Research vessel: Thunderous Paws
Nubian Expanse
Tefnut orbit
2671 CE
2161 Gregorian calendar
In the outer reaches of the attican traverse, in the Nubian expansee, it can be considered difficult to manage the sense of loneliness that often comes when tasked with traveling to the outer reaches of the known galaxy. It cannot be said however, that vatra never knew the feeling of loneliness. She was but a member of the solo research crew back on the shallow waters of palaven. Where research does not often take precedence, often times leaving her alone to research things of her, rather, nonrequired interest.
See, the things vatra studies can be considered non-essential, or unworthy of a noble turians time. The exulted studies, if she may add, of Bio-organic mutations in the divisions of microorganism dynamics, is something no warrior pledged, warmongering turian would ever agree to study indefinitely. Their pride would never allow them to stay in such an expressionless job.
But that is okay, every able body turian has the right to their own valued opinions. Like she, and her paltry crew are allowed to enjoy the study of microorganisms, and their multitude of varying mutations.
Standing within view of the ship's viewport, the star of kalabsha fully in sight of the ship's scanners. And down below, just south of the ship's orbit, was tefnut. The planetary body she was slated to come and visit. Supposedly, within a few undocumented rivers, just south of the mountainous regions of the research facility Rakira. There are some new previously undiscovered organisms that were previously reported to be invasive.
The research teams below reported unusual infectious bacteria, evolving in ways that were never before seen. Their purplish silicone-like biofilms moving through the waters of the yanduku rivers. Evolving new more efficient ways of travelling through the fluidity of the waters when given enough time. When witnessed absorbing, or more like eating, other more, populous algae and bacteria within the river's depths, the Alge-bacteria seemed to grow more effective, and more deadly when engaged with other more, developed organisms.
This discovery is not even to be believed. The amount of medical and scientifical revolutions that these 'rapid evolving biofilms can create, if properly studied. Are mind blowing.
The chances of getting her name etched in the annals of scientific history, along with her lovely nerd-like crew, drew a small, tangible smile out from the hideous depths of her outer mandible's apathy.
Turning around from her standing position facing the view ports of the planet below, she stalked her way towards her terminal on the far left of the bridge, where the various tea packets were stored, and fixed herself a cup. Stewing in its honey-like flavor, she sighed. The teas contents thoroughly enjoyed.
"Phalena, fetch me my omni tool would you." she called out to her favorite asari aid. Within moments of her name being called, Phalena was within view, her flawlessly cleaned blue-purplish skin, practically glowed under the blue toned bio lights lighting up the bridge's center. The flowy, beige like Kimona she wore, elegantly fluttered in the after winds of her fast-paced stride to vatra's side. Omni tool in hand. Causing unmentionable things to her lower regions
Without further ado, vatra carefully plucked to device from Phalena's delicate hands, and swiftly typed something within its systems. Scrolled though her alerts, checked her confidential emails. Reviewed her reviewers many objections to her recently published scientifical paper on the various adverse effects of human genome altering... wait, what is this, she thought intrigued. Within the internals of her omni tool display was a message from her colleague on the ground, haldrian. Saying it's urgent.
Huffing internally, she could not believe the audacity of haldrian. He should know protocols are to be followed, strict scientific precautions are to be taken, especially for a new crew that is only, barely a few hours within the suspected 'infected zone. Tsk tsk tsk.
Calling to warn the rest of her crew of imminent atmospheric entry, she called phalena to her side once again and braced for a rough entry. Tefnuts orbit is known to take many a life for unprepared travelers Afterall..
...
Southern regions of rakira station.
Temporary research camp near the Yaduku rivers.
Observation post 7
Indar was one of the many unsettled turains on the sight. Although he may be an active member of c-sec back on the citadel, it does not mean he cannot be very much afraid of the implications of their new discovery. He knows, of course he knows the varying positive additions to the medical fields this organism, and its multiple research opportunities can provide. But that is not what he is worrying about. This organism, this creature can possibly be the origin of new, deadly, catastrophic biological viruses that are practically impossible to medically discern, or cure.
The mere thought of such deadly weapons frightens him to his core. Even pirates, shady individuals, or non-medically inclined individuals can see the value of this creature. It's scary, that's for sure.
