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The Nebula (dropped)
Volume 1 Chapter 4 The Derelict Carrier

Volume 1 Chapter 4 The Derelict Carrier

Due to your terrible nightmare you have been struck by the fear.

-50% movement

-50% reaction

High anxiety will make you see things for the duration of the effect.

2 hours duration

I logged into a strange and annoying message. My body was having trouble reacting and moving and like when I got up from my capsule I was drenched in sweat. I slowly got up and took a shower to clean myself but the trembling wasn’t stopping anytime soon and the system seems to like reminding me of that thing that rushed me in the dream.

After drying myself and getting dressed I headed to the cafeteria and grab a plate full and sat down at the normal table I my crew normally sat. I was there alone from only a few minutes before the others came in they were discussing a few things about the Dingy’s life support unit that would hook onto the fighter while they headed to get some food for themselves and then came over.

Basil: hey captain…heh you look pale did something happen.

Noah: it’s nothing just a nightmare but I caused a fear statues on me so its left me shaken.

Earl: what was the dream about?

I give then the details while we were eating and while listening they just sat there quietly listening.

When I finished I noticed a few with worried faces.

Noah: is something wrong now you guys are starting to look pale.

Adam: ah you don’t know do you.

Noah: know what?

Adam: um in other older games like Second Life there was talk that when some players are on quests against some kind of evil being or other things and they sleep in game they sometimes get premonition of the location of the quest and see either the boss or a monster in the area.

Noah: …so you guys think it was that?

Ernest: err…we would like for it to be false that’s for sure.

Morgan: ya even us with a fighter now can’t hope to take down a ship the size of an air craft carrier.

Noah: well it was just a dream let’s not worry about it…on another note; I’m going to see with Marcus if he can upload the anomalies signal onto the computer so we can leave after I get over this status effect.

Basil: I we talked to him about it, for some reason he said that the whole crew must go even the mechanics and techs.

Jonas: think it’s a plan for something or do you think they know what that anomaly is already.

James: I don’t think so, if they knew they would have sent their own men to get it instead of us.

Noah: James has a point, let’s get this finished and then prepare to set off, get the life support on the Dingy ready as well.

All: yes sir.

We finished off the food and we split up they headed to get ready while I went to find Marcus. I encounter him near the tower of our hanger he was talking to some employees when he noticed me.

Marcus: hey Noah is there something you need.

Noah: yes my crew and I are going to head off to search for that anomaly I was hoping you could upload the location or at least the general location for it on the computer for my ships.

Marcus: that can be done, oh yesterday while we were replacing the drones the Mr. Cane orders space armor to be put into your ship, it’s like a space suit and power armor put together.

Noah: why would we need that?!

Marcus: well he is kind of worried about the anomaly we have been scanning it for quite a while now and our techs thinks it’s something like a distress signal but it’s different from the common signal used so it might be used for traps so we are adding the suits for your crew to be able to survive in space if the need arises.

Noah: I see, thanks for worrying, I should be going we need to get ready.

Marcus: I’ll send the orders to the droids at the hanger they should be working by the time you get there.

I give him a small bow to show my thanks then head to the hanger. When I arrive, I find the place packed with the crews from the other players getting ready to fly. Like usual my ships are near the edge of the far side of the hanger my small crew was already there and a few droids were walking. One was scanning the Dingy so that one must be uploading the location while the others were around the fighter. When I look I say yellow, black and white being sprayed. Most of the fighter had been painted to match the color scheme of the Dingy’s and in big white letters like on the Dingy was a registration code BR546.

When I arrive there I spot my crew dressed in what I suppose was the space suits. It was very different from the junkyards power suits which was like a large bracer you would see on deficient people. This one had a similar structure but it had actual armor plates that protected and sealed the body from the outside, its colored black around the body.

(Just think this in black.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b4/ab/96/b4ab96269fe8c4c8a3aa93b411a65754.jpg)

Noah: those must be the space suits that Marcus mentioned.

Ernest: oh hey captain there is one inside for you, it’s a basic power suit made for space travel just as a precaution from open hulls and air leaks.

Noah: oh cool ill just put it, there is about an hour and before the fear debuff ends so get everything ready.

I go inside and find single suit remaining since all the rest were taken. Curious I check the stats of the suits…

Basic Space power suit

A basic suit given to space faring crews, these suits are given out when possible danger is present for a mission.

Defense 10

Has a low level life support system within to protect from the cold and gives breathable air to the user when in the vacuum of space (1 hour for system, requires an air tank if you wish to expand the time in space).

