Ghost ship.. Finally: Ghost-Shadows

Part one, Part two, Part three , Part four I sat in the waiting room.. Feeling a bit loss. Dr Chambers was in the med lab trying to say Shiara's life... Funny once I thought I didn't much need a familiar, now I feel different. Alwyn walked up and I looked at him... "Anything?" He asked and I nodded negatively... He at beside me, "That Max fellow has been going through the ruins and glyphs in the vids... We know where Azu'ha'du is.... The good Dr has her job, we need to do ours.." He left and finally I stood and began to walk to the bridge... Captain Gideon joined me... "How is the girl?" "I do not know.." I say "Galen, Why didn't you say anything..." Before my friend could finish I flashed him a look "A Wizard's relationship with his familiar is a private matter.." I watched as he nodded and decided not to pursue As we came to the bridge the Lt glance back with his report... "We are approaching something... " "LT, can you be more specific?" I ask... He gave this wtf look at the screen, "I wish I could..." We all looked at the viewer... "We are being dragged in..." one officer yelled.... The ship whines and cussed with its metal as I received a Techno-message from Alwyn who was right next to me... Techno-message to Galen from Alwyn --- Do you feel it? Shadow tech! My old friend was right this had to be the Gate to Azu'ha'du... Now the Shadows had left for beyond the rim but we had no way to know what they left behind... Techno-message to Alwyn from Galen --- Except for the cure for the Drakh Plague, no other Shadow tech can be retrieve... It is too dangerous and MUST be destroyed... You will provide the smoke screen.. I will ensure the technologies are in fact destroyed... I would have to especially watch Maximilian, IPX would do anything to get Shadow Tech... Within we found a planet... and Drakh ships... "Matthew, don't get too close we do not want them to see us... Take the Excalibur here... We will have to fly with shuttles to the planet... Alwyn and I will try to use our magic to cloak us." I instruct... On the planet the base was fully operational... This I knew was not good... We had several squads of armed military Earth Forces... Matthew, Alwyn and myself... With the Drakh presence it was too dangerous to bring any others... Either Alwyn or I would transmit anything we find for Mr Eilerson or Dr Tombs who was sitting in for Dr Chambers to examine... Techno-message to Alwyn from Galen --- I should go solo... Stay with Matthew and be careful.. Remember they can turn your tech off... It was time for me to set up to destroy this piece of Darkness... Techno-message to Galen from Alwyn --- Don't worry about me boy.. What about you? I smiled.... As I faded in the shadow and disappeared from the group Techno-message to Alwyn from Galen --- You forget my tech has been freed... I will monitor you and the others... Once I was away I use the spell that covered my skin in Shadow Skin... In my head I could hear the others conversation.... Matthew Gideon sounded annoyed, "Galen?" Where did he go?" Alwyn was serious, "It is quite rude to ask a Mage about his business... " He then chuckled, "We technomages work best alone... I will remain to ensure your safety..." I worked in and out of rooms... Using the Spell of Destruction which I had been forbidden to ever use to destroy the Shadows Tech.. I kept my eye out on any sign of the cure or what would be terrible more of that damn Plague... I entered a center room, nearly missing a Drakh, it was as I had feared, they were loading up more of the Plague... If I sent probes to see if among it was the cure I would alert the Drakh, they would sense the energy of my Tech... Just then a cat brushed up against me and Shiara transformed to herself... "What are you doing here?" I asked.. She didn't look well.. She looked pale... She looked at me, "I am your familiar, you need me..." I began to argue and she raised her hand, "remember what I told you about my amulet.. With it you can see through my eyes and hear through my ears... It isn't Shadow Tech, like your tech so they wont detect it... Not on me or on you... You can't get closer they will sense your tech but I am not a Technomage... " She took the form of a Blurinean rat and scampered into the ships... Grasping the amulet I summoned the image.. Seeing what she saw... To my dismay the ship was full of the Plague but nothing of the cure... A Drakh spoke, "The anti-dote has been removed. Our previous masters must have took it with them.." The Head Drakh laughed, "No fool.. They never created an anti-dote... If we were foolish to get infected we deserved death... The only race to create one, an ancient race disappeared 900 years ago... I doubt they will find the Angeriels." I instructed Shiara to return..... I waited for the ship to launch and then with the Spell of Destruction I destroyed it... As I feared the big Explosion alarmed the Drakh... Techno-message to Alwyn from Galen --- There is no cure here!! Get out I am destroying the base! I hear Alwyn tell the others to go now, to leave and Laser fire.... Shiara turns into a large Vreetan tiger and I ride on her back toward the shuttles where Matthew and Alwyn are pinned down.... Shiara turns into a Shadow, (I wasn't aware she could do that...) She distracted the Drakh and we were able to eliminate them. After we boarded and was in flight, I discreetly cast the Spell of destruction on the whole base... It disappears with a loud thunder claps... "What the HELL!" Matthew stood... "Galen! What the..." I played the transmission of the Drakh leader... and then bore a serious look into Matthew, "They had more of the Plague, it had to be destroyed... Don't you agree!" "You?" he then calmly asked... "Perhaps... Perhaps not.." I suggest and sit back... As the Excalibur leaves, Azu'ha'du, I again use the spell of Destruction and destroy the gate... Dr Chambers tells me that Shiara will recover but needs rest so While the Excalibur is at Babylon 5, I have decided to go with Shiara to this Christmas Party...

