Cath

The Cradle

The rest of the journey to the compound was uneventful. Freyr could feel palpable tension in the soldiers; several times it appeared Lieutenant Rowe spotted something, as he quickly looked into the sight of his assault weapon. Each time, after a few moments he slowly lowered it and exchanged looks with the driver. Within ten minutes of driving at very fast speeds, they approached the compound gates. Two more CraSec soldiers there motioned for them to stop, scanned the vehicle and then waved them through.

This new corporate development was a grid of ugly, cavernous testing sheds at one end, and a small assortment of basic office buildings at the other. Freyr had seen various corporate enclaves like this appearing since the rules on private sector Cradle investment were relaxed a decade ago. It had made their work at the government R&D department more difficult, as these places were often situated where the Cradle’s energy was most accessible. A phenomena that her team were trying to recreate, which often meant negotiating access to restricted areas.

They drove to the front of the most aesthetically pleasing of the office buildings and parked. An assortment of CraSec and civilian buildings were already there, as well as a full squadron of security personnel. They stood at attention while being debriefed by a senior officer Freyr didn’t recognise. She had never seen so many soldiers in one place during her time in the Cradle. Before she’d been put on leave, it was rare to see more than two of them at once outside of a barracks.

As they got out of their buggy, the squadron saluted and began dispersing towards the warehouse grid. The senior officer looked their way. “Let me do the talking.” Karos whispered urgently to Freyr as the woman walked over. “Welcome back, Doctor. Who is this?” she asked. “Good morning, Major! This is Dr Lang, my second. I’m hoping her unique perspective will help with the investigation.” Karos replied cheerfully. “Freyr, this is Major Osman, she’s overseeing this operation.” Freyr shook Major Osman’s hand. “I’m glad to hear it. At this point we need all the help we can get.” Osman smiled grimly. “It happened on the top floor of this building - follow me.”

Osman took them briskly into the lobby of the building and up in the lift to the fifth floor. When the lift doors opened, a hive of activity greeted them. The atrium had been repurposed as a command centre, with civilian investigators hunched consoles and other equipment arrayed on trestle tables. Through a large arch in front of them, was a large open space full of office equipment. Near the middle, Freyr could see some of the tables had been overturned and a large portion of the window had been smashed in clear signs of a struggle.

“Would you get Dr Lang set up with the video footage please?” Osman tapped one of the operators on the shoulder. He quickly punched up the start of a recording and vacated his chair for Freyr to sit down. Osman and Karos crowded round her to see the screen as well. Taking a deep breath, Freyr hit ‘Play’.

uh hi

Mmmmm, ramen

Welcome to the guild! If you have any questions or need help please don't hesitate to ask. :)

The Cradle

They both got comfortable in their respective seats. Freyr laid her head back against the top of the sofa and stared at the ceiling. Closing her eyes, she activated her quick access module. "Taking us in." She heard Karos calling in the distance. Pins and needles spread through her arms and legs. Freyr involuntarily arched her back and gasped out loud, unused to the procedure after so long away. After a few moments, all physical signals faded away. When she finally opened her eyes she was inside the Cradle.

They stood in a transit station Freyr didn’t recognise - it must have been built recently for this new development. It appeared as a spacious, square, high ceilinged lobby with a large metal receptionist’s desk and some comfy seats for furniture. Two walls featured works of art, the other two sides were composed entirely of windows and doors to the outside. She heard the doors behind her swoosh open and sharp footsteps approaching. She turned to find a young CraSec officer in full battle dress, save the helmet, striding toward them. He cradled an assault rifle in his arms.

“Doctors Childermass and Lang? I’m Lieutenant Rowe. Come with me please.” They followed him out of the see-through sliding doors he’d just emerged from, out into the open.

As was always the case with the Cradle, it was dark outside. The only natural light came from the faintly glowing network of purple arteries embedded in the sky above and the Border off to their right, which Freyr noted was worryingly close by. She’d spent many hours staring at those arteries, looking for clues as to their purpose.

