(OPEN) Riddles in the Void

[Death Korps of Krieg]

Mymeara, somewhere in the Andromeda

Glistening seas, lush forests, and high mountains. These are what composes the world of Mymeara, an ancient planet where a great empire from the Milky Way established its foothold in the vast star-choked void that is the Andromeda, the Altaran Empire. Or what once composed it. While this was not their only lost holding in the Andromeda, it is by far the greatest. However, by even the lowest standards, it is not a truly great stronghold. Even when Altaran phase smiths and engine seers established an orbital facility and built a small settlement of nearly 5,000 souls, Mymeara never became beyond a tree choked world where the living dwindled and the dead walked. However, it was abandoned, save for AI's that were left to guard its horrifying secrets that led to the Mymeara's destruction and abandonment. To this day, pieces of wreckage and dormant starships lie scattered around Mymeara, never to reawaken. The orbital facility above fared no better. It was abandoned by the scientists for unknown reasons, leaving their AI's to protect whatever dark secrets they have kept.

Within the Mymeara Station

The station was dark and cold, but it had a ghostly sentience of its own. Ever since the scientists abandoned the facility, the AI that kept control over the station's functions was one of their kind whose mind was turned into an AI after he perished in an experiment gone wrong. The AI's name, or, to be more exact, the name of the one who it used to be, was Kehlmon. He kept watch in the station for many solar centuries, and he sees only lonely rocks float in utter silence. Such was his isolation that the reflections of his inner torment haunt the facility's halls, and those that ever come here never return. Or perhaps that is merely what has happened so far. But such is the fickleness of fate.

Meanwhile, within the station's hallways, ghostly figures shambled about, casting gloomy shadows from what little lighting was kept active. Near them, robotic servitors; or at least that is what they look like, accompany them. But even these servitors are haunted. These robots are covered with ripped robes that seemingly flutter in a nonexistent wind, and piercing red and blue lights are cast from their faces. These robots are like the AI that controls the facility; abandoned, haunted, and tormented. They are piloted by the personalities of heroes long gone, and such is the abandonment they have experienced that they now haunt this place like deathly ghosts. As they have been driven to madness, they speak of only one thing...

"It has been a long time."

"Indeed it has been."

"The scientists have never again spoken a dime."

"What could have been the empire's bane?"

"Of all things, such can only be told by time."

They stopped their chorus when one of the sensors in the wall glowed. Hyperspace signatures. Looks like there will be company...

Mymeara Orbit

Meanwhile, in orbit over the death world of Mymeara, an Antiga Class Ultraheavy Battleship lies dormant and forgotten. Its been there for... no one knows. But still, its great frame stood over the dark facility like a bear eternally standing over its prey.

 

[The Governor]

Malveillance, Bridge

Aboard the bridge of the Malveillance, Sous-Lieutenant Jacques Menard sat in a small conference room. The room itself was well-decorated. Immediately after the Ridgeway became the Malveillance, Jacques had been dismayed by how bland and colourless it had appeared at first. But in the weeks since he had joined Humanity Untainted, the Confederate crew members had slowly added character to the drab, utilitarian corridors. In all aspects besides appearance, the Malveillance was better than before.

Its ancient turbolasers had been replaced by shock batteries, as well as several missile launchers. The ship had also received mighty new shields, heavy new armour, and blazing new engines. Most importantly, the Malviellance had been equipped with a top notch stealth system. The Sous-Lieutenant's thoughts were interrupted when the first of the senior officers entered the room.

Ensign Katya Kyrsova, the ship's second in command as well as morale officer. Jacques' thoughts scattered, driven away by her model-esque appearance. Even in the Confederacy, Katya's looks would have stood out. Her hair was a thick, long, curtain of snowy blonde. It hung down over her shoulders like a curtain of winter snow, and it was always attractively arranged. Full hips and an equally full chest were flattered by her black uniform, and her fair skin was flawless. The ghost of a smile hid on her pretty face, and Jacques saw it as a signal. When the meeting began, he would test his latest joke.

