Deadly First Contact Reported in Vega Sector (April 15, 2010)

ChrisReid

ChrisReid

Super Soaker Collector / Administrator

Today in the year 2629, the Iason suffered its famous and fateful encounter with the Kilrathi destroyer K'rath'kan. First Contact results in the complete destruction of the Iason and loss of her crew. Though this event brought the new alien menance into the Confederation's collective consciousness, interaction between the species had been occuring for some time on the fringes of known space. Of particular note is the work of anthropologist Dr. C.L. Kohl, who was captured and executed by Kilrathi priestesses in 2621 while secretly observing the Sivar-Eshrad ceremony on Ghorah Khar.

2629.105
The Terran Confederation expands exploration and colonization efforts and penetrates Vega Sector. On 2629.105 the exploration ship Iason encounters a spacecraft of unknown origin. Commander Jedora Andropolos transmits an international wideband, non-verbal greeting designed by the Committee for
Interaction with Alien Intelligences. Andropolos keeps Iason’s guns off-line for the TCN-recommended
20 minutes and awaits a response from the alien vessel. Finally, without warning, the unidentified ship opens fire with full lasers, utterly destroying Iason and all hands.

Orbit 151, Sun Year 5105
While establishing footholds in the recently explored Krat’na Sector, the destroyer K’rath’kan detects an intruder. Leader Brath’kar nar Caxki reports that the unidentified ship is attempting to neutralize his shields with wide-band radiation. When the enemy fails to leave the area of trespass after three-eighths of an hour, the destroyer opens its guns to eliminate the threatening vessel.
Click to expand...


--
Original update published on April 15, 2010
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It's just a rumor? Where did you hear it? The Iason was an exploration ship and shouldn't have had "pilots" buzzing around.
 
Yeah, there's some deleted scenes in the movie that hint at that, but I think the idea is that it's either classified or covered up. Paladin has POW tattoos on his neck that are visible in the finished film. In the workprint, Blair asks him about them.

This is one of the few oddities that made it through from some of the earlier drafts. In the first draft there was a bunch of wierd stuff about relative time progression when spaceships travel at sub-light speeds. Originally paladin's relative-age is supposed to be something like 80 because of how much time he's spent in space.

42 INT. TIGER CLAW - FLIGHT DECK

Marine guards scan the identity badges and examine the
orders of the two new lieutenants, MOS, then step back and
salute. Paladin's ID is also electronically scanned.

The three walk towards the elevators, passing the flight
deck.

The flight deck is busy, as repair crews struggle to patch
combat damage from the last engagement -- we get the sense
that the Tiger Claw has seen a lot of action.

PALADIN
Well, gentlemen, don't think I haven't
enjoyed your company.

MANIAC
We won't...Sir.

BLAIR
So what about the tattoo?

PALADIN
You know what it is?

BLAIR
It's a Kilrathi marker. You were a
prisoner of war.

PALADIN
That's right. I was on the Iason when
they took her.

BLAIR
The Iason. That was the first ship to
have contact with the Kilrathi. There
weren't any survivors.

PALADIN
I guess not.

Elevator doors open. PALADIN steps in.

42 CONTINUED:

BLAIR
Why don't you have it removed?

PALADIN
Let's just say, it helps me not forget.

BLAIR
Not forget what?

PALADIN
Why I fight.

Doors start to close.

MANIAC
So what exactly do the Kilrathi look
like?

PALADIN
...They're ugly.
(directly to Blair)
Good luck.
Click to expand...
 
The whole event is certainly interesting. While noteworthy just for being "first contact," already by Secret Missions 2 we're finding out about prior meetings (and scientific observation at that). A conspiracy-riddled cover-up related to the Iason could make a great story. I also really like the story told from the two perspectives there in Armada.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top