FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

A stream of sparks flew through the air over the heads of several engineers racing about through the maze of tangled wires and fractured metal as alarms blared into the flashing red light flooding the chaos with the feeling of hell. Yet just above them against the railing of the overhead catwalk was the captain's personal android in its nearly pristine ash grey uniform with a single stripe of blue running along the neck. One of the medics wormed their way beside it heading down to handle one of the injured members resting beside a series of scattered wires that skittered around like electric eels still gasping for life. After documenting the situational changes into its memory the droid turned and left the room, both wolf like ears lowering back to their resting place, pointing a bit behind. The doors along its path were forced open due to the emergency state of things leading all the way to the command bridge just over one hundred yards ahead where the captain stood in a sea of frustration as electric blue letters and numbers darted across the transparent screen.

“Captain Riley," the droid said coming to a stop just past the entryway.

The man turned and took a step away, rubbing his eyes for a moment before sighing out his words. “Let me have it."

“Engineering is in shambles, the warp prototype thankfully is not a total loss and the injuries are being attended to." Several of the scientists overlooking the anomaly readings nudged their way past. “Judging by the commotion up here things do not seem to be going as planned."

Stepping down the small set of stairs that elevated his terminals above the others the captain still towered over the android unit. “What about the other areas? Life-support? The loading bay?"

“Major systems are still functioning at optimal levels." Several of the screens had finally began making sense again as a new low hum rolled its way through the ship to join the other subtle ambience. “AI core systems reboot process completed at the nine-hundred hour mark."

The captain quickly turned and left the unit standing there by the entrance and took a stand once again at the terminal. “That will be all for now R5. Head back to the aft loading bay and help prepare the landing party."

With a simple turn the captain's conversation with the ship AI grew softer as the heartbeat of the ships internals hummed on with the soft sound of footsteps on the polished silver flooring followed the android on their lonely march.

Several of the crew appeared to be getting ready as the android made it to the loading bay where a lander was being loaded with some of the necessary gear by the previous generation of units who more resembled a bipedal forklift with adjustable forks for hands and a long set of cables running along their spines. “Welcome again R dash Five Seven Three," said the AI as his entry was logged into the ship database. Paying no mind the unit soon reached the smaller vessel that more resembled a bean shaped bus with several engines at the ready while one of the older units was pressing the now loaded pod towards the aft of the vessel for attachment. Pressing a few buttons on the far side of the ship a small door slid to the side with a brief hiss as the seal was parted, activating the ships internals and dim lighting and readout panels as the lander core hummed to life in a low rumble. “Inputting landing coordinates"

An energy barrier was the only thing holding back the void as the bay cover was retracted into the sides of the bay walls revealing the subtle glowing curve of the anomaly. Strange static filled the units mind for a moment as its systems adapted to the radiation that pulsed through the vessel as the primary drive activated out of sequence with the protective shield. Yet as if on que the vessel rocked forward a few inches with a hissing squeal as the back merged with the cargo unit, the six main locks rapidly firing into place like gunshots as the android regained itself. After a short pause it moved several commands into the proper sequence and selected a landing zone amid the expansive body of water that seemed to make up most of the rogue world below. The sound of metal steps entering behind it caused the unit to spin around only to see the captain and several of his crew boarding the ship wearing their exploration gear with helmets locked and visors activated.

“Status update R3," the captain said while taking a seat beside the unit.

“Cargo is loaded and landing is marked."

“Good, now suit up and get this thing started."

As the captain took control the android slid aside and stood quickly locked his exploration gear into place, the barrier blinking to life around its own features that set it apart from the rest before returning to the co-pilots seat for takeoff. Several lights blinked to red as the captain activated the launch sequence and activated the AI tether. Soon everything was a rush as the vessel darted out of the bay along the predetermined flight path. “Entering detected atmosphere in five…" Two of the scientists were watching the readouts on the back wall, “Four… Three…" The walls began to rattle a bit as turbulence grew, “Two… Onnnnne…“ The light sin the shuttle suddenly died as the hum of the core erupted into silence.

Everything stopped as a faint whistle began to grow against the walls of the falling craft, the inside a mixture of fear and anger with none of the crew having the same expression as the unit documented the situation and raced towards a conclusion. Beside it the captains arms slowly moved to brace the figure they were attached to while the noise grew louder in this eternal set of seconds. A familiar static jolted through the androids body as it smoothly jerked its head back to the dead panels, forcing them out of the way, breaking one as it forced its hand into the console. Tearing some of its cosmetic layer and thermal protection as it grabbed hold of and central wires and took control. Power surged through its arm and into the brain of the lander causing the visor to blink and fizzle out and sparks shooting outwards from the edges of the androids eyes.

