two stations in orbit, transmitting some kind of identification signal. And there seems to be at least some manner of organization still present. Two of the ships appear to be military vessels trying to evacuate groups from the surface.

You also pick up a number of Signals from Beyond the immediate vicinity, one Conversation catches your ear, where the Leader of a Scientific outpost, around one of the outer planets, tries to convince one of the Military Vessels to come and pick them up. They only repeat their reply, that they have their orders to evacuate installations on the ground and don't have any capacity to spare, over and over.

You have gained control of the comm-system! (Yaaaaay!)
You and can hail anybody in system you want to speak to.

Cont.

When you return your attention back to the Engineer brooding over one of the screens in the panel before him, you get a sense that not much time has passed, maybe a few seconds. You also retain a level of awareness of the communication traffic in the system, you can't really make out every word (thankfully), but you could give a rough summary of every conversation in the system.
The Man continues to speak to you “And these parts here,” He pats on the screen. “The one numbered XT-34778, I guess there should be something like a Anchor-Coil there, but the thing there doesn't make any fucking sense, soooo... yeah, maybe you can explain any of that?”

You are immediately Sure, that you absolutely cannot.
Whatever knowledge identified his uniform as military doesn't extend to the finer points of starship engineering. As you ponder this problem for a moment, a construction blueprint of the Ship unfolds before your inner eye. You still couldn't tell what everything is supposed to do, but at least you can tell where everything is supposed to be installed, according to this plan.

>>>>Say/do anything?
>>>>Use Some Ship System?

>>2295786
>You are immediately Sure, that you absolutely cannot.
In the sense that we don't understand it, or that it's too complicated to explain without an intense course of study?

>at least you can tell where everything is supposed to be installed
Instruct the engineer on where to install what.

>Use Some Ship System?
Try to take stock of what systems are available, what our capacity is for crew, and what our resource stores are.

>>2295786
Instruct him on the propper placement of the items according to the schematics.

Generally what ever is causing an entire system to panic and bug out is bad news for everything or everyone involved, so ill take my chances with gtfo of here.

>>2296100
I was thinking it might be nice to grab those scientists on our way out. These military guys don't seem to understand much of our systems, and if we're some sort of non-standard-issue spacecraft, then I'd like someone who has some experience in advanced technology to work on us.

>>2295909
>>In the sense that we don't understand it, or that it's too complicated to explain without an intense course of study?

The former

>>Try to take stock of what systems are available, what our capacity is for crew, and what our resource stores are.

Well; you got access to the blueprints somehow, maybe there is more information about this ship avaiable?
After a moment of concentration, you feel an almost familiar bang of pain and thoughts flood your mind.

+++Supplemental System Status:
Nutrient Processor(73%)

Fabrication Units(30%)

Hangar Bays(58%, 2/4Bays, 12 crafts detected)

Weapon Systems(40%, 12/32 Turrets operational)

Science Labs (5%operational)

Medical Systems(10%Operational)

Recreational Facilities(0%Operational)

Docking Booms(40%Operational 3/8)
+++


+++Planned Crew Complement:
max. Crew, fully staffed for long term exploration and military use
ca. 22000
maximum emergency capacity (short term life support capacity)
ca. 200000

skeleton crew
200
minmum operational crew
1200

Current Crew registered on Board
0
Current Passangers on Board
32
+++

Stockpiles
Mineral Supply (24Units)
Nutrient Sludge (854Units)
Ammunition (5Units)
Fuel
Theum Fuel (287Units)
Fusion Fuel (12Units)

>>2295909
>>>Instruct the engineer on where to install what.

>>2296100
>>>Instruct him on the propper placement of the items according to the schematics.

“I Will Instruct you throughout the installation” The Man looks up from the screen, rubbing his beard “Yea, see, that's the problem, its all there, it just doesn't work. All we could do up until now was getting the generators running. But there was absolutely no reaction from the damn machine, at least nothing that made sense. We are checking if anything is missing down there, but again these plans don't make much sense either.”

>>>This is a what do/say

Try to get a look at the enigines. Also at fabrication units.

