Setting
This is the main place on the planet for ships to dock. This is a neutral zone, and no major fighting is allowed here. However, given the nature of the Vertigans, people might have different definitions of "Major fighting".
This is probably one of the safest places in all of Vertiga, as it is the most protected and is considered a neutral zone. Vertigan Clans have been known to fight, so various areas were set up where major fighting was forbidden.
There is a guard force here made up of all the major Clans, and it keeps the peace against those who would threaten it. It is also one of the few places ships are allowed to land. Additionally, it has various Anti-Orbital and other types of defenses, especially from the local wildlife.
Because of the influx of traffic from other nearby worlds, a city developed in the area called "Stardock City", and a few other cities were also developed. They are supposed to be neutral zones as well, but can be even less enforced then this one.
This is probably one of the safest places in all of Vertiga, as it is the most protected and is considered a neutral zone. Vertigan Clans have been known to fight, so various areas were set up where major fighting was forbidden.
There is a guard force here made up of all the major Clans, and it keeps the peace against those who would threaten it. It is also one of the few places ships are allowed to land. Additionally, it has various Anti-Orbital and other types of defenses, especially from the local wildlife.
Because of the influx of traffic from other nearby worlds, a city developed in the area called "Stardock City", and a few other cities were also developed. They are supposed to be neutral zones as well, but can be even less enforced then this one.
Vertigan Primary Stardock
This is the main place on the planet for ships to dock. As such, it developed into a large city where normal people can also live, set up business, and so forth by developing into Stardock City.
Minimap
northwest |
north |
northeast |
west |
You are here. |
east |
southwest |
south |
southeast |
Vertigan Primary Stardock is a part of 
Vertiga.
2 Characters Here
Sura Kintareg [9]
Shalna "Quietbird" Dakova [8] Daughter of the Dakova Clan Leader, Emmisary of Clan Dakova, and one of the three Lord Hunters.
Start Character Here »
Sura watched as the three Orison frigates departed from the main group, heading off into the unknown to respond to a distress message of some sorts. While not particularly interesting, she still desired to know the source. It was for that reason she had become a financed explorer for the Extranus, the C'ran Republic's primary foreign policy and commerce branch. People such as her were indispensable to the government. Able to raise funds on their own, their unofficial nature, generally friendly nature, and intimate knowledge and skill with foreign environments made them the best explorers in C'ran. Hefty sums, doled out by contractors, ensured that explorers would never be in want of money. That wasn't the reason she traveled though. Most others felt like her in this respect, admiring the adventure more than the pay.
Clearance for her venture onto the planet ahead came through as she sat pensively, interrupting her thoughts. Containing no orders due to her freelance nature, it instead recommended certain actions be taken, mostly advising against inflammatory gestures and the like. She already knew that; no sense in killing oneself before all avenues of contact could be discovered. Standing from her lev-chair, she bellowed, "Alright ladies, get your acts together, weapons ready, and faces pretty! We're about to initiate first contact!"
Rushing into positions, the all-female crew operated with the efficiency that came of familiarity. They were her family. Family did not take a traditional meaning in C'ran, nor did the word exist as it did in the languages of Earth. Family meant, roughly, "those who are bonded together in blood, in hope, and in travesty, a bond from which one must not depart capriciously." Whenever a member of a family died, all grieved and then all carried on. Sura glanced over at her ships' Wall of Memory, a list of those family members that had died. There were no names yet but every new discovery could add one.
Linking with the rest of the crew, the anti-space drive of her corvette activated, propelling the ship at FTL speeds in a relative sense, dropping her near the planet. Staring out the view port, the crew gazed upon the verdant planet. Swathes of jungle covered most of the planet, broken only be rare clearings and large bodies of water. Maneuvering closer, the ship systems picked up on the signals of a space port of sorts. Locking on the source, Sura opened a channel. Clearing her throat, she spoke, "Do not fire upon us, we are simply explorers. May we inquire as to the planet at which we have arrived?"
Clearance for her venture onto the planet ahead came through as she sat pensively, interrupting her thoughts. Containing no orders due to her freelance nature, it instead recommended certain actions be taken, mostly advising against inflammatory gestures and the like. She already knew that; no sense in killing oneself before all avenues of contact could be discovered. Standing from her lev-chair, she bellowed, "Alright ladies, get your acts together, weapons ready, and faces pretty! We're about to initiate first contact!"
Rushing into positions, the all-female crew operated with the efficiency that came of familiarity. They were her family. Family did not take a traditional meaning in C'ran, nor did the word exist as it did in the languages of Earth. Family meant, roughly, "those who are bonded together in blood, in hope, and in travesty, a bond from which one must not depart capriciously." Whenever a member of a family died, all grieved and then all carried on. Sura glanced over at her ships' Wall of Memory, a list of those family members that had died. There were no names yet but every new discovery could add one.
