The Dwellers quickly said their goodbyes once the robotic head came out. They seemed ill at ease with the artifact.
“I will come back later if that is agreeable?” Roh’Ovi asked as the rest walked away.
“Of course. You are welcome to talk to us anytime.” Ceridwen said with a smile. She belatedly hoped a smile conveyed the idea of friendship. She would have to ask later.
“Thank you. I will see you again later.” He turned to leave and paused. “Thank you for the gifts. Especially the bru’ushe’es and the bla’anke’ets. They will be treasured items.”
“You are welcome. I hope we can share more things in the future.” Ceridwen said.
Roh’Ovi nodded in his manner and left.
No smile. She would have to ask about that.
“I have the area mapped out. Creating the wire frame now.” Harpy said.
“Good work, Harpy.” Mako said as he held the head of what was clearly an alien robot.
The alien robot head was constructed from a sleek, dark gray metal, its contours resembling that of a human head but was too spherical which lent it an otherworldly appearance. Remarkably, it lacked the familiar features of a mouth, nostrils, or nose, presenting instead a smooth, unbroken surface. The eyes, however, were striking in their size and placement, situated prominently in the center of the face like those of a human, yet emanating an aura of technological sophistication. They almost had the composite appearance of an insect's eyes. On either side of the head, intricate round patches hinted at a sophisticated sensor array.
As they explored further, they encountered the robot's body. It was slumped against a wall, yet it possessed an imposing height despite its slender build. The upper torso, a rounded rectangular box, bore subtle design elements and vents along its surface, drawing attention to a conspicuous blackened hole at its center. Jagged edges of cracked metal surrounded the cavity bending inward, with tendrils of electrical arcing branching outwards like a fractured spiderweb. It was clear that something had pierced the metal, disrupting its internal power source.
The lower half of the torso was rounded column that was almost as thick as the depth of the upper torso. It had a ridged pattern that was reminiscent of vertebrae. The arms and legs were somewhat elongated compared to the human norm. The hands, were a hybrid of human and the local alien physiology, featured four elongated fingers and an opposable thumb, slightly elongated and set farther back than those of a human hand. Notably, an extra, smaller opposable digit adorned the opposite side, adding to the enigmatic nature of the robot's design.
Even the feet exhibited a peculiar design, with digitigrade structure and four toes of equal size and length pointing forward, complemented by two additional toes on the backside for enhanced support and stability.
“This needs to be dismantled and examined.” Ceridwen said. “The opportunity to analyze such intricate alien technology is truly remarkable.”
“We should also see if we can learn about what wrecked it. All the creatures, dangers and enemies we have encountered have been outmatched by us so far. Even the scaled shadowcat, wouldn’t have been an issue except for the fact that we didn’t know it existed and therefore to beware of it.” Mako pointed to the hole in the chest of the robot. “Whatever did that, we need to know about.”
“Oh my god. Oh my god,” Faelanx knelt down next to the body and carefully touched it as if she feared it would disintegrate like a pile of dust. “Oh. My. God.”
“Aren’t we in a whole alien structure?” Jhakaas gestured to everything around him.
Faelanx answered without looking up from the robot. “I’m fairly certain that this is a geothermal power generation plant. While there may be some unique differences and solutions that we did not use in our own geothermal plants, at first glance, it seems pretty comparable. Most of our geothermal powerplant technology has changed little in the last 2 or 3 hundred years. The materials are better, the super conductors are better, the implementation is less environmentally hostile, but the basic architecture is pretty much the same.”
She looked up at Jhakaas and pointed to the robot, “This is technology that could rival and perhaps surpass our own. What were the power systems like. What is this alloy? How did it accomplish movement? Did it have onboard intelligence, or did it have to be remotely controlled? And how was all that accomplished. This is an artifact. A Holy Grail.”
“Ah got it. We should name it.” Jhakaas said.
“What?” Faelanx looked at him with confusion at the non-sequitur.
“You know, give it a name? Decide what we should call it.” Jhakass spoke a little slowly being confused at her confusion.
“I know what a name is, but why did you bring that up now?”
“I’m really good at naming things. You've heard of the death tulip, right?” He asked.
Faelanx squinted at him perplexed and nodded.