The land (as far as it could be called that) immediately surrounding the transit station was so far untouched, leaving an ocean of blackness between them and a glittering oasis of light some way off in the distance. That, Freyr assumed, was the new corporate development Karos had been talking about.

Just outside the exit, three more CraSec soldiers waited by an enclosed buggy. They snapped smartly to attention as they approached. “Four guards? Is this strictly necessary?” Freyr asked. “It’s for own your protection, Doctor.” Rowe replied, motioning for her and Karos to get into the backseats before he and his second hopped in the front. The two other grunts hitched onto the outside of the buggy on either side of Freyr and Karos using the running boards.

As soon as the buggy purred into life, bright floodlights blinked on all around the transit station. Rows of similar buggies sat together nearby, along with numerous crates and terraforming equipment. The whole place seemed deserted apart from them. Freyr could see the station was in fact situated on a roundabout, with one wide metal road stretching out directly in front of them. It wound through the undulating landscape, all the way to the corporate development a few miles away. They set off down that road at high speed, before they’d even had a chance to fasten their seatbelts.

“As I mentioned, Freyr, conditions have changed substantially inside the Cradle since you’ve been gone.” Karos began once they were strapped in. “Our department’s budget has been expanded, as has that of our friends at CraSec here.”

“Our ranks have doubled in the last three months.” Rowe offered helpfully, his head constantly swiveling to watch the darkness either side of the road. Karos nodded. “So have our objectives. The emphasis has changed from reverse engineering Cradle tech to strengthening our terraforming infrastructure and developing systems to combat any further...threat...from beyond the Border. A lot of the team are finding it a tough transition, which is why I desperately need your experienced hand on this.” Freyr stared at him. “It sounds like we’re preparing for war Karos. A war we can’t possibly win.” Karos looked grave. “Perhaps you’re right.” He looked away, across the darkness toward the Border. “I’m hoping it’ll make sense once you see the video.”

The Cradle

Freyr spent the next ten minutes clearing up mess strewn around her apartment. Demeter silently opened the rest of the blinds, letting in views of Boycott Park and rain pattering against the window. Freyr could also smell perfumed air being pumped in to replace the stale odor of her living area. Once the debris was stuffed out of sight, Freyr quickly changed into warm, casual trousers and a jumper before sitting nervously on the sofa.

Either she had been permanently let go from the department, or they had an update on her family. Those were only two reasons Freyr could think of for Karos to personally visit. The horrific events of that day threatened to consume her every time she closed her eyes. She could see it even now; her husband and child being carried away by those…things. Freyr forced back the tears as Demeter announced. “Excuse me, Dr Lang. Dr Childermass is in the lobby. Shall i send him up?” Freyr sniffled loudly and nodded.

A minute later, there was a knock at the door. Demeter opened it and Freyr’s boss walked in; she stood up to greet him. Karos was exactly as she remembered. The stocky frame, the longish grey hair and stubble, even the same old fashioned clothes. He smiled broadly when he saw Freyr, and they hugged for a long moment.

“I’m sorry i never stopped by in person, Freyr, work has been nonstop and I-”
“It’s ok, i understand. You’re here now. What’s happened?” Karos hesitated, smiling awkwardly. “How about we sit down first, hmm?” Freyr nodded, quickly sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed. Karos perched on the edge of a small armchair which sat at a right angle to the sofa. He took a few agonising moments to collect his thoughts before speaking, as was usual for him.

“I’m sorry Freyr, but i don’t have a direct update on David and Amy’s whereabouts.” Freyr exhaled deeply, blinking a few times to compose herself. Karos went on “What i’m here to tell you is that there’s been a disturbing incident in the Cradle. About forty hours ago, four suspected members of the Skinners Guild.” “Wait…” Freyr blurted out “You mean those anti-Cradle terrorists? How did they get in?” Karos spread his hands. “We don’t know yet. Somehow, they got access codes that allowed them to enter one of the new corporate developments near the Border.”

