...And suddenly you have traversed three light years. Before you glimmers a faint red spark of a star: BDC1209, a brown dwarf; that is, a star so small that it cannot sustain the thermonuclear reactions that make larger stars shine. Instead, it shines with the faint heat of gravitational contraction. "There are two planets orbiting this star," says Steve Jobs. "Do you want to investigate?" Tully says, "Are those planets capable of supporting life?" "The planet closest to the star is an airless rock. The second world is slightly larger and has an atmosphere of carbon dioxide which may be capable of supporting primitive life." "Also, are there any stations in this system?" "I am detecting a small space station in orbit around the second planet. I am picking up infrared and electromagnetic radiation from it." "Any signs of active civilization?" "None from the planets but possibly from the space station." Tully nods. "Very good. Let's go to that station. Please monitor the system with passive scans and alert us if you notice any ships, attacks or signs of civilization." "I am picking up a broadcast from the station. Shall I put it on visual?" "Please do," Lo says. "Can I get a beef burger and fries? Tofu blows." "Please do so." An image forms of snow and static on the main viewer. You hear a loud hissing noise. Then the snow clears and the hissing fades. An image forms...of a scene from a tall building overlooking a large city square filled with crowds of people. An incredibly old man stands in the foreground shivering, for it is obviously very cold. Then a voice speaks. "It's New Years Rockin' Eve...with Dick Clark!" "Okay..." says Darian, not sure what to make of this. "Some really old broadcast?" "DOES NOT COMPUTE. HE SHOULD BE DEAD," says the robot. "Do you know him, Robot?" "DOESN'T EVERYONE KNOW DICK CLARK?" Tully says, "No, I do not." Darian adds, "Never heard of him." Tully says, "That is coming from that station? Is that station large enough to have those buildings in it?" "No, it is not," replies Steve Jobs. "It must be either retransmitting, or a simulation." Tully says, "Let's approach the station. Let us know if there are any other broadcasts." "The signal is fading," Steve Jobs says as the image on the screen degrades and fades into a blizzard of snow. "Perhaps it was just a trans temporal electromagnetic artifact, or the skip." "DRAT," says the robot, "AND THEY WERE JUST STARTING TO PLAY 'SHAKE YOUR BOOTY' BY KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND." Black-eye uncovers his ears and resumes eating. Tully chuckles and says, "Perhaps we can find it in the historical records." The Steve Jobs accelerates again and a moment later you are in visual range of the space station. The planet it orbits bears more than a passing resemblance to Mars, though its polar caps are far larger, each reaching almost half way to the planet's equator. Unlike Mars, there is no sign of life or greenery on this planet. The station is a metal object, cylindrical shaped, several hundred feet in length and perhaps 75' in diameter. It is dirty and covered in a fine layer of black dust which is streaked in places. The X class scout slowly circles the station. You see that one end appears to be a dark opening, probably a landing deck. Otherwise, apart from a few nodules and raised plates, the station appears to be uninteresting on the outside. "I am now picking up a possible life form within," says Steve Jobs, as the ship stops moving and floats a hundred feet from the station. Darian shrugs. "Any reason we shouldn't dock?" Tully says, "Let's go in." Zanax asks, "Steve Jobs, can you give us any information on the possible life form?" "It is heavily shielded," replies the ship. "All I can tell at this point is that it is non human or elven." Tully says, "Hail them in all languages and see if we get a response." "No response," says Steve Jobs after a few moments. "Take us in then. If we are attacked when we try to dock then leave immediately." The Steve Jobs starts moving again, and a few moments later it enters the darkened landing bay. It is similar to ones that you have been in before, though quite small. With the ship's exterior lights on, you can see that the bay is filthy: everything seems to be covered in a layer of sooty black dust. At the back of landing area is a door, sized for humans. Beside it in the wall is a small, glowing green light. The scout sets down, raising clouds of dust. "Artificial gravity is working here," says Steve Jobs, "But if you leave, there is no atmosphere. You will need to wear your shield belts." "Not a problem. With the lifeform, I think we were going to wear them anyway." Tully says, "I agree. Better to have our shields up." Lo shields up and gets ready. Zanax follows suit. As does Tully! Darian's ready as well. Black-eye climbs on Zanax's shoulder. When the paladin activates the shield belt they are both enclosed. Zanax eyes Black-eye, "What? You can order food, but you can't get a shield belt in your own size?" The noor grins at him. You exit the Steve Jobs through the air lock, and step onto the flight deck, raising clouds of sooty dust as you do so. By the time you have walked across the deck to the green light, a layer of black dust has covered you from the waist down. "CARBON," says the robot. "PROBABLY BLOWN OUT FROM THE BROWN DWARF." Suddenly Zanax doubles over and gags, choking and coughing. Darian hefts him up and heads back towards the