>>2298240
>its all there, it just doesn't work
Can we try accessing the system and see if it gives any kind of diagnostic message?

Yeah, if we can take a look at the fabrication units and engines that would be nice.

This looks like a fairly large ship, the 32 "passengers" we have right now have some explaining to do.

I'd also like to look into any designation on this ship itself, and why it was deactivated.

>>2300785
>>2301994

>>>Can we try accessing the system and see if it gives any kind of diagnostic message?

FTL Drive: iwwo9((?93===12“?as Error
+++WARNING!Specification:Unknown++++++Drive_Test_aborted+++
Is what you get, when you think about engine diagnostics


>>>look at the fabrication units and engines

Until now you used the Conversation with the Engineer as an Anchor for the perception inside the ship. You let go of that and try to find others similar to it. There are countless feeds jamming information into your consciousness. For a moment it's mostly disorienting, but concentrating on one, then taking the one that feels closest to it you manage to build the Awareness of one specific location.

You perceive a room. You could also say you see it, but that would not be the extend of it, you have a picture and can listen to it, but you also get information about pressure, temperature and a spectrum of radiation levels.
The Room before you is a hallway that leads into a hall roughly 30 meters long and almost as wide, everything is made out of a grey metallic substance. You drift into the hall and at the wall closest to you, there are the beginnings of rooms, someone has started to build walls in the hall to partition it further but never got to the point of actually having additional rooms. Wall segments in the form of metal plates are neatly stacked in one corner.
You also see a hulking Form standing next to these. It is a Vaguely Humanoid construct, but far more massive, the arms ending in a collection of tools, among them gripping implements akin to a small hydraulic press and something that you think, might be welding equipment. It stands there Completely motionless.

A few meters deeper into the room your perception suddenly ends. There is nothing to see or feel. Retracting from this place you order the Information Feeds around this location and the Room with the Angry Engineer and try to correlate their location with the ships Blueprints. It will probably take a while to get used to this, but you get some feeling of where individual feeds inside the ship are located. You quickly notice that large areas are not giving you any Information. Sadly the Engine Room is one of them.
You do manage to find the Place that should hold the Fabrication Units though. At least one of them, there should be another one like this, on the other side of the ship. You see Machines and transport boxes fill most of it, only a portion of these are already installed in the ship. As you inspect them Closer, information about their function is conveniently (if painfully) dumped into your mind. Most are similar to 3D-printers, but you also recognize a foundry, and an automated assembly line in functional condition.

>>>I'd also like to look into any designation on this ship itself, and why it was deactivated.

The Blueprints are Designated as
Experimental Long Range Exploration and Arc Vessel EX103.444,
where would you look for information about the deactivation? it doesn't immidiatly spring to mind?


>>>This looks like a fairly large ship, the 32 "passengers" we have right now have some explaining to do.

Sure, you want to interrogante them in some way? Get them to talk about something?
>>>What do?

>>2303243
>>2303247
Ask the engineer for specifications on the installed parts and see if we can either
a) input the drive specifications or
b) override the warning or
c) get more details about the warning

Strictly-speaking a warning is neither an error nor a failure, so there's no immediate indication that something is wrong. Don't actually try to start the drive test after overriding the warning, though.

>where would you look for information about the deactivation? it doesn't immediately spring to mind?
Service or maintenance logs, any kind of journal or personnel log, boot records (if any exist before the current awakening), any kind of previous test run records. Wondering where on the scale of "ancient relic from the past" to "activated during construction" we are at the moment.

>you want to interrogate them in some way? Get them to talk about something?
Ask the engineer or anyone else how they got here.

Also, I would like to know more about the nature of this impending cataclysm and how much time we have. Asking their leader might be a mistake since he'll go red-faced again, but this Kruaf fellow sounds like he's got his head screwed on right.

>>>Service or maintenance logs, any kind of journal or personnel log, boot records (if any exist before the >>>current awakening), any kind of previous test run records.

