Main - Chapter 7.2: Neptunia

Incoming ITC encrypted transmission for Lieutenant Douklan Paravides...

A couple of hours after the meeting have ended, Mercer and Hank had an appointment with Dr. Chen for their periodic checkup. Arriving there, they exchanged uneasy glances as they entered the medbay of the Celestial Voyager.

Dr. Maya Chen, seated at her workstation, was engrossed in a series of complex readings on the holographic display. The medbay, usually filled with the low hum of medical equipment, felt eerily quiet, the tension in the air almost palpable.

"Dr. Chen," Mercer called out softly, not wanting to startle her.

She looked up, her eyes sharp but carrying a hint of fatigue. "You're just in time," she said, motioning for them to sit on the examination chairs. "I've been analyzing your recent blood work. There's something important you both need to know."

Hank leaned forward, his curiosity piqued despite the undercurrent of dread. "Is it about the nanites?" he asked.

Dr. Chen nodded. "Yes, and it's more complicated than I initially thought." She swiped through several data points, bringing up a visual of the nanites on the display. "These nanites are unlike anything I've ever seen. They’ve evolved—or more accurately, they’ve adapted. They’re what the Zyronis doctors have identified as Imperial Markers."

"Imperial Markers?" Mercer repeated, frowning. "What does that even mean?"

"They're essentially encrypted keys used during the Zyronis Empire era," Dr. Chen explained. "When they reach a certain concentration in your bloodstream, they stabilize and begin to emit a specific, encrypted message. This message is triggered by a particular radio frequency, one that I suspect is highly classified or possibly ancient tech from the Elders. It's not just a random broadcast; it’s a deliberate, encoded signal."

Hank exchanged another look with Mercer, a growing sense of unease settling in. "So, why us? Why do we have these... markers?"

Dr. Chen's expression grew more serious. "The only way to acquire these nanites is by being infected with what’s known in Zyronis as steam nanites. They’re a primitive, almost dormant version of the nanites you have now. Once they infect a host, they adapt and transform, becoming specific to that individual's biological makeup. That’s why they became stable in your bodies, and you didn't infect anyone."

Mercer shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around the implications. "Are we the only ones with these markers?"

Dr. Chen hesitated, then sighed. "No, you're not. I’ve been running some cross-references, and it turns out there are others in Zyronis who have been infected. I believe the Explorers have more information about that. The real question is: who or what designed these markers, and why?"

Hank’s voice was a low growl of frustration. "And what does that mean for us? Are we in danger?"

Dr. Chen's gaze softened slightly, but the concern in her eyes was unmistakable. "I don’t know yet. But until we figure out more, I advise caution. We don’t know who might be able to trigger those signals, or what they’re meant to do. All we know is that they’re here, inside you, and they’re active."

Mercer's fists tighten slowly as Dr.Chen speaks, tension growing through his body. All right, we have Eldar nanites inside us. Is there any way to filter them out?
Deactivate them?
That's all good information, but unless they're going to turn me into a superhero I think I'd like them out. That's what I want to know
I know back in the undercity if we got poison-bombed or into something venomous we used to rig up a toxfilter with an IV draw and... then at Dr. Chen's growing aghast expression, "Well it mostly worked, and it's what we had. "

Hank is pretty demoralized by the news. He asks a few questions, then makes his final conclusion stated below.

"Well, if the nanites are in our bloodstream, can we not do a full transfusion to get rid of them?"

"Is the technology Zironian or Elder?"

"Also, are our nanites transmitting? Or are they waiting for a transmission? If they are transmitting, how detectable is that? I mean, sure, we don't know what is supposed to be looking for it, but if it is detectable, then we become inherent security risks."

"To me, the real question is what do they do? Honestly, I'm not sure if we should even be on the ship anymore. We are infected by machines we don't understand for a purpose we don't know, continuously transmitting a detectable signal. We are walking security risks that should be viewed as completely compromised. We are absolutely compromised and untrustworthy. Honestly, if we can't get more information on this infection, we probably should be left behind as too much of a danger to the ship, crew, and mission."

