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Atodine Space Academy, West Wing

Zrieri made her way down the academy hallway. The feathers around her neck were ruffled with annoyance. It was bad enough for a student to show up late for class, but for a professor it was even worse. Still, it was unavoidable given the situation. Zrieri paused to smooth down her feathers before entering the classroom. The chattering between the students quickly fell off as she walked into the room. Zrieri walked with purpose to the podium in front of the class.

“My apologies for my tardiness." Zrieri said after switching the large display behind her from idle to the presentation file she had prepared. “Let us begin with today's lesson."

***

The Rachanit, an advanced spacefaring species, marked the first contact between the Atodine people and an alien civilization. These insectoid beings, despite their initially unsettling appearance, exuded an apparent friendliness that led to a request for trade and the establishment of an embassy on Atodine Prime. Though the leaders initially hesitated, they eventually consented, allowing the Rachanits to settle into an embassy with minimal disruption. However, as time progressed, a chilling realization began to seep through the cracks of diplomatic pretense.

People began mysteriously disappearing in the vicinity of the Rachanit embassy, prompting suspicions of foul play. These suspicions were confirmed when a civilian inadvertently stumbled upon undeniable evidence of the Rachanits' true nature as a carnivorous species. It became abundantly clear that the embassy had served as a sinister testing ground for assessing their efficacy at hunting and consuming Atodine flesh.

Shortly after this alarming discovery, the Rachanits discarded any lingering pretense and declared a full-blown war against us. In the face of this unforeseen aggression, the Atodine were thrust into a protracted and grueling defensive battle. However, throughout the course of this conflict, a glimmer of hope emerged.

The Atodine, tenacious and resourceful, managed to acquire first hand knowledge of the Rachanits' spacecraft technology. Each skirmish and engagement became an invaluable lesson in the art of combating these formidable adversaries. Despite the odds stacked against them, the Atodine successfully repelled the Rachanits' attacks, preventing them from reaching their vulnerable homeworld.

An unintended consequence of their resistance would prove enlightening, if somewhat terrifying. Upon salvaging the wreckage of Rachanit spacecraft, it became apparent that their empire sprawled across vast reaches of space, far eclipsing anything the Atodine could fathom. The asymmetry in size and power was stunningly conspicuous, rendering the Atodine acutely aware of the inevitable disparity they faced.

Nevertheless, the Rachanits remained unwavering in their singular focus: the utter annihilation of Atodine fleets. It was unmistakable that their intent was to obliterate any possibility of retaliation or counterattack. The Atodine, fully cognizant of their limitations, dedicated themselves to fortifying their defenses with renewed fervor, continually refining their strategies and capabilities.

At the heart of this epic cosmic struggle laid Atodine Prime, the cherished nest world of the Atodines. Suspended in the delicate balance between preservation and potential devastation, it has become both a symbol and a stronghold where the fate of an entire civilization hung in the balance. The echoes of battle reverberated through its valleys and mountains, its cities, and countryside, as the Atodine brace themselves against the relentless onslaught of their enigmatic and carnivorous foe.

After meticulously sifting through an extensive array of data harvested from numerous Rachanit ship databases, a comprehensive star map has emerged, painting a detailed picture of the systems strategically occupied by these enigmatic beings and the array of species they subjugated under their oppressive rule. Amidst the disturbing revelations, one unsettling discovery stood out among all others; the de-sentience and complete objectification of certain species that were tragically reduced to nothing more than mere livestock, subjected to unimaginable suffering and exploitation at the hands of their Rachanit overlords.

However, the latest influx of information procured directly from the Rachanits themselves shed light on particular systems that starkly diverged from their controlled territories. These exceptional star systems were distinctly demarcated as a desolate dead zone, an eerie aberration within the otherwise vast web of domains firmly under Rachanit control.

The absence of their iron grip in this particular region raised eyebrows among the Atodine research team, prompting a flurry of questions and stirring curiosity about the secrets it may hold. Why were these particular systems omitted from the domineering reach of the Rachanits? What significance did it hold in the grand tapestry of their galactic conquest? Such queries fueled the Atodine determination to dig deeper into this enigmatic anomaly, propelling us further into uncharted territory where answers awaited our unwavering investigation.

Atodine Orbital Station, Hangar 3

“This is the ship?" Zrieri's concern was evident in her voice as she confronted the chief scientist about the makeshift spacecraft.

With a mix of curiosity and skepticism, she questioned whether this mixture of Rachanit scrap and their own technology would truly suffice for the journey to the Dead Zone. As Zrieri ran her feathered hands across the hull, one couldn't help but sense her apprehension. Krenuk, the lead researcher, was slightly irritated by Zrieri's doubt, puffed up his feathers in annoyance before responding.

“I assure you, the ship is completely space worthy. Yes there has been extensive use of recycled materials, but do not doubt my personal expertise in shipbuilding."

Zrieri chuckled at his indignation, but bowed slightly in apology.

“This ship is not just a crude amalgamation of resources." Krenuk continued. “It is a carefully crafted vessel. What's more, it is equipped with a functioning faster than light, or FTL drive."

Zrieri looked back to the ship. “I wasn't aware we had finally unlocked that secret from the Rachanit."

The chief scientist shifted his stance. “We have come to an understanding of the underlying fundamentals of FTL travel. In this case, however, the ship is utilizing a drive salvaged from a Rachanit craft. We are hopeful with the maiden flight to gather enough data to construct our own FTL drives moving forward." Krenuk's expression turned grave. “This is, however, more than just a test flight. The purpose of venturing into this so-called Dead Zone is to unravel the mystery surrounding it." He smoothed down the feathers around his neck before continuing. “The Rachanits, either out of fear or some deliberate choice, avoid this area altogether. It's crucial to investigate why."

“Do we know anything at all about this area of space other than the Rachanit avoid it like an irradiated wasteland?"

“The truth is, our knowledge of this system is limited beyond major celestial bodies. The dead zone has remained shrouded in enigma despite our attempts to probe the area."

“Thus, the decision to construct the spacecraft using any salvageable materials we could find."

“We are making do with what we have. Materials are scarce with the war effort and the loss of most of our off-world resources." Krenuk folded his feathered hands behind his back. “At the very least, it's a more robust vehicle than our first star-fliers boarded to enter space."

Zrieri was raised as a chick on the stories of the early star-fliers. It was part of the reason she had joined the Starcorps. Zrieri was also aware that not all of those brave pathfinders returned home to Atodine Prime. She realized she was now taking the same kind of risks as her predecessors, not simply for knowledge and technological advancement, but to save her people.

“I just hope that this improbable combination of Rachanit scrap and our own technology will get us the answers we need." she said, gently patting the hull of the ship. “So, what is the ship's name?"

***

Three hours later the experimental craft, freshy christened Voidflyer, lifted out the hangar bay and made its first flight into space.

