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LOG EXTRACTION: #3514

DATE: 230:11:10027[DRL]

TIME: Z-3 X-11

SUBJECT: The Ralkai

NOTE: The following is an extracted transcript of the conference that took place with Kovux, Arctic-Cat (AC), Jeff Edmund, Patricia Stimond, Scott Wyre, Jeremiah Kertzkin, and Emily Yoshida.

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J Edmund: Good afternoon everyone. I have called you here today for an important event that happened recently that will no doubt open new doors of opportunity for us. I know that not a mere few years back, I said the same when we originally came out here to New Earth around Alpha Centauri. But earlier in the week, we were visited by what we could officially call our first contact. Folks, I would like to introduce you to Kovux, an exile of the species known as the Ralkai.

[Kovux enters the room and stands beside Jeff Edmund. Most of the others look on with curiosity and some alarm.]

E Yoshida: My goodness...an actual alien here with us?

J Edmund: Yes, Emily. He seems to mean well and as mentioned, is an outcast of his species. From what I understand, the Ralkai are a hive-mind species that have a huge obsession with technology and self improvement. Kovux here was an experiment to try to implement technology in primitive sentients in order to serve their cause. Apparently, he was not acceptable and was exiled.

Kovux: Jeff is correct. I have been drifting for some time now in search of meaning and reason to my life. I happened to be nearby to detect the tachyon beam you used to transport here and decided to investigate. I have been observing your kind for a time to determine if I could...integrate. [Kovux appears to glance down with uncertainty, his ears splayed back a bit affirm this notion.]

S Wyre: Integrate? You mean, actually join us?

Kovux: [Lifts his head back up and nods.] Yes... I guess you could say that I'm...ehh...I hate to say "lonely", but I suppose that is the best way to word it.

S Wyre: Well, it sounds like you know a lot about us, but we've yet to know much about you. How can we be sure of your good intent?

Kovux: You'll just have to give me a chance. I think your kind is well aware of the concept. After all, did you not take a chance when you came out here?

J Edmund: Kovux speaks true. Chances and risks are things we sometimes must take in order to gain any possible advantage or growth. Without the big chance we took years ago to come here, we would have likely ended up dead, or worse.

P Stimond: Quite true. I am most willing to give Kovux a chance. After all, from what Jeff tells me, he even saved his life.

J Kertzkin: Wait...saved his life?

S Wyre: Edmund...what is she talking about?

J Edmund: I...apologize that I have not told many until this point. It's a delicate matter and I didn't want anyone to worry unnecessarily.

E Yoshida: What happened, Jeff?

AC: If I may...I...had one of my spells. It was like a dream, one that was convincing and quite nice at first. Then it descended into something dark and unnerving. I then woke to find my hand upon a knife...it was...stabbed into Jeff's back...

S Wyre: What...?!

J Kertzkin: You can't be serious!

J Edmund: Everyone...please... I realize the nature of the act is vile. But, AC did not do it intentionally.

S Wyre: We can't have AC going around like this if he's unstable, Edmund!

P Stimond: We have already made arrangements and set up precautions to prevent situations like this in the future. Needless to say, Jeff is fine. If Kovux had not intervened when he did, surely the situation would have been more grim.

J Kertzkin: So...did Kovux somehow bring him back to life?

Kovux: I did my best to repair Jeff based on my knowledge of human anatomy that I had acquired in my time observing your species. As you can see, the repair was completely successful.

S Wyre: So, why did you decide to save Edmund? How did you happen to know about his situation?

AC: It was me. I ran away in fear and uncertainty after the situation with Jeff. I fled to the woods where I happened upon Kovux there.

Kovux: After AC explained himself, I decided to make the best of a bad situation and helped. I figured it would be a good way to show my intentions. Besides, Jeff is an important figure to you. If I really wanted to screw the bunch of you over, I wouldn't have even bothered offering my help in the first place.

S Wyre: Hrm...fair enough.

J Kertzkin: I'm glad to hear things worked out then. You definitely have our sincere thanks for your efforts, Kovux.

Kovux: [Shrugs a little.] It's the least I could do at the time.

J Edmund: [Stares off blankly for a moment.]

P Stimond: Jeff?

J Edmund: Sorry...I guess you don't often realize what you have until... [Sighs a bit.] While I was fortunate to not really have experienced my own death in full awareness, the idea that I may not have been here today is... Well, anyway. Let's talk more about Kovux here and what his presence with us could do for the future.

E Yoshida: Indeed, I am most interested in what type of creature you are, Kovux. You appear to be some sort of...hybrid?

Kovux: Yes. I'm basically similar to what you call a lion, one that had technology grafted onto him. A bit hazardously it would seem, yes. But, I am functional enough. The actual Ralkai themselves appear as abominations and hardly anything left of their former selves. There were a dying species that desperately were finding ways to fight off a virus that was slowly killing them. While they succeeded by literally replacing parts of themselves with cybernetics, they grew addicted to this and didn't stop there. Eventually, their pursuit for technology and self advancement became fanatical.