The Process of accessing this data is a little like trying to remember trivialities from the Day before. Where did I leave the Keys? Not sure, but I remember having them when I came home, I think I went to the kitchen then. Oh, right, a flash of memory, I made coffee and there they are, next to the filters. In a similar manner you are sure there should be Data, logs and record and if this is an experimental ship probably scientific data. The difference is you are sure you never actually knew any of this before, yet the resurgent memory feels similar.

There are a number of records, designated as computer logs, containing technical data that you can't really make sense of at the moment. But you also find a series of personal logs and there are countless entries, every single one connected to personal information about someone. It's a little disappointing that most of the entries contain little more, than a few lines describing that, nothing out of the ordinary happened that day and a short progress report.
One Series of log entries stands apart from the rest, the feeling connected with it could be described as bigger or maybe heavier.
As you focus on the last entry, the seamed face of a woman fills your vision. You can see the collar of a military uniform and her dark, gray streaked hair is tied back into a tight bun. Her expression as she starts to talk is strained, as is her surprisingly deep voice.
”It accelerated, ... again. The phenomenon sped up in the area closest to us, almost as if it was targeted at this region of space” She takes a deep breath before continuing ”It now becomes apparent that this project will not be able to fulfill its purpose, in fact, with the other recent setbacks, it now seems like this whole scenario was made up just to spite me.” For a moment rage starts to twist her visage, but she catches herself quickly ” … us, I mean. To spite us.

We will evacuate the construction site in a few hours. And it's unlikely anyone will ever hear this entry, but it felt important to finish anyway. Maybe someday someone or something will find it and wonder how the story ended. So, if you are hearing this now, I hope you are Human or Corlage, That would mean that some survived. If not, what is by now likely ruins on the surface of this world, are the graves of my people, that we couldn't save, please treat them with respect. Maybe you will find a better use for the relic in this ship.”
She inhales for the next sentence but stops, and just looks at you for a second before she starts shaking her head slightly and turns away. The recording cuts out in this moment.
There are hundreds of these, reviewing them all would take a while. You could watch a few more, but time seems to be a factor. They are also Timestamped, the earliest is about four months old, and the newest a little over a day. You want to focus on some Timeframe or just watch a few from all over the place?

>>>Ask the engineer or anyone else how they got here.

You concentrate on the control room where the stressed-out engineer is sitting once more.
“May I inquire how you got here?” He looks up from the Screen showing the blueprints.
“Sure, in return It would be nice to know how you ended up here yourself, just to know who we are dealing with. But no life stories, time is at a premium.
I will start, in the spirit of cooperation. You can decide what you want to share afterwards.”he thinks for a second, then starts”
We crewed a supply and repair facility on Drigan II, we were tied into the construction effort for this ship, even build a few of the more standard parts down there. Nutrient Processors and stuff like that. After everything really started to go downhill, we waited for a while for someone to pick us up, but I guess we weren't exactly an irreplaceable resource to the people deciding who gets to go...” and in a quieter voice he adds ”Bastards.”
He looks at Ship-plan again for a moment, his eyes unfocused. “Well, I guess we all had to make choices like that.” He looks up at the monitor again as if he tries to focus the person on the other end.”and it doesn't really matter anymore, does it?
The rest of the story is pretty self explanatory, after we realized what's up, we took our supply shuttles and flew here. We thought maybe we can catch a ride once we are here, last chance we had we figured. I was really surprised that we could dock here uncontested, even more so after we found out, that it was deserted. We didn't have contact with the construction site in the last day, but I would never have guessed that everyone just left. The Station was just powering down when we came here, so the crew can't be gone for more than a few hours. Don't know about the ship, but I shouldn't be much longer.” He leans a bit forward resting his elbows on the console ”That's pretty much the story. Your turn”


How do you answer Him?

>>>Also, I would like to know more about the nature of this impending cataclysm and how much time we have. >>>Asking their leader might be a mistake since he'll go red-faced again, but this Kruaf fellow sounds like he's >>>got his head screwed on right.