Dr. Chen's eyes widened in horror as Mercer described the makeshift toxfilter procedure. She took a sharp breath, visibly struggling to maintain her composure.

"Mercer," she began, her voice firm but tinged with alarm, "what you’re describing is… well, frankly, it’s reckless. Filtering blood through something like that and reinfusing it—that’s incredibly dangerous, even under the best circumstances. I understand that in the undercity, you did what you had to do to survive, but nanites aren’t like toxins or venoms. They’re far more complex."

She leaned forward, trying to convey the gravity of the situation. "These nanites aren’t just foreign particles we can simply filter out. They’ve integrated into your body at a cellular level. They’re designed to adapt, which means they’re likely bonded with your blood cells, tissues, maybe even your DNA. Any attempt to ‘filter’ them out like you would a poison would be pointless. Or worse, it may cause the nanites to use your cells to replenish their numbers faster or somehow react violently."

Mercer’s fists tightened, frustration boiling beneath the surface, but he forced himself to listen. Dr. Chen softened her tone, trying to reach him. "I understand your desire to get them out, believe me. But what we’re dealing with is beyond modern medicine. These aren’t just simple drugs—they’re nanites, and they’re programmed with a purpose we don’t fully understand yet. Deactivating them might be possible, but it’s not as simple as shutting down a machine. It would require a highly specific signal that matches their encryption or perhaps another kind of nanite that serves as antidote —something we don’t have access to."

To Hank, "They are not transmitting or broadcasting anything by themselves. They answer a very specific, short range, transmission with another very specific message. It's a Near Field Communication of some kind, so we are talking about inches or 1 or 2 yards, with a very specific frequency and content, to make them answer. Until I researched them, I was unable to detect this."

She let the words sink in, giving Mercer and Hank a moment to process. "I promise you, I’ll keep researching. I’ll do everything in my power to find a safe way to neutralize them, but until then, you have to trust me. Trying to force them out of your body the way you’re suggesting would do more harm than good. There is no need to leave the crew as well. The other infected people on Zyronis live normal, long lives. I have prescribed a few vitamins and mineral supplements for you already, so other than that, they don't affect your health. I don't know who made this. You should talk to Mariella and see what the Explorers know about that. You now have a name for your nanites... Imperial Markers."

"That's not a valid comparison. Other infected with this live their lives on Zironis. We're going other places, with the specific intention of finding Elder sites and technology. Any of which could have that magic incantation that will activate the nanites toward whatever their ultimate purpose is. And whatever the purpose is, it can't be good or it wouldn't need to infect. We saw what they are capable of doing. We killed two of them. Ask RB what one of them did to your shuttle. Keeping us around risks unleashing that on the CV at pretty much any point in time. So please forgive me when I don't relish the fate I saw with my own eyes."

He chuckles for a moment, the continues, "Which, apparently, aren't even my own eyes anymore." He glances at his hands for a few seconds, then looks up and asks, "Is any of me 'me' anymore?"

Before the meeting fully wraps up, Hank will work with Maya to package the information known thus far together and sends it to Mariella asking her to ask VIREN and the experts at the Explorers for anything they have or know about Imperial Marker nanites.

Mercer will also want a copy of the packet of information. He's definitely going to be looking for alternate solutions and wants the information he needs when he starts.

Incoming transmission from the Explorers Frigate ITCS Eternal Wanderer...

---

Hank,
I hope this message finds you well. I’ve received your questions and got some important updates for you regarding VIREN before we meet up again on Neptunia.

First, the big news: We managed to activate VIREN within a Synth's robotic frame. They are now cooperating with us. It wasn’t easy—the tech is ancient and temperamental, but with a lot of patience and a bit of luck, we were able to make it understand its new situation. VIREN is now mobile, and it’s quite a sight to behold.

We’re currently en route to Neptunia, where I’ll reunite with you and the rest of the crew. I’m eager to see how VIREN interacts with everyone face-to-face, so to speak. But there are some things you should be aware of before we meet.

