Day 1 | Evening | A Thopter with a View

[Eileen Marsh]

''Let's not rush it too quickly now'' she commented ''We need to unload and hide the thopter if we leave it here''

[Lydia Storm]

Lydia took a few moments to look around before turning back and bringing her weapon up.

"Then do so and quickly. I'll keep watch."

[Cuyler Gray]

"Systems are still damaged." Cuyler said. "Maybe I can find the main issue."

- - -
Day 1 | Evening | A Thopter with a View, Average Perception (Cunning), Uncanny Senses: 3eP+1eB+2eD 3 successes, 1 threat, 1 Triumph

[Kannon]

One thing she noticed was that power undulated ever so gently but rhythmically across the ship's systems, now more so when her kitchen had delivered some kick. She realised that was anomalous, with some outside electromagnetic force affecting that. Were they being jammed?

[Triumph] Bur perhaps more importantly, she noticed that the damage was haphazard across systems. Wiring here, converter there. Some fuel cells were good, others weren't. The thopter had two Holtzmann generators, one responsible for suspensor propulsion, another in the shield module. It was an unconfirmed hunch, but perhaps one could be restored to functionality by cannibalising another.

Still, this was all very theoretical to her.

[Keeping Threat]

[Cuyler Gray]

"Something in this area is causing interference." She explained after a few moments looking over things. "There's a pulse of some sort affecting electronics and probably transmissions. The thopter's generators are both damaged. We may be able to repair one, though."

[Kannon]

Somehow, all this inquiry made her think back to Arrakis. Coriolis storms shorting almost any shield, the electrostatic discharge of the worm... Caladan was a very different place, but forces of nature often integrated with life to unexpected outcomes.

[Efren Lanville]

The workings of machines were beyond Efren and Culyer seemed to have a decent idea of what was going on, so he tinkered a bit with the settings to see if things would improve on the radio.

————

D1 Perception with bonus: 2eA+1eB+2eD 2 failures, 2 advantage

[Cuyler Gray]

She stepped outside and took a moment to study some of what remained of the creatures.

"They produce some sort of bio-electricity, right? That's what fried our systems? Are there other creatures like them in this area? Are electrical storms common here?"

[Kannon]

The radio sadly seemed unimprovable in present circumstances.

The remains of the manta Cuyler could find were charred bluish flesh, very lifeless now. Whether it still was electrically charged couldn't be determined by watching alone.

[Efren Lanville]

“Can’t get anything on the horn Instructor.” Efren reported to Razar after exhausting his tinkering options.

“Storms are pretty frequent around the coasts.” Efren replied to Cuyler as he stepped away from the machine.

“That’s the first time I’ve seen creatures like that… but it’s possible there are other similar things.”

[Eileen Marsh]

Eileen stepped out as well, observing the area. This part of the continent was wild but perhaps she could sense some familiarity with what she was used to encounter.

---
Thopter view, gauge the area, knowledge: ecology, difficulty unknown: 2eP 1 success, 1 advantage

[Kannon]

Evening 1 Ecology Difficulty.: 2eD 2 failures, 2 threat


The cliffs indeed seemed similar in broad sense to Arondi Cliffs or to the Armada Buff, though less prominent than either of them. What was definitely different and throwing assessment off was that here there was no trace of human habitation, cultivation or transformation of the environment, unlike in other parts of Caladan. She may have heard something about flying electric mantas, just like she sure had heard of elecrans, but it was her first time to encounter them.

[Storing Threat]

[Efren Lanville]

“Did any of us see where the other thopter went?”

He looked around.

“We’ve got a pretty recognizable spot here. If they are deeper in the jungle it’ll take a little bit to find them.”

[Eileen Marsh]

''They are not the only ones able to find us'' Eileen pointed out '' We can use foliage to hide the thopter...but as far as the jungle goes,I am not familiar with our little neck of the woods...mayhaps there is a unique quirk to the ecosystem?''

[Cuyler Gray]

"There may be a natural phenomenon in this area that's causing the interference." She said as she carefully poked at the carcasses with some of her kitchen utensils. Hopefully, the heat insulation of the handles would protect from electric shock. "Creatures adapt to the environment they live in."

- - -
Day 1 | Evening | A Thopter with a View, Average? Ecology (Intellect): 1eA+2eP+2eD 1 success, 2 advantage

[Kannon]

Indeed. Tio Holtzmann and Norma Cenva's general theory of the quantum that gave the Imperium its constitutional technologies of shielding, suspension and space folding were quite clear in laying common groundwork for physics and biology. Even before, avian navigation and photosynthesis had been determined to rely on quantum cohesion. Life could nest itself in electromagnetism in various and indirect ways. The bodies of these mantas might have been shaped by evolution to channel rather than generate electric charges, which would mean they were endemic here because their environment was uniquely conducive.

A fancy makeshift theory. But hey, the meat briefly zapped between the points of the fork before it truly 'died'.

[Cuyler Gray]

She stood up and put her things away. "I think we should expect to encounter more electrical hazards."

[Kannon]

...The highest function of ecology is understanding consequences...

A familiar voice that she couldn't quite place, irritatingly lecturing, passed through her thoughts for a moment.

...Life — all life — is in the service of life...

Her instinct was to silence it, throw it out.

[Lydia Storm]

Lydia put her eyes to the scope on her gun.

"They blow up as well as non-electric hazards."

[Kiran Alsahar]

Kiran took a depp breath through their nose and released it. "All right. I saw some bodies down at the bottom of the cliff. Before we go anywhere, I'd like to go take a look. It may end up being important." They took out their crash kit and handed it to the others. "Keep this safe for now - it's got a couple of days worth of survival stuff and a flare if we want the others to find us and don't mind if someone else does." They stood up, checking their gloves and pistol.