Last you heard him, Kruaf was heading to engineering. You can't confirm his location, since you can't look there. That doesn't necessarily mean that the intercom isn't working. You might be able to guess the right channels with a few tries, and send a message to the engine room, or you just transmit over all speakers. That way he should hear it, unless the section he is in is completely cut off. Both Options are not exactly super subtle. Other Options are, mister red face or you could try and hail people outside the ship.
You want to try any of this or something else?
>>>Ask the engineer for specifications on the installed parts and see if we can either
>>>a) input the drive specifications or
>>>b) override the warning or
>>>c) get more details about the warning
Don't actually try to start the drive test after overriding the warning, though.


You try to get a feel what these specifications entail, and questions about many technical details pop up. Things like power flow in different parts are easy enough to understand, but also questions about Field geometry and strength, where you are not even sure what kind of field this question concerns. You do find a Log of previous settings coupled with commentary from different scientists and engineers, all are designated as Drive test [insert number]. You look at the comments and all you can find contain some variation of unsuccessful in their opening sentences.
From what you gather, the message is about the drive check itself. And the system aborting it because it sensed something is not how it is supposed to be. But that might be a side effect of its experimental nature.

>>2307843
>How do you answer Him?
I'm afraid I can't give you a simple answer as there are some rather sizeable holes in my memory.
Based on what I keep reflexively trying to do and think I believe I was either at some point human or based off a human mind.
However the current scope of my perceptions and abilities makes it clear that I am somehow this vessels main computer. I wish I understood all this better as I have no wish to die and would really like to help you repair... Err me.

>>2307825
>the earliest is about four months old, and the newest a little over a day. You want to focus on some Timeframe or just watch a few from all over the place?
If this ship was abandoned before construction was completed, looking through more logs seems like a waste of effort. In any case, this does provide at least some context.

>>2307843
>Your turn
"Not much to say. I don't remember anything from before waking up, although there's a strange familiarity with everything. I seem to be directly wired into the ship's control system, floating in some kind of liquid. Not sure how I got here, but I guess for all practical purposes I'm somewhere between being either the ship or the main system that's operating it. I'd like to find out more, but there seems to be some sort of impending calamity so that's not a priority at the moment. Can you tell me more about this impending calamity?"

>>2307876
>You want to try any of this or something else?
Let's see how this engineer replies before doing any kind of broadcast.

>You look at the comments and all you can find contain some variation of unsuccessful in their opening sentences.
Hmm, not sure where to go from here. I guess Red Face is right, we might need to just start plugging things into other things.

>>2308950
>>2309169
“I'm afraid I can't give you a simple answer as there are some rather sizeable holes in my memory.
I seem to be directly wired into the ship's control system, floating in some kind of liquid. Not sure how I got here, but I guess for all practical purposes I'm somewhere between being either the ship or the main system that's operating it. I'd like to find out more and would really like to help you repair... Err me.
But there seems to be some sort of impending calamity. Can you tell me more about this?"

You are reminded of your body, as you formulate your response. The feelings and Perceptions of it, have taken a back seat behind the endless datastreams of the ship since you woke up. You are quickly reassured that you can still feel it and it is still in pain. For a moment you wonder if it is actually there, or if this is something like phantom limb pain. But a phantom Body? More questions for later.

He furrows his brows. “Sooo, you're directly wired into the computer and also you don't remember anything. That sucks, more for you than us I guess. But still, bad in general. ” He sighs ”Normally I wouldn't believe a word, but it seems like these are the times we live I now. “ He nods to himself slightly.
”Fine, so to provide a bit of background for this situation. This calamity” he lifts his arms and gestures at everything as a whole “or however you want to call it. People aren't even sure about that, it's the 'Subspace shadow' or 'Invaders' or 'End of days', depending which theory you personally like.“ he makes the quotation marks with his hands as he speaks “The thing that is covering union space as we speak.” leaning back in his chair, he crosses his arms over his chest and looks at the ceiling
„The story goes something like this, around 6 years back, couple stars seemed to go dark in a region of space a few hundred light years from here. Was kind of a shock for the astronomers, but not anyone else, until they noticed that the area was spreading.
A year later the stars in the centre reappeared, so maybe it was a natural phenomenon that would just pass, a few other people claimed they found proof that it would stop or reverse. So without anything to go by, everybody more or less shrugged and just carried on.
FTL probes were built to look at it, but they would just go dark, as soon as they arrived at the event horizon, along with any ship they send to investigate.
A few people started building Arch-Ships and the like, just in case. But that was only an option for super rich people and a few organizations forming for exactly that purpose. The government tried to go on and finally started a few serious programs of their own, far too late. They didn't have the means to build ships for everybody anyway, no one had.

