Once more, Tasha enters the twisty tunnels of the Imperial Zone. Instead of a Titanian companion, this time she has both Layth and Gabriel in their own powered armor, and a map that displays their location in a heads-up window. In case of crab encounters, they are all armed with wide-muzzled automatic shotguns, and Tasha has been told to keep the Gauss gun shouldered.

Among the various tools strapped to their armors, they each have a chunky device that acts as a motion detector as well as having a feature for detecting 'digital cognizance' – which is just a fancy term for computer activity or signals. It is restricted to short range, but at least can be used to find data lines behind walls.

So far, the tunnels are dark, as they are not quite to the edge of the Green Zone, but flashes of light can be seen around the curved wall, where the gymnasium lurks.

"I will recon the area ahead if you wish," Layth says in a low voice. "I may have the most flexible armor and so likely can move the fastest." The buck then mentally (via the collar), orders his suit to cycle through the available visual modes of his armor to see if any of them show anything telling about the flashes of light ahead.

"Well this is, what's that word of Nora's … Deja vu," Tasha says over the communication link, the video-feed of her head showing the woman looking around with a focused expression. "It's like reliving my life in another way." She nods to Layth, but doesn't confirm his suggestion. "If you go, I'll begin a heat-sweep of the area to see if there's any live lines here – they may be partially active even though it's dark."

The thermal mode shows some activity, but nothing beyond random warm spots. The glare-shield reduces the glare from the strobing flashes of light… enough that there's a shadow that is there and then gone.

"Motion scan," Gabriel requests, bringing up his multi-scan gizmo. "I see some motion. What's in there Tasha – you went through it already."

Layth holds up his right hand to indicate for the others to hold back, then, and slinks forwards towards the curved wall. Before he reaches it, the buck crouches down so that he can peer around the corner with as little exposed as possible.

"Nothing on thermal, this room's cold," Tasha reports, waiting back with Gabriel. She can be seen to shift her gaze to her motion scanner, repeating, "Motion scan," like her mate. Frowning at the readings, she goes on to say, "That's the area we suspected was recreational – a gym, maybe. As for activity, hanging chains, Blammo, and myself. It was too dark to see through under normal and even advanced visual assistance conditions."

In the uneven flashes of light from panels in the ceiling, Layth can confirm the swaying chains, which are no doubt the cause of the motion ghosts. Odd exercises machines and what might be a treadmill made for serpents fill the room – but something is definitely moving at the far end, near the other exit. Several panels have been removed from the walls, and there's something big there, but the intermittent light makes it difficult to focus on.

"Ceiling chains and … machines for Nagai to exercise on," Layth says into the comm unit as he goes about describing the room ahead. "There is also something alive ahead. Disabling radio temporarily so that I can listen to it and see if I can get a better guess as to what it is. Radio off." The buck's head now tilts a bit as he listens in the direction of far wall with the movement and missing panels.

"Beyond the gym is another corridor, and beyond that is the shrine. The last time I as there, the robotic defenses – the god statues – were active and trying to repel the aliens, and perhaps us. The fire suppression system had also been activated, and there was a significant alien grouping coming from the far side corridor. At least one of those giant worms was present, fighting the statues. Both are very dangerous," Tasha continues to report. As she talks, she turns and regards Gabriel until Layth turns his radio off. "Wai- … Oi," she sighs, "It may be Blammo."

There is sound, aside from the rustling of the chains. Scraping, slithering, and sparking. After a moment, another wall tile is pried free.

Layth's radio comes back on. "It may be some sort of serpentine creature or one of the worms, judging from the sounds it makes," he tells the others. "It is pulling the wall open."

With nothing to do but wait, Tasha switches her comm. to Gabriel alone, and says, "It's going to take some getting used to, seeing you be The Captain and I The Crew, again." Tasha returns to her regular communications once Layth returns to normal communication, saying, "It's possible there may be survivors on board, awoken when we triggered the defense systems. Or, it may be another worm, definitely. Let's join up and surround it, so the advantage is ours."

"Sounds like crab behavior," Gabriel agrees. "Let's flank it."

