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Chapter Two: Here's to the Flights
Posted By: Smackblasta<Natemeep@aol.com>
Date: 20 January 2006, 7:23 am
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"You state that these accomodations found were military barracks. What kind of proof do you have of this?" The Director's voice would have been contemptuous if it hadn't been so emotionless.
Arne' hesitated, then took a deep breath and answered in the same tone. "Several factors point to that conclusion, Director. As I stated in the report, the planet in question, currently labeled as Seven dash Four due to it being the fourth planet in the seventh star system visited by our exploration team, was of temperate climate with an atmosphere primarily consisting of Nitrogen and Oxygen. Terracompatible. Unggoy are unable to survive without breathing equipment on such a planet due to the lack of atmospheric methane. Secondly, the rebreather packs in the barracks were partially armored, something not necessary during normal activity. Thirdly, we found this." Arne' set a case on the table and cracked the seal, pulling out an object and placing it on the table for inspection.
The entire board leaned forward, eyes riveted on the device. Even after thousands of years of disuse, the casing still cleanly reflected the light with a green tint. "Obvious trigger mechanism, and a handgrip designed to be held by multiple different hand configurations. This is a weapon. What kind, I don't know, I'm no physicist. But one thing I do know is that weapons would not be needed by civilians."
"How'd it go? What happened?"
Arne' had to chuckle a little. Arla' had been practically bouncing off the walls in the waiting room, acting like a child a quarter of her years. He put a steadying hand on her shoulder, and seperated his upper and lower mandibles in a grin. "The entire committee almost leapt out of their chairs when I showed them the gun, and I think the Director is still trying to decide whether to have me commended on my find or have me arrested for bringing the thing into the meeting like that." He paused and glanced around, before leaning down to her and lowering his voice, "They believe us now. It's not official, but they're definately considering our request."
"You mean..?"
"Yes, Arla'. Three more transport ships, twice that in scouts, as many trained workers as they can carry, the equipment to outfit them, and a complete overhaul for the Looking Glass. We won't be some half-amateur crew with delusions of grandeur anymore. Backing, funding, and labor, and the more we find, the more we can ask for."
The entire auditorium was packed full of Unggoy and Sangheili, with even a few Lek'Golo taking up floorspace. The two Unggoy working on the holoprojector flashed Arne' a ready signal. Arne' checked his headset to make sure his microphone was in place, and stepped out onto the floor. After a few moments the auditorium quieted, and he nodded to the Unggoy at the computer. A holograph of the Storm of Gems came into focus behind him, intentionally blurred except for a small portion of explored space. The in-focus area started flashing blue, and he started speaking.
"In the four thousand years since the Cataclysm, the Consolidation of Races has yet leave our colonized area of space. Reasons for this are many and varied, as you know, but the main worry among our leaders has been that exploration into the Dead Zones would bring on a second Cataclysm. Three years ago, approval was finally granted for a small expedition to push into the Inward Spin of our arm of the galaxy, and see what we could find. Our ship, the Looking Glass, was outfitted with a survey crew, and in that time has explored seven terracompatible planets. On the last one, we found what we were looking for. We now have undeniable proof that the Dead Zones were not only inhabited before the Cataclysm, but in fact were inhabited by one of our own races, the Unggoy." At this, murmers started throughout the room, and Arne' held up a hand to quiet them down.
"With this discovery, the Exploration Committee on Sangheilus Secundus has granted approval for additional funding and equipment, and for the handpicked selection of the workers and scientists to use that equipment, which brings us to the reason that I called you all here today. We of the Expedition are of the belief that with effort, we will find more about the history of our galaxy. We have been granted the use of three more top of the line science vessels by the Committee, which will be used to spearhead our exploration."
