Echoes of the past [Event]

Drakador_Chaos

Fort_Master_Gustav
The Darkness so close to core, at least 'close' by galactic standards was sheer, overwhelming, a massive wall of black mist towared before them, stretching seemingly endlessly into every direction, blocking all light from the front, only crowned by the psychodelic shimmer of the storm somewhat far above it....
Massive pillars, teh disameter of planets extended at some points from teh surface of the black wall like the wall itself stretching seemingly into the infinite, yet none of it seemed to cause any gravitational disturbances, otherwise this galaxy would´ve likely long collapsed in upon itself...
Yet, despite, or especially because, the massive dimensions of the orb encompassing the core, triangulation proved... difficult.
The mist itself seemed to swallow all forms of signals and even on higher dimensions seemed to be blocking the sight on whatever had been hiding within, a testiment to the fact that there were thinsg and powers in this universe even far beyond their understanding...
Regardless...
...things began to work out eventually, at least somewhat, the very fact that the mist swallowed all signals was as useful to determine it´s total expanse as it had been detrimental initially, through a number of tries and tests, they eventually came to the conclusion that the radius at which the mist encompassed the core meant that it was a quite significant portion of the core quadrant, depending on which variables and measurements one used.
Yet, despite this success, the contents of this ominous darkness, remained a mystery...
However, that wasn´t all.
In range of the core the crews felt a certain... presence, something that couldn´t be grasped with technological equipment, even the psychic and soul sensors didn´t seem to pick up on anything.
It was... as if something was watching them, lying in wait.

Fort_Master_Gustav

Drakador_Chaos (70 to 80 percent is too much, if it was that big The Storm and your orb would have already collided, I'll consider it as a big thing, but not any determinated share of the core size, just as any other person can't claim percentages of any other quadrant.)

"Hmmm... A feeling... as expected. However..."

Teciro looked upwards, this time, literally, towards the big golden fireworks that crowned the center of the galaxy, three gigantic beams shooting outwards and into the farthest corners of the stars. With this simple acknowledgement, the effects of the phenomena were heightened, perhaps only to him, and soon, the phantasmagorical golden light that it emanated pierced through the ships, making the insides look as though it was daytime, filling the space in proximity with color.

"I think I'm used to such a thing."

Indeed, years had already passed since the creation of the phenomena, and its presence was no less all-encompassing than any of these all-encompassing effects, even greater with such proximity. It was as if everyone's eyes and focus were drawn towards it any time they remembered its existance, like a great beacon in the distance, for better or for worse. Yet, an omnipresent beacon, which made the populace of the galaxy used to its presence, and thus, able to shake off the weird effects that these type of phenomena generate.

Teciro sat down on his chair now, and started to operate the control panel of the ship, quickly preparing the next routes and movements as the ships gathered the precise disposition of the large ball in front of them with the triangulation method, after all the shallowest angle of sensory data captured would be tangential to the orb, allowing them to determine its size and positioning with ease.
Teciro issued the orders out. The fleet would hold its position at the moment. Two groups of 5 A-3 drones each would be released from the ships and go analize the prolongations of the orb up close.

Drakador_Chaos

Fort_Master_Gustav
(The thing is that it´s not a territory or faction but more an environmental effect, however, for the sake of avoiding numbers I will change it to 'quite significant' instead.)
As the drones approached, there seemed to be no notable changes in the surface structure of the darkness, whilst occassionally continent sizes waves ripples through the surface of the mist, measured by the total size of the phenomenon, that was almost insignificant.
More notably and annoyingly, even at this distance the mist seemed to swallow all sensor data at each and every location, though whatever presence there was did not seem to grasp for the drones either, the proximity to the mist seemed to, relatively seen, safe.
The surface itself was... hard to describe, as it usually was with these sort of things, due to the all encompassing darkness, it was hard to make out anything infront of the orb, but whilst there seemed to be a somewhat outer layer of less dense black mist, there was a certain point at which it behaved almost like a solid yet liquid wall, or least that was what it looked like, given the limited sensor feed.
It was as if they were standing infront of a huge orb of nothingness, yet evidently, it was here, right before them.

