Shaper of Animus: A Chromaicora Adventure

A pair of human twins scouting the vacuum beyond their world of Pentorbix III find themselves with a conundrum of zoological proportions when they come across a vessel of unfamiliar design, adrift and apparently deactivated, in orbit around the planet's tertiary satellite of Taiyo. Despite their back-and-forth squabbling over whether to board or not, they defy their gut instincts and begin exploring, though it seems that the interior is more than a little worse for wear, and the crew appears to be missing...all except a lone member of their species, suspended in some form of hibernation.

Cast

Tessa - The sole inhabitant of the vessel Luca Animus, Tessa is aloof and unknowing of the ways of typical human behaviour, as she seems to have an interest in non-sapient creatures, and emulates these "animals" in a way that is described as "beyond literal". Even so, beneath her "primal" attitude and beliefs rests a surprisingly clever mind and a level of human-like adaptability that exceeds all understanding of the Pentorbic people.

Fortuna Trix - The elder of the Trix twins, Fortuna is a surprisingly capable and talented user of the ancient art of magic, with a particular focus on elemental abilities. Being the "big sister", she insists on making sure her slightly younger brother Dion keep out of trouble, though her somewhat impish persona and tendency to rush into things before thinking them through mean that any problems are typically caused by her. She is also the bravest of the two, and woe be unto anyone who would harm her brother and not expect harsh consequences.

Dion Trix - The younger of the Trix twins, Dion possesses an amazingly gifted mind, having been classified as a child prodigy whilst he and his sister Fortuna grew up, and as such he serves the "crew of two" as a knower of all things related to technology and engineering, not to mention his ability to use powerful psi abilities that supposedly make his own sister "dizzy". Due to Fortuna being somewhat overprotective of her younger brother, he tends to be significantly more hesitant to rush into a given situation unprepared, preferring to be patient and devise the perfect strategy, though his overly analytical way of thinking tends to convolute even the simplest of plans, at which point things may have actually gotten worse.

"Claw marks and damaged machinery... so why are the crew relatively unscathed?"

Scene 1: Taiyo Orbit: Relative Time

We see a craft of slightly polygonal design cruising through a spatial vacuum, with a round, silvery moon shining in the distance, the twinkling of stars and the faint powder blue of cosmic dust serving as a backdrop. As we zoom to a view of the cockpit, we see the sides of the craft are marked with paired stripes of red and green; an insignia on the vessel's side is labelled, "Trix2". A biologically-male human voice speaks with an Australian accent.

Male: Trix-Squared now entering Taiyo orbit... commence scanning for curios... currently nothing of interest.

We zoom through the cockpit shield, revealing the pilot to be a young human male. His blonde hair is shaved at the sides, and combed over to the left on top. The roots of his hair are somewhat darker in hue, though his hair seems to be naturally two-toned, becoming more golden near the tip. His irises are a vibrant emerald green, and his platinum-hued jacket and pants are marked with stripes on either side that are of a much brighter green; the shirt underneath his jacket, his belt buckle and the lenses of the round goggles above his forehead are an identical green hue. He holds a device attached to a coiled cable in his black, slightly glossed gauntlet-style gloved hand, with his matching glove, boots and belt strap identical in appearance.

Pilot: Additional information applied once known.

The pilot lets go of the button and places the device back into the control console, revealing it to be a speaker. Another voice calls out with an Australian accent, though this one is biologically-female human in tone.

Female: Are we there yet?

The pilot sighs.

Pilot: I assume you mean, "Are we in orbit around our sphere's farthest satellite?", in which case the answer is, "Yes, Fortuna. We're here."

The owner of the voice approaches the pilot, a huge grin on her face. Unlike the hair of the pilot, the female human's is ginger, and tightly bound into a small ponytail at the upper back by a cyan-coloured hairtie; her eyes and ears are distinct from the pilot's, with her irises being hazel and her ears slightly-pointed instead of rounded, indicating her to be a syl human. Her outfit is identical to the pilot's, though the bright-green stripes, shirt, belt buckle and goggle lenses of her uniform are replaced with bright red.

Fortuna: Good, good. Then I guess I'll sit in here with you, now that we're back on course.

The pilot closes his eyes, with Fortuna oriented behind him.