VIREN’s understanding of the world is… complicated. There are significant cultural differences between the Zyronis Empire era, where VIREN learned everything it knows, and the present day. This has led to some communication challenges. For example, VIREN seems to interpret certain social cues and customs in ways that are vastly different from our norms. I’ve been doing my best to bridge the gap, but it’s clear that VIREN’s worldview is shaped by an entirely different set of assumptions and priorities.

One particularly curious thing came up during our conversations. I asked VIREN about the nanites—specifically, the ones that infected you and how they might be used. VIREN’s response was a bit cryptic, but from what I gathered, it views these nanites as a vital resource, tied to something called the "Ascendant Rituals." I’m still trying to parse out exactly what that means, but it sounds like the nanites could be far more beneficial than you initially thought.

Another interesting point: VIREN mentioned something about you and Mercer being considered "adults" now. Apparently, in the Zyronis Empire’s culture, there was a ritual of sorts, a rite of passage that involved hunting a cybernetic ape with stem nanites in it. Successfully completing this hunt was a way to prove one’s maturity and readiness for greater responsibilities. VIREN seems to believe that your recent experiences parallel this ancient ritual, hence why it now regards you and Mercer as "adults." It’s a strange notion, but it gives us some insight into how VIREN perceives us and its place within our society. Moreover, I want to reassure you: as far as I can understand from VIREN, the nanites won’t change you. They’re more like markers or identifiers of your "adult" status and won’t mess with your body too much. I know how unsettling it can be to think about something like this inside you, but from what VIREN conveyed, that’s really about it for the nanites. So, try not to worry too much about it.

I also discovered why VIREN reacted so negatively to Maya’s group. From its perspective, they were essentially a dangerous group of "kids" bearing weapons and making demands. VIREN assessed them as inexperienced and unpredictable, which, combined with their aggressive behavior, triggered its defensive protocols. When Maya’s group encountered VIREN, it attempted to disarm them, but they reacted violently, leading to the combat with its robots. In VIREN’s mind, it was trying to neutralize a threat, not understanding that they were a salvage team. This misunderstanding underscores the significant gap between its ancient programming and our current context.

I’m not sure what all of this means for the road ahead, but I wanted you to have a heads-up before we meet on Neptunia. VIREN is clearly a powerful asset and its trying to cooperate, but its perspective is fundamentally different from ours, and that could be both a strength and a challenge as we move forward.

I look forward to discussing all of this in person soon. Until then, take care, and keep an eye on things. I have a feeling that our journey with VIREN is only just beginning.

Best,
Mariella

Hank does three things in response to Mariella's message:

1) He finally relaxes for the first time since the meeting with Maya.

2) He 'pens' a response to Mariella (below).

3) He gets a quick meeting with Maya and Mercer set up.

The response to Mariella:
For the meeting with Mercer and Maya:

Hank quickly gets the three of them together for a follow-up. He hopes that his much improved demeanor will show them that this is good news. Once they get together, he shows them the response from Mariella and says, "So this all looks to be a net good thing after all. It would seem my suspicion as to how we contracted it (Mercer twice) are correct. But I was totally, to my delight, completely wrong as to its purpose. So, this should hopefully not be an issue going forward after all. We will need to continue taking readings to make sure it remains nothing, but hopefully they will continue to show nothing."

At the end (assuming more conversation flows from this), Hank will end by saying to Maya, "I encourage you to package this information up and publish it. That would make it available to others who are likewise infected. In fact, it might please them to no end with the knowledge that they are the only "adults" on the entire planet!"

Incoming transmission...

---

Hank,

I’m glad my last update brought you some relief! I can imagine how much that put your mind at ease, especially considering the unpredictability of all this ancient tech.

Now, to address your questions:

VIREN has indeed been making a sincere effort to learn and adapt to our cultural norms. It’s been fascinating to watch, honestly. The AI seems fully aware that it's no longer operating within the confines of the Zyronis Empire and understands the necessity of adapting to our present-day customs. VIREN is actively learning from every interaction, though it's clear that some of our cultural cues still confuse it. That said, VIREN’s willingness to change and learn is promising. It’s already picking up on subtleties, though there’s still a ways to go.