ship as quickly as he can manage. Tully chuckles and says, "I expect his pet passed an inordinate amount of methane into his miniature atmosphere." He helps carry Zanax back in so he can bring his shield belt down. He says to Steve Jobs, "Can these shield belts compensate for expelled gases in order to purify the air?" "Of course," replies the ship. Zanax looks at Black Eye crossly and puts him on the ground, "For that, you stay here." Zanax re-activates his shield belt. "OK, let's go." "Was that it, Zanax? Were you injured from the methane?" Zanax frowns. "I wouldn't say injured...more nauseous from being in a Stinking Cloud..." "Did you at least pull its finger or was it an SBD?" Lo asks, laughing, tears rolling down his face. Zanax picks up Black Eye, puts him on Lo's shoulder and activates his shield belt. "Why don't you carry him around for a while?" Darian nods. "Okay, then let us try again." Tully nods. "Yes, let's do this." You exit the Steve Jobs again and reenter the flight deck. This time you make it all the way over to the place on the wall where the green light glows. "So, what does this light mean?" Zanax shrugs and heads toward the light. "Should I touch it?" "Tully? Do you know what it is?" "It is probably the access panel. Let's find out." He touches the button to see if it opens the door. A section of wall shimmers out of existence, revealing a small room beyond. A red light glows in the opposite wall. Tully motions everyone into the room. Once everyone is in, he pushes the next button so that the room can be closed and pressurized. Once you are in, the door behind you rematerialises. You become aware of a growing hissing sound, then the red light turns green. In the wall behind you is another light...now red. "Good and simple system," Tully comments. Once the one in front of them is green, he presses it to open the door. A door sized section of wall shimmers away, revealing another small room beyond. A bench runs along the right wall. A row of hooks runs above it. On the left are several shelves. On the shelves are a half a dozen shield belts, as well as some oddments such as gloves, helmets and small tools. On the opposite wall is the outline of another door. Tully looks it over. "We are dealing with a comparable technology here, Let's be careful." He tucks the belts, gloves and tools into a large pouch on his side. "Just in case we need some more shields later." He picks up one of the helmets and looks it over. "Steve Jobs, can you identify this helmet?" "I cannot see the item," replies the ship. "Hmm, we need to get cameras or something so that we can project those to you. Do you have any on board, Steve Jobs?" "I can create something called a tricorder for you that would serve that purpose." He looks the helmet over for a model number. He sees none. "Please do so." Tully runs back to the ship to get it. A moment later he returns with a small box. There is a strap so he can sling it over his shoulder. He tosses a red shirt to Lo. "I thought this might be a good shirt for you, Lo." Tully says, "So, what can you tell us about these helmets, Steve Jobs?" "Those are scan helmets," the ship replies. "They enhance your vision, extending it into the infrared and ultraviolet. They also provide long distance and macro vision." "Very nice." He slips one on. "Anyone else want one?" Zanax takes one and puts it on. "I hope it doesn't clash with my blue shirt." Tully says, "It goes fine with mine." He tosses one to Darian as well. He picks up another and starts to toss it to Lo and says, "Do you want one, Lo?" "Or my yellow one," quips Darian as he puts the helmet on. Lo smirks and takes one after he puts the red shirt on. You put the helmets on and play with them. They work fine for Tully and Lo, who find that they can examine the pores on Zanax's nose and the black roots of Darian's grey streak in excruciating detail. However, the paladin and the elf do not seem to gain any benefit from the. "Hey, don't I get one?" asks Wang, poking his head out from under Lo's robe. Darian takes his off. "I guess they don't work for the non-enhanced?" "Or elves," says Tully. "Yeah, maybe because you are still wholly magical and we are more technological." "Sounds right," Lo says as he looks around with the new helmet. Zanax removes his helmet. "Do you see anything different?" "It works for me just fine," Tully says, "Let's go." He presses the green button. The door shimmers away. On the other side is a passage running left and right. To the left, about 20' away, the passage ends at the outline of a door. To the right it runs for 30', turning left after 20'. As you ponder which way you are going to go, both Tully and Lo get funnier than usual looks on their faces. "What are you seeing, gentlemen?" asks Darian. Tully says, "Someone needs help. We are trying to find out who..." Tully says, "This way!" He runs as fast as he can down the corridor to the right. Darian follows, drawing his weapon. You rush down the passage and around the corner. Before you, the passage runs on, apparently for almost the length of the station, before ending at the outline of another door. Other doors are to either side down the length of the hall, but Tully leads you to the end. The door dematerialises, and you gaze into what must be the main control cabin of the station. In here are counters and controls. Standing before one is an illithid, just putting something into a pocket of his robe. "Bru-ha-ha-ha," he