The Mystery Ship:  Part 1

    Aboard the Star Fist, Bruno has disappeared into one of the ship's labs to work on the Nanovirus that will eventually be used against the Morgoths.  He's seen every now and then, when he remembers to come out for food, but his ventures outside the laboratory are few and far between.  Mindwave's communiqué to Earth was received and confirmed about four hours after it was sent.  Communications channels seem normal, and all indications are that the Star Fist is still in the same dimension as it was before it entered the Wormhole... something Mindwave was concerned about.
    Work on the nanovirus is progressing well. Bruno has nearly perfected the nanites that will construct the nanites that will program the actual virus-nanites. Based on the info that he received from Defender (who has been working somewhat closely with Savant), Bruno has been able to determine the number of levels of miniaturization that will be needed, and is progressing toward that goal.
Mindwave calls for a meeting with Captain Tarna and Commander Brenna in her office.
Bruno says, "I will be sending my research back to Earth at the same time every day... with special little love notes for the Empress embedded in each one."
Mindwave calls on the intercom, "Doctor Bruno, do you have several minutes to attend a meeting in my office?"
Captain Tarna and Commander Brenna enter the office promptly. Captain Tarna asks, "You wished to speak with us, Warlord?"
Bruno raises an eyebrow and sighs, adjusting his monocle, "Sure... give me a moment..." he goes back to dictating his notes to the computer for it to transcribe, leaving the line open for a moment. "And so, the resulting tangent can easily be embedded. Miss you tons my snuggliepoofles.  There... done.  Send.  all right, ready when you are."

    Mindwave, Bruno, and the command crew have all gathered in Mindwave's office.  Once everyone has arrived, Mindwave beings...
Mindwave says in Basic, "Yes, please sit down.... I wanted your opinions on what happened at the Tirax system, including your evolution of tactics and my command decisions during that encounter. You have my permission to speak freely."
Bruno rolls his eyes, "I need permission now? I ain't one of these lackeys who's gonna do your beck and call Mindwave, remember that.  As for what happened in Tirax, clearly it was no accident.  Someone opened that wormhole for us.  Why I don't know.  Who I still don't know, I still don't even know HOW... but the Why... I'd guess in the hopes that we'd be unprepared for them and be destroyed."

Commander Brenna glances at Bruno for a moment but returns her attention to the meeting as Captain Tarna speaks.  He says, "Well, we're obviously dealing with a hostile, if not xenophobic race in the Tirax system.  Tactically, we're going to need a lot more than the Star Fist to take that system, but I state the obvious."  He looks to Commander Brenna, who then speaks up, "Technologically I'd estimate that these people are on about the same level as the Morgoths, but the technology is not the same."
Mindwave says in Basic, "I think it is time we examine the ship we have in tow, perhaps we can glean some more answers... there are survivors aboard that ship, correct?"
Commander Brenna nods and says, "That is correct, Warlord.  Based on their ferocity in the space battle, I think it's safe to assume that we'll encounter heavy resistance boarding that ship."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Recommendations?  Do we board the ship before we get to Earth?  Or do we wait?""
Captain Tarna says, "My only concern with waiting until we reach Earth is that they may be able to repair enough systems to overload their power core. We could easily get rid if them before it detonated, but we'd lose our opportunity to study their technology."
Bruno speaks up, saying, "Well they're likely to scuttle the ship if they are given the chance."
Mindwave turns to Brenna, asking, "Commander Brenna, your opinion?"
Brenna nods and says, "I concur.  This race shows many of the traits of a race that would rather die than surrender."
Mindwave nods, "I agree, we should make our move before they either scuttle the ship, or set up defenses.  Captain, prepare for a boarding action.  I will accompany the boarding party myself."
Captain Tarna raises an eyebrow, saying, "As you wish, Warlord..." He turns to Commander Brenna, saying, "You'll make the arrangements?" She nods to him quietly.
Bruno says in Basic, "I'd recommend we look up our medical records on the Tirax folk and try and infiltrate a sorta knockout gas into their ventilation system."
Mindwave says in Basic, "I agree, Doctor, see what you can come up with..."
Captain Tarna nods, saying, "That should give us the upper hand, yes.  Doctor Bruno, Lt. Kaar would be able to assist you with that, should you require her help."
Mindwave summons the Cheshire Cat to her office via the intercom...
Bruno nods to the Lieutenant, "Come... we've work to do."
Lt. Kaar nods and stands, asking Mindwave, "Will there be anything else, Warlord?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "No Lieutenant, that will be all, dismissed."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Captain, I will want some body armor for myself and Chesire Cat."
Lt. Kaar leaves with Bruno and the two start working on the gas. Captain Tarna nods and says, "I'd like to send Commander Brenna with you as well, Warlord, if you don't have any objections?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "No objections, Captain."
Captain Tarna nods and says, "Well then. If there isn't anything else, Commander Brenna will assist you with the preparations, and as soon as we receive word from our science staff that the gas is ready, we'll proceed."
Mindwave stands up from behind her desk, "I do want a sensor scan to get an accurate count and placement of the crew still aboard."
Commander Brenna says, "We will have that information before we leave."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Excellent. Dismissed."
Tarna and Brenna both stand in unison. Brenna says on her way out, "I'll have the marine captain fit you with combat armor and get you a weapon." The two then both step out and make their way back onto the bridge, followed by the rest of the command crew..
Mindwave says in Basic, "Thank you Commander."
The door hisses shut behind them, leaving Mindwave alone in her office. Meanwhile, down in the lab...