As for the Zyronis Empire and its relationship with the Elders, that's a complex question. From what I’ve been able to gather through discussions with VIREN, the Zyronis had immense respect for Elder artifacts and knowledge, though they didn’t fully understand all of it. They did borrow heavily from Elder technology, especially in their advancements in navigation, computer science and cybernetics, but they also diverged significantly, adding their own innovations and interpretations to the mix. The Elders remain somewhat of an enigma, even to the Zyronis. So, while there are connections, the two civilizations should be as different from each other as we are from Zyronis.

Now, about VIREN’s future plans—unfortunately, it won’t be joining us. VIREN has accepted an offer to helm the Eternal Wanderer, a starship tasked with exploring the Pandora's Veil sector. It will bring me to Neptunia, so that's why you will be able to talk to it. Anyway, the ship's captain is none other than Dr. Elias Morrow, a well-respected Explorer and member of our Concil. Dr. Morrow believes that VIREN’s unique capabilities will be instrumental in navigating and surviving the challenges of that particularly treacherous region. So while VIREN won’t be a permanent member of our crew, it’s reassuring to know it will be in good hands, continuing to learn and adapt in its new role.

I know that’s probably not the answer you were hoping for, especially with the Elder site looming on our horizon. But I’m confident that we can handle whatever comes our way and leaving VIREN with the Explorers was the Celestial Voyager's decision. And who knows? Our paths with VIREN may cross again in the future.

Thanks again for your support, Hank. I’m looking forward to seeing you and the crew on Neptunia. Until then, take care, and keep everyone in good spirits.

Best,
Mariella

Transmission to Explorer crew. VIREN.

It has been passed along to me that you are well received among the crew of the Explorer. Being given plenty of information about the historical changes since your last interactions with any living societies and cultures.
I am curious what the Zyronis Empire was like, in your expierence. I have been told that the nanobots markers within me are a designation of maturity withing your culture. A fascinating thing to have among a culture. Especially from my view where we know so little about nanobots and they are generally considered myth or theoretical. Do they have any affect on the host (namely myself) or are they just a cultural designator?
I am glad that all things seem to be going well for you. It is unfortunate, in my opinion, that we were unable to keep you aboard, and fulfill the terms of our agreement personally. Though, I recognize being aboard a ship where some were suspicious of you would not have been a great environment for you to adapt to your new reality.
On the note of your new reality. I am sure everyone aboard the Explorer is being quite helpful with information. However, it is my expierences that an anthropological view of sharing information can be a bit... Clinical. And therefore a bit limited. I wanted to include several references points for you to get views that I suspect will not be included, not out of malice, but out of a natural blind spot.

Trade Era 1235, Day 167. 13:44 UTC
Bridge, Celestial VoyagerThe Celestial Voyager hummed softly as it glided through the void, the infinite stretch of space surrounding it like a black ocean flecked with distant stars. The ship's systems were operating at optimal efficiency, and the crew was settling into the routine of another journey. Their destination, Neptunia, was still several hours away, but for now, all was calm.

Douklan's hands moved deftly across the control panel, making small adjustments to the ship's trajectory. The route to Neptunia was a well-traveled one, but the journey was not without its risks. Space was vast and unpredictable, and the ever-present threat of pirates and hostile forces made vigilance a necessity.

"Status report," Valeria Zaytsev commanded in her clipped, no-nonsense tone.

"All systems green, Captain. Course set for Neptunia. Estimated arrival at the Poseidon starbase in twelve hours, twenty-three minutes," answered Douklan.

"Very well, Lieutenant. Maintain current acceleration and trajectory," Valeria replied, her voice even. Their rendezvous with the Sentinel was crucial. The escort ship had been a stalwart companion on the journey so far, and its current absence left Valeria feeling slightly exposed. Still, they were well within safe space, and the Celestial Voyager was a formidable ship in its own right.