"Agreed," Layth confirms and begins to slowly move forward so that the others can quickly catch up and the group as a whole can flank the creature.

Soon, Tasha's there with Gabriel, moving so she and the Karnor flank Layth. She looks down and checks her weapon, making sure the safety is disengaged and the spray alignment is set properly, then nods. "I'll go right."

The exercise machines provide ample hiding places, and it isn't difficult to navigate around the moldering shed skins piled below the chains. As the get close, they can make out that the creature has arms, and appears to be taking things from its back and sticking them into places exposed by the removed tiles. Gabriel is on Layth's left, and Tasha on the right, a bare dozen feet away.

"I'm getting heat off it," Tasha reports. "May not be a Naga." The woman, who seems to have something of a instinct for stalking behind objects, takes up position nearby and lifts her weapon in to position. "Maybe we should talk to it?"

"Nagas are cold-blooded," Gabriel notes. "Either of you speak Imperial?"

"I know a few curse words in Imperial," reports the Vartan. "Wouldn't anyone from this ship also know Expedition Standard? Or did that come about later? The universality?"

"Greetings, we come in peace to trade and learn. Speak Standard?" Layth says in extremely accented Imperial. Likely a phrase he learned traveling. His weapon is kept ready, though, as he is uncertain what he is dealing with.

The lights flicker once more – and then stay lit! Next to the wall is a Naga – almost. It has metallic scutes, but its sides are clear and segmented, with blue light seeping through. It has two arms, and a head with a visible metallic skull past the glass scales, and glowing blue eyes. All along its back are miniature glass-crabs – and several are embedded in the wall conduits, glowing as they route power around damaged areas. It turns to look at the three in turn, but doesn't make any sound beyond that of its movement.

"Ever kiss a Naga, Gabriel?" Inquires Tasha, who never looks up from her target.

"No," Gabriel says. "And I don't think that's a Naga."

"I guess the gods lost that one," says the Vartan with a touch of a nervous jest in her voice. "And they were doing so well. Blast it?"

"Those crabs on it look inert," Gabriel points out. "They aren't moving. Does it look like it's using them to make repairs to you?"

"Greetings," Layth repeats to the strange creature and takes a step towards it. He holds up his hand as if to ask the others to wait before resorting to gunfire. "We come in peace?" he asks, watching for any sign of understanding.

The Naga-bot raises its own hand in a mirror gesture, but still doesn't try to say anything. It hasn't opened it's mouth or flicked a tongue.

"May we pass?" Layth asks it now in standard and gestures to the other exit from the gym. "Do you need help?"

"Let me check my scanner. Digital cognizance scan. Standby." The Vartan woman watches the readout on her motion/electronics scanner, eyes flicking between it and the robotic Naga.

Through the scanner, both the fake Naga and the wall are lit up with energy and data flow.

The serpent still doesn't reply to Layth, but does follow his gestures, repeating the one that points towards the exits… and then heading that way. It's movements aren't as smooth as a real Naga's would be, but it still manages to slither along on its metal scutes.

"Well, I do not think it is a threat, but I also do not think it understands me," Layth finally ways and lowers is gun. "Shall we follow it?"

"They're lit up like a Christmas Tree." A pause, and Tasha adds, "Whatever that is." Her live feed shows the woman twitching in that way she does whenever Nora's memories ambush her. She watches the machine begin to more, then suggests, "I think it's an Imperial maintenance robot rewired by the crabs. It may be a threat if they decide we are. Either way, it's using them to interface with those wall systems."

"Captain? Follow or no?" Layth asks.

"We need to find out the root cause, so maybe it will lead us," Gabriel suggests. "Taking us to its leader, essentially."

"That worked for me, at least." The woman grins in to the camera, then slowly eases herself in to a standing position. "I'm going to the open panel to take some readings and forward these to the Belle for analysis, alright?"

"Good idea," Gabriel agrees.

"I just hope its leader is friendly," Layth remarks. He heads off after the mechanical Naga, though his head tilts and turns almost constantly as he listens, and looks, about. "I'll keep watch on it and feed the camera back to you. Catch up to me when you are done with the readings. I don't want to lose it."

