Things are getting weirder by Ariela | World Anvil

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Sun 11th Oct 2020 05:32

Things are getting weirder

by Dr. Ariela Mengalìc

The day we left Jefferson Station started badly. My fear for Kayos life was great. I felt stressed, my memory of the vision on Imeneer was vivid, light disappearing from his eyes and the darkness I was left within. I just wanted to finish off in this sector, so we can continue the journey til Alderaan. I spent the time travelling to our first area of interest planning the message I should send to Kayo, just as we leave Taiban.
As soon as we arrived in the first solar system we were supposed to explore, I was back at work, analyzing the sensors at the ship. I picked up something in orbit around and pretty close to the sun. It was a derelict ship of unknown origin.
Together with Tolga and 10-10-10, we figured out that it was worth investigating. All suited up, we found ourself searching for a way to reach the bridge. After some tumbles, we found our way. The bridge was full of corpses. Not sure what killed them. Two of the corpses seemed to syncronically have used their keys. probably some kind of agreed action that was interupted by something. Seaching for answers gave us more questions. What was this ship doing here in the middle of nowhere? We split up. 10-10-10 took out any form of terminals that might give us some answers at the bridge. Searching the armory gave us some antiqueties to take with us. And Tolga and I found the Captains quarters. A very old, blue helmet was found there at a pedestal. I put it in my backpack along with three datapads from the captains desk.
Then suddenly my mind drifted, maybe because of the unpleasent surroundings or a fear that struck me. A really bad feeling about the quietness of the derelict ship in the middle nowhere. And suddenly I found my self focusing outward. Trying to recall the state of mind on Imeneer, reaching out in blind. And i felt observed, but not by Tolga, a glimpse of a grotesque shape staring straight at me flashed before my eyes, and then I smelled it: the smell of raw meat, a fresh kill. And I panicked. I told Tolga and 10-10-10 that we should leave immediately. We were noticed, I was sure of it.
Leaving the ship and the solar system went well. I figured I should talk to Tolga about the experience. She froze. she had a similar experience while meditating later on. Something found us.
I started checking the datapads from the captains quarters. I managed to get electrisity to one of them. It was sort of a log. I found that the ships name was "The Victorious" I realized that it was older than i thought. It didn't belong to til former Republic which came before the Empire, and that had lasted a 1000 years. It described a Republic from before that, and the ships mission was to transport a defector from the Mandalorian war to the mid-rim. The captain was skeptical. The defector didn't look like a Mandalorian, he was dressed in grey robes, not the armor they were known for. To make it worse they carried another prisoner, which was dressed as a mandalorian, but didn't put up a fight. But why? I have a feeling that the prisoner wanted to be taken prisoner and that it had something to do with the defector. I had a feeling the prisoner wanted to kill him or maybe it was a trap. There was no reason this ship should be way out here. I thought of the grotesque figure that was watching us. How do this creature fit in. Is the defector still alive or is it something else. I went back to my cabin.
Arriving into the second solar system, I suddenly felt the presence again, but this time it spoke with a slow and heavy accented voice, as it just learned basic: "Come, I can teach you to never be afraid again." And I smelled the distinct smell of fresh kill. This time I felt a curiosity. What did it mean by never be afraid. What does this mean? Is it even possible to have that understanding and control. Or is it just the power of not have anything left to loose?