But the damage was worth the suspended moment as everything sped up again filled with the sounds of muted screams and a friendly rush of motion as the lander core re-ignited. Lights Pulsing to full brightness and terminals blinking once again with code as the landing sequence continued, only for everything to cut to black as the android shutdown as it removed its damaged hand from the mess of tangled wires.

Faint sounds of wind and the crackle of a fire greeted the unit as it began to reboot, taking notice of the two lines connected to the base of its skull as power was restored to its systems. Next it could tell it was on solid ground, then someone slapped the side of its head sparking sight back to its eyes where one of the crew greeted it by detaching the damaged limb. “That was pretty dumb of you droid." Looking around, the unit took in the surroundings, recording how dark the area appeared even with all the glowing areas of vegetation that illuminated the surrounding undergrowth and movement in neon lights. The lander was parked close by judging by the odd shadow brushing its side, the android thought nothing of it as the captain moved up from the side where he had apparently been sitting. “Why did you sabotage the lander?"

Taking the severed arm from the crew member, the captain looked it over before addressing the situation, “I think you should get back to your work Andrew." The unit watched as the man stubbornly moved away with the lights on his helmet lighting the way.

“Malfunction occurred in upper atmosphere," the unit paused as it disconnected the attached cables. “I felt it necessary to reignite the lander core instead of…"

“None of that matters," he said pressing the arm back into its housing. “How damaged are you?"

A few near silent seconds passed before the unit's eyes lit up again and locked with the captain's. “Diagnostic appears nominal, no need for repairs at this time."

Helping the unit to its feet, Riley lead it over to the central shelter where several other terminals were all scrolling through survey feeds of several survey drones as well as collected data from the surrounding area. “I need you to be honest with me." Turning on a small device at the edge of a portable desk the captains preferred poison filled a small glass. It disappeared in one motion, the chemical reserves locked into the back only marginally lower as he sat the glass back on the small pad for later. “Did you sabotage the main ship or the lander?"

“No, and I have no clue who or what did may have caused it." Moving around the enclosed space a few steps before coming to rest near one of the spots where a barrier should be. The unit began sifting through logged scenarios to try and determine a cause for the ordeal. “How are your suit power levels holding?"

“They'd be worse if Andrew hadn't figured out the planet has a very ionized atmosphere a few days ago." A hand turned the android around, the captain had his field weapon pressed to the unit's chest. “Consider this a warning of suspicion, but if you find out anything you had better let me know."

The android's eyes quickly scanned the contents of the vials on the dispenser while his sensors documented the rest before the unit took a step away from the captain. “Peculiar actions Riley. I think you should cut back on that drink of yours." Slowly walking towards the exit of the small space with each word, “If you need me I'll be out surveying to the west."

The android's internal clock registered thirty minutes by the time it finished making its way to the top of the ravine area where the lander had chosen to hand. Everything buzzed with the same odd static as before, one of the unit's sensors crackling a bit as something smacked into its ear. Turning and crouching down it noticed the small insect-like creature before it leaped back into the passing wind. Internally its mind was racing with confused thought as the static almost felt like it was encasing it in a cocoon. Before the android could turn away from the breeze its visor flickered and suddenly died, the full gust of wind and icy particles crashing into the units face and eyes as it fought to shield itself during its retreat. Several of the small creatures colliding into its back as it tried to speed back towards camp and salvation, one unfortunately getting lodged inside the damaged opening in the unit's arm where it quickly froze to the exposed metal.

Every step back felt like a challenge as freezing wind sought to trap the android as fragments of rock and ice pelted every inch of it as the wind gusts billowed. It pushed itself to return with what little findings it had uncovered.

The captain seemed a bit surprised to see the android return so soon. His eyes gazing over the frost and snow covered figure before him like a stranger seeking warmth in a blizzard. And yet all the android could think about was this new sense of worry that was pulsing through its body. “Leave us alone for a while," he said to the scientist at one of the terminals who grunted as they left, nearly knocking over the android. After the shelter was resealed the captain slowly came closer. “What… happened up there?"

The android hesitated as its joints thawed a bit more. “The surface appears to be a wasteland above the clearing." It leaned over a bit, noticing several of the streaming videos scrolling by were showing the interior network of several cave systems. One of which was merely a constantly updating map from one of the survey drones, the others of which had gone dark. “Any report from the main ship repairs?"