Pilot: We were already on course.

Fortuna feigns a look and tone of surprise.

Fortuna: Look out! Bird!

The pilot opens his eyes in a panic.

Pilot: WHAT?!

Fortuna snickers as the pilot calms down, breathing heavily.

Fortuna: Are you for real?

Pilot: I exist, don't I? Although I nearly expired after that verbal stunt of yours.

Fortuna shakes her head.

Fortuna: We're in DEEP SPACE. Even you shouldn't have been fooled by the threat of a bird in front of the cruiser!

Pilot: One thing I've learned over the years, sister, is that anything is possible.

Fortuna: You mean like a former child genius stupidly closing his eyes while flying a craft near a moon?

Pilot: I've told you multiple times that the correct title is "child prodi-"

The pilot frowns slightly, before raising an eyebrow.

Pilot: How did you know my eyes were closed?

Fortuna: Well...maybe you're not the ONLY one who's psychic.

Pilot: I keep telling you. My ability isn't psychic. It's PSI MAGIC.

Fortuna: Well, we're TWINS, Dion. Ever hear of twin telepathy?

The pilot looks up.

Dion: The intangible link between the anima, or "minds", of sapient beings borne of the same gestation-

Fortuna wrinkles her nose slightly.

Dion: -which is said to be strongest between siblings originating from the same ovum.

Fortuna: Trust you to say something like "gestation".

Dion: I speak with vocabular accuracy.

Fortuna: Well, I think the only reason I can decrypt what you say is the aforementioned tele-pa-thing.

Dion: Then why am I unable to decipher your attempts at using forms of humour in an attempt to provoke me?

Fortuna: Well...um...wow, you got me there.

Dion: Case in point: the supposed avian intersecting our course.

Fortuna: Fair enough, little bro. I'll TRY to tone down the humour. No promises, though.

Dion: Promises are long since moot between us.

Fortuna: But even YOU can't expect to find primal creatures drifting through SPACE.

An alert that sounds vaguely similar to an aquatic ripple begins to sound as a blue light softly pulses on the monitor.

Dion: Huh.

Fortuna: Don't tell me...a creature?

Dion: No. Too large to be an organism.

Fortuna screws her nose again.

Fortuna: Okay, now you're being DELIBERATELY gross, aren't you?

Dion: It appears to be a cruiser...unusual design...apparently it is named, "Luca Animus".

Fortuna: Is it one of ours?

Dion examines the monitor.

Dion No...its architecture is unfamiliar to me...gravity and life support are functional...though the air is saturated with-

Fortuna: Get to the point.

Dion: Right...this is odd.

Fortuna: What is it?

Dion: The monitor is displaying a distress message...you will find this difficult to believe...

Fortuna walks next to Dion and pushes toward the monitor.

Dion: Hey, what are-

Fortuna: I just need to see...oh...you are KIDDING me!

Fortuna smirks.

Fortuna: I guess there are "organisms" drifting through space after all...

We cut to a view of the monitor. The scene is frozen at a large, clawed paw with brown fur, which appears to be swiping through the camera. A message at the bottom reads, "SHE'S ESCAPED! PLEASE HELP US N-"

To be Continued...

Scene 2: The Luca Animus: Taiyo Orbit: Relative Time

We see a view of a metal hatchway, a huge claw mark etched into it. The hatch opens, revealing Fortuna and Dion, who are wearing their goggles over their eyes. They each wear a breather made of a dark, opaque, flexible material over their nose and mouth, connected to a portable ventilation system attached to the belt at the left hip via a corrugated hose of the same material.

Dion: As I suspected...

Fortuna: What is it?

Dion: The air in here is breathable, albeit-

Fortuna lifts her hand near her face.

Dion: Why are you doing that?

Fortuna: Well, you said the air is safe to breathe, right?

Dion: In fact, I did not.

Fortuna: Then-

Dion: I was TRYING to state that, whilst the air in this vessel is BREATHABLE, it would be foolhardy to remove your breathing circuit at this time.

Fortuna: Oh... but this thing is SO uncomfortable, Dee...

Dion: May I at least specify the reason?

Fortuna sighs.

Fortuna: Sure, fire away.