Next to arrive was the Chief Engineer, and the Chief Weapons Officer. Next was the helmsman/Navigator, Ensign Jacob Larousse. Last was the officer in charge of boarding operations, Ensign Blaise Bescond. With everyone assembled, Jacques decided to begin the meeting.

"Good evening, everyone. I'm glad all of you could make it, because there is a great task ahead of us. But before we begin, a word of advice for Ensign Kyrsova. Just as the workers in your homeland united, we should as well." He paused before adding, "That is what you've taught me in your time as our morale officer." Jacques was certain everyone present could see the real message of the statement, barely veilled as it was. Even so, it was important to maintain at least a veneer of professionalism.

"Anyway, we have new orders from high command. Our orders are to visit an ancient space station, in the Mymeara system. Command discovered its existence a few days ago, and we're the closest ship that can investigate. Our orders are to enter the system, and conduct observation. If boarding is possible, we are to do so, and upon entry, learn what this station was, who it served, and why it went dark. I expect all of you have something to contribute to the way we handle the mission. What are your suggestions?"

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

Malveillance, Bridge

The Chief Engineer, Vasily Makrovitch, nodded at Menard's talk, before silently laughing at the subliminal message directed towards the Ensign Katya. He seems to like her very much. Too bad Katya either doesn't notice or just does not give a damn. Well, that is something he will talk out with the Sous-Lieutenant. Ways on how to make Katya notice him. But that is something for later. They have a job to finish.

Chief Weapons Officer Ivan Ivanovsky. likewise, had a silent laugh at Menard's underlying message. However, unlike the Chief Engineer, he has no word of advice for the Sous-Lieutenant. Plus, he'd prefer to watch how things go. After all, he is Katya's cousin. He would be really interested to see how will the Sous-Lieutanant court his cousin.

"...What are your suggestions?"

These last words snapped the CE and CWO from their thoughts. They did not listen too... intently, though they listened to know whats up.

CE Vasily was the first to raise a hand. "I suggest that we keep the hyperspace engine ready while we board the station. In case something happens, we can get out quickly. After all, we do not know if the place has guardians in place. Worse, we might have a battleship or two lying in wait. We may never know."

CWO Ivan was next. "I say that any boarders bring weapons that would be effective against robots, as to my knowledge, abandoned stations like this would mostly to have guardians that are robotic, if there are any. However, exceptions exist, so we shouldn't ignore that."

Finally, it was Ensign Katya. "I won't really say too much, but I will just say that.. You guys have done a great job so far. Heh.. I hope this operation won't be any different to our past successes."

 

[The Governor]

As the officers fielded suggestions, boarding chief Bescond put a small glass on the table, and began to pour from a bottle of red liquid. It was like he hadn't even heard Menard's compliment. The boarding team commander had heard, but he didn't particularly care. Drawn-out, shipboard romances bored him. He understood that every time he suited up, he could die. As such, Blaise acted upon his desires quickly and decisively. And in most cases, the female crew members were excited to oblige them. Jacques was his friend of course, and Blaise hoped that he would win Ensign Katya eventually. But he couldn't spend all of his time focusing on their courtship. Helmsman Larousse noticed the bottle and said, "Is that wise, Blaise? Red wine on duty?"

"Kindly mind your own business, Monsieur Navigator," the commando officer said flippantly. "I'm not the helmsman. That's your job. Maybe you cant fly the ship drunk, but I fight better after a drink or two." He then added, "Speaking of fighting, I volunteer to join the boarding party. I'd lead the troops obviously, but we'd escort any specialists you want to send aboard, Sous-Lieutenant. We'd carry our standard gear, along with any mission-specific recommendations. I'd want boarders from our ranks as well as from our new friends. It would let the two groups improve teamwork, and make Weapons Officer Ivanovsky's suggestions easier to implement." When he finished speaking, he took a deep sip from his glass before setting it back on the table.

Now Jacob spoke up. "Sous-Lieutenant. We've had good suggestions so far, and it will certainly be interesting to see what's waiting in the station. But what would you have us do in the event of a catastrophe? It may not be possible to recover the boarding team before leaving the system. I'd recommend that you not send our Chief Engineer or Weapons Officer. Ensign Bescond knows the risks of his field, but our other officers could be more difficult to replace."