Fort_Master_Gustav

Drakador_Chaos
Even then it was most evidently right there.
The only thing is that it absorbed everything thrown into it. Apparently, even whatever techniques they could find to detect its dimensional imprint. Which made it... a pain in the tail to analyse and research.
Of course, it was likely an object not meant to be seen or researched, like many things that escape the comprehension of the mortal, the sweet depths of ignorance aren't meant to be escaped. However, in the system could only be found men who'd sacrifice their eyes for the knowledge, daringly steal the flames from the gods if it meant the momentary defiance of the natural order.
However, nothing so bold and daring would be accomplished by haphazard tomfoolery in what was likely the most dangerous area of the universe. Conviction and strategy in precision should carry their actions foward.

"How annoying... We should internally probe it, however, I won't dare to send my men to their demise." - The thought momentarily ellucidated the mind of the inquisitive yet impatient captain of the fleet as he tapped the claws within the command terminal, large screens showcasing feeble results of the expedition.
His heart and mind emboldened, there was a necessity for more direct actions if there were to be outcomes from this venture. Resources would have to be sacrificed, however, if the rewards were even the ficklest spark, they could light up the minds of thousands.

Two experiment batteries were set up. One was a set of drones with a reliable and armored FTL device. One was set to FTL through one of the massive outgoing branches, and the other 3, through different angles through the large sphere. They would be caught on the other side, if they made it through, by drones equipped with interdiction.
A set of other drones were to experiment directly with the surface of the sphere and of the branches, conducting a series small-scale mechanical experiments within. Such as gathering the mist, launching small probes into it tethered to the drones with a detachable cable that transmitted data directly back through a string inside of it, launching paired quantum particles into the inside of the sphere and watching the reaction with the pairs, such tests would be repeated until an average was acquired, and would be done once on normal circumstances, and again under the effect of interdiction.

Drakador_Chaos

Fort_Master_Gustav
Ships were moved and prepared, drones sent out, some adjusted to task at hand...
The whole ordeal took a while, though with something the size they were dealing with that was to be expected.
Eventually however, the drones made their way to their designated testing location activated their ftl drives and...
Well.
The results... varied.
The one which was set to dive thorugh one of the branches... showed no results at all.
...or least none out of the ordinary, which was out of the ordinary in itself.
They came out the other side unharmed, and without any data from inside, mostly because gathering data on the inside seemed to be possible though every scan a few metres past hull ended in nothingness, leaving them with a lack of useful data.
Alas, they survived.
The ones sent through the core on the other hand...
They waited around three times the estimated travel time and then, without any warning the remnants of two of the drones, the ones shot through towards the sides, returned, as relativistic shrapnell. The individual pieces miraculously missed all of the observing ships by mere claws-length. Notably, one third came back out at the original entry point, another third came out at it´s expected exit point... or at least spread somewhere along it, the last third as well as the drone sent through the center, did not return at all nor were there any signs of them ever returning again.
It´s almost as if the drones had been... rejected.
The tests with the surface seemed to end less... violent, possibly due to the fact didn´t go as far in, WHilst going into teh mist itself seemed to have little effect on the integrity of the equipment, merely limiting it´s detection range to practically zero, passing the deeper boundary of the core seemed to have more adverse effects, though the results varied.
The quantum pairs moved past the boundary, simply seperated, at this point, not unexpected.
The small probes launched in, did not all make it either, some returned unharmed, some corroded by unknown forces either without any data, some disappeared completely, the string cut off at the border of the boundary.
Notably interdiction didn´t seem to change the effects either.
Whatever was or was not within, it still felt as if it was observing them, filled with... a hunger, a desire for more...
Yet, indifference, not expressing enough curiousity to find out what it was that it desired. As if it was merely playing with, or maybe even mocking them.
Were they too late on this stage?
...or maybe too early?

