Engineer’s Log Day 82
I’ve definitely been walking around in a bit of a haze today. Last night was kinda rough sleepwise on account of a few xythalaxns that decided to make some noise around the perimeter. It wasn’t like what I’ve come to usually expect with a few yelling at me from the border of the danger zone while lobbing the occasional shot my way. This group looked decidedly more dangerous. I wasn’t up for the beginning but they kinda just lurked near the edge of the forest only really coming close enough to be spotted once.
I’m pretty sure they’re up to something but I haven’t the foggiest clue what. None of the sensors installed seemed to register anything out of the ordinary which makes me particularly nervous. Better the devils you know and all that right? Weirdly, I’d feel waaaaay more comfortable if they at least shot something at the field but no, nothing. Very ominous.
Engineer’s Log Day 84
I’ve decided to work on getting the cockpit for the HARP functional. In a lot of ways, the HARP is very much an oversized and overcharged version of the basic combat gear where it will watch your movements and then copy them about as fast as it can. The HARP is actually a decent bit better at this since it can afford to dedicate much more of its space to processing power.
All this said, I’ve been running into a bit of an issue where I don’t actually have the required code and unlike my flying drones, I’ll actually want to make sure I do this well. Fortunately for me, a lot of what the HARP does is replicated in the normal power armor so I’ll have a better than decent starting place to launch from and get things modified to work. Unfortunately for me, I’ve never had the chance to mess with code like this and it is obscenely complicated on top of that. I’m going to need a few days at minimum to pick through this and I may need to go and pick through my old college textbooks again.
Engineer’s Log Day 85.1
Alright, this has once again been a very spicy morning. I’m currently barricading the main entrance to the cafeteria, my right leg has gone completely numb, and I’m not having a good time.
A bit of context perhaps, when I woke up today the base sensors told me that I had a visitor. Given that it’s day 85, I kinda figured it was the kid so I went about my normal routine and stumbled over to the cafeteria to make myself some coffee. Weirdly enough, I don’t think actually need coffee anymore.
As I arrived at the cafeteria and fumbled about for a bit trying to get the door open, I caught a glimpse of movement in the corner of my eye. Gave what I thought was the kid a wave and then pushed the door open right as the taser round hit my leg.
For those of you participating at home, you may have guessed by now that my visitors were not in fact the kid. They were far too big and mean to be him and frankly being quite rude for how early in the morning it was. As soon as I felt the shot land, I yanked the door open, fell inside, and locked it behind me. With this table the door should hold for now but I don’t expect it to la-
Crashing sounds in the distance
Ah nice, I think they found an alternative entrance. I’m gonna see if I can’t hobble somewhere to hide now.
Engineer’s Log Day 85.2
So... I suck at both hide and seek and 1 legged races.
Best I can tell, it’s around midday right now and I’m currently sitting in a xythalaxn detaining room after my daring escape attempt. I had bravely hid in a closet until I thought the coast was clear and then began hobbling my way to the engineering bay. This was apparently, an anticipated move as several were waiting there for me and promptly lit me up with more of those funny little electric rounds. Naturally, I drop like a sack of rocks.
After shooting me a few more times for good measure to reeeally make sure I wasn’t getting up, hint I wasn’t, one of them tossed a bag over my head and then picked me up in a fireman’s carry. I don’t really understand what the deal was with covering my eyes given that I’ve seen the inside of their town in no uncertain terms but I mean, hey, it did make ‘em look like a cool spec ops team.
A lot of jostling around and general movement later and I’m unceremoniously dumped into a large prison cell before removing the bag my head. The adobe looking building material combined with the prison bars had me thinking I was dropped into a wild west film for a brief moment. After slapping restraints on my forearms, they’ve since fucked off and haven’t returned. They didn’t even bother checking me over which feels like a bit of an oversight but to be fair, I can barely move with all the taser rounds in me.
