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Virtual Network

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There are few things more delicate then programming the warp jump of a spaceship, especially one as old, large and bulky as ‘The Nest’. David sat motionless in the Captain’s seat, his body strapped in the harness of the Virtual Network. He had been sitting there for more then five hours, completely isolated from the outside world. This process could take an enormous amount of time, as warp jump fluxes could be extremely unpredictable, and guiding a ship through one held more dangers then most space travellers would ever care to know off. David however knew all to well, and though on the outside he seemed to be calm, serene and without movement, in the virtual program he found himself in he was working as mad to calibrate the warp drive engines and correct whenever the warp jump produced a fluke power burst in their path.

Flashing all around him was displayed data on every anomaly within the warp tunnel, displayed in 3D where he himself represented the ship. As he saw another flow drain manifest mere seconds in front of the ship David quickly raised his left hand, bringing up a display of functions, and with trained and controlled movements of his fingers order the left warp drive engine to reduce Gamma outfall radiation. The ship veered slightly to the left, only by a fraction preventing it from hitting the flow drain, which would have torn an inch small hole through the entire ship from front to back. As it was the only damage was some scorched armoured plating. Now of course the ship was out of course, drawing closer to the tunnel’s border. With the same calm movement David corrected the Gamma outfall again, bringing the ship back on course, as a new threat presented itself. Ahead in the warp tunnel solar flare of a nearby sun presented itself in the shape of radiant blue flames striking from the edge of the tunnel and shooting inwards. This was by far the most dangerous phenomena seen in warp tunnels, as just like fire these flames were extremely fickle and unpredictable, with the added difficulty that in zero gravity, they could assume the most bizarre shapes. David had navigated through these things more then once, but that didn’t make them any easier.

Rapidly storming in on the fires, David braced himself to fight for the life of his ship and crew. Sweat began to form on his brow as the fires became bigger and bigger. Then just as quickly the first flames surrounded the ship. A burst of fire shot up in the tunnel, threatening to scorch the ships right side. David raised both hands, activating the right bottom and left upper thrusters, causing the ship to perform a twirl. The flames shot past the ship’s belly, but David had no time to celebrate. A pillar of blue fire in front of the ship blocked the way. David again activated the right lower and front lower trusters, forcing the ship on its right and pulling it to the left of the pillar. Just as sudden the pillar twisted up and its bottom curled up in the ship’s path. David increased the right lower thruster’s power, causing the ship to wheel further while it began to descend, shooting just under the flames. In his mind David could practically feel the thousands of degrees cindering the armoured plating, and his hands began to tremble. Having almost made it through, a final wave of soler flare powered flames rose up in front of the ship and rising quickly. In his chair, David’s muscles strained in tension while in the virtual world he abruptly raised both hands and tapped his fingers on floating buttons. Unprocessed Ithilium was promptly shot in the engines, sending a small shiver through the ship as the ship began to accelerate at a tremendous rate. David clenched his teeth as he saw the wall of fire rise higher and higher, threatening for a moment to seal of the tunnel, long enough for ‘the Nest’ to crash right in to it. The ship shot forward, aiming to pass between the wall and the edge of the warp tunnel before it would close up, but even an experienced captain would have doubts at this point. David’s muscles began to shacke as he watched in tension at the ship’s progress. The wall of fire grew higher and higher. The gap was only barely large enough now. The ship was soaring dangerously close to the edge of the tunnel. One small movement and they would be shred to pieces, or vaporize by the flames. Only five seconds before they would pass the critical point of the wall; four; three; two; one…

The ship shot over the wall in the last fraction of a second as the flames closed of the tunnel behind them before collapsing and dissipating again, revealing the warp tunnel to be wide open again. As David’s virtual self jumper up and gave a loud victory shout, his real body shivered for a moment. They had reached the end of the warp tunnel, and as the virtual drive program shut itself down, the ship reappeared in normal time space. His face wet with sweat, David took of the goggles. A young woman walked into the control room bearing a glass of water on a small tray. Her movement was perfectly relaxed, and nothing about her indicated that she had just been moments from death.

“Here you go, sir.” She smilingly handed him the glass. “Did everything go well?” She asked, noticing the sweat on his face.

“Absolutely. Calmest jump I’ve done in years.” He smiled friendly, and the young stewardess walked away again, non the wiser. To anyone but the captain, for the last five hours the ship had simply been surrounded by a soothing blue glow, and the warp jump had gone of without a glitch.

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Hehe. I like stories with my drawings. Anyway, I don’t know how I came up with this particular image, but David and his spaceship ‘The Nest’ are potential concepts I might be using in an open RPG I might be running. I’m generally very happy with this image. I haven’t noticed any apparent flaws or anything, so kudos to me. Hope you like it!
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Comments3
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NioTheDreamer's avatar
WEeeee!


I didn't even spill....



no wait I did, but it had nothing to do with the jump



Interesting my friend, and very straight lines I might add. Line quality is improving I see, though I would sujest less constrast on the lines on your neck. Somewhat fitting for this particullar story though cause of all the tension but it does make him look like he is flexing his neck




I will be awaiting any ideas!

And hopefull the crew of my rpg decides to get there land loving writing fingers wet and write something!