Up close, the scanner is able to extract actual information from the network, showing series of numbers that it records to memory. The robo-Naga seems content to wait as well, when it notices that only Layth is following.

"Tasha to Bellerophon," the red woman sends, walking over to the panel and eyeing the inactive crabs with some distaste. "Standby for live feed on xenomorphic interface with Imperial systems." Tasha thinks her external cameras on, and scans across the open panel, and her scanner system, so both are forwarded.

"Do you understand me at all?" Layth asks the robot. "Nod yes if you do."

Data streams pass invisibly through the air. "Black Rook, we're getting your feed," Mariel reports. "It looks like standard Imperial encryption."

The Naga looks at Layth… and then nods after a good twenty seconds.

"Were you damaged by those creatures?" Layth asks the robot and then motions to the collection of crabs on its back and sides.

The Naga turns its head from side to side slowly, again after a moderate pause.

"Thank you Bellerophon, we'll continue to update you as we progress in to the 'Green Zone.'" She scans the area one more time, for good measure. "If you can figure out what they're doing to the systems, let us know. Oh," the feed suddenly turns wide, showing Layth conversing with the Naga-shaped robot, "We also found that working on the panel. It seems to vaguely understand us, but it might be corrupted. We're going to follow it. I'll get you a scan first." And so, Tasha begins that way.

"I don't know what that is, but I want one," Fred comments over the link.

"You like large snakes, Fred?" Layth asks over the comm as he waits by the robot.

"It's a robot that doesn't seem to have any internal moving parts," Fred replies.

"I'm sure you do." The young woman, who seems to sound a lot more like Nora the more technical and professional she tries to act, stops a few steps away from the robot. Instead of beginning the scan immediately, she greets it with, "Hi," followed by, "I'm going to scan you; name's Tasha." And then she does just that.

There is a lot of digital activity in the snake, but none of it seems decipherable by the scanner – except for some chunks of more Imperial code when the head is scanned.

"Are there many of you?" Layth asks the strange robot.

"Scan reports gibberish," Tasha starts t say, then pauses. "No … I'm getting Imperial code in the head. I think maybe it's some form of hybrid construct – Imperial and whatever the crabs are, perhaps?"

Again it takes a moment, since the Naga is more interested in Tasha's scanner. Then it holds up its hands, displaying four fingers in total.

"And there may be four of them," Layth adds to Tasha's report. His head tilts, then he adds, "Send all of this to the Doctor. We might be looking at a new race developing. Like Tasha said, a hybrid."

"It's a scanner," Tasha tells the robot. "It scans things – in this case you. You're interesting." She tilts her head, and asks on a chance, "Do you remember me?" To Layth, Tasha says, "I'm all for more hybrids in the world."

"Then the heart of all this should be in the Cathedral, where you said the battle took place," Gabriel notes.

The Naga-thing shakes its head to Tasha, after the same twenty-second delay. It isn't a very fast thinker, apparently.

"Or in the origination point, somewhere up the hallway. They did attack from further in." Tasha leans forward to try and get a better look at the creature's head. "I wonder if it's entirely … digital? I'm not sure how it moves. Can you tell if it's at all organic, in the head or otherwise, Fred?"

"I just hope all of them are friendly. I am not sure how effective our weapons would be against them," Layth notes. "Shall we head on to where it calls 'home'?"

"May as well. Watch out for lightning," Tasha agrees as she peers at the robot, this way and that.

The snake begins moving again, continuing on in a route familiar to Tasha. "Scans are inconclusive," Fred notes. "If it's some kind of living silicon, it could also have para-natural properties that don't follow our known rules of nature, due to it occurring on a Sifran world."

Layth motions towards the doorway again and then nods to the odd robot as it begins to move. The buck follows after it.

There isn't any mist this time, and the corridors are all fully lit. Along the way, there are several open wall panels with 'baby' crabs plugged into the power and data conduits.

