Sanctuary

Atropos - Circa 485

 

 Atropos appeared in the distance, an oasis in the harshness of the grueling void desert they had just traversed. The tan continents looked ruddy and rusted in the waning daylight, and a storm could be seen along one coast. Lush patches of vegetation, the hubs of Vosk civilization, where their cities were built, were separated by vast stretches of desert. Khord had fought battles in the skies over those deserts in his youth, and he expected he would be fighting over them once again very soon, a new enemy this time. He was worried about his beloved homeworld. It was the world that he was born to, that gave him warmth and purpose. What threat had he brought back that might endanger that world? How much time did they have to prepare? How much time to set up defenses and launch a counterattack?

The bugs had disengaged farther back to seek slower moving, and injured prey, but eventually, when they had consumed everything else, they would come here. Khord took it upon himself to contact the ACC.

“Atropos Central Command, this is Commander Khord of the Kurzan Peninsula. My clearance code is Blue-16. Who is the Commander on Duty?”

“General Indrasic, here,” came a familiar voice. Khord had served under Indrasic when she was just a lieutenant. She was the assistant CO of his unit during the Rohm-Zansigil Conflict. They had fought together. She would know what to do and was, in fact already many steps ahead. “Commander Khord, I am glad to hear you are alive.”

“Thank you, general. What is your status here?”

“So far, the enemy has not yet advanced on us. We have sent two fleets to Lachesis to assist in defense and evacuation. We are activating another for deployment. We could use some intel, however. What can you tell us of this new enemy?”

“They appear to be large insects, at least a meter in length, but numerous. They use swarm tactics and are adept at breaching ship hulls. Once breached, they consume any liquids and organic matter they come across. They use bursts of gas as a propellant. This enables them to accelerate very quickly, and their maneuverability is incredible. We had brought one aboard and the moment it was exposed to the pressure of our ship, it imploded. I believe the moons themselves will be safe unless the insects can adapt to atmospheric pressures. All ships and orbital stations are at risk.”

“Thank you, commander. That is valuable information. You are under the command of the TCP, however, we could use your expertise in the inevitable conflict. The Aethon is vulnerable. It is my recommendation that you, and perhaps your crew, transfer to another ship which I can provide and assist us in defending Themis space.”

Khord turned to Nira. She closed her eyes and nodded.

“Agreed, sir,” Khord replied. “We will need to discuss this with the TCP.”

“Of course. Time is of the essence. The sooner we have you back, the better the chance we have of ending this. Welcome back, Commander Khord.”

Nira contacted the Tri-Council.

“Commander Nira, Delphi station has been fully evacuated.” To Nira’s relief, it was Commodore Erosk‘s voice. When she had spoken to Sub-Commander Veezik, she feared Erosk was dead. Erosk continued. “Her crew, what’s left of them, has been transferred to the Argus, me included.”

“That’s good news, commander, and I’m happy to hear your voice. How is the council?”

“We’ve lost half of our people. Many who were injured, we were able to transfer to the Argus. Here, we can function. What is your status?”

“We’ll count that among our victories, sir. We lost Thaeron in Hades, though he may still live. He’s holed up on a maintenance station with very limited supplies. Once Khord and I came back, we had to retreat to Atropos. The Aethon was already damaged, and any further exposure would have destroyed us for sure. Commander Khord spoke with Atropos Command, and they asked us to transfer to a warship and assist. They need your approval, of course, and we’re eager to reengage.”

“Of course you have our approval, but please be careful.”

“Thank you, sir. We’ll likely be dispatched with the next fleet. They are activating them now.”

“We’ve heard. The first two fleets from Atropos are already engaging the enemy and a fleet from Clotho is currently enroute.”

~ ~ ~

Atropos Command directed The Aethon to Port Ladon, one of their two orbital shipyards. The activity at the shipyard was in full swing. Dozens of small craft flitted about, fitted with robotic arms that carried metal plating from supply docks to half assembled ships. Sparks of welding torches lit up the station in dozens of places. Space-suited Vosks buzzed around in exoskeletons installing wiring, computers, sensors, scanners, and weapons. Giant robotic arms, mounted on the shipyard’s superstructure, carried engines and fuel tanks from the docks to the ship frames, where other Vosks or one-man construction craft fitted them into place and secured them.

As they approached their designated port, one of the war ships, now assembled, slowly departed, and passed by The Aethon. Its hull, fresh and gleaming. It’s armament intimidating and deadly. Once crewed, it would be a force to be reckoned with.

