Futuristic Fate of the Stars of Life

[The One-Sided Coin]

Lux felt his wounds be repaired by the beam, and his scars remained. And when the doctors pulled Hamele aside, he listened in on the conversation, hearing that his request would be granted. He now had a small bit of respect for Hamele.

 

[CaptainRustbolt21]

"As you wish." The doctor responds to Hamele before he goes over to Lux and offers him a hand up. "Good thing for the head doctor's medical staff, eh?" He asked.

 

[The One-Sided Coin]

Lux looks at the doctor’s hand to help him up strangely. He took a second to think, then used it to help himself up. The doctor saw what Ma’Arz did. A horribly scarred hand. His grip was still gentle yet firm. Clearly, he has much experience with using his hands.

 

[GolemGuy]

Ma'arz took another step, his lidless eyes scanning around the facility with keen interest. He quickly turns back to the Thugalek. "I merely wanted to see the internal operations of the laboratory," He explains to the Thugalek, trying to sound respectful. "What it deals with, what materials does it offer, what research options it has." He then holds out his hand, in an attempt to give him a kind handshake. "After all, I am an interdisciplinary scientist; I deal with biology, technology, and astrology. My full name is Ma'arz Gelonz, but call me what you wish."

Kokoro nodded in understanding and looked around in wonder once again - but what she is more interested in is... "I'd like to take a little look around - if you'll let me. I want to see what this laboratory of yours has to offer." She said simply to him.

Xu'Orz

Xu'Orz sighed a small portion. "While I would have prefered a more specific answer, it seems I'll be taking you two on a general tour of the facility." He strode towards his desk, and picked up a small sheet of fiberglass, with a rudimentary depiction of the laboratory as a map. "We have seven stops to make." He rubbed his hand up his head, realizing how much time that would take.

"Where we are now is the General Office. This chamber acts as a part-time botanical garden, but also works as a crossroads. Along with the reception desk, which is used to check in and out of the laboratory, just to keep track of everything that goes down in here. As you can see, there are two wallways that lead from here." Xu'Orz stopped for a moment catching his breath. "Now next this comes to your choice. Would you prefer to start with the actual Botanical Garden, or the Live Vivariums?"

Mentions
CaptainRustbolt21 BoltBeam ​

 

[CaptainRustbolt21]

• Laboratory
• Medical Bay

• 
  

  Xu'Orz sighed a small portion. "While I would have preferred a more specific answer, it seems I'll be taking you two on a general tour of the facility." He strode towards his desk, and picked up a small sheet of fiberglass, with a rudimentary depiction of the laboratory as a map. "We have seven stops to make." He rubbed his hand up to his head, realizing how much time that would take.
  
  "Where we are now is the General Office. This chamber acts as a part-time botanical garden but also works as a crossroads. Along with the reception desk, which is used to check-in and out of the laboratory, just to keep track of everything that goes down in here. As you can see, there are two walkways that lead from here." Xu'Orz stopped for a moment catching his breath. "Now next this comes to your choice. Would you prefer to start with the actual Botanical Garden or the Live Vivariums?" ​

  The Martian looked carefully at the map the Thugalek showed Kokoro and him, listening to what he has to say in the map. When he was given the choice to choose either the botanical garden or the vivariums, he thought for a moment. "Hm... I suppose a visit to the vivariums would be enticing. The botanical gardens would be more of the Hemiptera's thing," He said, making up his choice.
  
  Seeing the duo being treated fairly, she looked at Xu'Orz. "Xu'Orz, I will be going to the medical bay, where Doctor Hamele is. I need to go check up on the two recruits." She lets him know. "Did their fight go well?" Ma'arz asked. "Both left with bad injuries, as far as Talia can tell me. I'm sure they'll make a fast recovery." She looks back at the Thugalek. "Treat them respect, Xu'Orz. I don't want to hear any complaints from them. Am I clear?" She asked.
  
• 
  

  Lux looks at the doctor’s hand to help him up strangely. He took a second to think, then used it to help himself up. The doctor saw what Ma’Arz did. A horribly scarred hand. His grip was still gentle yet firm. Clearly, he has much experience with using his hands.