“That was me.” Jhakass pointed at himself with his thumbs and smiled wide. “Pretty good name, huh?”
“It was ok.” Faelanx equivocated.
“I was thinking Rahu, but that guy was a demon. Probably not a good way to start a relationship with our buddy here.” Jhakaas touched his chin as he thought. “Maybe Ichabod.”
“The horseman was headless. Ichabod Crane was running from him.” Riff called from the back of the group.
“Fine, Henry the VIII?” Jhakaas suggested.
“He beheaded his wife.” Riff said.
“Marie Antoinette!” Boomer called out.
“The thing doesn’t look French.” Jhakaas said.
“What?” Boomer asked with incredulity. “Does it look English or American?”
“I got it! Sugarman!” Jhakaas announced proudly referring to a recent retelling of the Jack the Ripper legend that takes place on Luna.
Everyone groaned.
“He beheaded prostitutes. That makes no sense. Also, Sugarman is kind of a demon?” Riff added.
“Ok. Ok. Give me some time. I’ll think of something.” Jhakaas mumbled with less confidence.
“How about the Dullahan?” Ceridwen suggested. “Irish folklore that was kind of like the headless horseman. Although he was also a harbinger of doom.”
“Let’s not tempt fate.” Mako said having recovered from the mild shock that Ceridwen jumped in on this conversation at all.
“Bran the Blessed.” Faelanx said.
“The disabled crow guy? That seems harsh.” Jhakaas said.
“Bran the Blessed not Bran the Broken.” Faelanx stood and explained. “It’s an old Welsh myth. Bran the blessed was a giant and a king of Britain. He supposedly had a magic cauldron that could bring the dead back to life. He was beheaded in battle, but his head remained alive and gave counsel to those that came after him. This robot will help us understand the culture that built him. That’s sort of like bringing the dead back to life. And it will likely be giving us counsel as we learn more about it even though it has been decapitated.”
“Damn,” Jhakaas spoke with resignation and sighed. “That’s pretty good.”
“Indeed,” said Ceridwen.
“All hail Bran the Blessed.” Boomer announced.
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The group gathered around a wire map projection of the tower interior.
“I may have understated the complexity of this tower before when I called it a geothermal power plant. It is but I believe the process used Supercritical CO2. The CO2 in the supercritical state is like a gas and a liquid. It is pumped into the ground, heated geothermally and then pulled back out to turn a turbine which in turn turns a generator. I think at some point it lost containment.”
“That sounds pretty straightforward?” Ceridwen asked.
“Well, the trick is the tower itself. I’m not sure how the panels are doing it yet, but it seems to also be heating the CO2. Although, I think that is a separate system. Maybe it runs all of the tower functions and then the power generated by the main generator is moved off site. I think it’s one main generator. It could be more.” Faelanx shrugged.
“It doesn’t look big enough to do that much.” Mako pointed at the large structure in the center of the tower. It was big, but he’d seen huge power plants in the past.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“That is just the primary turbine and the secondary turbine and a smaller generator that is fed by the solar system on the tower exterior.”
“So where is the main generator?” Mako looked around in confusion.
“Oh,” Ceridwen gasped and looked down.
Mako looked at her and realized. The turbine was vertical. That meant the shaft it was driving was going straight into the ground and was turning something that possibly took up the entire floor underneath them.
Faelanx pointed down to confirm.
Mako looked up. “I’m no engineer, but while that is a big turbine, it’s not that big.”
“That’s what she said.” Jhakaas could be overheard in the background.
“I can’t be certain without looking. There may be some sort of gearing to speed up as it builds up speed. I’d be willing to bet it has nearly zero friction.”
“How do we proceed? Do we try and restore this?” Ceridwen asked?
“I’ll inform Hardtack what I found. But I think our most reliable process is to take all this out and install a fusion reactor. Maybe a gigawatt. Depending on how big the cavity is below us, we might be able to fit a 2-gigawatt reactor.”
“Won’t that take a long time?” Mako said.
“We could spend as long trying to restore this and have to end up doing the other anyway.” Faelanx shrugged. “Fusion is our specialty. We can do it blindfolded. So, to speak. Also, the geothermal pipes are very cool. I wonder if something has shifted which has blocked the geothermal energy. Or it is WAY down there.”
