>>1028416
>Lesson learned
Here's another lesson: Get armor and real weapons. You better hope that your team's current equipment will be enough to handle any potential hostiles that can't be stunned by your stun guns!

>>1028418
>cryo pods
>We need to retrieve them as soon as possible.
You might need to get the freight elevator unblocked in order to get them up here.

>[Dad, I’m almost done. Shall I wait with opening the door or…?]
"Wait a moment. The security cameras are showing some sort of infestation in the Mess Hall and it's leading up the stairs into the Crew Quarters. Shal and I are going to see if we can find an alternate route through the Comms room over here. If we can't find anything, wait for us to come over there before you open the door."

Hopefully there's nothing blocking our route in the Comms room.

>>1028463
>Actually, if you look at the bottom left of what’s visible in the storage bay, you can see a small yellow thing. It kinda looks like it could be part of whatever infested the mess hall.
Yeah, I see that and I think you're right. Whatever that is, it's on the left side of storage, closest to the Mess Hall where the infestation is.

>>1028418
"Wait on opening the door. There's something alive here that's neither us nor on ice."

Regroup. There is 100% something alive on this station other than your crew and the plants. Make sure everyone stays together, but no so close than one wide attack could hit all of you. To your knowledge there is nothing time sensitive about the mission, so safety is the #1 priority.

I'm sure your shock rifles can scorch the plants down to ash if need be.

Opening the mess hall is DEFINITELY not a good idea.

Kaktus 2022/04/14(Thu)17:06 No. 1029297 ID: 681cb5
File 164998119386.png - (118.79KB , 1125x550 , 63b.png )

>Here's another lesson: Get armor and real weapons. You better hope that your team's current equipment will be enough to handle any potential hostiles that can't be stunned by your stun guns!
Sadly, you simply haven’t had the necessary equipment or the time to properly outfit your crew with decent weapons. Remember, The Shed Scale only had the absolute necessities on it when it made its emergency launch.

>How are we going to get the cryo pods out?
They should have a portable mode with functional anti-grav systems, where you simply pop out the cryo-tube with the Sakkilian in it and move only that part. As long as we get them to our own cryo-pods within 30 hours, they should be fine.
>You might need to get the freight elevator unblocked in order to get them up here.
Using the freight elevator would be the easiest way to get them up, but it will require you to be in the open for an extended time. It would also be possible to get them up the stairs, given time, but it would make you a prime target for an ambush. Hmm… no matter which route you chose, there are pros and cons.
>One of them is open. Maybe there’s someone walking around down here?
How long would a naked, alone and very confused Sakkilian even survive down there? ...and something tells you the things moving around down in the Storage bay isn’t a Sakkilian either… no, chances of one of your kind just walking around in here is rather slim.
>I'm sure your shock rifles can scorch the plants down to ash if need be.
…you really don’t want to start a massive fire inside an enclosed space like this. There has to be a better way down.


>Why would anything be swaying? Whatever it was, it wouldn’t start swaying around on its own.
Maybe it was some kind of machinery that moved?
Or someone is down there… or something. Doesn’t matter if it is a dangerous creature or dangerous machines, we need to be on our guard.
>We already knew there was something there. Just don't know what exactly.
Well, why don’t we go down there and kick their ass?
…and if there are more than one thing down there?
Then we’ll kick their fucking ass too!
*Sigh* You’re just like your grandmother…

>Wait on opening the door. There's something alive here that's neither us nor on ice.
Affirmative, dad.
Are you sure, friend? I can’t hear anything from here.
The security cameras are showing some sort of infestation in the Mess Hall. There’s a lot of green goo and… some kind of eggs hanging from the ceiling, I think? Either way, we’re definitely not going to go that way. Lt. Tozlan, do you have any experience with this kind of... “infestation”?
Green goo? Um… I don’t think so? I’m not an expert on Xeno’s, friend…
Does it matter? Green goo and eggs means “No thanks”. No way am I going down to the mess hall if that’s the case!
Then what are your orders, Captain? Where are we going?
>Regroup. There is 100% something alive on this station other than your crew and the plants. Make sure everyone stays together.
You heard the Captain. Everyone, to the security station.
On my way!
W-wait for me!
It doesn’t take long for the others to join you and Shal in the security room.
Everyone are present, captain, what are your orders?

>To your knowledge there is nothing time sensitive about the mission, so safety is the #1 priority.
The more time we spend down here, the bigger the chance are that we wake up whatever is infesting this facility.
Which is why we need to take our time. No need to start swimming and waking up the sludge snappers when we can just float down with the current.
…I for one don’t want to spend a minute more than necessary down here than we have too. Ugh, just looking at all that goo makes me want to bury myself in the sand…
…let just nuke it from orbit? It’s the only way to be sure.
Let’s calm down and do this properly. If we are careful we might just be able to quickly grab the Cryo-pods and leave before anyone notices us.
>We need to go to the lab, so get ready for hostiles, probably feral creatures.
Feral creatures? Are you sure?
I don’t think a non-feral alien would turn the mess hall into that mess… unless I’m wrong, Tozlan? Are there a sentient alien who make those kinds of nests?
Um… I… I don’t think so, friend? At least, not that I know of? I mean… um… I’m not an expert on anything non-Raolme…

