Aurora: Search for Life

[BrotherBenny]

Chapter Two

USS Aurora
En Route to Felebia II
Stardate 58641.1 (August 19, 2381)

The gym on board was not large, barely big enough to allow three people to work out at the same time without knocking into one another but the crew were used to being on small vessels and knew when each other worked out so there was rarely a problem. Denisar went through his usual calisthenics routine before getting to the punching bag but his exercise regime was cut short by the entrance of Commander Sovar, who wore his uniform despite it not being his shift.

'Is there a problem, Commander?'

'Yes sir, the crew was anticipating a two day layover at Xendi Starbase Nine as per your orders. They are understandably emotional at the denial of your request for shore leave and as your executive officer, it is my duty to inform you of that fact.'

Denisar chuckled. 'For a Vulcan you are rather verbose. Why didn't you just ask me why I changed my mind?'

'I believe I did, Captain.'

The Bolian sighed, but realised it was his choice to have his XO back on board. 'I decided that shore leave could be taken at Fellebia Two since we're going there anyway, and we can rotate shore leave with work parties.'

Sovar raised an eyebrow. 'A logical methodology.'

'Vulcans are not the only people capable of logical thinking, Commander. If you'll excuse me, I have some exercise to take care of, before Doctor Pasen-Enya makes me eat more vegetables.'

'Vegetables are good for your digestive system, Captain.'

'Go!' Denisar pressed and the Vulcan nodded briefly before leaving the gym.

As the Vulcan left the gym, Denisar wondered who the next interruption would be, as it was typical that once one occurred, more would follow. He finished on the punching bag and moved to the treadmill before his exercise was, as expected, interrupted. This time, however, it was his chief engineer.

'What can I do for you, Aquiel?'

'How did your conversation with Admiral Bentos go?'

Denisar frowned. 'How did you know I spoke with Bentos?'

'I used to be a communications expert and you have not spent that long on the comm with any admiral in years.'

'You spying on me?'

'Merely curious.'

'I see, and I take it that you are also curious about what I discussed with Admiral Bentos?'

Uhnari said nothing.

'If you must know, I wanted to congratulate her on her niece becoming the Assistant Director of the FRB Paris office. I also wanted to ask her what the situation was on Pacifica and Kamiyah Six.'

'Is it bad?' she asked.

'The Risians on Kamiyah are currently in the Federation embassy on that world awaiting relocation. The situation on Pacifica is worse as the camp is actually growing. We need to get this resolved as soon as possible.'

'We'll be entering the Fellebian system by the end of the day.'

'Increase speed to the engines, I want to make landfall by early afternoon so we can get everything set up by nightfall.'

'I'll see to it,' the chief engineer replied, pecked him on the cheek, then left the gym.

Denisar looked fondly after the Haliian and hoped that no one on the ship was aware of their relationship. It was after all, a rather unconventional one as he had been her mentor on Starbase 212 after the unfortunate incident at Relay Station 47. With his help she had received counselling and then been assigned to a few menial positions while she became an engineer, something which she had not considered doing before she met the Enterprise's chief engineer who she became attached to. After becoming an engineer she took whatever billets she could and was made chief engineer of the Stuhlinger in 2378. Denisar was assigned as commanding officer two years later and they became romantically involved shortly after that. He was glad he never lost her during the Borg invasion, and equally as glad that she did not hold his resignation and his leaving her against him.

They resumed their relationship exactly where they left off and as Denisar passed the third mile on the treadmill he considered himself to be rather fortunate to be with such an intelligent woman. At some point in his run he felt the ship increase speed at least another warp factor and was almost finished on the treadmill when he was interrupted for a third time.

'Captain? Are you feeling all right?' the chief science officer asked.

'I need to be fitter if I'm going to attempt a five mile run,' Denisar replied. 'What can I do for you Zandra?'

'Why was I not assigned to alpha team?'

Denisar looked amused. 'Didn't you do the team assignments for your own departments?'

Taitt snorted. 'Of course I did. I had Commander Sovar look over them and add his security recommendations before sending them onto you.'

'Perhaps he amended the teams so Lieutenant Mossa and yourself were not serving on the same team.'

Taitt snorted again. 'I have nothing against him.'

'Zandra, everyone knows what is going on. This is a small ship.'