Dion: Based on my readings, the output of breathable gas is comprised of 72.5% xenon, with the other 27.5% comprised of oxygen.

Fortuna: And that's... bad?

Dion: Actually, that particular concentration has outstanding neuroprotective capabilities.

Fortuna briefly stares.

Fortuna: In Common?

Dion: It refreshes your mind and removes any lingering tension and side-effects of stimulant overuse.

Fortuna: So... the ultimate morning-after remedy?

Dion: In a manner of speaking.

Fortuna: Then WHY aren't we breathing IT instead of this useless nitrogen-oxygen mix?!

Dion: Because the gas compound surrounding us at present is also a potent inducer of general anaesthesia.

Fortuna: Huh... wait... isn't that the name of the military captain stationed on-

Dion: Una, I SWEAR I'll remove your breather if you don't concentrate!

Fortuna: Right, right... let's start looking around, then.

Dion: For once, we agree on something.

Fortuna: Okay then. Let's each scout one side of the ship. Usual rules apply?

Dion: Naturally.

Fortuna: Good. Keep in touch.

Dion: Always.

The siblings separate, with Dion heading left from the hatch, and Fortuna heading right.

***
We cut to a view of the bridge. The captain and two crew members, all human, are slumped in their chairs. Two other humans lay sprawled on the floor, with one flat on their stomach. A hatch at the rear of the room opens, and Fortuna steps in.

Fortuna: Oh no...

Fortuna races to the captain's chair and gently examines his face.

Fortuna: Shallow breaths... at least you're alive, cutie.

Fortuna's thoughts: "Cutie"...? Could you at least TRY to be professional...? For all you know, he could be-

Dion's voice: Fortuna?

Fortuna's thoughts: We'll continue this conversation never...

Fortuna: I'm here... uh... bridge. I mean... ON the bridge. Everyone here is alive, but unconscious. The captain's kinda cute.

Dion's voice: "Kinda cute"...?

***
We cut to a view of Dion, who is kneeling in what appears to be crew's quarters. A young male cadet is unconscious in the lower bunk.

Dion: Could you at least EMULATE a sense of professionalism, Una?

Fortuna's voice: All I'm saying is if he's into girls, or... y'know... people who like to have FUN, I call dibs!

Dion: There is more to life than "hooking up" with every guy you meet.

Fortuna's voice: Oh, you're just saying that because guys are always drawn to me instead of a technobabble-spouting übergeek.

Dion: Una, how many times must I emphasise my asexuality before it is perpetuated in your mind?

Fortuna's voice: Oh, please! I KNOW you have a secret crush on Kyler Nominus.

Dion: Just because I find Cadet Nominus to be pleasant company, it does not mean that I have a desire to-

Fortuna's voice: NOW who's not being "professional", hm?

Dion: I believe you are still said perpetrator.

Fortuna's voice: Yeah, but... well... how's your search going?

Dion: I must echo your discovery, Fortuna. I, too, have located multiple crew members, all of whom appear to be unharmed, albeit under the effects of the gas compound.

Fortuna's voice: So they're all asleep?

Dion: General anaesthesia isn't "sleep", as you describe it. Every crew member is in a state of unconsciousness so deep, they do not even dream.

Fortuna's voice: Wow, that's pretty deep...

Dion: Should they awaken, it will be from their individual perspectives as though no time has passed for them between succumbing to the compound and regaining consciousness.

Fortuna: So was everyone awake when this gas leak or whatever it is happened?

Dion: I have located one crew member inside a lower bunk compartment. It is my hypothesis that he was already asleep during the incident, perhaps due to working a nocturnal shift.

Fortuna: You don't say...? Is he cute?

Dion: Again? How is this even relev-

Dion is tapped on the shoulder and is startled, bumping his head on the top bunk. He slowly stands and faces Fortuna.

Dion: Ow...? Are you mad?

Fortuna: Possibly... this xenon stuff is supposed to stabilise madness, right? Maybe I should-

Dion: Noble gases are not toys, Una.

Fortuna: I dunno... helium is kinda fun. Remember your 11th birthday?

Dion: OUR 11th birthday. We're TWINS, remember?

Fortuna: Well, duh! I don't need to breathe xenon to remember THAT! Oh... is this good for memory, too?