>Check to see if there’s anything you can do from security.
My datapad should be able to interact with this terminal, friend. Just give me a second and I’ll unlock it. There, now everyone should be able to use it.
So… what can we do from here? Can we move the cameras? Unlock any doors? Are there any defenses we can shut down?
The cameras seems to be stationary, so no, we can’t move them around.
I believe we can lock/unlock all the doors in this sector from here, daddy. Though, going by these readings, then the doors between the Mess Hall, Storage and Comms are all broken… as well as both doors into the Hydroponics bay. Currently, the door between the Crew Quarters and the Hanger and the door between the Artifact storage and the Lab are locked, as well as the one into Comms from here.
There’s another functional sentry gun located in the storage bay, but it’s currently offline, though I can easily fix that if you want to, captain. There are also a lot of anti-ship cannons outside the station as well… though they have all been destroyed. Hmm… I was expecting more defenses in a place like this.
If the enemy finds this place and manage to penetrate the facility it’s already over. The doors and sentry guns are just there to give the lab downstairs enough time to destroy all the data before the enemy gets their hands on it. Let just hope they didn’t succeed.
The cryo-pods seem to still be online, so they didn’t at least destroy those.
>Someone should keep an eye on these things.
If someone is staying here we’ll need to split up. Which one or ones are staying here, captain?

>Is the door to Comms open?
It is open now, dad.
>See if you can find an alternate route through the Comms room over here.
As a group, the five of you slowly make your way down the stairwell with weapons drawn. Shal is taking the lead and is thus the one who opens the door into the Comm station.
Area secure, no fucking hostiles around as far as I can see.
Then what are you seeing? This stairwell is too small for the rest of us the really get a good look into Comms.
It’s a shit show, sir. Everything has been ripped apart, there’s major tears and even holes in both the floor, walls and ceiling… and finally, I’m pretty sure the door into storage have been ripped open, though I have no visual into that area from my current location, sir. Do you wish-
Shh!!
…?
There are definitely something moving around in the storage bay, something that’s alive. Though, I don’t think they know we’re hiding in the seaweed just yet, friend.
Orders, sir?

>doors, locked/broken
I don't suppose we can tell if the broken doors are open or closed?
Hey, one door was unmentioned. What's the status of the door between Crew Quarters and Mess Hall?
>who stays at the security station?
Tara, I think. Her heartrate is still elevated.

One of the cables hanging from the ceiling is moving... and there's green stuff in the corner. Peek up as you enter. Move quietly.

Oh, and what about the door between Storage and Artifact Storage?

>>1029297
Make sure she looks up when she enters. She can’t see directly above the door from where she currently is.

I do not like how that vent is completely open. It makes me think that whatever is down here could be crawling around in the vents!

>>1029299
>One of the cables hanging from the ceiling is moving...and there's green stuff in the corner. Peek up as you enter. Move quietly.
Do this.

Let's try to be careful here.

>>1029297
Is that wire next too the vent moving?

Kaktus 2022/04/22(Fri)17:09 No. 1030036 ID: 681cb5
File 165067257721.png - (105.01KB , 1125x550 , 64.png )

>Tara, I think. Her heart rate is still elevated.
Yes, because making me stay in a very enclosed space looking at creepy cameras all alone will lower my heart rate.
There’s only one door into the security station and it’s lockable. You’re a big girl, Tara, you’ll be fine.
Fine? She’ll be missing out on all the ass kicking we’ll do!
I’m sure I’ll live, Shal. But here, Captain, take these concussion grenades. They won’t be of any use up in the security station.
Thank you, Ensign. Now start moving.
On my way, sir.

>I don't suppose we can tell if the broken doors are open or closed?
They were all marked as closed but… well, seeing the door to the comm room was marked “closed”… let just say we can’t be sure what status they are in, dad.
>Hey, one door was unmentioned. What's the status of the door between Crew Quarters and Mess Hall?
It wasn’t on the list. I guess it can’t be locked?
>Oh, and what about the door between Storage and Artifact Storage?
Also not on the list. I’m guessing the freight elevator is controlled from somewhere else… probably from a console in the storage bay.

>Make sure she looks up when she enters. She can’t see directly above the door from where she currently is.
No hostiles spotted. We’re green.
As far as I can tell, the comm room is empty… but there is definitely movement in the storage bay and beyond, friend…
>I do not like how that vent is completely open. It makes me think that whatever is down here could be crawling around in the vents!
Those vents are way too small for anyone to fit in, dad.
We’re dealing with aliens, Iris, it’s possible they are far smaller than us.
These vents would explain the echoing sounds we’ve been hearing.
There were a pair of fuckers in the hanger as well, in the corner, near the ceiling.
There’s probably vents in every room down here… be on your guard, everyone.
>Is that wire next to the vent moving?
It’s a panel from the ceiling that’s hanging lose, sir, but it is indeed swaying.
Which means something down here made it start swaying. Do you see anything else?
Can’t see shit, capt’. It’s possible something scampered into the vent just before we arrived, but it’s impossible to tell now.

Kaktus 2022/04/22(Fri)17:09 No. 1030037 ID: 681cb5
File 165067258888.png - (126.24KB , 1125x550 , 64Zoom.png )

>And there's green stuff in the corner.
Huh… it’s some kind of… organic material? It’s not slimy and gross like I expected, but… it feels like touching plastic? Really hard plastic, the one that doesn’t bend when you press into it. I was really expecting it to be easy to remove, but I’ll need my tools if we want to go through this.
And why would we want to go through it?
There’s several holes here, in the wall… and a bigger one in the floor. In fact, I’m pretty sure I see some kind of light down there as well.
…Tozlan?
Don’t ask me, I have no idea what this sludge is, friend.
If we cut through this, we might be able to get down to the floor below us... if the light is anything to go by.
Will my fat arse even fit down that hole?
I’m sure you’ll fit, if I just get this green gunk out of the way first. Um… I mean, Captain, do you want me to try and cut through it?
Hmm…

Sir, there is definitely moment in the Mess hall now. There are these… small insect like creatures skittering around in there, about a half of your size, sir… what are your orders?
Yeah, what’s the plan, Sir.

