Reuben thought he was going to be sick. His C.O. had drilled the safety and tactical instructions into his head until he was muttering them in his sleep. But nothing could prepare him for... the view.
The transport shuttle had taken Reuben up to the topmost layer of atmosphere and then opened the cargo doors.
"The first jump is the worst," Reuben heard Sargent Bamtrob say in his suit's earpiece. "Then it becomes easer once you know what to expect."
"But... it looks like a planet!" Reuben blurted out.
This wrung a rare laugh from Bamtrob. "You're doing a high altitude drop. What did you expect?"
"I don't know... like I was flying really high in the sky? But I can see the curve of the planet! What if I miss?"
Reuben had no idea why seeing Tabor from what seemed like space scared him so. But it did. All the confidence in his abilities that he had painstakingly acquired were swept away in one quick second.
"It just looks that way," Bamtrob assured. "We're still well within the planet's gravitational pull. You won't miss. Don't think. Just jump."
Reuben took a breath and then ran out the cargo bay doors.
For one perfect moment he was suspended above his home planet. He felt an unexpected sense of peace wash over him. There was no one to fall back on. It was only him.
Angling his body downward, he began plummeting toward the distant ground with increasing speed. High altitude jumps such as this were done for the sake of speed and secrecy, not sight seeing.
His jump suit regulated his air but seemed to do little for the massive force against his body as he continued his decent. Reuben tried to relax his breathing as best he could. If he started hyperventilating as this altitude, there was a good chance he would pass out.
Carefully watching the coordinates displayed on the corder of his faceplate, Reuben aimed himself toward the landing site.
Just a few more seconds and he would have to engage his landing gear.
Almost.... almost...
Now!
He spread his arms and legs, activating the superfine material on his suit that connected them. It almost felt as if he slammed to a halt as the material did its job catching air and slowing his decent.
The view had gone from terrifying to spectacular. If only he wasn't doing a training exercise and getting marks, he might actually be enjoying himself. Reuben relaxed a little, allowing the currents to catch him and help direct his movements.
The landing site was close.
He allowed himself to drift and then used the repulsors in the feet and hands of his suit try and complete the job. He felt himself wobble as he struggled for balance and then dropped to the ground just a little too soon.
Reuben landed on his back with a thud and tried to blink away the stars that were dazedly floating before his eyes. "Ow...."
"Good work, cadet," Bambtrob's voice said over the earpiece. "You landed right on target. We'll wait a few hours and then attempt a nighttime jump."
Saraband Cloaking Device (Weapon)
Creators: Humans on Tabor
Description: Cloaking technology is still very much in its infancy. This particular device is only issued to soldiers on delicate missions in the Special Assault Corp as they are far too expensive for the average grunt. The Saraband is a wristband but it could, in theory, attach to almost any limb. It detects the surrounding light levels and reflects them before the rays have a chance to hit the wearer.
It is far from perfect, however. This device works on a charge and must work harder where there is more light to reflect. Therefore, nighttime use is recommended. The Saraband also only makes the wearer visually invisible. So one must take care to avoid those with excellent senses of smell or hearing.
The Imperium is very protective of the Saraband for obvious reasons. Only trusted soldiers with solid service records are allowed to use them. There have been rumors, however, that somehow a few of these devices have disappeared and are now on the black market.
Description: Cloaking technology is still very much in its infancy. This particular device is only issued to soldiers on delicate missions in the Special Assault Corp as they are far too expensive for the average grunt. The Saraband is a wristband but it could, in theory, attach to almost any limb. It detects the surrounding light levels and reflects them before the rays have a chance to hit the wearer.
It is far from perfect, however. This device works on a charge and must work harder where there is more light to reflect. Therefore, nighttime use is recommended. The Saraband also only makes the wearer visually invisible. So one must take care to avoid those with excellent senses of smell or hearing.
The Imperium is very protective of the Saraband for obvious reasons. Only trusted soldiers with solid service records are allowed to use them. There have been rumors, however, that somehow a few of these devices have disappeared and are now on the black market.
Artwork by Andrew de Guzman
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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