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If the decimation of one of Loenn 466cd-II’s sister moons in the sky hadn’t phased the life which roamed these grassy fields, then the roar of a ghostly-white spacecraft braking against the atmosphere wouldn't either. Even still, it touched down far enough away from the herd of large, striped quadrupeds to not disturb their monthly migration to the distant mountains.
The scouting shuttle’s hybrid engines powered down, and its landing ramp deployed. Inside, a dozen tiny red optics blinked awake in the darkness— and a dozen pearly survey drones spilled forth like a silent swarm from the open chest of the spacecraft. Coasting through the air using zero-point energy, the compact little robots began to scan anything and everything inside of their programmed radius, including soil, stone, grass, plants, animals, radiation levels, temperature gradients, moisture levels, and even bacteria.
Their master descended the ramp, stepping out onto 466cd-II's surface. It was of Earth-like size, density, composition, and even atmosphere, but failed to qualify as a planet of its own due to being trapped in an orbit around a gas giant (two, actually, catalogued as 466c and 466d). It reminded them of their homeworld, in that sense. The various astrophysical considerations in a binary-planet system like this, though, were frankly absurd, and the late 466cd-I should really have broken up eons ago.
In any case, Loenn 466cd's loss was their gain. With the natural satellite now cracked open like a geode, heaps of rare and rich materials had just become freely accessible, presenting eX with a perfect opportunity to establish a new Neurveccan Enterprises shipyard right in the backyard of the Nagaro star cluster. And as for 466cd-II…
“The drones have reached the southern crater,” the artificial intelligence IAEIA chimed, reporting from the compact device strapped to their forearm.
<What do you have so far?>
“Geographically, it will be an optimal location for your colony. Temperature readings are generally higher compared to what was anticipated; it's possible the location sits atop a thermal hotspot driven by gravitational tidal forces. The atmosphere contains...” As they listened to IAEIA rattle off statistics and estimates (many of which were just confirmations of the things they'd already measured from space), the mastermind began to walk in some nonspecific direction, leaving vaguely raptorial footprints in the dirt kicked up by their arrival. It was possible— very likely, even— that they were the first intelligent life-form to set foot on this world.
<What about ecologically?> they finally chittered. The colony they intended to establish on 466cd-II would primarily operate using geothermal and solar power; however, even without the obvious issues of pollution or industrialization, if they weren't careful, the structure’s very presence could disrupt the environment.
“As you theorized, the recent impact seems to have already decimated the surrounding ecosystem for three kilometers,” IAEIA answers. “There will be nothing to disrupt that hasn't already been disrupted. Even so, I cannot begin to make any conclusive statements on a long-term ecological preservation strategy until the environmental survey in this region is complete."
<Mhm. How long?>
“Conservatively, two cycles.”
eX’s mandibles flattened against their face in something like a grimace. <60 hours? What happened to 25?>
“The biosphere on this moon is... significantly more complicated than my orbital scans indicated.”
Before they could reply, some noise reached their hearing organs, and their antennae detected a gentle shift in the air. Pulling their attention away from the data readouts, the insectoid cocked their head ever so slightly to one side.
It sounded almost like… singing. A low baritone call, from the distance, wavering and wobbling and changing itself in a way that felt strangely deliberate. At their command, all of eX's drones, even the ones far away, ceased their activities so that they could hear the sound better. It was coming from the herd. One of the distant quadrupeds, hearing the motif from its leader at the front of the pack, reared its head to reply. Like a choir, they all joined in, the alien harmony simultaneously beautiful, unsettling, and awesome in its volume and complexity. The song lasted the better part of a minute, and when the creatures' calls died down, they resumed their slow voyage towards the rugged horizon.