Dion sighs with frustration.

Fortuna: Whatever, Dee. Now are you gonna help me search the rest of this thing, or should I let you and... Cadet Grover get back to your date?

Fortuna heads for the door as Dion is once again flustered.

Dion: It... that's NOT funny, Una!

***
Fortuna and Dion approach a chamber with a soft, green glow emanating from within.

Fortuna: All I'm saying is you should ask him out.

Dion: Una, please. He barely notices I exist.

Fortuna: Whatever you say, Dee...

Fortuna proceeds ahead of Dion.

Dion: And even if he happens to be attracted to my rigid persona, how can I be certain he would settle for less than the usual requirement of a relationsh-

Fortuna: Dion, shut up and help me!

Dion's eyes widen as he races to Fortuna. She is kneeling adjacent to the crew member from the distress message. They are slouched next to a large double-hatchway, their face completely obscured by a full-face breathing circuit, and a large injury on their upper-right forehead.

Fortuna: This wound looks pretty nasty.

Dion: Yes, it does. Urgent treatment is required.

Fortuna: I don't get it, though... they're wearing a breathing circuit, completely intact and primed, perfect facial seal... so why are they unconscious like the rest of their crew?

Dion: Well, my first theory is the nasty gash on their cranium. Does it not remind you of a certain incident at a certain birthday party?

Fortuna: Right... well, a rescue squad is coming soon to help us out.

Dion: How long until its arrival?

Fortuna: A couple of hours, tops.

Dion: Then we should do what we are able until then.

Fortuna: And if the air in these things runs out...?

Dion: The elemental cartridges within offer near-limitless supplies of air, water, nourishment and ideal bodily temperature.

Fortuna: Well then, let's see what's behind Door no. 1.

Fortuna stands and lifts the recruit's left hand, pulling off their left glove.

Dion: Una... what are you-

Fortuna places the hand onto a security scanner adjacent to the right hand door. A chime sounds, and Dion suddenly stands.

Dion: WHY did you do that?

Fortuna: No idea. Let's find out!

We cut to a view of the inside of the doors as they slide open.

Dion: Una, I SWEAR, if something happens to-

Both siblings' eyes widen.

Dion: Megali ad-Qinta... ("Power of Five...")

Fortuna: I couldn't have said it better myself, Dee...

To be Continued...

Scene 3: Biome: The Luca Animus: Relative Time

We see a view of what appears to be a miniature outdoor location, albeit entirely contained within a large, laboratory-like room. The scene centres on what appears to be an elevated sleeping platform, with a young circa human woman in blue-accented, nature-sourced attire resting peacefully on her back.

Fortuna's voice: It's... a human.

We cut back to Fortuna and Dion, who stand in the entrance. Fortuna stares at the woman, whereas Dion stares at Fortuna, his left eyebrow raised.

Dion: You sound surprised...

Fortuna: Well, aren't you?

Dion: I-

Dion shifts his gaze back to the woman.

Dion: Since your admittedly insightful succinction, I am inclined to echo your reaction.

Fortuna: Trust you to pre-plan your emotions, Dee...

Dion: Well then...?

Fortuna: Well then... what?

Dion: What is your stratagem?

Fortuna: Uh... I guess... to go in and help her?

Dion: Hm... characteristically reckless, though with a sense of duty and nobility... I concur. Let us proceed.

Fortuna's eyes widen as she looks at Dion.

Fortuna: Oh, no you don't! You're staying put!

Dion: I... fail to detect the issue with my-

Fortuna: There's NO way I'm letting you in there with that... that... creature!

Dion: Una, please. The system detects only one life signature inside this chamber-

Fortuna steps inside, seemingly oblivious to Dion's rebuttal.

Dion: Correction: TWO life signatures, both of whom are human.

Fortuna: Right, which means the other one is in those trees doing who-KNOWS-what.

Dion: No... I... the moment I said "two life signatures", you had stepped inside the-

Fortuna: Dee? I could do without the techno-babble.

Dion: Very well, I'll simplify. Both creatures... inside this biome... are within this general area, near the doors.

Fortuna twirls a loose strand of hair.

Fortuna: So... it's invisible?

Dion facepalms.

Dion: You, Una! I implied that YOU are the second lifeform in there!