Increases strength and agility by a third the original stat

(This will be returned at the end of the mission when you dock back in the station)

Noah: it increases by a third so it is weaker than the junkyard ones, let’s get this on quick.

To equip the suit was something similar to the iron man armor Mark V, the suit case armor; the suit is pretty much compact and when I attach it to my torso the rest closes around my body air tight. Even in games like this a rip-off like this is so easily spotted but I got to say it feels awesome to feel like iron man. I hope to make my own power suit someday, or at least find an old one and make it new again heh heh.

Armor on and feeling awesome in it I go help out the others get ready just waiting for this fucking debuff to end, I definitely don’t want to go into space with this it will make my already anxious mind go into overdrive and I don’t want that since it will be driving.

For the next hour we checked and rechecked both ships and even did a few repairs and improvements to the Life Support unit on the Dingy.

As the timer reached 10 minutes I have everyone get in while Felix hops into the Figher.

Noah: alright guys we are going to check this anomaly out, I have no idea why we need the whole crew but be on your guards if we find a large ship and need to board remember use your head before doing something crazy.

They all nod and get in. After a quick call to the tower to get permission both ships go airborne leave the station. A few kilometers out of the station I stop the ship and have it extend the link for the life support unit.

It shoots out for about 2 meters and then stops all that’s left was Felix attaching it which he does on the first try after 5 minutes. The link was made a like a large claw like those from old crane games you find in arcades. The hooks were 2 cm think and 3 wide and 7 cm long on the final joint which attached to the ship, there were four claws that attached to the front of the ship. To be cautions that the claw doesn’t pull the ship apart we had a gear that pulls the last joint of the claw inside the beak of the fighter. All the systems attach at the base of the claw were pipes were placed and at the tip of the fighters nose so once it was completely attached it would attach perfectly into the proper pipe. Once attached I pull up the mission info and data I have from the stations investigation.

Investigation info

Kelha II station has investigated this and three other anomalies that lay within the asteroid fields. Though without sending any ships out they believe it is some kind of ship sending out either a distress signal or a signal to attract prey into a trap.

All ships investigating are to be on high alert for pirate or alien activity.

After reading the investigation info that was given, which held pretty much nothing we didn’t already here, the AI pulls up a map of the surrounds and a red triangle appears, which is us, and then three blue circles appear in the middle of the asteroid field. I touch the center one which then turns from blue to orange which meant it was now targeted as my destination.

Noah: alright guys buckle up we have our destination, Basil, Felix be ready for anything.

Basil: I always ready.

Felix: ya same here.

With that I accelerate towards the location. To get to the fields didn’t even take a minute but the ride into the fields was slow progress, with so many small rocks near the edge and larger rocks preventing us from speeding up we went slowly past all the smaller rocks. After 5 minutes we passed most of the rubble and reached the large asteroids which were more spread out and easier to ride through at faster speeds. This area went on for 10 minutes until we neared the signals.

Noah: alright guys we are supposed to be nearing the signal all hands ready for any sign of danger or some kind of wreckage.

No one replied but I continued on slowly I had the computer send out scans to the surrounding and alert me if it picks up anything besides asteroids. After half an hour the computers gave off a reply.

“Scans have located derelict ship to the 2 o clock position from your current position, distance 4000 km”

Earl: so there was something let’s get going.

Noah: hey Felix I’m going to release you it’s just a precaution but it’s better than getting killed for not doing so

Felix: fire away captain I’m ready.

Noah: computer release life support unit hook.

“Releasing hook…hook released, retracting hook”

After hearing the computer I hear the hook return to its place on the Dingy and after a few seconds I see the Fighter fly overhead.

Felix: lead the way so we can get this over with.

I give him the thumbs up and accelerate towards the location. After 3 minutes it came into view, just like in my nightmare.

Ernest: hey isn’t this like the dream you had.

Noah: ya…but let not get in over our heads this isn’t a fantasy game

Basil: ya he is right there are aliens but monsters come on.

Noah: lets get started then. Computer release drones to  scan the ship I want a full scan of all systems corridors and structure, also check for life signs if any are found scan it and show it to us.

I hear the side doors open and soon 20 or 30 drones leave and go scan the ship. It took less the five minutes for the hull to be scanned. Then it began on the interior it this one took much longer around 15 minutes. The ship was split into five floors. The first one was the hanger and a cargo hold at the back with, as the scans show, capacity for around 64t. The second floor takes up only the pace of the cargo hold since it’s above it and the rest make up the upper area of the hanger for taller ships. The third floor had things like the engine room and other facilities. Fourth floor was living quarters and arms storage and the final floor was the control room and other important rooms.