Zrieri worked through the controls making sure everything was in working order. She could trust the main proposition systems at least. The station crew had stocked up Voidflyer with plenty of supplies, enough to last her months out in space if necessary. Zrieri meticulously performed her routine checks on the myriad of controls in the cockpit. She was familiar with the controls as it had been ripped right out of a VF-70, the Atodine main-line fighter craft. With her checks complete, Zrieri reached out to command to request the necessary clearance for her imminent departure.

All systems seemed to be functioning optimally, or at least all of the systems that originated from her own civilization. Something was wrong with the FTL navigation system. Zrieri was puzzled by the unexpected errors that began to populate the display screen after entering the coordinates. Her curiosity was further peaked when she realized that the information was being presented in the intricate and alien Rachanit script. The computer was supposed to translate any information into the Atodine language, yet for some reason the error messages seemed to be bypassing the translation subsystems. She was completely unfamiliar with Rachanit, meaning she couldn't easily diagnose whatever the problem was.

That didn't mean she was about to give up. The determined pilot carefully retrieved the dataslate of documents Krenuk had provided earlier. Leafing through them diligently, she sought to extract any useful insights that might shed light on this perplexing predicament. Each line and every cryptic symbol on those ancient pages demanded her complete attention and scrutiny. Guided by a resolute spirit, Zrieri cautiously maneuvered through the constrained confines of the spacecraft, making her way towards the heart of its technological prowess, the FTL drive.

A testament to Atodine ingenuity, this intricate piece of alien machinery was somehow interfaced with their own spacefaring technology. It was far from a simple hack-job, but it was obvious a lot of improvising had been done in the integration of disparate technologies. But beyond the integration into the Voidflyer, There was an entire custom built monitoring system added on to observe it in action and gather as much data as possible. It held the key to hyper-dimensional travel capabilities for the Atodine civilization.

With utmost care, she unscrewed a side panel from its sturdy casing. Zrieri was aware how rarely any drive system survived the destruction of the ship it was housed in. The fact the FTL drive had been recovered intact was almost enough to make the Atodine thank the long abandoned gods of her people, because it was a miracle. After exposing the complex network of circuitry and delicate crystalline cards that lay within, Zrieri placed a data slate adjacent to the humming drive.

She concentrated her focused gaze upon each of the crystalline cards, meticulously examining their arrangement and configuration. Taking solace in Krenuk's meticulous notes that he had shared, which documented his extensive research on the craft's inner workings, Zrieri embarked on an arduous task of ascertaining the precise function of each card and testing them. Weighing each possibility with both caution and precision, she soon encountered one card that baffled even the seasoned researcher.

Summoning her audacity and expertise, Zrieri delicately removed this enigmatic card from its designated slot. Strangely, this caused no obvious change in the gentle humming of the drive. She ran a diagnostic, or at least that's what the program was labeled as. According to Krenuk's notes, the readouts indicated the drive was in working order.

The Rachanit went as far as to put a lock-out chip in the drive itself to keep away from the Dead Zone. I wonder, is it because of some kind of suicidal curiosity in their warriors, or is it really that dangerous?

Zrieri pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind as she closed the access panel. She placed the crystalline card into a padded box and stored it in a nearby equipment locker before retreating back to the familiar comfort of her seat. Zrieri's feathered hands flowed over the control console, preparing the ship once more for the jump to FTL. She cautiously reentered the complex matrix of coordinates that would lead them to the elusive enemy-free expanse of space.

Before hitting the final conformation, Zrieri looked out at her home of Atodine Prime, then out into the starry void. She thought back to Janaria , the first Atodine to enter space, whose pod ultimately did not survive reentry. Now Zrieri found herself about to take the same kind of risk.

One way or another, I'll be joining you in the history files, Janaria. Zrieri reached out and engaged the FTL drive.

This time, to her immense relief and satisfaction, the powerful FTL drive seamlessly spooled up, producing a mesmerizing cascade of energy that gracefully enveloped the small craft. With a surge of anticipation, Zrieri expertly guided her vessel through the dazzling vortices of swirling cosmic energies, initiating the seamless transition into the space fold. As the ship disappeared into the rippling fabric of the universe, an exhilarating wave of accomplishment washed over Zrieri.

Was this what it felt like when Janaria first pushed past the atmosphere and looked down on Atodine Prime? She wondered.

Dead Zone, System 001

The Voidflyer emerged from Hyperspace, only to be greeted with the sudden blare of the proximity alarm. The klaxon reverberated through the cockpit, causing Zrieri's heart to lurch. Her instincts kicked in immediately, the adrenaline-fueled surge urging her into swift action. Looking at the main screen, she found herself face to face with a colossal object, ominously positioned right at her Hyperspace lane exit point. A collision seemed inevitable, a disaster looming on the horizon. However, Zrieri was chosen for this mission for a reason. Her years of piloting experience and natural dexterity came to the fore as she deftly maneuvered the ship, skillfully navigating her way around the massive obstacle. With mere centimeters to spare, she managed to avert catastrophe, her pulse still racing with the close call.

But little did she know that the challenge was far from over. As she glided further through the cosmic expanse, her sensors pinged multiple objects all in close proximity to her small ship. This time, Zrieri knew she couldn't rely solely on her reflexes and luck to navigate what had to be a debris field. Instead she had to execute precise calculations and strategic movements to avoid a potentially devastating impact. Mid-action, countless variables raced through her mind as Zrieri quickly mapped out a course, but didn't have time for the computer to double check it. She carefully dodged and weaved through the treacherous path, desperately seeking a clear passage to safety. Finally, Zrieri managed to break free from the seemingly endless maze of debris that had been her welcoming committee.

Zrieri took a moment to collect herself, before gently guiding the ship away from the wreckage. This allowed her to survey the scene with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. A thorough scan followed, revealing a disconcerting sight. Much of the shattered fragments and twisted metal matched the unmistakable signature of Rachanit ships. The distinctive marks and faded insignias were evident, signifying the remnants of what must have once been a formidable fleet. However, some of the debris appeared significantly older, betraying the passage of time and hinting at past encounters. It was as though Zrieri had stumbled upon a graveyard of battles long forgotten.

Yet, amidst the mangled wreckage of Rachanit derelicts, the scan brought forth an unsettling revelation. Interspersed among their battered Rachanit ships, were vessels of an entirely unknown origin. Even in their destroyed state, these unidentified ships possessed an air of mystique and promise. Unlike their counterparts, they seemed remarkably intact, their hulls still retaining a semblance of functionality. They were enigmas within the chaos, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the already intricate tapestry of cosmic intrigue that enshrouded Zrieri's surroundings.

With a careful hand, Zrieri adjusted the heading of her vessel. She maneuvered the sleek and agile Voidflyer back into the sprawling debris field, if at a much reduced velocity. Her desire for a closer examination of the mysterious unknown derelicts overwhelmed her, urging her to explore the unknown. As Zrieri drew closer, she flicked a switch, activating the floodlights that adorned the exterior of the Voindflyer. The resulting luminosity revealed a distinctively boxy design amidst the dilapidated wreckage, catching her attention instantly.