  As the doctor helped Lux up, his eyes immediately filled with shock and regret when he witnesses his zombie for a hand. Once Lux is off the bed, the doctor quickly stepped away. "Dear goodness, your hand! I-I-" He said out loud, catching the attention of Kqidons, who was also off the bed, and Hamele. The doctor quickly walks away. "I need disinfectant! Anybody?!" He asked, wrapping his other hand around the lunate of the hand that he used to grab Lux's arm.

 

[The One-Sided Coin]

Lux sighed. He regretted having him see. But his hand was among his least scarred appendages. He glanced at Kqidons for a quick second, then stood up to leave the medical bay without a written word.

 

[Meme Machine]

Talia, upon seeing Lux about to leave, stepped in front of him. “No-pe” She said, popping the ‘p’. “You gotta stay here until the Cap’n comes.” She said with her arms crossed.

 

[The One-Sided Coin]

He sighed again, and nodded in acknowledgment of Talia. He went to the corner with a chair, sat down, and began fiddling with some tools on the small fidget toy he had shown Ma’Arz earlier.

 

[Meme Machine]

Talia decided to stay by the door, just in case Kqidons tried to leave as well. She pulled at her hair, pining it up into a bun while she waited.

 

[The One-Sided Coin]

Lux glanced at Kqidons again. He knew Vagrok culture put scars in high regard. But he didn’t need her respect. He kept to himself. He did hope she didn’t try to come over to see his scars for herself.

 

[BoltBeam]

Xu'Orz sighed a small portion. "While I would have prefered a more specific answer, it seems I'll be taking you two on a general tour of the facility." He strode towards his desk, and picked up a small sheet of fiberglass, with a rudimentary depiction of the laboratory as a map. "We have seven stops to make." He rubbed his hand up his head, realizing how much time that would take.

Kokoro laughed a little bit, shaking her head in 'what have we done' - in confusion, amusement 'and' disappointment all in one go. 'Seven stops, huh?' Kokoro thought to herself, but listened to Xu'Orz continue speaking until the choice presented itself.

"Where we are now is the General Office. This chamber acts as a part-time botanical garden, but also works as a crossroads. Along with the reception desk, which is used to check in and out of the laboratory, just to keep track of everything that goes down in here. As you can see, there are two wallways that lead from here." Xu'Orz stopped for a moment catching his breath. "Now next this comes to your choice. Would you prefer to start with the actual Botanical Garden, or the Live Vivariums?"

"I, too, am interested to see the vivariums." Kokoro stated calmly, just trying to contain and compose herself. While she said this, the captain promptly left the room in order to go the medical bay. Kokoro saw and nodded in 'right then' as if she understood.

Once Lux is off the bed, the doctor quickly stepped away. "Dear goodness, your hand! I-I-" He said out loud, catching the attention of Kqidons, who was also off the bed, and Hamele. The doctor quickly walks away. "I need disinfectant! Anybody?!" He asked, wrapping his other hand around the lunate of the hand that he used to grab Lux's arm.

Hamele seemed confused. "Sorry, what?" She asked in a confused tone. She knew full well where a disinfectant or two are/will be, but she wants to know 'why'. "OK, listen here. I heard you, but i want to know 'why'." She said sharply.

 

[CaptainRustbolt21]

Hamele seemed confused. "Sorry, what?" She asked in a confused tone. She knew full well where a disinfectant or two are/will be, but she wants to know 'why'. "OK, listen here. I heard you, but I want to know 'why'." She said sharply.

Turning his head towards the doctor, still freaking out a little, he points to the masked soldier. "He... H-His hand- it's severely scarred. How many, I'm not too sure, b-but-" He tried to explain, but he was too freaked out to utter a proper sentence.

 

[BoltBeam]

"He... H-His hand- it's severely scarred. How many, I'm not too sure, b-but-" He tried to explain, but he was too freaked out to utter a proper sentence.

Hamele looked to Lux and sighed. "Sorry, but... Can I... take a look, perhaps? To see how bad it actually is?" She asked passively, though would fully understand if refused.

 

[The One-Sided Coin]

Lux eyed the doctor carefully. He had a gut feeling to just show her, but he had to convince himself. After about 2 minutes of silence, he revealed his scarred hand to the doctor.