    A couple of hours have passed.  In the laboratory, data on the Tiraxian physiology, and various equations and chemical formulas litter the computer screens, and are scattered around on data pads. Lt. Kaar looks up from her terminal and says, "I'm just about finished with those equations you asked for, Doctor..." She punches a few more keys, then says, "There. Transferring data to your terminal."
She looks over and asks Bruno, "Do you think this is going to work? This data we have on their physiology is pretty old... relative to who we're after, anyway..."
Bruno nods to himself, "Mmm... good work Lieutenant." He crosses his eyes for a moment and rubs the bridge of his nose. "I need coffee.  Nice empire y'all got but you still can't make coffee for nothing." There's something he just isn't getting yet, as the computer models have come back negative so far.  "I suppose we have to look at the possibility that the race has evolved a little since the time of our friends, hmmm?"
Lt. Kaar smiles and nods, saying, "Yes.  The trick is guessing how they evolved?  And I'll put in a requisition for a real coffee machine for you when we reach Earth, Doctor."

Empress says, "Bruno, why don't you go ahead and make a roll for me, please."

Bruno nods, "Soooo... I've got three basic models worked out here... one based on a world with some background pollution that forced them to get stronger... one based on a world that suffered massive devastation, either through war or natural disaster, and clawed it's way back to civilization... which would explain why it's taken them this long to become a serious spaceborn power, yet they haven't really left their own solar system, it would seem... and the third assumes that nothing has really changed..."

Bruno rolls 3 dice and gets: 1 3 3
Body: 2
Stun: 7

Lt. Kaar nods and says, "Well, everything looks right to me. If you want, I'll get this into production."
Bruno nods, "To quote another famous bald Earther in space... "Make it so...""

Meanwhile, down in the ship's armory:
Mindwave gets fitted into combat armor, along with Chesire Cat.  Mindwave straps a holster around her hip, holding a sidearm.
Mindwave says in Basic, "Commander Brenna, are we ready to go?"
Commander Brenna, now dressed in combat vacc armor, says, "Aye, Warlord."  She turns to the Marine commander, saying, "At your convenience, Lieutenant."  The Marines then open the door and stand off to the sides, waiting for enemy fire... all is quiet.  Looking into the enemy ship, you see darkness.  The walls are not covered by panels of any kind, and structural supports and cables are visible through the entire hallway.
Mindwave raises her Force Field, "Let's move out."
The marines quickly take cover on the sides of the hallway, staggered and terse reports coming back, "Clear..." then another, "Clear..." then a few more. The Marine Lt. nods and says to the rest of the group, "All clear. Shall we proceed?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "Proceed as planned."
The marines move down the hallway. The Lt. says, "According to our sensor scans, the main contingent of enemy troops is gathered in the center of the ship."
Mindwave turns to Commander Brenna, "What do we know is at that location?"
Brenna says, "According to the scans, there were eight life forms in that location, but the area is very likely heavily fortified."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Probably the most defensible position..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Let's keep moving, then."
Brenna nods to the Marine Lt. and the group moves on down the hall. The only sounds around are the sounds of heavy boots hitting on the deck plates.  The group proceeds deeper into the ship...
Mindwave looks around as she advances...
The marines move with practiced precision. Everything is still quiet, interrupted from time to time by the marines signaling clear to proceed. Within minutes, you're outside the chamber of the ship that sensors indicated contain the life forms...
Mindwave turns to Brenna and whispers, "Has the gas been released yet?"
Brenna shakes her head, saying, "It's been placed into grenades and distributed among the marines. Each of them has two gas grenades."
Mindwave examines the door ahead of her
Mindwave turns back to Brenna, "Have the Marines with the gas grenades stand by..."
Mindwave says, "I try to use TK to open the door, making sure I stand off to the side"
Empress says, "Roll your TK dice"
Mindwave says, "ok, I have a 33 STR TK, how many dice do I roll?"
Empress says, "5D and add 2"