However, it was not just the peculiar shape that captured Zrieri's focus; it was a symbol etched onto the hull that truly intrigued her. It depicted a blue sphere covered with equally vibrant green shapes, all of which was accentuated by bold and striking white markings. Puzzled, Zrieri directed her scrutiny towards the battered and scored black hull, contemplating its origins and purpose. Seeking answers, she turned her gaze towards the consoles of the Voidflyer, hoping that her ship's computer could assist her in uncovering the enigmatic text adorning the derelict.

To her surprise, the ship's computer managed to decipher and translate the cryptic message emblazoned on the hull, revealing two significant pieces of information. First, the text read "UNSD Providence," a name that indicated the derelict was once a formidable heavy cruiser. Fascinated by this unexpected revelation, Zrieri felt her curiosity deepen even further. Delving into her thoughts, she contemplated the implications of discovering a seemingly abandoned spaceship amidst the wreckage-filled void.

Despite her enthusiasm, a hint of caution tinged Zrieri's decisions as she carefully piloted the Voidflyer closer to the drifting hulk. Her gaze fixed upon what appeared to be a docking port, offering a potential connection point between the two vessels. However, her uncertainty regarding the compatibility of the Voidflyer's own docking port with that of the Providence caused a momentary hesitation to grip her. The last thing she desired was to initiate a risky and potentially hazardous docking process. Yet, as Zrieri observed the Providence more attentively, she noticed an intriguing detail — the seemingly dormant vessel still retained a glimmer of power. This revelation sparked a flicker of hope within her adventurous spirit. Against her initial reservations, Zrieri's gaze fixated upon the extended docking port of the Providence, reaching out as if inviting the Voidflyer to establish a connection. The juxtaposition of uncertainty and possibility warred within her as she weighed the risks and rewards, ultimately poised to make a daring decision that could potentially reshape her journey.

As Zrieri expertly maneuvered the sleek Voidflyer closer to the Providence docking port, her eyes widened with surprise as she noticed that the aliens' docking mechanism perfectly aligned with her ship's. It was a rare stroke of luck amidst the inhospitable reaches of space. Strapping on her trusty space suit and securing her helmet, she prepared herself for the treacherous journey ahead. With a resolute determination, Zrieri made her way towards the airlock, the gateway into the unidentified vessel. As she stepped inside the airlock, her eyes immediately fixed upon the readout, which displayed alarming details. Multiple breaches in the hull of the Providence had resulted in a vacuum and complete absence of gravity within its confines. However given how long the derelict had been adrift neither condition was altogether surprising.

A sense of inconvenience filled the air, as Zrieri grumbled to herself about her distaste for weightlessness while deftly cycling the airlock. She remembered how unpleasant that part of her training had been at the academy. The airlock opened, revealing a disconcerting spectacle before her. The interior of the ship was shrouded in blinking red emergency lighting, amplifying the eerie atmosphere that enveloped her. The fact that there was still reserve power left spoke volumes of the ship design. Uncertain of the path that lay ahead, Zrieri cautiously embarked upon the red-lit corridor, her senses heightened with each tentative step of her gravtalons.

Along her journey through the labyrinthine passageway, she encountered various rooms, some preserved in a state of integrity while others ominously opened up to the unforgiving empty void of space. Each room silently bearing witness to the mysterious events that had unfolded within the bowels of the derelict vessel. Finally, reaching the end of the corridor, Zrieri's keen eyes caught sight of a vertical shaft ascending above her. An upward path beckoned her, promising a potential answer to the enigmatic depths of the ship.

Caution prevailing over curiosity, Zrieri meticulously marked her previous locations, ensuring that she wouldn't succumb to the disorienting expanse of this forsaken place. Her determination echoed through the corridor as she muttered to herself, vowing not to lose her way amidst this derelict maze. She turned off her gravtalons and began to ascend the shaft with a blend of nimbleness and concentration.

Zrieri eventually reached the pinnacle, only to be confronted by a formidable pair of sealed doors. A glimmer of frustration danced across her features as she tirelessly attempted to budge them, employing every ounce of her strength. Yet, fate seemed to conspire against her, refusing to grant access to the secrets that lay beyond those imposing barriers. Undeterred by this setback, resolve surged through her being as she descended back down the shaft, propelled by an unwavering determination to discover a tool that could pry open those obstinate doors.

Zreini retraced her steps down the cold, dimly lit shaft, her mind focused on finding a solution to the sealed doors blocking her path. Every step echoed against the metallic walls as she scanned her surroundings, desperately seeking an object that could serve as a makeshift pry bar. After what felt like an eternity, her eyes caught a glimmer of hope, a long piece of metal hidden among the debris. Without hesitation, she snatched it up, feeling the weight and sturdiness it held. Ascending the shaft once again, Zreini's determination grew as she approached the sealed doors.

With a determined expression, she inserted the metal bar between the unforgiving panels, channeling every ounce of her strength into prying them apart. The doors resisted stubbornly, as if mocking her efforts.

Frustration bubbling inside her, she muttered aloud, "Stubborn doors!" her words swallowed by the vast emptiness of the ship's corridors.

Yet, Zreini refused to yield. Summoning her resolve, she persisted, pouring all her energy into forcing the doors open. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of exertion, the doors relented, reluctantly sliding apart. Yet, victory came at a price. Caught off guard by their sudden movement, Zreini stumbled, crashing into the cold bulkhead opposite the opening. The impact sent the metal bar flying in the opposite direction, clattering noiselessly as it bounced against the floor and out into the void.

Ignoring the ache in her shoulder and the taste of defeat lingering in her beak, Zreini straightened herself, reaching up to adjust her helmet. Her gaze fixed upon the widened door opening, curiosity mingling with anticipation as she peered into the darkness beyond. It didn't take long for realization to dawn upon her. She had discovered the bridge of the Providence, or rather, what was left of it. The telltale signs of Rachanit weaponry ravaged the room, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation.

Undeterred by the destruction, Zreini carefully maneuvered her way into the bridge. Her eyes scanned the remnants of what once was a bustling hub of activity, finally settling on the raised seat at its center. There, she found the remains of the Providence's captain, preserved in his breached spacesuit, desiccated but in-tact. The space mummy was still strapped into the seat. A sense of melancholy washed over her, dying to the void was a fear in every spacer's heart. At the same time, she felt a sense of awe at the silent dedication displayed by the fallen leader, standing watch eternally as his ship drifted.

Approaching the seat with reverence, Zreini examined the captain's final resting place. Despite her eagerness to gather information, she vowed to disturb the scene as little as possible. Zreini had no clue what this species' burial rites were, but she wanted to show nothing but respect to the fallen spacer. With delicate movements, she gently pushed the captain's arm aside, revealing a functioning screen nestled in the seat's armrest. The ship's mainframe was still functioning, at least somewhat. The last remnants of the Providence's technological spirit flickered on the screen.

