Preamble Darés wiped the last drops of water and sweat off of her forehead. It was another hot day on Earth, the temperature peaking at around 90°, a record high for the season the continent was in, but definitely not as hot as the planet she'd trained on. "Tensions have arisen between the Vell-os - Federation relationship, as Bureau activists protested at New York City, against the Vell-os Ambassadors that arrived earlier today." The Holo-Vid cut to a man wearing an outfit, garnished with the familiar and ancient symbol of the cross. "We don't want them here! They killed off the Bureau that had protected us for such a long time, and now they're trying to spread their filthy spiritual beliefs and ideals to our society. May their souls depart to hell!" In the background were many people carrying crosses and signs, some even with torches, all filling the streets around Federation Headquarters. Darés stood up, and looked down out the window, cradling her 4 month old child in her arms. The mob seemed so far away, so distant, but when she closed her eyes, she could see the hatred radiating like a plume of red smoke lazily exhaled. "It is sad," a deep voice intoned behind her, her husband placing his hands on her shoulder, massaging deeply, not only with physical touch. "We offer our assistance in realizing the truth, we try to help them, but their fears control them, guide them against the unknown for which we gladly offer answers.” "Ironic." "Very." Another moment of silence enveloped the three, as they stood there, above the chaos, united as one; a family. "It has been years since the Vell-os broke free of their Bureaucratic enslavers, seemingly disappearing. Ten years ago today they returned, offering peace, happiness; a galactic Golden-Age. But with all the violence and damage they've caused, many find it hard to forgive or believe what they promise. The Holo-Vid once again cut to an interviewee, this time in front of ruins, surrounded by tall, dense green grasses. "Its been 30 years since both my parents died, I'll never forget the scenes of uncontrolled destruction that one person unleashed unto the building where my parents worked, slaughtering every person in sight without the blink of an eye. It was a damn good thing they were enslaved, as they are obviously more savage than the Aurorans. And it’s a damn shame they aren’t still. For all we know, they could be planning an invasion, and we all know how powerful they are…" The Holo-Vid cut back to the reporter, now inside a large auditorium. "That was Barthus Crane. I'm now inside where the reception and speech from the two Vellosian Ambassadors will be given. We will have continuous coverage, just stay tuned to UNN, your most extensive news – " The Holo-Vid shut off, seemingly by itself, but Darés saw Korchan's weaves manipulate the on/off switch. He kissed the top of her head. "Its time." With that, Dares walked carefully over to the cylindrical crib that floated a couple feet off the ground. Placing her firstborn in, she softly shut the Plasteel top. The crib could now withstand 500 tons of pressure or explosive … unfortunate that such precautions needed to be taken, but past conflicts and uncertainty demanded caution. The infant within began to doze off into sleep, surrounded by soft cushions. Darés and Korchan left the room, proceeding up several flights of stairs, to a room behind the small auditorium, where the president of the Federation usually made speeches to the press. * * Outside, the mob was boiling, as it saw the conference on a large screen near the base of the Federation building. Drone fighters patrolled the air around the tall building, weaving through the buildings, skimming just above the crowd, scanning for trouble. 300 miles above, a lone ship plummeted at high speeds down toward the city, the atmosphere straining its shields. It was one of the old relic ships, an IDA frigate, on its last limbs, by the looks of it. The single pilot inside grinned, and pushed the accelerator to maximum, kissing his golden cross, smiling in pious glee. * * The President took to the podium. "My fellow Galatians. I come to you today to commemorate the second-ever Federation-Vell-os alliance in Galactic history. I – " The man stopped talking, pressed at something at his ear. He looked sadly up at the crowd of reporters, reached a shaky hand under the podium, and depressed a button somewhere. In a split second, a shield was over and around the president, and a heartbeat later he, along with the podium and the floor he was standing on shot down through the ground, a secret escape tunnel. For what seemed like a full minute, the room, previously jittering, was silent. What felt like all at once, everyone began to rush to doorways, some even tried to jump down the shaft that remained in the area the president once stood. Dares and Korchan were oblivious to this, waiting for a cue. The two sat beside one another, hands crossed over each other's lap. Alarm radiated from Korchan– do you feel that?! – he said telepathically, his eyes widening. – a ship … - Dares began, but Korchan was already on his feet, dragging his beloved towards the windows as fast as he could… * * With a terrible roar, the ball of fire that was the IDA frigate smashed into the top of the building, sinking in like a metal foot into a sandcastle, crushing at least 20 floors before exploding, completely destroying the top half of the building, metal, concrete, glass, dust flying everywhere, into surrounding buildings. The Baby giggled as it was thrown through the air, inflated cushions surrounding it as it crashed into another building, and out the other side, landing eventually in the small, lush park. The mob below began to cheer, as they saw the ship bearing down on the building. Seconds later, as huge chunks of metal, rebar and fire plummeted towards them they realized how close to the building they were…. * * In the chaos that followed the child was found by a wealthy family who quietly departed the planet, away from the unrest. Eventually, the lost child’s eyes gazed to the sky, and one day, many years later, bought a shuttlecraf , hoping to find their true family someday …
Ain’t she a beaut? I think this render took about 17 hours! I was very proud of it. Experimenting with Eevee and Unreal Engine professionally, I am constantly astounded at how far computer graphics in gaming have come since these days.