 

[BoltBeam]

Hamele sighed when the silence finished, and approached to see how bad the scarred hand was/is.

 

[The One-Sided Coin]

When she did see it, she saw a number of burns, cuts, stabs, everything that could have been done on just his had. Remind you that this is just his one hand. Imagine the rest of his body.

 

[BoltBeam]

Hamele, upon seeing it, would gasp. "Goodness... A-Are you OK?" Hamele seemed greatly worried. He wasn't kidding; that's a lot of damage.

 

[The One-Sided Coin]

He nodded and took his hand back. He didn’t say anything else, and wished Captain Susan would just come so she could lecture them or whatever and he could go.

 

[BoltBeam]

"I-I'm honestly not too sure how to respond to this, but... You seem like you've survived 'all of that', despite how bad it seems to be..." Hamele said curiously. "...I'm going to assume you're used to them, then. I'd elect to leave them alone. If that's what you probably want. I just trust that the damage they have actually done has healed." Hamele added, trying to cheer herself up.

 

[The One-Sided Coin]

Lux nodded again, and turned away as he continued to fiddle with the fidget toy.

 

[BoltBeam]

Hamele smiled and then backed off. Now that her work was done, all they had to do was wait for the captain.

 

[GolemGuy]

When he was given the choice to choose either the botanical garden or the vivariums, he thought for a moment. "Hm... I suppose a visit to the vivariums would be enticing. The botanical gardens would be more of the Hemiptera's thing," He said, making up his choice.

She looks back at the Thugalek. "Treat them respect, Xu'Orz. I don't want to hear any complaints from them. Am I clear?" She asked.

Xu'Orz

"Yes, Captain Susan," Zu'Orz addressed.

Zu'Orz, with Ma'arz at his heels, strut with his hands behind his back to the Vivarium Chamber, of which contained around twenty different extraterrestrial animal species. "Welcome to the Vivarium Chamber. Here are housed live specimens should any testing be done. A rudimentary genetic duplicator is used to ensure a steady supply of specimens. All individuals are rendered sterile, and are housed in adequate space mimicking their natural environment, along with specific diets for each species here." Xu'Orz paced about the many enclosures, all able to easily accommodate its inhabitants sufficiently. "A few of the specimens housed in this room are critically endangered. Using a genetic database of their alleles, it's possible to re-introduce the species to their native environments, of course after a sizeable breeding population is reached. I personally oversee transports of these specimens to larger biological preservation institutes."

Xu'Orz tread towards an enclosure on the far wall, and began to make his way down the entire chamber, naming each species as he did so.

Spoiler: Inhabitants of the Vivarium

Krystaktina novis
"A silicon-based predator from Oliquos IV, it focuses light through two crystalline silicon organs to essentially cook its prey alive with organically generated lasers. Part of an ongoing study of the biodiversity of silicon-based life and their biomechanics. Not much is known about them, and as such is the reason for the study."

Choroceva dolor
"An extremely rare lithophagus organism. It consumes the minerals on asteroids, using a still yet unknown process of chemical synthesis to convert the collected elements into usable molecules. Another part of the study of silicon life. A very common sight, however after the introduction of interstellar problems, their numbers have started to deplete from asteroid mining and collisions."

Rapaxovenator fonias
"One of the many dangerous predators on Purpur, it has an incredibly high metabolism, able to easily survive through the winter on body heat alone. However, this takes a toll on it, and must eat five times its own bodyweight in food every six hours. Highly endangered due to environmental changes, here is one of the few places where you can find one."

Harpedon peinon
"An aquatic addition to the vivariums, it uses its long, almost tusk-like canine teeth to shear off their equivalent to kelp, but are known to be highly aggressive. Their teeth are self-sharpening and serrated, which prods the questions of their evolutionary history, as a herbivore with serrated teeth."

Ianimanteio sophos
"Perhaps one of the most sessile motile organisms, it uses its large mouth in a similar fashion to a basked in order to catch falling marine snow, commonly found in deep waters of the planet Nyga'aro. A mystery to how such an inactive animal is able to reproduce, however broadcast spawning is the leading theory."