Many people were still guessing that it wouldn't be too bad. Maybe just cut them off from hyperspace for a year or something. Bad enough I guess, and sure countless people would starve, and industry would break apart, but you have a chance to sit through that … on most worlds at least.
Then 4 months ago, the refugee fleets appeared. Alien ships we had never seen, travelling through our space. First theory was they caused everything, but it quickly turned out they were fleeing from this thing and really had no clue either.
What drove the public opinion far past panic mode, was that the home systems of a few of the travellers had reappeared. They could contact it through subspace, but any signal they would get in return, where automated systems. Nobody was left there. After that little reveal everything pretty much ended over night. Everybody who could flee, did so, the rest just sank into chaos.
The military kept the peace in a few places at least. This system was mostly one of them, the biggest reason was this, … , huh, well, you I guess. They had the ship in construction for a while, it was intended to carry some kind of prototype drive system. They quickly retooled it as an arch-ship. The plan was to strap orbital stations to the hull and carry them to safety. That's the official story at least. Dunno if its actually true, or just something to keep everything peaceful. Then yesterday, large part of the garrisons and everybody higher up on the planet, just vanished.“ He lowers his sight to the screen with the blueprints again “And now we are here, and we really really need to, not be.”

As you listen to his story, one of the million threads connected to your consciousness starts to demand your attention. After the last sentence. You take a quick look at what the matter might be and end up staring at the sun of the system. For a moment you are not sure what brought you here. You almost want to ask the sun, whats up, until you are provided with information of the sensor logs. Again, most of the technical details elude you, but you get what the sensor system found odd about this.
The Stars luminosity has dimmed over the course of his story.
Only by a miniscule amount, but enough to be registered by your sensor array. At the same time you notice something else. Its like someone is tickling your brain. The sensation is entirely different from the quite painful and somehow corporal input you get from other ship systems, it's far more instinctual. You are left with the feeling that something has fundamentally changed, even if you can't quite make out what exactly. Its similar to this hair raising sensation, if you are feeling watched or followed. It feels a lot more natural than the ships other stimuli.

“So I will get back to work on that, if you can offer anything, that would be splendid. If not, well lets hope we don't ...” he's interrupted by a beeping sound, and you know that someone is calling him via the intercom. “Excuse me for a second.” He activates the intercom “I think I said not to use the comms, didn't I?” You hear the lisping voice of Kruaf reply “Yeah, you did. But I thought you might want to know, that parts of the drive just lit up like one of your stupid festive trees.” The Engineer on your end seems almost stunned for a second. “That's great, you figured it out?” Kruaf hesitantly answers “Hm,... maybe. I don't think so though. We were just getting to the important bits.” He almost jumps out of his chair “I will be down there in a minute, don't kill us till then.” He closes the channel before looking back at the console he assumed as you, for the sake of this conversation.”Did you do that?”
>>> What say/do?

>>2310236
>”Did you do that?”
"Maybe. Probably. I have no readings in the engine room, but I can try broadcasting over intercom."

If the engineer doesn't object, broadcast to the engine room:
"Greetings current passengers. This is the ship's control core speaking. According to my readings, the sub-light drives are 30% operational, and the FTL drive tests are currently being aborted due to the core being of an unknown specification. As you likely know, and as I've managed to gather from a quick review of test data, the FTL drive has never worked. Let me know what you want to try, and I'll try to suppress the warning and hopefully get us out of here."