"Each capital vessel is to be staffed by a crew of thirty, along with thirty additional support crew and fifty Engineers. On each ship will be twenty five researchers, seventy groundside workers, and, thanks to the generosity of the Lek'Golo ambassador, two bond-pairs for heavy labor. Attached to the capital vessels will be two scout ships each, staffed by a crew of ten, with ten additional support and ten Engineers. This will allow each of the four research ships to be used as a seperate base of operations for our journey into the Dead Zones."
"I do have to point out that we do not know what is out there. Whatever caused the Cataclysm could still be there, not to mention the other dangers of slipspace travel. Because of this, I am not going to make you all go just because the Committee said I could. I am offering you all the chance to be a part of this, the chance to reclaim our history." He paused a moment, gauging the reactions of his audience. "I'm not making you come. I'm only asking for volunteers."
Arne' turned to look at the hologram of the Storm of Gems, and turned back to the audience.
"Who here is willing to come with me?"
Not a single being there stayed behind.
"Think you talked long enough out there?"
Arne' snorted and turned away from the window, walking back to the conference table. Seated at the table were the four captains of his ships, along with Arla' and the two Unggoy in charge of the groundside operations. Seating himself at the table, he spent a moment adjusting the cushioned stool before answering. "I'm surprised they reacted so well myself."
Kihkil, one of the Unggoy, nodded and tapped a button on his datapad. A smaller scale hologram of the Storm of Gem appeared in the center of the table, and he nodded again, satisfied. "Now that we're all seated, we can begin, yes?" The old scientist's voice was higher-pitched than normal, the only outward sign of his excitement.
Arla' tapped her datapad, and the hologram zoomed in on their explored portion of space. "Yes, we can begin. The Looking Glass will continue to travel Inward Spin along our arm, as before," as she spoke, red arrows designated the path that the ship would take, "under the care of her Captain, Dukat' Ratharel." The older Sangheili lowered his head in acknowledgement. She continued, "I will be accompanying that flightgroup, as the Supervisor of Archeology Operations for the Looking Glass flight group."
She tapped another button, and a second path was cut through the stars of the hologram. ""The Tekkil's Edge, named after the scientific theory, will travel Inward Spin as well, working toward the galactic south and the arm next to us. Kihkil, who coincidentally is descended from Tekkil, will travel with that flight group, under the command of Captain Cras' Wantesee." The Sangheili sat up a little straighter on his stool, quite pleased that the rather famous Kihkil was coming with him. Kihkil had achieved his Mastery in both Philosophy and Anthropology before achieving his second decade, and was well known throughout the Consolidation as a genius of the highest level.
"The tides of Knowledge, under the command of Enla' Selethas, will accompany Bane' Danazee's Rediscovery as they jump to the arm galactic north of us," Arla' nodded to her sister, "with Jepli as the groundside Supervisor for the Tides of Knowledge, and Arne' Thasunee as Supervisor for the Rediscovery. I can only hope that Jepli's common sense will keep Arne' from getting himself into too much trouble." The laughter around the table showed how well aimed her jibe was, and she grinned.
Arne' stood, still chuckling, and waved off the hologram. "I suppose that's everything. Anyone have any last minute concerns? No? Wonderful. I hope then that the next time we all meet, we have all found what we hoped to find."
Arne' stood out on the balcony, gazing up at the night sky. A small constellation was on the move, as supply ships and transit shuttles met up with the twelve ships of the Expedition flights. He turned around, hearing the door open, to see Arla' standing in the doorway. "There it is right before my eyes," he pointed up at the sky, "and I can still hardly believe it's happening."
She walked up beside him and rested her head against his shoulder. "Our lives' dreams come true, Arne'." A few moments passed without either of them speaking.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay with your sister being in my flightgroup?"
The concern in his voice made her smile. "Yes, I'll be fine. She's captaining the Tides of Knowledge. I doubt she'll even be able to find the time to talk to you, let alone try to make something of it. Besides, I know that she doesn't interest you."
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close while they both watched the preparations above. Finally, he broke the silence. "Angels would fear to fly where we're going."
"Here's to the flights."
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