Fort_Master_Gustav

Drakador_Chaos
Teciro, the leader of the research flotilla who observed all of this happen whilst it did, smiled. For what they got was not taken as condescending or even as surprising, perhaps, it was even a relief, that whatever was on the center, or was the cause of this phenomena, was as predictable as any other enemy that they could fight.
Furthermore, it has even responded in the exact conditions that were expected. Who even thinks that armoring a vessel would work at this situation? After all, one of them would even be on the course for impacting directly against the core itself. However, what armoring a drone does is that it gives you "Bodies of proof".
Directly translating from the portuguese term, a "Body of proof", or commonly referred to by other names in english, is a specimen of material that is put under stress conditions, generally under a hydraulic press or an equipment of the like, and where when pressure is applied, the fissures and values will be studied. In its destruction, the value of these "Bodies of proof" only heightens. Even more now that they had many of them.
The relativistic shrapnel is sought after, the interferometry and parallax from the signal flares, now at quire the distance, can locate the objects with immense speed with ease, and then, a drone detachment acquires them and retrieves them into black boxe usually meant to carry artifacts, such boxes shield the objects from the tainting of the many radioactive influences of space.
Likewise, so were all of the probes used in the other operation. The boxes were retried and set up in the cargo bay of the leading vessel.
Nevertheless, they have run out of options short of sending a person into the core. However, the risk of doing such far outweighs the possible outcome, thus, this option is not considered. However, before leaving, the other 5 D-1 Drone Strike Force unleash all of their drones, and perform the preprogrammed action of setting them all up around the sphere equidistantly, each communicating with three comms arrays on their hemisphere, and all with a programming to avoid and report damage whenever possible.
With that last step completed, the fleet backs off from the object, and FTLs away in a series of short jumps, before a long one, to do away with any followers.

Fort_Master_Gustav

Drakador_Chaos
It had been a good, long time since the last activity of the MISE around this particular area.
As the days passed onto weeks and months, the grid of drones that surrounded the core silently monitored for disturbances that might catch the eye of bring forth attention, however, no such thing ever happened. Perhaps it was for the better that the core seemed to be inert for all of this period, after all, if it weren't, what could be done about it?
Nevertheless, the thirst for knowledge of the lizardmen couldn't just yet be satiated. This dark egg could hold the truth of the universe and not even the best sensors they brought forth pierced its illusive crust, curiosity drawn to swim within the guts of darkness, lost, blind.
Perhaps, it was time to cast a light upon this shadow once again. With renewed interest, the same fleet FTL'd into system, in a known and safe position in relation to the core, determined by their grid of drones. 5 C-3 Direct Force, 3 D-2 Indirect Force, 6 D-1 Drone Strike Force. However, this time, a new ship was brought forth, different from the others. A kind of C-2 ship, however, belonging to none of the forces of the MISE.
They stood there for a few seconds, before performing much of the same dance they did earlier, launching the same kinds of projectiles and listening to all of the signals that would jut out from the interferometry of a thousand and one waveforms, unhopeful that that'd be the solution to this lock, however, hopeful that they now had the key in hand.

Drakador_Chaos

Fort_Master_Gustav
Though their effort and interest was commendable, the tests, turned out much the same as the last time, projectiles going missing or being destroyed, nothing seemed to have changed in that regard.
However.
There was something of particular note, which they had not immediately noticed due to the sheer scale of the entire cosmic construct, though it didn't stand out in the surrounding darkness, one of the crewmembers noted that there were considerably less blind spots this time towards the horizons of the massive black sphere.
Almost as if the tendrils stretching out from the core had receeded back to their origins...
Scans confirmed, this was very much the case, in fact, checking the network they had set up, there was only one tendril left, the one which was pointing at the Embassy...

Fort_Master_Gustav

Drakador_Chaos
This time, a new barrage of interesting tests were arranged with newfound materials and other objects of that kind. The novel and unique ship swerved into proximity with the phenomena, hovering naught but a few kilometers of distance away from its sparse black medium.
These new experiments were all but safe. There was the presumption that this kind of phenomena can only react and interact with life specimens. The explanation was devious and buried under layers of scientific jargon from heads of research whose names were seldom seen anywhere, yet it seemed to follow through all the rungs of the Ministries like a well-sharpened knife cutting through the carcass of a beast rotten inside.
From inside the ship, various personnel pods were launched, protected by a single heavy power suit made to resist the mechanical stresses of the operation and some of the observed phenomena's presumed damages, they took varied dives into the deep and dark mist, with various methods of interaction, and then, were pulled back into the ship.