Ghost ship.. part 4...Battle among the stars

Part one, Part two, Part three While examining the Ghree vessel, Galen and the others came under attack. I had to defend them so I did. However this meant I had to reveal myself. Now though we were preparing for battle. I was on the bridge with Galen staying quiet as he instructed me. "Captain, Drakh Warship entering from Hyperspace. " Lt Matheson flashed a look at the screen, "Make that two." "Here they come. Battle stations... Lt are those Star Furies scrambled yet?" Captain leaned forward in his chair. Lt turned quickly, "Sir, Starfuries have launched but.... but the pilots claim they launched without them." "They did what?" The Captain questioned... The second in command turned away and then back, "Confirmed sir, The Starfuries have launched and are flying unmanned..." Just then the Excalibur was hit hard... "Return fire!" The Captain flashed a look at Galen, "We have to defend the Ghree wreckage. The clues to help us find the cure could be there!" The Ship shook and voice rang out around me as Orders were given, instructions were being followed and information was being relayed... I stepped several steps back grabbing a console to brace myself and then turned away ... I could see my reflection within the console. My eyes rotating my Dragon Runes as I mentally gave orders using my Technopathy... Blood fell and hit the metal console it was coming from my nose and the veins in my head were throbbing. "Captain, The first Drakh ship has sustained bad damage from the Starfuries, They are flying ... Well they are making several very daring nearly Kami Kazi like runs. " The Lt announced... "Who the hell is controlling them! Galen? Alwyn?" Gideon looked around "Not me I assure you but whoever it is certainly doing a dandy job of keeping that battle cruiser busy." Alwyn advised... "Lt focus all of our weapons on the second ship!" Gideon then turned to Galen who had no answered him, "Galen? Is this..." I glanced up and looked through the reflection he was looking at me and the Captain followed his gaze to me... "Shiara what are you doing?" Galen had finally spoke... Just then a massive explosion rocked the Excalibur on its side... "REPORT!" "We hit a weak spot in the second ship it has been destroyed... !st ship isn't fairing to well.. We have lost most of our starfuries." The Lt barked in response... "Its preparing to fire on the wreckage!" "Target that ship prepare the big weapon..." Gideon stumble, "FIRE!" As the Excalibur fire it's massive weapon the other ship exploded.... Lt Matteson counted the time when our Ship would be back online... Since this ship doesn't have the high energy capacity of a Vorlon ship firing the main weapon will render the ship helpless then it has to regenerates power, this take a full minute. I crumbled and Galen ran over to me. Alwyn not far after, with a wave of his hand he began examining me. Lt Matteson walked over to the Captain and they both walked toward us.... "Galen?" "I think Shiara has been using her technopathy to control the Starfuries." Galen then looked at me... "I I I Couldn't .... all those lives.... that.. would have... ... died...." I was breathless, I had pushed myself to far. Controlling squadrons of fighters all myself... It was way too much.. I could feel myself loosing consciousness... "By taking control of them she could fly them in ways that a pilot couldn't because it would be too risky... As a result it through the Drakh off balanced..." Matteson told everyone... Gideon tugged on his uniform, "The wreckage?" "Destroyed. The Drakh manage to fire before we could destroy it." Matteson stated and everyone looked saddened and crushed... I had to tell Galen before I lost consciousness.... "Galen!" I gasped in pain... "Don't speak..." Alwyn turned to Galen, "She is hemmoraging. It's the secondary nervous system... The one similar to our Tech... She has what appears to be an Aneurysm forming... If it can not be treated, she will die." The Captain linked for the Dr and Galen like lightening grabbed me and began moving me through the corridors toward med lab. "Damn it Shiara!" He cussed... "It's okay... If my death saves Earth, then I have no complaints. " I say "Don't speak." He yelled rushing me through the ship both he and Alwyn were sending me organelles from their body as Galen ran carrying me. Alwyn right their running with him his hands on my head. "if Earth is saved from my difference... from this thing I have that makes me such a freak then my death doesn't matter ... " "I said stop talking... For once do as I say!" Galen fussed... "I found a chamber, I think it had charts to Azu'ha'du. I took a holo-vid of it... It's stored in your amulet..." I couldn't say anymore.... Galen was drifting away and the sounds were going as black as my surroundings.... TBC

