Scouting the Situation (Adventure) - Calen Natari Saga 11

Shawm's ocean depths hummed with life and activity.  Schools of fish swam by and underwater plants danced with the current.  Occasionally Calen noticed a distant, hulking shape and she tightened her grip on the Oboi's controls, preferring not to think about what the creature could be.

But soon all thoughts of the unknown threat left as she took in her first view of a zelenca city.  It was much larger than she had expected.  She was well aware that the zelenca were politically respected but the rumors of their military might were based solely on speculation.

Calen was not one to pick sides.  But she realized now that the Imperium vastly underestimated these zelenca.  This highly advanced city was no "fish tank" as she had heard many Imperium soldiers crudely term it.  If it was any indication of what the other cities on Shawm were like... they would be a force to be reckoned with.

Not wanting to attract attention to herself she nudged the Oboi into what seemed to be the main flow of traffic.  Calen flipped a switch to turn on the sun reflectors, hoping it would more or less cover her face from curious onlookers piloting by.  This planet, for obvious reasons, did not have a lot of tourists.  The presence of a non-zelenca would certainly be noted.

Most of the dwellings were made out of the natural surroundings.  Calen was vaguely reminded of the coral reefs she had seen holo pictures of on data pads when she was young.  Only this was exponentially larger than anything she had seen before in pictures.

Following the coordinates on her nav-screen Calen noted that the portion of the city she was piloting through was looking less and less glamorous.  The dwellings were not quite so well-maintained and there was less sunlight.

Calen pulled her Oboi to a halt on what seemed to be a long abandoned docking station.  Upon looking around she realized grimly that the councilor had led her to the slums; the underbelly of this thriving metropolis.  The type of area where life was cheap and a being could disappear for the right price.

Perfect.

Menut Enviromental Suit (Weapon)

Creators: Zelenca on the planet Shawm

Description: An environment suit designed to fit most bipedals. The suit was designed by the zelenca for when, on those rare occasions, they had distinguished air-breathing visitors. Essentially it is a second skin that filters the oxygen out of the water for the visitor.

Artwork by Andrew de Guzman

Nothing to See Here (Adventure) Uxel Herum Saga 3

"Fine fruits, yes, very fine," Uxel chirped at the passersby.  "The best on Corna!  Best flavor, best price!"

Every so often a being would stop and make a show of examining the exotic fruit.  Occasionally they would buy.  Normally Uxel reveled in selling the fruit she gathered every morning at such a high price. But today she was distracted.

Today she was scouting for a very special kind of potential buyer.

A few Imperium soliders paced by, completely ignoring her as they did most of her kind.  "Nothing to see here except the best fruits in the galaxy!" she continued.

Then something caught her eye.  A zelenca and a human had been conversing on the other side of the marketplace.  But when the soldiers appeared they stopped abruptly and made a casual attempt to cover their features.

Very interesting indeed.

Ramea (Race)

Home Planet:  Gemshorn


Affiliation:  Imperium


Description:  Though sentient, the ramea did not end up evolving into a more humanoid form as many intelligent species in the galaxy seem to have done.  Ramea may be noted by their hard exoskeleton, six legs and pincers.  As their entire race exists below Gemshorn's crust, ramea have no optical sensors.  Instead, they "see" using super sensitive hairs on their legs to detect vibrations and sound.

 Ramea are perfectly intelligent but have thus far seemed content to submit to Imperium rule.  They achieved space flight before most but never made any move to explore.  Instead, they seem content with their mining operations.  Their prominent pincers serve as the perfect digging tool.

The Imperium has grown reliant on the raw materials produced by the ramea.  But despite their complacency, the ramea are not to be trusted.  It has been rumored that no ambassador has ever returned from a diplomatic mission to the planet.

Gemshorn (Planet)

Affiliation:  Imperium

Native Race:  Ramea

Main Weapon Produced:  Edim Rifle

Main Ship Produced:  Biss Fighter

Description:  Essentially a gigantic rock. The most notable feature about Gemshorn is the distinct lack of vegetation and terrain life.   Termal vents found beneath the crust have allow allowed gases from the core to escape and form a subterranean atmosphere in the caves formed by volcanic eruptions.

While generally avoided by tourists, Gemshorn is one of the top producers of raw metals for the Imperium.  The entire crust of the planet contains the crucial materials used for ship and weapon construction.  The rameans must be careful when mining, however.  If too many holes are made through the crust, the stability of their atmosphere could be compromised as gases escape into space.