Mindwave rolls 5 dice and gets: 6 4 6 4 2
Body: 7
Stun: 22

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Editor's note:  GM's mistake, Should have been 6D+2, not 5D+2, but the end result is unchanged
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The door creeks and buckles a little, then is forced open. The Marines immediately throw in their gas grenades then take cover...
Mindwave takes cover and hope this works
Hissing noises come from the grenades in the room, but no shots are fired in return. A few moments later, the reddish gas from the grenades rolls out the door...
The Marine Lt. signals for the first marines to enter the room. Without hesitation, they storm into the room, weapons held at the ready, but they hold their fire.
Mindwave mentally scans for a mind to make contact with inside the room
A couple of moments later, a somewhat confused, "Um... clear." comes from the first marines, then, "Sir?  I think you better see this, Sir..."
Mindwave moves forward and enters the room with Chesire Cat right behind her.
you're detecting twelve life forms in the room, counting the two marines that went in
The group enters the central chamber of the ship... it almost appears to be some sort of dark laboratory. The metal in the room is black, whether it's that way naturally or charred you're not sure. In the center of the room, you see the source of the life form readings... ten humanoids in clear, cylindrical chambers, suspended in a greenish liquid and with several tubes coming out of their bodies...
Mindwave says in Basic, "Dear Lord...  Doctor Von Otto, would you come down here please?"
Mindwave walks around the room to see just how these people are hooked into the ship...
Bruno is down there soon afterwards, looking at the tubes. "Goodness... now this is unusual... How does this compare with the sleep chambers the Empire uses, Lieutenant?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "I don't think these are sleep chambers...."
Mindwave says, "I want to try to make telepathic contact with one of the beings in the tubes"
The tubes coming out of the bodies reach up to the top of the cylinder and then join into what appears to be a main conduit.
Commander Brenna looks up at one of the tubes, and shakes her head, saying to Bruno, "They don't, Doctor... they don't at all."
Empress says, "Mindwave, roll your telepathy. Don't bother rolling to hit, just roll your telepathy dice."
Mindwave says in Basic, "It appears that these ships are being powered and/or controlled by the people in the tubes...  I'm going to try to telepathically contact one of them..."