Fortuna: Oh... well, why didn't you just say THAT?

Dion: Because I'm so overly intellectual that I tend to also be somewhat paradoxically naïve?

Fortuna: Right, which is why your innocent, naïve little glutinous maximus is staying right. There.

Dion sighs.

Dion: If I must... technically speaking, you ARE my superi-

Fortuna: Dee? Shut up and take a look at this!

Dion's left eyebrow raises.

Dion: Whatever happened to, "Oh, no you don't! You're staying put!"?

Fortuna: You're the one with the paramedia training! Just... take a look, now!

Dion shakes his head and enters the biome, stopping adjacent to Fortuna and the woman.

Fortuna: It mentions things like vital signs, blood work, shaping, Axian something-or-other, chromairo-

Dion: Do you not mean, "chromosomes"?

Fortuna: As I said, you're the science geek.

Dion: Alright, I'll take a look...

Dion removes his goggles and breather, resting them atop his head and around his neck, respectively, before examining a small, rectangular monitor on the platform, just underneath the woman's right side. Fortuna is flabbergasted.

Dion: Oh, you're right... "kroh-MY-roh"... that rings a-

Fortuna: Uh... HELLO? Pentorbix III to super nerd!

Dion: What is it, Una?

Fortuna: Why the Five did you take off your breather?

Dion: It is far easier to focus on these details without a visual obstruction covering my nasal bridge.

Fortuna: But... what about all the knockout gas?

Dion: The xenox compound is present in every other location of this vessel, whereas the air inside this biome is equivalent to the atmosphere of our neighbouring system, Pentorbix II.

Fortuna: The elven homeworld?

Dion: Precisely.

Fortuna quickly lowers her breather and lifts her goggles. She inhales deeply through her nose, before exhaling through her mouth with delight.

Fortuna: Ah... the scent of nature... pinecones... fresh wildflowers... extreme body odour...

Fortuna looks at Dion.

Fortuna: You remembered to use deodorant today, right, Dee?

Dion: "Tessa".

Fortuna: That's good... wait... then where's that B.O. smell coming from?

Dion: Apparently, she was being shepherded by a team of safety enforcers from a planet called... Frontier.

Fortuna: "Frontier"? Is there a planet in the system with that name?

Dion: No... at least not in any database I've found. It's possible this vessel may predate the establishment of the Pentorbix Collective entirely.

Fortuna's eyes widen.

Fortuna: Are you serious?

Dion: Quantum slips... trans-chromic travel... the vessel and its crew left adrift in suspended animation over more than five hundred years...

Fortuna: Well, it'd explain why the design is like nothing on record.

Dion: Many of these systems are surprisingly more advanced than our own contemporary equivalents.

Fortuna: But... if these are our ancestors... then how can they be ahead of us technologically?

Dion shrugs.

Dion: Perhaps this is an experimental craft.

Fortuna: Makes sense, I suppose. You're the expert in this field, though.

Dion chuckles nervously.

Dion: I'm hardly an exp-

The woman begins to stir. Fortuna and Dion are surprised.

Fortuna: I think she's waking up...

Dion's expression falls flat.

Dion: You don't say...

The woman murmurs and softly smacks her lips a few times, before slowly opening her eyes.

Dion: Hello there. Are you alr-

The woman begins to panic.

Dion: Hey, hey, hey... ssh... you're alright. You're alright.

The woman calms down, moaning softly.

Fortuna: Welcome back to the land of the conscious. Are you okay? Do you need anything?

The woman stretches.

Woman: Water...

Dion looks at Fortuna.

Dion: Una, if you would?

Fortuna smiles.

Fortuna: Of course. I'll be right back.

The woman slowly nods.

Dion: So Tessa... i-is it alright if I call you, "Tessa"?

Woman: Tessa... yes, that is my name... how about you?

Dion smiles.

Dion: My name is Dion, but my friends call me "Dee".

Tessa: Dion... well met, Dion. I hope in time we can be great friends.

Dion: As do I.

Tessa: What of your companion?

Dion: Oh, she-

We hear a collapsing "thud" outside the biome. Dion sighs.

Dion: -has just vacated the land of the conscious... ugh... and she calls ME naïve...

To be Continued...