VOTOMS Ep. 45: Contact

As Rochina’s fleet enters orbit of Quent, Balarant soldiers on the surface report to him that a mysterious group with a force of 50 ATs has occupied Gomor. Rochina asks if there have been reports of Chirico, and the soldiers report that he has been spotted. Elsewhere, Coconna, Gotho and Vanilla are held captive aboard a Gilgamesh Gilga ship. They wish to speak to the ship’s captain, but the soldier guarding them tells them to shut up and eat their food. On the bridge, Captain Gawel Hallory is briefed on the developments at Quent and is ordered to go to Quent to defend Gilgamesh’s interests there. In the brig, Gotho and the others see the fleet changing course and realize that something major is going on. On Quent, Chirico and Shako explore a dark corridor on foot. Rochina’s Leslion ship lands in Gomor, and he heads out in a truck with Fyana to explore Gomor’s upper half. He tells her that even if she meets up with Chirico, he doesn’t think she’ll escape because she should know by now that running away will accomplish nothing. The Schmitel twins escape from Gomor in their hovercraft and realize that they underestimated Quent’s technology. Chirico and Shako reach the end of the corridor, and when he touches a glowing orb it teleports them to another area. Rochina drives into the upper half of Gomor, and he and Fyana are teleported into a dark corridor without the truck. As he walks through the dark corridor, Chirico is amazed by the ancient technology of Quent and wonders what it has to do with him. As their journey continues, bits of electricity surge all around them through the ancient machinery. Suddenly, a ball of energy strikes Chirico and lifts him up into the air.

Rochina reminds Fyana that he promised her she’d meet his master someday. He explains that his master is an intelligence created during the 85,000 year golden age of Quent. He explains that 3,000 years ago, the technology of Quent led to the birth of advanced beings known as Overmen. The Overmen were feared for their power and were exiled from Quent. Rochina isn’t sure who his master is, but he knows that he’s one of the Overmen. The master ordered Rochina to watch over Chirico from the first day he became an VOTOM pilot. As Chirico is shocked by energy, he hears strange sounds coming from a mysterious intelligence. In his mind, he sees the ancient history of Quent firsthand as if he were there himself. Shako tries to touch Chirico and is knocked away by an electric shock. The electricity vanishes and Chirico returns to normal. At the same time, Rochina and Fyana appear next to them, and Fyana runs over to hug Chirico. Rochina asks Chirico what his master told him, because he wants to know why he’s had to watch over Chirico all this time. The master sends another message, and Rochina explains that Gilgamesh forces are approaching and they have to leave. Rochina again asks Chirico what the message was, and Chirico answers that he doesn’t know. He says that he doesn’t care about Rochina’s master and intends to leave with Fyana. Chirico, Fyana and Shako are teleported away, and the master tells Rochina to leave them be. Chirico and the others head for a tunnel exit, and he asks Shako if he can get some jijirium. As they reach the exit they are attacked by a group of Scopedogs from the Gilgamesh garrison. They escape into a nearby pipe and are teleported to the very top of the Gomor tower. The Scopedogs appear behind them and chase them across the tower’s surface. The poor condition of the floor causes it to crumble and sends a Scopedog falling down to its destruction. They run to a lower level and attempt to cross a narrow bridge, but the Scopedogs pound on the floor to de-stabilize the bridge. Chirico hooks a grappling line to a wall just before the bridge crumbles and one of the Scopedogs falls. In space, the Gilgamesh fleets increases its speed. Chirico and the others are teleported to Rochina’s location, and Rochina tells them that this time there is no escape from the master.