Ghost ship.. part 3... the cat is out of the proverbial bag

Alwyn and I sent some of own probes down with those of the Excalibur's We marveled at the image.... It was definitely the ship we were looking for... Could this be it? Could we have found the cure? "Mr Eilerson! Is it or IS it not the 600 years ago old Ghreen salvage ship which we are looking for?" Matthew yelled... It had been days since we first saw the ship... Half of it was buried deep in the ground, most of it was damaged... As usual Maximilien was working to decipher the written alien language.. Alwyn whispered, "He has been at it for days.." "Yes, but he is the best. I have no doubt sooner or later he will translate it..." I whisper back "He is a pain in the ass!" Alwyn spat... I smirked, "Indeed he is..." Max's reply to the Captain drew our attention, "No one has ever truly seen ancient Ghree text.. Since the Ghree influenced several races... I have to be sure this is Ghree and not Cilia or Bergu or... " "Enough excuses!" Matthew sighed and walked over to us... "Enjoying the show?" "Yes quite entertaining." I smile at the Captain. "Where is your..... cat... familiar..." He says looking around... "Watching the sunset I suppose..." I say and then rise... "Captain.." It was Dr Chambers and Durena, "We think we may have found something.. A chamber, It is in the segment that is buried..." We stood and proceeded in the direction they pointed too... Suddenly a blast shot past exploding a near by rock. It was awfully close to hitting me... I grabbed Alwyn and our good Dr and followed the Captain and Durena to take cover behind a large boulder.. Soon we were joined by Maximilien after we witness the death of several of his fellow IPX comrades... The Captain fired his PPG while Alwyn and I shot fireballs and electric plasma beams They were firing weapons similar to the Thrakallan v'kk'xo PP Weapon Dr Chambers tried her link to inform the Excalibur we were under fire. "No response... We are being Jammed!" My Amulet was glowing, it started the minute the first shot was fired... Mathew glared at me as he ducked from several shots, "Can you stop that thing!" I knew it must be an alarm system signaling to Shiara that we were being attacked... "We should get into the Ship, we would have more cover.." Durena offered.. The Captain nodded, "We need cover..." Just then the sky darkened with a large flying dragon approaching us... For the first time we saw who was firing at us.. It was the Drakh.. They looked at the Dragon coming from behind them in the air.. Max titled his head to the side, "Alwyn you have improved your Holo-dragon... I thought you preferred yellow ones with red eyes.. Not that I am complaining, this one looks more real..." As the Dragon swooped down and grabbed a Drakh with her mouth... "It is not mine." Alwyn replied at the same time Matthew added, "A little too real.." "Might I suggest we run." Max exclaimed as the dragon threw the Drakh and then breathed fire and a group of other Drakh soldiers.. The Dragon set down and Shiara transformed, wearing black battle amour with the green dragon glyphs... "It's a woman!" I heard someone say... "Yes it is Shiara my familiar.." I say as Shiara leaps into battle and goes hand to hand... Shiara summons her Nano Weapons, first a pair of Sais... After throwing one and leaving the other stabbed in the throat of one Drakh she pulled her magical knuckles... They are her preferred weapon at times I believe.. Designed like brass knuckles they are far more dangerous... The hand weapon fits in the palm the hand with a leather hallow grip with easy access holes for the fingers It is the part over the knuckles and on the side where the thumb rest that makes these weapons not only deadly but not your average brawler weapon For across the knuckles is a blade resembling that of the blade or bit of an axe... It has a solid swivel head piece that fits over the blade making it a solid blunt weapon on the thumb rest is a release button so with the slight thumb and wrist movement the swivel head came be flipped from the blade and will slide carefully into the leather palm grip, much the way one may handle a switch blade knife... One quick flip of the wrist and the solid pieces lifts turns and slides into the hallow leather grip... exposing a sharp and deadly blade... The blade is made of a tough diamond sharp metal... They are black and have the green Dragon glyphs edged in them.. Shiara wields one in each of her hands and uses it to deal with the rest of our attackers... We stand and watch... "You know, your new girlfriend is making you look bad Galen." Matthew jested "We technomages are not soldiers. We never pick up a club and start beating people in the heads. We obviously are very powerful and cerebral. We find a different way than that of being physical. So We leave that sort of thing to .... well those like you." I reply... "and... Matthew... She is not my girlfriend.." Just then Shiara threw hew knuckles into a boulder and from her legs pulled the tattoo of a Dragon away and it turned into a whip... She used it to subdue a Drakh who was attempting to flee... "Probably a good thing Galen. Not sure you want to date a woman who knows how to use a whip." Matthew added... Max then join the conversation, "I don't know those are normally the most exciting women..." He paused as we looked at him, "So I have heard.." He did a double look at us suggesting he was a bit embraced... and hoping he had convinced us.. of what I will leave to you to contemplate... "Are you going to help her?" Durena blurted out Alwyn then smiled, "Shiara doesn't look as if she needs our help.." With that the battle was over, Shiara gathered her weapons as they turned into mini snake like dragons and re-entered her skin only to transform into small dragon glyphs on her body... Captain's link then sounded.. It was the Excalibur.... panicked of course... "I destroyed the jamming device.." Shiara stated looking at everyone... There was no time for me to introduce Shiara properly... After calming the first officer on board the Excalibur... Gathering the Drakh who were alive for questioning, we knew we had a bigger problem... The Drakh probably had a battleship on it's way... At least we know we are on the right track ... TBC

