Detecting a massive warp signature on long range sensors the Charon moves to investigate and discovers the source to be a planet moving at warp 1.5. Amazed by the scene the Commodore decides to have the Charon move in for a closer look. As the Charon moves into an orbital pattern an optical transmission from the planet is detected.
[Location Unknown]
After using the deflector dish to receive the transmission they discover that the planet is inhabited by a species called the ‘Lyrillians.’ The head of Lyrillians identifies himself as the Grand Proctor Ohoni. The grand proctor asks if the ‘teachers’ sent the Charon to their planet. Shiarrael informs him that they were not sent by the ‘teachers’ and the grand proctor invites the crew to the planet for a face to face meeting. The commodore agrees to the request. However, something doesn’t feel right about the situation. Commander Ceer mentions the use of a primitive form of optical communication. ‘How can a species advanced enough to move a planet at warp not have subspace communication available?’
Gerlin ran his fingers over the cold control unit. Specks of dust were beginning to accumulate on the edges of the gray metallic panel. He visually checked every switch seeing no need to physically test them. Behind him Kuna was checking the visual gauges “are they working properly?”
Are the Lyrillians hiding something from the crew of the Charon and who are these ‘teachers’ the grand proctor mentioned?
“They are fine.” Kuna smiled. Leaning over to check the control mechanisms she used a free hand to drape her long red hair across her back “I don’t see any visible errors. Let’s return to the control station.”
“Good idea.” Gerlin smiled glad that there weren’t any problems to deal with today. He followed Kuna into the control room where the other five great technicians were keeping their eyes on the Maker’s displays. “Everything is fine.” Gerlin announced to the room and they all nodded.
Taking his own seat Gerlin turned his attention to the blackness of space. The Maker’s control periphery was just a giant dome encased in transparent metal giving all the technicians and any visitors a panoramic view. Behind them was the azure glow of Lyrila and in front of them the black expanse of space. Only a few stars dotted the expanse.
Suddenly an alarm sounded. Gerlin and the other technicians jumped out of their seats startled by the strange noise. “What is it?!” Gerlin asked but his question was only an echo of the other technicians.
Kuna calmly slid out of her seat and approached the blinking display. Everyone waited quietly for her answer. She slid her thin pale fingers across the display, her expression neutral for a moment but then it quickly soured “proximity alarm- but I don’t see the object.”
“Is it an error?” Gerlin asked. He squinted trying to see if he could visually make out an object in their path. “I don-” his voice faltered as the entire control station was bathed in violet light. Where there had once been blackness a giant maw had formed. Swirling clouds of violet spun into a bright center “by the teachers’ knowledge!” Gerlin shouted “can you change our course?!”
Kuna’s fingers danced on the consoles her face straining as she worked. The others jumped to their stations. Finally Kuna looked up with a defeated expression “we cannot change course, it is too late. The great maw will swallow us!”
Everyone panicked.
[Lyrila, Nysinrin City]
Grand Proctor Ohoni sat on the balcony of the central café. Seated with him were the adjunct proctors who were discussing their ideas but Ohoni was oblivious to their ramblings. Sipping his ralien sap tea he watched the central courtyard where dozens of people were mingling and visiting the mini shops that the farmers erected every weekend to sell their goods. A cool wind was flowing down the mountains that crowned the city and it was genuinely a good day, as were most.
“We should raise taxes, a small amount, don’t you agree Grand Proctor?”
“Grand Proctor? Grand Proctor Ohoni? Are you listening?”
Ohoni jumped slightly realizing he was being spoken to “oh of course I am!” He studied their faces already certain that they were debating a tax hike. They had been debating tax hikes for the past two centuries “Three percent is adequate. The great technicians have kept the maker in harmony. We have never had famine and we have enough resources to keep our infrastructure intact. There is no need to raise taxes.”
“Even so, we should-” The earth shook and silenced adjunct proctor Seronai. Everyone at the table looked around as the shaking increased. People in the courtyard began shouting for their children and running for cover.
“An earth quake?” One of the proctors asked. Ohoni shook his head uncertain about it. There hadn’t been an earthquake on Lyrila in over fifty centuries. Suddenly the earth began to heave and the shouts turned into screams. Ohoni was aghast but paralyzed with fear. The blue sky suddenly disappeared replaced by darkness and then a heavy violet glow. The shaking stopped but the sky was enveloped by the violet light. The maker’s tendrils were easily visible in the sky.
“By the teachers knowledge what is that?” Seronai jumped to his feet and stumbled into the café. Several other people on the balcony followed suit and the people in the courtyard were running for cover. Ohoni on the other hand remained in his seat mesmerized by the display wondering if they were going to die at any moment but as suddenly as it appeared the violet light was gone and darkness stood in its wake. The street lamps in the courtyard activated and several people stepped back outside to study the black sky. But this sky was different. It was filled with glowing dots- hundreds upon hundreds of them. What is this sky? Ohoni wondered.
His earpiece immediately activated “Grand Proctor, this is great technician Gerlin. We have been swallowed by a maw.”
Ohoni stood up and the remaining adjunct proctors did likewise “is the maker damage?”
“We are unsure.” Gerlin replied through the earpiece “light should be restored to the eastern hemisphere soon.” As he spoke those words the glittering blackness that had swallowed the sky was immediately replaced by azure blue.
“This space, it is different.” Ohoni noted.
“Yes, you should come to the maker’s control station and you should bring the other proctors. Everyone should see this- it is…incredible.”
Detecting a massive warp signature on long range sensors the Charon moves to investigate and discovers the source to be a planet moving at warp 1.5. Amazed by the scene the Commodore decides to have the Charon move in for a closer look. As the Charon moves into an orbital pattern an optical transmission from the planet is detected.
After using the deflector dish to receive the transmission they discover that the planet is inhabited by a species called the ‘Lyrillians.’ The head of Lyrillians identifies himself as the Grand Proctor Ohoni. The grand proctor asks if the ‘teachers’ sent the Charon to their planet. Shiarrael informs him that they were not sent by the ‘teachers’ and the grand proctor invites the crew to the planet for a face to face meeting. The commodore agrees to the request. However, something doesn’t feel right about the situation. Commander Ceer mentions the use of a primitive form of optical communication. ‘How can a species advanced enough to move a planet at warp not have subspace communication available?’
Are the Lyrillians hiding something from the crew of the Charon and who are these ‘teachers’ the grand proctor mentioned?