>>2310937

"Maybe. Probably. I have no readings in the engine room, but I can try broadcasting over intercom."
“Hmm, I can't stop you from doing that. But maybe let me speak to them first. By now Kruaf probably told them that someone is on the Ship, but we don't want to startle them, while they are tinkering with our ticket out.
And, what I wanted to say, if you are responsible for whatever just happened and it it works out. Thanks a lot, I was really starting to lose hope.”
He opens the channel again
”Hey, anybody listening?” the voice of Kruaf answers
“Yes, of course, we just spoke. I'm still here.” This reaction startles the engineer for half a second
“Uh, right. I have someone here, who wants to talk to you. He... uh, it has control of the ship's systems and wants to help us. Like getting the drive running, kind of helping. I think we should just go along with what it says. Got that?”
“I think, I understand your orders, yes.”
“Good, I'm there in a minute.”
“Yes, you also said that, just a moment ago” the engineer, sitting on the edge of the seat since Kruaf contacted him, finally rises. He again directs his words to you.
“It's a bit of a walk, but I will hurry. And my colleague can keep you company for the time being. I will try to take a look at the sensors, if there is time.” He says the last words in walking, and leaves the control room.

You turn your focus to the open line of communication.
"Greetings current passengers. This is the ship's control core speaking.” his reaction lets you doubt that you could easily have startled the speaker, his voice speaking in the same relaxed cadence and steady tone you heard in his every sentence up to now.
“Greetings to you, too”
“According to my readings, the sub-light drives are 30% operational, and the FTL drive tests are currently being aborted due to the core being of an unknown specification. As you likely know, and as I've managed to gather from a quick review of test data, the FTL drive has never worked.
Let me know what you want to try, and I'll try to suppress the warning and hopefully get us out of here." you hear him make a hushed piping sound before he answers.
“I had feared, that it never worked. Why else would the crew leave.” his voice gets slightly quieter, probably due to him turning away.
“What we see now is a slow energy accumulation in one of the parts. We think at this rate its energy capacity will be reached in about sixteen hours, but keep in mind that this number is an estimate, due to our lack of expertise in this particular design. The part in question seems to be of central importance to the whole drive system, in fact, I think it was constructed around this part.
We are trying to find out what happens when said capacity is reached, and if we can speed it up, if the outcome is desirable. I am studying the test Logs now, and apparently this is a reaction they tried to accomplish, but were never able to.
Based on that, we should likely override any warning and let the process continue uninterrupted. If we can determine how we can safely route more power into it, we will likely require help in handling safety systems and preventing overload. It will take some time to find out if we can do this, and we will inform you of and coordinate with you, any action we may take in that regard.
Is that satisfactory?”

Again one of the threads connected to you mind is pulling slightly at you. This time it is the communications system. A Conversation between two freighter captains that are trying to leave the system comes to your attention.
One is sending a distress call that states that it is experiencing an unexplainable failure in their FTL system and has called the other ship.
The captain of the distressed ship asked for technical help, as that failed, he tried to negotiate passage on the other ship, for the officers at least. The Captain of the second ship replies that their capacity is full but assures his conversational partner that he is very, very sorry, only to start broadcasting an identical distress call moments later.

>>>Answer for Kruaf (write in)
>>>Other Actions

>>2313092
>Other Actions
Try to get an idea of how many people are on those ships. We're currently under a skeleton crew here and some more engineers and mechanics could really help. For that matter what about that research station what were they researching? Could there be someone there who might be able to figure out our apparently experimental drive?

>>2313092
>Is that satisfactory?
"Yes, standby." See what we can do about disabling some of the warnings.
"On another note, there are other ships in this system broadcasting distress calls. This ship has capacity and available docks. Should I answer their distress calls and inform them they can board? We are far under the skeleton crew capacity."

>>2313570
Try to get an idea of how many people are on those ships. We're currently under a skeleton crew here and some more engineers and mechanics could really help. For that matter what about that research station what were they researching? Could there be someone there who might be able to figure out our apparently experimental drive?

Judging the passenger complement of each ship is difficult, especially since they are probably carrying more than they should, but each could be loaded with hundreds of people.
All in all, there are still 7 ships in system. Two have escaped since you last took stock.
Of the remaining ships, two are said freighters that have now turned around and are heading back to the planet. The two military ships are still present too, they are just breaking orbit, and the rest are cargo/passenger vessels of varying shapes and sizes, still sitting in space around the planet.