The Aethon docked and the airlock corridor was secured to the ship. The crew disembarked and floated down the hallway. They were greeted by Major Weardon. He was tall, even by Vosk standards, and deadly serious. Despite Khord’s lower rank, Weardon spoke with him instead of Nira.

“Welcome, Commander Khord. Crew,” he nodded. “I am Major Weardon. You will be under my command. Commander Khord, naturally your reputation precedes you. I have used your actions in the Rohm-Zansigil Conflict in my training courses at the academy. It was regrettable when you were shot down in that battle. I am glad you were returned.”

Khord nodded. He led the crew down the corridors of Port Ladon, towards the centrifuge section.

“Your skills will be invaluable in the coming conflict,” he continued. “I have one of the newest assault fighters already prepared for you. Unfortunately, it is only a two-crew craft, so your current crewmates will be assigned elsewhere. Lieutenant Higgost will be your gunner. He was involved in the Clotho Run, so he has combat experience. His record is impeccable. He will serve you well. He will serve Atropos well. He will serve Themis well.”

He turned to Nira and Thaeron. “You will be assigned to an assault corvette. They have a crew of five. Your other crewmates are also experienced.”

They entered the elevators that transferred them from the main station to the living and command quarters. The crew of The Aethon had spent the last week in zero gravity, and the gradual reintroduction to centrifugal gravity was disorientating. They had to take hold of the wall railings to steady themselves. Weardon did not. He put a finger on the wall to stop him in the middle of the chamber and as the car moved away from the main body of the station, he expertly shifted his weight and was soon standing motionless on the floor. The elevator quickly travelled two-hundred meters to the centrifugal ring, and the doors opened. He led them down the hallway, walking at a pace that allowed them to orient themselves without him appearing to have made that effort.

“You will have twenty-five hours to regain your strength. At this time tomorrow, you will report back here,” he pointed to a conference room, “where you will meet your new crewmembers for the briefing and then be escorted to your ships.” They continued walking. “You will have your meals here,” he pointed to a galley where mainly Vosks sat and ate. There were a few Inwari, and a few Sylvans here as well. They continued past the galley to the end of the hallway. He pointed down the left corridor.

“These first three doors are the doors to your quarters. After you eat at the galley, you may come here and rest. Please rest. Eat well and rest.”

He paused for a moment and his disposition changed slightly. Softened, even.

“Crew of The Aethon, Atropos is relieved you are well. I am relieved you are well. Please, rest well and enjoy your meals. If you need anything, you have communicators in your rooms. Call me, and I will make sure you have anything you need.”

He paused as Nira, Khord, and Thaeron thanked him.

“I will see you tomorrow.” Khord saluted him, and Weardon returned the salute. He spun on his heal and left.

Nira and Thaeron stood for a moment, and Khord, having experienced this type of procedure many times before, turned towards the galley and motioned for them to follow.

“They have the best glondear,” he said, but Nira and Thaeron didn’t know what glondear was and probably wouldn’t have liked it if they did. They would eat the ‘imported’ food meant for their own people.

~ ~ ~

The following day, they met with Major Weardon, and the four Vosks that were their new crewmates, and after a mission briefing, they headed to their new ships to launch and join the fleet.

The next day arrived and the crew of the Aethon gathered in the designated conference room to meet Major Weardon and their new crewmates. The room was a utilitarian space with a metal table and uncomfortable chairs.

Major Weardon, with his imposing presence, entered the room last. His tall Vosk frame commanded respect, and his serious expression conveyed the gravity of the situation, and the gathered crew stood at attention as he entered. Nira and Thaeron, having not served in any military capacity prior, stood awkwardly, following the other’s leads. The door slid shut behind Weardon, sealing off the hum of activity from the hallway outside.

"Welcome, Commander Khord, Commander’s Nira and Thaeron," began Major Weardon, nodding to each in turn. "Allow me to introduce your new crewmates. They're seasoned warriors, each with unique skills that will complement your strengths.”

"First, we have Lieutenant Higgost," Major Weardon gestured to blue scaled Vosk clad in combat armor. "He'll be your gunner, Commander Khord. Lieutenant Higgost is a veteran of the Clotho Run and has a commendable combat record. You'll find him to be a reliable and skilled partner in the battles to come.”

Lieutenant Higgost nodded in acknowledgment, a stern expression on his face. His eyes, though, betrayed a hint of camaraderie, and perhaps a little cocksureness, and did Nira catch a glimpse of a smirk escape from his lips?

"Next, meet Major Jeddar, Sergeant Draylen, and Corporal Vornik," Major Weardon continued, directing attention to each Vosk in turn. They too were equipped with combat gear. “They are skilled in bombing and strike operations. They are also experienced in boarding operations, so they should be adept at defending against such attempts by the enemy.”