The crew on the bridge went about their duties with practiced efficiency. The soft beeps and occasional hiss of the equipment were the only sounds that broke the silence. Valeria allowed herself a moment to appreciate the beauty of the star-strewn vista before them. Space was an unforgiving void, but it was also breathtaking in its stark simplicity.

That tranquility shattered in an instant.

"Captain, we’ve got something," Hank Heron called out from the comms station. His voice was tense, a thin edge of concern slicing through.

Valeria turned sharply, striding to Hank’s station with a speed that belied her composed demeanor. "Report."

Hank’s hands moved quickly over his console, bringing up a black and green tactical display. "It’s a ship, Captain. Just popped up on our sensors. They were running dark—no emissions, no transponder. Now they’re moving towards us on an intercept vector."

Valeria’s eyes narrowed as she studied the display. A single dot on the screen grew steadily brighter as it closed the distance between them. Running dark? No legitimate ship should be operating that way in this sector, especially not one that suddenly sprang to life.

"Ship's hull?" Valeria demanded . "Gimme a detection lock, Hank, let’s keep track of it."

Hank’s fingers flew over the controls, analyzing the data streaming in and trying to get a positional fix in the ship.

Hank says, "I am going with active sensors. They are already trying to intercept us, so I don't see a reason to stay hidden." He waits for a second to give the Captain a chance to change that directive, then, assuming no counter-order, goes to active sensors and scans the target.

Corbin is sitting in Engineering, feet up on the console. He knows it's a little unprofessional but it used to piss of his dad something fierce. Now, there's really no one to tell him to stop, not in his own department. That's when he sees the power spike to sensors. That looked a lot like an active scan...

Looking around the section, he sees who's in ear shot. "Erin, head up to the sandthrower, if Peter's not there, bring in online for testing. If Peter's there, help him as needed. Gui, damage control drill, wake the Synths and assign them to damage control locations. Time starts now. " Putting his feet down and leaning up to the console, he comms the Bridge. "Engineering to Bridge, just threw a surprise damage control drill at my team. What's up on your end?"

Hank’s fingers moved rapidly across the controls, his eyes glued to the displays that flickered before him. The ship had vanished. But Hank knew better than to trust a sudden disappearance. He had to find it again, had to bring it back into their sights before it could strike.

Captain Zaytsev's voice broke the silence. "Hank, report."

Hank straightened, his fingers still dancing across the controls as he responded. "Captain, I’m still trying to get a lock. They’ve gone completely dark—no emissions, no signals, nothing."

"Keep at it, Hank," Valeria replied, her tone clipped but with an edge of urgency. "We need to know where they are before they’re in weapons range."

"I know, Captain," Hank said, his voice grim. "But they’re good. Whoever’s on that ship knows how to disappear. Running projections," Hank replied as he pulled up the ship’s last known position, speed, and heading.

His console generated a map, overlaying it with a series of potential intercept vectors. The lines stretched out like spiderwebs across the star field, each one representing a possible course the enemy ship could take.

"Captain," Hank said after a moment of silence, "based on their last position and assuming they’re heading straight for us, I estimate they’ll be in weapons range in... one to three hours, depending on their course and acceleration."

Hank furiously tries to get a resolution on the mystery ship.

To the Captain: "Should we send a message off to the Sentinel to let them know we are being intercepted?"

To Corbin: "It appears that we are about to be intercepted by a completely unknown ship. We do not know what it is yet, but are preparing for the worst. Feel free to have you or Gui take a look at the sensor data to see if you can make anything out of it."

"Aye, Aye, Sir." - they answered in unison. Erin did that with an ironic smile.

---

"Go ahead, Hank. Lieutenant Paravides, any recommendations?" - asked the Captain.

After Douklan's answer, Valeria press the ship's comms. "Mercer, Peter, it appears that we are about to be intercepted by an unknown ship. We do not know what it is yet, but are preparing for the worst. Protect our crew, our ship and our cargo, if necessary."