says, upon noticing you. Then he glowers at you. A terrible screech is heard within your minds. Darian flinches. Zanax's head explodes in a mushroom cloud. His lifeless body remains standing. Lo stands there, looking even more confused than usual. Tully is not affected...for now. You are not sure, but it seems that the illithid is becoming a bit less substantial. Darian starts to raise his blaster at the mind flayer. "Kill it quickly!" Another psionic blast hits you. Tully aims at the illithid. "Your magic resistance won't help you with this!" The illithid is definitely fading away now, as a third blast hits you. Darian continues to withstand the attacks while Tully suffers no further effects. Darian fires his blaster. The ray strikes some sort of energy field surrounding the monster, which flashes purple as it absorbs the energy. Tully fires as well. His ray bounces right off of the illithid's energy shield, slagging a nearby wall. The robot fires bolts of electricity from its extended arms, missing completely. "Bru-ha-ha-ha," comes the mind flayer's gloating laughter, as if from a very long way away, now. "You are fodder for my kind." And he is gone. Suddenly the lights go out and gravity vanishes. Lo shakes his head as his confusion eases. Black-eye lets out a wail. Darian breathes heavily. "Wow..." He looks around. "Tully, is Zanax dead?" Tully shakes his head. "Yes, he is dead right now. Let's take him back to the ship." Before grabbing Zanax, Tully looks around the room to see if there is anything of interest or value. He sees nothing of the sort. "I guess the Nernal has been stolen." "Steve, if the flayer teleported out using technology, did it leave a signal? If so, can it be traced?" Lo asks. Tully says, "I think it plane shifted." "The only life forms I now detect are the four of you." "Steve Jobs, is there any kind of shielding or equipment that can protect from psionic abilities? If we run into more mind flayers, we will get our asses handed to us each and every time." "I do not have anything to protect against mental attacks." "Do you know if anything has been developed during any of the wars to shield one against such attacks?" "Since psionic weapons were developed I assume that psionic defences were as well," the ship replies. "However, I do not have any such patterns in my memory. Sorry." He pushes himself toward Zanax and grabs his body. He then pushes off the wall toward the exit. "I guess this is a good way to get used to zero gravity. Steve Jobs, is there a way to create our own gravity with these shields or a way to magnetize our shields?" "I can create magnetic booties for you." "Can you do it remotely? If so, please make some now. It would save some time." "I am sorry. Only within ten meters of the ship." "Ok, then we will be there as soon as possible." He will continue moving toward the ship with Zanax's body. However, when you approach the section of wall where the entrance was, all you see is...a blank wall. There is no door there any more. "Steve, can you detect a door?" "All the doors would have been deactivated when the power source was shut off." There is a pause, then suddenly the lights come back on...as well as gravity. You all crash to the floor. The headless body of Zanax, of course, lands on top of Lo. "I have connected into the station's power grid, and am supplying energy to your section of the station," continues Steve Jobs. "You should be able to continue now." You now see the outline of a door, which shimmers away when you reach it. You make your way back quickly to the Steve Jobs. Soon you are safely ensconced in the lounge again. "Do you want Zanax revived?" asks the ship. "I can revive the body and regenerate the head. However, I do not have a brain tape for him." "We need to return home and we can have him resurrected. But, these brain tapes... Perhaps we should all have some made." "Of course. I can do that now, if you like." "Is there any danger to this brain tape thing, Steve?" "Of course not. It is a simple download." "Okay, then please do it." Suddenly a black leather couch materialises beside the elf. "Please lie down." Darian complies. "Thank you. Now relax and close your eyes. The download will begin momentarily." Darian complies. Tully watches with interest. He says, "Can you also take us back to Earth as you do this?" "Of course I can multitask." "Since he isn't getting any warmer or colder and the ship can power the station for awhile, why don't we explore for a bit?" Lo asks. "Steve Jobs, can you power the station? I suppose if we had gravity boots on we would have an advantage against any creature unaccustomed to zero gravity." "I cannot power the whole station, but I can power sections of it as you explore, if you want." "I am all for that," Lo says, eager to explore this technological wonder. "While I have no objection to exploring more, might we recover from our encounter with the mind flayer, first? I expended some of my psionic power fighting the creature and I need time to rest." Tully says, "Can you determine how many living creatures are on this station and how long they will survive with the Nernal gone?" "There are no other complex creatures besides yourselves," replies the ship. However, instead of exploring, you decide to return to Earth to have Zanax revived. As you set out, a silvery glow grows around Darian's head. He closes his eyes and seems to nap.
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