Drakador_Chaos

Fort_Master_Gustav
Considering the nature of the tests they went... astoundingly smooth.
At least… initially.
The people in their personnel pods and armor suits, dove into the mist without much issue, and although they, as expected, lost connection to them, they seemed relatively unharmed as soon as they were pulled out again, apparently regardless of what tests or interactions they attempted to do.
However…
As things progressed and they went deeper and deeper some of them seemed…
Unnerved. Disturbed.
Unnaturally so, more so than they should be.
Like they felt the presence they had felt watching them before, but being exposed to it directly, as if it was preying on them, drinking off their sanity…
Though, any results at this stage were likely considered ‘good results’ they were progress in the end, in one way or another…
The question is, what would be next?
Would they be satisfied with what they achieved... or go to the logical extreme of the next step?

Fort_Master_Gustav

Drakador_Chaos
Luckly for the Lizardmen of the MISE, sanity and the nuances of the mind had long become a quantifiable measure, ever since The Board's reclusion from the rest of the top brass of the Ministries, the advances of the field of esoteric energies and works was as frightening as it was somewhat beautiful.
Nevertheless, the next object of study was one much the same in the area of the "living things". Though the subjects that were just submitted were to be posteriorly analysed, there were more tests of similar nature prepared.
Next, a quantity of different constructs would be subjected into the effects of this phenomena. They were not common constructs, as the closest thing in likeness to it was Issendia herself. They were psychic and soul constructs, programmed esoteric energies suspended within different states to simulate different beings.

Drakador_Chaos

Fort_Master_Gustav
The results of the following test were... curious.
Maybe not surprising, given the circumstances, but still somewhat insightful.
Like the ones before, the subjects went into the mist and like those before they returned and seemed... changed.
Whilst it was initially hard to grasp, what exactly was wrong with them, their artifical nature made it easier to isolate it.
Their being seemed... distorted, twisted in a way, not particularly strong, as if there was a process that had been stopped halfway through the beginning, as if there was something more to it.
Furthermore, it gave away another conclusion, whatever the mist was or what was controlling it, seemed to make no differentiation between a natural or a synthetic lifeform and given the nature of the change, at least as far they could measure and perceive it, it seemd be quite fundamental in nature...

Fort_Master_Gustav

Drakador_Chaos
The insights provided by the way that these alignments corroded and the effect of this particular phenomena on the psyche and whatnot of the tested individuals would be invaluable knowledge to prevent such innate degradation effects from happening, amongst many other indulgences into the esoteric which escape such direct applications.
Nevertheless the last test drew nigh. This time, the interfacing between the "Key" provided by the Herald and this particular phenomena would be tested, slowly, making sure not to lose the valuable and unique artifact, however thoroughly explored it might already be.
As a safeguard, this test was conducted by another ship, and the one that performed the other tests retreated from proximity of the darkened mass, preparing for the eventual, and soon to come, FTL back home.

Drakador_Chaos

Fort_Master_Gustav
As the ship dove into the mist, as expected, all sensor readings and external data just... ceased to be.
The ship was sitting in complete and utter darkness, immaculate silence, not even the usual white noise of the universe being detectable here.
If it weren't for knowing from where they came they would likely not even find out anymore, yet, no matter how long they stayed, the 'key' remain... oddly quiet.
As if it wasn't a key at all.
...or maybe, as if it wasn't active yet?
The presence could be felt lingering aboard the ship, as if observing, with a faint hunger for everything living, but the key did not move.

Drakador_Chaos

Drakador_Chaos Fort_Master_Gustav
...as the last of the tendrils disappeared, receding into the core, it's surface formed waves, it rang like a bell, they could not hear it but they... felt it.
Deep within the core roiled, something had awakened, something was moving beneath its surface.

Change was imminent.

The thought came to be, welling up like the core's activity, more than being their own.
However there was more than that, they could feel that something had already changed and was still in the process of doing so.
Had they come too early?
The shard shuddered, as if responding, but not quite, as if resonating but not with what it was meant to.

Soon, soon it would be ready for them, for them and everyone else.

Another thought that had welled up without their consent.
Whatever it was which was twisting the core's nature, it was dangerous… but it had potential. It seems, for the moment they had reached the limit of their stays usefulness, but if the thoughts that slithered their way into their minds were to be trusted… they would soon return.

Fort_Master_Gustav

Drakador_Chaos
Having peered into this darkened globe for as long as they could, and from it mustered up all the knowledge they could seep from it, the fleet makes preparations to return.
The grid around the center is renewed whenever it received damage, and all the ships collectively pull back, congregating before FTL'ing back into whenever they came from.