Weardon turned to the new crew. “This is Commander Khord, a decorated veteran of the Rohm-Zansigil Conflict. You may remember my reference to him in your lessons at the academy. He’s one of the best pilots in the fleet. This is Commander Nira and Captain Thaeron. They are civilians but have first-hand experience with the enemy. Yes, it was only yesterday, but it’s more than you have. Listen to what they have to offer and keep them safe.

Sergeant Draylen and Corporal Vornik exchanged nods with the Aethon crew, a silent acknowledgment of the teamwork that lay ahead.

“Lastly, we have Lieutenant Sorra,” Major Weardon introduced the final member of the crew, who appeared on a viewscreen. Lieutenant Sorra was a Vosk with a slightly smaller build but an air of swift agility. “She is en route from Atropos and will arrive shortly. Lieutenant Sorra is an expert pilot and will serve as your wingmate, She ran covert ops at the Rohm-Zansigil Conflict.” Khord leaned forward, but Weardon interrupted his question before he could ask it. “You don’t know her. No one does. That is who she is.”

Lieutenant Sorra offered a respectful nod.

"Time is of the essence," Major Weardon emphasized, his tone reflecting the urgency of the situation. “Major Jeddar will give a detailed briefing aboard your new ships, but for now, get acquainted with your new crewmates. You're a team, and the success of Themis depends on your collaboration.

“Major Jeddar, I leave them in your capable claws.” With those words, Major Weardon saluted the crew and left the conference room, leaving the Aethon crew and their new Vosk teammates to familiarize themselves with each other, forging the bonds that would be tested in the crucible of spaceborne conflict.

Major Jeddar stood and walked to the head of the conference room, his presence exuding a different kind of authority. Weardon was an imposing Vosk, but Jeddar was a wiry Vosk, his gaze sharp and calculating. He reminded Khord of himself: thinking many steps ahead, predicting and anticipating.

"Thank you for gathering, Commander Khord, Commander Nira, Captain Thaeron, and the rest of the crew. Time is against us, so let's get straight to business," Major Jeddar began, his tone concise and focused. He brought up images of the insects that had invaded.

"We have preliminary data from the front lines. They’ve sent back images, so we know what we’re up against. Or at least as much as can be determined. These bugs, as we've learned, are formidable adversaries. They consume both fuel and flesh, making them a double threat to our ships and our people. We've seen their devastating efficiency, and we need to fight back quickly.”

He activated a holographic star map, displaying the region around Themis with the trajectories of the insectoids.

"Our primary objective is to intercept and engage them before they reach Themis or any of its moons. Lieutenant Sorra, you'll take point in your single-man fighter, employing hit-and-run tactics to draw their attention away from the larger vessels. Commander Khord and Lieutenant Higgost, you'll form a two-man fighter squad to provide support and focus on precision strikes.”

Lieutenant Sorra nodded in acknowledgment, her determination evident. Commander Khord and Lieutenant Higgost shared a glance, ready for the task at hand.

"The strike corvette, crewed by Sergeant Draylen, Corporal Vornik, and Commander Nira, will act as the backbone of our force. We'll position it strategically to intercept the insectoids as they approach. Your primary goal is to neutralize their ability to consume our ships.”

Major Jeddar paused, allowing the weight of the mission to settle in the room.

"Now, we've identified a potential vulnerability. These creatures are adapted to the vacuum of space, but they are not invulnerable. They rely on bursts of gas for propulsion, and their exoskeletons, while durable, can be breached. Our weapons and tactics will exploit these weaknesses.”

He pointed to a holographic representation of the strike corvette, outlining its role in the plan.

"Sergeant Draylen, Corporal Vornik, you'll coordinate with Commander Nira to target the insectoids' propulsion systems. Disrupt their ability to maneuver, and we gain an advantage. Lieutenant Sorra, your agility will be crucial in evading their attacks and providing cover fire when needed.”

Major Jeddar met the eyes of each crew member, his gaze unwavering.

"Remember, teamwork is our greatest asset. Communication is key. We're facing an enemy like nothing we've encountered before, but together, we'll prevail. Questions?"

The room remained silent for a moment, the crew absorbing the gravity of their mission. Then, one by one, they nodded, a collective agreement to face the challenge head-on.

"Good. Prepare for launch. The fate of Themis rests in our hands. Dismissed.”

As the crew left the conference room, the hum of activity returned to the shipyard outside. The Aethon crew, joined by Major Jeddar, moved with purpose, readying their vessels for the impending battle against the spaceborne insectoids that threatened their home.