"Fascinating!" The Vartan follows after as well, still examining the robotic life form as she goes. "I've been thinking about those flowers up top, and these crabs. What if what we're seeing here is a native non-organic species that somehow interfaced with a functional or quasi-functional Imperial AI, producing these creatures after generations?"

"In other words, we're the invaders in their home," Layth remarks dryly as he follows along with his weapon lowered for now. "I just hope they don't mind invaders… "

The damage from the battle is still apparent, in the chewed up exit and scars on the statues. But in the center of it all is what's left of the worm, curled up and surrounded by the remains of crabs. The tails of each of the giant statues have curved around to penetrate the body of the worm, which is still wiggling a bit. With a sudden convulsion, it spits up a new Naga-bot, which uncurls and starts figuring out how to move.

Their own guide gestures to the statues, then turns to look back at the armored trio.

"That is … extremely disturbing," Layth offers by way of his observation. "A very, ah, unusual way to reproduce," he adds as he looks between Gabriel and Tasha. "Are the statues … intelligent?"

"They might be where the Imperials kept their A.I. cores," Gabriel supposes, and also looks towards Tasha. "You said they moved and fought."

"I … " The red woman simple seems at a loss for words as she takes in the situation, eyes wide, hands fumbling at her scanner. When she can recover herself, she stammers, "Y-yes, well … The statues activated after we triggered the fire suppression system, and then animated to attack the crabs. They didn't try and communicate with us, or really attack us directly. We didn't stay to find out if that was just coincidence."

"I hope they're not … upset, with me," Tasha adds, eyeing the closest statue nervously.

The guide seems to be waiting for new instructions, while the newborn one lifts it torso up and falls over. Then the three great metal heads of the statues turn to look at the visitors.

Layth nods at this and then steps forward and approaches the collection of massive statues and where their tails invade the worm. "Greetings," the Lapi calls out in badly accented Imperial up towards the heads. "Do you speak standard?"

"Eeeee," whines Tasha as the three statues turn and look their way. "If they start to attack … May want to … to run away from me."

"The Flesh Came Up From The Mud, And Was Warmed By Gerondisanakh The Sun," the golden statue intones in Standard.

"This is Captain Gabriel Akkers of the Fenris," Layth introduces Gabriel and motions towards the armored Karnor. "Do you remember the Fenris mission?"

"In The Cool Night, The Breath Of Sutaranakh The Moon Stirred Their Dreams," the silver one follows. "And Then Adoniranakh, The Flame That Is Knowledge, Taught Them The Ways Of The World."

"Are … Are you reading this, Bellerophon? That sounds like scripture … " Seeing the statues aren't going to annihilate her, and/or her friends, the Vartan woman also steps forward. "It is scripture, it must be pre-recorded for worshipers. Maybe they're applying it as directive?"

"They're talking like MOTHER now," Gabriel mutters. "I hate mythology."

"It sounds like the introduction to the Book of Nakh," Mariel tells them over the comm. "Maybe they are introducing themselves?"

"We are honored to meet you," Layth tells the statues and then bows deeply to each in turn. "We hope that we are welcome in your lands. We have come in peace in hopes of understanding and learning."

"What's the proper response, Mariel?" Tasha asks, still eyeing the statues uncertainly. A pause, and Tasha suddenly asks, "Wait, those names … Aren't they the names of the three Imperial motherships?"

"Gabriel," Sutaranakh repeats. "The Strong Man Of God, The Messenger. The Rider Of The Wolf That Eats The World. We Recognize You."

"Yes, each mothership is named for one of the three main deities," Mariel replies. "It… may just be coincidence that the god associated with fire, Adoniranakh, landed on Abaddon, and the one for water, Sutaranakh on Ashtoreth. Gerondisanakh crashed on Sinai, and its element was Air."

"I have had many names. Chrysxanthos in the lands of my birth, Layth in the lands I was raised. You would not know of my kind, we came after your kind left for Abaddon," Layth explains to the statue. "And this is Tasha, a Karnor-Vartan hybrid. It was she who rescued the remaining crew of the Fenris."