Without wasting another moment, Zreini retrieved her scanner, her nimble fingers deftly navigating its interface. Its soft blue light illuminated her face as she aimed it towards the mainframe, hoping to extract any fragment of valuable information, a lifeline of knowledge hidden within the ship's core. To her surprise and relief, the scanner successfully retrieved an abundance of data, promising a glimpse into the Providence's secrets and history.

As Zreini meticulously sifted through the retrieved information, her gaze inadvertently wandered to the badge adorning the captain's chest area. Illuminated by the flickering lights, the insignia held a profound significance. She directed her scanner towards it, her curiosity demanding answers. In an instant, the translation software swiftly deciphered the inscription etched upon the badge: "Rory Parks, Commanding Officer, UNSD Providence."

The discovery sent a shiver down her spine. Names became more than mere words or titles. They embodied lives, stories, and sacrifices. Zreini couldn't help but wonder about the brave souls who once inhabited this ship, each with their own tale, now buried deep within its steel and circuitry. Motivated by preservation and a duty to honor those who came before, she transmitted the gathered data to the Voidflyers' computer, ensuring that the legacy of the UNSD Providence would not fade into oblivion.

Zreini, her expression somber and contemplative, crossed her arms as she slowly lowered herself down in front of the fallen commander. Her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and sympathy, she spoke in a hushed yet confident voice, addressing Commander Rory Parker.

"I must admit, dear Commander, that I haven't had the opportunity to encounter your kind or, indeed, any being quite like you before," Zreini's voice carried an air of respect and reverence, as she acknowledged the uniqueness of their encounter. "But now, in this moment, fate has brought us together. From this void, you shall watch over and protect your people, forever enshrined in their collective memory, Commander Rory Parker."

With these words of farewell hanging in the air, Zreini gracefully rose from her bowed position and set off towards her trusted Voidflyer. As she made her way back, there was an uncanny synchronicity to the scene that unfolded before her. It appeared as though the UNSD Providence, the massive spacecraft that had been her destination, had been awaiting her visit. Its presence was a testament to the peculiarities of the universe, always finding ways to manifest remarkable coincidences. However, it was at this very moment, upon entering the airlock, that a disconcerting disruption shattered the tranquility.

The emergency lighting within the vessel flickered erratically, casting eerie shadows and sending shivers down Zreini's spine. A surge of anticipation coursed through her veins, hinting at something extraordinary about to unfold. Outside the confines of the airlock, Zreini's eyes widened with disbelieving awe. It seemed as though Commander Rory Parker himself stood summing near, his ghostly figure illuminated by the tumultuous illumination of the faltering emergency lights. In a poetic gesture, he raised his arm in a quiet salute, characterizing a final farewell before the lighting altogether faded into darkness, leaving Zreini alone in her bewilderment.

Startled and perplexed by what she had just witnessed, Zreini reached for her trusty light, the beam of its illumination slicing through the pervasive darkness. She meticulously scanned her surroundings, eager to uncover any trace of the enigmatic Commander Rory. But alas, there was nothingness. No signs, no traces; simply an impenetrable void. Craving answers, doubts began to swirl within her mind like a chaotic maelstrom. She checked her life support systems for any issues, but they came back all green. Was she just tired, or was it something more?

"What was that…apparition? Was it just my imagination, or was it actually the fleeting specter of the departed commander?" Zreini questioned herself amid the solitude of the airlock.

The implications of such an encounter with the ethereal world sent shivers down her spine, making her question the boundaries of reality itself. One thing she was sure of, there would be no mention of it in her report. Gathering her wits and wrestling her emotions under control, Zreini closed the airlock behind her, sealing off the mysteries that lay beyond. Stepping back into the familiar confines of her ship, she activated the cycle sequence, disconnecting from the Providence.

Slowly but surely, the Voidflyer broke free from the gravitational grip of the human vessel, propelling itself out carefully from the debris field. After the ship was safely out of any immediate danger, Zrieri engaged with the data she had meticulously gathered from the ship. She knew now the race called themselves humans and they originated on the third planet of this very system. Zreini's star charts underwent a transformation. The seamless integration of the acquired information initiated an update, revealing new cosmic coordinates within the vast tapestry of the universe.

And then, facilitated by the translation software, an unexpected revelation emerged, a message intended for the Providence, concealed amidst the data. Anchored to the coordinates that had materialized before her, a message finally unraveled, demanding her attention.

"Earth has fallen, fall back to Alpha Centauri."

The words struck at the core of Zreini's being, triggering a surge of empathy and concern. She turned her ship's sensors towards the third planet of the system. Even with the horrors of the war with the Rachanit fresh in her mind, Zrieri was not ready for what she saw. The planet was destroyed, Not just glassed from an orbital bombardment, the planet had been cracked in two, all the way to its core. Earth's once life-giving atmosphere had been stripped away by the solar winds of its own star when its magnetic field collapsed.

“Monsters…" Zrieri whispered. With clenched fists and a resolute expression, Zreini punched in the coded star system coordinates, her voice filled with a measured determination. "I pray that this Alpha Centauri still exists, that something remains of these people! The universe needs some measure of hope at least."

Zrieri was well aware that the message she had unveiled was distressingly dated, possibly an echo from a bygone era. But it didn't matter, she needed to know. Without hesitation, driven by the yearning for answers and the spark of hope, Zreini once again activated the FTL drive, plunging herself and her vessel into the abyssal depths of interstellar travel. The destination lay before her, shrouded in mystery

Dead Zone, System 002 (Alpha Centauri)

As the Voidflyer hurtled through hyper-dimensional space, its sophisticated translation software strained to piece together a comprehensive Lexicon from the fragments of data Zreini had managed to extract from the human spaceship. Nonetheless, before the system could complete its task, Zreini's attention was abruptly yanked away by the blaring of the proximity alarm at the hyperlane exit, signaling a looming threat.

“Not again!" she chirped as she took hold of the controls tightly.

An immense and ominous presence awaited her, and Zreini instinctively exerted all her strength, desperately maneuvering to dodge the colossal object. Even with the maneuverability of the Voidflyer and her own skill and experience, an inevitable disaster struck with full force. The Voidflyer collided with the object, scraping along her underside. Alarms and claxons rang in Zrieri's ears before her head collided with her console, plunging her into unconsciousness.

***

When Zreini finally regained consciousness and surveyed her surroundings, she was met with a bewildering revelation: she was miraculously alive.

“I guess I won't be meeting Janaria today after all." She muttered as she rubbed her forehead gently.

However, the same fate could not be claimed for the crippled Voidflyer, which now lay dormant and powerless in the enshrouding darkness of the cockpit. There were numerous hull breaches, but the cockpit was still fully pressurized. Emergency power was keeping the life support systems online for the time being, but every other system seemed to be offline. Peering through the cockpit windows, her gaze fell upon a disheartening sight; a trail of coolant and vapors spiraling from her damaged vessel.