Taitt smirked. 'We're not the only ones with secrets, Captain,' she said and walked out. 'I'll talk to Sovar.'

'You do that,' he replied as the doors slid shut.

He finished on the treadmill and checked the ship's chronometer. He still had another five hours before his shift began, and decided that after a bite to eat he would catch up on some light reading from a favourite author, whose latest novel had just been released. That was, of course, barring any further interruptions.

'Mossa to Denisar,' the tactical officer called over the ship's comm.

Denisar sighed. 'Go ahead, Lieutenant.'

'We've just been hailed by a freighter, Federation registry. They claim to have the Risian Hedony's Minister for Tourism on board.'

'Give me a few minutes and I'll be on the bridge.'

'Aye sir, Mossa out.'

Denisar was true to his word and five minutes he emerged onto the bridge and stood behind the helm. 'What do we know about the freighter?'

'The SS Montezuma is an Overfield-class freighter registered to Pacifica. Commanded by a Neralite named Graaza Pel and usually makes runs between Pacifica and its colonies. It is currently on loan to the Risian Hedony for the duration of their stay on Pacifica.'

'Well, let's see what the Minister for Tourism wants from us, shall we? Open a channel to the Montezuma.'

'Channel open, Captain.'

'This is Captain Denisar of the Federation starship Aurora. How may we be of assistance?'

The image of the Overfield-class freighter changed to that of its interior, but not the bridge. It appeared as though the internal spaces had been reconfigured, as was normal for that class, into staterooms. 'Captain, my name is Arandis. After the deaths of a number of the Hedony leadership at Kamiyah Six, I have been named the new Minister for Tourism.'

'You have my condolences on your recent losses, Minister, but I still do not understand why you have come all the way to Fellebia when we have not yet arrived ourselves to even make a decision.'

'Thank you for your kind words, Captain, but I have not in fact come that far. I was on an errand in Ferengi territory and I decided to stop by on my way back to Pacifica.'

'We will do our best to accommodate you, Minister,' Denisar said but he knew his face belied the words.

Arandis smiled. 'There is no need, Captain. The Montezuma will be adequate for the next few weeks. At least until negotiations have concluded.'

'Negotiations?'

'Risa is bankrupt, Captain. We have no funds to rebuild our resorts and we know the Federation is stretched thin. Therefore we are reaching out to our interstellar neighbours to provide assistance.'

'The Ferengi?' Denisar tried hard not to sneer at the name. He had had more than a few run ins with the devious profiteers.

'And the Orions. Representatives will be arriving from both parties within the next few days and negotiations will take place on the Montezuma. I will make it clear to them that they must not interfere in your efforts to make Fellebia ready for the first group of refugees.'

'Minister, I do not know if you are aware, but we have not even made a preliminary report to our superiors on whether the planet is suitable enough.'

'Captain, Risa may be nothing more than a radioactive ball of rock, but we still have the knowledge to build another satellite network to correct everything but the most major flaws in the planet. Fellebia will be satisfactory, but the Hedony has agreed to abide by any decision you make in regard to the planet's suitability.'

'Very well, Minister. We should arrive in orbit in a few hours time. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask for it.'

'Thank you, Captain. You are most kind. Montezuma out.'

Denisar muttered a Klingon curse before he turned to Sovar, who had raised an eyebrow. 'Send a message to Starfleet and ask them what the hell is going on. I know the Ferengi are trustworthy enough when it comes to something this important, but the Orions? We may need some additional muscle.'

'Aye sir, I will see to it. May I ask why you dislike the Risians?'

'No, you may not. Let me know when we reach Fellebia, I'll be in my ready room.'

'Aye sir.'

 

[TheLoneRedshirt]

Poor Captain Denisar - he just can't finish his workout, can he? And now he may have to deal with the Ferengi and the Orions thrown in the mix? I'd say a few Klingon oaths were very much in order.

Wonder why he doesn't like the Risians? Hmmm. He certainly has good reason now.

 

[Mistral]

A Captain's workout is never done. No wonder they all develop that "bulge" in later years.

 

[BrotherBenny]

Hey guys, sorry for the delay in posting, I've been working on original stuff.

I messed up the stardates in some of the previous chapters, but it has now been fixed so the right dates are in place.