The research stations transponder identifies it as a research center for exobiology, it also gives a warning about restrictions for approach and landings, you think it unlikely that there are any drive specialists there.

Other options for manpower include the planet or the other space station in orbit, there are still many people stranded on the surface, exact numbers are impossible to come by, but judging by the extend of the cities, its population has numbered many millions or even billions at some point. There are bound to be some with advanced knowledge left, even if they tried to evacuate the best and brightest. With chaos spanning the whole world, trouble would be finding them.
The other space station is another possible source, it's far bigger than the construction yard and identifies itself as a orbital docking facility for commercial use. Your system has picked up a number of communication attempts from there, so it hasn't been completely abandoned at least.

>>2315345
"Yes, standby."

You concentrate on the Drive system and immediately the familiar message appears,

FTL Drive: iwwo9((?93===12“?as Error
+++WARNING!Specification:Unknown++++++Drive_Test_aborted+++

This time you decide to force the issue and will this warning away. It gets replaced by a new message.

FTL Drive: iwwo9((?93===12“?as Error
+++Experiment in Progress+++

Compared to other parts of the ship there is a distinctive lack of feedback from this system. You can only hope this works. You return your attention back to the engine room.
"On another note, there are other ships in this system broadcasting distress calls. This ship has capacity and available docks. Should I answer their distress calls and inform them they can board? We are far under the skeleton crew capacity."

You hear that quite piping again, then he answers “You should talk about that with Steward, but one would assume he agrees that a bigger crew is needed for this ship, ... and that we should rescue as many as possible in the time we have. But, of course the decision lies with my superior in the end, or with you, depending on your agreement. My only request, is that you make certain that they don't interfere with our work.”

>>>Ask his superior, i.e. Broadcast all over the ship what you want him to hear and hope he responds.(What Say?)
>>>Call someone in the System and offer a possible way out.
>>>Try to get more information about ships/stations/regions on the planet (Specify where and what you want to know, a roll would be required, roll 3d100 along with you suggestion, I will take the best of the bunch)
>>>Do other things. (what?)

>>2316523
Ping the station try and figure out if there's anyone of use on board failing that see about extending an offer to whichever freighter looks better maintained presumably they will have the better crew.

>>2316528
>>>Try to get more information about ships/stations/regions on the planet (Specify where and what you want to know, a roll would be required, roll 3d100 along with you suggestion, I will take the best of the bunch)

This mostly means using the sensors to scan places. Calling people and asking them stuff doesn't require rolling.

Rolled 7, 36, 25 = 68 (3d100)

>>2316528
>Try to get more information about ships/stations/regions on the planet (Specify where and what you want to know, a roll would be required, roll 3d100 along with you suggestion, I will take the best of the bunch)
>>>>Do other things. (what?)
Oops sorry responded to soon I'm >>2316536
Also try and check with the superior and try contacting the research station they could be useful long term if we ever hope to get people settled on a new planet or set up zero g farming.

>>2316536
>>Ping the station try and figure out if there's anyone of use on board failing that see about extending an offer >>to whichever freighter looks better maintained presumably they will have the better crew.
36
You are not able to determine much more about the station. There are occasional communication attempts being made. It seems undamaged and the systems are powered.

Both Ships that are returning to the planet appear to be in good condition. You detect no anomalous readings, and they look well kept from the distance, as do the two military ships. The same cannot be said for the civilian ships still in orbit, one of them is periodically emits a pretty strong radiation burst, and the other two just look ill kept, with colors flaking and traces of corrosion, it might not impact their performance, but appearances are not good.

>>2316547
>>Also try and check with the superior and try contacting the research station they could be useful long term if >>we ever hope to get people settled on a new planet or set up zero g farming.

Your intend to take additional People aboard is broadcasted over all available internal lines. After a minute there is a response from some terminal deep in the ship's bowels, the engineer is sounds a bit out of breath. You can see him leaning next to a wall panel he's speaking into “Yeah, … , you can ... take aboard ... as many … as you like, for all I care. Whew. Actually; we should take as many as we could carry, if you ask me. Just let them bring food. And don't let more on board than the life support can stomach. Okay?”
Next, you open a Line to the research station, an elderly Man appears before your inner eye. He has suntanned almost leathery skin and scant white hair circling the bald top of his head, and he's looking at you a little surprised. “Ah, hello. This is the Elminster Research facility, why are you calling? And more importantly is there a possibility that you could evacuate us?”