And there, in stark defiance against the backdrop of the cold celestial abyss, loomed the cause of her misfortune: an enormous, angular, obsidian ship. Its design bore a striking resemblance to that of the UNSD Providence, but what sent a shiver down Zreini's spine was the sight of the behemoth's menacing turrets trained directly upon her vulnerable craft. As if it would take more than one shot to vaporize the Voidflyer.

The implications of this encounter fueled a fearful realization within her; humanity still lingered in the cosmos. As Zreini intently studied the illuminated lettering adorning the side of the imposing vessel, She had been on smaller space stations than this singular ship. It was reminiscent in certain design elements to the Providence, and a sudden surge of urgency propelled her to hastily employ her scanner in an attempt to decipher the meaning. With bated breath, she witnessed the screen illuminate with its translation: "UNSD Relentless."

The humans were indeed present; evoking a maelstrom of emotions within her already frayed nerves. In that critical moment, the Relentless maneuvered itself alongside her ship, looming large and casting a daunting shadow over her world. Peering over the edge of her cockpit, Zreini's eyes widened as she beheld a mammoth bay door slowly creaking open, revealing a glimpse into the depths of the unknown. However, before her curiosity could be sated, she was startled by resounding thudding sounds reverberating through the wounded hull of the Voidflyer; a vivid auditory reminder of her predicament. In a matter of moments she found herself being inexorably drawn towards the embrace of the gargantuan Relentless.

The sensation of gravity returning to her body was comforting as she came under the sway of the Relentless' gravity generators. The flood of bay lights cut through the darkness like beacons, illuminating the once-desolate interior of the cockpit and exposing a bustling hive of activity within the bay. Zreini swiftly deduced that her unintended collision with the Relentless had triggered an alarm within its crew, setting in motion their rescue efforts. Without delay or fanfare, the distorted remnants of the Voidflyer were delicately lowered onto the solid floor of the bay; an act of careful precision amid the tumultuous events unfolding.

Zreini gingerly unstrapped herself from her seat, a jolt of pain coursing through her as she realized that something was painfully broken. Waves of discomfort radiated from her ribcage, making it excruciating to take even the slightest breath, while her right leg throbbed mercilessly, rendering it unable to bear any weight. Determined to escape her crippled vessel, she mustered all the strength she could find and stumbled towards the airlock. Summoning the last vestiges of her energy, Zreini desperately pulled off a side panel, revealing the emergency locks securing the doors. With trembling fingers, she released them, the clunking sound echoing in the confined space. Gritting her teeth against the pain, Zreini exerted what little force she could muster to push open the inner door.

The dank air of the airlock greeted her as she did the same with the outer door, its resistance ultimately giving way to a pneumatic hiss. Peering into the expansive bay beyond, Zreini's eyes widened at the sight that met her gaze. A group of humans, clad in formidable armored spacesuits, stood before her, their weapons ominously trained on her battered form. A rush of adrenaline coiled within her, propelling her senses to heightened alertness. Just as panic threatened to consume her, a voice pierced through the tense silence, commanding the armed human contingent to stand down. Instantly obeying the authoritative command, they lowered their weapons, revealing a glimmer of hope within Zreini's battered soul. Yet, before she could extend her gratitude or even gather her thoughts coherently, Zreini succumbed to the relentless darkness tugging at the edges of her consciousness. Her frail form succumbed to the physical and emotional trauma, surrendering to oblivion.

UNSD Relentless, Medbay

Zreini shifted slightly. A hazy fog seemed to cling to her mind, wrapping her senses in a disorienting embrace. Blinking her large heavy eyelids, she glanced upwards, her gaze falling upon an unfamiliar ceiling. Confusion and a deep ache pervaded her being, exacerbated by the fact that she was no longer cloaked in her familiar flight suit. Despite the pain that rippled through her feathered body as she sat up, she couldn't suppress a groan of discomfort.

“Hey there, take it easy, you shouldn't even be sitting up right now." A voice gently implored her. The gravity of her situation became apparent as the extent of her injuries was made known to the young Atodine. “You have suffered a collapsed lung and internal bleeding, most likely caused by your three broken ribs." The human attending Zrieri shook their head. “I can't believe you managed to walk out of your ship on your own."

The doctors, faced with their first encounter with the Atodine species, had been forced to improvise, but their efforts ultimately saved her life. The human figure standing sympathetically beside her identified himself as Matthew Parks, the supervising doctor and head surgeon who had operated blindly to save Zrieri's life.

Momentarily bewildered by her situation, it took a moment before she realized she was understanding the alien perfectly as she could her own doctor back on Atodine Prime.

“Excuse me, how exactly can I understand you?" The uncertainty in her eyes betrayed her confusion.

“Please relax and lay back down, I'll do what I can to explain." Matthew said in a smooth yet authoritative voice. “We are making use of a universal translator, a small device implanted in our ears at an early age. It facilitates cross-species communication. We implanted the device into your own ears while in surgery. Apparently it was easy to program as you had already done work to translate our language."

“Then you know where I was before I crashed into your ship." Zrieri said softly. “Your second name indicates familial ties, yes? Are you perhaps…"

“Rory Parks, the commander of the Providence, was my grandfather." Matthew said with a solemn nod. “Though I'm afraid I never got to meet him in life, I was born here in Alpha Centauri after The Breaking."

Zrieri winced. There was no need to ask what Matthew meant by that. “He must have fought until the very end, and even now I feel like he stands vigil over your nest world."

Matthew nodded. In a way it was as if their lives and fates were now inextricably linked. Furthermore, the empathetic doctor had knowledge of her profound encounter with the Providence, signaling a deeper connection between them than Zreini could have anticipated. The path ahead now shrouded in mystery, Zreini braced herself for the unfolding chapters of her life's narrative, intertwined with that of Matthew Parks and the resolute alliance forged between their species.

Zreini's attention was immediately seized by the sight of a group of men entering the medbay. Their unmistakable uniforms identified them as guards, and they were accompanied by two women.one was dressed in uniform, while other woman wore a pristine white suit. Zrieri felt more than a little uncomfortable as she was wearing nothing more than her feathers and a light blanket. For what had to be a formal first contact situation. Zreini's focus shifted to the woman in uniform as she walked towards Matthew.

"Doc, is our guest able to speak?" The woman addressed Matthew with a hint of concern in her voice.

"Yes, Cap, she can receive guests. Our bio screening indicated that there is nothing present in her system that would be harmful to her or us. And although she is still tender from her surgery, as far as I can tell she is mending well."

“It's good to hear that. She nearly got herself killed when she crashed into our port shields." As the woman turned around and made her way towards Zrieri, she was handed a tablet by one of the guards. Engrossed in her task, she began swiping on the device while glancing down at Zreini. With a confident demeanor, she introduced herself. "Right, so welcome aboard the Relentless. I am Commander Rahy Meson, the Commanding Officer of this vessel. But first, we need to confirm something. Are you affiliated with the race known as the Rachanit? It appears that your spacecraft utilizes a Rachanit HyperDrive, and your craft seems to incorporate their technology and metallurgy."