“Let’s get Hardtack in on this and we’ll head back tomorrow and see what the consensus is.” Mako said.
“I agree,” Ceridwen nodded.
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Quest Update!
Meet the Neighbors - Discover the nature of the alien ruins. (Chain Quest)
-Reconnoiter the alien ruins.
-It has been discovered that the ruins are a geothermal power plant.
-It has been discovered that the ruins are also home to the Dwellers.
-A disabled automaton has been found within the ruins that will provide valuable insight.
----------------------------------------
Quest Completed!
Irragen points have been awarded!
Since this quest was completed by multiple colonists, irragen points will be divided among those that participated in the quest according to their contribution toward the final goal.
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New Quest! Meet the Neighbors II – Restore Power to the Alien Ruins. (Chain Quest)
-Complete the restoration of power to the alien ruins.
-This quest has a deadline. Failure to complete in 108 days will result in a failure and a penalty.
-Bonus Irragen will be awarded if completed within 72 days
-Additional Bonus Points will be awarded within 36 days.
-Completion will award Irragen Points.
----------------------------------------
Mako was about to comment on the new quest when another message popped up.
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Quest Updated!
Release The Kraken - Acquire sufficient experience to surpass the threshold to fully engage the PHENO system. (100% Complete)
----------------------------------------
Congratulations!
You have acquired sufficient irragen to unlock the PHENOsystem!
You are now Tier 1 Level 1.
You have 1 attribute point to distribute.
You will receive 1 attribute point per level each level.
At Tier 1, Level 18 you will be offered at least 3 PHENOTYPE options to choose from.
Options will change based on:
Accomplishments,
Methodologies,
Attribute Point Total,
and Attribute Point Distribution.
These PHENOTYPES may offer bonus attributes per level, an attribute focus, and/or specific abilities.
The Power attribute will be unlocked by some PHENOTYPES or irragenic abilities.
----------------------------------------
Current Stats
Name: Mako
Variant class: 3
Tier: 1
Level: 1
PHENOtype: not selected
Attributes
Stats Score Modified Durability: 6 32 Utility: 5 29 Vigor: 6 35 Control: 6 14 Power: N/A N/A
Attribute points to distribute: 1
You have earned an Honormark!
-You earned more than 80% of all irragen needed to unlock the system while leading a party. The Pack Leader Honormark adds 5% to all attributes to all party members when in a regular party or 3% to all attributes to all raid party members.
Do you accept these changes? Y/N
----------------------------------------
Mako wondered how the PHENOsystem decided party leadership as there never seemed to be an indicator of any kind. That seemed pretty sophisticated if it figured it out on its own. Of course, the system tended to group people together anyway. But he was distracted by blinding white light. It took a second for him to see again. Apparently, several people did it but not at the same time.
Jhakaas, Boomer, Riff, Harpy, and Faelanx all unlocked the system. Howie, Zerk, and Ceridwen, were right on the cusp.
Mako realized he never accepted. And a moment later, he was once again blinded by a white light.
----------------------------------------
They camped in the tower overnight rather than risk a return trip in the dark. Mako had second-guessed that remembering the vid of Mahina. They needed to take more risks and they were far more capable of surviving the wildlife than they gave themselves credit for. As they broke down camp, they were interrupted.
“Hello?” A light and reedy voice called out.
Mako turned and saw Roh’Ovi carrying a pot and a smaller dweller shyly trailing behind him carrying bowls. The smaller Dweller had very similar color to Roh’Ovi but didn’t have the glands on either side of the neck and much smaller and cuter horns.
“Good morning, Roh’Ovi.” Mako stepped forward and knelt to be less intimidating.
“Good morning, Ma’ayko.” Roh’Ovi said. He set down the pot and turned to the smaller one. As he took the bowls he said, “This is my granddaughter, Bari Bari.”
“She’s beautiful.” Ceridwen said and smiled and then caught herself. She knelt next to Mako. “Roh’Ovi, how do your people indicate that you are happy or are glad to see someone?”