>>>talk to the scientist (what say)


>>>Call someone else?
>>>Try to get more information about ships/stations/regions on the planet (Specify where and what you want to know, a roll would be required, roll 3d100 along with you suggestion, I will take the best of the bunch)
>>>Do other things. (what?)

>>2319741
I say we tell both the station and the freighters how many spots we have available and that we need engineers and mechanics so we're offering priority berths to those with appropriate skill sets and those that bring additional food/supplies.
So yes there is indeed a possibility of evacuation for the scientists.

You quickly answer the Balding man, ”Yes in fact this is why I am hailing you. We would like to take you and your crew aboard, if you can provide some things that are required. For one we are in need of engineers and mechanics. Also you would be required to provide supplies for yourself for the journey.”

The man furrows his brows while answering.
“Supplies won't be a problem we are stocked to be here for quite a while. I will have to look up the inventory to be more specific, but we can feed hundreds for weeks.
About the mechanics, we have two in the maintenance staff, they would certainly help, if they are able to. How fast could your ship be here?
And one other question, we are 119 people here, and we, of course greatly appreciate your help. But would there also be space available to evacuate parts of our equipment?”

Looking at your situation, space isn't really an issue at the moment. The question when you can be there is more difficult to answer. You are not sure how well your craft would be able to accelerate, the Sub light drive is not in the best shape.
As you ask yourself how to get there, fully expecting to get a response from the ship, a new functionality of your state of being reveals itself. A simulation of the system from above replaces the mans face, a red line marking the plotted trajectory. You are also made aware that it would take you or your shuttles month to reach the Science station. There are also small depictions of the other ships in system, the freighters returning to orbit, are apparently traveling at a much greater velocity. At their current speed they would take 5 hours for one trip.

>>>Plans? Also, what do you answer him?
A Massage to the Commercial Station and the two freighters is required, so you get to work on that.
“Greetings, I am in control of a ship that will leave this Star-system within the next 16 hours, to escape the coming cataclysm. I extend an invitation to join me. Currently I need capable engineering crews and Supplies for the journey. Anyone who is able and willing to provide these will be given priority to board when we leave this system”

>>>Good enough? You could also send the message to other places or just make it an open broadcast.

Also to give a short recap of your capabilities, crew wise:

max. Crew, fully staffed for long term exploration and military use
ca. 22000
maximum emergency capacity (short term life support capacity)
ca. 200000
Current “Crew” on Board
32


And Hangar/docking wise

Hangar Bays 2/4Bays operational , 12 crafts detected)
A quick inspection tells you, that the Bays that are pressurized, are a bit more than half filled.
The 12 craft seem to be Shuttlecraft. As you look at them, their blueprint is shown in your mind. They are built to carry 10 people comfortably, and are capable of landing on most Planets. Sadly They lack the Fuel capacity and even basic facilities that would be required for interplanetary journeys.

Docking Booms(40%Operational 3/8)
These devices are more than just a simple docking mechanism. They are huge robotic arms that can swing out to grab ships and hold them in place. In the Claw part, they contain a docking collar and a gangway leads along the length of the arm to allow transfer to the ship. 3 are fully functional, with 5 more in varying states of construction.

>>2323247
>>Plans? See how the captains answer. Then send one of the freigeters After they unload.

>>>good enough.
It will do. But send it only to the ships and the Station.

>>2323247
>Good enough?
Ask about number of people, and what supplies they can bring. Bring as many supplies as possible. If the number of people is below one thousand, there isn't really a question about bringing them on-board. If there's more, we'll have to decide on a case-by-case basis.

We should ask the freighters what their current capacity and cargo/passenger counts are, invite them to board (if it's not over 1000 passengers) and ask them to take a trip to the science station and retrieve as many people and supplies as possible back to our ship.

Anyone have any ideas for names?