This was not the direction Freyr thought they’d be taking with this conversation. “Sorry Karos, i’m confused now. What does this have to do with me?” Her boss took a deep breath and looked her in the eye. “They were all taken by those creatures from beyond the Border, just like your family. It was caught on camera this time. Just before, the Skinners looked to be interfacing with the Border, just like you were when...” He tailed off, running his hands through his hair. “I really didn’t want to involve you like this, but things are bad in the Cradle Frey. I need your help. If we don’t get this under control...we could lose the whole thing. Will you come back to the Cradle with me, check the tapes, and tell me if anything sticks out?” It was now that Karos’ facade slipped. Freyr noticed the huge black bags under his eyes, and the yellowy skin tone of someone relying on advanced stimulants.

Freyr didn’t hesitate. She knew that any chance of finding her family was worth it, even if she risked opening old wounds before they’d healed. If this new abduction held any clues to their whereabouts, she had to know.

“Let's do it. Right now, let's enter from my apartment.” Freyr pleaded. Karos pursed his lips, nodded slowly. “Okay. Are you sure?” Freyr nodded strenuously. Karos pulled a secure datapad from his pocket and flicked a line of data through the air towards her. It hovered in front of her eyes; a long string of numbers, letters and symbols. The periphery of Freyr’s vision flashed as her Cradle quick access module absorbed the new code. “That’s it. Your access is renewed. Let’s do this.”

The Cradle

Table of contents
Chapter 1 - A Chance Encounter
Chapter 2 - Perfidious Dark
Chapter 3 - The Welcome Wagon
Chapter 4 - Sleep the dream of the apples
Chapter 5 - The Archive
Chapter 6 - GCHQ

Chapter 1 - A Chance Encounter

“Dr Lang, this is a reminder to take your medication.” Demeter, the block’s AI concierge, announced. Freyr, who had been staring absently at a news cycle projected onto the wall opposite the sofa, rubbed her puffy, tear streaked cheeks. “I’ve told you before Demeter, I don't need a reminder.” The lights in her flat increased in brightness slightly, and one of the roller blinds began sliding up to let light through the window. It was cloudy and rainy outside; Freyr wondered what day it was. “I’m sorry Dr Lang. But I'm under instructions from Babylon Social Care Advisory to watch out for you as best I can.” Demeter did manage to sound regretful, but Freyr couldn’t tell if that tone was just something it’d learned.

Sighing deeply, Freyr gradually moved into a sitting position, wiping the tears from her eyes with a sleeve. Her normally pristine living area was littered with takeaway food containers, get well soon gifts from work, discarded clothes and empty bottles of wine. Cold, grey light shone across an exercise bike and a dining table with four chairs. Freyr’s eyes strayed to the entry hall, where a pistol hung in its holster from one of the coat hooks. Ostensibly, she had bought it after the incident, for protection. But deep down Freyr knew that it was a cowardly part of her looking for a way out. Freyr also knew that David would’ve wanted her to carry on, for all three of them. For some reason, this was clearer today than on many days previously.

So Freyr hauled herself from the seat, rushed to the bathroom and took both of the pills waiting for her by the sink before she got any second thoughts. “Thank you, Dr Lang.” Demeter soothed. “Is there anything else i can do for you?” Freyr walked through to the kitchen area and poured a cup of water before answering. “Are there any messages for me?” She’d stopped checking them herself some time ago, instead opting to have Demeter screen them first. He’d figured out which would cause distress, and could either hold onto them or reconfigure them into something more palatable.

“Yes. There is one message from Dr Karos Childermass, fifty one minutes ago. He asked if you were available to meet at your earliest convenience.” Freyr’s stomach dropped and her heart began racing. She let go of her cup and it bounced off the floor, spilling water all over her feet. She staggered to her sofa and collapsed down. After a few moments, the words began flooding out. “W-why didn’t you tell me fifty one minutes ago? What did he say it’s about? Has there been a development in the case?” She heard the whir of the kitchen’s floorboards tilting to drain away the sudden excess water.