I hope they return soon because I never actually got anything to eat this morning.
Xythanlaxn-Human Diplomatic Video Recording 1
The camera focused on Henry sitting slumped against a metal table. It’s quite easy to see he’s a bit bored as he slowly tested the limits of his movement, grunting in discomfort as small glowing devices occasionally administer shocks to his limbs. A click sounded from the metal door to the side and an averaged sized xythalaxn male entered the room and took a seat. Colony Commander Sarlunt placed what appears to be a small speaker and microphone on the table.
Shifting on his stool, Henry grinned weakly, “G’morning, I don’t suppose I could trouble you for a bit of food and drink?”
The xythalaxn sighed and began speaking in a quiet voice. “I am Colony Commander Sarlunt Xyavanna. We received the following recording from the rest of your group. I’ll…. I’ll see if I can’t get you something appropriate to eat. In the meantime please listen to this” Sarlunt hit a small button on the speaker before stepping out of the room.
A deep voice booms through.
“Henry, this is Commander Benton of the Boreas. We are currently under attack and I have a number of things that I need to tell you but first of all I feel the need to apologize. About 30 days ago we received word that you had survived and were asked to come and get you. I could make a plethora of excuses but we left you alone on that planet and that is inexcusable. I pray you will someday find it in yourself to forgive us. Back onto more pressing matters, when we realized you’d survived, we dropped out of slipspace to attempt a proverbial U-Turn where we were immediately attacked. It seems we had the misfortune to stop quite close to a lurking pirate fleet. Our accompanying cargo ships came under fire almost immediately as we arrived but we managed to slip away with the bulk of our people. We are currently retreating but at this point, it is unlikely we will be able to slip our pursuers.
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Now based on our ships’ designs, it should be pretty obvious that we were a colony fleet and when the pirates realize we don’t have any of the construction materials, they have any know how they will likely trace our path back to you. If so, you will have half a year at most before they are able to locate the colony.
With this message, I am sending a few things to help. First, I am sending a code that should give you full authorization levels over everything in the base. Make sure to check through my account in particular as I think there’ll be a few things you’ll want. Second, I am officially promoting you to acting diplomat for the colony in order to establish relations with the xythalaxns. My understanding at the moment is there is more than meets the eye and we were greatly premature to cut our losses when we did. Your new status as human diplomat should serve to help
Once again, I’m greatly sorry I cannot help you any more. Best of luck and Godspeed.
Captain Radley Benton signing off.”
Henry sat in silence for a few moments thinking over the message. After a few moments, Sarlunt reentered the room to place a small data chip on the table in front of Henry. “We received this message about 2 weeks ago along with what my tech people tell me are your codes. We’d hoped you’d received that also and have been attempting to reach out. Unfortunately, you have been... most uncooperative as far as communications go.”
Henry shrugged as best as he could, “I don’t know what you want from me. There’s never been any real reason for me to add a vulnerability to my electronics and your people have been taking potshots at me since forever. It’s understandable if we are enemies, expected even, but if you say something about how I’m supposed to just stick my head out so I can listen, you've got another thing coming.“
Grimacing, Henry would push himself off the table, a snarl forming at the edge of his mouth, “The actual audacity to tell me I should have been listening when you lot started firing on us first”
Sarlunt sat down across from the man, “First, do not raise your voice at me. You are in our territory and subject to our laws. Second, we did not start this conflict, your people did. Third, you’ve done nothing but make yourself a nuisance since returning to your base making any attempts at communication fall through before they even begin”
“Your territory?” Henry snarled, “We made our agreement before we even landed. Smoked the whole peace pipe and everything and you want to tell me that this is yours?! Furthermore, we were literally just walking when your fucking super weapon-”
As he pushed himself up in a haze of anger, the shock rounds still embedded in Henry go off as one. Light rapidly extinguished from his eyes, Henry fell to the ground unconscious.
Sarlunt sighed, “We should probably get those removed.”