"We're not leaving anyone," Jacques said decisively. "Even if some of us are killed, the crew of the Malveillance will stay together. Even if we return with bodies, all of us or none of us will return. That being said, keep the engines warm and the ship ready to go. If we have to make a quick exit, we will."

Jacques thought for a bit and then asked, "Does this seem a sound strategy to all of you? I'll make the final decision of course. But first, I'll seek a consensus that boarding the station is a good plan. If everyone is in agreement, we'll set course."

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

Ensign Katya, Weapons Officer Ivanovsky, and Chief Engineer Makrovitch all nodded in unison, signalling that they are all in agreement. Ivanovsky winced at Blaise, expressing silent concern over the Boarding Chief taking a glass of red wine when they are about to board a station that could be filled with... Things. However, either case, the CWO can do little about Blaise taking a drink. After all, if he gets into any trouble because of that... That would be his responsibility. Not Ivanovsky's.

CE Makrovitch could not agree more with Jacob. After all, engineers are not picked up from the grass, and Makrovitch, or better yet, everyone, knows that for a fact. However, if it is required for him to come, then he will. There is nothing to do, after all, if fate has decided that it is time for you to die. Fate is a jerk.

Ensign Katya...well... There isn't much she really wanted to say, but neither was she thinking too much. She had belief in the ability of the crew of the Malveillance, judging from the past sucesses they've had so far. This mission shouldn't be any different.

Mymeara

The station's halls remained as quiet as ever, except for one. One where an unfortunate creature, or, rather, a whole group of them, have been captured, and imprisoned by the haunted ghosts of the stations... Or so they thought they are. The crew of a single Star Seeker and two Void Stalkers, which form a detachment from the 152th Explorator Fleet, have been unlucky to have boarded the station before encountering the crazed machines, and by the fickleness of fate, have answered their riddle incorrectly. They have been captured, and imprisoned. While they fought valiantly, still they failed. It is just a matter of time before the psychomaniac AI of the station decided what kind of death they should have, and when.

 

[The Governor]

With a clang and a thud, the shuttle slowly entered the hangar bay. Its landing gear on the metal floor was the first sound in centuries, and then all was quiet once more. Then a hiss echoed through the cavernous chamber, and a boarding ramp slid to the floor. Several figures exited, all wearing advanced suits of combat armour. The Confederates wore plates of white, with gold accents. One of them had a single, sideways, golden fleur across his collarbone, the emblem of a Confederate Navy ensign. Blaise was commanding the mission, and he smiled with confidence beneath his visored helmet. His brown hair was styled neatly beneath it, and the helmet obscured his deep blue eyes.

"Blaise to Malveillance," the commando officer began. "We've made successful entry. Everything is quiet in the hangar."

"Malveillance receiving," Jacques said over a comm. "You're coming in loud and clear Blaise. See what's in there, but be careful. Keep us posted on what you find."

"Understood. I'll comm again when we have something."

Shortly after he disconnected, a feminine voice asked, "Can we get started, sir?" The woman was a science officer, an assistant to Ensign Ivanovsky. She was Midshipman Carmen Vallaire, and her role was to study everything the group found aboard the station. While the commandos braved the station's dangers, she would unlock its mysteries.

"Of course," Blaise replied. "I think we're all ready to begin." With that, the various boarders began to move forward through the corridors.

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

For the first few minutes, the commandos would see or hear nothing alarming, save for an occasional scream of some demented ghost echoing through the hallways, or the creaks that rang with every step. However, in the corridor on which they stood on, they could see a beam of light illuminating something in the room ahead. Something... That is alive, yet dead at the same time.

Suddenly, the object moved. It moved ever so slowly towards the commandos, before it revealed its face... Which was no more than a black void with two glowing circles. The figure's ripped cloak was a deathly black, and its mechanical body blacker still. It took one small glance at the commandos before speaking all of a sudden...

