9: Polygonium Opus

We have not studied certain systems aboard this ship in detail. We have been using the sensor array to track your movements on Earth, and to track the Pfhor ship in orbit and the movements of the Pfhor on Earth, but we have neglected certain areas. An elite group of Pfhor has slipped past our guard and has been sabotaging many core systems of this ship. If they continue, we will be defenseless in the event the Pfhor launch a full scale assault -- which is the most logical choice available to them, if the saboteurs are successful.

Life support core systems are in particular danger, and we have been blocked from repairing them remotely. You are currently located at the secondary life support core control station. Restore the Sh'aptide's environmental and gravitational systems to normal operating conditions. You must hurry: 11.2% of our crew has suffered fatal damage from adverse conditions, and that number is climbing on a slow but exponential curve.

There are four individual units amongst us who are in stasis; these individuals are the eldest members of our (/group-neural-network?) and therefore are crucial to our (/group-neural-interface?). They are in danger; the most prudent course of action may be to simply wake these four units from stasis. They are very powerful fighters, once roused.

The primary systems of this ship are rather straightforward; the ship's primary energy source is the transfer of superheated plasmatic antimatter from one magnetic containment vessel to another; this transfer creates excess heat which is bled off and used to power units that are much more advanced than simple electromagnetic turbines. Unfortunately, we have detected an unusually large mass present in the passage that transfers from one vessel to another; we must assume that .or.. t.o. a r.ther large s.i...i..th.re, an...ll, t.....ar..al. ..c....u..

*netw.de/.0847/interrupt* Hatred as vile as the decomposing bodies of my defeated foes races under my exoskeleton. This day will temper the steel that stabbed through the heart of my family so many cycles ago. I have been summoned here by the Pfhor to terminate your existence and reclaim this ship, but quite frankly, it's the former that interests me. It is you that I want. The other is irrelevant in this hunting-moment.

You are confused? You do not know the source of my hatred? You do not remember slaying my brother? You do not see the black star that has risen above you, glittering with vengeance? You remember now? Little good it will do you. There are many of us here hunting you, but I shall be the one that smashes your frail pulpy mammalian skin open, after stripping off your maker's works, and I shall be the one that feeds your innards to my young, and dances the (/translation failure) until the next cycle and beyond.

network (0847*anamoly?) restored ...B.......n...ti.e..ed.....be...eare. o...ts...rrib... g.....e..us ...kag....a.d to .o so you must drain the central core.

*netw.de/.0722/interrupt* Good. Your are still alive. My brother died at the hands of a great warrior; that much is clear, and some small comfort. Prepare to be given the same honor. Do you have a brother that will grieve for you? Do you think the S'pht will honor your memory as a great warrior? Fear not, I will do libations to you. Let us close now, human-mecha. Your makers did not foresee my coming.

Human: We have been captured and detained. We are cut off from the group (/neural?) (/network?). It is therefore (/bizarre?) for us to communicate with you.

We are no longer in control of the ship. The slavers have taken the bridge. We have been captured and detained. We are the command units. We must be restored to the group (/neural?) (/network?). There is an (/obscure?) elevator here; we are blocked from using it, but you may be able to use it. This room was the (/datastore?) of the Pfhor command unit, when this ship was under their control. The Pfhor apparently do not know of the (/obscure?) elevator. Therefore it must have been constructed after this ship was launched. This information may (/and-or?) may not be (/relevant?)

We are cut off from the group (/neural?) (/network?). Therefore we do not understand the workings of this (/obscure?) elevator. Pfhor construction doctrine calls for elevator (/forking?) switches in both security and maintenance areas; try these areas to find an elevator (/forking?) switch.

We must be restored to the group (/neural?) (/network?). Once the bridge is safe, you must reset the crystalline (/dwelling?) matrix of the bridge computer. Once you do this, we will be restored to the group (/neural?) (/network?) and communication will be easier.

Only a few skirmishes remain here. You must now return to Earth to complete your mission there; if you come to the primary materials synthesis plant, we will synthesize more munitions for you. Return to the upper deck and travel along the secondary maintenance tube to level 23. While on the upper deck, replace the Phfor's colors with those of our own.