You have discovered and mapped a derelict carrier ship of an unknown faction.

If you clear all enemy life forms within you will be allowed to lay claim on the ship without any gain to infamy towards the faction the ship originated from.

+100 fame

“scans show six life signs in the control room, main engine off line reserve engine on, all other life on the ship is dead”

Noah: seems we won’t need to deal with too many creatures, computer show us what the people look like.

What appeared almost made me vomit. To this a person would be an insult to any normal person. The creature that appeared was a human but it was grotesque so much that it made a zombie from old movies look cute. The body all over looked mutilated; the hands had many metal shards on it that acted like claws, in its mouth had metal as well making fangs. It also wore a suit similar to ours for some reason but that was put at the back of our minds since it didn’t seem to matter much.

Adam: WHAT THE FUCK ARE THESE THINGS!!!!

Earl: urg fuck man I don’t feel well

Ernest: hold it together man are you that weak to something like this.

Noah: I don’t blame him Ernest this thing is something that can make even the strongest men vomit,

Basil: even so what are these things?

Adam: I think ive seen something like this, any of you heard of the tv show serenity

Ernest: I know it, so your talking about Reavers?

Felix: what are Reavers?

Adam: they are humans that had gone mad in space, the crew becomes cannibalistic and sadistic, they prefer to capture their prey and torture them while they eat him.

Noah: lets get back on track we will already have nightmare so don’t make it worst. Now wer are going in there, the scans are done and it seems that they are surviving off the reserve engine… the main engine was turned off manually so if we turn it off they will die off.

Felix: you think it will work they’re wearing space suits they might be able to survive

Noah: if they survive we will leave them in pieces after we find them.

Basil: heh heh I like the sound of that.

Noah: lets move in once we are there Jonas, James, Adam, Earl and Felix will head to the engine room and turn the reserve engine off, also try and override the doors commands and open the door this way the vacuum will suck them out and they will suffocate. The rest will be with me as we search the ship for any stragglers that might have had a suit on and the ship didn’t pick up the signals.

No one argued and with that we flew into the hangers. The place was packed with dead Reavers all over the place. Frozen blood was all over the floors and the Reavers were in pieces that looked like it was cut up, the guts were also frozen and all over the place. After landing near the exit Felix follows behind. After I land I leave the ship in a standby mode until we open the hatch, this will keep gravity and life support online until the hatch open. As I go to the back the others already have the helmet down and were attaching the air tanks that were provided to us. Ernest helped me put mine on.

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Noah: alright guys remember the plan, my group will go the control room it I plan on bringing this back with us so if possible see if there are any major system damage, if there isn’t anything important then leave it as is.

With that we open the hatch which makes the remaining systems shut off and the ship depressurize and turn off. Outside Felix was already ready; we all head up since there was only one way. Moving into the corridors was hard because it was very dark but after a bit the suits activated dropped a visor on the helm which improved our vision. As we get to the second floor we see that it is like a tower to manage the ships coming in and out. On the third floor we split up and my group goes one way while the other goes the other way. The corridors were also full of dead Reavers, as we passed we searched through them to see if there was anything important but nothing but cheap change and cabin keys were on them.

It helped us make sure the rooms were empty but for the most part the ship was empty. It took maybe a half hour for us to search the third and fourth floor. We found a cafeteria, the storage which to basils joy was full of guns, and many cabins. As we enter the fifth floor Jonas calls.

Jonas: hey we are at the engine room, man this thing is huge compared to our ships, we did a check of the engine there are a few minor damage probably from some impacts but nothing major.

Noah: and what about the control rooms door.

Jonas: I’m just about done hacking into it from a working terminal here. It should be done…now.

As soon as he says it we feel the vacuum pull us back which meant the air from the control room was being pulled. After a minute it stopped.

Noah: thanks Jonas, guys lets go, be on alert we don’t know if they can survive or not without air so be ready.

We all moved out, the corridors weren’t so complicated since there were only three rooms here. When we reached the corridor that headed to the control room we were surprised to find floating Reavers that were still alive, mainly because two of them six had helmets on so they had air. They were flailing their arms trying to balance themselves. When they saw us they tried to growl or something. Then to our utter surprise they grabbed the walls or kicked the something and flew towards us. Though Ernest and I had dropped our guard seeing the funny scene before Basil was on the alert and shot the first one right in the head. The head blew up in a mess of blood, brains and bones which flew all over. The other one died by everyone’s hand he left him like Swiss cheese.