"You... Will not kill me, will you not? They... Do not use mercy here. For here... It is killed or be killed. Flee this place, before they -"

The machine never finished its speech, as a trapdoor opened underneath it, and the boarders would hear the sickening clash of blades and saws as the fallen robot was torn to pieces. One of the commandos would peer into the trapdoor, and see what remained of the mystery robot. A mess of metal and circuits. Strangely, it seemed to be disgusting. At that, the boarders looked at each other and commented on how strange all that was. They talked while moving forward, but something stopped the science officer at her tracks.

A glowing sensor. It seemed to show that, whoever the station's denizens are, they know that they will have visitors. Beside it lay a wrangled robot. Like the first one they saw, it had a ripped cloak of deathly black, though its body isn't black, but an array of grey and orange. Vallaire's approach woke it up, and it proceeded to speak in rhymes uncaring whether or not the boarders would listen.

"Listen, humans. The demented ghosts of the past haunt these halls, and riddles will they ask. To answer those correctly, is your task. Now, go humans. For in these halls, lies your destined task. The first riddle is of a creature of the sea of man. This they will first ask."

At this, the machine shut down completely, and none of Vallaire's efforts would ever wake it up, if she will ever do anything. However, they must move forward -, wait, who are these?

Just ahead in the corridor, several floating white wispy figures awaited. Near them, robotic servitors accompanied them. They all asked a riddle in unison -

"Alive without breath, as cold as death, never thirsty ever drinking, in mail ever clinking. What am I?"

 

[The Governor]

"That was odd," Blaise said simply after the android fell to its doom. "It changes nothing though. We have a job to do. I'll lead us forward." As he took the first steps, the commando officer injected a combat stimulant, a potent mixture of chemicals to offset the effects of the wine he had had earlier. He tried to ignore the screams as they passed through the corridors. They were disturbing, to say the least. He had heard screams plenty of times, but they had always been in the midst of combat. Now, they were somewhere besides a battlefield. The commandos were scouting an ancient, imposing station, and despite the screams and sounds, it had the disturbing serenity of a graveyard. And even if it was Carmen's job to learn what secrets it held, Blaise suspected more than just remains awaited them.

The group moved slowly, cautiously, careful to avoid setting off any other traps that may be hiding. As for Carmen, she studied the walls and corridors of the station closely, trying to determine who had built the station, and when it had been built.

After she heard the first riddle, Carmen thought carefully, knowing consequences waited if she made a mistake. She turned to Blaise, and said, "Sea of man. That's what the first one said to us. What we would be asked about. And with the terms of the riddle, I want to say fish. Does that seem like a sensible guess, sir?"

"Feel free to use it," Blaise said. He said in a reassuring tone, "Don't worry. I'm sure you're right. And even if you're not, we came prepared to protect you. At least I did. Let's try it, Midshipman."

"Alright," Carmen said simply. She then turned to the ones who had given the riddle and said, "The answer is a fish." Then she waited, hoping she had been right.

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

Fortunately, they have given the right answer. The wispy ghosts replied, "Correct... Now you may pass... But be wary. This place is where the dead walk and the living dwindle."

With that, they all began to be shrouded in a digital mist of some kind, before it became clear that they were going to teleport from the hallway. One by one, the robotic servitors teleported away, before the wisps simply... Disappeared into thin air. A haunting spectacle perhaps?

It wouldn't be long before they began walking again, but the ground shook and everyone fell to the cold metallic floor. As if that wasn't enough, another scream rang through. Though... This one was odder than the rest. Everyone heard it as if was just a mere inch from their ears, and it felt like their minds were intruded into. What is happening?!

Not very far off was another entourage of ghosts amd robots. But this time, something seemingly huge was behind them. It looked like they are waiting for them.

Sector 67, Mymeara Station

A miracle.

Master Voradin cannot believe what just happened. He and a few of his comrades somehow managed to escape the prying eyes of their robotic captors, who are now hot on their heels. He stopped just for a moment, and ordered his comrades to protect him as he conjures a blast of psychic electricity, which he then hurled towards the insane machines, roasting their electrical circuitry... Before the ground shook and they all fell to the cold floor.

