Galileo's Burden, Phase Alpha: Bungle in the Jungle

[cityship]

((PLOT POST! READ IT!))

Stacy's voice rang out through the corridors of the ship, announcing that a message had been received and would be played on the Obs Deck momentarily.

The message was patched through a few minutes later, shown on a holographic screen. It was shot in very poor video, from a very old communicator frequency.



A woman wearing a blue veil over her face appears on the screen. She speaks in a soft and cultured voice, bowing deeply before she begins.

“Greetings to the crew and command of the Transmigration 9. My name is Reda, revered mother of the village of Avania III on the planet Orya."

Reda pauses, bowing once more before removing her veil and revealing the face of a beautiful humanoid woman.



"It… pains me to ask for the help of outsiders, when we have so little to offer in return, but I beg of you. Please aid us. My people are becoming sickened by an ailment we have never seen before. It seems to come differently for all who suffer from it... some have fevers, some strange dreams, some begin to speak madness while awake. But no matter how it develops, they grow weary. Their faith weakens and they die, disgraced and turned from the eyes of the great goddess Avani."

Reda folds her hands together, frowning worriedly. "I have heard of your ship's great deeds even in such a small and isolated planet as Orya. Though I am hardly worthy of asking, I know there is no one better to ask for a favor such as this. What I ask is for… those who have knowledge."

"My people know little of the universe outside their village. They do not know what you know in the ways of medicine. Our shamans are not equipped to deal with a threat of this magnitude. We seek those who can help us ease our suffering. We have little to give in return for your help, but what we have is faith… enlightenment and enrichment of the soul, which we will gladly share with those who come to visit us."

Reda smiled softly, shaking her head. "I will understand if you deny my request. I ask much of you and cannot give much myself, but should you assist us, I will do what I can to help you. I will see to it personally that those who come to our help are taken care of and shown the greatest hospitality. My own Chosen soldiers will protect them, and if they should help us in our time of need, I will do everything in my power to aid your efforts against the Ohm. You have my word as a devout child of Avani."

The revered mother bows once more, kneeling down before the camera. "I will be happy to speak with you if you require more information. Please... I beg of you, help my people."

Comments

[greennotgold]

"Ah, okay." He nodded again. "Yes, sir, I'm Fletcher Tringham. And it's nice to meet you, too."

Calmer... yeah, right. He frowned. "Um... everyone who's getting younger... they're gonna be okay while we're gone, right?"

[morphitudinous]

Billy's gaze shot back down to the omnicomm in his hand as if he was expecting another pile-on of bad news. Nothing he read there ever seemed to be good anymore. Things weren't okay, and everyone knew that, but it didn't seem to affect the others selected for the mission as much.

"I hope so," was all Billy could manage to say honestly. "I've been checking to see who's working on the problem and asking them to act quickly, and I'm hoping to be back as soon as possible to help. I don't like this at all."

[greennotgold]

That wasn't the answer Fletcher wanted to hear, but it was better than the sugar-coated reassurances that adults usually liked to give kids his age. "Me either... Hn." There was nothing he could do about it, but he didn't like having to leave Russel alone like this.

"I guess we'll just have to help everyone on Orya as quick as possible."

[morphitudinous]

Billy managed to spare Fletcher a solemn smile. Doom and gloom wasn't the answer either, so why not focus on what they could do?

"Right! We'll likely be working in different areas, but I can pitch in wherever I'm needed to get us back up here. We won't leave them for long."

[greennotgold]

Fletcher nodded emphatically. Positive thinking: That was the way to get this done.

"Thank you very much," he said. "I'll do my best too! I don't know anything about medicine, but I'll help out any way I can."

Now that he thought about it, he'd probably do well to bring something he could grow plants in... plants from onboard the ship might not work so well for an alien biology, but Orya itself must have some manner of medicinal plants. He could be useful. "What area do you specialize in?"

[morphitudinous]

Billy was in full agreement. "Neither do I, but I'll pitch in where I can." Maybe he'd even learn something that might help the people back on the ship? Best to keep an open mind in these matters.

"I've tried to be a jack of all trades, but generally I'm a mechanic and inventor. That won't be as useful as usual down there, but I have the construction knowledge to build whatever they need."

That was the idea, at least. He hoped he could. "Mother Reda also said they need help regrowing things, right?"

[greennotgold]

Oh, right! That as definitely something Fletcher could help out with. He nodded. "Yeah, she did... Even if I can't do anything to help with the sickness, I think I'll be able to help out with that part. And mechanical stuff could really come in handy, too." Everyone's different skills would surely be useful in completing this mission. Fletcher was feeling optimistic about this.

"Ah... I should go pack some more stuff," he said. "I'll need to go up to Hydroponics to get some food." And to make sure that Russel would be okay taking care of the area on his own while they were gone. That wasn't going to be a fun conversation...