As he turned into a lifeless corpse he still come towards us until basil gave him a nice kick which sent him flying back

Basil: bastards are smart for crazy beasts.

Suddenly we felt a large vibration like a foot step. We all were on alert and I opened the map to see if I could see what it was. There was nothing in any floors except the engine room where the others were.

The vibrations continued, it was coming from the corridor we came from, from behind us. We moved the middle of the corridor and waited. What appeared left us in shock. Standing at around 2 meters tall a large creature with no space suit at all while holding a blade of sharpen scrap metal.

Noah: what is that thin?!

Ernest: it’s not appearing on our scans, is it living

Morgan: maybe it’s inorganic

Noah: a rock monster then, is that possible

Ernest: it’s a game everything is possible especially when the game maker created an entire galaxy who knows how many creatures exist.

As we talked the creature took notice of us. It took a simple look around and grabbed a grove in the wall and using it he threw himself at his using his blade as a shield.

He surprised us but we started bombarding him with lasers. It took no more than a second for enough shots to penetrate the blade and damage him. His life appeared above his head showing 5000 with his name and level which was a simple, ??? (???). The lasers didn’t do much damage only 40-70.

As he got closer I got desperate to keep them from catching us in a group so I jumped forward in front. He saw me and stopped and did a horizontal swing. I kicked off the floor and jump which cause the blade to pass harmlessly below me. I quickly pulled out my other pistol and shot him in the face.

You have caused a Critical shot -240 hp

With as single shot he got dazed and covered his face. He uncovered it and looked at me with rage in his eyes I bombarded his face with shots from both pistols. I was able to hit him four more times before he covered it again and swung his blade vertically at me which I dodged by kicking the wall but it was a close call this time. He stepped back a bit and before he could swing again Basil jumped forward and with his rifle he shot a round of ten shots at his face dropping his health below half. In a rage now he kick Basil away and claws at me but it didn’t do as much damage as it would have if gravity was normal. As we flew back Ernest and Morgan jumped up and started doing the same as we did. They dodged skillfully and dropped the monsters life to a quarter of its life before he caught them like he did with me and Basil.

As the two of them fly back Basil, Morgan and I jump in their place and work to finished him off and after ten more minutes he finally stops moving.

You have killed an unknown creature; bringing him back will give you large amount of fame for discovering a new alien race

Level up 5x

You have gained a new skill

Zero Gravity combat

Threw the skillful use of the lack of gravity you have developed an effective method to fighting in a zero gravity area.

+10% damage when fighting in close combat in a zero gravity

+5% damage when fighting at long range in zero gravity

You have cleared the ship of all enemy life forms, you can now lay claim to the ship.

To lay claim you must return with the ship to the nearest station and register the ship or call them and do it over the coms.

Mission: The Anomaly complete

You have discovered what the Anomaly is and found a derelict ship at the location. Being a ship inhabited by Reavers and you killing such a dangerous creature you might gain the favor of the faction in which this ship once belonged to.

Reward: speak with your boss.

Noah: *sigh* that was close

Adam: hey what’s going on over there?

Basil: we killed a fucking inorganic alien that gave us 5 fucking levels that’s what’s up here.

Felix: what really, fuck I missed all the action

Noah: enough playing around, you guys start up the main engine and all the systems the ship is clean we are taking it home.

Jonas: hehe we get to keep this, sweet guys let get this baby up and running.

They stopped talking and engrossed themselves in their work.

Noah: now with them doing that lets check to see if there is any damage to the control room.

When we entered we were surprised to find the room in perfect state not a single console or holoprojector was broken or out of place.

Ernest: well this is amazing…not a single button out of place.

Earl: those brutes must have a complicated society they form.

Ernest: ya in serenity it says they were capable enough to drive a ship but they used capturing techniques instead of just simply destroying the enemies.

James: were just about ready here, we have also set the shields at the hangers to activate when the power returns so there won’t be any air leak from there.

Noah: alright start it up.

On my order they pull the switch and even in the control room we could feel the engines come to life. Soon the light started up and then the monitors all came online.

Jonas: alright this is great this thing is purring like a kitten the power generators are also in good condition and have started up as well. Life support and gravity should come back online in a few minutes.

As they worked to get the things online, us in the control room were also working from there to activate lights inside the ship and scanners and many other systems. That includes sending a signal for communication to the station. We received the call after a few minutes.