[You make a quick check of everyone’s inventories.]
You are equipped with a sleep gun, two concussion grenades and a hidden stun “rod” in your left glove.
Shal is equipped with shock rifle and a remote control for the cruiser (Including control of its Laz-Cannons).
Tara is equipped with a shock rifle and some simple tools like a crowbar. She also currently have control over the security of this place.
Iris is equipped with a stun rod and engineering equipment for cutting through and removing obstructions and doors, as well as one blast charge for removing even worse stuff.
Tozlan is equipped with some kind of… sound gun that according to him liquefies your insides if you’re hit by it, as well as a data-pad capable of interacting with the terminals we might find down here.

>>1030037
Half the size of a Sakkilian? Ask our two native aliens if they know what the bugs are. It occurs to me that these things might be sapient. Maybe. Let's not start shooting them with turrets or whatever until we're sure they're hostile. (even if like every narrative/UI element is indicating we're going to have to fight)
If they just kinda peek at us, as if they're afraid or curious, don't shoot. If they charge at us with clear aggression, then by all means activate the turret. Possibly fire a warning shot first.

>cut through the green resin?
Erm. Hold on. We can go down there if we cut our way through, but... can we fit the cryo pod through that passage? If we can then yeah, that looks like a good way to avoid pissing off the bugs.

>>1030036
>there is definitely movement in the storage bay and beyond, friend…
If there’s movement, then that turret in Storage should be shooting at it. Since it’s not shooting, that means the turret should be powered off.

The Freight Lift seems to be stuck in the upward position. Good thing we didn’t try to blast that debris out of the way, since that might have also broken the lift! We should try to access the terminal to see if we can get it moving. It’ll help us get the Cryo Pods upstairs.

And be careful, it looks like there’s something yellow behind the boxes on the left side of the lift in the Storage room!

>>1030037
>There are these…small insect like creatures skittering around in there, about a half of your size, sir…
Tell Tara to listen for anything that might be moving through the vents. These bugs might try to come through them.

It looks like there might be something hiding behind the box directly under the turret in the Storage room. Make sure you look up when you go in.

……is it just me or does it look like there’s some kind of yellow bug right next to Iris? And it looks like it’s got its arms raised and is ready to strike! You better turn around and save Iris!

What's that light green stuff on the floor in the security room?

>>1030138
Bones of a long dead alien.

I see something between the bottom to creates in the next room

Kaktus 2022/04/29(Fri)17:08 No. 1030783 ID: 681cb5
File 165127728635.png - (146.39KB , 1125x550 , 65.png )

>What's that light green stuff on the floor in the security room?
It was an old skeleton of what we believe was once a Raolme. Not really important at the moment, as you have no use of old bones in your current situation.
>If there’s movement, then that turret in Storage should be shooting at it. Since it’s not shooting, that means the turret should be powered off.
We already know that the sentry gun is turned off inside the Storage bay, as the security console said as much. Of course, if we want it to start shooting, you can just tell Tara to activate it from the security room.

>Half the size of a Sakkilian?
If not even smaller, sir.
…small enough to fit in the vents?
…possibly, sir.
>Tell Tara to listen for anything that might be moving through the vents. These bugs might try to come through them.
You hear the sound of metals scrapping against metal from Tara’s comm…
Tara, what is your status?
I’m just moving the security station… so that it is blocking the vent. If those bastards are going to try and ambush me I’m not going to make it easy for them.
Will you be alright up there?
The door is locked and the vent is blocked, sir. I should be safe… and I can survive some stale air for a bit.

>Ask our two native aliens if they know what the bugs are. It occurs to me that these things might be sapient.
Um… why would I know anything about these fuckers, sir? I got the same academy education like the rest of the crew!
Insects, you say? Let’s see… I’m sorry, friend, but sis was always the one who was interested in alien biology, not me, so my knowledge won’t be pearl in the foam.
Anything you know will help, Lt. Tozlan.
Hmm… I haven’t met one myself but… it might be a… what where they called? Tool? Tal? No, it was Tuul I believe?
Who gives a shit what they are called. How to we kill the bloody gits?
Are they sentient? Can we talk to them?
Um… the insect bodies are technically… um… not… but the main Tuul body is?
…technically? Tozlan, just tell me how they work in a simple way, no need for any details.
Well, friend, they are… odd. The Tuul themselves are… um… I guess the best comparison is a brain in a jar… and they take control of these insect drones to actually do the swimming, which they grow from their body or something? So the insects are more like claws, I guess? Claws that… lives?
So if we kick the arse of the brain jar, we’ll win?
Or we can just talk to them?
I guess? Though, I don’t think anyone who’s been stuck down here for the rivers know how long will be very sane, friend.