The metal door clicked as another xythalaxn entered the room, saw the scene, and quietly stepped back out.
Engineer’s Log Day 86.1
I’ve woken once again to a whole new room. It’s nicer than the wild west jail cell but I don’t know if thats a particularly big achievement. My datapad was left nicely on the desk with a very sad looking plate of what I think might be food and water. Seems they’ve determined that they’ll treat me as a diplomat so long as I behave and I don’t know if I have it in me to get angry again.
Situation isn’t great right now but I mean at the very least they’ve removed those stupid taser rounds from all over me. Silver linings. According to my datapad, my little stunt had me snoozing through the entire back half of yesterday which puts me nicely at an entire day since I’d been grabbed. Feels like it's been an incredibly long time and short time both.
If what they told me yesterday was true, everyone I know from the colony project is probably dead to pirates at this point. I’m going to try and not think about the reality of that situation for now though and try and do something actionable.
I don’t know what they gain from lying at this point but I remember what I remember. We were walking and then got hit by their thing well before we even knew they were there. I just don’t get it.
Sigh
Until I can check the passcode Command allegedly gave them, I can’t really be certain that they are telling the truth. The message sure sounded like the boss but these things have been known to be spoofable and I’m sure if I were in their position I’d love for my prisoner to be compliant and work with me. Work with them for what? I don’t know. Maybe they want me to build them some shields or something?
I hear some people approaching my cell, so I’m ending the log for now.
Xythanlaxn-Human Diplomatic Video Recording 2
Sarlunt sat at the table, leafing through a small binder as Henry entered the room and quietly took a seat on the given stool before scooting it a bit to more comfortably lean against one of the near walls..
“You called?”
The xythalaxn matched his human counterpart somewhat and relaxed his composure. “After our last meeting, it occurs that we got off on the wrong heel.”
“The expression is wrong foot but yeah.”
Sarlunt would frown and nod, “I’ll see if I can’t get that updated then. I apologize for how yesterday’s meeting ended up going. As Colony Commander, I should have acted with greater respect towards you.”
“Yeah well… .” Henry sighed, “Let's just get to business. What do you want from me? Am I gonna be working to build you shield platforms for the rest of my life?”
“No no, nothing like that,” Sarlunt stated as he pulled a sheet of paper out from his folder and slid it across the table.
Picking it up, Henry would quickly skim through it, “What’s this?”
“A peace treaty. Those are some of the finer details but it would essentially open us up for a certain amount of trading and mutual defense.”
Henry spent some time looking at the paper before looking up, “If you’re willing to let me wait until I test that code from Command, I’m not explicitly opposed to most of this. I’m not super thrilled about the line where I’d need to have one of your military types breathing down my shoulder. Can that be removed?”
“We’d prefer not. We wish to foster a certain amount of cooperation between our people and I’m told thats best done through time together. In addition, we would need to ensure your safety as an official diplomat. The woman we have in mind is a xenobiologist and diplomat making her uniquely suited to help you. She was who I largely consulted for the writing of this treaty.”
“If you have to then. I don’t reckon I’ll need much help though.”
“Your the scar on your left leg would suggest otherwise”
“Fine, let’s say that I do agree. Is this person just going to follow me around and annoy me?”
The xythalaxn gave a toothy grin, “As deliciously ironic as that would be no. Her job will be to act as a go-between for us making sure both parties are getting what they need. If you wish, I can see to it you’re released to check the codes and formalize our agreement and she’ll show up tomorrow. I believe you may know her son.”
“Ahh shoot she’s the mom of the kid? Nice. That sounds agreeable to me.”
“Excellent”
Engineer’s Log Day 86.1
I’m currently back at the base and the codes check out. Bastard was probably telling the truth about that at the very least and if that's true then the rest of what he said may be true… that’s not what I wanted to find out.
Sigh
Guess I’m signing a peace treaty.