“You tell me." The captain took a step back, resting his hand on the desk nearby the weapon from earlier. “Your feed cut out when you left the clearing."

A brief series of videos and images pulsed through the androids mind as it recalled the times before when such an incident happened. Each time a bit more unique than the other but one still remaining elusive as grey static and bending shapes ruined the memory that somehow still clung to life. “I don't know what is going on up there, Riley. The ship is either on the other side of the planet or conditions in the atmosphere are causing me issues to connect with the communications."

The captain's furrowed brow softened as he took a step away from the device, pacing a bit on the faintly glowing blades of grass. As the captain paced, the androids mind wondered as the glow of the blades consumed his vision until the moment was broken by the piercing sounds of pain outside. “At the ready R-five!"

Both figures raced out of the shelter to find the source of the commotion, the captain holding the weapon at the ready while the android ran through the camp. Several of the other scientists and survey crew were in a panic, seeking shelter inside the lander from whatever was causing the disturbance. Off in the distance from one of the caves the sounds of snapping metal and the pulsing lights of weapons fire shook the android into feelings that it never knew before. “R-five keep up!" The captain was staring back at the unit who had frozen in place as he stormed ahead. Shaking its head the unit did its best to keep up, defense tactics on its mind.

The inside of the cave was a mess of glowing vines and survey equipment, several of the survey teams tablets scattered the floor with broken glass where others lay intact along a series of cables that ran from the lander outside. Sounds of running water started to join the melody of chaos the deeper they ran with several other crew taking point near the exit with their own defensive gear at the ready. One of the members they found lay strewn in half in a pile of mangled gore, the upper half missing which stirred something in the gut of the android. It began running a quick diagnostics check for its internal sensors as the captain forced them deeper still.

Fauna soon grew lush as the space began to open into a much larger chamber where rushing water flowed through the wall and beneath a makeshift bridge, flowing off into a void as the captain jerked the android forward to lead the way. The android focused on the path ahead, using what sensors remained to try and stay ahead of the changing terrain as it challenged them with each twist and turn. A sudden scream and abrupt gurgling ahead made them both stop with the captain again tugging on the unit, using its power reserves as a leash causing the unit to fall to the ground. “Cover the rear."

Not wanting to argue, the android followed a short pace behind, documenting the odd sounds that filled this rather large cavern that now appeared to stretch on like an infinite room with a ceiling that looked like the stars above. After another series of grueling minutes pushing their way through the thick growth of alien life the android stopped the captain as life signs registered ahead. “We should leave this planet right…"

Riley powered up the device cutting off the android. “We're getting this survey crew out of here first." Pulling the android around again the captain shoved the unit forward into an apparent clearing. Sensors were firing in all directions as the shadows seemed to stir in the deep overhand, one of which appeared to be the missing member of the crew. A series of eyes appeared to follow them both as the captain walked forward, weapon held out with both hands, taking aim at anything that moved ahead in the darkness. A drop of sweat fell behind the captain's energy visor as he breathed deeply. “Where are they R-five?"

The android closed its eyes to process everything, time coming to a crawl again as it ran through the information. Several simulations were playing out at once in the darkened void each with its own horrid outcome as the internal projected figures and shapes melded into nightmarish creatures. It could see the captain beginning to run forward, moving millimeter by millimeter as he prepared to fire into the darkness at the changing mass. Slowly opening its eyes back to the reality where Riley was beginning to charge for his attack, several large thin legs flew from the darkness, grabbing hold to the edges of the space ahead to pull the creature from its home.

To the android all of this was still playing out slowly. Pieces of stone were erupting as shots from the captain exploded against their surface, each missing the growing figure of legs and eventual blood as the head of the beast came into view. With one short turn and a hard push the captain was tossed back as the creature came fully into view, all five sets of six eyes locking on the strange metallic creature in its trap. Shots continued to pelt the area as the captain and several other crew that had followed them were making a mess of the place, but inside the injured form of the missing member of the crew grew into the vision of everyone as they raced to freedom. As the creature began racing for its attack the android simply leapt for one of the twelve legs that supported it, crashing into the thin joint with enough force to sever it at the knee.

Sparks and a quickly growing darkness filled the androids vision as it took one last glimpse back. The members of the team were still there as things grew slower still in its fading mind ending with a pair of unseen hands pulling hard at the form of its former android.