Enjoy
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Chapter Three

USS Aurora
In orbit of Felebia II
Stardate 58634.5 (August 20, 2381)

The bridge crew watched the main viewscreen as the Aurora glided into orbit of the purple-brown world. The Montezuma was less than an hour away and Captain Denisar wanted his people on the surface before the other ship arrived. Starfleet Command and the Bureau had already stated in no uncertain terms that he was to ignore the negotiations unless they became an impediment to his mission and to grant the Minister anything she required within reason, which was left up to his discretion. From the briefing, he knew that Fellebia Two was two thirds the size of Earth, had a faster orbit, was closer to the sun and had a correspondingly shorter day and year.

'Commander Sovar, do you have a landing site for us?'

'Aye sir, I have chosen a site with minimal seismic activity, close access to fresh drinking water and even topographic terrain.'

'In that case, prep the ship for landing.'

Sovar nodded and tapped his combadge. 'Engineering, this is the bridge. Take the warp core offline and vent all plasma from the nacelles. Prepare atmospheric thrusters.'

'Warp core is now offline, venting plasma,' Uhnari replied from engineering. 'Thrusters ready on your command.'

'All plasma has been venting and poses no threat to the ship or planet,' Jeqorian added from the helm.

'This is Captain Denisar to all hands, set condition blue throughout the ship and report to code blue stations. Landing preparations are commencing.'

The bridge's lighting shifted from standard white to royal blue and all the officers took their seats and engaged the harnesses. Denisar imagined people doing so across the ship, regardless of whether they were on duty or not.

'Atmospheric controls are at standby, landing systems are online and inertial dampers are at maximum,' Jeqorian said and turned to Denisar, 'we're ready, Captain.'

'All stations report condition blue,' Lieutenant Mossa replied from the tactical station.

'Take us down, Ensign.'

'Aye sir, beginning glide descent.'

The Aurora was designed in such a way that it could easily glide through an atmosphere, nose down, much as an old Earth space shuttle could, and then even out into a glide trajectory to safely land.

'Status, Ensign.'

'We're through the upper atmosphere, altitude at one hundred kilometres, speed is ten thousand kph....'

'Keep her steady, Ensign. This isn't a very cloudy day, there shouldn't be any turbulence.'

'Aye sir, there's something odd about these clouds. They hold a lot more electromagnetic energy than they should.'

'He's right, Captain,' Taitt said. 'I'm reading excessively high concentrations of charged ions. This region is probably susceptible to high lightning storm activity, perhaps due to high metal content in the soil.'

'We'll investigate that when we land.'

'Aye sir,' Taitt replied.

The ship shuddered as if attacked and Denisar looked toward his tactical officer.

'It was a lightning strike, Captain. Our glide path must have excited the ions. This is going to get bumpy.'

'Forty kilometres to landing site, speed is five hundred kph.'

The ship continued to be buffeted by the lightning strikes dancing on the hull but the structural integrity held as the ship passed through the cloud cover and into clear skies.

'Fifteen kilometres to landing site, two hundred kph.'

'Extend the landing struts,' Sovar ordered.

'Landing struts extended.'

'Release the inertial dampers and adjust them to match the planet's gravity.'

'Inertial dampers matched to planetary gravity, environmental controls are standing by,' Lieutenant Horiss replied.

'Five kilometres to landing site, fifty kph.'

'Begin landing sequence and cut the engines, thrusters only.'

'Engines off, taking down on thrusters,' Jeqorian answered absently.

The Aurora touched down with barely a bump but the harnesses tightened slightly in response.

'Release harnesses and give me a damage report,' Denisar ordered. 'Commander, have alpha team report to debarkation stations, and I want beta and gamma teams standing by for departure. Have auxiliary personnel report to the bridge.'

'Aye sir.'

'Damage reports are coming in,' Mossa said. 'The outer hull is scorched but otherwise undamaged. All other systems reported in optimal condition. Good landing, Jay.'

'Thank you, Sir.'

'What conditions do we have out there?' Denisar asked.

'Sunny day, six hours till nightfall. Night lasts nine to ten hours, day time is about the same,' Taitt answered. 'Conditions are favourable for exploration, Captain.'

'Commander Sovar, inform all non-essential personnel that shore leave is hereby granted, but they are to watch out for anything which seems untoward. I want a life sciences team to inspect the local flora and fauna for edibles, it's about time we had some real food.'

'Sir, we do not have a cook on board,' the Vulcan pointed out.