Introduction. - When landing on Vell (Formely New England in wolf-357)
After doing the post-flight routine, you feel a presence behind you, and turning around, you see a scantly clad person, obviously Vell-os because you managed to see the mental projection around him fade. You warily say "Hello," completely expecting an arrest for some offense unintentionally made.
"I am Ulo, member of the guild of trading." he says formally.
"hello," you say, sticking out your hand. you feel his hand grip yours, despite the fact both of his hands are at his side. "Vell-os observers say you good in hard times. Good at escaping." he says, hesitating between words, as if he was new at speaking Basic. You nod, still cautious.
"The federation is not listen to our pleas for action on . You heard of problem there?" You shake your head, intrigued. "3 Vell-os die there. Government attack ehm-bah-see there. Federation do nothing. two other Vell-os trapped, hiding, need help."
"let me guess" you say " You want my help to get them out?"
"Yes."
"Why couldn’t you just do it?" you ask, only to have the chat brought to something else.
"I give you 50,000 credits now, 50,000 after for rescue. you help us?"
He breaks into a smile, hands you the credit stick. "May prime watch over you." he says, and walks away.
His hopeful face falls, his shoulders sag slightly. Without a word, he turns an leaves, leaving you with a bad feeling, and a strong urge to run to him and accept. but in a blink of an eye, he becomes a Vell-os arrow, and flies away...
Landing on planet:
As soon as you open the door, two robed figures immediately step up to you. "I am Fylar, and this is Yular, my brother. Thank you for coming so quickly." they say as you let them in. Hairs rise on the back of your neck, the air on this planet feels tense, electric, like before a terrible storm. It seems prudent to be off sooner than later. You immediately prep the ship for takeoff, before going back to the passenger area.
"What happened?" you ask
"After the war with the rebels and after the Bureau fell, the remaining people of the bureau came to this planet. They had been plotting to regain power and once again run the federation. We set up an embassy here to investigate, and perhaps stop. They, on the other hand, attacked us not two weeks after we set up."
This Vell-os, you note speaks English very well, as opposed to the first one you met. The two brothers looked at each other, and after a moment or two, Fylar once again spoke.
"When my brother and I were in the field, they used an EMP torpedo on our facility. From then on, it would be like shooting bunnies in a cage. We saw the explosion, and immediately changed our appearances, and called for help."
"why did other Vell-os come to rescue you instead of me?" you ask.
"Mainly because you wouldn’t stick out - just another trader it they had sent a Vell-os to come to us, chances are it would end up in the same state as our facility." Fylar said, and looked at Yular again. "Also because you would be easy for us to notice. What are you, a 7 now?"
"What?" you ask, confused
"Humm. well you will find out about that later. In any ca-" His words were cut off as the ship rocked violently as a Flak cannon's shells ripped through the 's armor.
"Shit!" Fylar yelled. "The telepath tracking devices! I thought those were all destroyed on Wolf!" another flak exploded, and you raced to the bridge...
On landing at Vell
After leaving and struggling through the barrage of post-bureau ships, The two Vell-os told their tale, and explained themselves. the "Telepath tracking devices" turned out to be scanners that would scan for nanites and their unique energy pattern. The Remnant Bureau (as the Vell-os call them) once again sought to capture, and enslave the two Vell-os, another attempt to come to power once again.
The second Vell-os, Yular was English illiterate; as he was born and raised on the 'Core Worlds' and thus was not expected to know such a barbaric language. However, they still hadn't told you what 'an 8' is. Every time you asked during the trip, something seemed to go wrong.