>We can go down there if we cut our way through, but... can we fit the cryo pod through that passage? If we can then yeah, that looks like a good way to avoid pissing off the bugs.
Hmm… I’m not sure. If the tunnel is consistent with this size all the way down, then yes, though it will be rather cumbersome.
Can you tell if it gets tighter further down from here?
I can’t, sorry dad… but… going by how the hole is a near perfect circle and how even the edges are… was this made by a drill? Hmm… no, it looks like... acid? Maybe? And why make a hole big enough for a sandstrider to fit in?
>The Freight Lift seems to be stuck in the upward position. Good thing we didn’t try to blast that debris out of the way, since that might have also broken the lift!
You know, if the lift still works we might just be able to remove the blockage by simply lowering it. That would be way easier, right?
…but it’s way more fun to blow it up.
Uh huh… of course it is…
>We should try to access the terminal to see if we can get it moving. It’ll help us get the Cryo Pods upstairs.
…with Tozlan’s help I might be able to get it to move… if it still can move… though, I don’t think the terminal that’s closes to us is actually working, so I’ll need to get all the way over to the other side of the Storage bay to access the terminal over there.
…and there’s definitely something moving over there.
I’m sure I saw something move near those crates just now too…
Hmm…

>I see something between the bottom to creates in the next room.
There those indeed seem to be something moving around those crates…
Yeah, there’s definitely something moving behind those things. You think those dirty cowards are planning an ambush, sir?
>It looks like there might be something hiding behind the box directly under the turret in the Storage room. Make sure you look up when you go in.
…and was that a pair of antennas sticking up from behind the crate right next to the door as well?
…and there’s one too. This is definitely an ambush, sir.
>…is it just me or does it look like there’s some kind of yellow bug right next to Iris? And it looks like it’s got its arms raised and is ready to strike! You better turn around and save Iris!
And I think I… w-wait, IRIS!
Huh, wha- AH!!

Right as the creature strikes with its tail you manage to grab Iris arm and pull her away, narrowly avoiding the wicked looking stinger burrowing into her neck. It screeches loudly when it notice that it missed its prey, probably to alarm its brethren in the next room, before it raises it tail for another strike.

Kaktus 2022/04/29(Fri)17:08 No. 1030784 ID: 681cb5
File 165127729631.png - (327.64KB , 1125x550 , 66.png )

Get down! I got it i-

Then the deafening sound of complete silence drown out everything. It is like nothing you’ve ever experience, as not only is the world around you silent, but the sound your own body, your own breath and beating of your heart, is absent as well. You watch as the alien insect starts to vibrate intensely, its outer shell cracking under the pressure and cyan ichor spews from its mouth as the it’s surrounded by something bending the very world around it. Then, the sound returns to the world as it fall over, clearly dead.

-nd kill steal, you sod! That one was mine!
Ensign Shal, we’re in a combat zone! Act like it!
Is it dead!?
Unless it can live with liquefied insides, I’m going to go with yes, sir.
Holy crap, that was close!
Are you okay, Iris?
I’m… I-I’m fine, dad… just a bit shaken.
Good. Now, these things are clearly hostile and willing to use lethal force, so we better-
Sir, whatever you just did, it woke up the stinger nest.

Kaktus 2022/04/29(Fri)17:08 No. 1030785 ID: 681cb5
File 165127731508.png - (138.43KB , 1125x550 , 67.png )

Tara, report. What’s going on?
The mess hall just woke up, sir. There are tons of those insects running around in there… and the eggs are hatching, making even more of them. It’s clear that something you just did pissed them off, sir.
We just killed one, of course they’ll be rather cross with us.
Well, you better get ready, because they seem to be grouping up.
We got hostiles, sir! Several of them in the storage bay!
Tozlan, can you try and talk to it?
Greeting friends, we apologize for the misunderstanding, but-
All the insects in the storage bay screeches loudly in unison at you.
What did it say?
I have no idea. It’s just screaming like an animal at us.
Sir, I just saw something big move down in the lab below you. Something the size a freaking sandstrinder. What are your orders, sir?
Yeah, what do we do, boss?

>>1030785
The drones hatch from the Tuul's body? But we can see eggs, they're not attached to anything that looks like a body... Does that mean this green stuff is its body? Or is it more like a structural framework and the eggs were just placed in the mess hall after being born by the main Tuul body?

Well, whatever. We got attacked, fired back, and then tried diplomacy. Drone bodies are expendable so I think we should just snipe the one at the turret, turn on the turret, then lay down a wall of fire to *actively discourage* further aggression on their part. We will not be attacking the Tuul's main body though, we're just going to clear out the storage room and use the lift, because these tunnels in the wall aren't safe-- there's something else in here that made them.
Oh, and someone keep an eye on that vent, or wedge something into it so a drone can't get through.

Oh god I just realized, this Tuul didn't come from nowhere. It was probably here all along, kept captive by the people who ran the lab before. So it hates us, because it thinks we're responsible for its imprisonment.
Can we communicate that? That we're not from here, and if it wants freedom then we can help it escape?

>>1030785
Activate the security turrets.

>>1030785
Better take out the bug directly under the turret so it doesn't destroy it when we turn it on.

>something big
Sounds like something bigger than the bugs we can currently see is on its way up. Better thin thier numbers before it gets here!

>>1030849
This

Kaktus 2022/05/04(Wed)17:18 No. 1031230 ID: 681cb5
File 165170990127.png - (185.17KB , 1125x550 , 68.png )

>The drones hatch from the Tuul's body? But we can see eggs, they're not attached to anything that looks like a body... Does that mean this green stuff is its body?
Err… well, friend, I… don’t… know? I know those small scumsuckers makes the green goo but… um…
It is organic… and I’m sure I’ve seen it move on its own… it’s possible it’s alive?
It is possible that it’s part of their body, somehow, but sludge if I know.
…so if we shoot it, will it hurt the Tuul?
I highly doubt it, friend, seeing that the green stuff is all over the place. They would have a hard time not getting hurt if it should feel pain through all of this goo.
>Or is it more like a structural framework and the eggs were just placed in the mess hall after being born by the main Tuul body?
That’s… that’s also a real pearl of an idea, captain. It’s possible, but I can’t say for sure.