Mindwave rolls 12 dice and gets: 6 2 1 2 4 5 4 6 4 6 2 1
Body: 13
Stun: 43

You detect nothing. No defenses, no resistances... no thought. The beings in the tubes are alive but brain activity is very low.
Mindwave says in Basic, "They have practically no brain activity... no thoughts even...."
Commander Brenna asks, "Do you suppose we killed them when we disabled the ship?
Mindwave says in Basic, "Well, they are physically still alive. We could have damaged their brains when we disabled the ship...  I want this place fully examined, taken apart if need be. Keep those being alive."
Brenna nods and says, "Aye Warlord..."  She switches her comlink on and says, "Captain, this is Commander Brenna. We will be requiring a science and medical team.  We've found something... disturbing."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Commander, do the Morgoths have anything like this, that we know of?"
Tarna's voice crackles back over the intercoms, "Acknowledged..." and is suddenly cut off by static
Brenna shakes her head, then looks around as the static bursts over the intercom. She asks, "Lieutenant, were there any other life forms on this ship?"  The Marine Lieutennant shakes his head, saying, "Negative, Commander."
Mindwave says in Basic, "What the...?"
Mindwave says, "I want to go down the line of beings in the tubes, one by one, and try to make contact telepathically"
There is a loud clanking noise from out in the hallway
Empress says to Mindwave, "You can do that very quickly... there is no resistance, all ten of them are in the same state"
Mindwave turns and tries to reach out mentally to what is in the hallway
Empress says, "You detect nothing, Mindwave"
Mindwave says in Basic, "Commander, let's check that out."
Brenna nods and proceeds toward the door.
Mindwave peers outside cautiously...
The hallway appears to be clear, at least as far as you can see...
Mindwave turns to Brenna, "I don't like this... let's move, carefully."  She motions to a couple of marines, "You two, come with me. Chesire Cat, you too."
Brenna nods and allows a couple of the marines to pass, then steps out into the hallway.
Mindwave follows cautiously. "It could be an automated defense, maybe a robot."
Brenna nods at Mindwave's words, keeping her weapon at the ready.  The two marines proceed down the hall back toward the airlock.  All of a sudden, a large metallic claw reaches out from the wall and grabs the first marine, tossing him against the bulkhead like a rag doll, and just as quickly, a second reaches out and crushes the other marine, crumpling him like a soda can...
Mindwave says, "do I recognize those metallic claws?"
Empress says, "Nope"
Mindwave says in Basic, "Oh my God! Fall back!"
Mindwave retreats back down the hallway, "Marines, we have a situation in the hallway."
Brenna's eyes go wide as she lifts her weapon to fire. Blaster bolts slam into the wall where the claws appeared from, and then a large robotic leg appears... then the machine steps out into view. The machine is probably seven feet tall, and five feet wide, roughly humanoid-shaped. It reaches out one of its clawed hands, and a green glow begins emanating from the center of the triple-claw...
Boots can be heard as the Marines pile out into the hallway...
Empress says, "OK, hold on... let's actually go to combat rounds"

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Editors Note:  The GM is using a somewhat slimmed-down version of the Champions combat system...
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Bruno says, "What part of the ship are we in?"
Empress says, "Segment 12. You're in the hallway that you entered the ship through, just outside the central chamber."
Mindwave says, "my speed is 4, DEX 20"
Mindwave says, "Cheshire cat is at 26 DEX, speed of 6"
Empress says, "OK, Brenna's is also 20. The Marine LT. is 15, the rest of the marines are 12."
Empress says, "The Robot is 25, speed 6. Bruno, I don't have your stats, what's your speed and dex?"
Bruno says, "Dex 18 speed 4"
Empress says, "Ok, Cheshire cat is first"
Mindwave says, "ok, which will do more damage, a martial strike or offensive strike?"
Empress says, "His strongest attack is the blaster he's carrying, it's a 3d6 RKA"
Empress says, "Everyone has a 3d6RKA blaster, if you so desire to use it."
Mindwave says, "ok, he'll pull his blaster and fire"
Empress says, "he'll hit as long as you don't roll 17 or 18"

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 2 2 1
Body: 2
Stun: 5

Mindwave says, "ooh, that is a critical hit, is it not?"
Empress says, "That's a hit, roll your damage... No, I don't think 5's a crit"

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 1 2 6
Body: 3
Stun: 9

The robot makes no attempt to move out of the way of the shot. The bolt hits the robot square in the chest, but other than a bit of smoke, it doesn't appear to have much affect...
The robot then swivels, the green tachyon bolt glowing in its hand fires at its first target, Commander Brenna...

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 4 6 4
Body: 4
Stun: 14

Brenna dodges out of the way as the green bolt hits the wall and seems to dissolve the metal that it contacts...
She then fires her blaster back at the metallic beast, yelling, "Fall back!"

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 4 5 2
Body: 3
Stun: 11
 

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 5 2 2
Body: 3
Stun: 9

Brenna's shot hits the machine as well, but again doesn't seem to do any damage, other than scratch the surface of its armor...
Mindwave says, "I want to use my TK to knock it down, or off balance, or off of it's feet, if you know what I mean..."
Empress says, "OK, to do that, you have to do at least one point of knockback. Make your attack"

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 1 2 2
Body: 2
Stun: 5

Mindwave says, "I believe I hit"
Empress says, "It's not able to dodge... not enough room. As long as you don't get a 17 or 18 :) Roll 6d"
Empress says, "the +2 doesn't do any good in this case"

Mindwave rolls 6 dice and gets: 1 2 3 5 3 1
Body: 4
Stun: 15

Mindwave reaches out with her mind to try to knock the metallic monster off of it's feet.
Empress says, "OK, now roll 2d and get less than 4 :)"

