GenericUser984 gearshift48 BattleCruiserCommander
(Indeed, haha... I hope nobody gets killed immediately, we didn't even leave the base system XD)
The Cell-like organism pushes back their seat, picking up one of the unconscious crew members to show the Corvette's captain what has happened to them on screen...
"B.L.A.D.E. used to be a diplomatic research entity primarily composed of humans. While it existed, almost everybody used chips that connected to the "Drakemind", a system of instant communication between its members. The problem is, when our primary base, Station Omegalight, was swallowed by an unexplained black hole, whatever was computing and processing the Drakemind was destroyed... Which meant that the chips- connected to the primary neural clusters of its users- malfunctioned, inducing a coma-like state in their brains. I only avoided the pulse because I had matured just as the communications failed."
After speaking for a while, seemingly without needing to take a breath, the creature "sighs"...
"And no, this problem isn't limited to SR-389. Everybody who didn't have their Drakemind chips removed has also fallen into this comatose state, even major population centres and places without drone life support. People are still alive out there... Just not as many as there once were."
Back around the fleet of vessels, the calcified spikes would feature a visible bubbling forming under them after they stopped growing... Auxiliary Scans from the probe would detect several natural gases forming at these sites around the spikes.
Looking around in confusion, Dice would comment on the situation.
"Dice": "Aldrin, Eslie… Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?"
Aldrin: "No, still feels cool to me. Why do you say that?"
While Corvus would ferry over and drop the Doughboy Ballistic armour in Aldrin's hands, Eslie would only barely manage to catch it, in the middle of remembering fire. Lots of fire. Dice would snap to catch her attention again.
"Dice": "Eslie, I know we both have our share of war memories... But you might want to get the body armour on."
Eslie: "Well, I would, but it's clearly made for humanoid bipeds, not insectoids. Not like I need it though."
Corvus would scurry back down, with the Domini Naturae equivalent of visible horror.
Aldrin: "Yo, Corvus? What's going on?"
Corvus: "I would like to request oncoming hull repair assistance from Merc; I have found the unidentified fighter."
Aldrin would raise an eyebrow, confused at why Corvus would be so concerned as he donned the Doughboy Ballistic Armour.
Aldrin: "... And where is the fighter...?"
Corvus: "Aligned above the Trident, beginning a Breach boarding in the communications room."
Aldrin's eyes would widen, nevertheless trying to maintain some guise of calmness...
Aldrin: "...Oh."
Meanwhile, pumping his shotgun, Dice would simply snicker in response to Corvus' warning.
"Dice": "Ah, that takes me back..."
Eslie: "I wish my memories of war were as pleasant as yours, Dice..."