Denisar looked pained. 'Commander, I will have you know that I can make a wide variety of dishes and we can turn one of the cargo bays into a mess hall. See to it, please.'

'Yes sir,' Sovar replied and made mental notes on how to convert the cargo bay while storing the containers elsewhere. 'Alpha team are standing by for your departure order, Captain. Beta and gamma teams are awaiting your mark.'

'You know what, send all three teams out now to their assigned grids, and I want them back in one Fellebian week, starting tomorrow. Delta, epsilon and zeta teams can start in the next grids tomorrow and so on.'

'Sir, if there are any problems, it will take time to recall our teams. We should have continued with the original plans.'

Denisar sighed. 'You have your orders, Commander, and for your information, this new plan means we can explore more of the planet faster.'

'Yes sir, but it is my duty as your executive officer to point out alternatives.'

'Agreed, but not the same one each time,' Denisar countered and Sovar turned to the console between them to organize the away teams. 'Alpha team has clearance to depart. And have one of our pilots take a shuttle out over that mountain range. I will be in astrometrics.'

'We still call it stellar cartography, Captain,' Taitt replied.

'You might, but on the ship's plans it is referred to as the astrometrics laboratory.'

'Yes sir, if you'll allow me to join you?'

'By all means, Commander. May I ask why you are not assigned to any of the search teams?' Denisar asked as they headed to the turbolift.

'I have more experience with the new astrometrics computer than anyone else aboard, and there is something unusual with the Fellebian star that I am having trouble diagnosing. I wanted to stay aboard to complete my work. It may have a bearing on the suitability of the planet.'

'That's fine, I was just curious. What is going on with the star?'

'It doesn't act like any other star of it's type and class previously encountered. It should have gone supernova several centuries ago, but for some reason it still appears to be in middle age.'

'And your work on solar dynamics comes in rather useful.'

'Yes sir, I may want to take a shuttle into the corona.'

'Be careful, the multiphasic shielding on the shuttle isn't as powerful as it is on the ship. You won't have long to work in those conditions.'

'I know, sir. But this star could go supernova at any moment, and the fact that it hasn't concerns me greatly.'

 

[TheLoneRedshirt]

I enjoyed this segment, particularly the landing sequence. That's something we don't often get to see - nicely done.

Looks like the crew will be enjoying some Bolian BBQ, courtesy of the Captain. Sounds like fun!

The star is definitely a troubling mystery. Is this a natural phenomena? Somehow, I doubt it . . .

 

[Mistral]

Something on the planet is keeping the star stable??? Might explain the high ion readings...

 

[BrotherBenny]

Chapter Four

SS Montezuma
In orbit of Felebia II
Stardate 58634.6 (August 20, 2381)

Arandis stood at the rear of the small bridge of the converted freighter and watched as the Ferengi marauder entered orbit. She couldn't make out any markings on the marauder and she had no idea who she would be dealing with. She knew a little about Ferengi in general, that they were obsessed with the acquisition of wealth and had been known to be ruthless killers when the need arose, if the profit was right. He also knew that they were recent allies in the fight against the Borg and were considering a more formal alliance by joining the expanded Khitomer Accords. What she was most interested in, however, was their willingness to become investors in New Risa. The Orions would arrive the next day which gave her time to judge exactly how willing the Ferengi were.

'Minister, the Ferengi DaiMon wishes to speak with you on a secure line.'

'There is only you, me and the Starfleet vessel. It can't get more secure than that. Just put him through.'

'As you wish, Minister.'

The image of a sneering Ferengi appeared on the main screen and he clearly looked at the Minister as if he expected more. 'A clothed female, what a surprise.'

'I was led to believe that Grand Nagus Rom allowed women to wear clothes.'

'A decision not everyone agrees with,' he countered. 'I am DaiMon Bractor and on behalf of the Ferengi Alliance I look forward to negotiating with you.'

'As do I, DaiMon Bractor.'

'Might I ask if you are seeking Jamaharon?'

Arandis inwardly shivered at the thought of Jamaharon with the Ferengi. 'Perhaps when the negotiations have concluded.'

Bractor smiled a sharp, snaggle-toothed grin and licked his teeth as he undressed her with his eyes. 'I look forward to it.'

The screen blanked and the freighter captain turned to her. 'I trust you don't need any help from the Aurora?'

