Slaying of the Shadows

Having looked through some recent files and requests, Isikiy had been privy to several relocation requests made to the Arcosian Empire. A fair few were standard integration missions. The majority of them were mostly responses to disasters outside of any given client’s control, and most relocations and integrations to other planets or into other cultures went smoothly— especially if there was significant rapport between involved parties.

The same could not be said for this current case. It was about three standard weeks or so ago that the Eklares of Planet ZK-919, or the world now formerly known as Planet Choux had put in a relocation request. The problem was their ecological needs. Not very many planets within reasonable reach of the Arcosian Empire fit the bill.

But, still, there was one. Planet MK-314, Planet Yami. A dangerous world for those that were ill equipped.

In any case, Isikiy had been forwarded the particulars for the relocation request from the Eklares— much like many of the prior ventures, he would act as an archivist, and assess the current inhabitants of Planet Yami directly, as well as gauge the available resources. Isikiy had taken one of his company’s smaller shuttle crafts to meet up with the main party. Being one of the first to arrive, punctual as always, Isikiy opened a communication channel with the others.

“Lord Isikiy Bleakfrost, acting member of the R&D head council, director of bio-sciences, and future inheritor of Bleakfrost True-Life Solutions, reporting for duty. My mission statement, as per the archival directive of AGE 65, addendum 43, section IX, is to archive the technologies, advancements and DNA of Planet MK-314’s current occupants. Additionally, under the same directive, addendum 11, section V, I am present to assess available resources for the client to ensure their relocation and rebuilding of their society is done smoothly.” Much like Ticoga, Isikiy was here to ensure everything was done by the books.

Waiting patiently for others to arrive, Isikiy busied himself with reviewing the various notes and other bits of available information on the planet below along with its inhabitants. In all of his years, Isikiy had seen a fair amount of intriguing things— this world was no exception.

Perhaps it was crazy, but even so, Isikiy saw something salvageable in these so-called ‘Shades’. Having spent enough time around just as strange if not stranger beings throughout his life, it was quite easy for Isikiy to analyze the information he had. Still, he did want a bit more, just to be sure.

Soon enough, there would be new arrivals. First, a wormhole deposited a dreadnought class vessel. The primary occupant was a being by the name of Terium, one of the several members working within the R&D head council; a newer member, but a member nonetheless. Isikiy would reserve his judgement of them until he saw them in action. “Greetings, Terium.” Whether that judgement was positive or negative? Time would tell. “I have a rather packed schedule, so we shall see.”

Second, was a smaller ship, a more modest yet purposeful cruiser had pulled up. The primary occupant was an Arcosian, the captain of this second vessel, holding the rank of privateer; Verst. “Oh good, good. Pending further information on the mission, my own engineers will be able to provide you with the appropriate technologies needed should you not possess them already.” Isikiy offered cordially.

Ticoga spoke up after everyone thus far had arrived and settled their introductions. “Ah, it wouldn’t be as exciting if they weren’t, now would it?” Isikiy chuckled briefly, receiving Ticoga’s additional data file. A lot fit what Isikiy already had, and much of it followed with his educated guesses and predictions. Looking through each bit of information, Isikiy saw something of personal interest, and began to analzye the deeper patterns as Ticoga explained further. “I will begin preparations on what may be needed. But first...”

After Ticoga concluded his update, Isikiy created a small data file of his own, sending it to the others present. “Please do take note of this.” The data file offered some quick yet in depth comparisons between these ‘Shades’ as they are with the information presented and the Ankoku race, who were members of the wider galactic society themselves. “There are quite a few similarities between the two— I have reason to believe they either have a common ancestor or some sort of other relationship. It is imperative that a sizable and healthy amount of these Shades are preserved for study.” Isikiy spoke sternly, it would become increasingly clear how serious he was about this mission being done right.

“I notice that preliminary deep scans of the planet have revealed an intricate tunnel system. This would mean it is possible that many of their numbers are underground. Flushing them out violently with artillery bombardment or concussive weapons will cause unnecessary carnage that would cut down the value of the planet, and possibly cause damage to valuable resources that the clients could make use of. In the best interest of keeping as much of the planet intact, I must ask if anyone here has any specially made light based weapons or stealth tools that they could use instead— if not, my engineers shall manufacture spares, as we are already equipped on our end.” Isikiy explains, showing some examples that he has set beside him— light-to-dark visibility quick-reaction goggles, high beam ring drones, wrist and shoulder mounted flood lamps, vibro-cloaking mechanisms to mess with echolocation, this man came prepared. “Furthermore, our containment units for capturing the Shades shall be fully operational momentarily as well, we are currently running final stress tests.”