Walking to the shambled together tables, located not that far from the river's edge, where the silicone like biofilm is most populous. He greeted his acquaintances, his not friends, and the dutiful passer Byers with pens in hand, and omni tool on wrist. Greeting scientist Radam, he took a seat on an empty provided chair, arms casually resting on the table's edge, eyes squinting at the squirming creatures within the murky waters. Legs tapping frequently on the muddied ground. He asked, "Any new discoveries doctor?"
The doctor, as busy as he was, writing notes on his Omni tool, his claws typing so fast no ordinary individual would have guessed he was even paying attention to questions pushed his way. "Discoveries?" Radam gurgled from his dry throat, scratchy from disuse, or strain. Who could know? "There are plenty of discoveries to be found Soldier. But true actual science can only be accomplished from firsthand study. Creatures, and bacteria under the microscope." Radam scoffed, coughing from the strain from speaking such a non-essential sentence.
"Doctor, you ought to know the dangers of this creature, from observations alone you were able to witness the, quite frankly, terrifying ability this revolutionizing creature has at killing developed creatures and then preceding to multiply rapidly from their biomass." Indar replied. Eyes placed on the doctor's face. Staring quite eerily.
"Soldier, science speak does not suit you. But yes, I agree about the dangers of these organisms, but everyone should know taking risks is all science is about. The adve-" Radam was interrupted by the sound of the atmosphere breaking, a research vessel, indicated by its size, departed from the sandy skies, flames alighting its outer hull, shields clearly taking most of the brunt force. And within moments, it reached the makeshift landing pad, recently made from leftover paint from the previous occupants of the rakira base.
Dust and debris rocketed the ground from the ships landing, its eezo thrusters misplacing the lose debris, and scattered them all over the place, causing all of the bases occupants to shield their eyes, arms covering their faces.
Almost as soon as the ship landed, a turian on the river's edge, not that far from where indar and radam were talking, some type of scanner in hand, and a wound on his outer carapace. Ran towards the descending outer ships doors.
Sounds of distressed yelling came seconds later, and almost as quick as the running turian, the occupants of the ship scrambled out of the interiors of their vessel, took to the turian, seemingly asked him something with hands pointing to the vast area of the Observation outpost. And within moments, the turian pointed to Radam. And almost as fast as a rampaging Krogan, they were within speaking distance of radam and himself.
Yelling "This is vatra Jarirrick, and I order you to stop whatever it is you are doing, and calmly back away from the water's edge."
He was about to comply, but radam, his pride never allowing to back down from such revolutionizing scientifical discoveries, barked back "Who do you think you are to order a research team to stop such crucial science from being done? Clearly no-one worth their pounds in credit, that is for sure." he mocked, pen still in hand, spinning expertly in his calloused claws. Eyes squinted in contempt.
"You don't understand, and that's fine, but please" vatra begged, "listen to me, you have no clue how dangerous these creatures are, you-" she was interrupted by Radam.
"Are you mocking me, child?" he asked. "I have been researching these creatures for over 3 solar cycles, and you, a child who probably is not even out of her daddy's home, and who just got here i might add, speak to me on how threatening, and scary these creatures are? I know, I have witnessed these fabulous creatures' abilities. But science is risky, and no-one, I mean no-one, has the right to decide what i do with a project that is under my control."
PSIONIC CONNECTION ESTBLISHED/EVOLVE/MUTATE/SEARCH FOR GENETIC PERFECTION/KILL/PROTECT EVOLVING QUEEN
Within the water's murky depths, the purple silicone like bio-filmic creatures discreetly backed away from the water's edge, heading towards deeper waters, away from the 'foreign observers, seemingly hoping to hide from foreign eyes.
The arguing continued, Radams ever evolving pride never letting him back down, and 'risk the future of his revolutionizing research. Background scientists were unnecessary witnesses to this humiliating event, their eyes squinted in waves. Making their faces the picture of gossips. Ready to spill the tea that their 'supposedly competent head researcher is yelling at a young scientist, seemingly in an administrative position, evident by her dress.
It's grey baritone colors, with a long cloak of matted silk, lining its neck cuffs. With a plaque of a General placed just near her neck, mandibles on display. Indicating her statues to all who have eyes. Only making this humiliating confrontation that much more useless and unneeded.
"-ink it is okay for you to speak things that are entirely unneeded in a general. I think it is time for you to consider the possibilities of transferring." Radam spouted out nonsense. His arms crossed, lab coat billowing in the sandy winds of tefnuts atmosphere. Vatra, ever the clear-minded individual, felt it prudent to stay quiet, clearly seeing this as not needed, and a waste of time.
