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Galileo's Burden, Phase Alpha: Bungle in the Jungle
((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."
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."
Re: Daniel and Peter
"Yeah, I just finished. He's pretty tired," Daniel answered. The archaeologist's eyes had a faraway look to them, staring, distracted, in the general direction of the temple. Then he seemed to remember that Peter was right there, right now, and staring at him. He had the courtesy to look sheepish. "Sorry, I'm kind of in a hurry here. Could you do me a favor and give this to Doctor Sera?"
The archaeologist opened a pocket on the tactical vest and drew out one of the filled tubes from the sick tent's water supply. The other he kept on him. It was neatly cataloged and tightly sealed, and other than the temperature (warmer than normal), the water looked innocent enough.
Re: Daniel and Peter
"I talked with Tamil earlier. Did he tell you about Daena and Fuorus?"
Re: Daniel and Peter
"Sure, thanks. Can you analyze it as soon as possible?"
The fact that Peter had managed to get that out of Tamil too was surprising. Then again maybe it wasn't. Tamil was obviously bothered by the ordeal, and not just the ordeal, but the fact that he was questioning his faith. He might be looking for anyone (anyone safe) to talk to.
"He did, actually. Daena the Sky Mother and Fuoros the Earth Father. Probably the previous polytheistic religious figures before the Avani faith became popular."
Re: Daniel and Peter
Re: Daniel and Peter
Daniel's eyes were drifting back to the temple. He really should get over there. He was so certain he'd find an answer there. He just wished Tamil could have held on a little longer and answered whether he'd been alone or not when he'd first suffered the hallucination.
Still, he was convinced that if he had a chance to look at the building itself, maybe see if there was writing or art, he could get a better idea. "It's too early to tell. From what I've gathered, I'd say at least over a month. Maybe more though."
Even so, there was still missing pieces of the story, such as why a renewed interest in the old gods in the first place, how long had the Avani faith been a part of this island. One generation? More? How long exactly had Samso hadn't been shy in telling the world what he thought of the Sky Mother and Earth father, so how long had the temple actually let him go unchecked.