Zreini's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. "What? No! We are at war with them. We salvaged this drive and other components from the many battles we have had with the Rachanit. My race, the Atodine, didn't even possess FTL technology before the conflict began. We were trying to figure out how to build our own drives by observing the captured drive in my prototype craft, the Voidflyer. We were also curious about the apparent dead zone in Rachanit controlled space. The data that indicates your system of origin. Of course, you can imagine what I found when I reached the star system you once called home." Zrieri took the almost oppressive silence as a confirmation and continued. “I found the ship called the Providence in the debris field of what had to be a great battle. From what information I found on the computer systems lead me here. I wasn't even sure if your race still existed or not, but I had to find out."

Commander Meson exchanged a look with the other woman in the white suit before turning back to their guest. With a slight nod she encouraged Zrieri to continue.

“Please understand, I have been dispatched here with the urgent task of finding out why the Rachanits are avoiding this region of space. Additionally, I am supposed to determine if there is a species somewhere in the galaxy capable of assisting my kind. Although we have managed to fend off their advancements so far, it appears that after each encounter, the Rachanit simply toy with us, leaving us bewildered and anxious."

By this point in the story, the woman clad in a pristine white suit had gracefully positioned herself next to the commander. Zreini shifted her gaze towards her, curious to learn more about this new arrival.

The woman extended her hand and spoke with a confident tone, "Well met, then, Zreini."

Zreini nodded in acknowledgement, reciprocating the formal greeting.

The woman continued. “My name is Michèle Hughes, I am the sitting President of the United Nations Space Defense, or UNSD."

Meeting the captain of the vessel she was rescued by was to be expected, but meeting who Zrieri could only assume was the head of the entire human government was almost beyond belief.

“I must apologize, President Hughes, I'm a pilot, not a diplomat."

“Zrieri, In my opinion, the best diplomats always had a real job first." Her lips curled in a slight smile, a positive gesture from what the Atodine had gathered. “We are grateful for the information you have gathered from outside our little bubble. We have strived to remain silent and unnoticed in the years since The Breaking. We lost a great deal of our fleet, as you saw first hand." Zrieri nodded and President Hughes continued. “Mankind had endured a period of secrecy, driven by our unwavering desire to avenge the destruction of their homeworld at the hands of the Rachanit. Over time, we have meticulously bolstered and upgraded our fleet, preparing for the day when retribution would be realized."

“If you can assist in repairing my ship, I can return home and…"

Commander Meson shook her head. “Zrieri, there is no way I could in good conscience let you take that ship back out into space. No amount of repairs could make it spaceworthy at this point."

“I know it is a little rude to show up unannounced, But I don't think your government will be terribly upset if we were to give Rachanit the fiery justice they deserve." President Hughes swiftly diverted her attention, tapping a device in her ear, presumably a communication device. "Fleet Command, it's time to bring the pain to the bugs." With her orders communicated, she turned back to face Commander Meson, resolute in her commitment. "Commander, the Relentless will serve as our flagship, leading the charge. We shall make our way to Atodine Prime, and if our guest is well enough to leave the medical bay, she may join us on the bridge."

Meson snapped to attention, saluting the President. "Yes, ma'am," she responded dutifully. Directing her focus towards the doctor, the commander inquired, "Is our guest capable of leaving the medbay?"

The doctor lifted his gaze from the tablet he was using to monitor his patient's vitals. Matthew considered the question for a moment before replying.

"As long as she avoids exerting herself excessively and remains in a wheelchair Zrieri should be fine."

“If I can also request something more than just a blanket to wear?" Zrieri asked in a soft voice.

“Our clothing isn't designed to take feathers into account, but I think a hospital gown will still work for an Atodine."

President Hughes nodded approvingly. Turning her attention to Zreini, she issued a directive with a touch of levity, "Excellent. Zreini, get yourself dressed. You'll be accompanying me."

Matthew closed the screen for privacy and helped Zrieri to get dressed and transferred to the powered wheelchair. She was unfamiliar with the medical device, but the controls were intuitive enough for the test pilot.

“For what it's worth, one of the ship's tailors is cleaning and restoring your flight suit, so you will have real clothing when it's time for you to disembark."

“After what I've been through, I'm happy to have most of my feathers still intact. Thank you, Doc."

Matthew smiled before retracting the screen.

"Well, then, President, Commander, lead the way." She declared confidently.

Zreini followed closely behind Commander Meson, taking caution to not run over her hosts with her chair. Her head was on a swivel, keenly observing her surroundings as the bustling crew prepared for the imminent events. The air hummed with ceaseless activity, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation. They entered an elevator, and Zreini felt the gentle motion as it ascended. In a short span of time, the doors opened, revealing a vibrant and effervescent bridge.

The crew members were engaged in active communication, each fulfilling their designated roles with unwavering dedication. Suddenly, one of the crew members spotted Meson's entrance and promptly assumed a position of attention.

"Captain on the bridge," they announced, prompting everyone to briefly pause their activities.

Meson surveyed the scene before stepping towards the elevated chair, addressing her subordinates. "At ease, everyone. Carry on with your tasks." She then directed her attention to a man standing beside her. "Arian, have we received the coordinates for Atodine Prime?"

Arian, now adopting a more relaxed posture while retaining his professionalism, responded promptly, "Yes, ma'am. However, we are unaware of what awaits us once we arrive there."

Meson acknowledged his response with a curt nod. "Very well, since we know the location of the hyperlane point, our target is set. Zreini, I am curious if your people's fleet possesses knowledge of hyperlane points and their significance?"

Zreini glanced upwards, her eyes scanning the vast expanse of space above. “The knowledge we possess about these hyperlane points is scant at best, We know that the Rachanit use several specific points in our system to resupply and reinforce their fleet, and that there were only certain points I could take with the Voidflyier, even after I removed the lockouts for human space. Getting a better understanding of hyperdimensional travel was a significant point in my test flight."

Meson nodded. “If you will excuse the simplification of multidimensional travel, the hyperlanes are natural travel points formed by the interplay of massive objects and their gravitational fields. Paths of least resistance, as it were. This is why they are entering your system from the same few points."

Zrieri nodded. “I think I get the idea."

“We managed to fight back and blockade the points in our space. Eventually the Rachanit grew tired of losing ships to our minefields and destroyers, and from what we've learned from you, even locked human space out of their travel computers. We are also aware they have fortified the same points on their end to prevent us from attacking."

“The fact that you were able to fight them back to these hyperlane points says a lot about your people. We are barely keeping them out of orbit around Atodine Prime at this point."