>This Tuul didn't come from nowhere. It was probably here all along, kept captive by the people who ran the lab before. So it hates us, because it thinks we're responsible for its imprisonment.
…the Confederation of Mrruul, which most of the Tuul species are a member of, was a part of the Grand Alliance of the United Stars… you know, the scumsuckers that was running this place.
…so it’s more likely they were part of the crew then?
That’s the most likely scenario, friend. They are a crew member that survived the initial IOD attack and… I guess went a bit mad or something? They’ve been down here for… what… 40 years?
>Can we communicate that? That we're not from here, and if it wants freedom then we can help it escape?
You know, we might not have made the best first impression if that was what we wanted.
We got attacked, fired back, and then tried diplomacy.
Exactly, which might explain why it doesn’t want to talk. Besides, even if we was able to start a conversation, they’ll probably believe we’re just some raiders here to steal the stuff in the lab… which is technically true…
I wouldn’t want to talk if you shoot me in the hand either.
Drone bodies are expendable…
And bloody annoying.
It’s even less than a hand, more like a… um… something you can grow yourself? I… don’t think you have anything like that, do you?
Still, it’s really rude?


>Activate the security turrets.
Tara, activate the sentry gun in the storage bay. We need to lay down a wall of fire to *actively discourage* further aggression on their part if possible.
Affirmative, sir, activating it now.
>Better take out the bug directly under the turret so it doesn't destroy it when we turn it on.
We will not be attacking the Tuul's main body though, we're just going to clear out the storage room and use the lift
Shal, take down the bug right under the sentry, before it does something stupid.
Just give me a clear shot, you little shit…
A small beep echoes through the storage bay as the sentry gun is activated… followed by a far louder beep as it detects it targets and takes aim. The gun barely manages to start firing before one of the Tuul drones jumps out from the crates right under it, about to strike it. With a crackle, Shal fires a bolt of lightning and hits the insect while it’s still in midair, frying it and filling the room with the smell of cooked meat, it’s clearly dead body falling down onto the crate while sizzling quietly.
HA! GOT IT!
…have you increased the power on your rifle, Shal?
No, sir? It’s still on the standard safety setting. I think those fuckers can’t handle some greased lightning, sir!
Hmm… I have to remember that the shock rifle is lethal to them, even on safe settings.

Kaktus 2022/05/04(Wed)17:18 No. 1031231 ID: 681cb5
File 165170991568.png - (140.19KB , 1125x550 , 69.png )

The Tuul drones stand no chance against the sentry gun, especially seeing how this one is fully functional, compared to the one upstairs. The first two insects it targets quickly become smears on the floor and crates, while the rest tries their best to flee from it. You’re sure you see several getting wounded from stray shoots, but only two of them seem to have died from their wounds. Another thing of note, none of them were helping each other, or even reacting to the other drones getting hurt or outright killed… which makes sense if they are just some kind of non-sentient creature.
All target neutralized, sir. No more hostiles detected.
I can hear them scampering away in the vents, in the opposite direction from us.
Sir, I can several wounded insects entering the mess hall. Its seems like they are regrouping in there.
Do it look like they are planning a counter attack?
No sir, I think they are fortifying their position. They are currently defending the mess hall.
Which is good, because we’re not planning in going there anyway. Very well, the coast seems to be clear. Though be careful, that sentry gun will fire on us as well.

>Oh, and someone keep an eye on that vent, or wedge something into it so a drone can't get through.
Um… do you think we can get some metal junk stuck in there? I don’t think it will hold for long but…
We have a pair of grenades. Just booby trap the fucker!
…Iris? Any ideas?
Huh? Oh, no I… sorry, dad, but there’s something here that needs your attention.
>Sounds like something bigger than the bugs we can currently see are on its way up.
Not only can you hear it, but I can actually see the green goo moving further down. Something is definitely making its way up here… something big…
Oh, finally a real challenge! Let’s kick it’s arse!
We might want to get into a better position, friends. What’s your orders captain?
Hmm…


[You make a quick check of everyone’s inventories.]
You are equipped with a sleep gun, two concussion grenades and a hidden stun “rod” in your left glove.
Shal is equipped with shock rifle and a remote control for the cruiser (Including control of its Laz-Cannons).
Tara is equipped with a shock rifle and some simple tools like a crowbar. She also currently have control over the security of this place.
Iris is equipped with a stun rod and engineering equipment for cutting through and removing obstructions and doors, as well as one blast charge for removing even worse stuff.
Tozlan is equipped with some kind of… sound gun that according to him liquefies your insides if you’re hit by it, as well as a data-pad capable of interacting with the terminals we might find down here.

Alright move into the storage room and clear it properly; make sure the turret won't shoot at you. Tozlan can work on the terminal to get the lift working once the room's secure.
Zento should stay near the comms room and toss a concussion grenade once the thing from below arrives. I'm assuming those are nonlethal? Apply sleep gun afterwards if it's still standing. The shock rifles will proooobably be nonlethal on the big one, so depending on the situation we could shoot with those too. Just don't let the turret shoot the big one, and don't use the sound blaster on it either. I think we can assume it's another crewmember.

Since we're going to be standing near the mess hall, we'll be near more Tuul drones, at which point someone can again reiterate you wish to parley. Maybe mention you are not raiders, you are on a rescue mission.