Ghost Ship part 2: The Cat nose.... what?

Continued from here... I was sitting in Galen's lap... Listening to everyone go over the star charts and data... I had given Galen my atlases and he in turn had given copies to Captain Gideon... "These charts take us quite a distance out side the galactic rim, it will be hard to identify some of the---e---e--- achooo!" Matthew grabbed a handkerchief from his pocket, "Galen does that cat have to be here?" "Shiara is my Familiar Matthew, She goes where I do.." Galen stated in his mystical tone... "Besides it didn't bother you before..." "Well, I am just allergic to cat hairs so it bother me now." He snapped... I could feel a power coming from nearly behind Galen... A strong force, strong Tech energy.. I alerted Galen... "What is it Shiara?" My master turned his head as did everyone else just as the other Technomage walk in... "MY it seems you were expecting me..." the older man said as he glanced down at Galen and did a double take... "My boy I never pictured you a cat lover..." Galen smiled, "Alwyn, this is Shiara ... my familiar..." He bowed and then wink.. I meowed... He clapped his hands and began to rub them together, "So I hear you have a map leading you to Azu'ha'du." Galen smiled side ways, "Actually it is to the Ghree Salvage ship... " Mr Eilerson snapped his fingers, "I have figured the symbols out... Lt, we are going through the Kassi Nebula." The Captain ordered the ship to take course and Galen stood.. knocking me to the floor (good thing we land on our feet.) He nodded at Alwyn, "If you will excuse us I and Alwyn have some business to discuss." We returned to Galen's ship and they sat in a hologram, depicting a nice camp fire. "I am surprised you are actually going to try to find this ship." "Alwyn, we need the cure and it is our best chance... Besides the Shadows are gone and if the Drahk had it... Earth wouldn't have 5 years to find the cure..." He stated in his tone of doom... Alwyn nodded at me, "Wouldn't she be more comfortable... " he waved his hand, "I mean no sense on standing on ceremony just for me..." Galen looked down at me, "You can take any form you like Shiara, you do not need..." I changed and put my hands on my hips, "I am suppose to be a secret Galen... I can do my job of protecting you better..." Alwyn laughed, "Oh I see what you mean Galen..." I just shook my head... I made Galen and his guest some tea while they discussed the dangers in entering a ship which had found a long lost Shadow base... for 5 days we traveled... Finally Galen was called to the bridge... I followed close at his heel... (like a good cat and familiar) "This is where the Map says... but as you can see nothing...." No sooner did Gideon get the words from his mouth did Lt Matheson speak up, "We got something on sensors, a crude fuel leak... It leads to that solar systems.. Looks like the fourth planet's gravitational pull caught it... We do have debris of what may be a ship in orbit...." He nodded for us to move the ship... "Lt?" The second in command nodded, "We have a crash site of a large vessel, it's possible silhouette does match that of an old Ghree Salvage ship.." Dr Chambers spoke up, "We should check for contamination of the Drahk Plague before going down. It will take me 6 hours.." "Matthew meanwhile might a suggest probes..." Galen stated... The Captain agreed and Alwyn and Galen sent some of there owns down with those of the Excalibur's We marveled at the image.... It was definitely the ship we were looking for... Could this be it? Could we have found the cure? TBC...