"Guys" an induvial yelled, hoping to catch anyone's attention. His words, however, were ignored by the yelling individuals, the gossipers too busy listening to the battle, hoping to catch some spilled tea.
Silence reigned as radam and vatra stared off, hoping to one up the other in this battle of wills. Almost discreetly, the individual from before started backing away from where he stood, the water's edge seeming like the plague. His steps quiet, face paling, mandibles pulled back in horror.
Intrigued, Indar turned, his actions invisible to the arguing individuals blinding eyes. And what he saw was something out of a nightmare. The purple biofilm like substance, morphed in a creature. A horrifying disgusting creature. Its chitinous scales wrapped around its body like a sheet of metallic Armor. Eyes covered by some sort of ridged vanguard, yet still allowing it sight. Claws, held together by thick silicone like sinews, extending at least 2 meters in length. It's serpentine like tail, making its height evidently deceptive.
Crawled out of the water's surface, droplets of water hitting the ground ever so often, making its surface chitin glisten from kalabsha's flaring glares. Its subtle roar, a mixture of reptilian and insect, echoes over the water's surface, allowing it to be heard by everyone within range. The arguing Radam and vatra, no longer caught up in their dispute, turned to look at the creature, the gossipers followed.
Then, all hell broke loose. The soldiers, their wits still about them, took action, their rifles were quickly primed, eezo rounds ready to be fired. The gossipers, their weaker wills not allowing them to stay put and risk their lives, ran, their legs carrying them to their only means of escape. Vatras ship.
Meanwhile, vatra and her crew, were still stuck in a daze. Their minds, still in fight mode, Radams words seemingly catching them adrift. Hurting their nonexistent pride. Phalena was the first to take action, her previous combat experience coming to the fore, she lifted the non-combat ready members of the ship's crew and threw them to the side. Softly of course. Ran towards the aligning Soldiers, grabbed a weapon and joined the rush to make a makeshift cover, with the other more indulgent martyrs.
Vatra, her skills leaving her out of her depth. She was a scientist for Gods sake, and although she may have a general's badge, it does not mean she actually, truly knows how to fight. Her skills were with manipulating scientific data, covering and teaching the dynamics of microorganisms. The adverse effects of various organic altering tech. Not... this. Not fighting. That was the least evident of her skills. Especially fighting... Beasts. No way.
So, like the rest of the fleeing individuals, she did the only thing she could do. She ran, her legs burning with adrenaline. Her eyes squinting in the winds all the while. The only thought on her mind was 'luckily i brought a ship capable of holding crews of this size.'
The soldiers in the background were being killed one by one. Their screams of horror and pain caused her fringe to clench in unfettered horror. And her instincts flaring, her mind not clear, she decided stupidly to look back.
The beasts, the insects, the horror, was not alone. The time it took for her to reach the ships doors, there were 5 of the creatures. Their claws slicing the paltry crew of stationary soldiers, phalena among them. Their organs and limbs lay floating in the river's waters, their blood staining the rocky and grassy ground. Seeping into its now fertilized soil.
Seeing Phalena's dismembered and wretched body brought unwanted feelings of despair and sadness to swell within Vatras broken and still heart. Her eyelids were watering with hidden tears.
She witnessed, from within the water's depths, the organisms Haldrain claimed were highly lethal, sliming its way out of the water's edge. Its bulbous silicone like biofilms skating across the lands, morphing the rocky and grassy terrain into its own, highly toxic, invasive ecosystem. Somehow allowing the creature more maneuverability.
And right Infront of her eyes, she witnessed, with almost perfect clarity. The absolute horror of these beasts. With a slithering like pounce, a creature, its long serpentine like tail, wrapped itself around one of the remaining soldiers, its mouthful of razor-sharp teeth slowly, and painfully teared away the soldiers entrusted Armour, killing him in seconds. His screams were barely heard before his head was displaced from his mangled body.
She knew then that she would get revenge, no matter the cost. She would avenge Phalena, her secret crush, her side piece, her lover. She would avenge the soldiers that risked their lives to save her, and the terrified people within her ship's confines.
That would be her final thought before her ship departed. The skies blanketing the grotesque scene of slain comrades and phalenas corpse from view.