Linking with the rest of the crew, the anti-space drive of her corvette activated, propelling the ship at FTL speeds in a relative sense, dropping her near the planet. Staring out the view port, the crew gazed upon the verdant planet. Swathes of jungle covered most of the planet, broken only be rare clearings and large bodies of water. Maneuvering closer, the ship systems picked up on the signals of a space port of sorts. Locking on the source, Sura opened a channel. Clearing her throat, she spoke, "Do not fire upon us, we are simply explorers. May we inquire as to the planet at which we have arrived?"
THe cannons did not fire, though they kept weapons lock. "This is the planet of Vertiga, owned and maintained by the Clans of Vertiga. Any attempt to land in an undesignated landing zone will be seen as a hostile, illegal, and stupid action, and mercy via quick destruction will be authorized".
THe comm specialist ended it with "Have a nice day. If you wish to land, first time visitors are recommended to land at the designated neutral zone at the Primary Stardock".
AN automated message was then sent to Shalna Dakova, one of the current Commissaries elected to be allowed to speak for the Vertigan people as a whole. Should they choose to land, she would greet them.
THe comm specialist ended it with "Have a nice day. If you wish to land, first time visitors are recommended to land at the designated neutral zone at the Primary Stardock".
AN automated message was then sent to Shalna Dakova, one of the current Commissaries elected to be allowed to speak for the Vertigan people as a whole. Should they choose to land, she would greet them.
Advancing slowly towards the Vertigan stardock, Sura considered the options. Not very many at the moment. Either landing at the designated zones, landing on the planet- which from the description didn't sound particularly promising- or returning to the Fleet without any information about the planet. Frowning briefly, she hooked up to the ship and began boosting it slightly faster towards the port. Thinking, she announced, "Continuing approach vector, will be landing at spacedock."
The crew prepared themselves for landing, conducting the rituals which had grown to accompany every descent to untouched planets. Gathering in the mess hall, each placed a personal possession of theirs on the floor in front of their foot before kneeling in front of the item. Bowing their heads, each placed a pair of finger to their lips simultaneously before pressing the fingers to the floor.
Upon doing so, they formed a non-traditional organo-psychic link. Establishing a normal connection, each crew member immersed themselves into the system. Whereas the link was usually utilized as a device of management and communication, this link became one of bonding for the personnel of The Shadow's Light. Minds melded together and all became one for an instant, a moment of absolute truth in which all reestablished their loyalty to each other, sisters in all senses except for blood.
Rising from her position at the head of the congregation, Sura smiled as all stood and mingled momentarily before returning to their posts. Three, not including Sura, donned their EVA suits for landing. Having already conducted passive scans of the composition of the atmosphere, it was deemed safe to breath without any form of protection. Always one for caution, however, Sura insisted on the suits. Similar to the ones utilized by the military forces of C'ran, the exploratory suits traded many of the combat features for increased environmental hazard survivability and upgraded sensor suites, among several other lesser changes.
Thrumming as the ship decelerated before touching the ground of the stardock, Sura sealed off the airlock before confirming the opening of the outer door. Stepping through, she shaded her eyes and took in all there was to see.
The crew prepared themselves for landing, conducting the rituals which had grown to accompany every descent to untouched planets. Gathering in the mess hall, each placed a personal possession of theirs on the floor in front of their foot before kneeling in front of the item. Bowing their heads, each placed a pair of finger to their lips simultaneously before pressing the fingers to the floor.
Upon doing so, they formed a non-traditional organo-psychic link. Establishing a normal connection, each crew member immersed themselves into the system. Whereas the link was usually utilized as a device of management and communication, this link became one of bonding for the personnel of The Shadow's Light. Minds melded together and all became one for an instant, a moment of absolute truth in which all reestablished their loyalty to each other, sisters in all senses except for blood.
Rising from her position at the head of the congregation, Sura smiled as all stood and mingled momentarily before returning to their posts. Three, not including Sura, donned their EVA suits for landing. Having already conducted passive scans of the composition of the atmosphere, it was deemed safe to breath without any form of protection. Always one for caution, however, Sura insisted on the suits. Similar to the ones utilized by the military forces of C'ran, the exploratory suits traded many of the combat features for increased environmental hazard survivability and upgraded sensor suites, among several other lesser changes.
Thrumming as the ship decelerated before touching the ground of the stardock, Sura sealed off the airlock before confirming the opening of the outer door. Stepping through, she shaded her eyes and took in all there was to see.
As Shalna awaited their landing, she also kept her guard. Not just about them, but in case any fauna or flora penetrated the safezone and attacked. It was almost like they could smell newcomers. Well, to be fair, they probably could.