Ghost ship.. part one

As I flew my ship I heard the ping that alerted me that we were getting close to the Excalibur. I took a look, "Well Shiara, We are home." My familiar took her chosen shape as the while cat. The Excalibur was orbiting another Dead World... The ruins were the Kraetorian Cities. At least what was left of them. The Kraetorian were an ancient race which died mysteriously 1010 years ago. Their Cities was integrated into the towering Mountains and had been covered by over a century's worth of plant growth. I contacted the Excalibur and requested to come aboard... "The Captain is on the surface." Lieutenant John Matheson informed me. "Well then I will just pop down and see how things are going." I say... I fly my ship below to the ruins in which they staring at... "Galen." The Captain gives me a quick glance. I smile, "Matthew. Is there a problem?" Dureena burrows up from the ground and emerges covered with green dirt... "No good Captain, Whatever is in that room, they didn't want anyone to get to it. Oh Hi Galen." Just then our Cooperation man as Matthew calls him enters, "I can't believe it a find of a lifetime and we can't get in..." "Maximilian, why are we waisting time with this particular area?" I ask recognizing that this is a weapons depot and not a clinic or hospital where the cure for the Drahk Plague might be. The Captain flashes him an annoyed look.... The Archaeologist shoots back at me, "These things would go better if you were always disappearing. Where were you when the Zekon attacked?" He attempts to walk over to me and Shiara hisses at him... Matthew instructs everyone to pack up and tells the good man that after we find the cure he will gladly help him get into the tomb. I walk with my old friend, he looks at me, oh here it comes, "Mr Eilerson has a point Galen. If you stuck around more we might have better luck." "Matthew please, the Zekon are nothing more than small gnats. The only thing one of their Skivers can accomplish is being a nuienseance." I shrug.. "Well, that is all they really were. Except one female that insisted on screaming some high pitch battle cry. No, it just... I am out of ideas... 2 years we have been looking for this damn cure and we have nothing. " He rubs his temples... I can understand his frustrations... Once alone on my ship Shiara turned back to her humanoid form, she had wanted to return to help her friends but I had been aways from the Excalibur for too long. I thought she was going to ask to return to help them and was preparing to tell her to go when she surprised me by asking me something else... "Galen, the virus is a nano-virus isn't. Maybe I could..." She stopped as she allowed her thoughts to quiet her.. "You would be dead... This is Shadow tech we are dealing with and you may be a Technopath but you are not strong enough to control them before they kill you." I sit in my chair... "but maybe I can make an anti-virus, it will take some work." She went quiet again and then looked up suddenly, "Have you went to Azu'ha'du, It is rumored to be one of many Shadow bases hidden beyond the rim. 600 years ago one of the Ghree's salvage ships were found, all hands dead.. blown into space... The Captain claimed he found..." I finished her sentence, "a scary ancient base containing the remains of several races both known and unknown that had died... They were experimenting... His last sentence stated that a virus had gotten loose on his ship and everyone was dying... His crew panicked and in an attempted of a mutiny there was an accident. The Ghree order the ship to be destroyed but something happened and it disappeared." She stepped closer with one of her atlases, "Dad loved maps. So when I see maps I buy them. I got this one, it is a particle map but is suppose to give the location of the ship." I took the map... I will call in a helping hand and then the three of us will have a lot of work to do... I then sent a Techno-message to Alwyn.... TBC