J Kertzkin: Are these Ralkai anything we need to worry about?

Kovux: Mmm...perhaps not any time soon, no. But, we should keep watch. I still have some faint connection to the hive, but most of it was severed when I was exiled. But if we do come across them in the future, do not expect them to be nice. They're only concerned with themselves and will kill and pillage other races to get what they want.

S Wyre: We're just a small colony, though. We'd need a lot of help if we could even hope to do anything against this Ralkai.

Kovux: Yes, but I think together we can make some really beneficial advancements.

E Yoshida: This is wonderful! The possibilities with your knowledge, Kovux... So sorry, things like this always get me excited.

J Edmund: I do find this to be a necessary alliance if we hope to endure in the years to come. No doubt we'll have plenty of time to prepare. Though, I have to wonder, Kovux... are there any other species you've encountered? You must have some kind of space vessel if you've been able to travel about.

Kovux: I do have a vessel, yes. It's a small one that I built for myself shortly after my exile so I could get around.

S Wyre: You actually built this thing on your own?

Kovux: Yes, I am part Ralkai. We're really good at building and maintaining things. [Smiles softly.] As far as other species, I've only encountered a couple. They were not really advanced, though. So, they're of no concern right now. Your biggest concern will be the Ralkai. But, I think it will be a long while before they even come out this way. They originated in the beta dimension and have been working their way to the gamma one. Meanwhile, we're here in alpha. I think they plan on working their way to delta before they decide to even think of swinging over to alpha.

E Yoshida: Dimensions? So they can somehow traverse between distinct walls of the universe, so to speak?

Kovux: Unfortunately, yes. The universe is made up of the four dimensions mentioned. They have no true names, but I gave them ones I felt you could identify with. The reason they have interest in delta is because that dimension has the highest potential for...well...what you would call "magic".

AC: So, you're telling us the concept of magic, as we know in our lore, is actually possible?

Kovux: You better believe it is. This dimension lacks any potential for it. So as such, no species here could ever hope to obtain the art of channeling such energies, they just don't exist here. But, they definitely do in delta, and even to a partial degree in gamma. Alpha and beta? Not so much.

J Edmund: It seems to me that the road for us as a species is to be able to become more freely space faring than we are currently, evolve our technology with Kovux's aid, and somehow gain access to the delta dimension and learn to utilize these magical energies. We'd undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with.

P Stimond: Perhaps, but we'll need to take careful steps to get there. I doubt the Ralkai will be the only species we'd need to worry about as we go down this path.

Kovux: She's right. While I already know of the primitives I came across on my brief travels, there are probably others out there we've yet to discover. I can help improve your infrastructure and make your species blossom here. It would be best to make local improvements here before I'd feel comfortable having you further explore space. I will also try to help AC with his strange issues. I don't know if there's a technological or physical reason behind it. I have a feeling this goes beyond all of that, which is going to be difficult.

AC: In either case, I would appreciate the help. I just...I want to put this to rest.

E Yoshida: So, I must admit that I am quite eager of discovering what we can do. How should we start all of this?

J Edmund: Patricia and I are going to be meeting with the others in our colony to let them know what's going on and how to start reorganizing with Kovux's aid in place. Jeremiah will also help transition the idea of having an alien amongst us, for those that would have such concerns. But, I know our group of people are good and would have open minds. If anything, most will be thrilled at the opportunity.

J Kertzkin: I have no doubt. These are most interesting times we're heading into. Coming to New Earth has allowed probably the most incredible advantage to us yet. This meeting is no doubt indication of that.

Kovux: I...must thank all of you for giving me a chance and...for me to have purpose again. It feels good and I think I'll enjoy my time here. I am sorry I did not make myself known sooner, but I wanted to be cautious and not alarm you. But recent events forced that. I just hope I can do what I can to help.

P Stimond: Kovux, I think you'll be a wonderful addition to our colony here. In time, I think you'd easily be like any other here. We really can't thank you enough for giving us further potential and strength. I just feel that...we've been very lucky and fortunate. So many worse variables could have been waiting for us in the stars out here.

J Edmund: Indeed. We all look forward to what the future will bring with this alliance. So...does everyone agree to having Kovux join us? Do you think we have a definite future together?

[Everyone starts to nod in agreement.]

P Stimond: Most assuredly.

AC: I agree.

S Wyre: Yes.

J Kertzkin: You have my vote of confidence.

E Yoshida: What can I say? I find it hard to say no to such opportunity as this.

J Edmund: And Kovux...I now extend the offer to you to join us. Will you?

Kovux: [Closes his eyes and bows softly.] I would be...greatly honored. I really am, in fact. You have practically invited a stranger to your home with confidence and openness. I don't know if I have found a species so sincere as your own. I thank you all very much for this. I accept.

J Edmund: [Smiles widely and raises a hand towards Kovux.] Well...then welcome aboard, Kovux. To a bright and hopeful future, and to an incredible first encounter that will no doubt go down in history.

Kovux: [Reaches out and shakes Jeff's hand, smiling softly.] To the future...