“I elected to wait until you had taken your medication; It should be taking effect in a few seconds. Dr Childermass did not say in his message what the visit was about, so i’m afraid i don’t have that information.” Freyr leant her face against her clenched fist and rocked slowly back and forth on the sofa while she thought about what it could mean. The head of her department hadn’t been in contact since just after the incident.

“Call him for me please, Demeter.” Freyr finally spoke.
“I don’t believe that is wise. Your emotional state is still very-”
“Call him!” Freyr shouted. There was a pregnant pause before she heard a soft dial tone ringing in her head. Karos Childermass picked up almost immediately.
“Freyr, how are you?”
“Karos, what’s happened? Has there been a development with the case?”
“I uhh...I think it’s best if we talk in person. Are you at home?”
“Yes I am. How long will you be?”
“I’m close - twenty minutes?”
“Ok, see you then.”
“See you.” Karos ended the call and Freyr went to pick up the cup she’d dropped, almost completely numb.

The Cradle

Name: Dr Freyr Lang

Species: Human

Gender: Female

Age: 34

Appearance

Nationality: Outreman, previously citizen of Angjusk

Occupation: Deputy head of department - Cradle Research & Development

Cybernetics:

• Cradle quick-access implant - Allows access to and from the Cradle environment without additional hardware. This advanced module also reduces fatigue caused by the process, allowing power users multiple entries in a single day.
• Tier 7c ‘Cradle Builder’ suite - Grants access to the programs created specifically for ‘terraforming’ the Cradle. Tier 7 out of 20 allows Freyr to auto-build a variety of specialised equipment and propose-build mid level structures.
• Ilyes Brand communication and productivity module - Standard implant for access to Outremer’s communications network. Also integrates with many well known productivity tools like a personal assistant, as well as more bespoke scientific tools.

Backstory:
Freyr was born on Angjusk, an older colony than Outremer that was renowned for its military materiel, particularly star ships.

Her mother was an innovations tsar assigned by the government to a consortium of the planet’s largest ship manufacturers. During most of Freyr’s childhood, her mother’s sole task was making sure Angjusk battle fleets were the best money could buy in the Diaspora.

Before she was born, her father owned and operated a series of protein farms across Angjusk. After a chance encounter at a lobby meeting, he was headhunted to co-ordinate the military industrial complex’s entire food supply chain. He also met his future wife, as it was Freyr’s mother who had recommended him for the job on that fateful day in the lobby.

Freyr was born five years later. Her early life was a whirlwind of schooling, snatches of intimacy with her parents (when they weren’t busy) and extended periods with friends. She discovered a natural capacity for learning and excelled in her studies. So much so that she received offers from universities across the Diaspora to come and develop with them.

Her mother and father both pressured her to consider diplomas like Interplanetary Relations or Agrarian Policy. However Freyr was not interested in pursuing a career in politics. Angjusk has been involved in at least a dozen small conflicts since Freyr had been born. She had seen how politicians would destroy entire cultures for the sake of influence, and wanted none of it.

In her first act of defiance, Freyr accepted a position at a school in Babylon, the main city of a far away frontier colony called Outremer. Driven more by the desire to have time away from her planet than by the subjects on offer, she researched what Outremer was known for. It was here that she first discovered the object powering this section of the Diaspora - the Cradle.

She quickly became obsessed with its untapped potential and seemingly unknowable past. She decided to pursue Xenobiology and Machine Intelligence as her subjects of interest, voraciously consuming the knowledge gathered so far on the Cradle.

It was here at the university that she met her future partner, David, who was studying art history. Isolated from her family and friends, alone on a strange planet, Freyr was glad of his unassuming company and kindness. They grew very close over the course of their degrees, and moved in together after graduation. Their daughter Amy was born a few years later.