A close Shave

Home sweet home... I had returned with Shiara to the Excalibur. since she has remained in the form of a cat when others are around, no on knows she is a shape shifting alien girl. Durena has mention how Shiara follows me everywhere. My little thief friend has always been quite observant. Of course Matthew took cue and began asking me if it was a spell or a piece of tuna tucked in my cloak. Our search for a cure of the Drakh Plague still continues. After checking on the progress on board I took my ship and went to see how Vir is doing with his little rebellion on Centuri Prime. Ever since we made him aware of the secret Drakh occupation on his planet, he has been organizing ways to save Centuri. He doesn't wish to include outsiders for fear the Alliance might finish Centuri off to get to the Drakh. With the dark past we Technomages have, I can't say i blame him. If those I called friends on board the Excalibur ever got word that the tech we use is handed down from the shadows and that our Ancestors, the technomages before us when my order was first founded were destined to be the Shadows elite army, I am not sure how they would react. It doesn't matter that my order didn't become followers of the Shadows or that we who are a part of that order now were deceived. What would matter is the current hate and distrust of the Shadows. So I remain silent but of course Silence is one of the seven principles of our order. After checking in with Vir I decided to return to the time frame of this Death Machine. Besides I think Shiara wants to see Justice again although she has made mention of a boy. *sigh* Young Love. We found the Terminatrix quite quickly. I was observing her when she just laid down in the middle of an alley and went to sleep. "What ever she is doing it isn't technical." Shiara whispered I had Shiara in my arms, "Your technopathy can interface with her? Can it access her programs?" I had purged some of her memories and programs to have a look but it was nearly impossible because of the TX's sophistication. She whispered up at me, "Just a vague sense. It's going to take me a long time to interface with her. She is nothing like I have seen,"She paused, "What ever she is doing, it seems biological... Mental." "You mean Telepathic?" I asked and then She hissed "What is it Shiara?" I asked and she jumped down transforming into a white tiger "Shiara?" I asked again She never took her eyes off well nothing, Shiara was staring at nothing, Shiara finally spoke as she turned into herself, "Galen cloak yourself. There is something here. My skin can sense it, I can sense it." Her tattoos moved under her skin surfacing like small dragons... Twisting and swirling around her skin on her clothing changing the appearance of her clothing to armor. Two of the dragons shot out from her hand and formed two black short swords with the glyphs in emerald green and a dragon head forming the hilt. It was an effect I admired to watch. Pity she wasn't a technomage, she would make a fine one. She pointed her weapons at ........ Nothing. I spoke to the nothing, after all we knew that Shadows could be there and never be seen. Though they had gone in my time, in this time they may still be present. " Whomever you are show yourself." I was mentally preparing a spell for a fireball, just in case. This thing appeared, and spoke, "You should be terminated" Shiara stepped inbetween us and it spoke to her and she fell a sleep. It stepped forward I began to realize that this was the Death Machine which I had been watching. She spoke directly at me, "I am too powerful, as Dreamweaver I can control your mind through your dreams and turn them into nightmares. As the terminatrix I can control your technology. I am called Sky. You will now identify yourself and where you are from." I was not about to allow this thing, woman, machine or whatever get the best of me I conjured Shadow skin. It stepped forward and I was preparing my most powerful spell but as it did the Tech screamed.. I was shocked it was almost like a shadow scream but lower fainter It hesitated. It had to retreat. As Sky screamed, "wake" I used the opportunity to grab Shiara and leave. On My ship I woke Shiara, "That was close. A little too close." Though my spell of destruction who have ended Sky I am sure, I couldn't be sure she wouldn't put me to sleep before I could conjure it. "You beat her?" Shiara asked me "No, something about me scared her. " I said "Galen? You looked worried," She asked "Of course, Only a fool wouldn't be. I mean what could have scared a nightmarish thing like her." I knew the answer. It is a part of me. All Technomages, we have to accept that... but still it is a troublesome thought. I sent Shiara to spend some time with her friend and do some spying for me. We need more info on this Sky.