Roh’Ovi thought for a moment as he had never considered the question. He looked back at Bari Bari. “I believe our ears perk up? But it is not always the case even if we are glad to see someone. It is perhaps more if we are overtaken with the delight?”
“In case you have not already noticed, we smile.” Ceridwen indicated her smile. “I was hoping that didn’t mean anything negative to your people?”
“Oh no,” Roh’Ovi assured her. “Many other peoples do the same. While we do not encounter others often, we are aware of many of their customs.”
“Well, I hope someday that our arrival is greeted with the perking of ears.” She smiled. And looked over at Bari Bari from Roh’Ovi.
Bari Bari looked like a caught deer. Her hands went up to check her ears and she was apparently concerned that they were not perked up. In a panic, she dove behind Roh’Ovi.
The group chuckled.
“It’s ok, little one.” Ceridwen said. “I hope someday we can be friends.”
Roh’Ovi cleared his throat. “I know it is not much, but I brought you some morning food? If you are hungry?”
“That is very kind of you, Roh’Ovi.” Ceridwen said. “I’m afraid we cannot eat it. I’m very sorry. We are still learning what things we can and can’t eat here. It is like the candy. We were certain that would be safe but there are many other foods we eat, and we cannot be certain which of our foods you can eat yet, if any. What is in there?” She grabbed the spoon and sniffed it. It smelled a little like dirt. She tried to hide any facial gestures that such a smell might reveal.
Roh’Ovi looked disappointed. “I understand. I was just hoping to repay your kindness a little. It is called Geratta Mushroom Stew.”
That explained the smell. And it probably had no salt. Humans liked their salt.
“Could we perhaps get a few mushrooms? Uncooked? That way we can study them and learn if we can eat them?” Ceridwen asked.
“Yes, of course.” He turned to Bari Bari and handed her a bowl. “Run and fetch a bowl of Geratta.”
Bari Bari grabbed the bowl and took off like a shot. He looked after her for a moment, with tension maybe. He turned back the humans. “I hope she doesn’t hurt herself running and tripping.”
Ceridwen smiled at the universality of the sentiment.
While they were waiting Mako decided to bring something up he had been wondering. “Roh’Ovi, we have little machines that we can send places to look at things. It’s sometimes safer than going to dangerous places or places that might be dangerous ourselves. They are called drones. Our drones kept seeing a Dweller in a hood and robe that covered their face and they had a staff that shot lightning. Who is that?”
Roh’Ovi stepped back. “You saw the Sage?”
“The Sage? Is that his name?” Mako asked.
“The Sage has no name. At least not that we know of. He comes to some of us and gives us power. Usually a shaman, but sometimes a,” He paused but then apparently decided to speak, “Sometimes, a protector.”
“Why did you hesitate to speak of a protector.” Ceridwen asked.
“The Shing’risi do not permit us to have protectors. Or anything they consider to be a warrior. We do not have warriors. But sometimes it happens that one of us becomes a protector.” He replied.
“So can we speak to the Sage?” Mako asked.
“I guess so? If you saw him.” He shrugged.
Mako looked at Ceridwen in confusion. Ceridwen asked, “Can you see the Sage?”
“Only those of us that are chosen can see the Sage. When we are chosen, he comes to us and tells us of our power and the ways we can use our power. The chosen ones can ask to see him anytime. Those that are not chosen, do not see him.”
Mako was starting to suspect something. “Do you unlock a system?” He spoke hesitantly as if the whole premise was ridiculous.
“We can receive the Gifts of the Sage if we are very smart or very brave. If we do something worthy, he comes to us and lets us choose what to become and makes us stronger. The more we do, like defeat predators, or craft items of power, then we can earn more power.”
“They have a system.” Ceridwen said. “Roh’Ovi, do the Dwellers have a written language?”
“We do not write. It is said we had writing a long time ago. But it has been lost.”
“They don’t have written screens because they don’t have a written language.” Ceridwen was giddy with excitement. “So, they have a verbal interface.”
“Or a god?” Faelanx asked.
“But why did we see the Sage?” Mako asked.
“I think we saw the Sage so we would ask this question.” Jhakaas said. The man liked to goof off, but little got past him.
Mako was interrupted by the voice of Skeet on his com. “Mako, there is a party of Shins that just left the mountain.”