As the ship landed, the airlock eventually opened and someone came out. Then, almost on cue, a Crevlin, a bird like creature, swooped down from above to attack. Shalna quickly put several arrows into it, and it dropped to the ground, dead.
"WElcome to Vertiga. My name is Shalna "Quietbird" Dakova, huntress and representative of the Vertigan Clans COmmisary Service, the organization that represents all clans equally to outsiders" she told them. "What is your name?"
As the ship landed, the airlock eventually opened and someone came out. Then, almost on cue, a Crevlin, a bird like creature, swooped down from above to attack. Shalna quickly put several arrows into it, and it dropped to the ground, dead.
"WElcome to Vertiga. My name is Shalna "Quietbird" Dakova, huntress and representative of the Vertigan Clans COmmisary Service, the organization that represents all clans equally to outsiders" she told them. "What is your name?"
Light greeted Sura's eyes, blinding her momentarily. Spotting a woman armed with a bow standing at the base of the landing area, Sura began to step forward when a screech sounded above her. Her two companions jumped backwards while she rolled forward. A moist thump came from behind her, signifying the fall of something. Turning, the body of an avian creature greeted her, stuck through with several arrows. Standing slowly, Sura opened the psy-link with the armorer of her ship.
"Greetings unto you, Captain Sura? How may I assist?" came from the other end, the voice belonging to a Kethan by the name of Alma Kisorijc.
"A blessing unto you, my friend. Were we assigned any special issue electrostasis weapons on this journey?" Sura responded.
"I'm afraid not. The extent of our armory consists of several sonic rifles, one Marker-type particle rifle, and two plasma carbines. There are, of course, the full load of L-class melee modules yet I feel that they will not serve too greatly. "
"An extensive enough selection for our operation. Bring us three L-class fists, the Marker rifle, and two sonic rifles, if it pleases you."
"Immediately, Sura." With that final response, Sura terminated the connection. In speech, the conversation would have taken time to accomplish, yet the psychic nature ensured almost instantaneous understanding. To any onlookers, it would have appeared that Sura had stood in place for no more than two seconds. Finishing that affair she returned to face the woman at the bottom of the landing area. Striding down the ramp, a useful addition for when lev deployment was ineffective, she came to stand in front of Shalna. On the route down, the helmets retracted from the heads of the three C'ran, disappearing into the rest of the suit.
"It is my honor to meet you, Shalna Dakova. My name is Sura Kintareg, licensed explorer for the Meritocracy of C'ran. My two companions are Hetari Guren and Naralya Feyoni. One of my crew members will be coming to us shortly with armaments, both for protection and exploration. Dual-utility is always preferable over single use."
As Sura was speaking, Alma descended from the airlock, dressed in the organo-synthetic suit which many Sakari and Kethan wore commonly. Hers were a sky blue, contrasting with the pigmentation of her skin, almost black. Behind her floated the armaments, resting on a silver platform formed of psychic energy. Bowing as she neared the small grouping, Alma transferred control of the system to Hetari before returning to the ship. Picking up the Marker rifle, Sura turned and presented the weapon to Shalna. "If you would like to inspect these, then you may do so."
"Greetings unto you, Captain Sura? How may I assist?" came from the other end, the voice belonging to a Kethan by the name of Alma Kisorijc.
"A blessing unto you, my friend. Were we assigned any special issue electrostasis weapons on this journey?" Sura responded.
"I'm afraid not. The extent of our armory consists of several sonic rifles, one Marker-type particle rifle, and two plasma carbines. There are, of course, the full load of L-class melee modules yet I feel that they will not serve too greatly. "
"An extensive enough selection for our operation. Bring us three L-class fists, the Marker rifle, and two sonic rifles, if it pleases you."
"Immediately, Sura." With that final response, Sura terminated the connection. In speech, the conversation would have taken time to accomplish, yet the psychic nature ensured almost instantaneous understanding. To any onlookers, it would have appeared that Sura had stood in place for no more than two seconds. Finishing that affair she returned to face the woman at the bottom of the landing area. Striding down the ramp, a useful addition for when lev deployment was ineffective, she came to stand in front of Shalna. On the route down, the helmets retracted from the heads of the three C'ran, disappearing into the rest of the suit.
"It is my honor to meet you, Shalna Dakova. My name is Sura Kintareg, licensed explorer for the Meritocracy of C'ran. My two companions are Hetari Guren and Naralya Feyoni. One of my crew members will be coming to us shortly with armaments, both for protection and exploration. Dual-utility is always preferable over single use."
As Sura was speaking, Alma descended from the airlock, dressed in the organo-synthetic suit which many Sakari and Kethan wore commonly. Hers were a sky blue, contrasting with the pigmentation of her skin, almost black. Behind her floated the armaments, resting on a silver platform formed of psychic energy. Bowing as she neared the small grouping, Alma transferred control of the system to Hetari before returning to the ship. Picking up the Marker rifle, Sura turned and presented the weapon to Shalna. "If you would like to inspect these, then you may do so."