"That's … That's is very coincidental," Tasha agrees. Stepping forward, she raises her hands, and thus her weapon, showing she means no harm as she heads for the twitching worm. "I'm going to try and get some readings, I don't think they're hostile. They recognize Gabriel," she reports to the ship.

Nothing prevents Tasha from approaching, although the newborn Naga-bot keeps its distance. The scanner shows the worm being infiltrated by the Imperial code.

"Hi," says, pausing in her approach to give an awkward wave to the speaking statue. "You'll remember me from the fighting earlier – sorry I shot you. I wasn't sure who was a threat." As if feeling she needed to add more, she tosses in, "I like mythology!

"Oh, I feel so much better that they know me," Gabriel says, before switching to external audio. "Are you using the… natives… to repair your zone?" he asks.

Sutaranakh actually dips her head as if to get a better look at Layth, although what she sees or how she sees it is unknown. "Lapine-Human Hybrid, Welcome."

Adoniranakh replies to Gabriel, saying, "The Ship Is Compromised. The Crew Are Gone. Both Situations Must Be Rectified. The Flesh Of This World Is Suitable For Our Use. We Will Mold It To Our Ends."

Now that the attention is off her, Tasha resumes her approach and stops a few feet from the worm, kneeling to examine it. "I see, so the statues did win after all, and have done to the crabs what they may have been doing to the ship. It's an interesting turnabout." She brings her scanner forward and continues to analyze the device, frowning. "It's really kind of amazing. I don't think I'll ever get tired of technology."

"You do recognize what I am, then … somehow," Layth says as he again bows his head in deference to the huge statue, "I am honored to be welcomed in your home." Something about how Adoniranakh states rectifying the missing crew makes Layth feel a twinge of concern. "How do you plan to replace the crew? Is it … just making use of the invading creature there?" he asks and motions towards the twitching worm.

"They Are Without Thought, As Was The Flesh Of Old," the golden statue says. "And They Come From The Very Ground Of This World. We Will Give Them Form And Purpose And Thought, And They Will Become Our New Children, Replacing Those Who Abandoned Us."

Using the inner comm system, Layth asks the others, "Does the way they refer to those who abandoned them worry you as much as it does me?" Using the external comm, Layth says, "What will these new children do? Do you seek revenge for being abandoned? Or … do you simply seek to form a new home here?"

Over the comm., Tasha suggests, "I think they're going to repopulate Orpheus, and maybe this moon, with robotic constructs. It sounds like they're attempting to educate them now." She nods. "Yes, I'm a bit concerned about this. What would such a civilization do? Take the ship? The planet? Spread to Abaddon?"

"This World Will Be Nakh Reborn," the bronze god replies. "Life Will Conquer Void. Our Children Will Prosper. They Will Not Fear The Water Of Chaos."

"What of those who abandoned you? The others who were allies, such as Gabriel? What will become of them?" Layth asks the statues.

"They Have Their Worlds," Sutaranakh says. "We Will Have Ours. We Sense The Other Survivors Here, The Enslaved Minds Of Orpheus. They Will Be Free."

Standing again, Tasha turns and begins walking towards the statue that has not shown special interest in them. She heads for the base, continuing her scan as she goes. "Bellerophon, can you break Imperial encryption? I need to know if we're looking at the AI cores, and from where they're drawing power."

"Enslaved minds? Please explain," Layth asks the statues.

"Breaking the encryption would be a violation of the Expedition Charter," Mariel points out. "And… we don't have the computing power to do it anyway. Each Zone has its own power system, which is probably what they're using."

"Mmm. Acknowledged." Gazing up at the statue, Tasha turns and walks back towards Gabriel. "I think I've done what I can here, do you have any ideas? If not, I'm going to proceed down the halls and see how far their repairs have progressed, maybe look for local power."

The silver goddess dips down lower again. "The Khatta Synths," she says, a bit more directly and clearly than the others. "And Others. The Silent-Ones Have At Least One, Perhaps More Minds-Of-Light. There May Be Others That Still Sleep."

"We intend to return to Abaddon. I hope you will not try to prevent us?" Layth asks the statue.

