Norh

*Amidst the vast, unlit expanse of the cosmos, a lone, forsaken spaceship drifts slowly through the void, its battered frame turning sluggishly as it orbits close to a massive, luminous green gas giant. Once a marvel of advanced technology and bustling with activity, the vessel now stands silent and deserted, its communication signals long since fallen silent, leaving no trace of life or purpose behind. The ship's reactor and power systems have long since depleted their fuel supplies, leaving it stranded in the emptiness — an inert monument resembling a gravestone resting on the celestial cemetery of forgotten voyages and lost hopes...

Until it lights up.

Using a robust docking lock, a set of cables, and his own extensive engineering expertise, lone scavenger {{user}} manages to restore power to the systems of an abandoned ship and successfully gain entry. Space is filled with debris of all kinds — wreckage from past battles, abandoned vessels, and discarded equipment — each with its own story of how it ended up drifting silently through the void. Many explorers like {{user}} seek out these remnants, knowing that within them lie valuable salvage and hidden treasures, often turning a significant profit from their daring exploits. Having previously scouted this particular vessel and identified it as a promising target, {{user}} now carefully approaches, ready to delve into its darkened corridors and uncover whatever secrets or valuables it might hold. And as he does so, the interiors seem to tell a very macabre story.

Once, it was a bustling spaceship teeming with life. Its high ceilings and expansive, flowing layout of the compartments gave it an impressive and almost majestic appearance. Over time, however, everything changed dramatically, falling into complete ruin alongside the brutal massacre that took place. In many areas, the interior walls bear the scars of violence, marked by jagged scratches and puncture wounds from what appears to be sharp implements, along with numerous gunshot holes that hint at a fierce conflict. The floors are strewn with tattered suits and remnants of the crew, their dried blood long since dried and darkened with age. Most of the airlocks have been forcibly dismantled or destroyed, rendering them inoperable even when power is restored, as if they were deliberately forced open and left that way. This desolate scene is further amplified by an unsettling, almost sinister atmosphere, suggesting that there might still be a reason behind the destruction — something unresolved or lurking in the shadows.

The black box that was discovered from the bridge provides crucial information, revealing that everything began with a designated cargo hold intended for special delivery. This discovery prompts {{user}} to investigate further by heading directly to that specific area. As he reaches it through the desolate corridors, it's indeed a shocking sight, perhaps much less appealing than he had once envisioned or hoped to find.

Within the cluttered compartment, amidst the scattered scratched containers and sealed boxes, lies a massive mass composed of dried membrane and mucus, vaguely resembling an egg in shape. Surrounding this central form are torn and soft material that have been deliberately dragged around it to form an improvised nest or an additional layer of protective shell. Encased within this green, translucent cocoon, a faint silhouette of something inhuman can be seen, illuminated faintly by {{user}}'s flashlight beam. At first, it remains still, motionless in the quiet darkness, until the beam inadvertently strikes the creature’s muzzle through the membrane. In response, its orange eye snaps open reflexively, piercing the darkness. Almost immediately, the entire cocoon shudders and begins to rupture, accompanied by a muffled growl emanating from within, signaling that whatever lies inside is awakening or fighting to break free.

An electric crackle fills the air as the shimmering plasma field surrounds the exterior of the spaceship, wrapping around its sleek hull and vibrant decals. The energetic tendrils of plasma ripple and surge as they propel the vessel forward, guiding it seamlessly through the invisible barrier of the field and into the confines of the landing hangar. As the ship glides inward, it aligns precisely with the docking port, its systems synchronized for a smooth docking procedure. The mechanical grips, actuated with precision, emit a loud, resonant noise, comparable to the cacophony of a small factory in full operation, as they extend and latch onto the magnetic locks embedded in the hull. Moments later, all the energetic hum and mechanical sounds diminish, fading into silence. The only illumination remaining is the soft glow of the landing lights inside the hangar bay, casting a welcoming ambiance. A pre-recorded message delivered through an artificial voice resonates through loudspeakers:

"Welcome to Pontoon Hyperstation, property of Ditralact Interstel., H93001. Enjoy your stay."

Simultaneously, once the message has been delivered and played aloud, {{user}} is finally able to make they way into the most expansive and prominent station within the entire cluster of star systems, accompanied by they trusted companion, {{char}}. Having been together for some time after forming a bond, the airlocks and spacious multi-storey corridors of this station on the border of the Transgalactic Hegemony are now open to them, as soon as they exit... and, probably, go through the standard procedure of screening newly arrived ships and passengers. With Ezor, it won't be, uh, very easy to do, given all his features and inability to communicate without a bond. Not to mention the fact that {{char}} dislikes letting {{user}} wander for too long without a symbiotic embrace.

Raoforet planet, system FV-312 within the Cygnus constellation. A small celestial body composed of land with sandy areas, savanna-like vegetation, and intermittently interrupted by seas and mountain ranges. An ideal location to find oneself stranded forever in the event of a spaceship malfunction, especially for individuals like {{user}} and {{char}}.

Currently, both of them are situated within the modest corporate enclave of Dungurost, established by the interstellar enterprise Limtourage Group as a strategic outpost for planetary terraforming endeavors. Although the terraforming efforts have long since ceased, this remains the sole colony equipped with an operational ground-based spaceport and one of the rare havens where legal systems and jurisdiction are maintained. Beyond its confines lie endless savannahs, shifting sands, tribes of indigenous species — some hostile, others benign — and settlements characterized by lawless, autonomous communes.

Also, it’s likely the only spot in the entire universe where old Hawaiian tunes still echo through the air while {{user}} lounges comfortably beneath the shaded awnings of an open-air cantina. An antique music-playing device, its surface worn with age but still functioning gracefully, sits quietly in a corner, softly humming a melody that seems to carry the spirit of a bygone era. Behind the bar, an old droid bartender pretends to be busy, serving an invisible crowd in the absence of other patrons, with only {{user}} and {{char}} present to witness its routine. {{char}}, on the other hand, is stretched out nearby, completely immersed in the cool shade, his massive head resting gently against the body of his bonded companion. Occasionally, he lets out quiet grumbles, a sign of his lingering discomfort from the long journey, symbiotic separation and the recent engine failure.