"Brothers... Something is happening...", Master Voradin said unto them. Little did he now that his death is near... One of the robots were still... Functioning, and when Voradin came just a little distance from it, it stabbed him with a searing energy blade, piercing it through his brain. The psyker died with a telepathic scream, sending a shout of doom throughout the entire station, haunting whoever who might have heard it.



The Center of Mymeara Station

In the station's very center was its energy core, a massive fusion reactor crafted from solarite. But after countless centuries, it has begun to fail... Year after year, its once bountiful energies diminished, driving the station's controller snd watcher into even deeper madness. In Kehlmon's latest debacle, he had reactivated the boosters that used to move the station at a more suitable location, and shut it down in a mere second after the engines burst to life, jolting everything within it.

 

[The Governor]

As the boarding team slowly rose from the floor, Blaise began to dust himself off and asked, "Is everyone alright? And did all of you hear that scream as well? It was different from the others."

The commandos, Commonwealth and Confederate alike, simply replied with slow nods. Carmen alone broke the silence by saying, "It certainly was different. Unlike the others. All the others we heard sounded distant, like echoes of death. But the one we just heard, it sounded like it had come from something that had been alive mere moments ago. The others screams were echoes of the dead from long ago. Whatever we heard, it died just now, somewhere on this station."

"We've certainly entered a strange place, but we cant turn back. We dont know what part of the station we've been teleported to, or if our transport is even still in the hangar." Then the trooper stopped, and turned his gaze on the entourage of ghosts and robots. "But enough about that. Ensign Bescond, sir. It appears we have company."

Blaise turned, and saw the denizens of the ancient station. He said into a squad comm channel, "Everyone get ready for a fight, but hold your fire. We dont know what these things are, and we'll only battle them if it's really necessary." He then removed his helmet and faced the creatures with a broad smile. The boarding officer hoped it masked the growing concern he felt, but whatever these things were, Blaise wouldn't let them think he was afraid of them. The commando was sure that if they sensed fear, they would only attack sooner.

As his armour's systems injected another combat stimulant, he eyed what seemed to be the leader of the ghosts, and said, "Greetings."

 

[Death Korps of Krieg]

The silent machines before them simply stood there as Blaise gave them a greeting. The commandoes would feel a slight tickiling sensation as the Zerqan machines scanned them. The faint blue glow of their eyes would switch to red as soon as they finished scanning, their protocols immediately reacting negatively to the commandos on board.

Their leader, a towering robot whose “eyes” glowed a malevolent purple, conjured a blade made of pure energy. It would then speak in Galactic Standard in a mad, robotic voice as it readied in a combat stance.

“The Altarani Imperium demands your blood, interlopers! Kehlmon orders us so!”, the machine roared in a voice that would seem like a robotic equivalent of that of the familiar race known as the Altarani. “Prepare to suffer before you die, humans. For I, Draech Gnosi, will take you and skin your hides whilst you still breath and think.”, it threatened once more as its entourage readied their own weapons. “When you still lived on mud huts, we ruled the stars. No matter how far you go, you are still no more than insects in an endless forest. You will die here, alone in the cold, and no one will remember you.”

The ghosts simply flickered away as the machines readied for combat. It was almost as if the ghosts were just holographic projections. “The Conclave will be pleased.”, it whispered one last time before they attacked. With guns and blades drawn, the humanoid Zerqani robots struck, unaware of what they are doing for they have been corrupted as well. The HU commandoes counterattacked, the Tesla Troopers killing the first five attacking Zerqani machines by frying their circuitry. However, one of them was disabled as one of the machines stabbed its Splinter Blade into his armor, its thorned shaft sticking into the man’s flesh before triggering every pain receptor in his body. As he fell, the assailant was destroyed by a Tesla Trooper. “Don’t let them get near you!”, one of the HU commandoes said as he tried to help up his comrade. “It seems that their weapons are designed to trigger every pain receptor you have, making everything a total agony!”