Arandis smiled sweetly. 'I have dealt with terrorists and angry Klingons before, I think I can handle a randy Ferengi.'

The freighter captain nodded. 'I will notify you when the DaiMon wishes to transport over.'

'Thank you, I will be in my cabin.'

As she left the bridge, she thought back to her Jamaharon with Curzon Dax and the look of pleasure on his face as he almost died in her arms from straining his delicate heart. She had enjoyed a great friendship with Jadzia Dax, and a little under a year after Worf's visit to Risa she learned that they had married in a ceremony on Deep Space Nine. She was informed by Worf several months later that Jadzia had been killed in the line of duty. She went through her own period of mourning but then went back to work, acting as if nothing untoward had happened. Her life since then had been one adventure after the other, and then the Borg came and laid waste to her homeworld, turning it into nothing more than a ball of volcanic glass.

She was so content on her thoughts that when she entered her quarters she didn't notice the shadows until she hit her leg on the table. When she did look up and called for the lights, nothing happened. It took a moment for her eyesight to adjust to the darkness, but when it did she saw the outline of a short figure seated on the low couch. The lights suddenly came on at full intensity and she blinked to clear the spots in her eyes. The figure was a Ferengi, but it wasn't DaiMon Bractor. He sat on the couch watching her as she backed toward the door.

'I wouldn't call for the captain if I were you, my associate might flinch and kill him,' the Ferengi said with a smile.

'Who are you, and how did you get in here?'

'This isn't a Starfleet ship, there's no security,' he answered. 'DaiMon Bractor is here to negotiate for the gaming and other rights on New Risa on behalf the Ferengi Alliance. I work for someone else who is prepared to offer substantial sums of money.'

'The Orions?'

The Ferengi shook his head. 'I do not represent the Syndicate, nor any of their associates.'

'Who do you work for?'

'That must remain confidential, I'm afraid. I would like to get these negotiations completed before the Orions arrive.'

'I'm sure you would, but I want to know two things. How much money are we talking about and what does your client want in return?'

The Ferengi smiled. 'In return for completely funding the gaming facilities and holosuites, my client would like to be furnished with young men and women.'

'That's all?' Arandis asked, knowing exactly what the “young men and women” would be used for and wanting no part of it.

'That's all.'

Arandis walked up to him, and sat beside him on the couch. She smiled at him and reached for his ear as if to give him oo-mox, but grasped it firmly like a Bajoran Kai giving a benediction. The Ferengi winced and began to whine but she grasped his ear lobe harder and he squirmed.

'Tell your client that I am not going to help him acquire more slaves and he values his life, pray that I don't inform the Ferengi Alliance and the Syndicate that someone is encroaching on their territory.'

The Ferengi nodded vigorously and Arandis let go. He rubbed his ear and glared at her before he pressed a button on the device on his wrist. He disappeared in the haze of a Klingon transporter beam and Arandis quickly ran back to the bridge, where she found the freighter captain lying in a pool of his own blood. Suppressing a curse, she contacted the Aurora.

'Is there a problem, Minister?' Captain Denisar asked.

'I just received an unpleasant visit from a Ferengi not affiliated with the Alliance. His associate killed the freighter captain and they both transported away. Have you detected any other ships in the area?'

'No, but we'll find it. In the meantime I will have a security team beam over to secure the freighter. You are welcome to stay aboard the Aurora.'

'Thank you, Captain, but that will not be necessary. I am capable of handling a small freighter. If you will excuse me, I must inform the Ferengi of this turn of events.'

'Very well, Denisar out.'

* * *
​

USS Aurora
On Felebia II
Stardate 58634.7 (August 20, 2381)

The Bolian captain sighed as the viewscreen blanked and he turned to his beta shift tactical officer. 'Perretti, find that ship.'

'On it, sir,' the newly-graduated security officer replied. 'I'm not detecting anything but ordinary background radiation. No energy spikes, no moving blank spots to indicate cloaked ships, there's nothing out there.'

'Then they're powered down in low orbit of one of the moons or on the surface with us. Recall the exploration teams have the security teams take their place.'

'Captain, I believe it would make more sense for the exploration teams to continue on their pre-assigned grids,' Sovar countered.

'How so?'

'They are comprised of multi-disciplined personnel who are able to adapt to any situation. If there is a problem they may need more than security personnel to solve it.'