>>1031239
Seconding this

Kaktus 2022/05/06(Fri)12:30 No. 1031409 ID: 681cb5
File 165186542762.png - (140.17KB , 1125x550 , 70.png )

>Make sure the turret won't shoot at you.
Tara, deactivate the turret. We’re going in.
Affirmative, sir. Deactivating it now.
The sentry gun emits a soft beep before going inert, it’s barrel noticeably lowering a bit as it powers down.
>Alright move into the storage room and clear it properly.
Shal, you’re on point. Make sure there are no more bugs hiding behind any of those crates.
On it, sir.
Lt. Tozlan, keep us updated in case you hear anything we can’t see.
I can’t hear anything moving in here, friend, though there are a lot of sounds coming from the mess hall… and from that hole in the ground behind us.
>Tozlan can work on the terminal to get the lift working once the room's secure.
The terminal next to the lift is clearly broken, but there is another one near the mess hall.
Right next to the Tuul nest… well, sludge… just keep me covered, Shal.
I got you, I’ll fry any insect abdomen I see into a crisp, no problem!
>Since we're going to be standing near the mess hall, we'll be near more Tuul drones, at which point someone can again reiterate you wish to parley. Maybe mention you are not raiders, you are on a rescue mission.
Um… they didn’t seem to be in the mood for a conversation, captain. But… I’ll try?
Dad, are you coming?
I’ll catch up. I just need to do one more thing…

>Zento should stay near the comms room and toss a concussion grenade once the thing from below arrives. I'm assuming those are nonlethal?
They are less-lethal, as in if you put it in your mouth before it detonates you’ll probably get more than just a headache afterwards. Well, you’ll probably never have a headache again, but you digress. Its main function is to knock out and disorient people though, so whatever is down there will probably not die from it, no.

The green goo vibrates as the creature approaches, the skittering of its legs echoing through the tunnel. You ready your grenade and watch as the weird green membranes moves aside, as if opening the way for the creature below, though at the same time giving you a golden opportunity to lob your gift down the tunnel unobstructed. The concussion grenade explodes in a flash of white, the massive bang making your ears ring, yet still you can hear something scream in pain and fury from the tunnel. Apparently, you managed to hit something. Or someone.

Kaktus 2022/05/06(Fri)12:30 No. 1031410 ID: 681cb5
File 165186543798.png - (148.19KB , 1125x550 , 71.png )

Before you can even turn around and run, a huge monstrosity lunges out from the hole into the comm room, crushing the computers and monitors inside it beneath its body. Its huge claws sweeps across the room looking for whoever just hurt it, forcing you to nimble dodge out of the way as it passes. A burn mark across its face plate combined with its blind flailing indicates that you did indeed hit this thing with the grenade. Not that it seems to slow it down by much… if anything, you just made it angry. How did this thing even fit in that tunnel!?

…how… how big did you say these Tuul drones can grow?
…not… that big?
…I’m going to need a bigger gun…

>Apply sleep gun afterwards if it's still standing.
There’s no way a sleep gun will do anything to that monstrosity.
>The shock rifles will proooobably be nonlethal on the big one, so depending on the situation we could shoot with those too.
You have to agree with Shal… we’re going to need something bigger than a shock rifle to bring that thing down.

The creature finally focus on you and screams, splattering heavy gobs of sizzling spit on the floor in front of your feet. While it’s clearly still disoriented from taking a grenade to the face, it knows that you’re there, that you’re the one that hurt it and now it very, very angry… you really don’t want to be standing here right now…

>>1031410
Well, it's obviously Tuul in origin, whatever it is. Maybe the lab here did experiments on drones to make a bigger one? That's not what a Tuul's main body looks like, right?!

Captain, retreat to your fellow squad members.
Fellow squad members: everyone fucking shoot that big thing. The sound blaster might be able to take it down... but only do that if that's verified to not be the main Tuul body.

>>1031410
>we’re going to need something bigger than a shock rifle to bring that thing down.
Iris has that blast charge. You can throw it at the big bug and detonate the blast charge.

Or you can set it on the ground and lure the bug so it walks over the blast charge, then blow it up.

>>1031414
>but only do that if that's verified to not be the main Tuul body.
Screw that! We don't have time to verify if it's the main body or not! And even if it is the main body, we're not going to try talking to it now!

We tried being peaceful and that didn't work, so now we're going to kill it since it's trying to kill us!

If you can coerce it to under the lift and use the machine to pin it down, you can use the turret to try and deal some good damage to it.

>>1031414
>sound blaster
We were told that the sound waves can go through walls. If we aim upwards at this bug's head, that might put Tara in danger of getting hit by the soundwaves!

>verify it's not main Tuul body.
Doesn’t matter if it is the main body or not, we're in danger of being killed if we go easy on it, so we need to kill it to ensure our safety.

>>1031479
I don't think the lift can drop that fast.

>>1031410
Everyone shoot the giant bug!

Kaktus 2022/05/08(Sun)16:49 No. 1031609 ID: 681cb5
File 165205375713.png - (172.56KB , 1125x550 , 72.png )

>Well, it's obviously Tuul in origin, whatever it is.
And with your complete lack of knowledge of this Tuul species, you have no idea if it’s normal for them to grow into gigantic, acid spewing worms, or how to deal with them.
>Maybe the lab here did experiments on drones to make a bigger one?
It’s possible, though seeing as this facility was marked as “Alien artifacts laboratory” and not some kind of bio-lab, it seems unlikely. Of course, you have no idea what this Tuul has been up too after this facility was destroyed.
>That's not what a Tuul's main body looks like, right?!
Tozlan described it as a “brain in a jar”, which would indicate that the main Tuul body can’t actually move on its own. But you’re not an expert on alien biology, so who knows!?
>Doesn’t matter if it is the main body or not, we're in danger of being killed if we go easy on it, so we need to kill it to ensure our safety.
This situation became a kill or be killed deal quite a while ago. We can’t put your own lives at risk for some unknown alien’s life.
>You can use the turret to try and deal some good damage to it.
The sentry gun can also deal some good damage to you and your crew. It fires at everything that moves in here, remember, which at the moment includes most of your squad.