Noah: hello this is BR545 we have found the anomaly.

??? : BR545 the channel signal is different than usual what was it that was found.

Noah: first call Mr Cane and Marcus they will like to hear this.

??? : Yes they would.

The channel goes silent for a bit, during this time the life support comes back online and so does the gravity system which pulls us down and began pressurizing the ship.

Marcus: hey Noah this is Marcus, what was the anomaly you guys found.

Noah: a derelict carrier ship, I would like to put up a claim for it.

Marcus: and the previous crew?

Noah: I don’t know if they are called this but do Reavers ring any bells.

Marcus: Reavers…not that I’ve heard anyway what are they?

Ernest: crazed cannibal humans that went made after staying in space to long?

Mores: So some survived…

Noah: Mr Cane you know something about them?

Mores: yes I remember that name you used, I think it was a good fifth sol system earth years ago. All the factions were being attacked by these so called Reavers. They were crazed men that cared not for anything but torturing poor victims they captured. It reached such a level of danger that the three waring factions called a treaty and with there combined army did a genocide against the Reavers in all know areas the factions would go and destroy any ships that were sited, even to this day the only thing the three factions agree on is that Reavers or a pleage and no matter what is going on should a ship appear call for armed forces to come and dispose of them any of the factions will do it willingly just to get rid of pests like this. They were thought to have been extinct from the genocide but I guess not, we will need to inform the capital about this.

Noah: and about the ship?

Mores: oh yes we will begin registering it also we will extend an external docks for you. From our readings that ship is around 7 or 8 times bigger than a Dingy so it can’t pass through the gates.

Noah: thank you once we have all the ships systems up and running we will return to the station.

Mores: we will wait you’re arrival and I presume you would like it remodeled.

Noah: the costs are??

Mores: hmmm a bit over 50,000 credits but interior cleaning we can do free of charge.

Noah: I’ll wait it out; the ship is only a little banged up but no real damage.

Mores: ok then I’ll see you soon then.

With that the channel cut. I look around and go and sit in the chair at the center of the room.

Noah: ahh damn even though there were barely any enemies it was still exhausting especially that last creature…speaking of it has anyone gone and checked it out.

Everyone shook their heads.

Noah: ok ill check it most likely will have to hand it over to some scientists to study it better but a basic identification should help a bit.

I walk out and laying there on the ground was the body of the creature. I got close and examined the body.

Unknown inorganic creature

This being comes from unknown origins, from closer inspection it is apparent that the body is made from mineral rocks found within the asteroid fields. The body contains large amounts of ore materials but it is currently unknown how this creature came into being.

For more information you will need to study the body or give to experienced specializes to study once it is done this information shall be spread thought the Liberation area.

When I was done reading I walked back into the control room

Ernest: well anything good about it.

Noah: ya it seems that he is a being made from rocks and minerals commonly found in asteroids. I cant get much info out of them until a scientist studies the body and since we have none it better to get this ship up and running.

James: that’s good to hear captain because the final two systems have just gone up, and guess what they are come on guess.

Felix: stop playing around you idiot and tell them *slap*.

James: damn what was that for?

Felix: being stupid that what now tell them.

James: fine…the last systems are a shield generator, not like the one blocking the hanger that one I a special one that lets ships through but air stays in this one is a protection shield for large ship. The other system is the, oh so elusive Warp Drive. Yes people we have one now, though its working its only for short distances, very short its damaged and at best it can only help jump out of this asteroid field, it will take a few days or weeks to find the parts to repair this to go to other planets but it should get us out of here.

Noah: if it can get us out that’s fine, how are the boasters and engines?

Adam: they are working at about 60%, the minor damages James told you about though nothing major it’s still lowering the performance but luckily there isn’t any damage to the life support or any other system.

Noah: good enough, alright guys let’s get back to the station, we don’t know if there are more of those things out there and I don’t want to find out, charge the warp drive and get us out of the field.

After a few minutes and some computing we heard the computer of the carrier.

“Warp Drive charging, jump will place us 500km away from the Kelha II station, Warp Drive Charged, initiating jump”

As she said that the area around the ship began blurring like a field around the ship was forming.

“Warp Drive activating”

The last thing we saw of the area were a few large rocks flowing past us.

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sry it took so long

any feedback or ideas would be wonderful to help me think up my own stuff, im not a sci-fi guy, i havent even watched starwars so for those that are it would be a great help if you can tell me about some interesting races/space ships/alien creatures so that i can make my story better