The mastermind's chest rumbled in contemplation as they drifted back to the present moment, chasing an uncomfortably sentimental emotion back down into their blind spot where it belonged. <Mm— right. Yeah. It always is.>
i knew Apron would knock this idea out of the park, and i was absolutely right; like genuinely this is now one of my favorite pieces of eX, ever. support him on patreon! (if you want)
The scouting shuttle’s hybrid engines powered down, and its landing ramp deployed. Inside, a dozen tiny red optics blinked awake in the darkness— and a dozen pearly survey drones spilled forth like a silent swarm from the open chest of the spacecraft. Coasting through the air using zero-point energy, the compact little robots began to scan anything and everything inside of their programmed radius, including soil, stone, grass, plants, animals, radiation levels, temperature gradients, moisture levels, and even bacteria.
Their master descended the ramp, stepping out onto 466cd-II's surface. It was of Earth-like size, density, composition, and even atmosphere, but failed to qualify as a planet of its own due to being trapped in an orbit around a gas giant (two, actually, catalogued as 466c and 466d). It reminded them of their homeworld, in that sense. The various astrophysical considerations in a binary-planet system like this, though, were frankly absurd, and the late 466cd-I should really have broken up eons ago.
In any case, Loenn 466cd's loss was their gain. With the natural satellite now cracked open like a geode, heaps of rare and rich materials had just become freely accessible, presenting eX with a perfect opportunity to establish a new Neurveccan Enterprises shipyard right in the backyard of the Nagaro star cluster. And as for 466cd-II…
“The drones have reached the southern crater,” the artificial intelligence IAEIA chimed, reporting from the compact device strapped to their forearm.
<What do you have so far?>
“Geographically, it will be an optimal location for your colony. Temperature readings are generally higher compared to what was anticipated; it's possible the location sits atop a thermal hotspot driven by gravitational tidal forces. The atmosphere contains...” As they listened to IAEIA rattle off statistics and estimates (many of which were just confirmations of the things they'd already measured from space), the mastermind began to walk in some nonspecific direction, leaving vaguely raptorial footprints in the dirt kicked up by their arrival. It was possible— very likely, even— that they were the first intelligent life-form to set foot on this world.
<What about ecologically?> they finally chittered. The colony they intended to establish on 466cd-II would primarily operate using geothermal and solar power; however, even without the obvious issues of pollution or industrialization, if they weren't careful, the structure’s very presence could disrupt the environment.
“As you theorized, the recent impact seems to have already decimated the surrounding ecosystem for three kilometers,” IAEIA answers. “There will be nothing to disrupt that hasn't already been disrupted. Even so, I cannot begin to make any conclusive statements on a long-term ecological preservation strategy until the environmental survey in this region is complete."
<Mhm. How long?>
“Conservatively, two cycles.”
eX’s mandibles flattened against their face in something like a grimace. <60 hours? What happened to 25?>
“The biosphere on this moon is... significantly more complicated than my orbital scans indicated.”
Before they could reply, some noise reached their hearing organs, and their antennae detected a gentle shift in the air. Pulling their attention away from the data readouts, the insectoid cocked their head ever so slightly to one side.
It sounded almost like… singing. A low baritone call, from the distance, wavering and wobbling and changing itself in a way that felt strangely deliberate. At their command, all of eX's drones, even the ones far away, ceased their activities so that they could hear the sound better. It was coming from the herd. One of the distant quadrupeds, hearing the motif from its leader at the front of the pack, reared its head to reply. Like a choir, they all joined in, the alien harmony simultaneously beautiful, unsettling, and awesome in its volume and complexity. The song lasted the better part of a minute, and when the creatures' calls died down, they resumed their slow voyage towards the rugged horizon.
The mastermind's chest rumbled in contemplation as they drifted back to the present moment, chasing an uncomfortably sentimental emotion back down into their blind spot where it belonged. <Mm— right. Yeah. It always is.>
i knew Apron would knock this idea out of the park, and i was absolutely right; like genuinely this is now one of my favorite pieces of eX, ever. support him on patreon! (if you want)
(they/them please) — art by 
— eX & their species // 
Category Artwork (Digital) / Scenery
Species Alien (Other)
Size 2217 x 1662px
File Size 4.07 MB
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