The Plot

bricks: Here's a fleshed-out plot I've been thinking about.

The game opens with you as an officer of a galactic government [Galactic Alliance] aboard a reconnaissance vessel. While the ship has been designed to run indefinitely, an unknown failure [insert techno garble here] in the ship's power supply has forced the crew to proceed to the nearest habitable planet [2230 QU3091]. This planet is a colony world of little reputation; apart from odd long-range sensory reading, it is known to comfortably support the small settlement on the planet.

However, as the planet is approached, a bombardment by unknown technology [not tech bio matter or something] demands emergency world-side evacuation. The crew is divided between the various escape vessels as the ship slowly breaks to pieces, crashing into the world in a myriad of locations. You begin in the fallen ship, fighting off the persistent albeit weak local fauna that seemed to rush to your position on landing. After emerging, you are ordered by a commanding officer to explore nearby features and communications signals. You are provided with a basic set of equipment and set on your way.

It quickly becomes apparent that this world is unique. The ground is not unlike soil, yet there are no visible mineral deposits. The fauna seem hyper-evolved, possessing faculties that rival the genetic engineering technology of your civilization. The geology seems to form odd, almost geometric patterns. Early exploration may reveal a little more about the world's features, the fate of some of your crew members, parts of the broken ship that can be utilized by your encampment, and most importantly, the location of the world's colony.

First contact with the colony is an odd affair; they seem more than prepared for your approach, and willingly provide you with supplies and information before asking you to leave. As the story progress and the player learns more, it is revealed that "failure" of the ship was orchestrated as to provide a politically safe reason for making direct contact with the planet, which has gained the attention of military intelligence. However, the attack on the ship was real, and investigation reveals that it was part of the planet's unique biological defense systems.

The planet is, in fact, a mineral core covered with megafauna that define its geology and ecology. Enormous fungus-like growths compose most of the surface, as well as the vessels that serve as tunnels and rivers. Specific locations on the planet are dedicated to certain metabolic functions; certain regions are so toxic or hot due to metabolic processes that player must obtain special protection to enter these areas. Other areas may actually be corrupted or diseased.

The military encampment grows as the player rescues survivors and brings back supplies. Depending on the player's actions, he may either be welcomed or ostracized by the colonists. Either way, it is discovered that the planet's human population is much larger than initially thought, inhabiting enormous living cities underground. The world itself is controlled by an enormous brain-like lifeform, with sensory organs and nerves which give it direct control over many broad functions. It is protected and worshiped by the human inhabitants, who have been evolved and integrated with the vast intelligence. However, it is dying. Though it will be many thousands of years before the planet itself is destroyed, it is time for a child to be brought forth. The whole of the world is deeply invested in the creation of planet-spores that can spread throughout the galaxy and create new living planets upon regular worlds.

This will naturally threaten the known universe, and upon learning the truth, the military will make every attempt to control the planet and prevent any spores from developing and spreading. New weapons and prototype technology are brought to the base after reestablishing outside contact to prepare for the coming conflict and to overwhelm the planet's natural defenses. Ultimately it is up to the player to decide what is right - the continued safety of the known universe, or the survival of the unique species of living, sentient planets. What begins as a simple mission for discovery and survival ends as an all-out war over the future of the universe.