Ctenognathus gigas
"A truly terrifying marine predator, the single one housed here takes up the most space. Their teeth are each individually attached to muscles, which they used to rhythmically shred their prey to ribbons, and suck in the remnant through a proboscis. A horrifying spectacle to watch, but an interesting one."

Novimortelimax gravis
"A very important specimen for science, they resemble large slugs, around a foot in length, and are able to almost completely regenerate lost sections of their body. They could become even more valuable if their method of regeneration was completely understood, as it could lead to the removal of disability from the loss of extremities."

Renopila mollis
"A unique animal, having a symbiosis with a photosynthetic bacteria that shares energy, while it provides shelter. It's main body is comprised as a highly sensitive membrane of skin filled with nitrogen gasses. Native to Mars, its main attraction is a byproduct of chemical synthesis which is highly volatile."

Voluscatabrus titanus
"A strange radial organism from RS123798-B, a newly discovered and yet to be named planet. It has a shape similar to that of a hoop, and moved by siphons in a spinning fashion, as if a wheel. This specimen and future clones are part of an ecological study on their physiology and anatomy."

Gracilicrus cuniculus
"A small fossorial animal resembling mammals of earth. Previously endemic to Solaris, however environmental changes by human action have rendered the species near extinct, as the deserts and shrubland they inhabit have been devastated by terraformation into arable land."

Bratuambulus saltus
"An arboreal relative to Gracilicrus, it inhabits deciduous forests, and uses its long, hydraulic-like legs to launch themselves towards foot, but have undergone the same population depletion as its relative, it's native forests have been leveled for more residential land, having a few sanctuaries of thriving populations left."

Ictustoma morsus
"A very bizarre insectivore from Solaris, almost like a frog, however instead of a tongue, it uses a ballistic pharyngeal jaw to capture insect-like prey. It's resemblance to frogs is a truly odd example of convergent evolution, and much study has gone into comparing selective pressures that lead to a similar body plan."

Pan troglodytes
"A relic from Earth, the homeworld of humans, and the most related species to homosapiens. Housed for conservation purposes, and part of the Earth Ecosystem Resuscitation Program (E.E.S.P.), in order to restore the old biosphere of earth, due to the possible insight of knowledge of terran biodiversity."

Dracovermis occidens
"A relatively small predatory marine worm from Solaris. It's exoskeleton features a unique lattice of carbon molecules, resulting in a material similar to carbon fiber, which has led to synthesization efforts. It has become a common pest among fisheries, able to bore into reserved areas and devastate their aquatic livestock."

Tuncinitium bacilli
"Perhaps one of the most bizarre additions to the vivarium, a eukaryotic organism from a relatively young planet, TRa-127. Much study is going into this new organism to glean some insight into the earliest stages of development of a biosphere."

 

[CaptainRustbolt21]

• Laboratory
• Medical Bay

• 
  Susan nods and leaves the laboratory, making her way to the Medical Bay to meet up with the two giants.
  
  Ma'arz follows alongside the Thugalek. Scanning around the room containing all of these exotic and endangered animals. His red eyes twinkled at the sight of the animals within the terrariums. Several of the animals stood out for him.
  

  Rapaxovenator fonias
  "One of the many dangerous predators on Purpur, it has an incredibly high metabolism, able to easily survive through the winter on body heat alone. However, this takes a toll on it and must eat five times its own body weight in food every six hours. Highly endangered due to environmental changes, here is one of the few places where you can find one."
  ​

  Ma'arz looked at the creature, rubbing the bottom of his glass helmet as if he's rubbing his chin. It looked like a Panthera tigris (a predator that was regrettably killed off during the Cyber Revolution), but it has a distinct magenta fur and has far more teeth. Gesturing towards the animal, he makes his comments. "From what I've read, the Vagroks tend to simply call this powerful predator as a Beasthon." He said to Xu'Orz. "And the environmental changes aren't the only reason for its endangerment. Vagroks like to hunt, remember?" He continues as he carefully presses on the glass of the vivarium. "They hunt these Beasthons for sport and recognition, as it was a beast so violent and powerful that no Vagrok left without a scar." He walks away from it and rejoins Xu'Orz. "They hunted these poor monsters to near-extinction. It's rather sad, in a way... anyhow, let us move on." He finished.
  