“We were just doing what we must. We continued to research hyperdimensional travel and we made a breakthrough. We found a way to construct our own hyperlanes. True, they collapse behind the ships after entering normal space, but it means we are not limited to a single point of entry between given systems. The tactics the Rachanit are currently using against your people proves they have not made a similar discovery. In fact, from what we have gleaned from both your data and the Rachanit components used in the Voidflier's construction, their technology hasn't advanced at all since they first fought us."

“But yours has." The reality started to sink in for Zrieri.

The humans had managed to fight back the Rachanit two generations ago, and since then they had only advanced and improved their technology while their enemy had been stagnant. In the same way the Rachanit had overpowered and outclassed all the species they conquered and devoured, the humans now outclassed them. And they had an unimaginable grudge to settle.

The seasoned commander nodded. Her eyes then shifted towards Adrian, the renowned strategist. "We must make our way to the hyperlane point," Meson declared, her voice firm and resolute. “We will cut them off from resupply and retreat. And then we hunt down and squash every last one of those damned bugs."

Zreini felt a bit of a chill run down her spine, but felt no empathy for the Rachanit. A race that would gleefully consume chicks is not one that deserved to exist anywhere in the universe. Her beak closed tightly and Zrieri nodded back to the commander.

"Sound stations, full alert! Activate shields and arm all weapon systems. We will be going in hot and we will hit those bugs like the angry fist of god!" There was a large cheer from the bridge crew, almost enough to hurt Zrieri's ears. “Set the course towards the Hyperlane point in the Atodine's system. There is little chance of encountering any friendly ships this far behind enemy lines, so the fleet is given permission to engage any enemy vessel. The Relentless, however, will be focusing all fire on any capital ships in range."

Zreini had expected the Relentless to travel to the border of the system from her basic understanding of how hyperdrives worked. However, instead of moving, the relentless remained where it was and opened up a corridor in front of it, like a door opening up in front of a ship.

As the blue portal opened, the helmsman called out, "Ma'am, the hypergate is stable."

“Michèle, you are the commander in chief." Meson said tuning to the president with a grim smile."

“Thank you, Rahy." President Hughes smiled back. "Take us in at full speed. If the Rachantis haven't changed their ways, we're sure to catch them off guard."

The helmsman replied, "Yes, ma'am. Full speed."

The Relentless moved into the hypergate, and Zreini looked out from the bridge. Just before fully entering, she could see other human ships opening up gates and following suit.

Atodine system hyperlane point

The tense atmosphere on the bridge of the Rachanits flotilla's flagship was further heightened as the Fleet Master, a seasoned officer with years of experience, reviewed the data before him. The Rachanits ships were strategically positioned just outside the main hyperlane point, ready to engage in battle. The Fleet Master couldn't help but silently admire the avians' exceptional combat skills, acknowledging their formidable ability to put up a fight. However, he couldn't deny the futility of their efforts in the face of his own fleet's overwhelming power.

Before the fleet master could delve deeper into his thoughts about the avians' resilience, his attention was abruptly diverted as a crew member urgently reported detecting peculiar readings on the ship's port side. This was a rarity, as the crew member had never encountered anything quite like it before. Complying with his duty, albeit somewhat begrudgingly, the fleet master moved swiftly towards the station, intent on examining the enigmatic readings.

As he analyzed the data, the Fleet Master's countenance underwent a swift metamorphosis. A mix of disbelief and horror washed over his face, evident in his dramatic change of expression. All coherent thought seemed to flee from his mind as he exclaimed incredulously, unable to accept what he was witnessing.

"This can't be... they can't possibly be out here!" He declared, his voice trembling with both astonishment and fear.

In the midst of his disbelief, the Fleet Master's attention was suddenly diverted to the multiple hypergates opening. His eyes widened with an acute sense of urgency as he realized the gravity of the situation unfolding before him.

With a commanding tone, he bellowed, "No! Raise the shields!"

But his command was left hanging, unfinished, as the ship violently convulsed under the immense force of impact. A ship, dwarfing the very flagship the Fleet Master was stationed on, emerged from the hypergate with unstoppable momentum. It crashed mercilessly through the flagship, The Rachanit vessel splintered against the powerful shields as if it were nothing more than dry noodles. The Fleet Master, caught in the cataclysmic destruction of his own vessel, was unceremoniously expelled into the merciless vacuum of space, losing his life to the cold void that awaited him. As his life ebbed away, his gaze fixated on the imposing letters adorning the ship that had mercilessly cleaved his flagship in half: UNSD Relentless.

As the chaos in the vicinity escalated, even more hypergates began to materialize, heralding the arrival of additional formidable adversaries, all of which opened fire without a moment's hesitation.

UNSD Relentless bridge

The shields, typically steady and unyielding, momentarily flickered, as if sensing an unseen disturbance. President Hughes felt a ripple of unease wash over her in response to this transient disruption. Instinctively, she scanned the control room, her eyes darting from one crew member to another in search of answers, not wanting to disrupt the commander from her duties. Eventually, her attention settled on the helmsman, hoping to find an explanation for the disconcerting blip in their otherwise flawless operation.

Without much concern, the helmsman met the president's inquisitive gaze, seemingly unaffected by the anomaly. "Oh, don't worry about that, it was just a bug on the windshield, ma'am," he casually declared, as if attributing the brief tremor to a mundane occurrence.

Her lighthearted chuckle lightened the mood, but only slightly. As soon as the Relentless fully entered normal space Commander Meson gave the order to fire. Large anti-ship missiles rocketed out of their launch bays as laser batteries began to sweep the enemy fleet. Zrieri watched in awe as the fist of an angry god indeed slammed into the invader's fleet. The light show only increased as more human ships entered normal space and opened fire.

President Hughes stood up from her seat. "Coms broadcast on every available frequency; we are here to aid the Atodine and have no hostile intent towards them, only the Rachanit."

This declaration exemplified both her intent to assist who would hopefully be new allies and her readiness to confront the enemy forces head-on, showcasing a blend of strategic acumen and fearless resolve in the face of adversity.

In the opening minutes of the battle the Rachanit losses were crushing, as only the most forward of vessels had their shields active as per their battle doctrine. The enemy fleet scrambled to raise shields and conduct evasive maneuvers to counter the surprise attack. In their war with the humans the Rachanit's weapons and ships were numerous and powerful, as the wreckage orbiting Sol could attest. But in the intervening years humans had researched and worked tirelessly to upgrade and advance ships, offensive, and defensive systems.

The Rachanit , however, confident in their technological domination in every other system had only rebuilt their fleets to the same specifications. They sealed off the humans in a bubble and just pretended that no race had ever come close to matching them. And after all, they destroyed the human homeworld, what race could ever recover from that? The Rachanit may have indeed broken the Earth, but not her children.

Rachanit capital ships were exploding into space-dust while the shields of the human fleet barely even flickered against the pitiful return fire. Anti-ship missiles were destroyed by point defenses before they could even attempt to breach the shields. And then things got even worse for the invaders.