Isikiy nodded as Ticoga reiterated that caution was to be taken seriously. Isikiy knew well enough already, comparatively he had many years of experience beyond those gathered given his age, but he wasn’t one to lord it over them. Isikiy simply took Ticoga’s thoroughness as it was, thoroughness. In fact, it was appreciated. “There is no need to worry. You can trust that I am fully capable of getting what I need as safely as possible. All that I need is the chance, and from chances, everything comes.”

The chance did indeed show itself. Ticoga mentioned an ability that Terium possessed, and the creature himself more or less confirmed that. “Well then, that shall be of good use.” It wasn’t an ability Isikiy was a stranger to, a few clients of his company had asked for soldiers capable of such a thing, so he knew the ins and outs of the concept. “May I ask what the technical specifications of the ability are? Knowing will help me prepare and brief my team.” There was also insight to gain, but that was secondary.

Verst had a few concerns of his own too, namely about the potential presence of venom. “All evidence points to such a thing to be unlikely, but act with the assumption that they do. That way, it wouldn’t matter if they do or not, you will come prepared.” As for the structure of the tunnels, Isikiy once again prepared a data file. It contained the scanning details that revealed the tunnel networks to begin with, he offered it to all present, but mostly Verst since it was something he had asked for. “Given their habits and hunting behaviours, it seems that these tunnels are wide and typically have grooves for them to hide in if need be. It is for this reason that having personnel equipped with the right equipment is of great importance. Again, if need be, I have the resources to share with your crew.” As for the amount of specimens Isikiy would need, he pondered for a moment. “To me, a sizable and healthy amount would translate to... Roughly, in the thousands. Assistance is welcome, but odds are my crew and I can manage.”

With that, Ticoga gave the signal to begin advancing, and adds to Ticoga’s instructions. “It would also be wise to avoid mountainous areas, or anywhere that provides any would be attackers some cover. I suggest that we also aim for open areas in high atmosphere, and spread out as much as we can. This way, we can cover as much ground as possible, and reduce risk of casting shadow on each other’s ships.” Isikiy looked to Terium in particular. “Yours especially, as it is by far the largest vessel.”

Isikiy tapped his chin, he understood several varied applications of Blutz waves, and it wasn’t outside of the realm of possibility that they could be engineered to recreate some manner of permeation. “Blutz waves are quite fascinating, aren’t they?” Isikiy mused. He wondered what careful application of Blutz waves may do to a Shade test subject, but only for a moment; enough to find himself curious. One would need to acquire a test subject to do the testing on in the first place!

With everyone taking their optimal positions as was appropriate with their spacecraft, Isikiy also activated the flood lights and moved his ship into position... Though it was a slightly odd one. Not a bad position relative to anyone else, just particularly focused on one of many tunnels provided by the deep scan. A smaller tunnel compared to many others, one where the creatures would escape from should the inner workings of their individual hives or lairs be compromised. “I have chosen to position myself outside of a filter tunnel. These creatures may be brutal in their ways, but I know a creature of instinct when I see it. I will capture them from these should any try to flee, and given the situation you fine fellows are providing...” Isikiy was grinning widely under his mask, to the point where his face contorted slightly to allow even the mask to seem like it could grin. “They will flee, and do so right into the palm of my hands.”

Isikiy checked with his engineers, and the containment units that they had been inventing were now fully operational. Isikiy took a few himself, and several of his elite personnel were outfitted with them, and the light-based defense technologies that were discussed before. Isikiy and his group lit up their devices and were launched down to the surface with a reverse tractor beam.

“Now then my friends, a bonus to all who capture a specimen with a unique genome, happy hunting~!” Isikiy flicked a containment unit disk past a large group of Shades that had not yet taken flight.

These disks would encircle the creatures before conjuring walls around them, the inner layer jet black and harmless to them... With the outside lit burning bright that would be death to them. Some scrambled out and burned alive, others gnashed at even each other as the containment unit closed completely, administering high powered sedatives inside. Then, with advancements similar to that of Capsule Corp’s dynocaps, the large box would shrink to the size of a small soda can.

“I have obtained my first samples.” Isikiy radioed in to the others as his team took to a defensive triangle formation in search for more Shades. “I will send automated drones your way with containment units, please do your best to ensure they do their job, but not at the cost of you or your teams.” As promised, several drones with containment units would fly out of Isikiy’s vessel towards the others, whether or not they managed to capture many more Shades remained to be seen.