  Renopila mollis
  "A unique animal, having a symbiosis with a photosynthetic bacteria that share energy, while it provides shelter. Its main body is comprised of a highly sensitive membrane of skin filled with nitrogen gasses. Native to Mars, its main attraction is a byproduct of chemical synthesis which is highly volatile."
  [/SPOILER]​

  When he encountered the Renopila, he makes a quiet gasp in excitement as he walks closer to the symbiotic animal. "Yes! And the chemicals it produces thanks to its symbiosis is one of the main ingredients for the Disintegrator Rays!" He points out, responding to Xu'Orz's last sentence regarding its highly unstable chemical synthesis, as he takes a closer look at the symbiote. "Truly, an interesting animal, the Renopilas are." He continues before leaving the creature at peace.
  

  Pan troglodytes
  "A relic from Earth, the homeworld of humans, and the most related species to homosapiens. Housed for conservation purposes, and part of the Earth Ecosystem Resuscitation Program (E.E.S.P.), in order to restore the old biosphere of earth, due to the possible insight of knowledge of terrain biodiversity."​

  He looks at the hairy creature and, instantly recognizing its species, walks over to it with a keen eye. "Ah, yes. The common Chimpanzee. Some of us fellow Martians actually use the troglodytes as the subject of our species essays." He explained as he sees the chimp doing nothing more than eating a piece of a Citrullus lanatus (also known as a watermelon). "Personally, though, while I do find them interesting, I just did an essay of the Ictustoma morsus." He said. "I just think they're far more interesting and more genetically complicated than the chimps."
  
  After he gave out his thoughts, he turned to the Thugalek. "Mister... Xu'Orz, was it? Anyway, I'm not sure if you'll reciprocate, but I am quite excited to be part of this crew with you." He informed him, crossing his arms. "Due to our political hostilities, we Martians don't normally interact with the Thugaleks, so I'm interested in how science is defined in Thugalek eyes."
  
• 
  When Hamele and Lux were done talking, the doctor, who was constantly rubbing his hands with disinfectant, approached the head doctor. "Pardon me, Doctor Hamele. I-I'm not too sure what you think about him, but I don't think we should trust him..." He warned the doctor, pointing at Lux Ormidial, whilst his hand was shaking from the shock. "I know we usually follow a 'don't judge a book by its cover' thing, but he... he just purposely dresses like a drug dealer! It's creeping me out, to be honest..." The doctor said in all honesty.
  
  While the two doctors conversate, Kqidons IV, who was keeping quiet for a while, walks towards the masked soldier until she was close enough to be at punching distance from him. Staring at him quietly for about ten seconds, she finally spoke. "That match that we had... to prove that you have both bark and bite?" She asked in a low voice. "It ended in a draw; there is, for now, no winner. We both got injured lethally and had to be taken here." Then, in a bit of a surprising move, she placed her left arm across her chest and bowed slightly; a show of, if half-assed, respect. "However, you have proven to me that you are no showoff. I will not underest-"
  
  "BOTH OF YOU, BACK OFF!!"
  
  A very loud and very irate voice spread across the medical bay. A loud voice that terrified a couple of doctors and nurses who are doing their duties. Both Lux and Kqidons snapped their attention to the source of the voice.
  
  It was Captain Susan. And she looks PISSED.

 

[The One-Sided Coin]

Lux had ignored the doctors conversing, and when Kqidons had come up to him and not tried to punch him or anything, he nodded to her words. It was a draw because he didn’t go lethal, but hey, he was getting somewhere. Then he heard Captain Susan. He sighed. But he wasn’t at fault. Kqidons would likely take almost all the blame. He looked over to her, his eyes showing no fear, but he wasnt exactly looking forward to this. He remained seated in a calm fashion.

 

[Meme Machine]

Talia rolled her eyes at the nervous doctor, continuing to lean against the door. She was an assassin and never got weird looks. Well, weird intimidated looks. She narrowed her eyes as Kqidons approached Lux, but relaxed when she saw there wasn’t any true malice in the action.

She did, however, jump at Susan’s yell. She turned towards the woman, and stepped back before looking towards the two warriors. She tried not to smile, but she was honestly a little excited to see someone other than her get yelled at.