>Captain, retreat to your fellow squad members.
As soon you regain your balance you start sprinting towards the door with the giant monstrosity right on your tail. You’re just lucky it’s still disoriented from that grenade, as otherwise you would have been bug food right now. Though you might still be, as it’s gaining on you fast!
>Everyone fucking shoot that big thing.
Before you can even say a word a bolt of lightning crackles right past your head, hitting the massive insect square on the face plate. Though it barely notice it, as its armor plates keeps it insulated from the shock.
SHIT! THIS ISN’T WORKING! TOZ, FIRE ON THE DAMN THING!
I can’t! The captain is in the way! I’ll hit him as well!

>Iris has that blast charge. You can throw it at the big bug and detonate the blast charge.
Iris! Blast charge! NOW!
Err… on it… I j-just need to set it up?
>Coerce it to under the lift and use the machine to pin it down.
TOZLAN! ELEVATOR! PIN IT!
Huh? Oh, right, the lift!

The freight lift whines as it once again is activated, forcing itself with sheer power to dislodge itself from the wreckage that was wedged inside the entrance to the hangar, spilling the now lose metal scrap and ship parts down into the room below. While the falling debris does slow down the Tuul behind you, a large chunk of a ship almost crushes you as well as you run under the descending elevator.

Kaktus 2022/05/08(Sun)16:49 No. 1031610 ID: 681cb5
File 165205376983.png - (93.73KB , 1125x550 , 73.png )

Right as the large creature is about overtake you the freight lift smashes into the top of it, pinning it down. While you can hear the armor plating of the Tuul cracking, the elevator is clearly not handling it well either, as the machinery screams bloody murder and sparks sprays everywhere. You have no idea who will give in first, the bug or the lift…

Shit shit shit!
DISTRACT IT! I’M ALMOST DONE!
GAH! Those scumsuckers are coming out from the mess hall!
They are breaking into the security room! Both from the vents and the door! I don’t know how much longer my barricade will hold!

And all hell is breaking lose. The monster on its part opens its mouth wide and start heaving, as if it’s trying to puke…


[You make a quick check of everyone’s inventories.]
You are equipped with a sleep gun, one concussion grenade and a hidden stun “rod” in your left glove.
Shal is equipped with shock rifle and a remote control for the cruiser (Including control of its Laz-Cannons).
Tara is equipped with a shock rifle and some simple tools like a crowbar. She also currently have control over the security of this place.
Iris is equipped with a stun rod and engineering equipment for cutting through and removing obstructions and doors, as well as one blast charge for removing even worse stuff.
Tozlan is equipped with some kind of… sound gun that according to him liquefies your insides if you’re hit by it, as well as a data-pad capable of interacting with the terminals we might find down here.

>Laz-Cannons
Uh, can those fire precisely enough to hit the giant bug without vaporizing everyone near it? Destroying the lift at this point would be a shame but if needs must.
The bug and lift together are probably shielding the rest of you from turret fire and it will likely shoot at it as a priority target anyway, so turn on the turret.
If either of those work we can spare the blast charge.

Get the FUCK out of the way, it's about to spit acid.
...how did the bugs get to the security station door? Well, once the big one is dead we can move to extract her from that room.

Step aside and have Tozlan shoot the big one with his sonic gun, it’ll probably harm it right through it’s carapace
Also have Tara hold her ground in the security room with her shock rifle as it’s likely safer in there than the outside.

>>1031609
>giant bug’s size
Ok, I agree with Zento. How the fuck did that thing fit through the tiny hole it came out of?!

>>1031610
>GAH! Those scumsuckers are coming out from the mess hall!
Have Tozlan use his sound gun to liquify all of the bugs in the Mess Hall! There’s no risk to any of our guys if he aims in that direction!

>The monster on its part opens its mouth wide and start heaving, as if it’s trying to puke…
It’s going to spit acid!

Take advantage of its open mouth and throw your concussion grenade in there! And its open mouth is unarmored, so Shal’s shock rifle should be able to stun it if she gets a clean shot.

Or if Shal can aim the cruiser’s Laz-Cannons down the hole where the lift is, she can use that to kill the giant bug!

>>1031610
Tell Tara that we're on our way to assist her!

Will Iris' blast charge still work if we throw it instead of setting it on something? I'm thinking we throw the blast charge into the giant bug's open mouth!

>>1031627
>concussion grenade in bug's mouth
>Tozlan sound gun mess hall
>Shal use the cruiser guns
All of these sound like they could work.

Kaktus 2022/05/10(Tue)09:21 No. 1031782 ID: 681cb5
File 165219968956.png - (156.94KB , 1125x550 , 74.png )

>Ok, I agree with Zento. How the fuck did that thing fit through the tiny hole it came out of?!
Either that tunnel was way larger than you thought, or that thing can squeeze through places way smaller then it, like a rat. You’re going to bet it’s a bit of both.
>...how did the bugs get to the security station door?
There’s probably a vent, tiny crack or some other small opening in the stairwell that you didn’t see. These things are already in the walls, after all…
>Will Iris' blast charge still work if we throw it instead of setting it on something?
Let the one who’s actually got training in demolition handle the big explosives. If she says she needs to set it up, then it needs to be set up. You really don’t want to get blown up by mishandling your own bombs. That would be embarrassing.