After Uni, Freyr was picked up by an Outremer administration outreach team and placed in a government career fast lane. Her obsession with the Cradle made her an obvious choice for the Cradle Research & Development department. Once there, she quickly proved herself capable. Several breakthroughs in her first five years meant she was allowed to hand select a team of dynamic young individuals to help pursue her work. A couple more catapulted her into a deputy head of department role, to the ire of some of it’s older and more entrenched members.

It was on her 34th birthday that the Cradle abducted her family. It had been acting strangely for weeks prior, rolling back years of terraforming. Freyr had been working round the clock to figure out why, practically living at her field office by the Border. David had bought sweet treats and had Amy with her.

What can only be described as creatures emerged from beyond the Border and overran the camp. A panic spread through the mostly unarmed workers, leading many to flee for their lives. Freyr’s last memory of her family was being propelled across the camp by one of the creatures. She could only watch from her position immobile on the floor as they carried off her husband and little girl.

Security forces conducted a sweep of the immediate area beyond the Border, but found no sign of them. So Freyr began looking by herself as soon as her broken bones were reconstructed. Months went by. Her work stopped and her mental health deteriorated. Eventually she was placed on sick leave and her access revoked, after she attempted to use her influence to organise an armed excursion deep into the uncontrolled zone.

Guild News: September 2020

Woo, go Aegis Team!

The Cradle

Character sheet template

Name:

Species:

Gender:

Age:

Appearance:

Nationality (if applicable):

Weapons and/or equipment (if applicable):

Backstory:

The Cradle

The Cradle

---

There are so many opposing calendars now, you’ll get a different year from every new person you talk to. Here on Outremer, it is 349 years since the first settlers arrived, which makes the year 349 AC. Some are still faithful to our homeworld, Earth, and swear by the Gregorian, Islamic or Chinese calendars. A few even go by the number of years since Earth abandoned all of us in the outer diaspora - 421 or something like that.

Whichever calendar you subscribe to, I'm sorry to say you’ve joined us at the darkest point in Outremer’s history. For this is a colony in danger of having its heart ripped out.

That heart is the Cradle; a mysterious machine with practically unlimited power. It called to us from lightyears away, buried beneath a dead city in the middle of a desert on Outremer’s equator. When we arrived, it was only a matter of time before we figured out how to enter its virtual environment. We quickly realised its raw processing capabilities could be shaped to all manner of uses.

Before long, all of Outremer’s government apparatus and institutions were operated from the Cradle. We used the unlimited power hidden within this virtual landscape to supercharge our industry and development, becoming rich in the process. Many of the neighbouring colonies wanted a piece of the action, seconding their leadership to the Cradle too.

As our collective need for power increased, we sculpted more of the Cradle into usable space; turning the barren landscape into sparkling campuses. But in the last couple of years, something has gone very wrong.

All that we’ve built within the Cradle is starting to degrade. The structure we painstakingly crafted from the raw material of this environment are flickering in and out of existence, revealing the horrific underlayer.

What’s more, people have been reporting...creatures, moving through the dark and unknowable landscape at night. Some even say they roam the halls in those moments when the bright uniformity of the Controlled Area flickers and dies.

It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. We need to stabilise the Cradle now, or risk losing control of Outremer forever.

The Cradle

The Sthrirad

A semi-intelligent gaseous collective entity, originating on planet Tind. Over millions of years, they’ve developed a complex symbiotic relationship with one of the planet’s dominant species, the Tindrel. The Sthirirad now inhabits the respiratory and nervous system of nearly all Tindrel (save that of various sepratist factions). In exchange for an ideal living environment, the Sthrirad has integrated some of its formidable chemical compounds into Tindrel biology.

The most well-known of these compounds is secreted from the host Tindrel in the same situations a ‘fight or flight’ response is stimulated in Humans.