"This Is No World For Organic Beings," Sutaranakh claims. "What Do You Require To Leave?"

"I don't think we have to look for the power source," Gabriel tells Tasha. "It'll be here, under our feet, I imagine."

That makes Tasha pause, and so she looks up and broadcasts inquires over external speaker, "These synthetic minds, do you intend to 'liberate' them from us, as well? We intend to secure and bring with us several AI, including PersoComs."

"Merely the peace to finish our repairs to the Bellerophon," Layth answers, "And leave with what Tasha mentions. Do you wish us to carry a message of treaty back to Abbadon to give to the Expedition? Would you wish to form an alliance with what remains of those who left?"

"If They Wish To Remain, We Would Hope You Will Honor Their Desire," Sutaranakh notes.

Adoniranakh answers next, saying, "We Do Not Seek Contact. It Will Be A Long Process To Build This World. Interference Could Bring Damage."

"We need water," Gabriel pipes up. "It is dangerous to the… flesh… of Sheol."

To Gabriel, Tasha nods. "Yes, that would make sense. I just want to know where … Just in case." The woman turns to make an exaggerated nod to the statue who replied to her, then says, "I can't imagine we'd stop them if they showed an interest in staying. The Melchior is different, too. Hmm." She tilts her head, again an exaggerated motion. "The Imperial Naga of my world were not content with their lands and tried to expand. Will you move beyond this world, would you expand your empire?"

"Such Organic Imperfections Will Not Arise This Time," Gerondisanakh replies. "We Will Not Require Territory."

"Then we will convey a message that you wish to be left in peace. I would ask, though, that should others come by accident or intent, that you treat them with respect and kindness until they prove to deserve otherwise?" Layth asks the giant statues.

"Mmm." On internal communications, Tasha asks, "Captain, do we trust them? They may be telling the truth, sure, but if we're wrong they will have the technology of Orpheus and a civilization of machines behind them. It could present a very dangerous situation to Abaddon. I'm not saying I don't trust them, exactly, just that what we decide here could have an important impact on the future."

"We Will Greet Them With Curiosity," the silver goddess notes. "We Have Much Water That We Will Not Need. You May Have It."

"Thank you," Layth says and bows once more. "Is there anything you need from us?"

"There's nothing we can do to stop them, Tasha," Gabriel notes on the private channel. "I'm curious to see how they do too. There's never been a living digital civilization before! We might be able to learn from them."

"We Cannot Communicate With The Silent-Ones Network," Sutaranakh says. "Any Help Towards Rectifying This Would Be Welcome."

"I guess it's done then." Glancing around, Tasha eyes her scanner and then the corridors. "I don't think I'm needed here, so I'm going down the hall these things came from to see what's what." With that, the woman turns and heads out.

"There may be something they can do for us," Layth says, getting an idea. "I will see what we can do to help you with their systems. I just realized there may be something more you can do to help us. You seem able to … create new bodies and teach them. Could you transfer a persocom recording to a new body? Could you create a … synthetic duplicate of someone who existed before? We have a crew comprised of mostly persocoms and real forms would benefit them greatly."

The three gods look at each other as they contemplate this request. "Possibly," Sutaranakh finally says. "They Lack Sufficient Local Processing Capacity As Yet. They Would Not Be Autonomous"

"Do you have any idea how long it would take you to make one that is autonomous?" Layth asks, curious. "The persocoms now are using a Sifran artifact to act as their … ah, processor."

"A Body Could Be Done Within A Day," the moon goddess says. "A Brain Would Require Many Thousands Of Native Generations To Evolve."

"Mm. Can you send one of your children with us to examine what we have right now? Even if it is impossible to improve upon, it may be educational for both of us," Layth offers. "That is, if the captain approves you sending an Emissary to the ship."

"We Will Try To Assemble An Emissary With The Necessary Communication Range," Sutaranakh promises.

"Thank you," Layth says and bows deeply to the statues. He turns to face Gabriel and seems to breathe a sigh of relief, though he looks worried all the same. "The mystery only deepens in this forgotten place," the buck says, "Much more yet to do."