>Have Tara hold her ground in the security room with her shock rifle as it’s likely safer in there than the outside.
*Crackle!* It’s not like I get can get out anyway! *Crackle!* I’m just lucky that the door seems to be holding.
>The bug and lift together are probably shielding the rest of you from turret fire and it will likely shoot at it as a priority target anyway, so turn on the turret.
No can do. *Crackle!* They broke the security console trying to get in. Gah, EAT THIS! *Crackle!*

>Have Tozlan use his sound gun to liquify all of the bugs in the Mess Hall! There’s no risk to any of our guys if he aims in that direction!
On it, friend! DROWN IN SOUND, YOU SCUMSUCKERS!
>If Shal can aim the cruiser’s Laz-Cannons down the hole where the lift is, she can use that to kill the giant bug!
Fucking finally! Though… I probably can only hit its arse from where the ship is parked and-
JUST FIRE!!
Right, right…

>Get the FUCK out of the way, it's about to spit acid.
You almost jump behind a crate on instinct to take cover, but realize right beforehand that your baby girl Iris is sitting right in front of that thing. She just slightly too far away for you to grab and pull to safety in any reasonable amount of time as well.
>Take advantage of its open mouth and throw your concussion grenade in there!
In one quick motion you grab your last grenade, activate it and lob it right into the mouth of that thing, making it choke on it as it get stuck in its throat.

The air snaps and a wave of heat washes over you as two pillars of red light pierces through the lower body of the monster, boiling its insides as well as melting parts of the both the elevator and the gate to the floor below. It tries to scream as the molten metal from the elevator splatters on it, but the only sound escaping its maw is a muted explosion, followed by its throat bursting open showering the floor with blood and acid.

But the Tuul is simply too stubborn to die, as it managed to finally break out from under the elevator and lunge towards Iris!

There! It’s do-

Kaktus 2022/05/10(Tue)09:21 No. 1031783 ID: 681cb5
File 165219970304.png - (182.05KB , 1125x550 , 75.png )

-GAH!!

You grab her right as the monster’s giant claw crashes into the spot she was sitting on, barely managing to drag her out of harm’s way. Neither of you dare to look back as you start running like madmen, while the giant claws of the creature audibly swings behind the two you, desperate to catch you. Luckily, all the wounds seem to have slowed down the beast substantially. Unluckily, you’re about to run out of room to run. It screeches in pain as it forces its body to lunge towards you one final time…

But the screech is cut short from the explosion behind you, as Iris activates the blast charge as soon as you’re a safe distance away…

Kaktus 2022/05/10(Tue)09:24 No. 1031786 ID: 681cb5
File 165219986903.png - (134.05KB , 1125x550 , 76.png )

As the smoke clears the only sign of the creature is a huge hole down to the floor below, which is now full all kind of debris, including a whole freight elevator and several of the cargo that was stored here. While there’s no way that thing survived the explosion and the subsequent crushing, neither did whatever was in the room below. A shame, but it was necessary.

Everyone… *huff* report…
Woo! What a kill!
The Tuul is pulling back. They aren’t attacking anymore…
Sir, what did you do? Those bastards just started screeching and ran away all the sudden. What is going on?
Dad? Are you alright?
Huh? Oh…
As the adrenaline starts wane, you feel a sharp pain from your leg and on closer inspection you find a nasty looking cut on your tight. You must have been a lot closer to those claws than you thought you were.
It’s… it’s just flesh wound, nothing more.
You still need medical attention, dad! Here, let me patch you up.
By the eternal dark, that was a close one…
The security station is secure, Captain, though it’s unusable now. Shall I join up with the rest of you?
No hostiles detected, sir.

…and what’s that smell?
Flash fried Tuul monstrosity, by yours truly.

>>1031786
>Sir, what did you do? Those bastards just started screeching and ran away all the sudden. What is going on?
Tell her about the giant Tuul all of you were fighting. And no, you're not exaggerating its size. It really was that big.

Then tell her that you think they ran away because of the loud noise of Iris' blast charge exploding. Or the little bugs know we killed the big bug and have run away because they don't have the confidence to continue fighting without the big bug to back them up.

>Shall I join up with the rest of you?
Yes she can regroup with us.

If the hole in the floor for the freight elevator was made bigger by the explosion and no one can walk around it, tell Tara that she'll need to go through the hangar to meet us.

Which means that we'll need to go through the mess hall and up to the crew quarters so that Iris can finish cutting open the door leading to the hangar. That way Tara will be able to rejoin us if she can't go around the hole for the freight elevator in storage.

>>1031786
Alright, regroup and see if you can climb down.

>>1031786
Yeah, Tara can regroup with us. Just make sure she watches the vents in case anymore bugs try to ambush her.

Suggestion 2022/09/04(Sun)01:38 No. 1042822 ID: f62ced

Is this quest over?

>>1042822
It is impolite to ask that. The quest author will get to it when they feel like it. Please be patient and wait.

>>1042822
Questions like these goes in the disthread:
https://tezakia.net/kusaba/questdis/res/134609.html#134609

And no, it’s not dead, it’s just been put on hold until I figure out what I want to do with it. My original plan didn’t really work so I have to rethink a few things… and oh, I’m having way to much fun with Lascivious Labyrinth to really focus on this one at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll be back here eventually.

Kaktus 2024/04/21(Sun)12:29 No. 1089333 ID: 681cb5
File 171372777193.png - (142.55KB , 700x550 , Tech.png )

This thread has crashed and burned.

New thread at: https://questden.org/kusaba/quest/res/1089327.html#1089327