Fylar thanks you, and hands over a healthy 100,000 credits. Noticing that you were supposed to only get 50,000, you consider notifying Fylar.
yes
"um, Fylar?" you ask, raising your voice
he turns around, suppressing a smile "yes?" he asks
"You gave me 100,000 credits. I already have 50,000 given to me by the one who gave me the mission."
"Go on..."
"well, he said I was to get 50,000 after the mission.. uh, a total of 100,000..." you pull out your 50,000 credit stick previously given to you, and hold it out to Fylar. His face, blank as usual breaks into a full smile, something you'd never seen a Vell-os do.
"Keep both. your honesty and effort deserves the extra. If your interested, i;m sure someone would like to meet you at the bar.
No.
You greedily decide to simply take the money and run. Their mistake, not yours, besides; who could say no to free money? Pocketing the credit stick, you walk back to your ship.
Bar on Vell
The soft, white-blue light, and smooth, plastic walls soothed your view screen-weary eyes, and the eerie, yet pleasant white noise clamed your nerves. Other than the bartender, you were alone in the bar. He, with a glass floating in front of him, polishing itself, looked up, with wise, sage eyes. "I'll have a-" you begin, sitting down, when he interrupts: "you will have a water." filling a glass while staring at you unblinkingly. You nervously look down, scratch your neck. Again, you attempt conversation, as the glass floats down in front of you.
"I was told that-"
"and you've met him. I suppose you are wondering what all this is about. I assume you've heard of the defeat of the Bureau...?"
"elementary school." you reply "Learned all about it... and I thought the bureau was done for. I was attacked not three days ago by what Fylar told me was Remnant Bureau activists."
"What Fylar has told you is truth. But that is of no concern to you. Tell me, did you ever know your parents?"
"yes." you say
"Did they ever say anything about their parents or heritage?"
"no. My mother was an orphan, and my dad's parents were killed by Aurorans."
"The true reason you were" he pauses, thinking " ... used to rescue the two, was because your grandmother was a Vell-os."
You’ve had the wool pulled over your eyes before. But the events of the last days were just too odd for this to be coincidence “I… I couldn’t be Vell-os, though." you mutter, and the man behind the bar chuckles.
"oh but you are. the fact that your brain, right now, at this moment has nanites in it proves it thus. Tell me, have you ever been able to sense something before it happens?"
"no." you reply.
"Think back... back when that pirate was attacking you at Tichel ... you narrowly dodged that Raven rocket that would have destroyed your ship."
"But that was because I was doing evasive maneuvers! and, how did you know about that?" you ask, confused, and slightly angry.
"Calm down, , We have been following you, ever since we detected your presence on sol."
"Why were you following me?"
"Because you are Vell-os, , and we want you to rejoin us. We followed you to see if you exhibited anything a T9 would show."
"T9?"
"Measurement of telepathic power. the range is T10 to T1. T10 is the average human being. a T9 exhibits slight precognition, shown when you dodged that rocket. The question is do you want to rejoin your noble ancestors? There still is time to say no, but once you are in, you may leave, but never return." The glass was not polishing itself anymore.
Yes
"Very well." he says, and closes his eyes. You wonder what he is doing, but decide to keep quiet, and wait for more information. "Borrim is honored to have you as his student, , and is very eager to meet you. He will meet you on the space station above Vell. If you will excuse me, I have some business to attend to." You stand up to shake his hand, but he turns and w with that, you feel gentle hands pushing you along to the door, as the lights dim, and the "door" "closes" behind you, and the bar dissolves, reforming into a spectacular sight...a huge flying Vell-os ship... like a giant, ethereal bladed weapon. You realize its one of the fabled 'Javelins'' you'd heard about in bars. It silently glides away up into the sky, glowing faintly in the afternoon light. Your wonder if you, supposedly a Vell-os, will ever be able to do such wonders...
No
After thinking a while. you shake your head. You've heard the stories about the weird transformations Vell-os go through, how they become unhuman... and somehow that does not seem right for you. Expecting frustration, or even disappointment, you are surprised instead to see sorrow and pity spread over his face.
"Well than I feel sorry for you. More than you can ever imagine." With that he, leaves you, and the bar seems to disintegrate, and your left standing in the middle of a field totally alone, with only your ship to keep you company.