Mindwave rolls 2 dice and gets: 2 5
Body: 2
Stun: 7

The robot is pushed backward, but it takes a step back to regain its balance...
Empress says, "Bruno"
Bruno says, "Flash attack, then hopefully we can escape while it's blinded."
Empress says, "OK, roll to hit, then roll damage if you don't get 17 or 18"

Bruno rolls 3 dice and gets: 1 6 3
Body: 3
Stun: 10

Empress says, "Hit, roll your damage :)"

Bruno rolls 5 dice and gets: 2 1 5 4 4
Body: 4
Stun: 16

Empress says, "OK, the machine is 'blinded' for 4 phases... that makes it half dcv, and half ocv for hand to hand, 0 ocv for ranged attacks"
The Marine Lt. turns his head as the flash goes off, then fires at the metal monstrosity as he begins falling back...

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 4 4 1
Body: 2
Stun: 9
 

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 4 3 3
Body: 3
Stun: 10

Once again, the bolt hits the robot, but doesn't appear to have any effect... one of the other marines is in position to fire, and does so, the rest of them begin falling back into the central chamber.

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 1 3 2
Body: 2
Stun: 6
 

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 2 4 5
Body: 3
Stun: 11

The marine's shot hits the machine in the hip, apparently a slightly less armored position. Sparks fly off, but the damage appears to be minor.
Empress says, "OK, that's everyone. Phase 2, Cheshire cat, then the Robot"
Chesire Cat fires his blaster again.

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 3 6 2
Body: 4
Stun: 11
 

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 2 5 4
Body: 3
Stun: 11

The blast hits the robot in the shoulder, sending a little bit of metal flying... again, the damage appears to be minor, but it is damage nonetheless.
Being blinded, the robot begins advancing, flailing wildly with its massive claws...
Empress says, "Mindwave, you're the unlucky target. What's your DCV?"
Mindwave says, "7"
Empress says, "OK, and his is 8, but halved, so 4... he needs 8- to hit..."

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 6 1 4
Body: 3
Stun: 11

Empress says, "It missed you, Mindwave"
Mindwave says, "can I say something, or do I have to wait for my phase?"
Empress says, "Well, it's your phase anyway, nobody else goes in 2. Phase 3, Mindwave is first"
Mindwave yells out, "Concentrate your fire on the hip, and everyone fire on my command."
Mindwave says, "I am trying to get everyone to fire at once at the same spot, hoping to do more damage that way..."
Empress says, "Mindwave, you're first, just roll damage, you're not going to miss"
Mindwave pulls out her blaster and fires, along with Chesire Cat and the others

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 2 4 1
Body: 2
Stun: 7

Empress says, "The Robot has 10 armor, in case you're wondering, have to do at least 11 damage to hurt him"
Brenna fires as she falls back...

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 5 1 4
Body: 2
Stun: 10

Empress says, "Bruno"
Mindwave says, "should I roll for CC?"
Empress says, "You can"
Bruno goes running for the exit, trying to contact the Star Fist.

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 2 6 5
Body: 4
Stun: 13

Cheshire cat's shot takes a big chunk of metal off the robot and sends sparks flying. It seems to be limping slightly after that blow. The marine LT and private fire their weapons...

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 3 4 6
Body: 4
Stun: 13
 

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 3 2 2
Body: 3
Stun: 7

Empress says, "Bruno, your comlink is still being jammed"
Empress says, "That brings us to phase 4, CC has already gone, so it's the robot's turn"
The Robot tumbles as its leg takes multiple hits. It continues to advance though, clawing its way along the floor and walls, swinging its massive claw at anything it can reach...

Empress grins, "CC is the next target... going to need an 8- to hit again...

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 6 6 3
Body: 5
Stun: 15

Empress says, "No good."
Empress says, "Segment 6, CC is first"
Chesire Cat fires again, "We've almost got it down..."

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 2 6 5
Body: 4
Stun: 13

That shot hits the robot in the shoulder, blasting more armor plating off and damaging the servo motors... the Robot is relentless though, and continues swinging its massive claw...

Empress says, "Swinging at CC again..."

