5: respite

Working... Working... *************** Initializing AI reboot protocol. Authorization Dur.442318 'manus celer dei' Reboot cycle: complete Shuttle disengage pro: complete LIDAR: ret. no vessels on scopes Imbroglio status: all systems on standby Crew: interpolation complete -spurious interrupt- Transmission: reception 89% RE: new orders Stamp: UESC command AI Wotan: Activation

We have new orders. You need some background on this mission as I will be unavailable to help guide you. The Pfhor are aware of our attempts to stop their advance. As the combined forces of the UESC and the S'pht'kr began their final assault on the Pfhor homeworld, the task of subduing the slavers' many colony worlds commenced in earnest. Planet after planet was surveyed for signs of Pfhor habitation or industrial installations. Where they were found, the surrender of the colony's garrison was demanded. If that was not obtained - and since most Pfhor forces had by then received and obeyed their High Council's final order to resist all such operations - UESC 'pacification' squads were sent in. That's where you come in, my friend.

The Pfhor have infiltrated one of our intelligence units and and have stolen 2 of our cypher units. With these units, they have been able to pinpoint the locations of our pacification squads. In the last 2 standard days, 13 of our squads have been annihilated. You must recover these units. We traced one of the units to the Beta Eridaniae system. The only known Pfhor activity here is related to a small subterranean power complex on the fourth planet. The surrender request was sent but no answer was received. Our scans revealed a medium-sized installation, enough for a single marine to handle. We don't know if the unit was secreted here. Unusually, it appears to be devoid of life. This is surprising: Pfhor resistance has been heavy in this sector. However, I suspected a trap so I sent in a team of heavily-armed Bobs. We have lost their signal. You may receive help from them in finding the cypher unit. The survey shows the complex to comprise three sections, linked by a central hub. Unfortunately, the entrance appears blocked - probably deliberately - so you'll have to be beamed in directly to the hub. There's a standard S'pht-designed hyperspatial beam-out point in the third section - when you've mapped the plant and confirmed that it has been abandoned, make your way there and the fleet's S'pht'kr technicians will bring you back. You may have to destroy the complex's security circuits to gain access to some parts of it. The Pfhor have fried their communications terminal array in case UESC AIs attempt to infiltrate their system. I won't be able to contact you until you have the cypher unit. There should be a beam-out point at the location of the unit. One final point: the installation is buried beneath miles of rock. Normally this isn't a problem, but this time the survey detected high concentrations of paleolithium. This won't affect the transmission of organic matter - ie. you - but it may scramble the transmission of your equipment. So if your kit isn't where you expect it, don't worry - it's down there somewhere. Don't forget that all weaponry issued to you is the property of the UESC - if you don't bring back what you don't use, the cost of its replacement will be taken from next month's pay. And if you don't come back, we'll bill your folks... Now get planetside, soldier. Wotan