Humans were not the only race in the galaxy that wanted vengeance against the Rachanit. A portion of the fleet defending Atodine prime broke off and moved to engage the invading fleet from what had become the rear lines. After all the suffering they had received, they saw a chance to ensure the eradication of the fleet. Nimble Atodine fighters launched from carriers as their cruisers provided covering fire. They swarmed the remaining ships, their shields already greatly weakened from combat with the human fleet. Plasma bombs smashed into the hulls of the Rachanit lighter ships, severely damaging or outright destroying them.

The captains of the remaining Rachanit vessels attempted to flee the battle, but the hyperspace lane was guarded by several destroyers and cruisers and the Atodine ships pursued from behind. Not a single invading ship escaped the combined wrath of the humans and the Atodine.

On the bridge of the Relentless Zrieri watched the battle unfold with her beak agape. A part of her wondered if she had suffered a fatal injury crashing into the Relentless and this was just the last dream of her dying mind. Zrieri saw capital ships explode into dust, cruisers swatted like annoying bugs by a single blast of a laser battery. Then she saw her own people joining the fight.

Zrieri let out a cry of rage and joy at this. Of course, the screeching cry drew the attention of everyone on the bridge, as it sounded something akin to an angry hawk. Zrieri didn't care, she cheered on her people as they swept up behind the Rachanit , herding them to ultimate destruction at the hyperlane point.

“Commander," the coms officer called out, “The Atodine fleet is hailing us."

Commander Meson nodded then turned to the president. “Michèle, am I taking this one or you?"

“You take this one, Rahy, I will speak to their ruling body after you get everyone calmed down after the fight."

The commander chuckled as she stood up from her chair and moved to stand by Zrieri. “Patch us through to the Atodine Fleet."

The main screen switched from the view of local space to an older Atodine standing front and center.

“Human vessels. I am Admiral Kaba of the Atodine Defense Forces. Please state your reason for entering Atodine space."

“I am Commander Rahy Meson of the UNSD Relentless. I'm afraid one of your test pilots had ship trouble after entering our space, so we decided to escort her home. Of course, we had to swat a few bugs on the way."

Kaba let out a small chirp of a laugh. “Although we are grateful for your actions today, we are more than a little wary of other races, as our first experience was with the Rachanit."

“Ours as well." Meson said with a solemn nod. “Mr. Riley, relay the order to the fleet. Initiate immediate power-down of all weapon systems until further notice."

“And your shields?"

“We will drop the shields of any ships that enter the orbit of your planet, however we both know there are more Rachanit vessels out there."

“That will be acceptable, for now. As for our test pilot." his large eyes shifted to Zrieri in her wheelchair.

“Sir!" Zrieri snapped a salute. “Please excuse me for not standing, I suffered almost as much damage as the Voidflier."

“Are you fit to travel by shuttle to my ship?"

“As long as my hosts allow me to keep this mobile chair."

“We can make arrangements for Zrieri's transfer, as well as her ship. Although it is no longer fit for space, I wouldn't want to keep your people's first FTL capable ship from you."

“Thank you. All joking aside, I must ask. Why did you come to our aid?"

“Before the end of the war, or I suppose the first war now, with the Rachanit they destroyed our home world, literally shattered the planet to the core. We do not need much of an excuse to turn their ships into space junk."

The feathers around Kaba's neck puffed up with anger. “I thought I had heard every horror the Rachanit were capable of, yet somehow I am not completely surprised."

“They are a plague on the galaxy, but as strong as we have become we will still need help to put an end to the threat."

“This is quickly evolving from a defense matter to a diplomatic one. And unsurprisingly every member of the High Council is trying to reach me at this moment.

“That's our governing body." Zrieri informed Meson.

“Politics and diplomacy then. I will gladly hand that mess over to Michèle Hughes, President of the UNSD. While they talk, we can sort out the transfer of your lost pilot and ship."

Kaba let out another chirp of a laugh. “That sounds like a good plan to me."

Atodine Space Academy, West Wing

Zrieri advanced to a slide of the first diplomatic meeting between the atodine and human representatives.

“Needless to say, our second contact went much better than the first." She paused as her students chuckled. “But what followed was just the start. The alliance between the Atodine and Humans soon grew to The Great Alliance as more races joined the fight. Some were besieged like we were, others were days away from their worlds being turned into nothing more than livestock pens." Images flashed by and video clips played on the screen as Zrieri continued. “The alliance drove off the invading fleets, freely gave relief aid and shared the technology to make a stand against the Rachanit. Day by day their fleets were decimated and they lost access to resources and facilities as they lost entire systems in a matter of hours. They constantly fell back, whatever ships could limp back to their home system did so. After ten long cycles the Rachanit were the ones huddled around their nest world. Scared and hopeless as the vengeance of hundreds of worlds bared down on them." Zrieri looked up at the screen behind her. “The vids can't do the battle justice."

“Professor? You were there?" One of her students asked.

“Of course I was there, in my old VF-77 fighter, the first one to roll off the line. We destroyed every ship, every station, every orbital and lunar defense platform. Precise strikes were made to their ground defenses, leaving nothing but caters. And then, we stopped."

“But why stop? Why not just finish off the Rachanit?" Another student questioned.

“It was the humans who stayed the righteous fist of The Great Alliance. The only member who had their nest world completely destroyed was the one advocating against a similar action taken against the Rachanit. However, it wasn't out of mercy. You see, just destroying them would be too easy of a punishment, the humans wanted them to suffer. So now they are contained on a single planet. Anytime they try to rebuild their infrastructure, the orbital defenses we left in place vaporize it. Without the countless worlds of sapient livestock to feed them, the Rachanit turned on themselves. Fighting and eating each other to survive. They once traveled to the stars, the most powerful empire in the galaxy, and now they struggle to survive one day to the next in a hopeless existence. Annihilating them would have been a mercy, and those damn bugs know it."

Zrieri ended the feed to the screen. She looked out at the faces of her students. That last part always left an impact. They were gathered from all over the Great Alliance. So many different races came together to end the threat of the Rachanit. But after that was dealt with, they stayed united, working together to build a better society for all the member systems. She couldn't help but feel pride in the part she played in all of that. She touched the platinum stylized wings that hung from her neck. They were called The Wings of Janaria; the greatest honor bestowed to a member of the Starcorps. She let out a soft sigh and focussed back on her duties as a professor.

“Are there any more questions?" She asked the students and a flurry of hands were raised.

Before she could call on anyone, the chimes noting the end of the period played out loudly.

“Ah, looks like we are out of time for today. I will see you in two days and we can continue then with your questions. Class dismissed."

___________________________________________________

Original characters and setting by Yeania Aeon

(FA: https://www.furaffinity.net/user/yeaniaaeon)

Written by Syntaxerror37 & Yeania Aeon

(FA: https://www.furaffinity.net/user/sevencrown37

SoFurry: https://sevencrown.sofurry.com/)

Discord: therealse37

Bluesky: @sevencrown37.bsky.social