Empress rolls 3 dice and gets: 3 1 6
Body: 3
Stun: 10

Empress says, "and a miss... Mindwave"
Mindwave yells out, "The shoulder! It's armor is damaged in the shoulder. Aim there!"
Mindwave fires her blaster pistol at the machine

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 2 1 1
Body: 1
Stun: 4

Mindwave rolls 3 dice and gets: 6 4 5
Body: 4
Stun: 15

    Mindwave's shot hits the robot in the head and penetrates its armor.  The robot falls limp, it's only movements now consist of a shuddering claw banging against the metal deck plate.
Mindwave turns to Brenna, "Commander, reestablish contact with the Star Fist."
Commander Brenna nods and says, "Aye Warlord. I recommend we get teams in here with heavier weapons and clean this place out before bringing in anyone else..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Agreed. See to the two fallen Marines..."
Brenna nods and motions to the Marine Lt. to handle the fallen marines. She opens up a com channel to the bridge and gives a quick report.
Mindwave says in Basic, "I hope there are no more of those mechanical monsters..."
Brenna, looking around, says, "We have no reason to believe that there aren't.  Keep your eyes open."
She suggests, "Perhaps we should return to the Star Fist and let the marines do their job, Warlord?"
Mindwave says in Basic, "Yes, plus, I want to know why we lost communication with the Star Fist."
Commander Brenna motions to the robot, saying, "I would say that robot probably had jamming equipment. We restored communications as soon as it was destroyed."
Mindwave says in Basic, "I figured as much..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "There are a lot of things on this ship which are going to keep our science teams busy for quite a while."
Brenna nods in agreement. She says, "Well they will have several weeks to do their research and put together their report.  There is no reason why they can't work while we're in transit."
Mindwave says in Basic, "That is true.  Come, Commander, let us get back to the Star Fist."
Brenna nods, saying, "Yes indeed.  I am uncomfortable having you in a hostile environment like this, Warlord..."
Mindwave smiles as she walks with Brenna, "Not to worry, Commander, I have been in far more dangerous places than this."
Mindwave motions for Chesire Cat to follow her.
The Marine Lt. calls out, "Marines, let's pack it up, we're outta here..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Plus, I have my own personal protector, and I have total faith in his abilities..."
Mindwave smiles at Chesire Cat.
Brenna nods and says with almost a touch of humor in her voice, "Yes Warlord.  But if something happens to you, he's not the one that has to explain it to the Empress..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "I understand, Commander."

A short time later, the group is back on the Star Fist...

Mindwave strides on to the bridge, minus the body armor and weapon. "Anything to report, Captain?"
Captain Tarna shakes his head, saying, "Other than losing communications with you, all is quiet. Nothing on sensors."
He continues, "We're already assembling assault teams to sweep the ship for more of those droids."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Good... we will have plenty to study over the next three weeks.  This ship we have in tow is truly a mystery ship."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Yet I cannot understand how a race with this level of technology has not expanded out into the stars, unless they are truly xenophobic and don't want to leave their solar system."
Captain Tarna replies, "I believe the answer to that question will become more clear once we have an opportunity to study their ship.  Hopefully they keep records on that ship, and they're still intact."
Mindwave says in Basic, "The computer will be the key.  If we can gain access to that.  I wish the beings aboard were able to tell us something, but they are all pretty much brain dead..."
Mindwave says in Basic, "It was very eerie in there, Captain."
Captain Tarna nods and says, "Have faith, Warlord. We will get the answers to your questions in time."  He smiles and says, "Look on the bright side, Warlord.  You will soon be home again.  It's not often that one gets to see his or her home once they board a starship."
Mindwave says in Basic, "No, I suppose it not often that that happens.  However, in some places on Earth I am seen as a traitor to my world, and hated as such.  Nonetheless, it will be good to get home, at least for a little bit."
Mindwave says in Basic, "It will be interesting to see what has changed in my absence..."
Captain Tarna nods, saying, "We will have been gone for a little over three of your Earth Months... much can change in that period of time."
Mindwave says in Basic, "I am still concerned that Dr. Destroyer is out there, somewhere.  Even though we managed to foil him the last time we encountered him, I fear that he will not be quiet for too long of a time..."
Captain Tarna nods, saying, "I'm sure the Empress maintains a watch for him at all times, Warlord."
Mindwave says in Basic, "I'm sure she does, Captain.  But he is the most cunning supercriminal my world has ever seen, and he is capable of literally anything.  But enough worrying about things on earth, we have a bit to deal with here.  Keep me posted on activities aboard the Tiraxian ship.  I'll be in my quarters."
Captain Tarna nods, saying, "Aye Warlord. Rest well."
Mindwave says in Basic, "Thank you Captain. Come along, Chesire Cat."
Mindwave turns and heads for the turbolift.
Cheshire Cat follows along quietly.

To be continued...