Shalna smiled, though on the inside she was still observant and cautious. "I do hope you have your own skills as well, and not just your toys" she mentioned as she had the scanners search for any signs of WMDs, Explosive Ordinance, or any Bioweapons. Though, given the diverse wildlife of the other species on the planet, and the spread of the clans, a Bioweapon would be relatively useless.
If everything checked out they would proceed. "Just, be alert. You may wish you brought bigger guns. That said, these arrows are hot enough to burn through advanced tank armor, so don't try anything either" she told them with a smile. Which on her face, was semi intimidating.
If everything checked out they would proceed. "Just, be alert. You may wish you brought bigger guns. That said, these arrows are hot enough to burn through advanced tank armor, so don't try anything either" she told them with a smile. Which on her face, was semi intimidating.
"Toys? Don't insult my little babies like that. Don't fear, however, we bring our own skills. Considering our quaint reception, you shall see some of them fairly quickly," Sura responded, eying the Vertigan. Without any knowledge as to the Sura and her crew Shalna was already insinuating insults against them. The efficacy of such first-contact could be debated quite extensively but it was not her place to do anything until more could be learned as to the attributes of the planet and its people. In light of the attack by the avian creature, almost certainly a race in constant conflict with the environment around it.
As the three C'ran hoisted their weapons onto molecular bonding strips on their backs, the scanners examining the ship would find no sort of devices of the nature that were being searched for disregarding the power units, though such an item was essential to the operation of the ship. Touching the Marker Rifle on her back gently as Shalna spoke again, Sura sighed lightly. Disregarding the physical aspects of the venture, exploring this world would certainly try her patience. "Do not worry as to the size of our guns. Larger weapons would simply decrease the efficiency with which we can travel. And I do not take threats particularly well, Ms. Dakova, to me or those with me. Shall we continue?"
As the three C'ran hoisted their weapons onto molecular bonding strips on their backs, the scanners examining the ship would find no sort of devices of the nature that were being searched for disregarding the power units, though such an item was essential to the operation of the ship. Touching the Marker Rifle on her back gently as Shalna spoke again, Sura sighed lightly. Disregarding the physical aspects of the venture, exploring this world would certainly try her patience. "Do not worry as to the size of our guns. Larger weapons would simply decrease the efficiency with which we can travel. And I do not take threats particularly well, Ms. Dakova, to me or those with me. Shall we continue?"
"Its not me or my people that mean to make threats, mostly. Its simply a warning, as many of the creatures here can be very vicious" she told her. "I mean no threats to those who abide by our laws and customs, but many think they may just land wherever they want. We simply warn them that such a choice is not just illegal, but very counter-active towards the goal of staying alive".
"Also, Dakova is a clan name. Calling people that will result in a lot of Ms. Dakova's" Shalna told her. "I figured you may wish to know this to avoid confusion. That said, please understand we are not liable for any injury you experience at the hands of the local fauna, flora, or malfunction of your own equipment possibly affected by the environment".
As they walked, she did add one thing. "We mean no insult, but we have seen explorers before act reckless, and die. On the first night. You won't find any threat from us unless you make trouble".
"Also, Dakova is a clan name. Calling people that will result in a lot of Ms. Dakova's" Shalna told her. "I figured you may wish to know this to avoid confusion. That said, please understand we are not liable for any injury you experience at the hands of the local fauna, flora, or malfunction of your own equipment possibly affected by the environment".
As they walked, she did add one thing. "We mean no insult, but we have seen explorers before act reckless, and die. On the first night. You won't find any threat from us unless you make trouble".
The reasoning behind Shalna's logic carried strangely. A warning that appeared to be a threat to those that did not know of the culture. Or perhaps Shalna had simply misunderstood Sura's words. Either interpretation presented problems but such was the life of a first-contact explorer. If one could not overcome such challenges successfully then there was no purpose in participating in expeditions to the unknown.
After Shalna had finished speaking, Sura inclined her head. "My apologies if I misinterpreted your meaning or insulted you in any way. I shall take your advice. I have no intent of dying." While speaking, she sent a command to the ship, engines beginning to burn shortly afterwards. "My ship shall take station in orbit if that is allowable. Shall she be allowed to take off?"
After Shalna had finished speaking, Sura inclined her head. "My apologies if I misinterpreted your meaning or insulted you in any way. I shall take your advice. I have no intent of dying." While speaking, she sent a command to the ship, engines beginning to burn shortly afterwards. "My ship shall take station in orbit if that is allowable. Shall she be allowed to take off?"
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