On landing at Pell
Butterflies are in your stomach as you land on the Vellosian creation...a beautiful complex of metallic surfaces and translucent, crystal-like walls, twirled in an amazingly artful way. Instead of people walking around, they float, a faint aura around their limbs, much like that on the edges of their ships in space. You are so caught up in the rapture and beauty of the blue, crystalline structure, that you hardly notice the huge vertical shaft ahead of you. suddenly you are weightless, falling slowly down through the layers of the spaceport. You feel as though you’re slowly falling into a deep pillow, but then you realize Vell-os manifestations are below you, carrying you somewhere; your no longer falling. After around 5 minutes of floating, you come into an alcove where a dark haired man is seated, meditating. as his eyes open, the manifestation below you dissolves, and you land on the ground
"So your to be my new student?" he says, totally still, eyes closed. You only nod, still awestruck by the Vell-os society. “Very well, what do you want to learn?" he says, eyes opening, dark and focused intently on you. His eyes seem to magnetically draw your entire attention until you only see blackness. Confused, you begin to panic when two images coalesce in front of you. One of an arrow firing a long, purple beam at a pirate, the pure energy cutting into the hull...the other of a javelin, like the one the Vell-os in the bar became, quietly, peacefully circling a ringed planet you don’t recognize. Both intrigue you, but you find yourself most interested in the beam.
"I see you are attracted to the Summer bloom. Weapons are truly some of the most interesting things in Vell-os society, while remaining simple. Am I correct, or did I view your mind wrongly?"
"no," you say "I am interested in the weapons, and how you create them." you respond, recalling a memory of watching one of these ethereal ships mid combat in your early, scared first days of space travel.
"Through complex utilization of your mind. But before we can get anywhere, we must broaden your telepathic skills."
"You mean I already have them?"
"Why of course. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t have them. Plus the fact that your parents' parents were Vell-os, so you have the nanite-creating gene throughout your DNA...."
"Nanite?" The man takes a slow blink, the first you’ve seen him take. You notice him sitting behind the two images for the first time, perched in space, placid.
"Nanites. The organisms that grow inside your body which allow us to focus our mental energies. They're what allow us to make weaves.." he says, beckoning to the insanely complex structure that you suddenly are once aware of sitting in. "Nanites were originally a family mutation, but eventually we began to learn, and use the nanites, many centuries ago. Indeed, society began to reject us, confronted by the terrifying that is the unknown. Thus the fables of wizardry, genies and psychics arose back then. So much, that our family began to become hunted for, either because of intolerance, or for the fabled three wishes. So we left earth, and formed our own civilization, away from earth. At the time we had never imagined that the others would ever follow us, and we would be free to practice our talents. All because of something we could not control. The rest, is history."
"Before you can learn anything about broadening your mind, you must first learn to think like we do. The space you come from is a barbaric place, restricted by the need of gravity to keep their body stable, the need for weapons, and money. Because our society is based of the free sharing of knowledge for the greater fruition of consciousness, money is of no use to us. Soon you will see that you will have no need for your ship, or your money." he says. You suppress the urge to roll your eyes. “Eventually you will need next to nothing, except perhaps metals and instruments to carry with you for the more complex tasks we have not yet learned to do on our own.”
He pauses, and, still regarding you intently, slowly blinks. The hair on your neck raises slightly.
“I see your mind is confused, but don’t worry. Things will become clear in time. For now, its time that you learn the language”
Weeks Pass
After many intensive weeks of 'mind broadening' techniques, and after learning the beautifully simple Vellosian language, you begin to learn some of the minute, but amazing techniques the Vell-os use. It is a life-changing experience, an exhilarating revelation of your own potential in ways you’d never imagined possible. You learned to detect the differences between brain waves, eventually beginning to decipher the 'weaves' as they are called, directly translated. You can understand when someone is directly hostile to you. Borrim tells you that you can eventually learn to block your mind, after learning to read other peoples minds, as long as they choose not to block their own minds. You learned to meditate, and slowly you find yourself forgetting about things that were once important, as the clutter in your mind is slowly, doggedly swept aside.
Borrim floats in, early in the day, the walls becoming slightly translucent to let the light of Wolf-359 come in.
"it is time," he says "To see if you really can become one of us. It is time to land at New Vella."
New Vella. The planet completely off-limits to any other race in the universe unless they have special rights. Not much, save the destruction of the bureau fifty years back, is known of the planet.
"Ill get my ship ready," you say, the thoughts of pre-flight routines suddenly coming crashing into your once placid mind.
“… Yes, do that “ he says, as though he had forgotten entirely about it.
Confused, you walk out to your ship, and take off.
- - -
10 pages seems like a good place to stop. Hope you've enjoyed it as much as I had fun re-reading, and editing it! There is much, much more to come, so uh, stay tuned?
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