Denisar nodded. 'Can't argue with that logic. Perretti, have gamma shift relieve you. I want you up on the Montezuma. Take a team to secure the freighter and protect the Minister.'

'Aye sir,' the beta shift tactical officer stood up after calling his replacement.

'Commander, I want you to coordinate the survey teams. I need to contact the Bureau and Starfleet and discuss this situation with them.'

'Do you believe they will relieve us?'

'No, but they might send assistance with muscle.'

Sovar raised an eyebrow. 'Captain, the Aurora is more than capable of handling a Ferengi marauder or Orion interceptor in battle.'

'At the same time?' Denisar asked.

'Yes sir, though our systems would be severely taxed.'

Denisar suppressed a chuckle. 'I suppose they would be. You have your orders, I'll be in the ready room trying to find us a way out of this situation.'

'Aye sir.'

Denisar sat at his desk and opened a channel to the Paris office of the Bureau and Starfleet Headquarters. It took a few moments for the signal to be answered, so he stared at the rotating Federation logo on the screen, deep in thought. The first person to answer was Assistant Director DeMarco, and she did not look happy.

'I hope this is important, Yosa, I was in a briefing with the Federation Council.'

Denisar filled her in on the situation and she used her credentials to get Admiral Jellico on the line, so he split the screen between them. Denisar explained the issue to him and he scowled. 'Why can't exploration assignments be simple any more? We don't have any ships to spare at the moment, Captain, but I'll send the Iliad as soon as her current assignment is complete.'

Denisar nodded. He felt better knowing that he would soon have a Galaxy-class backing him up. 'Thank you, Admiral. I'd like to know if Starfleet Intelligence has picked up any chatter regarding who else might be interested in negotiating for the rights to build and maintain New Risa?'

'I'll see what I can find out. It's probably classified though.'

'Admiral,' DeMarco said in a steely tone, 'I want Captain Denisar to have full access to anything you get from Starfleet Intelligence. If need be, I will speak to the Security Council on this matter.'

'I don't need any more headaches, I have enough to deal with,' Jellico replied and his expression looked like he'd got a Tiberian lemon candy stuck in his mouth. 'I'll give you whatever they give me.'

'I appreciate that, Admiral.'

Jellico huffed. 'While you're busy kowtowing to the Risians, I have to coordinate hundreds of ships, thousands of personnel, and billions of displaced civilians. I'm going to talk to the President about expanding the remit of the Bureau to take away some of the headache.'

DeMarco tried not to show the terror she felt but Denisar saw it nonetheless. The Bureau was overstretched enough as it was, having more to do would mean hiring on more people and training them in what needed doing. It was going to be a nightmare and Denisar didn't envy her one iota.

'Captain, you need to find that ship,' DeMarco said pointedly.

'Yes ma'am, Admiral, Denisar out.'

The screen blanked and Denisar sighed. He needed to let his people do their jobs and he was, for the moment, superfluous. Time to get some chow before the next crisis erupted.

 

[TheLoneRedshirt]

Things just got more complicated for Arandis. Not only must she negotiate with the Ferengis and the Orions, she has a new wild-card in the person of the mysterious Ferengi. The Klingon transporter beam is not necessarily an indicator - the Maquis and who knows else already have old Klingon ships. Obviously, the new player has no intention of playing by the rules. Let's just hope Denisar and Arandis can keep things together.

Good stuff!

 

[Mistral]

Great! Loved it! Your Ferengi are properly slimy, too.

 

[mirandafave]

Things in chapter four start to get complicated. There's complex behind the scenes stuff going on in terms of the negotiations. Just how those complications will end up causing trouble for the Auroura and her captain remains to be seen but I'm sure that it will. I also like the different levels of bureaucracy and atttached headaches that the story is dealing with, from Captain Denisar to Assistant Director DeMarco to Admiral Jellico. And that's just the Starfleet side of things! Very interesting.

P.S. With getting caught up, I read chapter three and was thoroughly impressed with how you handled the landing sequence. That was really well done.

 

[BrotherBenny]

Thanks for all your comments. I'm moving next weekend and we're in the middle of packing so there won't be anything from me until early November.

 

[BrotherBenny]

Sorry for the long time between posts but I have been retooling Aurora because I didn't want to create a new alien race. I'm almost done and will repost in a new thread.